Mention It All - Has VPR Outgrown The Fourth Wall? Ft. Gibson Johns

Episode Date: May 15, 2024

Today, Dylan sits down with Gibson Johns, host of Gabbing With Gib, for a catchup on the latest in the Bravo world. They start with the newly announced RHOA cast, and their hopes for the semi-reboot. Then, they unpack part one of the Vanderpump Rules reunion, and discuss how the fourth wall may be holding the show back at this point. Also, what is Lisa’s role here moving forward? From there, they segue into The Valley, which faces some interesting casting questions after a better-than-expected season one. 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 Betches podcast. We don't say that, but now we said it. With me, Dylan Hafer. We're going to check me, boo. Hey, everyone.

Welcome back to the Mention It All podcast. I'm Dylan Hafer, and I'm so happy to be joined in the studio again by a good friend of mine, a fellow podcaster. You have probably heard his show Gabbing with Gibb. He has lots of great guests. And here he is in the studio, Gibbs and Johns. Hello. This is my home way from home.

It's your home way from home. I love being on this show. It's the best. How's it going? It's great. We've been chatting the last few minutes offline about some of our thoughts about the Valley, jerseys back. Yep.

Fanderpump. It's, it's. Doesn't it feel like a month ago is kind of like a little bit dreadful out there? And then now it's like it's getting going again. Yeah, it's like the weather's trash right now, but at least I have numerous things to have opinions. At least Bravo TV is delivering. And also, we got a Real Housewives of Atlanta cast yesterday. Thank you, Lord Jesus.

I feel like I manifested this. because I've been, the last couple weeks, I've been beating the drum of like, Porsche announcement was three months ago. Literally. What are we doing here? And it felt like they just announced Porsche with like no other pieces of the puzzle in place. And it's like, okay, we got to like follow that up with something. Yeah.

And now we have a full cast. I'm going to read it just so in case you haven't seen. So Kenya, Porsche, Drew Sadora, keeping her peach, Shamiya, a full-time housewife after like 11 years. of showing up here and there. Cynthia's going to be a friend of. And then we have three new women. We don't know for sure if they're all going to be housewives. But they are Angela Oakley,

Brittany Eady, and Kelly Farrell. And I have like a little one sentence rundown of each of them. Okay, let's hear it. So Angela Oakley, according to her Instagram bio, is a finance and real estate mogul, uh,

self-styled mogul. Love a self-enointed mogul. She interestingly has less than 4,000 followers on Instagram. So she is like grasswork. roots. She's not like trying to be famous yet, maybe. Exactly. And she also has not posted about this announcement. We're, we're recording this like 18 hours later maybe. So like these other ladies have like, their stories are like dots at this point. Brittany Edy is an insurance agent, but like she's an insurance agent turned like influencer where like she had a Black Friday sale for her insurance.

Okay. Okay. So she's playing the game. Podcast clips on her social and she has 161,000 followers on Instagram. So she's like, she's hustling. And then Kelly Farrell is a restaurant owner She has a restaurant in Atlanta And then she's been on like TV shows related to like food stuff Like GMA own kind of stuff That's kind of fun She has 88,000 followers

So she's also like in the game In there yeah I mean clearly we're missing out in a restaurant wars between K&DN That was the first thing I thought she has like Her restaurant is called like Chicken and Biscuits or something And I'm like that's like OLD would have been

It would have been like a head to head. Yeah But so it's interesting that they didn't go the route. I think some people were wondering of like getting sort of like an Atlanta celebrity or celebrity adjacent person. You know, people were like, oh, it's like Tamar Braxton going to be on there. It's like tiny going to be on there. And they really didn't, they didn't go down that road, which I feel like it was probably a good choice. I think it's a good thing.

I have questions about some of these decisions, but ultimately, one, I'm just glad we have news. Like, it feels like candy kind of blindsided them by saying it at the Grammy's. that she was not coming back. So that's why they rushed the portion. That's kind of how I read it. Right. She played their hand. But yeah,

I think it's good they didn't go the celebrity route because that's somebody that you can inject one, like as a one off kind of, or like inject two people in a couple seasons. One's like kind of famous and one's not. Yeah. But now I'm like we have a really good mix of like iconic people. Like Portia and Kenya are alone enough to carry a whole cast,

I think. And that excites me like in and of itself. And like Shimea, I'm kind of neutral on. I feel like the news that she was kind of getting upgraded from like, I mean, she was a friend of like seven years ago and now she's all of a sudden housewife. It's a little bit of a question mark, but like I'm neutral on it.

