The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (season 3)

Production and crew

On May 2, 2012, the renewal of season three of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was revealed when Camille Grammer revealed that she would be returning to the series in some capacity. In September 2012, the full cast, trailer and premier date for season three were announced.

The season premiere "Down and Left Out in Beverly Hills" was aired on November 5, 2012, while the nineteenth episode "Finale" served as the season finale, and was aired on March 25, 2013. It was followed by a two-part reunion that aired on March 25 and April 1, 2013 and a "Secrets Revealed" episode on April 8, 2013, which marked the conclusion of the season. Alex Baskin, Chris Cullen, Douglas Ross, Greg Stewart, Toni Gallagher, Dave Rupel and Andy Cohen are recognized as the series' executive producers; it is produced and distributed by Evolution Media.

On January 7, 2012, the episode "Unsolved Mistresses" aired as a special two-hour episode to transition in to the premiere of the first spin-off to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills titled Vanderpump Rules. Vanderpump Rules stars Lisa Vanderpump in the title role and her employees, Kristen Doute, Katie Maloney, Scheana Shay, Stassi Schroeder, Tom Sandoval and Jax Taylor. The series documents Vanderpump running her restaurant SUR while juggling her staff's drama among themselves. It also focuses on the staff's relationships and personal lives.

Cast

All six wives from season two returned for the third installment however Camille Grammer returned to the series in a recurring capacity, due to wanting to focus on her family as well as not wanting to "expose her personal life." Grammer claims she wasn't fired and the demotion was by her own choice saying, "I just chose to keep most things private in general. I'm in a good place and I've had such an interesting experience and such a learning experience being on this show." Season two's recurring cast member Brandi Glanville returned for season three as a full-time cast member, marking the first time in The Real Housewives franchise some had been promoted. Also a recurring cast member in season two, Dana Wilkey departed the series but continued to guest star in later seasons.

Season three introduced two new recurring cast members, Faye Resnick and Marissa Zanuck as well as a new full-time cast member, Yolanda Foster.

Resnick joined the series after appearing previously is season two as a friend of Kyle Richards. Richards and Resnick have worked together and known each other for a long time with Resnick helping design Kyle and her nieces, Paris and Nicky Hilton's homes. Prior to meet Kyle, Resnick was born in North Carolina where she began her career as a model. Resnick moved to San Francisco where she opened and ran her own modelling agency. In Los Angeles, Resnick had gained a lot of notoriety during the murder trial of her friend Nicole Brown Simpson who allegedly had been murdered by her ex-husband O. J. Simpson. During the trial Resnick had a memoir published, Nicole Brown Simpson: The Private Diary of a Life Interrupted. With her new found fame, she then later went on to pose for Playboy. In Later years, Resnick had always been inspired by Europe and went on to get married in London and give birth to her daughter, Sophia. Resnick soon owned many homes across Europe and the United States and moves back to the U.S with a new sense of creativity and eye for design. Resnick as stuck with her passion for design and has since designed many project including; Fendi Casa LA, Color at Caesars Palace, Amp Salon at The Palms Hotel, and Dash Retail Boutique. Resnick has also designed home for many celebrities such as; Avril Lavigne, Kevin Connolly, Vanessa and Nick Lachey, and Ike Bakrie’s international residence in Indonesia.

Zanuck is also introduced as a friend on Kyle Richards and the two met when Zaunck joined Hilton and Hyland real estate agency, where Kyle's husband Mauricio Umansky used to work. Zaunck is Beverly Hills native ad grew up with a fascination for high-end properties. Zanuck worked her way from the bottom to the top in the real estate business and with determination she earned her license to become an agent. Over two decades Zanuck has worked in Beverly Hills, Sunset Plaza, Hollywood Hills and the Westside of Los Angeles, helping buy and sell over a hundred homes. Zaunck is the wife to Dean Zanuck, the producer who is notable for producing the feature films, Road to Perdition and Get Low. Zaunck's husband Dean is often regarded to be apart of Hollywood royalty as his father, and her father-in-law, was Richard Zanuck, an Academy Award winning producer of Driving Miss Daisy, who also produced Jaws, Cocoon, Sweeny Todd, Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The family is also known for Dean's grandfather, Darryl Zanuck, being one of the founders of the studio Twentieth Century-Fox as well as winning 3 Academy Awards. When the couple isn't working, they're raising their son Jack, 10, and daughter Darryl, 7.

