Just like Kyle Cooke after a day of pool party, it’s time to put on Bravo’s summer house in bed.
summer house has always followed a simple formula: throw as many hot weather parties as possible to fuel endless messy encounters and incite group conflict. But with several of the original series castmates venturing further into adulthood (Kyle hit 40 earlier this season), they’ve moved past the main premise. And yet, the show is still trying to cobble together a season-long spring break trip, despite the cast members’ inability to deliver.
The series needs to end before it inevitably goes from a mega hit to a botched misfire in its later seasons, like its sisters. The Real Housewives of Orange County And The Real Housewives of New York. Otherwise, it will be usurped by the upcoming spin-off, Summerhouse: Martha’s Vineyard.
But how did we get here?
Rather than fully embracing its characters — many of whom have thriving businesses and interests that extend beyond floating pool parties — and reorienting the show, Bravo added new faces Samantha, Gabby and Chris this season, hoping to take us back to his wild origins. But you can’t just use anybody to fill the void left by a sober Carl Radke. The early seasons were fraught with so much debauchery that even an AR residing in the country’s most rambunctious college dorm would have been floored, and a few new young partygoers can’t replicate that.
After seven seasons, there is a disconnect between the cast as people and as characters. Kyle showed zero evolves onscreen and remains the drunken jerk he has been since Season 1. He is always the last to go to bed, talk to each other in the kitchen, and look for late-night snacks. Although in his real life, which is only talked About the screen, but rarely shown, he and his wife, Amanda, are trying to have children. It’s hard to expect to understand both versions of Kyle when only one makes sense to us.
We yearn for the growth of our favorite reality stars; that’s the point of watching unscripted TV! But this series hinders effective character development because its format can only produce one-dimensional characters. We only know the weekend versions of each, which is not conducive to tracking the actual changes a person goes through from year to year. (Those who evolved off-screen, like Carl, spend less time in front of the camera.)
And while there’s nothing wrong with Kyle partying at 40 like he did at 34, there’s something a little unsettling about watching him play on repeat for six years. Just like when adults get too drunk from your parents’ holiday punch at Christmas, it feels like witnessing something that’s not meant to be seen in broad daylight. We see an adult losing control over and over again, and it’s sad.
Yes, we love cast members, so Bravo could keep summer house afloat for a few more seasons. But isn’t it better to stop while we’re (mostly) ahead, before it all gets too monotonous? We can’t say if Martha’s Vineyard will be a solid replacement, but we have hope! And, if all else fails, we’re encouraging a Paige/Craig spin-off!
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