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WASHINGTON - Bravo's 'Real Housewives' franchise, a guilty pleasure for millions of viewers, has set its sights on D.C.
The reality series examining the lives of so-called housewives is currently recruiting women in the Washington region to appear on an upcoming series, the network announced Tuesday.
Politico gossip columnist Anne Schroeder Mullins reports its one of five D.C.-based 'reality' shows currently in the works, including some targeting younger, single women. But Shenanigans, as her column is known, cautions it likely will be difficult for producers to willing candidates in a more "buttoned-up" area.
» read the Politico story
Well-known Washingtonian and Georgetown resident Sally Quinn has already been contacted by Bravo to be on the show and so have some of her friends.
"People don't mind being visible if they are visible in a serious way like government and politics and journalism," said Quinn. "But this is very frivolous and I think anyone that is established in Washington would be reluctant to do this because it would ruin their image as a serious person."
A peek inside the world of some top D.C. housewives reveals the discreet jewelry store of Ann Hand, wife of White House Attorney Loyd Hand and successful jeweler to some of the most famous D.C. housewives including Pamela Harriman, Cindy McCain and the first housewives of D.C. -- Laura Bush and Michelle Obama.
Granddaughter Ashley Hand, a gemologist and well-known D.C. presence, knows most of the big name women in town. "I don't understand the whole reality TV in D.C.," she said. "I just think D.C. is such a private city and people like their privacy."
Often called a D.C. social doyenne, Tammy Haddad edits the Web site White House Correspondents Insider. "To be really famous, you either have to be in the White House or have a whole lot of money," she said. "We'll finally be able to see these checkbooks and see who has some serious coin and who has climbed their way to the top."
"Of course they'll probably have an alcoholic or recovering drug addict," added Haddad. "Those will be the exciting things to look forward to."
So will this well-known Washington housewife do the show? "No chance at all -- although I'm embarrassed to tell you someone else called me to be on the Washington makeover show," said Haddad. "I'm not going to be on either of them."
There's no word when the new show will air.
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