Vanderpump Rules has two major storylines this season. Jax and Brittany’s engagement brings out the fun in the group. They plan a stealth party like it’s a caper. Wings from Hooters? Check. Alcohol? Check. Instagram friendly balloons? Check check. Even Lisa Vanderpump, a woman too distraught to work, attends. This is the beginning of Brittany’s payback, her prize for last season’s betrayals. As her mama says, you only get a first engagement once. She plans to enjoy every moment. Even as they celebrate, the Vanderfamily can’t help but question Jax’s motives. Lala, still mourning her father, knows how transformative that loss can be. Sandoval and Ariana, who know how little change Jax is capable of, think he’s hiding from the pain. It certainly doesn’t help that he no longer has a relationship with his mother.
The plan to take down James brings out the petty in the group. Mean Girl #1 (Lala) is furious. James embarrassed Her Man Rand, he must die. She lays the groundwork by poisoning James’ only surviving friendship. Sandoval is happy to jump ship as long as he gets a totally bitchin’ 80’s costume for Pride. Priorities, people! Mean Girl #2 (Kristen) is chasing the dragon. She misses that familiar rush of public shaming not felt since the GG episodes. So she cloaks her shield in Brittany’s tartan and heads into battle. According to Doute logic, James cheated on Raquel with her friend Hope. He even pulled a Kristen by screwing Hope while Raquel slept in the next room. Now she wants to speak for everyone he’s silenced by bringing Miami Girl Hope to Pride.
In order to maintain sanity while the Vandertwerps blithely enjoy their neon 80’s Pride, I’m going to pretend SUR is covered in Act Up posters and the AIDS quilt. Join me, won’t you? The cast swan around in tiny shorts and leotards. James drinks with any and all. Jax is back for a one-off, probationary try-out. Or one day of filming, whichever you prefer. What unfolds next is messy and confusing. Let me see if I can unwind it. Kristen scales a parking lot fence with Hope in tow. She corrals Raquel into a bathroom and tells her Hope slept with James. Before Raquel can begin to process the multiple betrayals of her friend sleeping with her boyfriend, Kristen loudly takes credit for discovering James (much like he took credit for discovering Lala). Might be an LA thing, certainly Freudian.
James gives Jax and Brittany an apology Patron basket. He wants some of the filming opportunities their friendship affords. But Raquel provides the real show when she confronts him about Coachella. I think there are only so many times a woman can be told her man is cheating before she starts to wonder. For Raquel that number is 103. James doesn’t want to address any of her valid complaints (you cheat on me, you start rap fights with girls) so he explodes about jealous Kristen and the haters. I think he actually believes people are obsessed with him. He tries to compare his experience to Jax’s, which is funny because Jax was also cheating. Seemingly out of any other choices, James moves on to the Fuck everyone! Who cares! stage. If he screams loud enough, long enough, Raquel won’t be able to think, much less ask questions.
Lala pulls Raquel away from James. It’s time to water and fertilize all the little Kristen seeds. She tells Raquel she was James’ wingwoman with Hope, with GG, with Ellie. And so many more. Raquel tries to logic the truth away. She tells Lala, “You don’t support other women, Bethenny.” But Lala has no compassion. Raquel made a choice by staying quiet when James bashed Lala, she must die. Lala leaves a mentally shaken Raquel with a warning: Wake up. The witches are coming.
James bounces around the SUR alley, enemy to enemy. Sandoval doesn’t believe. Lala won’t forgive. Kristen is out for blood. He’s a wounded animal, lashing out in fear. When Katie insults his pants (I don’t know who should be more ashamed that that’s how this began), James turns to familiar reactions. Misogyny. Fat shaming. Cruelty. He morphs into White Kanye, childishly insulting Katie and proclaiming his greatness. With a final explosion, he heads into Pride, SUR busser and wanna-be pop star Jesse by his side. James is full of self (and plenty of alcohol), ranting and raving and foaming at the mouth. And on a direct collision course with LVP.
