Mention It All - OC Cracked the Casting Code Ft. Jared Alexander

Episode Date: July 20, 2023

Dylan is joined by Jared Alexander, entertainment writer at The Grio, for a chat about the current state of casting on Bravo. They discuss this week’s RHOC, with an analysis of why Jenn’s casting finally clicked. They also drop some thoughts on RHONY, and why reboots should be applied sparingly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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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 we have a lot to talk back today. And I am so happy to have here in the studio with me, my good friend and entertainment writer at the Griot, Jared Alexander. Hi, Jared. Hi, Dylan.

How are you? I am great. I'm happy to have you back in the stew. We have, it's Rooney Week, it feels like here in Bravo World, but of course, today we have Real Housewives of Orange County to talk about. And I, I'm excited to talk to you about it because I feel like you're very into this season. It's kind of like a, you know, it's like a fun experience that we're having every week with OC right now. It's so fun.

And I feel like I hesitate to say the word Renaissance because I feel like we always say that. Or like we're like in a golden age of Housewives, but I think for some shows, it's really nice to see that. them in their prime again. And OC certainly feels like that. I loved last night in particular. It's funny earlier this week, Andy has been doing, you know, on Twitter, he usually does the like, good morning and then like answers some questions. Somebody, he's been doing it on threads.

And it kind of got some traction because somebody asked if, like, after seeing the response to Roney, are you considering rebooting other franchises? And he did like the like smirk emoji, basically. And I saw a few people. respond to that and they were like Orange County please and I just am surprised because I feel like most of the people I personally know who are watching the season of OC are pretty content with how things are going and at the very least like I don't think right now the vibe is like well this is in the dumps unfixable scrap it and do something completely new so I'm like I don't I don't

think that's where I would look in terms of a reboot at all and listen I think that I think that we, it seems like the fans are really loving the Roney reboot, which is so exciting. I certainly love it, but I also think it has to be a case-by-case thing. And like we, again, I feel like even now, even the fans who are really against the reboot even still and are like, you know, comparing ratings to last year, it's like, you kind of have to look at like this, what the state of Roney was and the numbers and everything. But if you look at O.C., like the numbers are pretty good. The fans are happy with it, like the viewers are happy. So why would you just completely reboot it? It just doesn't make sense. The decision didn't happen in a vacuum, the Roney one.

Right. And I think with Roney, like, there was never really a plan or a vision of how to move forward with the existing cast. Whereas, like, with O.C., they had that dreadful pandemic season, season 15. They, you know, cleaned house a little bit. They brought back Heather. And then the next season, they brought back Tamara. Like, they've been kind of in a rebuilding phase. And it feels like this season, it's kind of like the. The pieces have come into place.

Vicky's going to be back next week. It looks like, you know, Tracy Mingus Reunited, which, you know, your mileage may vary on how much you're, like, thrilled to have Vicky back in front of the cameras. But, like, clearly they have a, you know, a plan that they have been working on for this franchise where it's like, Roney, it was like, what are you going to do? Like, put Dyrinda off of pause. Like, that's not going to feel like a new show. 1,000%. And they also, I think, have a good mix. of the old and the new.

Like, I personally love Jen. I am feeling like Jen, especially after last night, they finally have really cast a housewife on OC that's going to stick. Yeah. After a lot of, a lot of one-offs, you know? One-offs and two-off.

You know, like Bronwyn made it a couple seasons, but that was so fraught. Then, like, Elizabeth Vargas in season 15. I feel like we dreamed up Elizabeth Vargas. I saw someone use a photo of her as, like, a reaction meme on Twitter yesterday.

And it made me laugh so hard. It was like whatever the tweet was was funny. But I also was just like, oh my God. Right. We were in the trenches. The footprint of some of these recent OC housewives is just almost untraceable, non-existent. I think, you know, our other Jen Armstrong, who was on last season was also just a total flash in the pan. I think honestly, Noella made a little more of an impression.

And there was, you know, a fair amount of people. were hoping that she would be back for another season or interested to see kind of what was going on with her trajectory. But like the last two, you know, Liz, Elizabeth and Jen were just like absolute, you know, brainwash. I don't remember a thing. I mean, I would even argue that like Peggy Sulahian, which was who was like the butt of the joke for like all Housewives fans for so long, has had like a way stronger impact on OC and Housewives in general. She's more fun to talk about and at least gave us moments. like her pinching, you know, Megan's lips. What means boogie?

