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Ronnie Karam
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Misha Brown
Every big moment starts with a big dream. But what happens when that big dream turns out to be a big flop? From Wondery and Ill Media, I'm Misha Brown and this is the Big Flop. Every week, comedians join me to chronicle the biggest flubs, fails and blunders of all time. Like quibbing.
Ben Mandelker
It's kind of like when you give yourself your nickname and you try to like get other people to do it.
Misha Brown
And the 2019 movie adaptation of Cats.
Amy Phillips
Like if I'm watching the dancing and I'm noticing the feet aren't touching the ground, there's something wrong with the movie.
Misha Brown
Find out what happens when massive hype turns into major fiasco. Enjoy the Big Flop on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to the Big Flop early and ad free on Wondery. Get started with your free trial@wondery.com plus.
Ronnie Karam
Who cares what happens when there's so much that happens? Who cares what happens when there's so much that happens?
Ben Mandelker
Well, hello and welcome to Watch what Crappens. I'm Ronnie and today Ben is in Nor Norwaying it up. So I picked the most gorgeous, talented voice activated friend I could find, Amy Phillips from the Drama Darling podcast. Amy, hello.
Amy Phillips
Hello. Thank you so much for letting me be here today. Are you welcome? I am not an AI. I am a regular person. Not AI. I am happy to be here filling in for Ben.
Ben Mandelker
You cannot even joke about that anymore because it is happening now. People are very upset about AI taking over the world. It's already taken over. What are you gonna do?
Amy Phillips
People are sending me those like Real Housewives, kids, babies doing reenacting the scenes and I can't. I'm like, I can't do it. I don't know. I can't. It's scaring me. It's terrifying me.
Ben Mandelker
But then I'm like, is it funny? I don't know. Yeah. People are like, don't you worry that you're just going to become irrelevant? I was like, you missed that train.
Amy Phillips
Oh, yeah, for sure. And then, like, every other day, it's SAG is like, we're trying.
Misha Brown
We're trying.
Amy Phillips
We're storming the Capitol.
Ben Mandelker
We can't control the robots. I know. Everyone thought it was going to be like Terminator where the robots were going to kill us. No, they're just going to take all your jobs.
Amy Phillips
Yeah, that's it.
Unnamed Speaker
That's.
Amy Phillips
That is it. It's worse.
Unnamed Speaker
It's worse.
Amy Phillips
We'd all rather just die than work. Wait, would we? I don't know.
Ben Mandelker
I don't know. We get to live, but we don't have. Wait a minute.
Unnamed Speaker
We don't have to.
Amy Phillips
Hold on a second.
Ben Mandelker
This is amazing.
Amy Phillips
I love it.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah. Those AI babies. I was watching those. Yesterday, someone posted one in the Atlanta Reddit, and I was cracking up. I thought it was so funny. It was so cute. And then I read the comments, and they were like, f everybody who likes.
Unnamed Speaker
This, you goddamn monster.
Ben Mandelker
And I was like, okay, well, I'm a horrible human being. But I thought it was funny.
Amy Phillips
Really separate people.
Ben Mandelker
It already has. Yeah, it's really bad. Well, anyway, we're real.
Amy Phillips
Hi. Yes, we're real. Thank you so much for having me. Hi, Ben.
Ben Mandelker
As far as we know. Yeah. Well, welcome back, Amy. It's so good to talk to you, always. So you're. You've been doing drama, darling, for a while?
Amy Phillips
Two years.
Ben Mandelker
Raising your daughter.
Amy Phillips
Yes.
Ben Mandelker
How's it been going? Are you loving it?
Amy Phillips
I love it. I love working from home. It's amazing. And I'm up here in Santa Clarita. If you're watching the Valley, which I know you are, of course, we refer to Danny as Danny Clarita, because, you know, he's up here in Santa Clarita in my neighborhood. I'd like to say I put Santa Clarita on the map before anyone even knew it was there. And they still are, like, where is it? So I'm really happy that the Valley is starting to embrace my neighborhood and thrilled that they moved up here.
Ben Mandelker
Santa Clarita.
Unnamed Speaker
Yeah.
Ben Mandelker
I'm going to Santa Clarita.
Unnamed Speaker
I'll give you another baby if you.
Ben Mandelker
Go to Santa Clarita.
Amy Phillips
That's so good. That's so good. Mia. I can't couldn't get her voice down, but she's kind of like rolling nails.
Unnamed Speaker
Like rolling nails?
Yeah.
Amy Phillips
Is she not so nasal like that?
Unnamed Speaker
I was. I lived in my car. I lived in one of us.
Ben Mandelker
She's kind of got the Rachel Raquel.
Amy Phillips
Oh, yeah, it does have that vibe. You're right.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah. So Santa Clarita. Tell me about it. Is it. Because I feel like. Do you feel like Dani kind of tarnished Santa Clarita?
Amy Phillips
You know what? I feel like Nia did because she was like, I don't want to have anything to do with that trash pit, you know? And I was like, listen, give it a try. She's right. It's, you know, it's a lot of open space. It's. It's the suburbs, you know, but you. So you really have the best of both worlds. You have. It's great for kids. The public school system is amazing. The restaurants suck. But that's why I'm always at Chili's, which I like to say. I mean, Chili's is really the only place that we go. Like, that's pretty much it. If you want to get good food, you have to go into la. And that's great. But I do love it up here and I've made a lot of good, like, mom friends, you know?
Ben Mandelker
Yeah, Santa Clarita, ma' am.
Amy Phillips
Yeah, the Santa Clarita Bonitas, you know.
Ben Mandelker
Is it the Santa Clarita Bonitas?
Amy Phillips
I don't know if they know that I call them that, but I do.
Ben Mandelker
I'm from El Paso, Texas, so everything there is kind of like Spanish based as well.
Amy Phillips
Yeah.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah, I like that.
Amy Phillips
I love it.
Ben Mandelker
Santa Clarita Bonitas. And that's how you pronounce it too. You do The Santa Clarita's Bonitas. I think it sounds so fancy. I mean, it's a saint.
Amy Phillips
Thank you. It's a pretty.
Ben Mandelker
Although most saints are poor, you know, I guess is the thing.
Amy Phillips
This one offense, this one, like Santa.
Ben Mandelker
Ana, you know, the Santa Ana or wins. The Santa Anita is a shitty racetrack. Like, the saints can't really win.
Amy Phillips
No, they can't. The Santa Claus are just the A's, right? Santa Claus.
Ben Mandelker
Santa Claus. He got better. He actually came back to Love island today, which was good. He was brought back.
Amy Phillips
Love Hotel, dude. I call it Love island. Like no one's business. I can't not call it that. Thank God someone else is doing it to me because I'm sick of being corrected.
Ben Mandelker
It's making me crazy. And then Love island is coming back. We're covering that, so of course I'm calling that Love Hotel.
Amy Phillips
You know, you trade one out, you put one in.
Ben Mandelker
Which I kind of wish it was because I could use six hours of Love Hotel a week. I love it.
Amy Phillips
Oh, my God. Don't you think that Luann should host it next time?
Ben Mandelker
Yes. Or Giselle. I saw someone online suggesting Giselle. Because Giselle really doesn't want to be there anyway.
Amy Phillips
She doesn't. And you're right, Luann is. She would host it, but then she would just hook up with all of the men anyway.
Ben Mandelker
She would fuck everybody.
Amy Phillips
Yeah, 100%.
Ben Mandelker
I used to cover the Bachelor and the running joke was that Chris Harrison was banging everybody in the porta potties because, like, why else is he there? You know, he's always disheveled and kind of greasy. His hair is always kind of a mess.
Amy Phillips
He's worse than Jeff Probst. I mean, Jeff Probst is like, you know, fritty put together.
Ben Mandelker
Jeff Probst does like push ups before takes, you know. And Chris Harrison. Yeah. And Chris Harrison's like, I'm tired. You know, he's like a little golf thing in a porta potty. And that's it. Yeah, especially on that Bachelor one. The Bachelor on the island or whatever it is. The bachelor on the beach.
Amy Phillips
The bachelor. Beach. The beach bachelor. The beach bachelors.
Ben Mandelker
That's paradise. And Bachelor. Yeah.
Amy Phillips
They're going to throw in golden bachelors and bachelorettes with these beach bachelorettes and bachelors. Did you know that?
Ben Mandelker
Are they really? They're gonna put Ashley in there. Ashley's a proven test case. God. You give Ashley a decent meal and.
Unnamed Speaker
She'S like, I'll take the expired Milk.
