Each week, Alex McCord shares with Celebuzz readers her thoughts on a new episode of The Real Housewives Of Orange County.

Watch the video for McCord’s take on Lauri Waring Peterson‘s return and why the heck Slade Smiley felt it necessary to upgrade Gretchen Rossi‘s lease.  McCord notes that because this is reality tv we’re dealing with, it’s entirely possible that some dealership, in order to get publicity, upgraded their Mercedes lease to a Rolls.  Odds are, it’s not costing them a dime extra.

We should’ve known Lauri Waring Peterson’s return on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County wouldn’t be all sunshine and lollipops. On tonight’s episode, Lauri’s reappearance on the series marked trouble for Tamra Barney and Vicki Gunvalson’s already fractured friendship. Last week, Tamra and Vicki’s friendship hit the skids and viewers thought the two would never recover from their blowup in Malibu. Could these two work things out?

Note: Spoilers ahead if you haven’t watched Monday’s episode: “Hot In Orange County”

Lauri met up with Tamra to help the bride-to-be pick out wedding rings, when their conversation turned to everyone’s favorite wine-drinking insurance agent, Vicki. Lauri revealed to Tamra she knew the petit blonde and Vicki fell out, and dished how her marriage nearly suffered because of Vicki.

Really girl, I thought that was your son and your hubby’s ex-wife drama? Lauri never spilled the tea on how Vicki almost torpedoed her marriage, but warned Tamra that Vicki enjoys when people are unhappy just like she. Uh, Lauri, I remember when you were on the show, Vicki seemed really happy your mega rich hubby George came along. You sure do like to re-write history.

Meanwhile, the ladies rallied together and supported Heather Dubrow’s big debut on Hot in Cleveland. Heather’s big day was nearly upstaged by Gretchen Rossi and her wannabe housewife beau Slade Smiley’s late arrival. Apparently, the two were in San Diego on a romantic getaway, and Slade bought Gretchen a Rolls Royce! Not for nothing, but he didn’t buy her the Rolls, he leased it. We all know who’s making the payments, and it ain’t Slade.

Later, new housewife Lydia McLaughlin opened a dialog of discussion up for Tamra and Vicki at dinner to work things out. Always the optimist, that Lydia! Tamra apologized for lashing out at her former bestie. Tamra confessed she just wanted her old friend Vicki back. The two agreed to start fresh (yet again), and work on their issues at a later time, under the disapproving eye of Gretchen.

Buzz Moments

OMG!: Lydia’s mom and her weed smoking imitations and discussion. Ma’am really?

Thank you, TV gods.: Gretchen and Slade being called out for constantly walking out of Heather’s acting. How rude were they?

Awk-ward: Vicki wearing a pig nose at dinner as a joke. You know people wanted to chime in but decided not to.

Hotness: Heather’s stint on Hot In Cleveland. She owned it!

Fab-u-lous: Alexis Bellino showing up to acting class in a Rolls Royce. What budding actor does that? An OC actor.

Can. Not. Wait.: To find out more about Vicki and Lauri’s animosity.

Celebuzz Meter (1-10): 7

– Jillian Bowe

I wanted to stab myself in the eye repeatedly at the beginning of this episode.

- Alex McCord

Another friendship bites the dust on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of  Orange County. Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Barney‘s fragile friendship takes yet another trip to the relationship graveyard. Since Season 8 kicked off, Vicki and Tamra’s fractured BFF status took center stage.

Many wondered if the two could ever get past their animosity, and resume their friendship once more. You would think the pair’s love for wine business venture may have ended their contentious relationship, and brought them closer together. Apparently, not even all the grapes in the Napa Valley (or in their case Malibu) could make Vicki and Tamra bury the hatchet.

Note: Spoilers ahead if you haven’t watched Monday’s episode: “Whines by Wives?”

Heather Dubrow, Gretchen Rossi and newcomer Lydia McLaughlin set off to Malibu with Vicki and Tamra for the latter’s Wine by Wives tasting. You can cut the tension between Vicki and Tamra with a plastic surgeon’s knife, as the two are still a bit rocky after Tamra’s gym party blowup between the feisty blonde and Alexis Bellino. Tamra is also a bit irked at Vicki, since she feels (and rightly so) her former bestie isn’t pulling her own weight in their business. It seems Tamra may be onto something, as viewers (and Tamra) learn Vicki has a new alcohol venture she’s all about these days called Vicki’s Vodka. Memo to Vicki, you may want to tell your current business partner about your other booze business deal so things aren’t awkward between the two of you, like it is now.

