Ashley Ray: VPR, I Say
When Ashley Ray joins the podcast it's not long before she and Rob dive into why Vanderpump Rules is must see TV.
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Rob: Welcome to Vanderpump Robs, a podcast about Hollywood. I'm Rob Schulte. And today I welcome a very special guest. All guests are special, but today's. Might be very special folks, a comic and writer from the podcast to TV. I say with Ashley Ray, guess what? It's Ashley Ray. Welcome.
Ashley: Hi! [00:01:00] I'm so glad to be here. I, truly, it's an honor.
Rob: I think we kind of clicked, we were both on an episode of Alison Rosen's podcast, and then we're like, this person gets it. They, we watched the same amount of television, maybe in different. Bunches, but we, we could talk about the traders forever. And Alison wants us to stop talking about the traders so that we could talk about other things.
Ashley: But it's such a good
show, and it, and I'm, I just want to say, so glad that Alan Cumming won that Emmy over Drag Race. Like, finally, they deserved.
Group: it.
Rob: absolutely. Perfect. And you know,
this is a Vanderpump rules podcast. We'll talk about Vanderpump rules in a second, but haven't watched it yet. And it's going to be my job to see if I can push you over the edge to start the show.
Um, but did you know, Supposedly a, a, uh, Vanderpump rules cast member will be on the new season of traitors.
Ashley: I did not know
this. If I had known [00:02:00] this, it would have changed a lot for me.
Rob: well, and I'll tell you this, probably the person who has been, is the new ultimate villain of Vanderpump rules. And that was a hard mountain to climb. Yes. Tom stand of all.
Yep. See,
Ashley: I'm tuned in. I'm tuned in, okay?
Group: feed
Rob: feeding. It's giving you what you need. Um,
Group: telling
me
Ashley: the villains are.
Rob: yes, that's all we need from the internet. Just tell me who the villains are and then we'll be fine.
I can take everything else from there. Uh, but Ashley, Tell me a TV. I say great podcast. People can go listen to it now. it's something I connected with. You've had fantastic guests. I'm really looking forward to every time an episode comes out. Let's put it that way.
Ashley: Thank you.
Rob: Yeah. Uh, and I implore my listeners to click the link in the show notes right now and go subscribe to the podcast, but they can also, you've got a comedy special out, right?
I mean, it came out a little while ago, but it's ice cream
Ashley: A bit [00:03:00] ago. Uh, yeah, my debut album, Ice Cream Money came out. You can listen to it wherever you listen to music or comedy, uh, or you can go watch it on my website, theashleyray. com. Uh, but Ice Cream Money is my debut album. And yeah, or you can listen to TVISay, my podcast, which is about all things television and reality TV.
I'm a big 90 day fiancé person. I'm a big below deck person. So, yeah, so it's like my friends are constantly pushing me. They're like, you're so close. How are you not into Vanderpump Rules? You love every show around it. How are you not into it? And that's why I'm here today. Cause I'm like, I'm ready. I want to dedicate myself.
Rob: I'm, I'm so thrilled. This is, this brings me so much joy, but like, before I do talk VPR, like what sort of reality TV specifically, I know you say below deck, if we're looking at Bravo, like what draws you to different reality shows?
Ashley: real. I'm just going to get honest with you right now. What I [00:04:00]love is trash. Um, what I love,
I love garbage TV. Like my favorite shows are. 90 Day Fiancé, the entire universe. I watch every single spinoff. I also watch Love After Lockup, which I know, that is problematic, but I love it. Like, when I look at the TLC lineup, I am like, hoarders.
Like, My 600 lb Life, Intervention. I want to know that people are really putting their lives on the line in the reality shows I watch. So I have a hard time with, like, Real Housewives. Cause I'm like, I'm like, you're rich! You're not really sacrificing yourself, okay? This single mom on 90 Day Fiancé who fell in love with a 24 year old from Nigeria?
She's putting it all on the line!
Rob: she's putting it on the line. It's tough. I see exactly what you're saying. I got sucked in. See, I'm not as much of the TLC, but I did get sucked into, and I'll fully [00:05:00] admit, very problematic from inmate to roommate
Ashley: I love Inmate to Roommate! It is the most pro Cause it's like, these are people who just need a place to live, and it's But it's incredible television because 99 percent of the time you are rooting for the inmate And then there's like that one sliver where you're like, oh no roommate.