Like, give her a chance to like prove to us that she has it in her. I think Shamiya has been interesting in the past. Since Portia left the show, it kind of felt like she's popped up a couple times. She didn't have a full place on there. But it's really interesting. I was looking back at the trusty Wikipedia casting. I go there every day. So this is going to be the.

the 11th season, I believe, that Shamiya has appeared on, but she was only an actual friend of one time in season eight. And so it is kind of crazy that she's been like in the periphery for so long. And there were seasons where she was like around quite a bit and still didn't have that friend of contract. But I'm like, I guess I am really curious to see like what she is like in a full time capacity. And I have no idea what her life is like, really. She is married.

She has at least one kid. Like she has a last name that's not just Morton. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yeah. I'm like,

okay. And obviously she and Porsche go way back. And so I think it's clear that like Porsche is one of the, you know, central pillars of this new version. And like having Shimea there probably makes sense for that. I think so too. And I also think it puts a little bit less pressure on Kenya and Porsche to like remain really close like a duo.

You know what I mean? Now Porsche has this built in person that's like her ride or die. And I want to see Kenya and Porsche on. good terms, but I also think for them, it always feels inevitable that there will be ups and downs. But like, Atlanta historically has always had those, like, really great frenemy relationships that are, like, kind of like, roller coasters. And that's what I want at a Kenya and Porsche. Well, I think Drew's first season, I think was Porsche's last season. I think you're right. And they were, they were friends. Like, they have a friendship. But I feel like Drew is also the

kind of person who, like, Drew can kind of, like, blow with the wind and then maybe they'll won't be on speaking terms. Yeah. But Drew, he can. Keeping her peach, I think surprised most people. Over Shire, too. With Drew, my issue with her. And I just don't think she's ever been fully truthful with us. Even in the divorce stuff, I just felt like there was like a facade that goes up. And I just want her to be really authentic.

And because I think she has that in her. We've gotten glimpses of that. Yes. But I feel like we have to like push past that, past this like artifice that she puts up for herself. So maybe without Ralph in the picture, we'll get that. Yeah, it's interesting because they've taken such a long hiatus from filming, when we last saw them on the show, they were sort of, you know, they filed for divorce after filming had ended for season 15. And then obviously they talked about it at the reunion. And there was that, you know, godawful performance and whatever. But now it's like if they start filming right now, let's say, it's been a year. And plus since they filmed for. season 15. So it's like, is Ralph even going to be appearing on the show? Maybe not. I don't really need him to be, to be honest. I think that would free her up. The Drew and Ralph stuff was fascinating at

times. But now that it's like officially over, I'm like, I don't need this guy just like lingering. Like, I don't like him. No, I don't feel invested in it. I think it was good at the time when there was less going on in Atlanta. You know what I mean? Like, that was something for us to latch on to throughout the season. But now I'm like, give us, make it more about Portia and what's his face and like all that kind of noise that's happening. You know what I mean? Like that I'm interested in. I need somebody to bring Fallon around. I need like, I wanted to get messy, you know, because Atlanta does that well. Yeah. And I don't know. So, you know, I gave that like brief, brief run out of the three new women. I don't know who they know who they're friends with, who they're like,

you know, quote unquote friends with appearing on the show. I don't even know if we're doing this like if we're treating it like a reboot, do they have to get brought on through somebody? Or can we just say, like, hey, I'm Tully. I'm here. Yeah. Like, I know. I kind of just like,

I kind of let, even though the, you know, somebody brings them in is kind of like a, just a very produced thing. I kind of like it. You know what I mean? I don't mind it.

Yeah. Like, have a one-on-one lunch with whoever you're, like, closest connection is with and then just like go from there. Yeah, because even on the New York reboot season, I was thinking of the name.

They put a couple little like spider web connections in there. It wasn't like they were pretending. It was a group of friends. Right. But I thought that because we missed out on the first footage that they had filmed because of that what's your face you got? Yeah, because of Lizzie. I missed.

It's sort of, I didn't feel grounded in the beginning of that season. And I think you actually need that, especially with three new faces. It's like, you know, I think it's kind of important to at least give you somebody to latch on to. And then the Cynthia of it all.

Like, I think that she, she's not going to bring that much drama or anything, but she's just such a good connector and like a kind of a sounding board for for some of the stronger personalities, I think. I think Cynthia as a friend of, especially in this kind of restructuring era, is really smart because like, I know people give Cynthia a hard time for not being like the most, you know, chaotic, you know, table flipping housewife of all time.

But I'm like, Cynthia is like a really strong like utility player. Yes. She's going to show up. She's going to have the conversation. She's going to be that like good friend that you need sometimes. She's going to, you know, she's funny. Yes, I think she's really funny. And she likes to have fun too.

