Mention It All - Behind The Bravo Curtain Ft. Carlos King

Episode Date: May 25, 2022

Dylan is joined by reality TV producer and Real Housewives legend Carlos King. Carlos talks about the creation of his new show, Love & Marriage: DC, which marks Monique Samuels’ return to reality TV, and shares which other former Bravolebs he’d like to work with. Then, they get into some stories from Carlos’ decade of work on RHOA and RHONJ, and Carlos shares some opinions about more recent drama on both franchises. Finally, they discuss the upcoming season of Ultimate Girls Trip, and common misconceptions people have about what goes into producing reality television. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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See Home Depot.com slash price match for details. Betches Media presents. Ha ha, laugh, funny. Mention It All. A Bravo by Betcha's podcast. We don't say that, but now we said it. With Dylan Hafer. We'll go check me, both.

Hey, everyone. Welcome back to the Mention at All podcast. I'm Dylan Hafer, and I am very excited to be joined by today's guest. He is a television producer, extraordinary. Some call him the King of Reality Television. He is the host of the Reality with the King podcast. And if you don't know him, you certainly know his one. work if you're listening to this show.

Please welcome Carlos King. Hi there. Hey, Dylan. How are you? I am great. I'm so excited to finally get to chat with you because, obviously, as a Bravo fan and expert, I've been watching your work for like years and years and years. I feel like you must walk through the world just knowing that you have touched so many moments

of history. I do. So I want to talk about lots of things. But first of all, I want to talk about your new show that you have that just has started coming out in the last week or two, depending on when this is coming out. Love and Marriage, D.C., featuring, of course, Monique Samuels making her reality TV return. I checked out the first episode, very fun vibe. This cast, it's a great group. what was your

so it's a spinoff of love and marriage Huntsville which is a hit on own for a few seasons now how did you land on DC for the next spot in this franchise and was Monique kind of part of that initial plan or did you sort of how did that work? Yeah so love and marriage Huntsville is a show I created for the Oprah Winfrey Network and is a huge show

in fact is the number one show on the network So we had four seasons of great success. And the network said we should definitely figure out a franchise. So we toyed around with a few different cities just in terms of like, what will the own audience enjoy? Like what backdrop of a city? So I had like this nice list that had like D.C., Chicago, blah, blah, blah, blah. And I saw D.C. and was like, this could be interesting. And then I recalled that two weeks prior to this conversation with the network,

I had a conversation with Monique Samuels and her husband Chris after she quit the Real Housewives of Potomac. And as someone who, like you said, the king of reality TV, I wanted to reach out to Monique just to let her know. I witnessed some of the horrible things that you've experienced. And as a black man in this business, I want you to know that. I'm here to talk to you, whatever. We spoke for two hours, and we left that conversation dealing with, let's just keep in touch. So fast forward two weeks later, Odez said, figure out what city? And I said, ooh, if we do D.C., I wonder if Monique Samuels will leave the charge.

So I called her. She said no. And then I called again. And I said, one thing about the love and marriage franchise that's different than the house. is it's about married couples and couples who are friends or friendly with each other. And I said, I will only do this show with you if you're willing to present couples to me and the rest of history. I always like when a new show is starting and there's kind of that way in for casting where it's like you find, and I feel like housewives has oftentimes worked that way too,

where it's like you find one really dynamic person or dynamic couple or family. And then it's kind of like, okay, who do you know? Like, anybody in the neighborhood, any, anybody you see at the nail salon. Like, obviously casting is such a, it's such a hard thing and you have to get it just right. But when you start, when you have like a dynamic person like Monique is a starting point, it makes sense that she might kind of, she knows what works. Yes. And I wanted somebody, listen, it's a franchise, right?