What is the peanut gallery? What is peanut gallery? You know what I mean? There were moments. And I feel like it's all relative to like where we've kept. Like even that season, for example, which was a season that when it aired, fans were like, God, O.C. is terrible now. Now it's like, wait, that season gave us the quiet woman, the Iceland trip.

Like, it feels like a classic season of O.C. So it's just really have these girls back in the dynamics that we love. Yeah. It's funny to think that Gina and. Emily are actually some of the most successful casting in OC. Like not in not in terms of like a performance like this isn't a performance review of Gina and Emily, but just in the sense that that season 13, I think it was, they cast two housewives at once and both of them are on the show five seasons later.

Yeah. Whether or not you agree with those casting decisions season after season, it's like, wow, that actually is, you know, they kind of were, it reminds me of like Jackie and Jennifer on a jersey a little bit, not necessarily in terms of like, impact. Iconicness. But it is kind of like, oh, wow, like they've been around for a while. Shannon's been on, I think, nine seasons now, you know. Emily and Gina have been on.

I think someone tweeted this technically longer than Durinda was now, which is crazy when you think of like, again, like length of stay versus impact because Durinda feels like someone in many ways, almost. can feel like an OG of that show, even though she certainly wasn't. In a way that kind of like Margaret feels like, you know, like she's been there for forever. But no, I think that,

and we've talked about this, I definitely have felt lukewarm about Emily and Gina. But at this point, it's kind of like, well, we've stuck with them for this long that this season in particular, like it does feel organic because they do have history with Heather now and they have history with Tamara when she comes back

and we're used to their dynamics. So I think, you know, am I the happiest that they're there? I don't know, but it, there's like a comfort and even watching them now. Yeah. And watching Emily be a momager. Oh, my gosh. Honestly, if you think about though, like Emily and Shane, we've covered a lot of ground

there. Like that's, we have history with them with Gina's whole situation that we, you know, the stuff with her ex, her relationship with Travis, which now feels like they've been together for a long time. Like we've, we've been there for a lot of stuff for both of them. And whether or not they're, you know, your favorite housewives or. you think they are like bringing so much to the table. It's like sometimes the,

the mediocrity you know is better than the like potential mediocrity or worse that you tell. No one thousand percent. We have been burned before. Again, I feel like we get really, you know, we really jump the gun sometimes as fans, I think, to like call for houses to be fired or for them to leave or whatever. And sometimes I'm like, even reading Twitter, I'm like, thank God.

Like we aren't casting these shows because the, the second someone leaves, who everyone hates, it's always the same thing, or even people that they find boring. Sometimes the W you know really is better than the W don't. Right.

Like thinking about, I mean, this, you could apply this to 100 situations, but if Candice had left Potomac after the season where she and Monique had their altercation, it would be a different show.

And even if Candace isn't your favorite housewife, it's like there has been so much to follow there. And, you know, maybe we're in a multi- And there's another world out there where Potomac is amazing without Candace. But like the world we're living in like it's, you know, sometimes it's best to just let things. Yes. Especially just because, again, I think that I don't need to love all these women.

And I don't need to necessarily be on the side of their fights. Like I certainly like to root for them in moments. And I think that's where it gets tricky is where fans are like, you know, I really wish that we had with a housewife like Duzelle, for example, who people are really polarized about like a lot of fans who are like, I wish we. had maybe more homes seen to throw. Like they love her scene to their daughters. Like I feel like I want fuller pictures of these women, but I never, if they're like messy and I don't agree with them, that doesn't necessarily mean that I don't want them on TV. At least for me, in my housewives practice, the only time I really call for it is if I feel

like the platform is maybe not earned or there's some dangerous rhetoric. We can fill in the blanks with people I'm talking about. But outside of that, genuinely, unless they're just really boring, it's like, why? Yeah. Why not just have them there and just get to know them? I don't know. Yeah. So good.

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Girl, winter is so last season. And now spring's 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. It was interesting this week. I think Shannon is somebody who her personal life over the last couple of seasons has not really done much for me. But obviously we know now that her and John's relationship came to an end later on around the end of filming for this season. And so the scene that they had together where they were eating dinner at John's weird water cottage under the bridge this week, it's like all of a sudden. sudden it's like, oh, that conversation didn't seem great.

