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Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Wealthiness

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Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Wealthiness is the first episode in the first season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Synopsis[]

Welcome to Beverly Hills, where pint-size puppies are served breakfast in bed and a three million dollar home is scoffed at. In the premiere episode, Adrienne, whose family owns the Palm Casino Resort and the Sacramento Kings, decides to take the rest of the ladies on a private jet to get VIP treatment and sit courtside at a Kings game. The ladies include Lisa, a witty British restaurateur; former child actresses (and sisters), Kim and Kyle Richards, who are also Paris Hilton’s aunts; Kelsey Grammer’s soon to be ex-wife, Camille, and Taylor, a beauty from Oklahoma with big Beverly Hills dreams. These ladies live big and when they fight, they fight big. They may be living in the lap of luxury, but with all that wealth comes even more drama.

Plot[]

The debut episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills starts off with a montage of the 'Housewives' living their glamorous lives while filming the first season of the show as five out of six of them all introduce what it is like to live in Beverly Hills with a quote, and these are as follows:

Camille: "The sun always shines in Beverly Hills, but not on everyone."

Taylor: "Everything may look perfect, but it’s not, it’s a land of make believe."

Kim: "This town runs on status - status can come from money, connections, fame or even looks."

Kyle: "You can be the toast of the town one day and a nobody the next. It can all go away in an instant."

Lisa: "But if you can play the game, there’s nowhere better to live!"

All of the 'Housewives' take time to introduce themselves one-by-one. Firstly, Lisa Vanderpump introduces herself as someone who lives in a gated community in Beverly Hills, lives in a romantic French chateau-inspired house which she views as a fantasy land. She loves how the house is so easily livable and she knows she doesn’t have to go anywhere as the house has so much on offer and on-hand. Lisa’s Husband, Ken Todd, is introduced and a photo of them when they first met is shown; she has been married to him for well over two decades; as she married him when she was twenty-one. She goes onto describe how she has two children, twenty-four year old, Pandora Todd, and eighteen-year-old, Max Todd. Since she is now officially an empty nester, her house is filled with furry friends. Lisa’s dog, Jiggy, goes everywhere with her. Ken has Pikachu and Lollipop as his dogs. Lisa also introduces her Permanent HouseGuest, Cedric, who has followed Vanderpump and Todd all over. As Lisa says how she and Ken have owned twenty-six bars, restaurants and clubs, she has built up strong connections with different staff members, but nothing like she has done with the former receptionist at of one of her London Gay Clubs, who happened to be Cedric. He has now become merged with the family as he has lived with them for over nine months.

Directly opposite Lisa Vanderpump’s, lives Adrienne Maloof. She describes herself as independent and feels that came from growing up with just brothers. She helps run The Maloof Companies; a diverse family business which covers helping many different professions which includes NBA’s Sacramento Kings, the Palms Casino in Las Vegas, touches in the skateboarding business and a music partnership with Scope Records. She goes onto explain how her Father instilled a hard work ethic in her and that is why their family has done so well financially. Adrienne introduces her Husband, Dr. Paul Nassif, who is a plastic surgeon and does not involve himself in any of her line-of-work. She mentions how it is better that they keep work separate from each other. Adrienne is working out where to hang up a frame which captures and describes her recent meeting with the then-President of the United States, Barack Obama. Since Paul and Adrienne have different political beliefs (she is a Democrat while Paul is a Republican), he decided not go and support his Wife and meet with the then-President. As the conversations gets a little heated, Paul fires back and shares how Adrienne hasn’t always supported his important business events. Paul describes how the pair of them have "Type A" personalities and these similarities force the couple to often clash. As Adrienne is described by Paul as the "most powerful and petit woman that he has ever met", she practices a takedown (karate-type move) on her eldest child and not on Paul since last time, she did his back in when she tried her technique out on him! Outside of the family home, Adrienne describes herself to have less friends and more a acquaintances as she has had to be selective and careful with potential friends since people do go after wealthy people. She goes out with her good friend of three years, Taylor Armstrong, who she met as their children were classmates. Adrienne is now Godmother to Taylor’s Daughter, Kennedy Armstrong, as they have grown relatively close over time. Adrienne discusses throwing a girls day out in Las Vegas, which would bring together and include some of her other friends with Taylor (which ends up being Lisa, Camille Grammer, Kim Richards and Kyle Richards).

