Like an 80’s revival that never ends, Vanderpump Rules brings us right back to Katie’s ultimatum. Not the one she gave her husband. That was resolved in season 5. This time around she’s demanding action with real-life consequences: fire James Kennedy or knowingly flout labor laws on national TV. It’s HR by Bravo, minus the cocaine and circuit boys (ALLEGEDLY). Lisa is torn. Her lawyers tell her she has to pay lip service to hostile workplace complaints but James is making her money. Real bakshish that goes in her pocket. What’s a girl professional business owner to do? While she puzzles that out, awash in moody hues, a small smile plays at the corner of her mouth. This mess is sure to turn into an expanded storyline. Eat that, Rinna.
For the next half hour, the cast gets together to shit-talk James Kennedy LLC. I’m not sure what’s more crass, Scheana’s plot to friend-dump James because Stassi told her to or that she uses Billie’s final transition surgery as the backdrop to introduce it. Say what you will about Billie, that moment deserves better.
Jax is the epitome of a sore winner when he thinks he has the moral high ground. While Brittany turns into Forest Gump (cheddar cheese, sharp cheese, shredded cheese), Jax goes on a foam-at-the-mouth rant about how stupid Raquel is for staying with James. He’s so excited to have the upper hand he doesn’t realize every point he makes about Raquel equally applies to Brittany. She’s too occupied counting cheese (string cheese, woda gouda cheese, cheese in a can) to care.
The drama comes to a crescendo at Brittany’s beer cheese tasting. When Katie tells her friends about the ultimatum, they gnash their teeth and tear at their clothes. Jax and Beau lift Katie onto their shoulders. Stassi and Brittany shower her with flowers. Only Schwartz sits alone, rationalizing another horrific action from another horrible men. “Say it. I want you to say it.” is dead. Long live, bro Schwartz.
Scheana has a hard time finding people to film with. She’s not connected to the main cast. She doesn’t have any good storylines. She’s annoying. So you’d think she’d value the friends that show up, especially to help her move. Instead, she plays on her phone while James does all the heavy lifting. She’s done zero preparation for her big showdown so when the time comes her attack is anemic. I just can’t with you. I’m not about the drama. Feminism. James seems more upset that Scheana doesn’t put on a better show than about losing her friendship. He reenacts how Stassi laid down the law with alarming accuracy. Sober James is funny.
The Kennedy family take us on a short detour through Chekov territory. The absent, playboy father. The newly sober mother. The brothers, both benefit and burden. Responsible for them all, a soon-to-be fired DJ living his best life on reality TV. It kind of puts the alcoholism in perspective.
Lala needs a new fake job. Seeing her go from the Gotti premiere to the podium at SUR stretches credulity. She works hard, just not at the restaurant. First, she registers her own complaint with Lisa. Attack James’ job. Then she pulls Raquel aside for “Wake up!” version 2.0. Attack James’ relationship. As much as I judge Raquel for dating James (she’s almost as bad as Brittany), it’s hard to watch Hip Hop Kitty go HAM. Her vitriol against Raquel feels personal. Then the truth comes out. This isn’t Lala vs Raquel. This is Logan vs Raquel. It seems James’ best besties have booed themselves up. Logan is even one of Lala’s bridesmaids. All the animus Raquel is getting can be distilled down to one crucial issue: a boy loves a boy. Wars have been fought for less.
Lisa channels Busby Berkeley and schedules a huge audience for her meeting with James. If she ever wants to leave that other sinking ship, she has to get a bigger role around here. James isn’t quite sure what he’s in trouble for (there are several options) but he’s not prepared for Lisa’s stoney glare. Or her decision. She can no longer be affiliated with the White Kanye. It’s not good for her brand. James cries and begs. He blames the alcohol. Lisa never wavers. She channels the power of White Snake and stays resolute. To flee, James must push his way through a crowd of circus performers. As he lurches down the sidewalk, eyes red from tears, Lisa gives a Shakespearean sigh. “All the world’s a stage / And all the men and women merely players.”
