Mention It All - Talking Bed Rot, Bravo, & Books Ft. Phoebe Robinson

Episode Date: February 25, 2025

Comedian, best-selling author, and fellow Bravo scholar Phoebe Robinson is on today’s episode, and she comes prepared with hot takes. She and Dylan talk about the importance of staying informed and turning your brain off, like Phoebe did with her recent VPR binge. Speaking of VPR, they talk about when it’s time to let a beloved show go, and whether franchises like RHONY and RHOA can return to their glory days. Then, they dig into the current season of RHOP, and Phoebe weighs in on who should stay, who must go, and WTF is going on with Karen Huger. Later, they chat about the anniversary of Phoebe’s publishing imprint, Tiny Reparations Books, and which Housewife memoir she’d like to read. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Exclusions apply for licenses, see Home Depot.com slash license numbers. Betches Media presents Ha ha ha laugh funny Mention It All A Bravo by Betches podcast We don't say that But now we said it With me, Dylan Hafer

We're going to check me both Hey everyone Welcome back to the mention it all podcast I am so excited to be joined today by a hilarious lady That you know and love She is one of the OG podcasters She's a best-selling author

She's a publishing maven Which we'll get into a little bit And of course a fellow Bravo fan And please welcome Phoebe Robinson. Thank you so much. And this room is so cute. I love all the decoration. Thank you for having me.

I'm glad you like it. Yeah, we have our little like Bravo, our Bravo like moments surrounding us. It's nice to feel like you're really like wrapped in a warm hug by like crazy, crazy drama. Yeah. How are you doing? How's life? Life is good.

Listen, I, you know, the world is kind of cuckoo banana. So I just feel like I just want to hang out with my friends, family, work out, eat good food, traveling I can, and just like, don't fall for all the nonsense. Don't fall for all the nonsense. I feel like that is like right now definitely there's like there's a lot of noise. And it's like being informed as important or whatever. But like also you can balance. Yes. Yes.

Because I think, you know, getting caught up in the news cycle, like they want. want you to just constantly be like reading breaking news or turning into, you know, any of the cable news stuff. So I'm just like, I need to just do a little bit of that. Like I limit myself to like 10 minutes a day. And then the rest I'm like living my life. Yeah. I also, I stopped posting on Twitter like a few months ago that was like, I feel like that was like a little bit of like a principled decision. But then also I'm just like, who am I tweeting for? Yeah. Yeah. And I'm like, wow, I don't miss this at all. Yeah, it's like it's better just be like out in the world and, you know, less on social media, like screaming into the void.

I feel like you too. Like you have the kind of career where you work on lots of different things. Sometimes you're performing. Sometimes you're writing. Sometimes you're, you know, I'm sure like in meetings and stuff. Like the social media part of it is like not the real work. Yeah. And I just, I've never like I'm on social media obviously.

But if I wasn't in this line of work, I don't think I would be on it. And it's great that I get to have this balance between, like, social media and I get to do stuff like stand-up comedy, which is like, you know, I've been doing stand-up since 2008. And it's like one of my favorite things in the world to just have an idea for a joke. Okay, let me just go out tonight and, like, do 15 minutes and get that media reaction to know whether, like, the joke is good, what needs work. And it's just so excited. Like, I'm very, I do feel like I'm very blessed and lucky to have a career that has. so many moving parts where I can, if I want to, like, write a book, I can. If I want to do stand-up, I can.

If I want to be a publishing maven, I can. It is kind of good, like, to think, though, like, going back to 2008, you said it's like, in 2008, saying, like, I could wake up and write a book if I want to. Like, that's, like, a big, that's, like, real shit. Yeah, it's, like, really exciting. And it's just sort of one of these things where, you know, you're, I'm going to say, probably significantly younger than me, because I'm 40. A little bit.

Yeah. I didn't have to drag myself with the significant. That was rude of me. But, you know, coming out of this like very much was like girl boss, hustle, grind, do all these things. So it's like have this idea for a book. Then like write an hour stand up. Like it just felt very like sort of like go, go, go, go, go. You never take a moment to like enjoy the process or like be like, oh, I did this cool thing. Like that's awesome.

And so now I'm in a place where like I take. take time to enjoy what I'm doing because what's the point of doing all this fun stuff? Like I get to do stand-up and I'm not having fun. It doesn't make any sense. Yeah. I also feel like the value of just like taking time to do nothing too is like something that you learn to.

I mean, I feel like you should learn to understand that it's like having a day off where you're not like making a million plans for yourself is like just as important. Yes. I have a bed rot day like once a month, which is I just watch like garbage TV. order takeout, don't get out of my bed except to use the bathroom and shower, and that's it. And you don't look at the step count for that day.

