Watch What Crappens: Dwell Hello #508 – “Fairy Tale In Germany” (House Hunters International S152E5)

Release Date: April 10, 2025
Hosts: Ben Mandelker & Ronnie Karam

Episode Overview

In this episode of Dwell Hello, Ben and Ronnie recap the House Hunters International episode "Fairy Tale In Germany" (Season 152, Episode 5). The hosts bring their signature wit as they dissect the story of Yasmin (an American) and T (a native German) relocating from New York City to the Black Forest region of Germany. From culture shock to mother-in-law drama, suspiciously cozy “cozy corners,” and the star power of a tiny, photogenic dog, Ben and Ronnie praise, roast, and psychoanalyze every odd and end of the house hunt—and of relationships themselves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The Black Forest and German Whimsy

• Ben and Ronnie both swoon over the picturesque settings:
  • “What a gorgeous episode to look at. My God.” (Ben, 02:32)
  • Ronnie reminisces about his own Rhine river cruise, emphasizing how much more time he wishes he’d had to soak it all in.
• The hosts discuss how Americans glamourize the countryside, only to gripe about real-life annoyances like mosquitoes and boredom:
  • “People are always so enchanted by the country for about 10 minutes.” (Ben, 05:10)

2. Meet Yasmin & T: Cultural Transplants and Lesbian Newlyweds

• Yasmin is leaving NYC with her wife, T, to start their first real home together in rural Germany.
• Cultural and language barriers are front and center:
  • “At the very least, there’s just the translation thing, because the mom doesn’t speak any English, and Yasmine can say like, ‘Deutsch.’ ” (Ronnie, 06:17)
• Hilarious speculation about how Yasmin might not actually understand T’s mom (“You only like her because you don’t know what she’s saying.” – Ben, 06:44)

3. Family & Marriage Friction

• Ronnie puts on his relationship therapist hat, warning that T's desire for distance from her mom conflicts with Yasmin’s “dreamer” optimism:
  • “Your marriage is over. I’m telling you that right now, so don’t even try this shit.” (Ben, 05:47)
• The hosts riff on German bluntness and explore culture shocks both partners experience, especially around emotional openness.

4. The Comic Star: Miko the Dog

• Miko, the couple’s dog, is unanimously crowned the breakout star:
  • “This dog is the star of the show. As far as [I’m] concerned, this was the cutest damn dog.” (Ben, 03:31)
  • Observations about Miko’s ability to instantly settle in anywhere add levity and play into the hosts’ house-choosing theories (27:42).

5. Relocation Motivations: Reality vs. Fantasy

• Ben and Ronnie poke fun at the real reasons Americans move to Europe—often for health insurance over “the dream” (13:25).
• Yasmin’s wide-eyed delight is contrasted against practical concerns, with the hosts questioning how long the “fairy tale” will last.

6. House Hunting Hijinks & Real Estate Revelations

• The show’s featured realtor, “Superstar” Kevin Bruga, gets Crappens acclaim for his nonchalant, even sassy, approach:
  • “He’s like, well, I think it might be easier if we were closer to Stuttgart city, you know, or as I call it, not by my mom.” (Ben, 20:59)
  • “Unfortunately, I don’t get paid by the amount of disappointment I produce.” (Ronnie, 44:19)
• Three properties are toured:
  • Option 1: One-bedroom near T’s family—too close for T’s comfort, view of the street, Miko makes himself at home (26:32).
  • Option 2: Two-bedroom, beautiful backyard and pond, hillside views, but an hour from family and over budget; hosts’ clear favorite (36:33).
  • Option 3: Compact studio halfway between town and city—quickly written off as “an auto no” (44:00).

7. Notable Relationship & Personality Analysis

• The hosts are convinced of underlying tension in the couple, masked by Yasmin’s relentless positivity and T’s desire for space:
  • “From what we get for the whole episode, Yasmin’s crazy. She’s one of those people that’s like really self-helpy and really smiling… but the minute she’s in a mood, it’s like, you.” (Ben, 21:45)
  • Ronnie repeatedly questions how long the marriage, or its proximity to T’s family, can last.