She likes to have fun. I think she's a good commentator. Like her confessionals are a good kind of like extra additive to the conversation. But at the same time, I don't necessarily think she needs to be taking the space of a housewife. And so I'm like, I think having her as a friend of where she can come and go and be around as much as she wants to be. I'm like, that's the exact right amount. I completely agree. And I think that like, I mean, I think about, and they're very different people, but like, Adriana and Miami, it's like, she doesn't have that much going on in her personal life, but she's a

great instigator. You know what I mean? And she's, and she's great to have there. So the friend of Role can be like really, really useful. And I think Cynthia, I hope that Cynthia coming back is an example of that. Because she, it has a lot of potential for her. Yeah. I think it's like the Adriana and even Marisol in Miami too are like a good blueprint where it's like, I don't need to see like Marisol and Steve sitting around at home. Or even Marlowe when she was a great friend of, you know, like I think that with her, like, I really love Marlo, but like the housewife experiment didn't fully work for her. I liked hearing about the nephew stuff, but like ultimately I think she worked better as a friend of, you know, and kind of an Adriana way. So hopefully Cynthia steps into

that role and like understands what's needed of her. We can have a Bailey cue. I need to go back to Lake Bailey. Yep, I need it. I feel. I'm floating in the ether without it. Yeah. Well, okay, so Real House Lies of Atlanta tentatively premiering in 2025, which does just like... That hurt to see in the press release. I mean, just like going from the, you know, timing in my head, I'm like, realistically, if they're going to start filming in like May, June, it's not going to be ready. And we've got other stuff in the pipeline. Thank God. But like, we're... It's a year without Atlanta. A year without Atlanta. So I'm like, again, we got to deliver. We got to deliver. And they have the right ingredients. I

I really feel that way. Again, I had some questions, but, like, ultimately, I'm excited for this. Questions are meant to be answered, and it's okay. It's okay. Exactly. Like, yeah, exactly. Like, I like to have a little bit of mystery, you know, and I don't like things leak and I don't like be pleasantly surprised by what this brings us.

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It's time for a little in-person spring treat It's time for a trip to Ross Work your magic Okay speaking of questions Vanderpump Rules reunion started last night Where are you in real time On like Vanderpump Rules as a whole this season Leading into the reunion?

The first half was like didn't take off. It wasn't delivering for me. I think the second half was giving us pretty solid material. There's just been so much noise around this. And it's like, if you're online at all around these shows, it's like, it feels so one side.

And like I definitely like I'm sympathizing with Ariana and I'm more on that side of things. I do think that like there is a tension that's natural with these people because Ariana and Katie are taking a much different approach to this. They're treating it as like their real life or like protecting and having boundaries, whereas like Lala and China and Sandoval,

their lives are so intertwined with the show where they can't separate it and like it's their livelihood. I don't know. I like the finale was, the finale was so maddening, but it was a great episode of TV, you know? And this reunion just feels a little bit dreary.

It's a little bit like dark-sighted. It feels a little bit like end times. Yes. What is the mission statement of this show? And I think, it's changed over the years, which is not a bad thing. But I do think, you know, knowing that they're going to take a little bit of a pause in production before next season, I'm like, I really hope that is like a working pause where they're like using that time to really like put pen to paper and think about what this show is and should be moving forward versus like, okay, like everybody go go have your fun summer and then we'll meet back here in September and nothing's going to change. Right. The way that Andy talks about it is sort of like, we need updates in their lives. We need them to like get, you know, disanchored from Scandival and like really like have more developments in their lives. I think they go one or two ways. I do think the strongest points of the season had been the fourth wall e-breaking thing. So it's like even on this part one of the reunion, even though I don't really agree with Lala bringing it up, but her bringing up the off-camera phone call that she out with Katie Maloney was incredibly interesting to me. I believe Katie's side of it. But again, I like hearing that off-camera on-camera dynamic because I think it's.

really enlightening. So you either lean into that, lean into them being reality stars and like fully just rip down the fourth wall on the show, or you move the people that make sense to move over to the valley. Just do that. There's a great area between these shows already. And then you essentially kind of reboot the show. Like James DJs at Sir once a week, have him be the anchor of a new era of Vanderpomber Rules, have new staff members from these from Tom Tom even and like just call it a day. Yeah. So it's either one of those two things for me. We'll talk about the Valley in a minute. Because I feel like there's a whole other set of questions there. I think the fourth wall concept on Vanderpump Rules is interesting in a way that I don't know if it's been as central to any other show as it is right now on Vanderpump Rules where the whole idea of Scandival, it wouldn't have been Scandival if it wasn't so public and such a big deal.

