In 2013, Bravo released a spinoff to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills that followed Lisa Vanderpump's establishment, SUR, called Vanderpump Rules. What made SUR interesting enough for reality TV was that the workers were all friends, lovers, and enemies. Those at SUR ran in tight circles, which made the complexities of their relationships fascinating to watch.
After nine seasons, however, Vanderpump Rules has taken a darker turn. Members of the original cast were fired for things they did and said off the show, which made season 9 tricky. Was the series going to be as entertaining and tight-knit as the previous seasons? With Vanderpump Rules season 9 airing now, fans have taken to Reddit to discuss why this should be the group's last season.
It’s No Longer Authentic
In the early seasons of Vanderpump Rules, the show became successful because of how relatable the cast was. Most of the cast were hot messes who were figuring out how to adult while on camera. They lived in small apartments, they all had roommates, and they had to work multiple shifts at SUR while trying to reach their dreams.
Eight years later, they became less relatable. In a Reddit thread about how money ruined the cast, MyRealityOrYours wrote, "The year they all started having a glam squad do their makeup (season 5?) before they appeared on camera was the start of the decline of authenticity." They continued saying that the series really should have ended years ago after season 6.
The Toms' Need To Grow Up Off The Show
Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz were struggling actors and models when they joined Vanderpump Rules. They were roommates, best friends, and worked together. The two genuinely had a good time on camera when they were with each other and had some of the most iconic moments in Vanderpump Rules. But that "good time" seemed forced and a little sad as years went on.
The show gave Tom and Tom their fame and fortune but fans don't want it to be their end all be all. LMS22to77 agreed that the Toms have to "grow up" off-camera. "They both act like kids that want to be adults. Like they're going through the motions of being an adult but act like teenagers," they continued.
Season 9 Seems Forced
The end of season 8 seemed like a great place to end the series. Everyone was in strong relationships, no one needed to work at SUR anymore, and the friendships were what they were. So when Bravo continued with season 9, fans were wondering what could have possibly happened in-between seasons that would continue to make good TV. Thing-Adept felt like the first episode of season 9 was "forced." Although they were optimistic about the season, season 9 started too slow with the cast getting "back into the groove of filming."
The Interest In The Cast's New Lives Is Low
When people like Jax and Brittany left the show, fans felt like it was best for their relationship and the series since they were expecting a baby and entering a new phase of life. IDrinkLiquids wrote, "I have zero interest in a Stassi wedding, Brittany or Stassi’s kids, Jax repeating history over and over and getting away with it..." This proves that the new lives of the cast aren't as interesting as they were before.
But season 9's focus has shifted. It's no longer about the small issues at SUR. Vanderpump Rules has now situated itself into a show about couples, their kids, and business ventures. Sure, the group still gets together, but it's not the same.
James's Spiraling Is Concerning
Over the years, James Kennedy appeared angrier and unhinged. He eventually came out and said he had issues with addiction and wanted to become "California Sober." Today, James no longer drinks alcohol but he has admitted to continuing other forms of vices. In season 9, James is in a better place with his fiancé Raquel but he seems like he's spiraling.
James continuously goes too far. SmylesForStyles thinks that James needs to be off the show for his own good, writing, "[James's] behavior is just purely disgusting and has been since day one." What's best for his relationship with Raquel is to focus on himself away from the cameras.
VPR Is An Ensemble Cast And Only Works As A Whole
One of the only storylines Katie Maloney has in season 9 is her good relationship with Tom and how they're trying to have a baby. As endearing as that reality is, it's not enough to make the season work. FeelinJovaniBooty agreed and wrote, "We now officially know Katie can’t hold the show on her own without Stassi and Kristen." They continued saying that Katie seems "bored" and "bitter" in season 9 now that her friends are off the show. If Katie really is uninterested in filming, perhaps she should have stopped after season 8.
The Show Is Tired
After the premiere of season 9, KQueen25 felt like the show had a different vibe from season 8. Despite Scheana and Lala being new parents and the entire cast filming again after being in the pandemic, no one seemed "happy." Fans had endless questions about season 9 and what it would entail but now it seems "tired," according to Past_Statistician491. "The cast no longer needs the show to be successful, so filming season 9 seems like a chore for them," they continued saying.
The Friendships Are No Longer There
At the start of Vanderpump Rules, everyone was friends. Despite all of the ruthless things they have done to each other, they were friends nonetheless. It was their diehard dynamic that had fans glued to their screens. But these days, those friendships have weakened, thus creating a poor season 9.
Twinkies198 feels that "This show no longer works because the cast members that remain are no longer real friends." Now that they're not all working under one roof and have found happy relationships, their "interactions seem so forced." It's unimaginable that a season 10 would occur if their friendships have already taken a nosedive.
It’s No Longer About SUR
It's hard to believe that Vanderpump Rules is a series about a group of friends who work at SUR because the friend group no longer works at SUR. Laughably, now that the group is successful on their own, they don't need SUR anymore. If anything, they're too famous for SUR. Without the inner workings of their friendships at SUR, why carry on?
Without working at SUR, this also meant the group's dynamic with Lisa Vanderpump changed. Lisa is not really a part of season 9, which is problematic for some fans. Twinkies918 said, "Watching production force the cast to interact with Lisa just to give her a scene on the show was ridiculous."
Too Much Time Has Gone By
Over a year went by before season 9 graced Bravo fans' screens. In that time span, cast members were fired and started various side projects, some walked away, Scheana and Lala had babies, Scheana got engaged... A lot happened. SalvadorDoily noted that "so much time has elapsed I really don't even think about them anymore." External-Dare6365 agreed and wrote, "The storylines are dull and the drama is stale. Time to cut ties." Between the time in between filming and the change of friendships, season 9 should most definitely be Vanderpump Rules' final season.