Casting shake-ups are a fairly frequent occurrence in the Real Housewives universe.
Much less common, on the other hand, is a case like Vicki Gunvalson’s.
Vicki was demoted to “friend” status for the 14th season of The Real Housewives of Orange County, but she’s managed to remain such an essential part of the group dynamic that she’ll likely be returning to Bravo in a full-time capacity very soon.
But Vicki’s not looking for her old job back, mind you.
No, she’s got a “secret project” in the works with Shannon Beador and Tamra Judge — the same Tamra Judge whom she just roasted for being a thirsty try-hard after she made out with Braunwyn Windham-Burke.
Sound confusing?
Don’t worry, we’ve sorted out all the backdoor deals, frenemy alliances, and unexpected makeout sessions for your convenience.
Take a look:
The Dynamic Duo
Vicki Gunvalson is plotting a comeback. And despite the rumors of discord among the longtime friends, it seems Tamra Judge is assisting her in her efforts.
The OG
Despite the fact that she’s been with the show from the very start, Vicki was demoted to “friend of the housewives” status for Season 14.
Wait … Why?
We may see more of this as some of the Housewives series get deep into their second decade. After all, it’s not like Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase are still on SNL, right? Andy Cohen is basically the Lorne Michaels of reality TV, so expect a lot more hiring and firing in the years to come.
Nothing Personal
Vicki might not be thrilled with the decision, but she’s been a good sport about it. She’s even stated that she understands the need for casting shakeups, telling Us Weekly that she feels bringing back old cast members doesn’t “serve the show.”
What’s Done Is Done
“They all left for a reason and recycling probably won’t work unless they were a cornerstone of the show to begin with,” she told the tabloid.
A Team Player
But that’s just it — Vicki was/is one of the cornerstones of the show, and she’s proven that time and again in recent months by gamely contributing to the drama that’s made the series such an enduring sensation.
Letting It All Out
Take Vicki’s recent commentary on the Tamra Judge-Braunwyn Windham-Burke situation, for example.
The Infamous Kiss
As you probably recall, Tamra and Braunwyn locked lips on a recent episode of RHOC. At the time, Vicki seemed to be a little grossed out by the public display of affection.
The Truth Comes Out
During her latest appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Tamra admitted that Vicki was “disgusted” by her behavior with Braunwyn.
Doubling Down
Vicki and Tamra are close friends, so many assumed that Gunvalson would push back against those remarks and claim that she was unbothered by Judge’s attention-grabbing antics.
Not Gonna Happen
Instead, Vicki basically confirmed that her friend got it right, telling Us, “There is an overload of crying and raunchy talk and behavior. The talk about sexual exploits should have been kept private and not heard or seen by children on television.”
This Is Orange County, Not the Jersey Shore!
As one of the “old school” Housewives, Vicki brought a little class to the proceedings, and she clearly feels the current cast fails to do the same.
A Game of One-Upsmanship
“Naked scenes seem like many of the cast are trying to one-up or outdo the other,” she recently remarked.
Who Could Forget?
That last comment seems to refer to the scene in which Tamra and Braunwyn went skinny dipping together. Like we said, it’s been quite a wild season!
The Real Problem
But while she hasn’t held back in criticism, it seems that Vicki isn’t bothered by the behavior of her BFF Tamra. Rather, it’s Braunwyn who gets her goat.
The Threesome Queen
With her wild claims about her adventurous sex life, Braunwyn represents a new breed of Housewife — and Vicki clearly believes she’s a bad fit for the show.
Not Holding Back
“Braunwyn f–-king bugs the s–t out of me,” Vicki remarked during a recent episode. “I’m going home. Braunwyn’s trash. She’s dancing like she’s 12 years old. She’s just classless.”
Throwing Shade
Of course, Vicki’s opinion of Braunwyn probably isn’t helped by the comments Windham-Burke made about their first interaction as castmates.
Alrighty Then!
“I joke about the fact, she literally completely ignored me, walked past me, and was flirting with my husband [Sean],” Braunwyn recalled. “And I’m like, alrighty then!”
Just Sayin’ …
Hey, you’d think with how much she enjoys threesomes, Braunwyn wouldn’t mind another woman showing interest in her husband!
A New Direction
So anyway, Gunvalson enjoys partying with her friends on camera (and getting handsomely compensated for doing so), but she’s not crazy about the direction in which RHOC seems to be headed. What’s the solution? Why a spin-off, of course!
The Tres Amigas!
There have been rumors of a Real Housewives of Orange County spinoff starring Vicki, Tamra, and the thrid member of their inseparable chick clique, Shannon Beador.
Exciting News!
And if those are your favorite members of the RHOC family, then we have some exciting news — Vicki says she’s hoping to make the show happen!
We Agree!
“Personally, I think our own TV show touring the United States would be a blast,” Gunvalson told Us Weekly, adding that the spin-off “is a good idea, and definitely would be a lot of fun,”
Just One Issue …
Of course, things might get a little tense if the Braunwyn issue comes up …
Difference of Opinion
“Love Braunwyn!” Tamra recently told The Daily Dish. “She just slid into our group like she had been one of the group for years. Super nice, down-to-Earth, very open, cute as can be, has a great husband, seven children, a mother that has rainbow dreadlocks… I mean, what can you ask for?”
A Little Feud Between Friends
They’ll work it out. And hey, if they don’t — what’s a spin-off series without a little drama?