Do not trust that inmate. Please don't trust that inmate It is incredible TV
Rob: the husband and wife that brought in the guy who like was friends with
Robert Durst who just wanted to eat his salami sandwiches.
Ashley: eat a salami I was on his side 100 percent he was like I don't know, I gotta keep my salami over the vent in my bathroom because they won't let me use the fridge because they're vegans. And it's like, you get incredible characters in moments like that, and it's good TV, and I understand the prison industrial complex, but I just, I'm rooting for the inmates, okay?
Like, every episode I am just like, you deserve your own place. [00:06:00] I love the guy in the newest season who was like, yeah, I mean, I like my roommate, but it'd be really great if he let my girlfriend move in, so I'm trying to make that happen. It's just good TV. And so, I feel like it is lower tier. Like, people who watch Vanderpump look down on it.
And so, my friends who have tried to get me into it, I'm like, You look down on the shows I watch. I don't know that Vanderpump will be it for me. But they swear to me that it's more similar to a Below Deck than a, like, Real Housewives.
Rob: It is, even though it is a housewife spinoff. Right, so.
Ashley: Oh, yeah, cuz,
Rob: Cause Lisa from
Ashley: yes, Lisa, yeah,
yeah. The Vanderpump, yes,
Rob: of course, the Vanderpump of it all, the empire. Um, so the thing is, is that with Vanderpump rules, where do I begin? I think the biggest thing is, you know, without us like giving too [00:07:00] much away about ourselves, we're, millennials.
We, we had pre internet, we had internet. We had. Uh, Facebook Friendster. And then we had Instagram, right? Everyone on this show for the most part. Is in that same demographic, right? So we're connected because we understand how stupid we could be when we were, say, 24 to 30 or younger and having big dreams, but also being lazy, right?
So. I,
there's a something about the American dream, you know, I mean, and all of the problems that come with that phrase, but when you use that to say, I'm going to move to California and be a star, that is how I look at this show. All of these
Ashley: Okay.
Rob: wanted to move from Michigan or Florida or St.
Louis. [00:08:00] To be a movie star or a musician. And they ended up working at a restaurant that ended up being a TV show. And they unfortunately got their wish granted.
Ashley: But in the worst way, it's like a monkey's
Rob: yes, exactly,
Ashley: Okay.
Rob: And so, Lisa starts off episode one and this is not a spoiler, but she's got multiple restaurants and her two most successful restaurants at the time.
In
Group: 2013,
Rob: when this show began, there was a place called Villa Blanca and a place called Sur, the sexy, unique restaurant. And Sur is where they work. Lisa lets us know, the audience, in a phrase that is aged perfectly, that Villa Blanca is where you take your wife and Sur is where you take your mistress. So you already know where Lisa is on
the scale. and [00:09:00] everyone's got deep V's or only a couple of buttons buttoned, or everything is
Ashley: I mean, I'm imagining peak 2013 fashion,
Rob: absolutely statement necklaces across the board. it follows a group of friends, right? That, that is the best part. But.
They're confined, right? They're friends by because they like work together and then are in a relationship with people that work with people.
Ashley: Okay.
Rob: it's relatable in that sense, because you then see their apartments.
And it's the apartments we lived in when we moved to LA, right? It's, it's like before you get the real job. And so it is not a housewives show and they
then have to serve
housewives in a couple of episodes. So it really shows that dichotomy.
Ashley: Okay. So I do feel like I prejudged cause I was just like, yeah, it's some housewives lady and her businesses. Who cares? I just [00:10:00] figured it was all very
polished. I guess the reality shows that I'm into are people who don't understand how reality TV works. and you know, I'll mention
this, if you have 90 day fans, I guess it'll be a fun little inside hint for them.
But just this week I was on the 90 day fiancé before the 90 days, uh, cruise.
Rob: Oh my
Ashley: Yeah, so the new season just premiered, they had all these people from the show on. Most of them were like pros, most of them were like, you know, I've been on reality TV, I know what to talk about and what not to talk about. Then there was one guy who was like, my storyline does not premiere until November.
I've never been on reality TV before. And I was like, that is clear because you are telling me things you are not supposed to tell me.
And he didn't, say, he was just like, yeah, you know, my, my fiance was asking me blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And I was [00:11:00] like, Oh, that's too much. I don't want to do that. I hate the producers doing this.
