New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
3 ‘Real Housewives’ are bringing ‘OG’ energy to the Ridgefield Playhouse stage
In 2006, a network called Bravo opened the gates (literally) to a wealthy, exclusive neighborhood in Orange County, Calif. Inside those gates, five women allowed cameras into their homes to document their everyday lives.
The result was “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” the pioneer show of what would become a pop culture phenomenon. One of those women was Vicki Gunvalson.
Two years later, “The Real Housewives of New York City” aired, starring Jill Zarin as one of five cast members, and that was followed by “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” which introduced Caroline Manzo.
On May 18, the three “OGs” and old friends will be reuniting at the Ridgefield Playhouse for “An Evening with the Celebrity Housewives.” Though none of the women is currently on the franchises anymore, they will hit the stage to spill gossip and catch up with their loyal fans.
“Years later, nothing makes me happier than talking about ‘Housewives’ with the fans,” said Zarin.
She and Gunvalson recently let the cameras back into their lives for season two of “Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip,” airing June 23 on Peacock (an
NBC network).
They spent a week in the Berkshires at the home of former “Real Housewife of New York City” Dorinda Medley. We caught up with Zarin and Gunvalson ahead of their trip to Connecticut.
Q. Have you ever been to Connecticut?
JZ: I’m there all the time in Westport. I love the town, and I’ve been going to Stew Leonard’s since my sister (Connecticut probate judge and radio host Lisa Wexler) moved there; it’s one of my favorite places to shop. My nephew and niece went to Staples. I’ve been there for so many occasions. The Ridgefield Playhouse is iconic. I’ve never been there, but my friend Luann (De Lesseps) just performed there.
VG: I have never been to Connecticut. I just went to Massachusetts for the first time to film at Dorinda’s house . ... I love traveling; tonight I get on a plane to Florida at midnight. For me, as long as I’m on a plane seeing the world, I’m a happy girl. I’m excited to go to Connecticut and the East Coast; it’s so different from out here — different style, fashion, weather.
(Q. Will you be arriving in a ‘little family van’?)
That is so funny. I was just asking my children what was my funniest thing on the show, and my daughter, Briana, said, “The family van.”
I hope not!
Q. What can fans expect from the show?
JZ: We’re definitely going to spill some juice, I’m sure — even though we’re not supposed to. Things just spill out of our mouths.
Q. What’s the most iconic thing you did on ‘Housewives’?
JZ: “Scary Island.” Walking in and saying, “Surprise.”
VG: For some weird reason — I had never said “Whoop it up” in my life — but in my first season, I said it . ... It just stuck with me.
Q. What questions do you think fans are going to ask in Ridgefield?
JZ: I think we’re going to have a lot of catching up to do. I’m a fan of (Caroline’s), so I’d like to ask her questions about where she is in life right now. It will be so great to catch up with each other as well. I’m ready for anything. Hopefully, they’ll ask about (my daughter) Allyson and our business together, Jill and Ally. During the pandemic we started a mask company and it went viral because celebrities like Charli and Dixie (D’Amelio)… lots of “Housewives”... were wearing them.
VG: Is my love tank filled? Did I take a family van? Do I whoop it up everywhere I go? I’m an open book … you can’t be private when you’re filming a reality show.
Q. What was it like filming ‘Girls Trip’?
VG: We all call ourselves the “exwives clubs” because we’re all not “housewives” of our franchises anymore. Some of us are still shaken and hurt from it; Tamra (former ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ cast member) and I are. Bravo wanted to bring in different people — younger.
Some people got along and some people didn’t, and that always makes for good TV. For some reason people really like to see people fight. Staying at someone’s home brings a level of stress, and rightfully so. It wasn’t always easy on (Dorinda), so that caused stress, which caused drama, which caused fighting.
When I was there, my fiancé broke up with me, so that was hard on me … but that’s real-life stuff. It was what it was. Thank God, I had Tamra with me because I was not in a good head space … Time has passed and it’s healed. I didn’t know he was waiting for me to go to work to pack his bags . ... He was cheating on me.
But, I think the show is going to be great. … I like filming and being on TV. It’s fun.
Q. How has the ‘Housewives’ franchise changed? And would you join now if asked?
JZ: I don’t know; I think I’d be a little scared. To me, I had nothing to lose (at the time) ... but, I guess, my privacy…I say yes to everything, more or less; I live my life that way. A lot of fantastic things came out of being on “Housewives,” but there are definitely challenges as well. People talk about the “curse of the ‘Housewives’ divorces,” but I’ve always thought it’s not a curse. I think it attracts women who may not be happy in their marriage and are looking for something else — and may not even realize it.
VG: I don’t think I would. The whole thing has changed its course. Each new cast member that comes on thinks they have to be more eccentric than the last, like Noella (Bergener) with all her sex talk. I wanted to inspire women to not have to marry for money, and to keep finances in order, and to be a good mother, and cook dinner at night and be present with their family. I clean my own house and wash my own clothes. We have to get back to what real housewives do . ... Now it’s just about who is wearing what and who is saying what.
Q. What attitude should fans have coming into the Ridgefield show? What should they be ready for?
JZ: Come with a lot of questions and try to stump us with questions we haven’t heard before. I like to give a lot of life advice. I wrote a book called “Secrets of a Jewish Mother” with my mom and sister. I love questions about love life and things like that.
VG: I think it mimics Bravo Con, where fans are going to come and be happy to see us . ... The people who come will love the three of us — or at least one of the three of us — and come to have fun. At the end of the day, we need to bring more fun into our lives. Come with a happy heart.