Vanderpump Rules Returns for a New Season of High Drama

A new season of good-looking reality drama launches on Slice

A new season of good-looking reality drama launches on Slice

It’s been a good long while since we booked reservations with the ridiculously good-looking staff at former Real Housewife Lisa Vanderpump’s Los Angeles eatery—Sexy Unique Restaurant (the title says it all, no?). But finally, after months of waiting and wondering, the SURvers are back in action with this week’s season-nine debut. Of course, there’s been more than a little turnover.

If you’ll recall, there was much controversy behind-the-scenes between seasons, when allegations of racism and bullying (among other transgressions) resulted in the mass firings of Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Max Boyens, Brett Caprioni, Jax Taylor and his wife Brittany Cartwright. Last year’s newest addition, Dayna Kathan, also quit the show ahead of the new instalment, basically cutting the cast in half. Longtime fans need not worry, however, since the players who are returning seem readier than ever to bring the drama.

While you’d think that becoming mothers might help the outrageous Lala Kent and Scheana Shay settle down and mature a bit, the trailer reveals both women seemingly on the verge of letting the fists and hors d’oeuvres fly while working an event. Meanwhile, James Kennedy is once again going off the rails when it comes to his fiancée, Raquel Leviss, and there’s even trouble in paradise between the Toms after things hit the fan with their new bar. Naturally, Katie gets in the middle of it all when she feels like one Tom isn’t listening to the other Tom, but it may require a more severe intervention to get their friendship and their business back on track. That comes in the form of—who else—Lisa Vanderpump, who tells the boys their bar is, in no uncertain terms, a “s***show.”

Vanderpump Rules airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. & 9 p.m. on Slice