Mention It All - Not A Traitor, Just A Bad Person (Traitors Finale)

Episode Date: March 8, 2024

To finish off the week, Dylan returns with half a voice to break down the epic finale and reunion of The Traitors. He unpacks some strategic missteps in the final day of the game, and has some choice words for Trishelle before reflecting on the season as a whole. Earlier in the episode, he covers Andy Cohen’s strongly worded response to Leah McSweeney’s lawsuit, which falls in line with his initial take on the suit from last week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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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, both. Hey, everyone. Welcome back to the Mentioned All podcast. I am Dylan Hafer.

I'm coming to you today, as I'm sure you can hear, with a little bit of a scratchy voice situation. That's partly why I didn't record an episode yesterday on Thursday, but the real reason why I wanted to wait and record on Friday was because last night we had an epic night of television. And to be honest, I haven't even had time to process what happened on Bravo last night. Miami Reunion, Summer House. I was busy on Peacock where we got a simultaneous drop of the Traders' season finale and the Traders' reunion, both of which clocked in it a little over an hour.

So there was a lot of TV happening last night, and so we are going to dive into the Traders finale and reunion. But first, we have an interesting update in the, um, the, um, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, mysterious case of Andy's cocaine usage, as alleged by Leo McSweeney. Not a huge surprise here. Andy Cohen, via his lawyer, has responded to Leah's lawsuit with a letter that is basically threatening further legal action if she doesn't retract her, quote, false offensive and defamatory statements. This is kind of what I was expecting. And looking through this letter, it says virtually every allegation made by Leah is categorically false. And here's the thing, here's the thing that I kind of called last week.

I'm sure I'm not the only one, but, quote, the allegations were obviously made up by you and or your client to achieve maximum tabloid clickbait value in the hopes of weaponizing these false allegations, along with other lies that permeate the complaint as leverage to force an unjustified settlement. It will not. Instead, this conduct only subjects you and your client to, independent. and substantial legal exposure. It uses the phrase media frenzy that Leah and her attorney allegedly created to force a settlement between her and Andy Cohen. So this is exactly what

this lawsuit sounded like to me. And to be, to be specific, I don't have a strong opinion on whether Leah's telling the truth or whether Andy's telling the truth. But where, I, what I immediately picked up on was that Andy doing cocaine with housewives, allegedly, doesn't really have anything to do with how Leah feels she was mistreated during production of the Real Housewives of New York City and her drinking and all, you know, the environment and all of that. Andy wasn't there for that. He's not, he's not doing Coke with Ramona on the Hampton's trip, not even allegedly. I don't even think that's what's, I don't even think That's what she's claiming.

So right off the bat, when I saw this lawsuit from Leah and that Andy's sort of alleged personal habits were being called into question, it feels like a little bit of a smokescreen to get more attention, to get Andy wrapped up in this lawsuit that really is more about the production company and maybe some other network execs or something like that. but Andy is really calling it like I saw it, and I think that this is a, it's a strong rebuttal, and I'm curious what will really happen here, because Andy clearly, based on this letter, has no interest in paying Leah, in giving her some sort of settlement and making this go away with money. I don't know if everybody else that's named in the lawsuit feels the same way. I think it's probably smart for Andy as much as he can to distance himself from the other parties named in the lawsuit, because like I've said, at the end of the day, he's not really involved with or responsible for what's happening

on the ground during the production of these shows. I mean, I'm sure he should want the conditions to be as good as possible, but it's not him that's controlling that. Seeing this response, it wasn't surprising, but it sets us up for sort of an interesting next phase of this whole thing. And I'll be very curious to see kind of how it develops further because, you know, I don't think that Leah is going to just be like, okay, yeah, you're right. Never mind. Sorry. Like, she came out of the gate strong enough that I feel like she really, she had to have anticipated this response from Andy. And I feel like she must have some sort of end game plan for how this is going to work in her favor.

and that might not mean getting money from Andy, but that might mean getting money from shed or the production, you know, from somebody else that she's attaching to this. But we'll see, we'll see. I think, you know, Andy's in the middle of like three or four different reunions that are airing right now. I don't think that he is in a particularly precarious position. I've had some people asking me, wondering, if I think that Andy will sort of like survive this wave of accusations and I guess negative press, survive in terms of like his job position, not in terms of like will he physically make it.

