Lisa Vanderpump has bigger fish to fry.
And yet, in the season 12 premiere of Vanderpump Rules—the first featuring a brand new cast—the restauranteur had to take time out of her day to reprimand her staff for their behavior.
“As you know, SUR is my baby,” Lisa said to her assembled staff in E! News' exclusive clip, adding that her business partner Nathalie “works her ass off here. This is her livelihood. And what I see when I come in today really pisses me off.”
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum then turned her sights onto three of her staff: servers Marcus Johnson and Venus Blinkley—who were both the last to the arrive to the meeting—as well as Jason Cohen.
“Last night, what transpired is Marcus, standing at the back of house swooping cups of Sangria,” she said. “Venus, standing here with Jason, Marcus, taking shots—before you even start working.”
As the rest of Lisa’s staffers watch the drama unfold, she continued, “What kind of service are you going to give? I'm not happy with you at all.”
The sneak peek is only a small glimpse of the drama that is sure to unfold during the new season of Vanderpump Rules, which sees a new generation of servers and bartenders being handed the reins at SUR.
And Lisa has one request of her employees as they head into this new chapter.
"I’ve always said with my staff," the 65-year-old teased in the season’s trailer, "'Give me anything, but don’t give me boring.’”
It should be an easy task, as Venus told the cameras, “We’re able to work, party, have sex."
And indeed, much like the original VPR cast—featuring the likes of Stassi Schroeder, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval, Jax Taylor and Kristen Doute—it looks like this new generation will also be looking for romantic connections within the small pool of SUR staff, letting the chips fall where they may.
In fact, when server Shayne Davis begins to double dip from the pool, his fellow server Chris Hahn warned, “Shayne's my boy, but when it comes to bro code, you don't do that s--t."
But for Lisa, it’s just another day on the job.
"This is SUR, we're a family," she said. "They're not perfect, but they're mine."
Vanderpump Rules returns Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 9 p.m. on Bravo. To meet the cast sur-ving up the drama, read on.
Lisa Vanderpump
This season on Vanderpump Rules, the deep-rooted, dynamic group of friends, frenemies and lovers that have been working for Lisa Vanderpump at SUR for years are shaking things up – from pump-tinis to chaos. Despite new uniforms and a few fresh faces in the mix, the drama remains as messy and complicated as their iconic predecessors.
Demy Selem
Demy Selem has been the manager at SUR for seven years and as the longest standing employee among the group, she knows all the inner workings of the SUR employees. Demy is all business when it comes to her role at the restaurant, but being the boss has an impact on her friendships, especially with Natalie. Can she sip the tea with the crew and also call the shots?
Shayne Davis
Shayne Davis winds up in the center of the drama at SUR, even though he’s the only one of their friends who doesn’t work there. He’s laser-focused on his sobriety, but that doesn't stop him from a night out on the town. Between acting, improv and screenwriting, Shayne’s social calendar is close to capacity, but he always makes time for dating. With one foot in and one foot out of the pool of ladies at SUR, Shayne might just make a splash he’s not ready to clean up.
Venus Binkley
Venus Binkley sees himself as the glue that holds the SUR staff together and the confidant everyone turns to for advice...and the latest gossip. Venus feels out of place in the West Hollywood dating scene, but his friends encourage him to step out of his comfort zone. When he finds himself roped into the drama between Marcus, Kim and Natalie, diplomacy goes out the window and he’s forced to pick sides.
Jason Cohen
Aspiring actor Jason Cohen is a happy-go-lucky server who has charmed everyone at SUR. His infectious personality and good looks have won over a few of the ladies and disarmed many of the men. He works at SUR alongside his cousin Chris and the pair have been attached at the hip since childhood. In between acting classes and shifts at SUR, Jason tries to date a new co-worker, but his attempts backfire.
Chris Hahn
Jason’s cousin Chris Hahn is a bartender at SUR and has been living in Los Angeles for three years. He moved to the city with a dream of becoming an actor, but pivoted to pursue music and views SUR as a steppingstone to larger opportunities. Single and mingling, Chris is looking for a partner and a long-term commitment. When Chris and Audrey start dating, discussions of a future trip cause complications.
Audrey Lingle
Audrey Lingle is all bubbly charm and girl-next-door charisma, making her loved by (almost) everyone on the staff. She’s recently single, chasing new flings and her dream of being on the big screen, but when someone at SUR catches her eye, a certain bad boy might just get the best of her.
Marcus Johnson
Marcus Johnson has been working at SUR for years, but after the loss of his parents, he has been struggling to focus at work and prioritize his relationship with his girlfriend, Kim. Closest to Venus and Shayne, he leans on his friends to help him move forward. Marcus is all about new beginnings and is shifting his energy to his DJ career and social life, but will need to learn if his fresh perspective and newfound career ambitions will strengthen his relationship or strain it.
Kim Suarez
Kim Suarez works at SUR while juggling her aspirations in the entertainment industry and a tumultuous relationship with her boyfriend, Marcus. When others in the group meddle, Kim wonders if her on-again, off-again romance will affect her performance at SUR.
Natalie Maguire
Natalie Maguire has been SUR’s lead bartender for two years and is ready to level up to bar manager, but Lisa may not be on the same page after her recent outburst. Closest in the group to Venus, the two started at SUR on the same day and have been inseparable ever since. Outside of SUR, Natalie is pursuing her pop music career with full force but still makes time for men, making her love life a major source of friction within the group.
Angelica Jensen
Angelica Jensen is the newest addition to SUR’s staff, but immediately makes waves within the group. She set her sights on modeling, acting and…friends Jason and Shayne, but a game of broken telephone threatens their possible connections.