Meanwhile, Heather is still smarting from she considered her husband Terry’s lack of support regarding her acting career taking off. Heather mentions she and Terry brought up divorce and breaks down, but surprisingly Vicki gives the best advice yet. Don’t mention the “d” word, since they will only create barriers in the relationship.

Will Heather take Vicki’s advice? Vicki and Tamra’s relationship turns sour once again, when Vicki decides to blow off the other ladies and kick it with her L.A. friends for dinner instead. Tamra reminds the insurance maven, they are in Malibu to work, not be social butterflies. The two wind up in a screeching match, resulting in Tamra calling Vicki bitch and Vicki remarking Tamra as miserable.

While we don’t agree with Tamra’s approach, she does have a point. Vicki is in Malibu for their business and not to hang out. If you aren’t interested in being in business with someone anymore, why not just tell them? With how far both Vicki and Tamra have gotten in rebuilding their relationship, you would think they could just be honest with each other about how they feel working together. Instead, in true OC fashion, the ladies pretend everything is ok, right before things turn into a huge disaster. Thus, setting Vicki and Tamra’s progress back. Guess you can’t solve everything over a bottle of wine…

Buzz Moments

OMG!: Heather’s husband Terry clipping his toenails and asking her to do it. Can you say gross??

Thank you, TV gods.: Tamra admitting to her fiancé she may have anger issues. Girl, we’re glad you said it!

Awk-ward: Vicki asking the winery owner if his daughter was his girlfriend. You could hear an ant hold its breath when she did that.

Hotness:  Eddie bike riding ensemble. How sexy is he? You go Tamra!

Fab-u-lous: The Malibu winery. How amazing was it with the picturesque views?

Can. Not. Wait.: To see former RHOC Lauri Peterson return, right as Tamra and Vicki are on the outs. I’m also interested to see who did a better acting job between Heather and Alexis.

Celebuzz Meter (1-10): 7.5

– Jillian Bowe

Although Tamra sometimes makes me want to slap her, I had to laugh at this memorable quote – ‘If you want good restaurants and flat chests, go back to New York.’

- Alex McCord

Vicki Gunvalson just can’t seem to get things right in her relationships these days. Last week on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County, the insurance maven’s rocky relationship with former bestie Tamra Barney took a few steps backwards, after Tamra’s explosive confrontation with nemesis Alexis Bellino. As Vicki attempted to navigate through the murky waters of her friendship with Tamra, Vicki tried to convince her daughter Briana of all the positives her relationship with ex-boyfriend Brooks Ayers had, if she only gave him a chance. Will Vicki get her wish? Don’t count on it.

Note: Spoilers ahead if you haven’t watched Monday’s episode: “A Star Is Reborn?”

Tired of being without the one she loves, Vicki decided to meet up with Brooks, where viewers learned the two took a little detour from their love train in order to reevaluate their relationship. Apparently, Briana and her hubby Ryan demanded Brooks stay away while they resided with Vicki. As the two caught up on things, Vicki was devastated to discover Brooks was seeing other people, while she sat shiva over their relationship. Not for nothing Vicki, but did you honestly think Brooks wouldn’t see other people? You two did decide to take a break.

As Vicki poured her heart out to Brooks on being torn between wanting him back and not losing her daughter, Brooks calmly informed Vicki if it were his house, Briana would have to do as he say under his roof. Glad it ain’t your crib then Brooks! Although Vicki clearly isn’t happy about Ryan and Briana telling her whom she can and cannot see, she refrains from telling Brooks she is not kicking her daughter and grandchild out of her house.

What type of man is cool with a woman putting out her daughter and grandson, just so he can come over? We get Brooks isn’t down with Briana’s demands, but does he honestly think he can come in between Vicki and her baby girl? While Brooks made a valid point to Vicki saying he wasn’t trying to win Briana and Ryan over, you would think he would try to prove everyone wrong about his shifty and shady ways. Instead, Brooks has further shown Briana and Vicki’s former BFF Tamra Barney were right on being wary about his motives. Score one for you, Brooks.

Buzz Moments

OMG!: Heather Dubrow going off on her husband’s harmless joke regarding letting the kids go crazy while she’s filming Hot In Cleveland. It’s a joke girl, relax!!

Thank you, TV gods.: Alexis’ husband demanding she stand up for herself. DO IT already! We know you’re into the Lord, but we’re sure he’d understand.

Awk-ward: Lydia McLaughlin’s mother sprinkling ”fairy dust” on people. How random is that?

Hotness: Vicki’s fur coat. She’s wearing it in California but she wore it well!

