Mention It All - RHONY Rewind Ep. 1: Meet The Wives

Episode Date: August 11, 2023

We’re back with another Bravo Rewind series, and this time, we’re revisiting RHONY’s iconic first season. In the first episode, Dylan rates the taglines, chooses his favorite quote, and marvels at the truly legendary strangeness of Simon and Alex. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your summer starts now with Memorial Day deals at the Home Depot. It's time to fire up summer cookouts with the next grill, four-burner gas grill, on special buy for only $199. And entertain all season with the Hampton Bay West Grove's seven-piece outdoor dining set for only $499. This Memorial Day get low prices guaranteed at the Home Depot. While supplies last, price invalid May 14th or May 27th. US-only exclusions apply.

See Home Depot.com slash price match for details. Betches Media presents. Ha ha, laugh, funny. Mention It All, a Bravo by Betches podcast. We don't say that, but now we said it. With me, Dylan Hafer. We'll go check me, boo. Hey, everyone.

Welcome back to the Mention It All podcast. I'm Dylan Hafer. And welcome to our brand new series. It's our next Rewind. I am going to be watching Real Housewives of New York City season one. We're going to be going through every episode week by week, breaking down the best moments, the best quotes. the funniest things we forgot about.

And I am so excited to get back into it. We did the Vanderpump Rules Rewind Season 1. I did that with Sammy Sage earlier this year. That was a lot of fun. You guys seemed to like it too. So when I was thinking about what would make for a good rewind, rewatch series, it's got to be New York. Of course, right now we have season 14 of New York happening with our brand new cast.

And everybody misses the OGs. Luann and Sonia are at Crappy Lake. We've got Legacy Girls Trip coming in December. So I thought this would be the perfect little treat to tide us over until that comes. It's eight episodes, you know, seven plus a reunion. It's quick and dirty. And why not just get right into it? Right off the bat, this is season one, episode one, meet the wives. And we start with the taglines before we get to anything else. And these taglines, this might be the most, iconic single set of taglines. I feel that in my bones. I would have to look. Maybe it's, maybe it's like Beverly Hills or I don't know. But with Alex McCord, to a certain group of people in New York, status is everything. That's probably my least favorite. Luann, I never feel guilty about being privileged. This, I think, is one of my favorite taglines because it is so, simple and says so much with so little. It's wild to watch Luann, circa 2008, and see how far we've come. And this tagline really just personifies that. I mean, she never feels guilty about being privileged.

And I love that for her. At least she's acknowledging her privilege. She's owning it. Bethany, New York City is her playground. Okay, whatever. Jill, I run with a fabulous circle of people. classic. And Ramona's tagline, I like making my own money. I find that an aphrodisiac. I really want to know who got in a room with Ms.

Ramona Mzor Singer in 2008 and was like, you know what word you should work into your tagline that the people would just go crazy for? Aphrodisiac. It's so random. It's so...

It's so strange because Ramona, her identity this first season, of Roney is she's very into her like businesswoman era. She has her, she has her business selling excess inventory to discount clothing stores. We see her in one meeting where it's like, how many units do we have? Oh, 28,000. Oh, just a few. And then Mario has his true faith jewelry. It's a third generation, family business. They make religious articles. Ramona. really has it all. You know, she has the hot husband. She has the daughter. Avery is, I kind of

forgot how strong Avery's like bratty little girl energy was in this first season of Roney. It's extremely Dakota fanning in, what's that movie? Raising Helen? No, Uptown Girls. It's very Dakota fanning in Uptown Girls where Brittany Murphy is like the, the baby, sitter. And then she's like the brady kid and they're on the teacups. And there's like, I think there's cash in the freezer. And then there's the song that's like, nah, na, nah, nah, sheets of Egyptian cotton. If you have not seen this movie right now, you probably think I am out of my damn mind, but it's a, it's a classic. Go watch it. But Ramona, her very first line in this episode is I am proud of being sexy. And I'm happy for her for that. We also see her at

a med spa. And she's complaining about all these other women that have their duck lips and their chipmunk cheeks. And I really think she foresaw something that was happening in the culture. The duck lips and the chipmunk cheeks, you know, they started coming and they didn't stop coming. And I think that Ramona, for all her flaws, for all her faults and all her quirks, she has aged gracefully and she has always, you know, looked beautiful and she's never gone too far. She's never, she's never made a cosmetic choice that was like a bad choice. And that, I think, for being on TV for 15 years, it's easier said than done. And I think we should commend that for her. And honestly, this whole cast, they've all aged super well. Jill looks amazing these

