BEHIND THE VELVET ROPE

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Ladies of London's Marissa Hermer (Catching Up!) Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

Ladies of London’s Marissa Hermer steps Behind the Rope. Now living in Southern California, Marissa is here to tell it all. Marissa has stepped up to the plate to help feed her local hospital and medial workers who are working tirelessly during the crisis the world has been facing. This is nothing new for Marissa. She is used to feeding her community through the two restaurants she owns with her husband, The Draycott and Olivetta. She is not a stay at home and watch type of person so when her restaurants were temporarily closed due to Covid regulations, Marissa decided to dedicate her time by delivering food made in those restaurants, in her own car, to hospitals in need. This desire to help has turned into an official “You Give. We Cook. They Eat.” GoFundMe Program which is alive and thriving. Thank you Marissa. In other news, so just how did a good 'ole Southern California girl end up in the UK and on our Bravo TV screens in the hit show Ladies of London? After college, Marissa wanted to live in every different city that she could so she went to London planning to travel aound Europe. She ended up getting a job in the UK in PR and eventually met her husband through work. They married and opened a string of successful restaurants and nightclubs in London and throughout the UK. Flash forward and one day Bravo came knocking. Marissa explains how the show was originally not supposed to be a “housewives” type drama show (well that didn't work out too well now did it) but was supposed to be an entirely differently show regarding Americans assimilating into London life. Marissa explains her reservations in joining the show, the challenges of filming, reality versus real tv, and her reaction to what a huge cult classic Ladies of London is in BravoVerse. Of course, we discuss her cast mates The Carolines Stanbury and Fleming, The Juliets Angus and Montagu, Sophie, Caprice, Noelle, and Adela and the status of her relationships with each today. Finally, living right near Beverly Hills, we had to ask about her friendships and run ins with those other SoCal women we love so much, The Lisas Vanderpump and Rinna, Kyle, Teddy and so on and whether she would ever join RHOBH. . Finally, we discuss the possibility of a Ladies Of London reunion and Marissa’s potential interest in such an event!

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Frank (Jr.) Catania - RHONJ (An Interview!) Mar 31, 2021

Show notes

Frankie Jr steps Behind The Rope. Yes, THAT Frank Catania. Son of the one and only Miss Dolores Catania from The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Welcome man. Home from Sacred Heart University for the weekend, Frankie is here to chat about it all. Ever wonder what it is like to be the child of one of The Housewives that we love so much? Well Frankie lets us in on that little secret. We discuss how Dolores originally got involved in filming and what it was like to all of a sudden, as a teenager, have cameras in his house filming his, his Mom’s, and Family’s every move. Frankie also discusses what it was like once the show came out and he was deemed “fan favorite” - how people at school reacted and what it was like when he went away to college being Dolores Catania’s son from RHONJ. Speaking of college, Frankie talks about his love of finance and how he plans to be “The Wolf of Wall Street” and take over the world once he graduates later this year. We discuss all the RHONJ drama that Frankie has been witness to the past several seasons, first hand, while filming, and discuss some of the more shocking moments that have occurred over the years. On a larger note, Frankie breaks down why he thinks the rest of the world is, for lack of better words, obsessed, intrigued, and mesmerized by New Jersey and why he thinks shows like Jersey Shore and RHONJ are so successful with viewers. He also discusses some of the misperceptions people have about the State of New Jersey based on some of these TV shows and is here to clear those stereotypes up. Of course we discuss the picture that went viral of him and Gia Giudice at The Prom, the current status of their relationship, whether one day he may call Teresa his mother in law and answer the one question on everyone’s mind, just what is Frankie’s type of woman. Tune in now to hear all this “Fan Fav” has to say.

