Watch What Crappens – Episode #3119
Crappy Hour 12/15/25: Our Alison Roman Empire
Released: December 16, 2025
Hosts: Ben Mandelker & Ronnie Karam
Guest: Alison Roman (cookbook author, writer, food personality)
Episode Overview
This festive year-end episode features a lively interview with food writer and cookbook superstar Alison Roman. The hosts chat with Alison about her latest cookbook, Bravo-lebrity encounters, the emotional toll of internet fame, and the fine art of TV-watching snack spreads. The latter half of the episode is a signature "Crappy Hour" blend of Bravo news, hot takes, and audience banter—veering from hilarious to heartfelt, sometimes dark, always sharp.
Key Segments & Discussion Highlights
Alison Roman Joins Crappy Hour (01:23–25:14)
The Crappens–Alison Roman Connection
- Ben and Ronnie welcome Alison Roman, sharing their personal affection for her cookbooks and kitchen evolution stories.
- Ben reveals he brought Alison's new cookbook, Something from Nothing, on his BravoCon trip:
Ben (03:22): “I literally brought this on the flight to Vegas with Bravo-lebrities all around—didn’t care, I was reading your cookbook.”
Alison's Relationship with the Bravo World
- Alison describes the unlikely cross-section between her food-world following and the Bravo universe.
- She recounts a past approach to audition for a Bravo show—likely Real Housewives of New York—but feels it’s not her vibe:
Alison (06:04): "I would so not fit in, and I would get in so much trouble. ... I couldn't. I don't think I could handle it."
Alison (06:32): “I would quickly get worn down on a spiritual level... I'm a bird with wings that are clipped and I have to fly, and I can't fly here.”
On Surviving the Internet & Public Backlash
- Alison talks candidly about withstanding scrutiny, referencing how even innocuous posts (feeding her baby lentil soup, for example) can ignite online criticism.
- The hosts agree about the internet's “no consequence” environment leading to hostility—even on “nice” cooking videos.
Alison (09:47): “The Internet is a playground of no consequences... You can be the worst version of yourself publicly.”
Food Opinions & “Subway Takes” Online
- Alison muses about her inability to be a restaurant critic given the internet's harshness toward opinions from public figures.
- Her “unimpeachable” subway take: “We know too many people,” meaning today's constant info overload via social media—prompting both validation and odd critiques.
Friendship & Social Saturation (13:24–15:43)
- A vibrant discussion unfolds about friendship circles expanding then contracting with age, oversaturation of social connection, and how “knowing too many people” dulls individuality:
Alison (14:30): "The older you get, the more you allow yourself to be surprised... you allow yourself your heart to be open to any more connections.”
Entertaining Tips With Alison Roman (15:59–23:44)
The Perfect TV-Watching Snack Spread
- Alison answers: What should you serve friends for TV night?
- For an 8:30pm, post-dinner start: Keep it simple! “Popcorn, a Tony's Chocolonely bar, lots of fizzy water, maybe some wine.”
- For an earlier, meal-adjacent viewing (like a finale):
“That’s dip territory: dips, vegetables, chips, cheese—and no one needs crudites after dinner!”
- On her pantry staples:
Ben (22:54): “Your salad from Nothing Fancy—in my group, we just call it the salad. ... You’ve made a huge salad contribution to my household.”
Alison’s Product Recommendations
- Alison gives a hard sell for “Better Than Bouillon” (“no replacement for proper chicken stock, but for most soups—it’s perfect”), noting she champions it without sponsorship.
Life After Cookbook Tour & Final Thoughts
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Alison recaps her recent book tour, sharing relief at having returned home for the holidays.
Alison (23:25): “Instead of December being super crazy, I feel like I’m on vacation a little bit.”
Closing Q&A & Memorable Moments
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On dressing up as Ina Garten for Halloween:
Alison (25:14): “[Ina] did not reach out to me, but apparently she wrote back, ‘Haha, I love it!’ I think we’re pretty close now.”
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Ben’s proudest moment: Photobombing Ken Todd at a Vanderpump Rules event.