Camille is next to introduce herself as a dancer; who has been so for the duration of her life. She used to dance on Club MTV and finds it the easiest way to express herself since it brings nothing but freedom. She claims that people think they know her, but they don’t as she is purely known as a Celebrity’s Wife. She is a mother-of-two to Daughter, Mason, who is eight years old, and Jude, her Son who is aged five. She has four Nannies who rotate their shifts while their responsibilities and roles vary; but they all travel with the kids wherever they go. Camille insists that this doesn’t mean that she is not a good mother and that she is not always with her children; because she is! Camille goes onto describe her house like a private retreat, steeped in seventeen acres, has a pond, has a pool, has a tennis court and had horses. She is married to Kelsey Grammer, an actor and a character. Kelsey and Camille both believe that she has spent thirteen years in the backseat (always behind Kelsey) and it is time for Camille to take centre stage. He is going away for a whole year to work on a new role yet she is usually only used to him being away for two weeks. However, she views this as an opportunity for her to be her own person.

The fourth 'Housewife' to introduce herself officially is Taylor Armstrong; who grew up in Oklahoma, lived in a normal middle-class family and always felt something big was going to happen for her in her life. She describes how she is envious of people who are happy living a "normal middle-class existence" as it is tough having such huge aspirations since it bares a lot of pressure. Taylor is in with Dr. Paul Nassif (Adrienne’s Husband) to have some filler done on the side of her temples. Adrienne is not so sure that this is necessary for Taylor. Adrienne is also very shocked with how Taylor looks during the procedure and notes it is only Paul’s second time of carrying out this procedure. Taylor describes the necessity to keep up with looks within Beverly Hills and essentially look like a twenty-year-old model. She is married to Russell Armstrong, an investment banker. They film while they are out for a couple’s dinner during one evening. Russell asks Taylor how her "small business" is going and Taylor finds the word "small" a little offensive (as it is belittling her work). She goes onto describe that she has a business in high-level management consulting. Taylor expresses how she finds it vital to have her own business, in case her and Russell don’t work out (jokes how Russell may find another prettier or younger woman!). During their dinner, the couple chat about Russell’s latest ten million investment which Taylor found out via a magazine and not through the horse’s mouth which she doesn’t find it pleasing. However, she recognizes that her marriage is eighty-percent business and only twenty-percent romance but she was fully aware of this when she signed up to the marriage.

The next person to introduce themselves is Kim Richards, who is a single mother to four kids (three are from her two marriages) and one is from a long-term relationship. She describes how she shares custody with all of their fathers but all four are currently living at home with her. She describes how being a mother has always been her priority from day dot of her firstborn despite her mother giving her the advice not to make your life entirely focused on your kids as you’ll one day be by yourself. Yet, Kim is happy that she chose to make her life about her kids as that is the path that she wanted to take. Kim describes her childhood as different since she was a childhood star that went from advertisements to on-screen acting roles. She explains that by different ages, she had already been in so many shows/movies and this made her lead a very different life to others her age and the norm. While she thanks the fans for making her as famous as she was, she quit acting entirely to pursue being the best mother possible. She laughs about the recent time that she went out to dinner with her Niece, Paris Hilton, who is the daughter of her Half-Sister, Kathy Hilton (who later becomes a recurring cast member on the eleventh, twelfth and fourteenth seasons of the show), and the paparazzi weren’t only focused on the young and upcoming star, Paris, but also on her Aunt, Kim, which Paris didn’t realize how well-known Kim, decades ago, was. Kim goes house-hunting with her other and younger Sister, Kyle, and Kyle’s youngest Daughter, Portia, since she needs to find somewhere new to settle as her house’s lease is only up for two more weeks. Kyle feels a sense of responsibility for her older sister since she is divorced and she promised her mother that she would look after Kim. As they tour the house, Kim decides that she actually needs a five-bedroom property (one room for each of her kids and one for herself) which Kyle finds confusing considering they had already discussed how Kim was going to moving closer to Kyle and didn’t need or would be able to afford a decent five-bedroom property. Kyle grows a little frustrated with Kim’s mixed messages as she reminds her older Sister that she needs to put all these kids through College her Kim retorts that she needs to be closer to where she currently is for her Daughter, Brooke’s, College. Kyle gets even more frustrated when Kim drops in how she may want to have another baby as well which means she’d need the room (which Kyle questions as she would require a Husband for another child!). Kim backs this up by saying that babies always bring joy and she creates nice-looking kids. Kyle highlights how her Sister is a big spender and has spending issues so has to be logical in her thinking when purchasing a house. Moving on from the house debacle, Kyle discusses how it is time for her Sister not to be so focused on solely her kids but to make some friends and is going to help her start branching out.

Lisa is having lunch with her Husband, Ken, and they discuss how Lisa has been invited, alongside Kyle, to go on a girls day trip to Las Vegas to sit beside court and watch Sacramento Kings play against The Lakers. Lisa describes how she has lived opposite Adrienne for five years and has always found her to be fun (gives the example of Adrienne talking about how she could take down a two-hundred pound man). Lisa says how Adrienne always hosts amazing days and when she invites you on a private jet, you’re obliged to say yes. Ken and Lisa discuss Jiggy’s whereabouts for the day which prompts Lisa to decide that there is no better option than Jiggy joining the girls trip and going to Las Vegas with Lisa. Lisa describes her excitement at being able to go alongside her partner-in-crime, Kyle, who she describes as a handbag addict and a very funny friend.