And I was like, all of this is stuff that in four months, you're going to learn. You should not say to producers, but I love that you don't know that now. And that's why I love those shows. But what I'm hearing is that I'm going to get that same kind of fresh take from early Vanderpump.
Rob: Yeah, I think you, I think you are in the interesting thing about the show. And I'm trying to like, it is one of those shows where it's like, if you want to start, I'd say you have to start at the beginning because now we're 11 seasons in, um, last year they had their 11th season after the scan of all fallout, which I'm sure at least entered your, uh, Algorithm at some point.
And that has shown these people going from like working at a restaurant to like just what their lives have become. And it's just interesting to go back and look at like a fresh, you know, 2012 when they're filming a group of kids who have like maybe done a handful of David [00:12:00] Ducato movies, or, you know, been on some maybe.
Late night Cinemax films, like stuff like that. And now they're doing reality TV and, it's just bizarre because you'll see one couple that eats dino nuggets and no judgment in front of the TV with TV trays. And then, you know, 10 years later, they've got like a cold plunge thing on their deck, right?
So they've now, they've, they've quote made it, but at what cost, you know,
and I think that it's great. You know, I want to talk about a few of the, the cast members in season one, just to, if I haven't convinced you already, it Bravo does do a thing that I think is.
Group: really,
Rob: Not aged as well, but they always want to pit you against two women, right?
Like that's a lot of the, the Bravo method, right? And, uh, [00:13:00] guys, a lot of the time get off scot free. Maybe we're seeing a change of that with Jax Taylor and Tom Sandoval, but that'll be a discussion for once you've binged the
entire show. yeah.
Um, but this show starts off with, um, we, we meet like a queen bee named Stassi Schroeder, who.
Group: Is
Rob: kind of runs the
roost, the head of the friend group has been a waitress there for a few years and Lisa has decided to bring in a new waitress named. Sheena Shay and Sheena made her entry in real housewives of Beverly Hills because Sheena had a relationship with a Baywatch nights star, Eddie Cibrian, who was, yeah, who was married to Brandi Glanville of real housewives of Beverly Hills.
So Sheena is the quote, other woman. Who Lisa is saying, okay, we know you made a mistake, but come [00:14:00] over, you can work at my restaurant. And now Sheena's got the scarlet letter and the other gals working at the restaurant. It's like, who is this coming in? She's slept with a married man,
Ashley: a ho.
Rob: Yeah.
Ashley: This is the kind of setup I need. I love to root for a mistress. Like, so sorry to Dave Grohl's wife, but I'm all in for the mistress. Like, I love to root for a baby mama. Like, this is what I need.
Rob: It's, it's wonderful. And like you said, you know, we mentioned like the peak fashion, like there's the, um, You know, they're, they're kind of, the weird thing also, I just want to bring this up because I find it so fascinating because you remember like the indie sleaze era that kind of
came into like the, the, crunk era and like kids were trying to
Ashley: Please.
I broke my ankles in Jeffrey Campbell's, so yeah, I know Indie Sleaze.
Rob: Yes. I mean, I know you know, I just, we [00:15:00] got to set the
Ashley: We gotta set the scene, yeah.
Rob: And, and, and it feels like when you watch these shows that like, this was like sort of a thing we were all into in 2009, but they're just like, it's become Hollywoodified. By the time it's getting here. So like we see this weird blending of like fashion and vocal affectations and just weird amalgams of like, what is cool?
Like Tom Sandoval, you'll see in this season. It's filmed at the end of 2012. And he's like wearing like two belts and like a white belt and skinny jeans, but like oversized tank tops. And they've all got like flat build caps and it's like snapbacks and stuff. But then also one guy will wear a chunky sweater with no shirt underneath buttoned by like one button to dinner.
Right. And that's fancy. It's. It really, I say this all the time, [00:16:00] but like the time capsule nature of this show really can be like, Oh yeah, that was the 2013 era. And then in 2015, it's like barstool sports stuff is all over their walls. And it's like, okay, I see what's happening here. by the eighth season, we're getting into Trump presidency.
Ashley: oh my god, yeah.
Rob: the social movements that were going on at the
Ashley: Yeah, I feel like I never, heard any like, Vanderpump drama around like, Black Lives Matter or Trump.
Rob: Well, here's the thing. When
black lives matter happened, a few people did get fired from like tweets or, or, or podcast drama that happened. But. You also can see that it's,
you know, four years
later, Bravo gives them a different show, right? Like, so they get fired at one point and then they get another show.
