Ben Mandelker

I fully support everyone's choices for their own lists, but it feels strange to me that not a single reality TV show made the "Best Of" at the New York Times. I continue my crusade that Bravo produces series that deserve to be in the conversation.

Top 25 #realhousewives cast in season 5 or later.

A work in progress:

Everything I Played and Experienced at BGG.CON Fall 2025 | Table Scraps

Here’s how my first trip to #bggcon went. #boardgames #tabletop

boardgamegeek.com/blog/12919/b...

Great meeting you too!

Of course!

'Real Housewives of Orange County' Reunion Part 1 & BravoCon Preview with Ben Mandelker ( + 'Love Island: Beyond The Villa' Season 2 Announced) Podcast Episode · Gabbing with Gib · 11/11/2025 · 1h

NEW POD: Part one of the #RHOC reunion, #BravoCon preview and some quick thoughts on the #LoveIslandUSA Beyond The Villa season 2 announcement with @benmandelker.bsky.social of Watch What Crappens!

Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...

Thank you!!

YouTube video by Table Scraps 14 Board Games I Played in October 2025 - Monthly Roundup

Here are the #boardgames I played in October!

youtu.be/y1SUvlLlqIU?...

Kanban was always my favorite too. On Mars was close and sometimes would take my #1 spot. But it’s definitely Speakeasy now.

YouTube video by Table Scraps Speakeasy First Impressions - Lacerda's BEST Game? | Table Scraps

I am really psyched about #speakeasy by Vital Lacerda. Here’s my first impressions! #boardgames

youtu.be/104Py4ibYhI?...

YouTube video by Table Scraps Shackleton Base is Damn Near Perfect | Table Scraps Review

Hey #boardgame friends - I made a video review of one of my fave games of the past year. I highly recommend #shackletonbase

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzWF...

Don't Overlook These Cheap Kitchen Basics You may already have these items, but some may have flown under your radar.

I wrote about cheap #kitchen basics you may have overlooked. Go check it out and make your cooking easier! #shopping #nbdfancy #cooking

open.substack.com/pub/nbdfancy...

YouTube video by Table Scraps 12 Board Games I Played in September 2025 - Monthly Roundup

12 favorite #boardgames I played in September, ranked!

youtu.be/5MspjPlFglQ?...

YouTube video by Table Scraps 6 Cozy Board Games That Feel Like a Warm Blanket

"I love a board game that encourages a specific snacking experience"
@benmandelker.bsky.social

youtu.be/MvWZcJteifo?...

Thank you!

Haven’t seen it!

YouTube video by Table Scraps 14 Board Games I Played in August 2025 - Monthly Roundup

Here's my latest #boardgames video. Everything I played in August: youtu.be/o0GQKuv-I6I?...

TIL Thee Ben Mandelker has a Substack and oh! the way I just RAN 💯

This is the feel good content we NEED rn! 💕 you Benoonies!!!!

Glad it worked out well!!

I Tried the Dumpling Tomato Salad Hetty McKinnon's viral recipe has a strange elevator pitch, but it's worth the ride.

Thanks @benmandelker.bsky.social for this delicious recipe! I got pan-fried gyoza from a local shop, mixing chili crunch from Trader Joe’s with the dipping sauce for a perfect vinaigrette. Plus heirloom tomatoes from my CSA farm share.

Would love nothing more. Let me stew on this.

YouTube video by Room of Secrets Project Runway Season 21 Episode 5 Complimentary Couture || Aug 21_ 2025 Full Episode HD(720P_HD)

Ben's #KeepIt: "This is not the Project Runway I want to watch. They decided they were going to reality-show it up. We have all sorts of reality show elements that i never asked for. Way too much silliness, it feels like any other reality show." - @benmandelker.bsky.social
youtu.be/Ryf0N9Vd_ys?...

YouTube video by Table Scraps 6 Excellent Board Games for Large Groups (6+ Players)

I made another #boardgames video. This time I'm talking about games that are great for 6 players (or more!). I'm not talking about party games — those are great too — but chunkier, more strategic options.

youtu.be/lUh5gNMx5Kk?...

I am open to this revision.

But maybe an argument can be made for it being above RHOP

My gut agrees but then I thought about all those cringey Seth scenes. It’s def an elite show - I just thought the other shows were EVEN better.

My 2025 Bravo rankings so far

#RHOM
#TheValley
#RHOC
#RHOBH
Southern Hospitality
Love Hotel
Summer House
#RHOP
Southern Charm
Next Gen NYC
#RHOA
Top Chef
Below Deck Down Under
Married to Medicine
Below Deck
King’s Court
Denise Richards and Her Wild Things
.
.
.
McBee Dynasty

Discuss!

#RHOM may be hard to top by any show this year.

Love hearing this!!

Land and Freedom: The Spanish Revolution and Civil War Forge a fragile alliance to save Spain, but who will claim the glory?

Shout out to @danthurot.bsky.social and @benmandelker.bsky.social for putting this on my radar. Finally got it to the table and it was emotionally evocative and evocative of its theme.

I’m not sure, with my group, we would ever steer this game to a victory.

boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/37...