They're already being compared to the “Desperate Housewives,” but the five women featured in Bravo’s new reality series, “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” are anything but desperate.
The women who star in the show juggle careers, families and friendship, all while finding time for Botox sessions and a very busy social life. And the series, which premieres tomorrow night, gives us an all-access pass into the life behind one of the most expensive gated communities in America.
RITA COSBY, HOST, "RITA COSBY LIVE & DIRECT": Give us a sense of a typical day for you.
LAURI WARING, “REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY”: You know, I’m actually the divorcee in the group. And I no longer live in the gated community. But when I was there, and not working, a day would pretty much be taking care of the kids, getting them off to school, then getting pampered, spa, nails, hair, massage, tennis, riding; there are all different recreational amenities. So just it was a very nice lifestyle.
COSBY: It sounds like it. You know, Kimberly, you’ve even described yourself as a trophy wife. And, in fact, there was something your husband wanted you to do when you first moved into the gated community.
KIMBERLY BRYANT, “REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY”: We had lived here about six months when Scott said, “Hey, you know, have you thought about, you know, maybe getting breast implants?” And I said, “You got to be kidding.”
COSBY: Did you get them?
BRYANT: Yes, obviously, I did.
COSBY: Is there a lot of pressure, that you had to do it, if you were going to be part of that community?
BRYANT: You know, I think pressure is the wrong word. I think, you know, when in Rome, be in Rome, and have a great time. And, frankly, I have a great husband. And if a couple of chemical balls in my chest makes him happy, I’m game.
COSBY: You know, and, Lauri, you’ve talked about how it’s hard for you. You mentioned you’re a divorcee. You’re now looking for a guy, and you said it’s hard to find the right man. Is it hard for you? You know, between you got kids, you’ve got this, but you’re gorgeous, and you’re still part of this whole lifestyle?
WARING: Thank you. You know, I think I have the “Seinfeld” syndrome or Claudia syndrome, where I think I’m being too picky. But I have really high standards, and I can’t afford another mistake. And you’re right. I mean, trying to get back there in the workforce and with kids, and I make a feeble attempt at my social life.
COSBY: Well, it sounds like you do a pretty good job. Everybody is comparing you guys, of course, to “Desperate Housewives.”
BRYANT: Right.
COSBY: Are there any desperate housewives in the batch there who are hanging out with the pool boy or the gardener? Give us the real deal here.
BRYANT: Aren’t we all a little desperate?
WARING: Just a little bit.
BRYANT: I mean, that’s part of the human condition.
COSBY: Is there a pool boy or gardener in any of your pasts?
BRYANT: There’s no—no, there’s no pool boys or gardeners.
WARING: I’m looking for that plumber.
BRYANT: If you watch all seven episodes, you’ll see what comes up.
COSBY: What are the other women like on this show, Kimberly?
BRYANT: Oh, you know what? We’ve all become very close. We’re great friends. We’re completely different.
Vicki has worked very hard to achieve just a fabulous lifestyle, but she works almost too hard to enjoy it. She has several vacation homes. You get to see some of them. She sells insurance out of the office. She manages her family like you can’t believe.
And then we have Jeana, who is the easygoing Italian mom who, you know, tries to always be available for her kids, and does a pretty good job of it.
COSBY: Well, you guys are both doing a good job and it looks like you’re having a lot of fun. I hope everybody tunes in.
Watch 'Rita Cosby Live & Direct' each night at 9 p.m. ET on MSNBC.
