Podcast Summary: Watch What Crappens #2686 Southern Hospitality S03E02 Part Two: Post Traumatic Dress Misorder

Introduction

In Episode #2686 of Watch What Crappens, hosts Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam delve into the intricacies of Bravo's reality series Southern Hospitality, specifically focusing on Season 3, Episode 2, titled "Post Traumatic Dress Misorder." This two-part recap offers listeners a blend of humor, sharp wit, and insightful commentary as Ben and Ronnie navigate through the dramatic twists and turns of Charleston’s elite social scene.

Episode Recap and Key Plot Points

The episode revolves around the tumultuous relationships and business dealings at Republic Events, a high-end event planning company in Charleston. Central to this episode is the tension between Michaels, a 22-year-old gay man of color, and TJ, his older boyfriend, amidst allegations of misconduct involving store credit misuse.

1. Michaels' Personal Struggles:

   • Coming Out Story: Michaels shares his experience of coming out during his first semester of college, highlighting the contrasting reactions from his parents. His father was accepting, but his mother was dismissive, often using derogatory terms like "gay" to belittle him.

     "I came out during the first semester of college, and my dad was accepting, but my mom was like, oh, hell no. She would use the term gay against me, speaking down to me." ([00:37])

   • Emotional Maturity and Friendship: Michaels discusses the emotional disconnect with his mother, leading him to value his friends as his family. This bond is tested when he feels dismissed by TJ, mirroring the feelings his mother once caused him.

     "Losing the connection with my mom made me realize that my friends are my family." ([02:11])

2. TJ's Challenges:

   • Generational and Cultural Differences: TJ, a 33-year-old, grapples with dating a younger man like Michaels. He feels that Michaels is perceived as exotic in Charleston, leading to superficial relationships where he's often objectified rather than seen as a potential long-term partner.

     "It's really hard to be a person of color and gay here in Charleston because most people here are white, and they only look at me as exotic." ([03:45])

   • Communication Breakdowns: The hosts highlight TJ’s inability to express his feelings effectively, leading to misunderstandings and emotional strain in his relationship with Michaels.

     "TJ's telling us that he doesn't know how to express his feelings... he's just so emotionally together and can say exactly what he's feeling." ([07:30])

3. The Dress Misorder Controversy:

   • Allegations Against Emmy: A significant plot point involves Emmy, a staff member accused of misusing store credit to purchase dresses from Gwynn's. Molly and Siobhan, fellow employees, suspect Emmy of profiting illicitly by exchanging store credit for cash, thereby undermining the company’s financial integrity.

     "Emmy used $10 of store credit and now wants... took our $10 and pocketed it. It's called compensation." ([21:22])

   • Emmy's Reaction and Breakdown: Faced with accusations, Emmy becomes emotionally unstable, leading to a public outburst that disrupts the workplace harmony. Her distress highlights underlying issues of trust and communication within Republic Events.

     "Completely messed up and feeling crushed by these unfounded allegations." ([30:05])

4. Workplace Dynamics and Relationships:

   • Will's Discontent: Will, a lawyer unhappy with his role at Republic Events, expresses disdain for his job and the expectations placed upon him by his father. His casual demeanor contrasts sharply with the high-stress environment, further fueling tensions.

     "I feel like Will hates being a lawyer. He just wants to be back at Republic living the good life." ([23:09])

   • Molly and Siobhan's Friendship: The episode also explores the camaraderie between Molly and Siobhan as they navigate workplace gossip and support each other amidst the chaos.

     "Molly's like, I think Emmy deserves better. You know what? Emmy deserves an Emmy because she performs." ([25:48])

Hosts' Insights and Analysis

Ben and Ronnie provide a candid and humorous take on the events, often interjecting personal anecdotes and relatable humor to underscore the absurdity of certain situations.

1. On Michaels' Emotional Depth:

   • Ronnie expresses empathy towards Michaels, commending his emotional maturity at a young age.

     "I think it's so amazing for somebody that young to have such emotional maturity." ([02:51])

   • Ben adds a humorous twist, questioning societal expectations of masculinity and emotional expression.

     "I'm worried that I look a little too straight. Have you seen the way straight guys look?" ([01:04])

2. On the Age Gap Between Michaels and TJ:

   • Both hosts critique the significant age difference, emphasizing the potential challenges in bridging such a gap.

     "With 21 and 33, it's a huge difference. It's actually too big of a gap, if you ask me." ([05:38])

   • Ben further elaborates on the maturity levels, suggesting that a 22-year-old might not be fully prepared for a relationship with someone significantly older.

     "I think that there's specifically someone at that age. You're still not fully baked." ([05:59])

3. On Emmy's Alleged Misconduct:

   • The hosts dissect the accusations against Emmy, offering logical explanations to defend her character while acknowledging the suspicions.

     "If Emmy used her store credit and then charged them, that's just a simple compensation." ([16:21])

   • Ronnie aligns with the audience’s skepticism but ultimately sides with Emmy, questioning the validity of the allegations.

     "I actually agree with you that even if that happened, I'm team Emmy because she didn't steal their money." ([16:28])

4. Humorous Takes on Workplace Slang and Terminology:

   • The conversation takes a light-hearted detour into the origins of phrases like "ham-handed," blending educational snippets with playful banter.

     "The term ham fisted originated sometime in the 1800s when having large, clumsy hands was compared to the look of large hands." ([18:05])

   • Ben and Ronnie riff on puns related to workplace terminology, showcasing their trademark humor.

     "Could you be loved? That was for you, Bob. We jam it. La la la la la la la." ([13:26])

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ben on Emotional Expression:

  "I think the bigger insult is that you look so straight, because have you seen the way straight guys look?" ([01:04])

• Ronnie on Michaels' Maturity:

  "That he put that together. I was like, oh, my God." ([02:51])

• Ben on Age Gaps in Relationships:

  "I just think that there's specifically someone at that age. You're still not fully baked." ([05:59])

• Ronnie Defending Emmy:

  "I'm team Emmy because she didn't steal their money." ([16:28])

• Humorous Banter on Workplace Terms:

  "Do you think a lawyer's wife would do that?" ([32:34])

Conclusions and Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, Ben and Ronnie adeptly balance humor with serious analysis, providing listeners with both entertainment and insightful critique of the show's events. Their discussions shed light on the complexities of workplace dynamics, the challenges of personal relationships, and the often-overlooked emotional labor behind reality TV glamour.

The hosts commend the authenticity of the characters while not shying away from pointing out inconsistencies and questionable behaviors. Their support for Emmy amidst the allegations underscores a commitment to fairness and skepticism towards unverified claims. Additionally, their exploration of age and cultural differences in relationships adds depth to the conversation, highlighting the nuanced challenges faced by individuals like Michaels and TJ.

Final Quote from Ronnie:

"But all of that said, love these girls. Great work. A little ham handed. It's a little ham handed, but great." ([17:56])

Closing Remarks

Watch What Crappens continues to deliver engaging and insightful content for Bravo enthusiasts and reality TV aficionados. By dissecting episodes with a keen eye and a sharp tongue, Ben and Ronnie offer listeners a compelling reason to tune in regularly. As they sign off, they tease upcoming content and encourage fans to support their platform through Patreon and other channels, ensuring the continuation of their candid and entertaining recaps.

Listen to Watch What Crappens

For those who missed the episode or want to catch up, Watch What Crappens is available on the Wondery App and major podcast platforms. Bonus content, video recaps, and exclusive access to the hosts' Discord server can be accessed by supporting them at www.patreon.com/watchwhatcrappens.