The Viall Files – E1043: "Vanderpump Is Back, Ryan Serhant Talks Owning Manhattan, RHOSLC, RHOP, Spotify Wrapped & Psychics"

Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Nick Viall (with recurring co-hosts: Natalie Joy [appears later in the show], Steve, Mary, B, D, E, G, F)
Key Guest: Ryan Serhant (Million Dollar Listing/Owning Manhattan)

Episode Overview

Nick and the "Household" dive into their Reality Recap edition, blending Bravo recaps (Vanderpump Rules, RHOP, RHOSLC), playful banter about Spotify Wrapped, personal updates (babies, psychics, ice skating), and an in-depth chat with Ryan Serhant about real estate, TV fame, and life philosophies. The episode sparkles with humor, pop culture wisdom, and hot takes on reality TV relationships and drama.

1. Opening Banter & Spotify Wrapped (01:12–13:00)

Household Updates & Warm-Up (01:12–06:50)

• Nick explains Natalie’s brief absence—she’s momming for sick baby River—but will appear later for the guest interview.
• Light banter about the cast (“Steve is keeping her seat warm”, potato-potato).
• Shoutout to the Viall Files community: “We love you guys...fans, trolls, lovers—we welcome all!” (02:52)
• Nick shares his love of a Packers podcast—“His voice is so soothing…I’ll listen to episodes twice.” ([04:00] Nick)

Spotify Wrapped Chaos (06:01–09:00)

• Everyone discusses their Wrapped results, revealing generational divides.
  • Natalie’s is all kid’s music, resulting in an “age” of 75; B comes out at 21; C at 62.
  • Top artists range from Chris Stapleton (for Nick), Simon & Garfunkel, Lady Gaga, The Wiggles to Hayley Williams.
  • Notable Quote: “If you want to be really vulnerable with the listeners, you could check your Spotify Wrapped right now.” ([04:27] E)

Cultural Commentary (09:04–13:14)

• Lighthearted sharing of ice skating adventures, kiddo updates, and grievances (E on not being invited to visit the team psychic).
• Segues to airing predictions the psychic made (sex with the devil via tarot, “holding your cards close”, “don’t overthink things”).
  • “Group doctor appointment...this was a grievance!” ([12:23] E)
• Leads into quick talk on 2024’s top baby names (“Liam,” “Olivia”).
  • “Let’s piss off a bunch of parents—number one, Liam. Nah.” ([14:14] A)
  • Observations on cycles of name popularity and what vibes they give off: “We’re getting away from ‘comet’ and ‘cup’.” ([16:21] A)

2. Bravo & Reality TV Hot Takes (21:02–29:48)

Mormon Wives Reunion / Bachelorette Crossover (21:02–29:48)

• Cast critiques reunion photos: “We look horrible and dissociated every time.” ([21:31] B)
• Insider tea: reunions are brutal, long days; cast is exhausted.
• “Pick up cameras” moments: hopes for juicy “Fruity Pebbles” drama (28:07–28:47).
• Discussion: the crossover between Bachelorette (Taylor Frankie Paul’s run) and Mormon Wives, and how the streaming world is “building universes”—crossover talent, messy TV giving way to new fame.
  • “Netflix and Hulu and Peacock...it’s a streaming competition. They’re investing in their universe.” ([27:39] A)
  • “It will be fascinating how Taylor’s person...is integrated into her life...” ([26:41] A)

Taylor & Sally (Southern Charm) Social Media Feud (29:03–31:32)

• Taylor gets triggered by a “pretty blonde” comparison.
• Notable quote: “It’s funny the plight of the pretty blonde girl...you all look the same. Us white guys, we all look the same!” ([29:45] A)
• Sally claps back on Instagram—people need to mind their business and check their facts.