Foster was born and raised in Papendrecht, a small farming town in Holland where she learnt about hard work from taking part in the farming life with riding horses and milking cows. Her childhood was cut short with her father's death when she was seven, forcing her to grow up fast. Foster felt the need to support her family, her mother and brother, so at the age of thirteen she got work as a dishwasher at a local Chinese restaurant. At the age of sixteen, Eileen Ford discovered Foster and from there she began her modeling career. Foster left Holland to pursue modelling which allowed her to work and live in cities such as Paris, Milan, Hamburg, Sydney, Tokyo, and New York City. In the mid nineties, Foster moved to Los Angeles and met Mohamed Hadid. The two later married and had three children together, Gigi, Bella and Anwar. The couple later divorced and in 2010 Foster became the fourth wife of 16-time Grammy Award–winning producer and songwriter David Foster. With her new marriage, Foster juggles the blended family of her own children plus five stepdaughters. Foster joined The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills which experience in reality television after appearing on Nederlandse Hollywood Vrouwen (translated Dutch Hollywood Women), a series inspired by The Real Housewives franchise, in 2011.

Synopsis

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season three begins with the growth of the friendship between Lisa Vanderpump and Brandi Glanville. The two have been hanging out a lot more and the two have formed a close bond. With the growth of a new friendship, there's a end of another. The reunion of last season left a bad taste for Vanderpump and Adrienne Maloof. With accusations having being made between the two, the friendship has soured and the two are left expecting apologies from one another which leaves them not communicating. Kyle Richards and her sister Kim Richards continue to rebuild their relationship after Kim has gotten out of rehab for alcoholism. New wife, Yolanda Foster shows off her huge home in Malibu which includes a glass fridge and her very own lemon orchard. Kim and her other sister, Kathy Hilton, help prepare for Kim's daughter's prom. Maloof meets up with Taylor Armstrong for a day trip of shopping due to Armstrong's recent weight gain of ten pounds. Vanderpump hosts an exclusive party for the anniversary for her restaurant, Villa Blanca but doesn't invite Maloof which leaves Maloof feeling like the odd one out. At the party, the Richards sisters question each other's behavior and wonder if things will ever be the same again.

Foster hosts a dinner party at her Malibu home with all the ladies invited. Foster's husband hosts an after diner sing-a-long, but Armstrong is annoyed that he won't allow the ladies to participate and later has issues with the choice of music. Foster find Armstrong's behavior is rude and in poor taste. Foster still has a close relationship with her ex-husband, Mohamed, and decorates a home for him. Foster leaves the Las Vegas trip early, she doesn't understand the ladies' behavior and doesn't like the drama.

