Not Skinny But Not Fat - Bravoholics Unite w/ Heather McDonald

Episode Date: July 7, 2020

I am joined by the hilarious comedian, actress, and podcast host, Heather McDonald who is a fellow Bravoholic and even a pioneer of the network! She breaks down the recent Dina Manzo scandal, her fave Bravo shows, the future of VPR and of the network. We also discuss Bachelor nation- what is Clare's season going to look like? Would she get in a baby plane with Pilot Pete? Does she even ship Pete and Kelley? Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The following podcast is a dear media production. This is Not Skinny but Not Fat and I'm your host, Amanda, bringing you the latest in all celebrity gossip, reality TV recaps and anything happening in Hollywood right now that I just can't keep my mouth shut about. This is Not Skinny but Not Fat. Author, actress, and comedian, and podcasters, the Heather McDonald. Thank you for coming on. Thank you for having me. I love that podcastress. I love that.

I know. So we're bringing back like the feminine because it used to be actress and then it was like, no, everybody's an actor and then everyone's a podcaster. But I like saying podcastress and taking back the feminine side of things. Why did they do that? I mean, you're an actor. Why did they do that with the actor thing? They did it with comedian too. It used to be comedian, E, N-N-N-E. And then they just said, no, it has to just be comedian. And I'm like, why? I don't know why we have to defeminize some certain words, whatever. Yeah, I would think the opposite, that the world would go towards the is and the actress, podcastress. But I feel like it sounded more fancy, like, for celebs to be like, I'm an actor.

Yes. like screen actor guild. Maybe it was because of that. You know how people are mad about the word woman because man is in woman? Oh, people are mad about a lot of things. Yeah. You know? Well, I wanted to talk to you so badly because, like I said, you're, you know, an actress, podcasters,

comedian, and all these things. But you're also a certified bravo-holic. Yes. How did that happen in life? First of all, I've been watching Bravo since the network became a network. Like before it was cool. Before, yeah, like when it was just actor's studio and the only show they had on was showbiz moms and dads, which was the greatest reality show.

I've talked about it on my podcast, a G.C.S.C. many times. It's the greatest show that ever lived. I've tweeted. I begged to bring it back. My God, it's probably like 15 years old. and it was showbiz moms and dads and one person had a like a toddler's and tiara thing going it was a bunch of people coming out to LA for pilot season their kids really had no business thinking that they'd ever make it the amazing production company of World of Wonder who does RuPaul's Drag Race and so many other great shows

it was their project which completely makes sense because and it was so new to reality world that these people weren't self-producing They really thought they were stars. They really thought they were the greatest parents and greatest, you know, managers of entertainment. It was fascinating. And because I grew up in L.A., I had an agent when I was little. My sister's kids were child actors.

We just got obsessed with it. So I was into Bravo then. And then, like, I remember where I was when I heard there was a show coming out called the Real Housewives of Orange County. There was an ad in Star magazine. I was at the Ralphs and Woodland Hills, and they were holding the oranges just like Desperate Housewives, and I'm like, this is fucking brilliant. This is a brilliant reality show.

I cannot wait to watch it. And at the time it came out, I just started on Chelsea lately. And I was like, we have to parody this. We have to be. And nobody was watching this. They're like, what are you doing? And I was like, there's this woman with dimples named Vicky,

and I'm like doing impressions of her. And so we were actually like the first show to ever parody it, way before S&L or anyone else, we did a reenactment of the reunion of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, you know, just coming off a prostitution horror and Danielle, and I was Danielle, and I was like, I was a leg model.

Like, it just... So... Wait, first of all, I need to go find that and everyone like YouTube it. Yeah. Be, you made me miss mobster roanj. Oh. You know?

It was such good season when it was like the Manzo's and the pack of wolves and all those things. Like it was so... Go, it's happening. You heard the news yesterday. So it's all coming together. There are people that are doing... I just recorded something for my podcast that comes out tomorrow. And I actually think I need to re-record it because I think some of the details there was so much.

Like page six and people were even getting mixed up in their reporting. Oh, yeah, because you're right. I read one place. talking about Dina Manzo, which, like, she's so gorgeous and I loved her on the show, too. Yes. She, it said at first that, like, her husband, she called someone to, like, what did they say? So basically, okay, this is why it was confusing. She separated from her husband Manzo, who's her second husband.

The boyfriend was attacked in a parking lot in 2015 with, like, a baseball bat or something. Uh-huh. And then in 2017, she, and I believe that same boyfriend, but I'm not 100% sure, which is why I'm making sure, she and that boyfriend, her now husband, they went home to New Jersey and they were staying in a house to go to Teresa Judice's daughter, Audrina's, like, 2017, it could not have been her baptism? Could it have been? Because isn't she like 10? But anyway, maybe it was a first totally community or something. Yeah. They went there and they went in the home. while they were staying there and they were greeted by thugs who beat them both up, beat her up, which she since got a nose job. And I think she had to get the nose job, to be quite honest, and stole some stuff and tied them up. And it was very brutal. And so what happened yesterday

is that Manzo, husband number two, just got arrested because they believe that he allegedly hired this guy to beat up the boyfriend. But what the question, I'm trying to figure out, but I think that was from the beat up of 2015 when the boyfriend was alone. Oh, it's not something recent. It wasn't the 2017 beat up. Now, because there was a different person who was arrested for the 2017 beat up. And I don't know if those two are related. And I don't know if it's the same guy. Pretty weird that he was beat up in 2015. And then again, tacked it and beat up in 2017. But anyway, so the juicy part is that Manzo was arrested for this because apparently he was jealous that his wife

that he was separated from was seeing this guy in 2015. And we all know Dina and Caroline don't talk to each other anymore. And Dina was married to Manzo, who is brothers with her real sister Caroline's husband of many years, Alfie Manzo. They're brothers and they run the Browns together. And in return, according to the documents, in turn of Manzo hiring this guy to beat up Dina's boyfriend, he gave him a discounted wedding at the Brownstone a month later. For 330 people,

he paid like a third the price that a normal person would pay. So maybe that's the, what's it called the firing gun or the smoking gun? The smoking gun. I'm eight months pregnant and I blame it on that, okay? Oh my God. Congratulations. It's hiding here, like, you don't know. I'm wearing a shirt that doesn't fit me, but you don't know. You have such full lips? Did they get, have you felt they've gotten fuller during your pregnancy? I do. And these are real, by the way, people's. I know you're in California, but actually, people are telling me that they did. Yeah. But they've always been, I'm kind of really grateful that my face didn't change too much, I'll be honest.