At all. Because they would be like, do you want to get up? Like my aura ring will be like, maybe it's time. And I'm like, no. That's why I can't wear an Apple Watch because it's like, if you're reminding me to stand up once an hour, like, leave me alone. Or they'll be like, you could do it. If you do like a brisk, like, walk for an hour, I'm like, I'm not doing it. Also, it is February right now.

It's cold outside. I, yeah, no, there was, there was a day over the weekend where I was wearing, like, my winter coat walking outside and being like, why am I so cold? I know. It was rough. It was rough. So I started this year with, like, I was in Putticana to, like, reset. Okay. Yes.

And eat good food and be in the sun, and it was so nice. I have never been to the Dominican Republic, but it does make me think of the real house. I'm not. I know, right? When they did that, I was like, oh, me too. There are so many, like, world locales that I'm just like, it's always in my mind just going to be like, oh, right, when the housewives of wherever defiled this place. I feel like the bed rot concept is a good place to get into talking about Bravo. Yes.

Kind of what it's made for. Oh, my gosh. when it was the, when the writer strikes and the acting strikes were happening, it was around the time of Scandival. And I never watched Vanderpump rules. And so I was like, people were like, oh, you could just like watch the last season.

I'm a completest. So I was like, I'll just start from the beginning. And I was so depressed. I would legit, wake up in the morning, put on Vanderpump rules, you know, like make breakfast, full laundry. and I would just like watch it all day and like go to sleep. And I caught all the way up and it was riveting TV and I was like sad.

And yeah. It really is a roller coaster. When you get into that zone and it's like, no, this is my job right now is to be caught up on this. Yes. Yeah, we were talking before we started recording, you mentioned that Vanderpumpurals, the situation has soured a little bit. Yeah. It's also like, it's an interesting. thing to happen when you watch people

like grow up on a show because I think everyone has sort of like a shelf life and it's sort of like Sanoval like trying to be a rock star at like 41 feels sad. Like it does feel like maybe if he like was a great singer

songwriter or like had the talent for it but it just feels like this is a person who's just blown up his life and now he like wants to have a band. I don't get it. Yeah. You get the sense that it's like there's, it's one thing when somebody is like discovering their calling, maybe a little bit later in life. Whether it's, you're discovering your sexuality is blossoming in a new direction, you're finding a, a passion for something else.

But when it's like, okay, so this isn't going great for me, what else can I do? Yeah, it's tough. It's chaotic. And so I just, but then on the flip side, I think like, you know, the Real Housewife franchise is better when People are like in their late 30s, 40s, 50s. I think when you're in your 20s, you're like too aware of it. And you're like, I'm trying to like be this character where I felt like Luann was not trying to be a character. Like she was just herself.

Yeah, Luan is ridiculous. And that's how we like it. Yeah. Yeah, she wants to do her cabaret and sing to a backing track and wear stuff from Giovanni. Giovanni. That's it. And that's all she wants. That's the fantasy.

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Girl, Winter. is so last season. And now Springs got you looking at pictures of tank tops with hungry eyes. Your algorithm is feeding you cutoffs. You're thirsty for the sun on your shoulders. That perfect hang on the patio sundress. Those sandals you can wear all day and all night. And you've had enough of shopping from your couch.

Done hoping it looks anything like the picture when you tear 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. So Vanderpump Rules, they're doing this full reboot, whatever. We don't know when it's coming back. But you mentioned that you might be getting off the training. I just don't know if I could do it again because I am always, when there's like major recasting, I'm always like, I don't know if the magic is going to stay the same.

Yeah. Because that's how I feel about New York, which I, my preference is the OG cast, this new cast. Yeah, we'll talk about it. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. I do feel like, though, as a completest, I feel like I sort of share that with you, but like making that decision that it's like we've come to a point on the journey. Yeah.

Sometimes that's like the healthy choice. And I'm like, Lisa, you have enough coins. You can let this show die. Let this show die, girl. Have you ever been to any of Lisa's establishments? My friend to Carr and I, we went to Sir. We had dinner. It was good.

I have never eaten a meal at Sir. I've been there for drinks, so I can't speak on the food. The food was good. I was like, okay, because I was like, is this going to be bullshit? But it was good and it was fun and we took some pictures. And yeah, so I would actually go back to Sur to eat. Okay. Okay.

It's on the Phoebe Guide to LA. Yeah, yeah. You're like, my hot spot in town, the sexy unique restaurant. Don't judge my journey, okay? You know what would be so funny if like after all these years, like Michelin was like we're giving Sir a star I think

Gordon Ramsey would burn Michelin to the ground that would be crazy The amount of people that would have to like suck it up and be like yeah well now I have to go

I have to eat here yeah yeah it's really like if you just want like a fun night out where the food is like pretty solid okay yeah I'm not like

I'm not saying it's the best I want to be clear. Like, I have good taste. Okay, no Michelin Star yet. Yeah. They got to revamp the menu, you know. No, I support it.

