
Welcome back to The Viall Files: Reality Recap! Happy Thursday! Get ready for an all access BTS into the Valley with Executive Producer Alex Baskin. What really happened between Brittany and Jax? How do producers go about handling sensitive and...
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Nick Viall
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Natalie
You'Re.
Nick Viall
What'S going on, everybody. Welcome back to another episode of the Vile Files reality Recap edition. I am your host, Nick, and boy, do we have an incredible exciting episode for you today. We went yesterday to Hulu's big like showcase. Like, I don't know if I had like an official name.
Dylan
Get real.
Nick Viall
Get like, it's like, get real. You know, play on like.
Ethan
Was it all reality television shows?
Nick Viall
Yeah, like Hulu announcing like the secret lives of Mormon wives trailer just dropped yesterday. Khloe Kardashian has a new show that they are producing.
Dylan
Robert Irwin as like the first contestant of the new Dancing with the Stars. Yeah, there's a lot of like, announcements in the Hulu.
Nick Viall
The Golden Bachelor. The new Golden Bachelor was announced. He's a newbie. He's a normie.
Ethan
Did they give you any info, any background on this on this man?
Nick Viall
Yes, he is a former Los Angeles.
Dylan
Rams football player, still resides in la.
Nick Viall
Resides la.
Dylan
The. Any women who might live in like, you know, Fort Lauderdale, you know, or something might want to bounce on over to la. It's a fun place to Go.
Jasmine
Okay.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Drag.
Jasmine
Fort Lauderdale.
Nick Viall
The inside tea for the Golden Bachelor is like, yeah, there. There is an extra effort, and I think part of the consideration of picking this new golden Bachelor. What's his name?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Mel.
Nick Viall
Mel. What's his last name?
Jasmine
Owens.
Dylan
Robbins.
Ethan
Mel.
Jasmine
Mel Owens.
Nick Viall
Mel. Mel Owens. Is that him residing in, like, a major city was a plus for them? It's just, like, they're always hoping that they can introduce someone to someone and love happens. And, like, it's just maybe more likely that someone might relocate to a city like Los Angeles than, like, the middle of Indiana. No offense to Indiana.
Ethan
Beautiful state.
Nick Viall
Beautiful state. Like, I'm from Wisconsin, you know? Like, maybe they don't want to move to Fond du Lac for love, you know, you don't even know where that is.
Dylan
But it's like, Joan and Shaka got, like, their apartment in New York City, you know? So it's like, yeah, I think having a golden bachelor who resides in LA will definitely be a lot easier to have a. Have a connection that lasts.
Nick Viall
We showed up a little late to the event. We brought River.
Ethan
You bought River?
Nick Viall
We did.
Dylan
We did.
Ethan
How was River's first event?
Nick Viall
Well, it wasn't our first event. I did.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
We.
Nick Viall
We. We. We kind of like, did you feel like, are we. Are we bad parents? I felt like the Coachella mom. I kind of felt like.
Ethan
Was river the only one under?
Dylan
She was definitely the only baby, but to me, it was like, we're showing everyone that you can, like, have a life and, like, bring your children. Like, children don't stop you from living your life. Like, they join. And that's what she did. They were passing out french fries, and she was holding her little French fries, eating her french fries. She was walking around, like, kind of going up to people. She was living her best life.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
She was.
Dylan
We were not bad.
Nick Viall
We had to walk through some loud rooms, but other than that, like, she's just, like, the only baby there. I was, like, I was worried that people were judging us. And then Jimmy Kimmel showed up.
Ethan
Oh, hello, Jimmy.
Nick Viall
He is the host of Late Night with Jimmy Kimmel on abc, which is, like, part of the Hulu Disney family. Said hi to Jimmy. He did. He did. He recognizes me, which was. I felt, you know, you're like, hey, old bud. Hey, old bud got to meet Nally. He met River.
Dylan
River stuck her finger in his nose.
Jasmine
For all those kids you stole that candy from.
Nick Viall
He's great. You know, Jimmy, I. I think I've said this before, but like, Jimmy Kimmel, when I was the bachelor, you know, you get, obviously very cool opportunities. You get to do all these interviews. Alan, watch what happens live, Jimmy Kimmel, things like that. I got to do some other daytime shows, and everyone's very nice, even Ellen to me, but Jimmy Kimmel I got to meet a few times. And, like, when I got to meet him, he. He was the only, like, host that really took the time to try to give me advice. So, like, we. I had to do, like, these promos. I came in and, like, me and Jimmy are filming these promos they would do with various bachelors. And when we got done, he. He's like, all right, Nick, come here. And he took my mic off. He took his mic off. He brought me into this, like, closet, you know, this little tiny room.
Ethan
And I was going to say this. This is starting off.
Nick Viall
I am listening. And he, like, looked at me, and he was just like, hey, man, I just want to tell you that whatever is going on in your world, and I don't know who's telling you what, but, like, you don't have to get married, you know, and thank God for that. And it was just coming from a very sincere place of, like, hey, I just want to make sure that you're not caught up in this whole Hollywood thing, or producers are, like, insisting you need to follow through with this. At that point, I. At that point, I kind of knew where our relationship wasn't going and was going, but it just felt like he was giving me real human advice, and he cared about me as a person, and, like, he's the only person who, at his level, who has ever done that. And I will. I hope I get a chance to have him on the show and tell him that story. It really, like, it meant a lot. He's. He gave me his email once when I. On the show. He also, like, few times I emailed him. He always responded.
Dylan
He also loves or loved because it's no longer my rations, the place, my sister and her fiance, the restaurant. He, like, like, went there all the time and loved it.
Nick Viall
It was always just a very personable human, like, on a human level, and just very generous with his time. And. And I always appreciate that about Jimmy Kimmel's.
Ethan
I love hearing stories like that.
Dylan
Well, I box dyed my hair.
Ethan
Oh, did you love that?
Nick Viall
She did.
Dylan
I boxed.
Nick Viall
I walked into the bathroom, and her, Victoria Fuller and Allie are in there and, like, dyeing her hair. And I was like, are you what?
Natalie
And it's not purple?
Dylan
No, it looks great. I'm jealous, actually. I'm like, I haven't box dyed my hair since I was maybe way too young to be getting a hold of a box dye.
Ethan
Right.
Dylan
And I, like, kind of am obsessed.
Jasmine
Oh, box dyeing rocks.
Dylan
Like, I haven't had the time to go to the salon. We've been so busy, and my hair gets this, like, reddish tint to it. So I was like, I'm just gonna go find. Like, I don't know what I'm doing, but we'll see. And honestly.
Jasmine
Yeah.
Ethan
I literally know I'm frugal. Loves this story.
Dylan
I'm frugal.
Nick Viall
No, it's such a turn on.
Dylan
Yeah. And I've always tried it.
Nick Viall
Yeah. It's like, even, like, you turned your hair green for me.
Natalie
Literally.
Nick Viall
It's not. It's not green, by the way. It looks fantastic. It looks really, really great. But honestly, I didn't even care. I was like, honestly, however it looks, I love you.
Jasmine
Are we talking a CVS box dye or Sally's beauty box?
Dylan
Oh, I did like that. I ordered off Amazon. I did like, the. The Garnier something. I don't know. But period, it worked. And it, like, honestly, I feel like my hair is shinier and color, and I'm like, okay, box dye.
Nick Viall
It looks way better than George Clooney's.
Dylan
Yeah.
Nick Viall
Have you guys seen George Clooney's new hair dye? Now, in his defense, he's doing it for a movie.
Dylan
I feel like it just ruins George. Like, that's not George.
Nick Viall
It's not George.
Jasmine
He could have worn a wig.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Really?
Nick Viall
He really made gray look well.
Jasmine
The thing is, I think it's, like, for a movie, you can. I think it's for, like, Broadway show, so it's like he's doing it every night, and I think that's why he dyed it.
Nick Viall
Okay. Yeah. He's doing this for Broadway.
Jasmine
Yeah.
Nick Viall
He must really love acting.
Jasmine
I mean, he's George Clooney.
Nick Viall
Yeah, I guess.
Ethan
No.
Nick Viall
Good for him, man.
Jasmine
You know, it's like, he's not fighting with his wife, so he needs something to get people talking.
Dylan
Like, not even one little. Just like, you're annoying me. You know, like, not.
Nick Viall
Do they even love each other?
Dylan
I feel like you can't.
Ethan
Their whole thing is they're so in.
Natalie
Love, they're clearly lying.
Ethan
They still have never had one argument.
Jasmine
Maybe it just depends on how many years.
Nick Viall
Your face annoys me today just because you've been here the whole day, you know? Like, sometimes, Mary, you know, it's like.
Ethan
I'm not even married, and I've gotten mad for Less like you're breathing in my space.
Nick Viall
No.
Natalie
Literally almost 11 years.
Nick Viall
What's the dumbest thing? What? What is the dumbest thing you've gotten mad at me for?
Dylan
I love this. The dumbest thing that I've gotten mad at you for. I'm. I feel like they're. None of them are dumb, so it's.
Ethan
Like, hard for me to, like, think about, like, what's dumb?
Dylan
Because I felt, like, validated in all of them.
Nick Viall
Okay. Yeah. For sure.
Dylan
What have you. What's the dumbest thing you got mad at me for?
Nick Viall
Well, let me see. Like, you. I definitely feel justified and valid for my frustrations.
Dylan
Okay.
Nick Viall
Yeah. But Natalie thinks cooking is turning everything on high.
Natalie
Oh, efficient.
Ethan
Danny.
Dylan
Does this get done much quicker?
Nick Viall
And then. And then. And then. And then deciding what ingredients she needs.
Jasmine
Oh, you know, so you go burner on first. And then you're like, okay, let me gather.
Dylan
Maybe you're preheating the pan.
Nick Viall
She's just kind of. She's very. She's very much winging it. You know what the secret to cooking is? What?
Jasmine
Winging it.
Ethan
Knowing what? Getting your ingredients out first time.
Nick Viall
Temperature and preparation. Like, how much are you cooking something for? What temperature does it need to be on? And, like, do you have your ingredients ready before you start cooking this?
Ethan
Is this a known thing? The TTP preparation is true, though.
Nick Viall
I imagine it is.
Ethan
Brand it. You just coin a new term?
Nick Viall
I don't think so. I'm pretty sure I haven't. I mean, I don't watch all a lot of cooking shows, and I'm not, like, deep into, like, the cooking community, but I imagine I'm not making this up.
Natalie
Natalie loves a little hibachi style.
Nick Viall
That's all I.
Natalie
The girl up and throw it on after I do.
Nick Viall
No, she loves hibachi. She likes take home. Honestly. That's it.
Natalie
Take.
Nick Viall
It irritates me. Some of the things that she enjoys in terms of food.
Ethan
Honestly, going out to eat with either of you is another absolutely difficult.
Dylan
Yeah.
Ethan
Usually you could be, like, Mexican. Do you want sushi? Do you want to tell you I'm supposed to go to dinner with Natalie?
Nick Viall
How many times have you been out to dinner with us?
Ethan
Even New York. New York. I was sitting there and I was like, we went to a French restaurant, and y'all got burgers and club sandwiches.
Nick Viall
What? What do you mean we went to a French restaurant?
Ethan
The restaurant that we went to, it was a French restaurant.
Nick Viall
No, hardly.
Ethan
What do you mean hardly? There's escargot on the menu.
Nick Viall
Oh, I'm sorry. I need to get escargot.
