As a reality TV fan, there is a strange (and slightly unhinged?)
This is how Ive been feeling sinceBravo announced that it would be totally recastingVanderpump Rulesfor Season 12.
The rebooted show will focus itself on a new group of Sur-vers atLisa Vanderpumps West Hollywood restaurants.
Vanderpump RulesNicole Weingart/Bravo
This is a bold move.
(Pre-Scandoval, I evenarguedfor its cancellation.)
The servers at other Hollywood restaurants just want to be waiters at SUR.
In the first episode, we saw Scheana then known as Scheana Marie (Now Scheana… Shay?
Then there was Tom Sandoval.
It is ironic that a cheating scandal eventually unraveledVanderpump Rulesbecause that was what defined its early years.
Taylor, on the other hand, was the quintessential (and later, admitted) narcissist and liar.
(Seriously, there is no high that can compare to watching this for the first time.)
And Lala Kent a straight-talking SUR hostess with a mystery man from Hollywood who was bankrolling her flashy lifestyle.
What madeVanderpump Rulesfun was the sheer level of chaos on display.
Schroeder was portrayed as a villain in her first season, but she ended up with a redemption arc.
Ironically, in 2019, shebecame aNew York Timesbest-seller.
Sandoval and Schwartz were asked to be (very small) partners in Vanderpumps next restaurant, TomTom.
(Although their own bar, Swartz and Sandys, recentlyannounced its closure.)
Kennedy has even managed to use the show to launch a successful DJ career.
But these successes are what became the shows undoing.
(Wontsomebodythink of Scheana?!)
The shows sudden cultural phenomenon status and record-shattering ratings raised the bar, but it couldnt keep up.
Truthfully, though,Vanderpump Ruleshad been losing its sparkle for a while.
Not only did the show create its own language of in-jokes (was it ever about the pasta?!
(They really threw the first Pump-tini at SUR.)
Since the news broke, the cast has been posting heartfelt Instagram tributes.
Im struck by just how grateful they are that their run lasted so long.
Toquotethe shows opening theme music: These were the best days of our lives.