Ben Mandelker
Duds in the freezer for $5.
Amy Phillips
You're right.
Ben Mandelker
Poor Ralph.
Amy Phillips
All expense paid. Shopping trip to Bloomingdale's. Ashley. Ooh, a thrift shop.
Ben Mandelker
Totally. Yeah, I love em all. We know. Ashley. I love when they put up the pictures of Ral Michael Darby to compare them, you know, and you've got one with the watery eye, the, you know, the old dog that's about to be put down eyes. Michael Darby.
Amy Phillips
Full Gollum, you know?
Ben Mandelker
Full Gollum. Then you've got exhausted. Ralph.
Amy Phillips
I don't know how I got here. How did I get this beautiful woman in my big arms?
Unnamed Speaker
Never gets to me.
Ben Mandelker
Starting to get that slightly confused look at his eye. Bless his heart. Okay, let's do this. Love Hotel Season 1 Episode 5 Guess who's Back that's the episode title. Guess.
Amy Phillips
Is it really?
Ben Mandelker
Guess who's back. Yeah.
Amy Phillips
Clever.
Ben Mandelker
They've been getting pretty creative with their episode titles, but this one.
Amy Phillips
This one was just happening.
Ben Mandelker
How could it have been?
Amy Phillips
Yeah, I know. I'm like, who? Right? I couldn't think of one person, not.
Ben Mandelker
Even him, like, who's going to be the star of the season. Like, wow, they're gonna bring him back. I can't believe he was cut so soon. If it wasn't ahead of Broccoli, I was gonna be upset.
Amy Phillips
Broccoli, Earl. I was gonna say, yeah, totally, because that's the only person. I was like, oh, did they make him leave and then bring him back? Cause I couldn't think of anybody else, you know?
Ben Mandelker
Yeah, it's Earl.
Unnamed Speaker
Earl the Pearl.
What do you mean you don't eat vegetables?
Ben Mandelker
It's gonna. I'm gonna go to my grave thinking about that.
Amy Phillips
I know.
Ben Mandelker
The last thing I'm gonna see before I die.
Unnamed Speaker
What do you mean, you don't eat vegetables?
Amy Phillips
And look, she did come in hot. I'll give it to him. She did.
Unnamed Speaker
She's like, he was just joking. I was joking.
Amy Phillips
It's like, no, you were. You were genuinely angry, and that's okay.
Unnamed Speaker
I can't joke.
I.
Amy Phillips
Just stuck. Sungun stuck.
Ben Mandelker
I call her a verbal strobe light. Everything slows down like it's slow motion.
Amy Phillips
That's so good. Shannon is a rave.
Ben Mandelker
Yes, exactly. Bless Shannon's heart. So, okay, so we start with this scene with Shannon and Earl where Shannon sits on the couch last week, and.
Unnamed Speaker
She'S like, earl, I have wanted to give you this envelope with something in it.
Ben Mandelker
And then he starts sobbing, and she.
Unnamed Speaker
Tells us, this is Earl's envelope. Goodbye note or parting gift or.
Ben Mandelker
She says something like that. And so all week, the Internet, the world, Macron has been wondering what was in that letter. I just saw a clip today of Macron getting off the president of France. Macron, okay, getting off the plane in France. And his wife was hitting him. Did you see it?
Amy Phillips
What? Really?
Ben Mandelker
Yeah, she smacks him. They open the plane door, and the wife is, like, slapping, like, pushing his face. And then he turns to the camera, he's like, hello. And then they kind of reset. You see all the plain steward ladies, like, okay, back up there.
Unnamed Speaker
Back up.
Ben Mandelker
Old lady Macron.
Unnamed Speaker
Okay, let's try this again.
Ben Mandelker
And Macron comes off the plane. First lady, she's like, I was joking. But rumor is she hit him because he guessed what was in that letter wrong. So what do you think?
Amy Phillips
I don't blame her. Did she have, like, a Pair of gloves where she was like. Or was it with her hand? I feel like there should be gloves. What did I think was in that letter?
Ben Mandelker
It was with a cheese. It was with a big slice of cheese.
Amy Phillips
Of course. I was like, a star. Like, you know, do you. Do you give someone a. You know, one of those stars in the sky? Was it like, a penguin? Was it a Sheena thing? Remember when Sheena got someone? Was it a penguin?
Ben Mandelker
It was. She got Adam. She adopted a penguin for Adam.
Amy Phillips
Yeah. So I thought, like, it's a penguin or a star, and then I definitely want a baby.
Unnamed Speaker
A baby penguin.
Ben Mandelker
I can't believe Adam left me after I adopted a penguin with him.
Amy Phillips
They're furry when they're that young. I don't know. That's what I thought. I couldn't wrap my head around it. I'm like, what could it possibly be?
Ben Mandelker
I thought it was going to be a food pyramid, but it was not. It actually surprised me. It actually surprised me. What? It was shocked.
Amy Phillips
Cause I completely forgot about that story.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah.
Unnamed Speaker
She was like, well, Earl, you know, you talked about your stepchild never speaking to you again, and you've kept his motorcycle in your living room 30 years or whatever, and he changed his name and grew a mustache and got a different haircut. But I found him. I called my lawyer, and I found him.
Ben Mandelker
Way to get rid of those rumors that you were sicing private investigators on people, Shannon.
Amy Phillips
Oh, my God. That's so funny. I'll tell you what I was, like, thinking. Yeah. If you want something done like, these guys have no idea. If you want to be. Learn how to stalk, find something. You put a housewife on it. You're going to get receipts, timelines, screenshots, a child from your past, like, you will find them. And the fact that she just made one call and was like, I. You know, Shannon with her, like, she is so. You know how she can be really charismatic. But I love, like, the softer side of Shannon when she gets really quiet.
Unnamed Speaker
And she's like, I just called my attorney, and I said, you have to find this little boy. He says, he has a special boy. We have to find him.
Three days later, he did get a call also. He told me that this boy pushed Kelly Dodd's mother down the stairs.
Amy Phillips
This boy.
Ben Mandelker
And so she found the son in Santa Clarit.
Unnamed Speaker
He's doing zombie voiceovers in Santa Clarita.
Amy Phillips
He's chugging tequila behind a pantry door.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah. And this was really actually kind of a sweet scene because Ralph starts sobbing. He's like, oh, my God, I can't believe you did this, Ralph. You could have done this. You know what I mean? Here's what I was thinking. You fucking deadbeat stepdad. All you had to do was look him up. And second of all, was the son happy? Because you know that the son changed his address and his phone number the second he was blocked this aired. And he was like, what the hell? We have to move again.
Amy Phillips
He did. He did. It is very concerning to me because this was all. And then she's like.
Unnamed Speaker
And everybody knows.
Amy Phillips
Oh, my God. Because he's thinking, now I really have to step up to the plate. I could have before I didn't. I mean, I don't think it would have been that difficult, do you?
Ben Mandelker
You know, I mean, maybe he was. Maybe he was doing. Maybe he was respecting his privacy. You know? I mean, I don't know. If the kid tells you, I never want to speak to you again, and then they leave, and then they don't tell you their information, are you allowed to? I mean, I don't know. Is that assault?
Amy Phillips
Well, respecting the right. Respecting the mother's privacy if she took. You know, because he had no rights. So he clearly was like, okay, I guess I'll just step aside.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah. Because at first I thought, this is so sweet. Oh, my gosh, Shannon. And then I thought, well, maybe he didn't want that on purpose. And you just. I mean, I've watched a lot of Lifetime movies, but I could just imagine this guy like, we're packing up the.
Unnamed Speaker
Car, get everybody in.
Ben Mandelker
He gets an alert, Earl just standing out there in the bushes like, you're.
Unnamed Speaker
Never getting your motorcycle back. Little shit.
Amy Phillips
I know. He's been riding it, and he loves it. I did such a deep dive on Earl the Pearl's Instagram.
Ben Mandelker
Did you tell me what you found?
Amy Phillips
Well, I was. Okay, so positives for Shannon, a lot of celebrations of St Patrick's Day. So a lot of Irish, you know, top of the morning, you know, so a lot of that.
Unnamed Speaker
I love Earl. He smells like whiskey. It smells like home.
Amy Phillips
He has a boat, it's like, called the Irish Pearl. I think so Boat, obviously. Boat, obviously Irish drinking dogs. So those are the two, three positive things. Now, my friend Emily, who co hosts with me, those are big positives, by the way. Are big positives.
Ben Mandelker
Okay, so Emily, co host of Drama Darling, she said.
