Watch What Crappens – Episode #2991

RHOC S19E09 Part 2: Katie-Sixed

Hosted by Ben Mandelker & Ronnie Karam
Release Date: September 5, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben and Ronnie continue their deep-dive recap of RHOC Season 19, Episode 9, with razor-sharp wit and a mix of affectionate ridicule. The main focus is the aftermath of the polygraph controversy, Katie's fate on the show, parenting drama (Emily vs. Luke), and a “Good News Friday” that devolves into classic Real Housewives shade and schadenfreude. The hosts dissect the episode's escalating tensions, parental anxieties, and the ongoing feud dynamics, all while spotlighting the utterly tacky and uniquely charming universe of Orange County.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fleur de Lis & RHOC Tacky Chic (02:32–05:12)

• Setting: The ladies visit "Fleur de Lis," mocked as "the tackiest place in OC"—no actual fleur-de-lis in sight.
• Hosts Lampoon Décor:
  • "This place is so tacky. And they walk in, and Emily picks up what looks like something like a booger splatted against a wall. She goes, 'Oh, this is nice.' Like, oh, God, there's no tackier show on Bravo." – Ronnie (03:15)
• Contrast with RHOM: Ben notes the severe style whiplash from watching Miami’s glam episodes before RHOC’s.
• Casting & Polygraph Fallout: Flashbacks to Jen calling Emily about Katie’s claim that the polygraphers were paid actors.
  • "If you don't want to be in the middle of it, then don't be in the middle of it." – Ben (06:18)
  • The hosts drag Jen for spreading drama while claiming she wants no part in it.

2. Emily’s Parenting Ordeal & Parental Judgment (08:52–14:58)

• Emily’s Son Luke Drama: Emily juggles a phone meltdown over Luke refusing to go to school or walk the dog.
  • "I'm like, what am I supposed to stop? Just stay home all day, not go to Fleur de Lis?" – Ronnie (09:28)
• Parenting Advice Unfiltered:
  • Ben and Ronnie alternate between empathy and tough love, noting possible babying and questioning the wisdom of putting family strain on TV.
  • "What I did not love about this moment was when she said, like, we're gonna end up divorced because we don't know how to parent Luke...this is not good to have on the permanent record." – Ben (13:28)
• On-Air Therapy: The pod debates authenticity vs. oversharing, resonating with both parents and non-parents.

3. Katie, Matt, Slade, and the OC Phone Tree (16:26–20:39)

• Clustered Phone Calls & Receipts: Matt shows call logs as proof of the men strategizing, especially with Slade.
  • "I don't know what the damning thing is, except that the guys have been talking about it." – Ronnie (17:49)
• Slade’s Delusions of Grandeur: Hosts recall Slade’s bravado about “starting Housewives” (with vintage flashbacks).
  • "Slade did. Sure." – Ben (20:39)

4. Beach Day, Gifts & “Good News Friday” (25:34–36:39)

• Joe’s Return: Tamra brings Joe to beach day, attempting to weaponize her against Gretchen to minimal drama.
• Sporty Spice & Croissants: The group plays volleyball; Jen gifts mini supermarket croissants.
  • "What's the point of this?" – Ronnie, mocking Gretchen’s reaction (27:49)
• Heather’s Yale Humblebrag:
  • Heather regales the group with a twist—the reveal that her daughter Kat is headed to Yale, after teeing up USC for Shannon:
    • "She really wanted to get into USC, and she was—Oh, she got into Yale." – Ben as Heather (28:53)
  • Shannon’s “indifference” quickly turns to a comparison contest; cracks about inferior schools fly.
  • The “Good News Friday” check-in rapidly devolves into a competition of achievements (children’s awards, in-laws’ health, pregnancy announcements).

5. Gretchen vs. Tamra: Attempted Truce & Receipts (38:35–53:29)

• Showdown Segments: Gretchen and Tamra sit down for a reckoning over old accusations (deadbeat dad, hospital visits, and podcast drama).
  • "Oh, you misspoke when you said, that's funny. I did have to go to the hospital because I just felt so sick." – Ronnie, mocking the evasion (38:55)
  • "Lesson to Katie: next time, just say you misspoke. It’s the oldest trick in the book." – Ben (39:14)
• Deadbeat Dad Discourse: The hosts cite actual court receipts and articles, lambasting Slade and Gretchen’s years-long attempts at image management.
  • "What we do know is that the heart of all this, every single one of thing, everything is Slade. It's always...Slade." – Ben (47:08)
• Tamra Admits (half-jokingly) Blocking Slade's Employment:
  • "So I stopped him from getting jobs." – Ben as Tamra (52:37)
  • Knees-to-knees truce: The two “forgive” each other for the cameras, with full expectation it’ll implode by next week.