Where he's like, so the thing is, you're really busy. And, you know, I want you to be not stressed out, but also like, why are you so, why are you busy? Yeah. And I think it's always interesting, like, especially when these announcements happen, like, post, we know that they've wrapped and then a big thing happens like this. Again, we always have like our little magnifying glass on like Kyle Richards with a magnifying glass, like trying to see.

but I think that these producers know they see a lot. So even sometimes I feel like someone like Shannon, even with the last episode, right, she talked a lot about with Jen, like sometimes in relationships, it felt eerie when she said it. She's like, you don't know or you don't want to see and you can kind of be,

you can be blind to certain things. But I feel like the cameras pick things up and we can tell dynamics a lot more than maybe someone like a Shannon. And that's kind of where we love Shanning a little bit, right? Like she goes head first, she falls head over heels in love. and she will really fight for what she loves. But I think almost even more than Drew right now in Atlanta,

if we're going to compare it to that, I feel like I'm seeing a lot more of the dynamics with Shannon where you're kind of like, well, this week the dramatic irony of her saying when she's talking to Tamara at the end of the episode about, well, Tamara's like, if I knew that David cheated on you, she's like, no, I think about it with John

because, you know, that would just be the most devastating thing. and I can't really imagine anything more upsetting. And it's just like, oh, girl. I know. Oh, my God. And that's the thing. As much as we do miss, like, the older times of house lives or maybe there weren't as many headlines, right,

and we didn't know as much, there is something, like the meta feeling of, like, watching a show like that when, like, we know the outcome. And when we saw it with Beverly Hills and Erica, I feel like a lot of seasons lately, we just know these things and these bits of information that just make it such a rich viewing experience, but also just like,

Really devastating. Again, we've watched Shannon, like, start over again and rebuild her life back up. We're all rooting for her. I know. Her and her off-gast vintage consignment clothes. Oh, my God. Yeah, it's funny because I feel like a lot of Shannon's, like, looks that she wears look like they came, like, straight out of a bag from, like, Revolve or something. One.

Okay, ma'am. And you're, like, yellow suit with the, like, feather cuffs. It's like, okay. I don't think you found that at the consignment store, but whatever. Yeah, we're definitely not looking towards, I mean, Heather turned some looks. I was going to say we're not looking at like the OC girls for looks, but I'm always really loving what Heather's wearing.

I mean, Heather has been the first to say, though, that like housewives fashion is not like her priority. Right. That she's like, you're never going to see me in the confessional interview wearing like this and that and a million accessories and whatever. She's like, I'm going to show up. I'm going to look put together. And that's like, you get what you get for me, which I respect.

But then it is, it's funny in this week's episode. It is coming up as a topic of conversation that she can be out of touch and aloof. And it's like, yes, that feels like part of the Heather DeBrow experience. And I almost wonder for somebody like Emily, it's like, what is to be gained from telling Heather DeBro that sometimes she can seem out of touch? It's like, okay. So she's going to say like, sorry if it came across that way. And then like she's living in like a castle. Yes.

And that's the thing. And I even tweeted this too. I'm like it's literally been 10 years of Heather DeBron Housewives with the gap in between. But like we're still talking about how she's kind of condescending. Like I think that at least from the audience's perspective, it's like yes and. Like that's why we like Heather. And it certainly can be a point of contention. But it feels like they're just really nitpicking with her.

And I feel like they're, they started to get to the truth. truth of it. I feel like from what I can see, what Emily and Gina really are clocking is like, oh, like you and Tamara seem to be fine, but what's really going on here type of thing? Like, it seems like you're afraid of her. But instead, they're like starting it with like a you're kind of condescending. Like, duh, she's condescending. She was saying that that Alexis wasn't the most cerebral to her like eight years ago. So it's kind of like, and that's, I don't know. Screaming at me in my house. Literally. So I think, you know, I, I think that, um, I think that, um,

it's going to be interesting. We were talking about this a lot and talking about O.C. And, like, you know, Heather being very cryptic about her maybe being in L.A. and all these things. And I feel like even the Bravo con behavior, like I was kind of bracing myself for like a,

ooh, it may be a rough one for Heather. But I feel like this happens with a lot of housewives. Whenever they're kind of like put up against the Wall or ganged up on, you just kind of want to root for them more. I feel like this is one of Heather's most balanced. Her confessionals are great. She's like seems really engaged and activated. This is one of her best season.

in a long time. Yeah, and I think last year, the first chunk of the season, her and Shannon's drama felt so, like, heightened, so active, that, like, no boo party that she had. And, like, we're done, you know, get out of my house, et cetera.