Fab-u-lous: Tamra and Vicki’s offices for their wine. Not bad for a start up

Can. Not. Wait.: Vicki and Tamra’s heated exchange at the vineyard. Seems like one for the history books.

Celebuzz Meter (1-10): 7.5

Should Vicki kick Briana and her family out so she can see Brooks? Can Brooks be trusted? Sound off below!

– Jillian Bowe

Each week, Alex McCord weighs in on The Real Housewives Of Orange County.  The gals may deem themselves the “original housewives,” but the picked up a few tricks from other franchises.

McCord studied the dinner fight (it’s always at the dinner table), focusing mainly on Tamra Barney and Alexis Bellino.

“What’s the quickest way to job security?  Become the queen of mean,” McCord notes.  ”Go after someone…but WIN.”

“She learned from Jill Zarin’s mistake,” McCord added.  ”Jill took on a very well-liked character.”

After four years together, it looks like Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley are ready for even more blissful years, only this time as husband and wife.

And in true Rossi style, she did things her way — by being the one to propose.

The Real Housewives of Orange County star asked for Smiley’s hand in marriage on April 14 – and of course this fashion designer can’t just have any ring on her finger.

Only 9 carats will do. Naturally.

According to designer Dany Arik of Newport Jewelers in Newport Beach, Calif. it was a collaborative process.

“We both put our heads to it and designed it together,” he told Celebuzz.

Rossi’s new bling has a 4-carat fancy yellow diamond center stone and 5 carats of surrounding diamonds.

For a whopping total of 9 carats of big bling!

And Rossi, who confirmed the happy news with In Touch, was actually inspired by her first engagement ring, which she holds close to her heart. As seen on the popular reality show, Rossi was previously engaged to Jeff Beitzel, who passed away after losing his battle cancer in 2008. Smiley was also previously engaged to former RHOC star Jo de la Rosa.

“She wanted to go off of the design of her previous engagement ring,” Arik said. “She walked into the store and I had a ring and she just knew what she wanted when she saw it. So we put together elements from six or seven rings and made one ring.”

And there were even more surprises in store, like the fact that Smiley, 44, had no idea what she had up her sleeve.

According to Arik, his ring was completely designed by the 34 year old reality star, and made of rhodium with gold in the center and black diamonds on all corners.

“Slade’s not a flashy guy so she wanted it to be subtle. He’s into black diamonds so we worked with that,” he said.

When designing the rings, fashion designer Rossi wanted to add her own special touches. So she was sure to engrave a “G” and an “S” into her ring to symbolize Gretchen and her hubby-to-be.

And on his newest accessory she engraved four G’s, some of which stand for his 12-year-old son Grayson, Gretchen and god, Anik said.

“She told me she was going to propose,” he added. “I was surprised, but she doesn’t do anything by the books — that’s my favorite part about her.”

Anik, who’s known Rossi for years since designing rings for her family, knew this time would come where they’d be ready for “I do.”

“I knew he was going to propose a year ago, but it wasn’t the right timing,” he said. “She obviously loves Slade and now was the perfect time.”

What do you think about Gretchen being the one to propose to Slade? Tell us below.

Friends references! Timely! Well, they are somewhat timely, actually. And in any event, aren’t Friends references always timely? #WeWereOnABreak #LOL #SoPhresh

But OK, moving on to TV shows that are currently, you know, still airing new episodes… What did you watch this week? Mad Men‘s off to a bit of a slow start this season, don’t you think? But I guess they always start off kind of slow. However, Parks and Recreation is still killin’ it!

We asked our TV-loving Twitter friends which shows they enjoyed watching this week to diverse responses:

@celebuzzGame Of Thrones!!!. Last 6 minute was EPIC.

— skye (@ilovefridaynite) April 24, 2013

@celebuzz Watched and loved #BodyOfProof…had lots of twists and turns! — Michele(@MichDish415) April 24, 2013

@celebuzz @mtv Girl Code!! — Dana Gibbs (@dana_gibbs94) April 24, 2013

@celebuzz O looooooooove #KeepingUpWithTheKardashian but they still not come back for season 8

— Tiago Santana (@TiagoTiknik) April 24, 2013

Of course, people still have things to say about our on-site TV recaps, too:

Alex, you are right about those naughty cameras, like the close-up of Kenya blotting her face, Phaedra eating her whipped cream and Adrienne’s ripped jacket. The producers are obviously being influenced by the cast’s immature behavior. I agree with your premise that Lydia should make nice with the other cast members from the start, however, Heather is still new herself, and in this case, I think it may be fortunate for Lydia that she did not coddle the Dubrow’s. The fans are tired of their alliance with G and T while ripping on Alexis for every little thing. – Amber, on the latest Real Housewives of Orange County

And last week’s episode of The Voice got everyone commenting:

I think Usher might be crazy crazy! Very entertaining though. btw…the product placement wasn’t even successful! I didn’t even know it was a kia until reading your blog. ha! – Amy

No montages!!! Boo!! – Ryan

Judith & Karina’s battle was so incredible!!!! Shakira is in the competition now! & when Blake stole Tayor… I was asking for the tissues. It was so sweet. – dm1111

That’s all we have time for this week. Happy couch surfing, TV Lovers!

