The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (season 1)
The first season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It aired from October 14, 2010 to February 15, 2011, and is primarily filmed in Beverly Hills, California. Its executive producers are Andrew Hoegl, Barrie Bernstein, Lisa Shannon, Pam Healy and Andy Cohen.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills focuses on the lives of Taylor Armstrong, Camille Grammer, Adrienne Maloof, Kim Richards, Kyle Richards, and Lisa Vanderpump. It consisted of 17 episodes.
Production and crew
On March 10, 2010, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was announced as the sixth installment in the network's The Real Housewives franchise. Production for the first season in the series was revealed to have been underway in June, 2010 and the full cast, trailer and premiere date were announced on August 31, 2010.The season premiere "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Wealthiness" was aired on October 14, 2010, while the thirteenth episode "Unforgivable" served as the season finale, and was aired on January 20, 2011.
It was followed by a two-part reunion that aired on January 27 and February 1, 2011,
a "Lost Footage" episode on February 8, 2011, and an extended version of "The Dinner Party From Hell" titled "Dinner Party From Hell: Producers Cut" on February 15, 2011, which marked the conclusion of the season.
Alex Baskin, Chris Cullen, Douglas Ross, Greg Stewart, Toni Gallagher, Dave Rupel and Andy Cohen are recognized as the series' executive producers; it is produced and distributed by Evolution Media.
Cast and synopsis
Cast
The Real housewives of Beverly Hills season one introduced six women to the Real Housewives franchise, that are described as "the most affluent women in the country," as well as describing their affluence and wealth with, "these women are in the center of it all and they have the mansions, the cars, and the diamonds to prove it." The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was the second series in The Real Housewives franchise to featured family members, following The Real Housewives of New Jersey, with sisters Kyle and Kim Richards. The series also featured Taylor Armstrong, Camille Grammer, Adrienne Maloof, and Lisa Vanderpump.Kim Richards is a former child actress who was once referred to as the "Disney Girl" for starring in the movies, Escape to Witch Mountain and No Deposit, No Return. Kim Richards appeared on several television programs such as, Nanny and the Professor, James at 15, Hello, Larry, Diff'rent Strokes, CHiPS and Magnum, P.I. Kim Richards' career came to an end when she retired after starring in the feature film Tuff Turf, alongside James Spader and Robert Downey Jr.. She focused her time on raising her family of four kids, Brooke, Whitney, Chad, and Kimberly. She continues to work running a jewelry and water bottle line in which proceeds go to charity.
Kyle Richards, like her sister, is also a former child actress who landed her first role in Escape to Witch Mountain alongside Kim. Kyle Richards has starred in several movies including Halloween and The Watcher in the Woods and on television with credits including, Little House on The Prairie, Carter Country, Down To Earth and ER. When Richards isn't working, she focuses her time on being a loving wife to high-end realtor, Mauricio Umansky, and mother to her four daughters; Farrah, Alexia, Sophia, and Portia.
Taylor Armstrong moved to Beverly Hills seven years ago from her hometown in Oklahoma. She met her husband, Russel Armstrong, and the two have a daughter, Kennedy. In addition to being a wife and mom, Armstrong is a proud philanthropist and business woman. Armstrong founded her own SAP firm, eImplement Inc. and also volunteers for the 1736 Family Crisis Center. She has adapted the "work hard, play hard" attitude, which allows her to maintain her identity in Beverly Hills.
Camille Grammer joined the series reluctantly, revealing that her husband at the time, famous actor Kelsey Grammer, encouraged her to join the series. Grammer is regarded as a “triple threat” with experience as a model, actress, and dancer. Her career as a dancer began when she was cast on Club MTV. The Grammers were married for 13 years and together they have a daughter, Mason, and a son, Jude. The pair have mixed business with pleasure through their production company, Grammnet Inc. The production company is known for producing successful shows such as which Medium, Girlfriends and The Game.
Adrienne Maloof is a business woman from a very affluent and successful family. She moved to Beverly Hills with her family from Albuquerque, New Mexico when she was 15. Throughout the years, her family built the Maloof dynasty- sports and entertainment enterprise which includes the Sacramento Kings, Palms Casino Resort, Sweeping Palms Entertainment and the Maloof Money Cup. Maloof is married to Dr. Paul Nassif, a renowned plastic surgeon and the two have three sons together; Gavin, and twins Christian and Colin.
Lisa Vanderpump has made a name for herself since moving to Beverly Hills. She came to California from Monte Carlo and the South of France, however she was born and raised in London. The witty Brit has been married to her husband, Ken, for over three decades and have two children; Pandora and Max. The two have filled their mansion-style home with plenty of dogs who they consider to be their children as well. Vanderpump has a keen eye for style. In Europe she styled homes, yachts, and the twenty-six restaurants she and Ken owned in London. The couple brought their fine dining passion to Beverly Hills and own the restaurants, Villa Blanca and SUR. When not running the restaurants or spending time with her family, Vanderpump writes for the Beverly Hills Lifestyle magazine and continues to run her skin-care line, Epione.