Next week January 7: Stassi and Ariana throw an epic winter-themed birthday party; Stassi’s new boyfriend gets his first taste of Stassi’s bad birthday behavior; Jax confronts Tom Sandoval for questioning his engagement; James finds himself cut off from everyone at SUR.
They can accept that Tequila Katie can change, Entitled Stassi can change, Crazy Kristen can change and Jaxer Jax can change, but not that James Kennedy, who is YOUNGER than all of them, can change. Katie verbally abused Lala at work, Stassi abused Schaena at work, Kristen verbally abused Ariana at work, WAY worse than anything James did. Katie thinks SHE had the power, but it was THE LAW. Lisa could have suspended James and put him on probation, but that would have been less dramatic. Boo. Hiss.
Being high, drunk, insulting random customers for no reason and asking random customers for cocaine and letting your music repeat the same song over and over while you are outside acting a fool? (all of this is allegedly). There’s no way he could keep that crazy going.
Did that happen on the show? Sometimes I doze off and don’t even know that I’ve missed stuff until I read the recap and rewind. But I THINK I would have woken up for that. Or maybe not…
Agree with every word. Thank you for saying exactly what I have been thinking!
Wow. Well written. Agree.
OMG THANK YOU!!!!! My heart says Lvp is not actually firing him (I HOPE!)… I feel like her mentioning her brother was an “in” for her to keep him on the show, employed, etc…
Omg thank you!!!! Agreed.
I hate to see anyone cry even James. His alcoholism paired with mysoginistic tendencies needed to be dealt with. Kudos to LVP for doing the right thing even if it is only in benefit of the cameras. This show mesmerises me. I cannot even begin to imagine why. I am in its thrall. Excellent recap Lady C !
It is sad that all those rragogant, trashy, older than James loosers believe they are somehow better than James. Those jealous pricks got James fired. It must drive them crazy that James travels around the country and gets pay well to do DJ presentations. If james stays focus, he is the next DJ Pauly D. Pauly makes crazy amounts of money doing it long after the first Jersey show ended.
Oh Mary. You never quite get it do you?
What? He got fired because ‘Elegendly” he does cocaine? Allegedly all of them do drugs too. Katie body shamed James too. I guess I will never get all the hypocrisy in this worl.
That’s not the only thing you do not get.
i luv this site
May I borrow those laser lips to use on a couple of co-workers? Hilarious.
He wasn’t fired for pasta lol. Get it?
Lol
But!! I do agree w you on the. Oft shaming. My fucking loser ex baby daddy calls me fat all the time (I have a 6 month old, I’m 5’7 and 145 lbs.. I’m doing “OK”-he’s just an asshole) I realized I should start body shaming HIS skinny short loser ass, and I intend to next time he disses me. Sorry we weigh the same. Fuck stick.
But yes, my point is I do agree w body shaming goes both ways, although I don’t remember Katie body shaming james, I do agree that Katie doesn’t stand on some morality pedestal. The drama is all for show.. xo
#HiJames
I wish I was 26 again?? The hypocrisy of it all. Smh Yes, I am team James
I can’t quit this show because it is just wrong on so many levels.
LVP speaking of not permitting body shaming in the workplace. Next scene she is interviewing a new staff and wants them young and pretty. Makes one wonder what the corporate mission statement is all about. Katie might want to reflect on the numerous horrible things she has said to co-workers at work. Calling Lala whore, Scheana a home wrecker, numerous comments about Jax. I do believe Katie threw the first jab at James.
If I were the business partners I would want a resolution proportionate to the offense and would never capitulate to a part time employee’s ultimatum.
I would also chastise Lala who took time off her hostess duties to degrade Raquel. That hand clapping in someone’s face would under many circumstances lead to dental work on the clapper.
Tom Sandoval, age 34, has 25 years restaurant experience? Are there no child labor laws in St. Louis?
Valley View, LOL @ Tom Sandoval comment. That math didn’t add up to me either!!
sandoval doesn’t know math. But he does have pictures of his “craft cocktails” on his iPhone. So do I, doesn’t everyone?