So looking at this with a critical eye will also benefit all of us as viewers, just to see the blatant
hypocrisy of it all.
Ashley: yeah, this is a cast where it's like, you can have fun with [00:17:00] that because you don't need these waiters and waitresses from Sir to have political opinions.
Rob: Exactly. And when they do, they're very dumb. it's just like real life. The loudest people are usually the dumbest, right? Uh, except for me, I'm
Ashley: No, you're
Rob: and, and,
Ashley: But hey, Taylor Swift fans have been yelling me on Twitter for a week, so I will agree.
They're very loud,
They're so loud.
Rob: Very, very loud. Um, so we talked about Sheena, Stassi and Lisa. I should talk about Jax Taylor. He was the chunky sweater guy. Jax and Stassi are dating at the beginning of this episode or of this season. And A project I can't talk about while recording has led me down a lot of rabbit holes and the, this is me teasing stuff listeners stay in when I can tell you, you'll be the first to know, but, um,
there's like three weeks into shooting this show and Stassi.
And Jax have broken up or with [00:18:00] new people and then get back together. So like they, and it's an eight episode first season. the first day of shooting, they are fighting and Jax is on the couch and Stassi's calling herself the devil and that he shouldn't forget it. Right. it's
tumultuous at best.
Ashley: I mean, honestly, I'm feeling pulled into this
Rob: Yeah,
Ashley: I guess I just figured it was heavily like housewives were like like them at the restaurant drama and That was kind of the extent of it. But no, it does sound closer to below deck and that's what I like.
Rob: Yeah,
I think, I think below deck is a great way to like go into this because also like below deck, what they work like three to four days with a, with a, a person coming on and then they party for the weekend.
Ashley: Oh, yeah
Rob: Well, you work a handful of shifts and then you go party at the Mondrian, right? So that's where this crew goes.
And like most Bravo shows, there's the, uh, The contractually obligated like trip to Vegas [00:19:00] per season or trip to Miami or something.
Ashley: When I'm watching a reality show, one thing I need is ridiculous events to bring the cast together. So on a selling sunset, it's, we have a dog funeral that everyone has to.
Rob: that, that dog funeral was look, I feel for them
and their dog, but that dog funeral
was
Ashley: was great. I can't believe you're arguing at a dog funeral. Who would do that? Like, would you prefer they argue at a human funeral?
Rob: Yeah. No kidding. once you start getting into Vanderpump around season four, There is a lot of drama revolving around a puppy party that no one RSVPs to. uh, if you like,
Ashley: does an RSVP to a puppy party?
Rob: it doesn't sound like the most fun ever. you know, you bring up Selling Sunset. I think, well, we should talk about some other successful reality shows, but I want to know, do you, do you feel convinced enough at this point to watch at least the first episode of Vanderbump rules?
Ashley: I
[00:20:00] do. And I will say, like, it's what you're saying that's pulling me in. Also knowing that it does build to Scandal, uh, I also watched some 2020 documentary about another, like, Vanderpump scandal about, like, Lala,
Rob: Uh, Lala and her, her, her man, Randall Emmett,
Ashley: Yes. Yes. Randall. Like, yeah, he's like, I watched that and I was like, okay, I'm kind of drawn into these people and whatever this scandal is.
And I mean, you don't ever get that with below deck and below deck, the biggest scandal is like Bree couldn't figure out laundry.
Rob: couldn't figure out laundry. Hannah had pot, um, or whatever.
Ashley: And I just want to, I mean, she should not have gotten fired for that. I just want to say like the bosun was a total snitch on Hannah. Like she, like, And I'm a Captain Sandy apologist.
I love Captain Sandy, but she needs to chill out, because Hannah shouldn't have been fired, and Hannah should still be on the show.
Rob: Yes, she should. [00:21:00] And that season of Traitors Australia that Hannah was on was, was it Traitors Australia that she was on?
Ashley: Okay, I think so, but I have not watched it yet, because it is a gift I am saving
for myself.
Some of the Traitor spin offs, I'm like, okay, like, I need to save this Australian version, and I think there's like a, a British one that I'm like, those I need to just, It's Savor when I have no other reality TV and I need to get through so much Vanderpump that right now I'm, I'm backloaded.