And I really just feel like, yeah, I don't think that this is really on an existential level. I don't think that this is something that the head honchos at NBC Universal are super concerned about. I went to the taping of the Kelly Clarkson show when Wendy and Candice and Andy were on, and it was like a day after Brandy's lawsuit came out. And it's like, nobody there is thinking about that. If anything, it's the opposite because you've got housewives sitting on the couch being like, Father Andy, we love Andy. Like, damn near the entire Real Housewives of Miami cast was posting carousels on their

Instagram feeds of pictures of them with Andy talking about who he's the best boss, the best friend, the best co-worker, whatever. It's similar to what was happening in the fall, summer, fall, whatever time is a flat circle. when Bethany was really coming out strong with her reality union, Bravo reckoning, XYZ, she never actually was able to turn the tide of current talent speaking in favor of what she was talking about. She got some sort of like disgruntled ex-Bravo liberties to support her cause. But we never got to a point where we were seeing current. housewives being like, yeah, you know what, we should be in a union. And I think it's going to be

similar with this where the ceiling on what's going to happen here is not going to be very high if the only people that are willing to endorse this like problematic narrative or not, the narrative is not problematic. The narrative, endorse the narrative that problematic things were happening are two or three people who are no longer on the show have proven to be somewhat unreliable narrators. And, you know, in the case of Brady Glenville is just like objectively an HR nightmare. So I think that's kind of, that's kind of where I'm landing with that for now. We'll see about any like future updates. 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. When you finally find your thing, you want the whole world to know about that thing. So you use a thing called Canva to make it an even bigger and better thing. Whether you want to create flyers for that thing, make presentations for that thing, or design merch for that thing, you can do anything.

So people can see your thing, feel your thing, love your thing. The next thing you know, it's a thing. Canva, the thing that makes anything a thing. Let's talk about Traders. So coming into this final episode of Traders, we had just seen Fadra banished, and Fadra's banishment was a little disappointing. And I think just in the sense that she saw the writing on the wall, she got to a point where she was sort of willing to go along with it, Kate had strong feelings about her way of going about it. But it was what it was. Fadre had a great season. I think this is still a very positive check in her column.

But going into this episode, Kate returns to the turret alone. She chooses to murder Chiray. And this, we're spoiling the traitors finale, by the way, just like, go watch it if you haven't yet. The decision to murder Choray, I understand what Kate was going for. I would have murdered Trish out, no questions asked. I think that Kate was focused in that moment more on what murder would sort of confuse the other people in the house versus what murder would potentially help end the game in a better place for her. Because I think Trishel, as much as I can't fucking stand Trishel, and we will have the time for Trichelle in a few minutes, don't you worry. as much as I have all those feelings, she played a really strong game throughout.

And there were times, there were numerous times when I felt like she was one of, if not the most obvious choice of who should get murdered. And they never took the chance when they had it. And she fucking won. It's not like, oh, we'll get her out down the line. Kate, when she had that chance, I really think she should have taken it. Because even though she was like, oh, will it throw suspicion off of me if another Bravo person gets murdered because they think we're working together, sure, maybe.

But at the end of the day, there's only a few people left. MJ had a shield. I don't think CT was ever really in danger. I think Sandra was, it made sense to keep her around because obviously some people had suspicions about her. Trichelle was not somebody who was really going to be that easily led astray. And so I think if Kate had murdered Trishel, I think there would have been less of a compass for going forward after that. Maybe Kate would have gotten banished at the roundtable. But maybe there would have been more chaos.

Maybe it would have been like, wait, but I thought C.T. and T. Trichelle were friends. But maybe if C.T. thought that Trichel was going to get him out. Like, I don't know. But alas. Shire was murdered. Considering she was sort of clueless throughout, I think it's a feat that she made it to the final six. But, you know, that brings us to the last.

mission. I'm sorry. I cannot pay attention worth a damn during these missions. I swear, like, Alan is explaining the rules, and it's like my ears just zip right up. I'm like, what, there's detours, there's a boat that you have to take to another boat, and then there's all these different amounts for the prize pot. Like, what? what is happening? And they only have an hour. And of course they get there right on time. Okay.

This is something that I have grown a little frustrated with over the course of the season. I don't know if it's something they're doing with the editing or if they're monkeying around with the timing of these missions. But every goddamn time, it looks like they're not going to make it. and then they make it with like three seconds left on the clock every single time. They don't always get the full amount of money in the prize pot, but they always complete the main part of the mission right under the gun. And I just a note for season three, this season was so strong.