So when you're creating a franchise, we start Auburnsville, no names, no big celebrity. no celebrities, in fact. And the show became a huge hit. So I knew that if we started a new city, I wanted to make sure that it felt different and special. And what could be more different and special than a former housewife leading the charge on a different franchise on a completely different network,

but can also show the world something that I felt was missing from her storyline during the four seasons. She was on Potomac. You never saw her and Chris have deep conversations about the state of their marriage. on Love and Marriage Huntsville, you saw the first episode, we dive right into it. And as fans of Monique, a lot of them were surprised that she and Chris, especially Chris, was so candid about what they were going through.

And you saw this very intense conversation that culminated the episode. And there's more of that coming in the next nine episodes. Love to hear it. I'm curious, are there any other former housewives, or Bravo Lebrides from any show that you could imagine building a show around, whether it's love and marriage or a different kind of project? Like, is there anyone that seems like they have that potential there for you? I would say Portia from the Atlanta Housewives.

You know, she has such a rich, pun intended, life. You know, listen, I got to be honest with you, I am very, very curious about her and Simon's real life. relationship. I want to see more. I want to see, you know, it's funny because you see her and Shemilla, who made appearances on Atlanta Housewives. They're both dating. Well, Shemia's married to her guy, but they both have partners who look like brothers. And it's so interesting to me. And they hang out. They double date a lot. So I would love to see more of Portia's life. I think Portia is one of the greatest reality stars that ever existed. She's beautiful. She's quirky. She's smart. She's shady.

I don't know. I think Porsche has everything. So I would love to send her a show around Porsche. Portia was one of those people where when she came on Real House Stories of Atlanta in season five, which of course you are well, very familiar with behind the scenes of that. the audience did not necessarily warm up to her right away. And I think it almost felt like we got to watch her sort of, you know, come out of her cocoon into that, like, you know, hilarious, shady butterfly of a person. Yeah. And I think that's kind of the amazing thing about watching people over so many seasons on

Housewives or any other show is like you really see them grow in their life and go through all these different phases. And Portia, even if she didn't necessarily have the best last season on Housewives or whatever, however you feel about that, it's like, I do feel like she's one of those people that it's just like she's so watchable. Oh my gosh. She's so dynamic. And you're right. When she first came on, the Real Housewives, she was literally like a steppered wife. It was hard to connect to her because, you know, she definitely played the role of I'm married to this very successful man.

and this is the type of wife he wants to be married to. So it was hard to connect to her first season in terms of rooting for her. And then you saw how she completely transformed into this new woman season six. And it was my first season executive producing that show. And Portia was a bona fide star the moment we started filming because you saw her gain her independence on her sexuality. and be so candid about what it's like to go through a divorce and to do it with a man who is in the public eye. You didn't see that. When Sherey first got on, you know, she was already in the process of divorce.

When Nini got to divorce with Greg, may he rest in peace. It was a different story because obviously Nini became the breadwinner, and that was a very interesting dynamic. So with Portia, you saw like she was with this Hall of Famer. And he told her like, you need to ask permission to go to the strip club, all those things. So, you know, to see Portia happy now and to see her be her authentic self is the reason why she's a fan favorite. Yeah, totally. And I think Atlanta is, when you talk about her showing up and being a star, it's like, that is a cast full of stars. So it's not, it's no small thing to be able to really.

hold your own in that group of women. You have, you know, all of these people. Atlanta, for how long it's been on, has had relatively few housewives overall because we've had, you know, Nini, Kenya, Porsche, Candy, Cynthia. Like, they've all been on so many seasons and that doesn't happen for no reason. Like, it really is, the casting has been so strong consistently. No, listen, Atlanta is one of the best franchises, if not the best. because of the casting choices,

especially in the earlier years. Like you said, you know, think about season six. You had Mimi, Fadra, you know, Portia,

Kenya, Cynthia, candy, you know, and then season nine, Choray was brought back. You know, they,

that show does the best at casting. I think that show, Potomac is really great at casting. I think they always find the right person. And also Beverly Hills is, has been consistent. Yeah, and I'm curious your thoughts on Fadra specifically, because season nine was your last year working on Atlanta, right?

