Plot Synopsis

VANDERPUMP RULES is a reality series that follows the staff at Lisa Vanderpump's West Hollywood mainstay SUR (Sexy, Unique Restaurant), which has been the backdrop for many memorable moments on THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS. SUR was the restaurant where Brandi Glanville and Scheana Marie, a female server who famously had an affair with Brandi's ex-husband, had their unexpected encounter. In this series, REAL HOUSEWIFE Lisa balances her motherly instincts and shrewd business sense, as she tries to keep control over her wild group of employees pursuing their dreams -- and each other. The staff at SUR includes: Scheana, the new girl at SUR, who is constantly faced with proving that she is not the same naive girl who fell for the man married to Lisa's close friend Brandi; Stassi, a server at SUR while pursuing her modeling career, who moved in with her boyfriend two years ago -- and the two have been fighting passionately and making up even more passionately ever since; Jax, a bartender at SUR, who enjoys the freedom, easy money and carefree lifestyle he has found in Hollywood but who often fights with girlfriend Stassi over his immature actions and inability to move their relationship to the next level; Kristen, the senior member of the SUR staff, who, after being a child actor and model, loves working side-by-side with her best friends Stassi and Katie, and her boyfriend of four years, Tom Sandoval; Tom, a bartender at SUR, who works there to make ends meet as he chases his dreams working in modeling, acting and playing guitar in a band; and Katie, a nice girl from Utah, who is finding that SUR has become her full-time job and the center of her social life, especially after she started dating one of Kristen's friends. On the night of the series premiere, Monday, January 7, 2013, Bravo aired a special two-hour episode of THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS from 9-11pm ET/PT to introduced the series, which had its official debut at 11:30pm ET/PT the same night.

On Monday, November 4, 2013 from 8-10pm ET/PT, Bravo presented the Season 2 premiere of VANDERMPUMP RULES as part of a two-hour crossover event with the Season 4 premiere of THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS. In the first hour, RHoBH's Kyle Richards hired SUR to cater a cocktail party for the Chamber of Commerce, as she celebrated Beverly Hills' centennial at her home. At the party, Lisa struggled to keep tensions down between Brandi Glanville and Scheana. After the party wrapped up, SUR staffers Stassi, Jax, Katie, Tom and Scheana headed out to meet up with Kristen when serious tensions flared up. In an effort to mend her relationship with the group, Scheana invited everyone to her birthday party, but it didn't take long for catfights to erupt.

VANDERPUMP RULES returned for its third season on Monday, November 3, 2014 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo. Lisa Vanderpump is once again flanked by SUR staffers Jax Taylor, Katie Maloney, Kristen Doute, Scheana Marie, Tom Sandoval and former server Stassi Schroeder, along with Ariana Madix and Tom Schwartz. Lisa is looking to expand her empire with the opening of PUMP, a swanky lounge in the heart West Hollywood, but she has to work harder than ever to ensure that both PUMP and SUR succeed. While Lisa has been putting the finishing touches on her new hot spot, her current and former SUR staffers continue to lead entangled lives. The last anyone heard, Stassi found a new boyfriend, quit her job at SUR and moved to New York City to pursue a career in fashion, but now she has followed her boyfriend back to Los Angeles and is disgusted to discover that nothing has changed with her former friends and co-workers. In the season ender, SUR's annual photo shoot turns tense as Tom Sandoval confronts Jax for stabbing him in the back. Katie forces Tom Schwartz to take action in their relationship, while Tom Sandoval and Ariana take their own relationship to a whole new level. While Stassi accepts Lisa's invitation to the restaurant's anniversary party, she finds returning to SUR more tense than nostalgic.

Season 4 of VANDERPUMP RULES premiered on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo. This season, Lisa is joined once again by Jax Taylor, Scheana Shay, Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix, Katie Maloney, Tom Schwartz, Stassi Schroeder, and Kristen Doute, along with James Kennedy. On a mission to keep SUR one of the hottest restaurants in Los Angeles, Lisa is faced with the ongoing challenge of controlling her disorderly bartenders, servers, hostesses and bussers. Jax is trying - and failing - to overcome his impulsive nature and stay on his best behavior for his new girlfriend(s), while Kristen's troubles with boyfriend James land her in uncharted relationship waters. Meanwhile, as Tom Sandoval and Ariana's relationship grows deeper, some of their closest friendships shatter. For Katie and Tom Schwartz, a big step forward in their relationship involves a ring without a string, but first they must deal with the lingering issues between them. Newly married, Scheana quickly begins to fear her marriage may be on the rocks when she learns her husband has been keeping secrets. To top it off, the group's world is turned upside down when a major player from their past re-emerges to settle unresolved scores.

