Mention It All - Drama At The Strip Mall (RHOP)

Episode Date: November 30, 2020

Bari and Dylan start the episode by responding to some listener feedback, and share how their Thanksgivings went. Then, they get into this week’s episode of RHOP. Everything comes back to the Grande Dame’s wig launch, and it seems like Karen is up to something shady. They also discuss Gizelle’s ongoing relationship issues, Wendy’s big conversation with her mother, and most importantly, who looked the best in Karen’s wigs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 up on that envelope?

It's time for a little in-person spring treat. It's time for a trip to Ross. Work your magic. Betches Media presents Ha ha laugh funny Mention It All A Bravo by Betches podcast We don't say that but now we said it

With Dylan Hafer Who gonna check me boo And Barry Rosenfeld I need to start drinking alcohol Now go to sleep week Hey everyone Welcome back to the Mention at All podcast I'm Dylan Hafer

And I'm Barry Rosenfeld We're back after what feels like A month of not Welcome back Well We We, you know, we planned it out right. So everyone still got their episodes on Thursday and Friday.

I hope you guys enjoyed our episode with Anisha from Family Karma. If you haven't listened, go check that out. We talked a lot of shit, I feel like. And we talked a lot about dating. So it was a little bit of like a new topic for us, not like in general, just on the podcast. Barry and I are usually super secretive about our private lives. Super. It is funny though.

It's like obviously some people have podcasts where they just spend the whole time like talking about themselves and we have so many shows and stuff to get through that like I feel like we don't get personal a lot. Right. Well, honestly, okay, speaking of personal, someone left a message or a review because I do read them just letting you guys know. And this person said that Barry says the word but a lot, which by the way, I don't. recall. And if I do, I'll work on that. No need to be rude. Like I will not say but anymore. And also she said that my laugh is painful. Well, like, sorry. Like B-U-T or B-U-T-T-T. No, like B-U-T. Like when I come in, I say but, which like I don't, I don't recall. And if I do, thanks for letting me know. I feel like we all have those little things that we say

that we don't realize. I think I say okay at the beginning of my sentences a lot. But, you know, but now, whatever. But Barry, I will work. Barry, how was your Thanksgiving? It was quiet, honestly. Like, I was home. And to be honest, I was really upset because my friend, I have a, I have a very large friend group. And when we are home, every Thanksgiving Eve, like every single year we always hang out. And for me during this pandemic, like that was the one night that like upset me because we weren't able to do that and we do it every single year. But I mean, Thanksgiving in general was nice to be with my immediate family. How was yours? Yeah, it's nice because you have like your your brother and your nephews and stuff.

Like it's you have like a close kind of like pod situation. I was. I wasn't even with them. How funny is that? I see them every single day. And for Thanksgiving, I was just with my parents. Yeah, I was just my parents. You know, my Thanksgiving was nice. I was here with my roommate and his boyfriend. Obviously, you know, didn't go home this year, which was a little different. But I've, you know, I've done it before.

When I first moved to the city, I was working retail for a couple of years. And so I had to work Thanksgiving week. So I never went home. So it's like I feel like I've been like prepared for this kind of like not always being home, which is probably a good thing. But it was nice. You know, I got nice and wine drunk and just enjoyed myself and cooked more than I have cooked in a long time. Yeah.

Let's get into Potomac. I feel like I know you have a lot of thoughts about this episode. I feel like, like always, we have a bunch of different stuff going on in a Potomac episode. Starting with, we're back from Portugal. We finally see Monique again after what feels like forever. And she and Ashley are at lunch. And, you know, quickly there is some kind of shady shit going on in terms of Monique being invited to Karen's wig launch. Yeah.

And it was very interesting that phone call that Ashley made to Karen. The way it ended was a little rough. So I was like, wait, was Ashley trying to be rude or was she trying to like get to the bottom of something? And then we didn't see them. communicate until like at the party and I was like what the hell was that I think you know so Karen Karen basically is saying that she never said Monique wasn't invited but she she knows but she is like she knows that Monique and Candace can't be together so she had told Monique to come early and then later in the episode there's some more like there's some more questions like Candice says

Karen told her to come early. And so it's like, Karen, I feel like is, obviously she's been trying to kind of be the neutral figure in the middle. But this episode, it's like, are you trying to be a little bit like two playing both sides and like, are you trying to like orchestrate some kind of run in? It's a little like Karen. That whole scene. Not now.

