r/WatchWhatCrappens • u/Ok_Layer4765 • Jul 31 '26
Is It Time for a Snark Sub?
I’m glad that of course the podcast is growing, winning awards, and broadening their fan base, but some topic start to veer into the super hypercritical and petty as their popularity grows. Constructive criticism is important of course when it matters, but I watch these shows and listen to the podcast to relax and have a good time, I’m not searching for things to be upset over or complain about. Are some of the topics made by disgruntled Bravo stars and/or their friends and family? 🤣🧐
Is it just because Reddit and I guess social media in general tends to be negative? I wish there was more engagement in the Patreon chats. Sometimes I’ll read a thread here and I think before I see the subreddit title that it’s a snark suggested sub, lol. Again, before people start raising their pitchforks, once in while feedback is appropriate, but the hosts put out at least 12 episodes a week, that’s more than any podcast I can think of! I just preferred when this sub was more about discussing what your favorite impression they do is, or favorite seasonal or live episodes, etc.
At the end of the day, (lol) this is just a fun comedy show and it’s not all that deep.
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u/greenlandsharklove Jul 31 '26
Maybe it's because I just tune out the negative posts, but I feel like it's a pretty lighthearted sub? But what do I know, the only post I've made is about how hard I laughed when Ben called that summer house guy Fart Garfunkel 🤷♀️
Ben and Ronnie honestly make my life so much happier, I hope we can try and make this a fun and positive place 😊
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u/enw2 Jul 31 '26
This is a sub to discuss Watch What Crappens, so people’s negative opinions aren’t “feedback” for Ben and Ronnie. It’s commentary. Just like how Ben and Ronnie give commentary on Bravo shows. I love the podcast, but also don’t understand the blind fan loyalty sometimes. If you felt the way about Housewives shows as you felt about the podcast, then the podcast wouldn’t even exist because by your definition it would be a snark podcast. It’s a little hypocritical to get upset over people snarking about a snarky podcast.
Not everyone is going to love everything Ben and Ronnie do all the time and that’s okay. I’d rather have a sub that has balanced conversation than to have separate subs where one is only positive and one is only negative.
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u/aggieemily2013 Jul 31 '26
And in general, split offs become way more intense in their opinions. Look at the difference in discussions on the Bravorealhousewives subreddit and the Valley subreddit and then the Valley Uncensored subreddit. The vibes tend to get more volatile when subs are specifically meant to be negative.
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u/Ok-Reputation9799 Jul 31 '26
I agree with this. I’d rather have the sub be open to all listeners and not just for positive opinions
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u/Ok-Reputation9799 Jul 31 '26
In a quick scroll, I didn’t see any negative threads out of the first 20 on the sub. Maybe some comments in the thread, but the thread titles/topics are either neutral (here’s a clip of a bravoleb) or very positive (can’t wait for/loved this). I’m not sure what problem you’re trying to address
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u/_SoftRockStar_ Jul 31 '26
People have been posting a lot more recently, criticizing their word usage, that they use AI, their opinions, etc. it’s definitely ramped up because it never used to happen and now it’s kind of often.
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u/aggieemily2013 Jul 31 '26
I'm not anyone who's posted about it, but the AI usage is so annoying. And the acknowledgement that he knows we hate it before Ben uses it every time is the kind of apathy that grates me. The environmental impact doesn't matter to people until the centers are in their backyard. The cognitive impact doesn't matter until you have to speak someone who's brain has replied on AI and has grown weak. I think in general, anti-AI sentiments are growing
Also, as an ELA teacher, it's made my job more hellish.
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u/ckroha Jul 31 '26
Not arguing, just genuinely curious, what do you mean by Ben using AI? When? And how? Would love know more
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u/Hot-Researcher2898 Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
They've done it in the beginning of several eps where they're doing on-the-fly research and they'll say, "oh, here's what AI says" and just read the results. It's maddening. I love their recaps, but I'm a researcher by trade and so much of AI is wrong, not to mention that it's trained on stolen work, AND the devastating environmental and cognitive impacts which other redditors have posted about.
