Podcast Summary: Watch What Crappens Episode #2813 - "The Valley S2E02 Part One: UnJaxinated"
Release Date: April 23, 2025
Introduction
In episode #2813 of Watch What Crappens, hosts Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam delve deep into the tumultuous second season of Bravo's The Valley. Titled "UnJaxinated," this episode offers a critical examination of the show's escalating toxicity, particularly focusing on the behavior of cast member Jax Taylor and the ensuing drama among the ensemble.
Overview of "The Valley" Season 2 Episode 2
Ben and Ronnie open the discussion by highlighting the immediate descent of The Valley into what they describe as "cancellation territory." Unlike typical Bravo shows that gradually develop on-screen animosities, The Valley fast-tracks its cast into intense conflicts from the outset of the season.
"This season just went to cancellation territory immediately. Normally, you get five years and it takes a cast to really start hating each other. Nope, this cast, like, refresh the Valley. Jeez."
— Ronnie Karam [03:27]
Jax Taylor: The Embodiment of Toxicity
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to dissecting Jax Taylor's increasingly erratic and aggressive behavior. Ben and Ronnie express deep concern over Jax's actions, including incidents of throwing furniture and barstools, which they deem as extreme manifestations of rage and potential abuse.
"Throwing bar stools around is horrifying. I mean, flipping a table is bad enough, but throwing something big, heavy... that's the sort of rage that I would not be comfortable around whatsoever."
— Ronnie Karam [06:04]
They debate whether Jax's actions qualify as abuse and question Bravo's decision to retain him on the show despite his volatile behavior.
"So does that. What do we consider abuse at this point? Because to me, like, why is he even on the show? I don't get it."
— Ben Mandelker [06:04]
Impact on Other Cast Members
The hosts explore how Jax's behavior affects other cast members, particularly Britney and Janet. They discuss Britney's struggles within her relationship with Jax and express sympathy for her predicament, while also criticizing her actions.
"Britney's no princess either. Like, Britney's no innocent either... nobody deserves Jax."
— Ben Mandelker [10:38]
Janet's manipulative nature and her enabling of Jax's behavior are also scrutinized, with Ben and Ronnie likening her to political figures they disapprove of.
"That's a horrible human being. And I don't support anybody who supports that, period."
— Ben Mandelker [19:00]
Thematic Analysis: Toxic Masculinity and Relationship Dynamics
Ben and Ronnie delve into broader themes portrayed in The Valley, such as toxic masculinity, power struggles, and the complexities of modern relationships. They critique the show's portrayal of these themes, suggesting that it perpetuates negative stereotypes and unhealthy relationship models.
"This is the worst we've ever seen, Jackson. We've seen Jax be terrible, absolutely terrible. It's like, disgusting behavior from him."
— Ronnie Karam [07:30]
Character Development and Redemption Arcs
The possibility of redemption for Jax is a contentious topic between the hosts. While they acknowledge Bravo's attempts to humanize Jax through confessionals and backstory elements, Ben remains skeptical about the authenticity of his transformation.
"He's trying to already hide behind these diagnoses, and it's not going to work, sir. You do not get the victim cloak, fix yourself and go off my screen because it's gross."
— Ben Mandelker [09:58]
Comparisons to Other Bravo Shows
Throughout the episode, Ben and Ronnie draw parallels between The Valley and other Bravo franchises like Real Housewives and Vanderpump Rules. They highlight similarities in casting dynamics and the escalation of drama, suggesting that The Valley is following a familiar yet problematic pattern.
"This whole show is just like what coke does to you. It's like, here's what addiction does to you... Watch out, kids."
— Ben Mandelker [58:35]
Notable Quotes
-
"It's time for some toxicity, which is a word that was used 37 times today."
— Ronnie Karam [03:11] -
"I've taken my medicine. I've received my karma from requesting refreshes and getting them."
— Ben Mandelker [05:16] -
"He would have ended up in jail or done something terrible without the show keeping him in check."
— Ronnie Karam [08:42] -
"Casserole is not a meal, people. Okay? It's slop."
— Ben Mandelker [28:30] -
"He's using his child as a human shield from people."
— Ronnie Karam [39:50]
Conclusions and Final Thoughts
Ben and Ronnie conclude the episode with a bleak outlook on The Valley's trajectory, emphasizing the unsustainable level of toxicity and the potential consequences if such behavior continues unchecked. They express hope that Bravo reconsiders its approach to managing cast dynamics and the portrayal of harmful behaviors.
"So this is what your life is going to be until you're 17. So the Valley."
— Ben Mandelker [57:21]
They wrap up part one by teasing the continuation of their in-depth analysis in the upcoming part two, promising further exploration of the show's dark themes and character arcs.
Closing Remarks
Watch What Crappens maintains its signature blend of mockery and genuine critique, offering listeners a candid and often humorous take on reality TV's most dramatic moments. Episode #2813 serves as a critical lens on The Valley, urging audiences to reflect on the real-life implications of televised drama.
Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions and analyses presented by Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam.