What happened to the pacing of the show?!

I've been rewatching older seasons of BH (1-9). I am floored at the difference in pacing compared to the newer seasons. Even aside from the drama, they had multiple events, trips, and activities typically within the first 5 episodes. All of which were genuinely interesting and luxurious. Major issues were discussed multiple times within the first half. It wasn't boring. I never found myself losing interest, despite having already seen the episodes. Everything also felt much more organic. The ladies didn't seem like strangers making forced small talk. What happened?!

The later seasons just drag and drag with nothing topics being bounced back and forth for 10 episodes.

Did the drama just dry up after Teddi, Kyle, Rinna, and Erika linked up? Was LVP the one spearheading the luxury events? How did it fall apart so dramatically? How did it become such a tacky snooze fest?