Rob: I'm telling you, in a perfect world, now this does, this may not happen, but in a perfect world, if you could get through all of Vanderpump before season three of American Traders. You will have such a better payoff knowing the whole Tom Sandoval arc, because if you were like me now, granted, you're already going into it knowing he caused some sort of scandal.
Ashley: Yes. I know like he, he cheated on the girl who is the host [00:22:00] of Love Island, a show I love. Ariana, I love Love Island, and he cheated with
another not
Ariana,
Rob: are almost there. I'm not even going to confirm or deny because
you are going
Ashley: he may have cheated with another girl whose name,
Oh, come on.
Rob: Raquel
Raquel Raquel Raquel
Ashley: Raquel, younger,
Rob: So, but that's, that's all I can say. That's all I can say. Okay, I'll say one more thing. She dated, she was dating someone else and engaged to someone else on VaynerPump rules and then she broke it off and then that happened.
But the timeline, yes,
Ashley: Okay, that is so much more scandalous because I just thought it was like, Oh, it sounds like he was dating this other girl for a while and then met like a younger girl who really cares. But that's juicy. That is juicy.
Rob: Yes. So, when you, when you are introduced to Raquel and I think season four, you'll be like, oh my god, her?
Ashley: this is a situation where like, I have had friends who have said, [00:23:00] just, just jump to the scandal of all season. Would you recommend?
Rob: no,
Ashley: No.
Rob: You just, it's like I was saying before, like having not, having just started this from the beginning when I watched it, Tom Sandoval gets a very favorable edit throughout a majority of this show, except for when he,
like, a
lot of.
Overconfident men thinks that he can do no wrong. And so when he looks like he's just like embarrassing himself from being overly confident, you're like, ah, well, you're getting what you give. And that's still way before Scandaval. So
Ashley: wow.
Rob: yeah.
Ashley: Okay, so you hated him, you hated him before Scandaval as well.
Group: Ball.
Rob: I did not hate him. I saw this thing where I kind of liked him. He was a little bit extra, but I was like, okay, he seems to be kind of like the guy who's trying to make people like be better. And then he kind of is like.
not the best boyfriend,
but not a cheater. And you're kind of like, Oh dude, you kind of [00:24:00] got to listen to your girlfriend.
And you're like, maybe you're not as good as I thought it was. And then boom, a couple of seasons later, he
Ashley: Okay.
Rob: And.
Ashley: I will say this was a concern I had about Vanderpump is, you know, when you don't watch, you hear a lot about, oh, Scandaval, blah, blah, blah. And then it's like, okay, well, am I too late? If I get into it now, is it like, and it's going to be boring. And it's like the scandal happened and I missed out.
Rob: know it won't because you know, and obviously I'm a little biased, but from doing this podcast, but you know, I'll go back and watch old. Seasons for episodes with new guests. And I forget that like
every
so often there's just like a three episode arc. That's just perfect. Like just so stupid and so funny.
Like someone almost drowns at big bear because they take too much, like, like pre workout and decide to go running in like the high altitude and then need a lifeguard to save them,
right? It's
just.
Ashley: [00:25:00] there? Who hasn't been there? Uh, at Big Bear on my pre workout, who
Rob: Yep. That's what I mean. I know all about that lifestyle.
Ashley: I got, I'm getting very convinced because more of this is sounding like a selling sunset, like, show mashed with below deck, sometimes on Below Deck I get bored because they actually have to do their jobs. It depends on people's safety. I love selling Sunset because they don't have to do their jobs.
No one cares. Like, half the time it's them pretending to do their jobs. So it's like, I've worked in restaurants. Do I want to watch a show where people are actually doing that? But it sounds like that's not the case.
Rob: no, you pretty much, that's the B roll, is them actually working at the restaurant. And then they go out to the Sir Alley, which is our backdrop here in this stream yard,
Ashley: This part friends made me aware of,
Rob: yes.
they, they smoke cigarettes and argue out here. So. It's great. cause they used to all smoke cigarettes, which is also great on reality shows when you just see them chain smoking at like 22, [00:26:00] All right, Ashley, we've got to wrap up here shortly, but I wanted to go through a couple of other, Notably successful reality shows.
And I just want to know your thoughts on them. A quick hit kind of moment for this. Have you watched any of the secret lives of Mormon wives?
Ashley: absolutely. I watched it all in a day.
Rob: Oh my God. I've only watched the first episode.
