Vanderpump Rules cameras were reportedly banned from filming scenes for season 11 at Schwartz & Sandy’s following the backlash the restaurant and bar received in the wake of co-owner Tom Sandoval‘s affair with Rachel “Raquel” Leviss.
According to a new report, one of the venue’s other co-owners, Greg Morris, kept Bravo and its production company away from Schwartz & Sandy’s, which opened in November 2022, because he felt that exposing the venue to more fandom would “ruin the business more than it had already been ruined.”
“Production was banned from filming at Schwartz & Sandy’s for season 11 because there was so much toxicity that was aimed at the restaurant,” a source told The U.S. Sun on January 31. “The abundant amount of toxicity aimed at the restaurant led to many issues with staff, whether it was working there for the wrong reasons, like, trying to get camera attention or added pressure they received while trying to serve the guests.”
Schwartz & Sandy’s “went through a very tough time” after Sandoval’s affair with Raquel, 29, was uncovered in March 2023, and exposing more of that drama on Pump Rules was not something Greg wanted to do.
“Greg took control and did not allow cameras to film at Schwartz & Sandy’s because he felt like the restaurant and everyone who worked there was unfairly targeted,” the insider explained. “S&S took a big hit and Greg thought filming there would ruin the business more than it had already been ruined post-Scandoval.”
As Pump Rules fans have likely noticed, Sandoval and Schwartz didn’t film the series’ opening credits at Schwartz & Sandy’s, as expected. Rather, they were seen at the bar of their other restaurant, TomTom.
“As for the opening credits, there was never a discussion about them not filming at Schwartz & Sandy’s for the opening credits. It was just assumed that they could not film the opening credits there since it wasn’t part of the season,” the source noted. “It can also be assumed that since [Lisa Vanderpump] is the executive producer on VPR, she would rather promote the bar she has invested in rather than theirs.”
After Sandoval’s betrayal of Ariana Madix, 38, was made public, he was reportedly “pushed out” of Schwartz & Sandy’s by staff who “couldn’t stand him” and was “rarely” seen at the restaurant.
“Schwartz has been picking up the pieces and has been very hands-on because he did not want to see all their hard work suffer and did not want to let Greg down,” the source said. “Schwartz and Greg became very close and even Greg was putting in a lot of legwork and made sure everything didn’t implode.”
Nearly one year later, and as Sandoval begins to frequent the venue more, the insider said there’s still hope that the restaurant will be seen on Pump Rules‘ potential 12th season.
“Greg and the Tom Toms have had recent discussions where they sat down and tried to make a game plan of how they can refocus on S&S and just put the past behind them,” the source stated. “Greg is hoping that people’s minds will change about S&S and it can have a successful comeback. Both guys have other commitments taking up their time, but they’re doing their best to refocus on S&S. Who knows, maybe for season 12 – if there is one – Schwartz & Sandy’s can be featured on the show again.”
Meanwhile, during an appearance on On Air With Ryan Seacrest on February 2, Schwartz spoke of his role in Sandoval and Raquel’s romance, admitting he was “collateral damage in a very dumb affair” but adding that he was going through a lot at the time that he kept the secret from Ariana, including his dad being near death.
“I probably should have been more proactive,” Schwartz confessed. “I was kind of a basket case. … I was under the gun and I’m not particularly proud of how I handled some adversity.”
As he faced hard times with his family, Schwartz looked to his beloved apartment plants, which he claims were therapeutic.
“They were helping me with my rage. That was a vague reference to that one Friends episode. … That’s where I was at in the beginning of the season,” he shared.
As for his alleged makeout with Scheana Shay, 38, which she’s denied, Schwartz said, “I know I’m not supposed to [downplay] things. But it was a long time ago.”
Live Viewing Thread – This is also the live viewing thread for tonight’s new episode of Vanderpump Rules season 11, which airs at 8/7c on Bravo. Feel free to comment and chat below as the episode airs!