Amy Phillips
I was like, I don't know. What do you think? She goes, they. They are definitely not a match. They would go day drinking, like, Friday through Sunday and fight, you know, Monday through Thursday.
Ben Mandelker
I'm sorry, Emily. Do we look for different things in people? Like that sounds. That sounds like a marriage. Emily.
Amy Phillips
Ye what the hell?
Unnamed Speaker
It's time for a commercial.
Ben Mandelker
It's time for a crappin's commercial.
Unnamed Speaker
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Monica Lewinsky
At 24, I lost my narrative, or rather it was stolen from me. And the Monica Lewinsky that my friends and family knew was usurped by false narratives, callous jokes, and politics. I would define Reclaiming as to take back what was yours. Something you possess is lost or stolen, and ultimately you triumph in finding it again. So I think listeners can expect me to be chatting with folks both recognizable and unrecognizable names about the way that people have navigated roads to triumph. My hope is that people will finish an episode of Reclaiming and feel like they filled their tank up, they connected with the people that I'm talking to, and leave with maybe some nuggets that help them feel a little more hopeful. Follow Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to Reclaiming early and ad free right now by joining Wondery in the Wondery app or on Apple podcasts.
Amy Phillips
Also, he. He dressed up for like a murder mystery dinner, so I feel like he as an actor, which was an interesting twist. So I don't know if that was like a one time thing or if he does that occasionally, but.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah, well, we're both improvisers. We're no stranger to the murder mystery parties. It's embarrassing, okay? It's embarrassing. We know it is. Nobody wants to marry us when we're at dinner. I did one where I had to play an evil queen and I was like, the Snow White evil queen. I mean, kind of. But those pictures are forever.
Amy Phillips
No, but we'll just send them to Earl. He'll gladly put them up.
Unnamed Speaker
Wanna come on my boat?
Amy Phillips
Let's go find my stepson.
Ben Mandelker
I'm really into Shannon and Earl, but I guess they're not into each other. I don't think they've lasted. Earl had kind of a post season glow up. I've seen him on his insta.
Amy Phillips
Oh.
Ben Mandelker
And I think he dropped a little. You know, he's looking pretty hot, but I don't think he's with Shannon. All the guys got real thirsty on their own instas after shooting the show. Have you been doing. Have you been looking at the instance?
Amy Phillips
Only Earl. A lot of selfies, so. Yeah, I hear you there. I don't know. I haven't seen anybody else. I haven't stalked down anyone else. I'm waiting for Shannon.
Ben Mandelker
I just read Reddit, but I'll see. I'll see stuff occasionally. The only one I really want to know anything about is Love Hotel.
Unnamed Speaker
Hey, Luann. Yes, I'm gonna stick it in. Yes.
Ben Mandelker
All right, get on over here.
Amy Phillips
They. The fact that their voices are on completely separate. He is so high and she is so low. They really do blend very well. I hope that he makes a cameo on her cabaret tour.
Ben Mandelker
Oh, he will.
Amy Phillips
You think so? Wow, that was really confident. You were really confident.
Ben Mandelker
I think so, yeah. Well, you know how at first she was like, oh, Luann and guests. It was like the Countess and friends.
Amy Phillips
Yeah.
Ben Mandelker
So the first time we went, we both went to that show. Remember? I got wasted and got kicked out. They had. Well, at the end.
Amy Phillips
I don't remember that. I don't remember that because that must have been.
Ben Mandelker
Well, we went to Ben's house before for like a cocktail party.
Unnamed Speaker
I was like, jamie, it's so good to see.
Ben Mandelker
And I like, slammed three drinks back. And by the time we got to the show, I was inebriated, which was fitting for a countess show, you know, flinging around my nappy, screaming. And then at the end, it was the time for the VIP line and they were like, can I talk to you outside, sir? I was like, why does the security.
Unnamed Speaker
Guard want to talk to me outside, Luann?
Ben Mandelker
Love hotels and being dragged out of there.
Amy Phillips
I remember that.
Unnamed Speaker
Damn.
Amy Phillips
I would have come with you. I'm sorry, my friend. I should have been there for you.
Ben Mandelker
I don't blame you. You were probably out of there. Like the first 10 minutes into my. I was not fun. Anyway, the point is, she had all these special guests, and at first they were like, you know, it's Elphaba from the Broadway production of Wicked.
Amy Phillips
Yeah. It was like Meryl Stream. Angels of america from the 1992 production on Broadway.
Ben Mandelker
Murray Abraham playing Roy Cohn in Angels in America, right?
Amy Phillips
Yes. A lot of Broadway stars.
Ben Mandelker
Yes. And then by the end, it was like, you know, Bongo, this guy. Oh, it was who?
Amy Phillips
Bongos.
Ben Mandelker
She's gotten pretty good at those bongos.
Amy Phillips
Oh, dang. Real good.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah.
Amy Phillips
She doesn't do it anymore with the friends. She's just. I even. I straight up asked her because I. I interviewed her right when she came back from Loeb Hotel, and I was like, yeah, are gonna have, you know, any other friends? She's like, I don't do that anymore, darling. I just do myself.
Ben Mandelker
Oh, my God, you sound just like her.
Amy Phillips
Well, you have to evolve. You gotta evolve.
Ben Mandelker
I do it like this because I've been trying to get her lower voice, but you gotta do it like this, darling.
Amy Phillips
Like you're kind of like opening up the crypt, you know, just strolling like I'm coming out.
Ben Mandelker
Just like her. That is so funny.
Amy Phillips
But, yeah, she. She's doing it on her own. She just wants. She doesn't need people. She doesn't need them.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah. So that's why. I mean, like, she started with these huge, like, Broadway stars and then she's like, by this time, it's like this guy from Love Hotel.
Amy Phillips
Yes.
Ben Mandelker
Well, we went from Diane Wiest to this person.
Amy Phillips
Diane Wiest. Yes. Yes, Wiest. Wait. Yeah, go ahead.
Ben Mandelker
Oh, no, no. That reminds you of. We don't have to actually talk about this show.
Amy Phillips
No, I love this show. This show is amazing. So, yes, we should definitely talk about it.
Ben Mandelker
This show is amazing. Okay.
Unnamed Speaker
So she's like, well, my heart's been breaking for Earl because he's never known the joy of having a child. So I ignored the human trafficking warnings in the airport and I human trafficked.
Ben Mandelker
His son back to him.
Amy Phillips
Oh, man. Oh, God.
Ben Mandelker
There's trafficking signs in the airport.
Amy Phillips
They are so intense. And I was so. My daughter was like, what is trafficking? I was like, there's just like a lot of people in the bathrooms, so you have to really watch out. And she's like, but it says human traff. I'm like, oh, my God, I can't have this conversation with like a 7 year old. But I was like, it's basically stranger danger. But it's, you know, I mean, I didn't want to have that conversation, like, in the middle of like an. Or the Orlando Nightmare Airport.
Ben Mandelker
Well, yeah, especially when you're with a kid and you're like, what are you supposed to say? Well, you're supposed to beware of strangers in airport bathrooms. But they're all strangers. I don't know everybody in the airport bathroom. It's like, your kid's gonna be terrified to pee.
Amy Phillips
That's the thing. Yeah. Anyway, so.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah, God, stop warning about human trafficking. Am I right?
Amy Phillips
Please. And it's ruining my vacation.
Ben Mandelker
Can you just warn me about something real? Like carbs.
Unnamed Speaker
Watch out for carbs. They're everywhere.
Ben Mandelker
So vegetables. She gives him this letter. He starts crying, and he's like, I can't remember the time somebody gave me a gift this meaningful. Besides the motorcycle. I'm shaking. I'm literally shaking right now. Shannon.
Amy Phillips
I'm shaking. I'm literally shaking.
Ben Mandelker
This line. This could only be a Shannon line.
Unnamed Speaker
Well, after the fiesta date, I got some basic information from Earl, and I called my attorney and said, we need to find this boy. And three days later, my attorney found him. Thank you, Milk.
Ben Mandelker
So they found the kid. So he cries and she's like, well.
Unnamed Speaker
You know, the producers wanted me to do it in front of everybody. Everybody knows Earl. Everybody knows the good deed that I did. It's up to my. This was like wearing a push up bra for my reputation. Earl, you're welcome.
Amy Phillips
Earl was like, I thank you. So you're saying everybody knows. Like, we can't cut this part out. So are you saying.
Unnamed Speaker
Yeah, there's a party downstairs. Everyone's waiting for you.