Did I miss s joke? What’s St. Louis got to do with it? Asking as a St. Louisian & damn Yankee!
Tom is from St. Louis.
Haha. I was thinking the same thing when he said that. Also, for someone who claims to be such a master mixologist, he was dead wrong when he said that a “dry martini means no vermouth.” A dry martini is one part dry vermouth to six parts gin or vodka.
Tom is a legend in his own mind.
But only in his own mind. A douche to everyone else.
Is he serving straight gin? What martini is that? And maybe he means going to restaurants as a child counts for “restaurant experience “
A dry martini is when you wave the vermouth bottle at the gin bottle from a polite distance.
You should do an after show Q &A with the SURvers. What is the difference between 34 and 25? How long does it take to get a health permit for beer cheese? Etc. Lots of things are not adding up.
Lol yes!!!
Sandavol is real life Zoolander. He is so dumb but has no idea how dumb so he says stupid shit that only makes sense in his mind.
This.?
I just looked at James Kennedy’s Instagram. He still works at Sur.
In the clip for the next episode Lisa shows up at his apartment, presumably to give him his job back. She just had to make it look like she fired him/storyline.
The most thought provoking idea I had last night was will Brittany’s beer cheese be on the menu at TomTom?
Regarding James, he should have never been rehired. Maybe because I live in a state with tough alcohol laws but anyone drinking on the job should be fired. Of course we’d never have a show if such laws were in place. But James is an alcoholic and a mean drunk. Regardless of the money his DJ gig brings the restaurant, Lisa made the right call. His ire could turn on a customer (like what Frank did in season 1) so Lisa would not only deal with someone creating a hostile work environment but one who can cause legal problems with clientele.
I’ll say it again, Sandavol is a jackass. Jax should ask him to bartend at his wedding not be best man. Make sure to get 8 1/2 by 11 color photos of his cocktail portfolio before you hire him, Jax.
And it was great to see Stassi put Airanna in her place by telling her in a light hearted but real way that Airanna didn’t like Stassi because Stassi is the same kind of bitch, I mean boss, as she is.
Sorry for Ariana misspell
Lisa is trying to manipulate public opinion, I think. Just settled or paid or whatever some lawsuits (TT has written extensively about it) where a hostile work environment was evident at her place of business. I think this was all a set up from the get go. These places have ALWAYS . been not a friendly place to work because of all the drama. That is why they have a show. Half the nasty that goes on originates AT their place of work. Geez Louise, who are they trying to kid.
Lisa is only doing what makes HER LOOK GOOD. I cannot stand Katy. Who does she think she is to give an ultimatum to her boss? Lisa needs to recap what all the others have done before firing James. She made an example out of him plain and simple. Lisa is a vicious, conniver manipulator. All the
HOUSEWIVES finally figured her out. Took them long enough. She has gotten plain ugly with her pretentious ways. Every word Nanette posted I DITTO. As for Lala don’t y’all see she still has strong
feelings for James? She just wants to destroy his relationship with Raquel, his friends and his job. EVIL!!!!!
There is a special place in hell for Tequila Katie. She is the meanest mean girl ever. James is no favorite of mine but Katie is a walking talking & wailing banshee. I’ve watched this show forever & cannot recall her ever doing or saying anything remotely kind. Can anyone recall an episode that she was likable ?
No, Marc, I can’t and I have watched this show since the beginning. Now the girls are all chilling out Scheana which I think is wrong. I despise Kristen equally as much as I do Katy. Stassi is finally giving up her nice act and going back to being the mean, vicious bitch she has always been. Kristen, Katy, and Stassi good all go off in the sunset and never come back as far as I am concerned. Give Brittany, Billie Lee, and Raquel more air time.
I am now watching the rerun of last week and Katy is speaking to Lisa. I want to VOMIT. Katy is anything but beautiful. She is not even attractive and it makes me sick Lisa is firing James for telling the damn truth.
