Bravo fans have high opinions of their favorite Real Housewives franchises, some of whom would be happy to fight to the death over their weekly obsession. For others, it is a desperate cause that can string them out and fry their hearts while trying to prove their favorite franchise is the best. However, this year’s number one nomination would have to go to the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City for, well, for their insane amount of jaw-dropping drama. Without a doubt, Bravo fans are hooked, and the drug of choice is the ladies of Utah.
Why Is RHOSLC So Good?
Currently, the RHOSLC is my favorite franchise to watch. Not only did everyone click pretty much right off the bat, but the original group, which consisted of Heather Gay, Lisa Barlow, Meredith Marks, and Whitney Rose, seemed to have a genuine friendship. They do get into small fights, like most friends do. However, they are still seen showing up when they are expected to. You can’t buy chemistry, and sometimes I think Bravo forgets that.
This past year has shown Bravo trying to manipulate a few of their shows in order to rake in the views. One show entirely, Season 3 of the Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, won’t even be aired due to the issues between Caroline Manzo and Brandi Glanville.
Sometimes, women don’t mesh. But when you have such a good thing going with a franchise like RHOSLC, fans are more willing to embrace each episode and tune in. The Bravoverse is like that—we are loyal to a fault, thick as thieves, some might even say.
RHOSLC Brings It
There has yet to be a disappointing season of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. That being said, there have been a few that have been more suspenseful than others. However, compared to some longer-running series, RHOSLC is relatively new to the game. Season 2 gave fans everything: a Magnum P.I. case that would have needed the help of Caobt Cove’s own Jessica Fletcher to figure out. Viewers watched as, yet again, a Sprinter Van took center stage while Jen fumbled an important phone call.
The cell call was from her husband, informing her that the FBI was on her tail and she needed to get out of the parking lot quickly. I haven’t been so glued to the screen since OJ Simpson went on the lamb in his white Bronco. We were mesmerized by how Jen had fooled everyone and, in fact, been a ring leader for a telemarketing scheme that targeted the elderly. Even Season 3 had its drama with Heather’s black eye and Jen pleading guilty.
The Women Are Icons
The women play off one another so well that you would almost think their everyday life was a soap opera. The cast of women is DYNAMIC, and they each know their role. Lisa is the unapologetic hustler who isn’t afraid to brag about her $60k ring. Whitney is the modern wife and mother who is trying to keep her sex appeal. Meredith is the yuppy who you think has it all together but could, in fact, be hiding a few skeletons. Heather is the comic relief. And Monica Garcia was the rookie no one knew we needed.
The women know exactly how to play into each of their personalities. This helps breed an endless amount of bickering and legendary moments. This batch of Real Housewives don’t seem to live in the real world. In fact, many of them seem permanently out of touch. At times, it is like watching a fever dream, and it is absolutely brilliant.
The Back Drop Is Everything
I think we also forgot how much a city can make or break a franchise. RHODC should have been a thrilling, incestual pool of drama and politics, but the franchise flopped. Salt Lake City, however, is bizarre and has the allure of the Mormon Church. Much like Floridians and Texans, Utah natives are their own breed, cut from a different cloth. A certain uptight vibe that screams, “Let me out of this bonnet and bloomers!”
Culturally, Utah is unique. While there is a conservative religious majority, there is also a huge population who have transferred into the state and drunk the Kool-Aid. Meredith, in fact, is Jewish, Jen is Muslim, and Angie Katsanevas is Greek Orthodox, so there is something to be said by having a melting pot of women on the small screen.
Utah itself was founded on the Mormon principles of community and family, so the location really adds to how many of these women run their lives. In all reality, it’s going to take some big shoes to upheave the momentum that RHOSLC has going on right now and I just don’t think it will be done.
TELL US – WHICH REAL HOUSEWIVES FRANCHISE IS YOUR FAVORITE?