The fifth season of VANDERPUMP RULES premiered on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo, shortly after an all-day marathon (6am-6pm) of encore episodes from the show's fourth season. The new season once again partners Lisa Vanderpump with Jax Taylor, Stassi Schroeder, Scheana Shay, Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix, James Kennedy, Katie Maloney, Tom Schwartz, Kristen Doute, and Lala Kent. Amidst the constant chaos with her staff, Lisa manages to keep it classy as she balances her multiple restaurants, businesses, and philanthropic efforts. New to the SUR staff is Jax's country-tough girlfriend, Brittany Cartwright, who must learn to live with a career playboy, gossip king, and notorious stretcher of the truth. Shortly after Brittany is hired, Jax spreads a scandalous rumor about her that threatens the best relationship he's ever had. With two months to go before their big day, Tom Schwartz and Katie's wedding planning is in full swing; they have even asked Lisa to officiate the ceremony. The two decide to throw a wild joint bachelor/bachelorette party in New Orleans -- but the celebration challenges their relationship in ways they never expected, making everyone wonder if the two will keep it together long enough to make it down the aisle! Scheana attempts to manage her friendships within the Stassi/Katie/Kristen BFF triangle, and although Stassi's officially made her way back into the SUR circle, she wonders if she will ever find love again. Back with a vengeance, Lala has never been one to shy away from vocalizing colorful opinions about her co-workers, and James continues to have an explosive temper, making the pair officially SUR's biggest outcasts. On the flip side, Tom Sandoval and Ariana find themselves caught in the middle of a SUR war as they try to maintain their friendships with James and Lala before being forced to pick sides.

Season 6 of VANDERPUMP RULES premiered on Monday, December 4, 2017 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo, with a simulcast on E!. This season, Lisa forges ahead with her plan to add another restaurant to her growing empire but when her new partners, Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz, show their inexperience, the veteran restaurateur butts heads with them every step of the way. Newly single and nearly divorced, Scheana finds herself at the center of the SUR gossip when rumors about her new relationship begin to swirl. Ariana and Tom face one of the biggest fights of their relationship, as Tom's loyal dedication to his friends makes Ariana feel like an afterthought. When Lala convinces Lisa to give her one last chance at SUR, the former outcast finds herself in an unlikely new role of peacekeeper, which complicates her friendship with James as he deals with a shocking rumor about his sex-life. Stassi tries to salvage her four-year relationship with Patrick, while Kristen devotes her energy to breaking up Jax and Brittany rather than focusing on her own relationship. Meanwhile, Jax finds himself faced with a shocking accusation that could risk losing the best relationship he's ever had. Brittany wonders whether or not to stand by her man and the SUR gang is torn down the middle as they must decide where their loyalties lie.

On Monday, December 3, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT, Bravo premiered the seventh season of VANDERPUMP RULES, with a simulcast on E!. Season 7 kicks off with the anticipated opening of TomTom. Lisa Vanderpump channels her energy into making sure her newest venture is the epitome of perfection, but when last-minute problems arise, she must assign more responsibility to her junior partners Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval - whether they're ready or not. After a rollercoaster of a year, Jax finally proposes to his loving girlfriend, Brittany. Although they appear to be getting along better than ever, Brittany breaks down when the group questions Jax's motives. After a painful breakup, Stassi bounces back with an exciting new business deal, an eccentric new boyfriend, and a surprising friendship with Ariana. Meanwhile, Tom Sandoval is on the brink of the greatest success of his professional life, but his personal life remains complicated when he shares an intimate secret about Ariana. After being the target of body-shaming comments, Katie takes a stand for the women of SUR and delivers an ultimatum to Lisa that sends reverberations throughout the entire restaurant. Normally fun and light-hearted, Lala struggles with the sudden death of her father leaving everyone wondering if she'll ever be the same. Fresh on the heels of her breakup with Rob, Scheana declares this to be her "single summer" but when she starts a new obsession over a hot SUR barback, people whisper that Scheana hasn't changed as much as she claims. Still the resident DJ, James stirs up trouble when an ill-conceived rap lands him in hot water with the group. Kristen retaliates by unleashing an explosive rumor about James setting off an irrevocable chain of events that will affect the entire SUR family. In the season opener, "A Decent Proposal," Lisa Vanderpump finds herself behind schedule on TomTom, the new bar she's opening with Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz. James finds himself in hot water with the group after he insults Brittany with an offensive rap, Scheana settles into single life, and Stassi revels in the "honeymoon phase" of her new romance. Finally, Jax makes a grand gesture to prove he's a new man when he proposes marriage to Brittany.