Everyone knows Earl. Everyone knows. So after the fiesta party, I sat everybody down, everybody, the cast, the crew, the lighting people. And I said, earl has a son that hates him and won't speak to him. And he's stolen the son's motorcycle. We need to find the son. Find the son. They're all waiting down there to see sad, sad Earl. Sad, lonely Earl.
So put your best sad face on and let's go. Also, I don't think it's working out for us because I just really feel like the vegetable thing is getting in the way.
Ben Mandelker
I love that she will never dump Earl. It's so hilarious to read every week. She's like, I'm dumping Earl.
Unnamed Speaker
That's it. I am better than this. I found a new man named Adam. He wears scarves and degrees.
Ben Mandelker
So I'm.
Amy Phillips
Yes, I love that.
Ben Mandelker
I will now be with Adam. And then Five minutes later, she's like, oh, God, Adam.
Unnamed Speaker
I'd have to wear makeup. And Earl, I could just take off my Spanx and. I mean, who cares? I don't even have to have eyelashes. Who needs them? I can be eyeless. I could not have a tongue. What would he care? One elbow. One elbow. Earl would love me. No more. I'm still sticking.
Neck tight, face tight.
Amy Phillips
No more of those.
Unnamed Speaker
No more tights. No more Spanx, no more nothing. It could be a great life. Just on the water.
Amy Phillips
On the.
Unnamed Speaker
Maybe not on the ocean, but a lake. Oh, no. I can't do lakes. I can't do lakes. I can't do door. I can't do Earl.
Amy Phillips
Earl.
Unnamed Speaker
Lakes are the only green thing in Earl's life, so I should learn to accept them. Poor Earl. Oh, Earl. I wanted to write our own vows, so here's mine. Earl, I have to make no effort with you. I can fart in front of you and be as ugly as I want to be. Wow. Okay, your turn.
Amy Phillips
All right. Thank you, Shannon. Well, I. I got this shell here. If you open it up, you'll see a pearl. It is a lake pearl, which means.
Unnamed Speaker
How dare you.
Amy Phillips
How. How do you look at me like you hate my guts? Shannon.
Ben Mandelker
You hate used to it. Get used to it, buddy. I love that. He's like, why is it that every time you look like you want to.
Unnamed Speaker
Kill me, I'm joking. It's my sense of humor. I love that.
Amy Phillips
She's like, I was joking.
Ben Mandelker
I'm like, earl, this is called the honeymoon phase. Just you wait. Earl Higgins, wait.
Amy Phillips
Can I ask you a question? When Shannon was like, I'm just drinking Diet Coke and tequila, were you shocked? Because I was. I thought she was still not drinking.
Ben Mandelker
Oh, no. I think they just do that when they're like, no, I don't think she ever stopped drinking, did she? Even on Real Housewives of Orange county, she was like, I didn't stop drinking. Cause Tamara was like, why are you drinking, bitch?
Unnamed Speaker
You almost killed the house.
Ben Mandelker
And she's like, I don't know.
Unnamed Speaker
I don't. Why would I stop drinking? I don't have a drinking problem. I have a driving problem. Stop drinking cars.
Amy Phillips
I just thought that she stopped drinking after that season, though. And then she started doing community service, and she wasn't drinking at all. I was completely under. No, I think I'm wrong. I think I'm dead ass wrong.
Ben Mandelker
So I don't remember that. I feel like that would have come through on my Google news because I have, like, A Shannon Beador, you know, Google alert.
Amy Phillips
That's amazing. You must have seen that she got a new dog. Did you see?
Ben Mandelker
She. Yes, she did.
Amy Phillips
That is so.
Ben Mandelker
I feel so bad for Archie. You're excited. Okay, let's debate.
Amy Phillips
Okay, I. Okay. I'm excited. You're right. It's bittersweet. I'm excited because I know that look when Archie passes, and it's gonna be within the next soon.
Ben Mandelker
How old is Archie?
Amy Phillips
I don't know. Oh, no. Where did I go?
Ben Mandelker
I'm here. I'm just hitting a vape like a teenager, so I do it off the camera.
Amy Phillips
Thank you. Okay, good. No, feel free to do that. Hi. Oh, my. Close up, Mr. DeMille. I don't know how old Archie is. He's got to be, like, 12 at least. He's got to be at least 12. So I'm thinking she knows what's around the corner. She's got to bring in a new guard in order so that it's not as hurtful when Archie, you know, crosses the Rainbow Bridge. And honestly, I don't blame her for that. I think that that's the best decision for Shannon. I think it'll help keep Archie young because, you know, when you bring another pup in and it just. It helps things.
Ben Mandelker
So is that true? Because I feel like gays try to do that. Like, we'll bring in a younger model, like, to make us feel younger. It does not make me feel younger.
Unnamed Speaker
I'm like, oh, my God, this waddle is really getting out of control here. Is this a pashmina or a neck? I'm not really sure.
Amy Phillips
It's Mark's scarf.
Ben Mandelker
I'm getting a neck waddle scarf. Yeah. The reason I think it is depressing is for all the reasons you just gave her, it being a positive. I think it's because my dog is old. Like, my dog Bueller is old. And so it's probably getting time for the Rainbow Bridge. But I' not. I can't let him go. And, you know, I love him so much. And my sister's like, no, you have to get a puppy. Because for all the reasons you just said, because it'll make it easier to transition and then plus, Bueller will have somebody, I don't know to get old with. I don't know. I don't know. It was along the lines of what you were saying.
Amy Phillips
Right.
Ben Mandelker
But I just felt like Bueller would know. I think Bueller would be like, oh, okay. Did you bring home a syringe as well then?
Amy Phillips
Jesus Christ said Don't. Do not do it. I mean, I completely. I just don't. I don't know if Archie knows. I believe Bueller probably knows. I think it depends on your dog. I think it depends on you. And I have a cat, so what do I know?
Ben Mandelker
Doubts are like, bye.
Amy Phillips
Right, right.
Ben Mandelker
I'm leaving now. Leave me alone. Get out of my. I want to be alone. Okay, so, yeah, she's getting the. What were we talking about? Oh, yeah, her drinking.
Amy Phillips
Yeah.
Ben Mandelker
The housewives. I don't know if they ever really quit drinking like they say. Cause remember when Luann went to. I've been to. To prison. Would you say I've been traveling. I've been to prison. So when she did her whole sobriety storyline, and she's like, oh, come over to my apartment. She told somebody. And then she's like, do you want a Diet Coke or something? I'm not drinking. And then she opened her fridge and it was all rose bottles. Do you remember that?
Amy Phillips
Yeah. Yeah, you're right.
Ben Mandelker
So I don't know that they ever quit. Good call.
Unnamed Speaker
Good call.
Amy Phillips
Okay, I'm set straight. I'm set straight.
Ben Mandelker
No, Yeah. I mean, I don't. I have no facts, so this is a show of no facts. So, Adam, okay, so now she goes down to the bar, and Earl's, like, crying, and the guy's like, we know, we know. Go get him. Go flash his tires, Put a brick through his windshield. Do whatever you got. Get back to stalking.
Amy Phillips
See you on the Lifetime movie.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah. And Adam is talking to Shannon, and.
Unnamed Speaker
She'S like, well, you know, she's doing.
Ben Mandelker
That humble, like, play with the side of her hair things like, well, you.
Unnamed Speaker
Know, I did find his. His long lost son. I'm a very good person, Adam. I don't know how many languages you can say good person in, but.
Amy Phillips
And his, like, he just keeps distancing himself. Like, he walks back a little further and a little further. He does not see. He doesn't really seem to want to be there either. And when he said last week, if I could put you, Shannon and Lou and MASH together, I'd have the perfect lady, I was like, please leave, sir. Like, what are you doing?
Ben Mandelker
Wants to hear that.
Amy Phillips
I know.
Ben Mandelker
What a disgusting thing to say to somebody's face.
Amy Phillips
To someone's face, yes.
Ben Mandelker
Like, Ashley says it today behind some. You know, she's like, if I could take those two guys. Yeah, but you don't say it to the person.
Unnamed Speaker
Absolutely.
Ben Mandelker
Wow, you're such a good. You're such a perfect half a Person.
Amy Phillips
And then, of course, he doesn't kiss Shannon. She's real upset about it. You know, she. The night before, she was like, you.
Unnamed Speaker
Missed this, These lamps. You had an opportunity to go here, and you did it.
Amy Phillips
And then it's like, well, not been.
Unnamed Speaker
To paradise and you have not been to me.