Yes. So obviously that was, you know, so much controversy. Fadra's last year on the show. And now we're really seeing Bravo kind of dancing around Fadra. Introduce her. Right, she's on girls' trip. We just saw her making a little cameo in that Dubai trailer, which everybody was completely like,

Fadra. But I'm curious, like, do you feel like Bravo is really opening the door for her to come back to Atlanta? Or do you think they just know that? Yeah, okay. 110%. Oh, for sure. Listen, think about it. What former housewife has made me sort of like,

epic appearances, or should I say reappearances, you know? I definitely think it's strategic in seeing how the audience warms up to her. I'm curious to see what she delivers on Ultimate Girls' trip with that spicy cast, with Brandy and Vicki and Tamara and Durant. I mean, oh, my gosh, are my hitsmen already. That's such a dynamic cast. Taylor, Armstrong, are you kidding me? So, you know, I definitely think it's sort of like these planting of seeds.

Because when I was watching the Dubai trailer, that was the best part of the trailer to me. Because I literally, Dylan, I was watching it like, okay, you know, whatever. It was fine. It wasn't thrilling. It was fine, you know? Right. But when Bejaha popped up, I remember, like, I jumped in my seat. It was so unexpected.

Right. And I think with the Dubai trailer, and obviously the season could be a complete surprise from what the trailer has, but I'm excited to meet a new group of women. I'm excited to see how they incorporate the culture and the wealth and all of that. But it's like the trailer didn't really give us like drama or story. Like it gave us like, she has a business and she has a different business and they're all rich. And then it's and then Fadra. And they're gorgeous.

And then it's Fadra. And you know what's so funny? It was a good Jedi mind trick because you forgot about the, the prior. two minutes and 10 seconds. Because think about it, Dylan. All they talked about was Pager. Right. Fadra was the only like meme that came out of that trailer.

I know now she's a meme. Ain't that crazy? Girl, winter is so last season. And now Springs got you looking at pictures of tank tops with hungry eyes. Your algorithm is feeding you cutoffs. You're thirsty for the sun on your shoulders. That perfect hang on the patio sundress. Those sandals you can wear

all day and all night. And you've had enough of shopping from your couch. Done hoping it looks anything like the picture when you tear open that envelope. It's time for a little in-person spring treat. It's time for a trip to Ross. Work your magic. This season of girls' trip that's happening soon,

it really almost feels like a group audition. Like they're bringing them all to Derindus House in the Berkshires and it's like, okay, like do your worst for a week and then we'll be in touch maybe. I know it's probably. because I'm really good friends with Tamara Judge now. She and I text almost every single day thanks to her appearing on my podcast.

So I'm like, girl, how is it? She was like, well, first of all, bitch, I wish we were on a fucking tropical island. She said instead of being at Dorinda's house. But she was like, Carlos, it's really good. I'm really looking forward to that one. I cannot wait. those are the strongest

group of women than the first season of girls trip. Like this cast is fireworks. Yeah, it felt like the first season they were kind of like, look, we're doing all stars, we're giving you the brand names, and then now it's like, we're giving you like

the thing that maybe like tastes a little better. Yes, yes. No, it's out. Just out the gate just, ooh, I can't wait. Is there anyone in this cast that you think is more or less kind of primed to come back to their franchise? Like, to me, I don't think, I don't see Eva coming back to Atlanta anytime soon. Whereas I think, like, most of the women in this cast, it feels like you could kind of slot them back in. How do you feel about that?

I will agree with you. Well, you know what, I may disagree with you. It's funny. I had Megan McCain on my podcast and she talked about how she felt that Eva wasn't given a good chance. And then she brought up something. I was like, oh, I never thought about that. She said, I thought it was interesting to see this housewife

with a senator who was running for mayor. And what are those conversations like when, you know, look, you're kind of on like this loud show. I want to be the mayor of a mayor. Atlanta, do you dress a certain way? And I was like, oh my God, I never thought about that. You're right. So anyways, it made me think what you just said,

because if I didn't talk to her recently, I would have agreed with you. But now I'm like, I want to see Eva. But you know what's so funny? I don't know if you guys know this. Eva brought Drew to the show. Oh, did she? Yes.

