Watch What Crappens Podcast Recap (#3299) Episode: RHORI S1E02: Don’t Rulla Her Out | April 6, 2026 Hosts: Ben Mandelker & Ronnie Karam
Overview
In this episode, Ben and Ronnie dive headfirst into the second episode of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Rhode Island (RHORI), titled “Ocean State of Affairs.” They revel in the show’s unique blend of classic Housewives tropes, local quirks, and the drama brewing among a fresh cast of women. From new baby daddies to rumors of affairs, alleged mistresses, and the enduring importance of crackers, this recap is filled with witty banter, incisive snark, and plenty of iconic RHORI moments.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Show’s Rhode Island Identity
- Bravo’s Smallest State Energy: The hosts note Bravo’s persistent references to Rhode Island as “the whole state,” making even small rumors feel massive.
- Ronnie (07:57): “Are they contractually obligated to say, ‘rumor around the state of Rhode Island’ every time? … It’s a tiny state, but they act like everything is big news.”
2. Liz’s Family Dinner: Meeting the Baby Daddy
- Classic Housewives Parallels: Brianna, Jerry’s daughter, is pregnant by a relatively new boyfriend, Zach, and the family gathers to assess the situation.
- Ben (03:12): “They’re taking inspiration from the classics – got a daughter, maybe a bad relationship ... Great, get them on here!”
- Liz’s Stepmom Role: Liz shares how unexpectedly taking on a full-time mom role changed her life.
- Liz: “I always wanted kids of my own. Never thought it would happen this way, but Jerry’s girls fulfilled that need for me.” (04:45)
3. Joellen, Ashley & the Trials of Young Motherhood
- Chaos at the Park: Both hosts highlight the chaos of filming with preschool kids. Ronnie cracks up at the “snot-nosed brats running everywhere,” noting the challenge for these “youngish” Housewives.
- Ashley’s Husband Jared – Professional Sad Sack:
- Ben and Ronnie roast Jared’s perpetual gloominess and fantasy escapes to his coffee shop.
- Ronnie (11:19): “You’re raising the kids … your hot husband runs a coffee bar and comes home depressed. Well, everyone hates their life! Doesn’t give you the right to be a lump of coal.”
- Nanny Confessions: Ashley admits to having a nanny for 33 hours a week but still struggles.
- Ben: “She’s got a nanny but can’t handle it. Joel’s like, ‘Ashley, you need peace of mind too. So do I – I’m leaving now!’” (12:20)
4. The Rula Effect: Entrance of a New “Clam”
- Meeting Rula: She’s billed with anticipation.
- Ben (19:27): “They made it sound like, oh my God, guys, Rula’s coming … She gets here: ‘Hi. Did someone try to deliver a Caesar salad to me?’”
- Furniture Store Jokes: Ben imagines Rula as a commercial futon saleswoman.
- (18:47): “If you think you can’t afford one of Rula’s sofas, guess what? We have layaway plans just for you.”
- The Affair Rumors: Gossip swells about Rula’s husband, Brian, and a possible mistress, with photos circulating.
- Kelsey: “Are you open to talking about it?”
Rula: “Joellen had posted photos of Brian with a girl on his lap. At first, I thought she was being supportive, but she sent them to the whole group.” (21:36)
- Kelsey: “Are you open to talking about it?”
5. The Cracker Chronicles & Rhode Island Realness
- Alicia and the Importance of Crackers: The hosts are delighted by the regional snack fixation.
- Ben (30:00): “For the first time on reality TV, crackers have been given so much love. Normally it’s coffee, but here, it’s ‘I gotta have a cracker!’”
- Driving Drama: Alicia nonchalantly admits to having “run over a woman” on the highway, causing both hosts to lose it.
- Alicia (31:19): “I ran over a woman. But you know what? I’m okay.”
- Ben: “It’s not– we’re not worried about you!”
6. More Rumor Mongering: Kelsey’s Relationship & Polyamory
- Fourth of July Fallout: The hosts break down who said what at Joellen’s party regarding Kelsey’s relationship status. Rumors swirl about her being in a “polygamous” setup (Kelsey uses the term repeatedly, to Ronnie’s delight).
- Statewide Gossip:
- Kelsey: “Rumors in Rhode Island are like wildfire– whether they’re true or not, they spread.”
- Ronnie (34:17): “The state of a thousand rumors.”
7. Lincolns & Cranstons: Status Wars
- Neighborhood Shade: Rula proclaims her town of Lincoln is vastly superior to Joellen’s Cranston.
- Rula (38:01): “I would never live in Cranston. It’s not my vibe.”
- Ben reacts: “I’d always heard Cranston is Rhode Island’s Paterson!”
