‘Housewives’ seeks hopefuls

“The Real Housewives of Orange County” hopefuls lined up at South Coast Plaza on Thursday night for an open casting call for the show.

“We really look for women and their families that are ready and willing to be open to the show,” said Kathleen French, executive producer. “People willing to live their lives in front of the cameras — that’s the No. 1 key here.”

The reality television show, which debuted in 2006, follows the lives of a group of wealthy, often surgically enhanced women living in Orange County as they shop for designer clothing and jewelry, eat at upscale restaurants and gossip.

Costa Mesa resident Gretchen Rossi joined the “Real Housewives” cast for season four of the show last year after a former cast member recommended her to producers.

The show’s producers have used the upscale shops at South Coast Plaza as a backdrop for many scenes in past seasons.

“We have a nice relationship with South Coast Plaza and this is a major place in the Orange County area, so it seems like kind of a natural place for the show,” French said.

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