Greg Bennett: Why I Love Vicki Gunvalson

With The Real Housewives Awards in full swing, we've asked celebrities, super fans, and pop culture icons to share why they love our hit franchise. This week, Greg Bennett, family friend of the Manzos and author of the hilarious blog GreggyBennett.com, sings the praises of the OG of the OC.

Living Legend. Icon. Ornate necklace wear-er. These are just three of the titles that come to mind when I think of Vicki Gunvalson. The OG of the OC has been on my television for eight years. To put that in perspective, Walter White and Jessie cooked together on Breaking Bad for five years, while the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 were Lost on that island for six years. With a ninth season on the horizon, The Real Housewives of Orange County will surpass Desperate Housewives in number of seasons on television. Nine! That is insane! Andy Cohen may be the Walt Disney of Bravo, but Vicki Gunvalson is its Mickey Mouse.

The moments Vicki realizes she's not in control are usually her most memorable. The most iconic is undoubtedly when she was wrapped in fur, storming the halls of Castle Dubrow, reminding Tamra Barney-Judge that they were supposed to be friends after Tamra gave Brooks the evil eye. There are subtler moments that should be equally celebrated. While serving as a bridesmaid on Tamra's limited series wedding event (I will never get over the "limited series" shade thrown by the Bravo announcer for the three weeks that it aired), she dabbed the watering eyes of a gay bridesman, careful not to disturb the layers of bronzer and foundation that caked his face, quietly remarking "This is too much." That is Vicki at her best.

She's got her faults, but who doesn't? Her relationship with the questionable Brooks Ayers has been a point of contention for the past two seasons. It broke up Vicki's best friendship (albeit temporarily) with Tamra, and has certainly put a strain on her relationship with her daughter Briana. Bombshell accusations were made against Brooks at the last reunion, and he walked up the dramatic spiral staircase, exited stage right, and hopefully went back to the Bayou (or at least to deliver the case of Vicki's Vodka I requested for my birthday in Vegas last summer. Vegas was supposed to put it in all of its casinos!). Time will tell what happens between the two star-crossed lovers, but VG has my support. After eight seasons, she's earned it. She works! (I just really hope she gets rid of him, because come ooooon Vicki!)

We've all come a long way from the days where reunions were just Vicki and her girls sitting in some lawn chairs in her backyard, chatting cordially about that season's shenanigans. We've seen countless imitations try and shine in her shadow. Some have succeeded (you go, Tamra!), some have failed (LOL, Peggy Tanous), some left too soon (we miss you, Lynne Curtin), and some should have never been there to begin with (Sarah "I have a sugar problem so I had to eat the bow off Heather's cake" Winchester). Vicki Gunvalson is a constant in this world full of change, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Follow Greg Bennett on Twitter.

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