Dylan
No, but there's the air.
Ethan
There's like, I got. I got mussels fries, but it was just like, okay.
Nick Viall
It's. It's a very American style menu 100.
Ethan
Well, that's what I'm saying. I'm like, if I go somewhere with you, I'm like, they have a chicken.
Nick Viall
Sandwich, they have burgers, they have, like.
Jasmine
They have French fries at a French restaurant.
Nick Viall
Yeah, there you go. Steak frites.
Ethan
I have a question.
Nick Viall
No.
Ethan
Natalie, does it bother you when Nick, like, gets sick?
Dylan
He doesn't really get sick. And honestly, that does not complain when he's sick, which is really frustrating because I complain a lot, and I would love for him to, like, also complain so I could be like, well, you were complaining, but he does not. The man has never complained once in his life, which is really shocking.
Nick Viall
I don't complain when he's sick.
Dylan
He's just like, oh, I'm just, like, feeling a little achy. And I'm like, oh, I'm sorry. Can I get you anything? He's like, no, I'm like. And then it'll get me sick. And I'm like, I'm dead.
Nick Viall
I figure you o.
Ethan
No, I think I'm dying.
Nick Viall
In fact, I don't think I've ever asked Natalie if she's okay. And her go, yeah, I'm okay.
Dylan
She's a little under the weather. Don't ask.
Nick Viall
Her immediate response is always, no, I need something.
Dylan
It is. Are you like, are you okay? I'm like, no, I'm so thirsty. Are you okay? No, my back is killing me.
Nick Viall
Surely. I don't like. I never heard her go, yeah, I'm pretty good right now.
Jasmine
You're not like, why lie literally? He's acting literally.
Dylan
Do you want the truth or not?
Jasmine
Yeah. Sorry if you can't handle that.
Dylan
Sorry if you can't handle the truth.
Nick Viall
I know the story's been out for a minute, but Dylan Efron recently saved two women from drowning in Miami, which is so like, Dylan Efron, right?
Ethan
He was probably going, like, cliff jumping, and people were just like, swimming and drowning. And he was like, you know what? I am a lifeguard.
Nick Viall
But what people aren't talking about is he was with his friends, Brennan. Who's Brennan?
Ethan
Is this just, like, hometown?
Nick Viall
Just Brennan? Yeah, just Brennan, Normie and Sam Asghari. And I'm just curious as to, like, what were they doing?
Dylan
I think what they won helped. There were several people. There was like, A group of girls, like in the ocean, like not being able to to swim. And Dylan went and got one, came back, went and got another.
Ethan
Brendan went with. It was just Sam Pascari who was not a part of the.
Dylan
Oh, Sam did not help.
Ethan
No, it said. So I just looked around. There's no lifeguards around. Me and Brennan just look at each other and we just sprinted out there. So I swam in, swam back for another girl.
Nick Viall
Like Sam was doing push ups.
Ethan
Maybe he was helping on the shore.
Dylan
He was recording.
Ethan
Yeah.
Dylan
He's like, this is definitely going to be good for Instagram later.
Nick Viall
Well, this, the new trailer for season two of the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is out.
Dylan
It looks very juicy.
Nick Viall
Oh, it is juicy. I can confirm. Yes, it's juicy.
Ethan
I can't wait.
Jasmine
I'm so excited.
Ethan
These women give me life.
Nick Viall
I've seen the whole thing.
Ethan
Have you?
Nick Viall
I have.
Natalie
Did you guys see any Mormon Wives last night?
Nick Viall
We saw. Well, we didn't see Jen.
Dylan
I did not see Jen. I did not see Demi, but I saw the rest.
Nick Viall
I saw Demi looking great. Looking great, guys. This season, the poster, that's an absolute banger. I want to know, first of all, let's just play the trailer. Can we play the trailer?
Ethan
I think mom talk has been a.
Jasmine
Positive impact for the Mormon community.
Nick Viall
Okay.
Dylan
Life has been a blur. Mom Talk has become a nationwide trend. I never imagined everything to blow up.
Ethan
Like this, but it's a double edged sword.
Dylan
You're opening up yourself and your family to all kinds of drama.
Nick Viall
Can I have a hug? You can have a handshake.
Dylan
Where is everyone at?
Ethan
Whitney wants back in.
Nick Viall
Mom talk.
Dylan
Everything feels kind of fake about it. I'm trying to protect Mom Talk. I don't feel like inviting the devil back in.
Ethan
I think everybody just needs to get the freaking stick out of their.
Nick Viall
Anyone that comes in at this point is clout chasing.
Ethan
What the hell?
Jasmine
Who's got Marie?
Dylan
Oh, my gosh.
Ethan
Miranda is Taylor's ex best friend.
Nick Viall
I'm going to set the record straight.
Dylan
On the swinging scandal.
Ethan
Oopsies.
Dylan
It's gonna get messy for sure. How is everything going with Dakota? Things are just getting worse.
Nick Viall
I do worry about Dakota's sobriety.
Natalie
All I wanted is a family.
Dylan
Things for Zach and I have been pretty rocky.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
This is our marriage. This isn't a game.
Ethan
I think this is going to be a little intense.
Natalie
You announced we were swingers to the whole universe.
Nick Viall
What to do?
Dylan
No one had sex ever.
Nick Viall
Period.
Dylan
What the.
Jasmine
Who's lying to us?
Nick Viall
Hey, don't touch My wife.
Dylan
Oh, this is crazy.
Ethan
He's a psychopath.
Nick Viall
The police are here.
Ethan
Mom Talk is turning on each other left and right. Things went down in Italy at Vanderpump Villa.
Nick Viall
She has a cease and desist to.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Keep her from talking about it.
Dylan
If she comes, I will absolutely daunt her.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Oh, me too.
Dylan
You're manipulative and you know it. I really think she's needs to get over herself.
Nick Viall
Let's go.
Dylan
It's going to destroy the group as a whole.
Nick Viall
Will you please cut the camera?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
I can't do this.
Dylan
The show must go on. I have chilies.
Nick Viall
May 15th, everybody.
Ethan
Literally.
Nick Viall
Wow.
Jasmine
Thank.
Ethan
Can we just talk about this theme song remix?
Nick Viall
Yeah, it's great.
Ethan
I need this blasting in my car.
Nick Viall
I'm into it. Will Mom Talk survive is real? The question. I know that was like, kind of a running joke last season, but, like, I think it's a legitimate question going into the season. I mean, it's heightened the ending of season two.
Ethan
Yeah. No words.
Nick Viall
No words. Literally no words.
Ethan
Sometimes I wonder how people, like, get over these kinds of fights, like, in.
Dylan
Reality tv, across the board, in general, like, how people get through it. And it's like, yeah, we're good now.
Nick Viall
It's like how that's what I. That's what makes these women so special and great tv. And I said as much. I saw Macy yesterday. We saw most of them. And I was like, your lady's ability to just be completely honest about your feelings and spare, you know, no punches, and then, like, be able to, like, come back the next day and just be like, hey, do you want to go get a soda? Is amazing. But I was talking, I think, to one of. One of the producers of the show. But, like, what they kind of speculated is this, like, I think it comes from a place of, like, these women obviously are very. Most of them religious and devout, and there's a lot, you know, you got to be honest, you know, and, like, we are the beneficiaries of their honesty because, like, you know, lying is not good, you know, which we all know that.
Jasmine
But, like, it's so toxic.
Nick Viall
There's an extra layer of, like, you know, pressure from their community just to keep it real, I guess. I don't know. But it's. It's. It's. It's a wild season. The women are already seem to be fighting.
Ethan
I was gonna say I saw some discourse happening on all of my. Even my Bravo blogs.
Dylan
Crazy. Apparently Jesse's, like, blocked. Demi. I saw Demi post that. She said that her and Taylor Aren't in a good place. I mean, it's. Which is crazy because I feel like Jesse and Demi were, like, the bestest of friends.
Nick Viall
Yeah.
Dylan
Like genuine friends. And now they're. They're blocked. I mean, it's.
Nick Viall
And we have Miranda, who was an OG mom of mom talk, wasn't on season one, was a part of the swinging scandal with Taylor is joining the cast.
Jasmine
So I feel like with. With Miranda, we're. We're getting the promise of the premise because I feel like. Like, season one was great, but I feel like I was expecting more swinging drama within and, like. And it was fine. You really got to develop, like, all the girls and stuff, but they weren't.
Nick Viall
A part of it.
Jasmine
And now we're like, oh, there's some, like, backstory here. I don't know what happened, but something happened. Yeah. And we get to see it.
Dylan
Who's Yalls favorite?
Nick Viall
I appreciate them all. I appreciate them all. They're all necessary.
Ethan
They're all necessary.
Jasmine
How do you pick a favorite saint?
Nick Viall
Truly, how do you pick a favorite saint exactly?
Ethan
I do tend to side with the sinners.
Dylan
Who do you think is the most underrated?
Natalie
Michaela.
Dylan
Michaela. I think she's so funny.
Natalie
Her sound bites.
Dylan
She's fast. She's fast, and she's funny, and she's witty and.
Nick Viall
Well, she's so demure. And so.
Natalie
She's very demure. But she's ready.
Nick Viall
But she'll also, like, stab a. Yeah.
Natalie
Yeah. She's been through a lot. She's willing to say something.
Ethan
Season one, we didn't really get to see it all. And then, like, post season one on Tick Tock, we're like, oh, okay. You're spicy. You're fiery. And I feel like this season we're gonna see, like, Michaela.
Dylan
Yeah.
Jasmine
She's the Angie Katsanevas of morven wives. And that. It takes a second. And she's.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yeah.
Natalie
I'll never forget when she came and sat at the desk here and she. Someone said, like, what do you think of Whitney? Or something? And she was, like, a bitch.
Nick Viall
Like, real fast.
Natalie
Like, didn't hesitate.
Nick Viall
No. Yeah.
Ethan
I'm gonna say Whitney.
Jasmine
I think Whitney might be my favorite as well.
Ethan
Can I ask?
Nick Viall
I might be the most obsessed with Whitney.
Jasmine
Yeah.
Nick Viall
In a weird.
Ethan
Like, Justin just plays that video of her dancing.
Jasmine
Justin watches. Justin watches it all the time.
Nick Viall
Kind of obsessed with it, you know.
Ethan
She'S shameless, and I appreciate it.
Dylan
She's so shameless.
Ethan
She's just able to keep coming back. She does not care That I would not be able to handle like a whole group of women being mad at me.
Jasmine
She's a consummate professional and then she.
Ethan
Just makes a TikTok like dancing.
Jasmine
Uh huh.
Nick Viall
No, these, these are special women. These are special women. Yeah.
Ethan
Before we move on from Hulu Land.
Dylan
Can we talk about how Hannah Brown is joining Bachelor in Paradise?
Nick Viall
Yes.
Ethan
I don't understand.
Nick Viall
I say happy for I'm very.
Dylan
No, this is great for Hannah Brown.
Nick Viall
Great for Hannah for sure. She's like kind of like been quiet for a while.
Dylan
Well, she left. She, she got engaged, she left LA and then she bought a home with her fiance and then like he moved out because they like shouldn't live together until they're married.
Nick Viall
Oh, he did.
Dylan
She's written a book then she's now written like fictional book and I mean she. Yeah. And so like for her to come back to paradise and kind of it seems like she's hosting like a, a champagne room. Like she's the bartender of like a champagne room.