That whole scene was almost like I felt like I was watching. watching a movie because I didn't know who was like the, the, what's the protagonist? I was like, wait, what's the bad person's name? I didn't know like who was doing what, what, what was happening. And like, I'm, I know this is out of order, but I kind of just because we're talking about it, I kind of want to talk about that scene in, uh, in the party. Yeah, I was like, we can't do that. Um, it was very interesting when Monique came to the party.

She came early and they, they kept doing a counter on the bottom. Like she came before the party started. Okay. So I was like, all right. And then they were having a nice. Yes. That's until the party starts. Yes.

They were having champagne. They were talking. And then they showed Candice texting Karen. I'm almost there. So I was like, oh, just kind of like what anybody does before a party. Like I'll be there in a few minutes, whatever. So then all of a sudden Karen is like, all right, well, Candace is coming.

So like you got to go. And I was like, whoa, whoa. We were never told before this that Monique was just coming to stop by before the party. Like that was very out of the party. the blue. And then they really tried really hard. You can tell Karen is very nervous, like, for them not to see each other. They, this was maybe the most suspenseful moment. I can run housewives where they deliberately, because they showed someone getting out of car. And then, like, the door was opening and it ended up being Karen's other friend, but it was like,

like, like, what's going to happen? But then when Candace said that she was told to come early, okay so then Karen did that on purpose she wanted them both to see each other but that was not a good idea and also why instead of Karen rushing Monique out why couldn't she have been like hey just come for a few minutes before that that way you guys don't run into each other we can spend time together I feel like Dylan and I find ways to solve all of these problems and maybe it just looks so much easier to solve them while we're watching, but watching, I was like, you know, this could have been so avoided. Well, but then also there's some, something is said at the end about how Karen had told Monique to come and sort of stand her ground and like, whatever, which is like, okay, that's one thing, but

so that makes it seem like Karen wanted Monique to see the other women. I don't know. I do feel like I, I respect Karen not choose. aside, I do feel like that is still a valid way to be dealing with this. But in this episode specifically, it felt like there was, she had some kind of shady motives going on. And obviously when she was approached about this at the party, she did not want to have that discussion. And she left her own event.

I don't know. Left her own event. And she was like, I pay the bill. Fuck you. And like left. And that's fine. No one cared about that. No one questioned that.

But they, I feel like it was anyone's, they didn't want to be there anymore. So they're like, okay, Karen, if you're leaving, I don't want to be here either. They're like standing in the parking lot wearing these wigs that were put on them at this party. Okay, so let's rewind quickly. So let's talk, can we talk about this's birthday, dinner, and the Bryant family photo shoot? Because if we have to, yeah. Every scene, every scene this family has had, this season has made me so uncomfortable. And I just, I wanted, I literally want to know like what is going on in Jazel's head.

Like what is she thinking? Perfect word. Perfect word is uncomfortable. Because every time we see these girls, I do feel like her daughters just aren't necessarily super comfortable on camera. I think that might be part of it. Like they don't seem like they're like some kids of housewives obviously have fun when they're being filmed and they don't seem to love it that much.

But on top of that, every time she brings. brings up their dad, they look fucking miserable. Right. I agree. They're not babies, but they are still kids. And I feel we've mentioned this before. They are very mature. So they are going through something that they might not necessarily want to talk about

on camera in front of people. And when they, when Giselle tells them that their dad is coming for about a week, I thought they were nearly going to fall off the chairs. Like they were like a week. They don't even see this guy for like, a day at a time. So a week is like a long time.

And then Giselle drops a bomb that asks how they feel about moving to Atlanta. And without her even finishing the sentence, the girls were like, no, I wouldn't want to do that. I feel like for every, every Malabriela and I feel like, I feel like, I feel like, Jazeal's daughters are all Gabriella Judey's. That's a good analogy. They are like, yeah, you know, it's not for everyone. And definitely this relationship, I have my doubts about how kind of real it is and how serious, you know, how much Giselle actually thinks this is going to be like long term thing.

