“Watch What Crappens” Host Ben Mandelker Dishes on the State of Reality TV
If you’re a Bravo fanatic, then you know the name Ben Mandelker. As one half of the wildly popular podcast “Watch What Crappens,” Ben has become a leading expert on all things Real Housewives, Vanderpump Rules, and more. So when the opportunity arose to chat with Ben about the current state of Bravo and the future of reality TV on The Gist, I jumped at the chance.
In this exclusive interview, Ben Mandelker breaks down the ever-evolving Bravo landscape, from the increased meta-awareness of the shows to the rabid fandom that can make the internet a treacherous place for any Housewife who dares to step out of line. He also shares his thoughts on some of Bravo’s newest offerings, like the polarizing “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” and the surprisingly addictive “The Traitors.”
But it’s Ben’s insider perspective that really makes this conversation shine. As a longtime Bravo devotee who has seen the genre transform over the years, he offers a unique vantage point on how these shows are produced, marketed, and consumed in the modern era.
Ben notes how Bravo has had to adapt to an audience that is savvier than ever before. “People are more aware than ever before of how they’re being received and how they’re doing with the fans, the audience,” he explains. “The shows themselves have really broken the fourth wall a lot. We now see camera crews. We now hear producers asking questions. We now have really meta moments.”
This increased self-awareness, Mandelker argues, is a positive development. “It needs it. But also, the audiences are super savvy. We all know how these shows are made. We understand what’s happening here. So don’t fool us into thinking, like, you know, like, awareness of the cameras is not a consideration by sort of breaking that fourth wall and acknowledging moments like that. It’s also acknowledging that we as viewers are capable of seeing something like that and it’s not ruined for us.”
Of course, with that increased savviness comes a darker side – the rabid, often toxic fandom that can make life hell for the Housewives. I have experienced this firsthand, getting blocked by several Housewives due to my online commentary. But I’ve learned to let the negativity roll off his back. It comes with the territory in the Bravo-verse.
Ben Mandelker shares how he deals with the comments and haters. “I just feel like, fine, you needed to get that off your chest. This, uh, meant more to you than it meant for me right now. So, like, go for it. Maybe if I had a landslide of them, I would be singing a different tune… Right now in my life, I don’t get too much hate.”
But Ben is quick to note that the Bravo fandom is a double-edged sword. While the toxicity can be disheartening, the passion of the viewers is also what has kept these shows thriving for so long. “Bravo fans are incredibly fickle. And, you know, someone has a season where they’re like, eh, only, okay. And everyone’s like, fire them. Like, oh, I didn’t like that. Fire them. And, like, no, they don’t deserve to be fired. Like, they just didn’t have as compelling of a season as someone else.”
This fickle nature of the fandom is something Bravo has had to navigate, especially as they’ve expanded their programming beyond the Housewives franchise. Ben points to the mixed reception of “The Real Housewives of Dubai” as an example. “When it launched, there were all these people who were like, love it. Oh, my God. Like, it’s like instant iconic. Bravo did it right. And I was like, really? How are people feeling this way? It’s so. It’s so dull. It’s so uninteresting.”
Ben Mandelker on State of Bravo
But Ben remains optimistic about Bravo and sister-streamer Peacock future, citing the network’s ability to course-correct and deliver hits like “The Traitors” and the recent season of “Love Island USA.” He’s particularly bullish on the latter, crediting host Ariana Madix for helping introduce the show to the Bravo faithfuls.
“Ariana not only was, not only did people sample because she was on there, but she made Love Island acceptable content for Bravo content creators to cover. So whether you’re a podcast, like, Watch What Crappens, whether you’re a meme account, you know, all the Bravo Instagram things now, like they all went over there was on Peacock. Ariana’s on there. So it’s not Bravo at all, but it, it came under the umbrella and it goes all the way back to that fandom. The bravo fandom is a powerful fandom. And if they seize on something, people are gonna follow.”
As for the future of Bravo itself, Ben believes the network is in a strong position, despite the occasional misstep. “Bravo, I think Bravo may be better than it ever has been. You know, the only real stinkers that we’ve seen in my mind over the past year have been Atlanta and Potomac. For some reason, those two shows just. They just were disasters. Um, but all the other shows have been.”
And with a slew of new shows on the horizon, including the highly anticipated “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” Ben is confident that the reality TV genre will continue to deliver the drama, the laughs, and the pure, unadulterated escapism that fans crave.
“Bravo continues to churn out lots of great TV. I think that maybe because this summer, there’s just not been a lot of. There haven’t been a lot of TV shows. It’s been Dubai, New Jersey, and Below Deck Med.”
So whether you’re a die-hard Housewives devotee or a newcomer to the Bravo universe, Ben Mandelker’s insights are a must-listen. With his encyclopedic knowledge and razor-sharp wit, he offers a unique perspective on the ever-evolving world of reality TV. And if you’re not already following him on social media, well, what are you waiting for? Time to start sliding into those DMs, Bravo fans.
And listen to the full episode of Chris and Ben’s conversation on The Gist now!
Ben Mandelker + Chris Vetrano | The Gist