Bachelor Nation Crossovers & Rumors (31:13–36:52)

• Sally’s brief stints on The Bachelor revisited: “She tried twice...shows up, leaves...wild that she entered Bravo, which is way messier.” ([31:05–31:14] A)
• Meta-commentary on controlling narratives: Johnny Bananas falsely suggests he might be Lindsay Hubbard’s baby daddy; Lindsay posts:
  • “Dear Johnny Bananas, you actually have to have sex to get pregnant. Last I checked, we never hooked up. My baby is way too cute to be a Bananas baby, period.” ([36:16] B)

3. FEATURE INTERVIEW: Ryan Serhant – "Owning Manhattan" (42:56–78:21)

Intro & Real Estate Philosophy (42:56–45:44)

• Ryan’s main markets: NY and FL (“like the back of my hand”), expanding west.
• Analogizes states to companies with CEOs; “it’s a fight for employees” (i.e., residents).
• Hot take: “Interest-rate divorce” is the new trend. Couples waiting out high rates in separate bedrooms; predicts “record numbers of divorce over the next 24 months.” ([45:12] G)

New York Real Estate Deep-Dive (46:25–53:04)

• Talks the notorious 432 Park (“Super skinny, sways in the wind, facade cracking, major lawsuit”).
• Price points: “Rented them a three-bedroom for $65,000/month…full floor for $55 million...”
• “No better place than New York. It’d be great to pop in and out.” ([52:54] G)
• Airbnb crackdown: “Because of hotel tax lobbies.” ([53:10] G)

Career, TV & Media Evolution (53:37–57:07)

• Structure: Relentless follow-up; early embrace of personal branding and media funnel.
• “Million Dollar Listing New York changed my life in 2012. Netflix changed my life last year in a totally different way.” ([53:45] G)
• Media flywheel: hitting different demographics via Bravo, thought-leadership, social media; Netflix “replaced the Bravo bucket like on crack.”
  • “Number one lead source is their kids! The kids of the buyers at the dinner table.” ([55:48] G)
  • “You’re the American real estate guy. It’s a different level of exposure.” ([57:07] G)
• Owning Manhattan S2, coming December 5: “The largest transaction I’ve ever done on TV ($60 million)”; real-time deal drama.

Real Estate Game: "Spin It Like Serhant" (72:28–78:21)

• Nick and crew put Ryan on the spot to “sell” nightmare NYC real estate scenarios:
  • 5th floor walkup, AC broken since Toby Keith’s peak: “A diamond in the rough...a developer will pay you double for the assemblage.” ([73:22] G)
  • Haunted brownstone: “The provenance! Most homes don’t have the luxury of a confirmed ghost—turn it into an amusement.” ([74:34] G)
  • Hamptons with snake nest in the pool: “Get the influencer with snake tattoos...turn it into a show! $50 million and Snake Bit.” ([77:08] G)
  • Deaths/murders in property: In NY, no disclosure required: “No, you don’t have to [declare]. Cuz everyone’s died!” ([75:56] G)
• Serhant’s disciplined/relentless drive:
  • “Discipline is doing the things you don’t want to do, but doing them anyway...professionals make decisions based on their commitments.” ([63:56] G)

Personal Life/Philosophy

• Daughter Xena’s personality: “When she’s happy, she’s me. When she’s angry, she’s her mom.”
• Raising a child amidst TV fame: “You just make sure she experiences as much as possible and finds her way...try jiu-jitsu, piano, tennis...”
• On privacy: “I used to value my privacy, but now—my income and career were built on the backs of being a total open book.”
• Real-estate crash predictions: Not expecting a 2008 repeat, but “a debt crisis might come before 2029.”

4. Bravo Deep Dives: Recaps & Hot Takes

Vanderpump Rules: New Beginnings (86:08–99:45)

• Mary’s rapid recap: “Still trashy and hooking up, but some of them might be gay now.”
• New cast: “Chris wants to be Robert De Niro, dreams of being Flynn Rider. Marcus and Kimberly drama, Natalie’s a singer from Florida, etc.”
• Cast energy: “It gave first season energy—aspiring actors and dating drama.” ([88:10] B)
  • Nick: “Now more than ever, reality stars can cross to mainstream Hollywood—Ariana Maddox is hosting Love Island, acting, Broadway. It’s a real shot.”
• Viral quote: “You are happier when you get laid.” ([90:19] B/A)
• The “Can men & women be friends” debate—classic Viall Files territory.
  • Nick: “If you’re curious what your friend looks like naked—you’re not friends.” ([95:21] A)

Bravo Locals: RHOP, RHOSLC

RHOP (Potomac) – Fraud, Healing, and Shade (101:41–112:03)

