Saturday, November 11, 2023

Why Bravo Should Consider a Vanderpump Rules Reboot

(Photo by: Nicole Weingart/Bravo via Getty Images)

The original concept for Vanderpump Rules was to highlight the chaotic 20-somethings who worked in Lisa Vanderpump’s various restaurants. In its heyday, this series revolved around hookups, shirtless fights, and drunken co-workers. It also featured broke cast members living in tiny apartments. Sometimes, they even lived together.

When VPR first premiered in 2013, it thrived. In recent years, however, the vibes have been off. In fact, many people even speculated that this series was on its way out after Season 10. However, at the end of this season, the Scandoval storyline broke, and the ratings soared.

Truly, Tom Sandoval and Rachel Leviss’ affair saved this series from a big fat cancellation, but was it enough? Overall, I believe that this cast has taken the series as far as it can possibly go. Just like when Bravo recast the Real Housewives of New York franchise for Season 14, I truly feel like they should also consider a Vanderpump Rules reboot after Season 11 airs. Here’s why.

Introducing New Cast Members Hasn’t Worked

Vanderpump Rules/Instagram

Production has already tried to bring this series back to it’s original concept. They’ve attempted this by bringing on new cast members who all still work for Lisa. However, each new hire has been a bust.

For example, Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni were brought on, but they were each fired for insensitive comments made online. Dayna Kathan came on and then left pretty quickly after, choosing to live her life off-camera, as the drama was all consuming. In turn, Vail Bloom also chose not to engage with the cast’s drama, and she too was never heard from again after her one season on-air.

Ally Lewber and Brock Davies are relatively new, but they are also each coupled up with a long-standing cast member. Therefore, the storylines that these two have added are closely wrapped up with their partners, James Kennedy and Scheana Shay. This series needs a shake-up, yet when it comes to hiring new faces who can bring fresh storylines, all attempts have flopped. Therefore, bringing in additional cast members isn’t likely to save Vanderpump Rules.

There Are No Couples Left To Help Unify This Cast

Bravo/YouTube

Back in the day, Tom Schwartz was dating Katie Maloney. Their romance was turbulent. Katie was seen as mean, while Schwartz seemed to evade responsibility…for everything. In turn, the cast either loved Katie while tolerating Schwartz, or they loved Schwartz while tolerating Katie.

These feelings remained when Katie and Schwartz were married. As these two were a package deal, those who were only tolerating one side had no choice but to play nice, or they’d run the risk of losing their loved one. Minus Sandoval, who never played nice with Katie.

Likewise, Sandoval and Ariana Madix were an item from the end of Season 2 until the end of Season 10. Just like Schwartz and Katie, Sandoval and Ariana were equal parts loved and loathed, but as they were a team, their co-stars had to stomach their feelings of dislike. However, both of these couples have since called it quits. Katie filed for divorce, and Ariana ended things with a swiftness once Sandoval’s affair was exposed.

Without these pairings, the divides in this cast will finally and fully be felt, which we saw starting to go down towards the end of Season 10. These couplings helped to unify the cast, and in their absence, we were left with choppy storylines and verbal pile-ons. Don’t get me wrong, Season 11 could surprise us all, showing a cohesive cast who has gotten over their issues. But, yeah, I doubt it, and without a unified cast, I restate my take, that it’s time for a Vanderpump Rules reboot.

There Are No Workplaces Left To Help Unify This Cast

SUR/Instagram

When this series first began, every single cast member involved with filming was either a host, a waiter, or a bartender at SUR. They would clock in, work a bit, then go into the back alley in their uniforms to smoke and argue. It was glorious. However, this cast has aged out of their former jobs, and the removal of this universal filming location has aided in the show’s decline.

SUR’s alley gave off main character energy, and she is missed. This leads me to further stress that Bravo needs to reboot this series, bringing back its messy, alley-sitting employees.

The Current Cast Has Outgrown The Bar Scene

Scheana Shay/Instagram

Even though the liquor stills run freely, Lala Kent, James, and even Sandoval have all ventured down the sobriety trail. Moreover, several of the cast members are now parents, which means that a lot of the bar scenes have been replaced with early bedtimes and kid-friendly parties.

This is a completely difference concept than this series ever set out to be. If this series were rebooted, we’d get to see a return to the messier days, where the stars had a lot less to lose.

There’s Already A Spin-Off In The Works Anyways

RealityOps/Instagram

For those on the fence about a Vanderpump Rules reboot, I get it. These personalities have been in our lives for well over a decade. We’ve watched them rise and fall, and sometimes even grow. From marriages to divorces to affairs to babies, it’s been a wild ride, and this series has almost become like a core memory for its viewers.

For me in Season 11, I am eager to learn more about Ariana and Katie’s sandwich shop, while also learning about whether or not the cast was able to overcome their divides. I’m still invested, so I get that many of our readers likely feel the same, even if it’s hard to admit. If this is you, know that a spin-off has already been introduced, though the details are still a bit murky. In this new series, it appears that several of the Vanderpump Rules OG’s will be crossing over, filming for both this new spin-off and VPR.