Alex McCord has been a witness to all sorts of crazy on The Real Housewives of New York City, but last night’s episode of Orange County really took the cake.

Watch what McCord has to say about the cray-cray O.C. ladies.

Former Real Housewives Of New York City cast member Alex McCord tells CELEBUZZ her thoughts on last night’s episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County, in which we were first introduced to Lydia McLaughlin.

BTW, Lydia opened her first Bravo TV blog with “I’m Lydia…and I’m a hugger.”

Of course you are, button.

Just when it seemed Vicki Gunlavson and Tamra Barney were on the road to reconciliation, the two hit a speed bump. Last week on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County, Vicki and Tamra buried the hatchet and decided to resume their friendship at Heather Dubrow’s clambake. Would the women live up to their truce?

Note: Spoilers ahead if you haven’t watched Monday’s episode: “Making Up Is Really Hard To Do.”

What is with Vicki these days? You would think after wanting her relationship with Tamra repaired, she would be walking on eggshells. Well, the insurance guru seemed to have other opinions on how to keep her friendships intact.

Vicki met up with Tamra for lunch, and proceeded to blame her for the way their relationship ended. According to Vicki, it was all because Tamra dared to voice her opinions about her ex-boyfriend Brooks. Isn’t that what a friend is supposed to do, though?

Aren’t these ladies always harping on people, “not being real?” Why should Vicki get bent out of shape when Tamra was only being authentic in her doubts surrounding Brooks? It’s high time Vicki let the past stay exactly where it is, in the past, if she wants her fragile friendship with Tamra to grow. While Vicki started to understand where Tamra was coming from, she nearly derailed the entire rebuilding process when she asked if she could invite Alexis Bellinoto Tamra’s party!

Why, Vicki, WHY?!

On the other side of the OC, viewers met new housewife Lydia McLaughlin. She attempted to feature Heather’s home in her magazine, Beverly Hills Lifestyle. Heather is all for the idea, until she and her husband decide they must be on the cover. The ladies seemed to hit it off pretty well until Heather discovered Lydia’s friendly with Alexis! Ruh oh… Ms. McLaughlin may have just painted a big bullseye on her back with that revelation.

After Lydia discussed Heather’s demands, the magazine spread was nixed. Apparently, since their magazine only showcased well known celebrity names, Heather and her husband simply didn’t make the cut. Talk about a huge reality check.

Buzz Moments

OMG!: Tamra allowing Vicki to invite Alexis to her fitness studio party. Either Tamra’s really showing she’s the bigger person, or is about to tear Alexis a new one.

Thank you, TV gods.: Briana busting Vicki on not cutting off Brooks completely.

Awk-ward: Tamra telling Gretchen Rossi she doesn’t thinks her pal’s ready to be a mother since Gretchen’s too concerned about herself. Can anyone else feel that chill?

Hotness: Lydia’s husband, Doug. Can we say handsome?

Fab-u-lous: Heather’s house. That thing is so huge, bet she wouldn’t notice if someone (me) lived there for a month.

Can. Not. Wait.: Dying for Tamra’s dinner party next week. All the ladies under one roof equals an epic fight.

Celebuzz Meter (1-10): 7

Will Vicki and Tamra’s friendship end before it starts? Sound off below!

– Jillian Bowe

There must have be something in the lobster at Heather Dubrow‘s clambake to cajole former friendsVicki Gunvalson and Tamra Barney to kiss and make up. On Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County, fans were speechless after witnessing the pair duke it out during last season’s reunion. Many wondered if the ladies could ever repair their fractured friendship.

It appears time does heal old wounds.

Note: Spoilers ahead if you haven’t watched Monday’s episode: “Evil Eyes and Evil Faces.”

After Tamra, Heather and Gretchen Rossi finally got over the shock of Vicki’s new facial “tweaking” (in English: Face lift), the gals filled each other in on their lives. It looked like everyone was starting to get along like nothing happened, but in true Orange County fashion, an innocent comment of Vicki’s joking about Tamra giving Gretchen the “evil eye” just set things off.

