Mention It All - Ramon-a-Lago Ft. Amanda Duberman

Episode Date: April 11, 2022

Dylan is joined by Betches Sup host Amanda Duberman to chat about everything happening in the Bravo world. They start by discussing the viral video of Ramona dancing with Donald Trump, and how politics plays into their Bravo viewing experiences. They also discuss what this means for the future of RHONY, and whether anyone from Summer House could cross over. Later, they chat about this season of RHOC, and how Bravo picks and chooses which shows to give attention to. 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 Dylan Hafer. We're going to check me, though.

Hey, everyone. Welcome back to the Mention at All podcast. I am Dylan Hafer, and today I am excited to be joined by a Betches' coworker and friend that has not been on the podcast before. She is the director of news and activism, and you also know her as the host of the Betches' sup podcast. Please welcome Amanda. Doberman. Hi, Amanda. Good morning, Dylan. You can't keep either of us off a mic for too long,

can you? Oh, certainly. Certainly not. We're here pretty much every day. I don't know. Prolific podcasters. For better or for worse. You know, my voice has left the building a little bit today, but, you know, not so much that we can't talk shit. Exactly. Exactly. I mean, I had like such a nerd moment last week when I saw you guys were out of karaoke. And I mean, if you don't know that Dylan has a musical theater degree. Dylan's going to sing at weeknight karaoke. And I just saw it and I was like, his voice, his voice. Yeah, that was probably a regrettable decision. But here we are with lots to talk about on a Monday morning. So you spend a lot of your time, both at work and I would say in your free time as well, thinking, talking, reading about politics. And there was a fun might not be the right word,

but an interesting little crossover that happened this weekend. Because on, Saturday, there was this video that cropped up on Twitter from Ron Filipkowski, and it was just a video. And the caption was just a Melania sighting on the dance floor at Mara Lago last night. And when I first saw this, I was like, oh, interesting. Like, I actually was just thinking last week, like, what is Melania doing these days? I feel like we don't really hear about her. And then like 10 seconds into the video, you just see Ramona Singer and some other. blonde lady, just dancing, partying, having a good time.

Not a care in the world. Three feet in front of Donald Trump and Melania. And it's just like, oh my God. Like, it's not surprising in any meaningful way, but it's just like, it's just funny to me. It just is like, LOL. Yep. For some reason to me, and this is what's so strange about it, is that to me it is

surprising, which is my own fault. Like, there is no other area in my life where I don't. think about people's politics, everything else, even in other reality TV, like whenever it bubbles up in like The Bachelor or when I meet new people or whenever somebody mentions a celebrity, I'm always the person at the dinner, our brunch that's like, okay, well, he has an accusation of racism. Okay, well, she's anti-Semitic. So it's very strange to me that, like, for some reason I can really compartmentalize with housewives, but then you see stuff. It's like, of course Ramona is, like the whole last season, of course she's like this. Of course she's like this.

But for some reason I let myself compartmentalize and I do find myself quite jarred by those like exposures. Yeah. I mean, to me, it's certainly no surprise that Ramona is a Republican. I mean, it's been known before. Yeah. But I mean, the, the visual of just, it's a Friday night. And where would you go out on a Friday night? But Mar-a-Lago and you and your gal pal are just dancing up a storm like inches away from

DJT's private table. Yes. And literally last week. I wouldn't expect to go out somewhere and be next to Barack Obama. Like it's wild to just be at a club with the president anyway. Right. I know. We like let Ramona off the hook. It's like, oh, wait, but she's there with the former president who two days earlier

was like, I should have been marching with those insurrectionists. And she's like, hey, Dot. And there's also just something about like, Florida is like, it's don't say gay right now. There's so much going on. There's like so much going on. Florida. But of course, those three, just not a care of the world. What do you think Ramona and Melania talk about? I don't know. The funny thing with this video is I was thinking about, I'm sure that Donald Trump and Ramona know each other in some sense. I don't think they're best friends.

But, you know, they were both on NBC networks for a long time. So I would imagine even just when he was doing The Apprentice and, you know, he's had Housewives on Celebrity Apprentice and all of this stuff. I would imagine that they are. are friendly with each other. But I'm like, I don't actually think Donald and Melania like give a fuck about Ramona. Ramona is, Ramona in the grand scheme of things is a very small fish. She is not married to a billionaire. She's not married to a CEO.

