It’s Time for Summer House to End
Much like Kyle Cooke after a day-long pool party, it’s time to put Bravo’s Summer House to bed.
Summer House has always followed a simple formula: Throw as many warm-weathered parties as possible to fuel endless messy hook-ups and incite group conflict. But with several of the original series’ castmates venturing further into adulthood (Kyle reached 40 earlier this season), they’ve outgrown the primary premise. And yet the show still attempts to concoct a season-long Spring Break trip, despite the cast members’ inability to deliver.
The series needs to end before it inevitably transitions from mega-hit to failing dud in its late seasons, like its sisters The Real Housewives of Orange County and The Real Housewives of New York City. Otherwise, it will be usurped by the upcoming spin-off, Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard.
But how did we get here?
Rather than embracing its characters in full — many of whom have thriving businesses and interests that extend beyond floatie pool parties — and shifting the focus of the show, Bravo added new faces Samantha, Gabby and Chris this season, in hopes of bringing us back to its wild origins. But you can’t use just anyone to fill the void left by a sober Carl Radke. The early seasons were laden with so much debauchery that even a live-in RA at the nation’s most rambunctious college dorm would’ve been floored, and a couple of new, young party people can’t replicate that.
After seven seasons, there’s a disconnect between the cast as people and as characters. Kyle has shown zero evolution on-screen and remains the rambling drunk fool he’s been since Season 1. He’s always the last one to go to bed, talking to himself in the kitchen and scavenging for late-night snacks. Though in his real life, which is only talked about on-screen, but hardly ever shown, he and his wife, Amanda, are trying to have children. It’s difficult to reckon with understanding the two versions of Kyle when only one makes sense to us.
We crave growth from our favorite reality stars; that’s the point of watching unscripted TV! But this series hinders effective character evolution because its format can only produce one-dimensional people. We only get to know the weekend versions of each person, which isn’t conducive to following the real changes that a person undergoes from one year to the next. (Those who have evolved off-screen, like Carl, get less time in front of the camera.)
And while there’s nothing wrong with Kyle partying at 40 the same way he did at 34, there’s something a little unsettling about watching it play on a loop for six years. Just like when grown-ups get too drunk from your parents’ holiday punch at Christmas, it feels like we’re witnessing something that isn’t supposed to be seen in broad daylight. We’re witnessing an adult lose self-control again and again, and that feels, well, sad.
Yes, we love the cast members, so Bravo could keep Summer House afloat for a few more seasons. But isn’t it best to quit while we’re (mostly) ahead, before it all gets too humdrum? We can’t say whether Martha’s Vineyard will be a solid replacement, but we do have hope! And, if all else fails, we’re rooting for a Paige/Craig spin-off!
No it isn’t. More seasons, please.
I hate articles like this. It can end any time you want it to- just stop watching it! Leave the trashy show for the rest of us!
I want to see the Martha Vineyard spinoff. I hope it does well.
Why should it end? They can, at least, hard reboot it with a new young cast.
Kyle’s mullet is repulsive and needs to end too.
I concur, but no Paige and Craig spin offs ..please! Also, Vanderpump rules needs to go, Scandevol or not! They were done 2 seasons ago. Same reason, getting to old and a few of them way too cocky. Move on and get yourselves real jobs….your all jealous, mean and BORING!!! Time to call it quits VPR!
Agreed! Both casts are a joke at this point!
Please don’t take off Summer House. You could get rid of one of the real estate shows or one of the yachting shows. To many of those.
No, I disagree. I love the show, I just think they need to seperate the mean girls (Paige,Ciara,Amanda) and make it an even playing field for Lindsay, who is the actual star. It becomes annoying when they always gang up on her. There needs to be a power shift, or add a few allys for Lindsay.
Omg I agree! Paige is a spoiled brat,Ciara is one lf the most hateful,jealous bullies I’ve seen in a long time and Amanda is boring but goes along with whatever the other 2 say. I love Lindsey and her relationship with Carl and the way the others constantly talk about her is just disgusting! They are so jealous over her.
I completely disagree. I recently watched all past seasons of Summer House and Winter House, and only see the cast and narratives evolving- especially since diversifying the cast.
SH is one of the few places I see African Americans like Sierra, Gabby, and shoot I can’t remember her name, but her vulnerability is so endearing.
Ok, maybe I don’t disagree with you entirely, cause I would like to see more of their work week lives.
I am a little over and Lindsey and Carl. There’s just something disingenuous about their relationship to me. Seeing Carl go sober is great, though.
Kyle and Amanda are #relationship goals. And the bromance between Kyle and err what’s name is adorable. He’s a good sidekick.
No more of Paige’s boyfriend, though. I like him on Southern Charm, but not on SH.
“Kyle and Amanda are #relationship goals”
You think cheating and terrible communication are relationship goals?
Kyle and Amanda are relationship goals?? Are you absolutely nuts? They have one of the most dysfunctional, abusive relationships I’ve ever seen.
The problem is the first season the group were actual friends who had careers outside of reality TV. Now most of the cast are just “reality tv stars”. And only hang out on camera.
