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When is 'Real Housewives of Orange County' Season 17 releasing? Familiar faces return with new drama

Tamra Judge has returned to 'The Real Housewives of Orange County' and she says the new season will be worth the wait

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: Season 17 of 'The Real Housewives of Orange County' is scheduled to air on Bravo in early 2023. According to certain internet sources, the series could be released in early March. Season 17 of 'RHOC' is scheduled to premiere on March 1. To the delight of fans, Tamra Judge has returned to 'The Real Housewives of Orange County' and she says the new season will be worth the wait.

According to new social media footage from 'The Real Housewives of Orange County,' there appears to be a split. Season 17, which just ended, brought a big change with the return of Tamra Judge and her "friend" Vicki Gunvalson - who founded the entire franchise. After a season of old stories and a weak cast, many fans were overjoyed to learn of the returning actors. Time will tell how the alliances have evolved, but recent behavior on the Internet seems to indicate the outcome.

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Two distinct dinners occurred recently, both of which were documented on social media. Following the posting of photographs from the two trips on Instagram, fan account @queensofbravo stated that there "seems to be a divide" among the RHOC group, citing "evidence" in the photos. Team #1 is represented by Heather Dubrow, Gina Kirschenheiter, and Emily Simpson in the first photograph. Team #2 is made up of Vicky, Shannon Beador, and Tamra, who are known as 'The Tres Amigas.'

Surprisingly, both sides have two players in common: 'friend' Taylor Armstrong (a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum) and Jennifer Pedranti (who filmed in Season 17 and is rumored to be a new cast member). They appear to be in a neutral position in the game. Jennifer sits on the left side of the table, while Taylor sits on the right, and their seating arrangements are identical in both evenings. Tamra shared one of the photos on Twitter with the description "Girls night out," and it appeared to be a dig at the castmates who weren't there: "... your favorite ladies in the OC."

Taylor also shared a photo of the table, and she seemed to share a similar emotion, referring to the group as a "Dream Team." Taylor also turned to Instagram Stories overnight, implying that there is a schism. "It's like having divorced parents," Taylor said with a laughing emoji while sharing images of the two different dinners.

Tamra confirmed her departure from 'RHOC' in 2020, following 12 seasons on the program. Her departure startled viewers because she has been one of the series' most constant Housewives. More crucially, her statement came only one day after Vicki Gunvalson announced her departure, leaving fans concerned about the show's future. Vicki and Tamra, thankfully, were not gone for long, since they both appeared in season two of 'The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.' Tamra is back on 'RHOC' after a two-season hiatus, and it seems like her return will be welcomed by long-time Housewives fans.

Tamra talked with Entertainment Tonight and promised viewers that she will not be slowing down the pace of 'RHOC' Season 17. "After two years of sitting on the bench, being on pause, getting fired, I came back with a lot of energy," she added. One of the most complicated aspects of a Housewife being dismissed from the show is that their stories with the other cast members remain unsolved. Tamra stated that she "had a lot of built-up resentment and anger, and it might show." Another reason Tamra's homecoming is highly anticipated by fans is her reunion with Shannon Beador and Heather Dubrow. Both ladies have worked with Tamra in previous seasons, but this will be the first time in six years that all three will be on the same cast. And, based on Tamra's comments regarding the forthcoming season, it doesn't appear to have gone well.

Fans of the action-packed drama on 'RHOC' will be relieved to learn that Tamra feels her performance this season has landed her on the "naughty list." Tamra is one Housewife that understands how the program works, and her ability to keep things fresh for the audience is one of the reasons fans adore her. She remarked that "nobody was off limits" this season. Concerning her relationship with Heather, she stated that the two do not "stand together," and that they "have some things to fix" in their current relationship. Tamra is suggesting that 'RHOC' Season 17 will be "probably one of the best" in "many, many years" with all the recent changes to The Real Housewives series.

Tamra's absence on 'RHOC' has been noticed, and viewers have spoken up. Tamra and Vicki's departure from the program was a tough casting choice for viewers to accept. Following both exits, the network changed things up slightly by bringing back Heather, which didn't go down well with the show's audience. Fortunately, Tamra's return to the series also brings Vicki back in a smaller capacity. Although not the desired conclusion, it is a good start toward a possible full-time return in the future.

The Real Housewives series has changed dramatically in recent years. Viewers have been put on an emotional roller coaster with the introduction of two New York Housewife series and the dismissal and rehiring of notable Bravo performers. Tamra's comeback to 'The Real Housewives of Orange County' Season 17 will undoubtedly be memorable, and viewers should look forward to it. Meanwhile, fans may re-watch season two of 'RHUGT' to prepare for her return to the OC.