The Real Housewives of D.C.

Name: The Real Housewives of D.C.
Item: The Real Housewives of D.C.
Rating: 3
Author: Melissa Camacho

TV review by

Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media

The Real Housewives of D.C. TV Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

(i)

These housewives are all about social politics and power.

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Parents say

age 10+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 16+

Based on 2 reviews

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

Positive Messages

Social hierarchy and political power are central to the show. The women also view material wealth, physical beauty, and social etiquette as essential parts of their lives. Race and race relations are also themes.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Although the women are educated -- and most have professional careers -- they tend to value material things over inner accomplishments. Most are parents -- one has security locks to keep her adult daughter out of her closet. Michaele Salahi was infamously accused of “crashing” a state dinner with her husband; the consequences of this are discussed here.

Violence

Cast members frequently argue with each other.

Sex

Some sexual innuendo/discussion, including references to penis size.

Language

Words like "hell" are audible; the word "s--t" is audible at least once, but stronger curse words are usually bleeped.

Consumerism

The women are founders of and/or own businesses like America’s Polo Club and T.H.E. Artists Agency, which get plenty of mentions. References are occasionally made to Tareq Salahi’s wineries and labels.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Wine is consumed during all social functions. Cocktails and champagne are consistently served at social and political events. References to the city’s former crack cocaine-addicted mayor.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, like its many sister series, this installment of the Real Housewives franchise follows wealthy, privileged women -- this time, a group trying to secure their place in Washington, D.C.’s inner circle. Much of the talk centers on politics, networking, and material wealth, but race and race relations are also themes. Like its predecessors, the show features lots of catty behavior among the women, as well as plenty of drinking (wine, champagne, cocktails) and some strong language. The controversy surrounding "White House party crasher" Micheale Salahi’s attendance at a state dinner without authorization is included in the show.

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User Reviews

Parents say
Kids say

Adult Written bySebastian C. August 5, 2016

age 2+

Very terrible show

The same thing over and over across its 69 other series

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Parent of a 14-year-old Written byRosie Glough August 6, 2010

age 17+

shallow superficial total waste of time

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Teen, 17 years old Written byBlue-Bunny January 28, 2011

age 17+

Drama? Say that again...

Real Housewives is about these pretentious women who only care about themselves. Meanwhile, there are people third world countries living only on one grain of r... Continue reading

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Teen, 16 years old Written bybieber_fever55 August 16, 2010

age 15+

Good Drama For Older Teens.

This show is totally a guilty pleasure for me, as well as all the other Real Housewife series such as New Jersey and New York City. I love D.C. so much. And alt... Continue reading

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What's the story?

THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF D.C. follows five affluent women as they secure their place in the capitol's inner circle. There's second generation Washingtonian Mary Schmidt Amons; Lynda Erikiletian, owner and founder of T.H.E. Artist Modeling Agency; high-end realtor Stacie Scott Turner; British writer Catherine Ommanney; and model Michaele Salahi, whose well-publicized efforts to be close to President Obama made national headlines. From organizing political fundraisers to participating in civic activities, the women work hard at looking good and living well while walking the fine line between politics and high society.

Is it any good?

This installment of the Real Housewives franchise is best known for its "White House party crashers" controversy, thanks to Michaele and husband Tareq Salahi’s well-publicized (and uninvited) attendance at a state dinner, which resulted in a federal investigation. But what really sets this iteration apart from the others shows is its focus on power and politics rather than just material wealth.

Thanks to a combination of higher education and the unique sociopolitical hierarchy they must navigate in D.C., the cast members of this show appear slightly more sophisticated than many of the housewives featured in Atlanta , New Jersey, and Orange County. But, like their fellow housewives, having money and the ability to spend it still plays a major role in their lives.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about the popularity of the Real Housewives "brand." What's the appeal of these shows? What kinds of messages do they send about consumerism?
How does the show portray Washington, D.C.? Do you think everyone who lives there is interested in politics? Do you think shows like this one offer a real look into what living there is like?
The show's creators chose to feature a cast member whose public actions led to some very negative consequences. What are the pros and cons of that choice? Do you agree with it?