And, like, this year, it seems like she's a little more even keeled. And, like, you know, she was, like, mad at Taylor for, like, one dinner. And then it seems like she's going to have, like some issue with Tamara maybe, but it's like there aren't kind of, she's not getting bogged down in any big feud, it seems like, in a way that kind of makes sense for her. Because like if you really do feel like you're kind of above the fray, you're not going to spend

16 episodes. No. Bickering with one person over something that you think is stupid anyway. And like, right. I mean, I understand if Gina doesn't feel like the friendship is like, the most prioritized for Heather. But like when she's like, I said I was doing real estate. And then immediately your reaction was to say that your 18 year old son was doing

reality. And you know, I'm an adult woman making a career choice. And how am I supposed to feel? And it's like, okay, I understand that like you feel like you're not getting some level of whatever from Heather. But like it would. be weird to not be like, oh, my son is doing that? Like, she's not, she's not making any sort of critique or commentary on your choice to also do it. It's like, if you say, oh, I'm, you know, I'm going

to vacation on this place in this place next week. It would be weird if I had gone there a month ago and didn't mention that. Right. People bring up things that have connections to them. That's how life works. In conversation. And that is the thing. Like, Gina, what are what? What? First of all, your Gino was amazing. I literally am dying here. But also, you're so right, because it's like, that's such a natural thing to do. And I think, say what you want about Heather. I think that she is of, like, the old guard of housewives who, like, Tamara's a, who, like, there is a, even though she is, um, can be condescending, right?

And people, like, feel that way about her. There is a genuineness about her. Like, she genuinely in conversation on camera or not is, like, having a conversation with you. Like, it doesn't feel like, this is what we're talking about today. Like, I felt like she was like, oh, my God, wait, Nikki, literally, you know. is also doing this. And I just think that, again, Gina and Emily also are a little lucky

they're getting a more evolved Heather. Like, I feel like she really apologized when I really felt like she kind of didn't have to, but she was like, I did not mean that at all, but I'm listening to you. Like, I totally like, she kind of took them both on at once. And I think Heather, four or five years ago, it would have been a very different reaction.

When she's like, I think you should be able to tell that that was clearly not my intent. Right? Right. Come on, please. But it's funny though because to juxtapose that with her little chat with Taylor before the rest of the group got there when they're like, oh my God. You know, like she clearly wants this issue with Taylor to be done. She doesn't want to keep.

Frankly, she doesn't want to do the movie and she doesn't want to keep being asked if she's going to do the movie. So it's best just not to talk about it. Right. But in the confessional when they're like, oh, so like are you, are you sorry for how you handled this situation with Taylor? her response is like, well, I think Taylor's probably sorry that she made it an issue in the first place. And it's like, that is like funny and bitchy. Yes. But she's not going to say that to Taylor because she wants it to be over.

Right. 1,000%. And that's what I think sometimes I feel like there's an inclinate. And maybe I'm sure it is in their behavior, in their interactions with her, right? But I feel like there's no way in the back of these women's minds. I would feel the same way. I'd be like, well, the audience does kind of complain too about Heather. Like it's a known thing that Heather's condescending.

So you kind of lean into it a little bit more and you're like, wait, wait, wait. And Emily being like, no, this hurts my feelings because I feel like you're like and it's kind of like, that's when things just come off a little. It's just, it feels a little stale. And I think maybe that's why I'm kind of rooting for Heather a little bit more in this because I'm just kind of like, does she's condescending. Yeah. Right. Right. There are certain things that just kind of aren't.

If something is like an inherent trait of how somebody moves through the world. Right. that's not like that's how you should be approaching all of your your relationship with them and i think that's it it kind of plays into the tamara and jen dynamic because i think for us watching the show we've seen tamara over the course of 15 some years on housewives we know how she operates in this arena and to have jen come on this show as somebody who knows tamara in a different off-camera context and kind of have to do the learning curve of this is the game we're playing and this is not only the game but this is how Tamara behaves in the game.

