By Debra Toppeta

Why are we so obsessed with the Real Housewives?  The second season of the New York version starts tonight and we can’t wait.  Are we obsessed because these women represent everything we don’t like about New York: the aggressive social climbing, the need to impress everyone—even strangers—and we are just happy not to be them?  Or do we see something of ourselves in them: the aggressive social climbing, the need to impress…? Of course, we like to tell ourselves that we are nothing like them, but if we didn’t relate on some level, would we bother to tune in?

New York has a very rigid social structure. The top is restricted to only the very wealthy and very connected, and it sure makes for good TV to watch the housewives try to cajole, ingratiate and claw their way (and each other in the process) to the top of the heap.  What makes it even more fun for us viewers is knowing what these housewives haven’t figured out: just because you share a classroom with a “top tier” parent on curriculum night doesn’t mean you are one of them or that you’ll become friends.

OK,  there is a rather sizeable population of New Yorkers just like the housewives who have money, country houses, and kids in private schools (or did until the market crashed and nearly everyone on Wall Street lost a job).  The market crashed and the most severe recession in decades hit just weeks after this series finished shooting, a fact that is sure to make viewing even more riveting. We will watch the manic consumption of luxury and the careless over-extending in order to impress mere acquaintances with the uncomfortable knowledge of what is to come.  How will we feel when we watch the poor wannabes, Alex and Simon, spending another $8,000 on a dress to wear to their $10,000 opera night knowing that by January there probably won’t be many tourists checking into the hotel Simon manages.  Will we shout out in horror, “Don’t pull out that credit card!” or sit back and watch wishing that we knew then what we know now?

Forgetting for a moment this knowledge of economic woe to come, even last year these housewives seemed to be a caricature of the worst of New York. With so much venom being directed at New York because of the financial crisis, do we really want the housewives to attract more anger? Are we really like these women?

We have put together a short list of myths about the real New York housewives along with our reality showing how things really are for the majority of women who live and work in the Big Apple. Here they are, in no particular order:

Myth 1: Attending opening night at the Metropolitan Opera is a must.
Only the very wealthy (and, it seems, poor hapless Alex and Simon) actually spring for the price of a ticket to opening night.  Most of the attendees on opening night are table fillers for large corporations that have bought a table at the post opera benefit and need to fill it with bodies.  Almost everyone walks the red carpet because it’s there on the way in.  So when Simon croons to Alex in an attempt to get her to hurry, “Red caahpet, daahling,” it’s OK to roll your eyes.

Myth 2: Everyone owns a house in the Hamptons.
While some New Yorkers do own country houses, not all of them are in the Hamptons. In fact, Jill and Bobby don’t own but rent, and only for the month of July.

Myth 3: Kids really go to detox.  On a private plane.
This was by far the strangest excursion we have seen.  While most parents are understandably worried when their children have problems, this vegan voodoo outing seemed to be done just to impress us, the viewers.

Myth 4: New Yorkers always get front row at fashion week, or they leave.
Fashion week is a hot ticket in the industry but usually only the crème of Hollywood or very important people in the fashion industry get front row seats.  Or those who are in a reality show produced by Bravo.  Actually, no real New Yorkers go to fashion week. They are usually too busy. (This year we predict many will avoid being photographed fawning over expensive clothes).

Myth 5: New York parents party every night.
Most parents we know work hard all day and spend time with their children when they get home. When we do go out, it is seldom to a nightclub wearing only our underwear.

Chances are that the ratings for the Real Housewives of New York will exceed last year’s numbers. Bravo is promoting the series with banner ads on metro buses around the city. A sixth housewife has been added and the slogan “Six and the City,” plays off a very popular TV show turned into movie juggernaut that made conspicuous consumption acceptable. Will the housewives be able to ride that wave? Will we be riveted or repulsed, or both? Stay tuned.

The Real Housewives of New York
Bravo
Tuesdays, at 10 p.m.