Amy Phillips
Paradise.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah. The ladies on this show really want the men to jump them. And I'm like, guys, we're in a different time. I don't like especially. Luanne's like, why didn't you jump me? Like, in this episode? She's like, all right, you had your chance with this. You didn't even do anything. So now I am here, right here. What are you gonna do? He's like, really? And she's like, oh, Jesus Christ, I'm gonna poop. I can't even take this.
Amy Phillips
I know. She did. She was like, get your shit together.
Ben Mandelker
Who do I gotta blow to get someone to blow me in this? I'm like, but it's a different time. I think the guys are trying to be respectful and not just, like, grab your butts and jump all over you.
Unnamed Speaker
Right?
Amy Phillips
They're not watching the Bachelor every week to see that. You have to do that on the second. The second you have a one on one, you got to go in. They don't know. They just.
Ben Mandelker
Earl knew. Earl knew because Earl saved up his trauma. He shot his trauma wad and then he made out.
Amy Phillips
Yeah, that was smart. That was smart. You have to do that, especially with these ladies. Except for Giselle. Giselle doesn't want that.
Ben Mandelker
No, Giselle. Giselle's trauma is having to go on dates.
Amy Phillips
What do you think of Philip?
Ben Mandelker
Phil?
Amy Phillips
I mean, Phil.
Unnamed Speaker
Oh, I love living in Bel Air. It's just so different than normal places, you know, we eat in Bel Air, but their restaurants are just so different. Sidewalks are different. People aren't allowed on them, for one thing. That's nice. Bel Air.
Amy Phillips
So psychotic. You look so psychotic. I love it. I love it. The fact that he said gated community so many times, I was like, is that all he knows about the Housewives? Is that what he thinks is, like, their buzzword to, like, get them excited? G. Gated community.
Ben Mandelker
Gated community.
Amy Phillips
He has his priorities right. I really appreciate that about him. He prioritizes the son that doesn't have a restraining order on him and loves him. I like, I'm so glad that Giselle gave him a chance, but I don't know how far.
Ben Mandelker
Giselle gave his bank account a chance.
Amy Phillips
That's right.
Ben Mandelker
Like, Phil. Phil what does Phil give you? Phil gives me, like, Eartha Kit impersonator in Palm Springs.
Amy Phillips
Yeah. Yes. Oh, my God. May is actually.
Unnamed Speaker
You think you've got one up on me, Batman? You've got nothing on me.
I've got the special power of Bel Air gated community.
Ben Mandelker
No one is getting a boner for Phil. I can't believe it. But she's like, he has an rr. Okay, so Shannon is very proud of herself, and the producer's like, so, Adam, is Earl your biggest competition? He's like, there's no competition here. I don't really have any idea what's going on with her and Earl, but I have a scarf. Beep.
Unnamed Speaker
Flatline.
Amy Phillips
Seriously, this guy needs to look alive. I can't figure this dude out.
Ben Mandelker
And then when you do get him talking, he's like, well, I opened Telehealth Communications Group in Kalamazoo.
Amy Phillips
Is that. I have no idea what he does because it put me to sleep. Whatever it is, dozed.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah. I felt like it was money laundering. I don't know. It sounded fishy to me. But Ben assured me that telehealth and catamaran or whatever is great, but I don't.
Amy Phillips
Telehealth and catamaran, they go hand in hand. Telehealth and catamaran, they go hand in hand.
Ben Mandelker
Whatever he was saying last week, Ben's like, no, no, totally. Telehealth, Telehealth and kalamazoom ran or whatever. It was totally normal, but I still left hesitant.
Amy Phillips
Shout out, Kalamazoo. I'm from Michigan. What's up? Here's the mittens. Here's the mitten. I'm from here.
Ben Mandelker
Oh, yeah. Mittens.
Amy Phillips
Mittens. Shout out, mittens.
Ben Mandelker
Mitten it up. Mittens. Okay, so Shannon's like, oh, yeah, I.
Unnamed Speaker
Did that for Earl. He was shaking.
Ben Mandelker
He was crying.
Unnamed Speaker
Pooped on the floor. Earl. God, I changed his life.
Ben Mandelker
So she's like, well.
Unnamed Speaker
And now Adam wants to see where he stands, clearly from his line of questioning. So get over here. Break open the seal, buddy.
I glossed it up. I used the Plump Plumping gloss, and he didn't even take a taste.
Amy Phillips
Commercials.
Ben Mandelker
Here comes one right now.
Misha Brown
Every big moment starts with a big dream. But what happens when that big dream turns out to be a big flop? From Wondery and Ill Media, I'm Misha Brown, and this is the big flop. Every week, comedians join me to chronicle the biggest flubs, fails, and blunders of all time. Like Queen.
Ben Mandelker
It's kind of like when you give yourself your own Nickname and you try to, like, get other people to do it.
Misha Brown
And the 2019 movie adaptation of Cats.
Amy Phillips
Like, if I'm watching the dancing and I'm noticing the feet aren't touching the ground, there's something wrong with the movie.
Misha Brown
Find out what happens when massive hype turns into major fiasco. Enjoy the Big Flop on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to the Big Flop early and at the end ad free on Wondery Plus. Get started with your free trial at wondery.complus.
Ben Mandelker
Speaking of watching someone live through their trauma on television, here comes Joel. Welcome, Joel, everybody.
Amy Phillips
Wait, who's. Oh, Joel. I'm like, which one of the guys is Joe? Oh, right, the host. Yeah.
Ben Mandelker
He's like, oh, Jesus Christ. Is it too early to take this off my LinkedIn?
Amy Phillips
I mean, that is such a wild ride to see this, you know, happening, knowing what went down. Like, at what point. This happened at the wrap party. Yeah, that's right. So it happened off of this. But he.
Ben Mandelker
I know, it sucks.
Amy Phillips
Yeah, it is a bomb.
Ben Mandelker
But I want to see him. I want to see him turn.
Amy Phillips
I know. I wish we could see it.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah, but we don't. We just hear him kind of drone on about because this man hates his job. And I can't really say that I blame him. But you know what? If you already hate your job, let me tell you one thing that's not going to happen.
Unnamed Speaker
Help.
Ben Mandelker
Showing up in a Speedo.
Amy Phillips
Ooh.
Ben Mandelker
That doesn't help your job. That doesn't make you like your job more. I find, of course, I have a very different build than Joel, but to me, that's like nightmare fuel.
Amy Phillips
I think he loved it, and I think the ladies loved it, too.
Ben Mandelker
Oh, yeah. Well, you know, I should work out.
Amy Phillips
Shouldn't we all? I have Swig on my. Yes, I noticed Stanley, because. Because I'm recapping. Well, mom talk. You know, we all call it mom talk, but. Oh, yeah, so I put that on there for later.
Ben Mandelker
Is Swig the soda shop they go to?
Amy Phillips
Yeah, it's the soda they drink. You don't watch it?
Ben Mandelker
I watched the first one. I haven't watched the second one yet because I'm waiting to see if we're gonna recap it, but Ben's in Norway and I don't know, it just seems, like, too late. Cause don't they all come out at one time?
Amy Phillips
Yes, but what I'm doing is I'm do. Like, we did one. The first episode. We just did one. Recap the first episode, then we're gonna do two at a time, and then the last one we'll just do on its own because there's 10 episodes. But I found that if you just take your own time through them, people still listen because it happens so fast. I mean, everyone is binging. But so much happens in an episode that it's worth taking your time through it. And there's only 10.
Ben Mandelker
Okay. Yeah, well, I'll definitely be watching it because I loved the first season of it. They're all so weird.
Amy Phillips
Oh, I know.
Ben Mandelker
They're just so weird.
Amy Phillips
It's a crazy, wild world. Yeah.
Ben Mandelker
Anyway, it really is. Like I'm used to the Christian repression or whatever, but the Mormons take it to a different level. I'm like, you can have, you can't drink, but you can have orgies.
Amy Phillips
Right?
Ben Mandelker
I mean, I'm down Mormon. I'm just kidding. Can you imagine? I'm too lazy for a single that's less multiples.
Amy Phillips
I'd be like, no, I can't do it. I can't commit.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah, it's too much. So Joel comes out and he announces that they have to solidify their own connections because guess what? Tonight.
Amy Phillips
What?
Ben Mandelker
New men are coming in.
Amy Phillips
What?
Ben Mandelker
Fresh used sail rack men are coming in. Watch out, ladies.
Amy Phillips
I can't believe this twist.
Ben Mandelker
At this point I said, how long is this show? Because I think this, this was gonna be. I think it should be six episodes, right? I mean, it's Love Hotel. How many do we need?
