Life Lessons Coming from Where You’d Least Expect Them, a Reality TV Show Called

Vanderpump Rules

Reality television can be described as someone's guilty pleasure. For me personally, one such guilty pleasure is the reality TV show, Vanderpump Rules.  This show surrounds waiters and waitresses who work at restaurant called SUR. This restaurant lies in West Hollywood with a fame seeking staff. With all of these different personalities in the workplace, drama is always brewing. Fights between the staff are always keeping the viewers entertained. The staff consists of Kristen Doute, Katie Maloney, Scheana Shay, Stassi Schroeder, Tom Sandoval, Jax Taylor, Tom Schwartz, Ariana Madix and James Kennedy. However, recently added was Lala Kent. Writer, Emily Nussbaum, describes the show and staff as, "A reality show about the people most likely to agree to appear on a reality show" (82). Every week,  a new episode airs, where another relationship seems to be in jeopardy between the employees. Throughout some seasons, Jax and Stassi were always known as the "on and off" couple. Viewers would see the ups and downs that occurred during their relationship. Lisa Vanderpump is the individual in charge of keeping order within all this emotional chaos. In the restaurant world, customers only see the food that comes to their table, but this show finally allows the viewers to take a look behind the scenes. Vanderpump Rules may indeed come off as your generic drama induced reality show, but fans who look deeper into the episodes will find a series that displays life lessons.

The SUR Staff

Ariana, Tom and Kristen 

In the beginning, Vanderpump Rules was a show that was only seen for entertainment. However, throughout the episodes, teamwork was always tested. Working at a restaurant in close knit quarters always sparks drama. It takes a strong person to over come the arguments at work and continue working altogether. For instance, Ariana and Kristen would always have issues between each other because they both dated Tom Sandoval, who also works at the restaurant. Even though this was always an issue between both waitresses, they would at least put the restaurant before their situation. In interviews between the two, it was always negative comments that came from both of them. Ariana and Tom were asked if they would want to go on a double date with Kristen and her new boyfriend and they responded, "Why would we want to be around obnoxious and unintelligent people?" Not letting this situation affect them at their work place shows that they have good character and are real people, even if the viewers see them as reality stars. Another example of how teamwork was seen was when the waitresses went to Scheana's wedding. Drama was obviously in the air, but they knew that this was Scheana's big day and wanted to be there for her. This shows that the staff are able to put things behind them and focus on what's important. The workers always got tested with situations that could affect how they cooperate together, but they still provide the audience with great team work. After working the shifts at SUR, many of the workers strive for being something greater.

James Kennedy 

Being the best that you can be is a well known saying. You are told throughout your whole life to push yourself and to not settle, but strive. The SUR staff are a picture perfect example of this life lesson. During the episode, you see them bartending, serving, and seating guests. When off the clock, the audience see that they pursue much more. Viewers would see that "early on in the show's run, its cast members all dreamed big of a life beyond SUR's walls" (Fry 24). In particular, someone who is aiming for more is Tom Sandoval. Being a bartender is his current job, but his true passion is to be a musician. You see during one episode that Tom creates a music video. He wanted to be the new face of pop. With the help of his coworkers being in the music video, he was able to create this image. The passion that he has to become something more than just bartending shows the viewers that they have dreams too. Another example of the staff trying to make something out of themselves is James Kennedy. At SUR, he is a busboy, but outside of SUR he is a DJ. James creates awesome tracks and loves to bring in his co worker's voices. He is letting their dreams come true too. Striving to become something more is a lesson that some do not accomplish. This generation settles for the next best thing. The SUR staff strive to be more and work harder to succeed.

 

Hard work is a characteristic everyone should pursue. It takes a lot of determination to become successful in life. In this case,  someone who works hard is Lisa Vanderpump. Many know her as the reality TV star, but she is also a restaurateur. Lisa owns many restaurants around West Hollywood and plans to expand more. The two restaurants the viewers see on the show is SUR and Pump. Building each restaurant from scratch and becoming successful is a tremendous accomplishment in life. Even though fans go and visit her businesses, many celebrities do too. Lisa explains that, "We do get a lot of celebrities, especially at Pump. I remember I was having dinner with Lady Gaga once and she was like, '"Well, where are [the stars]?" and I said, "Oh, don't worry, I'll get them down here in a second (Stack 53)."'  The hard work that Lisa has portrayed lets the viewers see she is more than who she is on television. She became successful in life from the hard work she performs, but from also accepting others.

Lisa Vanderpump on top of float

During the series, there was a major shooting in Orlando that happened at a gay night club. One episode from Vanderpump Rules was based off of their reactions and how the staff felt about it. You could feel the workers emotions during their interviews. Tears would fall down their cheeks just from thinking of a tragedy like this happening at the restaurant, Pump. Pump is a gay bar that Lisa also owns. Lisa created it because she wanted to give something to the gay community. The audience can see that Lisa is an accepting woman and cares about others. For example, Lisa went to the Pride Parade in Hollywood even though this shooting occurred. Many were scared but she knew that she had to support her community and her restaurant. The SUR staff was very impressed with Lisa's bravery and decided to go to the parade also. This shows the influence that Lisa has over her workers and how she is a role model to her staff. Lisa accepting others for who they are shows her true character. This could also rub off on the viewers and show how to accept others too.

Altogether, Vanderpump Rules is a great show to watch for entertainment. Drama is always around and relationships are always being tested. However, this show teaches life lessons and what one can do to become successful. Looking past all the drama, Vanderpump Rules shows great teamwork, how to strive in life, hard work, and how to accept others. All of this just comes from one reality TV series. 

Works Cited  

Fry, Naomi. “Vanderpump Rules.” New York Times, 6 Mar. 2016, pp. 24-25. Accessed 8 Feb. 2017. 

Nussbaum, Emily. “Big Gulp.” New Yorker, vol. 92, no. 15, 23 May 2016, pp. 82-83. 

Stack, Tim. “Reality by Her Rules.” Entertainment Weekly, no. 1438, 4 Nov. 2016, p. 53. Accessed 8 Feb. 2017.