The Real Housewives of Orange County has been around for two decades and 20 seasons, resulting in hundreds of iconic episodes — and in honor of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th, Peacock rounded up the best ones to watch.
So, as you watch the RHUGT: Roaring 20th cast hit the road and travel to several legendary cities for The Real Housewives’ 20th anniversary, be sure to also stream the below collection of the best RHOC episodes.
RHOC Season 1, Episode 1: Meet the Wives
Original air date: March 21, 2006
Main cast: Vicki Gunvalson, Kimberly Bryant, Jo De La Rosa, Jeana Keough, Lauri Waring Peterson
Official description: “Five women living in a wealthy gated community share their lives.”
Why it’s iconic: The first episode to launch the first-ever Real Housewives franchise will remain incredible until the end of time. This episode opened the gates to Orange County for the very first time and introduced viewers to Bravo mainstay, the “OG of the OC” Vicki Gunvalson. It doesn’t get more iconic than that.
RHOC Season 7, Episode 6: The Party’s Over
Original air date: March 13, 2012
Main cast: Vicki Gunvalson, Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Gretchen Rossi, Alexis Bellino
Official description: “Slade and some of the OC men bring drama to the Bunco Party; Alexis gets a nose job.”
Why it’s iconic: Viewers got to bear witness to one of Vicki’s most iconic meltdowns after Gretchen’s then-boyfriend, Slade Smiley, crashed the Housewives 1980’s-themed bunco party. Vicki was upset after Slade had brought up her name in a comedy routine in the previous episode, resulting in a massive screaming match between Vicki and Gretchen.
RHOC Season 10, Episode 11: A Psychic Surprise
Original air date: August 17, 2015
Main cast: Vicki Gunvalson, Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Shannon Storms Beador, Meghan King
Official description: “Shannon and David must discipline their children; Brooks has made a life-altering decision.”
Why it’s iconic: Tamra’s psychic, Scott has a vision about how truthful Vicki’s then-boyfriend, Brooks Ayers, is being with his cancer diagnosis during the episode, which sends the cast members into a tailspin. This results in the women starting to ask questions about his treatment for the first time, which leads to more chaos throughout the season.
RHOC Season 11, Episode 5: Boogie Fights
Original air date: July 25, 2016
Main cast: Vicki Gunvalson, Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Shannon Storms Beador, Meghan King, Kelly Dodd
Official description: “Shannon throws a 1970s-themed party, during which she gets into an argument with Kelly.”
Why it’s iconic: Shannon’s daughter, Adeline Beador, asks her dad, Shannon’s ex-husband, David Beador, if he’s “ever had a wet dream” before, resulting in one of the best parent-child interactions on RHOC. Shannon later gets her turn in the spotlight at her 1970’s-themed birthday party, donning a nude suit with Tamra and jumping on their friends at the end of the evening.
What to Know About RHOC Season 20
The Real Housewives of Orange County is officially back for its milestone 20th season. New episodes air Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo and stream the next day on Peacock.
The cast for RHOC Season 20 includes Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti, and Carmella Garcia.
This season, RHOC fans expect Vicki’s long-awaited return to shake up the group, especially as she works to reunite the Tres Amigas amid Shannon and Tamra’s fractured friendship. Elsewhere, Heather finds herself at odds with both Emily and Shannon, and several relationships come under scrutiny — including Vicki’s romance with Michael Smith, Emily’s marriage to Shane Simpson, and Gina’s future with fiancé Travis Mullen. Add in cast trips to Las Vegas and Tokyo, appearances from RHOC OGs, and plenty of friendship drama, and Season 20 is shaping up to be one of Orange County’s most emotional and explosive yet.
Want to watch in style? Check out exclusive RHOC Shop by Bravo merch.
RHOC Season 16, Episode 4: Judge & Jury
Original air date: December 22, 2021
Main cast: Heather Dubrow, Shannon Storms Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jen Armstrong, Noella Bergener
Official description: “Noella’s situation worsens as she struggles to find answers about her husband.”