Well, she makes it in her head. Like when you mentioned what's going on in her head, in her head is like back to what it was like completely back to normal. And then when they go to this photo shoot, it was very like even more uncomfortable because number one, if I could have bet that Jamal wasn't going to be there. I would have won a lot of money. But he missed. They said his flight was delayed. So then she FaceTime him being like, where are you? And he was getting a manicure like in the airport, which by the way, I've looked like those are super expensive.

but like he was like going there for a spot like he had no remorse he wasn't like whatever but if you have something to do that day you don't book a flight FYI well she said he was flying from Ghana so I think he was like gone he yeah he flew from so he was in Ghana for something I don't know and then he was flying from Ghana to Atlanta and then Atlanta to DC or wherever so I think it was she said his flight from Ghana was delayed so I think at that point there was So he missed his flight in Atlanta. Yeah, because that one was delayed. Right.

But it is one of those things where it's like missing the photo shoot, like whatever in the grand scheme of things. It's like they're at like the Walmart portrait studio. It's not that big of a deal. But like it's an overall pattern of behavior that it's like this man is not like around in the way that Jazeel is kind of acting like he is. And also, oh, so that photo of the family. would have made everything better. Like, first of all, the girls looked gorgeous. Like, that, that photo of them was breathtaking.

Oh, and also going back, then Giselle shouldn't have booked the photo shoot on the day Jamal's flight. I take it back. That part's not Jamal's fault. Giselle should have moved the photo shoot. Choose a day that he's not flying from a different continent. Like, if he needs to fly from Atlanta, that's one thing. But, like, the man is in Africa.

Right. That is very true. But I just feel that it's something that needs, it's like a bigger conversation than what needs to be televised before talked about. I have a feeling that that is going to really be a topic at the reunion. People have kind of hinted and talked about that this reunion is probably going to be a tough one for Giselle. And I think part of that is her, you know, kind of facing the facts about what this relationship looks like on TV, which, you know, I like Giselle. I want the best for her. And I think this relationship doesn't really seem like it's what she wants,

needs, deserves. So we'll see. I don't know. When they were joking about holding the phone up in the picture in the photo shoot, I was like, okay, that's me.

Like, come on. I know. Sometimes you can tell she does get a little bit upset, you know, upset as she should. But speaking of relationships, we have Ms.

Hugar making a little sexy time set up for her man. And I, you know, this is something that. I feel like we've seen it time and time again where the housewives really are performatively sexy on camera. And it always feels uncomfortable. And I would say this falls somewhere in between Tamara and the bathtub. It's similar to that, but not quite as bad as Michael Darby eating the whipped cream off of Ashley's chest.

Come on, Dylan. Oh, my God. I thought this was. Yeah, seriously. I thought this was so effing funny. I first of all, it was, oh my God, guys, before we came on, I did that in the microphone and Dylan's eardrums almost popped. Like I was like, you hoo, Ray.

But it was so funny how they kept showing how long it was taking him to get up the stairs. And it's not like he was taking his time. Like, that's a big staircase, by the way. But she looked great. She want, she is determined to make her. her man feel good and wanted. And at this point, I'm like, she doesn't even care of what she gets back in return. She's like, I'm here to satisfy my man.

She's willing to unplug those holes, as she said. She's, oh my God, when he is like massaging her toe in the bathtub. And, you know, it's, I just, I love her. I want her marriage to be, you know, know, hot and fresh. And I hope, where are you? I hope. He's like, right, I'm in the bathroom.

I, you know, I feel like this scene, it was the most, the least cringe-worthy version of this type of thing because it was so funny. But still, it's just. But we also, on the up, we do see their relationship moving forward. Like, we really do. It has, from the beginning of the season, I feel that it has changed. and it's gotten better. And him, you know, he shows up to her event later in the episode, which, you know, I mean,

whatever, that shouldn't be a high bar, but clearly it's something that is meaningful to her. So. Yeah. And also, I've loved how they were making that a thing. Like, as he should have, like, what do you mean? It's her husband. Like, of course he was going to be there. I know I say that, of course, like he was going to as if he has in the past, but that's clearly what they've been working on. So I was happy to see him there. also oh my god i know we keep going back to this party i'm dying that the women were like so what is this so like what is karen own of that like is this like what she is to me it seemed like a collaboration the way she doesn't own it it's definitely a collaboration she's she's

making i i mean she's making some kind of money from it but i don't know yeah like this guy stephen is clearly like the person running the show the hair doctor he's He is the hair doctor. The hair doctor and also the spreader of shit talking about Giselle. This episode is brought to you by Prime. Obsession is in session. And this summer, Prime originals have everything you want. Steamy romances, irresistible love stories, and the book to screen favorites you've already read twice.

