Lena Dunham tried to make a dramatized version of ‘Scandoval’

Lena Dunham became “obsessed” with Vanderpump Rules during the 2023 writers strike.

It was the summer of “Scandoval,” the highly publicized affair between Vanderpump stars Tom Sandoval and Rachel (aka Raquel) Leviss, which ended Sandoval’s nine-year relationship with girlfriend Ariana Madix.

On the latest episode of the Shut Up Evan podcast, Dunham told host Evan Ross Katz that she actually tried to coordinate a reenactment of the post-Scandoval Vanderpump reunion. She thought it would be fun to have dramatic actors perform as Sandoval, Madix, and Leviss.

“We should basically create like a mini movie in which actors treat this as canon and get up and perform it with all the passion and virtuosity of Shakespeare,” the Girls star said. “I went so far as to abuse Andy Cohen’s contact information to pitch him the idea.”

The reunion did deliver such gems as “Go f— yourself with a cheese grater” and “You’re a dementor, I know you like Harry Potter.” A dramatized version of these one-liners would certainly be entertaining.

While Cohen understood her vision, the longtime Bravo producer didn’t jump on the idea at the time, Dunham said. Although, he did bring together a star-studded cast to do a Scandoval reading on his Sirius XM show, Radio Andy. Cheyenne Jackson starred as Sandoval, Chloe Fineman played Leviss, and Amber Tamblyn channeled Madix.

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Dunham had a different vision for the cast. The Too Much creator said she pictured Andrew Scott as Sandoval and Jennifer Lawrence as Madix.

“I want to take these words and direct them like it’s really serious theater,” Dunham said.

Listen to the full episode of Shut Up Evan with Lena Dunham below.