8. Rula vs. Joellen: Showdown over the Cheating Pics
- Joellen’s Account: Joellen details sending photos to Rula of Brian with another woman, which triggered Rula to retaliate by calling Joellen’s job, trying to get her fired.
- Joellen (48:30): “Four, six months later, Rula and her husband complain to HR, all because he knows that I know he’s having an affair ... Your husband is a cheater. That’s crazy.”
- Joellen’s Threat:
- Joellen: “You want to f--- with me? I’ll ruin your life.” (49:27)
- Ronnie: “She’s giving Jen Aydin energy! Lifts her eyebrows, like, go ahead, try me.”
9. The Infamous Vineyard Outing
- Wine and Games: The group meets at Newport Vineyards for a “Bravo-mandated” airing of secrets game. Questions include: Who lost their virginity when? Did you sleep with the coach? Are you a swinger? Is Kelsey dating two men?
- Salacious Revelations:
- Ashley admits she was nearly 30 when she lost her virginity.
- Kelsey confirms she’s dating two men, dismissing “polygamy” for “polyamory,” much to Rosie’s amusement.
- Rosie: “She has two boyfriends at one time. If this isn’t polyamory, I don’t know what is.” (57:00)
- Liz’s “Affair”: Liz clarifies her “unconventional friendship” with a family friend during Jerry’s frequent absences—mysterious, heartfelt, but not physical.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Crackers and State Identity:
- Alicia (30:00): “I got nuts for protein, in case I feel lightheaded; I love a cracker. Figs, you know … Figs are good to feed someone who’s just been run over by a car.”
- On Rumors:
- Ben (07:57): “Every time they mention rumors, they say, ‘it’s going around the state’… Pretty sure it’s not the whole state, but okay.”
- On Husband Drama:
- Ronnie (11:11): “Everybody hates their life. Doesn’t give you the right to just be a lump of coal. Wake the fuck up! I cleaned a shitty diaper 20 times today!”
- Rula’s Futon Sales Persona:
- Ben (18:47): “Come down to Rula’s for a futon. Where the customer always rules!”
- Driving Mishaps:
- Alicia (31:19): “I ran over a woman. But you know what? I’m okay.”
- Ben: “It’s not– we’re not worried about you!”
- Joellen’s Final Threat:
- Joellen (49:27): “You want to f*** with me? ... I’ll ruin your life.”
- On Polyamory & Definitions:
- Rosie (57:00): “She has two boyfriends at one time. If this isn’t polyamory, I don’t know what is.”
Important Timestamps
- [03:12] — Brianna’s whirlwind pregnancy & family dinner intro
- [07:57] — Statewide rumors/gossip’s role in RHORI
- [10:14] — Jared’s coffee shop malaise, Ashley’s family struggles
- [18:47] — Rula’s grand (futon-laden) entrance
- [21:36] — Confrontation over Brian’s affair photos
- [30:00] — The “cracker” obsession
- [31:19] — Alicia’s matter-of-fact “I ran over a woman” story
- [34:17] — Rumors “spreading like wildfire” in RI
- [38:01] — Rula’s Lincoln vs. Cranston class war
- [48:30] — Rula’s retaliation: calling Joellen’s job
- [49:27] — Joellen’s “I’ll ruin your life” line
- [52:46] — Let’s air our dirty laundry: Vineyard “questions” game
- [56:00] — Kelsey “not” dating two men ... but actually dating two men
- [57:00] — Rosie’s polyamory definition via ChatGPT
Recap Tone & Atmosphere
The episode sparkles with Ben and Ronnie’s trademark mix of loving snark, improv bits (“come down to Rula’s for futons!”), and sharp-eyed Housewives dissection. Their banter is fast, referential, and always steeped in genuine affection for Bravo’s particular brand of absurdity—even as they lampoon everything from statewide rumors to the importance of choosing the right cracker.
Takeaways
- RHORI is off to an explosive, distinctly regional start—think less Hamptons, more cracker aisle at Stop & Shop.
- Rula emerges as the season’s villain, refusing to own up to husband Brian’s very public cheating, lashing out at other women, and retaliating (allegedly) by trying to get Joellen fired.
- Gossip isn’t just a pastime in RHORI—it’s a competitive sport, and in the “Ocean State,” every rumor travels at supersonic speed.
- Crackers and cheese (with or without the latter) may very well become the new “turtle time” for this cast.
- The hosts can’t wait to see which scandals spread next—because in Rhode Island, it really does feel like the whole state is watching.
Best For: Fans of Bravo and the Real Housewives multiverse, especially those ready for a smaller-state, working-class take on classic Housewives drama—with plenty of irreverent, side-splitting commentary from Ben and Ronnie.