Peggy Tanous announces she is leaving Real Housewives of Orange County

Real Housewives of Orange County's Peggy Tanous full length photo

What in the world is going on over at Bravo?!? They’re losing housewives faster than King Henry VIII! The latest drama mama to jump ship is The Real Housewives of Orange County‘s Peggy Tanous, who posted this announcement on her Facebook page earlier today:

Hello Everyone, Many of you have been asking about season 7 and if I am returning. After months of negotiation and soul searching, I have declined their offer to return to the show. I just felt in my heart that being around the negative energy of certain cast members, being forced to have “dramatic” confrontations and the time it would take me away from my family was just not a healthy path for me…. I loved being a part of the Bravo family and do look forward to any new endeavors this may bring. I already have several opportunities to host upcoming TV shows that will empower woman, as well as my husband and I are about to launch our own wine. Who knows, perhaps if many of you want to continue to follow me and my family’s lives, then a new show can be created! One of “real” family fun, natural life drama, holistic living, life lessons and experiences. thank you all so much for your love and support!

Hmmmmm… yet another accusation of “forced” drama. And is there any doubt that the “negative energy of certain cast members” is mostly referring to former pal Alexis Bellino? Which is a bit of a surprise because most everyone has been speculating Alexis won’t be back for Season 7 either, due in large part to her husband Jim Bellino’s objections and unwillingness to participate in filming.

Peggy’s announcement comes on the heels of Bravo cleaning house on The Real Housewives of New York City by letting four of the seven women on that show go, as well as recent reports that the cast of The Real Housewives of New Jersey might also be facing a similar clean sweep! (Jacqueline Laurita has all but confirmed her limited participation in Season 4 will be her last go ’round and there are numerous reports that Caroline Manzo’s unwillingness to participate in some of Bravo’s “forced drama” means she is out too.)

With Peggy’s departure perhaps Bravo will use the opportunity to apply a bit of affirmative action to their OC franchise by adding… (dum dum dum!) a brunette! The cast has been severely lacking in the dark tressed department ever since Jeanna Keough and Lynne Curtain left. They gave lesbian Brazilian booty babe Fernanda Rocha a shot, but that didn’t really pan out at all. I think they should track down the mom from E!’s Pretty Wild, Andrea Arlington! With her two hell raising offspring it would all but guarantee some non-divorce/non-Slade Smiley hatin’ fireworks!

Personally, I am greatly saddened by Peggy’s announcement that she is leaving – not because I’ll miss her on the show (aside from the obvious tension over her past relationship with Alexis’ husband Jim I thought Peggy was kinda ho hum) but because it means my Peggy Tanous (aka Peggy Tyler) Bench Warmer collectible card collection is going to be basically worthless! Noooooooooooooo!!! C’mon, somebody out there wants to buy this limited edition dandy, right?

Peggy Tanous as Peggy Tyler on a limited edition 2002 Bench Warmer trading card

It’s signed by Peggy herself! There are only 25 of these in existence! (I knew I shouldn’t have traded away my Bethenny Frankel rookie card!)

Top photo: Peggy Tanous at the HTC Status Social launch event held at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, California on July 19, 2011. (FayesVision/WENN.com)