Yeah. I was expecting the worst. I was like, I'm going to be a house. Like, I, I, I, I, I. I know. I'm not complaining. But I am wearing a belly shirt now and you don't know it because we're Zooming. Oh, well, good. Well, take care of yourself. Enjoy this time. It's a good time to be. I think it's a good time to be pregnant. You're not missing out on anything fun. When people ask me, I mean, first of all, people are giving a lot of credit to pregnant women and we're warriors and brave and all these things now. And I'm like, yes, thank you. Like, I'll take the award. But also, secretly, it's been kind of. nice. Like at home, I don't have to wear clothes often. I don't have to like be out and not drink

and stuff. So it wasn't too bad. Yeah. Honestly. Honestly. So A, thank you for your like reporter work on the Manzo's. I'm still working on it. Like I said, I'm still there. I still have some questions. But it is crazy. I remember I used to think that the Brownstone is such a mob like front. What's really crazy is how many people related to the mob have chosen to do reality shows, which I would think would be at the worst side gig for a mob person. I mean, there was mob wives, then there's like kids of the mob or something that was on MTV that just came out. I don't know if it made it Staten Island something, you know, married to the mom and mob.

I don't know. There's been so many, and you would think that that would be, you know, not wise. Right. So maybe they're thinking that they're doing like, oh, you wouldn't think that we're in the mob because we're on reality TV. And we're calling it married to the mob. We're calling it married to the mob. But, but yeah, so Roaned mob days were great. And I really want to go back and watch your skit.

So you were watching Bravo before it became, like, you know, insanely popular. But I have to say, do you feel like being, you know, a bravaholic? Like, it's still niche. Like, sometimes I'll get caught up and, like, let's say new shows on Netflix and and I'll, like, stalk the people and, like, be, like, their followers. And sometimes I'm like, wait, why don't my, like, VPR people have as many? And they're on, like, followers, let's say, on Instagram. They're on for fucking eight seasons.

Like, Kristen isn't at a mill. I mean, before this is pre-scandal. And, you know, they're very honest. Like I talk to Ariana and she's so funny. She's always like trying to up her engagement. And she's like all these bachelor people get. And then I have to remind myself like Bravo is a cable, you know, channel. It's not Netflix where it's like worldwide.

And it's also not ABC that you could probably have more access to it because you don't have to have cable. So it is still, even though it was so many years ago and now it's become much more mainstream. It is still kind of niche. Yeah. I mean, when you think of The Bachelor and that everybody watches that from older people to really younger people to, you know, it's been on for so long. Yeah, that is the way, if you want to have an Instagram career, you need to bone someone in the fantasy suite and not win. Yeah.

Like, that is the way to go. Yeah. Oh, my God. So you watch The Bachelor, too? Oh, yeah. I've always watched The Bachelor. Yeah. And, you know, it's interesting.

Interesting. So you know what's going on with the girl. What's her name? Claire Crawley. It's like, we're still recasting. No, no, no. They're doing it. They're doing it. Everyone's been tested for COVID and STD both. And everybody that's clear that is living on a resort with people that work there. Oh, with the writs, right? They're all at one place. They all get tested from a cameraman to an audio guide to the maid, I guess, to. So they won't ever travel or anything go on date. So it's basically like Bachelor and Parano. but at a much nicer resort. So they'll have their dates, like, on the resort, like, or near the thing. But they can't, obviously, they can't travel. They can't do all the fun stuff that you normally see. But they are filming it. I'm D because, like, do we care about them, like, on a horse in Panama, like, or in an

igloo? Like, I don't care where you are. Yeah. There might even be more drama. Or it might be more real relationships when you're not taken up with, like, like, oh my God, along with being on a TV show and being into the sky, I also really want to take in this moment that I'm like flying over, whatever. I mean, you might be actually more engaged in,

do we have something to talk about than that we're both like being forced to like bungee jump and, you know. Which like, I always think like do none of the, I know they're all like 17 so they may not have anxiety yet. But for me, I'm like, are they not scared of anything? Like, oh, like even they're hop in helicopters. hop off plans. Like, none of these bitches are scared of, they don't have fear. What I really hate is they do have fear and they know it.

So if you have the fear of heights and you probably filled it or told her in an interview, then they're like, guess what you're going to do with Pilot Pete? You're going to go jump off a, you know, cliff. And oh, my God, I'm so scared that he really challenges me. You know what? That's kind of fucked because you probably have been diagnosed with like a legit psycho, whatever. Like you're for gorophobic or afraid of big train. They're going to put you in like a tarantula bin and then say, well, if you really liked Peter the pilot, you'd let these tarantulas crawl on you. And you're like, well, no. I've like had a really bad fear since I was little. Wait, would you get on the baby plane with pilot Pete is my question. He got on all these like tiny planes. Would you get in?

Listen, you know, back in the day before The Bachelor was on and I was single, I was on a show called Studs. So, and that was a one-on. on like Fox, okay? It was a one night and it was like, I was recognized for a year later. It was like the, this is when I said I got to really pursue being famous. Wait, it was what? Like a dating show? It was a dumb dating show. But it was like a game show, like a dating game type of thing. You went on dates, but they didn't follow you on the dates. And then you talked about it after and the guys had to guess you said what. And then I won with the guy. What does that mean you won? There were two guys and three girls, but only the guy had to pick a girl and you had to pick the guy and you kind of decide who to pick at the end. And if you match up, then the two of you get like some trip, which we never went on. So if I was single and pursuing, you know, my career,

I can't say that I wouldn't be on The Bachelor. So if I got on The Bachelor, I would absolutely, I have gone skydiving. I have done stuff, done stuff like that when I was younger because I was like, oh, it's a bucket list or who cares, you know. So I would have done all that stuff for sure. And I definitely would have been, like, very conscious of, like, I'm not going to miss any screen time. Oh, my God. First of all, I love how honest you are and how right you are about why these people go on the shows. But when you were saying that being at the resort might eliminate the distractions of like, oh, my God, I'm in, you know, Costa Rica, then it made me think of Kelly, who is now with Peter IRL, how she, like, missed the memo or the production meeting where they were like, listen, you're going to be in. these places, but you don't act like you care about it.

