Mondays suck but at least we get new Vanderpump Rules. I can usually count on these crazy “kids” for a few chuckles. But this week is going to be rough. It’s Gay Pride week (which is normally all about joy) but we’re going to cover the Orlando massacre. And from the previews Lisa makes it all about her. That’s a big trigger for me. It was such a horrendous tragedy and reminder that the LGBTQIA community is not safe even in their safe spots. And Lisa is going to make it all about her! Listen, I know what’s it’s like to be a straight girl that thinks she’s part of the family but damn, sometimes you need to step back and stick to your role as an ally. Maybe it won’t be as bad as I’m expecting…
Lisa brings the staff together to discuss Pride. Jax reminds everyone that you can’t work Pride sober. Well, he can’t, as we got to see last year. The Pride uniforms start out simple. Pink trucker hats and tshirts. No boys in angel wings this time around! And then Lisa pulls out Ariana’s outfit: a topless bathingsuit. After seeing her in the getup Jax wishes he slept with her instead of Kristen. And laughs about it. Because, best friends. Lisa asks Lala to try on a different inappropriate look but she refuses. She’s not wearing any underwear. Mean girls Scheana and Katie use this as proof that she’s a big ol’ slut. Takes one to know one is all I can say.
Scheana sidles up to the bar under the guise of work but we all know it’s to move the script along. Sandoval tells her he and Ariana are going to have dinner with Lala and her boyfriend. He’s not really sure why. It’s so you can report back to the mean girls that he’s not married, Tom. Pay attention! You have a role to play here. Scheana figures this news allows her to get on tape (again) the story about the wife finding sexting videos of Lala and her husband. And now she has a Range Rover. Whore!
Stassi goes to Sur for lunch and shits on Lala on her way to the table. Drive-by shaming at it’s finest. She’s joined by twin wannabe actresses. They mention they’re going to summer in Montauk. Are they on that new Bravo show about a timeshare house? Ugh. The season opening coincides with Stassi’s birthday so you know what that means: birthday trip to Montauk! Lisa stops by the table and makes it awkward. She whispers to Stassi, “We do have food to go, you know?” God, I love it when Lisa is mean to Stassi.
(The first commercial they run after this scene is for Bravo’s Summer House. And it looks like the twins are in it. I hate you, Andy Cohen. I really do.)
Ariana is writing a cocktail book. Sandoval thinks he should get involved. After all, Ariana bartends for a paycheck. “But with me, it’s my passion.” She sets up a photoshoot at Sur and Sandoval tries to take over. Ariana is pissed. She desperately wants this to be about her. “Just this once.”
Katie and Scheana approach Kentucky about the Montauk girls trip. She lets them know Ariana is trying to plan a trip for her birthday at the same time. Oh, no! Battle of the birthday trips. Now, we know that Stassi’s birthday is a national holiday. And she is famous for her birthday trips. Remember Vegas? And Mexico? Classics. But Ariana also has VPR birthday history. Her adult kid party, the height of hipster chic, was nearly ruined by Sandoval’s insistence on leaving her for Peter’s guy trip. So I’m not sure how this is going to pan out. Stassi is a fierce foe but Ariana has some whiny tricks up her sleeve. Before we can get to that drama, Scheana needs to be angry that Ariana invited Jax and Kentucky before her. Then Lala opens herself up to more ridicule by bragging about never flying commercial. Why make it so easy for them? Ridiculous.
Lala has lunch with Ariana and Sandoval to rehash all of the storylines. Lala wants to wear pasties to gay pride. Ariana wants to go to Sonoma to watch NASCAR for her birthday. Lala doesn’t understand where all the rumors about her are coming from. Uh, isn’t that one pretty obvious? Lala won’t tell them her boyfriend’s name. Instead, she wants to fly them to Florida for a football game with the implication they’ll meet him. She gets a coy/gloating look on her face so we’re supposed to assume he’s a famous football player. I don’t care. Sorry. And then Ariana and Tom get into it about her cocktail book. He wants in. She doesn’t want him stealing her attention. She gets nasty pretty damn quick. “Don’t fucking roll your eyes, you little fucking bitch.” Lala cringes in the corner. But everyone at Sur (everyone!) thinks Tom should do the book. I mean, this is his passion. Back and forth, back and forth. “Grumpy Cat.” “Bitter Betty.” Passive-aggressive.” Finally Lala shuts them down. We’re in public here, kids!
