Parents' Guide to

The Real Housewives of Dallas

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Dallas Housewives have big egos, little substance.

TV Bravo Reality TV 2016
The Real Housewives of Dallas Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 18+

Based on 1 parent review

MicsMic
MicsMic Adult
September 26, 2018
age 18+

Watching RHOD is like Reliving your Middle School years

This is the worst of all Housewives franchises. Each week you enter the Twilight Zone and revisit your most traumatic middle school experiences as a by-stander to Extreme Bullying. Brandi is Satanic in her weekly, well-orchestrated attackers on Lee Ann, which leaves viewers feeling uncomfortable each week.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF DALLAS, another addition to the Real Housewives franchise, features six socialites living in the larger Dallas area during the city's charity season. It stars former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Brandi Redmond, her friend Stephanie Hollman, and Cary Deuber, a blogger and registered nurse's first assistant married to one of Dallas' renowned plastic surgeons. Also part of the group is LeeAnne Locken, a major charity organizer of more modest economic means, and her friends, former Hollywood starlet Tiffany Hendra and spa owner Marie Reyes. As they navigate the greater Dallas social scene, the women spend their time focusing on whom they know -- and how much they know about each other.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (2 ):

This reality series relies on big egos, gossip, and mean exchanges as viewers watch a group of Dallas women challenge each other's social statuses in an elitist world. As expected, there are lots of booze-fueled events (where wine is sometimes referred to as "Jesus juice"), arguing, and other less-than-classy behavior. Despite attempts to dispel common stereotypes about Texan women (like having big hair and lacking style), it feeds into other cringeworthy stereotypes about women being ditzy, trophy wives, and, in some cases, completely dependent on their husbands.

While some of these women are clearly educated, it's very hard to take them seriously. Even though a few of them aren't millionaires (or particularly sophisticated), they are all presented as members of a privileged circle that lacks diversity and awareness -- let alone anything substantial to talk about. The charity events they raise money for also feel false and fail to tap into local social issues. Ultimately, none of these details add up to anything fresh or new, which results in a show that tries to do it bigger but doesn't manage to do it better.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the success of The Real Housewives. Why is it so popular? Do the people featured on these shows act the same way in real life? What kinds of challenges do you think they face as a result of starring in an RH series (if any)? In their everyday lives?

  • Families can talk about friendship. How do you treat your friends? What do you think about how the Housewives treat theirs?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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