What’s Next for Vanderpump Rules?

As a long-time fan of the glamorous and scandalous world of Vanderpump Rules, I must say that my heart is filled with both excitement and trepidation as I read this article. Having witnessed the highs and lows of these reality stars’ lives, it feels like I’ve grown up with them – well, at least their TV personas!

As a movie reviewer looking back on the dramatic twist in the series “Vanderpump Rules”, I couldn’t help but feel that Tom Sandoval’s eerie Instagram post with the Funeral Pall filter was a clear sign of trouble brewing in the SURverse. The other shoe finally dropped on November 26, when Bravo announced that the upcoming 12th season would introduce an entirely new cast to the mix. With this revelation, I can’t help but ponder what lies ahead for the characters we’ve come to know and love (or loathe).

The Show Itself

In the recent announcement, not unveiled during the Miami FanFest weekend as one might expect from Bravo, it’s stated that under Lisa Vanderpump’s supervision, either SUR or its spinoff TomTom is set to bring on a new group of servers, hosts, and bartenders, brimming with dramatic relationships, complicated friendships, and romantic entanglements. This implies that the show could be filmed at the original Sexy Unique Restaurant or the more recent TomTom location. My last visit to SUR, around a year ago, found the staff mostly seasoned professionals rather than the young, ambitious cast members we saw in the early seasons of Vanderpump Rules. On the other hand, my last birthday party at TomTom in May suggested a staff that was younger, more attractive, and seemed more entangled in personal relationships, as one would anticipate for a reality show.

The press release indicates that filming will commence “next year,” but no cast members have been revealed yet, leading me to speculate whether casting has occurred at all. If it has, I’m curious as to whether they’ll choose one of Lisa’s venues or if they’ll install the cast first and then find a venue for the show. This uncertainty is my primary concern. The appeal of Vanderpump Rules lies in its authenticity – it was essentially a group of friends who worked at the restaurant, filming the series as a casual venture with no initial financial compensation. They aimed for fame but weren’t certain they would achieve it. Their genuine camaraderie and on-screen dynamics created the show’s charm.

Previous attempts to replicate the original cast of “Vanderpump Rules,” such as “Southern Hospitality,” “Lindsay Lohan’s Beach Club,” and “Vanderpump Villa,” haven’t fared well due to a lack of pre-existing camaraderie among the participants, a strong desire for fame, and an overemphasis on reality TV performance that Stassi Schroeder didn’t need because she naturally shines as a star. Even introducing new cast members hasn’t helped “Vanderpump Rules” in the past, so while I am intrigued by the prospect of fresh faces and storylines, my feelings are more cautious than enthusiastic.

Lisa Vanderpump

It seemed likely that the latest move of Ken Todd’s wife, Lisa Vanderpump, from Bravo to Hulu with her show “Vanderpump Villa” and bringing Stassi Schroeder along might mark the end of her Bravo-verse tenure permanently. The fact that she’s still mentioned in connection with the show, hinting at some ongoing relationship with the house Andy Cohen built, suggests there may be tension or issues. As Lisa has purchased a large property in Las Vegas with numerous ventures and will be filming for Hulu in France, I anticipate her involvement in the show to decrease significantly compared to its early years.

Ariana Madix

Moving forward, the individual who weathered Scandoval remains occupied and in demand, whether it’s on Broadway, hosting Love Island USA, or working events like red carpets and awards for E!. It seems her future is shining brighter than ever, and it wouldn’t be shocking if she joins the select few who transition from reality TV to a genuine career elsewhere in television. With her ex out of the picture, we can confidently predict that she will thrive, potentially even more so now.

Katie Maloney Schwartz Maloney

She runs a lively sandwich shop and recently started dating someone new. I’m not sure if this is enough to satisfy Katie, but given her history, she appears more inclined towards simple living than fame. Yet, she could easily appear on the aftershow of Love Island with her friend Ariana, and perhaps enjoy the earnings from her song “Something About Her.” However, she would undoubtedly excel at The Traitors game show, so if they’re casting for season four…

The Toms

It’s clear that Schwartz & Sandy’s establishment is set to shut down, but they’ve been keeping themselves occupied with various reality TV shows featuring celebrities. Among these, Sandoval is due to appear on The Traitors. Despite the controversy surrounding Scandoval, they remain an engaging pair. If Vanderpump Rules 2: The Way of Water is filmed at TomTom, I imagine them stepping in for Lisa Vanderpump in the new version of the show. Although the press release hints at a “new team,” there’s no clue if any members from the original group will return. If anyone does come back, it might very well be these two.

Lala Kent & Scheana Shay

Despite some backlash following the previous season, Lala and her partner still hold significant popularity, boasting over 2.4 million and 2 million Instagram followers respectively. This massive fanbase offers them opportunities to generate income for their families through various means. Additionally, there have been suggestions that they could join “The Valley,” a spinoff of “Pump Rules” featuring Jax Taylor and Kristen Doute, who also announced her pregnancy today. With the recent completion of filming for a potentially volatile second season of “The Valley” centered around Jax’s tumultuous divorce from Brittany Cartwright, both individuals have established connections with the cast. As the only married stars with kids, they seem like suitable additions to the show. However, if they are dropped from “Pump Rules” and require a break from “The Valley,” they could return at a reduced salary, which would be beneficial for the Bravo budget team. This move might upset the cast of “The Valley,” and if the second season is successful, they may not secure a spot. On a lighter note, let’s hope that Scheana’s husband, Brock Shay, makes another appearance in his Speedo at least once annually!

DJ James Kennedy

Concerned about no one else as much as Kanye West (often referred to as “the White Kanye”), I can’t help but wonder if his success in the DJ world is sustainable once he steps off the stage. With our continued support for Countess Luann’s cabaret performances, could Kanye remain on the decks indefinitely? On a more cynical note, if his girlfriend, Ally Lewber, won’t be part of the show anymore, will she stay around? Ultimately, I’m genuinely concerned about his overall well-being.

Jax Taylor

Currently, it’s just him and Kristen, previously of Vanderpump Rules, who have shows on Bravo. So, is Jax Taylor back at the top spot among the group members?

2024-11-27 00:54