So,
Ashley: serious? It is incredible! I mean, the first episode is the best. It deserves an Emmy unto itself, with the way that you start with like, Oh, I'm clearly Team Taylor. Whitney seems like the villain. To what?
I was like, wait, can we rewind? Did I miss something? Like what? And you're just like, no, that is how it went. She [00:27:00] goes from Yeah, I don't really see why I need to like care about my boyfriend's sobriety to getting arrested for drinking too much and throwing a chair at him. It is incredible reality TV. And then it just goes from there.
It is like, I mean, I, I don't know much about Mormonism. I, you know, where I grew up, there was a small Mormon population. And then there was like, you know, a small Mormon family at my school. So I knew about the, like, they can't drink hot beverages, Mormon underwear. I did not know that they will take laughing gas when they do Botox, which is okay.
Rob: Yeah. Oh, yeah. And, um, not to mention the soft swinging of it all, like the loopholes, the
Ashley: like Okay, I will say my biggest frustration with the show is that they do not just do a whole moment dedicated to explaining the soft swinging. I want to know who was making out with whose husband, like who was involved? And every person takes the chance to be like, I wasn't involved. I wasn't a soft swinger.[00:28:00]
And I'm like, Whitney Taylor, like, I don't believe you. Mikayla, I don't believe you. You were swinging. You were swinging.
Rob: I was like, this is amazing that there was a huge scandal. But for some reason on this show, only Taylor's the one saying she
Ashley: Oh, yeah, it's the only way but it's like, okay my biggest conspiracy. I believe whitney was a swinger I believe she was sleeping with everyone's husbands because her husband is gay
Rob: Mm hmm. I that's kind of the vibe I've got just from episode one. like
they say Tinder,
Ashley: Tinder, but I know it was grinder that shit was i'm so sorry, but it was grinder. Let's be real.
Rob: Okay. Okay. So I need to finish that. You're going to binge VPR. I'll binge
Ashley: You've been and will reconnect because it is It just goes from zero to 100 and stays on 100. Like, by the end, you are like, Ben Affleck, come save your cousin by marriage. She needs you.
Rob: [00:29:00] Okay. Uh, game show wise, do you watch Survivor or have you been a Survivor head in the past?
Ashley: Okay, so I was into Survivor in the beginning, like, I mean, season one, like, very long ago. Um, I fell out of it, but I am back into Survivor because a dear friend of mine, Jon Moffitt, is on this newest season.
Rob: of course.
Yes.
Ashley: John,
uh, who has the podcast, love It or Leave It, which I have been a frequent guest on. I love him. We went to the same college,
I saw the preview with him and went, I need to see this because I, I'm so sorry. I love you, John. I have not even seen you like light a bonfire before
Rob: I hope you practice. That's the thing.
They never practice before going on this show.
Ashley: And you know what's coming, like, you have a giant backyard, set up an obstacle course, so I'm so curious to watch just because I want to see how my friend does.
Rob: Yeah. Um, I would say I got back into [00:30:00] Survivor, uh, When I lived in New York, so probably about four, four or five years ago, but I was also like, I watched the first like five seasons, then stopped. And cause I probably went to high school or college and
then, uh, Then they started doing, I think I missed all of the like problematic seasons.
And then, um, I picked it back up because they were doing these things like David versus Goliath, and it would be like a pro wrestler and like a computer science person. And like, those were the teams. And I was like, this sounds ridiculous. And I really got hooked after that. And I think they've really like,
they keep trying to innovate, like a lot of shows do, and.
Opposed to like big brother where it's kind of like turned into Nickelodeon guts.
Group: big Brother.
Ashley: I had not watched until the first season because the first season winner was from my hometown, so I was very into the first season. I have started watching this new season because I am staying with a friend for a while in Chicago, [00:31:00] and she's obsessed with it. Uh, Angela crying way too much.
I have just really just dove right back into the show after probably an over 20 year hiatus.
Rob: Same.
Same,
Ashley: And yeah, and I am just like, wait, so they just like build all of these like Games and activities. Why is there suddenly like a a raccoon a trash raccoon? Am I supposed to act like that was just like a normal thing every week?
Is
Rob: I was shocked too. Apparently that's a, a returning thing. I had no
Ashley: That's what she was like, uh, yeah, duh, we all know the trash raccoon and I was just like, oh, okay So that's just a thing. Okay, cool. Cool. Cool. I'm on
Rob: And what a, what a horrible game too. It lasted one round.