She's not running some major corporation. She's like a reality star. We don't even know if she's a real housewife anymore. Right? Like, she might not even be that. Yeah. So I'm curious to get your kind of take on whether you, feel like somebody like a Ramona or, you know, a housewife that could be problematic in some

ways, does that make you not want to see them on your TV? Or do you just kind of have to contextualize that when you watch it? Because obviously you spend so much of your time outside of watching Bravo analyzing these things and, you know, coming up with points on them. Yeah. I mean, for me, I would say like it's pretty, it can be easy for me to compartmentalize and separate. them, but then immediately I have the thought about the people in our society who, like, can't really do that because it's like easy for me and for us to say as white people watching Ramona just not want to deal with the concept of racism or her own racism and her own prejudices and being blatantly, like, I guess, blatantly anti-Semitic, I guess was the time where I was like,

I had to turn that episode off as like a Jewish person. That Shabat, it was really, really rough. That was very, very hard. So it's like, I can compartmentalize, but I feel like especially since like, if not Donald Trump's election, then, you know, 20. and a lot of education around there. Just like, I think it made people sort of have to, like, our inability to split them kind of like evaporated a little bit more because now I'm

not just like, for me, I can't just watch them do this knowing that they're bad people in their normal life. I'm like, you want to not talk about racism. You want to not own up to it. Like, that's fine, but you can't be on the real housewise. For me, it's just like, it's not fair to reward that ignorance anymore. That's what I think about. Like, I can watch Ramona be silly and do turtle time and her not talk about it at all.

but it will always sneak back up on me like, why does she get a paycheck for being like this? So I don't know. I'm conflicted. I'm sort of like, I have to like walk the walk on my values sometimes. And it's sort of like, sometimes I'm like, do I? Am I personally bothered? Of course, I can suppress it for an hour. But there's a lot of people who like can't.

I think there's also, because you'll see some people make the comment of like, I watch housewives as an estate from reality. Like leave politics out of it. And I think there is some. level where I get that and I get that you just want to be entertained. But I think you're right that when the topics are coming up on the shows, then you can't ignore it. Like, I can't just pretend that I don't know anything about somebody's views when they're showing me what their views are. Whereas I do think I don't necessarily, I definitely don't think every housewife needs to have the exact same political opinions as I do. And there are housewives that I think are great.

on their shows that I'm pretty sure have not voted for all the same people that I have. And I don't really, to me, it's like I can't spend too much energy, you know, hating somebody because they might have voted for a different party than me. But it's like if we're going to talk about race on the show and you're saying problematic, cringeworthy things, I'm not going to ignore that. Exactly. I'm with you. It's like I'm sure a number of O.C. Housewives, even the ones that did not obviously vote for Donald Trump.

But I'm sure plenty did. There are probably so many housewives that voted for Donald Trump in 2016. And I can go about my life not thinking about that. But then when they're on the housewives, like, I think Ramona was like straight up like defending like Trump at times. Yeah, when you like make it present on the show. And the show, and Bravo is like, I guess it seems like Bravo wants the job of a housewife to change slightly.

I mean, it seems like part of the job now is like having those conversations. And if you refuse to do that, you're not fulfilling the responsibilities of your job. So bye. Yeah. I think they've kind of put themselves in a tough position by having so many shows for so long that we're exclusively white women or almost exclusively white women. And then I mean, this has been talked about by so many people and people that are better qualified than me. But that some of their efforts to diversify, while diversifying is a good goal, have been a little bit, have fallen a little short. Because it's like, yeah, you can't just.

Yes. You can't just send in one person of color to a room full of hostile white women and then just be like, look, it's integrated. Exactly. That's not actually going to make anybody's life better at the end of the day just because there's somebody who's not white on a housewives show. Like, it has to be a little more meaningful than that. I was kind of disappointed to see that Shaz of Sunset isn't going to be coming back partially because it is one of those shows where it's an authentic show about a group of friends who are not white and they have a very special. specific experience and a specific cultural background. And I always thought that was something that they really embraced and showed off on that show. And Shaw's was not my favorite Bravo show.

