Is This Real Life? With Mandy Slutsker

Dr. James Mercer joins Mandy to recap the RHOC finale. They discuss his friendship with Emily Simpson, Housewives Derangement Syndrome, everyone’s confrontations with Shannon, and what we’re looking forward to on the reunion. Plus, James dishes on his thoughts on his friends from #RHOD, why he’s #TeamDAndra, and whether D’Andra and LeeAnne’s friendship is reparable. Finally, in the spirit of Thanksgiving and #NationalAdoptionMonth, James shares how you can support foster care children through Lonestar Social Services (lonestarsocialservices.com) and Captain Sandy Yawn shares how to support the Jacksonville School for Autism (jsakids.org), which was founded by her sister.

Mandy's neighbor Robert Block joins to dish on this week's episode of #RHOC! They discuss Vicki and Shannon’s surgeries, the excessive amount of pillows in Gina’s casita, if Emily's comments about Shannon's alleged depression will dominate the reunion, and if there's any truth to tea leaf readings. Plus, Mandy recaps the craziness that is #RHOA, #RHONJ, and #RHOD.

Captain Sandy Yawn of #BelowDeckMed joins Mandy for a special bonus episode to share the fun (and challenges!) of running a yacht while filming a reality show, how she handles difficult passengers and crew, her thoughts on this season of #BelowDeck in Tahiti, and her experience as a woman in a male dominated field. Captain Sandy also shares how she navigates difficult waters - including a run in with pirates on the Red Sea! It’s a great and inspiring listen.

Housewives super fan Andrew Codlin joins from Vietnam to chat with Mandy this exciting time of year when FOUR Housewives franchises are on at once! They discuss distinct regional identities of Housewives and recap Andrew’s favorite #RHOA, the epic #RHOD Copenhagen fights, Andrews insight into Dallas society, and Mandy’s first experience with #RHONJ. Plus they spill some tea on #SouthernCharm and Mandy preps Andrew for an epic season of #PumpRules!

Erin Martin joins Mandy to tell us about her new podcast “Cult Talk” and throw some shade on the #BelowDeck off camera drama, the symptoms of “reality TV derangement syndrome” as exhibited by Shannon Beador, and Erin’s theory behind why #RHOD’s LeeAnne is delaying her marriage. Mandy and Erin ponder some of Bravo’s biggest questions, like how to remedy the OC cast for next season and why the Dallas ladies are obsessed with what society thinks. Plus, Mandy shares her experimentation with Mama Dee’s Green Miracle powder!

This week Mandy takes a look into the fading friendships on #RHOC and #RHOD. Is the OC's Shannon really that self absorbed? Why is Tamra gossiping about her BFF to Gina and Emily? And things get real nasty down in Dallas when LeeAnne confronts D'Andra, leaving us wondering: Is it ever a good idea to imply your friend is an alcoholic on national TV?

Grant Rutter joins Mandy to give his famous rants on the latest pop culture and Housewives gossip! They also recap the latest on #RHOC (Is 12 year old Jolie the only level-headed person on the show?)and dissect the LeeAnne and D'Andra feud on #RHOD (did the show come between their friendship?). Come for the gossip, stay for the ranting!

Shira Weiss joins Mandy to give the scoop on all the recent Bravo scandals including from the latest on #SouthernCharm's Thomas Ravenel’s rape charges and arrest (& the unlikely reaction from a victim’s daughter) to reasons behind the feuding on #RHOBH to Mauricio’s bad real estate deal of a house featured on the show. Plus, Shira and Mandy break down the latest from #RHOC and #RHOD - and reveal which Housewife is causing the biggest headache for Bravo’s PR department!

Kati joins Mandy to discuss some of the latest scandals hitting the Bravo universe, plus full recaps of #RHOC and #RHOD. Topics of discussion include "Is Tamra this season's shit stirrer?" "What's the deal with Gina's divorce?" "How would you get out of a conversation with Kameron?" and - most importantly - why is there a baby kangaroo in Stephanie's bathroom!?!? Also, Kati gives her picks for the Bravo awards (Oct 29 - make sure you vote!)

This episode starts with some tea about the upcoming season of #RHOBH and includes Mandy's recap of this week's #RHOC and a plea for everyone to leave Vicki and Steve alone! Then Mandy’s colleague from Australia James Malar joins the podcast to give some snarky thoughts on the ladies of Dallas, including his insights on Leeanne and Rich's relationship, Brandi’s ‘ginger army’, if Kameron is a real person, and whether any of D’Andra’s problems are relatable to ‘real people’.