You know, we're doing like, you know, ready player one. Like this is the version of Tamara that's like in the in the game. And I think Jen is actually doing a pretty good job with it. And I feel like over the last few weeks, you see her kind of start to like, wise up a little bit. And this week when she kind of gave it back to Tamara at that boat, no boo, whatever party that Heather threw, it's like, now Jen is like, okay, if you're going to keep, if you're going to keep, you know, saying stuff about my man, insinuating that you know things, saying that other people have told you things. Like,

I'm going to at the very least insinuate the thing that I might be sitting on. We don't know the magnitude of it or whether it's 100% true. but like she kind of gave Tamara a taste of her own medicine a little bit, which I thought was really exciting. It was so exciting to see. And again, I feel like the thing when you bring back these OGs and these like mainstays, it's really exciting. But they also need like proper foils. Like they really need someone who could like come up against them so we can get the best versions. And I love that Jen that we're kind of seeing this.

And we get to see this side of Tamara. And it goes back to that old conversation, right? of like when you're casting housewives, like, is it better to have someone who's known these women in their lives or a random person? I feel like it can go one of two ways. But I feel like this history, even if it's just a couple years, like it makes us lean in. Right. And it kind of, I think at the beginning of the season, they were exploring the Tamara and Shannon relationship. And obviously, they had been through some rough patches in the couple of years since Tamara was off the show. And in a way like that didn't really take off as a conflict because first of all I think their issues were a little too wrapped up in the on the showness of it that it was like oh well we you didn't keep space space we didn't see each other what we were supposed to be close and it's like it's pretty easy to read through the lines there and be like Shannon was on the show Tamara wasn't

some things were said. And then if you're not on the show together and you're like not 100% BFFs anymore, it's easy to go two years without seeing each other because most friends in the real world don't live in a context where you're like getting a filming schedule of time spent. So with Tamara and Jen, what I'm enjoying is that it feel whatever history there is. And I feel like I have more questions than answers at this point. It is not related to the show in any major way. And that is exciting because so much of the time, you know, like you said, Emily and Gina both have history with Tamara from before on the show.

Heather and Tamara, Shannon and Tamara, everybody else's relationships within the group are at least some percent tied to the show. And with Jen, it's like, oh, this is like something we haven't been privy to. Like, I don't know what's been happening at Cut Fitness in the midst of the pandemic, it seems like. Right. No, it definitely is. It's kind of, it reminds you of Duranda a little bit. Like, Durinda had, like, real world, real life history with that group. I mean, we can see her in, like, what, season two or three.

Yeah. So I feel like it's always moments like that where if it really works and if it isn't, because then it can go another way. It can be like Mia's basically sister, Jacqueline. Like that felt a little. It was like, oh, this is too much. much personal history. Like, I can't follow this at all.

Like, maybe we shouldn't be watching this type of thing, you know? But I feel like it's so fun. And I don't know if you, her on Watch What Happens Live, too. She was kind of like. I didn't watch it yet, but I heard it was good. Yeah, she really, I was like, ooh, Tamara's watching this, which I'm sure she is. She's definitely not going to be happy with what she's saying. She was an open book.

And I feel like whenever Vivica Fox is on Watch What Happens Live, she like gets people kind of jazzed up too. So it was, yeah, it'll be interesting. I'll have to listen to the next week's. two T's in a pot, I guess. You know I'm like a two T's and a bod, like big apologies. I know you are and I respect that journey for you, but it's simply not when I already had to listen to rewives slash just be this week.

So. Can we talk about that behind the scenes video? Did you see that video that she shared that was like, there's like a behind the scenes YouTube. Oh, that Bethany did? Yes. And it's just. She's so. Yeah.

Well. Talk about a different timeline we're in right now is. If I could have, I never would have put up my bingo card that this is the Bethany Frangle that's operating in the world. I got to say, I, you know, of course I take my job seriously and sometimes for research purposes, I had to listen to the Rewives on the 1.5 speed. It was a lot. But I, my bandwidth for the Housewives podcasts is not high.

