Southern Belles Set "Real Housewives" Ratings Record

Aug. 4 2009, Published 5:46 a.m. ET

Georgia is on the mind of TV viewers, evidential by the record-setting ratings of Bravo's The Real Housewives of Atlanta second season premiere last Thursday, which Nielsen reported just less than four million total viewers.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta tripled numbers from its inaugural season opener; Bravo reported record Web traffic the day of the season opener, as well.

Set amidst the tranquility backdrop of the Peach state, the new season showcases five beautiful Southern belles with plenty of dramatic grist for the mill to share with America. The new cast includes former NFL wife Sheree Whitfield, charity planner Linnethia "NeNe" Leakes, Keith Sweat's ex/current NFL wife Lisa Wu-Hartwell, Grammy-winning songwriter Kandi Burruss and aspiring country crooner Kimberleigh "Kim" Zolciak.