The stakes start to feel a little low. if it feels like these people are incapable of losing. We have bumbling idiots. We have people who can't run, can't swim, can't follow directions. And every single time, they make it to the boat, they know how to lift a sail.

They're getting out of the tunnel just in time. They're putting together the map with five seconds left on the clock. Like, it starts to strain credulity. And I know that this is like a dumb game. But I just think that it would feel every once in a while, I would like to see these people returning to the castle with their tail between their legs. Like, fuck, what the hell we got to do now?

In the words of Miss Juicy. I just think that would, like, we're all grown-ups here. We can have a little bit of uncertainty. Not everybody needs to win every time. I think that would spice up the next season if they could just, I don't know what's, I don't know, I don't want to like make, I don't want to be like, oh, you're lying to us. Because if they're not, then I would feel bad.

But it just feels a little convenient and a little stale. But back in the house, the big conundrum is whether Kate is going to be able to whip another vote or two away from her and on to Sandra. MJ really feels like she can trust Kate, sweet, beloved MJ, God help her, our little lamb, our little Persian lamb. Again, we'll get to that.

So they're, you know, they're riding together. They're going to vote for Sandra. C.T. and Trichelle, they're thinking Kate, but then Kate does something. This is, I think, Kate's best work. When she plants in the ear that it's like, oh, well, we were thinking Sandra to C.T. And he's like, yeah, okay, maybe.

And then Kate says to Sandra, well, C.T. said your name. So all of a sudden, we are locked in this weird vortex of, Sandra and Kate and C.T. And then T. T. T. T. is like, well, what are you talking about? I thought we were talking about Kate. And now you're saying Sandra. And what is happening? Meanwhile, MJ over here, she's sitting pretty for now. T.T.'s not getting a vote. C.T.'s not getting a vote. But this final roundtable, it's pretty spicy. And this was something that I was worried about. I was worried that when we got down to the last bit of the season, that things would sort of just flame out a little bit. We saw Fadra kind of just retreat last episode, and I was worried that, you know, things would kind of fizzle toward the end of the season.

And while I may not be super happy with the end result, there was drama until the last second. Because when Trichelle sees the writing on the wall and votes for Sandra, And Kate only gets one vote from Sandra. That was a great moment. Because we expected to be on the fence with CT, whether he was going to vote Kate or Sandra. And the fact that it ended up being Trishel, that was a gag. Sandra is sent home. She is a faithful.

We go out to the fire of truth. I love that Alan does these little exit interviews with everyone before they go to the fire. It's like, so, CT, like, how are you doing? How are you feeling? Congrats, but not quite, but maybe. This episode is brought to you by Prime. Obsession is in session. And this summer, Prime Originals have everything you want.

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Like, I get that you need something, like, flashy to end the season. But there's just, like, there's something about this format that just doesn't quite, it feels a little bit like convoluted. Then it's like, okay, so you banish one person inside at the table and then you go outside and you could banish another person or you could not. And then if you do, you have to do it again. Like it just, it feels like there's a lot of steps. Whereas like if you, if you're on a show like Survivor or Big Brother, it's like you get

down to the final whatever and then people vote. and then there's a winner. I don't know. I'm not being helpful here because, like, I don't have a better suggestion. I just think it could be refined a little bit. I think that's something that we've seen over the course of this season in a few different areas, that this game is so compelling and has so much potential, but there are definitely things that could be refined a little.

and some of the rules and some of the gameplay this season for example they found the traders a lot more successfully than they did on last season so like that one episode where they went to the whatever the bonfire of the soul or whatever the fuck allan called it and they were lighting people's torches to protect them like that felt like sort of a last minute like oh for fuck, we can't vote out another trader this quick because Peter didn't accept his recruitment. So, uh, let's do this other thing instead of a banishment. And then similarly, when Kate got recruited and she got the ultimatum, that felt like another sort of like, cover your ass made up rule where it was like, okay, we like need the trader to accept the position. So now we have to do this. And I get that in any game like this, there are going to be different, like, permutations and you have to account for those. But I think just like some of the, some of the rules could be polished a little. But anyway, we get to the fire.

