Season 18, in my opinion, helped put the Real Housewives of Orange County series back on the map. As the OG Real Housewives series, this city has faced many highs and lows. But in Season 18, as messy as that mess was, I remained locked in for the first time in a long time, finally captivated by the narratives lurking inside each 45-ish minute episode. There were lessons learned, call-outs, shifting alliances, petty fights, and fun friendships, all combining to give us one of the greatest seasons of RHOC in a long time. While the drama sometimes made me want to scream less than demure things, THIS reaction is the actual goal of a reality television series, so, if you ask me, every cast member who filmed on Season 18 needs to return for RHOC Season 19.
And I will tell you why right here.
Several RHOC Season 18 stars have storylines that would make for excellent follow-ups
During Season 18, Katie Ginella signed on as a full-time star, while Alexis Bellino returned as a friend of the cast. Love them or leave them at the gates of the OC, these ladies brought the drama, and as frustrating as some of their storylines were, they each left us on cliffhangers as Season 18 wrapped.
As for Katie, in 2015, she was allegedly involved in a road rage incident, which came up at the reunion. Katie did her best to clear this mess up with her gotcha-inclined costars, but many questions remain.
Katie’s adoption story is equally intriguing. She told her cast that she was planning a trip to South Korea to meet her birth mother. Katie has yet to take this trip, but if she returns, this storyline might bring us wholesome content (for at least one episode).
Furthermore, Katie came in strong as a newbie, showcasing a dry, fighting spirit against her ancestors in the OC. Can she and Heather Dubrow make amends? We saw Heather revealing information about Katie at the reunion that overstepped, which saw Heather apologizing to Katie as the cameras cut to a commercial break. I would love to see this relationship evolve in Season 19.
Tamra Judge and Shannon Beador are not without hope either.
The same rings true for Gina Kirschenheiter and her man.
And then there’s Alexis. Her frustrations with Shannon consumed Season 18. If Alexis returns (in the same capacity), perhaps we might hear more about her LGBTQ+ parenting journey and less about door locations and Shannon. Positive LGBTQ+ parenting narratives are needed, and Alexis could focus on this in Season 19.
Finally, Jennifer Pedranti showcased personal growth, but she is still evolving. Therefore, I also need her stunning self back on RHOC.
The dynamics on RHOC Season 18 were messy, but this makes for excellent television
Drama sells. And on this, RHOC Season 18 delivered. Zero stars exited this season without enduring some form of a mess. Due to this, I became hooked.
Emily Simpson openly dealt with her weight insecurities and upbringing, which cannot be easy to do on national television. Her childhood gave her tainted viewpoints on certain storylines, which saw her messily going in on Jennifer. Jenn sucks with all things financial. But Emily also did her best to shut down Alexis, making her a solid, sometimes hysterical, ally for Shannon, so Emily should stay.
Shannon is on a semi-betterment journey following her DUI arrest in 2023. I would love to see this continuing in Season 19. I would also love to see more iconic reads, as she showed she is capable of at the reunion, in her next showing.
Tamra did nothing but bring the drama. The viewers hated it. But after filming, Tamra revealed that she might be on the spectrum. If Tamra returned, maybe her antics would lessen since she is now sorting through her issues in therapy before the cameras go back up on Season 19.
The drama between Katie, Gina, and Heather was equally annoying. No one cares about staged paparazzi shoots, but this was a perfect example of a low-stakes drama that makes this franchise shine.
All of these listed names got involved in the drama this season. Removing one would upset the delicate, must-tune-in-balance that currently exists on RHOC. And I, for one, do not want this.
Certain RHOC stars found their voices in Season 18, potentially making Season 19 one for the books
In Season 18, something awakened inside Jennifer, and her rational, read-them-for-filth voice finally sounded. In Big Bear, talks of a take-down video emerged, and Jennifer was the only voice of reason in the room. Her concern was endearing AF.
Meanwhile, Tamra and Emily spent this season worrying about Jennifer. Ryan Boyajian received immunity, but his legal problems remain a hot topic for this cast. However, at the Season 18 reunion, Jennifer calmly shut her man’s haters down, reminding her costars that it costs nothing to be kind. Toned-down responses followed, showing that Jennifer is finally coming into her own on RHOC.
Is Shannon an innocent, maimed for no reason bystander this season? No. She made her bed, and now she has to lie in it. However, Shannon was incessantly berated for her mistakes. But again, she kept drinking, so, ugh, this one is tricky.
But I cannot deny that, at the reunion, Shannon delivered some fantastic moments. The line, “There’s the door, Shannon Beador,” was rehearsed. And also, Shannon won an old lawsuit, you “asshole.” In contrast, Shannon is also learning that sometimes, not speaking is equally golden, as we saw her leaving a few tables in Season 18, trying to avoid saying things that she might later regret.
Katie is new, but her voice never faltered. She took on the OG’s like a pro. But when Katie turned on her deadpanned-styled deliveries at the reunion, stating that she does not have a cat while looking bored as f*ck, I giggled. I need more of this side of Katie in RHOC Season 19, and I hope the entire cast joins her on this ride.
Real Housewives of Orange County is streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE SAME CAST RETURNING FOR RHOC SEASON 19? IF NOT, WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU MAKE?
