
“The Real Housewives of Orange County” first aired on Bravo on March 21, 2006, introducing viewers to Jeana Keough, Vicki Gunvalson, Lauri Peterson, Kimberly Bryant, and Jo De La Rosa. Though the initial season was only eight episodes long, the show quickly grew into a major franchise, expanding to 12 other cities across the United States, with the newest version debuting next month. It has also spawned over 30 international versions in 20 countries and a dozen spin-off shows (some more successful than others). The series set a new standard for reality TV by offering a candid look at the lives and viewpoints of wealthy women, a format that other networks, like Hulu with “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” have tried to copy.