Come on now ladies.  You say the meanest things to each other without even flinching, but this gets you riled up? Get it together, already!

Vicki and Tamra rehash what led to their uber blowup, causing Ms. Barney to flee in tears.

Seriously Tamra?

Heather, being the voice of reason, goes after Tamra and tells her to work things out with Vicki. While the two women make great strides to fix their friendship, by locking themselves in a closet (huh?), they inform the cameras separately they are still keeping their guard up with the other. How the devil can you have a relationship based on trust, when you two aren’t being honest about everything?! We get you are a bit hesitant to open up yet again with each other, but why not put your cards on the table and admit it?

As much as Vicki and Tamra harp about “being real” with people, those two sure are being a bit phony by not speaking up about their doubts they have about each other. What’s the worst that can happen, if Vicki and Tamra decided to voice their trepidation on going back to the way things were? Here’s hoping Vicki and Tamra can get that ole’ thing back (and we’re not talking about Vicki’s face).

Buzz Moments:

OMG!: Great balls of fire, Slade has a job! Always thought the apocalypse would hit before that happened. Does that mean it has?

Thank you, TV gods: Tamra seeing right through Gretchen’s rant against Vicki. Park the hatermobile to the curb there Gretchen, it’s becoming an eyesore.

Awk-ward: Terry’s attempts to lighten up the mood with his jokes. Even the crickets were quiet.

Hotness: Alexis Bellino and her husband Jim’s ballroom dancing. Twirl!

Fab-u-lous: Heather’s wine room. Can’t blame Tamra and Vicki for holding court in there, thing is fantastic!

Can. Not. Wait.: To meet the new housewife and for Alexis and Tamra to have their face off.

Celebuzz Meter (1-10): 6.5

Should Vicki and Tamra be honest with each other? Is Gretchen right about Vicki? Sound off below!

– Jillian Bowe

For The Real Housewives, happily ever after more often than not ends in divorce.

That’s what the numbers prove of the trend that’s taken over the famed Bravo franchise. More than half of all the current cast members on the six series under the Bravo franchise — New York City, New Jersey, Miami, Atlanta, Orange County and Beverly Hills — have been divorced at least once, according to the calculations over at Buzzfeed.

But Andy Cohen, Bravo’s executive vice president and Watch What Happens Live host, rationalizes the series’ split-up statistic as a representation of the state of marriage in the country.

“I think it’s a phenomenon among America,” he told Celebuzz at the Bravo upfront event in New York City. “The divorce rate is 50 percent and about 50 percent of the Housewives have gotten divorce. So I think we’re a reflection of what goes on in America.”

But upon closer look, Buzzfeed found that frequetly-reiterated figure is in fact far off, as the nation-wide rate is actually lower. In fact, the Housewives divorce rate — 51.3 percent — is nearly double that for average American women at large, which currently stands at 22.4 percent.

The trend has hit headlines recently, as Real Housewives of Atlanta‘s Porsha Stewart became the latest of the Bravo franchise to announce her marriage is heading for divorce. The breakup comes on the heels of two other Housewives heading to splits-ville in the past few months — New Jersey’s Dina Manzo separated from husband of seven years, Tommy Manzo, and Bethenny Frankel, formerly of the New York City cast, filed for divorce from her second husband, Jason Hoppy, in January.

Though the cold, hard numbers can be grim, Cohen put a positive spin on the situation as he speculated if the spotlight may play a part in pushing Housewivesto divorce.

“I think what it does is accelerate any problems that exist, because people have opinions about their problems and they’re voicing them,” he explained. “I think a lot of women find great strength by doing the show and they feel like, ‘Wow, I can do this.’ It’s an interesting phenomenon.”

For more Bravo scoop, check out The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast dishing on season 5 in the video below.

Since it first hit the small screen back in 2006, The Real Housewives franchise has spawned six successful series (read: D.C. didn’t cut it) all across the nation. But Bravo’s spotlight on all that lavish living, girl fights and gossip started with one original: The Real Housewives of Orange County.

Now as the show dives into the drama of its eighth season, there is a single survivor who has been there since the beginning: Vicki Gunvalson.

“It feels great,” she told Celebuzz at the Bravo upfront event in New York City on Thursday. “If we weren’t successful season one and two, we wouldn’t be here.”

After many have come and gone from the O.C. mania, Gunvalson now stars alongside five other diamond-dripped Housewives: Tamra Barney, Gretchen Rossi, Alexis Bellino, Heather Dubrow and Lydia McLaughlin, the newest woman to hop aboard the Bravo bandwagon.
“I don’t know if I’m even looking forward to it after all these interviews,” McLaughlin admitted. “They’re all saying, ‘Be careful. You’re not going to be excited. It’s a lot of drama.’ So I guess I’m a little more nervous now.” The O.G.’s advice? “Just to have fun and to trust us,” Gunvalson said with a wink.