The final 'Housewife' to introduce herself is Kyle Richards, who describes herself as a child actress (but a late one in relation to her Sister); as Kyle started when she was four while her older Sister begun at the age of six months. Kyle is being interviewed regarding how she felt acting as a child on the original Halloween movie. She describes how she finds scary as an adult so is relieved that she did not watch it as a child. Kyle explains how she is back-and-for when it comes to work as she has a baby, then acts, then has a baby, then acts, and the cycle just continues. She jokes how she fell into this habit as the business always involves someone making you upset. Kyle describes how she had a very different upbringing than the one that she is giving her children. For example, she would drive herself to work everyday (as a thirteen-year-old!). Kyle is obsessed with her kids, bordering abnormal, but that is just how she likes it. She introduces her Husband, Mauricio, who is a very up-market realtor. While they’re very close, their most frequent clash is over spending habits as Mauricio finds it hard to control Kyle’s frivolous nature. Mauricio notes though how he prefers to be happy as opposed to being always right so let’s her win even if he is right (which is most of the time!). Kyle misses work but is lucky not to have too since her Husband is very successful which means that she is fully concentrated on being a mother.

As the day arrives that Adrienne has organized for the six 'Housewives' to get together, she describes how she feels worried about how they are all going to get on since there are bound to be varied and different personalities. Boarding the private jet soon quashes these worries, as going private is always a lot easier; especially for a day trip! Kyle has stuck true to her word and has invited Kim along since she wants her Sister to get to know her friends and branch out a lot more. Camille says how she knows Adrienne as they were neighbors when Camille lived in Beverly Hills. Taylor notes how she has not met all of the ladies but they’re all connected through mutual friends and going to the same social and charity events. Adrienne does a toast on the private jet to new friendships and a great day out. Camille says that she and Kelsey have flown private for years but now don’t so much since they’re conscious of the need to go green. Kyle does fly private but doesn’t love it as much as the majority of her friends since she has a fear of flying. Lisa finds flying with Kyle not the best experience as she is not a relaxed passenger. While Kim likes turbulence, Kyle is very perturbed by this which prompts Lisa to describe her friend, Kyle, as neurotic and dramatic. Taylor and Camille both comment on Jiggy’s prescience on the private jet as Taylor says that it has become fashionable in Beverly Hills to use dogs as an accessory as opposed to handbags; yet feels Lisa pulls it off well. Elsewhere, Taylor bonds with Kyle and Camille as Taylor and Kyle piece together when they first met (which was a few years back at a one-year-old’s birthday party) and Camille shares her surrogacy style; which Taylor jokes does have its pluses as she has kept a good figure.

Having now landed in Sacramento, the girls are whisked off to a restaurant. As they sit down for lunch, Kim finds Kyle to be very comfortable around loads of people, very quickly, which Kim struggles with. The starter for the lunch conversation is how well the girls can talk like Lisa (with her English accent). Also served up as a discussion, Camille describes herself as being a lot more than a trophy wife, as the power house behind her Husband; even having saved Kelsey’s life a couple of times. Taylor thinks Camille should make conversation more about herself than about Kelsey so that the girls can get to know her and not Camille through Kelsey. As the dinner concludes, Kim privately admits that she does not have many friends, as a result of growing up as a child actress and therefore knows she has to try hard to socialise but doesn’t feel a connection with any of the girls; as of yet. All of the 'Housewives' are treated like Queens and VIPs as they enter the venue for the Sacramento Kings versus The Lakers game. Taylor points out she likes the dynamic Maloof family as they own the venue that they’re currently stepping in and always do things so well. Handshakes and photos are exchanged with some of the Sacramento Kings. Before the game starts, Camille says how she loves watching basketball games and never hesitates to watch any; since Kelsey is always invited and Camille insists that they never turn down an invite. Adrienne also admits that the nerves that feels during games are really bad as you’re more than a fan - an owner. During the game, Kyle finds Camille to be a little bit of a show off and very confident as she has a little dance with the Sacramento Kings mascot. Despite sitting in the Sacramento Kings VIP area, Kyle is cheering for the wrong team which is The Lakers as she is a fan of them. However, she quietens down when she realizes that Kim is down on the end of the ladies and appearing to be judgmental and not forming connections or chatting with Taylor, who she is next too. Lisa also picks up on this and finds Kim a little too reserved. Kim admits that she had no connection with Taylor so did not enjoy the game at all. Taylor struggles to figure Kim out.