• Wendy’s legal trouble looms: “The judge denied Wendy and her husband to be tried separately.” ([101:55] D)
• Mary’s rapid recap: Standard Potomac levels of confusion and accusations (“Chris Samuels didn’t know what anyone was talking about…”)
• Monique’s return: “She’s awesome. I want to be like Monique. She rocks.” ([105:16] C)
• Commentary on reality dynamics: “Trying to save your marriage and be a housewife—you can’t do both.” ([106:27] B)
• Reflections on Wendy: “It's just—this person seems so together, but now these fraud charges? Makes you wonder about the pressure of thriving on TV, seeking parent validation.” ([111:30] A)

RHOSLC (Salt Lake City) – Betrayals, Horses, & Pill Popper Accusations (112:06–134:13)

• Rapid recap by Mary:
  • Bronwyn’s “Betsy Ross party”, Justin loses job/fails business with Whitney, Heather’s daughter leaving to Tampa.
  • Betsy Ross party erupts: “Whitney calls Meredith an alcoholic pill popper; Meredith deflects with drug test/caviar gift bags.” ([117:00–118:14])
  • “Heather felt gaslit…episode ends with drama unresolved.”
• Heated Bravo-verse debates:
  • Nick: “Is Todd off limits, or not? Is Bron totally in control, or being sucked in by fan/fandom pressure?” ([121:47] A)
  • Whitney vs. Justin: “I felt like Whitney put herself in the victim seat, blaming her husband for her business failure.” ([122:29] B)
  • MLM confusion: “Why are you admitting on camera that your business was a pyramid scheme?” ([126:36] C)
• The “owning a horse in Salt Lake” saga; debate over fries: “Arby’s curly fries vs. Wendy’s.”

5. Notable Quotes & Moments

Spotify Wrapped Vulnerability (04:27 E)

• “If you want to be really vulnerable with the listeners, you could check your Spotify Wrapped right now.”

Psychic Bit (11:00 C)

• “She pulled the devil card and she was like, you’re gonna have sex. And I was like, with the devil? Could be fun.”

Baby Names (14:14 A)

• “Let’s piss off a bunch of parents—number one, Liam. Nah.”

Ryan Serhant on Divorce Trends (45:12 G)

• “I’m telling you, you’re gonna see record numbers of divorce over the next 24 months. Finally. Because you’re like, I can go lock in a better rate with the new guy now.”

Serhant on Selling a Haunted House (74:34 G)

• “Most homes, the majority, don’t have the luxury of having confirmed ghost sightings…turn it into an amusement!”

Bravo Wisdom (88:01 B)

• “It gave first season energy—with these people wanting to be on the show but also wanting to be actors...that’s what I want to see.”

On Social Media Drama (34:39 B)

• “Sometimes the best form of response is no response at all.”

On Housewives and Relationships (106:27 B)

• “You either have a functional relationship or you have boundaries when it comes to filming. Or it’s a mess.”

6. Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:12 – Opening banter; introductions
• 04:00 – Nick’s Packers podcast confession
• 06:01 – Spotify Wrapped results
• 11:00 – Psychic readings/group tarot
• 13:28 – Top baby names of 2024 discourse
• 21:02 – Mormon Wives/Bachelorette crossover gossip
• 29:03 – Southern Charm/Sally Taylor “blond feud”
• 31:13 – Bachelor Nation/Johnny Bananas rumors
• 42:56 – Ryan Serhant Interview begins
  • 45:12 – Serhant on divorce trends
  • 51:07 – NYC real estate market breakdown
  • 57:07 – Netflix exposure vs. Bravo
  • 72:28 – "Spin It Like Serhant" game
• 86:08 – Vanderpump Rules ("new" season) recap
• 101:41 – RHOP Potomac drama recap
• 112:06 – RHOSLC drama & meta-commentary

7. Tone & Style

Conversational, irreverent, occasionally vulnerable, self-deprecating, and always pop-culture savvy. The hosts are affectionate with each other (“we love you hate-listeners!”) and fun but incisive on reality TV foibles and the tarnished glamour of showbiz.

For Listeners Who Want the Highlights:

• The episode is a playful, juicy romp through the realities of fame, relationships, and pop culture, bracketed by relatable anecdote and sharp wit.
• Serhant’s interview offers a fascinating window into luxury real estate and the new power of streaming stardom.
• The Household is full of fun, candor, and hot takes—whether arguing over Spotify ages or diagnosing Housewives’ marriages.
• Blend of high-level pop commentary and on-the-ground reality recaps makes this a perfect catch-up for fans and casual listeners alike.

Next up on The Viall Files: More recaps, deeper dives, and reality TV revelations—with the full household (Natalie included!) next week.