days. Luann looks great these days. You know, Sonia looks good. Bethany, you know, Bethany's Bethany. Alex McCord, I haven't seen her face much and now we're going to have to wait even longer because she's on that Godforsaken Morocco girls trip season. But yeah, this cast, they have it together. Romano says, I believe that women should maintain their beauty and that if you work on it on a regular basis, quote, you'll look younger than what your chronicle age is. I think she means chronological age. I'm not sure chronical age is the thing. But one thing that is funny about this episode,

and I would have to go back and watch, but I don't think all Housewives shows start like this, there is zero interaction between the women on this episode. We hear, you know, Luann knows Jill from something. Ramona and Jill are tennis friends, and we hear that they're preparing for this tennis match. But there's no interaction. There's no group scene.

Nobody's going to lunch together. It seems like Alex and Bethany are pretty much completely detached from the group. And it's an interesting tactic to start a show like this where there's these women just kind of existing in their bubbles. And clearly, you know, we know from watching that their bubbles are going to come into context. sooner rather than later. But when I finished the episode, I was like, oh, that's it? Like, it kind of just feels like you get a brief introduction to everyone. So, you know, I talked about Ramona stuff.

Jill, we see her, you know, talking about New York society and how being a socialite, you're going to all these charity events and it's important. She's in the back of a car just going through all of the mail invites that she got, allegedly in one day. And it's like, oh, but this is out in the Hamptons. You know, this luncheon, Ivana Trump will be at that one. It is funny right off the bat that like the Trump family is this like calling card of like, oh, goody. I'll go to that luncheon because Ivana Trump will be there.

It's like, oh, yeah, y'all. Study and play. Come together on a Windows 11 PC. And for a limited time, college students get the best of both worlds. Get the unreal college deal, everything you need to study and play with select Windows 11 PCs. Eligible students get a year of Microsoft 365 premium and a year of Xbox GamePass Ultimate with a custom color Xbox wireless controller.

Learn more at Windows.com slash student offer. While supplies last, ends June 30th, terms at aka.ms. Class Class PC. All new drinks are now at McDonald's, with refreshers like the strawberry watermelon refresher and the mango pineapple refresher with popping boba. To crafted sodas like the Spriteberry blast. With berry flavors and cold foam, who knew ice cold drinks could be so fire?

Try them all now at McDonald's. Refreshers contain caffeine. Copyright 2026, the Coca-Cola Company. Sprite is a registered trademark of the Coca-Cola Company. But I do miss Bobby and I miss seeing Darren Fabrics. That's nice. And Ali is so young. Ali's very excited that Times Square, Ripley's believe it or not just opened.

I wouldn't peg Ali to be a Ripley's Believe It or Not kind of girl. but, you know, back in the day, could get excited about anything. The dynamic between Bobby and Allie was something I had sort of forgotten about, though. And it's interesting, it's brought up a couple times in this episode, how Bobby is Ali's stepfather, and he's been in their life since Allie was very young, but they don't have this kind of close father-daughter bond that I think Jill wishes they had or wants them to have. and it's funny. I think it's a, it's a kind of fascinating dynamic. And I imagine that there are probably a lot of people who can relate to this.

I mean, I, I have divorced parents, both of whom, you know, have moved on with their lives. But that happened for me when I was a little older. So I don't, I don't have a, you know, I can't relate to that exact situation. But I actually thought there was a part of the show that I had forgotten about and was kind of intrigued by. And I think it was cool that they were. open about it. But of course, we all remember this is probably the most memorable thing. Jill is considering whether to send Allie to this detox center because she has arthritis, but also the guy is a friend and he wrote this book called How to Lose 21 pounds in 21 days.

And I'm like, hey, that doesn't sound great either. But of course, you know, Jill asks Bobby if she can get the plane to take Allie to Moth his vineyard at 8 a.m. and he finally says yes. And so Jill is like, Ali, go give Bobby a hug. And it's, I don't know, that's Aaron family. Interesting. Interesting stuff happening there. I'm kind of curious to see what else I have forgotten about the personal lives of these people from season one. Because it's been a while since I've watched this. Bethany, we probably see the least of in this first episode. Of course, she introduces herself as a natural foods chef who works with celebrities and helps people get healthier. I'm like, okay. I think that lasts, you know, all of them. six episodes. Also, apparently people call her the runaway bride because she was married once and

engaged twice. I would love like a source on people calling her this. I feel like this is something that she made up in her mind. Like being married once and engaged twice is, I feel like that's enough to have a track record within like your friend group. But that's not crazy. I don't know. Now she's with this guy, Jason, not Jason Hoppy, the bald Jason. He wants to be married and have a kid with him, but he already has like three kids. And he seems, I don't know. He's giving me very, very John Jansen vibes on this season of O.C. where Bethany's like, I want to be married to you. I want to move in with you. How soon do you think that's going to happen? And his, he's not saying it in quite so many words, but his reaction is clearly like, not right now and probably not that soon.

