Watch What Crappens - Episode #2729: 2025 Golden Crappies Act One
Release Date: February 15, 2025
Hosts: Ben Mandelker & Ronnie Karam
Platform: Wondery
Introduction
In episode #2729 titled "2025 Golden Crappies Act One," hosts Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam take listeners behind the scenes of their live-recorded Golden Crappies Awards held at Town Hall in New York City on February 1, 2025. This special episode celebrates the best and worst in Bravo TV, featuring award presentations, guest appearances from Bravo personalities, and live performances that encapsulate the show's trademark blend of humor and sharp critique.
Event Kickoff and Opening Remarks
The episode begins with Ben reflecting on the chaos of the holiday season and the comfort of giving his home a "little TLC" post-December frenzy (01:01). Ronnie chimes in, highlighting the joy of acquiring new furniture from Wayfair, emphasizing convenience and style (01:11). This segues into their acknowledgment of Wayfair as a sponsor, promoting home refresh solutions (01:50).
Golden Crappies Awards Overview
At 03:04, Ronnie introduces the Golden Crappy Awards, announcing the live recording in New York City and expressing gratitude to attendees and performers. The hosts set the tone for the evening, blending mockery with affection for Bravo's most notorious shows like "Real Housewives" and "Below Deck."
Guest Appearances and Performances
Jessel Tang's Toast
Ben and Ronnie welcome Jessel Tang, a favorite from Bravo, for an opening toast. Their playful banter with Jessel includes teasing about her physical transformations and her interactions with their therapy sessions (08:59).
Rebecca Minkoff's Appearance
Rebecca Minkoff joins the hosts, bringing laughter with her anecdotes about her first season on Bravo and her interactions backstage. Her presence adds a layer of authenticity and insider perspective to the awards ceremony (14:28).
Musical Performance by Daniel Reichard
One of the highlights is a performance by Daniel Reichard, a Broadway star from the original cast of "Jersey Boys." His energetic rendition of a Housewives-themed medley captivates the audience, blending Broadway flair with reality TV satire (64:16).
Award Categories and Highlights
Best Supporting Character
The first award category honors standout supporting characters from Bravo shows. Nominees include Brittany Bateman ("Real Housewives of Salt Lake City"), Jennifer Tilly ("Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"), Norma ("Below Deck Med"), among others. The winner, Jennifer Tilly, is humorously awarded by Rebecca Minkoff on her behalf (19:53).
Most Cringe
This category celebrates the most cringe-worthy moments on Bravo. Nominees feature Alexis Bellino ("Fun Lexi"), Seth Daniels ("Real Housewives of Salt Lake City"), and Tamra Jenkins' spectrum announcement, among others. Patricia Altstuhl from "Southern Circles" wins for her graceful yet cringey moments (27:53).
Best Newbie
Acknowledging newcomers to Bravo, the hosts nominate Brittany Bateman and others. Despite technical issues with their presentation, the award is humorously accepted on behalf of Brittany by Danny Murphy from "Virtual Reality" (41:14).
Most Chaotic Shocker
This award highlights the most unexpected and chaotic moments in Bravo TV. Nominees include Bri doing laundry on "Below Deck Med," Casa Amore's recoupling on "Love Island USA," and Jax and Kristen's drama on "The Valley." Dolores Patel from "Southern Charm" triumphs for her gondola ride fiasco (77:40).
Worst
In a tongue-in-cheek nod to societal issues, the hosts present the "Worst" category, with nominations for the Economy, Politics, and Larsa Pippen. Larsa Pippen is humorously declared the winner as the "worst" figure of the year (63:55).
Behind-the-Scenes Banter
Throughout the episode, Ben and Ronnie engage in witty exchanges, reflecting on past seasons, critiquing Bravo personalities, and sharing personal anecdotes. Their chemistry and comedic timing provide a lively and engaging listening experience, making the awards feel both entertaining and insightful.
Closing Performance and Reflections
The episode concludes with Daniel Reichard's Broadway performance, followed by final remarks from the hosts. Ben rants nostalgically about the shift in TV programming from acclaimed dramas to Bravo's reality TV, encapsulating the show's mission to "defy good TV" with content that is "more trashy to air on Disney, too low brow for HBO" (51:08).
Notable Quotes
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Ben Mandelker (00:00): "Some of our favorite Housewives episodes are when the cast goes on group vacations. I mean, hello, we just watched SLC go nuts in Mexico."
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Ronnie Karam (01:11): "No better way to do that than a nice new piece of beautiful furniture."
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Jessel Tang (10:10): "I feel like Jesse, he had his little glow up."
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Daniel Reichard (65:53): "Jersey from before the tunes sung by those women from the Garden State."
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Ben Mandelker (51:08): "It's time to try defying good TV and I'll start with SLC."
Conclusion
"2025 Golden Crappies Act One" delivers a vibrant mix of humor, critique, and celebration of Bravo's reality TV landscape. Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam skillfully navigate award categories, guest interactions, and live performances, offering listeners both laughter and a satirical lens on their favorite Bravo shows. The episode sets the stage for the continuation of the Golden Crappies Awards, promising more engaging content in subsequent acts.
Timestamps
Note: The section headings and timestamps serve as navigational aids for readers seeking specific parts of the episode. All advertisements, intros, and non-content sections have been omitted to focus solely on the core discussions and highlights of the show.