Lisa Vanderpumpfirst graced the reality TV scene in 2010 as one of the cast on the newly minted seriesReal Housewives Of Beverly Hills. This was in the days of decadence, when Lisa and her friends were first and foremost showing off their lavish lifestyle and outrageous spending habits.Lisa had a live-in “friend,“Cedric Martinez, a young man-candy hanger-on who seemed content to simply work out with Lisa and subject himself to her relentless teasing in exchange for the perks of being immersed in her lifestyle. These perks included access to fancy cars, extravagant parties, and shopping sprees. Over time, Lisa became less enamored of having Cedric as a live-in guest, especially considering that when their fame rose, he began hinting he could sell stories to the press. Above all, Lisa likes to be in control of the narrative wherever she appears.
After nine years on the series, Lisa’s tenure came to an end over a scandal that has since been dubbed “puppy-gate.” Lisa had offered to help her friend and co-starDorit Kemsleyto adopt a puppy for her young family; this was easy for Lisa to do, as she simply had to turn to her dog adoption non-profit organization,Vanderpump Dogs. After the puppy,Lucy Lucy Apple Juice, had some behavioral issues, she somehow ended up at a shelter. Dorit claims that she had placed the dog with a family, who then sent the dog to the shelter. Lisa was outraged that, rather than returning the dog to her for re-homing, the puppy had ended up in a place where there was the potential for her to be euthanized.The fall-out from this scandal was part of the reason for Lisa’s departure from the housewives franchise.It was also amazing press for her non-profit organization, which was about to launch a spin-off series, aptly titledVanderpump Dogs. Lisa’s nine years onReal Housewives Of Beverly Hillstaught her a lot about reality TV and how to produce a series. Which is reflected in the many shows that she has helped to get off the ground since leaving the housewives franchise. No other housewife has achieved what Lisa has accomplished in reality TV, launching multiple series across different networks time and again. Here is a look at each of these series, and Lisa’s role in them.
Vanderpump Villa
Follows the hand-picked crew of Lisa Vanderpump’s opulent French villa as they live and cooperate to satisfy each extravagant want of their affluent visitors.
Vanderpump Rules
Bravo, 2013 - present
Vanderpump Rulesgot off the ground with another scandal that crossed over into the lives of Lisa’s friends onThe Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills. Lisa appears throughout the series, acting as a sort of reality TV fairy-godmother to the group of young servers and bartenders working at her restaurant,SUR.Scheana Shayjoined the cast ofVanderpump Rulesin the first season, as a new server coming toSURfrom another of Lisa’s restaurants,Villa Blanca. Scheana was immediately ostracized by the other wait staff, since the HBICStassi Schroederand her best friendKatie Maloneywere immediately irritated by Scheana’s presence. This was because of Scheana’s reputation as “the other woman.” Prior to joining the cast ofVanderpump Rules, Scheana was an up-and-coming Hollywood hopeful. She appeared in the Disney Channel Jonas Brothers series, as “pizza girl.” She also had the claim to fame of having dated singer/songwriterJohn Mayer. More current toVanderpump Rules, Scheana was known for being the ex-girlfriend/mistress of actorEddie Cibrian. Who happened to be married to model andReal Housewives Of Beverly Hillscast member,Brandy Glanville. He also had two children with her.
Lisa was accused of meddling in Brandy’s personal life, by bringing Scheana into their circle as a server at parties where the housewives were filming. Lisa denied any knowledge of their history together, and encouraged both women to move past their differences, with scenes taking place in both series. Similar to the “puppy-gate” scandal in season nine, Lisa just happens to produce excellent TV, sniffing out scandal while maintaining plausible deniability. Especially when she has a spin-off that is about to film. There always seems to be some interconnected drama in her world, but whenever confronted with the accusation of manufacturing it, Lisa will charmingly deny any involvement. This was a significant factor in her relationship downfall with friend and cast mateKyle RichardsonReal Housewives Of Beverly Hills,who refused to believe that Lisa didn’t set up the “puppy-gate” situation with Dorit.Lisa’s ability to produce a cast and situations among them that create drama and excellent TV has been demonstrated time and again onVanderpump Rules.“Scandoval"is the most recent and outrageous example of this occurring.
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In season ten ofVanderpump Rules, the gang of servers and bartenders from SUR have mostly grown-up and grown-out of their service positions.Tom SandovalandTom Schwartzare attempting to open their own bar, and retain their 2% percent ownership in Lisa’s bar,TomTom. Katie andAriana Madixare planning to open their own sandwich shop,There’s Something About Her.Almost everyone in the cast has moved into the position of influencer and podcaster. By the end of the season, the entire premise of the show would be in jeopardy from what the internet has dubbed “Scandoval.“Raquel “Rachel” Levisshad spent the season posing as Ariana’s friend, but all the while had been carrying on an affair with Sandoval,Ariana’s boyfriend of nine years. Lisa’s husband,Ken Todd,made a rare appearance in season ten, breaking the news that Raquel had spent the night at Sandoval’s when Ariana was away. He happened to let this slip when Ariana’s best friend Katie was present, and when cameras were rolling. Another of Lisa’s happy coincidences when it comes to producing outstanding TV. The ensuing scandal would tear the group apart, as Ariana refused to hold any space for Sandoval in her life as they picked up filming for season eleven. The rest of the cast is feeling the pressure to keep the cameras rolling by reintegrating Sandoval into the group, while Ariana stalwartly refuses to play nice for the camera when the betrayal is still too raw and Sandoval remains sneeringly unrepentant. The future seems uncertain for this long-standing spin-off, but the upcoming reunion promises fireworks between the cast as they continue to navigate the divide in their group.