So I'm not like, I'm not like sitting here crying about it. But at the same time, I'm like, they had a good thing going. And it's unfortunate. I think that that kind of show is going to be lost. And I don't know if there's going to be another one. Yeah, exactly. Because I feel like especially like what you were saying when there's only one housewife of a certain background, it's like when you have like a Shaws of Sunset or a Family Karma or even some of the housewives, like those issues are going to come up because they're going to say to each other like, oh, I had this happen. And then someone will say, well, they had a similar experience that had a racist tins.

And then it's going to come up. Whereas you have like Ebony, who I think that we can, I think broadly people think the way that she went about some of the conversations was a little ham-fisted or the producers were pointing her in a way. but like it's so much harder for Emity to just volunteer this experience that none of the women relate to or I want to talk about where it's like if you have another person there to validate it and be like, oh yeah, then maybe you get a little bit more, frankly, credibility among the group to actually like discuss it. And they're not setting up those housewives for success, really. So good, so good. Everything you want for summer is at Nordstrom rack stores now and up to 60% off. Stock up and save on the brands you love like Vince, Sam Eddell.

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Your algorithm is feeding you cutoffs. You're thirsty for the sun on your shoulders. That perfect hang on the patio of sun. 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. I'm definitely curious to see with the Roney reboot that's going to be new women what they really, where they land, kind of. Because when Andy did that interview with Variety, he was, you know, saying

they want a diverse, interesting, whatever, whatever, blah, blah, blah, like all the different adjectives of people that they want. But it didn't sound like they had necessarily gotten very far in looking for or finding that group of people. Definitely not. Yeah. So I'm, I think it's a great goal. And I, I would love to think that there's this, like, unicorn group of friends out there that's, like, perfectly diverse and have all different walks of life and different back. backgrounds and different career paths and stay at home moms and socialites. Yeah, segregation is only on the housewives.

Right. But we haven't necessarily seen Bravo succeed when they've like sought out quote unquote diverse casting. What do you think about how it's played out with the season of Summer House? Because I feel like as I was talking, I realized that sort of is an example of like, Maya was able to say, I'm feeling this way. And Sierra was there to validate her and was able to like, really hyper up during that conversation that was like really productive for everybody. Whereas like if it were just one of them or like that conversation would not have got.

Obviously you have a different generation of like cast members. I think that is definitely a big difference seeing a show that's made up pretty much all millennials versus a show like Roney where they're like boomers, old Gen X. Like not that every millennial group of friends would handle a conversation like that. Well, but I think with that specific group, they all understood that it's like, okay, this might not be something that I have a lot of experience talking about or am necessarily super comfortable or well versed in having these conversations. But I know that it is important. And not to be cynical, but there also is that level of like, I know I'm on TV right now and it will be a bad look if I am dismissive. of the black woman who says that she's having feeling othered in this group. And I think,

you know, like it sounds shitty to say that that would be like a calculated thing. But at the same time, it's like if you have this platform and you're on TV, you also have a kind of responsibility to show that those conversations can be had in a productive way. And so it's like not only should you do it from being a good person standpoint and wanting Maya to feel welcome in the house, but also it's like, what are we doing here? Like we need to. to do this in a way that isn't going to be cringe-worthy and painful for people that are watching at home. Right. Right.

They have like, no, that's a good point. They have no sense of their obligation to like not make the audience cringe. Like, you're there to like entertain us and keep us engaged. And every time Ramona's on the screen, I just want to like, I just want to turn it off. Who do you? I also wanted to ask you, which, which summer house cast member do you think would be the best real housewives? Because I know we're all thinking Lindsay Hubbard, but I feel like we can expand this conversation. because I feel like I would make a very, I just feel like Paige could like anchor a real housewife.

Like she could be a narrator. I think, yeah, I've talked with a couple other people about where Summer House might be going after the next season or two because it does feel like at some point if everybody is coupled up and people are pushing 40. Like you're going to kind of, you're going to kind of reach the ceiling of the summer house format. But then it is hard because we've never, I guess technically now with Dubai, Caroline Stanbury is the first Bravo Lebrity to come from another show to being a housewife. But it's still different because we've never had somebody who kind of was on one of the like, quote unquote younger shows age up into being a housewife. I know there was a couple years ago, it felt like there was a lot of chatter about, oh, could Stasi be on Beverly Hills or maybe Lala will be a housewife? and that never really, I don't think that was ever really being discussed in a meaningful way at Bravo. But with Roney, it feels like there potentially would be more of a natural kind of slide in because they wouldn't be entering a group of existing housewives.