SORRY
could all go off in the sunset……..
Not one. She is a miserable bitch.
Thanks friends I thought it might be me. She is so mean. Stassi Kristen Shenna pale in comparison to her absolute foul temper. I feel bad she fell thru a skylight but that’s literally the only time she was not berating someone for behavior she herself exhibits hourly. Tom must be desperate to put up with her abrasive soul. I have the patience of a saint & even I couldn’t handle her sactamonios persona.
There was an episode where Stassi and Kristen were at a yard sale one of the wannabes was having. Katie had been uberobnoxious the night before. She walked off saying “because I hate myself more than you can ever know” and that was the AHA moment. Explains a lot. It is sad. But she knows she should seek help. And it doesn’t look like she did.
Amen to this!!!!! She said she knows EVERYTHING that goes on there. This isn’t the first time James has been nasty or unkind to co-workers. My word it was OK for him to sing out about Brittney/Faith/Jax fiasco WHICH Lisa new ALL about. They told her on film. Didn’t do a thing about it. She knew James was drunk and she didn’t want to DEAL with him. Got that on film too. Him telling Katie not to wear those shorts (which I am not defending at all…hate body shaming) while obnoxious (and I am NO katie fan) was down outside while none were working except James. All a ruse. Makes Lisa look like she would never tolerate someone being “harassed”. I think Brit has a case for that being harassment.
Haha. I was thinking the same thing when he said that. Also, for someone who claims to be such a master mixologist, he was dead wrong when he said that a “dry martini means no vermouth.” A dry martini is one part dry vermouth to six parts gin or vodka.
Right. So he has pictures of his creations, but he can’t even get a list of his drinks together for Lisa. He’s so cringey I can’t.
Great recap! Someone please tell me what is going on with LVP’s mouth. Is it her teeth or newly inflated lips?
She has new teeth. A bunch of them! Kyle got the same ones.
James is a vicious, delusional fool. That spitting on Kristen’s door, his “sincere” lying about not cheating on her, his pathetic videos, his drooling over Lala with his girlfriend sitting right by them, the way he brags about the grand act of “boning” Kristen on the hood of her BMW — it’s bnot misogyny (is someone going to look up that word some day and use it properly?), it’s just a crude, low class slob who, but for lucking onto the show, would be playing his audition tape alone in his studio apartment in some grittty neighborhood, crying into his vodka bottle.
James Georgiu’s greatest claim to fame is that his father worked with a dead pop star. Hey, I got Keith Richards’ autograph!
James and Jax are the casting couch for VPR. Instead of screwing a Harvey Weinstein type for a part, the casting of regular roles and special appearances are a collection of one offs with either Jax or James. Britney, Lala all came into being for hook ups with the bad boys. Others have tried and not made the final cut. Only Kristen has the dubious honor having banged both bad boys. Kristen only way to stay on the show is to either drag up some chick with less self -esteem than she has to make public a real or imagined hook up with either Jax or James.
Lala telling Rachel everyone who has ever slept with Kennedy is embarrassed-if so why do they go on TV and talk about it.
Maybe someone reading this will remember what I SWAER I remember. Shortly before Brittany came out west, Lala and Jax were walking off hand in hand, looking like headed for the sack. Not long afterward, I swear Lala said to Jax, “Well, we fucked, and …” like everything was cool. Did I dream this?
James needs to stop crying if he wants to be taken seriously anywhere. He’s a baby. LVP gave him 2 chances and he ruined it. Nobody else. Yes, the others are 30 something idiots but James is an angry, mean drunk/druggie. I never liked him, never will. He should take his ugly ass straight to rehab and stay there. And Jax?? Please girl – STFU about anything related remotely to cheating and lying!
Well, aren’t you just filled with the Christmas spirit!
I have to agree with Victoria. Tequila Katie drives me crazy with her standards & antics. They all are entitled millenials but she takes it to a whole other level.