like if it was just Tom had an affair with this person who was also in the group and there wasn't kind of this outsized, you know, thing around it, it would have felt so different. And I think sort of acknowledging that at the end of the season felt like such a, an exhale that really, if we had had it earlier, maybe this season would have been able to like progress in a more productive way. But I think it's, it is tough that when you, say that Katie and Ariana are kind of handling it in a more real life way, whereas other people on the cast are really like sort of trying to game out like for the show. It's like, I can't really be mad at Lala and Sheena for like trying to do the job, the way that the job has kind of

always looked. But then also I'm like, yes, Ariana queen put up your boundaries and like go to Applebee's with your friends. So it is kind of like this existential question of like, do you want to watch a show of 10 people who are going to be in the room with each other no matter what happens? Or do you want to watch these people like be real adults and make real choices? And maybe that means there's no more group trip. And I think that like for the sake of the show, I think the first option sounds a little bit more appealing to me.

Because I think it's, it can become this really meta thing in a way that I don't want the real housewives. staff have become. Yes. And it's if you compare for example like band and pump rules and summer house, these people all started the show when they were like 22, 23, 24. Like they were like really like just starting their adult lives. And now you can not disentangle their lives from the show and the show from their lives. Whereas on summer house it's like they all joined around the same age as the Vanderpump Rules people did. But they just film on the weekends in the summer essentially. So it's not as much. They all have like normal jobs. Like this is their job on Van der Punders rules to be on

these shows and to have all the offshoot projects they have. And to me, that makes it a singular thing. And you can just treat Vanderpump rules in this way without having to do it on all the shows. You know what I mean? Yeah. It is like a different, it's a different animal than. It's a one-off. Yeah.

And I think that kind of, I think that's something also that I've been like bumping on a little bit this season is like, what role does Lisa play in any of this anymore? if none of them work for her. And I guess Tom and Tom technically still work with her in terms of like their Tom Tom. She's the mentor. You know what I mean? But watching at the reunion, Lisa have sort of uninformed opinions on the something about her situation. I feel like it was kind of the most apparent that it's ever been that it's like Lisa doesn't actually have a reason to be involved or even having a.

opinion here, but she kind of has to for the show. But then Ariana and Katie are at a point where they're like, no, you're wrong. What are you talking about? And that to me speaks to Lisa Vanderpump being protective of the show and how the show operates. And Ariana and Katie are challenging that. Right. That if Lisa's going to say, well, you know, you had your disagreement about Ariana spending so much time outside of the city. And Katie's like, no, it's literally about permits. Right. Like taking a year to get all the permits they needed isn't the like sexy reality TV conflict version of it. No. And you can see that Lisa's kind of just like inferring that that it's like, oh, well, they've had all these disagreements.

And it's like our disagreements are like with the city. Right. I guess there is this some. I've seen whispers of like Penny is at the chef they hired or something. There's something involving her where like she, they didn't want to go forward with her. But I think she has like some like tie to the trademark or something like that. And that's Lisa's friend. But still, it's like, I think it's more about the show.

And, like, Lisa, I mean, if you connect what Lisa's doing with something about her conversation with what Lala was doing with Katie, they're trying to, like, kind of wedge in between Katie and Ariana a little bit. Yeah. You know, and, like, what's the end goal there just to, like, break up that, that kind of blockage for them? Right. Lala, all the stuff she was saying about Katie toward the end of this part one was, like, very, very interesting to unpack. But one of the specific things that she was saying was, like, like that she was frustrated that she didn't have a heads up that Ariana was doing Broadway and like it would have been nice to know kind of thing.

And I feel like what Lala is throwing out there is it's like very obvious that she's trying to sew some discord between Katie and Ariana. And to Katie, she's like, yeah, I vented to you because I was annoyed. But like I'm not like angry at Ariana. I don't have an issue with her. And it kind of seems like Ariana is down to just like, ride with Katie's version of events. And so it does sort of feel like Lala, it's not landing quite the way Lala wants

because Katie and Ariana aren't letting it. And also because Ariana has so much more perspective on this whole thing. So it's like she knows that like Katie definitely did vent to Lala. But like she also knows that like her life is like really busy and a little bit chaotic right now. And she probably should have given her heads up that she was going to go home Broadway and like decamped to New York for four months.

But like she understands that that's not going to like break their friendship. You know? And I think there's something where it's like, Ariana, like, she feels very comfortable in, like, the boundaries that she set and, like, the, the expectations that she has for how people are going to,

you know, be around her. But at the same time, like, I don't think Ariana thinks that she's never made a mistake in her life or, like, she's never done anything wrong. And so it's like, oh, yeah,

like, I should have let my business partner know I was going to be in New York for the next four months. It's like, that's not like a, that's not saying you're like an evil devil person. It's just like, it's one mistake that you made.