Bravo premiered the eighth season of VANDERPUMP RULES on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 from 9-10:30pm ET/PT on Bravo. Returning for Season 8 are Lisa Vanderpump and her current and former SURvers: Ariana Madix, Brittany Cartwright, Jax Taylor, James Kennedy, Katie Maloney-Schwartz, Kristen Doute, Lala Kent, Scheana Shay, Stassi Schroeder, Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz. Beau Clark and new staff Brett Caprioni, Charli Burnett, Danica Dow, Dayna Kathan, Max Boyens and Raquel Leviss also join the cast. After the successful debut of TomTom with partners Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz last summer, Lisa Vanderpump is busier than ever with her expending empire. With many of her longtime employees growing up and moving on, Lisa finds herself dealing with a new crop of wild and lovable SURvers -- and the romantic dramas and workplace skirmishes that come along with them. Former playboy Jax Taylor plans to put the final nail in his bad boy coffin by marrying longtime girlfriend Brittany Cartwright in a lavish Kentucky ceremony. Brittany is focused on throwing her fairy tale wedding, but Jax's behavior threatens to cause irreparable damage to their friendships. Tom Sandoval is put to the test as Jax's best man when he plans an epic joint bachelor-bachelorette trip to Miami. But their relationship is tested when Jax forces him to jump through hoops and Tom must decide what is most important: friendships or principles. Now a bestselling author, whose relationship with boyfriend Beau Clark seems poised to ascend to the next level, Stassi Schroeder seems to have life all figured out. However, her friendship with Kristen Doute is at a standstill. When Kristen's turbulent romance becomes too much, Stassi, and Katie Maloney-Schwartz must decide whether their love for Kristen is unconditional, or if growing up means finally leaving the Witches of WeHo behind. Despite moving into the perfect house and working on her cocktail book, Ariana Madix struggles to celebrate her successes. After a major scandal forces her to lose trust in her friends, she finds an unexpected confidante and mentor in Lisa Vanderpump. A year after losing his beloved job at SUR, James Kennedy continues to party his way through life. When he sends a string of venomous text messages after a night of partying, his girlfriend Raquel Leviss issues him an ultimatum that forces James to confront his demons or risk losing it all. Having left her job at SUR, Lala Kent is focused on her sobriety, music career and an elaborate home renovation as she prepares to move in with the her fiance. When her former best friend James expresses a desire to get help with his own drinking, Lala must decide whether she's ready to let him back into her life or leave the past behind her. Scheana Shay is thrilled to discover that she is the restaurant's newest queen bee and trains SUR's hottest new servers, Brett Caprioni and Charli Burnett. But when new waitress Dayna Kathan hooks up with TomTom's general manager Max Boyens -- who also happens to be Scheana's ex-love interest -- Scheana quickly adds her to her hit list. When assistant manager Danica Dow, fuels the rumor mill about Max's extracurricular activities, Dayna must decide whether he is worth all the drama she's enduring at SUR.