Next week, Vanderpump Rules is airing on Sunday instead of Monday. James continues to insult everyone, Carter and Peter celebrate a birthday, Scheana gets iced out, and Katie gives Lisa an ultimatum about her hostile workplace environment. Sounds fun.
Thank the goddesses for Vanderpump Rules… And for your recaps!
So how many free passes does “White Kanye DJ James Kennedy” get from LVP? He’s now insulted over half the cast, and he’s (yet again) engaging in the same behavior LVP previously said she couldn’t tolerate from him. Just how many apology letters has he written, and how many more will he get to write before he finally faces real consequences for his actions?
(Sure, I’m 90% sure I know the real reason why James is still at SUR and Pump, but I’m playing along because the suspected real reason why is just too infuriating.)
Why do you think James is still at SUR? His friendship with MAX? Or because he is a cast member who helps bring the ratings?
Possibly the former, but definitely the latter. LVP, Evolution, and Bravo know what they’re doing here. (I don’t necessarily agree with it, but OTOH I’m still watching, so obviously their ratings gambits are still working.)
I think he is still there because LVP (alias Bobby Fisher) knows he brings the entire low life scumbag Los Angeks man whore to an already overcrowded table. People seem to forgive the two Tom’s & Jax ‘s blunders but James gets crucified & then dragged thru the village square. He is the epitome of evil & always seems so nonplussed regarding his reckless behavior. I cannot stand him but he is thoroughly entertaining. Pathetic but entertaining.
In all fairness, half of what he’s said is accurate…
I hope if LVP makes James write yet another letter of apology to Jax, he simply writes “Remember when you fucked Faith?” ??
To be even fairer, that true half of what James says very easily applies to James himself. Jax and James can argue for days over their many cheating scandals! ?
Oh I definitely agree with that! Just don’t think he should be raked over the coals for the same shit they’ve ALL done ?
I couldn’t agree more. They are horrible, but they all pretend that James is the only evil one. I am here for James. I love how he loses his mind and tells them what many of us viwers truly think.? Team crazy James???
Totally team White Kanye James! I actually felt sorry for him. He’d just hosted a nice dinner for Tom and Ariana then got attacked for doing the same things that they’ve all done; the things that keep us watching these emotionally stunted, maturity adverse morons. He is also younger than the Witches of WeHo, though I’m loving happy Stassi, and I swear I saw raw pain on his face in the alley. That’s why he regressed so hard. Everyone else was dead fish eyes and insults.
I enjoy crazy Kristen, but the morality police she is not lol. Even Stassi was like “wtf is going on?” whilst she was plotting to have her friend corner Raquel. If whats-her-face is telling the truth then she’s just as big a skank as James and doesn’t deserve commending for fessing up to fucking some chicks boyfriend in the other room while she’s asleep. I couldn’t help but laugh at her droning on about how ‘difficult’ it was telling that story. ??? And why was Kristen asking James “why are you here?” … at his place of work.
Damn I’ve been sucked back into the SUR drama!!
I knew Crazy Kristen would turn up again eventually! She is getting a bit long in the tooth for this. I guess with Stassi attached at the hip with Beau, she needs something for a storyline.
HA! I spent the whole episode thinking that – “she is way too old for this.” And it’s the same weird shit every time. It would be one thing if she was cunning and clever and enjoyable to watch, but I don’t personally think she is.
His parents are old friends with LVP/Ken, just like PK. There’s some kind of shady business going on in that friend group.
James is or was George Micheals God son- he ain’t going nowhere! Katie is a fool!
Hi pageant girl girl friend.
Ok I may have missed the memo. Didn’t Kristen get scaled back to a “friend” and Billie Lee get the principal role?
Kristen is still in the info and no sign of Bille! Does it happen later in the season?
Hmmmm?
Billie had bit parts in both episodes and is the cast group shot. But she’s not in the inner circle, like Kristen. And Kristen is bringing the crazy so that’s always good for more screen time.
Kristen has always been a full cast member. She got canned from SUR, and hasn’t gone back to work for LVP since. James went from supporting to full because of Kristen. Billie Lee is still a supporting cast member. She’ll have to be more interesting than just being trans. I like her so far, but she doesn’t have a real interesting personality.