Amy Phillips
Yeah, what do you think? I think, is it six total?
Ben Mandelker
No, no, I thought it was gonna.
Amy Phillips
Be because six seems about right. Five or six seems about right.
Ben Mandelker
But they didn't say next week on the season finale.
Amy Phillips
Right. They're gonna keep it going.
Ben Mandelker
Oh, how long is this? Because don't the girls trips last six?
Amy Phillips
Uh huh.
Ben Mandelker
So I figured it was six. But it's not.
Amy Phillips
It's not?
Ben Mandelker
No, because they didn't say next week someone dies.
Amy Phillips
Are we ever gonna get in the ocean, by the way? Like, speaking of, have they even Are there near an ocean? Right?
Ben Mandelker
Like, yeah, we haven't even seen Luan. Like, look at me.
Amy Phillips
I can. Sis, I know we haven't seen. We should be seeing her on the beach at some point. All we've seen her is just walking around this concrete. It's not right.
Ben Mandelker
Well, we saw her do that fake scene where she's like, all right, let's take a walk. Let's take a walk on the beach. And then she walked two. She walked two steps and then turned Around. She's like, all right, I'm done. You get that? Is that in the can?
Amy Phillips
You're right. Earl the Pearl and Shannon did walk on the beach, too. You're right. Okay, I apologize.
Ben Mandelker
We saw the beach, but, yeah, they haven't gone in it. I don't think so, then. Oh, see, I'm skipping through some of this because I can't stop talking about stupid shit.
Amy Phillips
James steals a heart for Lou.
Ben Mandelker
Yes. Yes. He steals a glass heart from a tree.
Unnamed Speaker
He's like, okay, read the note. Read the note. It says you stole my heart, so I stole a heart for you, motherfucker. I hope you like it. I'm gonna stick my penis in you later.
Ben Mandelker
And she's like, oh, God, I love it. Love it. I love a man that steals from me. We're gonna be the Bonnie and Clyde. The Bonnie and Clyde.
Amy Phillips
She would love it.
Ben Mandelker
Housewives.
Amy Phillips
That is. I love your James so much.
Ben Mandelker
It's so perfect.
Amy Phillips
Oh, my God.
Unnamed Speaker
Doesn't he sound like that?
Ben Mandelker
That's also how I do Bronwyn's husband from Salt Lake City. So it's kind of cheating. And Bronwyn's husband doesn't even sound like that. I just make him sound like that.
Unnamed Speaker
What do you mean you're talking about my wife like that? You better back up, buster. You're gonna get one right in the soccer.
Amy Phillips
He has that vi. You're so right.
Unnamed Speaker
Nailed it. My lawn, you dang kids. But James really does talk, like, play the guitar. I can play a G and a C. Love Hotel.
Amy Phillips
Yeah.
Ben Mandelker
So they joke about their mug shots, and they put the worst mug shot of James up.
Amy Phillips
He's just like, that was.
Ben Mandelker
And so then we go to Giselle's relationship, and Jason is having to wait for Ashley because Ashley's just leading all sorts of men on. Ashley's got them all.
Amy Phillips
What a ride. Yeah. Joel says Ashley verse, which is actually perfect.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah, he's in the Ashley verse. And isn't Ashley still dating Beavis from Potomac?
Amy Phillips
Yes. The timeline of this is very sus. Because it's almost like she said, wait for me. I'll be back. I just have to do this show real quick. And just so I. I think they are still doing it.
Ben Mandelker
It's all for tv. Because I think they shot this show in. I mean, it lasts a few hours, but I think they shot it in five minutes, which I'm not sure how that works, but, yeah, because they don't even get the men rooms. Like, when the new men come on later, they're like, do you guys have rooms? Like, nope. They've been just having us sit out here all day.
Unnamed Speaker
And so I guess this is.
Amy Phillips
That's the worst. Like, when you go and you have to travel, and then you get somewhere and your room isn't ready, you just don't have a room, so you have to sit in the lobby or go, you know, do something around the city and just, like, leave your luggage there.
Ben Mandelker
In the summer?
Amy Phillips
Yeah, in the summer.
Ben Mandelker
On a beach in your full clothes. I'm sure they love it. So Giselle's talking to Adam, and she's like, so, Shannon. You've been connecting with Shannon, so, you know, you need to make out with her or something.
Unnamed Speaker
Come on, solidify. That's my two cents.
Amy Phillips
Shannon. Yes. I love it. I love it, I love it.
Ben Mandelker
And he's like, yeah, well, Shannon and Luann told me both to jump Shannon's bone. Or, no, Luanne and. And Giselle told me both to jump.
Unnamed Speaker
God damn it.
Ben Mandelker
Told me to jump Shannon's bones. But I don't know if my scarf is ready for that yet.
Amy Phillips
What is he hiding behind that scarf? It's so tight and so short.
Ben Mandelker
I don't know what it is. Because when he takes it off, you know, because you take it off, and I'm like, waddle patrol. Because, you know, I want to get my waddle under control. So I'm like, what did he do with his. And I think he had the thing where he got it, like, put behind his ears. I'm going to get that. But he doesn't have a waddle or anything, so I don't know what he's hiding. Yeah, but he does shave the. He does shave his beard in that shape. Oh, you know how guys do that, where they're like, look, I have a square jaw.
Amy Phillips
Right?
Ben Mandelker
Oh, my God. I totally fell for it.
Amy Phillips
It's like the contouring that women do, right?
Ben Mandelker
Yes. It's Lincoln logging your face for men.
Amy Phillips
Yes. I don't know. I thought maybe I was like, does he have a cold? Does he have a sore throat? Is that because, like, that's. That's tied in such a way where you're like, I just had a lozenge, you know? And you're like, yeah, I'm feeling better. I don't know.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah. Did he just shoplift in the old times, right?
Amy Phillips
Hello. Oh, wait, Oxford.
Ben Mandelker
I was preparing him for the town square.
Amy Phillips
Yeah.
Ben Mandelker
So congratulations on making it halfway through your journey. Okay. Damn, it.
Amy Phillips
Does seem so boring.
Ben Mandelker
He's like, so some people are gonna check out of the Love Hotel. Just. Gentlemen, if you want to say anything to these ladies now, Someone picked Joel up. He fell over.
Amy Phillips
Weekend at Bernie's host.
Ben Mandelker
So Jay's like, okay, before Giselle tries to eliminate me, I'm out of here. I'm going to self eliminate. Fuck this place. Fuck all of you. I'm hot and have a job, and nobody gave me the time of day.
Unnamed Speaker
Okay?
Ben Mandelker
So thanks.
Unnamed Speaker
Bye.
Amy Phillips
Bye, bye. Good for her.
Ben Mandelker
Does her.
Unnamed Speaker
Tear wipe, tear wipe, tear.
Amy Phillips
Wipe, tear wipe, all that. All the tear wipes of these housewives. I can't, you know, stop your tear wipes. Stop, stop. They're not real.
Unnamed Speaker
If anybody needs me to cry in any scene, just please say, Wale is eliminated. And I will cry. I will cry. Wale has to stay. Wale has to stay.
Ben Mandelker
She loves him.
Amy Phillips
She does.
Unnamed Speaker
She's like, anything but getting rid of Wale. Please, please. I will give you Archie. Please keep Wale.
Amy Phillips
That's why she got the new dog. Now we know she gave away Archie during Love Hotel.
Unnamed Speaker
Oh, yeah.
Ben Mandelker
She made a deal. She made a deal.
Amy Phillips
Gave her firstborn.
Ben Mandelker
Giselle's like, are you gonna cry? Yeah. And so they all hug Jay, and he gets out of there with some self respect, which is nice.
Unnamed Speaker
And Shannon's like, wow, Giselle really dropped the ball on that one. God. But I'm gonna scratch my head and do this with my lips.
Ben Mandelker
So then. I'm sorry. So Jay's out of there. So Joel's like, yeah, I don't think any of us saw that happening, but I think it speaks volumes about Jay.
Amy Phillips
Wait, who said that?
Ben Mandelker
Joel.
Amy Phillips
I don't remember him saying that, but.
Ben Mandelker
I was like, what does it mean? And then he goes. And I think it speaks volumes about the men here. What are you talking about?
Unnamed Speaker
Shannon's like, oh, God, this is so hard. This is so. Oh, God. I don't want to go first. Please tell me.
Ben Mandelker
Shannon, you're first. She's like.
Unnamed Speaker
I said. I said I didn't want. Is anybody listening to me? I take Earl.
Adam, I love that you have an education. I pick idiot Earl.
