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The Vanderpump Rules series of the season 12’s second episode is already slated to be broadcast on a day; however, customer reviews are extremely poor and it looks like the Bravolebrity program that has been running for so long is no longer in tune with its audience. The official Twitter account for the restaurant SUR Restaurant & Lounge even tried to publicize the latest episode, but the comments were mainly on the negative side from the very devoted viewers who argue that the new cast members are neither genuine nor have been difficult to challenge.
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The very first doings are not at all pleasant for the new age. The program that was once the cornerstone of messy enticing reality got to a point of no return struggling to discover and assert its true identity. Most comments voiced viewers’ mourning the death of the original cast which had overwhelmed the audience with their ungovernable and chaotic presence for more than ten years. One user went straight to the point and declared that the newly produced series is “the SHEIN version of VP,” which very much denotes a low class by suggesting it is just a poor imitation of the original.
One of the prominent aspects to be were in comment threads was that the new cast was trying harder than anyone else. A user said, “It’s not doing it for me. This crew feels like they try too hard,” and another in just nine words guessed, “It doesn’t feel authentic. Especially how they speak.”
Tremendous signals demanding a return to the good old days were very noisy. “Bring the old cast back,” one user was begging and there were many who said they would be able to accept only reruns and not new episodes. Some even accepted the situation with resignation and mourned a lost favorite. “It’s a no for me 😔 and VPR use to be my fav,” said a viewer. The negative comments were not only about missing the old faces but also that the new cast, in the audience’s perception, is not as charming. One particularly harsh comment even called them the “lamest ugliest most boring cast I’ve ever seen,” while another writer simply considered the premiere as “literally HORRIBLE.”
A very small number of comments tried to explore the problem of the show. One user noted, “Why is Natalie trying to act like stassi?,” pointing to a perceived imitation of the fiery personality of the original cast, which made them so iconic. Another one just asked, “Wait what?……. Who are these people 😂,” suggesting that the new personalities and narratives are not only unimpressive but also uninteresting. The severe disapproval spread even more and included the audience as one issued the statement, “Original lovers are too advanced in age to these kids. Bad move, Lisa.”
Amidst all the negative comments, a few offered some glimmer of hope or a different viewpoint. One viewer expressed it this way; “Liking the show so far.” Another one, who labeled herself as “39-year-old mom here! huge fan of the old cast,” provided the following upbeat observation: “But I am enjoying this!! They’re funny and entertaining. I see the potential!! Staying optimistic.” This minority view suggests that if the new bunch can find their own beat, apart from the shadow of the originals, there might be a way forward. This resilience is reminiscent of personal triumphs, such as Lala Kent celebrating seven years of sobriety.
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The overwhelming response clearly conveys the message that the charm is lost for a certain group of loyal Vanderpump Rules viewers. The new season has to prove itself not only on its own but also against the massive legacy left by predecessors. As one commenter very precisely remarked: “You can’t recreate an original Lisa.” It is yet not clear whether the program will be able to adapt along with the times or still be forever measured against the past. The destiny of the franchise might very well be its capacity to spin a new identity that is not just true to itself, but a challenge that the current cast hasn’t yet won over its most vociferous opponents.