I think James started the “Kristen is fired” gossip just to be a dick. I have no proof whatsoever but James is petty.
I think that idea was floated initially, and they immediately ran into problems in storyline with Billie and cast issues. Billie will be featured, but she’s not scared to speak up!! She has for James on social media. I think she cheers for the underdog!
I think that idea was floated initially, and they immediately ran into problems in storyline with Billie and cast issues. Billie will be featured/Kristin earning her full time role, but Billie isn’t scared to speak up!! She has for James on social media this week. I think she cheers for the underdog!
She has said the cast wouldn’t invite her on trips to film with her to make her on “regular”. She posted that online on the first cast trip. Scheana moved 40 plus miles out and relationships shifted there as well. This bunch hasn’t changed ONE BIT…I guess that’s why we all still watch. I found Billie so very likeable last season. Can’t wait to see for myself!
If Kristen ever becomes a mother, I feel sorry for any kid that crosses her kid. I see a Texas cheerleader
Mom type of Lifetime movie based on her actual event in the future.
Here’s the plot line in reality shows- the predictable boy falls in love with the girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back story- Person a and b have an issue. Person C gets involved and goes after person B. Person A and B make up and now Person C is on the outs because they stuck their nose in to make sure their nose appears on TV. And then the spend the season fighting with Person B to trying to justify themselves and then at the reunion Person C goes off in Person A for not defending them even thought Person A never asked for them to get involved.
Love this comment!
Kristen needs to get the hell over James already! How many season is this now that she is “taking him down”? She just can’t quit him
Katie has and always will be a hostile work environment all on her own. James needs to be taken down by several notches. Raquel is just sad to watch. I feel for her situation yet am incredulous by her clueless behavior. Kristen is a thing of beauty. We need to send her to the White House. She is known for epic takedowns. All hail the queen of reality television Kristin Doute. She makes for great viewing ! Thanks for another scalding hot recap Lady C.
I get t that Kristin and the others are fed up with James but going after his relationship with Raquel seems more hurtful to Raquel than to James. If Kristin wants to “”destroy” him she should hit him where it counts, his DJ career. That’s really the only thing he cares about. Get him fired and ice him out of the group. Make him irrelevant. I wouldn’t waste my time or energy on a POS but this group thrives on the drama.
Oh give Kristin time. This is only the second episode. Riling James up will definitely effect his DJing job, Katie begins the process next week.
Excellent points! I wasn’t sure if Rachel was really crying or maybe that’s what true whining sounds like?
Great recap!
That was whining. lol.
DJ “career”… that’s hysterical.
Shredder- good point.
Something about SUR making money off PRIDE by booking Pump Rules fans and having an 80s party disgusts me. In the early seasons at least the gay community actually went to SUR on Pride Day. The 80s theme that is somehow bastardized from the actual rainbow theme seems highly inappropriate. The upcoming treatment of Billie by LVP and the cast is far from LGBT friendly. Watch for it this season.
My favorite part of this episode was Raquel’s sheer desperation.It was some of the worst acting in history of reality TV. And it ended with her sniveling fake crying to James, “I never even got to pee!”
My favorite part of this recap was the acknowledgement that LVP is much to distraught to work, even though she is in a lot of scenes and even showed up for camera time at Kentucky’s apartment! And this was filmed months before she was supposed to show up to work on RHOBH. She seems to have selective bouts of despair.
I agree with you on most everything! Wanted to point out though that virtually EVERY restaurant/bar/club in West Hollywood profits off of Pride Weekend. They ALL sell seats so you can get a good view of the parade that passes literally in front of their respective places of business. Many people are more than willing to shell out $$$ so they can drink in comfort, not to mention air conditioning, without having to fight for a tiny bit of space out on the sidewalk. I even knew some folks with strategically places apartments, who would have a House Party and then charge friends a minimal amount (maybe $10 or $20) to come and watch the parade from their balconies. Of course, no one HAS to pay anything at all. Space out on the sidewalk is absolutely free…it’s just verrrry hard to claim a comfortable spot without camping out beforehand. Also? You cannot park anywhere on the route, which makes getting anywhere close to the parade that much harder. Of course with Uber and Lyft, I suppose that’s one way of solving that particular problem.
