In Part 2 of his interview on Just B with Bethenny Frankel, former Bravo producer Patrick McDonald returns to speak even more candidly about what happens behind the scenes of reality TV. In this episode, he shares stories about the repeated mistreatment of both cast and crew, from relentless production schedules to the emotional toll of filming without any real support in place.
Patrick made it clear he’s not here to take anyone down. But what he describes is a system with no safeguards, no oversight, and no one looking out for the people doing the work.
“There are definitely no HR representatives on site on these trips,” he said. “That's why I mentioned in the video, I think that Bravo should send someone… some kind of compliance officer, guardian…to ensure that the cast, crew, and everyone involved are given their adequate break times, are given rest, [and] everyone’s being treated humanely.”
These "trips" refer to the major cast getaways that happen on nearly every Bravo franchise. They’re a staple of the season and often the most emotionally volatile part of production, for both the cast and the crew. These multi-day shoots are packed with back-to-back filming, very little sleep, and a nonstop push for heightened drama.
On one such trip, Patrick recalls working a 22-hour day—traveling internationally, collecting gear, handling logistics—only to be told upon arrival, "Please drop your bags and get freshened up in your room and be back in the lobby within the hour for a day of scouting." For Patrick and the rest of the crew, that meant "another 22-hour day without a literal wink of sleep."
These pressure-cooker environments aren't just grueling; they’re set up to escalate emotion among the cast members. "[The trips] are designed to push people to their limits," Patrick said. "These long days, long events, where a lot of alcohol is happening." The crew, meanwhile, absorbs the fallout with none of the compensation or power.
As Bethenny put it: "The crew is experiencing all of it and more because they're lugging equipment and having to capture it and have to stay in shitty hotel rooms, but they get none of the upside."
Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Moral Compromise
One of the hardest parts of Patrick’s job, he said, was watching cast members go through personal breakdowns while still being expected to perform. "Shannon Beador [from The Real Housewives of Orange County]...wasn’t the most pleasant person to work with, but I still had immense empathy for her," he recalled. "I was like, wow, this woman is in a place where she probably should not be on TV right now…but she just has to."
Patrick also shared his own experience filming a reality show in 2016 while battling a "serious meth addiction." He described turning his mic off to use in private before returning to set, because he was keeping his struggle a secret from everyone. "I know how it feels to be on one of these shows when…your life is kind of crumbling around you and you’re trying to hold it together," Patrick said. "Because you’re on a television show and you don’t want the world to know your problems." But in reality TV, that’s usually the goal. What cast members try to keep private is exactly what production is trained to spotlight.
Mental health, addiction, and even trauma, he said, are often treated as content. "The addiction and substance abuse kind of storylines were something that always made me a little uneasy… It’s so fragile, and not to be taken lightly and amplified," Patrick explained. "I can't imagine trying to stay or get sober while being on one of these shows."
Bethenny said it more plainly: "It’s a bummer to production when someone’s sober."
Why He’s Speaking Up Now
Now that he has left the industry, Patrick says he knows he’s in a position to say things others can’t. "Nothing changes if nothing changes," he said.
"So somebody's gotta speak up…somebody's gotta bring these things to light from the point of view of the producers and the crew members that are seeing this. Because nobody believes the housewife who's been spiraling out of control or has this reputation of being difficult."
Since posting his initial Reels and appearing on the podcast, Patrick has heard from producers, crew members, and even current cast who all shared similar experiences. "It’s not just a singular problem…this isn’t on one show. This is across the board,” he said. “People have been complaining about it for so long.”
Bethenny, who has been pushing for better protections in reality TV for more than a year, acknowledged how much was at stake. “You’re not in the same financial position as I am, and you decided to speak up. I think that’s extremely courageous,” she said. “The crew needed a voice, because the crew is every man and woman…So you are speaking up for people that still are on shows right now that have to do that every day.”
But Patrick isn’t trying to be the face of a movement. He just wants to be part of a conversation that leads to something better—for the crews still doing the work, and the people who come next.
“Let’s start believing some of these people,” he said.
You can listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of Bethenny's conversation with Patrick McDonald on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.