Eva and Drew are like friends, friends, friends, friends, friends. Eva brought Drew to the show to meet with Cynthia. Yeah, Drew and Cynthia did not know each other. It was Eva and Drew are friends. So when they were casting for the new season, Eva recommended Drew. I mean, Drew and Cynthia, if there's ever been an introduction on Housewives that's like... Random. Yeah, we've been friends for a couple of weeks.

We've met once or twice. It's like, come on. Yeah, like, bye. So I say that to say, I could see Eva come back if the cast was different. She really is friends with Kenya now, which is surprising. She, they hang out. She's really friends with candy.

And again, she's really friends with Drew. So that would be interesting. But to answer your earlier question, I don't see a world where Taylor Armstrong comes back to Beverly Hills. Yeah, she, when this cast was first rumored or announced or whatever back in the fall. She really was the one person who truly felt like a wild card out of left field. It's like, wait, she's like interested in playing in this sandbox still.

Like, we haven't heard from her in so long. I know. Truly, I'm like, what does she bring to this era? I know. I'm curious. I'm curious to see how her and Brandy connect. Yeah. I'm curious to see how pretty much everyone on this group interacts with everyone else.

It's just, it's such a melting pot of mess and I can't wait. But I, interesting to have Dorinda and Jill in this cast because talking about going back to a franchise, there clearly is no classic Rony for them to go back to with this reboot structure that they're doing. But it does seem like both of them would be kind of ideal candidates for this legacy show that's been announced. How are you, what are your thoughts on this Roney structure that they've announced? Listen, I think from a business standpoint, it makes a lot of sense because we live in a different time right now, right? So when Beverly Hills, Lord Jesus, you can tell which one's my favorite, when New York City Housewives were, you know, decided to split into two, I was like, oh, God, this is doing the most. But then I thought about it.

I said, listen, I'm campaigning publicly for Ebony K. Williams to be a part of the new iteration of it, the more diverse, multicultural cast based on my conversation with her on the podcast because I went in Dillon thinking one way about Ebony K. Williams and left that hour-long conversation having a complete different understanding of her. So I would love to see her back on the Housewives of New York City. new iteration. For the reboot, listen, we, well,

I'll speak for myself. You tell me if you agree or not dealing. I love OGs. I love the women that I am familiar with. You know,

I want to see Dorenda, Jail, Luann, Ramona. I wanted to see Bethany, but she just said

a few days ago she's not doing it. I like the OG. So, If I can see the OGs be amongst their collector because in real life, they really do hang out with all cameras. I want to see that. Right. Like, if you're truly trying to cast a show that is about a group of friends, the kind of old guard of Roney is close to a real group of friends, if not actually there.

I mean, like, compared to what you have on some of the other shows, it's like, Like, no, they're, they hang out. They're around each other. They see each other out. And I do agree that I think some of the, some of the casting suggestions I see on social media, it's like, that might be fun. But I don't know if it's actually like the right decision if you're trying to cast a show. Yeah. Yeah.

I mean, it's, it's tough. And with the legacy thing also, I think there's a question in my mind. I'm like, are they trying to really build a show that has some kind of longevity? Or is this trying to be like seven episodes on Peacock and then we kind of all forget it happened? That's what I think. I think the reboot would be on Bravo linear because you have a built-in fan base. I think the legacy would be on Bravo. I think the reboot, the reboot will be on Peacock because due to the success of my

Housewise, which again, not a lot of people watched it years ago when it was on Bravo. So the curiosity factor peeped in when we were like, let's see how Miami does. These people we may know, we may not know. And I thought Miami had a stellar A plus first season. I loved every single episode. So I think the reboot would be on Peacock. And I think the legacy would be on Bravo because, again, you already know these women. And you're going to be invested.

it. And in terms of your audience, like you were saying from a business perspective, the, you know, 50-year-old white lady in Tennessee who only knows how to turn the TV on and off from, and it's already on Bravo, she's not going to get the peacock subscription. So if you're, she wants to watch Ramona and Luann, whereas the people who are excited about a diverse, interesting, fresh young group of women who have all different things going on. Like, that's, like, you're right that that's the audience that most likely is going to follow the show to, you know, a streaming service. And that makes sense. And I agree that Miami was a total success.