As the girls all board the private jet after such a fabulous day hosted by Adrienne, they all reflect on the day. Adrienne feels that it would be have been a perfect day if the Sacramento Kings had won and not The Lakers but it was still an exciting game to watch. Kim says how she is happy to have been included by her Sister, Kyle, but recognizes that building connections with these ladies will take time. Taylor says how she enjoyed the day but found it challenging having to spend a lot of it next to Kim; purely because she ended up stopping trying to climb Kim’s wall that she has built, stopping Taylor to get to know her, and she was not in the mood to climb it.

Back in Beverly Hills, Kyle and Kim are at Kim’s leased property which is virtually fully packed as she is needing to move out - she just doesn’t know where too! Kyle reflects on the fact that she promised her mother that she would look after and take care of Kim; since she is a co-dependent person. The two Sisters hash out their disagreement about why Kim did not choose to purchase the latest house that they went to go and see. Kim thinks Kyle is overstepping her boundaries in regard to her personal life as Kim vows never to be so intrusive in Kyle’s life. As they clash about how many rooms that Kim is going to need, Kyle says how she wants Kim to make more of an effort with the girls and to live a life outside of her children. Kim says how Adrienne’s trip to Las Vegas would’ve been more enjoyable and easier if she had a little help from Kyle. As Kyle questions whether Kim would want her hand held, the latter explains that Taylor sat with her back to her during the game so questions how she could connect with the other girls. Kim finds it frustrating that Kyle (who has all of her kids with her, has a Husband and has a home) is so judgmental when Kim’s life is not as perfect or set. Therefore, she argues that making friends is not her priority, at the moment. Kyle finds Kim’s attitude to this friendship business to be tiresome and reckons that she deserves a thank you once in a while; wonders whether she actually will be able to keep her promise to her mother as it is very time-consuming looking after Kim. Kim says how she always says thank you and is grateful but feels she should do this on her own as Kyle is so intrusive (as Kyle storms out and tells Kim to fend for herself). The episode ends with Kim saying how her younger Sister does not understand what it is like to be a single mother.  

Starring[]

Main Cast Members[]

Main Cast Members' Family[]

  • Ken Todd (Lisa’s Husband)
  • Cedric Martinez (Lisa’s HouseGuest)
  • Dr, Paul Nassif (Adrienne’s Husband)
  • Mason Grammer (Camille’s Daughter)
  • Kelsey Grammer (Camille’s Husband)
  • Jude Grammer (Camille’s Son)
  • Russell Armstrong (Taylor’s Husband)
  • Brooke Brinson (Kim’s Daughter)
  • Whitney Davis (Kim’s Daughter)
  • Chad Davis (Kim’s Son)
  • Kimberly Jackson (Kim’s Daughter)
  • Portia Umansky (Kyle’s Daughter)
  • Alexia Umansky (Kyle’s Daughter)
  • Sophia Umansky (Kyle’s Daughter)
  • Farrah Aldjufrie (Kyle’s Daughter)
  • Mauricio Umansky (Kyle’s Husband)

Continuity[]

  • This episode delves into the connections pre-filming and before the forming of this girl group. The pre-existing relationships are as follows:
    • Kim Richards and Kyle Richards' relationship as Sisters. A dynamic where Kim is struggling to be fully settled while Kyle is trying to be a support but finding that she is trying to win a losing battle with her older Sister.
    • Kyle Richards and Lisa Vanderpump’s friendship seems to be on a good track with Lisa Vanderpump describing Kyle as her "partner-in-crime".
    • Taylor Armstrong and Adrienne Maloof seem to have a strong friendship - especially considering the latter is Godmother to the former’s Daughter.
    • Adrienne Maloof and Lisa Vanderpump are neighbors (live directly opposite each other) and seem to be fond of each other. Adrienne also knows Kyle Richards and Camille Grammer (who used to be her neighbor when Camille lived in Beverly Hills).
    • Taylor Armstrong and Kyle Richards seem to have a limited amount of experience and time spent with each other but note how they do know of each other and met at a one-year-old’s birthday party, a few years back.
  • Camille’s desire, despite having her Husband’s backing, is very much explored as to how she feels it is her time to step outside of her Husband’s shadow; who she has supported for thirteen years.
  • Kim struggles to form connections with the other four women in the group that her Sister has introduced her too which plays out within the first season as Kim realizes that she needs to be more sociable; but has limited experience since she didn’t form many friendships when young as a child actress.
  • A few times, there are a few things which the 'Housewives' point out about each other that they don’t agree with or that winds them up. While Kyle finds Camille to be a little show off, Taylor and Kim don’t find each other at all warm or willing to get to know the other.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

Episode Statistics[]

Cast Member Statistics[]

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