You only care about it. Because remember how she was so honest? She was like, I don't know. It's cool here. And like, I'm traveling. I was like, girl, like, you're on The Bachelor. I think that's why he sent her home because he was like, she's not right. Like, I think the producer probably told him and he got that she was like not right for the show.

Well, he was such an annoying little pussy. Like, I think that he, you know, he definitely. didn't want to risk picking anybody with the one that was the most fucking head-over heels in love with him because he didn't want in the end to possibly be rejected. I don't even remember what happened. Who did he pick? Oh, my God. Of course you don't remember because he picked seven.

Well, he picked Hannah Ann and then he regretted it and went to Madison. And then Madison broke. Yeah, then Madison broke up with him. And then he went to Kelly. And there was probably a Hannah B. Pit Stop, we don't know about. Right. And then they got caught in the quarantine. together and now they're like madly in love.

Do you ship Kelly and Peter? Sure, why not? Like, I mean, if they've, if they're this into each other with no dancing with the stars, you know, just being quarantined and getting love from the internet, I think that they're pretty good. They're still not completely on their own because they still have to get love every day from Instagram. But.

And write cheesy captions like, you're my captain and I'll fly over. the world with you and all those. Yeah, I mean, I think at least they get along, like, personality-wise. They get along boning-wise still. Yeah. You know, the mom's not around. Well, the mom is obsessed. She posts collages every day.

So she does like her. Oh, she loves her. So because she looks enough like her. That's why. That's why she liked Hannah Ann. Because Hannah Ann and the mom looked, that's what the mom looked like when she was in beauty pageants. She looked just like Hannah Ann.

So it was like a mini version of her and she didn't have any daughters. So because she was a mom of boys, the kind of daughter-in-law she wants is that daughter she never had, which is a mini version of herself. I mean, I don't, props to like anyone dating Peter

with that kind of a mom. Ugh. Seems tough. She's doing cameo and Zooms now. No, she's not. Paid for Zooms, yeah. Sweet. That's her Instagram if you guys want to go follow.

I mean, she, yeah, she, oh, you maybe posted something about this. I don't know if I did. They were all, oh, because you, there was the Sylvan, Sylvan commercial. Oh, the Sylvan Larnie commercial when he was little, yeah. Yeah. So she was a stage mom. She could have, she probably originally tried to get on showbiz moms and dads on Bravo. And they were probably rejected.

And then she was like one day. And that's why I think she was just crying so much and loved. every second because she was an aspiring showbiz person herself. Anybody that enters a beauty pageant as a young adult, not a kid, wanted that fame for themselves. She got married. She didn't pursue acting. And they did the vow renewal.

I mean, not all parents are like such active participants. Oh, you know, they brought it up. She probably brought it up to the guy. Let's do a vow renewal and we'll be featured. And they're like, oh, my God, we have the thirstiest parents. It's in Westlake Village. It's literally a three-man. minute production drive from where are the pilot staying? Like, this is the most convenient season ever

for our lazy asses. You know, and then she tried to get him to do some commercials, which he did. So then when this came about, she was just like, oh, my God, our plan has finally worked. But I mean, at least he's a pilot, you know, if he was like a bartender, then it'd be, you know, but he's a pilot, which is like pretty, pretty legit. Even though if I, I don't like flights, if I saw him, I'd be like, I'm not, hey, can I ask you about your relationship, but also I'm not getting on the flight. But you were saying, like, dancing with the stars and stuff, which made me think that I haven't spoken on my podcast yet about, you know, they're doing the greatest seasons of all times on Monday on ABC showing a different successful. Just a compilation shows

since they have no other things to show. Yeah. Right. But also like making money off like zero production cost of like Chris Harrison in his like basement from 1948. Right. What is, no, what is happening there? Like, the TV is like my computer screen where he like sees the guest. Like, the TV behind you is so much bigger. Well, it's also just weird to see all the girls with like no eyelashes, thin brows, and thin lips.

And you're like, oh, my God, like original teeth. Original teeth. You're going, nobody knows how to contour nose. You're like, what era are we in? They're like in their small apartment, you know, in wherever they're trying to make it in Hollywood right now. But Caitlin Bristow's season, which was one of, it was really a good season. Oh, yeah, because she was the first to bone on a group date. Ended the group date with the winner of whatever, which was Nick Fial.

And then bone them that night. They, like, I don't even think they had a hotel room planned for them. And they had to, like, go, we need to get them a room. They were filming, like, they were filming like, they. couch with the noises in the background. They were like 20 guys left when she boned him. She was so ahead of the game. I know.

She was super cool. And also she was so cute on the season. Her looks have changed over time since then, like most of the contestants. And she got, she got, I mean, I listened to her podcast, not anymore so much, but I have listened to her podcast. And what I would hear over and over again is how resentful she was about not getting on Dancing with the Stars right after her season. Apparently, it came up as an option.

I think Robert Mills, the mega guy of The Bachelor, didn't approve. She was very angry. It was really weird with that because isn't that kind of like the right of passage, the same way like when you get fired from the Housewives, you get to go on Wee Marriage Boot Camp? Like, aren't you allowed to do, like, that should almost be like in your contract. I think that's why she was confused and she was like, I'm a dancer. Like, I think that's why I stopped listening to the podcast because it was a lot. of spitting into the well from which you drank, you know, like kind of hating on

the bachelor and whatever, but they kind of made her. So for her getting, dancing with the stars now is so full circle. Yeah. I don't think she could be any happier in her life right now. Oh, she just got it? Yeah. When are they going to, how are they going to do the dancing? When are they going to start filming that? Oh, I don't know. But on her, the end of airing her season, Chris Harrison was like, we have an announcement for you. And I think she thought it was going to be Jason proposing to her. And it ended up being like, you're going on dancing with the stars. And she literally almost died.