I think communication is one like the hardest things in adulthood sometimes. I'm like, that's just how it is. You know? And her life all of a sudden got so much busier than she ever was. Like, of course she's going to like have like a little bit of like a learning curve to like understanding how to really manage that. Yeah. It's it. It is so the question of whether Ariana is going to be back on this show.

I know. I think it's so central to what it looks like moving forward. Because if Ariana leaves and Katie is then really the only. person on the cast who like didn't kind of fall in line with the like reality TV playbook maybe this season. I feel like then it sort of becomes Katie's job to either like pull out or shut up. Yeah. It's like you know, you're either going to you're either going to not like the way this is going and leave or you're going to stay and kind of have to play ball a little bit. But like with Ariana and Katie together, it really is it's it's tough to be like you guys are being so,

such bitches to each other. And it's like, they're fine. They're fine. They're very, they're very settled and confident in their friendship. Yeah. And their business relationship,

it seems. Like, let them be, you know? And like, you know, again, it's that kind of thing where it's like,

as a human, I think Katie has shown immense growth. And like, she's really matured in the past, like, couple years. And I loved her this season.

I thought she was, she was the voice of reason, the voice of people. I thought, I think Katie had her best season. Yeah, totally. And like,

the finesse. Some of the things that she said in that finale were like so spot on reading my mind. You know what I mean? Which I was like, fuck yeah. And so as a person, I'm like, maybe it is time for you to graduate out of this show. But like, I really liked her this season. So I don't really think I want her to leave. Yeah.

It's a hard thing. It's a hard thing when you're like, I, I respect what journey you're on and that that journey might be outgrowing this format. But at the same time, like, I don't never want to see you on TV again. And so, like, is there another format that would make sense? Because, like, when we talk about the Valley and, like, who might kind of make sense, I'm like, I don't think Katie's going on the Valley. She seems like one of those people who wouldn't really fall into that category.

No, like, I think if she was all of a sudden at, like, you know, Danny and Nia's house. Jack's's Bar, even. Yeah, like, I think she would be fucking miserable. Oh, totally. I think that she would exhibit the same characteristics that she did this season. But if Oriana's not there, then, like, again, why? light, you know. Good sleep is everything.

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The next thing you know, it's a thing. Canva, the thing that makes anything a thing. It's interesting. So I guess pivoting to the valley a little bit, it's like they're already, they're in season one and they're already having a little bit of that issue of like who wants to have real life friendships and who wants to make the most compelling version of the show and seeing them now on this trip to Big Bear where Kristen and Zach I think sort of inarguably two of the key dramatic elements of the show have been benched it's a little bit like we're only like 10 episodes into this we gotta we gotta have everybody in the sauce like right

I totally, yeah, I totally agree. Like, it's not as compelling to have the drama to be Jackson, Brittany, yelling at each other. Jesse and Michelle openly hating each other. You know what I mean? It's like, when Jack's, like, the one thing that Jacks has ever, like, handled with care is this, like, rumor about Michelle texting somebody. He's like, all of a sudden. Let me pull you aside. Let me pull you aside.

Okay. Make a drink. Come on. Get a drink. He's like, I heard that there's somebody that you've been, uh, you've been talking to you on the side. She's like, yeah, multiple things. people. She wasn't even trying to hide it. She was like, I hate to do this to Michelle. She's like, well, we got coffee and the sexy pictures too. Like Michelle at this point, she came on to get divorced.

I think their marriage is far enough down the tube that she's like, yeah, I'm not going to like lie about this. Like we're, we're separating in a matter of weeks to months. But you have to respect. You really have to respect that. I know, but it is kind of like. It's wild. It's wild. And then also you're like, so Kristen spreading a rumor about Michelle is part of the reason that she's not on this trip. But then when Michelle is like asked about the rumor, she's like, oh, yeah. It's like, then where's Kristen? Right. Exactly.

I know. I know. Yeah. I think with it's definitely, I mean, like the Kristen and Janet stuff, it's like that. It's the same thing. I think we were just talking about with Vanderpump rules. Yeah. Like Kristen is doing anything in her power to make this like an amazing show because it's her second chance.

You know, she's back. I was going to say last chance. second last whatever word you want to use That's true I have not I've seen that one clip Which honestly made me want to watch that show Elizabeth Edwards telling Kristen Doty

You don't love anybody but the bottle I Drop my phone But it's like I understand Janet's position of like My friend all of a sudden Because there are cameras around Got like super exaggerated

And activated and how she's carrying herself dropping all these bombs at every single group event. I understand Jana as a person wanting to create that boundary. But one, the first season of their show. And two, like, it's creating for amazing TV. So. Right.