I mean, just they, those women knocked it out of the park. The production was great. It felt fresh. It felt luxurious. And I was so excited to see that they really fast-tracked it into another season. And, you know, the full cast is coming back. It's like, that's what we need. I cannot wait.

Lisa and Lenny getting a divorce. You saw that right? And I was so shocked. Listen, maybe I'm alone in this. I love them together. I felt they were so cute. And listen, I, you look at Lisa and you could tell she was in love with her husband. You know, I, I feel sorry for her because.

unless she did not sign a pre-up, I'm worried if she's able to live up to her life. Because Lisa loves being rich and fabulous and a woman of leisure. I think that's, it's an interesting kind of like two-factor thing because, like you said, it really felt like she loved her husband and she loved their life together and the fact that they were able to have kids together after trying for so long. it felt like she really that was everything she cared about in the world

but then also of course she loves her her face tune and her Birkins and her closet with the you know mechanical she loves her closet with the mechanical rails and stuff

I feel bad for Lisa can you imagine give me all of that up right and so I think it'll be really I'm fascinated to know kind of how that is going to pan out for her because on the one hand, I'm like, oh, I hope she gets, you know, I hope she gets to be comfortable. But also, if on the chance that she doesn't,

I'm sure it'll be great TV. Oh, it's going to be great television. And listen, at least she has Larsa to get advice from because Larsa isn't hurting at all. Larsa's like, you can come stay in my third pool house. Yeah, Larson's like, girl, let me teach you, honey, please. I loved, I, Larsa to me was such a wonderful surprise on this most recent season of Miami because people forgot, I mean, everybody knew that she was a housewife, but she was only on that one first season that was like seven episodes. Like, we didn't really get to know her. And from what we did, it was not amazing. And she just, she, she showed up, she clocked in, and she got the job done on season four. And she clocked the girls out.

she is funny. I tweeted when the show first started, I did not think I would start the year 2022 standing Larsa Pippin. Right? I literally was like, I just, I was like, oh, whatever, to Larsa. And I'm not, you know,

she's on my podcast. And I said to her like, the smartest thing you could have done was do that show because I think you'd have a whole different fan base. I said, listen, a lot of us thought like, girl, whatever, you're Kim Kardashian shadow, girl, whatever. You're the ex of Scotty Pippen, whatever.

I said, but after watching that show, you have an audience who's like, oh, I like you. Right. And it's an audience who likes her based on her personality and how she's carrying herself in this new phase of her life versus, oh, well, I'm a Kim Kardashian super fan. So I'm going to follow everyone that she's ever been friends with. Right. Now she has fans based on who she is, which I have to imagine is going to benefit her in the long run, whatever she does business-wise or life-wise. Like, she's going to be making more coins because she has more fans. Give some to Lisa, girl.

We'll see what happens. Oh, my gosh. So good. So good. Everything you want for summer is at Nordstrom rack stores now and up to 60% off. Stock up and save on the brands you love. like Vince, Sam Edelman, frame, and free people. Join the Nordy Club to unlock exclusive discounts, shop new arrivals first, and more.

Plus, buy online and pick up at your favorite rack store for free. Great brands, great prices. That's why you rack. I want to talk about New Jersey a little bit because you worked on the first couple of seasons of New Jersey. I know you were famously in the room where it happened with the table flip. Did you, have you watched? watched the most recent reunion for season 12? Of course.

Yes. I want to get your take a little bit on Teresa's demeanor throughout the reunion because I know you worked with Teresa back in the day, OG era. And so I know you might have a little more nuanced perspective than a lot of people. What goes through your head when you watch Teresa have, I think, sort of a rough reunion, a lot of people would say. Yeah, I mean, listen, Teresa has been on that show. Oh, my God, that was 2009.

