Who knew that so much drama could be going down in the state of Utah? But in this last quarter of 2024 TV, both The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City have brought their A-game. It’s easy to want to compare the two shows, especially when the Salt Lake City wives seem to comingle. But I wanted to do more than just put both shows side by side. So, let’s take an in-depth look at what both shows bring to the table.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is really just about coworkers who hate each other
I may be the only one out there with this unpopular opinion, but Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was okay…not great. Now, the first episode was a slow burn, with the build-up being the bombshell ending. As the series progressed, I forgot that these ladies were technically coworkers on their TikTok channel. First, if you could even tell half these wives apart, you might have fallen down the rabbit hole. But to me, the big picture was that most of the women wanted to break the patriarchy. And they did, in their own way. They didn’t march for women’s rights like Susan B. Anthony, but as the sole earners of their household, they showed that the rules of being a good Mormon are changing.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is like a show in training. The series doesn’t have the flare of a Bravo show. What I mean is you never saw any of the women dining in a five-star restaurant. Viewers never saw outside their homes. And half an episode was dedicated to Whitney Leavitt shoveling literal shit. But there is potential. Some side-by-side comparisons can be made, like the petty drama, one particular troublemaker, and the Mormon Chruch, but I am going to need Hulu to step it up a notch for Season 2.
Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is the epitome of reality TV
Like so many Bravo fans who were stuck in the waiting room that was RHODubai and RHOC, the release of the new Real Housewives of Salt Lake City was a godsend. What separated RHOSLC from Mormon Wives is that the women have been invested in making their series the best since day one. They saw the long line of Bravo royalty and wanted to make sure they delivered on the drama. With the ladies of Bravo being more established, it helps to deepen each of their stories, and in turn, viewers become invested.
The Utah franchise also brings the fashion. With newbie Bronwyn Newport sporting a $15,000 YSL heart coat, the Mormon Wives never had a chance to compete. The Salt Lake City women are all about the fashion houses and parade their Gucci, Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton items in almost every scene. Most importantly, the friendship between the Real Housewives just feels more genuine. I am invested in their relationships and can’t say I care about #MomTok.
Luckily, no one has to pick a side between Secret Lives or Mormon Wives and RHOSLC
If you really want to compare the two shows, it’s like comparing apples and oranges. The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is mint chocolate chip with perfectly cast storylines. And The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is vanilla. There’s nothing wrong with the classic flavor, but it hasn’t knocked your socks off just yet. Add a couple of toppings, and it can be a whole different dessert. I would argue that The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is more of a niche watch, especially if you know these women from their social media platforms. I hadn’t heard about them before and found the content creation a bit cringe.
If you like petty drama and friendship fallouts, either show will entertain you. But the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City has a bit more substance if I’m being honest. The new season has already shown Mary Cosby coming hot, but I am finding myself wanting to see more of her outbursts this time around. Naturally, Whitney Rose is still on her healing journey, which is annoying many fans to their core. While both series are palpable, if I were to recommend one to watch, it would be the Bravo show. But don’t take my word for it; go watch for yourselves and report back!
Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK BOTH SHOWS WERE ENTERTAINING? WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE AS THE WINNER?
