The Real Housewives of Orange County is an American reality television series that began airing March 21, 2006, and airs on Bravo. Set in Orange County, California, and created by Scott Dunlop, it is the first The Real Housewives installment in the franchise. The Real Housewives of Orange County is a voyeuristic look into the wealthy lives of these housewives, as they shop, get plastic surgery, gossip, fight and live lavishly. The 2008 financial crisis has trimmed the housewives' lifestyles with job losses, evictions, mortgage defaults, foreclosures, and marital stressâÂÂall recorded in progressive seasons of the show. The series' 20th season chronicles eight women in Orange Countyâ Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge, Heather Dubrow, Shannon Storms Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jenn Pedranti and Carmella Garcia âÂÂas they balance their personal and business lives, along with their social circle.
Former cast members featured over the previous seasons are: Kimberly Bryant (<small>1</small>), Jo De La Rosa (<small>1-2</small>), Vicki Gunvalson (<small>1-13</small>), Jeana Keough (<small>1-5</small>), Lauri Peterson (<small>1-4</small>), Tammy Knickerbocker (<small>2-3</small>), Quinn Fry (<small>3</small>), Lynne Curtin (<small>4-5</small>), Gretchen Rossi (<small>4-8</small>), Alexis Bellino (<small>5-8</small>), Peggy Tanous (<small>6</small>), Lydia McLaughlin (<small>8, 12</small>), Lizzie Rovsek (<small>9</small>), Meghan King Edmonds (<small>10-12</small>), Kelly Dodd (<small>11-15</small>), Peggy Sulahian (<small>12</small>), Braunwyn Windham-Burke (<small>14-15</small>), Elizabeth Lyn Vargas (<small>15</small>), Dr. Jen Armstrong (<small>16</small>), Noella Bergener (<small>16</small>) and Katie Ginella (<small>18-19</small>).
, 348 original episodes of The Real Housewives of Orange County have aired.
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Kimberly Bryant, Jo De La Rosa, Vicki Gunvalson, Jeana Keough and Lauri Peterson (then-Waring) are introduced as series regulars.
Kimberly Bryant departed as a series regular. Tammy Knickerbocker joined the cast.
Jo De La Rosa departed as a series regular. Tamra Judge (then-Barney) and Quinn Fry joined the cast.
Tammy Knickerbocker and Quinn Fry departed as series regulars. Lauri Peterson departed as a series regular after episode 3. Gretchen Rossi and Lynne Curtin joined the cast.
Jeana Keough departed as a series regular after episode 3. Alexis Bellino joined the cast.
Lynne Curtin departed as a series regular. Peggy Tanous joined the cast. Jeana Keough and Fernanda Rocha served in recurring capacities.
Peggy Tanous departed as a series regular. Heather Dubrow joined the cast. Sarah Winchester served in a recurring capacity.
Lydia McLaughlin joined the cast. Lauri Peterson served in a recurring capacity.
Gretchen Rossi, Alexis Bellino and Lydia McLaughlin departed as series regulars. Lizzie Rovsek and Shannon Storms Beador joined the cast. Danielle Gregorio served in a recurring capacity.
Lizzie Rovsek departed as a series regular, whilst serving in a recurring capacity. Meghan King Edmonds joined the cast.
Kelly Dodd joined the cast.
Heather Dubrow departed as a series regular. Lydia McLaughlin rejoined the cast as a series regular. Peggy Sulahian joined the cast.
Lydia McLaughlin, Meghan King Edmonds and Peggy Sulahian departed as series regulars. Gina Kirschenheiter and Emily Simpson joined the cast.
Vicki Gunvalson departed as a series regular, whilst serving in a recurring capacity. Braunwyn Windham-Burke joined the cast.
Tamra Judge departed as a series regular. Elizabeth Lyn Vargas joined the cast.
Kelly Dodd, Braunwyn Windham-Burke and Elizabeth Lyn Vargas departed as series regulars. Heather Dubrow rejoined the cast as a series regular. Jen Armstrong and Noella Bergener joined the cast. Nicole James served in a recurring capacity.
Jen Armstrong and Noella Bergener departed as series regulars. Tamra Judge rejoined the cast as a series regular. Jenn Pedranti joined the cast. Taylor Armstrong served in a recurring capacity.
Katie Ginella joined the cast. Alexis Bellino served in a recurring capacity.
Gretchen Rossi served in a recurring capacity.
Katie Ginella departed as series regulars. Vicki Gunvalson rejoined the cast as series regulars. Carmella Garcia joined the cast.