We started that show. So that's what, 13 years? Teresa's tired. Like, I think, listen, and this is not to diminish any of the housewives because I love Margaret. I love Jennifer Aiden. I love Melissa Gorga. I love Dolores. And I love Jackie.

And this is not to diminish them. But I think we all can honestly say Teresa carries that show in terms of, you know, she is the centerpiece often on that show. And when you've been doing a show as long as she has, I think she's just exhausted because it's been the same thing consistently for 13 years. Like, it's always been like, eh, eh, and in her direction. Which is why I was happy to see her ultimate girls trip, because she wasn't a part of the drama. She was actually like, and I mean this respectfully, she was actually pretty boring on Ultimate Girls Trip, right? It was, she wasn't doing anything crazy. She was enjoying being on vacation.

And that's when I put two and two together. Like, this is the Teresa. Who Teresa wasn't ultimate girls trip is the Teresa that I know. me and her had dinner before the pandemic because she was in LA and we said next to each other Danielle Stahl was there too I'll do a podcast episode about that dinner girl

but I say that to say because that was not the time they were friends and it was nice to be reunited with my OGs you know and when I'm out of Teresa Teresa's quiet if you could have met she doesn't

she doesn't talk she's quiet So fast forward to part three reunion of the Real House of New Jersey. She gets fired up because one thing about Teresa, you don't come for her family, especially her kids and her man. She sees red if you comfort her children or her man. And it's hard to calm her down. I mean, you saw that at the table flip.

That's season one. So when people say, oh, she's cocky, she has a big head, she has an ego, Teresa's season one flipped a fucking table. And it took Joe juicy judice to grab her mouth and give her a kiss to calm her down because he was the poison reliever that she needed at that moment. So listen, her behavior is still entertaining. But I definitely think, I think she's exhausted. I think, I think Teresa would love to have a break.

Yeah. I mean, she's done, she's given us so much. She's carrying the shot. And again, I don't, you know what I'm not disrespectful. Teresa Judi literally carried that show. Right. In terms of like, think about it. It went through this weird phase of casting when they have these twins on and then Siki was on.

And listen, I think Siki's great television. But the show. was going through this weird rocky moment but Teresa was still there and trying to like figure out like what is this show because again I think people have to remember the initial

creative of Jersey especially was family. It was family family family. It started all with the Manzo's then it was a judaices then it was these weirdos who came in and it was like what is this show? I stopped watching it for a couple of seasons. I was like this isn't the show I signed up for

But now I feel like with the addition of Jennifer and Jackie and Margaret, who I think are great, the show has found its footing. So again, I'm not going to say, I will never say this show is successful because of Teresa, because that's not true. Those women also bring great elements to it. And listen, the Melissa haters, this may be unpopular. Melissa is a great addition to the show because I will never get. I will never grow tired of seeing Melissa versus Teresa ever. Right. It's interesting.

Yeah. Saying that she's the face of the show, I always think it's interesting to see who NBC invites to the upfronts, which are, have just happened in New York. And it's like, like it or not, Teresa is still the New Jersey girl that you invite to the upfronts. It's, I mean, if that's not representative of who is the face of the show, I mean, I don't, I sort of. certainly don't agree with everything Teresa says or does on the show, but like, you're right that she still is kind of the flagship New Jersey housewife. But is that, but let me ask you this, I don't understand why that's controversial to say. Listen, I think it would be if it was like, I'll give you an example. When you look at, um, Potomac, do you watch Potomac? Of course. Okay. So Potomac,

they have the longest running OGs in the history of the franchise. Ashley, Jazeel, Robin, and Karen. You said this, the up fronts, right? They brought Karen. I don't see why it's controversial to say that Karen and Jazeel the face of Potomac. And I think that's the truth. Right. For a very long time, Nini Leaks was the face of Atlanta.