6. Skipping to the Next Drama: Shannon’s Turn to Grudge (53:37–54:58)

• Group Reaction: Shannon realizes she’ll now be the last to forgive Tamra, and turns it about herself:
  • "If Jen and Gretchen want to resolve multiple years of issues with Tamra in a 10 minute conversation and then skip along the beach like five-year-old sluts, then that's fine. I've been there, and I've done the skipping off too." – Ronnie as Shannon (54:13)
• Ben and Ronnie laugh about how these beachside truces and alliances are all ephemeral, and the real war is always against Shannon.

7. Sophie’s Heartbreak & Breakup Stories (55:21–58:55)

• Shannon’s Daughter Sophie Arrives Post-Breakup:
  • Emily opens with, "So before you go, I hear Shannon told us you got dumped by a hottie. Sorry."
• Group Trauma Bonding: Each woman shares a breakup horror story, some hilarious, some pitiful—Ronnie and Ben are aghast at the poor taste and oversharing.
• Life Lessons: It's all folded into the Housewives spectacle—the hosts note Sophie would do better to skip the advice and just take the croissants.

8. The Katie Exit & Season Predictions (59:15–59:44)

• Katie’s On-Screen Fate: Ben confirms she’s shown in the midseason trailer and is all but gone from regular episodes, though slated for the reunion.
  • "Looks like that's a wrap on Katie but the rest of the season still looks insane. So let's see. Of course the Gretchen and Tamra truce lasts about five minutes as we all suspected." – Ronnie (59:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the OC’s Style:
  • “There’s no tackier show on Bravo. Literally everything they go is so tacky on this show.” – Ronnie (03:31)
• On Emily’s Parenting:
  • "What I did not love about this moment was when she said...we're gonna end up divorced because we don't know how to parent Luke...this is not good to have on the permanent record." – Ben (13:28)
• On Katie’s Constant Drama:
  • “It is Boy Who Cried Wolf… now when there's something big like this that happens, she just doesn't have credibility.” – Ben (23:53)
• Heather’s Yale Humblebrag:
  • “She really wanted to get into USC, and she was—oh, she got into Yale.” – Ben as Heather (28:53)
• On Truces:
  • "Knees-to-knees truce: we forgive each other now, Gretchen. Can’t wait to wave your hand comb and brush in. Tell you how much I love you." – Ben as Tamra (52:52)
• On Housewives Amnesia:
  • “‘If Jen and Gretchen want to resolve multiple years of issues with Tamra in a 10 minute conversation and then skip along the beach like five-year-old sluts, then that's fine. I've been there, and I've done the skipping off too.’” – Ronnie as Shannon (54:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Tacky OC – Fleur de Lis & Decor Mockery: 02:32–05:12
• The Polygraph Drama & Jen’s Role: 05:37–07:53
• Emily Parenting Crisis & Discussion: 08:52–14:58
• Katie’s Cluster of Calls – Matt, Slade, Phone Logs: 16:26–20:39
• Beach Day, Croissant Gifts, “Good News Friday”: 25:34–36:39
• Heather Yale Bombshell: 28:23–31:47
• Gretchen & Tamra Truce (For Now): 38:35–53:29
• Sophie’s Breakup & Family Trauma Bonding: 55:21–58:55
• Katie’s Exit & Season Predictions: 59:15–59:44

Tone & Takeaways

Ben and Ronnie's recap is a hilarious, sharp, and affectionate sendup of all things Bravo, with a special focus on RHOC’s unique gift for dramatics over the mundane. They seamlessly blend social commentary, OC-specific shade, and genuine empathy (especially about parenting), making the recap invaluable for listeners who missed the episode and essential for regular fans.

For more recaps and exclusive content, support the show at www.patreon.com/watchwhatcrappens, and catch upcoming episodes on Wondery.