Season 9 of VANDERPUMP RULES premiered on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo. Returning for the new season are Lisa Vanderpump and her current and former SURvers: Ariana Madix, Charli Burnett, James Kennedy, Katie Maloney-Schwartz, Lala Kent, Raquel Leviss, Scheana Shay, Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz. They're joined by newcomer Brock Davies. As one of LA's most successful restaurateurs, Lisa Vanderpump spent the pandemic keeping her many businesses afloat. With her restaurants finally reopened, she continues to serve as a mentor and mother figure for many of her employees, both current and former. After working at TomTom alongside boss and mentor Lisa, Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz have come up with the concept for their own bar and have spent the last few months seeking financing, working with a designer, and creating the cocktail menu of their dreams. When Katie Maloney-Schwartz's input clashes with Sandoval's beloved ideas, Schwartz must decide which of his life partners to support and which to leave out in the cold. With a brand new baby girl and the relationship she has always wanted, Scheana Shay appears to have it all. But when her fiance and child's father, Brock Davies reveals a startling truth about his past, Scheana's friends start to question whether he's truly the fairytale prince of her dreams. Independence has always come naturally to Ariana Madix, who has funneled her energy into working on her own professional projects during quarantine. She finds herself caught in the middle of the drama when Sandoval's outsized opinions put him at odds with the rest of the group. A new working mom, Lala Kent is busy promoting her new book, working on her makeup company, and managing the staff of her house. Friendships are put to the test when she finds herself at odds with Scheana and Ariana. With nearly two years of sobriety under his belt, James Kennedy is doing better than ever -- his music career is skyrocketing and he's planning to propose to the love of his life, Raquel Leviss. But sobriety hasn't cured all of James' demons and when he continues to struggle with controlling his emotions, the group worries that Raquel might be marrying into a nightmare. In addition to working at SUR, Charli Burnett is studying to be an aesthetician. Friendship means the world to her and she has become extremely close to Scheana and Raquel. She even puts her modeling skills to the test to help raise money for a friend's botched plastic surgery. But questions about loyalty arise when one of her closest friends fails to take her side.

Season 10 of VANDERPUMP RULES debuted on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo. Returning for Season 10 are Lisa Vanderpump, Ariana Madix, James Kennedy, Katie Maloney, Lala Kent, Raquel Leviss, Scheana Shay, Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz. Ally Lewber joins alongside SURver Charli Burnett and longtime friend Kristina Kelly, who steps back onto the scene. Lisa Vanderpump, the ever-expanding restauranteur, opens Vanderpump a Paris in Las Vegas and relishes becoming a grandmother. With Tom and Tom venturing into the restaurant business on their own, Lisa continues to offer support and mentorship to her former and current employees, but can't help but question if the Toms have bitten off more than they can chew. The "Vander-verse" expands as Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval dedicate their time, energy and money to open Schwartz & Sandy's, a cocktail lounge across town, without Lisa. With Schwartz learning how to live on his own in the midst of a divorce and Sandoval chasing stardom with his band, Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras, will the Toms realize that opening a bar comes with a few too many headaches and heartaches to be worth it? After 12 years together, Tom and Katie Maloney have gone their separate ways with hopes for an amicable split as long as they both agree to obey one pact - no relationships within the friend group. When Tom hooks up with someone in the circle, their well-intentioned hope for friendship becomes nearly impossible to maintain. Katie begins to date again, while leaning on her friends Lala and Kristina Kelly for support. Ariana Madix and Katie's new business venture is a work in progress as they scout potential locations for their sandwich shop, with Lisa as a mentor and sounding board. Wanting to be the peacemaker within the group, Ariana winds up caught between two feuding friends. Raquel Leviss is ready to spread her wings and find her voice without her ex-fiance, James. With help from her friends Scheana Shay and Charli Burnett, Raquel is embracing her new single lifestyle. She is having fun and dating around, but as she finds her footing, she steps on a few toes and locks lips with someone that lands her in the middle of the lion's den, causing more conflict than fun. James Kennedy's music career is booming and his love life is prospering. He met new girlfriend Ally Lewber weeks after his breakup with Raquel and the two were instantly head over heels. When a surprise revelation about James' past with Lala pops up, Ally questions whether or not she can fully trust him. Dealing with the aftermath of a deceitful relationship, Lala Kent is battling for custody of their child and figuring out how to date as a single mother, but after a lengthy dry spell is eager to roll in the sheets. Now more than ever, Lala is prioritizing her sobriety, daughter and friendships. While gearing up for her dream wedding with dream man Brock Davies, Scheana Shay is stirring up some drama by being Schwartz's wingman in the wake of his divorce. When she pushes him to consider potential hookups within the SUR family, Scheana jeopardizes the future of her friendship with longtime frenemy Katie.

