Bravo's Beloved Blondes Return With "The Real Housewives of Orange County" Premiere on Sunday, March 6 at 10pm ET/PT

Season Six Welcomes New Housewife Peggy Tanous

NEW YORK - January 26, 2011 - Sundays continue to sizzle on Bravo with the return of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" on March 6 at 10pm ET/PT. In the sixth season of the original series that started the hit franchise, Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Barney, Gretchen Rossi, and Alexis Bellino welcome new beautiful blonde, Peggy Tanous, a 41-year old former model and now stay-at-home mom with poster girl good looks. After a tough financial year, the OC ladies are bouncing back and living lavishly once more as the series goes behind the gates for a voyeuristic look at the scandalous truths, mending friendships, rocky marriages, sizzling romances and ever-changing loyalties inside the wealthy Southern California suburb. Tamra also introduces the group to new gal-pal Fernanda Rocha, a 34-year old, hot Brazilian lesbian fitness instructor. For a sneak peek:

With Simon in her rear view mirror, Tamra is moving forward with her divorce and has a younger, more attractive boyfriend. Former housewife, Jeana Keough, comes to the defense of Simon by disparaging Tamra in the tabloids, which leads to a big confrontation. Adding more stress, Tamra's feud with Gretchen has gotten worse and her oldest son, Ryan, reveals a shocking secret.

Gretchen continues to build financial independence through her make-up line and is now expanding the business with a handbag collection. Feeling pressure from her girlfriends to take the next step with boyfriend, Slade, Gretchen doesn't know if she is ready for marriage again. She knows all the gossip about him being a deadbeat dad, serial-housewife-dater and freeloader, and has to weigh this into her decision about their future together.

Alexis still believes that husband Jim is her king and savior and runs the show, but also confesses she wants more freedom and independence as a wife and mother. It's a new chapter for Alexis as she decides to launch a line of sexy and revealing dresses. There is also rumor and speculation that the Bellino's may be suffering the after effects of the economic downturn with a home foreclosure.

Vicki has built an empire with her insurance business, but her constant drive is having negative results at home. Vicki and Donn are drifting apart and neither one knows how to change it. Will Vicki have to choose between her business and her marriage?

Peggy is an odd mix between a holistic, new age woman and a wealthy Orange County party girl. She believes in clean, natural living, but loves her bling, Bentley and plastic surgery. She sees her new OC gal-pals as another step towards being fabulous. During the season, she tries to reinvigorate her former modeling career, but there is more to Peggy than just good looks as she opens up about a dramatic secret.

"The Real Housewives of Orange County" season five averaged 2.01 million total viewers and 1.47 million adults 18-49, making it the highest rated season for the series among all key demos. Season five marked double-digit growth compared to the previous season, up 17 percent among both total viewers and adults 18-49. The season five finale earned record ratings with 2.46 million total viewers and 1.81 million adults 18-49.

During season five, BravoTV.com's showsite for "The Real Housewives of Orange County" increased double digits over its performance during the previous season with a 16 percent increase in weekly page view traffic and 27 percent increase in weekly unique visitors. Season five was the show site's highest season yet generating almost 66 million total page views, 240,000 average weekly unique visitors and 3.7 million total video streams.

Season six of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" was produced by Evolution Media, with partners Douglas Ross, Gregory Stewart and Kathleen French along with Scott Dunlop serving as executive producers.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, LS Day data. Omniture Site Catalyst; Ssn4: 11/23/08-2/21/09; Ssn 5: 11/1/09-3/6/10; Average weekly page views and unique visitors.

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