Andy Cohen promises ‘real drama’ in season nine of Vanderpump Rules after cast members were fired

Andy Cohen has his hands full with multiple reality series attempting to get back into production amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

And the Emmy winner has dealt with some additional drama in recent months, as several personalities from his shows have exited or been fired.

He recently promised some ‘real drama’ in season nine of Vanderpump Rules, after cast members Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute were fired this summer over a past racist incident.

The 52-year-old said Thursday on the podcast Everything Iconic: ‘People were really [harping] on what was real and what was maybe a leap about the last season.

‘I think that what has been so brilliant about Vanderpump Rules and why that show is so hard for all the other people who tried to do it, to replicate it … these people all knew each other for so long and all worked for Lisa [Vanderpump] for so long.’

He continued: ‘It seemed like people were [focused on], “Does [this] person really work there and why are they going to Lisa’s to make Pride signs?” … I think where it goes is … I think they’re going to have real drama built into her reopening this restaurant after a pandemic.’         

Doute and Schroeder were fired from Vanderpump Rules back in June after former co-star Faith Stowers revealed that they falsely reported her to the cops in 2018. 

Cohen added: ‘I actually think in an odd way that’s going to create a lot of story that is absolutely real, and they’ll be able to lean into it. And frankly, Stassi and Kristen didn’t work there anymore.

‘And they’re both brilliant characters on television. I think it will be interesting to see who’s there and who’s not and what’s really happening. I think they’ll have a better time doing that and there’ll be a lot of built stuff that’s actually happening.’

In addition to Doute and Schroeder, newcomers Brett Caprioni and Max Boyens were also fired from the show for past racist tweets that resurfaced.        

Although Bravo has not officially announced plans for season nine, the show has not been cancelled, and most of the show’s cast appears to onboard.

Production has been delayed, after the temporary shutdown of Vanderpump’s West Hollywood restaurant SUR, which finally reopened in late September.