Watch What Crappens Podcast Summary: Episode #2673 Below Deck Sailing Yacht S05E12: Mixed Drinks, Mixed Messages

Release Date: January 2, 2025
Hosts: Ben Mandelker & Ronnie Karam
Podcast: Watch What Crappens | Wondery

Introduction

In Episode #2673 of "Watch What Crappens," hosts Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam delve into the latest episode of "Below Deck Sailing Yacht" Season 5, Episode 12 titled "Mixed Drinks, Mixed Messages." This episode serves as a comprehensive recap, blending humor, critique, and insightful commentary on the antics and dynamics aboard the sailing yacht.

Guest Behavior and Crew Challenges

Ben Mandelker opens the discussion by expressing relief over having "unpleasable" guests on board, highlighting their blatant dissatisfaction with the service:

"[07:43] Ben Mandelker: ...complaining about the taste of an Aperol spritz, as if they could do anything about that. It's literally Aperol. It's not up to much interpretation."

Ronnie Karam echoes Ben's sentiments, emphasizing the recurring issue of guest accountability:

"[08:53] Ronnie Karam: ...I want them to be accountable or I want to, like, put a microphone in their face, be like, how do you answer for this? Now that you've seen yourself, what do you say?"

The hosts discuss the frustration of encountering guests who maintain abrasive behavior without facing any repercussions, often attributing their poor behavior to editing decisions.

Gary's Sobriety and Allegations

A significant portion of the episode centers around Gary's unexpected decision to abstain from alcohol:

"[13:29] Ronnie Karam: ...Ronnie was very lovely. I did get to finally see Ronnie's renovated home, and it is gorgeous and beautiful. ... Please, whoever's listening, give this man a TV show because Ronnie did a great job."
"[17:35] Ben Mandelker: ...She stated that Gary was behaving erratically and eventually grabbed her from behind and physically restrained her from leaving before he was able to get away."

The hosts explore the timeline and possible reasons behind Gary's sobriety, referencing allegations from a makeup artist named Samantha who accused him of sexual misconduct during the filming of Season 4. This revelation adds a complex layer to Gary's character, questioning his motives for the sudden behavioral change.

Relationship Dynamics: Gary and Daisy

The interaction between Gary and Daisy is thoroughly dissected, showcasing their tumultuous relationship:

"[40:54] Ben Medelker: ...he has such an eye. And if you are to flip a house ever, like..."
"[42:26] Ben Medelker: ...Daisy, you're basically a Waffle House. Congratulations. You've achieved so much in this relationship."

Ronnie criticizes Gary's insincerity, suggesting that his attempt to appear mature and committed is a façade masking his unresolved issues:

"[41:57] Ronnie Karam: ...she knows he's not being sincere."
"[44:40] Ben Medelker: ...she can't have sex with anybody. You're there. You're reserving it."

The hosts portray Daisy as the more grounded and honest party, frustrated with Gary's manipulative tactics and lack of genuine commitment.

Guest Dissatisfaction and Service Issues

The episode critiques the guests' unrealistic expectations and their ungrateful demeanor:

"[52:08] Ronnie Karam: ...maybe next time look into what a boat is and look into what a pool is and see why."
"[53:16] Ronnie Karam: ...and they're just, like, all sitting on the sofa, just, like, bored, unhappy."

Guests on this charter display a consistent pattern of dissatisfaction, from disgruntling over the hot tub being a pool substitute to berating the crew for minor service lapses. Their inability to appreciate the unique environment of a sailing yacht exacerbates tensions aboard.

Mixology Class Fiasco

A central focus of the episode is the disastrous mixology class requested by the guests:

"[60:13] Ronnie Karam: ...they want to do mixology class and seven course meal pairing, which doesn't sound very fine dining."
"[61:07] Ronnie Karam: ...they're just like, like, you don't like an Aperol spritz, but you can't blame the bartender."

Daisy attempts to elevate the dining experience with a seven-course meal paired with various cocktails. However, the execution falls flat due to poor drink pairings and oversized food portions. The guests' lack of enthusiasm and continuous criticism highlight the crew's struggles to meet unrealistic demands.

Notable exchanges include:

"[60:48] Ben Medelker: ...do you not put brown sugar in a mojito?"
"[64:22] Ronnie Karam: ...it needs to be sweeter, dummies. You're the bartenders here. That's the point."

The hosts express their frustration with the guests' inability to appreciate the efforts put into the mixology class, deeming it a complete failure.

Final Thoughts and Tipping Concerns

As the charter concludes, concerns about tipping arise due to the mounting dissatisfaction aboard:

"[83:58] Ronnie Karam: I think they'll tip. I don't think it'll be a good tip right now."
"[84:26] Ben Medelker: ...they were real pissed. ...they were just shitty people."

The hosts speculate that the poor guest behavior and the crew's exhaustion might lead to minimal or negative tipping, reflecting the broader theme of unappreciated hard work in reality TV settings.

Conclusion

Ben and Ronnie wrap up the episode with reflections on the challenges of managing difficult guests and the importance of crew resilience:

"[86:44] Ronnie Karam: ...it's just a lot. It's the most beautiful drink and... that's a lot."
"[87:25] Ben Medelker: ...I can say that with heartfelt."

Throughout the episode, the hosts maintain a humorous yet critical stance, shedding light on the often overlooked struggles of reality TV crews dealing with ungrateful and demanding guests. Their candid discussions provide listeners with an entertaining yet insightful perspective on "Below Deck Sailing Yacht."

Notable Quotes

1. Ben Mandelker [07:43]:
   "Complaining about the taste of an Aperol spritz, as if they could do anything about that. It's literally Aperol."

2. Ronnie Karam [08:53]:
   "I want them to be accountable ... put a microphone in their face, be like, how do you answer for this?"

3. Ben Mandelker [13:29]:
   "Daisy, you're basically a Waffle House. Congratulations. You've achieved so much in this relationship."

4. Ronnie Karam [41:57]:
   "She knows he's not being sincere."

5. Ben Mandelker [60:13]:
   "Mixology class and seven course meal pairing, which doesn't sound very fine dining."

6. Ben Mandelker [07:08]:
   "Memories." (Reflecting on their break and returning to the show)

7. Ronnie Karam [65:04]:
   "I need to go lie down. I'm pretty buzzed for my sobriety."

Final Remarks

"Watch What Crappens" continues its tradition of blending humor with sharp critiques, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at reality TV's less glamorous aspects. Hosts Ben and Ronnie masterfully navigate through the chaos of "Below Deck Sailing Yacht," making this episode both entertaining and enlightening for fans and newcomers alike.

Support and Connect:
Join Ben and Ronnie for bonus episodes, video recaps, and exclusive access to their Discord server by supporting them on Patreon at www.patreon.com/watchwhatcrappens.

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