Lisa gets interviewed about Orlando. She doesn’t know what to do about the parade. Do they keep on or run and hide? Katie is scared to go to work. Peter can’t get anyone to cover their shifts. He drinks at work. He needs it. Jax clearly isn’t going to show up. Any chance for a day off? Sign him up. He warns Peter to wear a vest. Ha ha ha. Other people’s deaths are so funny. Stassi and Sandoval visit Katie and Schwartz. They’re sad. They’re scared. They cry. I’m having a hard time reliving this. Fuck. Lisa decides to ride on her float. The kids are impressed with her bravery. It inspires them to go to work. Even Brittany forces Jax to do the right thing (but I think she just wants to wear that ridiculous outfit). Peter is relieved. He thought he was going to be alone on their busiest day of the year.
The tragedy puts things in perspective for Sandoval. Why is he fighting about a stupid cocktail book? He apologizes to Ariana. He acknowledges that he tried to make it all about him. I’m kind of impressed. You don’t often see self-awareness on this show. Then he rubs his dick all over Schwartzes face. “This is what we call not letting the terrorist win.”
Instead of covering her shift at Sur or supporting the LGBTQIA community, Lala visits James in his sleeping on some dudes couch penthouse apartment. James gets all worked up about Ariana’s birthday. He doesn’t know if he’ll get invited because Jax and Brittany are coming. That’s so unfair! Why is everyone so mean to James? Wah wah wah. Since Jax isn’t there to take the blame, he accuses Lala of ruining his day by bringing it up. Lala warns him she’s feeling extra sensitive because of Orlando her boyfriend just broke up with her. James has no sympathy. They’re always breaking up and getting back together. But he might not get invited to a party. What a pair! Lala blames the breakup on having to deal with the VPR cast. They decide to forget all their worries and make some crappy music.
The party at Sur gets wild. Sandoval jumps on the bar and rips off his tshirt. He thanks Lisa for her bravery participating in the parade. Jax tells her she’s got more balls than they do. She pats his cheek and tells him he’ll find his some day. They’re probably still in Stassi’s purse.
Next week: Jax goes on Stassi’s podcast. Lala confronts Katie. Katie blames Scheana for the whole Lala situation.
Kentucky girl makes me sad. Because she is a poor representative of a woman from here. We are not that stupid. I live in the same small town where she is from, and I am not happy
I don’t think she comes across that stupid, to be perfectly honest. Not much moreso than your average reality TV participant. What do you want – her to carry around a book at all times? She doesn’t have a large ‘speaking part’ on this show
She’s dating Jax. Do you need any other example of her stupidness?
Stupidness or stupidity? I know – my adult children would say, “Shush, Mom.” But you will miss us when we’re gone.
Zing!
I really like her—-she’s not an egomaniac like the other fools and she is a very sweet person.
Katie is such a super bitch. I’m so sorry for Tom that he married her. They’ll abuse each other until Tom’s done. UGH.
Lady Cocotte, you didn’t revisit your fear about LVP making the Pride parade all about her. I would say she acquitted herself very well. What did you think? I am an admitted and unashamed LVP fan.
It WAS handled better than I expected. There was a little too much “brave Lisa” for my taste but I might be nitpicking. And I’m actually a Lisa fan. I’m just on to her antics.