Vanderpump Dogs
Peacock, 2021
Vanderpump Dogswas Lisa’s second spin-off series on which she would make appearances and act as executive producer. She first featured herdog adoption non-profitin L.A. on bothReal Housewives Of Beverly Hillsand onVanderpump Rules.In 2021, she then launched a series featuring the process for dog adoptions. Rather than focusing on the lives of the staff in detail, each episode focused on different adoption stories. The format departed significantly from that of the other two reality series Lisa had been involved with, especially in that the episodes are digestible 22-minutes long. But Lisa still managed to infuse her special brand of charming drama. The premiere episode featured a young couple looking to adopt a dog, with Lisa helping to turn the adoption into a surprise proposal. Caught on camera, of course. More drama is drummed up over adoptions that turn out not to be a fit, or employees who wish to break Lisa’s rule that they are not allowed to adopt while working at the rescue.The best part of each episode is getting to meet the new dogs that come through the doors atVanderpump Dogs.This one-season wonder is a great feel-good binge, in comparison to the more emotionally turbulent franchises Lisa has appeared in.
Overserved With Lisa Vanderpump
Overserved With Lisa Vanderpumpis another change in format for the reality TV star turned producer. In thispandemic inspired22-minute per episode series, Lisa opens her home to celebrity guests to host them for an evening of drinking, gossip, and themed fine dining. In the premiere episode, she hosts her fellowDancing With The Starsalumni,Lance BassandVivica A. Foxfor “An Evening In Provence.” For the next, she hosts actorsJoel McHaleandCheryl Hinesfor an el fresco “Tuscan Feast.” For another episode, she bringsRuPaul’s Drag RacealumTrixie Mattelfor an improper afternoon “English Tea” with rapper and modelIggy Azalea. In one episode,Vanderpump Rulescast memberLala Kentjoins Lisa for brunch with actressAnna Camp. In another,Vanderpump Rulesresident DJ,James Kennedy,joins comedianJim Jefferiesfor a day of Lisa’s signature Vanderpump dishes. Lisa puts her lavish home and exquisite hosting skills on full display across twelve episodes of decadent entertainment. Her daughterPandora Toddeven makes the occasional guest appearance to promote Lisa’s wine,Vanderpump Rosé.
The Valley
Bravo, 2024 - present
The Valleyis the first Vanderpump spin-off where Lisa has not made an appearance, merely acting as executive producer for the series that featuresVanderpump Rulesalums.Jax Taylor,Brittany Cartwright, andKristen Douteintroduce their new friend group based in the San Fernando Valley to the world of reality TV. The series returns to the standard 42-minute episode docu-drama format. While Jax and Kristen are up to their usual mess, Brittany is caught trying to make nice and repair the friendships that her husband and friend seem determined to burn down. Once again, Lisa has demonstrated her knack for bringing together a full ensemble cast of characters to provideexplosive confrontations and tumultuous relationshipsthat make for amazing reality TV. Even though the group is supposed to be focusing on their roles as parents and business professionals, the first three episodes have featured tears, jeers, and the explosive accusation that someone in the group is a Republican. While this would seem to be a non-issue for most people, Kristen’s delivery of this accusation conflates political allegiance with homophobia and racism, and entangles the group in a web of “he said/she said” that will seemingly take over their lives for the messy foreseeable future.
Otherwise, Jax seems determined to ruin Kristen’s new relationship with out-of-towner Colorado resident,Luke Broderick.Vanderpump Rulescast members Lala and Scheana make appearances as well. But the new cast members have also shown that there is more than enough drama to go around. It’s all over the media thatMichelle Saniei Lallyand her husbandJesse Lallysplit after the season began to air. Brittany and Jax have also seemingly parted ways.Janet Capernais a break-out star, whose confessional interviews with producers provide juicy tidbits of information and important context to the drama that arises within the group. Her determined and charming demeanor is reminiscent of Stassi fromVanderpump Rules.ActorDanny Bookoand his wifeNia Booko, a former Miss USA and mother to twin newborn girls and a two-year-old toddler, have their hands full. So far, the couple seem picture-perfect, which is a dead give away that drama is sure to surface soon. The series has just begun to air onBravo, but with only three episodes so far, viewers are already getting to see the explosive personalities that Lisa has once again managed to assemble.
Hulu, 2024 - present
Lisa Vanderpump’smost recent series seems to be an amazing hybrid of the many shows she has produced over the years.Vanderpump Villafollows Lisa as she guides a young group of servers, bartenders, and event managers towards providing service that meets the Vanderpump standard for the guests they host each week at a château in France. The chaotic group of young employees bring drama to another level asthey drink on the job, get into explosive arguments, and rekindle old romances. As much as the staff like to get up to trouble, a surprisingly empathetic Lisa appears to guide them towards making better choices in their careers, as they represent her name to their guests. Once again, Lisa starts the season off with romance, and a surprise proposal in the premiere episode. The staff are busy providing a Vanderpump curated experience for the guests, while getting into all kinds of misbehavior towards each other in their downtime. This is the first time in a Vanderpump series that the cast are isolated together in a share-house-type living situation. With such close quarters, there is bound to be more drama to come as the season unfolds.
New episodes ofVanderpump Villaair Mondays onHulu. New episodes ofVanderpump RulesandThe Valleyair Tuesdays onBravo. Past seasons can be streamed onPeacock.Watch on Peacock
