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'Real' life: New housewives join the Orange County gang

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Author: 
Andrew Warren / TV Media
"The Real Housewives of Orange County"

"The Real Housewives of Orange County"

'Real' life: From the West Coast to the East Coast with stops in between, the "Real Housewives" franchise is definitely one of reality TV's most shining success stories, and the series that started it all is still going strong. "The Real Housewives of Orange Country" premiered in 2006 and almost immediately became a huge hit as audiences tuned in for a little peek at the lifestyles of a group of wealthy ladies.

Orange County's leading ladies return for a 13th season on Monday, July 16, on Bravo, with three of the housewives no longer around. Lydia McLaughlin, Meghan King Edmonds and Peggy Sulahian all stepped away from the series after the last season and won't be appearing this time around, but Shannon Beador, Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge and Kelly Dodd are all back for more.

Those four are joined this season by a pair of newcomers. Gina Kirschenheiter hails from Long Island and, after three years in the OC, is still adjusting to the California way of life. With her husband living and working in Los Angeles through the week and only coming home on weekends, she finds herself living what feels like the life of a single mom -- and also re-evaluating what she wants from her marriage.

Also new this season is Ohio native Emily Simpson, a woman who came from nothing and became a successful attorney, party planner and mother. Hers is a real rags-to-riches story -- even more so when she reveals the difficulties she went through to have her three children.

Like its many spinoffs, "The Real Housewives of Orange County" is a glamorous -- and often not-so-glamorous -- peek into the lives of a group of well-off women. The new season, with two new faces, premieres Monday, July 16, on Bravo.

 

Robin remembered: It takes a special kind of person to make the whole world laugh, and Robin Williams was one of the few who could do that. The comedian and actor took his own life in 2014, but his legacy lives on in his countless fans, and HBO is taking an in-depth look at his life and what made him tick.

"Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind" premieres Monday, July 16, on the premium channel, and peels back the layers to find out how Williams became one of world's most beloved personalities. From his youth in the San Francisco Bay area to his time starring in "Mork & Mindy" to his Oscar-winning role in "Good Will Hunting" (1997), the documentary tells his story mostly through the comedian's own words. Through interviews, home movies and onstage footage from throughout his life, a door is opened into Williams' mind to reveal his creative process and the things that drove him to the height of success.

Other actors and comedians who worked with Williams over the years also provide tributes and insider anecdotes about their departed friend. David Letterman ("My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman"), Billy Crystal ("City Slickers," 1991), Whoopi Goldberg, ("The View"), Steve Martin ("Roxanne," 1987), Eric Idle ("Monty Python and the Holy Grail," 1975) and Pam Dawber ("Mork & Mindy") all provide insight into the late comedian, as does his son, Zak.

Whether it was his hilarious standup, his charming voice work as the Genie in "Aladdin" (1992), his dramatic turn in films such as "One Hour Photo" (2002) or his TV work in "Mork & Mindy," Robin Williams was a multifaceted comedian and actor who was loved around the world. Take an in-depth journey to discover what made him tick in "Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind," on HBO on Monday, July 16.

 

Down but not out: Roseanne may be out, but "Roseanne" is still a go at ABC. By now, most people who fell in love all over again with the revived sitcom will have heard about its cancellation following controversy surrounding star Roseanne Barr, but there's good news for fans of the Conner family: a spinoff has been ordered straight to series by ABC.

"The Conners" doesn't have a premiere date yet, but early production has begun on the 10-episode series, with all of the main cast slated to return. Sara Gilbert ("The Talk"), who was integral to getting "Roseanne" brought back two decades after its original finale, will once again be joined by John Goodman ("Argo," 2012), Laurie Metcalf ("Lady Bird," 2017), Alicia Goranson ("Boys Don't Cry," 1999) and Michael Fishman ("A.I. Artificial Intelligence," 2001) as the iconic Conner family.

How the new series will deal with Barr's absence remains to be seen, but the news release announcing the spinoff does drop a few clues, explaining that "the Conner family who, after a sudden turn of events, are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before."

"Roseanne" remains a much-loved series, but it remains to be seen if the Conner family can find the same kind of success without its matriarch.