Nick Viall
Like if you're Wells is a friend, you're. You're very close with Wells and Sarah. Is this kind of a bit of a demotion?
Ethan
I don't think so. I'm sure it's like share the wealth but I just kind of feel like maybe like Wells is going to be the like daytime everyday bartender and then I feel like for maybe rose ceremonies or like maybe like one on the like date situations. Like maybe she'll be hosting like her own segment.
Nick Viall
But do it that we need three hosts. That's the question, you know, like there's only so much airtime.
Ethan
I mean I personally wanted Wells to, to, to have Jesse's job. So that's where I'm like, I don't know, bringing in a third how we're, how we're balancing the time.
Dylan
Well, I guess it takes a lot of communication.
Ethan
There is, there's a lot of people.
Dylan
We're also like bringing in the, the gold. They're like we need some extra hands on deck for all these people.
Ethan
I forgot about that dynamic.
Dylan
Yeah, yeah.
Ethan
Maybe there are two cigars which is.
Dylan
Kind of interesting that they brought back Hannah Brown. I love her but not like someone from golden to kind of give.
Ethan
Right.
Dylan
Like have an older person to help the older people and then like a Wells to help the younger.
Nick Viall
What's their big advice like to not marry someone from the franchise?
Dylan
Oh, they both. Yeah. Three.
Ethan
All three of them.
Dylan
Jesse.
Nick Viall
Well, Jesse's never been a contestant on the show. Like well he. What do you Mean, I'm sorry. He was the Bachelor. That was like a whole different, like, era of the Bachelor, you know, he was like, the third. Yeah, you're right.
Dylan
Still, like, none of their hosts have. Have success on the show.
Nick Viall
Hey, guys. This is crazy. Don't end up any of these people.
Dylan
That is kind of interesting.
Nick Viall
They love a success story except, like.
Dylan
And I feel like they could have gone Ashley and Jared, you know, and, like, had, like, they found love on paradise. Like, someone who.
Nick Viall
Dean and Dean and Kaylin.
Dylan
Well, I'm excited to see Hannah on the beach regardless. And they're in Costa Rica, so, like, a new era, new location, new beach.
Nick Viall
Costa Rica. I've heard good things. It's a very beautiful location. I'm a little sad they're not going to that. That place was perfect for that show.
Ethan
Right.
Nick Viall
They're all the.
Dylan
The old Mexico.
Nick Viall
All right, well, up next, Alex Baskin, executive producer of the Valley and many other Bravo shows, is with us next to break down the Valley. It was a wild episode last night. Dark, even. Who are your. Before we bring Alex on, who are the people you care most about?
Natalie
Like Kristen.
Ethan
Yeah, Kristen.
Dylan
Kristen.
Nick Viall
Really?
Dylan
Michelle and Jesse.
Nick Viall
Michelle and Jesse. For me, I'm giving me more of them. I don't.
Ethan
Honestly, I know everybody feels, like, so dark and toxic. Dark.
Nick Viall
Yeah.
Ethan
I was like, but I'm even Jockey and Brittany to say it.
Natalie
You're protective over Jesse and Michelle?
Dylan
No, we want to see it.
Jasmine
I misunderstood.
Nick Viall
No, no, I want to see, like, when. When. When a scene comes on and they're in it, I'm hooked. And when it ends, I'm like, go back to them.
Natalie
Yeah, that's too toxic for me. The Jesse and Michelle.
Jasmine
I really enjoy Zach.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yeah, Zach.
Jasmine
You know, I want to, like, I didn't scratch my itch, but I heard about the Canadian. The Canadian boyfriend that's moving in and them joking about u hauling. And I was like, gotta see how this goes.
Ethan
He's great with one liner.
Nick Viall
I kind of feel like Jax and Britney. It feels a bit performative.
Ethan
You think?
Natalie
I don't think so, no.
Dylan
I feel like they're both professionals. I feel like Jax and Britney do know how to curate a scene. I don't think they're making up these scenes. I do think these, like, are actual things that are happening in their lives. But I do think they're good at, like. Like Jax being like, oh, no, fuck this. I'm done. I'm done filming. Take the cameras away. You know, it's like, that's performative.
Ethan
But I did.
Natalie
That's embarrassing when you walk out and you come back in.
Ethan
But yeah, I did wonder too if it for like the reality of it all is that he wasn't expecting Britney to say certain things out loud while they were filming that scene. So that's where I'm like, for him to react that way or be like this, I'm not filming like, you know, I, I, that's why I was like, I feel like this is pretty raw for me because I'm like, it reminded me of like Shay and all that stuff where it's just like getting your dirty laundry exposed and knowing that like 95% they are going to use this.
Nick Viall
Yeah.
Dylan
But also like the phone call with the like person at the, at the mental facility, like, that was that okay? Hey, brother, how are you? It's like, is this your friend, like who's calling you?
Nick Viall
It was a weird.
Dylan
This is not like a receptionist or a doctor at a mental facility.
Nick Viall
He's like, yeah, so that'd be like $30,000 for 30 days. Just do the 30 days, dude. I think that's better than 2:15. It was like, are you selling him a Happy Meal car?
Dylan
So weird.
Nick Viall
It was kind of bizarre when he.
Natalie
Kicked out Jason and Danny to have the phone call.
Ethan
Yeah.
Natalie
He's like, oh, phone call.
Ethan
Are you going to go get to.
Dylan
Go get it later?
Nick Viall
Thanks. That'll be $30,000 for your mental health.
Dylan
And then, yeah, the Jesse called to Sheena about his like girlfriend and in his phone it says Sheena Shay. And he's like, hey, Sheena, this is Jesse, Lolly and Michelle. We're sitting here together. It's like kind of rude or not.
Nick Viall
Like, why do you have Sheena made it feel a staged right.
Dylan
And Sheena's like, for verbatim. Yes, that is exactly what she said. She even told me who the guy from Baywatch. It was like, oh, my God. Well, no, she didn't.
Ethan
Do you want me to tell you at all? He's like, no. She's like, well, it was the guy from Baywatch. She's like, you know, I, no. So it's here's everything.
Nick Viall
But what does it say about Jesse who immediately I don't. This is his girlfriend.
Dylan
Allegedly.
Ethan
Yeah.
Natalie
He's just, who knows?
Nick Viall
Before even allegedly, before we even meet this girl on tv, he's immediately throwing her under the bus by like calling Sheena her his friend and having Sheena just platform a rumor about a person we've never met who is happy.
Dylan
Who is sue happy.
Ethan
But also he wants to move his daughter out to be with this person and she's got all of this stuff that you're just now finding out about her.
Dylan
This is the same woman who texted Michelle being like, I will sue you if you talk about me on this show.
Nick Viall
Oh, you said Sue Happy. I was like, is that her name? Sue Happy? Who's Sue Happy?
Jasmine
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the stage Sue Happy.
Nick Viall
Well, let's bring in Alex and we can get some of our burning questions answered. Very excited to talk with him and he is up next.
Dylan
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Nick Viall
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Dylan
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Nick Viall
Well, we all know that if you are a dog parent, you love your dogs and want them to enjoy the meals that they are eating. And so if that is you, and I'm sure it is, look to Sundays for Dogs for good food for your dogs that they will love and enjoy. When you start a Sundays for Dog subscriptions, you will automatically get 20 off and free shipping on every reorder. Cancel or pause your subscription anytime with your 100 set satisfaction guarantee. Every order ships right to your door so you'll never worry about running out of dog food again. Get 40 off your first order of Sundays. Go to Sundays for dogs.com V I A L L or use code V I A L L at checkout.
Dylan
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Nick Viall
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Dylan
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Nick Viall
Alex, welcome to the show.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Thank you for having me.
Nick Viall
Very excited to have you. I feel like this has been a long time coming.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
It has been. Yeah, it has been. I'm excited. I'm, you know, ready for the torture chamber.
Nick Viall
All of it. Torture chamber? No, no, no.
Dylan
I think you're the secret keeper of Bravo.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
I mean, until today.
Dylan
Yes, of course, Exactly. Thank you.
Nick Viall
Well, I just want to start by saying thank you for all the great TV you've made over the years.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Oh, I appreciate it. Yeah. No, thank you for, for your support of the shows.
Nick Viall
Well, you know, it's mutually, hopefully beneficial, but we've, we really enjoyed watching you make great tv. Can you just let our audience know, for those who don't know, you like, what is your role and what has been your involvement with some of the shows that Bravo has put out over the years?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Sure. So currently I run a production company and we make a bunch of shows including the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the Real Housewives of Orange County, Vanderpump Rules the Valley, Kristen Cavallari's new series, Denise Richards series, and then a few others that I can discuss.
Dylan
Soon you are booked and busy trying.
Nick Viall
Some of our faves. Truly on Bravo, obviously we want to get into the Valley with you. You know, we just watched the, the new episode Last night, Beverly Hills just ended. There's obviously been a lot of fallout with Garcelle's exit. And then there's, you know, what? Like, recently, Garcelle unfollowed Sutton's brands. After what. What happened? Sutton put out like a.
Natalie
She's put out a statement essentially saying, and this is paraphrased, but like. Like, you know, giving her her space, but, like, she still follows my brands.
Dylan
And then Garcelle immediately unfollowed her brand.
Nick Viall
Follow the brand. Like, okay, well, thank you.
Dylan
She's like, oh, thank you for reminding me.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
For the sake of clarity.
Talkspace Ad
Yeah, yeah.
Nick Viall
Do you know anything? I mean, I don't know you what you can share, even if you do know things. But, like, one, were you surprised, as we were that Garcelle did what she did at the reunion and then decided to leave the show, or did you kind of see it coming?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
I wasn't surprised that she left the show after the reunion because I think it was clear that she felt a particular way and we respect that. And I thought she did it with class and grace, and I thought she had a great five year run on the show. And clearly to her is she thought about what coming back would entail. She just didn't want to do it.
Nick Viall
Sure. Okay.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Which I prefer to sort of some of the exits that linger over a couple years where a cast member will come back to the show but not sort of be into it spiritually. So I like the, you know, the clarity of it. I liked how definitive she was about it.
Nick Viall
Oh, that makes sense. Yeah. When the production company. And I'm sure there's a collaboration between you guys and Bravo, but when you end a season, what is the process that you guys go through of like, deciding, you know, who do we want back? Who's a friend of versus a housewife, and then how do you guys scout for additional talent? We love Bows, by the way. Great. Excellent find. Just really fantastic. But, yeah, how do you guys go through that process?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Well, it really isn't scientific, so we have a series of conversations, and obviously we sort of have them through the season as well. But I would say that between kind of doing an assessment of the current group and then seeing what our casting yields, then we come to something of a consensus. Casting is sort of a process that starts with asking the current group who's close to them, who they know. And by the way, they may actually share that with us. They may withhold that from us. So it depends. You know, they have various sort of reasons for that. So we Take a look around and then have a bunch of conversations. And it isn't casting for one thing or another. So I sort of always say, people think that we have archetypes in mind and we're looking for an X type. We're really not. And. And people come in the form, you know, that they are. So, you know. Meaning that it might be nice to add someone who is married to the cast, especially, you know, this current group. Right. But if you find someone who is single or is going through a divorce and they're a compelling person and they have real relationships with the group, then that's the direction you take.
Nick Viall
Interesting.