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Summer House's Danielle Olivera (A Fireside Chat) Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

Summer House’s Danielle Olivera steps Behind The Rope. Summer House, Season 5. Danielle is here to break down all the current season drama from other’s love triangles (thank you Luke, Ciara, Hannah), to her own entanglements (Hannah suggesting she kissed Luke only because Lindsay told her to), to the traumatic physical fight between her roommates seen last week. Speaking of her roommates, we chat with Danielle about just how different the process was this season in The Hamptons when filming Summer House actually became “Quarantine Summer House”. Danielle chats about why she decided to return as a full time cast member after “walking away” to a reduced role last year and how it felt to be back under different circumstances. She also pays homage to those who have been voted off the island - Lauren, Stephen, Jordan and Jules discussing just what it takes to be successful among this group of friends and predicts just how Ciara will fare with fans as the weeks roll on and we get to know Summer House’s newest roommate better. Of course we chat about all of her other roommates - Paige, Carl, Kyle, Lindsay and Amanda - and discuss where the status of each of these friendships is today. Might we see another kiss with Luke before the season ends? Will things heat up with her boyfriend who we have only met via Zoom (ahh, a sign of the times)? Will Kyle and Amanda make it through the rest of the season without another epic fight? Will Carl and Paige find their way back to the pantry? Will Hannah and Lindsay continue to stay clear of each other or is that just impossible living in the same house. These and many more questions answered before we finally play a game of “who would you rather” Summer House edition and sign off with Danielle. After all, she does have a day job to get back to.

@danielleolivera

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RHOA's DeShawn Snow (on Season One, Current Season and Miss Nene Leakes) Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

The Real Housewives Of Atlanta’s DeShawn Snow steps Behind The Rope. Yes, Season One, OG RHOA, DeShawn Snow. Well it has been a minute, hasn’t it? We catch up with DeShawn on all she been up to since we last saw her on our TV screens. All includes going through a very public divorce from three time NBA finalist Eric Snow plus starting a successful life coach business while also continuing her day job as one of Sotheby’s top Real Estate Agents. Feeling totally nostalgic as this current season of RHOA rolls on, we chat with DeShawn about her involvement in the franchise - casting, filming, her edit, and how life changed as a result of being involved in the series. We also chat about her exit from the show, how producers thought she was “too normal” and “too nice" for the direction the show was going, how she found out she wasn’t coming back, and why so many housewives who come on our Pod just won’t admit that they were terminated. As we reminisce RHOA’s Freshman Season, we chat with DeShawn about her cast mates Kim Zolciak, Lisa Wu, Shereé Whittfield, and last, but certainly not least, Nene Leakes. We chat about Season one Nene and Kim, could we tell both were Reality TV ratings gold back then and how each has changed throughout the years. Speaking of Nene, we chat abut her shocking exit from RHOA, and her current campaign to “Boycott Bravo”. Finally, we chat about DeShawn’s current life - work, love, happiness - and some of our other fav peach holders, Kandi, Cynthia, Porsche and Kenya! Grab your peaches and take a listen.

@deshawnsnow

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Louis York (on working with Britney Spears, Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Rihanna, The Grammys, & Their New Music) Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

Louis York steps Behind The Rope. Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony, that is. Between the two of these guys, they have worked with EVERYONE, and we mean everyone in the music business. By “worked with” we mean, written songs for, produced and everything else under the sun for a whose who amongst today’s top artists. Britney Spears. Let us just start there. Claude wrote “Circus" for Britney, the song, and album, that was recorded at a very crucial point in her life - right after her very public meltdown the result of which a conservatorship was formed appointing her father as guardian. Short of “Blackout”, Circus was the song/ album that launched her “comeback”. We delve deep into what it was like working with Britney during that time in her life, what Claude and Chuck think of the “Free Britney” movement and thought of the “Framing Britney Spears” movie. We also talk about working with Lady Gaga on her first album, “The Fame Monster”, Kelly Clarkson on her biggest hit to date “My Life Would Suck Without You”, Miley Cyrus on her original anthem “Party In The U.S.A.” and many others that we could not help but to ask about such as Rihanna, John Legend, The Backstreet Boys, Whitney Houston, and last but not least, Michael Jackson. The boys bond with David over their love of Madonna and the fact, yes it is a fact, that Prince is the biggest musical genius of our, or possibly any, generation! Of course, this dynamic duo is also here to chat about their brilliant new album, “American Griots” - the inspirations behind that, their musical idols, their love of the music from the 70’s and 80’s (we couldn’t agree more), and the message they hope is received from a listen. Finally, we chat about the lack of good music out today, the recent “virtual Grammys” and their stellar new girl group, The Shindellas. A hot new girl group? Count us in!!!

@louisyorkmusic

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@davidyontef

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JACKIE TOHN (on GLOW, American Idol, Howard Stern, Joan Rivers, The Nanny, & Best Leftovers Ever!) Mar 25, 2021

Show notes

Jackie Tohn steps Behind The Rope. Best known for her breakout performance as Melanie “Melrose” Rosen on Netflix’s award winning, critically acclaimed masterpiece “Glow”, Jackie stops by to share it all. Originally from Long Island, NY, Jackie moved to LA at 18 to follow her dreams of becoming an actress. Early in her career Jackie appeared on many of our favorite shows such as “The Sopranos”, “Veronica Mars”, “Strangers With Candy”, not the least of which was “The Nanny”, in which she played a young Fran Drescher. Turns out Kristen Bell is a close friend and they actually have an animated series coming to Amazon in the very near future! There was also that one time she lived with Jessica Biel and her parents in Calabasas. So much to kvell about, so little time. Jackie opens up about those experiences and chats about some of her comedic and thespian role models that inspired her to break into the business of acting. To our delight, Joan Rivers and Howard Stern are two of these inspirations and Jackie has even been involved in The Howard Stern show in the past, which she is more than happy to discuss. Jackie also chats about her singing abilities, those abilities which led her to the semi finals on “American Idol” and Bravo’s very own “Platinum Hit” (Kara DioGuardi, we see you!). Jackie shares stories from behind the scenes on Glow, chats about the disappointment when Season 4 was indefinitely shelved due to lockdown and hints at what the future holds for the un-filmed season and possible Glow movie (what a wish!). Jackie is now the host of Netflix’s “Best Leftovers Ever”, we delve deep into this brilliant show, her own food preferences and culinary abilities with leftovers and what being a host of her own Netflix show means to her.

@jackietohn

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AMY PHILLIPS (Our Fav Bravo Impressionist & Some of her Bravo "Friends") Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

Amy Phillips steps Behind The Rope. Yes, that Amy Phillips. Master impressionist of all of our favorite Bravo Housewives and Friends. Ok, let us back up. Amy had a whole career, and life, before falling into the BravoVerse. Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Amy moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Comedy. Some of Amy’s early impressions were some of our favorite Iconic Ladies - Martha Stewart, Ellen DeGeneres and Gwyneth Paltrow, to name a few. One day Amy caught a glimpse of a little reality show called “The Rachel Zoe Project” and from there was hooked on Reality TV and Bravo. Amy reminisces on that early time in Bravo’s history and her love of some of the OG shows such as The Millionaire Matchmaker, Blow Out and Top Chef. Amy started the brilliant “Meet Amy Phillips” You Tube Page shortly thereafter with a now nostalgic impression of the one and only Rachel Zoe. Ba-na-nas. As a result of this impression, her phone rang. It was Watch What Happens Live calling to ask if they could use her Rachel Zoe impression on air during an upcoming episode. She said yes. #duh The next thing she knew she was The Bartender on Watch What Happens Live doing an impression of Ramona Singer FOR guest Ramona Singer. Amy now is the host of the stellar “Reality Checked” SiriusXM Radio Show on "Radio Andy” where she dishes on all of the latest Bravo tea and recaps all of our favorite shows. Amy discusses a plethora of current Bravo events with us here today such as the hiring of actresses into the RHOBH franchise (Denise, Rinna, The Richards Sisters, Garcelle and so on - good thing or bad thing?), all in the family (welcome Kathy Hilton!), this just past season of RHOC (as bad as everyone says. Elizabeth Vargas, anyone?), her favorite city in the franchise (did someone say #RHONY), and which Housewives should have never been hired (we will leave that one a mystery for when you listen to this episode). A real sport of a guest, Amy was kind enough to entertain our many impression requests with stand out appearances on this very episode from all of our favorite friends, including, but not limited to Bethenny Frankel, Lisa Rinna, Ramona Singer, Luann de Lesseps, Erika Jayne, Lisa Vanderpump, Dorit Kemsley, Dorinda Medley, Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Teresa Giudice, LeeAnne Locken, Lea Black, Kyle Richards and last, but certainly not least, Danielle Staub. Get ready to laugh!