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We see a nice moment where Ashley and Michael have Ashley's mom and uncle lump over for dinner. And I, you know, I do feel like it seems like Michael is trying as much as I'm not going to give him any credit. I'm like, at least he's having this conversation on camera. I don't know. Was he crying, though, again, on camera? I feel like I've always said this. Michael Darby is uncomfortable in front of the camera. What camera?

Maybe just the one for this show, because I feel like he has been in front of the camera in other ways. But like the two of them, I feel like, yes, we've had a nice break from there watching their relationship for a little because that is tough to watch. So seeing V is, it's just funny to see. see an older man because he is a lot older than Ashley having a conversation with like Ashley's mom and uncle. You know, it's not like they're sitting down with like a young boy and how he's going to

treat their daughter. Like he's a grown ass man, established man. He has grown children. He is in his 60s. Like, yeah, it's funny. I do, I do, I like the sentiment though that at this point, it's like they don't. need to hear an apology. They need to like, they need to be reassured that this is not happening going forward and that their daughter is in, you know, an actual relationship that's going to be

positive long term. And I think, you know, it's, it's too soon to tell, like the proof is in the pudding, I guess, but like Michael seems to kind of grasp that and to, and I think at the very least, like whether or not this means he won't act out in the future, it seems like he knows that this is kind of like his last chance. Right. And you know what they say. Actions speak louder than words. So again, we are taking a man and just bringing him back to a child a little bit. But like you said, I do, I do kind of appreciate that since like obviously they had, you know, big issues in the first half of the season kind of with the hotel room stuff. I appreciate that we've kind of taken a step back from that and focused on other stuff because considering how many seasons now we've been watching

Ashley and Michael's roller coaster marriage. It's like I don't need that to constantly be a problem. Right. And also as much as that's what this show does is film people's lives. I don't want, I don't want them to harp on that the past because she is pregnant with their second child in current life. So like clearly they're together.

They're fine. So it would be like dumb, honestly, to talk about this one thing that happened last year with them, you know? Yeah. And as much as I want to be like Michael Darby is scum and trash and whatever. And like, you know, I don't have a lot of positive feelings about him. Clearly, Ashley is committed to him. So I hope that he is doing better. And I hope that he is, you know, figuring out how to not be an asshole.

Sure. Michael, we are thinking about you. Don't let us down. Thank you. Oh, God. I don't know how much I'm thinking about Michael I'm I'm maybe I keep rooting rooting I'm keeping an eye on him yes um okay so obviously they get to this the strip mall that the wig launches at I I don't understand it looks like they're in like the break room of a Sally Beauty like I and the crap

like I'm sorry I'm just trying to put to words I was like what is this like there usually no there needs to be a concept of what the party is. Do you know what I mean? Like there or like a schedule slash itinerary like the guests come. Maybe you make a little speech. You tell everyone what's going on. She showed like a video of like a photo shoot she was in on like an iPad. I was like how can everyone see that?

And also was there a theme? It seemed like all the snacks were white like white cookies, white sugared, all of the stuff. I was like it was one of those events where it didn't really feel like a party. Like it didn't feel like an event. It felt like she invited gathering people over and you know they're like doing some wigs, whatever, hanging out. It felt like an event that was really for filming, which obviously like I know that that's what happens on these shows, but like people have had big product launches

where it feels like an actual event and then obviously the cast is there. But this felt so staged and weird and just like, where are we right now? And also more importantly, I would want to know if I'm a guest, can I keep the wig? Do I have to take this off and give it back? Like, is this a parting gift? What's going on here? Also, the fact that the host left, not even like, all right, everyone, I'm leaving. Like, thank you so much for coming.

Like, it was like, goodbye. It was just a bizarre, bizarre situation. But you know what? we have seen Karen launch products in the past and we are also rooting for her. There's a lot of rooting going on today. It's interesting. So we talked about the conversation about Monique a little bit already. We also get kind of a grilling about Karen's drinking, which was a con.

So it was a conversation in Portugal about how she had said she wasn't drinking because she had an ulcer. And then at one point she decided to drink. And so there's this. I don't know if it's a rumor, but it's going around that Karen was at Monique's son's birthday party and she got really drunk. And so the women are kind of like, what's going on? Like, are you scared of talking too much if you drink around us? And I feel like it's kind, I see both sides of this because I get why they're like, what's up. But at the same time, I also am with Karen on the fact that it's not really ever good form to question somebody on why

they're not drinking, but it's like, it is a little weird. Okay. I agree with you about questioning. However, she kind of brought that upon herself when she said she had the ulcer and then she drank at another event and she did that. So it's like, that is fine. You're allowed to drink whenever you want and to not drink. But I think the whole like ulcer thing, like I don't want to say she was lying.

