Summary

Season 7 of Vanderpump Rules lacked drama due to aging contestants and excessive producer influence.
Season 9 had highs and lows, with a shift away from original formula and loss of key cast members.
Season 10 revived the show with explosive betrayals, personal growth, and heartwarming milestones.

Vanderpump Rules is one of the best reality TV shows, and it’s been a wild ride since the series began in 2013. Over the past decade, the cast members have dated each other, cheated on each other, and much more. While every show fan has their favorite moments and cast members, some seasons are better than others overall. Ever since the notorious Scandoval cheating scandal occurred, the show as reached new heights, leading the SUR crew to return for Vanderpump Rules season 11.

While the show started rather fascinating, it took a while to hit its stride, and, like many long-running reality television series, it’s struggling to continue with the same momentum as earlier seasons. However, season 10 switched this up, and there's renewed excitement for Vanderpump Rules season 11. This list looks at all the seasons of Vanderpump Rules and ranks them leading up to the best of them all. Which are the best and worst seasons of the ten full seasons so far?

Season 7

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Unfortunately, Vanderpump Rules season 7 was probably one of the most boring seasons as the contestants are getting older and more settled. One of the most significant flaws of this season is that instead of seeming relatively real with minimal acted scenes or influences from producers, it felt very produced. It looks like the cast has a lot more say now that they’ve become reality TV stars, and they seem to be controlling more of the narratives of themselves on the screen. Sadly, this means that fans' expected dramatic moments were lacking this time.

Without significant conflicts or scandals, the season may have felt less engaging to some viewers. It was forced to retread plotlines or conflicts without introducing fresh dynamics or development. Changes in the dynamics among the cast members, such as shifting friendships or conflicts, failed to land. Luckily, it got back on its feet.

Season 9

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Unfortunately, season 9 was a mixed bag. While there were some excellent moments, the season lacked its usual energy and humor. Stassi and Kristen were also missed, as they were central figures in previous seasons. While it offered a deeper look into the cast's lives, catering to viewers who prefer character development over dramatic clashes, it also received criticism for its shift away from the show's original formula and the loss of beloved cast members.

Stassi and Kristen played significant roles in previous seasons, and their absence created a noticeable void in season 9. Their personalities, conflicts, and relationships with other cast members added layers of drama and entertainment that were sorely missed in the latest season. Additionally, Vanderpump Rules initially gained popularity for its focus on the dramatic clashes and interpersonal conflicts among the staff at SUR. However, in season 9, there was a notable shift towards character development and a deeper exploration of the cast members' personal lives.

Season 8

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Vanderpump Rules season 8 was better than seasons 7 and 9, but the show struggled. Season 8 switched things up, with Bravo bringing in some new faces. While some new blood is needed, knowing how they will integrate always takes some time. Luckily, the show picked up significantly by season 10.

One reason why Vanderpump Rules season 8 wasn't considered one of the best seasons is the introduction of new cast members. While bringing in fresh faces can breathe new life into a show, it can also disrupt the camaraderie among the original cast members. Viewers often need time to become familiar with the new additions and see how they fit into the existing storyline, which can create a period of adjustment that affects the overall flow and enjoyment of the season.

Season 4

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Season 4 was good, but there are just other seasons that stand out a little more. Where season 5 had the Katie and Tom wedding and season 6 included Jax cheating on Brittany, it’s a little hard to remember season four. A lot of the relationships were in flux at this point. One of the worst things about this season was seeing so many women, especially Katie, slut-shame Lala. This was a transitional season. While it was dramatic, it just wasn’t quite there.

Additionally, Season 4 featured a lot of relationship turmoil and uncertainty among the cast members. With many of the relationships in flux, including breakups and new romances, the season lacked the stability and coherence that viewers may have found in other seasons where the relationships were more established.

Season 5

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Season 5 wasn’t the show's worst, but it wasn’t the best, either. This season gave audiences iconic moments like Tequila Katie and the Scheana and Shay divorce. While there was a lot of drama this season, it suffered because almost everything was just a lead-up to Katie and Tom’s wedding, which was the pinnacle of the season. Almost nothing really mattered aside from their nuptials.

