Season 18 of Real Housewives of Orange County is set to premiere on Thursday, July 11 on Bravo. It’s been a a year since we last caught up with the ladies of Orange County and we can’t wait to see what kind of trouble they stir up this season. While we wait for the premiere, let’s take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of the show’s most unforgettable moments.
Here are the most memorable episodes of RHOC:
Meet The Wives – Season 1, Episode 1
We would be amiss not to include the episode that started it all. The pilot of Real Housewives of Orange County aired on Bravo on March 21, 2006. The first episode provided viewers with an inside look into how the other half lives, from boob jobs to beach-front properties. The show was finding its footing in the first season. It may have been a little slow and unpolished but it was still a joy to watch.
Be Nice to the New Girl – Season 2, Episode 2
In the Season 2 episode “Be Nice To the New Girl,” Vicki Gunvalson delivered her iconic “family van” rant. The Bravo star was brought to the brink of madness after a rental car company chose to send a “little family van” to pick up 12 people. She called the company and slammed them for their “ridiculous” choice.
“I said 12 bags, six people,” she spat. “We are going on a cruise for two and a half weeks. This is not funny! You have a little family van. When do you ever bring a family van to pick up six people? This is ridiculous!”
The moment has become one of the most famous and referenced moments in the show’s history. Andy Cohen gave the funny moment a shoutout in the book “Not All Diamonds and Rosé: The Inside Story of The Real Housewives From the People Who Lived It.” He told author Dave Quinn that the Season 2 meltdown is one of his all-time favorite moments.
“Whenever people ask me my favorite Housewives moment, I don’t know why but I always go back to Vicki and that little family van,” he said.
Girl Fight – Season 6, Episode 13
Things got physical between Tamra Judge and Jeana Keough at a pool party in the Season 6 episode “Girl Fight.” Tension had been brewing between the two all season because of Jeana’s friendship with Tamra’s ex-husband, Simon Barney. Jeana had done a few interviews about Tamra’s divorce in the press, which caused a rift between the former friends.
Tamra decided to confront Jeana at the event and things did not go well. The confrontation resulted in wine being thrown, Tamra threatening legal action, and Jeana storming out of the party. Yikes.
Cold Shoulders – Season 8, Episode 18
The Season 8 episode “Cold Shoulders” has to be one the greatest episodes in Real Housewives history. So much went down at Vicki’s party that it’s hard to believe it wasn’t scripted. There were several surprising moments throughout the night. First, Tamra and Jim Bellino made peace after an entire season of conflict. Then, Vicki confronted Slade Smiley for making jokes about her appearance, which was a joy to watch. The peak of the episode came when Vicki’s son-in-law Ryan got in a fight with Lydia McLaughlin’s mom. Ryan, who had recently returned from war, saw Lydia’s mom sitting with her shoes on the couch and he was not having it. He scolded her and accused her of “disrespecting” him. Fans accused Ryan of being “drunk.”
Game Changer – Season 10, Episode 5
Our hearts broke watching the Season 10 episode “Game Changer.” In the episode, Vicki got a call alerting her that her mother passed away. The Bravo star broke down and began sobbing on the kitchen floor. The episode stands out as one of the most emotional Real Housewives episodes.
Whooping it up for Wedding Bells – Season 14, Episode 20
Who could forget Tamra’s failed escape plan in the Season 14 episode “Whooping it up for Wedding Bells?” The mother-of-four was trying to avoid a conversation with Gina Kirschenheiter and ended up drunkenly stumbling into a bush. So iconic.
TELL US – WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE EPISODE OF REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY?