Ethan
Do the ladies of the cast that's already cast, do they get a say in who comes in? Or, like, can they push back if they're. I don't get along with that person, or is that something that would get that new person on quicker?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yeah. I think they end up realizing over time that ultimatums are a very bad idea. So they pretty much never work out. Well, I think that we take into account what the. Obviously what the complexion of the group will be, and so we don't want to bring someone in merely for the sake of revisiting an old feud or something like that. But they definitely do not get a say, because I don't even think that you could assemble a show if everybody got a say, got a vote, I don't know what you'd be left with.
Ethan
That's so true.
Nick Viall
You mentioned Beverly Hills. The cast was wildly single, and going into the season, I was really just, as a fan, really was hoping that we could see some of these women date, and that really didn't seem to pan out this season. As a producer, are you. Do you have those kind of same wish lists and things like that, but ultimately, you can't make these women date if they don't want to date. And are those conversations you tried to have with any of these women? And is it still possible that if most of the cast is this core group of women, like Dorit and Kyle and Sutton, you know, who remain single, like, are we gonna see them get out there and try to live their lives? Because. Yeah, like, I think sometimes when it's just the group of friends kind of talking and just living their lives without trying to, like, grow their lives, it gets. You're.
Dylan
Well, we did see Sutton date last season briefly. She kind of had some blind.
Nick Viall
Which was great. I mean, it was nice.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yeah, No, I. I agree. I mean, I think you want a progression of story in their lives, and I definitely think that you want to. You hope that they in real life move on from, you know, sort of the sadness of the. The separation onto what's next. They weren't all there this past season, so they were, you know, in various stages of limbo. And the one thing we would never want to do is fake as though they're dating. So we just don't do that. We don't, you know, look for suitors. For them, it's a, you know, not what we're there to do. But I agree. I mean, I think you want to open up their lives as much as possible. You don't want the show to become insularly about what's going on in the show itself. So it can't just be all about, you know, memes between Kyle and pk. Right. So definitely the hope is that you see, you know, sort of everything that's going on in their lives. And I do think, you know, the next frontier for them might be, all right, what do we do after the marriage is over?
Dylan
Do you have a favorite cast? Like, over the years, has there been one that's. And, like, that was just hard to beat?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yeah, definitely. I mean, I think that when it's a really cohesive group and when they put it all out there and when they hold each other accountable and when they know even more than we do as production and they call each other out, but they do it because they're all in it together, that is my favorite. You know, I mean, I'm often asked, too, if I have a favorite cast member. And I would say, you know, that varies daily, right?
Dylan
Yeah, yeah.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
It depends on who is doing their job.
Nick Viall
Is there a Bravo show that you're not. Not a part of that you. Maybe it's another housewife franchise that you are a fan of or sometimes wish you got some of the energy that some of the other groups have?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yeah, I mean, I think there's two kinds of shows that I'm a fan of. I think some are shows are just marvel at how well made they are, and there's so many of those shows. And so I've always thought, you know, Top Chef is really well made, and I can appreciate that as a viewer. I look at other shows that are in the docu series series genre, and you'll see when, like, Summer House has a great season and they're fully dialed in, then there are times where you watch a show like that, and you're like, why can't. Why can't our cast just do that right now? And so it's definitely the case.
Nick Viall
That's great. And Denise in the Wild Things. Fun. Lots of fun. Great comedy. Do you anticipate a season two?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
We hope so. We're kind of figuring that out. Really enjoyed making it. It's fun to make a half hour comedy. And the thing that I liked about it is it wasn't overly broad. So it wasn't one of those set up family shows which can be fun but are stagey. I like the fact that they're very distinct people and they've obviously had a unique life. I think seeing them sort of grow up over the years and not really knowing them, but seeing them sort of in the shadows, it's fun to see them now as young adults. And Denise is great. Denise is just who she is. It was fun for me. I went to the meal with Charlie Jean, so it helped kind of arrange for that to happen. And I went to that. And it's fascinating for me to watch as a viewer, which means I think the audience will feel that way too.
Dylan
Sammy brought that back to my attention.
Nick Viall
That.
Dylan
That video, that audio, that interview of him where he's like, if there are drugs, I will find them is Charlie Sheen. And I'm like, that is crazy.
Ethan
That.
Dylan
That is that same man sitting at the stable. She's like, if you want to know why I. The way that I am, like, this is my father.
Nick Viall
It's. I had to explain to Natalie just like, you know, she's the lore. Yeah, the lore. You know, just like the winning. You know, that whole thing. Yeah. No, it's.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
He's lived many lives, truly.
Ethan
And now he has a great neck.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
He does have a great neck. Well, it's really funny. And Denise looking to camera then.
Ethan
Yeah.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Was really funny. See, I'm also. I. It's funny on. On sort of looking to camera and breaking the fourth wall. I have mixed feelings about it, so I like it when it makes the show more real or. There. That's her expressing herself. I do not like it on the shows, I think when the cast is very self conscious and when they're playing to the audience. But I thought that moment was really fun. It was very Denise.
Dylan
And though when her and Sammy are taking the Pilates class.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yes.
Dylan
And they both kind of look at the camera and be like, well, we are filming or whatever they said it was.
Ethan
Yeah.
Dylan
That was endearing too. Obviously Vanderpump is iconic and everything that it was. Are you a part of the revamp? How are you feeling about it?
Nick Viall
If so, yeah.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
I mean, I'm Excited about it. The big thing that I keep emphasizing is we are not trying to do the thing that we did before. We're not trying to make the show that we did before. You can't do that. It's very big shoes to fill. And so we recognize when we announced it in the first place that we would be met with some skepticism because the audience hasn't yet had a chance to fall in love with the new group and the new show. But I think we're going to win people over. So I think it's know, getting back to core principles. It's a very tight knit group, works together, lives together, does everything together. And I think it's really fun. I think that, you know, it'll be all of the things that the audience loved about that show in the first place. It'll be, you know, messy and just a fun ride.
Nick Viall
Question I have for you, it's kind of like a meta question as we kind of segue into the Valley and kind of talk, you know, cause like this episode was a little darker, heavy for sure. We recently interviewed Ali Luber to talk about her experience with, with, with James. I'd love to know if you just have any general thoughts on that whole situation. But separately it's interesting because like, you know, we watch these shows, we cover it, break it down, dissect it, talk about these people with the acknowledgment, like a lot of these people we haven't met yet, you know, it is a TV show, there are edits, it's heightened stakes and things like that, that. But sometimes you are covering very heavy topics with the Valley, kids are involved and things like that. You know, we were recently talking about the secret lives of Mormon wives. And the more we cover it, you know, it's like I have to recognize while we still are critical and critical of these people, but like as fans, it's a bit hypocritical for us to judge all these people while enjoying the very shows that we. It's like we want the drama but then we have the nerve almost to like judge people for, for really opening up and, and sharing their lives with us. And I guess my question to you is like as a producer of these shows, how do you like when you're watching a scene, for example, like Jesse and Michelle, you know, like is do you have like opinions as like a father or human being and how do you separate that between like well, hey, it's my job to let these things play out versus like, you know, because a lot of fans will make comments like this seems wrong or how do you let that happen? And we'll blame production for certain things. Does that make sense? Like how do you kind of work through that as a human being, as your job, as a father, and then at the same time letting this play out and letting these people be who they want to be on camera?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yeah, it's hard. And I think that it's changed a little bit through the years because I just think as a society, I think that years ago I think the idea was, well, we're just documenting what's happening and the idea was sort of to be more hands off. I think we look at it differently now. It can't be incumbent on us at all times just to run in if we, you know, suspect that someone might be better off if we. But I think there is a responsibility in certain situations, certainly not to heighten what is happening if there is a dangerous situation. And so we definitely intervene. You know, there's. And obviously we do have personal feelings because I never want to be that anesthetized to this that I watching a show that I'm making and feeling nothing or looking at it as though this is a scripted series. It's people's real lives. So I think that on the one hand that's a. It's a lot to reconcile, but I also think it isn't that hard to balance in the sense that whenever we think someone is in jeopardy or sort of needs our help, that we really are much more responsible than people might want to believe. It is tough with the fandom. I would say the fans do want it both ways. And so if a show is light and fluffy, then, you know, the idea is, oh well, there's more going on, it isn't really covered and they want blood. And then when they see something that is very hard hitting, then on the other hand, either they'll think it's too heavy or then it's somehow incumbent on us to make everything right in the world, which we just can't do and it's not our job. So I, it, it, it can be tough.
Nick Viall
It seems obvious that not just Bravo, but I think reality in general has recognized that they might need to be more involved in certain situations and make sure obviously everyone's safe. But to me it's more like again, back to like the Jesse and Michelle scene last night. I mean, everyone's safe. It's just two people who seem to hate each other and they're talking about their child in a way that makes you go, you want to judge what they're doing. And it's like, then it's become like, I'm. I'm supporting us as a fan because I'm like, oh, my God, give me more of this. Like, when you gu away from Jesse Michelle, I'm, like, pissed. I'm like, no, go back. You know, But I'm also, like, just feeling, like, disgusted at the same time in a weird, like, way. Then it's. It's just kind of fascinating.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Well, sometimes, like, I will take flack if I say something like, I think that the cast is brave for putting it all out there. And people say, well, what do you mean brave? They're being paid for. They're on a television show, whatever. I'm like, no, but I mean, like, that is a. That's a lot to open up and. And a lot to share. And you're opening yourselves up to, you know, a lot of criticism. So I do think that it can make for good entertainment to a point. I also think that it's a balancing act for us. And I think if an entire show is that heavy, I think then you would want to walk, you know, look away at a certain point.
Nick Viall
Yeah.
Dylan
Yeah.
Ethan
Is there, like, ever, like, moments where you feel like you want to, like, interfere but you can't? For example, I know that you did the Britney and Jax spinoff, so it's like you've watched Britney go through so much with Jax, and then to fast forward 10 years or five, eight years, and it's we're on the valley doing the same thing. Like, were there ever, like, moments where you, like, want to go in and be like, brittany, what are you doing? But then you're like, also, this is my job.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Sometimes you do. But I also have learned that, you know, you really can't change the trajectory of someone's life. And so sometimes, as we see in these shows, right, like, if you'll sense in certain instances that a marriage maybe isn't so strong, people in it might be fighting for it, and they might think that they're better off. And down the line, they will learn, they will see. And that's kind of just, you know, sort of what we're observing.
Ethan
Right.
Nick Viall
Also, I mean, like, in the case of Britney, I mean, she's been warned, you know, like, definitely.
Ethan
I feel like it just would be hard, like, being, like, years in being, like, still, can I help you? Yeah, like, be a lifeline or something, you know, but then it's also. You can't really interfere with the story, but.
Nick Viall
Well, not only that, but Again, with Britney, it's like, I'm going to be the 15th person who's said, are you sure you want to be with Jax? Or it's just like, yeah, she's made. She's made her decision of where, you know, her life.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
I kind of feel like, yeah, I mean, I don't. I don't disagree. So I don't think, you know, sort of any of this is all for that. Surprising. I mean, you know, it was funny, some of the responses when Jax did my podcast, and people were like, oh, well, he's revealing this now. And I'm like, well, but everyone might have thought that they knew that he had, you know, issues with drugs, but he wasn't at a point to talk about it. And so there you go. Right. And so. So that's what I would say, is that it all sort of happens in time. And I agree to your point. Oftentimes, a lot of people will have approached the person. Britney had heard about that from a lot of people, and she had to just go through this.
Dylan
Yeah, she feels it herself.