While these two clearly should not have been getting married at the time, Vanderpump Rules then tried to change the narrative at the very end to make it seem like they were having a romantic wedding that was the marriage of soul mates. But, this season will always be the one that gave fans a scene of Tom and Tom kissing and Kristin and Brittany hooking up. It was a saucy season that will live in Vanderpump Rules infamy.

Season 1

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Vanderpump Rules season 1 holds a decent spot on the list because it was the one that started it all. But, as with almost any series' first season, it took a little while to build that momentum. The cast was messy and dramatic right from the get-go, and the fact that all the prominent cast members were close friends and dating each other drew everyone in. The first season isn’t higher on the list because it was still figuring itself out at this point.

Vanderpump Rules season 1 is considered pretty good is because it laid the foundation for the entire series.Despite initial hurdles in finding its footing, season 1 established the show's signature mix of messy relationships, workplace drama, and larger-than-life personalities, which resonated with audiences and kept them coming back for more. Additionally, the authenticity of the cast's friendships and romantic entanglements added an extra layer of intrigue, drawing viewers in and solidifying the show's place in reality TV history.

Season 6

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While season 6 might be later, it was explosive and fascinating to watch. It gives a couple of the early seasons a run for their money. This season was full of iconic moments from Vanderpump Rules, such as “It’s not about the pasta,” so it’s better than season seven. The drama was in ample supply this season. This is because it centered so much on Jax cheating on Faith, and that one horrible thing led to so much drama this season. It also featured Stassi dating her awful boyfriend Frank, and that’s just to scratch the surface of the drama.

One of the key factors that made season 6 stand out is the abundance of drama that unfolded throughout the season. The central storyline involving Jax cheating on Faith sparked numerous conflicts and confrontations among the cast members, creating a tense and compelling atmosphere that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. While not the only dramatic storyline, it was captivating.

Season 3

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The third season of Vanderpump Rules is one of the most iconic, as it was when the show had a ton of energy and drama. No one had learned how to try and censor their issues on television at this point, so the cast was doing one wild thing after another. Stassi was still at the height of her mean-girl status, and this season was filled with many hilarious moments related to Scheana’s wedding. Almost every cast member was full of messy drama in season 3, which is what the fans were looking for at the end of the day.

Season 3 is widely regarded as one of the best because it was a time when the series was at its peak in terms of energy and drama. With the cast members still navigating the intricacies of reality television, there was an uninhibited rawness to their interactions that made for captivating viewing. Stassi, at the height of her mean-girl persona, delivered biting commentary and memorable one-liners that kept viewers glued to their screens. The season also featured Scheana's wedding, which provided ample fodder for drama.

Season 2

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With all the iconic and memorable moments from the series, it was season 2 that had the most iconic of them all. This is the season where Kristen and Jax admitted to sleeping together, and everything was pandemonium. This was when the core cast of Jax, Stassi, Katie, Tom, Tom, and Kristen were at their peak. Friend drama, fights, cheating scandals, and more were off the charts. Some new revelations were revealed every week. While it might have been over the top, it was clear that, for the most part, these people were being themselves, and there was something so enthralling about that.

From friend drama to explosive fights and cheating scandals, season 2 had it all, with new drama unfolding every week. While the drama may have been over the top at times, the authenticity of the cast members shone through, making it clear that, for the most part, they were being themselves. This energy went away as cast members became more famous and used to starring in reality TV.

Season 10

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Season 10 of Vanderpump Rules brought the show back from the brink. A potent blend of explosive betrayal, personal growth, and heartwarming milestones replaced the repetitive SUR shenanigans. The Scandoval saga, fueled by Tom Sandoval's infidelity, shook the very foundations of the friend group, igniting fiery confrontations and emotional breakdowns. Amidst the turmoil, Raquel Leviss emerged from the shadows, navigating newfound confidence and a surprising connection with Schwartz.

Scheana Shay, finally finding love with Brock Davies, defied expectations with a secret elopement and a dreamy Mexican wedding. This season wasn't just about drama but about reckoning, forgiveness, and moving forward. The result? Record-breaking ratings and a renewed passion for the show prove that Vanderpump Rules can still surprise and captivate its devoted audience even after a decade.