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Chaz Dean (on Flipping Out - Jeff Lewis, Gage, Jenni Pulos & his Hair Empire!) Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

Chaz Dean steps back Behind The Rope. For everyone who has not heard our Part I sit down with Chaz, it aired February 8th, 2021. We chat about his friends and clients - RHOBH’s Lisa Rinna and Lisa Vanderpump and Nicolette Sheridan. What happened that one time Nicolette walked into his salon while Rinna was in his chair? What about the stories he heard back in the hey day of 90210 when he worked on Shannen Doherty, Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth? Feel free to check that out. Today, Chaz is here to talk more about the 90210 kids, his booming hair care empire, WEN products and, Flipping Out. Chaz chats with us about where and how he first met Jeff Lewis. He discusses how he first hired Jeff to help design his multitude of hair “bungalows” as seen on the hit Bravo show “Flipping Out”. Speaking of "Flipping Out”, Chaz explains how he went from client, to client and friend, to being convinced to star alongside Jeff Lewis in many seasons of “Flipping Out” as Jeff helped design many Salons for Chaz in his hair care empire over the years. Chaz opens up about what filming a reality show for Bravo was really like. Chaz also opens up about some of Jeff’s other employees, Gage Edward and Jenni Pulos. Chaz weighs in on the demise of the many year friendship between Jenni and Jeff and predicts whether the two will ever reconcile. Chaz also explains his current working relationship, and friendship with Gage Edward - how and why that came about. Finally, Chaz explains why he and Jeff are no longer speaking - how they got here, his message to Jeff and what he thinks the future holds. Finally, Chaz chats with us about Reality TV and whether he himself would ever want a show based around his life and hair care empire. Tune in now as our chat with Chaz Dean comes to a conclusion.

@chazdean

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RHODC's Mary Amons (on RHODC Reboot, Andy Cohen, Bravo & Current Dallas Housewives Season) Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

The Real Housewives of D.C.’s Mary Amons steps back Behind The Rope. Mary is watching this season of The Real Housewives of Dallas. Yes RHODC is watching RHOD. Mary and David are also real life friends with many of the RHOD such as Jen Davis, D’Andra Simmons, and LeeAnne Locken. Mary and David talk about these friendships and what these women are like in real life when the cameras are not rolling. They also talk about what happens when you are friends with both LeeAnne and D’Andra, two Housewives who notoriously don’t get along. What happens if they both wanna hang and grab drinks the same night? Who do you choose? Mary also chats about this season of RHOD sharing her opinions on other newcomer Tiffany Moon, how important is it to eat chicken feet, how well Bravo dealt with Brandi Redmond’s "racially incentive”, for lack of a better word, viral video, and just how the franchise is holding up with the absence of OG LeeAnne Locken. Speaking of LeeAnne, Mary and David chat about whether Bravo did the right thing in letting LeeAnne go and is there a double standard considering other Bravo cast members still have a job. Of course, David didn’t let Mary go without hearing the RHODC gossip update. Mary fills us in on all the off camera drama and updates going on in her life as well as in the lives of Lynda Erkiletian, Cat Ommanney, Staci Turner and last, but certainly not least, Michaele Salahi Schon. Mary gives us her thoughts about the too soon end to RHODC, Andy Cohen’s recent tweets with Meghan McCain about a desired RHODC reboot, and, in today’s political climate, what would that even look like. Finally, Mary updates us on what she is up to these days which includes a look at her brand new Blog Hippy Chica!!! Feel free to check it out!

@maryamons

@hippychicaofficial

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Bravo's Gallery Girls - (Gone but not Forgotten) Mar 21, 2021

Show notes

Gallery Girls. One of the gone, but definitely not forgotten classic Bravo TV shows. Jordan Ross from the infamous Don Gunvalson and Lee Radziwill Twitter Accounts has completed his homework assignment, to rewatch the entire one Gallery Girls season and stop by to help us break - it - all - down. August 13, 2012. That was the day this gem of a Bravo show came into our lives allowing us to follow the lives of seven ambitious young women in NYC trying to make it in the cut throat every changing art world. We analyze what unfolds, over the eight short lived episodes, between all our favorite art connoisseurs. Those art connoisseurs being Chantal, Angela, Amy, Claudia, Kerri, Liz and Maggie - no last names needed! We address the best and worst parts of Gallery Girls, the critics reactions, the public’s reaction and why this show ultimately got cancelled and only lasted one all too short season. Of course, we have done our research and have left no stone unturned to bring you a “Where Are They Now” like you have never heard before. Feeling nostalgic? Tune in now. We also deep dive into the Erika and Tom Divorce Drama and the RHOSLC and RHOC Seasons that just past!

Full Chat can be heard at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/45467655

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