Jack's is like hair lost dinner. Where then that... Jack's his hair lost dinner. That is quite the... Put it on the... That's the new Nini Leaks, gays, whatever that... Karen's like Taco Mother's Day, whatever.

Here to make friends, whatever it was. But like when they... There was that sort of like fourth wall storm off. There was like an altercation in the hallway. I mean, that was like electric. Electric. And then two of the main ingredients of that are now not on this trip. And they're talking about how they're going to put a dollar in the Kristen jar anytime somebody brings her up.

And like, the point of this trip isn't to gossip. And it's like, this isn't gossip. This is your job. Right. I know. I know. And it's like, I think that's also what sort of made the value so compelling is that like, you know, I didn't know if like Jack's, Brittany and Kristen were enough to carry

of this show. Like, I was openly skeptical about the Valley. I am not afraid to admit that. You and everyone else. Yeah. It's like, and it's, I'm eating my words. Like, it's such a great show. But, you know, there's this friction of, of these season reality stars who they're getting the check again, you know, and they, and they know what it takes to keep that check. Whereas, like, all their other friends have never been on reality TV before. And they're all in these various stages of their, like, real life. And it's just like, inherently, it's a reality show about a reality show, and that's part of the, I don't know, it's like, that's what it's making it so compelling to me. It's hard to put into words, but like, I love it. I love it about that.

Yeah, it's, I don't think we very often see that dynamic where it's like three people who have been doing this for so long and have so much, you know. Online, too. Knowledge. And yeah, like just that experience. And then nine people who have never done it before. It's kind of like there will be like a season of Survivor where there's like some returning players and some new players. and it's like, oh, like, you guys got to catch up. And I think with the Valley, it's like some of them have. I think like Zach and Janet have been bringing a lot to the table this season. You know, obviously Jesse and Michelle's situation is compelling.

But like the rest of them, you know, the Valley just got renewed for season two. It's like they can make season two of the Valley without Danny and Nia or without Jasmine. You know, like not that I'm not advocating for them not to come back. Right. That I don't have any, you know, affinity for. them, but it's like nobody else on this show at this point besides Jack's, Britney, and Kristen are like essential ingredients. Yeah. And especially if we're thinking about maybe drafting some of the Vanderpump rules, veterans to come, I don't think they're going to have 16 people on the cast. So if they're

bringing Sheena and Brock and maybe Lala, it's like somebody else is probably getting cut. I think this is a show that would work, could work really well. It's just like a lot of friends of too. You know what I mean? Like if you have Jack, if you keep Zach and Jasmine as friends of, maybe Nia and Danny become friends of because they aren't super dramatic people. Like they can pop in for the big group dinners for the trips or whatever, but like ultimately have it centered around several couples that are building families and things like that. Like, you know, and I also, one of the worries that I've seen expressed on social media about like bringing in a la la or sheena to this environment is like, they've been around the cameras

for 10 years. Like they're just like basically ghost producers at this point, like yada yada yada. But it's like, yeah, right now, the compelling thing about season one is that there's a lot of people that have never been on reality TV before with people who are really seasoned. But in season two, we all know, people overcorrect. People, they see themselves all on TV and now they know how it works. You know what I mean? So it's like it's a little bit, it's a little bit less authentic to like their real lives, I guess. But like, so that's not a worry for me because they would just slot in right next to Sheena and Lala.

Yeah. I think also one thing that I've appreciated about, this season and that I was nervous about before is that I think when we found out it was happening, it was like, oh, it's going to be like Kristen and Jacks's show. And it's very clear from the editing, from the vibe of the show that it's like they're being just as, you know, critical in the edit of Kristen and Jacks and Britney as they are of everybody else. It's not like a Vanderpump rules where Lisa's the executive producer. Like, Jacks isn't. running the ship here. He might feel like he is, but like...

You probably thought he was. Right. And I think, I think that would be important that if Lala was going to come to a show like this, that I don't want it to be like Lala and the gang. I want it to be like Lala is just as much like part of this in the mix as everyone else. Yeah. And I think that actually, now that you say that, it's like that's what makes Janet really threatening Kristen really interesting actually because Kristen probably came in with this kind of on a pedestal, right? And she thought she had this power, but it's like, actually, they're ultimately all in the same playing field. And Janet has challenged that.