This means that if a Vanderpump Rules reboot ever transpired, we wouldn’t have to say goodbye to our faithful, messy friends.

TELL US – DO YOU THINK THAT VANDERPUMP RULES NEEDS A REBOOT?

The post Why Bravo Should Consider a Vanderpump Rules Reboot appeared first on Reality Tea.



from Reality Tea https://www.realitytea.com/2023/11/11/why-bravo-should-consider-a-vanderpump-rules-reboot/

‘Friends Of’ Who Should Be Bumped Up to Full-Blown Real Housewives

(Photo by: Jocelyn Prescod/Peacock via Getty Images)

Sometimes, it’s not the Real Housewives who steal the spotlight, but the ‘friends of’ the cast. Usually, the main cast members create the drama, but some part-time players really stir the pot.

Sometimes these ‘friends of’ the housewives were demoted to the position. While others were new to the show. Let’s chat about the superstar ‘friends of’ the cast who deserve to be full-blown Real Housewives.

Jackie Goldschneider – Real Housewives of New Jersey

(Photo by: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Jackie Goldschneider was a full-time cast member on the Real Housewives of New Jersey for four seasons. But for Season 13, Jackie was demoted to a ‘friend of.’ She was in recovery from her eating disorder, which she was open about on the show.

While Season 14 is filming, Jackie has been involved in a major friend switch-up. She is on the outs with her longtime friend, Margaret Josephs. It was always Jackie, Margaret, and Melissa Gorga against Teresa Giudice and her crew.  

But after having a falling out with Margaret, Jackie joined Team Teresa. And now her relationship with Melissa is suffering.

Bravo may have been worried about the level of drama on Season 14 of RHONJ, but Jackie is working on it. Let’s give her back her full-time status, please.

Adriana de Moura – Real Housewives of Miami

(Photo by: Zach Dilgard/Peacock/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

When the Real Housewives of Miami first aired in 2011, Adriana de Moura was a full-time cast member. The show aired for three seasons before being shelved.

But the series was resurrected after eight years and aired on Peacock. Adriana returned as a ‘friend of’ for Seasons 4 and 5. And she drove much of the drama for both seasons. Adriana argued with Larsa Pippen and shaded her for looking like Kim Kardashian during Season 4. The two ladies argued all season.

For Season 5, Adriana told Marysol Patton that her ex-boyfriend confessed that he had never really loved Marysol. Of course, Marysol was hurt and angry. But when Adriana made an ill-conceived analogy about Alexia Nepola‘s (formerly Alexia Echevarria’s) son, all hell broke loose. What is it with Real Housewives and analogies? Steer clear, ladies!

Anyway, Audriana compared injuring her foot to Alexia’s son, Frankie Rosello’s, near-fatal car accident. According to Page Six, Frankie suffered permanent brain trauma.

“Now when I look back at that time, I see that it was wrong to use the analogy,” Adriana explained. “Obviously, the accident didn’t compare to Frankie’s—obviously—and I wasn’t trying to compare.”

Alexia’s rage felt like it was boiling off the TV screen. Adriana apologized to both Marysol and Adriana, but those wounds were deep. Give Adriana a mojito for Season 7. She deserves to be bumped up to housewife status.

Kiki Barth – Real Housewives of Miami

(Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images)

Kiki Barth joined RHOM during Season 4 as a ‘friend of’ the ladies. Kiki has a breezy and fun attitude. During an argument at Adriana’s video shoot, Kiki pulled out a Burger King bag and started chowing down. She warned Adriana she was finished filming because of her bloated stomach.

During an early dinner at a strip club, a tipsy and bored Kiki gets on the pole to entertain co-stars Lisa Hochstein and Larsa. She was finally asked to step away from the pole. Kiki’s hilarious hijinks should have earned her a mojito after her first season. Fingers crossed Kiki has one for Season 7 of RHOM. I think the cast has room for both Kiki and Adriana.

Mary Cosby – Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

(Photo by: Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images)

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby was a housewife for the first two seasons. During the second season, she made racially insensitive comments about co-stars Jennie Nguyen and Jen Shah.

There were also rumors that Mary had changed the Faith Temple Pentecostal Church into something like a cult. Mary refuted those claims to Entertainment Tonight. “Clearly, I’m not gonna get on national television, be a Housewife, and be in a cult. Like, come on,” Mary said. “There’s no cult.”

But when she bailed on attending the Season 2 reunion, Mary was fired from the show. Now she is back for Season 4 as a ‘friend of.’ Does Mary make inappropriate comments? Yes. And she certainly needs to do better.

But Mary is funny

Bravo/YouTube

From another viewpoint, she is comedy gold. Mary has little interest in spending time with her RHOSLC co-stars. She would rather sit in a van and eat a McDonald’s fish sandwich than have dinner with her castmates.