Oh, good for her. Yeah. So she got her lifelong dream. So good for Caitlin Bristow. So anyway, so you keep up with The Bachelor and with all the Bravo shows? Or do you have like a few? I like below deck with to watch with my kids. kids because I actually just really like to see like what they're serving them and stuff.

Like we're obsessed. We on my Instagram at Heather McDonald, I did this whole story that I saved. You know how you're saving your highlights. It's below deck. And it's basically we play below deck with my kids. Like I act like they're the asshole primaries, my sons. And I'm Hannah or whatever. And I come out and I'm like, so for breakfast we're going to do a really simple scramble. Like everything is simple. And you're like, we're paying fucking $50,000 for like two days. I was going to not be simple. I'm going to do a really simple pasta with just a little melted butter and shaved parmesan to start. And then the dessert. You guys, like that's it. It's two courses. What? Like, I've looked up on Bravo before where they have the casting for

Below Med. And literally it was shooketh that it's what you said. It's like, you know, you'll get to do this thing, but it will cast. cost you $1 million to, like, be a guest on this boat. Would you think you would get it for free? But no. We did a Skype with them a couple years ago to go be on it. And I was like, look, you know, maybe, you know, I get, I'm not really, I'm not on TV and haven't been regularly on TV since Chelsea lately. So I'm like, end up on a trip and my husband's fun. And I'm like, we could probably find two or three other couples that would split it with us that are wealthy enough. that would want to go. But what it was at the time, it was like, you fly from L.A. to Tahiti, which is like eight to ten hours.

Then they give you one free night in a hotel. Then you go on the boat for only two nights. And as you see, the show, only two nights. And then you can have another free night at the hotel, and then they'll pay for your flight back coach, okay? So for that, it was going to be $50,000 for a maximum of 10 guests. so everybody would pay $10,000 each. And then I go, now, what is the tip?

Because I certainly don't want to be told that I'm cheap, you know, on the show. And they're like, oh, the average tip is like, I think they said like $9,000 or $10,000. So I was like, okay, so then basically each couple is now paying like $15,000 a couple. So I'm like, you're basically paying $7,500 per person for two days. And then I still had a couple people slightly interested. And then I was like, wait a minute. They are going to be like, look at these cougars. They're going to, and then my friends were like, I don't think our bodies are good enough.

And my friends are very attractive. But I'm like, yeah, you're going to be ripped. And then like, God forbid, I spent all this money and I put on my preference sheet, Rumbauer Chardonnay, and they bring out like La Cremma. And then they're like, oh, the juicy scoop podcast lady wants it. You know, her rum bow. We're almost like fucking paid a lot of money, you know. or like you bring your kid and they're I'm like you know the kid will be like oh I don't like asparagus

really you don't like a sparing no they don't no they're never eating it like it's just but I I've talked to Kate um I hung out with Kate from the show chest a and she's so funny and so cool and I was you know I did say all those things to her I'm like so now we just watch it and we relish in the fact when they're like docked the whole time Or they spend too... Wait, you relish in the fact because you're, like, suckers about the guests you paid 50K? You paid 50K, you're docked because they can't help, but it's the weather. But then it's like, you know, they always bring out that huge slide.

Someone goes down at once. They all complain about that fucking slide that takes, like, six people in two hours to put out. Or they put out the slide on one of the episodes. And then there was, like, a little bit of a wave, like... I'm really shook people's pace up. Like, I feel like you'd have to pay me to do it. famous from being like a guest and not like the crew? I think they think both the same.

It still is discounted. I guess it would still be more. But I think that, yeah, you get to be on a TV show that's an international TV show. And you can usually squeeze in some type of promo. Like recently they had like some singer on that was the son of the guy that's saying Pretty Woman, the song, Pretty Woman. Oh, Roy Orbison.

And then he brought in, like, his friend who was, like, the singer from Ace of Bass, which was an 80s band. And they would just get, like, a little, every time, like, the cameras come around, the guests were like, so we're working on that new album for Ace of Bass. Like, wait, are you sure Ace of Bass? Because that's, like, from 1999. No, it's like from 1985. I don't even know.

But it was like, you know, you're, you know, that's making a comeback or something. And I'm like, well, at least they, at least they shared a clip of that. Like, at least they threw it. Because sometimes it's somebody else that will be like selling dildos. And then at the dinner party, they're like, hey, everybody, I got you a dildo from my line. Dildos are us or whatever. So I don't blame the people for wanting to do it. Okay, so below deck you dabble.

We dabble. Of course, all the housewives, all of them? Yes. All of them? All of them? All of them. Like Potomac Atlanta? Yes.

Salat. Yeah. Whoa, girl. Married in medicine. I like, I know quad is and stuff, but I'm really not up on it. Like, who's married, who's divorced, who's cheated. All of that. L.A., Atlanta.

I'm confused of that show. I don't watch enough of it. And Vanderpump Rules. Of course, Vanderpump Rules. I watch. The Southern Charm, I watched the original Southern Charm, but I was a late bloomer in that one. I only started watching the last three years. So I could not commit to like a whole other city.

So I've never seen Savannah. Oh, the New Orleans. New Orleans or Savannah I've never watched. I don't know there was a Savannah too. I don't know what's going on with that. Well, let's talk about what's happening now, which is Real Houses of New York is coming back this week. Yes. Which is exciting.