Memorable Quotes
- Alison Roman (06:32): “I'm a bird with wings that are clipped and I have to fly, and I can't fly here [on Bravo].”
- Alison Roman (09:47): “The Internet is a playground of no consequences...”
- Ronnie (08:43): “I think it’s like one of those movies about basic training, you know, like an army movie? Like…they’ll break you down and then build you up. You’d become a superstar.”
- Ben (13:24): “I feel like I know more about someone who was on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 5 through 7 than I do about anything I learned in college.”
[25:15] – Bravo News Rapid Round & Signature “Crappens” Banter
Notable Headlines:
- Fraser from Below Deck hospitalized with a heart attack, allegedly linked to vape poisoning—but posts “thirst trap” hospital selfies.
- Dark Comedy: The guys note a string of morose Bravo-adjacent news—joking (in their usual irreverent way) about their “curse” regarding making pop culture jokes that accidentally cross tragic real-life events.
- Below Deck Med Scandals:
- Recent charter guest charged with fraud.
- Former guest Billy arrested for double murder (“Not a funny thing, but—Billy from Below Deck Med?!”).
Vanderpump Rules Spin-off & Old Cast Nostalgia
- The guys encourage new cast members to ignore initial backlash: “Just don’t address it. ...You need to give people six months, then you’ll be fine.”
- Ben shares his experience at a recent publicity event—Lisa Vanderpump's site, Ken photobomb, and the excitement of seeing newer cast take off.
Audience Interaction & Potomac Updates (44:48–51:56)
- Melissa Gilbert’s run-in with Salt Lake City’s Brittany: Gilbert, a longtime RH fan, meets Brittany Bateman, finds her “a bit harried”—Ronnie jokes, “Don’t feel upset... I don’t think Britni recognizes who anyone is!”
- Housewives of Potomac: Angel Massey’s post-episode social media rants dissected—the hosts mock Angel’s verbose style while conceding some points about in-show dynamics.
- Bronwyn and Todd’s separation: Quick check-in, with typically snarky remarks about Bronwyn’s “word salad” Instagram text walls.
Notable Quotes—News & Commentary
- Ronnie (34:18): “Bro, isn’t the world gross enough without you being a hateful fucking bigot on top of it? My God.”
- Ben (30:43): “If the vape takes us, it’s how our ancestors would want us to go.”
- Ronnie (39:36): “You just see yourself and your friends on there—meaning, young, poor, hungry for something that isn’t really defined...and they’re closer to the edge than they know, working at one of those restaurants.”
Final Words & Tone
On-brand for Watch What Crappens, this episode is:
- Sassy, rapid-fire, and irreverent, yet affectionate toward its subjects.
- A blend of Bravo gossip, cultural critique, and audience in-jokes.
- Even at its most forthright (on internet hate or Bravo’s darkness), it remains playful.
Endnote:
“Thanks for another great year, you guys. We love you and we’ll talk to you next time!” —Ronnie (52:25)
TIMESTAMPS FOR CRUCIAL SEGMENTS
- 01:23 – Alison Roman joins the show
- 04:47 – Alison’s Bravo-lebrity run-ins
- 06:32 – Alison on why she’d never join Bravo
- 09:47 – Internet criticism and public life
- 13:24–15:43 – Friendship, “knowing too many people”
- 16:20 – Snack advice for TV nights
- 21:13 – Better Than Bouillon passion
- 22:54 – “The salad” fandom
- 25:14 – Closing, cookbook philosophy, and Ina Garten anecdote
- 27:03 – Bravo news round-up begins (Below Deck, Potomac, etc.)
- 39:36 – New Vanderpump cast/Crazy LA stories
For Anyone New to Watch What Crappens:
This show parodies the world of Bravo, offering both praise and unapologetic mockery—“We mock because we love.” This episode is a prime example, balancing genuine fan excitement (the Alison Roman interview) with no-holds-barred recaps and satirical takes on the latest Bravo-flavored drama. If you love high-energy recap shows with sharp wit and inside jokes, this is the podcast for you.