Hollywood is reeling from the latest comments from Lisa Vanderpump, the former powerhouse of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, who has publicly criticized the way the show has been “monopolized” by the troubled marriage story between Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky, a drama that Lisa calls “annoying, heavy, and repetitive to the point of being exhausting.” In a candid conversation, Lisa did not hesitate to beg the producers to return RHOBH to its “fun show” spirit – a true entertainment program, instead of turning it into a stage to publicize the tense relationship between the two main characters.
Behind-the-scenes sources revealed that Lisa has been closely following recent episodes and expressed disappointment that almost the entire storyline this season revolves around Kyle and Mauricio, while the other interesting aspects of the cast are pushed aside. “People watch Housewives to laugh, to enjoy the luxury, to see the funny and sharp moments, not to feel like they are watching a broken family drama” – Lisa is said to have shared in an indignant tone. These words quickly spread, making her the center of discussion on social media.
Bravo fans immediately split into two distinct factions. One side completely agreed with Lisa, thinking that the show was going too far by exploiting the marital pain of Kyle and Mauricio, turning RHOBH from an entertainment show into a wet “soap opera”. “We want to see fashion, parties, light drama and luxurious arguments, not a season-long marriage news” – a fan commented. The other side argued, arguing that it is the realistic and shocking stories like this divorce that keep the audience and make RHOBH always the top rating in the franchise.
Producers have remained silent on Lisa’s plea, but observers say public pressure could force Bravo to reconsider its formula for exploiting “one-dimensional” drama if it doesn’t want to lose its loyal audience. There are even reports that there is internal division within the production, with some creative directors expressing concerns that RHOBH is becoming “dark” and lacking the entertainment that is its trademark.
Lisa Vanderpump, who has long since left the show, once again proved her influence when just one statement was enough to turn a behind-the-scenes story into a global hot topic. Meanwhile, Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky have remained silent on criticism, fueling speculation that the drama will continue to dominate the airwaves throughout the season, despite growing opposition from viewers and from the very veterans who helped make RHOBH a cultural phenomenon.