And this is another misstep that I think Kate makes. Now, would she have been banished either way? likely yes but her throwing in the green fire on the first round it shows that you are a traitor because like mj says shiree got murdered last night so there must still be a traitor because we just banished sandra and she was a faithful so if sandra was a faithful then who murdered shiree and so i was a little disappointed that Kate didn't, I don't know if she didn't realize that, or like didn't kind of like do the math in that way, because no faithful would vote Green on the first round, unless they had just banished a traitor at the roundtable. I digress. So, you know, it was no surprise that Kate got banished. She sort of gave herself up in a roundabout way. I really thought, though,

that the game was going to end there. I was like, I wasn't looking at. at how much time was left on the episode, which if I had, I think it was like 13 minutes, so like it could have guessed. But then as they're leading up to it, as they're picking out their like fire, whatever things, I had this pit in my stomach. Because MJ is like so sure that they found all the traders. So they're going to end the game. And they're all going to win together and it just hit me that mj is about to get fucked because i looked at c t and i looked at trichelle trichelle trichelle trichelle she was a little rat from day one in the reunion we talked about what happened with peppermint we had the camera trained on trichel while peppermint was talking about

how people need to to learn how to treat trans people from watching them on TV. And so when you show up and you're treated as another and you're sent home before you even have a chance to get to know anyone, how it stings and how it feels like being in high school. And fucking John Burkow, a conservative politician, can I just say, I don't know his voting record on um, LGBTQ issues over in the UK, but he, he was a member of the conservative party, so that

indicates something. He has the, the decency to at least say, I made a decision based on what I thought at the time. Do I regret it? Yes. And I'm sorry. Tricel doesn't say a fucking word. And that to me, was worse than what happened at the bonn, at the, what, fire of truth? These names kill me. Treschelle, if you want to be a gamer and you want to split the money two ways instead of three, I get it, sure, whatever, fine. I get why MJ's mad, but I also get why you're greedy. But the fact that she sat there and didn't have a single fucking word for peppermint,

That is, like, to me, really revealing of her character as a person. And I don't have any qualms about saying this because, like, who is Tricia L. Canatella in this world, as Yolanda Hadid would say. I'm never going to have her on this podcast. I'm never going to watch another show she's on. Who the fuck cares? But anyway, back to the Frierey of Truth. Justice for Peppermint. They vote.

And MJ is shook. she was so ready to just win with them. And that was what was hard about this, is that obviously you could tell that CT had complicated feelings and he voted for MJ. But Trichelle was just like, yep. MJ was really struggling. She voted for Trichelle. And then Trichel votes for CT.

He's like, I just didn't know. I just wasn't sure. So then they're tied. They each get to, like, state their case, which is like, they're each just like, I'm a faithful. And they're all telling the truth. But then they have to vote again. And Trishel flips her vote and banishes MJ. It just made me sad.

It just made me sad. Like, MJ, I thought, played so well this season. And I don't know. I think it would have been cool to see her win. But I get it. I get it. I think I get why MJ is mad and I'm a little mad on behalf of MJ, clearly. But at the same time, I don't think that Trishel and CT need to like apologize for their sins. I think we can all acknowledge that it was a dick move. But, you know, they didn't break the rules. They didn't like, whatever. I think MJ was maybe a little naive to think that,

rat Trichelle would be satisfied? Because MJ's whole thing was like, I felt like we completed the game by banishing all the traders, so we all should win, which I get. But alas, it was not to be. The reunion was fun. I think having it just like one hour-long episode, I think was a good call. I liked that it was a little spicy. Fadra has a lot of of feelings about Dan, which like go off, sis, I don't know. Fine with me. The Peter Pals, you know, they, they get their little moment in the sun, good for them. I felt like we had some nice stuff with Sandra and Parvety. I liked that. I don't know. It was a decent reunion. I thought Andy did a good job. I would love to see, I'm curious why they don't have Alan host the reunion. Maybe it's just because

it's like Andy's thing and it's easy for him to do. Maybe it's an availability conflict. I don't know. It would be cool if Alan was there. They all like him so much, even if he wasn't hosting. I don't know. But I'm excited for this show to come back. I'm excited to come back next week.

Hopefully when I have more of a voice and talk about all the other exciting stuff that's been happening. But until then, thank you for listening. Don't forget to rate review and subscribe. and be cool. Don't be all like I'm cool. Mentioned at all is produced by Dylan Hafer, Sean Kilby, Jorge Morales Pico, and Rebecca Sousmaqat. Editing by Jorge Morales Pico, social media by Dylan Hafer,

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