Though the new season has only just premiered, the women are already waging war, so to speak. Not only are Gunvalson and Barney still at odds, but Dubrow stuck it her nemesis Bellino by making her the sole persona non grata at her posh clambake, a snub Bellino isn’t taking lying down. “Well, I sold her to another country,” Bellino joked, as Dubrow was absent at the Upfront because she’s vacationing in Mexico with her children. “So she’s gone.”

But the season promises more than just bad blood between the women — wedding planning is underway for Barney, who is engaged to fiancé Eddie Judge. Though she stayed lips-sealed on what role, if any, her costars will play in her big day, there are four people who Barney promises will have a hand in the ceremony: her four children, eldest son Ryan Vieth, 24, from her first marriage, and her three younger kids, Sidney, Spencer and Sophia, from her second husband, Simon Barney.

And might wedding bells soon ring for another one of the O.C. women? Rumors have been swirling that Rossi is ready to say “I do” to beau Slade Smiley after she was spotted sporting blinding bling on her ring finger. But turns out, the sparkler is not a gift from Smiley.

“You know what? This is my ring from Jeff,” Rossi explained, referring to her late fiancé Jeff Beitzel. “I will always wear this. It’s a very sentimental piece to me. I’m never going to stop wearing it.” But Rossi didn’t deny that an engagement could be on her horizon. “There might be,” she teased. “So you have to watch to see what happens.”

For more from the biggest Bravo-lebrities — from The Vanderpump Rules cast to the confirmed returning stars of RHONY — watch the videos below.

The Real Housewives of Orange County returned to claim their spot as the original divas of dysfunction. Time still hasn’t healed the rift between former BFF’s Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Barney. The last time the two were in a room together, it was nearly a bloodbath.

Why won’t Vicki and Tamra kiss and make up already? After the way the two left their relationship once the reunion episode ended, it was obvious to say they wouldn’t have a spa day consisting of braiding each other’s hair over international coffee. Even though both Vicki and Tamra claimed they would not reach out to the other, the two just couldn’t stop focusing on each other during tonight’s entire episode!

While Tamra was out shopping with new bestie Gretchen Rossi, all Tamra talked about was the vicious email Vicki sent her, and her refusal to send the insurance mogul her best regarding the birth of her first grandchild. Meanwhile, Vicki claimed, “I’m all about renovating right now,” but all she kept renovating (besides her new face) over is what would Tamra and Gretchen think about her plastic surgery.

Listen, we get it’s hard to say you’re sorry, but either do it and move forward or stop the catty trash talk behind the other’s back! Clearly Vicki, Tamra, and Gretchen have some serious issues to work out amongst each other, but focusing so much on the other person isn’t going to get things squared away.

As the ladies all made their way to Heather DuBrow’s place for a clambake, the tension mounted when Vicki, Tamra and Gretchen came face-to-face with each other. Will the women work out their differences? Stay tuned.

Buzz Moments

OMG!: Gretchen not knowing how to make coffee. Seriously girl, how hard is that to do?

Thank you, TV gods: Slade Smiley FINALLY getting a job! Never thought we’d see that happen.

Awk-ward: Heather and her husband Terry bickering over onion rings in front of their daughter.

Hotness: Tamra’s fiance Eddie Judge. He’s just so dang sexy to look at.

Fab-u-lous: Alexis Bellino’s new house. Nice digs for Alexis and her brood.

Can. Not. Wait.: Anxious to see Vicki’s new face and to see if she and Gretchen and Tamra can get along.

Celebuzz Meter (1-10): 8

Will Vicki and Tamra patch things up? Sound off in the comments.

The O.C. is ready for the sand and surf.

The Real Housewives of Orange County star Gretchen Rossi is fired up about the warm weather as she strips down to a rhinestone-studded nude two-piece during a recent beachside photo shoot for her upcoming bikini line, Gretchen Christine for LUXE.

Already a successful entrepreneur of a cosmetics collection and handbag line, the 35-year-old is expanding her empire by launching her first swimwear collection.

Finding a free moment in her her busy schedule on Tuesday, Rossi tweeted:

On way to Tampa for work and an appearance on C-Shop TV to discuss the Gretchen Christine Collections, Then to Miami, and New York!!

— Gretchen Rossi (@GretchenRossi) March 26, 2013

Launch the gallery above to get a sneak peek at Rossi’s upcoming swimsuit collection.

