Never doubt a Real Housewives fan when it comes to keeping themselves entertained. Over the years, some pretty inspirational viewers have committed themselves to certain franchises. It’s the whole reason that BravoCon was invented. Fans wanted more, and like plenty of nerds before them, they proved that meet-and-greets, panels, and chic pop-ups were what everyone deserved. But sometimes, a rare fan blows everyone’s socks off. Such is the case with the Real Housewives of Benning Road.
Bravo had a hit with the Real Housewives of D.C.
We’ve heard of multiple Real Housewives spin-offs. We have the Real Housewives in Cheshire in England and the Real Housewives of Melbourne in Australia. So what the heck is the Real Housewives of Benning Road? Over a decade ago, a few clever fans decided to create a parody of the Bravo franchise. The lampoon was in homage to the Real Housewives of D.C. For many, RHODC was just another city with just a few more housewives. But D.C. gave everyone, even the Secret Service, a run for their money.
Given the political landscape in the nation’s capital, viewers were confident there would be some high-stakes drama. Imagine if the franchise was still on the air and this season could cover the upcoming presidential election. In 2010, Bravo flexed a bit of muscle as they filmed this group of women vying for their seat of power. As the five women followed the unwritten rules of the Beltway, fans watched as they participated in galas and political fundraisers and even crashed a State dinner. Sadly, the Real Housewives of D.C. was a one-hit wonder for the network. But it was canceled in 2011.
Everything to know about the Real Housewives of Benning Road
The Real Housewives of Benning Road was a fun web parody that gained some traction of its own. The entire charade just started as a one-episode trailer. But in its heyday, it grew to a weekly series, with each episode averaging thousands of views. The shorts became popular thanks to Hard Head Films and YouTube. The creator, Mike Brooks, once told the Washington Post, “First of all, I thought the title would be hilarious: The Housewives of Benning Road. A lot of the urban neighborhoods in the city, the stereotype can be hoodrats and ghetto fabulous and all of that, so I thought the title would be real creative.”
The news outlet agreed and dubbed it “local satire at its best.” After the show’s overnight success, Mike decided to go all in. He shared, “A lot of people on YouTube were saying we should make it a series. I decided okay, I’ll just give them what they want. I’ll keep producing episodes and see what happens.” For those unfamiliar with the nation’s capital and its grid layout, Benning Road is a major traveled street in Washington, D.C., and Prince George’s County, Maryland.
So what is all the fuss about the Real Housewives of Benning Road?
The YouTube series follows the lives of three women, Ree Ree, Lil Trina, and N.E. Mandi. The scenes were relatable as the trailer had the women go to get their fake eyelashes. Instead of coming out gorgeous like a Bravo housewife, these eyelashes were far too long, making it not only comical but hard for Ree Ree to see. The creator acknowledged that the spoof plays into stereotypes of the cities’ urban communities. He noted, “A lot of times, we like to laugh at our pain. I guess everything I look at, I try to find the funny in it. Whether it’s good or whether it’s bad. So It’s not really to bring anybody down. It’s to make light of where we live.”
I’ll admit. I watched it. And from the moment I heard the notorious Bravo entrance song, I was kind of hooked. The web series had appeal. And I found myself not only laughing but invested in these character’s stories. Each lady also had their own tagline, with Ree Ree noting, “When I step on the scene, I own it.” And instead of a fruit, the ladies held a bag of sunflower seeds. I’m not saying the series is for everyone, but it was innovative. I wouldn’t mind seeing this play on late-night Bravo after Watch What Happens Live.
TELL US – WOULD YOU WATCH THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BENNING ROAD?