VANDERPUMP RULES returned for its eleventh season on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 8pm ET/PT on Bravo. Returning for Season 11 are Lisa Vanderpump, Ariana Madix, James Kennedy, Katie Maloney, Lala Kent, Scheana Shay, Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz. James' girlfriend, Ally Lewber, and Scheana's husband, Brock Davies, return as well. As a mentor, ally and confidant to the group, Lisa Vanderpump is working to restore some peace between two feuding exes as she attempts to provide perspective. With the closing of West Hollywood mainstay PUMP, Lisa is refocusing her expertise on opening a new restaurant in Lake Tahoe and continuing her success with additional ventures in Las Vegas. Ariana Madix's life was turned upside down after a devastating breakup, but she's determined to make the best of a difficult situation. Although she still shares a home with her ex, Ariana is moving on and dating a new long-distance boyfriend. While working to open the doors to her and Katie's sandwich shop, Something About Her, Ariana is embracing the countless opportunities that have come her way -- from a stint on DANCING WITH THE STARS to a new cocktail book. Recently proclaimed #1 guy in the group, James Kennedy's friendships within the circle are stronger than ever and his DJ career is booming. He bought a house in the Valley and is settling into suburban life with his girlfriend, Ally Lewber, along with their cat and a dog from James' past. With more distance from her divorce, Katie Maloney is exploring life as a single woman and dating, even if her pursuits strike too close to home for her ex-husband, Tom. A previous indiscretion comes to light and threatens to upend her and Scheana's renewed friendship as well as her cordial post-divorce relationship with Tom. With permit hold-ups and ongoing issues, Something About Her is a work in progress, and opening a restaurant is proving to be more challenging than anticipated. Lala Kent is still in the midst of a challenging custody battle, but being the best mom to Ocean remains her priority. Wanting to give her daughter a sibling, Lala explores fertility treatments and looks for a sperm donor as a single mother. She finds an unlikely connection with Tom Schwartz, forming a friendship that neither saw coming, but creating tension between her and the rest of the girls as her forgiveness for the Toms grows. Celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary, Scheana Shay and husband Brock Davies are struggling to connect as they leave the honeymoon stage and settle into their life with a toddler. Scheana works on new music as a way to express herself and cope with her postpartum OCD. She finds herself straddling the lines in the sand within the group as she navigates her relationships with her longtime friends, and feuding exes, Ariana and Tom. In the aftermath of a scandal that changed his romantic relationships, dynamics within the group and the success of his businesses, Tom Sandoval is working on bettering himself. In a fragile state, he focuses on repairing the foundations of his friendships. When he isn't on the road touring with his band, Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras, he and Ariana live under the same roof ... locked in a stalemate for the house. Tom Schwartz is mending a challenged friendship after taking the heat for his part in his best friend's shocking deception. Embracing a new identity, Tom bleaches his hair, evades exclusivity with a friend-potentially-turned-girlfriend, and winds up in a surprising love triangle with a new flame and his ex-wife.
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On Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 8pm ET/PT, Bravo premiered the finale of VANDERPUMP RULES' three-part Season 11 Reunion. Host Andy Cohen is joined by Lisa Vanderpump, Ariana Madix, James Kennedy, Katie Maloney, Lala Kent, Scheana Shay, Tom Sandoval, Tom Schwartz and Brock Davies to reflect on a tumultuous season that left the group more fractured than ever before. Ally Lewber and Jo Wenberg join the group in Part 2.

In Part 3: The reunion comes to a stunning close when, for the first time, the cast watches the last minutes of the finale live on stage. Ariana breaks her no contact rule with Sandoval, leaving both in tears. Scheana defends her actions and suggests her rift with Ariana started well before this summer. Katie blames Sandoval for the downfall of her relationship with Schwartz. Lala doubles down on the comments she made during the season, leaving her friendships on life support.

A week earlier (May 21) in Part 2: The Season 11 reunion continues when Ally and Jo join the group and Andy Cohen presses Scheana and Schwartz for details on their secret makeout in Vegas. Ariana opens up about the disconnect she felt with Scheana after the Lake Tahoe trip. Katie makes a surprising revelation about her "revenge bang" with Schwartz's best friend. Lala blows up on Schwartz for continuing to gaslight Jo about their relationship. Ally reflects on her future with James and sets clear boundaries for his behavior. Sandoval draws James' fury when he suggests Mya doesn't belong to Ariana.

A week before that (May 14) in Part 1: Sandoval finds himself on the defensive when he gets called out for his poor decisions in the press. While Ariana builds a life on Broadway with her new boyfriend, questions remain about what to do with the shared house in L.A. Scheana and Brock discuss the turbulence in their marriage. Everyone is brought to tears as Brock describes the impact Scheana and Summer have had on his life. Lala challenges Katie's authenticity about her feelings toward Ariana.