Why "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" Is a Runaway Hit

Why is The Real Housewives of New Jersey a smash-hit? The season finale's 4.6 million viewers [1] in the 18-to-49-year-old demographic testify to its broad appeal, but why are we so enamored with these table-tossing housewives? Is it the big hair? The brash talk? The back stabbing? One thing's for sure. It's not their manners.

Out of all the Real Housewives series—from Orange County to Atlanta to New York City—"New Jersey" is the breakaway hit. Because I have deeply bad taste in TV, I've watched every installment of the Bravo franchise. Sometimes, I watch them twice. But the Jersey wives are far and away the most fascinating. Sometimes, I quote lines from the show. "Prostitution whore!" I shout, pointing accusingly. "I don't like you before I like you," I inform strangers.

I think the Real Housewives are popular for one reason: They're mean. I mean, they're really mean. They render Mean Girls pranks child's play. They don't sit around talking the talk, like the well-tanned, blond-highlighted, high-heeled 'bots of The Hills. These bitches will cut you. They actually walk the walk, which is why tables have a tendency to get overturned.

I hope they don't tone it down next season.

These molls are my heroes.