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A Bravo Executive Describes the Hardest Moment to Watch From This Season of Below Deck Med
Despite having to watch the episode multiple times, this emotional scene never got easier to see for one Bravo exec.
Bravo Digital's Megan Segura and Erik J. Mac bring you exclusive interviews from Bravo HQ, featuring Bravolebs such as Nene Leakes and Captain Lee, plus expert commentary and behind-the-scenes scoop straight from Bravo execs. New episodes are released every Saturday morning, wherever you get your podcasts.
Between departures of crew members and the return of some difficult working relationships, this season of Below Deck Mediterranean has certainly been an emotional rollercoaster. If you found yourself feeling a bit choked up at any point this season, you’re not alone; even one of Bravo’s seasoned executives admits that there was a moment that was particularly difficult to watch. Josh Brown, Bravo’s Vice President of Current Production, opened up about the drama surrounding Below Deck Med Season 5 on the September 12 episode of The Daily Dish podcast, which you can listen to, below.
Although it depends on the series, Brown explained that when it comes to Below Deck Med, he typically watches an episode five times “before the finished product.” Despite all of the rewatches, there was one situation that continues to be hard to see: Hannah Ferrier’s exit from The Wellington. Captain Sandy Yawn ended Hannah’s employment on the August 17 episode of the show, after learning that she was in possession of unregistered Valium and a vape pen.
“When Hannah gets called into Sandy’s office, and Sandy asks her to sit down, and she kinda glances over and sees the photo on Sandy’s phone, and you see a look of worry in Hannah’s eyes and she tries to gather herself. That affects me every time I see the episode,” said Brown. “And I’ve seen the episode a lot.”
Brown also took the opportunity to clear up the belief some viewers hold regarding the authenticity of the situation.
“One misconception I really want to try and address is, I see on social media that there’s this perception that Hannah’s firing was somehow scripted, and that is a hundred percent not the case. We’re really upset to see Hannah go in this way in the middle of the season, you know? No one wants to see a cast member who’s been on the series for almost five seasons to leave in that manner. It’s sad,” said Brown. “But you know what? That’s how it works in maritime law, and we really had no option.”
Next, Brown explained how the process of finding new crew members works.
“In this case, it’s real yachts that are being put on the yacht who come to the show. So certainly, Captain Sandy has an input, but it’s sort of a collective decision, based on resumes and experience and that sort of thing,” he said. “Nobody is being cast onto the boat. These are the type of people that Captain Sandy would want to work with, who Captain Sandy would feel like has the right experience for this size boat and these type of charters.”
In addition to being qualified to join the crew, there’s another important factor when it comes to finding new yachties: the group dynamic.
“You always wanna have someone who is more experienced, and then someone who is maybe more of a learner, but really enthusiastic,” said Brown. “You wanna find a good combination of people.”
Want more Below Deck Med? New episodes air every Monday at 9/8c or catch up on the entire series through the Bravo app.
See what’s yet to come ahead of the Below Deck Med Season 5 reunion, below.