Ben Mandelker
Stupid, uneducated Earl.
Unnamed Speaker
Turns out I get turned on by uneducated people. Earl, Come on. I guess. Earl.
Amy Phillips
I can.
Unnamed Speaker
I can be in control until he won't let me. And then I will find another person from his family and. And. And. And then we'll get back on track. I have an unlimited supply of investigators and detectives. Don't get me started on how I know someone from Jersey. I will use those sources. I will.
Don't make me use my source.
Ben Mandelker
So Luann is like, well, well, would I have picked Earl? No, but, you know, Shannon's a Shannon. Shannon's gonna Shannon, basically. So now Giselle gets to pick. And she's like, well, I'm super happy.
Unnamed Speaker
Where Phil and I are right now.
Ben Mandelker
He's like, ring your belly off.
Unnamed Speaker
It is my honor and privilege to accept this key.
Amy Phillips
Freeze frame.
Ben Mandelker
And Luann, well, you know, I'm giving my key to James. He's the only man who can play the guitar and a penis at the same time. He can play guitar with his penis, James. You're right.
Unnamed Speaker
I'm so grateful. Gosh, it's like opening her heart.
Amy Phillips
My vagina.
Unnamed Speaker
Sticking my penis in it.
Amy Phillips
It's my vagina, Earl. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It wasn't Earl. What's your name again? James. It's my vagina, James. That's what it is. I'm like an oyster, Earl. Don't get any ideas. You're disgusting.
Ben Mandelker
Earl's also textured, kind of like an oyster, but in the much less sexy way.
Amy Phillips
So Lake Oyster.
Ben Mandelker
Lake Oyster.
Amy Phillips
Lake Oyster.
Ben Mandelker
Okay, but last, last, but clearly not least is the Ashley verse.
Unnamed Speaker
Ashley, like, well, I Wale, we have such a great time, but, you know, you just want to have children, and I'm not sure if I want children, so I'm picking the old one. Ralph, come here.
Ben Mandelker
What are you talking about? Ashley? Because she sat Wale down and was like, do you want children? And he said, yes. And she said, when? And he's like, in a few years. And she's like, wow, that's a really long time, Wale. And he's like, okay, well, I can have him in 30 days if you want. Like, do you want him now? And so now she's taking that, and she's like, oh, my gosh, you guys.
Unnamed Speaker
Waleigh is stressing me out because, like.
Ben Mandelker
Now he wants kids and I don't want kids. And he said he wants them within 30 days. Okay? That's.
Amy Phillips
He literally has them on layaway. Like, we have to go get them right now. I mean, he gave it rain. She was like, it could be a year, could be four, anywhere in between, right? She just.
Ben Mandelker
I could want kids. I could not want kids. You tell me what. What I need to do to win this show. She's like, okay, you've given the correct answer.
Unnamed Speaker
Wally gave the incorrect answer.
Ben Mandelker
He's trying to pressure me into having children.
Amy Phillips
I have a boyfriend waiting for me in Potomac somewhere in The Potomac area. I mean, honestly, like the fact she cann not be with someone who wants to have a child. You cannot do that, Ashley. You're done. You cannot have another baby. Like, it's. It's. Please, just have fun with your life. You know, I. What do you think? You don't think that she should have another child, do you?
Unnamed Speaker
I.
Ben Mandelker
Well, I. I don't know, because I have kind of a cynical view with Ashley because she was married to Michael and you don't. I don't care what Ashley says. No one marries Michael Darby for love. I'm sorry. I just don't. I never bought it. I'll never buy that.
Unnamed Speaker
That.
Ben Mandelker
I don't think it's that crazy to say it. So. I think that she will have babies, but I think she loves having kids. I just think that she needs money, you know, she needs a moneyed man. She's. And I don't know that Wale is not. What does Wale do? I forgot.
Amy Phillips
Don't know what one of these men do. I. I'm not interested.
Ben Mandelker
Catamaran. Catamaran's a country.
Amy Phillips
I. Yeah, catamaran's a country. I hear the. The words. I. I see what's typed up, and it just washes right over me and into the drain. I just let it go.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah. They are kind of those, like, generic guy jobs.
Amy Phillips
Yes. Right.
Ben Mandelker
So I don't know what he does either, but I think that Ashley. But then she's with Beavis, and I don't know what Beavis does either, so I don't really know. I've always thought Ashley has some kind of weird relationship with Michael Darby where even if she didn't get with him for love, they've come to some sort of. Of thing over the years, like some kind of comfort where he's just always going to be there. I don't think he's going to be one of those exes that's going to just go away. And I think that she probably likes having him there in some way because remember when he was like, well, I'll just buy a house. We'll put it in the llc, and then I can still come over whenever I want.
Unnamed Speaker
Check. Oh, my God. Okay, great.
Ben Mandelker
And her family's like, no, you can't do that.
Amy Phillips
Michael wants to open an Oz, too, in the new house, and he can come over. Like, what? It's a good idea. I talked to my lawyer about it.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah. So I don't know. I don't think that Ashley's gonna. If she dates Young, like Beavis. I think it's just gonna be dating. I don't think she'll get married. I think if she gets married again, it's gonna have to be a heavy hitter.
Amy Phillips
And you're right. If she does find somebody who she really does feel like she's in love with and has money and is interested in really being hands on raising a family, then maybe you're right, she'd do it.
Ben Mandelker
Or maybe if like Beavis does threesomes with her in Darby or something and then he can like accept both of them and take care of both of them.
Amy Phillips
Yeah.
Ben Mandelker
Then she would be into. She needs something like that. She needs like a TLC marriage.
Amy Phillips
Yeah, she does. She's gonna move on over there. Yeah. She's gonna outgrow Bravo with some life changes and go over to dlc. Smart.
Ben Mandelker
Yeah, I would love that. Ashley and Michael Darby married to Beavis, raising a big crazy family.
Amy Phillips
It would be kind of amazing, actually. But Michael's never seen. He'll never be on camera.
Ben Mandelker
No. No. Unless. Well, maybe on TLC you're allowed to grab people's asses. I don't know, because wasn't that his thing when he left? He's like, I will not be called a predator for trying to take a free sample off a sample tray. Like Michael.
Unnamed Speaker
That was not a sample. That was an employee of the company.
Ben Mandelker
Well, it was there.
Amy Phillips
Weird Costco.
Ben Mandelker
I was just trying to be nice, you know? So if they let him sexually harass people, he'll be back. But who knows?
Amy Phillips
Yes.
Ben Mandelker
Congratulations. You've reached the end of part one. Of a two part recap for part two. Go look for the recap that says part two. See you over there, suckers.
Ronnie Karam
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Ben Mandelker
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Ben Mandelker
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Ronnie Karam
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Ben Mandelker
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Ben Mandelker
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Ronnie Karam
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Ronnie Karam
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Ronnie Karam
Cloud, she's the queen bee It's Sarah Lemke Shannon out of a can and Anthony let's take a off with Tamla.
Ben Mandelker
Playing It's always a good time when you're wasting time with Bravo she ain't no shrinking violet Coutar we love you guys. If you like, watch what crappens you can listen ad free right now by joining Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Prime members can listen ad free on Amazon Music. Before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short survey@wondry.com survey.
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Watch What Crappens – Re-Release Love Hotel 0105 Part One: Santa’s Back in Town w/ Guest Amy Phillips
Release Date: May 28, 2025
Welcome to another engaging episode of Watch What Crappens, the daily podcast hosted by Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam, where they delve into the drama, antics, and all things Bravo. In this Re-Release of Love Hotel 0105 Part One: Santa’s Back in Town, the hosts are joined by special guest Amy Phillips from the Drama Darling podcast. Together, they unpack the latest developments in the Real Housewives universe, particularly focusing on the dynamics within the "Love Hotel" series. This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and humorous exchanges from the episode, complete with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.
The episode kicks off with a lighthearted yet topical discussion about the rising concern over Artificial Intelligence (AI) potentially overtaking human roles. Ben Mandelker humorously addresses the fears surrounding AI, questioning its role with lines like:
Ben Mandelker ([02:54]): "You cannot even joke about that anymore because it is happening now. People are very upset about AI taking over the world. It's already taken over. What are you gonna do?"
Amy Phillips joins the conversation, expressing her apprehension about AI’s encroachment into creative spaces:
Amy Phillips ([03:05]): "People are sending me those like Real Housewives, kids, babies doing reenacting the scenes and I can't. I'm like, I can't do it. I don't know. I can't. It's scaring me. It's terrifying me."
