2024 was a major year for Real Housewives. For instance, we celebrated both the 100th Real Housewives season and the 15th anniversary of Real Housewives of Orange County’s debut. 2024 also featured the first Real Housewives drought in ages, and our lives were all emptier for it. It reinforced how lucky we are to have this franchise! But only one city can be crowned 2024’s Best Real Housewives Show of the Year. And the nominees for the inaugural Reality Tea Awards are…
Nominee: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Last season ended with Kyle Richards announcing her separation. This season began with Dorit Kemsley doing the same. Those personal life changes led to some much-needed shakeups on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. As a result, the Season 14 Real Housewives are all single ladies. This adds a fun twist to the long-running show.
The addition of new Housewife Bozoma Saint John and “friend of” Jennifer Tilly worked wonders. The two fabulous ladies are saving the show. By cracking jokes and making witty observations during Kyle and Dorit’s fights, Boz and Jennifer act as the comedic relief RHOBH needs. Many viewers are also thrilled by the return of Kathy Hilton, whose kooky energy lightens the mood.
Meanwhile, the former friendship between Kyle and Dorit turned into a long-simmering feud. That makes for a more compelling rivalry compared to what we’ve seen from the past few seasons. This year, Dorit is practically a new person. Her fed-up energy gave us one of 2024’s most viral reality TV moments. And she’s causing a lot of drama.
Nominee: Real Housewives of Orange County
In 2024, Real Housewives of Orange County had its most talked-about episodes in ages. Even when viewers love to hate them, this city’s cast will bring the goods. With the finale focusing on her engagement, Jennifer Pedranti was crowned the new Orange County Queen. This was a very strong year for new Real Housewives, including Katie Ginella, who knocked her RHOC debut out of the park. Alexis Bellino brought the drama with John Janssen.
The main takeaway from Season 18 was that Shannon Beador is, as she mockingly called Alexis, “a TV STAR!” Any attempted Shannon takedown backfired, especially on her frenemy Tamra Judge. For many viewers, the final scene felt as if the other Housewives had realized this. It appeared that getting audiences back on their side was the motivation for making up with Shannon, as opposed to genuine remorse. Unfortunately, it took the wind out of a moment that was likely intended to end the season on a heartwarming note.
Nominee: Real Housewives of Potomac
Last season was pretty rough for Real Housewives of Potomac fans. Fortunately, 2024 has been a comeback year. While many were sad to see longtime cast members Robyn Dixon and Candiace Dillard go, their exit allowed the cast to move forward as a cohesive group. Who would’ve thought, for instance, that Gizelle Bryant and Wendy Osefo could let their issues go and become friends?
That being said, the show isn’t quite back to its glory days. Some viewers aren’t thrilled about the way Karen Huger handled her DUI. Mia Thorton teasing her child’s paternity, and weaponizing her ex-husband’s mental health, is a new low for RHOP storylines. But the show needs a villain, and Mia fits that bill this season (at least so far).
Most importantly, Potomac is FUN again. Ashley Darby’s back to singing in public with no shame. Karen and Gizelle are still Bravo’s best frenemies. And the confessionals are shady as can be. As for newcomer Stacey Rusch, we fell in love with her as soon as she got genuinely excited to sleep in bunk beds. Her relentless shade in confessionals, especially towards Ashley’s bunions and singing voice, proves she fits right in.
Winner: Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
Real Housewives of Salt Lake City started 2024 off with a bang and is ending the year on the highest of high notes. It feels like a lifetime ago, but on January 2, 2024, we got the now-legendary Reality Von Tease reveal. The Season 4 finale was so cinematic, that John Oliver compared it to Best Picture winner Oppenheimer.
Before Season 5, some viewers worried RHOSLC wouldn’t reach those same heights without Monica Garcia. Thankfully, those worries were quickly proven wrong. There hasn’t been a bad episode yet. The fact that entire episodes will take place at one event proves this cast brings it. For instance, who would’ve thought Meredith Marks’ bat mitzvah could be so entertaining, as well as genuinely moving?
It’s not just the chaos, feuds, and drama that makes RHOSLC the best Real Housewives show of 2024. This season is also super compelling because of the many vulnerable moments from Salt Lake City’s Housewives and their families. Bronwyn Newport opened up about the difficult past with her daughter’s grandparents, while Angie Katsanevas emotionally shared her complicated feelings about her late mother. Meanwhile, Mary Cosby’s conversation with her son Robert Jr. gave us one of the most powerful Real Housewives moments ever. Nothing compares to RHOSLC this season, and that’s why it deserves to win the award.
TELL US – WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE REAL HOUSEWIVES SHOW OF 2024?