Nick Viall
That's so true. Back to the James Ali Luber. Do you have any just general thoughts on, like, that story came out after you're done with Vanderpump, seemingly done with this cast? You obviously know these people intimately. There are relationships. What was that story like for you? And do you, you know, did you connect with any of them? You know, obviously Lisa Vanderpump was involved, who you work closely with. Like, what was your take on that situation? Situation?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Look, I thought it was horrible on the whole for everybody involved. And so I'm glad at this point that Ali seems like she's in a really good place and, you know, hopefully James is taking care of himself. I don't, you know, I don't know. I was glad, on the other hand, that we weren't doing the series at that point, because that would have been a really tough one to cover. So I think, contrary to what people might think, you know, wasn't sort of thinking, thinking, oh, well, we should have cameras up. You know, I thought it was a very dark, tough situation and mostly just wanted to make sure that everyone, and obviously Ali in particular, was safe.
Nick Viall
Yeah.
Dylan
When scandival all happened and we picked back up cameras, when you got the call of, like, this is what's happening, what was your reaction?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
I. I couldn't believe it. So I was. I definitely was staggered by it, and I was, you know, one of the few who didn't believe. I thought, you know, in spite of all the evidence that we had to the contrary, I didn't actually think that there was something going on between those two, between Tom and. And Rachel. And so I was, you know, floored by the fact that it happened and the way that it transpired. And also the other thing is, at that point, Ariana had such a great resolve to tell the story, and I think we all were really worried about her because we thought her world could come crumbling down, and it was just the opposite. So right away, you could see that she was drawing strength from this, and so remarkable to be in the middle of it. And our instinct right away was, we need to cover this in real time. There was a little bit of pushback to that because the idea was, well, you're shooting the reunion again in three weeks, so, you know, why would you do that? There was. But what ultimately prevailed is we had a series of conversations. We realized, we can do this right now. You know, yeah, that was a wild ride. Those few weeks after that were extraordinary.
Dylan
So did whenever that happened. We hadn't seen the season yet, but obviously we all knew how everything ended. Did you change kind of how the show was edited to kind of show us more of Tom and Rachel's interactions? Because it definitely, like, made people pay more attention to that, knowing how it all ended up.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Well, we didn't. So so much of the show was locked. So I want to say the first. I don't remember this might, but it was like seven episodes, I want to say, were already locked. And so we definitely, you know, look, we couldn't ignore what we knew was coming with future episodes, but it wasn't as radical as people might think. And. And we also. The other thing is, we had already keyed in on this as story. We just didn't know what the outcome was. It wasn't like. Like, we went back and radically changed what we were, what we were doing. But clearly, if you're picking interview bites going forward, right, and someone says, and you know where you're going to end, then you're more likely to use a bite from someone saying, you know, I am very suspicious of this.
Nick Viall
Right.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
As opposed to someone saying, there's no way there's something happening. I mean.
Nick Viall
Right, right.
Dylan
That makes sense.
Nick Viall
Well, let's. Let's just get into the Valley. Obviously, last night's episode was very much heavily centered around Jax and Brittany and him going to get this treatment. My big question, and I've kind of teased in the past with Bravo in general, I call it like TV therapy. How do you like, how does that work? How do you guys balance and make TV around topics like this? And you bring in, like, treatment centers and these phone calls and things like that. Like, how are you guys able to do that in an authentic way?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yeah, I mean, so this unfolded the first week of production. I mean, we were just getting started and it was like, you know, God, couldn't we just ease into this? But that's, you know, but the world doesn't comply. And really the first order of business was Jax was going to go and do this. And so we were planning on covering it, you know, however we needed to. It was all sort of happening in real time. And so it was honestly on him and on the people around him much more than us, because they were arranging for him to do this. They figured out, you know, sort of which facility he would go into, and then we were kind of picking it up from there.
Nick Viall
I've been very critical of Jax over the years watching the show because it's just like, as someone who mostly knows him through tv, he seems like a, like a low character person. I mean, he just does. You know him way more intimately. You know, just the way he's able to talk to brief Brittany.
Dylan
His line of when Kristen was like, you've called her fat. And he was like, I've never called her fat. I like women that look like her. It was like, what the fuck?
Nick Viall
It's like. It's just. It's. Yeah, it's. There's this, like this, I mean, decades of, of. Of content centered around this guy being terrible to his women partners, gaslighting his friends. Like, how, again, what is your relationship with him? And is it just more like. Yeah, I mean, like, he is who he is and you try not to have judgment for someone who. Whatever I think of him as a person, he's still very much a star of the show. What is that relationship you have with Jax Taylor?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Well, I think in that case, look, he's so integrated into the group. And so also, you're telling Britney's story, and Britney's. It's part of Britney's story. So it isn't like the show is sort of, you know, forcing this to happen. We're just picking up what's really going on. Yeah, I mean, definitely, you know, to your question, do we as producers have certain judgments or have certain thoughts? I think we do, and we should. I think it's up to us to be fair. So even if we feel a certain way about something, we want to equally weight, you know, both sides. And then the Audience can sort of watch and pick it up. Doesn't mean we're. We're, you know, giving equal validity to it. But I think that Jax expresses himself in this. I think people are free to. To, you know, sort of make whatever judgment they want. And. And so I, you know, with the. The Valley, not only is Jax Britney's husband, but also, as you can see, the rest of the group is very much involved in what goes on between them. And so we're just. We're really covering it. It's a hard, heavy thing to cover, but we'd be remiss if we weren't telling, you know, really the central story, not just to his life, but to hers.
Nick Viall
Outside of Jax and Britney's storyline, is there a particular storyline that you are excited for the audience to learn more about as this season kind of unpacks?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yeah, I think there's a few of them. I think that what works out really well with the Valley is that it's a big cast and I think the story is constantly developing. And so I don't think you end up on the hamster wheel too much. There is heavy story. It's all right there in front of us. And the other thing I would say is that that in that show, the story develops on camera, so it's not. We're not picking things up after the fact. So you see Jax go to rehab, we don't hear about it. It's not a conversation after. So I think that's compelling. But really, to me, it's that there's a lot of story that is constantly developing. And I. I sort of think in that show, everyone pulls their weight.
Nick Viall
Do you ever notice people self producing in ways that you find irritating?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
All the time.
Ethan
What's the most irritating?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Oh, it's so annoying. Well, I think. I think sometimes people fight the idea that we cast them on the show to be themselves. And I think I always say you get in someone's first season on a show, you want them to be who they really are. In the second season and beyond, you want them to be who they used to be because the feedback necessarily changes who they are. So that can be really annoying. And sometimes I think that you're making a show with a bunch of Reddit threads that are clashing into each other, and that's really annoying. Um, yeah, it's very annoying. But I understand it's also human nature when you get really strong feedback in different directions. You know, how can you just tune that out? It's hard.
Dylan
Have you ever been like Cut. No, try again.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Sometimes we do that. I mean, sometimes we will say, you know, it's fine even if we don't like what someone's saying, that's okay, as long as it's authentically what they. You know, who they are and what they want to say. But there are times where I'm like, you can't really believe what you're saying right now. This is total bullshit. Let's be honest.
Nick Viall
I am, you know, I'm curious to ask your question as a producer, and you and I have had this conversation long ago, offline. Bravo, obviously. Housewives, the franchise has been around for 15. I don't know how many. 20 years.
Dylan
20 years. I feel like at this point, when.
Nick Viall
Bravo really started it, the. The zeitgeist of pop culture TV is different. How we consume things are different. Podcasts didn't even exist when this show started. You know, the way fans cover these shows, 10, 15 years ago, Bravo really was able to kind of control. It's like, all right, we're going to film these group of people for a period of time. Time. We'll edit it, we'll put it on ice for a while. Then it will, you know, we'll play. Then we'll have a reunion. Then we'll start pick up cameras again. And now, very much like part of reality tv, you know, our shows, like the Vile Files and other shows that you know, and bloggers and people online talking about it. You have cast members having their own shows in podcast, talking about what's going on, their opinion. And, you know, I know, like, networks, for example, want to, like, you know, they want to control it. They want to keep it in house. It's, like, harder to do. And I'm just more for, like, I'm always trying to encourage the networks and production companies to embrace the conversations that are out there and just let this show live outside of itself and just continue to adapt. Because in my experience, the best producers are the ones who are able to adapt. They really, you know, just let. Let this. Let this world play out. However it plays out, if it wants to play out online, great. But, like, it's. It's just more content rather than trying to pretend like the world outside of filming, filming doesn't exist, which I feel like was easier for you guys to do 10 years ago. How do you kind of see that as a producer of these shows?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yeah, I completely agree. I think that we have to embrace the ecosystem. I think that we can't control the world, and we shouldn't try to do It. I think we definitely benefit from the constant conversation about the shows. So I think it's super important to the show's popularity. And. And look, a show is in trouble if no one is talking about it. Right. And so I think we have to know that. On the other hand, I think the thing can be frustrate, that can be frustrating is I think when the outside world overtakes what the show might be about, I think that's an issue. And there's nothing more annoying in a Housewives, for example, when you have this convoluted storyline that is just about dueling appearances on podcasts or just things that people don't really care about and you're explaining these teeny tiny things that aren't really about their relationship to each other, I think that can be kind of annoying. And I think you don't want the people that you're following on the shows just to turn into creatures who just hop between podcasts and say shady things about each other. So that's really annoying. I think you want to filter that out. But I completely agree. We have had to adapt and evolve, and I'm grateful. I think part of the reason that I have shows that have been on for a long time, time is we've managed to evolve the shows on their own. Right. So even the definition of what a housewife is, I don't even know exactly what it is in the best possible sense. Right. And then on the other hand, we benefit from the fact that there is a super passionate community that is constantly talking about the shows. It's really important to us.
Nick Viall
Sheena made a quick cameo last night via a phone call. I think there's been speculation that Lala and Schwartz might show. How did those conversations happen and how do you balance leveraging the celebrity that, you know, these characters have built through the years of the success of Vanderpump, but at the same time asking, like, do we need them? Do they help add to the story? Or is it more like, you know, Sheena needs a paycheck, so, like, we're going to bring her on and things like that.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Well, we definitely felt heading into the second season that we wanted to bring back the entire group from the first season. We were overstuffed anyway, and so there were a lot of rumors that we were bringing on some of the Vanderpump cast to be full time, and I shut those down. It was not happening. But at the same time, they are a part of that friend group, so it makes sense to see them. And frankly, it would Be sort of inauthentic if you didn't see them, because you would be leaving them out solely because that would be a creative decision that you were making going forward, who knows? I think a lot of things are possible. Again, I still think it's a really strong cast, and it has a. It's voluminous, you know, already, but we'll see. I think, you know, it's possible that we open it up a little bit, but I like the fact that between the first and second season, we just ran it back with the same group.
Nick Viall
Is there a character on the Valley that we might, over the course of this season, form a different opinion of them prior to the one we had them? Season one, I think.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
I actually think it's possible for a few of them. So I think it's very early yet because we're in the second episode out of 15, and then we have to shoot the reunion, so God help us all. It'll be a very long day. But, yeah, I think so. I think that, you know, just like nobody had on their bingo card that Jesse and Kristen would become friends. I think, you know, the audience may find that they feel differently about a few of the cast members through the season. And again, I think that's the thing that's fun about it is I think that, you know, know it's constantly evolving.