I try to never miss Pride here in FLL in Wilton Manors (the largest gay city in the US) and it is nothing like the zoo, ‘straight people watching the freakshow’ that Vanderpump Rules was showing on TV.
Pretty disturbing.
We raise money for LGBTQ causes. Not sure what to make of that mess.
This, If we pretend James and his best friend are straight then Billie is the only rep of LGBT on the show that takes place in WeHo. And Billie’s storyline this season is that she is ostracized by the entire cast. Maybe she is an awful person, but word on the street is that The LVP establishment have a race problem and an LGBT problem.
As an admitted LVP fan, it’s hard for me to digest. But after seeing last night’s episode and the season previews, I have more questions about what really happens at SUR and how LVP runs that place.
For one, she should know better than to do a “fun 80’s theme” for LA PRIDE. For the folks in our community who lived the 80’s, they can tell us how NOT fun it was to fight for our community’s survival amidst the HIV/AIDS crisis and absolute bigotry they endured in the public and private sectors.
I’m trying to keep an open mind on the Billie Lee situation, but at the very least it’s troubling that the one openly LGBTQ+ cast member is getting such a negative edit this season. Unless we see hard proof that Billie Lee was/is in the wrong here, I may have a(n even) harder time rooting for LVP when RHOBH returns in the new year.
Yes the 80s were a shitshow in the LGBTQ community. I remember visiting my first friend that died of full blown AIDS in a quarantined area of MUSC in Charleston and having to wear full hazmat gear.
What the FUCK was LVP thinking??? An 80s party?
The BEGINNING of the 80s was still glory holes and bath houses, at least in the SF Bay Area. Then came the last half of the 80s, which began the devastating losses from HIV/AIDS. The scrunchies and workout stuff was very MID 80s, when the party went on… but, was just starting to go to the dark. Still … is it wrong to pay tribute to the good times when all of the 80s get smooshed into one, including the sad times?
First documented case was in 1980, I think.
Either way, that Disney version of the gay ’80’s was atrocious. Was there not ONE person who could’ve spoken up about it? So self serving.
Excellent recap, as always, Lady C.
I’m not saying it was transphobic but Lala putting on a deep voice to imitate Billie Lee was certainly shitty.
And kind of transphobic (I’ll say it for you).
I think the frog voice was very insulting. These idiots have no depth. As far as James I believe he did have a sexual relationship with his best friend but I also think its nobody’s business. Yes I know he is on a reality television show & yes he is partnered with Raquel etc but his sexual fluidity is not embraced by the cavemen cast members he is working with. People are always saying both Tom’s / Jax etc are gay. They are not smart enough or even self aware enough to take on that mantle. Homosexuality the noun ss opposed to homosexuality the verb. They all get naked wasted & hook up. Its apparent that the labels this cast uses ( including LVP) make a large portion of the LBTGQ community uncomfortable therefore no one on this cast will ever own up to less than the normative HETROSEXUAL behavior. Meanwhile behind the scenes it’s an orgy. #Rant over
P.S. Who laughed at Britney saying to LVP, “I can’t believe you’re in my apartment?!” And would anyone else be comfortable having LVP in YOUR home/apartment? I couldn’t even come close to imagining her in my own low rent LA apartment!
In this episode LVP looked haggard, but in her one on one interviews she looked completely redone!! Strikingly so different that I had to rewind and pause. I guess when a wealthy reality star quits her show (RHOBH) the next step is a facelift?! She looked amazing!
I thought EXACTLY the same thing!
It’s called natural lighting – natures HD. I would bet my life LVP demands a certain type/wattage/positioning for her lights in the interviews.
What’s going on with Scheanna? I love Lala but I hope she doesn’t join the pack of hyenas. I loved her Bonnie to James’ Clyde before he fucked up. Great recap.
Me too!! I don’t want to lose the Lala I loved watching.
I think Sheana Shay and James would be the perfect couple.