As someone who has been fat-shamed and body shamed many times the fact that Mary doesn’t quite get what a hostile work environment that is it’s pretty sad
I’m right there with you. Fat shaming or demeaning a person’s physical appearance is so prevalent in society, people think it’s okay. It’s not.
Wasn’t it brought up on a reunion show that head shots also have to be submitted with application out in L.A. , and that was why Billie had some trouble finding a job. So that area can’t be blamed on the boss. I’m sure ya could try and dredge something vicious. (Arg)
Hi TT,
When I clicked open ur site (from my saved FAV sites) and the black box at the top with all the things u can click on- like RHOB RHOA S.CHARM BELOW DECK 90 DAY F, ETC, there’s no Vanderpump link
Now there might be and I just don’t c it cuz I’m screen blind sometimes, just wanted 2 let u kno
Ugh sorry Imeant to comment more, ok anyway
Katie- stupid
Ariana-smart
Scheana- struggling
Stassi- Queen B on the edge cuz of that whole I’m too good for this cuz of my super cool bf (Patrick)
James-star
Raquel-everyone’s been there (ha I mean believed in someone u love)
Tom(the Katie one)- kind’ve over his schleppyness
Other Tom- I like him but if Ariana’s not down then move on
Jax- in every scene I’ve seen he looks AMP’D UP!
Brittney— God bless n go away- I’m sick of her I’m just friends with everyone and we’re just going out with pretty dresses and to have some fun (barf)
Did I somehow miss what five hour surgery Billie was having? She already went to the Phillipines or somewhere to buy a vagina. I am pretty sure she has boobs, what was this final surgery all about?
She was getting fat injections into her hips and butt.
Thanks!
It was to get a shapely figure- getting fat into her hips and rear.
Thanks!
I would have been happy to donate my fat.
There’s so much drinking and drugging on this show with this cast that is hard to tell the truth of what’s real. Katie brings nothing to this show and doubt she would be considered a stand out in Hollywood due to the standards and pressure about appearances in Hollywood and all the “beautiful people.” who come to be noticed and get discovered from all over the world. James provides the fuckery that’s for sure. Lisa should make him get help and therapy for his inappropriate outbursts and possibly bring him back on probation.
I honestly dont have a problem with Katie’s looks. She is attractive til she opens her mouth then she is as ugly as all get out. I am 240 pounds more attractive than Katie. It’s got nothing to do with her looks her personality sucks ! I’m hella obese but I know how to treat people in a humane & dignified manner. Her constant nasty behavior is abominable. Be nice Katie & the world will treat you better & hold you in high esteem. # Rant over
Will you be my new beau?
I am all yours Nanette. But TT is my birthday twin & spirit animal. If you are up for a threesome you betcha! I have so enjoyed your comments this past week! Thanks for sharing !
When we found out about Katie’s horrible accident, which caused facial scarring I was awe struck. I had no idea. This must have been the trigger for her interest in selling make up.
This is the ONLY story line I found interesting regarding Katie. Every other story line of hers is based on bullying, which she provokes, but turns tail and blames the person who defends themselves. Crazy!
You are so right Marc. It’s her personality that makes her unattractive.
I think James really shines in his TH’s
What I don’t agree with is James getting fired for things others have gotten away with. The boundaries are unclear and then people start pushing and pushing. Yes, they should know better … but it is human nature to push. Or the nature of the immature. In real life, I would hope a MANDATORY HR meeting would take place. Drinking on the job is not illegal in California, BUT all of those freebies and “shifttails” and such are supposed to be rung up (usually on a separate “comp” and mistake key) because the taxman wants his share. A tax monitor sat at a restaurant (after I was gone) and watched EVERY bar transaction. LVP better pray there isn’t a monitor watching VPR or uh-oh…
If I were to guess none of the cast probably is an employee of SUR. They get paid for appearances when they “work” a shift at SUR. James is different because he actually has advertised appearances. The Vanderpump Rules contracts are such a low bar of appropriateness as to how the cast can conduct themselves and treat each other. Of interest to me the scene leading up to the James Katie exchange, was Kristen, telling James to leave. Sandoval had to point out James had been DJ at SUR all day. As opposed to Kristen being a lot lizard at SUR. Hoping for camera time and bringing around a wannabe. At some point in time these thirtysomethings need to stop the ambushing-tried and true as it may be it is a form of bullying.
