Drama! Entire 'RHOC' Cast On The Chopping Block

Drama in the OC!

Bravo executives are “deadlocked” on how to proceed with The Real Housewives of Orange County, battling over which ladies are losing their luster and need to go and which are delivering the drama and deserve to stay, RadarOnline.com exclusively learned.

Producers are seriously considering rehiring Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador, Vicki Gunvalson and Kelly Dodd, "but they don’t want the show to become redundant and stale," an insider revealed.

"The drama was good with Tamra, Shannon, Vicki and Kelly," the source continued. "But do viewers want to keep seeing the same thing over and over?"

The source also noted to RadarOnline.com that Emily Simpson, Gina Kirschenheiter and Brauwyn Windham-Burke were all possibly on the chopping block.

“The viewers don’t connect with the new ladies as much as the longer-existing ones,” the source explained, adding, “A few new ones will return but the viewers are invested in the main four.”

Andy Cohen recently said there were "good" new cast prospects for the longest running Housewives franchise on the network.

But will they be able to create buzz like some of the current Housewives?

During the reunion specials, Vicki accused Brauwyn of "destroying" the show she had built, but the source told RadarOnline.com the execs were hoping to maintain strong ratings.

"People tuned in for theVicki drama, but they also watched when she wasn't on," noted the source, insisting the reality vixen "doesn't drive the whole show."

The “Tres Amigas” bonded during the season, renewing their friendships after fighting with each other for years. “These are the ladies that viewers tune in for,” the source told RadarOnline.com.

Vicki's boyfriend, Steve Lodge, proposed to her and she said yes! Her long-time friends threw her an engagement party that aired on RHOC.

Kelly was sued by Vicki after she called her a “con woman” during filming. However, Vicki dropped the lawsuit and the shocking comments aired during the season. The women made up during the second reunion episode, vowing to stop the nasty fighting.

Emily’s season was marred by her husband Shane Simpson’s awful behavior toward her, culminating in him failing the California Bar exam for the third time.

Gina called the police on her husband on June 22, claiming he had choked, dragged, thrown and threatened to kill her. The abuse allegedly occurred during a fight in their home while their three kids were sleeping in the next room. Matt Kirschenheiter was arrested for domestic violence and Gina was given a temporary restraining order against him. In September, Matt pleaded not guilty to two felony charges related to the alleged incident. If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison for domestic violence and an additional three for false imprisonment after Gina claimed he dragged her back into the house when she fled looking for help.