8. Memorable Culture Clash Bits

• Banter about Germany’s obsession with bells:
  • “If you were to go 30 minutes without bells, you’re doing something wrong.” (Ronnie, 18:24)
• Cornfield epiphanies:
  • “Now I’m opening it and there’s like legit real corn inside. Are you kidding me? …I thought it’d be like a Cadbury cream egg or just be like a nice sugary filling. But there’s literally corn in here.” (T’s Mom, 41:33)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On the Black Forest setting:
  “This is like the forest. This is the woods. When you go into it, this is the woods. It’s so, like, this is what the Brothers Grimm are making the stories about.”
  — Ronnie, 08:03

• Cultural frustration with in-laws:
  “If you ever took my mom’s side, you’re… we’re done for. I’m telling you that right now. And also guess why you like my mom. Because you don’t know what the [she’s] saying.”
  — Ben, 06:44

• Immigrant motives, blunt truth:
  “Isn’t this every American moving to Europe where we’re just like, I moved here because I have insurance.”
  — Ben, 13:25

• The star of the show:
  “Miko is like the fiancé of dogs. Like, Miko finds the wind and finds the light. Like every single shot, there’s, like, a beautiful golden hue on Miko.”
  — Ronnie, 23:15

• Trademark Crappens shade:
  “This is not gonna work out. Like, there was no reason not to take this perfect apartment. And they went with the one that was, like, on the first floor where the window looks out onto, like, a main street… right by the mom that [T] doesn’t want to be around.”
  — Ronnie, 45:49

• Realtor snark rare for House Hunters:
  “Unfortunately, I don’t get paid by the amount of disappointment I produce, but I can imagine that they will like the bathroom.”
  — Kevin, relayed by Ronnie, 44:19

Breakdown of Key Segments with Timestamps

01:19 – 04:41:

Intro to Dwell Hello and House Hunters International, Black Forest nostalgia, opening thoughts on Germany’s beauty.

06:17 – 08:45:

Language barriers with T’s mom; discussion of German literalness and communication woes.

13:25 – 16:14:

Yasmin’s (and every American’s) real reasons for moving, German healthcare as a “plus,” struggles with family closeness.

17:48 – 20:38:

Superstar Kevin enters; Germany’s obsession with organic fairy tales, bells, and the cultural navigation.

26:32 – 31:03:

Touring the first apartment; Miko’s suspicious comfort; T’s critique of darkness and location.

36:33 – 40:01:

Second house tour, which both hosts agree is obviously superior, but Yasmin expresses “off vibes”; cozy corner chaos.

44:00 – 44:56:

The (auto-)rejected studio, Kevin’s open realtor snark, hosts’ disbelief at property options.

45:22 – 46:46:

Decision time: Yasmin and T pick the least favorite apartment, baffling the hosts.

Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

Ben and Ronnie are unanimous: the couple’s decision to pick the apartment closest to T’s family (and the main street) rather than the universally beloved, scenic two-bedroom demonstrates deeper relationship issues—never mind practicality. The hosts express both skepticism and amusement at the relationship’s longevity in such close quarters and promise to keep roasting every House Hunters misadventure they can get their hands on.

For the Crappens Completionist

• Best running gag: Miko’s “spoiler” behavior giving away the couple’s choice.
• Most savage quote:
  “Your marriage is over. I’m telling you that right now, so don’t even try this shit. You’re going to end up drowning her in that pond.”
  — Ben, 05:47
• Funniest cultural clash:
  Ronnie’s story of German flight attendants: “Now is the time when we learn about safety…” (07:21)
• Unexpected real estate truth bomb:
  “Unfortunately, I don’t get paid by the amount of disappointment I produce.” — Kevin, 44:19

Watch What Crappens continues its reign as the internet’s most hilarious, incisive, and affectionate Bravo snark-fest—with Dwell Hello episodes blending property porn, armchair therapy, and the giddiest roast of TV real estate ever put to audio.

Podcast Link & Patreon:
Find bonus episodes, video recaps, and Discord access at patreon.com/watchwhatcrappens.