Why do you think they took that hiatus? Like, do you think it's because programming? There's some, like, rumor going around. What do you think it is? What's the rumor you heard? I heard that it was like there was a lot of offensive shit they had to, like, take out or something? I think it's both. I think they were like hold like if I worked at Bravo I'd be like wait a minute I have an idea just like if I managed a bunch of talent I would bring in people and I'd be like we're going

through your tweets from the moment you join Twitter we're scraping everything we're staying up all night we're going through every like and there are companies that do this okay and I think now is the time to do it but I think maybe they said you know what we have you know, we don't have material. We don't have content to take us through till the end of the year because we would be filming these things. And I know Texas is now filming and OC's filming again. But who knows if, in case there is a second wave or something and they go back to

where no one can hang out at all. They wanted to buy time. So I think they wanted to milk it out, like milk out the best shows we have. But then also let's go through these episodes that are on deck with a fine tooth comb and make sure that we don't jeopardize ourselves by airing these people. But also, I hope they also protect the people a little because, you know, you're letting someone be truly, if they're supposed to relax, they're supposed to forget the cameras are there. You know, you say, you might say something that, you know, not having six drinks in you, you may have not said, and I'm not just talking

racist. I mean, like, any little thing, you know. That's, that's my question about, Bravo now is that how far are they going to go? Because like you said, you think they're like fine tweaking. That's what I think. They wouldn't maybe say, no, we don't care. But who knows? Right. But there is something to say about like these women that are on these shows and

also men on other shows, but with the housewives, like, they're ridiculous. I mean, that's what we love about them. And I'm not talking about being racist. I'm saying, like, they're ridiculous. They say stupid shit all the time. They have no self-awareness. They think of themselves. as movie stars there, you know, can be rude.

They can be abrupt. They, every person can say, I tell it like it is, you know, every, like, that's an original thought. And do you, I mean, I watch these shows, like even Vanderpump and, and shows that I know are real, like, this is not an act like this is happening. And I watch it still, like, their characters. I'm not like, oh, I hate James Kennedy for like, you know, being an asshole to Katie. Like, I don't hate James.

He's a character to me. You know what I mean? Right. With housewives and I just hope that we can still have ridiculous people and like find the line between like, you know, because now people want to cancel Jacks and cancel Kelly Dodd, I heard and a bunch of other Bravo people that have been. I mean, Jack's has been offensive and gross since the beginning. But I also think like, you know, that's the network. That's the show. that's the form of entertainment. And if you suddenly, or if you say, hey, it's an appropriate or it's

offensive, you know what, there's, I'm sorry, there's three other channels to watch. And I know people like, oh, that's that good enough. I want to see them working at a jamba juice. I don't want them to ever make another dollar. Well, sorry. You know, I'm sorry that they got on a reality show, utilized their platform, made money. I'm sorry that you got obsessed with them. I'm sorry that you watched the show for five years. I'm sure that, you know, so it's like... I'm sorry that you didn't notice until now that they're all white, you know? Like, Good Morning America.

Yeah, so it's, you know, and that's the thing. It's like, okay, so if you've decided that this show isn't for you anymore, then just go away, you know? But it's like the same thing of all of a sudden I was like, you know what I'm tired of? That ESPN only features sports. I am sick of it. It's time that we show. what's going on in, you know, in third world countries on ESPN.

And I want to see more of that on that network. You know what it's like, that's not what the network's about. But you know what? But Heather, you're laughing. But that's why I'm asking like what the line is because I know, well, on one hand, social media has been doing such an amazing job of creating actual change. And it's crazy to see and amazing. But at the same time, you're like, you know, I know for Bravo when they were doing.

They were doing a live with like Portia and the lady sitter. And I was like, oh, that's great. They're doing a live, you know? I was like, that's amazing, amplifying black voices. And then a petition went around of, this needs to be on, you know, the network. And it's not enough that it's on the live. And I was like, oh, like, I don't feel like we should be attacking Bravo now for doing something good. And then they put it on.

They did it. They did it. They did it. And I think a lot of those people that complain. and demanded it, I don't think watched it. Because I get this thing that tells me what the rate. I follow this Twitter. That's the ratings.

And I just happened to come across what that episode was. Uh-huh. And it's not, it didn't do as well as when you've got Countess Luann and Sonia on. You know, I mean, because it's what, that's what people are watching it for. There is a lot of hypocrisy. Yeah. There's a lot of good shit. And like I said, like if the petition,

managed to do that amazing. But there's a lot of hypocrisy, like you say. If you put Nini and Kenya Moore going at it, talking about whose weave is shittier than the other, oh, that would have gotten amazing ratings. You know, it's not about, you know, I don't think it's about anybody's, you know, color their skin.

Those shows do amazing. It's people come to the network to see the content that's like snarky, money, funny, dramatic, being horrible. You can't believe that Nimi would say

that to Kenya because you would never say it to a woman in your real life. So you escape from reality to watch essentially reality TV in this heightened place.

Yeah. And, you know... That's why when I was, when I was, you know, posting about this, one of my things was like, listen, I am a superficial,

shallow reality TV celebrity celebrity, loving bitch. And if I want to do some work on myself, it's saying, hey, Amanda, like, you don't watch a lot of shows that have, like a... Like a social justice swing. No, no. Oh. I didn't mean that.

Like a diverse cat. So I made a note of it, and I got a lot of recommendations, you know, for example, like, I don't watch all the Housewives at all. I don't even watch Beverly Hills in O.C., but I was like, I should watch Potomac in Atlanta. And there was a show on Netflix called Black A.F., which is hilarious. I just started. So like you said, like there's content that you want to see that you can. But yeah, so that's what I'm saying. I hope Bravo understands exactly what you're saying.

Like, we have these amazing shows with white cast, but also with people of color. And not necessarily do we like, did people want to watch something, I guess, more educational? The thing that makes successful reality shows, when you talk even about Real House as in New Jersey back in the old days, even that was more intense because they were actual siblings, you know, and sisters and true friends. And same with Beverly Hills when it was Kim and Kyle and there was history. And so, and then with Vanderpump, all the, they were couples and they all worked together. They all worked together. So it's like, I think when you do start strategically casting a show like you might a scripted sitcom to be more diverse, which I'm all

for, do it, you know. But that's, that's a script. And you get really talented actors who, have the ability, because they're actors, to form great chemistry as best friends, and they have only met at the table read, and they're going to do a great show for six years, and then they'll probably actually become friends out of that. But these people

aren't talented like that. Yeah. If we're watching reality show, we're watching reality show, you know? Yeah. I mean, when you say that, it makes me think of, let's say, Leah on Real House of New York, who is amazing. Like, she's such an amazing edition.

to the show. But from episode one, I was like, she'd never be friends with these bitches. You know what I mean? Like, she's younger than them, A. Cooler than them. I mean, who knew? And I even feel like she's doing them a disservice because who knew they like thought people with tattoos should be in jail? Like, we didn't know that. I did. I did. Oh, you knew they thought that? That's why that's, but again, why don't you guys be grateful that these people haven't changed, and they're not being fake for the camera. You think that Ramona Singer, 63, Upper West Side, Hampton's home is someone that's like, tell me the story behind your tat. Do you really think that that is her point of view and M.O. and life? So it's like,

of course she thinks it's a little trashy. Again, what are we doing? Like, what, yeah, we don't want, I mean, Leah said this on my podcast, and she said, she was actually, defending the women. And she said that because I told her that she was like woke because she's being woke. You know that word, right? Yes. So you fucking don't insult me. It's like from five years ago. I hate it. No, I hate it. I hate it. But I'm saying she's obviously like very active and blah, blah, blah. But she was saying like the people are DMing her like, why is Sonia, you know, eating ice cream and not at a protest? Or like, why didn't Ramona post a black box? And and even, And Leah said this very, very, such a great way.