And also it's like it is, it's a tourist attraction. Exactly. And there is a time and a place. Yes. And we love that. Yes, of course. I do, um, you talked about kind of like the journey, these, watching these people grow up.

I do think with housewives, it's nice that you, you usually are, arriving with people who are a little more fully formed. Yes. Or at least like in a place where they think they are. Yes. Like their delusion. Like anyone who goes in these shows like you have a certain amount of delusion. Like you want you're chasing fame.

You're chasing whatever. But I think with the housewives there's a part of it where they're like this is going to be like like when I think of Giselle where I'm like this is like fun for her and like it's a fun job. Whatever. I'm raising my kids. Send them off to college. Like that's it.

And so I think when people go into it with that or like even like Elisa Renna who I felt like knew like, okay, this is the part I'm going to play on the show because I know how to do that well. Like that always, I think almost always works. Yeah. Yeah. Right. It's like when your entire identity doesn't depend on like whether you get asked back for another season. Yes. And you can always see like with Marlowe Hampton, you could tell like she wanted the peach.

so badly. And then she was so desperate to hang on to it. And it was like, babe, that's not what this show is. Like, yeah. Right. Like her energy maybe changed when at a certain point. And like the reason Marlowe was such a key piece of that show sort of then morphed into something else that all of a sudden wasn't what we wanted or needed.

Yeah, like she was so funny when she was a friend of like that stupid argument she had with Choray where they're doing that. like that was so funny because she got it and then she became a cast member and then I think there was I do think she was worried about the job security of it all and I'm like you just can't let that affect it because you won't actually be able to do your job right yeah it's it's almost like a reverse psychology thing where it's like you need you you need to like put the contract out of your mind and just like show up to work exactly and give give the people what they want yes and like

I think there are certain people like a nini who's just such a natural, you know what I mean? Or you look at like a Ramona singer, such a natural for this kind of show. And so you never really see them like struggle until they really do something to like ruin their bag. But they're always just like they're so naturally funny that it doesn't feel like they're putting the effort in to like be a housewife. Right. It's like when I, you know, not to not to say that these people are animals, but like when I go to the zoo, like I want to. to watch the animals like live in their habitat, watching the seal show where they're doing a trick with the ball. To me, that feels forced. Yeah, when people are trying to produce

the show when they're in the cast, I'm just always like, no, babe, not your job. Ready to soundtrack your summer? With Red Bull Summer All Day Play, you choose a playlist that fits your summer vibe the best. Are you a festival fanatic, a deep end DJ, a road dog, or a trail mixer. Just add a song to your chosen playlist and put your summer on track. Red Bull Summer All Day Play. Red Bull gives you wings. Visit redbull.com slash bright summer ahead to learn more. See you this summer. This episode is brought to you by Prime. Obsession is in session. And this summer, Prime Originals have everything you want. Steamy romances, irresistible love stories,

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Yes, I love Potomac. Thought have her. So, in my opinion, there was a moment where I think of all the Real Housewives franchises, Potomac was the best. They had a few seasons that were really good And I was kind of nervous about this upcoming,

or this current season because I was like, I knew Robin was going to be gone, knew Candace was going to be gone. Candice, I thought, was great for the show. I didn't always agree with the things that she said, but I think she was great TV. And so I was a little bit like, I don't know, but I felt like,

and I always liked Giselle, but this is the most I ever liked her. Mm-hmm. And I did watch what happens live with her, like a couple years ago. And I was like, oh, she's really chill. Like I, like, you know what I mean?

Like, she's not taking a show too seriously. But I thought she did such a great job. She still got, had her shady moments and was making her reads. But I just really liked her so much. And then there are people like, what's her name? What's Mia's friend name? Jacqueline. Jacqueline.

Where I just felt like you're trying so hard to get on the show. And I want to be like, you will never be cast. So if you just if you accept that, I think she would dial it down actually. Yeah, I think that Jazeel has had, for somebody who's been on the show for like nine seasons now, it's kind of impressive how it feels like she was able to sort of like subtly recalibrate for this season. And like maybe is a little softer. Maybe is letting things roll off her back a little bit easier. Like the way that she and Wendy have kind of settled into.

this like easy groove after they like fucking hated each other before it's like this is this is nice this feels good it feels good and honestly I think not having robin around yeah like just allow jazelle to really just be herself and be as funny as she wants to be not that robin was bad I don't think she was bad but I think it then became so much like Robin and jazelle and they have to like defend each other and it just was like not interesting there's like yeah there There's a blessing and a curse to when you're sort of part of like a dynamic duo because it makes it hard to really like chart your own course. And obviously there can be a benefit. I mean, they've built a brand together and obviously had iconic moments together.