Right, right. So I don't know. I mean, I think I enjoy Lindsay so much as a reality TV personality, but I don't necessarily see her. with like, I don't, this, I feel like this sounds rude, but it's like, I don't know, if they, mention it all. I know. If they have a group of like high powered boss bitches who are like 40-ish. Yeah.

I think it's hard because we've never seen Lindsay in that context. Like with Summerhouse, the goal is always get drunk, party, fight, hook up. You know, like, it's a very specific type of show. Yeah. And so it's not like anybody is doing anything wrong by playing into that because, I mean, that's why you've lasted six years on a show like that. But at the same time, it's like with housewives, there is a slightly different tone. It's a different performance. It's a different gig.

Yeah. And I think it's hard for me to imagine Lindsay doing that, not because I don't think she could, but just because we haven't seen that side of her before. Yeah. So it's like an interesting prospect. It could be great. And Paige similarly, I think she is like, she strikes me just a little young. Yeah, I guess it depends. Like, they're definitely going to go lower in age than the existing cast, which is just like older now because the show has been on for so long.

But yeah. Also, if Lindsay, like, it looks like she's, Lindsay seems like she'll have a baby as soon as soon as it's possible. So, like, I don't know if like new board, new house highs, even though that, even though we've seen that multiple, multiple times. but honestly, I mean, not to put any pressure on Lindsay that she should have a kid for reality TV purposes, but I feel like if she had a baby, I would almost see her working better on housewives because I think it would kind of distance her from Summerhouse a little more. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Whereas like, if it's just like last week I was at the Hamptons and now I'm at the Hamptons with the housewives, like it would feel a little jarring, I think, to just be like, okay, I drove across. the street and now I'm hanging out with housewives instead of, you know, drunk kids.

True. Not that anyone is that young. I mean, her 35th birthday was a couple weeks ago. What I can't imagine would be Carl as a house husband. That I can't imagine. Yeah, that's tough. It almost is like, it's almost just like there's too much water under the bridge. Like, we haven't really- Her character is already, it's a summer house character.

Like, she's a summer house kid. Like, she's so good at that. We've had plenty of housewives who were notable for summer. reason before they were on the show and even some who have dabbled in reality TV, but nobody that we've really watched over the years on a reality show play out with storylines, with ups and downs. You know, like, Denise Richards had like done reality TV before, but it wasn't the same. And it had been a long time in the past where I think, yeah, it would be weird if it was just like six months from now, Lindsay is on Housewives instead of Summer House.

it would be like, okay, that's kind of just feels like stunt casting almost. Yeah, I think it'll be like, I'm just so eager to hear who they do choose because obviously we live here and like you know a lot of people, we know a lot of people, whoever they choose, at least some of them, we're going to know somebody who knows somebody who knows a lot about them so I cannot wait for just like them to choose so I can get the tea. I remember when Leah McSweeney was filming for her first season before they had like announced, Aileen had like reached out to me and she was like, she was like, my dentist told me one of his patients is the new housewife. And like there was there were no details. I mean, like, I had

heard like whispers that somebody named Leah was filming, but it was just like, that is the most New York thing ever that it's like, oh, I was at physical therapy and my, the practitioner told me that somebody she heard was a friend of a friend. Like, it's so, it's so wild. But then, okay, so what's going to happen to Leah? Is she going to be on the reboot or the like the old faves version? I feel like she doesn't fit naturally into either because she's so new. Yeah, and I think that is fine. That's fine. Yeah, I agree.

Look, I liked Leah a lot her first season. I still liked her just fine the second season, even though I think public opinion on her sort of soured a little bit. I don't think she needs to be a housewife forever. I think she was solid casting for the situation in which she was cast. But I still think overall, the future of the franchise is more important than like finding a place. for Leah to be on TV. Her book is coming out. She's doing fine.

Yeah. She's like friends. She has friends in high places. I feel like she'll be okay. Yeah, she'll keep selling her sweatsuits. That's true. Her and Brooks. Ready to soundtrack your summer?