Synopsis
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills series begins with Adrienne Maloof revealing that she and her family own the professional basketball team, Sacramento Kings. Maloof intends to attend a game and invites the other wives along, her neighbor and witty British restaurateur, Lisa Vanderpump, former child actresses and sisters, Kyle and Kim Richards, a beauty from Oklahoma, Taylor Armstrong and the soon-to-be ex-wife of renown actor Kelsey Grammer, Camille Grammer. The women all fly via private jet to get a VIP treatment, court-side at the game.Kim finds herself arguing with her sister, Kyle, at their family vacation home after being accused of having no life outside of her children. The conflict later escalates during Kim's daughter's birthday at a spa. Tensions between the two sisters continues to worsen, after Kim refuses to stand up for Kyle in New York City against Grammer. The two sister's reach an explosive point in their relationship at a rooftop party for Armstrong's birthday. Kim accuses Kyle of stealing her house and Kyle calls Kim out for being an alcoholic.
Kyle and her husband decide to take a trip to the Napa Valley for an intense charity bike ride, but debate whether to take their daughters or not. Kyle hosts her annual white party with the ladies in attendance, but Armstrong's issues with her husband take center stage. Kyle is emotional when her daughter Farrah reaches a milestone in life when graduating high school. Kyle is left saddened by her nieces, Paris and Nicky Hilton, choice of a trip to Europe over attending the graduation.
Grammer who is alone in Beverly Hills is elated by a trip to the Palms Casino Resort, but she soon butts heads with Kyle with the fight continuing back in Beverly Hills. In her home in Hawaii, Grammer opens up about her marriage. Grammer invites all the ladies to her husband's Broadway musical in New York, but Kyle is worried from what happened between her and Grammer in Las Vegas. All goes well until they all sit down for dinner and the truth comes out. Grammer decides to take up some retail therapy, but soon goes on overdrive after learning her husband is nominated for a Tony Award and decides to buy some expensive dresses. The distance between her and her husband grows apart even further after Kelsey reveals he wants to stay in New York, as his career in Los Angeles is over and he feels more appreciated there. Grammer isn't keen on the idea of moving to New York as her home is in Beverly Hills. Later, the drama between Grammer and Kyle escalates at Grammer's Malibu home when she hosts a dinner party. In attendance is Allison DuBois, a psychic and Grammer's friend. DuBois stuns everyone at the table after telling revealing what she sees in Kyle's future. Kelsey continues to spend time in New York which leaves Grammer realizing the crack in their marriage. Grammer's relationship later worsen when Kelsey reveals he wants to end their marriage.
Armstrong spends $50,000 on an over-the-top, Mad Hatter inspired tea-party for her daughter's birthday, but is soon upstaged by her husband when he buys their daughter a puppy. Armstrong speaks at a charity poker tournament, with Maloof attendance for support, she reveals that she is a child of domestic violence. Armstrong hosts a costume party inspired by the roaring twenties era. Everyone is left feeling anxious at the party when Grammer and Kyle come face-to-face for the first time since the blow-up at Grammer's home in Malibu. Armstrong's marital issues continues after Kyle's white party, she looks for ways to resolve them.
Maloof heads to Las Vegas for a photo shoot with at hot model, but bringing her husband Paul doesn't end up being a good idea. In Vegas, Maloof invites the rest of the ladies to the Palms Casino Resort to see Jay-Z perform.
Vanderpump receives a sentimental gift for her birthday from her husband, two children and her house-guest, Cedric who she views as a son. Vanderpump witnessing the drama attempts to lighten the mood of the group by setting Kim up on a date with her millionaire friend. Vanderpump helps Cedric get his license, but is surprised at the type of people at the DMV. Vanderpump hosts a charity event for burn victim at her restaurant Villa Blanca, but Grammer decides not to attend due to her drama with Kyle. Vanderpump supports Cedric after a shocking relation of his past involving his family and his journey to the states.
Reception
U.S. television ratings
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills premiered to 1.5 total million viewers and the series' ratings continued to grow, attracting 3.7 million viewers between the 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. airings for the January 13, 2011 episode "Turn, Turn, Turn", making it the number one telecast among adults 18–49 versus all cable competition in the time slot.The finale of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 1, that aired on January 20, 2011, became the highest-rated episode of the season with 4.2 million viewers, when combined with multiple evening reruns. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' first season ranked as the second highest rated first season series of the Real Housewives franchise ever in all demographics, averaging 2.42 million total viewers and 1.71 million adults 18–49.