And it seems like the only plot is for the house to attack Lindsay and/or her relationship with Carl. Not much else is going on.
Why should the show stop because you don’t like it anymore? Just stop watching and leave it on for the rest of us that are still enjoying it. If they’d just get rid of Lindsey and Carl the show would go back to being the fun it used to be, they bring the whole vibe down. I’m very glad Carl is sober, and that the 2 of them are happy together – but they have definitely outgrown the summer party vibe. I always enjoy Kyle’s summer party persona, just because you turn 40 doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun!
Sweetie, the ratings are in the toilet. Grown people are sick of watching vacuous, self involved 30+ year old mean girls laying in bed all day trashing other women. And Kyle is a 40-year-old alcoholic in a dysfunctional relationship with his wife, not sure what about any of that is entertaining. Carl and Lindsay are the only normal one’s who’ve grown up and got their crap together.
I disagree, I love summer house and the new people they bring in.
This is the dumbest article I have ever read! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a 40 year old still partying if you actually watch the show this 40 year old man brings more ratings and fun into the house than the rest of the young boring newbies. It’s gonna take a major character to ever replace kyle or the rest of the ogs, and although yes carl got a little bit interesting this summer because we’re always expecting same old drunk carl but as a fan we understand it’s part of his growing you also gotta remember he lost his brother last year for consumption and I think that made him realize his needs his sobriety even more. I say keep summer house as long as the crew is still up for it I can watch Kyle partying till his 50.
Wow, your taste is seriously questionable. Kyle is a raging alcoholic and couldn’t be less interesting. And FYI, the ratings are in the toilet because no one wants to see these pathetic people still trying to party like they’re in college.
An alcoholic that runs a company that made 38 million in sales ummm oookay that makes sense. The ratings are still booming or else there wouldn’t be 7 seasons genius.
Paige/Craig Spinoff?
They are both highly unlikable and obviously together to keep their ‘brand’
afloat.
Soooo agree because it has become predictable and noted.
Absolutely NO ONE wants a Paige and Craig spinoff. You obviously don’t spend much time on social media as they are grossly unpopular. Petty, narcissistic mean girl behavior is really not interesting when you’re in your 30s.
Well, Craig & Paige spinoff would be nice and have some of the newer people from Summer House join them like Ciara, Mya, Gabby, Andre, and some new people. Totally agree with them same old same old actions from some of SH cast made us day the same thing after watching the lastest episode, its not returning, Would be nice to see Carl & Lindsey’s wedding and Craig and Paige’s engagement if either would happen.
They could call that show “Adult mean girls & Bullies in the Hamptons ” bc that’s all Paige,Ciara and Craig are!
Kyles mumbling munchie raids with his pants off are the best part of the show. Don’t forget this is the weekend in the Hamptons while they let off steam from the week in the city. He’s one of the few who leaned into the Bravoverse and evolved an entire brand, maintaining the work hard, play hard motto.
Every new character since Ciara and Danielle haven’t landed — wet diapers. Ciara and Danielle have great potential. They are the most authentic of them all. Danielle needs to lose that boyfriend. He’s so awkward and brings nothing to her table. The guy that talked about how much turkey he ate — fail. I cant see Lindsay and her millionth “my best friend” storyline anymore. Remember when Austin was her best friend in WH? It’s sophomoric for her. She was awesome at partying and being a go-getter publicist, not dampening herself for a relationship.
It would be an interesting storyline to see more of their lives in the city. A Paige and Craig spin-off with his baby-talking every girlfriend he’s ever had on screen would be absolute cringe and sink her budding career.
Ciara is a BULLY and one of the most hateful and jealous adults I’ve seen in a long time.
I agree 100% except the Paige & Craig spinoff. Paige is a spoiled brat and a MEAN person and Craig is just as ridiculous as Kyle as well as mean and demeaning to women. He is the worst one on that show. His parents should be ashamed of the disgusting little boy they raised
I think Summer House may have the lowest Nielsen ratings of any Bravo show and at the end of the day it’s all about ratings. Idk how this boring show survived 7 seasons other than TPTB at Bravo signed the cast to record low contracts. In other words, this show is very cheap to produce. But it really needs to end because it’s going nowhere fast. As far as Vanderpump Rules being over 2 years ago, the ratings went up before Scandoval and are way up after Scandoval, so I think the pared down cast and focusing on the core cast has really benefitted the show. Ratings don’t lie. Lala is so much more interesting since her fall from grace, without Randall living her best single life. Single Katie, single Schwartz, and now single Ariana will bring new dynamics & new stories to be told
Want to see Paige and Andrea finally together
The cast member Danielle is easily the most selfish, egotistical, pathetic cast member and friend that I have ever witnessed on any reality TV show on any network. This woman is truly certifiable. Her reaction to the engagement was something out of a horror movie. She should be removed from the show and never show her face on television again. Therapy is highly encouraged.
Sick of Danielle!!
The engagement was not about u and u did not need to know
Get over it!!!