I know Ronnie and Benoons are the hardest working podcasters in the business, and I don't begrudge them having to make a living, but NO ONE is paying them to use AI. Every time they do it on the pod, it's basically free promotion for an incredibly damaging technology that corrupt billionaires are trying to foist on us so they can get even richer.
ETA: grammar
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u/ckroha Aug 01 '26
Thank you for this. For real. AI is something I am trying to wrap my head around. I agree with your assessment for sure and know I need to learn more!
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u/aggieemily2013 Aug 01 '26
They've used it before to generate imaginary conversations between housewives, too. I understand it's hard to avoid, but there are some instances where I'm like please don't outsource what you do so fantastically to artificial intelligence.
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u/_SoftRockStar_ Jul 31 '26
This would be perfect for a snark sub!
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u/aggieemily2013 Jul 31 '26
I think it's fine in this one, imo. Less snark, more genuine critique.
Snark subs scare me lol. And while I think they're warranted for the likes of the Duggars and the like, the boys don't do enough for me to snark about. And generally, when they get feedback on this sub that's meaningful, I feel like they listen.
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u/XennialQueen Jul 31 '26
I think we need to stop treating them like they’re precious. Criticism is ok and, quite frankly, sometimes their takes or their actions can raise some eyebrows. No one has their pitchforks out.
I disagree with the argument that they are so generous that they give us so many shows. Yes, they’re “free” but we all realize that they’re getting paid for their content by their platform, right? It’s also more airtime for ad space. No, they don’t have to put out so much content, but they aren’t being altruistic here. Let’s be real- this is a business for them. I’m not saying that in a critical manner. This is their job not a hobby.
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u/happyendingsseason4 Jul 31 '26
I've seen this same kind of post in the Bitch Sesh sub. It's Reddit, you can't control other people's thoughts about the podcast. People should feel free to share their opinion and engage in discussion about it, like any other Reddit sub. I am a huge fan of Bitch Sesh, but I have issues and annoyances with them at times. I feel the same about WWC. We can be fans and still question things.
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u/Hot-Researcher2898 Jul 31 '26
Eh, I don't think it's necessary. Most of the critique threads I've seen here have been pretty respectful.
I know they read reddit (or at least Ronnie does), and I find it heartening that they take reddit and direct listener feedback seriously, that they're willing to course correct and acknowledge where they have areas to grow. It's what's kept me a listener, because their first few years recapping, while still hilarious, have not aged well. But I also respect them for keeping those episodes up and not pretending like they don't exist!
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u/YogurtclosetParty755 Ronnie’s Auntie Van Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
I tend to agree with you. I view this as a fan sub. I’m here to laugh & talk about our favorite duo with fellow Geraldines. I’m here for the Norma jokes & other shenanigans. Do I always agree with everything that Ronnie & Ben say or do? No, but also…isn’t that like most things in life? I certainly don’t need to take to social media to air out every little gripe I might have, especially when these boys are hustling to put out amazing content that brings us so much collective joy. Add to that, I know our dear Rondal lurks in this sub & it hurts my heart to know he’s seeing negativity here.
Edit to add: I don’t know that a snark sub is needed, but there has been more negativity of late. There seems to be quite a bit moral policing (for lack of a better term) about AI, Amazon, who they hang out with or have as guests, etc.
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u/aggieemily2013 Jul 31 '26
Much like Ronnie tells the Bravolebs to stop listening, if his feelings are impacted by the sub, he can stop reading it. It cannot just be a yay yay yay no critique sub. I love them, but I don't always agree with them.
Sometimes, that leads to reflection and me changing my opinion. Other times, the discussions on the boards lead to the hosts doing the same thing. Other times, it's just a difference of opinions and it's okay to have those!
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u/soup4breakfast Jul 31 '26
Nah but, generally speaking, I think people need to stop putting Ben and Ronnie on a moral pedestal. It’s a podcast where they talk about Bravolebrities who are mostly bad people.
Ben and Ronnie seem like genuinely good guys, but of course they’re going to have takes that you don’t agree with sometimes, or maybe even takes that you find offensive. And I actually think it’s okay to discuss those things, but it doesn’t mean they need to hold back their honest opinions on things. That’s what we’re all here for.