So, the SURvers are scrubbing out the sticky residue of Scandoval and making way for a fresh batch of aspiring Angeleno restaurateurs. Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules, the reality TV juggernaut that somehow made watching beautiful people argue about spilled cocktails appointment television, is coming back for a twelfth season, with a brand new cast. While the specifics remain shrouded in more secrecy than Lisa Vanderpump’s business dealings, we do know one thing for certain: LVP herself will be back, presumably with her arsenal of withering stares and perfectly-timed one-liners intact.
This reboot, more extreme than Jax Taylor’s attempts to rebrand himself as a family man, is certainly a gamble. The previous cast, despite their messy entanglements and increasingly questionable life choices, became reality TV royalty. Their feuds were legendary, their antics endlessly entertaining (or infuriating, depending on your tolerance for contrived drama). Replacing them is a Herculean task. Will the new crew capture the same lightning in a bottle? Will their fights be as epic? Will their confessionals be as deliciously shady?
To help bridge the gap between old and new, Bravo is also gifting us with a retrospective special. Think of it as a highlight reel (or lowlight, given some of the behavior) of the past eleven seasons, a chance to revisit the most iconic moments: the Kristen Doute-Jax Taylor-Stassi Schroeder love triangle, the rise and fall of James Kennedy’s DJ career, and, of course, the earth-shattering betrayal that was Scandoval. It’s a canny move, allowing fans to wallow in nostalgia while simultaneously building anticipation for the new era.
Executive producer Alex Baskin promises a “dynamic new group of co-workers and friends,” but details are scarce. Will they be as fame-hungry as their predecessors? As prone to screaming matches at girls’ trips in Vegas? Time will tell. Production is slated to begin in 2025, so we’ll have to wait to see who will be stirring the pot at SUR. In the meantime, let’s all raise a glass (of rosé, naturally) to the messy magic of Vanderpump Rules, and hope that this new chapter lives up to the drama of the past.
Vanderpump Rules airs on Bravo. Check local listings for day and time.