Nick Viall
Who are you most fascinated with in this particular cast?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
I think it's a very strong group on the whole. I'm really interested in growth, and so I think Britney has a strong season because I think she asserts herself in a way that she never has. So I find that super compelling. As someone who has known her personally for all these years and sort of made, you know, the shows with her, I think same thing with Kristen, you know, and I think she's in a very different place. So it sort of changes for me based on what's happening, But I love seeing someone turn into a different version of themselves in an unstudied way.
Ethan
Yeah.
Dylan
Jumping to Housewives of Orange County. Are y'all still filming or have you wrapped filming?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
We're still filming.
Nick Viall
Wow.
Dylan
Damn.
Ethan
Feel like that's.
Dylan
That's a long over a long time. No. Or do I just not have my timeline right?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
It's. It is. It's normal. It just feels. It feels very long to me.
Nick Viall
Okay. Okay. Anything you can tease or, you know, share?
Dylan
Well, we had Tamra being like, I'm done. I'm quitting, and then I'm back a day later.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yeah. That's how long the Season is.
Ethan
He's like, yeah, no, he was ready to be done.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
It's strong, it's strong. I just looked at the first cut of the first episode of 1901 and it's really good. And it's funny because I didn't even, you know, very much know what is happening, but I sort of watched it fresh because it's been such a long season. So I'm excited about it and, and I think it'll be a very eventful end of the season as well. And I have no idea what's going to happen.
Nick Viall
It's exciting. Yeah, it's really.
Ethan
Can you shed any light on the rumors of Debbie Metanopoulos talking about possibly joining the cast of Real Housewives of Beverly? Beverly Hills?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yeah, I mean we, I will say this, we have not yet made any decisions on what we're doing. So I sort of, you know, as much as anyone eagerly read those and it's, you know, it's like, oh yeah, I might get.
Dylan
We are good to know.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Can I go home now?
Nick Viall
You know, so do you ever like, I mean there's always a lot of fan speculation, blogs, rumors, ideas. Do you guys ever like get ideas from, from fans where they go, oh, actually, should we look into that person or, or should we bring back Lisa Rinna, you know, stuff like that, I.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Mean, open to it because, but typically their ideas that we would have thought of, I mean, especially if it comes to bringing someone back, it's like, you know, then, you know, obviously we're aware that that might be an option. But yeah, I mean every once in a while someone will have, you know, a great idea. Just like every once in a while you'll read a tagline and I'm like, but you nailed it.
Nick Viall
Do you ever see something online with your cast members outside of film filming where you do wish, like you were filming? Like for example, recently Kyle and Teddy were out walking the streets of Beverly Hills and, and seemed to get in a, a dispute with a dog walking lady without any audio that we all saw. We all saw it. But like we all want to know.
Dylan
No one had mics on what happened, what went down.
Nick Viall
And like, like, are you watching it like this? Like, like us being like, oh, what was so funny?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
So Kyle sent me that video right as it, as it happened and I wrote back to her, give that lady a diamond. But yeah, no that happen time. But, but you kind of accept at this point that you're just not going to be able to catch everything. We used to feel that way about Vanderpump because there was so much turmoil in that group that, like, the minute that you put down cameras, you were missing stories. But what are you gonna do?
Dylan
That had to have been, like, frustrating for so long. And then at some point you're like.
Nick Viall
God, I just gotta give it up. Yeah, you just.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
You submit yourself to it. It's like, at that point, we're doing 20 episodes.
Nick Viall
Do you have Vietnam D? Do you guys ever have conversation? Like, for example, Love island is a show that is like, essentially almost live. You know, the turnaround is insane.
Jasmine
Insane.
Nick Viall
The way technology is going. AI the world's just more fast paced. News is old so fast. Do you ever see a world where, you know, production companies like yours, Bravo, in general, it's more like Truman show and real time, like docu series and getting content out there. Is that something. Something like you wish the technology was available to you, or are you almost like too much is changing too fast?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
It's a great question. I think that a sort of faster intake would be great in certain circumstances. Obviously, the Kardashians did it because the previous iteration of their show felt like old news when you were watching it because you had already consumed so much happens to them. You already consume the story.
Nick Viall
They're just so out there in the public and they're being covered constantly.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Totally. So I think it's a little bit different when the stories aren't already out there. But I do think that sometimes I think we could increase our metabolism and look, for me, that would mean fewer notes, so I'm. I'm okay with that.
Nick Viall
All right.
Natalie
You mentioned Kyle texted you. There's a. There's a narrative out there that Kyle kind of calls the shots on Beverly Hills. Would you say that's accurate or would you say that's just complete? Like, she's just been there, she knows her thing, and people are just making that up.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
It's so funny because I always laugh at that. It's like the idea that any one person on the shows could call, call their shots. Like, I just was having a conversation with someone recently, a prospective cast member of Beverly Hills, and she was saying it's someone who's like, you know, someone high profile and was like, well, I get an EP credit on the show. And I was like, that is such a laugh because nobody gets a credit. Nobody has any say whatsoever. And so it is also.
Dylan
I feel like you wouldn't want to as a housewife. Like, then it just makes you look like you're too in it. You know, it's like if you have a producer credit.
Nick Viall
But it's like, well, Vicki Gundelson is still very upset, does not have editing rights, and she very much thinks she deserves it and wants to come back, but only if she is a producer on the show, because she credits herself for the entire success of it.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Well, I think when she launches Woohoo Productions, I think she can, you know, she can produce her own shows. But, yeah, I mean, no one. It would be impossible in a show like that for anyone in it to have that sort of power. You couldn't make it. And look, there's been plenty of things that Kyle hasn't loved in the show.
Natalie
True.
Dylan
Yeah.
Ethan
I'm just asking for a friend. What requirements does it take for somebody to get on a Housewives series, like, for them to be considered?
Jasmine
Ooh.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Well, I think it's sort of a bunch of different qualities. Obviously, you're looking for someone who makes sense within that group. Right. And so the more connected they are, the better. And I think someone who captures your imagination. So someone has. Who has a different point of view. Someone who is, you know, unafraid to express that point of view. I think someone who, you know, I always say, sort of both fits in and stands out, you know, that kind of thing. And so. And at this point, we're attracted to originals, so I think if you watch someone in casting and it feels like you've already seen them before in some way, you're less attracted to them.
Nick Viall
Yeah.
Ethan
Just taking notes.
Dylan
Is Katie. Is Katie on the next season of Orange County? Did she get brought back?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Katie's on the season.
Dylan
Katie is okay. I felt like she honestly was a good. I felt like she was bringing the, like, outside interaction she had with Heather, you know, and bringing him to the show and not afraid to. To. To bring the rumors. I felt like she was a pretty good cast.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
It was a good group. It was a good season. That show's had a couple strong seasons in a row.
Nick Viall
Is Alexis back?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Alexis is not on this season.
Nick Viall
And I thought that. And I'm curious, because she was such a big part of last season and such a big part of the storyline between her and Shannon, and it makes a lot of sense why she's not back, given that relationship and the import Shannon, at least right now, to the show. But as a producer of a show that relied so heavily on one character and a storyline. Yeah. Is that something you go into a season a little nervous about and. Yeah. How do you, you know, make those difficult decisions? Yeah.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
I mean, at that point, to your point it wouldn't really have made sense because. And I. I don't know that there was anywhere to go from there.
Nick Viall
Yeah.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
And, you know, I mean, what, are they going to get together and throw her a bridal shower? I mean, you know, so. But I think everyone has to step up that void. And then we were excited to have Gretchen back, and so, you know, that felt like we also were injecting something, you know, that's both new into the group but then also makes sense and has a history with the group. So I don't mind that. I don't think that the formula of a previous season is necessarily the same for the next season.
Nick Viall
Awesome.
Dylan
I feel like we could pick your brain all day long.
Natalie
Yeah.
Ethan
Literally, I'm like, so you're saying there's a chance.
Nick Viall
Anything you want to leave us with before we let you go?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
I don't think so. I would say the other project that I'm excited about is the Kristen Cavallari.
Dylan
Series for E. So is that her podcast tour? Is that okay? Okay. I saw her post about that.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yeah. It's a fun blend of the podcast itself and then also the tour.
Dylan
Okay. I heard her say she kind of. I don't know if she said regretted, but I think about showing her children in the first very cavallary that she did. Is her family life a little bit more involved in. In this show that you're doing?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
It is. It was a show that we shot very quickly because the tour obviously was super compressed. So you see some of her kids as she's getting ready for the tour, and it's great to see. I mean, it's fun to see her as a mom. And it's cool. She's, you know, obviously such a pro at this and so open that it's fun to see her both, you know, when she's sort of performing and doing the podcast itself, and then also just kind of, you know, hanging out and letting loose.
Nick Viall
Love.
Dylan
How fast did that come together?
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Really fast. Because it's great when you need an answer on a project because you're chasing, you know, a deadline. Yeah. And so that was a. We were picked up in January, and the tour was in March, and then it airs in June.
Nick Viall
Amazing.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Yeah, it's wild.
Nick Viall
Well, Alex, this has been a ton of fun. Please come back. Hopefully we weren't too hard on you.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
No, not at all. Thanks for having me.
Nick Viall
Yeah, it's. Again, thanks again for making such great TV and giving us some insight on. On the shows that we love watching and excited to see these new projects and excited to see the Valley continue to unfold. Seems like a really good season. I'm very, I'm very locked in and just great to talk with you.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
I appreciate it. Thanks guys.
Dylan
Thank you.
Nick Viall
Alex Baskin, everybody. The Val House is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing a budgeting game? Well, with the name your price tool from Progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your your bills. Try that progressive.com, progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates. Prices and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states.
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Nick Viall
Always fun to talk to the creators of these shows.
Ethan
Honestly, that's so cool and exciting for me. Like that's like my like nerd kink. Like I'm like oh my God, tell me more.
Nick Viall
But also it's just nice to hear from them because I think when it comes to these types of of shows there's always so much interest and speculation and like I always say like you know specifically like batch producers. Like people talk about producers if as if they're like these kind of mythical, like, people you never really see, you know, and they act like it's like three wizards in a tower, like, manipulating, you know, like, puppet masters. And it's like, these are people with jobs. They're like creative jobs. And, like, it just kind of hear them talk. It's just like, it's, you know, it's a very unique job. Like, for example, like, watching the video Valley back or just watching Mormon housewives. Like, we do have to recognize as fans, like, we enjoy the drama, the toxicity. Like, I. You know, it's like, it's. How much can you. I mean, we do judge, like, you know what I'm saying? Like, when Jesse and Michelle are having this conversation, you know, like, it's hard not to judge two people who seem to be, like, inserting their child into their drama.
Dylan
Jesse saying he wants to prioritize his. His. His career, like, his professional life, his single dad life and his private life. It was like, isn't your private life and your single dad life okay?
Nick Viall
And why does he talk like he still expects Michelle to, like, care about his, like, loneliness?
Natalie
So toxic, though, because Michelle's like, you always cry like, you want to make me look cold.
Dylan
I know. That was crazy.
Natalie
Like, this. This is a lot of, like, fighting that.
Dylan
Like, it was like, she knows him so well to know that, like, oh, these cameras are up and you're crying because you know that, like, that's going to, like, win people over, and I'm going to look like this.
Natalie
And then he calls Sheena to, like, have someone out that she was hooking up with the Baywatch guy or kissing him, and it's like, this is tit for tat.
Nick Viall
Like, is it working for anyone? Like, Jesse never comes across like a good guy.
