In April, 2008 The Real Housewives ofOrange County was renewed for a fourth season by Bravo. The season premiere "Are They For Real?" was aired on November 25, 2008, while the thirteenth episode "Bling Bling" served as the season finale, and was aired on February 17, 2009. It was followed by a reunion special that aired on January 29, 2008, and a "Lost Footage" episode on June 11, 2009, which marked the conclusion of the season. Adam Karpel, Alex Baskin, Douglas Ross, Gregory Stewart, Scott Dunlop, Stephanie Boyriven and Andy Cohen are recognized as the series' executive producers; it is produced and distributed by Evolution Media.
Cast and synopsis
Four of the six housewives featured on the third season of The Real Housewives of Orange County initially returned for the fourth instalment. Prior to the season airing, Tammy Knickerbocker and Quinn Fry had departed the series. Both wives have guest appearances later on in the series. Lauri Peterson left the series during the third episode "Love Tanks" that aired on December 9, 2008. Peterson's reason for departing the series were to focus on her family due to her son's issues with drugs. Two new housewives filled Knickerbocker and Peterson's place. Gretchen Rossi was added as a full timecast memberat the beginning of the season and Lynne Curtin, on the fourth episode "You Just Don't Get It", the episode after Peterson's departure. Peterson in beginning was enjoying the perks of marriage to her newlywed, George Peterson. After distancing herself from the group, Lauri's fairytale is put in jeopardy when family matters arise regarding her son Josh, and in affect Peterson departs the series to focus on her family. Rossi tends to her fiancé Jeff, who is battling a rare form of leukemia. The women question Rossi's intentions due to the couple's significant age gap of 23 years, and Rossi's reputation as a party girl. Throughout the season Rossi attempts to lift her spirits away from Jeff's illness by hosting a burlesque evening, spending time with her family at Lake Bass and going to Hollywood to celebrates her friend, and former housewife, Jo De La Rosa's musical success. Rossi and Tamra Barney feud over the allegation of Rossi being a "gold-digger" and Barney’s questioning of Rossi's actions away from Jeff. With their tensions rising, Barney and fellow housewife Vicki Gunvalson set Rossi up at a premium tequila tasting at Barney's formal dinner. Rossi ends up disappearing from the dinner with Barney's son Ryan, leaving the other ladies worried. Barney supports her mom after she continues to mourn her break-up, so Tamra helps her mom get a face lift to jumpstart her dating life. Barney's son Ryan continues to struggle with work commitment, with new career aspirations Barney is left surprised. Curtin is introduced to the series, along with her two daughters Raquel and Alexa. The eldest, Raquel, convinces Curtin to allow her to have a huge 18th birthday celebration at the house. Curtin struggles with her daughter's behavior, which leaves her feeling unappreciated and worried. After meeting the ladies, Curtin begins being on the outs with the ladies due to being friends with Rossi, Curtin befriends Jeana at the races. Away from the group, Curtin pursues her business endeavors of designing jewelry, however Gunvalson insists Curtin doesn't know how to work which later leaves the two feuding. Keough balances her family when her daughter returns home after a tough year in college, also at the house is Keough's husband, Matt, who she has been separated from for a year. Away from family, Keough continues to make money, despite the real estate market being in the dumps in Orange County. Keough attempts to rebuild herself while entering the "post-separation" phase of her life, later having her husband move out and getting back into the dating game. Keough and Gunvalson begin to feud, over last season's rental issues. Matters are made worse when Keough brings her friend and Gunvalson's former tenant around. Despite their previous drama, Keough and Gunvalson take a trip to Chicago to visit Gunvalson's friends from high school as well as original wife Kimberly Bryant. Gunvalson continues to struggle balancing her personal and professional life, and it only gets worse when she considers buying a yacht. She and her husband Donn continue to bicker and Gunvalson struggles to be civil to Donn, also claiming that her "love tank" is empty.