Why it’s iconic: When Noella’s husband leaves her and serves her with divorce papers at the beginning of the episode, she is left figuring out the next steps. It’s one of the most devastating, heartbreaking moments in RHOC history, showing how dynamic the show can be. It also ends in one big message from Heather to Shannon over their drama, with her stating: “If you ever come after me or my family ever again, you are going to lose a lot more than just my friendship. This will cost a lot. And I’m not saying this as a threat, I’m saying this as a promise.” Boom.
RHOC Season 17, Episode 13: Big News, Bigger Secret
Original air date: September 6, 2023
Main cast: Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Shannon Storms Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti
Official description: “Heather throws a party to launch her HD network, but tensions arise when Emily reveals an issue.”
Why it’s iconic: Shannon launches her business with her longtime beloved doctor, Dr. Moon, the “sitalonic,” turning “s–t into gold.” Meanwhile, Heather and her husband, Dr. Terry Dubrow, sell their beloved home, “Chateau Dubrow,” saying goodbye to it for the last time while dancing all around in a super sweet moment.
What to Know About RHUGT: Roaring 20th
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Real Housewives franchise the best way possible: by sending seven of the most iconic Bravolebs on a cross-country road trip. New episodes of RHUGT: Roaring 20th air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo and stream the next day on Peacock.
As the RHUGT season’s nine episodes play out, cast members Lisa Barlow, Gizelle Bryant, Teresa Giudice, Vicki Gunvalson, Luann de Lesseps, Kyle Richards, and Porsha Williams will travel through Orange County, Beverly Hills, Atlanta, Miami, New York City, and the Berkshires, where they’ll meet up with dozens of other Real Housewives. Stay tuned for plenty of cross-franchise drama, unexpected friendships, and emotional moments (all of which the RHUGT cast teased in their exclusive sit-down with Bravo Insider).
Want to keep the Real Housewives’ 20th anniversary fun going? Play The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Trivia, presented by Bravo Insider, on the Peacock mobile app from now until Sept. 27. A new edition of the game drops every Monday alongside the latest RHUGT episode on Peacock.
RHOC Season 18, Episode 15: Double Deck Drama
Original air date: October 17, 2024
Main cast: Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Shannon Storms Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti, Katie Ginella
Official description: “Shannon’s 60th birthday extravaganza continues, but the mood is anything but celebratory when Tamra and Shannon continue their friendship war. The ladies hop on a double-decker bus tour where Gina questions Heather about another issue in their friendship and Jenn finds out there is gossip surrounding her financial decisions.”
Why it’s iconic: The women get up to some serious shenanigans on Shannon’s 60th birthday trip to London amid friend group drama. They go shopping resulting in Gina buying her boyfriend Travis Mullen a razor for his “big balls,” and take an old time-y photo while dressed up in costume. After sorting out their own personal drama over dinner, the women end the evening texting their partners: “I’m naked, how quickly can you get here?” and ding-dong-ditching their hotel room neighbors. But the women’s fun is brought to a pause the next morning when Jen finds out Tamra has run a background check on Jen’s boyfriend, Ryan Boyajian.
RHOC Season 19, Episode 3: Knee Deep in Lies
Original air date: July 24, 2025
Main cast: Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Shannon Storms Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti, Katie Ginella
Official description: “Katie’s apology attempt is met with an explosive reaction.”
Why it’s iconic: Heather throws another legendary party in this episode with her “secondary observance” birthday party, which includes sushi, haiku writers, women sitting in champagne glasses, and caviar bumps. But isn’t a Dubrow party without things going south — this time between Shannon and Katie.
Bravo Fan Fest 2026: What to Know
Bravo Fan Fest is back! This year, the exclusive one-day event takes place on Saturday, October 24 in Charleston, South Carolina. Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen will also be taping shows leading up to the event, on Thursday, Oct. 22, and Friday, Oct. 23.
Tickets for Bravo Fan Fest Charleston and for the Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen tapings have sold out. Sign up for Bravo Insider for free to receive information about select Bravo Fan Fest fan opportunities. You can get even more Bravo Fan Fest news by texting “BFF2026” to 917-809-2240. Message and data rates may apply.
For more anniversary fun, hear Bravolebs reveal their favorite Real Housewives moments.