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Slow Burr. Burns, second chances, chemistry you can feel through the screen. Your next obsession is waiting. Watch only on Prime. Are you excited for Real Housewives of Dubai? I can't wait. I'm so excited. I mean, as I've told you, like, I used for like the past like six years, I've been

really kind of like in exclusively Beverly Hills in New York after sort of watching everything. And then in the past year, I have caught up. I've watched all of Potomac. I'm now, well, I watch all of Miami. I am now watching OC. I didn't watch the intervenings. I felt like I couldn't handle the brimbing.

Bronwyn. Or who's the really problematic one? No, Bronwyn's. Bronwyn is the messy one. Kelly Dodd is the truly problematic one. By the way, over the weekend, I don't even want to, I won't spend too much time talking about this, but Kelly Dodd, she had announced one day, I think it was like Friday, she announced that she was going to appear at some LGBT event.

And it was like, I'm going to be here. I don't know the background. Why would they prefer for that? Yeah. And then literally like the next, a few hours later, she posted. a transphobic meme on Twitter. And then the next day was like, I've been uninvited from this LGBT event.

They said that I was blah, blah, blah, blah. And that's not what I meant. I just thought it was a funny joke. And then apparently she went on YouTube. My friend sent me this video, which I did not even have the energy to watch. But like she was saying she like misunderstood the joke. Yeah.

And like didn't realize it was transphobic. But then also was saying something about. community of womanhood, which sounds turfy to be. Yeah. It's like Kelly. Sounds like they made the right choice. Yeah. And I mean, Kelly is doing a very Danielle stout thing of last season where after Danielle like made a big deal of leaving the show allegedly on her own terms, she then watched every episode on Instagram live. Whereas like Kelly, Kelly is on Twitter during the

episodes being like, thank God they fired me. This is a mess. And it's like, girl. Turn off the TV. Find something else to watch. I'm glad I skipped that error. But since I've been sort of like in the practice of getting to know new Real Housewives. And so now I'm just like I feel like I'm part of it. I feel like it's all for me. Every step of the way, I'm thrilled.

I can't wait. The cast seems like, and I don't mean to be rude, but like a little bit uncharacteristically accomplished for Real Housewives cast. There's, yeah, we had a Danny Murphy on and we went through kind of person by person. But they all have a lot going on. Yeah. I love seeing, you know, the background, like they're from all over the world. You know, we've never had, we've had like some eclectic casts before, but never something that was like truly international in that way.

So I think that'll be really, you know, just kind of like fascinating to watch what the vibe is like. Yeah, like the expat experience and like the pushback they get. It's going to be very cool. And I'm sure it'll just be so lush and amazing to look at. I know. And people, I mean, people have a lot. of qualms about the way, you know, the situation in the UAE and whether it's like ethical to be

watching a show that takes place there and they, you know, they're like anti-LGB, whatever. But it's like, in a way, it's like, is the U.S. that much better? Right. Exactly. Exactly. I feel like this can be a corrective for sex in the city too. Like, we all need to revisit this setting with these type of women and get it right this time. But yeah, I'm thrilled.

and I am curious to see how those things come up if they do and how they like how they broached. Yeah. Meanwhile, Miami is filming their next season right now. I hope they're like saying gay. Yes, exactly. I know. That's true. Totally. Yeah. I know you just recently like caught up on Miami. That season was so good. It was a pleasure. Also amazing to watch. Yeah. It feels like we're in a good kind of groove with Bravo stuff right now. There was a little bit of like a bleak time. during the pandemic. I feel like Dallas had that rough final season and New York was in a weird

place and Atlanta kind of had a stumbling season but now it's like I mean Salt Lake was bringing the drama 24-7 everybody's been liking New Jersey this season. Beverly Hills looks like it's going to be great Miami's back like it feels like there is finally good

momentum again. I think Bravo like listens to what people are saying and they don't take all of it but like they know when their audience members are like ready to bow out and they they try to fix it. Like certain things needed like this, this season of OC, like it very much feels like a transitional season, but there's still like forward movement. Whereas like the season of Summerhouse, I was going to make the same point you did. Like it felt like a transition season, but there's no forward movement.

Whereas a lot of the real housewives, I feel like we're finally getting some plotting. We're moving along. Like OC is very like, I love, I kind of love when housewife seasons are like a little chiller. Like, I don't mind sitting watching them giggle over chicken salad. I love it. That's what I want to do with my time. I do think the balance is important because with like this season that Salt Lake just had or thinking back to Potomac, this season when Monique and Candace had their altercation. Yeah.

