Marcus Johnson, a server on Vanderpump Rules, stirred controversy by drinking on the job. He was caught on security cameras taking shots and teaching a new employee how to sneak drinks. When owner Lisa Vanderpump confronted him, he claimed his actions were common practice, saying, “everyone does drink at work; I just happen to get caught” .
Lisa initially sent Marcus home, telling him to think about his future at the restaurant. The situation took a serious turn when she learned Marcus was drinking more due to personal grief. She decided not to fire or suspend him, offering support instead. This decision, which aired on the show’s December 9, 2025 episode, has become a major topic of discussion among viewers .
The Staff Meeting That Started It All
The trouble began during a staff meeting at SUR Restaurant & Lounge. Lisa, known for her firm but fair management style, called out Marcus’s behavior in front of the entire team. She had seen security footage showing him “swooping cups of sangria” during his shift and taking shots with coworkers before service even started .
Lisa was especially upset that Marcus was training a new server, Jason Cohen, in this inappropriate behavior. She pointed out that he was teaching Jason “to get s—t-faced” instead of proper restaurant service. In the moment, she was so angry that she ordered Marcus to gather his things and leave .
“I want you to get your sh*t, go home, and have a really good think about it,” Lisa told him during the meeting. “Because let me tell you, I donโt want to speak to you anymore” .
This public reprimand set the stage for a more private, and ultimately more personal, conversation to follow.
Marcus’s Defense: “I Just Happened to Get Caught”
After being sent home, Marcus spoke about the incident. He admitted his actions but suggested he was not the only one at fault. In a confessional, he offered his perspective on the restaurant’s culture .
“Lisa is always busting my balls, for sure,” Marcus said. “To be honest, everyone does drink at work; I just happen to get caught” .
This claim of widespread rule-breaking was supported by others. Venus Binkley, a fellow SUR employee, commented on Marcus’s habits. “At the end of the day, he has an actual issue with drinking. And he does it at work all the f*cking time, so this is a great time for him to be held accountable,” she said .
Bartenders also reported seeing Marcus and others in the back taking shots while customers waited for their drinks. The assistant manager, Demy Selem, later told Marcus that most other bosses would have fired him on the spot .
Lisa’s Private Meeting and a Personal Revelation
Despite her initial anger, Lisa arranged a one-on-one meeting with Marcus. When they met, she noted he looked “tired,” “thin,” and “unhappy” . She had also heard he was “drinking way more” than he used to . This opened the door for Marcus to share the heavy personal struggles he had been facing.
Marcus revealed that he had recently lost both of his parents. His father passed away a couple of years ago, and his mother died in September 2024. He described the profound impact of this double loss .
“When I lost my dad, I was devastated,” Marcus explained. “But I had my mom and my familyโฆ But now that I lost my mom too, I’ve just felt like, alone in the world” .
He also shared that his grief was affecting his relationship with his on-and-off girlfriend and coworker, Kim Suarez. He felt she couldn’t understand what he was going through and that he wasn’t capable of being the boyfriend she needed at that time .
Lisa’s Surprising Decision: Support Over Suspension
Hearing Marcus’s story changed the course of the conversation. Instead of terminating his employment, Lisa chose compassion. She told Marcus she wanted him to return to his job, but with conditions .
“I want you to come back to your job, but I’m gonna check on you,” Lisa said. She also informed him she would arrange mandatory grief counseling sessions for him .
Later, Lisa explained her reasoning to a producer. She felt that taking away his job would only hurt him more during an already difficult time .
“I’m not gonna suspend Marcus. When somebody’s struggling, you need to bolster them. You can’t take anything more away” .
Marcus was grateful for the second chance. He acknowledged his need for help and said, “I just feel like, right now, this job is all I have” .
Fan Reactions to Lisa’s Leadership Choice
The episode sparked a wide range of reactions from Vanderpump Rules viewers online. Many took to social media and fan forums to debate Lisa’s management decision.
- Support for Compassion: A number of fans praised Lisa for her empathy. They felt her choice to offer counseling and keep Marcus employed was the right way to handle a staff member dealing with significant personal trauma. They saw it as an example of supportive leadership.
- Criticism for Setting a Bad Example: Other viewers criticized the decision, arguing it set a dangerous precedent. They pointed out that drinking on the job, especially while training new hires, is a serious offense in any workplace. They felt it sent the message that rules could be broken without consequence.
- Discussion on Workplace Culture: Marcus’s claim that “everyone drinks at work” led to broader discussions about the environment at SUR and in the restaurant industry as a whole. Some commenters noted that while Lisa acknowledged sneaking drinks wasn’t new, the workplace standards in 2025 are different than when the show started over a decade ago .
The assistant manager Demy’s blunt remark to Marcusโ”You are so annoying. Any other boss would’ve suspended or fired you”โsummed up the view of many critical fans .
What Happens Next for Marcus at SUR?
With his job secure for now, the focus shifts to whether Marcus will follow through with the counseling and change his behavior. Lisa made it clear she would be checking on him, indicating this is a probationary second chance, not a free pass .
The incident also highlights the challenges of the revamped Vanderpump Rules cast. With several new faces at SUR, establishing professional boundaries and a positive work culture is a central theme of Season 12. How Lisa manages this situation may define her approach with the new team moving forward.
Vanderpump Rules airs new episodes Tuesdays at 9/8c on Bravo. Episodes are available for streaming the next day on Peacock in the United States, and on Hayu in Canada, the UK, and Ireland .
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