Kyle Richards is the face of Beverly Hills. So I'm sorry, guys. Teresa Judice is the face of New Jersey and that's never going to change. Right. And I think maybe it's a matter of knowing that when you say she's the face of New Jersey or that Karen and Jazele are the face of Potomac, you're not saying everybody else on the cast is trash. No. And this person is perfect. And I love them 100% and agree with everything.

They say you're saying that they're sort of emblematic of the. the show, especially to a wider audience who might not be able to name every single person who's ever been on Housewives. No, I'm sorry. Listen, I love Lisa Rina, Derreet, and Erica Jane, and Garcel Bouvet. The face of Beverly Hills is Kyle. The face of Potomac, to me is Giselle, then Karen. The face of Atlanta right now, to me is Kenya. The face of Miami, to me is Alexia. and Larsa. And the face of Jersey is Teresa. In the face of the OC, I'll pass on that one.

And then the... Work and progress. Yes, TBD. It's a rebuilding year, remember. Yes, it was big. Listen, it was Vicky, period. Right. And then I would say Tamara second.

And a Tamp will agree with me. Did I miss any other housewives, Dillon? Salt Lake City. I mean, it's Jen Shaw Show. Is that controversial? I think so. I mean, because they've only had two seasons, it's like most of them are still O.Gs, whatever, fine. Yeah, but come on. When you think of, let me ask you this. And tell me if I'm wrong. When you think of Salt Lake City, I really do think you think of Jen Shaw, no? Tell me if I'm wrong. Yeah. And I think part of it's partly her performance on the show is just strong and memorable. But also like, you can't deny the fact that she has like the biggest Housewives news.

story of however long, like, you know, you can't ignore that. And as long as she stays on the show, she's always going to have that kind of notoriety over anybody else in the cast. And even probably after she's not on the show anymore. Yeah. All new drinks are now at McDonald's with refreshers like the strawberry watermelon refresher. And the mango pineapple refresher with popping boba to crafted sodas like the Sprite Berry Blast With berry flavors and cold foam, who knew ice cold drinks could be so fire?

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Red Bull Summer All Day Play. Red Bull gives you wings. Visit Red Bull.com slash Bright Summer ahead to learn more. See you this summer. I want to talk a little bit about just in general being in reality TV production. What kind of misconceptions do you feel like people have about the role of reality producers? Oh my gosh, do we have all day? It's, for some reason,

And listen, I'm really trying to get where this came from. People think reality TV producers are like these shady, disgusting, dangerous human beings who have the ability to manipulate people. It's sort of like the Tender Swindler or a sociopath. Right? When I watch a Tender Swindler and I'm like, how did this man con these women? People really compare that to reality TV producer

that we are capable of conning adults. Not just like a select view, no, the entire cast from season one to 14, that we just have the ability to say, I want you to flip a table, go do it. Okay, because Carlo said it. It's crazy. And it's weird because when I talk to other reality stars, who I don't know, they don't talk about their experience.

They're always like, one of my best friends is a producer on the show, which I'm like, well, that's kind of crazy. I want to say that. Go that far with it. But it's not this situation where all of us, because again, some are shady. I'll just say that on the record. But a large percentage of us, we are really there to just.

to do a good job. And the other thing, Dylan, that I want your listeners to know, it's not easy. It's 24-7. You are in-you-indated with phone calls in the middle of the night, in the early hours in the morning with complaints, with the star wanting to vent. You know, I remember my early days of show running. I literally, literally would wake up at 7 o'clock in the morning to a phone call. And they would just go on a tangent for an hour.

And my breath stinks. My eyes aren't open. And the biggest thing dealing for me was, why did you wake up with this on your mind? Yeah. Listen, listen, being a reality TV producer is not easy. It's hard. which is why a lot of people who think, you know,

oh my God, it's going to be so much fun. I get to like work with Mimi and I get to do this. And then they work and they're like, oh my, what? You work these long hours. You don't get sleep. You got to, yeah, it's a lot of work. Yeah, there's somebody on who comes up on my TikTok all the time. And they're like, they work for a production company.

