Wives vs. ’Wives

As a longtime Bravoholic and someone who has followed the reality TV scene for more years than I care to admit, I must say that while I appreciate the unique angle and charm of Mormon Wives, it’s clear that it’s still finding its footing compared to the Housewives franchise. Having watched countless hours of Housewives shows, I can’t help but notice the stark difference in character development and individual storylines between the two series.

Just as many Bravo enthusiasts have been surviving the lean period with only RHODubai and RHOC to keep us going, I’ve found myself frequently discussing the latest reality series sensation, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which follows a group of Mormon influencers in Utah. (Hulu reports that its premiere was the most-watched for an unscripted show this year; kudos to Vanderpump Villa.) Naturally, these conversations have led us to contemplate another well-known group of Mormon wives: A friend recently posed the question whether the success of this show might impact the viewership for The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, which made its grand comeback this week. There’s also been a fair share of people on Elon Musk’s social media suggesting that Bravo overlooked either casting these women or creating this very show.

In addition, I found myself embroiled in an outdated argument with a fitness instructor based in San Diego who happened to be quite passionate (but misguided), when I commented on Mormon Wives not meeting Bravo’s upscale standards: The series lacks depictions of the women’s homes exteriors, and there are no scenes showing them dine at extravagant restaurants, or any restaurants for that matter. Although Mormon Wives shares some common elements with RHOSLC — such as a cast connected to the church, women arguing over their roles in a shared enterprise, and a controversial figure named Whitney who sports a bob haircut — it has a distinctively different feel. Whitney Leavitt is aspiring to live off the land and collect horse manure; Whitney Rose would never. The production quality of Mormon Wives differs significantly from Bravo’s, not only in casting and storytelling but also in the polished image we’ve come to expect from their shows.

It’s just an assumption, but it seems likely that Bravo was approached with the show “Mormon Wives” and declined. The reason I think this is because there’s a significant time jump between the first and second episodes, during which Taylor, Frankie, and Paul appear to be around eight months pregnant. This suggests that the production company may have made a pilot episode, pitched it to various networks, had it rejected by Bravo among others, and eventually picked up by Hulu a year later. If “Mormon Wives” was truly intended for Bravo, then the entire pilot episode would not have been shown as is, since it didn’t effectively set up the storylines to keep viewers engaged. A producer friend who has worked with Bravo in the past told me that they wouldn’t have let the pilot air as it was, because the seeds of the arcs weren’t properly planted and the episodes would have gone through multiple revisions before being aired on Bravo.

As I delved deeper into “Mormon Wives,” it brought to mind less Real Housewives and more Jersey Shore. Just like Snooki and her crew, this series seems focused on examining, elucidating, and capitalizing on a unique subculture. While Mormonism has been a key aspect of RHOSLC, discussions about who wears their garments, the cultural significance of soda shops in Utah, or husbands reacting strongly to entering a Chippendales venue are things we don’t typically see. In contrast, “Mormon Wives” places the church squarely at the forefront, as evident in its title itself.

For another unique aspect, consider the women portrayed in the title itself. It’s a running joke among fans that distinguishing the Mormon Wives can be challenging; however, I found an episode particularly enlightening where they donned matching sweatshirts at a slumber party, each with their names embroidered on them – this was the only occasion I could easily discern Demi Engemann from Jessi Ngatikaura. Initially, I faced similar difficulties differentiating Meredith Marks and Lisa Barlow, but that issue soon resolved itself because they exhibited distinct personalities: Meredith has a habit of getting angry over trivial matters and then withdrawing, while Lisa Barlow is a self-proclaimed narcissist who adores fast food almost as much as she enjoys voicing her opinions. Even within their shared community, Bravo’s casting team emphasizes individual characters above all else.

As a movie enthusiast, I find it challenging to distinguish the Mormon Wives because, much like the “guidos” on Jersey Shore, they all embody a distinct and narrowly defined subculture. Each one is unique, but it feels like different variations of the same character, which isn’t made easier by their shared lack of personal storylines compared to the Housewives. Although Whitney Leavitt thinks she could leave a group chat and expect individual attention from the rest, they all appear to be part of an interconnected whole, rather than individuals with unique narratives. While they do offer brief insights into their marriages or businesses, these moments are often shared in group scenes, as opposed to the full-time Housewives who engage in solo mischief and collective activities alike.

As a movie critic looking back on ‘RHOSLC’ and ‘Mormon Wives’, I find myself impressed by how these shows leverage their predecessors while carving out unique identities for themselves. In the case of ‘RHOSLC’, the ladies of Salt Lake City made it clear they were here to create a Housewives show, and they’ve been committed to that vision since day one. On the other hand, ‘Mormon Wives’ found its niche within the thriving world of #MomTok, raising questions about whether this platform can withstand the challenges it faces.

The essence behind the Mormon Wives’ focus on #MomTok, and their presence in the show itself, can be attributed to their desire for fame, visibility for their businesses, and personal gain – similar to what early Housewives like Bethenny Frankel experienced. However, it remains unclear why they specifically engage in #MomTok or why they are part of this show. This focus could simply be a concept developed for reality TV, but the underlying reasons behind its existence as a program and the motivations of the women involved still require clarification. The success of Bravo’s “Real Housewives” franchise demonstrates that such a concept can become a phenomenon, and I believe the Mormon Wives have the potential to achieve the same level of popularity; nevertheless, it is essential to understand why this show exists for both its audience and the participants.

Couldn’t another season of Mormon Wives enhance its exploration of existential themes even further? Absolutely! I recommend reducing the cast by at least two individuals, providing them with more one-on-one screen time to showcase their unique personalities, and delving deeper into the business side of #MomTok. This would add depth to Mormon Wives, making it even better than it currently is, but keep in mind that it still won’t resemble a Bravo show – and that’s just fine. For me, RHOSLC will always be the top choice, yet both shows can coexist peacefully within their respective reality TV niches and thrive independently. Quality doesn’t have to mimic Bravo to be excellent, and not every show that fans adore needs a Bravo platform. The internet’s fandom culture tends to compare public figures unfairly, particularly women, but these series don’t need to compete with each other to succeed. Here’s hoping for another season!

2024-09-23 20:54

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