It what world is Katie fat and was does everyone insinuate this?
I feel really bad for James girlfriend.
So “feminist” Lala was James’ wing man through all of the cheating. F Lala. I like how Raquel stood up to those girls. Hope with the fake tears trying to make Raquel look even more stupider ? trying to get Raquel to hug her infuriated me.
Does anyone else find the irony in the names of the two girls that slept with Jack’s and James? Faith and Hope. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next girl to say she slept with a VPR guy in a relationship was named Chastity. These “ladies” are not victims and they were not manipulated by either guy. I think they knew exactly what they were doing when they sunk their claws into the guys for their 15 minutes of fame. If I remember correctly Faith did something similar with a guy that was in a “relationship ” with another girl when Faith was on MTV’s The Challenge.
LOL. I believe that the third word that goes with faith and hope is “charity,” not “chastity.” 🙂
Deb in SF- You are so right but to me “Charity” means to give freely of yourself…well I guess that fits too.
Did Kristin and LaLa just stand by and watch James cheat for so long allowing him to dig his own grave before they decided to throw dirt on him? I am in no way defending James. I just think that most of them are conniving self centered fools.
Jax and Scheana were apparently going after each other on Twitter just before the show. Jax said he thinks that Scheana is co-dependent and jumps from relationship to relationship. Scheana said she hasn’t been serious with anyone since Rob.
Jax loves fighting about nothing on Twitter.
So Jax is so upset about not getting to talk to one parent before they died, that he’s going to stop talking to the other one?! If the worst was to happen and she suddenly passes before he comes around, what’s he going to do then?! I just don’t understand the logic.
Stop talking to his siblings? He seems like he needs someone to blame for anything bad that happens and I guess this time it’s his mother. He does genuinely appear cut-up about not having the chance to say goodbye but putting it on front street that his mother and father had marital problems and she considered divorcing him before he became ill is hitting waaaaaaay below the belt imo.
Can we even believe what Jax is saying about the situation with his mom is true. Maybe he needs someone to blame because he didn’t go see his father when he was ill and hospitalized. Either situation is incredibly sad. He will probably blame Brittany for not getting to say good bye to his father because he didn’t take his “dream job”. Jax will stick with a lie the entire season then confess he lied to score points that he was finally honest.
I don’t take anything Jax says or does at face value, including this drastic “change.” He is way too pathological at this point in his life.
When they found out my mom had brain cancer at age 88 thank God we all (7 of us!) had time to go say goodbye. If no one had told me I would cut a bitch. He’s just experiencing real emotions for maybe the first time. Pissed at his mom. I would be also. Has the world turned on its axis? I’m taking up for Jax for Chrissake.
I was thinking the same thing — did I EVER think I would be standing up for Jax? I do believe people can change for the better. Only time will tell if Jax is one of those.
Nancy- I think you have a huge heart and you are empathizing with Jax. Both of my parents are still married and Ive always lived at home with them because of severe medical issues and disabilities. I can not begin to comprehend the the heartbreak that comes from losing a parent so maybe I’m being to quick in judging Jax. I guess only time will tell.
I love Janes Kennedy — as a reality star. But I would hate to be in love with him. Kristen needs to move on. It is nothing short of cruel to ambush Raquel that way. And Hope is a POS. To [email protected] a guy while his lady sleeps nearby is just succubus behavior. Especially, when they say they are telling Rachel for “her own good.” And to call her stupid, just keep piling it on WEHO hoes.
Off topic because I’ll only watch this show when these half kid/half adult spoiled asshats leave SUR en masses for a real job. One where you don’t get paid to drink on the job. Hell, who am I kidding, that’s a job I covet. Anyway though and seriously some of these people are in their mid thirties or maybe only look like it and I bet zero of them have a notion what having a retirement plan is or how fast it gets here. Where the hell does Kristen work now and who would actually hire someone that allegedly drinks all the time. swears and walks like a sailor and doesn’t appear very bright.
In ten years most of them will wake up with there millionth hangover and not a dime in the bank and no retirement plan. Their only contribution in life will be the ten or so years we’ve honed our snark on their stupidity.