#BachelorNation has gone wild this week - pregnancy announcements, Vegas arrests, and the most shocking deceit on Bachelor in Paradise history. Mandy is here to break down the drama (with receipts!) including her thoughts on the expose that #BIP contestant Jenna Cooper faked her engagement to Jordan Kimball. Plus recaps of the #RHOC and #RHOD. A true ode to a week in the crazy world of reality TV!

The Bachelor franchise 'truth teller' Ashely Spivey joins Mandy to share her thoughts on all things Bachelor Nation! They chat about why politics and religion aren't discussed on the show, how people get "bad edits", Leo's plunge off the deep end in social media, and how some people go on the show to 'play a character'. Plus, Ashley shares her take on Bachelor in Paradise season 5 couples and why Colton is ABC's ideal bachelor!

Dr. James Mercer, author of 'Secrets and Shame' joins Mandy to discuss how his adoption agency, Lonestar Social Services, played a role in #RHOD's Brandi Redmond's adoption, his friendship with Stephanie Hollman and the other Dallas housewives, plus recapping #RHONY reunion and why he's #TeamCarole, and his budding friendship with new #RHOC housewife Emily Simpson. For more information on adoption and foster care, please visit www.lonestarsocialservices.com.

The girl with gossip, Inquisitr and Reality Blurb reporter Lindsay Cronin joins Mandy to discuss the three D's of this week's housewives breakdown: Dorinda's drinking, D'Andra's Dee drama, and divorcing David (Beador). They try to find answers to this week's most compelling housewives questions: is it appropriate to bring a Bravo film crew to a funeral? Was Andy too obviously #TeamBethenny? And what's the deal with Emily's husband? Plus, Lindsay shares what it was like meeting the cast of Vanderpump Rules during the premiere of Lala's film, "The Row."

Resident Southern expert Kati Riddle is back to discuss the premiere of the Real Housewives of Dallas! Mandy and Kati dive into why #RHOD is so special, what's been going on with all our favorite ladies since last season, plus a breakdown of the season finale of #RHONY (drunk and angry Dorinda galore!) and a recap of #RHOC.

This week was FULL of drama - the tea is spilling over from our TVs into real life. From the untimely death of Bethenny Frankel's on again / off again boyfriend Dennis Shields to more sexual harassment scandals on The Bachelor franchise, there is a lot to unpack. Join Mandy for a recap of #RHOC, #RHONY, #TheBachelorette finale and the premiere of #BachelorInParadise.

LA-based entertainment reporter Diana Espir and host of the 'You Can't Sit With Me' and 'Fashionably Latte' podcasts joins Mandy to discuss what it's like living in the middle of reality TV land - LA. Diana dishes on life as an entertainment reporter in LA and what it was like to be at a taping of Season 7 of Vanderpump Rules, our mutual love of Stassi, her unexpected connection to RHOBH, and the role instagram plays in the entertainment industry. Halfway through we dive into #RHOC - did Vicki break girl code by double dating with Kelly's ex? What are the difficulties of parenting while being a real housewife? Plus some talk on the ghosts of housewives past. This episode gets to the heart of reality tv psychology - asking, can reality stars truly portray themselves when they’re on a reality show - especially a new one - given they want to stand out and be entertaining to viewers? Where you can find Diana Espir: You Can't Sit With Me podcast https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/you-cant-sit-with-me/id12580

Shira Weiss (from shirasgotthescoop.com) joins Mandy and shares her experience interviewing Bravolebrities and thoughts on all things Bravo including - How Southern Charm was originally supposed to be called ‘Southern Gentleman’ and focus only on the men but has turned into a #MeToo rallying cry, a breakdown of the epic Bethenny vs. Carole and Dorinda vs. Luann fighting in Cartagena, the TRUTH about the man with the red scarf from #RHONY speed dating, some tea on the new #RHOC ladies Gina and Emily, and her recent interview with #BelowDeckMed's Captain Sandy and whether she's treated differently because she's a female captain. And finally - who Shira thinks Becca will chose in #TheBachelorette finale. Enjoy!

Mandy's BFF YouTuber Brittany Vasseur Thomas helps break down all of the reality TV drama this week!!! From Bachelorette hometown dates to the Real Housewives of Orange County divorces to the Real Housewives of New York trip to Cartagena, these ladies discuss it all. Enjoy!

Professional #Bravostalker Kati Riddle joins Mandy to discuss her summer trips to Southern Charm towns New Orleans and Charleston, the culture of 'good old southern boys', and the latest drama with Austen. They dive into some of the most pressing #SouthernCharm questions: is Michael the butler the most underrated character? Does Thomas even have a job? And would Kathryn and Shep actually make a good couple? Plus a breakdown of this season's #RHONY, what Kati would do if Mandy went wedding dress shopping pre-engagement, and a good spill the tea sesh on #PumpRules gossip.