I think we know how that's going to go for Bethany. But really the, the crem de la creme of this episode is getting to meet Alex McCord and Simon Van Campen because they are just every bit as kooky and off-kilter as you think they are. It really holds up. It stands the test of time. We see them getting side-by-side pedicures. So they met on an international dating site in 1999. And thinking about being on a dating site in 1999 is, a little terrifying. Because, you know, when you go to, like, a website that hasn't been updated in a while or, like, is kind of, you know, a little defunct, and it's like, wow, this feels ancient.

And that website was probably updated in, like, 2013. And so you think back to, like, 15 more years before that. It's like, were there photos online in 1999? Were you, like, was it, like, sending an email? you definitely weren't like FaceTiming that person or like video, you know, web webcam chatting.

Online dating in 1999 sounds a little bit bleak, I got to say. And I mean, not like dating apps today are so not bleak, but 1999. I don't know about that. Of course, they have their sons,

Johann and Francois, and it's Alex's greatest hope in life that her kids will grow up bilingual speaking French, so they have a French O'Pere living with them at their townhouse in Brooklyn. And this townhouse in Brooklyn, you guys, if you haven't watched Roney in a while and all you remember is like everybody hating Brooklyn,

to go back and watch this and to see the piece of real estate that they have, it is sort of unfathomable the way these women responded to this. Because like, I get that they're like upper-e side, you know, bitches, but like, oh my God, that townhouse. Anybody would kill for that. And if you say otherwise, like, I'm sorry, sort out your priorities. I don't know. I don't know.

They didn't know what they had. I do. I also love how Alex and Simon are like so blatantly social climbers. They're talking about how, you know, their position in New York society. is still a little bit up in the air and that moving to Brooklyn was like it felt a little strange after living in Manhattan. But, you know, they're patrons of the Met and they go to all these events. And so if you make friends with these people, eventually you'll kind of like step it up, right? And it's like, it is wild to think about if you have like actual aspirations to be someone

in New York City society that in 2008 you were like, what's going to have, what's going to give me a better chance of that, to go on a reality show and to just like objectively say exactly how shallow my motivations are, you got to hand it to them. It's bold. It's inspired. And, you know, that's Alex McCord. They don't go to the Hamptons. They go to St. Bart's. Because you know what? Going to the Hamptons feels like work. And they want to be on vacation in the summer. They don't want to be out working, going to parties and events in the Hamptons. they want to be living their best life on the beach, going shopping for four hours,

dropping five to six figures at a store, and being each other's stylists. Because Alex says they never go shopping on their own. They have to help each other pick out clothes. They have to tell each other what looks good. And that's just the way it is. 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 Edelman, frame and free people. Join the Nordy Club to unlock exclusive discounts, shop new arrivals first, and more. Plus, buy online and pick up at your favorite rack store for free. Great brands, great prices.

That's why you rack. 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 sun. dress, 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. Meanwhile, little Francois looks like he would rather, you know, walk on hot coals than speak French. After his parents have spent, what, $75,000 a year to have the au pair living with them. God, it's funny. Do think about like your parents, like one desire in life is like, I want my child to be bilingual. Alex says that it's doing your child a disservice if they grow up only speaking one language and that her kids, she sees them being world travelers and that not only do they need to be able to experience other cultures, but also even in their own culture, it's such a polyglot. I'm like, ma'am.

respectfully, you are like living in a bougie neighborhood in New York City, trying to send your kids to the finest of private schools. And like, what about your culture as a polyglot? Like, you're from Kansas. Your husband is from Australia. You're both native English speakers. I think it's a great thing to speak multiple languages. I wish I did. You know, I took my Spanish growing up.

I wish I was fluent. I wish I was fluent in anything except English. but it's like Ms. McCord, what part of this culture is a polyglot? You are, on a daily basis, you are not encountering any situation that requires you to speak a language other than English.