The experience, both of watching that live and was so rough, honestly. But even revisiting those episodes, it's like, damn, this is bleak. And it feels like nobody in the group really, it's like there are friendships within the group, but nobody in the group is really happy to be there. And it just is like so dark every time that the group gets together. And sometimes it's fun when it's just like bickering and laughing and a good time. Yeah, it's like, I'm sorry. Are you sorry? Yeah, I'm sorry.

Okay. Let's go get drunk and eat chicken salad. Great. Yeah. Well, Heather accosts Noella downstairs. We are just going to enjoy ourselves. So, Nella, why does Nola only have? Normally I would not remark on these things,

but Nola only has like 70,000 Instagram followers and is not verified. Am I following the right account? What is going on? Yeah, I've noticed that she's not verified. And I can't remember. Maybe Dr. Jen isn't verified either. And I feel like usually can't Bravo just like send an email to Instagram and be like, hi, these are our new cast members.

just please give them the blue check ASAP. I would, because I would also suspect that they, maybe even in their contracts or like, it probably doesn't say like make sure you're posting five Instagram stories the night of, but it probably says like you have to fulfill some marketing duties like sharing to Instagram. So then the network has an interest in like helping you blow up. So I just wonder if they've already decided that Nuela is like not long for Real Housewise Borge County. But it's just so interesting that like people aren't taking to her. I just found that because I quite like her.

She's not perfect, but you can just see her internal struggles and that she just has so much, like, growth to do and probably, like, darkness she's gone through. But I like her. So I was just, I don't know. The most shocking thing I have to offer was that no, I only has 70,000 Instagram followers. Okay. Dr. Jennifer Armstrong only has 57,000 Instagram followers and she's not verified either. That's so weird. Meanwhile, Nicole Martin, Peacock Housewife, to be fair, 74,000 and she is verified. Okay, okay. Which feels a little more on track for me. Yeah. Yeah. At least she has a blue check. The blue check feels, I mean, they're like, not to be rude, but you have a blue check. Yeah, exactly. Like, blue checks don't even have to do with followers, usually.

They have to do with, like, if you can convince Instagram that somebody might pretend to be you and that you need to, like, have a blue check. So it's just like, it's very strange to me that I just wonder why who Bravo decides to advocate for. And it's just really interesting which housework. wives become social media celebrities and which don't. Like Nicole definitely seems like she has like she has the look. I would love to look at her all day and look at her outfits. But she's also an anesthesiologist. So I bet she's not really, she's not like, this isn't all she does. Whereas like Lisa Renna, this is all she does. Right. Like Doree, when she does like a glam and an outfit photo shoot, that can be her whole day. Right. And I want to watch that on Instagram. And I just wonder why people

don't want to watch that for, for Nuela. I don't know. I don't know. I think, yeah, this season of OC isn't kind of a weird position because they I think they put so much of the emphasis around the return of Heather Dubrow like all of the TV ads and all of the promos and everything were all like the queen is back in the OC watch Heather on this season and it's like

that's not I understand the strategy but at the same time it really is like telling you nothing about the conflict of the season or the storylines or the other characters. I mean, you have, obviously, like, Jennifer and Noella are new, so they're not going to be like, watch Noella on the promo, but it's like Shannon's been on the show for like seven seasons. Gina and Emily have been around for, I think, 13, 14, this is their fourth season together. And so it's like, it's not like a cast of

randos aside from Heather. Like, they could, I think they, they made a very deliberate choice that they were like, Heather is going to be like the selling point of this season. And I haven't had a major issue with Heather this season. I know some people have been pretty underwhelmed by her performance. But I do think, I don't know that I think it was a great decision to really sell the season solely on Heather's back. Because you have other compelling pieces of the puzzle. Yeah.

Even if it's not the best season ever, I don't think that it's just like the Heather show and everybody else is doing nothing. Yeah, I mean, you know, like I said, like I did not watch for a while and I wanted to pick back up. And what is keeping me engaged in it, I will say, is not really Heather. I just really enjoy. I really enjoy Gina. I really enjoy Emily Shannon's fun to watch. I feel like the issue is that Heather is sort of seems interested in like instigating some conflict because she gets so mad about things. But nobody's really like standing up to her.

