In attempt to clean up the good name of the Real Housewives franchise after New Jersey's primal castmates tore it to shreds during last night's reunion, Bravo has released a three-minute preview of its latest offshoot. The Beverly Hills edition (premiering October 16) promises plumped and pulled housewives who would never rip the weaves off of their costars, multi-million dollar mansions that are not under foreclosure, and -- get this -- relatives of actual celebrities. Below, five other enticing details about the Beverly Hills women that will have you tuning in this fall.
1. Two words: Kelsey Grammer
Bravo promises that the Frasier star will appear on the series several times this season to interact with his ex-wife and cast member Camille (sure, this is another case of "Does she actually qualify as a housewife if she's divorced," but hey, celebrities!), their two children (who share four nannies, Camille admits bashfully during the preview), and their TV production company.
2. Three More Words: Former Child Star
Andy Cohen has finally found his own female Dickie Roberts willing to shill her life and children out for D-list reality fame: Kim Richards, the star of Disney's original Escape to Witch Mountain and smaller roles in everything from Meatballs 2 to Diff'rent Strokes. Richards's background in the industry could make her one of the most complicated characters of the franchise. Maybe she'll sell her autobiography for $30,000 and hire a "real family" to teach her how to really love, all so that she can score that crucial role in Rob Reiner's next film. (Again, this is all hopeful speculation based on David Spade's 2003 movie.) Or, maybe she just tries to jump start her career with second-rate pop singles and a reality show secured by her niece Paris Hilton. Tune in to see!
3. Two Degrees to Bette Davis
That "ching, ching, ching" sound effect you hear is Andy Cohen cashing in on the fact that he cast two child stars related to Paris Hilton, but Kim's sister Kyle Richards also has the distinction of having worked with screen legend and gay icon Bette Davis on the 1980 Disney horror film The Watcher in the Woods. In your face, Orange County. Can you imagine what Bette Davis-related questions Andy Cohen already has written out on his Watch What Happens Live! cue cards for next season?
4. The Vanderpumps
That is a real name! Lisa Vanderpump is a former Baywatch actress trying to reinvent herself as a restaurateur who also writes a skincare column for Beverly Hills Lifestyle. Lisa Vanderpump has all of the glamor of a Jackie Collins character, with a delicious mid-Atlantic accent, pristine mansion, and a 24-year-old daughter named Pandora Vanderpump.
5. The Maloof Empire
Adrienne Maloof, another tentacle of the Beverly Hills cast, is a member of the prominent Maloof dynasty (who own the Sacramento Kings and the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas). If you've ever seen Living Lohan, you understand that knowing the Maloofs means you have unlimited access to recording equipment and Hugh Hefner, who has a permanent suite at the hotel. Another bonus: Adrienne's husband is a prominent plastic surgeon who could possibly shed some light on some of the lesser quality "work" done on other cast members.
ยท Meet the Cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills [People]