I love the "Real" Housewives series. My favorite is NYC, but I've watched them all. I can't resist. It's an in depth study of wealthy women in their natural habitat, with nothing real about it. If anything it is more surreal.
I would say it's akin to watching Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, a show I watched as a child. It premiered in the sixties and took me, along with millions of others to the far corners of the world studing wild animals in their natural habitats. The stories were suspenseful, enabling the viewers to see most of the action, without the violence. Similiar to the way we never hear what the housewives tell their "real" friends and family. We only hear a sampling of the hateful words exchanged and the glimpse of a nasty look.
Like the wild kingdom, we see mothers protecting their children and wives defending their mates. We watch the housewives scratch and spit at unwelcome visitors that invade their territory. The viewer sees the herd follow the proper hierarchy as the weak are culled out or cruelly banished. One can swim against the tide for only so long.
Unlike the animals, the camera can change the behavior of the housewives. If you view the earlier episodes, the differences are clear. Many of the ladies have taken advantage of the shows popularity to promote their products, make up, jewelry, and clothing to name a few. Some have been quite successful in making the most of their fame while it lasts.
At the end of each season there is at least one reunion show, hosted by Andy Cohen. He tries to mend fences and wrap up the show in the same way Marlin Perkins did at the end of each episode of Wild Kingdom. Marlin's job was way easier than Andy's is.
It's a concrete jungle out there, where only the strong survive.
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