The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is a staple of the Bravo franchise, but some seasons were better than others.
There have been twelve seasons of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, however some are superior to others. Season 12 continued the turmoil from season 11, with the women fretting over Erika Jayne’s actions and legal troubles. The cast of RHOBH season 13 should promote a fresh start, but it will be interesting to watch how the most recent season does in terms of entertaining. It’s time to rate the best and worst seasons of RHOBH because the season 13 premiere is soon.
As the longest-running Housewife on the program, Kyle Richards frequently finds herself in the middle of the drama as either an agitator or a supporter, as seen in Kyle’s fallout over Mauricio reportedly taking center stage in season 13. Even though Kyle has welcomed many Housewives into her group throughout the years, not every season was worth binge-watching; some fizzled owing to changes in the ensemble or a lack of compelling plotlines. Which are the finest and worst seasons?
RHOBH’s Best Seasons
Season 10
There were many questions ahead of the season 10 trailer of RHOBH with the additions of Denise Richards and Garcelle Beauvais. Garcelle made her presence known and held herself with grace around the ladies, which can be hard to do for Housewives during their first season.
All eyes were on Denise throughout her second season, thanks to a cheating scandal that revolved around her and ex-housewife, Brandi Glanville. However, when the attention wasn’t on Denise, the drama surrounded Sutton and her issues with the notoriously unlikable Dorit Kemsley and former RHOBH cast member Teddi Mellencamp. The “did they or didn’t they” questions that surrounded Denise and Brandi made the season successful.
Season 11
One of RHOBH’s most dramatic seasons ever was season 11. The actual Erika Girardi, as opposed to her on-stage alter ego Erika Jayne, was revealed to the public during that season. When Erika revealed she was divorcing Tom Girardi, her spouse of 20 years, all eyes were on her because Denise Richards had left the picture.
More than that, her fellow Housewives found out about the several lawsuits she faced as a result of her divorce. The argument Erika had with Sutton Stracke, in addition to her divorce, was what gave season 11 such a spicy feel. The debut seasons for Crystal Kung-Minkoff and Kathy Hilton were in season 11.
Season 6
In season 6, Kim Richards opted to be a friend of the series instead of a full-time Housewife, as did Brandi Glanville. To fill their absence, Bravo introduced Erika Jayne and Kathryn Edwards. Including Erika was beneficial because she had a unique lifestyle, marriage, and career. Kathryn, on the other hand, came off as dull.
Meanwhile, one of the most controversial fights in RHOBH history occurred in season 6. As Yolanda Hadid’s mysterious illness worsened, Lisa Rinna suggested that she had Munchausen syndrome, a syndrome where a person falsified an illness for attention. The season painted Lisa Rinna as a villain, and Yolanda didn’t return for season 7.
Season 5
After Joyce and Carlton were fired from season 4, Lisa Rinna and Eileen Davidson were introduced as the new Housewives in season 5. In addition, Brandi had a transformation after relocating her family into a larger home, Yolanda and Kyle experienced similar difficulties when their children left for college, and Kim Richards was still struggling with her sobriety.
Eileen’s poker party was among the season’s more enduring events. All the ladies were tense and worried about Kim’s safety because she was acting strangely and using drugs and alcohol. Kim, Lisa Rinna, and Eileen’s trip to Amsterdam turned out to be disastrous, and she quit the show at the end of this season.
Season 2
Season 2 was a fan favorite for many reasons. Season 1’s cast returned, and Dana Wilkey’s presence as a friend was iconic. In the season, Lisa Vanderpump was excited as she planned her daughter’s wedding, Brandi’s introduction as a friend had some of the ladies on edge, and Taylor Armstrong and Russell Armstrong’s marriage was on the cover of tabloids. Between the divorce rumors and the everyday drama between the ladies, season 2 had no shortage of entertainment and wonder, making it one of the best seasons in the franchise.
Season 9
Season 9 was longtime cast member Lisa Vanderpump’s final season, but it also welcomed Denise Richards. Denise was a massive signing for RHOBH as she was close friends with a few women, was a well-known actress, and had a dramatic relationship with Charlie Sheen.
Most of season 9 revolved around PuppyGate. After Dorit returned a dog she adopted from Vanderpump Dogs, Lisa went after Dorit with full force. What followed were accusations in the press and horror stories about Dorit’s character. Teddi was also involved with PuppyGate, which was her biggest storyline yet. But by the end of the season, Lisa realized she had no one on her side and left the series.
Season 3
The first three seasons of RHOBH were some of the best. Brandi finally got her diamond, Camille left the series and returned as a friend, and Yolanda signed on full-time.
The inclusion of Yolanda was massive because it brought fans into her world with famed producer and songwriter David Foster. Meanwhile, Taylor was still grieving over losing her estranged husband and trying to get life on track. It was an emotional season filled with highs and lows, making it a great one.
Season 1
Nothing beats the first season of RHOBH. With all the ladies being familiar with each other in one way or another, they all meshed perfectly for reality TV. One of the most talked-about episodes of the series, “The Dinner Party from Hell,” was part of season 1. The first season also proved that just because things looked flashy on the outside didn’t mean all was well behind closed doors. Camille admitted she and Kelsey were divorcing, Taylor was in a declining marriage, and Lisa’s house guest, Cedric, was using her for fame. It had all the makings of reality TV genius.
RHOB’s Worst Seasons
Season 12
Season 12 wrapped up in October 2022 and was disappointing. The cast remained the same from season 11 (with the introduction of Garcelle’s friend Sheree Zampino), but it wasn’t enough to save the season. The drama revolved around Erika’s fall from grace and Dorit’s recovery after being robbed at gunpoint. Longtime Housewife Lisa Rinna left after this season.
Season 7
Season 7 saw the absence of Yolanda and Kathryn Edwards, but a newcomer named Dorit filled their roles. Eden Sassoon agreed to join the cast of the series as a friend, but she was a failure. She found Lisa Rinna to be too hot to handle in several instances. Following the tension between her and Erika, which dogged her for the most of the season, Dorit immediately stirred the pot. When the Housewives went on a cast trip to Hong Kong, the drama persisted, but this season didn’t have the same impact as others.
Season 8
Eileen departed after season 7 but returned as a friend in season 8, with Teddi taking her place. Even though Teddi lasted three seasons, many fans questioned her relevance to the ladies and the show. The one Housewife Teddi got along with was Kyle, which didn’t make for an authentic group when she didn’t spend much time with the other women.
As for the other Housewives, Lisa Rinna focused on being the mom of two aspiring model daughters. Erika was writing a memoir, and Dorit and Lisa Vanderpump butted heads over the villain role.
Season 4
Taylor, Adrienne Maloof, and Camille Grammer all left the show as permanent Housewives in season 4. Carlton Gebbia and Joyce Giraud had their first season in their place, however this casting decision didn’t resonate with the audience. Even Kyle Richards enjoys acting as though season 4 never happened.
Based on Kyle’s comments about Carlton’s home, faith, and lifestyle, the two fought throughout the season. It was intended for the women’s journey to Puerto Rico to be a time for connection and bonding, but it turned out to be a disaster full with LVP drama and cheating rumors. RHOBH season 4 was lacking in connection and genuineness because Carlton and Joyce were a bad casting choice.