Maloof feels the ongoing tension from Vanderpump when Vanderpump leaves Kyle's daughter's birthday shortly after Maloof's arrival. With the tension between the two, they agree to meet to discuss their issues after the awkwardness at Foster's Malibu house party but Maloof is left feel unsatisfied by the meeting. At Kyle's husband business event, Maloof is informed by Kim that during Vanderpump's food tasting event, Glanville shared some very secret information about her. Maloof and her husband, Paul Nassif, are instantly outraged at Glanville which results in to a yelling match between the three. At a Morocco themed restaurant, a bombshell is dropped when it's revealed that Maloof and her husband are suing Glanville over her comments on their private life. Maloof and her husband attend Kyle's daughter's graduation, but keep their distance from the group. At Vanderpump's tea-party, Maloof insists she hasn't sued Glanville and it was just a warning and the two get in to an argument about the truth. Maloof decides to evacuate her family from her home after Vanderpump's former home goes up in flames. The evacuation causes tension and a fight between Maloof and her husband when he insists on not leaving and staying behind. The two later forma united front at Kyle's annual white party, where they confront everyone's accusation of the lawsuit. Maloof throws an outrageous party for her new line on vodka. At the party things between her and her husband worsen as she feels like he constantly seeks attention. News of their separation begins to circulate. On the eve of the news of her separation from Paul, Maloof arrives to Vanderpump's vow renewal in an emotional state. Maloof stays inside tearful and several ladies, excluding Vanderpump, come to her aid as she breaks down. Maloof didn't attend the reunion, and host Andy Cohen informed the viewers that her not attending was her last act as housewife and subsequently letting her go from the series.

Glanville finds herself in a feud with Maloof after an intimate discussion with Kim Richards. Glanville and Kim begin to form a bond and discuss the past tension, when Maloof comment on Kim's crying Glanville begins swearing at Maloof to mind her own business. With Vanderpump's food tasting event coming up, Glanville is concerned which concerned that she may run in to her ex-husbands former mistress, Scheana Shay, who is a waitress at the restaurant. At the food tasting event, Glanville reveals some secret information about Maloof that have been secret for years. During Kyle's dinner party, Glanville faces the repercussion of what she shared after Faye Resnick attempts to reprimand her on talking about people. Brandi insists on explaining herself, but Resnick doesn't want to hear what she has to say resulting Glanville leaves in tears. Glanville meets with Shay, at Vanderpump's request, to get out her feelings of the years of pain. They discuss the fact that Shay had ruined her marriage and Glanville doesn't believe she has the right to feel sad. At a Moroccan themed restaurant, Glanville tells the other ladies that she is being sued by Maloof and her husband over her remarks on their secret. At an art gallery opening, Glanville invites the ladies for a trip to Las Vegas, later in Vegas Glanville wants to empower the women and invited them to take a pole-dancing class. During the tea-party and Vanderpump's house, Glanville argues with Maloof after Maloof claims there is no lawsuit. Glanville reveals she has the letters to prove her wrong and that she has had to hire an attorney. Shortly after an argument Glanville can't handle the lies and leaves the party. In Paris, Kim and Glanville continue to form a bond. Glanville confront Zanuck on her talking behind Glanville's back. During the confrontation, Glanville nemesis Resnick jumps in causing more trouble.

Vanderpump has moved in to a new home called Villa Rosa. Vanderpump finds herself being questioned by the ladies in Ojai, after defending Glanville's colorful language. Vanderpump decides to host a food tasting event at her restaurant, SUR, which causing concern for Glanville. Vanderpump also has concerns of her own wit her husband going in to surgery. Kyle's dinner party after a confrontation between Resnick and Glanville, Vanderpump once again finds herself being question by the ladies for defending Glanville. While in Las Vegas during a discussion about Maloof, Vanderpump finds herself in an argument with Camille Grammer with Grammer saying Vanderpump doesn't own her restaurant. Kyle visits Vanderpump at her home to discuss their mutual hurt, Vanderpump tells Kyle that she doesn't feel Kyle stands up for her. After arriving in Paris, Vanderpump and her husband take a side trip to St. Tropez to see Ken's son, Warren Todd. After the trip to Paris, Vanderpump begins to plan a housewarming party for her new home, as well as a vow renewal, with the help of planner Kevin Lee. On the day of Vanderpump's vow renewal/housewarming, she finds herself in a confrontation with Resnick. After the ladies all get involved, Vanderpump begins to learn Kyle will never have her back. Vanderpump later continues with the ceremony and renews her vows with her husband. The night goes well until Maloof turns up on the eve of her marriage separation and Vanderpump doesn't run to her aid to console her.