Ariana regularly advertises on social media she will be at SUR serving free shots. My guess is LVP et al, are sophisticated enough in business to know how to obey local ABC and tax laws. Maybe not. I think the producers like it best when the cast is under the influence.
Watching LVP approach James’ apartment it feels like she has rethought firing James. Having just lost her DJ brother to suicide, she may have felt firing James again, was too Draconian for the offensive comments. People who have lost someone to suicide often wonder if they could have something different. Working with James may be far more constructive than cutting him out. Although LVP likes playing the role of a badass she does have to contend with Bravo and the contracts they have with the cast.
Meanwhile, Katie seems to be capitalizing on her “triple chin”, her words not mine, advertising a no surgical fat removal system. I wonder if she will give James a cut?
I am all yours Nanette. But TT is my birthday twin & spirit animal. If you are up for a threesome you betcha! I have so enjoyed your comments this past week! Thanks for sharing !
Ok so I did my due dilligence and I went through and watched this whole season of VPR. And have a few questions i dont k ow if they have been asked already or not. And things my sleep dwprived brain saw.
1. Why doesn’t james family do more for his alcoholism? I’m just curious. How many times does he have to say yeah i am 5 days sober or 10 days or whatever before they do an intervention and swnd him to rehab? Its sad. He is an incredible asshole and chauvinistic, but no one should be left like that especially when their is a family history. I see really bad health issues coming his way.
2. What exactly does James mother or father have on Lisa VP to have her keep hirring him back? Everytime she fires him she almost crawls back to him. Its disgusting. You know when she fores him he calls mommy and mommy calls LVP and says remember when and lisa goes oh james its ok you can co.e back, but this is your last chance. I can almost guarentee you she is hearing him for TomTom
3. I got a kick out of La La in the alst episode trying to tell Rachel all the to.es James has messed around on her then, says “your boy is not johnny depp its not lime these girls are begging to sleep with him. ” umm you just contradicted yourself La La, either they are or they arent. You cant argue someone is getting ass everytime his chick turns around and they say women arent into him. Lol but Rachel is anotjer Brittany I am affraid.
4. What is this unholy alliance between “the hair” and Stassi? Its not natural and frightens me especially how quickly “the hair” jumped “Scheana’s ship. ” though it serves her right for ditching James just to fit I with the Weho? Meho? Ahoes? The “click”!.. Why is Scheana always have to be the “new girl” and Stassis verbal assault range. Its like she HaS to find SOMEONE to pick on so oh, theirs Scheana. Ive said it once and will say it again once a mean girl always a mean girl.
5. Good for Katie sticking up for herself, and for Lisa listening. I will be surprised though if Lisa holds jp her end. I. Telling you, she is going to move him to TomTom .
6. I also was rooting for peter. Good for him for being the only Man in the group and not listening to James half baked excuses, as to why he is so degrating to women. I’m glad someone is the group is man enough
7. I dont know why buy i hope Brit and Jaxs do this and show everyone wrong. Especially jax. I hope he really has grown up and is ready to step up. I think if he doesnt then brittany needs to walk. Lime out of CA and Sur. And just go home. Not with her head down or anything. But just away from that god awful toxic crew.
My step daughter is 23 and she was like why are you watching these ass hats. They are so disgusting who the hell actually acts lime that.
I snickered because she works at a local bar and her crew is no better. You need a score card to determine who is with who etc.. Granted if someone splits ans breaks up there isnt the drama but also not yhe cameras either lol. But she is at the bar evey Thursday and Friday night with the “crew”. And goes to different events in Ny nev. Etc. Its just funny she can’t see its the age. Sad part is vpr cast i think has 10 years on her lol.
8. I think i know why VPR wanst on ROBH this is the msot I have ever seen her film with VPR.