Why We’re Skipping “The Valley” & Vanderpump Villa Review

Why Skip “The Valley”

As long-time Bravo fans, we know how addictive reality TV can be. The drama, the personalities, and the unexpected twists keep us coming back for more. The way you can get enveloped in the characters that keep you coming back for more. As much as we loved watching the train wreck that Jax brought to Vanderpump Rules, we were relieved when he departed the show in 2020. Understandably, there are limits to what we’ll support, and The Valley is where we draw the line. Here’s why we’re skipping it—and why you might want to consider doing the same.

Jax Taylor: Reality TV’s Giant Red Flag

Serial Cheater and Manipulator

Jax Taylor’s reputation from Vanderpump Rules is notorious. He’s been a serial cheater and manipulator, leaving a trail of broken relationships and hurt feelings in his wake. People can change over the years, but it’s clear this person has no desire or need to change. Particularly the drama with Stassi Schroeder and his latest rollercoaster relationship with his wife and the mother of his children, Brittany Cartwright. It’s clear that Jax thrives on chaos and attention of any kind.

Disrespectful to Lisa Vanderpump

Lisa Vanderpump, the whole reason Vanderpump Rules exists, is often at the brunt end of disrespect by Jax. Despite her pivotal role in his rise to fame, he frequently displayed blatant rudeness towards her. His lack of gratitude and understanding is glaring, considering Lisa gave him the platform that made him famous. Jax, under the impression that he brings the ratings to Vanderpump Rules, didn’t manage to bring our attention to his new ventures.

Failed Sociopath Test

On Stassi Schroeder’s podcast, Jax took a sociopath test—and failed. While this isn’t an official diagnosis, it highlights his manipulative and self-centered behavior. Watching his new show only serves to boost his already inflated ego, and honestly, he doesn’t need any more attention.

The Cast Members Worth Watching

While Jax’s antics are a no-go for us, there are other Vanderpump Rules cast members who are genuinely worth watching:

Ariana Madix

Ariana Madix is a beacon of strength and integrity this season. Her ability to maintain boundaries and not tolerate nonsense, especially from Tom Sandoval, is inspiring. Ariana’s composure and resilience are qualities we can all aspire to.

Katie Maloney

Katie Maloney’s journey showcases the resilience it takes to stay true to oneself amidst relentless criticism and personal challenges. During her relationship with Tom Schwartz, he had a knack for poking at Katie’s insecurities to get a reaction. It’s exciting to see where Katie can go when she doesn’t have someone rooting against her in her ear.

Brock Davies

Brock Davies brings a refreshing honesty to the show. His straightforwardness and commitment to building a better life for his family are genuinely admirable. Though Brocks past may be questionable, we all grow up sometime and it sounds like he has been respecting the wishes of the mother of his other children.

James Kennedy

James Kennedy’s sobriety journey has been challenging, but when he’s committed, his potential for growth is clear. His bathtub scene was pure gold. Watching him strive for a better version of himself is worth it, provided he stays on track.

Tom Schwartz

Navigating the Drama: Reflecting on Vanderpump Rules and Vanderpump Villa

Tom Schwartz is a mixed bag. While he often plays the lovable, innocent one, his actions tell a different story. He has a tendency to provoke and antagonize, especially towards Katie, under the guise of humor. Despite this, his dynamic personality keeps us intrigued. But if he doesn’t clean up his fboy attitude when it comes to women, he’s going to be on the next list.

Taking a Break from the Drama

If Vanderpump Rules goes into permanent hiatus, we’ve made a decision to avoid shows with these cast members:

Scheana Shay and Lala Kent

Scheana and Lala bring intense drama to the show, but their actions often cross the line into unnecessary conflict. Scheana’s constant need to be the center of attention and her willingness to stir the pot have become exhausting. Her insertion of her daughter into everything is obsessive and borderline creepy, it screams “pageant mom”. There is no need or reason for your baby to have a social media account no matter who it’s run by, most celebrities don’t even have that… What Lala considers a no-nonsense attitude often veers into aggression and conflict, detracting from her genuine moments. I hope these two can learn to focus on personal growth and showing viewers a more mature, balanced side. It seems like on Lala’s hunt for transparency on the show, she chose to stab a few friendly backs to get there. In Sheana’s desperate need for validation, she picks whatever side is present without considering the later consequences.