But then it's like if there is a moment where this person is sort of weighing you down to sort of do your own thing without making it this big, you know, she doesn't want to like cut ties. but maybe production did it for her. And now she's having a really good season. Yeah, so I think she came out of the season great. I feel like Karen had such a, you know, it's such a like sad end. Yes. And not only with the DUI,

but also the stuff with Stacey, where she was trashy and windy. And I felt a little bit like, you're all self-absorbed if you're doing this show. Like that, who cares? Right. Yeah. The self-absorbed thing, I think, is one of those. There are a handful of, like, insults or digs that get thrown around on housewives where I'm like, that's just not ever going to be the strongest argument in this context. Like, I also feel that way about when people call each other liars. And it's like everybody has, you're being filmed all the time. Yes. Everybody's been caught out in the cold with like a roll footage moment. Like, people lie. It is what it is. But I agree. The self-absorbed thing, it's like, yeah. Yeah, like Wendy was very open about when she got her makeover a few seasons ago.

And I think, you know, every woman on this cast has had moments of that. So it's a little bit like, okay, find a different strategy. Yeah, I felt like Wendy wanted to lean into like, yes, I'm going to dress up like a Barbie and have different outfits for it. Like, it just felt like she was having fun with it. So why make it a negative? Yeah. I didn't quite understand that. I do want to talk about Karen's situation a little bit.

So we're recording this on Monday. She's being sentenced Wednesday of this week. It's very soon. She's facing up to two years in prison. And over the weekend, the Washington Post published the prosecutors filing with like the sentencing recommendation. And in this, it was revealed that Karen had three, quote, alcohol-related traffic cases between 2006 and 2011, where she was found guilty of driving while impaired and driving. under the influence but never served any jail time. And so they're requesting a six-month prison sentence for her and basically pointing out that it's like this all happened before. She wasn't

punished in the way that she might be now. And it seems like the problem has certainly not gotten better and maybe gotten worse. Yeah. It's like, it's sad. Yeah. It's really heartbreaking because I also did a watch what happens live with her and I think it was during COVID. And she is like really funny and such a ball and like she was cracking me up and she gives good TV good quotes and this just feels like obviously she's battling stuff that none of us are privy to and I think you know grieving the loss of her parents only exacerbated that and so I really hope that she does get you know the care that she needs to get and like rehab I hope all that stuff goes well for because I know how much her kids mean to her and Ray. And so I want her to be able to be present for a family. But I do think,

like, when this is your fourth time doing this, like now you're just being a danger to society. Right. And there has to be some sort of like, okay, well, maybe we're taking away your driver's license. Maybe you do have to serve time to really understand there are consequences to your actions when you're doing dangerous things like this. So it's just, it's horrible all the way around. Right. Like caring and supporting someone isn't the same as thinking they should have no accountability and consequences. Yeah. Yeah. It is tough and it does really call into question in the future of this show. You know, their reunions airing right now. I would imagine they probably want to start filming again soonish. Yeah. Like will she come back? Will she be available to come back? Should she come back? It's a, it's a tricky. situation all around, kind of no matter what happens with the sentencing. Yeah, I think I would like to see

her come back and be like a phoenix rising from the ashes and really like growing from this. But I think she has to take full accountability. And I think that's something that most housewives kind of struggle with. You don't say. Yeah. Saying that delicately. But I do think that she really does have to just own this and say, I'm going to do better and really, like, monitor this. Because I didn't know that until last night when I heard about this is the fourth time. I'm like, okay. Right. And then thinking about, I mean, that 2006 to 2011 is like years before Potomac even premiered.

So it's like that hasn't been in our watching experience. But, like, knowing that, I mean, she's a woman who lived a full life before she was on TV. Like it is, there are certain people who have had those moments where they're able to kind of like really strip away some of the layers and sort of rebuild their narrative. But it's tough and it takes, obviously it's not like a fun thing to do to come on a show for a season where you know that the whole story is going to be like, well, I fucked up. Yeah. But I do think maybe it could rehabilitate her, you know, public persona to people when they can. can see her show, what is it, attrition, acts of attrition, yeah. And like really, you know, come out the other side of it having.

Contrition? Contrition. Atrition. Listen, I'm tired, y'all. We're all good here. Oh, it's patrician. Yes, yes, yes. And so I do think that I would at least like to see her back in some capacity because I don't

think this is how her story should end on Potomac. Yeah. I think that's, no, I think that makes sense. And I think the courts can do whatever the courts think is right. And then Bravo can, you know, follow soon or whatever. It is so thorny. I mean, this is not our first legal entanglement on this network. And it does feel like every situation is its own thing.

