A scientific examination of Housewives reunion seating charts

Housewives spend the weeks leading up to reunions vying for the best seats. So what ARE the best seats? We have a theory: Queen Bees sit next to Andy – and if you’re on the perimeter, your spot in the cast is in jeopardy. Let’s examine a few reunions from the two longest running Housewives shows, RHOC and RHONY, to see how the theory holds up.

Queen Bees: Jeana and Vicki Perimeter: Lauri and Jo Accurate? The only Housewife not to return for season two, Kimberly, wasn’t even featured at the reunion. As for the Queen Bees, they both outlasted the outer perimeter huggers. The theory stands!

Queen Bees: This may be the only reunion in history with only one line of seating. Lauri was the sole Queen Bee!
Perimeter: Tammy
Accurate? Tammy only lasted one more season, but it was actually Jo who was next to go.

Queen Bees: Tamra and Jeana Perimeter: Vicki and Lynne Accurate? After this reunion Jeana went from Queen Bee to part-time player – but that was probably her choice. An exception!

Queen Bees: Tamra and Gretchen
Perimeter: Vicki and Lynne
Accurate? Lynne was the next to exit. Accurate!

Queen Bees: Tamra and Gretchen
Perimeter: Peggy and Alexis
Accurate? Perimeter hugger Peggy was indeed out after just one season.

Queen Bees: LuAnn and Jill Perimeter: Bethenny and Alex Accurate? Yes, and no. No one got the boot season two. Queen Bee Bethenny was the first to leave (by choice), while Alex and Jill exited the series at the same time, after season four.

Queen Bees: Ramona and Jill Perimeter: LuAnn and Alex Accurate? The left perimeter huggers, Alex and Kelly, were the first of this crew to exit, minus Bethenny, who left by choice.

Queen Bees: Bethenny and Jill (they were feuding!)
Perimeter: LuAnn and Alex (again!)
Accurate? LuAnn is the exception to the rule. She hugged the perimeter two seasons in a row, but hung on to her Housewives status through nearly the whole run of the show.

Queen Bees: LuAnn and Ramona
Perimeter: Cindy and Alex
Accurate? This one is 100% accurate – Cindy was a one season wonder and Alex was out for season five. Even the next in line on the perimeter, Kelly, was out the next year.

Queen Bees: Ramona and Aviva Perimeter: LuAnn and Heather Accurate? Queen Bee Aviva was actually the first of these ladies to go. Perimeter hugger Heather was next. 50% accuracy.

Queen Bees: Bethenny (she’s back!) and Ramona (again!) Perimeter: Sonja and Kristen Accurate? Not bad: The left side of the perimeter, Kristen and Heather, didn’t return after this reunion.

So, how accurate is the theory? Housewives who sat on the perimeter in our sample pool went home 66% of the time. Consider it a subliminal tip from Andy Cohen, ladies: if you’re seated on the edge, now’s the time to bring the drama – if you don’t, it might be your last reunion.