Ashley: One round and everyone was wrong and like
Which even I who had very little involved in the season when they all were like, oh, this is the clear answer I was like, wait, wasn't that one guy eliminated like
Rob: yeah.
Group: think
Ashley: it
Rob: Weren't there the microchip people?
Group: Yeah.
Ashley: about that one. And [00:32:00] even I was like, I would do better at this than them, but I am back into it.
I will say like, she's, she's got me out here. Like, okay. Who's going to be head of house this week? Like I need to watch like, okay. Who's getting the Vita.
Rob: My girlfriend and I will even turn on the live feeds, you know, we'll just be like, what's going on in the house? What?
Ashley: not even kidding. We were just like getting drunk last night, watching the live feed to not like just playing music with the live feed on me. Like, this is great.
It's
Rob: when it's just like four cameras of Angela crying, it's like, yeah, I'm just going to do it.
Ashley: I'm just gonna, it's, it's like having The Sims and that works for me. It is like my personal live version of The Sims where I just check in with them and I'm like, wow, there we
go. Which I think is also why I love Love Island.
Rob: I'm so torn on Love Island because it's obviously a cursed show. Like, there's a, there's always been some negativity to it. Like,
Ashley: mean, my friends got me into it by being like, watch the seasons where people have killed themselves. And I was like, okay, like, I don't get that with [00:33:00] 90, like people don't even kill themselves in 90 day fiance. Like, calm down.
Rob: it sucks because like a lot of times I'm like, I don't want to watch this and I was like, huh, but I gotta, I gotta see what's up with Taylor and Aaron, I gotta know what's going on. I watched, I watched the season of traders that Aaron was on. So now I need to know what's going on here.
Ashley: I, I will say I do think this last Love Island U. S. was the best season, best cast. I am obsessed with PBG. Like, it got me fully on board and now I'm gonna go watch Aaron's season of Traitors because I hadn't watched that and I'm hoping it makes me like him, but I'm team Kayler all the way.
Rob: Here's
what I'll say. Ariana is introduced in Vanderpump rules in season two and under a huge, pretty big storyline. Uh, but watch for Ariana in the background of episodes of season one, because she's like very good friends with Sheena, the woman who hooked up with Eddie Cipriano.
Ashley: Okay. [00:34:00] Okay. Yeah.
Group: Yeah.
Rob: um, okay. Last thing I'll say about some older, let's go back in time a little bit.
I think the heyday of. Like the precursor to what we have on reality TV now probably came from the wild and insane VH1 shows that were happening in like 2005 to 2009. the pickup artist, insane white rapper show insane. Uh, but we also get like flavor
of
love. We get Rock of Love,
we get I Love New York, which was a personal favorite of mine.
What did, did these shows affect you at all in your TV viewing back in the
Ashley: absolutely. I was obsessed with flavor of love. Like, I, and I feel like, I don't know, today I, I have, you know, nieces and nephews and I was talking to my niece during this last season of Love Island and she was like, my literal dream is to be on Love Island. She was like, these girls are doing it. [00:35:00]They're going to have brand deals.
They're going to make millions. When I was growing up, you were not like, I want to be on Flavor of Love.
Group: Love.
Ashley: That was like, no, you just got to enjoy it. You had to be like, these are silly, silly people who like hope this will help their like restaurant or business, but they know it will not. And I just feel like that was so much more pure.
It was just, you know, now everyone is like, how will this impact my Twitter followers, my TikTok followers, my blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And before it was like, Ooh, these are people making trash for trash's sake, and I loved it,
Rob: And they know they're going to, their, their rent's going to get paid for like three months and they get like a paid vacation to be on this thing. Like that's the only reason to do it. And I
Ashley: to do it. I love it, and I don't know if you've watched, there's this new show that debuted this year on Vice.
It's called The Dark Side of Reality TV. You must check it out. The first episode is about the swan.
Rob: Oh
Ashley: If you remember the Fox reality show, [00:36:00] The Swan, where they had women get actual plastic surgery and like lose weight. It was basically botched mixed with, uh, the biggest loser.
Rob: Yeah.
Ashley: And guess what? Bad mix. That is a bad mix.
You should not have people who just had plastic surgery working out and exercising two days later. And so the vice show goes in and like interviews all these people. The second episode is about kid nation. Uh, they're going to do episodes about like the early seasons of like rock of love. Uh, Oh my gosh.