And it kind of, it doesn't make sense to generalize. But like, people have been talking because like Jen Shaw's prison sentence got shortened. And so it's like, oh, she'll be out in two years. She can be back for season eight. And that's like, I don't know. I think that that is it for me I just am like Jen should never come back I agree I just think you know sort of swindling the elderly yeah I just think that that's just unforgivable it's yeah and I think the way that it was like framed was so performative whereas like I mean Karen like didn't want to talk about her DUI but like yeah she I don't know whatever and she couldn't legally that that That was the thing that really pissed me off about this season because they're like, why don't you just talk about it? It's like, Mia, she can't incriminate herself on camera.

Like, usually she does like to, I do agree that Karen does like to deflect, but I'm like legally like she had to. It's kind of like we're, we all should be able to understand this. Yeah. Mia, I mean, anyway, she, she, she, she, she can't come back. Okay. She can't. I don't know if she. I was going to say.

I don't know if she would want to, but I also don't think she would turn down the check. No, of course. But I just am like, I, I just think the stuff with Gordon and ink was so messy and the paternity of it all. And just like it just felt like stuff didn't add up. I did not understand why she stayed on that Panama trip. I'm like, even if you like talked on the phone with your kids, like, if that were me and I was so worried that my. soon to be X as like could be a danger to my kids. I'm not going to stay in Panama and shop.

I'm going to get, you know, back on America Airlines or Delta or whatever the fuck and get my ass home to my kids. I also think like watching, watching Mia throughout the season and then also at the reunion, like, nobody on this cast trusts her or thinks she's a good friend or believes the things that come out of her mouth. So it does, it does start to get into that point of like, if we're. pretending that this is a real friend group at a certain point, why would anybody want to be friends with her? And other than her toxic bestie Jacqueline, like, there's only so much

runway there to really be like, believably in the group. Yeah. And it just also felt like to me, I felt like this is a classic case of Mia was like trying to produce her storyline for the season. Because without the chaos of her, Inc. and Gordon, she didn't have a storyline. Like, I mean, she made, like, ink her, like, what she said?

Like, marriage is temporary, but ink is permanent. Like, are you guys already broken up? Like, come on. Yeah, it's been very telling to me the way that Wendy and Jazeel and Ashley, like, openly don't believe that she and ink are, like, fully broken up. Yeah. I don't know. We'll see. I think, I think Stacey will be back.

I like Stacey. She and T.J. No longer together. Still best friends. That was fake. That was fake. Still best friends. That was fake. He's an actor.

Okay, honey. Okay. Yeah, you got, like, we really love each other. Do you? Yeah, it's tough because, like, she was so defensive of that relationship, but then also, at a certain point seemed to sort of, like, stop caring about it that much. Yeah, it was, to me, that felt like a fake relationship. Yeah. Well, everybody's got their.

Everybody's got their little things. Which I feel like it's silly because at this point, you don't have to be in a relationship to be on the show. So then just like be stable. Yeah, I mean, she was freshly getting divorced. You know, that's a storyline in and of itself. Yeah. Yeah. Speaking of maybe questionable storylines, I feel like we should talk about New York, the state that it's in.

Obviously, the season wrapped up a little bit ago. Lots of questions. Where are you on kind of the overall 2.0? Roni like vision. And I've said this to Andy. I think everybody said it to Andy. And I was like, listen, I of all the franchises, Atlanta and New York have been my favorites. And I told them I was like, I did not like the recasting.

Because the first season of the recasting, it was like, okay, you felt like Jenna didn't really want to do certain things. It felt like Si was really trying to focus her. Like it just felt like everyone was so aware of the cameras that I was like, this isn't New York. New York is like Bethany and Durinda and Ramona and like Heather. But there just was a level of like these are just really upper west side, east side ladies just being a little bananas. And this felt so if there was a little bit of it. like a trived, like, especially like with Jessel, who I think is great. But I think she was like, she was angling to get on the show, even though she wasn't technically in New York at the time of casting.