It was Brave for everyone at the parade to show up. For Lisa to be front and center was pretty brave. I had an opportunity to go to Southern Nights (a popular gay club here in Orlando) the weekend following the Pulse massacre. I couldn’t do it. I was afraid that there really were multiple people behind the attack. It was an uncertain time. As I recall, there was someone apprehended in California around that same time with similar intentions? Not sure of the details. But I think I saw it posted somewhere here. Pulse was a place many people went. There was a karaoke area and many of my straight friends went just because it was so much fun and it was usually the same cast of characters weekly. The morning of the attack, I immediately started calling and messaging friends. My son’s aba therapist was supposed to be there that night. I knew no one that died but a few friends did. This was an emotional time for people and with as much of an accepting culture there is towards the LGBT community in West Hollywood, I understand their responses. I was one of the many in downtown Orlando at lake Eola for the candle lighting vigil. A huge rainbow appeared over the lake. It was beautiful but there was a tension in the air. The vigil was originally scheduled earlier, but moved back a week at the request of OPD . It was a scary time and I’m reminded Everytime we drive past the Dr Phillips center where a memorial was set up and Pulse itself which a barrier was put up in front so people driving by can’t see the insane amount of bullet holes in the building.
Cry wolf, I’m an Orlando resident too. Lost 3 that night and spent time at the hospital visiting another. Pulse was a super fun place for gay and straight. A place of enjoyment and happiness. I had a really hard time watching VPR this week. Didn’t click that it would be that day. I opted to not erase it so I could rewatch because I had to walk away occasionally. I was and still am so proud of our community. We are love.
Orlando Strong!
We really are. Like Lady Corvette says. Love is love is love. I remember thousands chanting this by candle light I come from Key West, another rainbow city. I think the diversity is why I felt so at home here upon arrival. The day of the vigil, we took the Sunrail. We brought my son. He’s come far in development that I thought it was the perfect time to introduce loss, community strength and togetherness, unity. I wanted him to see his community and to see grieving. It’s important to learn compassion.
Upon leaving, to head away from Eola, a young girl was crying right in front of the fountain area. She was with two young friends. Edgy in style and a bit college park hipster. She looked at me, my husband and son and said “thank you for coming”. This broke my heart. I wondered where her family was to support her in her very apparent grief. I gave her a huge hug. I told her she is not alone and she is loved. She cried in my arms. I will never forget the unity of Our Central Florida community and in this country during the following days. Good to meet you Theresa
Lady Corvette lol. Ha! I should change my name to this. Of course I mean Cocotte lol.
I love Lady Corvette! Sometimes autocorrect does it right.
Seeing Tom Sandoval cry reminds me of his fake cry with the Kristen right after they had broken up and she was torturing him. He admitted it was fake and seeing him crying over Orlando was the same cry. Both Sandoval and Stassi are the only 2 crying yet , they never shed a tear as that wiped their eyes!! Scheana playing Stassi’s little lap dog is sickening! As far as Katie is concerned I’m sure poor Schwartz is already miserable!
This is the first time I saw the outside of James building. It’s Doheny Towers, where the condos rent anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 k per month. He must have a friend with some access to cash. I found it interesting that James thought LaLa may be embellishing the boyfriend story. I thought it was kind of douchey she could not show up to be a damn hostess on one of Lisa’s busiest days of the year. I thought Lisa handled the dilemma well and am glad she did got on the darn float.
I kind of understood Lala not going though. When she stopped because she heard a helicopter? I got that. I live near a military base. After 9/11, the first time I heard a helicopter (and they really started flying low and over my house in paths they’d never done before) I started bawling. I remember my friends on FB, the ones who live in So Cal, being really afraid for those who were trying to keep celebrating Pride weekend. I mean, fuckballs, the show only mentioned it briefly but they CAUGHT a guy with guns who was planning on doing something at that parade!
In my own state, my town’s Pride was the first one after Orlando. I had friends who were scared, others who refused to be put back into ANY closet of fear. I went down to the market booth part of Pride Weekend to listen to some of the music and grab a bite, and while our police department has been very supportive in recent years it was sad and scary that they were making an appearance for a vastly different reason this year rather than last year. There is a big fucking difference between “we are here to show solidarity and support” and “we’re here in hopes we can stop a crazy homophobic terrorist”.
