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The Real Housewives of Orange County

(Rated TV-14, Reality TV, Where to watch: Bravo, Download)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Part trash, part social study. Iffy for teens.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Wealth, physical beauty, prestige, power, and ego are of primary importance to the people on the show -- materialism and emphasis on looking perfect run rampant (including implants, Botox shots, etc.). But families and hard work are also themes (even though they often get lost in the shuffle). The cast and peripheral characters are almost exclusively white.
  • Violence:

    Rabbit hunting with guns, but no blood.
  • Sex:

    Provocative clothing, women in underwear and tiny bathing suits, sexy dancing, talk of "getting some."
  • Language:

    Some minor cursing, like "hell" and "damn." Stronger language is rare and bleeped.
  • Consumerism:

    Luxury brands are everywhere -- Mercedes, BMW, Louis Vuitton, etc.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Lots of drinking. Jo is clearly alcohol dependent. On a Mexican vacation, parents do shots with their teens. One child discusses his use of drugs in a remorseful way -- he eventually goes to juvenile hall.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Real Housewives of Orange County

Parents need to know that this reality series follows the lives of insanely rich people who place immense value on physical beauty and material possessions. While the show focuses on a group of adult women who have breast implants, get Botox shots, and pose for Playboy, we also see teens who spend thousands of dollars on school shopping, get new luxury vehicles at the drop of a hat, and shoot rabbits for fun. But beneath the superficial lives are real people who struggle with childrearing, self-esteem, and finding purpose.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about a variety of different issues. What's appealing about the lifestyles portrayed in the series? What's missing from these people's lives? What kinds of experiences and challenges do the rich share with the rest of us? What would be the hardest part about living like these people? The easiest? If you could pick one thing in their lives to have in your own, what would it be? Sometimes cast members discuss their lives before they came to Orange County -- what do their stories reveal about them and how their newfound culture has changed them?
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See all 7 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 16
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 4.0

    I love this show

    the show is really good. It makes me want to be succesful and make money. Though I do not agree with the way they drown there kids with money other than theat i love this show!!!! :)

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 3.0

    A Hot OC Mess!

    I am embarrassed that I got hooked on this season. It is like a plastic surgery filled train wreck that I can't stop watching. My 16 year old niece loves it, but recognizes and discusses how shallow the lives are of these women.

  3. Kid Reviewer
    Age 12
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 1.0

    I'm probably too young to watch this.

    I'll admit, I have watched this. I lost what could have been a very important half-hour of my life. There are a list of problems with this TV show: #1: Most of them aren't even housewives. #2: The ones who have children drown them with money and material things so they don't have to bother with them. #3: How are they REAL housewives? They don't cook, clean, or even care for their children. When I ask my parents why they watch this, they shrug and just laugh at the women on the show.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    Lives in Utah
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Its an entertaining teen show.

    It definatly has some real world subjects, a good show for kids 12+ but absolutely not under 10.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0

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