And whatever. So I feel like I've kind of struggled with that. And this season in particular, I thought was better. But I think Bren has to go, which I don't know if they're going to do because I do think the reunion was trying to reoccur. ability to her image a little bit, but she has to go. That's an interesting point because I think that most people I've talked to feel like, well, obviously Brin won't be back. But then there is that element of like, then if somebody feels like so down and out, is that an opportunity for some sort of like redemption arc or whatever? I think that if they are taking into account like the viewer perspective, I think that there would be such a negative reaction.

if she comes back. But then it's hard. I mean, that's not necessarily how they're making their decision, so it's hard to know. Yeah, I just am all. I always go by the way that Andy will grill someone. And I feel like he was very soft on her. And I was like, oh, I think they want her to come back. Andy has such a, such a tough, weird job when it comes to those reunions because it's like he's the boss, but the host, but the sort of a mentor.

but like people hate on Andy for his like reunion strategy and I'm like I don't think anybody could do a better job. Yeah, I think I think he does do a good job and I think prior to what Bryn pulled this season she was very funny

and so I understand like her personality was great and she was always stirring the pot but I felt like this just she just took it to such a level where she was trying to destroy Uba's reputation and have the other girls not like her.

And I think all the women on the show are messy. They all cause fights. They all lie. So I'm like, they all kind of do their dirt. And I'm just sort of like, but then why are you being like, oh, Uber, like, I love you. Like at the reunion when she was like, I love you so much and I want us to be friends, I just go, that's not how you would treat her friends. Right. Yeah.

Yeah. I think what you said about the sort of original. Rooney group that they were a little bit bananas. I think that's kind of what's missing. That sort of like madcap screwball energy where it's like there's just a little bit of lightning in a bottle and there's that energy that just is sort of like you can't look away from. Yes.

And I think the best, I mean, Salt Lake City has that in spades, I think. The best seasons of Atlanta are just like so purely entertaining. Yeah. And it's like it's a tough thing. thing. I'm not saying like, oh, this would be so easy if they just cast this person and this person. But like when it's not there, you really feel it. Yeah. And I feel like with this iteration of New York, none of them feel like they're actually true friends when the cameras are down. Whereas like, Ramona and Luann true friends, you know? Right. And not necessarily always friends in the sense that

they're like texting each other every day and, you know, having a lot of friends. You know, having a lot of sleepovers, but like friends in the sense that like they would realistically see each other. Yes. Even if it's, they're invited to the same party or they're, you know, at the same person's birthday. It's like they exist in the same sphere. Yeah. And this feels a little bit like I don't think Jenna hangs up with those ladies when they're

not rolling. Yeah. You got to have. I understand it's unrealistic to say we're going to find a group of six besties. But like you got to have at least a couple ties. in the cast that feel like they run deeper. Yeah. And like I'm just,

I'm like, would Jessel hang out with any of them? I don't think. So I think Aaron and Cy do actually hang out off camera, but like, I don't know. I also do think Aaron is a gas lighter. Like,

I don't know why she like took such a family. I'm like, you and Bryn stir the pot so much. Like, it's fine. Like, we need it stirred. Just own it. I think Erin's a little bit of a classic housewife in that way, though. Yeah.

She is like, she probably on that iteration of the show is the closest thing to like the kind of original New York housewife. Yeah. She just needs like some help. Yeah. She needs some support. She's like, shut up. I do want to talk about. So I mentioned earlier, you're of course an author, a comedian of everything.

You have your own publishing imprint. Yeah. Which is turning five. It is turning five. Tiny reparations books, which I'm really excited about. I kind of like, it's been five years already. It is, I mean, because when you talk about, like, the length of time, it's like some of these shows we've been watching for 15 years. You said you've been doing stand-up since 2008.

Like, five years is, like, to commit to something and to, like, keep it up. Yeah, it's been. It's amazing. Thank you. It's been really exciting and so fun. Like, you know, really, I think I always, when I decided I wanted to write my first book, which was in 2015 when I sold it, you can't touch my hair and other things I still have to explain. I always wanted to have an imprint because selling that book was so hard. And people were just like, oh, this won't sell.

People don't buy books by black female authors. This isn't related. Like, it was just so much about like my identity means that my writing is completely unrelatable. It's only one publisher wanting me, which is Plume, who's published my other books as well. And I just was like, in 2015 to be like, oh, your book is, we're not going to buy your book because you're a black woman just feels like, let's not do that anymore. So ignorant. So when I had this imprint, I really wanted to be a place where like, you know, it's a lot of women, people color, people from the queer community. and I really wanted that to be very forward-leaning.

And I think in this publishing, which is not the most diverse of industries, I think it's been, like, I've been welcomed with open arms. And, you know, we've had, like, national bestsellers, New York Times bestsellers. Books have been long listed for the National Book Awards, which is kind of like the Oscars of books. And so I think we have really shown that, like there's an appetite for stories that aren't written by just, you know, straight white people. It is like there are so many like areas like that where it happens with movies or with TV shows where it's like, oh, like, will audiences show up for a romantic comedy that centers a queer story or a black story or whatever?

