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Michelle Obama likes keeping things real, especially when it comes to what she watches on television.
The former first lady candidly opened up about her love for Bravo programming on the Wednesday, July 30, edition of the IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson podcast, during which she had Las Culturistas hosts Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers as guests.
According to Obama, “culture is king” and she likes to “educate” her brother Robinson and her husband Barack Obama about it.
“The truth is that they razz me about my love of reality TV and the Real Housewives. I watch it all — all of it,” she said, noting that she has a particular interest in the “New York gen babies.”
Bronson Farr/Bravo
“I watched the first two episodes, and I’m just like, ‘Oh, they’re starting the babies off early,’ ” she said, referring to Next Gen NYC, which features the children of Bravo stars, as well as a group of newcomers.
Rogers responded that “They’re really like the princes and princesses of Bravo, now seeing if they’re worth their salt when the camera’s fixed on them,” to which Obama said, “Right.”
After Yang said that it can be “really tricky to watch,” Obama agreed, saying, “It is, but it’s juice. It’s tea.”
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She proceeded by explaining why reality television is a “sociological study,” and the “same thing” as sports.
“There’s drama in sports. If I listen to ESPN for an hour, it’s like watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta. You know? It’s the same drama, and they’re yelling at each other, and they don’t get along,” she said.
Gizelle Hernandez/James Bianchi/Bravo
“I mean, Stephen A. Smith, he’s just like every other talk show host,” continued Obama. “I’m like, ‘What’s the difference?’ It’s just sociological drama. The fact that people over seasons of working together still can’t get along, they still have the same arguments — and it’s not just women, but this happens in sports, too.”
Obama admitted that she finds it fascinating, adding, ” ‘Why do you keep going to dinner together? It never ends well. And don’t ever vacation with her, ever again, ever. And why can’t we figure out this room thing?’ “
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Previous episodes of Next Gen NYC and The Real Housewives of Atlanta can be streamed on Peacock.