And the one that impacted me the most, a shot at love with Tila tequila that
Rob: that
Ashley: I still
love Danny to this day.
Rob: that
was
an eye opening show for a young man in college, uh, living like I went to college in Kansas, right? So I grew up in, in rural, but suburban areas, let's say.
Ashley: I'm from Northern Illinois. I
get it.
Rob: Yeah. And it was, Oh, [00:37:00] Hollywood's a little bit different than where I'm living.
Ashley: It was true. The first row where I was like, wait, wait, wait. This isn't a thing you have to keep a secret that you like, might like both? Wait a second. And like, but at the same time, it was a thing that when I watched it, I was like, I, I will just stay in the closet. I think like, this show is not what I want.
Like, and the way people treated Tila, and then obviously she lost her mind. But that was the show that made me be like, Reality TV is real. It can change the world.
Rob: It really can. And then it also is like, that's around the time where people started. I, I assume this executive started being like, maybe we need to like, rethink some of the stuff we're doing, like, as we're going into some things, because, uh,
some
people still have to live
their lives after these
Ashley: Yeah. People go back to their and like, Danny is gonna have to go be a firefighter again, so maybe we have to like, work [00:38:00] with this. but just such good and like, Kid Nation also, I was obsessed with. I wanted to be on Kid Nation, and I was definitely like, Probably 16, 17 when it came out, and I was just like, am I too old?
Is it too late? Get me on there. I'll drink bleach. What do you need?
Rob: I'll be the mayor. I'm the
mayor!
Yeah.
Okay, last show I'll say is, uh, one that I found on DVD at the thrift store, uh, last year, and I'm s I was so thrilled. The Joe Schmo Show. Do you remember that?
Ashley: Yes!
Rob: aside for some like, of the time humor, it actually holds up as a fun concept. Like, it was great. And like, I, I feel like you and I both like, yeah, I know when this existed.
Okay. I wouldn't do that, but I love this concept and it is
Ashley: Yeah! It's so good. I just, there was just a whole time when it was like, what are reality shows? [00:39:00] Tricking people. And I do think, like, we have to bring that vibe kind of back.
Group: Yes. Yeah.
Rob: Yes, if we did a Joe Schmoe show now, I feel like we have so many tools to pull from like if there was a, like if they did a Vanderpump rules, but like, Everyone was an actor at a restaurant and this person had just gotten hired. Like, I think that would work,
right? I think like, like they're a transplant that just came in.
They got a job at this thing. And then the boss comes in and it's like, Hey, we're starting a show. And I'd love to see it.
Ashley: would just, I would love to see that. I, another one I loved was, uh, oh gosh, uh, I want to marry, uh, Prince Harry, I think it was called, where they just tricked a bunch of women into falling in love with, like, a Prince Harry impersonator. It is a cool version of reality TV, but we gotta bring some version of it back.
Rob: we need to, we're getting stagnant. I think we're close with Mormon wives and, uh, and we're getting there, but
[00:40:00] Ashley,
Ashley: the new 90 Days, they are,
they're tricking people in some ways. they have all, so many spin offs now, like 90 Day before the 90 Days, this latest season, every single person on it. I'm a little bit like, you're a sociopath. Great. Loving. Wonderful TV.
Rob: Well,
we're going to have to have you come back once you get started on Vanderpump Rules, because we're going to, this needs to be a part two. I think we've got
a lot to talk about, especially with Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Uh, but Ashley, can you remind people where they can like find you online and anything else you'd like to plug?
Ashley: Yeah, you can follow me at TheAshleyRay on any platform, uh, or you can listen to my podcast, uh, TBSA with Ashley Ray, uh, or go to my website, TheAshleyRay. com, read my writing. I review 90 Day Fiancé from Vulture. Uh, I love reality TV, so there you go.
Rob: all those links will be in the show notes. So while you're listening to me, give these credits. You can go and tap and follow Ashley and read her stuff. Obviously, if you like my show, you'll like what Ashley's show and her writing and her [00:41:00] comedy special. So go and do that now. And if you'd like more from this podcast, head to patreon.
com slash VanderPumpRobs, where you get ad free and bonus episodes and video. So do that. I appreciate you all listening, Ashley. I appreciate you joining me today. This was awesome. And, uh, I will talk to everyone again next time on Vanderpump robs.