The Reality Above Reality, Part Two

#Scandoval and a New York Times profile exposed just how deep into surreality its participants have fallen, leaving us to ask, "What would André Breton have made of all this?"

Ariana Madix, Lala Kent and Kristen Doute filming Vanderpump Rules.

Part of what made #Scandoval so thrilling was that the news broke as season 10 aired; viewers were able to watch the season unfold and search for any hints, clues or inklings of Leviss and Sandoval’s affair. TikTok and Instagram became flooded with fan theories, speculation, and clip replays not unlike the ones that follow sports games. The affair was having an effect on the show’s real-time and retrospective viewing experience; an undeniable fact, especially when considering that Sandoval, Madix and Leviss were all at events promoting the show the very night that Madix uncovered their relationship.

The false reality that the show had created and the ‘reality above reality’ collided with each other. The fourth wall – which Bravo, before this, had fastidiously maintained – was demolished. The cast acknowledged the show while on the show; the process of making the show became a part of it. Never has it been more surreal. As season 11 has aired, the main focus has been the fallout from #Scandoval, and how the dynamics of this group of people – who are, concurrently, the cast of a TV show; a group of friends; co-workers; and figures of niche public interest – have shifted, seemingly beyond repair.