A VPR Producer Reveals How Tom Schwartz Was Cast [Even Though He Didn't Work for Lisa Vanderpump]

It’s been over nearly decade since Bravo fans first met Tom Schwartz on Vanderpump Rules, and while we’ve all grown to love the bachelor, he almost didn’t become a cast member of the hit series.

That’s right – the Schwartz and Sandy’s co-owner initially wasn’t going to be a cast member because he didn't work at one of Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurants at the time. In the latest episode of Bravo's Hot Mic podcast (clip above), Schwartz sat down with Hot Mic host Alex Baskin (who also is an Executive Producer on VPR) and Tom Sandoval to chat about how he joined the Vanderpump Rules cast.

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Tom Schwartz reveals why he wanted to join Vanderpump Rules

During their candid conversation, Baskin raved about how long he’s been friends with Schwartz and Sandoval. “We’ve known each other for a really long time because when it was part of developing the show, and it was coming together, we would meet at the Belmont and talk about what was going on in your lives,” he said.

The podcast host continued to share how the “best” part about that time was catching up with Tom since he wasn’t a cast member on Seasons 1 and 2 of VPR. Schwartz then confessed that he was “weary” of the show in its early stages but had a change of heart before Season 3 began filming.

“I saw [the show] gaining momentum, and it started to become very appealing to me,” Schwartz said in the video above.

Tom Schwartz at the "Vanderpump Rules" Season 11 Premiere held at the Hollywood Palladium on January 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: River Callaway/Variety

Alex Baskin explains Tom Schwartz’s casting pitch to be on Vanderpump Rules

Right after, Baskin explained how Schwartz pitched the idea of him joining the cast of Vanderpump Rules. “So, you presented me with a really compelling diagram,” he told Schwartz and Sandoval.

Of course, this struck a chord with Schwartz, who immediately asked his counterpart if he kept the chart. As for Baskin’s response? “Oh yeah, I know I saved it, I just don’t know where it [is],” he shared.

Baskin noted that the diagram featured “reasons that Tom Schwartz should be on the show in one column and cons in the other column.”

Of course, the rest is history, as Schwartz has been on the Vanderpump Rules cast for nine seasons. As Baskin concluded, Schwartz “made a compelling case.”

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