And then it's like, the answer is yes. Yeah. It sucks how many times you hear about like this is the first movie that's like this and it's doing so well. but there'll probably never be another one. It's like to have like that dedicated space where you can kind of shepherd those, those stories, I think is so, it's cool that you've like not only made that happen in the first place, but then five years later, it's like still. Yeah. So I'm really excited. And I, you know, my mom is like so cute because she's like, I check the website and I pre-order the books.

I was like, you're so cute, mom. So I just, I think of everything I've done in my career and I do. like a lot of things. Having this imprint is probably a thing I'm the proudest of because it's not just about me, but it's about publishing other authors. We have high author retention rate, which I think is really important to where people want to come back and publish their second or their third book with us.

So I just, I'm really happy to have it. It's my little baby, and I just hope it sticks around for a really long time. I just saw you guys put out the Josephine Baker memoir, which I was like reading about. I'm like, I have to read that book. Yeah, it's just, it's such a great book.

And to me, I was like, oh, this hasn't been published in English yet. Right, because when I saw that, I was like, oh, it's cute. They, like, put a new cover on it. And I'm like, no, it literally hasn't been available before. Yeah, so it's really cool. We have, like, a great dedicated team, Emmy and Lashondar, my two editors. Hey, gals. And they're so great, like, whether it's finding something like the Josephine Baker memoir,

like let's bring it to America and publishing in English or breaking like you know a new voice like a portrait of a thief by Grace D. Lee which became a New York Times bestseller and I think it's going to be developed for Netflix or something so it's really great to have these new voices and respecting icons like Josephine Baker. Well and like balancing like fiction, nonfiction,

really like that within that umbrella that you were talking about of highlighting these, you know, marginalized voices and stuff. Like, there's still an infinite amount of stuff that exists. It's not like you only publish the same book over and over again. Yeah, like everything has their own lane. I'm really excited because we're publishing Marsha P. Johnson's biography by Tourmaline. So we're publishing that, which, you know, couldn't come out at a better time considering. The erasure that's happening, that is just unforgivable in terms of how America has used trans people.

when they're less than 1% of the population. Leave them alone. Leave them alone. Leave them alone. They deserve to exist. So it's really great to have stuff like that. And they were, you know, I'm looking for some like summer beachy rees as well. Because, you know, you want people to like be able to like escape a little bit.

Right. There's room for everything. I'm curious. Have you read any Bravo, Bravo Leopardy books? Have you ever dove? No. You haven't. Because I just am like, what did I have to say?

We know they didn't write the books. Yeah, no, I've, I've dipped a toe or two. And there are some that I feel like are at least have value if you're like, if you are like interested in the person from watching them on TV. But I mean like, there's a ceiling. Which ones did you read? I've read both of Heather Gay's books. The fact that she has, too, it's like... The first one, I...

Yeah, the first one was... The second one, it was like... There was some dirt that was good on the show, but, like... It's... I mean, it's two books as... I mean, you've... Yeah. You've dug in the well.

Yeah, you have to, like, really have something to say or, like, just move on. Yeah, I did read... I read Teresa Judice's book that was, like, about her going to prison. Yeah. And that was... It was interesting. Yeah. But it's, like, yeah, it was interesting.

Oh. my gosh. Is there anyone, like, if you think about the entire, like, Bravo or even, like, reality TV world, is there anyone who you feel like would be, like, would interest you? And, like, in terms of, like, me actually reading their book? Reading their book? Publishing their book. I do love Lisa Vanderpump. I think that could be fun. I don't know. I mean, I love Jezelle, but I don't think she just wants to put her whole life out there like that. Well, do you know, Giselle wrote a novel a few years ago that was like, it was called My Word, I think. And it's like, the main character in the novel is the first lady of a black church.

So it's like inspired by her life. But I think that's what you're saying is that like she wouldn't really want to write that book that really went there. Yeah. So it's like, I'll put it in a little, cute little novel. I have, I've never read it, but I also have Shiree Whitfield's novel that she wrote like 12 years ago. I'm so mad at her because I really believed in she-by-sharee this last time around. Yeah. And I truly was like, after that fashion show, everything looked so good.

I, like, went to the website because I was like, I'm going to get like a yoga man. I'm going to get some like joggers. And there was nothing there. And I was like, Shrey. I have a Shibai Shiree trucker hat that I bought at BravoCon in 2022. Oh, my God. I don't know before or since what the availability has been. But yeah, no, it was like, there was cute stuff

and it was so clear that, like, most of what we saw wasn't going into production. Yeah. So it's just like, okay, so you just, you released like some merch at that point. Yeah, yeah. But I just, you know, with the real housewives, I still would like for Nimi and Bravo slash Annie to make up. because I feel like Nini is such the, like, perfect housewife and that, like, she knows how to read people. She's very funny. She's the perfect amount of Dululu.