Ethan
Well, that's what. Even my boyfriend's back in town. So we rewatched the first episode going into the second episode, and it's just kind of like, even the apology to Kristen, it's like, would that have happened if we're not going through this divorce and trying to win sides?
Nick Viall
Well, when he, you know, the schedule, he's like, this is the new schedule, and this is what you're. Excuse me.
Dylan
Like, and she. And he's like, and then you're gonna drop her off to the nanny? And she's like, what nanny? And he's like, it doesn't matter. And it's like, my child is gonna be picked up by this person.
Nick Viall
Says, bad dad. Like, I don't care who takes care of my kid when I'm not.
Ethan
But as long as she's not with.
Natalie
You, it's also just giving, like a toxic divorce. Because I will say that's very realistic communication, the way that they're doing it on camera.
Nick Viall
Yeah. I mean, again, which. Again, yeah, I pre. Like, I'm. You know, it's hard. It' hard to sit there and say, to judge. I. You know, it's. It's like, it's a. It's a fascinating thing.
Ethan
To your original point. Like, it's like, I feel like I enjoy reality TV so much because I do feel like it's like psychology 101. There's a bunch of situations that are in people's real lives that I may never experience, hopefully will never experience, but seeing how people handle it, and it's like you think to yourself, like, oh, I would do this so differently. Or like, I can't believe they're doing this with cameras there. But it's just like, no, this is their real lives and how they're reacting to things. And not every. Everybody has a great on camera reaction.
Nick Viall
There were two moments where I empathize with Jax and Jesse.
Ethan
Yeah.
Nick Viall
And it was centered around the same topic. There was a scene where Michelle was FaceTiming her boyfriend to her daughter, and she goes, I love you.
Ethan
Yeah.
Nick Viall
I don't know how long they've been dating. I understand that, like, when you get a divorce and you date and, like, certainly you want people to care for your children, you know, never want to think about Natalie and I not working out, but, you know, it's just like. It's not like you want your child to be around someone who hates them, but it sure seemed. It sure felt a little icky almost to. To, like, have this strange man who, like, may or may not be in Michelle's future two years from now. They just started dating. Who knows? To, like, be saying I love you to this. If I'm Jesse, I'm like, what, are you fucking kidding me? Like, that would be so hurtful. And despite, like, you know, me having almost no empathy or understanding for Jax Taylor, when he was like, you're sending pictures of my kid to some guy you're dating would make me uncomfortable. Like, you know, like. And maybe that is a territorial thing, you know, Like, I. I feel incredibly blessed and grateful. Like, when I watch these shows, it's just like, I'm so grateful of what we have, and it just makes me be like, just we, you know, more and more, like, determined to, like, make sure we protect our relationship, protect, you know, it's just like, I'm. I'm so grateful to not be going through what they're going through. And I have so much empathy for parents who go through divorce and the children who go through it. Because, like, watching the show, it just, like. It's such a sad situation, you know?
Ethan
It is. It is. But I'm like, that's what I do appreciate about it, where I'm like. A lot of people are like, oh, it's really sad, or it's really depressing. It's dark to watch. But I'm like, no, this is, like real life, and this is, like the age group in which some relationships aren't working out.
Nick Viall
I could watch. Honestly, I. The whole episode could have been Jesse and Michelle. Michelle and I. I would have watched.
Ethan
Side note, there's a show called Couples Therapy, and it's very, very interesting to.
Nick Viall
Watch, you know, and, you know, Jasmine, my. My former act. No, you know, you really. Jasmine, who was on my season of the Bachelor, who made an exit by choking me. You really knew in that moment she was more meant for Bravo than for ABC Disney. Who wouldn't? I didn't realize that she was auditioning for the Valley way back when.
Dylan
I will say the Britney finding the thong with the baby wipe on.
Natalie
It looked unhinged.
Dylan
It looked placed.
Natalie
Oh, for sure.
Dylan
It looked like Jack was. Jax was like, oh, Britney's coming over. Maybe she left her thong. But, like, the baby, like, I'm trying to think of, like, my actions, and I'm not sure where those would fall. You know, I don't know how the baby wipe is on top of the pain panties.
Natalie
You have a point. You're hiding the evidence. You're throwing the baby wipe away, literally.
Dylan
Why are you leaving the baby wipe on the counter? Then again, I did see Jax pour a Big Gulp into a, like, Stanley or something and then put the empty Big Gulp plastic cup in the sink. In the sink. It was like, okay, Yeah, I guess.
Natalie
It'S tit for tat, because then Jax invited her over to stay in the house because he found the photos on Britney's iPad or whatever it was. So it's like. It's couples literally just tit for tatting.
Dylan
Yeah.
Jasmine
I have kind of a hard time with the Valley, and I think it's like, maybe it's my own, like, emotional immaturity of just. It's a completely different point in my life where. Where, like, it's like, to watch Vanderpump, like, Vanderpump hits me way harder because I'm like, these are my people. Southern hospitality, like, that works for me, but, like, the Southern, like, Southern charm still works for me because they are in. They are people. Peter Pans. But I think the Valley, it's like, I'm just. It's just kind of mind.
Nick Viall
You're probably watching and. And I don't know, maybe this is.
Jasmine
Like, I'm watching fear.
Nick Viall
I don't know. But, like, when I was your age, when you see things like Jesse and Michelle fighting over a divorce, you think, that will never happen to me. You know, there's so many, like, adult things that when you're younger, you just assume that shit's not going to happen to me. I'm not going to cheat. I'm not going to get cheated on.
Jasmine
Yeah.
Nick Viall
I would never do that with my partner. And if we got divorced. And like, like, yeah, you're. And I'm watching it, like, thinking we're. I'm so lucky to not have to be in this position. And thank God. Like, and. And then it, like, warns you of, like, how delicate these things can be.
Dylan
You know, like, no one plans for divorce. You know, like, no one's going into a marriage being like, well, this is definitely going to end.
Ethan
But, like, especially when it's like, not something that's prevalent in your life, though, you just can't relate. Because that reminds me, when I was younger, I would watch the OC and then I would fast forward through the adults, like, scenes because I was like, what? I don't give a shit. And now when I watch it, it's like I relate to them so hard. I'm like, oh, my God. No, she just cares. She just. But it's like, annoying mom, let's get to the teens.
Nick Viall
You know, that made me think about your comment. I was last night and I don't know if this was like, a high thought. It probably was.
Ethan
Can we have more of these?
Nick Viall
Sorry, but I was in the line at Chipotle.
Ethan
Great start.
Natalie
Checks out.
Dylan
Yeah, literally.
Nick Viall
And it really. I had like, a moment. I had like, in. And maybe. I don't know, but like Chipotle. It's a. What I love about the line. Not Chipotle. The line of Chipotle.
Ethan
You had a thought about the line?
Jasmine
The line organization. I have a lot of feelings about line organization.
Nick Viall
No, I was grateful. I was grateful for the line at Chipotle. It is an incredibly diverse line. And I don't like diverse in so many ways, but age diverse, you know, And I got there and I'm in line and I saw different people at different stages in their life all getting the same line. And it reminded me of, like, when I was in college going to choke Chipotle, you know, And I saw, like, two girls who, like, figure, you know, were like, in a study group. And then I saw some other, you know, it's like. Like, this guy, he's here because this is all he can afford. And, like, this person, you know, And I was, like, looking at everyone in line trying to figure out the stage of their life of Chipotle, because it really is inclusive.
Dylan
Meanwhile, I'm at home bathing our daughter.
Ethan
The way, like, we are the world the way we are the world is playing in the background of my mind as he's telling this story.
Nick Viall
Yeah, I was just like, wow. It really just like, it made me, like, reflect on, like, I honestly, like the various. I mean, I've reinvented myself in so many ways and just. It really reminded me of just the different stages of my life when I was in line at Chipotle. And I'm still going in line at Chipotle at a different stage of my life, being like, I remember that stage of life, and I remember that stage of life. And it was like, thank you, Chipotle, for this, like, reflection in my life.
Ethan
That's actually really beautiful.
Guest (Alex Baskin)
Thank you.
Nick Viall
Yeah. Thank you. Marijuana.
Natalie
Yep. You have to go the next step now and perceive yourself standing in the Chipotle while someone else is thinking of you as a stage of life.
Jasmine
Yeah.
Natalie
There you go.
Dylan
Wow.
Jasmine
Yeah. But anyway, yeah, that's why the Valley isn't hitting for me.
Nick Viall
Okay. Yeah, well, it is for me.
Natalie
Can we talk about Meredith real fast?
Ethan
Yeah.
Natalie
What is going on? Mary's been tracking this. There's a lot of, like, she was fired. She's paused.
Jasmine
She's back reports as the.
Nick Viall
The Meredith.
Jasmine
Meredith source who's been following the story base very closely, basically on Twitter, like, last was it last week. So rumors start circulating on Twitter. It's unclear where the source is coming from, that Meredith has been suspended from real hospitals of Salt Lake City after getting into a huge fight with Britney. And this is all very confusing. I, as a reporter, am trying to track down the source of this information. And this. It's very unclear. It's coming from, like, Twitter, blogs and stuff like that. So it's unclear whether this is trustworthy or not. And then a source which is a very. Yes, allegedly a source which has a very specific cadence to it. Tone reports to the US sun that says Meredith has not been suspended from the show. She is not pleased about the rumors and nastiness, pun intended. She wouldn't be surprised if the call was coming from inside the house and Britney was leaking all of this herself. To stay relevant, Meredith and Britney get into some pretty nasty altercations and have some blowout fights, but nothing that warrants a suspension. Then, while all of this is happening, Meredith's Instagram account continuing as normal. She's posting quotes from Albert Camus. She is hanging out with Luann de Lesseps in an elevator, drunken singing.
Nick Viall
She is Photoshopping the she did out of her face.
Jasmine
She's Photoshopping her the fuck out of her face. As she should she wants and posting what she does, her tagline, basically to dispel the rumors that. What is it like, jealousy is a disease, something or something like that. Yeah. And then the last update I have from Meredith is that she sprained her toe and she's upset about it because she can't get a pedicure. So that's what's coming from the Meredith camp.
Nick Viall
We need to ban Photoshop for housewives. It's gotten to the point of ridiculousness.
Natalie
There's specific Photoshops that I'm not that I think are funny. It's when they take the confessional that we've all seen and then Photoshop on top of it as if we've never seen the original photo, which don't they.
Jasmine
Already put like a glam photo filter.
Nick Viall
On the confession when it's an entirely different person? Like, Meredith's Photoshop looks a younger version of her daughter. It's.
Ethan
It's Face app. And this filter needs to be eliminated from housewives phones.
Nick Viall
It doesn't even look like them.
Ethan
They're all using the same one Hollywood 2 or whatever.
Natalie
Yeah.
Ethan
Put these photos next to each other. They all have the same face.
Jasmine
You have Ramona looking like a newborn child.
Nick Viall
But why?
Dylan
It's. They said you dice.
Nick Viall
It wasn't. It's not even like, oh, fresh face. You know, it's just like, oh, someone's been moisturizing. It's no, Someone changed their face. It's like. You know what I'm saying? You're not fooling anyone.
Ethan
My favorite's the Ramona, though. Like posting the story and then the post.
Natalie
That's why I'm saying, like, hide the evidence. Don't do the photos you've all seen, you know?
