Andy Cohen is looking straight ahead.
With a big smile on his face.
As previously reported, Bravo is bringing Vanderpump Rules back for season 12.
There will be a whole new cast.
According to a recent press release, Lisa Vanderpump will soon lead a new group of “close-knit SUR-vers who are as intricately related to each other as their iconic predecessors” in upcoming episodes of this beloved franchise.
The new season will begin production next year, and the premiere date and cast will be confirmed later.
“It’s truly thrilling to build on the legacy of this series once again,” executive producer Alex Baskin said in a statement late last month.
“We have a deep appreciation for the original group and their iconic work, and we look forward to audiences watching this dynamic new group of colleagues and friends navigate life together.”
What does Cohen think about this seismic change?
“Bravo has announced, or has been rumored to be revamping the show, and first of all, I have to say this is absolutely the right thing to do,” the host and executive said on the Dec. 2 episode of the SiriusXM show. .
“I’ve been impressed with the way the production team has kept the show going over the past four years. Slowly but surely, none of them have worked for SUR.”
Cohen continued to be critical of the storylines highlighted over the past few seasons.
“The whole point of the show morphed and changed as it went on, and it eventually turned out that James Kennedy was the only one who left any kind of footprint on SUR. Because he used to DJ there sometimes and now he’s still there. He lives in Vegas and he is having great success, and he is having good success both outside of SUR,” Cohen explained.
Vanderpump Rules debuted in 2013 and began as a spinoff of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills before evolving into a fairly popular franchise.
The show hit a pop culture low point in season 10 when it was discovered that Taylor had cheated on Ariana Madix with her good friend and co-worker Rachel Leviss.
For now, only this scandal is known.
The series originally followed Vanderpump and the then-employees of her restaurant SUR (Scheana Shay, Katie Maloney, Tom Sandoval, Kristen Doute, Jax Taylor, and Stassi Schroeder) as they attempted to navigate professional and personal conflicts.
Over the years, the Vanderpump Rules cast has grown to include Tom Schwartz, Ariana Madix, James Kennedy, Lala Kent, Brittany Cartwright, and more.
“Vanderpump Rules, you will forever be that girl,” Madix said in a statement after news of the reboot was announced. “I’ve been up until 4am looking for all the right pictures and all the right words, but there’s no post or caption that can sum it all up.
“I am forever grateful to have been a part of such an amazing cultural phenomenon…
“I am especially grateful to the fans. You have been a constant for the past 10 years. Your love and support is what I will miss most as this work ends. You made this show what it is. To all our fans, old and new, who came for us, it’s all thanks to you that we’re here. As I close this chapter, I feel at ease and look forward to all that is to come. “I don’t know if these were the best days of our lives, but they were definitely something special.”
Added Jax Taylor on social media.
“Vanderpump Rules will always have a part of my heart. From what started as a group of crazy friends working together to make a living to becoming an iconic series and pop culture phenomenon… I have so many memories, both good and bad.
“Lots of highs, maybe more lows… But I am so grateful to be able to work with such an incredibly talented team @thealexbaskin @evolutionusa @nbcuniversal. This isn’t goodbye… more… see you soon… on my show – but for real this time.”
And Lara Kent:
“It’s no secret that I don’t like change. This is an exception. I’d like to say thank you for being with us for so many years. This show changed my entire life. I am incredibly grateful for every moment. I’m incredibly grateful to Bravo, NBCU, the crew, the entire cast, and most importantly, you all.
“We rocked this bitch until the wheels fell off.”