Come on. But speaking of somebody who's very worldly and cultured, it's also lovely to meet the countess. Luann says it's important to be young and youthful, very Ramona of her. She's explaining the, you know, the Suez connection, good stuff.

The thing that really sticks out is the treatment of her household staff who she calls her right-hand man, Rosanna. Sweet, sweet Rosanna. It's her job to close up the house when they leave for the Hamptons.

But then later we see the family has gotten a new dog named Aston because the count likes Aston Martins. So his goal is to get matching dogs named Aston and Martin. And then afterwards to buy an Aston Martin car. So that's cute. Right away, Luann's like, okay, so we agree.

Everybody in the family has to pitch in to take care of this dog. Victoria, are you going to walk the dog? And Victoria's like, no, I think I'm good on that one. And like, just like, okay, Rosanna, you'll do it. You can pitch in. It's okay. And this woman, this woman who gets a. a fucking confessional, by the way, is like, well, you know, I think the kids will like

taking care of the dog for like a week. But then it'll be me. And Noel's like, well, yeah, like mom's last dog wasn't really trained. So it would like piss and shit in the house a lot. And then that was tough for Rosanna. It's like, oh my God. These people, come on. I do like one thing that I think they've gotten away from that they used to do is the confessionals and the interviews were much more kind of on the fly and interspersed throughout the filming. So you would have someone really just kind of like standing in the house or going

outside to kind of comment on a scene that probably just happened whereas like now it's very like you show up on a day to the studio and tape your interviews and it's it's all after the fact like it's not it's not like a part of the day-to-day filming schedule the way that it used to be like there's the one scene I don't remember if it's in this season or if it's in season two maybe where bethany like is on roller skates at the party and she leaves and she literally does a confessional interview on the sidewalk and then just roller skates away like can we get back to that on our bravo shows that was inspired. That was magical. I don't know if it would work now, but I would love to see them try.

But yeah, I mean, that's pretty much what's happened in this first episode. You know, we see some tennis practice in the Hamptons. Ramona's like thirsty for her tennis pro. Okay. You know, Ramona and Mario are, I guess, allowed to flirt with other people. I got to say, knowing what we know now about how that relationship ended, it's interesting to watch in season one already. how they're like flirtatious energy with other people is. Not that being flirtatious is like a gateway drug to cheating. I think those are two separate things. And there are plenty of people who are open in terms of flirtation but would never cross that

line. But it's like, it doesn't shock me that that line was crossed here. Just, uh, just throwing it out there. So one thing I think I'm going to do this season is I'm going to pick my favorite, uh, quote from every episode or my favorite moment. And in this episode, it's got to be when we're at Ramona's Hampton's house and she and her friend Cindy are kind of horsing around. They end up getting, they end up both in the pool. Cindy pushes Ramona.

Ramona, you know, Cindy jumps in. And then they sort of kiss and makeup at the end. And they do a cheek kiss and then a tiny little kiss on the lips. And Avery is disgusted. Her mom is so embarrassing. But then when this little kiss happens, she just goes, got lesbos in the head. house. Oh, Avery Singer, 12 years old, got lesbos in the house. Never change. But anyway, that's episode one, meet the wives. Thank you so much for listening. I'll be back next week

with another episode of the Rony Rewind. And of course, in the meantime, we'll have much more Bravo content about all of our current shows and news and stuff that's happening. So make sure you rate, review, and follow the show wherever you're listening so you don't miss any of it. You can follow us on Instagram at Bravo by Betches or me at Dylan Hafer. And until next time, as the countess would say, be cool. Don't be all like uncool. Mentioned at all is produced by Dylan Hafer, Sean Kilby, Jorge Morales Pico, and Rebecca Sousmakat. Editing by Horace Picoe.

Social media by Dylan Hafer. Guest booking by Dylan Hafer and Ali Friedlander. Be sure to follow at Bravo by Betches on Instagram and Twitter. Pay off your home. Travel for life. Drive a Ferrari. In celebration of the world premiere of the Monopoly Big Board Bucs slot machine by aristocrat gaming, Yamava Resort and Casino at San Manuel is giving one person

a $1.6 million dream package. The biggest prize in Yamava's history. Club's Toronto members can earn daily instant prizes and secure a spot in the finale May 29th. Don't pass go and own it all. Only at Yamava, celebrating its 40th anniversary. You win? Details at yamava.com must be 21-20. Please gamble responsibly. Monopoly is a trademark of Hasbro. Hasbro is not a sponsor of this promotion.