She was like, you can't expect people to, like, be different people than who they are. Exactly what you said just now. Like, they're not going to all of a sudden be, like, different people. Like, they, they don't mean, I mean, so need, as in Ramona, I mean, we know she, didn't she comment, like, all lives matter on some pose? Yeah, but I almost think, you know who also did that with J-Lo about three years. ago when it first came about. Yeah. Oh, I didn't know that. Because she didn't know. I believe that Ramona didn't know that by saying that it was now super offensive. I think Ramona was probably three years behind. Right. So that's what

I asked Leah. And someone was like, take it down. And I think it was just like, I think it was, you know, so I think all in a lot of this is, you know, everyone's out to point a finger. But I think that 99.9% of us are well intended and have the best intentions and are equal, you know, are all horrified. But listen, at the end of the day, regarding this thing, there's a lot of hypocrisy. Like, I didn't see, like, I'm scared to talk to you about, you know, Stasi and Kristen because if I say the wrong thing, people are going to get angry. So we won't go into the Stassian Kristen thing. What I will say about the Stassian Kristen thing is that. that most of the shit I've seen was obviously, you know, hating on them and saying

they're racist and everything. Stasi's followers didn't go down. No, exactly. A milla follower. She didn't go down. She went up 100,000. Last I checked. So then you're, that's the same exact thing you were talking about the ratings.

Who's canceling? Who's canceling? No one's canceling. No one canceled you because either there are haters, but they want to follow you to see what you're up here. But you know what? The truth that it's not in, if you really look at all the people that were really stammering for it, percentage-wise, it feels like loud on social media and stuff,

but there's so many people that watch the show and are not on social media, don't follow the people, don't, I don't know, you know, but no. And as far as they go, I'm not going to weigh on what I think should or should happen. I merely, on my show, I like to do like celebrity predictions of what I think will happen. It doesn't mean I'm going to tell me. It doesn't mean I endorse it. It doesn't mean I want it to happen. I'm just someone that's been on this earth for a while and I have an opinion.

Okay. First of all, can I just say that I love that you're, you're getting, because I told you I'm pregnant and I'm like that girl that has a boyfriend. It's like I have a, like I say it a lot, but maybe I don't. Too much. What I meant is you're a mom of two, right? Yes. Yes.

And a stepdaughter. Yes. And you still manage to be shallow, superficial, care about celebrities and pop culture. and Bravo. So it gives me a lot of, you know, a lot of, because I get messages from people that are like, who's going to run your account when you have the baby? And I'm like, hello. Like, I have conversations with him all the time. Like, we watch Bravo. We take selfies. You shut up when I podcast. And if you're a true person of this generation, you're, hopefully you'll put your child at work. You'll get free shit. Your child will be featured a lot. I mean, I'm so angry that my boys air,

Are not girls, because they'll never have lip kits. They're not going down that route. Nobody cares about the boys the way they do about the girls. I can't put them in bikinis and make them models, you know, and they're too old. So, like, I never had the opportunity to, like, exploit my children. I could never, I could never show my stretch marks. You wouldn't put emojis on their faces. Let's put it that way.

Yeah. This is my stomach after birth. maybe it's not perfect. And then everybody goes, but it is perfect. Like, are you doing that too? Wait, Heather, you don't follow me. Because I almost feel that's more annoying.

Yes. Oh, my God. I will follow you now. My handle. No, because I want to tell you what I am doing. Because now you will. We're going to be into friends. But it's funny you say that because I started a new series a little while ago called hashtag bravery.

Oh, God, love it. And it happened because. on my Explorer page, Instagram decided that I want to see a really skinny chick saying that it's all about lighting and angles with two pictures that are the same. And because I saw that, they started coming in. And every day, they're like 25. And then followers started sending me them. And every day, there are hundreds of them. And so it's so funny, you said that example, because I've just been highlighting those things a lot. And I even posted a video of this woman, a model to the point of like literally has no fat on her,

but nothing. And she put up a video grabbing at her skin, but like barely could grab skin being like, it's me also. And it's okay because I had two babies. I was floored, floored. And then she ended up DMing me because like she's like someone's wife. She's like a known model person.

And she was like, we should lift women up. And, like, I was like, listen, I didn't put your name. I cut off your face. So I'm not trying to get any hate for you. But, like, you should also know, like, I'm doing it in a funny, sarcastic way. But you should know that, like, you're the one harming people. You know what I mean?

You're making. Yeah. It used to be, you know, look great and look beautiful. Now it's like, let me show you what a vulnerable, ugly shit show I am. And everyone's like, then they'll love you more. So it's like, let me show this roll of fat. Let me, you know, I mean, I did this thing years ago. Actually, I think I might have been Rachel Hollis, which made her a star, is that she

photographed herself in a bathing suit and she had some stretch marks, but the body was still like a size six and looking great. And she was like, I don't care what people say. This body has carried babies and fed them and da-da-da. And then everyone was like, yes, who are you? Mama. So I, like, I, like, posted a photo. And I have really vainy hands and I've had since the third grade. They've looked old. Like, and so I'm like, I post a photo and I go, I don't care what you say about these hands. These hands have written books. They've held microphones. They've bottled fed by children. Okay. That's right. Because I didn't press feed. They've, you know, all this stuff. I said, and then some people got it. And some people were like, your hands. are beautiful. I don't care what anyone says. You know, like, that's so mean that someone ever criticized your hands, Heather. Right. Right. So it's either they do it, they do it to get.

