Watch What Crappens – Dwell Hello #414: Glamorous Pest Technician Moves to Brisbane

Hosts: Ben Mandelker & Ronnie Karam
Date: July 11, 2024

Episode Overview

In this special "Dwell Hello" edition of their podcast, Ben and Ronnie gleefully recap a standout episode of House Hunters International entitled "Glamorous Pest Technician Moves to Brisbane." The hosts lampoon, praise, and bemoan the journey of Eddie—a flamboyant, fashion-forward pest technician from Wellington, New Zealand—as he searches for a new home (and maybe a new boyfriend) in Brisbane, Australia. True to Watch What Crappens form, the episode is equal parts incisive, campy, and outrageous, focusing particularly on the eyebrow trends, cultural quirks, and Eddie’s hilarious dynamic with his realtor, Maxine.

Key Discussion Points & Recap

1. Introducing the Episode and Characters

[01:38 – 02:50]

• Ben and Ronnie set the scene: Eddie, their subject, is a pest technician known for his dramatic eyebrows, colorful outfits, and bold personality.
• The hosts immediately launch into eyebrow trend commentary, with Ronnie declaring, “You pay somebody to take a sharpie and draw grimace eyebrows on your face. Stop doing this, it’s the weirdest trend.” (Ronnie, 02:50)
• They describe Eddie as “fabulous Marcel Marceau” due to his flamboyant mime-like style, accented by suspenders, a fedora, and hot pink shirt.

2. Eddie and Maxine: Clashing Personalities

[04:10 – 06:20]

• Ben and Ronnie point out the growing tension and banter between Eddie and Maxine, his Brisbane real estate agent, with quips like:
  • “She is slowly growing more agitated with him over the course of the episode. But at this point she still likes him.” (Ben, 06:04)

3. The Perils of Pest Control in Australia

[07:07 – 08:57]

• Discussion of what it means to be a “glamorous pest technician” in Australia, where the pests are literally larger than life.
  • "If we're talking about risky jobs, I'm thinking firefighter or deep-sea fisherman... but Australia does have spiders the size of cars, so it is actually a pretty risky job.” (Ben, 07:30)

4. Eddie’s Exaggerated Wishlist

[09:34 – 10:04]

• The hosts belly laugh at Eddie’s insanely high standards for his apartment—including a pool, gym, view, covered parking, and more—on a pest control salary.
  • “Trendy, higher, I want with a swimming pool, a gym, a view... Oh my gosh, it seems so greedy, doesn’t it?” (Eddie, quoted by Ben, 09:34)
  • Ronnie’s snark: “Delusional. That sounds delusional.” (09:45)

5. Property Tours and Eddie’s Pickiness

[19:37 – 22:27]

• First apartment: modern, one-bedroom, no facilities. Eddie alternates between awe (“Wow! It’s so modern!”) and utter disdain (“This room’s too small. I can’t believe it. What am I supposed to do in here?”).
• Ben and Ronnie highlight repeated contradictions: Eddie calls one plain apartment “fabulous," only to later dismiss a nearly identical one as “gross and plain."
• A recurring gag: the frosted bedroom windows, with Ben joking, “They just frosted the windows in anticipation of you moving in there. The neighbors don’t want to see you.” (Ben, 21:54)

6. Banter and One-Liners on Facilities, Roommates, and Real Estate

[22:27 – 33:00]

• Maxine and Eddie’s interactions are pure reality TV gold.
  • Maxine (deadpan): “The plan is to show him what he can get for under what he’s looking to pay, which is—guess what?—it’s a handful of splooge.” (Ronnie as Maxine, 18:42)
• Eddie refuses roommates unless they’re dateable.
  • “Absolutely not. Unless he wanted to date me.” (Eddie, 18:33)
• Their shade at “shared amenities,” especially communal pool and barbecue areas, is relentless.
  • “You can’t just take me to a public park and be like, well, your house is small, but here's a park.” (Ben, 36:47)

