Shut Up! Tell Me More
David Yontef on Celebrity Feuds, Reality TV, Martha Stewart, Bravo, and his own evolution
Behind the Velvet Rope host David Yontef joins Shut Up! Tell Me More for a conversation about celebrity culture, reality television, podcasting, Bravo and what really happens behind the scenes. David has recorded thousands of podcast episodes, interviewed major celebrities and Bravolebrities, and built real relationships inside the world he covers. But before any of that, his career looked completely different. We talk about his unexpected path from corporate tax attorney and staffing agency owner to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in reality TV and pop culture podcasting. And then there is Martha Stewart. David actually worked for Martha, so we talk about what she was really like, what people might be surprised to learn about her, and one of the most iconic pop culture evolutions of all time. From lifestyle mogul to tabloid headlines, prison, Snoop Dogg, Sports Illustrated and cultural icon, Martha’s career arc is truly in a category of its own. David talks celebrity and reality TV feuds, sticky situations involving friends, and the challenge of covering an industry when you have real relationships inside of it. We also discuss the recent Beverly Hills, 90210 conversation surrounding Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling, Tori’s departure from their rewatch podcast and the reports that their longtime friendship may have hit a rough patch. Then we get into the much bigger question facing reality television right now: Has it become too dark?From addiction and family tragedy to custody battles, arrests, public allegations and very real pain playing out in front of cameras. David also weighs in on: • Why an established celebrity like Leah Remini would willingly enter the Housewives machine • The Bravo rumors and behind-the-scenes chatter he is hearing right now • What still keeps him interested in Bravo after thousands of episodes We also take a moment to acknowledge the heartbreaking death of Presley Gerber and the larger conversation around addiction and mental health. And because no pop culture conversation is complete without at least one completely insane theory, I make David weigh in on our current obsession: The Shards. Who is real? Who has Bret imagined? Who is the Trawler? And could Bret himself actually be the killer? If you love celebrity news, pop culture, reality television, Martha Stewart, Beverly Hills, 90210, Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling, Bravo, Real Housewives, podcasting and behind-the-scenes entertainment stories, this episode is for you. Subscribe to Shut Up! Tell Me More and leave a rating or review!