They get, they do it to get the love. It's like a, it's like a reverse compliment on themselves. Oh, you? You're, you have no skin to grab. So, oh my God, you have to check out that series because I love it. Every series because we're going to play. So I want to know. Yes. What you, what your predictions are with Vanderpombeung. Well, when I, I, I, I, I, I, I, You know, I think it's great that she was pregnant. Greatest gift ever. Stasi being pregnant. But she's not coming back, so she can't be in your prediction of what's going to happen with the show.

Oh, no, I think what's happening with the show? Yeah. I think the show will come back. I think it'll be focusing on the Tom's and their, you know, partners, their wives or whatever. Right, because then you have Ariana and Katie. Yeah, and Nishina will still be in it. And then it'll be like a whole new set of like four, five new people that will have a more organic ties to them.

But they'll be like the bosses, they'll be like the older people. Maybe they'll even make like Ariana like one of the managers or something. And it'll be like they're kind of the Vanderpump people. And we see Lisa Vanderpump even less. And there's more. No, but we actually saw more of LVP last season. I know. And I think that's a mistake.

I think we don't need to see her as much. It didn't feel it. You're right. It also, that started to feel a little like, you know, you know, no, of course you wouldn't be going to these people's birthday. Of course you wouldn't be FaceTiming Max in the morning when he just fucked baby Gina. Remember? Loved it, yeah.

So, no, I think it used to be believable. You're right. Like, first seasons, we were like, she's their mother, you know? And then we bought it. It was part of the thing for real. And then we know that she's not a mother to Max. I mean, if the vaguest thing happens, it could be kind of fun, too. However, if you've been there, it's a very, very small place, the Vanderpump thing within Caesars.

I saw the line and I was like... It's just like, it's just a small bar within the... It's very pretty and it's a cool place to get a drink and you should go and it's all women getting, taking, getting one drink and a photo. That's all it is. That's what I'm saying, like, the same people that go to Sir, it's like, I'm here for the food. only Peter's here? Yeah. Shit.

It's true. I went on the slowest day because I was in L.A. Memorial Day. I made my husband go with me. He wanted to die. He was like, he wanted to write a bad Yelp review or something about the restaurant.

I was like, no. They'll know. But Peter was there. I've actually never had a bad meal there. I've like, I like both pump and sir. I like the food. I like the drinks.

I've had a good time. I haven't been there. Obviously, it's been closed. But I haven't been there in a while. But, I mean, I say go. I always tell people, go. Go, it is fun. If that's what you're into, you know, go and, you know, do the crawl, get a drink.

You probably, chance is all you'll at least see someone. Yeah. And so, and I think, and, you know, and they are really nice. If they're there, they'll always take a photo with you, all the people. That's the thing about Vanderpump people. And I think Bravo people, most, and I'm sure you've met a lot of them, they're really nice. Like, everyone's pretty down to earth. them they get their on this is my other thing they should be you're not approaching julia roberts

and brad pitt having dinner okay and if you see them don't fucking approach them because they don't want to be bothered these people were you know busing a table three years ago so yeah they'll take a fucking photo with you like and they should and they should and they should and so when i think it's really bad when a bravo celebrity or any kind of reality star isn't absolutely delightful when they're out in public. They don't have a right not to be. If they're not in a delightful mood, they should stay home.

Because then you're a pure asshole, because you did nothing to get there but be chosen and then we're likable on camera. So you better be likable, you know, when you're out. So I don't give them credit for being nice. Yeah. And I tell everybody, go approach them. They're dying.

Go approach me. I'm dying to take a photo with you. to never feel that you cannot approach me. The only time it was hard is when my son was little and he would like take off and I was like skiing and he was taken off to go to the bathroom

and he had like the jumper on and I needed to help him take off the jumper to go to the bathroom and he was ahead of me in a crowded place and this woman stopped me and I was like, I'm so sorry like I got to get my son and then she like tweeted about what a bitch I was

and I was like well now my kids are old enough and they can take down their own overall. So again, approach me. I'll never turn you down. That's so sweet, Heather. I may look ugly. I may ask for me to put some sunglasses and gloss on.

I may ask to take the photo myself. Wait, so before we go, I know you watched the Kardashians too, which I'm like realizing that you are so kept up. You're keeping up with so much. Okay. So right before we started,

Chloe posted more pictures from her like family-only. birthday party. Right. Okay, Chloe. Is she doing this shit on purpose? Like, did you see this? Did you see the stretch app? No, but you know what?

I will say something, okay? Is she fucking with us? Does she want more, like, publicity? I don't know if it's a stretch app, but when I got my latest iPhone, which I got it in October. Which one is it?

11? It's the latest. I got it in October. Yeah. I took a photo with my two tall boys. And I was like, why the fuck do we look so long and thin? And it was something with the phone. And it wasn't an app.

It was like the way someone took the photo or something. We looked so long. And I posted it. And people were like, is that the stretch app? I'm like, no, it's not. So it could have been like a different way to take the photo and stuff. But no, I think she just doesn't even care. Like she did that one face that looks so different.

I think she's just like, maybe it is fun now. Who cares? I feel like she either, you know, is actually just loving to edit her photos, which is fine. Or, like, listen, like her, then she posts a photo. You can either have just a photo in likes and comments or you can have a photo go so viral because you look so tall or so different or so whatever. Do you think she and Tristan are back together? Because all of a sudden, I'm like, Amanda, you're such a dumb bitch.

Of course they're back together. I think that all the girls have the idea to. together that they want to all have the same baby daddy for their children. For the rest of their baby. For their own children, yes. So Courtney, I think there was a time, you know, she was way over Scotch, but she was smart enough not to marry him. Yeah.