7. The Side-Quest: Eddie’s Dating Life

[37:21 – 39:40]

• Eddie speed-dates Brisbane men—Janny (Yanni) and Connor—with Maxine sometimes meddling.
  • “Also, I have to say, he can pull some pretty nice butt.” (Ronnie, 38:58)
  • “He was definitely honestly punching above his class... those eyebrows should not be able to pull like this, but it's working for him.” (Ben, 39:11)

8. The Final Properties and Decision-Making

[40:01 – 47:03]

• The final, more expensive unit has a “massive patio” and access to luxurious amenities, but Eddie obsesses over privacy and second bedrooms.
  • “Think about the lifestyle you could buy with the boyfriend.” (Maxine, 46:44)
• Deliberation scene at a brewery:
  • “Let’s face it, stranger poo is not going to work for me. Get rid of number two.” (Eddie, 47:20)
  • Maxine and Eddie toast sample flights of beer, bicker about “The Big Easy” and Maxine’s place on a hypothetical “cons” list.

9. Conclusion: Happily Ever After...With a Side of Snark

[50:14 – 51:33]

• Eddie ultimately chooses the place with the big balcony and amenities—overspending slightly, but gaining that “Brisbane gay lifestyle.”
• The episode finishes with Eddie and Janny (his new boyfriend) moving in together, culminating with a playful rooftop pool push.
  • “Pretty cute to see that little guy happy. You go now, Yanni, prove yourself to be good—and wipe those eyebrows off and get him some help.” (Ronnie, 51:18)

Notable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp

• Eyebrow hot take:
  • “You pay somebody to take a sharpie and draw grimace eyebrows on your face. Stop doing this, it’s the weirdest trend.” (Ronnie, 02:50)
• On Australian pest control:
  • “Australia does have spiders the size of cars, so it is actually a pretty risky job.” (Ben, 07:30)
• Eddie’s wishlist:
  • “I want with a swimming pool, a gym, a view, and… it seems so greedy, doesn’t it?” (Eddie, 09:34)
• On communal amenities:
  • “You can’t just take me to a public park and be like, well, your house is small, but here's a park.” (Ben, 36:47)
• Snark on dating:
  • “He was definitely honestly punching above his class... those eyebrows should not be able to pull like this, but it's working for him.” (Ben, 39:11)
• Deliberations:
  • “Let’s face it, stranger poo is not gonna work for me. Get rid of number two.” (Eddie, 47:20)
  • “Should we do a pros and cons list for the boys and cu—that's mean.” (Maxine, 48:10)

Memorable Segments & Timestamps

• Eyebrow rant and trend history: [02:50–05:00]
• Australian insects horror & workplace hazards: [13:13–14:36]
• First apartment viewing reaction: [20:12–22:27]
• Speed-dating montage / side plot: [37:21–39:40]
• Brewery deliberation with flights of beer: [47:03–49:30]
• ‘Happily ever after’ with rooftop pool push: [50:14–51:33]

Tone and Language

The hosts’ tone is irreverent, sharp-witted, and affectionately mocking. Their banter features fast quips, sly pop-culture references, and genuine affection for both their subject and the genre. Even as they eviscerate eyebrow trends or mock Eddie’s “delusional” real estate expectations, their warmth and love for reality TV shine throughout.

Summary Takeaway

Ben and Ronnie’s recap is a hilarious, incisive ride through an especially colorful House Hunters episode. They spotlight everything from eyebrow grooming atrocities to the dangers of Australian pest control, all filtered through Eddie’s uniquely high-maintenance yet endearing worldview. Eddie ends up with a posh pad (if a bit above budget), a promising new boyfriend, and plenty of shade from Maxine and the hosts—proof that sometimes, your biggest house-hunting obstacle is your own fabulousness.

For questions or suggestions for future "Dwell Hello" episodes, the hosts encourage listeners to email them at watchmc@gmail.com with "Dwell Hello suggestion" in the subject line.