West Wilson и Amanda Batula , certainly found themselves in the spotlight during the meeting of the participants of the show "« Summer House »" , but the pressure didn't coax them into sharing much. In fact, it was the opposite: the two TV stars sat on the couch, stony-faced and silent. In a new interview with Noah Samton, the current senior vice president of non-fiction programming at Bravo and Peacock, he recounted his performance at the meeting, calling it "disappointing" and explaining why the network aired the bonus episode on June 16.
The executive producer of the series "Summer House" explained why the actors filmed a bonus episode.
The episode "Summer House: Aftermath" aired on June 16 and featured in-depth conversations between Wilson and Kyle Cook, Ciara Miller and Meia Moreno, and Lindsay Hubbard and Batula. Their conversations focused on Wilson and Batula's unexpected romantic relationship and its impact on the rest of the cast, particularly Miller, who dated Wilson in 2023.
This episode was a surprise to viewers, especially since it aired after the three-part Summer House reunion. In an interview with Variety, Samton discussed how this bonus episode came about, admitting that its creation was driven by the cast's interests.
«"Ciara contacted the production company and said she wanted to film a scene with Meia. I said, 'I'm not sure how that would fit into the show, but let's talk about it,'" Samton said. Hubbard then contacted the production company and said she'd also like to film with Batula, and Cook said he'd hoped to speak with Wilson.
«"So it was all really driven by the actors, and we were certainly happy to accommodate them, even though these could have been private conversations. I think West initially contacted Kyle to talk in person, but as Kyle says in the special, the whole story unfolded on camera. He wanted it to be shown on camera, too," Samton said.
Why 'Summer House' Needed a Bonus Episode and Why Batula and Wilson's Reunion Performance Upset Samton
The episode "Aftermath" isn't exactly a typical episode; however, Samton explained that the key players in the Summer House dating scandal didn't give viewers much to think about during the reunion.
«"Watching the reunion, as incredible as it was and as great a TV show as it was, you're left a little unsatisfied by the way West and Amanda behaved," he said. "They didn't explain their actions satisfactorily. And then there was the separate conversation with Meia, about whom no one knew anything. In my opinion, those three stories were the ones that needed more exploration.".
In the bonus episode, the Summer House crew discusses Wilson and Batula's relationship in more detail, which Samton said was important for viewers. "I think we didn't see that in the meeting, and that was very disappointing. So I'm really glad we were able to make significant progress in 'Aftermath,'" he shared.
The executive producer of "Summer House" hinted that he was confused by Wilson's lack of energy during the meeting.
While filming the reunion, Samton said he and other producers were concerned about Batula and Wilson's lack of energy, adding that they each had unique stories to tell.
«"I felt Amanda had a lot to say, having been through a divorce myself. I understand that someone who's left a toxic relationship after 10 years of marriage can behave badly, act rashly, and make crazy decisions. She could have shared so much more at the meeting, which would have been truly interesting to the audience and helped them understand her better. It was disappointing that she never explained her position," Samton said.
As for Wilson, the Bravo executive said he's still perplexed by the Missouri native's refusal to fully engage with his co-stars. "I still don't fully understand West. So I don't know what I'd like to see from him. But at least something would be nice," he said.
Why Miller Is the Future of This Long-Running Reality Show
According to a previous report from The Blast, Wilson has been fired from "Summer House" and will not be participating in the upcoming season. The rest of the cast has not yet been determined, but Samton says there will always be room for Miller.
«"I told Ciara a few months ago that I think she's the future of Summer House. She has a voice that we really love on [the show], she has a great connection with the rest of the group, with Mia and KJ, and she's very close with Kyle. She feels like the center of the show. And that's a story I want to keep telling," he said.
Hubbard criticized Wilson on social media.
Before her dismissal, Hubbard lashed out at Wilson in a social media post, calling the "Show Me Something" podcast host "trash" for allegedly trying to get her fired from "Summer House." She also criticized the sports journalist for trying to distract viewers from a bonus episode. "You should move immediately!" she wrote.
Watch the full season of Summer House on Peacock.
Read also: Andy Cohen revealed that a conflict on "Summer House" caused Jesse Solomon to burst into tears at a post-production meeting.