At all. No, it's tough. It's tough. Beyond. And everyone's getting one now. Now it's like, I haven't even, I don't even know what Marisano and Alexi are talking about it their podcast because they have one I think also I forget well Larsa and Marcus have one together now they have one together now I'm like they're not going to tell me anything

I'd right I what are they going to say and it's tough I feel like honestly if you if brandy really kind of paved the way for this I feel like like she really jumped to the podcast space really quickly and Heather too I think at least Heather's podcast from what I see like she talks about other things it's not really about housewives per se yeah but I do think that two T's I don't listen to their recaps much. But when they do have housewives on, they really just go for it. And they just talk about the,

you know, there's like really no fourth wall in anything. And I really do appreciate that from Teddy and Tam. Totally. I, yeah, no, I think there's value to it.

It's just like, it's a genre of content that I, I grow tired of quickly and there is so much that it's like, yeah. And I mean, Vanderpump was a whole other can of worms this past season where it's like, somebody's like, did you heard that on Sean Anagan's yesterday?

I'm like, I'm busy. I know. I have a life. Have a job. Like, and it's also like an hour plus episodes. It's like, no, I didn't hear what Lala said this morning on her podcast. I know. I haven't even mentioned the reason to be shady of it all.

Like it's just too much. And I feel like we are getting to this point though, like to be in these rooms with like these execs and these housewives. because I feel like it is a bit of a headache now where it's kind of like, okay, we're going to have to have to talk about these podcasts on the show, and it's like driving story, and it's a whole thing.

And like, sometimes I'm kind of like, not everyone needs a podcast, you know? Yeah, it was funny. It was funny on Potomac last season, how it was like, Giselle and Robin are doing their podcast show, and then Karen feels like she needs a show. Right.

And it's like, right, but what's the show? It's a lot. And I, yeah, it's, but then sometimes we get really fun, moments and sometimes it does really drive story. I mean, these Housewives will really spill on these podcasts, sometimes more so than in regular press for some reason. Yeah, I think there is probably a comfort level that it's like when you're talking to people who, I mean, there are only X amount of people in the world who know what it's like to be on a Housewives show and to go through the, you know, different friendship situations and personal life issues and stuff like that in front

of the cameras. And, you know, if you're somebody who is going through a divorce on a housewives show, Tamara Judge is one of the only handful of people that you can talk to who has gone through a divorce on a housewives show and come out the other side and in this other relationship and got fired and came back. And, you know, there's a lot of, you know, she has a lot on her resume that not that many people can compare to. Yes. And I will say, I think to, now that I'm thinking about it, again, not to be another apologist again for TTs, but I think what, works is that they lean into it. Like I feel like with a lot of these house size shows, it's like, yeah, we're housewives. So we're going to be talking about like our day to day things and we're

not talking about housewives. It's like, no, like they go over housewives news. Like they're looking at every single news item. And then they just lean into it. And I feel like, but that's how Tamara especially has always been. Like I just think it doesn't work. And we're kind of seeing it now. I've always loved Bethany. And just to me, one of the greatest to ever do it. But it's tricky, especially with the fans when you talk so much about how you're kind of like above it or you don't want to do it anymore and all these things. And then it's the thing that you kind of always go back to and have to lean on because it's just, you know. Yeah. I think also we're in it.

It's the vibes have changed in the Bravo world where it's not like cute anymore for housewives or people on a Bravo show to act like, oh, I would never actually watch this or I don't know who any. did you go to the Dubai like event at the Lamborghini dealership? Yes. Okay. Yes. I can't. Whatever. It feels like a fever dream.

It was a Zoom reunion. Literally fever dream because it was 100 degrees that day. But like we did this like Zoom Q&A with all the Dubai housewives and like people ask like, oh, what housewife do you? Would you compare yourself to or are you connected to? And like not there were a couple of the women who kind of had nothing. Right. And it's like, it's not, like, the fans want, you don't need to watch every episode of every show. I don't think anybody reasonably expect that from their housewives.

But it's like, if the only person you can name is Lisa Vanderpump, it's like you, you maybe should do a little bit of research. Like if you're existing in this world, if you're going to be a BravoCon, you don't want to not know who anyone is. It's also like we're far past the era of I've never watched before or like fans wanting housewives who have never watched. It's such a huge thing. And if anything, it's more exciting for us. And also, again, shout out your New York podcast was great. And they all had amazing answers. And like, really, and it's not like you have to study up, but it's just like at this point.