We know it’s supposed to happen: The Mayans predicted that the world will end on Dec. 21. And there’s several theories on why it happens. But, E!’s The Soup has had its own running theory for years. Reality TV is what brings on doomsday.

The Soup is dedicating Wednesday’s entire episode to humankind’s last day and what caused it. And in a big “We told you so,” the pop culture show recruited more than 20 stars from the unscripted entertainment world for an original song titled, “We Killed The World.”

And Celebuzz has the honor of premiering it exclusively.

“We at The Soup are thankful that the Mayans made this calendar a couple thousand years ago so we could have an excuse to re-show some of the greatest clips in the history of reality television,” says host Joel McHale. “We’re so thankful I’ve been dressed like a Mayan High priestess for the last two weeks.”

Reality TV stars who took part in the original song and video include Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley (The Real Housewives of Orange County), Sanjaya Malakar (American Idol), Charlie O’Connell and Jonathan Novack (The Bachelor), Shangela (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Kalon McMahon (The Bachelorette), Madison Hildebrand (Million Dollar Listing), and Rob Cesternino (Survivor), among many others.

Watch the world (end) premiere of the music video for “We Killed The World” above.

The Soup: End of the World “We Told You So” Spectacular” with Host Joel McHale airs Wednesday at 10PM on E!

Which of these reality stars do you think most contributed to the end of days? Sound off below.

Celebuzz went behind the scenes on the music video. Watch below.

Andy Warhol may have predicted that everyone would become famous for 15 minutes, but he never guaranteed that everyone would earn the same paycheck for their moment in the spotlight.

Among the stars minted by reality TV, how much you earn — like so much else in America — depends largely on where you started out. Those who are already rich or somewhat famous have an advantage over the previously anonymous, and people from pricier zip codes tend to outearn those from the sticks.

The class divide among reality stars reared its head in recent days with the claim by The Hollywood Reporter that the Thompson clan, the self-styled rednecks from McIntyre, Ga. who star in TLC’s new smash Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, earn as little as $2,000 to $4,000 per episode, or no more than $40,000 for the ten-episode season for the entire family. Family matriarch June Shannon has said the figure is a lot higher than that, but even so, it would have to be much, much higher to match the fees earned by, say, the Kardashian family, the various Real Housewives, or even the souvenir T-shirt sales crew on Jersey Shore.

Read on for a breakdown of who earns what in reality TV.

Honey Boo Boo viewers love to be appalled by Shannon and partner Mike “Sugar Bear” Thompson — either they’re bad parents who ply their kids with energy drinks and overstuff them with food while raising them in an atmosphere of privation and backwardness, or they’re bad parents who are exploiting their kids by pushing them in front of a camera even while taking a shamefully low fee for a show that has to be earning TLC millions in ad dollars.

Shannon disputes the $4,000-per-episode figure, telling the Reporter that they’re earning enough from the show to start trust funds for the four kids; in fact, they’re saving all the show money and continuing to live off Thompson’s wages from the local chalk mine.

One guide to how much the Thompsons may earn comes from TLC’s other series built around unorthodox families. At the height of their fame (and before the parental split), the Gosselins of Jon & Kate + 8 were earning $22,500 per episode. (So said Jon Gosselin in a 2009 interview.)

The Duggar family, of 19 Kids and Counting, earn between $25,000 and $40,000 per episode. (Note that the Gosselin family was half as big and lived in suburban Pennsylvania, while the ever-expanding Duggar brood lives in rural Arkansas.)

Over on MTV, the stars of Teen Mom have been doing their part to perpetuate back-country stereotypes (or, if you prefer serve as cautionary tales), but for at least $60,000 per season. But that fee grew as the show aged. Last year, in court documents, Amber Portwood divulged that she was earning $140,000 per season, or $280,000 per year.

Meanwhile, in the higher property tax environs of New Jersey, the stars of Jersey Shore have been earning at least $30,000  per episode each. That adds up to $390,000 per season, or $780,000 per year, for each of the eight roommates. Ever wonder why none of them is motivated to put in a full day’s work at their landlord’s boardwalk T-shirt shop? That’s why.

The reality stars who live largest, the various women of Bravo’s Real Housewives franchise, also earn some of the highest salaries in reality TV. Those who’ve been on the longest have earned bigger salary bumps. For example, according to Radar, among the Real Housewives of Orange County, veteran Vicki Gunvalson earns $450,000 per season, compared to just $30,000 for newbie Heather Dubrow. In the middle are Alexis Bellino ($2000,000), Gretchen Rossi ($300,000) and Tamra Barney ($350,0000).

For Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the spread is narrower, with Lisa Vanderpump leading the pack with $250,000 per season and Kim Richards and Yolanda Hadid bringing up the rear at $100,000 each. But the franchise’s queen bee is, not surprisingly, the woman who leads the cast of the highest rated show. That would Be Nene Leakes of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, who commands $750,000 per season.

The highest paid performers in reality TV are, of course, the Kardashians. This summer, the family signed a deal for $30 million to star in three more seasons of E!’s Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Of course, there are a lot of Kardashians and Jenners who get to split that $10 million per season; presumably, Kris Jenner and eldest daughters Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney get the lion’s share.

In fact, Kim Kardashian is, according to Forbes, not only the highest-paid woman in reality TV, but also the second highest-earning woman in primetime, period. She earns $18 million a year; only Sofia Vergara of scripted show Modern Family earns more. But much of Kim’s money comes from endorsement deals; same with Vergara, who also gets money from commercials and movie appearances. For both women, only a small fraction of their wealth comes from their TV salaries; the rest is from ancillaries.

And that’s where the real money is in reality TV, not in the per-episode paycheck. The Kardashians rule here, too, with their multiple endorsements, fashion lines, appearance fees, and more. Not to mention spinoff series. It’s no surprise that Khloe, who has pursued those opportunities especially avidly, isn’t far behind Kim on Forbes‘ top-earning women on TV list, with an annual gross of $11 million.

The Jersey Shore stars may play gorilla juiceheads on TV, but off-camera, they’ve been awfully clever about finding ways to milk their fame. Take Snooki, who’s parlayed her fame into a series of best-selling books, products sold on home shopping channels, speaking fees of $30,000 a pop, a spinoff series with pal J-Woww, and and a fee reported at $250,000 to license first exclusive photo rights to People magazine for pictures of her newborn baby, Lorenzo. The Situation has landed endorsement deals and frequent stints on other reality shows to earn himself at least 45 million a year. But Jersey Shore’s top earner may actually be Pauly D, whose spinoff series, endorsements, and high-profile DJ gigs have earned him $11 million a year.

That ancillary money can continue long after the reality gig that spawned it is over. Just ask some of the Real Housewives of New York alumnae. Jill Zarin claimed she earned $1 million in sales from her shapewear line after she left the show. And Bethenny Frankel famously sold her Skinnygirl cocktail business for $120 million. Not bad for a woman who claimed that, before Real Housewives, she couldn’t even pay her rent

Whether the Thompsons of Honey Boo Boo will be able to drum up similar opportunities for themselves is far from certain. Seven-year-old Alana Thompson, Honey Boo Boo herself, may have the cuteness and ebullience to be a commercial spokesperson, at least until she hits puberty in a few years. And given the popularity of Paula Deen, there must be enough fans of calorie-counting-be-damned Southern cuisine to make a Thompson family cookbook a bestseller. At any rate, two things are certain. First, they shouldn’t count on the largesse of TLC. And second, they’d better strike while the iron is hot. Those 15 minutes go by awfully fast.

Her love tank is definitely full! The past year hasn’t been easy for Bravo’s  The Real Housewives of Orange County star, Vicki Gunvalson, 50, but she’s remaining positive despite all the recent drama.

Gunvalson told Celebuzz exclusively that the twice-married housewife hasn’t given up on marriage saying, “I’ll always believe in love and marriage.”

Gunvalson’s current beau, 45-year old Mississippi businessman, Brooks Ayers, is keeping her happier than ever. “We’re good, we’re doing really well. At the end of the day, it’s my life and my choice and we’re very happy.”

Ayers has been a controversial figure on the Bravo series and has caused a major rift between longtime friends Tamra Barney, 44, and Gunvalson. While the two housewives are still not on speaking terms, Gunvalson didn’t seem to dwell on the end of their friendship.

Is marriage the next step for Gunvalson?

Celebuzz asked Gunvalson if she could see herself marrying Brooks and she happily responded, “Absolutely.”

But for right now, Gunvalson says they’re “both really happy with where things are.”

Before she has time to think about being a wife one more time, Gunvalson has to get used to another title: Grandma. Her daughter, Briana, 24, is about six months pregnant and is ready to become a mom at any minute. Gunvalson, the ever-doting mother, said she has her phone by her side at all times just in case.

The once-strained relationship between mother and daughter is better than ever now that Briana and her husband, Ryan, live under the same roof as Gunvalson. “We’re all very, very close,” gushes the housewife.

One time will tell if another wedding is in the works for Gunvalson but until then, we can’t wait to see how she handles her new role of grandma. Sound off in the comments section below.