And while so far no one smells like a hospital, Mary’s nose is still as sensitive. And Mary is offended by any gaseous odors. She told Heather Gay why her necklace choice was awful. And when a food worker didn’t want to put Mary’s food in a box, she called him “lazy.” She even asked Lisa Barlow if she had a “mute button.”

Mary has no tolerance for anyone but Meredith Marks. Still, her random comments are part of the fabric of the show. It’s time to let Mary lovingly cradle her snowflake again.

It’s obvious that these ladies should be bumped up to Real Housewives status. Bravo, are you listening?

TELL US – DO YOU THINK THAT THESE LADIES SHOULD BE BUMPED UP TO REAL HOUSEWIVES STATUS? DID WE MISS ANYONE ON OUR LIST?

The post ‘Friends Of’ Who Should Be Bumped Up to Full-Blown Real Housewives appeared first on Reality Tea.



from Reality Tea https://www.realitytea.com/2023/11/11/friends-of-who-should-be-real-housewives/

How Sister Wives’ Kody Brown Became the Perfect Anti-Hero

KODY BROWN
(Photo by Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)

Kody Brown has never been the hero of his Sister Wives story. As the main villain in the Brown saga, the father of 18 lacks the conventional qualities of a heroic leader. No one would ever mistake the TLC star for a Greek hero as Kody’s attributes do not include courage, morality, or idealism. Instead, he more frequently partakes in angry outbursts, the blame game, and crying, which are traits that are more up Kody’s ally. 

Is Kody Acting Up for the Camera?

(Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Global Gaming Expo)

There is no doubt that Kody is an anti-hero, and it looks like he wouldn’t have it any other way. In a recent Sister Wives episode, Kody couldn’t help but once again play the victim. Viewers first welcomed the TLC series. It gave a behind-the-scenes look at a religion most of us knew nothing about. Kody often boasted about being a proud husband of four and seemed to really enjoy being a father. However, the drama has ramped up in recent seasons, and more often than not, it feels like a total act.

Kody recently shared his thoughts about all the ongoing drama with Us Weekly, including how the audience has clearly chosen sides. Evidently, Kody has figured out how to compartmentalize it all. “It affects me differently than it affects the viewer,” he revealed, “because I’ve got somebody trashing my reputation and I’m going, ‘Holy cow. I can’t believe that’s happening.’ And the public’s just going, ‘Oh, we always thought this about you.’ … There’s no getting used to that level of criticism.” But viewers find it hard to believe that Kody isn’t putting on a facade. 

Kody Is Dramatic

(Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic)

Kody is a real piece of work and dramatic as hell. Viewers watched him cry and whine all while making sure his fourth and favorite wife, Robyn Brown, didn’t get the blame for her part in the family chaos. The father of 18 takes everything said by his children and ex-spouses so seriously that it can be overwhelming at times.

But his martyr act isn’t fooling anyone. Kody upped the ante once more, explaining that “Robyn and I are experiencing a death—the death of our family and this big family picture.” God, he feels so scummy

Kody tried very hard to push the narrative that he and Robyn were the ones wronged. “We have different emotions at different times,” he noted. “And I’ll be really honest, that has been hard on our relationship…Divorce changes you. So, there’s a lot going on with me that Robyn has to use a lot of grace and forgiveness for, because I’m not myself. It’s an experience that I did not expect in my life and it has shocked me how it’s played out.”

Kody Backtracks on Love

(Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)

It seems odd that Kody, who once claimed he wanted to make his relationship with Christine Brown work, is now revealing he never really loved her. Kody often put Christine down, including mocking her weight and how she grossly devoured nachos in his car. But now the polygamist is changing his tune. “I never felt like I had the right to say, ‘Hey, listen, I don’t love this woman. I want a divorce,’” Kody claimed. “I never felt like that was in my wheelhouse, but it was in theirs.”

Only recently has Kody started talking about not feeling like he could express his true feelings. The statements have surprised fans since Kody never seemed to have an issue before, especially when it came to yelling at a wife or storming out mid-fight. 

As Taylor Swift sings, “I have this thing where I get older but just never wiser,” which seems to perfectly sum up who Kody is in a nutshell. Kody just isn’t above doing whatever he can to make himself not be the bad guy in his own story. Sadly, all his efforts are in vain, and his story ends with being hated by viewers and his family. Who knows, Robyn could finally get fed up and leave Kody too, giving the patriarch nothing to hope for. 

TELL US – DO YOU THINK KODY TRULY DOESN’T UNDERSTAND HE IS THE VILLAIN?

The post How Sister Wives’ Kody Brown Became the Perfect Anti-Hero appeared first on Reality Tea.



from Reality Tea https://www.realitytea.com/2023/11/11/how-sister-wives-kody-brown-became-the-perfect-anti-hero/