‘Vanderpump Rules’ spoilers find that fans are worried for the future of their favorite restaurant-based reality series after controversy after controversy has hindered filming.
Firstly, all the way back in June of last year, several old and new cast members were fired. Veterans Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute along with newbies Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni were all let go from the Bravo series after past racial actions and slurs came to light. Shortly after that Jax Taylor and pregnant wife Brittany Cartwright also received their marching orders, or resigned, depending on whose story you believe.
‘Vanderpump Rules’ Spoilers: Will the show return amid cast shake-ups, lockdowns, lawsuits and tax board shutdowns?
Then came the California restaurant lockdowns due to the pandemic, meaning that even when the rest of Hollywood opened back up, there was nowhere for the staff of Sur, Pump and TomTom to film.
Just when things started looking up, with Sur outdoor dining reopening last month and Pump and TomTom looking set to follow suit, the California Tax Board “suspended” Pump indefinitely due to failure to file tax returns and pay taxes.
Apparently though, the restaurant owners, including ex-Real Housewife of Beverly Hills, Lisa Vanderpump managed to settle up all due tax balances as Pump’s garden, which is 90 % of the restaurant opened officially on St. Patrick’s Day!
However, Vanderpump’s problems did not end there. A vegetable supplier is suing both Pump and sister restaurant Villa Blanca (which is closed for good post pandemic) for an alleged lack of payments. It is reported the supplier is owed around $100 000.
And that isn’t the only lawsuit that has been filed against the 59-year old restauranteur and her co-owners. Staff members from several of the L.A. based, Vanderpump owned restaurants allege their boss failed to pay workers minimum and overtime wages, provide proper meal and rest breaks or provide accurate wage statements and pay stubs.
A giant headache for Vanderpump, for sure, but we selfishly want to know what this means for us, the fans at home all awaiting the petty squabbles and cheating dramas that would stream into our living rooms each week.
It seems there is good and bad news on that front. After all the delays, production of the reality show will resume. Vanderpump herself has assured us of a season 9 of the hit series, but there is one proviso. Vanderpump wants her restaurants to be back to at least 50% capacity before filming begins.
The business woman said, “I think we’re moving quickly in the right direction and everybody will be vaccinated in the next few weeks. I think it’s in the beginning of May or something so it’s only like six weeks away.”
The vaccination rollout is giving all L.A. restaurants hope that they will be allowed to return to at least half capacity before summer hits.
All being said, though season 9 is a go, with filming not beginning until at least May or June, it looks like we won’t see our favorite waiters, bartenders, hosts and DJs back on screens until the end of 2021 at the earliest.
If that seems too far in the future, you can tune into Lisa Vanderpump’s new E! series, Overserved with Lisa Vanderpump as she hosts celebrity guests in her home for dinner and tea. Lots of tea!
Watch this space for more updates on Vanderpump Rules’ return date and watch Overserved with Lisa Vanderpump airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on E!.
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