I actually do watch what happens live with her. She was wonderful. She was so funny. And I would just love for her to have a great comeback, you know? I feel like maybe three years ago I wouldn't have said this. I feel like there's There's always a path It's like Jurassic Park

Like life finds a way Yeah It's like those Those stars You know If it's If it's been long enough And the check is right

Yeah It could happen Yeah I just And we'll see how this little Like This little Fresh and up season

Of Atlanta goes Because they might They might need it Let's just say Yeah Who's gonna be in the cast? Well so they're bringing back Portia

Great They they're so Kenya left the show yeah because there was some some drama yeah that wasn't great what she did so then they're bringing in phaedra to like replace Kenya but I think she's only in like

six or seven episodes in the back end so it's tough Drew is still there candy left it's figuring it out yeah okay there's some work to be done yeah I'll watch but I'm like that's kind of Yeah

It's tough When you're like Is this 16 seasons in It's like you said There's a shelf life And We all have to To reinvent

Yeah What are you What are you like excited for This year? What's in the world of Phoebe That you're Okay Tokyo Marathon

Yes Which you talked about Before we started shooting I'm very excited about I've never been to Tokyo So I'm going to just Lay low Run the Marathon

then eat all the sushi, go to some shrines, do like some cultural stuff, maybe buy a few little toys for my niece and nephew. I feel like that's like the thing to do in Japan. Yeah. Like I think that would be like so fun. So I'm really excited about that. I'm going to my first bar mitzvah. Oh. Yeah.

I have a good friend in L.A. and her son. And so I'm going to go. And I'm, I've never been. It's a fun time. Yeah. I'm really looking forward to it. the the wardrobe or like clothing requirements were like you know glow colors so I'm like I feel like my hair is like kind of a glow color.

Yes. Um, and then gosh, what else am I excited for? Is that it? I just don't want the, the country to like implode. So we can like do that. That would be great. And I got Beyonce tickets. You got Beyonce tickets.

I did. I did not. I, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, regretting it already. My birthday is like the weekend she's in New York and so I'm like maybe I'll I'll fire you should do it. It'll be fun. I've never seen her. She's going to be great. Going to Met Life will be hell. It is always torturous is a nightmare but it's worth it. So yeah, I'm going to see her and I'm going to see Kendrick. Wow. Kendrick and Sissa. That's funny. Yeah. So that'll be good and then I would like to date but I'm just like I don't know.

I know. I just feel like Diane Keen where I'm like, just put a big hat on me and let me walk around. I don't have time for these guys. I feel this. I, yeah, no, I'm single. When I talk to my friends that are in relationships, it's like, it's like, I just like, I don't know. I'm tired. Life is busy. Yeah. So I hope I can meet someone great, but I don't, you know. Put on the big hat. Enjoy yourself. Exactly. Walk around Tokyo, just like touching some leaves. Just wandering. I love that. Yeah, but get tickets to Beyonce.

I think it'll be great. How old are you going to be turning? 30. Oh my God! I would know. I thought you were like at most 25. At most 25? Yeah.

Okay. Yeah, I mean, look at this baby face. You have a baby face to me, right? Yeah. Okay. 30s are great. I'm excited to turn 30. 30 is awesome.

I feel like I've been a little. my 20s for too long. 20s are like kind of trash because it's like, you have like, I don't know if you have like student loan debt. Yeah. Those first few years are kind of like, okay, what I'm doing? Yeah, you're like, oh, I live in New York or wherever. Like, I'm an adult

now. I'm in charge. But like 30s, you really like find your footing and I really love being 40. Okay. Like this is like, I'm like so zen. I have like my, I do my morning meditations, my affirmations. It's like I feel like I'm in just such a good place. But 30s are like, they're fun. So many unexpected things will happen.

Okay. And it's great. I love that. You're getting me excited. We're set up for success. Yes. And we're going to have a good year. Absolutely.

I'm talking about this like it's January 2nd. It's like about to be March. Like the clocks are about to change. I don't know what time it is. But it's true. I'm so excited for this next decade for you. for sure. Thank you. And likewise. You're going to have so many great things. Thank you so much for being here. Thanks for having me. Thanks for everyone for listening. Don't forget to rate

review and follow the show wherever you listen. And until next time, be cool. Don't be all like uncool. Mentioned It All is produced by me, Dylan Hafer, and edited by Kate McAuliffe. Social media by Dylan Hafer. Additional production help from Shannon Jimenez-Sis-Sosone. Be sure to follow us at Bravo by Betches. All. Pay off your home. Travel for life. Drive a Ferrari. Celebration of the world premiere of the Monopoly, Big Board Buckslot 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.

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