Like, I don't know. maybe she needs, I think she needs Tamara. Like she'll confront people with the exception, I guess, of Noella, who just sort of sits in stairs, but they don't really get into it. And everyone just sort of like, okay, Heather, I guess you're right. I'm sorry. I won't do that again. So it's like, we just keep moving forward.

Right. Yeah, I've talked about this with other people that it's like, Heather needs an adversary that isn't Noella because Noella, unfortunately just like doesn't really have the, like, standing to really make a dent at all. And I think Tamara would be really interesting. I mean, I want Tamara back. I'm like on record saying that. But I don't think we really know how Tamara would feel about Heather Dubrow. Because Tamara and Heather were not like sworn enemies in the past, but they also didn't always get along.

And I think Tamara is also kind of a wild card because, and this is, I think, one of her big strengths, she will do whatever the show needs her to do. And so if she comes back and they're like, okay, you need. to get under Heather's skin this season. She'll be like, put me in coach. Sounds good. Where's the, I'm signing the contract. Like, and I think, I mean, the Tamara and Shannon thing is just like, I need that. I need to see that.

So, yeah, I mean, it's as much as I think sometimes with housewives, we overuse the casting, like, demand of just like bring back so and so. I do think with O.C., it's like they brought back Heather and I think it would make that click better if there was. some other kind of past people in the mix. Right, right. It's like, well, why bring back Heather? Because of her dynamics with some of the previous people that are not, like, playing out

in the same explosive way that we, we would have hoped. Right. Like, Heather as a figure on her own is entertaining, sure. Like, I love seeing the house. She's really funny sometimes. She can be. I like when she puts people in their place like that can be entertaining. But, like, Housewives at its core will always be an ensemble show.

And I think the, I hope that next season they have some ideas for how to sort of flesh out the ensemble. Because I think this year they're just like missing that a little bit. But I'm still, I haven't hated this season by any way. No, it's just I, sometimes I just feel like, and I mean this in like a neutral good way, I feel like I'm watching Laguna Beach. Because it's just like, I'm just watching these people go about their days with pretty like low stakes problems. Like these are not really big problems. I mean, obviously noella's are considerable problems. But like, yeah.

It's fine. I like watching their, like, they're in there. Like, Gina just has like a normal house. Right. And we've been, we've been in this kind of holding pattern for half the season of like, do you think Shannon could be jealous of Gina? And then Gina needs to put a pen in it. And it's like, where are we really going with this? Like, nobody actually cares. Yes. The main thing I have picked up from this season has been my late in New York accent where I'm just like Shannon and I say Steve Bannon. Steve Bannon. That's how I pick it up again.

I always, that's how when I get back into it. She sent me an article from Breitbart. That's definitely what Jeet is doing. Oh, my God. Steve Bannon is going to be in my head for the rest of the day. Say Bannon like Shannon. Shannon Bador. Oh, gosh.

Not the deal. Amanda, this has been so fun. I know. I'm glad we got to do it while being recorded. Not just distracting you from your job, but as part of your job. You will have to come back sometime soon because we're going to have a lot of shows to recap coming up. Before you go, remind everyone where they can listen to you and all that good stuff. Yeah, I'm on Instagram, me personally at Amanda Doberman, and then we do The Betches Up podcast Monday through Thursdays.

It comes out in the early afternoon, me and a bunch of co-host. And occasionally we can get Dylan on to co-host. And that is just search the Betcha-Sup podcast. It's usually like 30 to 40 minutes. And we just like gab about what's going on in the news or culture. Sometimes it's a pop culture thing. Sometimes usually it's almost always politics. But we try to throw in something like things in like feminism.

Just like the stuff that like you might not feel like texting your friends about, but you want to unpack. That's what we're doing every day. Love that. And while you're checking out the Betches up, don't forget to rate review and follow this 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 Sean Kilby and Jorge Morales Pico.

Editing by Sean Kilby. Social media by Dylan Hafer. Guest Booking by Nicole Pellegrino. Be sure to follow at Bravo by Betches on Instagram and Twitter. Yamava Resort and Casino at San Manuel is California's number one entertainment destination for today's superstars. Catch the Jonas Brothers return to the Yamava Theater stage on April 30th. The powerful vocals of Demi Lovato on May 6th. and the signature Southern Country Rock of Eric Church on July 19th.

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