Dylan
Yeah, the. The source from the US Sun. It sounds like Meredith was like, hey, I'm gonna tell you this, but, like, change it up, you know, don't make it seem like it's me. And then they did it. It's like when you, like, copy someone's homework, they're like, yeah, sure, you can copy, but a little bit.
Jasmine
And especially when you're Meredith and you have such a specific way of speaking.
Dylan
You know, it came out and Meredith was like, fuck, Fuckers. I told him to change a couple words.
Jasmine
I would never know my Meredith. You guys, my Meredith's kind of gone.
Dylan
Oh, no.
Nick Viall
Is a callback to the Valley. Zach.
Natalie
Zack.
Nick Viall
Zach. He made it seem like dick pics are an early exchange in the dating process in the gay community.
Natalie
I mean, he also. This is my own interpretation, but met him on Grindr, which is an app that's for more than just dating. Because he goes in quotes. A dating app. Which I'm like, okay. So, I mean, it makes sense what he's saying specifically for that context.
Nick Viall
But. But it's not as if like, hi, what's your name? Brett. Here's my dick. Because that's what Zach was basically saying on that app. It is on that app.
Natalie
Okay, maybe not even a hi. Just picture.
Ethan
I think instead of, like, style photos, it's anatomy.
Nick Viall
Okay.
Natalie
Yeah, yeah, yeah. There was also. Speaking of Salt Lake City, did you see this, Nick? A video of Michael Jordan getting off of a yacht. And, like, there's a girl in front of him that gets off first that looks almost identical to Whitney Rose. And, like, everybody's tagging her, being like, is this you? Is this you? Why are you on a yacht with Michael Jordan? And she hasn't confirmed whether it's her or not, but she did say, why is everybody tagging me in this? So I'm assuming that means it's not.
Nick Viall
It's not her. It's definitely.
Natalie
It looks like her. Right?
Nick Viall
I. I didn't look that deep at it because I just assume it was not.
Natalie
It's definitely not her, but it's. She's wearing, like, a Whitney Rose fit, too. I mean, with the ginger hair. So it's like. It's.
Dylan
That's 100% her.
Nick Viall
That's Whitney Rose.
Ethan
That's what I'm saying. I'm like, the appearance is identical. It's a very.
Dylan
Yes, it is her.
Natalie
What are the odds that a girl died or her ginger. The same time that she had ginger hair?
Dylan
Okay, well, listen, I think she's friends with Michael Jordan's like, wife or daughter or someone.
Nick Viall
Should I just text Whitney and ask her?
Jasmine
Yeah, hey, you should.
Ethan
This you.
Nick Viall
It definitely looks like her. But, like, it Definitely could not be her.
Jasmine
But also, if it was her, why would she not flex that she was hanging out with Michael Jordan?
Natalie
She reposted the video, so she's making fun of it.
Jasmine
So it's not her.
Natalie
Who knows?
Jasmine
Because if I'm on a yacht hanging out with Michael Jordan, I'm going to.
Ethan
Be posting about it. Yeah, yeah.
Nick Viall
All right. I don't have a number saved. I. I will. I'll text her later.
Ethan
Nick, you gotta save numbers. You gotta get to the bottom of this.
Dylan
He's gotta start saving numbers.
Nick Viall
I do.
Dylan
You've got to save numbers.
Nick Viall
Let the speculation continue. Thank you to our guest, Alice Baskin for giving us all the insight and all things Bravo, specifically the Valley. Be sure to check out VAL files. Plus for all your weekly updates on all your pop culture topics we didn't get to talk about this week. Plus your update specials of all the Ask Nick update callers, our Vanderpump recaps, all available on plus. It's free to sign up. Try it for seven days. Whether you listen to our the show on Apple, you can sign up directly from viles plus there or you go to viles.com you do not have to sign up at both places. It's one or the other, but check it out. You will not regret it, I promise you that. Also, if you're interested in getting our newsletter, link is in the bio.
Ethan
But also go to viles.com and click the tab newsletter where you can enter your email and sign up for the newsletter. It's a fun time.
Nick Viall
It's a fun time. All right, well, that will do it for this week. We'll see you on Monday. Bye. Bye.
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Title: The Valley w/ Alex Baskin, Mormon Wives Preview, Golden Bachelor Reveal, Paradise & Making Reality TV
Release Date: April 24, 2025
Hosts: Nick Viall, Natalie Joy, and the Household
Guest: Alex Baskin, Executive Producer of Bravo’s "The Valley"
Overview:
The episode kicks off with Nick Viall and the team recounting their experience attending Hulu's recent reality TV showcase evening, humorously referred to as "Get Real." This event featured announcements of several new and upcoming reality shows, stirring excitement among the hosts.
Key Announcements:
"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives": A new Hulu series exploring the intricate lives of Mormon women.
Khloe Kardashian’s New Show: Details about Khloe’s latest production remain under wraps but are generating buzz.
"Robert Irwin on Dancing with the Stars": Robert Irwin announced as the first contestant for the revamped "Dancing with the Stars."
Ethan at [02:05]: “Was it all reality television shows?”
"The Golden Bachelor": Introducing Mel Owens, a former Los Angeles Rams football player, as the new Golden Bachelor. Mel resides in LA, which the team believes increases the chances of lasting connections due to the city's vibrant social scene.
Nick Viall at [02:20]: “Mel Owens. Is that him residing in, like, a major city was a plus for them?”
Notable Quote:
Overview:
The hosts discuss their late arrival at the Hulu showcase, bringing along River, Nick’s child, to demonstrate that parenting doesn’t have to limit participation in social events.
Highlights:
River’s First Event Experience: Initially worried about judgment, the hosts found that River comfortably interacted by holding her own french fries and mingling with other attendees.
Dylan at [03:33]: “We were not bad.”
Encounter with Jimmy Kimmel: A memorable moment occurred when Jimmy Kimmel recognized Nick, engaging in a heartfelt conversation about not feeling pressured to get married.
Nick Viall at [04:36]: “He was the only person at his level who has ever done that.”
Notable Quote:
Overview:
The conversation shifts to lighter, relatable topics like the process of box dyeing hair versus salon treatments, with humorous takes on Hollywood figures like George Clooney.
Highlights:
Box Dye vs. Salon Dye: The hosts share their experiences with box dyeing, praising its convenience and cost-effectiveness despite some humorous mishaps.
Dylan at [07:00]: “I haven't had the time to go to the salon. We've been so busy, and my hair gets this, like, reddish tint to it.”
George Clooney’s Hair Transformation: A playful critique of George Clooney's recent hair dye for a movie role, contrasting it with natural styles.
Jasmine at [08:06]: “He could have worn a wig.”
Notable Quotes:
Overview:
Dylan Efron's heroic act of saving two women from drowning in Miami garners praise, contrasting with Sam Asghari’s less involved role during the rescue.
Highlights:
Dylan’s Rescue: Acknowledges Dylan’s quick action in swimming to save two women, highlighting his genuine heroism.
Ethan at [12:35]: “This is one the Valley has...”
Sam Asghari’s Detachment: Notes that Sam was preoccupied with recording the event for social media, raising discussions about authenticity and priorities on reality TV.
Notable Quotes:
Overview:
The hosts share their excitement about the newly released trailer for the second season of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," discussing its juicy content and the complex dynamics within the show.
Highlights:
Trailer Analysis: The trailer reveals heightened drama and deep personal conflicts, emphasizing the show's authentic portrayal of the participants' lives.
Dylan at [13:57]: “It looks very juicy.”
Authenticity vs. Production Pressure: The discussion touches on the balance between showcasing genuine drama and managing the additional pressures from the community and producers.
Notable Quotes:
Overview:
In the "Going Deeper" segment, Alex Baskin provides an insider’s perspective on producing "The Valley," offering insights into casting decisions, handling heavy topics, and navigating the evolving landscape of reality TV.
Key Topics Discussed:
a. Casting and Group Dynamics:
Selecting Cast Members: Alex explains that casting isn't based on archetypes but rather on genuine compatibility and compelling personalities.
Alex at [33:54]: “People come in the form they are.”
Cast Input: While current cast members have some influence, final decisions rest with the production team to maintain a cohesive group dynamic.
Alex at [34:33]: “Cast members do not get a say.”
b. Handling Real-Life Issues on TV:
Authenticity vs. Entertainment: Balancing authentic portrayals of personal struggles, such as divorce and mental health, with the need to provide engaging content without sensationalizing sensitive topics.
Alex at [44:14]: “There is a responsibility in certain situations to intervene.”
Producer’s Emotional Response: Alex admits the difficulty of emotionally detaching from the cast's personal issues while ensuring their well-being and maintaining show integrity.
Alex at [44:14]: “We have personal feelings because we never want to be that anesthetized.”
c. Adapting to Modern Media Consumption:
Embracing Social Media: Acknowledges the shift towards real-time interaction and the necessity to integrate fan conversations and online discussions into the show's narrative.
Alex at [57:53]: “We have to embrace the ecosystem.”
Balancing Show Control: Managing how external rumors and online interactions influence the show's content without compromising authenticity.
d. Managing Cast Relations and Conflicts:
Jax Taylor’s Role: Discusses handling Jax Taylor’s public struggles with substance abuse and his impact on "The Valley," emphasizing a fair portrayal without endorsing negative behavior.
Alex at [53:01]: “We're covering what's really going on.”
Meredith's Controversies: Addressing rumors and online speculations about cast members like Meredith, and the production’s stance on respecting their privacy while keeping authenticity.
Notable Quotes:
Overview:
Alex Baskin shares details about upcoming projects, including Kristen Cavallari’s new series and potential future seasons of "The Valley" and other Bravo shows.
Highlights:
"Denise in the Wild Things": A half-hour comedy series focusing on Denise Richards, highlighting her unique personality and growth over time.
Alex at [38:00]: “Seeing them grow up over the years is fun.”
Revamping "The Valley": Discusses the plans for the next season, focusing on maintaining the show's core principles while introducing new cast members like Hannah Brown to diversify perspectives.
Alex at [40:02]: “It’s a very tight-knit group, works together, lives together.”
Addressing Long-Running Cast Members: Reflects on the challenges and strategies for managing long-term cast members and integrating new faces without disrupting established dynamics.
Notable Quotes:
Overview:
The hosts delve into their personal reactions to the show’s content, expressing empathy and frustration towards the on-screen drama, and drawing parallels between reality TV conflicts and real-life relationship challenges.
Highlights:
Empathy for Cast Members: Discussing moments that evoke empathy, such as divorce conflicts and child custody issues, highlighting the emotional complexity portrayed on screen.
Nick Viall at [77:00]: “It's a fascinating thing.”
Judgment and Entertainment: Balancing enjoyment of dramatic content with critical perspectives on the cast’s behavior, reflecting on the psychological impacts of reality TV.
Notable Quotes:
In Episode E922 of "The Viall Files," Nick Viall and his co-hosts provide an engaging and multifaceted discussion centered around the latest developments in reality television. From Hulu’s new show announcements and heartfelt anecdotes at social events to an in-depth interview with Alex Baskin about producing Bravo’s "The Valley," the episode offers listeners a comprehensive look into the intricacies of reality TV production and its impact on both cast members and audiences. The conversation seamlessly blends humor, empathy, and critical analysis, making it a valuable listen for fans seeking deeper insights into their favorite reality shows.
Final Notable Quote:
Timestamps for Notable Quotes:
Note: This summary focuses solely on the content discussed in the episode, excluding advertisements and non-content sections to provide a coherent and comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the podcast.