He lives on a mattress on the floor in the living room. When lala first visited him, it was mentioned he was crashing at a friend’s penthouse
I can barely believe it has been 6 months since the attack in Orlando at Pulse. Watching this brings me right back to that morning in the hours during and after the attack, trying to reach all my friends there. As a gay man who frequented Pulse everytime I’ve been in Orlando for as long as I can remember it seems as though time has stood still for so many of my friends who lost people that day or who were there that night and survived but have horrific memories to live with where what used to be amazing ones that we shared. I remember texting friends in L.A. who went to pride asking them to please go home, not knowing what else could happen after the gunman had been apprehended there after driving across the country to do harm… knowing the horrific conversations I had all morning and not wanting anyone else I knew to go through what so many already were.
Its a day I will never forget…. to see this amazing place all over the news for something so opposite of the love and acceptance it represents…. I have not been back to Pulse since the wknd before this happened, I prefer to keep my memories of laughter and fun with the music booming over the cold silence it must be now. To think that some people in 2016 would still rather I and my friends be dead than be living openly and thriving is a harsh reality even in our evolving era. For anyone who feels they are so different and dont connect to this amazing community i am a part of I ask you to look up a song that was written after this tragedy and truely listen to the words and realize we are very much alike. Eli Lieb is the artist, the song is called Pulse.
I think they covered what happened very well and accurately on VPR, people were angry and sad, people were scared and didnt want to go out, people wanted to go out to show they cant be stopped, people rallied around each other, reactions around the world were different but united in the anger and outrage over what happened. Probably a few of the most real moments ive seen on a “reality” show.
DW – hugs to you. I felt that the reactions related to this were authentic as well. Yes, even Sandovals. Especially when he got teary with Lisa (who clearly got a lump in her throat as well).
It isn’t ridiculous for them to project where they live and work as a place that could have easily been Pulse, or Orlando.
I completely understand as well why they would feel the way they did, I found their emotion to be very authentic, I said to several people that this is “any nightclub club USA” because it was as vulnerable as any other to this happening.
I had an eerie conversation last December, that I know Tamara can relate to also, with friends when we were at another gay club in Orlando about being “present” and seeing the layout and exits and being aware just in case, because it was so fresh off the Paris attacks and I felt something like that could easily happen here and tragically it did. I dont think i could have gone to Paris like Tamara did at that time. It was very brave of her to go there as it was of LVP to be vulnerable in an uncertain time in L.A.
Exactly. You see very different, but equally valid, reactions from people in situations like this. It was not unlike NY after 9/11. You had some of us who were defiant and refused to be afraid and stay home, etc. then you had people who’d barely escaped with their lives and were terrified to go out in public for fear of what would be hit next. I got the same vibe from the people re: Orlando. Neither reaction is “correct”, and I don’t fault anyone for not forcing themselves to go out or be “brave”. It is brave to do so, but it is not cowardly not to. It is completely understandable.
It was very difficult to relive that and to think about all the frantic calls for help and family members trying to reach their loved ones. Breaks my heart. Kudos to all those who celebrated anyway and and persist in the face of the disgusting homophobia and bias we still have in this country.
Whether sandoval’s tears were real or fake, I’m sure they were all affected by this. They can be shallow, but they are human beings and anyone would be torn up by this.
Kudos to Lisa as well, I respect her attitude immensely.
I agree with the entirety of this post. Yes.
Thank you for sharing this, DW. Your words moved me.
Thank you for the wonderful recap, I read what you wrote prior to deciding to watch the episode because I, like several people on here, wasnt sure I wanted to go that deep and relive that emotional time.
People like yourself, TT, Shae, Erica and many others on here probably don’t quite know how appreciative people in the LGBTQIA community who are in your lives are of you just as I am of the amazing allies in my life. I’m a very independant strong person but many people are not and having openly accepting people like yourselves around them literally can save their lives.
I can hear your heart beat through Eli’s song. Know that you are loved for being.