But if that's the case, like, why did you, why did you say that? Like, so that gave them ammo. You know, it's, I, yeah, I think you're right that it's like, if you, if we just went to dinner and you were like, I'm not going to have a drink, obviously, I'm not going to be like, Barry, what's wrong? But that if you had said, I can't drink right now because I, X, Y and Z, and then the next morning, you're like, I'll have a mimosa. Like, it is, it's a little. Yeah. And it's like, uh, like you can, the thing is like, I don't feel like anyone should ever feel obliged. to be drinking. So it's like, you could just say, I'm not going to drink today because I don't feel like it. And so it's like, if the ulcer is not real, then why did she? Right.

I don't know. I don't want to, I don't want to say she's lying about the ulcer. But like, right. Me, right. I feel very weird about saying that. But also, Dylan, if we were to go out and I said, I didn't want to drink, you absolutely would be like, Barry, what's wrong? Because everyone would be like, uh, okay, are you okay?

I would maybe, I would be like, are you sure? Are you sure? But I wouldn't be like, Barry, are you scared? You're going to embarrass yourself? No, I'm not. Wait, okay, real quick. I want to talk about the wigs that we see. Whose wig did you like best? We have Candace and kind of a nice, I would say a lob, like a wavy lob. We have Robin in not my favorite look with the bangs. Candice is my favorite right away. Candice was my favorite too.

She looked really good. Like she looked that, that style looked really good on her. And this is one of those people where it's like, I feel like her, her glam is just like very, it always looks right. And even when she's just putting that wig on,

I was like, it looks good. She's always done up like the right way. So, and she's very pretty girl. So like that wig though. And I feel like we've never seen her blonde like that. So it was very,

wow. a wow factor. It was funny to see all of these women in like a Karen Hugar hairstyle because you don't realize sometimes how specific someone's look is until it's like copied and it's like, oh my God. Like we've seen Karen wear that exact hair. Not only like, it's not even just like the same cotton color. It's like, oh, it's the same wig. Right. Well, yeah. I mean, the only blonde wigs just remind me of Kim Zulsiak. So it's, oh my God. Kim, Kim could never, like, these wigs actually look to, I mean, I'm not an expert on, you know, hair extensions and stuff, but these wigs look nice. Like, especially when Karen is wearing her own styles, like, they look really well done.

I don't, I don't know about the quality, but like, they look good. Well, we should check it out. I mean, Karen, if you're listening, send a girl some wig. And if you're listening, tell Rihanna to listen also because we have been dying to get her on as a guest. Maybe I'll ask, maybe I'll ask Karen's assistant Matt if he can send us some wigs. Oh my God. Okay, to be honest, my, you know, when you're having fun, I don't know if this is your version of fun, but like one of my best friends is blonde. So I'd put her hair like over mine and clearly I have very dark features and like I don't look good. maybe we can see if she has more of like a a brawn oh no no no i'm gonna rock it i'm gonna rock it but i'm just

saying um if you guys see us on instagram stories playing with wigs then you know that our plea worked but i'm not that shout out la dom oh my god very who is your number one bravo love in the group from this episode my bravo love i'm honestly going to give it to jazelle because although i don't necessarily agree with all the decisions that she is making and going through. I feel for her and dealing with raising her three children and really like going through it and having these conversations with them. So I'm giving it to Giselle.

Okay. And the fact that she didn't go to Karen's party. Oh my God. Whatever. I am going to give it to Wendy. We didn't talk about this. but she had a nice scene at the pumpkin patch where she finally talked to her mom

about taking a step back from being a professor, which was obviously something that was tough for her to bring up. And, you know, her mom wasn't super receptive at first, but it seemed like they kind of, you know, talked about it a little more and that, you know, overall at the end of the day, she is supportive of Wendy.

And, yeah, so what, I mean, that wasn't the most, like, exciting scene of the episode, but it's something that clearly was, you know, meaningful to her. It was nice because she, they made it seem like, you know, her mom was going to not be all for it. And then she, they ended it with like, I'm so proud of you and gave her a hug. So that was really nice to see. It was really nice. Guys, thanks for listening.

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