Although Vanderpump Rules is arguably one of the most iconic shows that Bravo has ever produced, all good things must come to an end. And unfortunately, part of the series has been forever tainted by numerous cheating scandals. From the first-ever cheating scandal to be introduced, which involved Jax Taylor, Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, and Tom Sandoval, to Tom Schwartz repeatedly cheating on his ex-wife, Katie Maloney, there has never been a season that did not involve a cheating scandal within the cast. Jax cheated on Brittany Cartwright as well, and James Kennedy would be the face of cheating scandals in Vanderpump Rules if it were not for the infamous Tom Sandoval cheating on his longtime girlfriend, Ariana Madix. Whether these scandals made for great reality television or not, there is no doubt that the constant cheating played a huge factor in the entire cast being fired. It is time for Vanderpump Rules to stray from all the cheating and embrace different types of drama.
The Cheating Within ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Destroyed the Show
The reboot of Vanderpump Rules will benefit from bringing in a new cast that was just as wild and crazy as the OGs. However, the show needs to make sure that there is no Jax Taylor or Tom Sandoval 2.0. Fans want to watch new SURvers waiting tables and making pumptinis while under the supervision of Lisa Vanderpump, in addition to trying to make it big in Hollywood as an actor, singer, or model. Highlighting another toxic group that constantly cheats on each other could ruin the show before it has time to stretch its legs like the original.
Towards the end of Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules, it felt like a completely different show — all of the cast members completely lacked chemistry, and it felt like it was hard to even get them in the same room as one another. There was hardly any authenticity — especially with Ariana Madix having to play nice with her ex — and the vibe was dark due to the infamous Scandoval. Barely anything entertaining, funny, or lighthearted happened within Seasons 10 and 11. Instead, they were just filled with a group of people who were once close, forced to be around each other for the sake of the show.
If this new cast engages in rampant cheating, it will only harm Vanderpump Rules and their careers. Look at what happened to Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz: once fan favorites, they became the ones that fans could not stand the most. Cheating ruined their careers to the point their joint venture bar, Schwartz and Sandy’s, was forced to close. Let’s hope that history does not repeat itself, because it is clear that nothing good ever comes from being unfaithful.
The New Cast of ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Can Change the Normalization of Cheating
Not only did the act of cheating harm the show, but it was infuriating for viewers to watch it happen repeatedly with no repercussions, like it was almost normalized. Jax, Schwartz, James, and Sandoval were all obvious serial cheaters, and the unfaithfulness created scandal after scandal — until Tom Sandoval and Rachel Leviss finally put the icing on the cake and tainted Vanderpump Rules forever.
Jax cheated in every single relationship that was shown on the series. He cheated on Stassi with Kristen, cheated on Carmen Dickman while going back and forth with Tiffany Matthews, flirted with Lala Kent while exclusive with Brittany, and then slept with Faith Stowers. Schwartz repeatedly went behind Katie’s back by (at the least) making out with multiple women, and James Kennedy cheated on Kristen and Rachel (known then as Racquel) throughout the entirety of both relationships. If this new cast were to try and repeat history and cheat for a juicy plot, thinking it would grasp the viewers’ attention as it did with the OGs, the fandom has been there, and done that. It was tiresome to watch the same thing happen each season to people who did not deserve it. The best thing that this new cast can do is start with a bang and show the viewers that they are not their predecessors. They need to show everyone that they can make Vanderpump Rules as iconic as it once was without having to cheat.
The OG’s of Vanderpump Rules will go down in Bravo history for bringing its viewers wild and crazy entertainment. It is just a shame that it ended due to a cheating scandal. This new cast has the opportunity of a lifetime to make sure that they do not meet the same fate. Hopefully, they ditch the normalization of cheating.
Vanderpump Rules is available to stream on Peacock in the US.