Lisa should know better. After the terrorist bombings in London, the city was dead… Apart from us! I remember being very dramatic and asking people what was happening, and was sharply told, “Shadow Lounge, 11pm. Walk if you have to. No one stops US.” A city at standstill, but not the gays. We’ve dealt with more. Persecuted, bombed, picketed, insulted, attacked, murdered, culled, whatever. We’ll deal with it after 3am when “Your Disco Needs You” is played, the lights turn on, you can see past the go go boys abs and the Molly wears off.
Ughhhh I was not a fan of this episode at all. I understand the Orlando shooting was a horrific tragedy but seeing all of them in Katies apartment crying and bemoaning.. I just couldn’t. I had to FF. That scene just went on way to long. Although I did like seeing them all come together in celebration at the end.
Katie just gets worse and worse every week. She has got to be the most insufferable person on reality TV right now.
Anyone who would rather see human beings dead than free to live as they are, is not human. They defy what it is to BE human in the first place. No empathy, no connections, no care. Miserable excuses for life and they will get theirs eventually.
DW, there may be some of those pathetic excuses for human beings in this world, but there are more of us who cherish and respect you and your community, and wish nothing for you but the best. Eventually this ugliness will be crushed, god willing.
I have so very many reasons to be grateful to Lady C for all she has done for this site for the past couple of weeks, but this recap is quite high on the list. I know how hard it was for her, and how hard it was for many of us to relive it.
I had the exact same concerns about LVP making it all about her. I’m glad it wasn’t as bad as I’d anticipated. The usual asskissery as not really much off the mark of a regular episode.
I appreciate the comments here in remembrance of the domestic terrorism at Pulse. As much as try to push on to the next thing in our lives, this is something most of us will never forget. I didn’t find the crying scenes staged. Perhaps because I was crying for quite some time myself.
Thanks Lady C for the recap.
Great recap, Lady Coquette.
I was slightly annoyed at first at the reaction of those in Katie and Tom’s apartment. Mostly because I was thinking that they should just go to work because there are people now that can’t do that. But after thinking about it, I realized that they have the right to their feelings and it did seem sincere. I have more respect for them now, rather than just seeing them as (at times) vapid wastes of space. This episode was so timely for me because I just attended a training for work relating to active shooters and what to do and Orlando was one of the examples given. It’s so sad that we have to have trainings like that.
I give them all props for eventually showing up and making sure everyone had a good time.
I just want to thank everyone for all of the wonderful comments (and the snarky ones too). Not to make it all about me but I’m still reeling from revisiting the Orlando attacks. Your thoughts & remembrances really help. Love is love is love is love.
Thank you for giving a platform for this conversation love. Love is love is love.
How do you celebrate Pride by staying in the closet?
I could be wrong but I believe you may be young, Deja. Everyone has their reasons for what they do or don’t do. It wasn’t that long ago that a lot of folks had to hide. Family acceptance is a huge issue. Some of the older folks may never come out but some of them do. I believe going forward it will become a whole lot easier for folks to be open. We’ve come a long way in one generation.
I loved this recap thank you Lady C…I also loved to read all of the wonderful tributes to the human lives lost so unnecessarily and savagely at the Pulse nightclub massacre. I wish it never happened and we could all go back in time and at least one person could have been carrying, but we can’t, so I say I am so sad and sorry for all of the families, and I grieve for the LGBTQIA community with all of you.
This episode brought out the best in some and we saw real raw emotion from all. Whether they chose to go to work, or stay with each other it didn’t matter to me in the end.
LVP has huge cajones in my book, so does Sandoval, Arianna, Jax , Brittany, Peter and anyone else that decided to go and celebrate Pride that day, because there was an active shooter out there that was caught, these cases are getting way too commonplace for me, and I am going to learn how to protect myself. Enough is enough, violence is out there, and we can’t hide from it anymore. What happened in Orlando is despicable, enough of my ranting, thanks for your awesome recaps. Appreciate all of your comments.