Pretend City Makes Reality TV
Pretend City makes its debut on the tenth episode of season 16 of “Real Housewives of Orange County.” Photo credit BravoTV
When viewers tune into the tenth episode of this season of “Real Housewives of Orange County,” they will get an eyeful of Irvine’s preeminent children’s museum, Pretend City. Since 2009, Pretend City has engaged in the social and emotional development of Orange County’s children with opportunities to play, explore, and learn. Tonight’s episode will be Pretend City’s first appearance on a reality television show.
“This is our first feature,” says Leslie Perovich, the Pretend City’s Chief Operating Officer. “We filmed on a day when we were closed. Everyone couldn’t have been nicer.”
By everyone, Perovich is referring not only to the two Housewives featured in the scene (Gina Kirschenheiter and Emily Simpson) but also the crew and the crew’s families.
“The people in the background were children of the crew,” explains Perovich. “It was a chance for their kids to see what their parents do.”
One parent in particular, a producer on the show, is a Pretend City regular.
“A producer from the show called and said, ‘We love Pretend City, we come all the time,’” says Perovich of how Pretend City was identified as a location for a scene in the show. “It was really fun to have them here.”
More than just reality television producers are benefitting from Pretend City’s facilities and programming as the pandemic wanes. Pretend City is providing vital services to under socialized children.
“Kids lag in social development more than before,” Perovich says. “Some of these kids have been home for two years. We were talking to a parent who said, ‘My child has never seen another child his size before today.’”
While Pretend City still has limited hours and an extended mid-day break for deep cleaning, it has been open since March of 2021 and offers both regular opportunities and special exhibits. Pretend City’s School Readiness Fair will return after a two-year hiatus with free health, speech, dental, vision, and developmental screenings to help children prepare for Kindergarten. On March 26th from 9 am to 1 pm, participants who complete screenings will receive a free ticket to the museum.
Additionally, a “Dino’s in the City” exhibit is being planned for the summer. Prepare to see the return of dinosaurs to Irvine from May 27th to September 5th.
Pretend City is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10am – noon (closed 12-1pm for cleaning) and 1pm – 4pm, as well as Sundays 11 am – 1pm (closed 1pm-2pm for cleaning) and 2pm – 5pm. Learn more about Pretend City online.
“Real Housewives of Orange County” airs on BravoTV on Wednesdays at 9 pm.