Jo Wenberg

Jo needs to take a long look at herself find the things she loves about herself. She needs to stop putting so much of herself into a man that doesn’t want her that way. The hate she’ll inevitably face when trying to take on the OGs isn’t something she seems equipped to handle, and it’s going to take a toll on her. To Jo: Katie doesn’t owe you an apology—you were rude to her, plain and simple. Texting “Bieber loves you,” you should apologize for that text alone. Your intentions have been clear from the start, and it’s only going to get worse the more you keep pushing. If you really were ever Katie’s friend, during the breakup with her husband, you don’t think you could’ve found a hotel or other friends place to crash? How would you feel if you were in that position with her and the tables were turned?

Tom Sandoval

Tom Sandoval’s charismatic persona often masks his manipulative tendencies. Anyone who can read body language can see that Tom is an actor, and not even a good one. Does Tom take lessons from the Joey Tribbiani school of acting? We’ve determined that stepping back from his storyline might provide a more pleasant viewing experience. Giving Tom time to step away from the spotlight is probably a good move too. If someone keeps getting attention (good or bad) for their negative actions, and they thrive on attention, they never end up correcting their actions.

Vanderpump Villa: A Fresh Take

Season one of Vanderpump Villa at the time of this article is available on Disney Plus in Canada.

Hannah’s Insecurities on Display

We recently watched season 1 of Vanderpump Villa and found it refreshingly different. However, Hannah’s behavior was hard to overlook. Despite claiming she’s not insecure, her actions suggest otherwise. Her constant need to call out others and create conflict makes her come across as shallow and desperate. Her tumultuous relationship with Marciano seems to have left her with deep trust issues. It seems Hannah also has main character syndrome where she thinks she is the main character of the story.

Grace’s Quiet Strength

Grace stands out for her quiet and composed demeanor. Although she needs to find her voice, her maturity is impressive. Her ability to stay grounded in such a chaotic environment is commendable.

Andre’s Respectfulness

Andre has been a pleasant surprise with his sweet and respectful nature. He’s someone we would trust around our female friends, even after a few drinks. His genuine character is a breath of fresh air. One of the only people that has the nerve to call out Hannah’s insecurities on camera was Andre.

Eric’s Challenges

Eric seems to struggle with managing his energy, though sometimes overwhelming, could be harnessed more productively with the right support. There’s a position for Eric and the Villa but we don’t think it’s Chateau Manager. In episode 8 we see Eric working with his true calling, which is Chateau Maintenance Manager.

Telly’s Passion

Telly’s passion for standing up for herself, especially against inappropriate behavior by men, is admirable. However, working in Lisa Vanderpump’s establishment requires balancing personal principles with professional conduct. Upholding the business owner’s reputation is crucial while representing the business. Behavior like this from men, especially on camera, does not go unnoticed by the masses. When women are being treated poorly by men we can’t react by treating them poorly in return. We have to do better, we can’t stoop to their level.

Nikki – (Episode 7+)

Nikki’s entrance came like a bolt of lightning. After Priscilla’s departure due to feeling bullied by Hannah, Nikki, tag team style, enters the ring to come in contact with the brunt of Hannah’s insecurity spiral. The undertones when she came forward to Lisa felt very kindergarten and immature. It feels like Nikki was brought on the show to specifically stir up drama.

The Role of Alcohol

Alcohol plays a significant role in these shows, often fueling drama and poor behavior. It’s no wonder that drinking policies were originally tight to ensure better conduct. However, well-behaved individuals don’t always make for the most exciting television, so the fire is often fueled by alcohol and stress.

Vanderpump Villa: Another Hit

There’s something about the directing and filmography that just gets us. From scenic shots of sheep in between picnic shots with Eric to catching the right facial reaction at the right moment, Vanderpump Villa is the perfect show for your next unscripted reality bingefest.

Conclusion

Supporting shows and personalities that align with our values is essential. Vanderpump Villa offers some intriguing new faces and dynamics, while Jax Taylor’s history of bad behavior is a clear reason to avoid The Valley. So we’re skipping the Jax and Brit drama and focusing on the cast members who genuinely deserve our attention. One thing is evident across all shows: women need to make better decisions in their choices of men.