Speaking of being stupid, where did I put my commas and periods? I can’t find them on my iPad keyboard and I’m too tired to google wtf they went.
???. I agree 100 percent . It always baffles me that all of them are either my age or a few years older and older than my husband too – and we have kids , a house , careers. I watch the show and feel like I am way older but we are the same age !!! I get the feeling that Ariana is over all the partying and acting like a 16 year old at 35 . Or maybe not ?
Did anyone think something looked off with Arianna’s face in the early scene where they were shopping? Her talking head looked normal but when they first showed her face it was jarring. Maybe too much lip filler/botox? I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. She’s such a naturally pretty girl, I hope she’s not jumping on the “enhancement” train.
She admitted on her Instagram page under her comments in response to someone that she did try it for a few months but didn’t dig it so she stopped .
I’m probably going to get raked over the coals for this, but I’m not loving the fact that Katie’s acting like she was some shrinking violet that James attacked for no reason. She jumped in and started in on him first, and it was a personal remark that really had nothing to do with his current behavior (which I would’ve found way more understandable). Of course, his response was waaaaay worse and waaaaay more vile, but she could’ve just left well enough alone in a situation that had nothing to do with her.
I don’t doubt working with James Kennedy is toxic, but her using this one example just doesn’t vibe with me.
I agree ZosephineDoodle. Katie is quite toxic on her own. Issuing an ultimatum as it appears she does next week seems immature considering the toxic circumstances stemmed from a drunken costumed fight in an alley next to a dumpster. Oh if those dumpsters could talk! I’d pay good money to hear their stories!
YES! Toxic work environment? ?? Where was that same “healthy workplace” ethos when she (along with Kristen and Stassi) relentlessly picked on Scheana, Ariana, Lala and allegedly later in the season, Billie Lee? Where was her whole “body positive” attitude when she was laughing at James’ legs in his outfit? I guess slut shaming isn’t a “thing” either when a self-titled ‘feminist’ engages in it by repeatedly calling other females whores? All of which happened IN the workplace.
The hypocrisy of it all ??♂️??♂️??♂️
Can Katie go away? She adds nothing to the show. Last season it was Ken the florist saying she gained weight. She went on to say how much she loves her body and how great she feels. So why the sensitivity? Now this season it’s James also making a comment about her weight? Please give her a storyline because everyone else on this show is turbocharged and she’s a went Manila envelope.
Manila envelopes are more interesting than Katie’s first two episodes. They have prongs, pull off stickies, and most documents fit without folding. That’s one exciting envelope, even when wet! So sad that she’s hanging onto “being fat” as a story line when she’s not even overweight. So damned annoying. Shouldn’t her life as a newlywed be somewhat interesting? Most couples’ first years of marriage are full of ups, downs, and surprises of all sorts. As I was typing, I realized that maybe the steroid shot I got is causing a bit of hostility. Oopsy. Don’t post with decadron rage; it’s a real thing ppl!
I certainly haven’t forgotten that “Tequila Katie” has been one of the most consistently verbally abusive members of the cast throughout the storied history of the show. So Season 6 Sanctimonious Self-Righteous Katie doesn’t have street cred. And I don’t recall the rest of the cast ganging up to get her fired or cause her to lose her career when she abused almost everyone on the show. I can’t stand James, but Katie’s hypocrisy is some pharmaceutical grade BS.
Yes, she totally stared this fight with her comment to James about his shorts. Then she quickly made another negative comment about his shorts. I believe he said something like don’t even get me started on your shorts.
Katie shouldn’t be able to Initiate a fight then complain he was fat shaming her when he was just defending himself after (unprovoked) )she attacked him.
Lisa VP should watch the tape and realize Katie wasn’t innocent in this situation. Lisa VP should be angry she was played into firing James per Katie’s blackmail.
Holy shit! That Raquel is THE WORST actress ever! She was so flat when she delivered her lines with Kristin & Hope. She had not one tear drop on her eyes when she was crying to James in the garden.
Please less Raquel and more crazy Kristin. And I can’t lie, James and his reckless mouth make for good TV too.