The moment where Kristen was like, if I wanted to put up with this shit, I would have stayed on Banderbunk rules. And it's like, yeah, you thought this is going to be like the Kristen show. Right. And I mean, it is in a way, but it's not. But she's been knocked off. Kristen's show. Yeah.

She's been knocked off the pedestal a little bit. And like, now we're seeing what it's like for her to squirm. Yeah. Also, I mean, the situation with her and Luke, it's a, I mean, that couple's therapy scene. The couple's therapy scene. Every time he brought something up, it was like, oh, we haven't had that conversation yet about where you're living, about money, about money, and about support system, friends. All these big things. They're like, oh, yeah, we'll talk about that.

Well, and when they do talk about the support system, they're like, well, so our families live far away, so we wouldn't have that. And then when it comes to friends, it's like, Luke's like, well, I don't have friends here yet. And then Kristen's friends all fucking suck. And Kristen's like, you're right. My friends do fucking suck. So we don't have anyone. And we want to have a family. We're underestimating how expensive it is.

But we have not talked about how much money we have. Which you know what to do them. But that was a very telling scene. And it's so funny when like I don't want to like shame anyone. But when it's like I don't have, we haven't thought about what it would take to have a kid. I'm like, Kristen's 40. Like she's not like 22 being. like, what if I had a baby?

Like, did you see what Zach said on her podcast? Did you see that clip? He, I guess, I guess like the pre-production on the show is pretty long. Yeah. And so when they first were talking about the show, we're like early on in the process, Zach was going to be the sperm donor because she wasn't with Luke yet and Kristen really wanted a family. That shook me to my core.

Yes. Imagining that version of the different show. It's a different show. It's crazy because I don't necessarily like, I don't care about Luke at all. Like I don't. I have no eggs in that basket. Whatever. but like watching Kristen be so she's like convincing herself that she's all in on this version of events

it actually it kind of reminds me a little bit of when Lindsay was with what's his name and had the list the sandwich guy yeah and she had the like life plan all written out that's a good parallel I feel like Kristen is in this place where like there is something that she has decided she wants so bad that she's willing to put up with like whatever roadmap to get there. And I'm like, I don't know if having a kid in your 40s and then likely not staying with this guy forever because like be fucking for real. And then you're like, I don't, it's just as tough. And if that's like what she actually wants, then of course she should do what she wants. She's a grown woman who can make her own choices. But it's like, she just told us she's not going to be happy living in bumfuck Colorado. But also maybe she doesn't

want to live in California anymore. I'm like, well, you want to live in California if there's a for you to be on in California. For sure. And it's also like, if you think down the lines, like if they were to break up after having a baby, then they're co-parenting in different states, you know? That's a tough situation. But, I mean, I hope that she gets what she wants because I do think part of what made the show, I didn't realize maybe until Kristen showed up in that Vanipump

Rules finale last season, I didn't realize how much like you do sort of at the end of the day want to root for her. You know what I mean? Yeah. We've been part of her life for so long and like she's been so messy. and like made such bad decisions for herself over the years. But ultimately it's like, regardless of all of that, I find myself still rooting for Kristen Doty. And I want her to get what she wants, you know, even if that means getting there in a really, in a way that you have questions about.

I think she's somebody who, she has like villain tendencies. But she means well, though. I still think fundamentally she like wants to be good. I think so too. She can't help herself though. Yes. Which makes her a great reality. Exactly. And I really hope, especially knowing that they are going to be taking some time with Vanderpump rules to get back into production, I'm like, film the Valley first.

Yes. They should be, you know, they're not doing a reunion. So we have like two or three more episodes left. They should have cameras up on the Valley like June. Well, I didn't know this. And it kind of feels like this went under the radar. I saw something on Instagram last night on a fan page. Kristen responded to a random commenter that they picked cameras back up. So for the Valley? For the Valley. She said that...

With Jackson Brittany? She said that they filmed, they picked up cameras recently so you'll see someone at the end of the season for an update. That's all she said. But it's like, that makes sense because the Jackson and Britney stuff,

the Jesse and Michelle stuff. But it's like why has... I'm surprised that didn't like make headlines everywhere. So Jesse and Michelle split up in the fall like after a month or so after filming. because I had Jesse on the show a couple weeks ago. And by the way, very charming in person. I believe it.

And then Jackson, Brittany didn't, like, separate until beginning of this year. And so I would imagine, like, Jackson, Brittany is pretty central to this show. So it would make sense for them to kind of, like, follow that a little bit. I agree. It's funny because, so they announced their split, like, pretty shortly before this show premiered. And I think a lot of people were kind of like, L-O-L, okay, like, PR, whatever. watching the show and then also hearing what Brittany has said in in the meantime about their relationship. I'm like, oh, like, they're like, they're like not together.