And she was smart enough to have three kids with him. Yeah. So she got her three kids. And, I mean, I think she's definitely not having kids. And then, of course, Kim, you know, is married. So she has her kids all with. with her husband. And I think in the case of Kylie and Chloe, I just think they, if they want to have more kids, I think they, like, they're smart enough to know it makes life, you know, a lot

less complicated, not that anyone should feel guilty about having multiple baby daddies, but when they have the money and the funds and everything and they don't need the dad to contribute financially, I think, and they get along with them well enough or romantically involved. I think they're like, yeah, I'd like to just try to have my babies, especially in Chloe's case where she's like 35. Let me just have all my babies with the same person. And so if she's with him now, I think it's, A, she does enjoy him. She does like being with him. But she's probably also like, I want my kids to be close in age. This is who I'm dating now. There's no one else out there. I'm not going to marry him. Yeah. But if I can give true a sibling or two, that's 100%

sibling and we only have to deal with one NBA player, let's do it. With Baby True. Yeah. By your full name, baby true. That's what I kind of think. So if you could have one Kardashian on your podcast, who would you? Well, I've had Chris many years ago, yeah. You know, they're all like pretty, I think they're all pretty guarded.

Yeah. So I don't know that you'd really get, and even when I had Chris, I've known her for years, I had to be really careful about what I asked her because she's not going to share anything about. They're not ever going to share anything about each other. Those are their stories to tell. And so I think it's kind of hard to really get like a juicy interview out of them. That's why we love reality TV because those people fuck up all the time and overshare. Oh, which is another thing I wanted to ask you. See? So one more question, because you also watch, I'm just outing all of the shit you watch right now, selling sunset. Yes, Christine. Christine.

And I heard that she got in a little bit of trouble for, like, saying some shit on your podcast. On mine? Yeah. Oh. Well, I don't know. I mean, we had the, we had the Netflix PR listen to the whole thing. Oh, and they approved it? Yeah, I never do it live.

And I always am very accommodating of having anybody can cut anything out or whatever. Yeah, yeah, true. So I had, I had them on and they said, okay, we're good. And I made sure that I didn't ask them anything, I didn't ask her anything that would affect, you know, any spoilers or anything. Right. Because I'm like, I want people to watch the show. I'm not out to like get the spoiler. Yeah, I think it could have been some, it could have been mine or somebody else's because originally she didn't think she could do mine.

And then I said, no, I'll be very accommodating to whatever you want. Okay. Because I was a realtor and I love the real estate stuff. I like kind of making fun of the show. and I just think she's funny. So I'm like... She's amazing. I just want to...

When I try to get, if I have a reality star, I'm like, look, you know, I'm more about, let me just find something juicy or interesting about your life besides the thing we're all seeing on TV. You know, I don't really care. That's, I don't need to, I don't need the headline, you know, of, you know, anything like that. I just, I'm like, look, the people are going to listen every week anyway because, like, it's always going to be interesting. So if, you know, and if somebody gets in trouble or regrets, oh, maybe take, you know, I'm always like, yeah, we'll take that out. Like, I don't need you to be stressed. I wonder why I saw that. I wonder why I saw that because I know that lately, you know, it's been, you've probably been feeling it too.

It's like the networks and PR people have become so, you know, more protective of their clients and want to make sure they don't like say shit. They shouldn't say and blah, blah, blah. But anyway, Heather, fucking McDonald, you're amazing. Thank you so much for coming on, your podcast, Juicy Scoop. Yes, juicy scoop every Tuesday and Thursday. I'm celebrating five years this week. I've had it on for five years. See, you were also podcasting before.

It was cool to podcast. Yes. You're a pioneer. I just thought it was going to be something I could do on a Monday. I didn't ever think that this would be like my entire career, basically. Yeah, so it's great. And go to, you know, I'm going to be traveling again doing stand-up. I have a stand-up special coming out soon.

So follow me at Heather McDolland.com. And Heather McDolland on Instagram and TikTok and all that. I'm verified. Find me. Wait, TikTok too. TikTok too. It's a new format. It features Dix dancing to the latest TikTok songs.

What do you do on TikTok? I'm just, look, I'm not as committed, but I'll throw some stuff up there. Like more skits, not the dancing. Yeah, not that the dancing's too involved. They think it's like all the dancing. No, no. And you know what's what I love about TikTok too? Is once you get on it, I just like to watch the videos.

And they know what I like. So it's like a lot of like soldiers coming home. A lot of like really cute like a dog and baby like spooning. It's a lot of stuff. It's a lot of like really clever teenagers tricking their parents into funny stuff or like dads being really good dads like from a front. It's like, but then with my son, who's 14, his stuff is all the kids dancing, pranks, funny, you know, skateboarding, whatever. So that's what I sort of, for people that are not involved in TikTok, you know, don't feel like you have to be the one spending eight hours to get a dance together.

Right. I feel like that's the misconception. You could actually just like enjoy watching it, you know. Yeah. People get, I think for me it was ruined because I follow like bachelor people and, like, like, bachelor people. like celebs that are trying to dance. And for me, it's like, I don't want to watch the same like, tant dance. Oh my God, the dancing.

I have like almost no dancing in my feet. They somehow figured it out. But I don't like the day. I don't like the dancing. I like all the funny little bits and pranks. And like there's this thing, I'm putting this together for myself, but it was like there's this thing going on

that goes, like, let's show a girl. And she's like, I got pregnant at 19. And it went something like, And it's a song. And it went something like this. And then it's like all and it's like her life turned out great. And it's like her and she falls in love with like the husband. But no people do that. But then there's a version where they're joking. Then there's a version of people doing that where then they make a joke at the end. So it's like I just think it's like really fun and clever. But it gets addictive. But you do not just have to dance. Okay. You do not just have to dance or watch people dancing badly. So follow. Heather McDonald on IG. Definitely Instagram and YouTube and all that shit. Whatever is your jam, just you can find me on it.

And the Juicy Scoop podcast where she gets the juice. Yes, so fun. She doesn't spill the tea. She gets the juice. No, yeah. Thank you, Heather. Thank you. I loved meeting you so much. And thanks for coming on. Thank you guys so much for listening to this episode of Not Skinny but Not Fat. If you don't already, follow me on Instagram at Not Skinny, not fat. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episodes. Rate the podcast that you love so much

on Apple Podcasts and write a little review. If you tell me you did, I'll give you a big virtual smoocharoo. Thank you guys so much for listening and I'll see you Tuesday.