Especially if you're cast and something like this, there's no way that you aren't watching at least a little bit to get a feel of, A, what you're getting into. But also, B, like, there are so many different styles in how to do this. Yeah. Study. and play. Come together on a Windows 11 PC. And for a limited time, college students get the best of both worlds.

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Sprite is a registered trademark of the Coca-Cola Company. I watched the Roney episode of Watch What Happens Live that was on this week. He asked, they did like a true or false like question round. And one of the questions was like, um, did you watch episodes of Roney to like specifically prepare for your filming experience? And only two out of the six of them said yes. Like I think it was Jenna and Bryn maybe. But it's like Aaron watched it the first time it was on. Right.

Like you don't like, it's not like, oh, yeah. Like I. found out I was doing this show I had never heard of. So then I had to like cram and make sure I knew what I was signing up for. It's like, yeah, I like Housewives. This seems like an opportunity that would be good for me. 1,000%. And I feel it's, you know, even with, I'm not going to say the Instagram name, but like

Rachel Fuda, for example, like she is someone I feel like who has lead into it. She's like, yes, I watch Bravo. Like, it is what it is. And that was something she had during filming. But still, I feel like, I don't know. It's more interesting. it's fun for us to be like, oh my God, like Caroline Brooks, like that was a Kenya more moment. It's more fun for her to say that and be like, I love Kenya as opposed to us coming to that conclusion, you know?

Because like there's no way that you aren't seeing those. Candace is really good at that I think too. Like she has always since she started been like the Atlanta girls are like the blueprint. Like literally like they are like all of them. Like we wouldn't be here without them. Like I'm obsessed with, you know. Or she's like tweeting about rules. Like that is because that's just genuine.

know that there's no way you aren't on TV doing these things and you aren't watching at least a little. Come on. Yeah. No, it's fun. It's fun when they kind of acknowledge like the references and stuff. Or like, um, Uba and Chanel-A-on are cousins. Oh my God, which honestly. I need to see the, like, I don't know how close they are in the family tree or if they just like found a way to be like, this is fun.

We're cousins. But like, that's, that's amazing. That's great. I'm hoping. Knock on what it's going to make for because I think Rumblings, Dubai is coming back soon. Yes. So hopefully, if Rone, is still airing, we need to get a watch what happens live with the both of them.

Like that would be so much fun. Wow. I'm Loki. I know we talked about this still in. I'm looking out there. I am holding out hope. I feel like the bones were good, Marin Morris. Or the bones were really good for season one of Dubai.

And I think I'm really excited to see where they end up. Now that they're a bit more of a group. I think they're all stunning and gorgeous. And like a lot of them, I think, have left an impact in the fandom. people love Lisa Milan. People love Chanel-A-On. Yeah. I'm interested.

It's the kind of thing where I'll be honest, I have spent very little time thinking about it since season one ended in a way that I think is probably good because there hasn't been a lot of, oh, my God, like we're filming. It's going to be amazing. Season two coming. Y'all aren't ready. Like there's, it doesn't seem like there's any overarching, you know, huge. scandal or anything.

And like, like you said, I think there were good pieces for season one. And I think those first couple episodes, few episodes that came out, I was into it. I was excited about it. And then it just kind of felt like it lost steam a little bit.

And I, I agree that for season two, I feel like I could see it being, I mean, I don't know anything, but I could see if they dropped the trailer next week, it could be amazing. Right.

And we just don't. We're not, I think our expectations are sufficiently managed. Yes. So if it's fine, that's fine. But it could be really good. And I'm excited to find out. 1,000%. And I think, you know, we have, it's interesting to see them really leaning into like these brand new.

I mean, we have, if you look, if you zoom out and look at housewives now, we have a lot of new talent all of a sudden. Between Dubai, obviously, Roney. Miami was like a soft half reboot. And then we do have some of these main. stays and it's going to be interesting to see in the next few years what the landscape looks like like, because I think, again, like we talked about, like I, we were talking at the premiere last week. Like, you and I were like, wait, I really like the episodes we've seen.

I hope fans give it a chance. Yeah. And from what I've seen way more than what I was expecting, I'm seeing a lot of love for this show. Like even people begrudgingly being like, shit, it's really good, you know? And I think that that may be a tell for what's to come because I do think, you know, 15 years on TV is a really long time. Well, in our, in our conversation with, I think Aaron said when she was on this show, she's

like thinking about the other show. Like, I love those women. I love that show. But like, are you going to be watching them in 10 years? And I mean, I guess you could argue that that's like an ageist question to even ask. But there is something too. Like sometimes you just kind of run out of story and run out of, you know, things to do. Like you can only go axe throwing so many times.