Kim suggest a trip to Ojai, the women all share a five-bedroom mansion on picturesque grounds. During the trip Kim and Glanville begin to form an unlikely bond after they discuss their feeling and own their wrongdoings from the year prior. Kim heads to Las Vegas for her sons twenty-first birthday, but doesn't invite her sister Kyle. Kim reveals to her life coach that she and her sister Kyle still have unresolved issues and the life coach advises the two talk. Kim attempts to talk to Kyle at a Moroccan themed restaurant. Kim sees a psychic who inform her that there are ghosts inhabiting her house. Kim skip her nieces year sixth graduation for the planning to get a nose job. While the other ladies are in Las Vegas, they discuss if Kim getting a nose job, which will involve anesthesia and taking pain killers, is a wise idea for someone recently out of Rehab. Kim reveals her new nose to everyone during a backyard party. After arriving late to Paris and behaving in a strange way, the other ladies are worried of Kim's behavior due to it being reminiscent of the years prior when she was drinking. During a cooking class, the ladies are once again concerned by Kim's behavior but she is irritated by Vanderpump's, claiming it fake. She encourages her sister Kyle to confront Vanderpump.

Kyle and her daughter, Portia, invite all the ladies to Portia's fourth birthday, that is carnival themed featuring flying elephant rides, llamas, and unicorns. Kyle's husband Mauricio arrives late due to competing in a charity walk in heels for Armstrong's charity event. Kyle is annoyed at Kim for fueling the fire between Glanville and Maloof at her husband's business event but Kim doesn't seem to care, which only makes Kyle more annoyed. During a trip to see Foster's estate, Kyle reveals to Foster that her and her sister's issues haven't been resolved despite Kim's time in rehab. During dinner at a Moroccan themed restaurant, the two sisters attempt to talk. Kyle's daughter graduates sixth grade, Maloof and her husband attend and keep their distance and Kim doesn't attend at all. Kyle later finds out Kim's lack of attendee was due to Kim planning to get a nose job done. Kyle heads to Vanderpump's home to discuss their mutual hurt and the rift between their friendship, and Kyle reveals she thinks Vanderpump holds grudges. Kyle confronts Vanderpump on top of the Eiffel Tower in regards to her sister and Vanderpump's "fake concern." After the trip to Paris and back home in Beverly Hills, Kyle hurries to prepare the opening of her new boutique, Kyle by Alene Too.

Armstrong continues to worry about a lawsuit that her husband left after his death. Armstrong is forced to settle it by selling some of her assets she cherishes. To cleanse her life of negativity, she hires a psychic to cleanse her home. At a Moroccan themed restaurant, Armstrong opens up that she doesn't feel ready to date because it feels like she would be cheating on her late husband. She struggles with the feelings that while she loves him in life, she hates him in death due to his lies and the lawsuit he left her to deal with. At Vanderpump's tea party, Armstrong insists pot-stirring the drama between Glanville and Maloof by making innuendos. Vanderpump pulls her away from the table and reprimands her on her behavior, but after a bottle of champagne she continues. Armstrong calls Kim to inform her that she won't be attending her backyard party due to jetting off with a new man, however she states that she doesn't know where her daughter is. Due to the disturbing phone call, Kim and Kyle meet with Taylor to discuss the possibility of her abusing alcohol. She later turns down the trip to Paris to spend time with her daughter.

U.S. television ratings

Ratings for the season decreased from previous seasons. On November 26, 2012, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills hit a season high of 2.35 million viewers and a 1.1 rating (18–49 aged viewers) as well as increasing 30% among 18–49 aged viewers, up 19% among 25-54 aged viewers and up 26% amongall total viewers compared to the prior weeks episode. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills then plunged by 34% to a two-season low on March 11, 2013, with 1.56 million viewers and a 0.7 18–49 rating. Season three averaged 1.11 total million viewers.

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