Right. Totally. Totally. And I, this was the same way. I was like, pick the cameras back up right now for season two. If we're not getting a reunion, have the premiere of season two of the valley be like a fucking banger. You know, anything where we get all the updates. So if we're getting, and I was talking to my brother actually, and I guess the valley was originally going to be 10 episodes and now it's 11.

It's 12. Or 12. So, like, that makes sense if they're maybe slotting in, like, half of a new episode, essentially to the end of the finale with new footage. Like, that would make sense to me. And I'm glad we're getting that. Are you watching the new season of The Jinks? Not yet.

That's on my list. Fully out of left field. But they should do it. So in the second season premiere of The Jinks, they show some of the people in the show watching the first season finale of the Jinks. Wow. Like, do that for the Valley. Literally.

Well, they're doing that kind. They did all the Traders reunion. They're apparently going to do that in the Vanderpup Rul's reunion. But like, we haven't seen that yet. We haven't. So they must do that like halfway through. I don't know. But it's a good, it's, it's very meta.

And I love it. Like this point, it's like, you know, we, we all know how the sausage is getting into a certain degree. I know, which makes it fun to talk about. But yeah, the Valley, it's giving us everything. It's giving us everything. It's such a pleasant surprise. It really is. And like it's a brand, it's not a brand new show, but it's a new show that like is going to, I

I feel it's going to be around for years to come. I think that this is, I think the well is full with this one. And I think depending what they do with Vanderpump, you know, it might look different in future seasons. But like, these people have some gas in the tank, I think. It's also like, you can just imagine, like, let's say, for example, Nia and Danny, I think they're totally, like, pleasant to watch on TV. Yeah. They aren't, like, the biggest stars in this realm.

Let's say they let go of a couple here and there, like, over the years. As their kids get older, they're going to meet more and more couples at through. school. It's a really easy way to get like organic connections with new cast members in future seasons. I'm picturing people are going to be like moving to the valley, the Valley Village and Sherman Oaks like in the hopes. It's like, oh, like where does Sheena send Summer Moon to preschool? They like stake out which play around they go to. Go play with that kid, you know? Like the girl with the bangs. Go. It's stranger things have happened. Listen. And like I also think that like this This show, I think something I think about sometimes is like, you know, summer house people,

abandon pump rules people, Southern Charmed people are at the age where some real housewives start their careers as real housewives. But some of them are really hard to envision in the real housewives realm, which is always going to be like just a more grown up show. Like the valley, I think also makes it a little bit maybe close to home is that it feels like this is what it looks like for millennials to grow up and start families and buy houses. It's a hard life. Right. It's like Kristen Doty and Crystal Kung Minkoff are like the same age.

Right. But Crystal married like a guy of a different generation and she has a different experience in life. You know what I mean? And like these people, a lot of these people are rich. A lot of people have money. But they inherently live like a more a life that's like a little bit more difficult and like less like materially rich. They live like a I mean obviously they're all like doing well in a certain extent. But it's like they live like a pretty normal life. Yeah. And that's what makes them compelling. They don't all get, you know, head-to-toe glam for every scene. Like, we're seeing them in Lulu.

Thank God. Thank God. You know, it's kind of, it's like we're seeing them in Lulu Lemon, you know, spandex and a tank top for a scene. It's like, I love that, you know? It's a good antidote to housewives. Yes, I totally agree. I'm loving it. I'm excited for season two.

I hope they kind of like stick the landing. Me too. Get it right. But Gibson, such a pleasure. That's a fruitful conversation. We didn't even talk about Jersey. I was like, oh, like, that's a whole rabbit hole. They're just gearing up.

Yeah, it's going to be a long season. I'm trying to stay offline for that one. No, truly, you can't win. Yeah. Tell everyone about your podcast. Podcasts is Gabby with Gibb, two episodes a week. One is usually an interview like you hear on this show. And then one's usually a discussion like we had today.

And Dylan's been on it. He's going to come on next month to do some a fun update on an episode. But yeah, wherever you get your podcast and give it a listen. Cheers. Thanks, Gibson. And thanks, everyone for listening. 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, and Rebecca Sousmacat. Editing by Horace Pico, social media by Dylan Hafer, guest booking by Dylan Hafer and Ali Friedlander. Be sure to follow at Bravo by Betches on Instagram and Twitter. Pay off your home, travel for life, drive a Ferrari. In celebration of the world premiere of the Monopoly Big Board Bucks slot machine by Aristocrat Gaming, Yamava Resort and Casino at San Manuel is giving one person a $1.6 million dream package.

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