Like I think in general that like creativity and energy and stuff like that, it doesn't, it's not just like a, you know, infinite resource when you have the same group of women in a million different configurations. And so, you know, like you said, we going back to the beginning with the idea of rebooting another franchise, it is very case by case basis. I don't think that Bravo should be like, oh, well, like, this seems to work. So, like, Atlanta. No, we need to slow because we've already seen it on Twitter and stuff. Now people are like calling for every city.

I'm like, whoa, whoa, whoa. I'm like, okay, yes, I, this works for this. And you could make a case for a lot of cities. So then someone with like, like a show like Jersey, for example. I'm like, yes, we're tired. But I'm like, there's no way with those numbers that you would ever just like reboot. You know what I mean? There was a lot of, um.

Right. This was not in, like, to get to the place that we are with Roney, where this show is premiered, people are liking it. It was not a straight line for Bravo. Like this was a big endeavor and casting was tough. And, you know, even once the show was cast, it was tough. Not everybody, not everybody made it.

And, you know, we're here like almost a year and a half after they announced that Roney plan. Right. And they just got the legacy filmed, not in the format they were originally planning. This new show just premiered, you know, TBD on how the rest of the season is going to go. Like, this is, this was not like a snap the fingers and then we have a new show. No.

And also there was even more years of history before that, like bringing in Leah and Ebony, of course. Like, I feel like it also was a part of a larger errone conversation that a lot of people like to forget. That was like, even people who loved it were like, yeah, but this isn't New York City. You know what I mean? In terms of diversity. In terms of even just boroughs and just where people. people live. Like, so I think that like there were a lot of things that added up together before that

decision was made as opposed to I feel like, I don't know, the whole essence of Jersey is that we've got plenty of Italian Americans on that show. Do you know what I mean? And that's not to say it could be more diverse at all. I would love that. But I feel like there were a lot more things with the Rone decision that had to do with literally just the shape of the show and the world we're in now versus the world we're in in 2007. and what we want to see on TV.

Plus the ratings were bad. Plus, like, the dynamics were just not working anymore. And we're still getting, I still am like, guys, we're still getting everything we want because we're getting the ultimate girlship trip. We're still getting Sonia and Lou. So, like, if anything, the new dynamics and structure lets those girls shine.

Well, I was saying yesterday, it's like the only people, if you really think about it, who are Bethany and Jill. Right. And then the, and look. And look where we are with Bethany and Jill. You can't say you don't care and then drop the podcast. Like the day after this premiere that everyone's gushing over.

And Jenna Lyons was just on The View or the Today Show too. Like I'm like, come on. Yeah. You know, Sonia was on a live with Kelly. Yes. Lots of press for lots of people. And, you know, Bethany and Jill have their own thing. Did you?

Okay, the part that did kill me was what Bethany was like, stop calling for Allie. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Literally. Alley. But yeah, your post about listening to it fast was so funny. Look, I had stuff to get done. It's like really like really weighing the pros and cons of like, okay, so I'm going to be stressed out for less time.

Yeah. But I'm also going to be more stressed. No, being a housewife. I mean, obviously, you know it's a full-time job. Yeah. But it's even more so lately. There's just so much. I know.

Sunday nights now are like, damn. That is the one thing. I'm always excited. I understand the lead in reason. reasoning and everything. But Sunday nights are busy now. I know. I'm like these Mondays.

Well, we are, we're trekking through, and hopefully everyone else is staying safe on Sunday nights. Mark yourself safe from the onslaught of Bravo content. But in the meantime, Jared, tell everyone where they can follow you and read your stuff. You can follow me at The Jared Alex on Instagram, and I'm an entertainment writer at the Griot, so hopefully you'll be seeing a lot of Rony interviews and other reality TV people that will be going up soon. Amazing. Check it out. Thank you so much. And thank you 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 Jorge Morales Pico. Social media by Dylan Hafer. Guest booking by Dylan Hafer and Ali Friedlander. Be sure to follow at Bravo by Betches on Instagram. Twitter. All. Pay off your home. Travel for life.

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