The hosts collectively laugh off the fears, acknowledging the humorous side of AI integration while subtly critiquing its impact on entertainment and personal relevance.
Ben introduces Amy Phillips, highlighting her as a "gorgeous, talented voice activated friend" and clarifies her role:
Ben Mandelker ([02:20]): "Well, hello and welcome to Watch what Crappens. I'm Ronnie and today Ben is in Norwaying it up. So I picked the most gorgeous, talented voice activated friend I could find, Amy Phillips from the Drama Darling podcast. Amy, hello."
Amy warmly acknowledges her presence:
Amy Phillips ([02:43]): "Hello. Thank you so much for letting me be here today. Are you welcome? I am not an AI. I am a regular person. Not AI. I am happy to be here filling in for Ben."
Their playful exchange sets a jovial tone for the episode, emphasizing camaraderie and mutual respect.
The conversation shifts to Santa Clarita, the setting for "Love Hotel." Amy shares her experiences living and working there, providing insights into the community dynamics:
Amy Phillips ([05:08]): "I love it up here and I've made a lot of good, like, mom friends, you know?"
Ben, originally from El Paso, Texas, relates to the Spanish influence in Santa Clarita, adding a personal touch to the discussion:
Ben Mandelker ([06:29]): "I'm from El Paso, Texas, so everything there is kind of like Spanish based as well."
They humorously refer to the local community, dubbing it "Santa Clarita Bonitas," a nod to both the cultural and social vibrancy of the area.
The core of the episode revolves around a detailed recap and analysis of "Love Hotel" Season 1 Episode 5, titled "Guess Who's Back." Ben and Amy dissect the episode's plot, character developments, and dramatic twists.
Key Plot Points:
Shannon’s Envelope: The episode opens with Shannon presenting Earl with an envelope, leading to widespread speculation about its contents. This pivotal moment sparks intrigue and sets the stage for ensuing drama.
Amy Phillips ([09:50]): "Guess who's back. Yeah."
Earl's Struggles: Earl grapples with his strained relationship with his son, who has previously distanced himself. The emotional depth of this storyline is highlighted by Earl's vulnerability.
Unnamed Speaker ([15:12]): "He's doing zombie voiceovers in Santa Clarita."
Character Dynamics:
Shannon and Earl: The hosts delve into the complexities of Shannon and Earl’s relationship, emphasizing the emotional weight of their interactions. Amy notes Shannon's dramatic flair:
Amy Phillips ([14:34]): "But I love, like, the softer side of Shannon when she gets really quiet."
The Introduction of Adam: Adam is presented as a new character, stirring the pot with his actions and intentions towards Shannon and Earl.
Ben Mandelker ([10:17]): "Broccoli, Earl. I was gonna say, yeah, totally, because that's the only person."
Notable Quotes and Moments:
Macron Anecdote: Ben brings a humorous yet relevant anecdote involving French President Macron to draw parallels with the show's drama.
Ben Mandelker ([12:00]): "I just saw a clip today of Macron getting off the president of France."
Earl's Emotional Moment: A touching scene where Earl breaks down, showcases his emotional turmoil and the show's ability to blend drama with relatable human experiences.
Ben Mandelker ([15:08]): "He's doing zombie voiceovers in Santa Clarita."
Ben and Amy employ their signature humor to satirize common tropes in reality TV, particularly those seen in "Love Hotel." They mock the exaggerated emotions, contrived drama, and often implausible scenarios that the show presents.
Examples of Satirical Commentary:
Earl's Over-the-Top Sadness:
Ben Mandelker ([26:13]): "I call her a verbal strobe light. Everything slows down like it's slow motion."
Shannon's Dramatic Lines: They parody Shannon’s dramatic outbursts and manipulative tactics to gain attention.
Unnamed Speaker ([36:06]): "And so now Adam wants to see where he stands, clearly from his line of questioning. So get over here. Break open the seal, buddy."
Lovable Yet Dysfunctional Characters: The duo highlights the show's penchant for lovable yet extremely flawed characters, using exaggerated impressions to drive their point home.
Amy Phillips ([23:37]): "She's doing it on her own. She just wants. She doesn't need people. She doesn't need them."
The hosts transition into a deeper analysis of character relationships, focusing on the intricate and often convoluted interactions between Shannon, Earl, and other characters like Luann and Giselle.
Highlights:
Shannon’s Unwavering Attachment to Earl:
Unnamed Speaker ([27:00]): "Yeah, there's a party downstairs. Everyone's waiting for you."
Shannon's relentless dedication to Earl, despite his flaws, is a focal point of discussion, showcasing her complex personality.
Giselle’s Relationships: The introduction of Giselle adds another layer of complexity, with her own set of relationship dynamics and conflicts.
Ben Mandelker ([37:12]): "He's like, Phil. Phil what does Phil give you? Phil gives me, like, Eartha Kit impersonator in Palm Springs."
Humorous Portrayal of Plot Devices: Ben and Amy mock the show’s reliance on predictable plot devices, such as dramatic confrontations and sudden revelations.
Ben Mandelker ([38:40]): "So that's why she's like, well."
Ben and Amy engage in speculative discussions about future plot developments, character arcs, and potential twists in the upcoming parts of "Love Hotel." They encourage listeners to anticipate outrageous scenarios and character decisions.
Speculative Insights:
Character Departures and Arrivals: They debate the likelihood of key characters leaving or new ones joining, adding to the unpredictability of the show's narrative.
Ben Mandelker ([43:44]): "They're gonna keep it going. Oh, how long is this?"
Relationship Taglines and Dynamics: The hosts playfully predict the evolution of relationships, such as the potential for Shannon to find a new love interest or Earl’s possible redemption arcs.
Amy Phillips ([55:36]): "I have a boyfriend waiting for me in Potomac somewhere in The Potomac area."
Humorous Predictions:
Earl’s Potential Comeback: Ben humorously speculates on Earl’s future, blending absurd scenarios with reality TV tropes.
Ben Mandelker ([48:32]): "He does shave his beard in that shape. Oh, you know how guys do that, where they're like, look, I have a square jaw."
As the episode approaches its conclusion, Ben and Amy summarize their thoughts, setting the stage for Part Two of the recap. They tease future discussions and encourage listeners to stay tuned for more in-depth analysis and humorous takes on "Love Hotel."
Final Thoughts:
Ben Mandelker ([58:00]): "Congratulations. You've reached the end of part one. Of a two part recap for part two. Go look for the recap that says part two. See you over there, suckers."
They bid farewell with a blend of humor and anticipation, leaving listeners eager for the continuation of their entertaining breakdowns.
Throughout the episode, Ben and Amy pepper their discussion with memorable quotes that encapsulate the humor and critique central to Watch What Crappens. Here are some standout moments:
On AI and Relevance:
Ben Mandelker ([02:54]): "You cannot even joke about that anymore because it is happening now."
About Shannon’s Determination:
Unnamed Speaker ([26:05]): "I'm shaking. I'm literally shaking."
Mocking Reality TV Conventions:
Amy Phillips ([35:08]): "They don't know. They just."
On Character Development:
Ben Mandelker ([43:56]): "We saw the beach, but, yeah, they haven't gone in it."
Humorous Character Impressions:
Ben Mandelker ([48:37]): "It's like the contouring that women do, right?"
In this Re-Release of Love Hotel 0105 Part One: Santa’s Back in Town, Watch What Crappens successfully blends insightful analysis with sharp humor, providing listeners with both a breakdown of the episode and a satirical look at the conventions of reality TV. With the addition of guest Amy Phillips, the conversation is enriched, offering diverse perspectives and lively banter.
Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam continue to shine in their roles as commentators, skillfully navigating through the drama-filled world of Bravo with wit and charm. Whether you're a seasoned fan of "Love Hotel" or a newcomer intrigued by the behind-the-scenes humor, this episode offers a comprehensive and entertaining recap that captures the essence of what makes Watch What Crappens a favorite among Bravo enthusiasts.
Stay tuned for Part Two of this two-part recap, where Ben and Amy will delve even deeper into the twists and turns of "Love Hotel," ensuring that listeners remain informed and entertained every step of the way.
Notable Moments with Quotes and Timestamps:
AI Concerns:
Santa Clarita Insights:
Character Dynamics:
Shannon’s Envelope Scene:
Humorous Plot Devices:
Shannon's Determination:
Mocking Trumped-Up Emotions:
Final Tease:
These timestamped quotes offer a glimpse into the episode's dynamic and comedic flair, illustrating the seamless blend of humor and critique that defines Watch What Crappens.