And I think they're doing like Miami or something right. They're working on one of the Housewives shows. And they'll be like, yeah, Like, my, my partner and I spent like four hours setting up this like elaborate display. And then the women ended up like spending too long at the other place. So they never even made it to the place where we spent all day setting up this table. And it's like, yeah. Yeah.

No, it's a lot of cancellations. And it's funny because when you guys watch a show and a cast member doesn't show up, right? Like, let's say there's like an all cast dinner or something. And you're like, where is so? So nine times out of 10 is a producer who's calling that cast member, like, you must show up. We're here. I don't want to. I'm not doing it.

She owes me an apology. I'm not showing up until she. It's a lot of that. Yeah. A little bit of babysitting. A little bit. I think people also have this idea that like something being produced. means that it's like scripted or fake or staged somehow.

And I think with a thing like Housewives, it's like the producers are there to make sure that the stuff happens to give you a show to watch. It's not about staging the storylines or telling people what to say. It's like orchestrating the fact that these women are in the same place at the same time and are going to deliver on camera. Because if you just, if there were no producers, is it's like the show wouldn't exist.

Like, it's not like it would be more real. It's like it wouldn't happen. We are the organization to organize what you guys are watching. So like you said earlier with a guy on TikTok who's like, we set up this beautiful location with the flowers and everything to make you look great. So when they show up, they can, you know, talk. You guys don't know that. Or you literally filming those dinner scenes for three hours.

And what you're watching is 15 minutes of it. So I just did an interview earlier And he was like, wait So when they're like yelling at each other You're telling them to yell right I'm like No what do you think this is Like you're watching 15 minutes

Of a three hour scene And he was floor like wait what I'm like yeah Because in real life No one walks into a restaurant And starts yelling at each other It takes you know You bring up conversations

You bring up he say she say and they overreact. So our job as producers is to really make everything makes sense for the audience. And when you're watching New Jersey and Teresa's met at Margaret, we're talking about Louis. We have to make sure that we get Margaret's side, we get Teresa's side, so that when they meet up and she's yelling at her, you understand why.

Right. And you can tell, like on a show, if they miss one, of those steps or something like sometimes you'll be watching and it's kind of like why are they like I don't remember this thing that happened that made them mad at each other and like that really is important to get all of those kind of puzzle pieces together or else it just feels like you're watching a random assortment of footage with no context exactly exactly so again we're not this vinaical, you know, shady people who are like conspiring against your cast. Listen, we're not that clever.

And most importantly, those women and men aren't stupid. They're not dumb. They're rich and successful because they're smart. And they have common sense. Thank you very much. Delusional maybe, not dumb. Yeah, listen, delusional, a little, um, egotistical, all those things, but definitely not dumb.

Exactly. Carlos, this has been so wonderful. Thank you so much for joining me today. Anytime I had a good time, Dylan. Tell everyone where they can listen to your podcast, watch your new show, all that stuff. Yes. So my podcast is called Reality with the King.

You can get it where you get your podcast. My new show is Love and Marriage, D.C., starring Monique Samuels from the Real Housewives of Potomac. That airs every Saturday at 9 o'clock, 8th Central. And then following that, I have a new late-night show called The Nightcap with Carlos King, which is a talk show meets, you know, variety show, if you will, where we have special guests come on to talk about reality TV, gossip, pop culture, all those things. And that airs at 10 o'clock, 9th Central, all of those.

on the Oprah Winfrey Network every Saturday. King of reality television and king of the Oprah Winfrey Network. Carlos, thank you so much for joining. Thank you, Dylan. Have a good one. You too, love.

Thanks so much for listening, everyone. Don't forget to rate, review, and follow the show wherever you listen. You can follow us on Instagram at Bravo by Betches. And until next time, be cool. Don't be all like uncool. Mention It All is produced by Dylan Hafer, Sean Kilby, Jorge Morales, Pico,

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