With the boom in podcast culture and the ever-growing relevance of reality TV recaps, fans never really have to miss their favorite shows anymore. They can just jump onto any audio platform for some insider gossip, fan theories, interviews or opinion podcasts to keep tabs on all that is happening on their favorite show.
For fans of Vanderpump Rules, it’s easy to avoid pangs of withdrawal after binging each season, as one can explore the amazing reality podcasts dedicated to the show. And it’s not always about after-show content or gossip, at times, viewers simply want to get some perspective on how the reality industry works and learn more about what goes into producing and filming a reality show.
Pink Shade
Mary Payne, formerly of Payne in the Pod, met Erin Martin on social media and soon decided to start a Patreon-only podcast titled Hey Bunkie! At the moment, Pink Shade covers gossip, interviews and conversations about almost every reality TV series on Bravo, TLC, WeTV and Lifetime, be it The Real Housewives or Erin and Mary's favorite show, 90 Day Fiance.
Their episode breakdowns are hugely popular with reality TV lovers and are also really engaging and opinion-driven. Vanderpump Rules fans who are looking for some fresh perspectives will love this one.
90 Day Fiancé Cray Cray
The reason Vandepump Rules fans will enjoy this podcast about 90 Day Fiance, which is so wholly different in format from their favorite series, is because this Apple podcast is perhaps the most entertaining audio outing there is. It is so much more original than any recap podcast, as Kim and Kyle add in opinion-driven unfiltered content that ranges from silly theories to some rather dramatic reviews.
But most importantly, this podcast reminds listeners why reality TV, despite its pitfalls, is actually such good, relevant entertainment. There’s also a lot of analysis about the relationship dilemmas and it’s right up every Vanderpump fans' ally.
The B*tch Bible
Jackie Schimmel-Haas’ spontaneous and lively opinions on reality TV stars is what keeps this podcast so fresh and noteworthy. Jackie takes a lot of pains to keep the show relevant by bringing in discussions about dating culture, sex and pop culture trends. But what really draws listeners to her show is her unapologetic and unfiltered stance that takes no prisoners.
While some naysayers have branded the show as too gimmicky and controversial, Jackie’s honest observations have clearly become a rage among fans of reality TV.
Reality Gays
Though this podcast, hosted by Matt Marr and Jake Anthony, hasn’t covered Vanderpump Rules yet, it takes a fun, timely look at reality TV culture that’s engaging and humane, and could definitely be an eye-opener for fans obsessed with the Vanderpump squad.
Matt is a clinical psychologist, while Jake is a life coach and teacher, and they come across as the guys-next-door who are just as baffled by curiously edited and often scripted reality shows as everyone else. Their recap episodes on the Netflix show, Bling Empire, especially get rave reviews.
Reality Life With Kate Casey
This podcast is great for people who are curious about the workings and behind-the-scene machinations of reality TV productions. Kate invites directors, producers, stars from famous reality TV shows, but she also includes prominent names from fashion and showbiz and even singers, so listeners can always look forward to surprise guests.
The format is also quite ingenious and friendly, so many diverse subjects can be introduced on the show. A good example would be a mid-April episode where Casey invited author, Reeves Wiedeman, break down the story behind WeWork, the subject of Hulu’s documentary WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn.
AfterBuzz TV
AfterBuzz TV is an online broadcast network that focuses on after-show podcasts - an impressive, focused format for hardcore reality TV lovers and also pop culture fans since the network talks about every popular show. AfterBuzz TV was founded by TV personality Maria Menounos and producer Keven Undergaro, as they wanted a spontaneous platform to discuss Breaking Bad.
The platform has bridged the gap between nerd culture and mainstream TV, as it covers more than 200 shows and also invites many prominent names as guests.
Scheananigans With Scheana Shay
Of course, Vanderpump fans go ga-ga over the fan-favorite Scheana’s weekly podcast, but the show goes beyond reality TV, as the new mum is trying pretty hard to introduce engaging and humane subjects on the show, which are also pretty fun.
The podcast still has a focus on glam living and celebrity gossip, but Scheana is also pretty open about discussing her life with boyfriend Brock Davies and her opinions on motherhood. She even invites stars from other reality shows, which is a huge draw. She also uploads the video and behind-the-scenes clips from the recording to social media, so her fans can still see her in action.
Juicy Scoop With Heather McDonald
The fact that Heather McDonald is a comedian and a very good one is definitely a big USP for this podcast, as every show is a total riot. But the show is like an umbrella for every popular reality TV series, be it Keeping Up With The Kardashians or The Real Housewives.
McDonald also hosts reality stars to get their perspective and the conversations are organic and smoothly curated, with an unscripted quality. What works for her, though, is the variety, as each of her podcasts tackles multiple subjects at once. Her newest episode, for instance, saw the host talking about Britney Spears and her conservatorship, Hollywood movie Ponzi schemes, ideas about a new competition-based reality show, her personal road trip experience, and the newest drama in Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson’s relationship.
The Daily Dish Podcast
The perfect weekly podcast for reality fans who can’t seem to quit Bravo, this audio outing is most popular for its insider scoop and behind-the-scenes gossip. Megan Segura and Rachael Roberts conduct exclusive interviews of Bravo stars, execs and producers. Each episode only focuses on one show, which is great, as there’s a lot more room to explore each.
Recent episodes have featured crossover interviews by stars from different Bravo shows. The newest preview of season 9 shows Vanderpump star Lala Kent and her fiance Randall Emmett talking to Lala’s peers, Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney-Schwartz, about when they plan to expand their family.
Vanderpump Rules Party
The best podcast for Vanderpump Rules fans is, of course, the Vanderpump Rules Party podcast, the fortnightly outing hosted by Hollie and Sarah, who are obsessed with everything Vanderpump. Each episode is really well-designed, as Hollie and Sarah break down the issues behind each drama and recap each season, and also offer some fresh new outsider perspective.
They also do funny reenactments on their Instagram and keep tabs on the personal lives of the cast, which makes this podcast the go-to platform for Vanderpump fans whenever they miss the show.