Call It What It Is: Secrets of the Season Premieres—Everything You Need to Know About 9-1-1 Nashville and Grey’s

Podcast: Call It What It Is (iHeartPodcasts)
Hosts: Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington
Date: October 13, 2025
Episode: Secrets of the Season Premieres—Everything You Need to Know About 9-1-1 Nashville and Grey’s

Episode Overview

In this lively and candid episode, real-life best friends and actresses Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington dive into the season premieres of two of TV’s biggest dramas: Grey’s Anatomy and 9-1-1 Nashville. Sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, wardrobe mishaps, cast gossip, and first impressions hot off the premiere nights, they dish on cliffhangers, character secrets, and all the chaos—both onscreen and off. True to their BFF energy, expect lots of laughter, inside jokes, and heart-to-heart moments as they "open up the friendship circle" to listeners.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Recapping the Premiere Cliffhangers

• Grey’s Anatomy:

  • The podcast opens with both hosts still reeling from the season premiere’s dramatic events, especially regarding Link’s fate.
  • Jessica confirms Link survived the cliffhanger but is “not out of the woods,” emphasizing ongoing tension.
    • “He’s not, like, survived, like, walking around high fiving people. He’s in rough shape. But yes, Link survived.” —Jessica (02:49)
  • Discussion of on-set tech talk and medical realism, including heavy props and realistic trauma scenes.

• 9-1-1 Nashville:

  • Camilla describes her character’s bold entrance in a meticulously tailored white dress at a rodeo.
    • “That white dress was tailored within an inch of its life. I mean, we’re on a Ryan Murphy show, people. There is attention to details and fashion.” —Camilla (03:56)
  • Jessica recounts her pride in seeing her best friend in such an iconic moment and teases the fashion drama.

2. Character Rivalries, Social Media Shenanigans, and New Faces

• Arch Nemesis Alert: Jessica’s character is set up as an arch-rival to Leann Rimes’ Dixie in 9-1-1 Nashville, with early social media "rivalries" spilling over from set camaraderie.
• Social Media Clapping Back: The duo detail a hilarious social media “clap back” exchange instigated by Leann Rimes, where Jessica, with quick wit and help from producer Kyle, drafts a perfect retort using Taylor Swift lyrics.
  • “Within, like, 30 seconds. You just plucked [the comeback] out of your brain.” —Camilla (09:36)
• Off-Screen Friendships vs. On-Screen Feuds: While their characters are adversaries, both assure listeners their real-life friendship with Leann is solid: "In the fake life, Dixie and Blythe are definitely gonna go at it. But in real life, we adore each other." (11:25)

3. Behind-the-Scenes Stories & Set Life

• Filming Challenges:
  • Camilla reveals the chaos of shooting a major concert scene featuring Kane Brown amid treacherous weather and technical learning curves.
    • “Spoiler alerts. That...was quite challenging, if not treacherous to, as you can imagine, film...start in the sunlight, but then the rain’s coming, and then you’ve got the tornado imminently going to decimate the entire thing.” (13:30)
• Casting Surprises: The “Captain Smoke Show” role was cast at the very last minute, creating a Cinderella-like experience for the actor.
  • “He looked like someone had launched him out of a rocket. I don’t even think he actually knew where he was.” —Camilla (16:38)
  • His first scene: the stripping scene!
    • “He literally got off a plane, shirtless.” —Jessica (17:53)
    • “Bless him. He was so game and he just got up there and he did it.” —Camilla (18:06)

4. Juicy Character Secrets and Relationship Dynamics

• Blythe’s Backstory: Jessica dissects a seemingly throwaway line indicating her character Blythe’s rebellious or perhaps “free” past—hinting at possible romantic escapades during a separation.
  • “There was this time where they separated, and...there was some fun being had, and I mean sexually.” —Camilla (22:10)
  • "You're like, they took up pickleball. It wasn't a round of tennis or golf. It was sexual!" —Jessica & Camilla (23:02)
• Show’s Approach to Complicated Relationships: Both hosts reflect on how both betrayals and forgiveness are handled in a nuanced, “powerful” way for their characters.

5. Firefighter vs. Doctor: The ‘Hotness’ Debate

• Friendly banter about whether they find doctors or firefighters hotter, using their on-set partners as the bar:
  • “If Matt came home, like, in a white coat, I’m like, whatever, go change...But if he’s, like, coming through the door and, like, a firefight[er], I’m like, ‘hello, smoke show.’” —Jessica (29:04)

6. Taylor Swift Surprises and Premiere Antics

• ABC Social Takeover: Jessica shares a behind-the-scenes scramble for clearance to use Taylor Swift’s “22” for the Grey’s Anatomy 22nd season launch video:
  • “It was down to the wire...literally sending it to Taylor’s team and being like, can you watch this, can you approve this...At like 12:02, the papers were signed.” —Jessica (38:30)
• Taylor Swift’s ‘TS’ Gift Package: Jessica recounts the surreal experience of receiving a personalized package from Taylor Swift herself, including a heartfelt note, album, and custom sweatshirt.
  • “If you’re receiving this, it means that you are someone that is important to me.” (43:16)
• Music Favorites: The hosts gush about their favorite tracks from Taylor’s new album, with special mentions of "Life as a Showgirl" and "Ruin the Friendship."
• Dance Routines: Camilla admits failing the viral dance challenges but Jessica and her daughter have learned Taylor’s dance.

7. Teasers and Looking Ahead

• Future Storylines: Jessica hints that Jo’s upcoming arc on Grey’s Anatomy will “shock” people.
  • “What is a character storyline that will shock people this season? I think Joe’s.” —Jessica (48:01)
• Breakdown Pacts: They promise weekly breakdowns for both shows, and tease bringing on more cast for spicy discussions—especially Leann Rimes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Link’s Survival:

  “He’s not, like, survived, like, walking around high-fiving people. He’s in rough shape. But yes, Link survived.” —Jessica (02:49)

• On Wearing White to a Rodeo:

  “I thought it was a bold choice. I’m like, white to a rodeo, but that’s...But you’re bold.” —Jessica (05:00)
  “She is. She is being described as...she’s a bad bitch.” —Camilla (05:09)

• On Social Media Feuds:

  “Leanne called you out...and you sent it to me, and you’re like, what do I do back for this?” —Jessica & Camilla (09:36) “Within, like, 30 seconds. You just plucked [the comeback] out of your brain.” —Camilla (09:36)

• On the Firefighter 'Hotness' Factor:

  “If Matt came home, like, in a white coat, I’m like, whatever, go change...But if he’s, like, coming through the door and, like, a firefight[er], I’m like, ‘hello, smoke show.’” —Jessica (29:04)

• On the Taylor Swift Package:

  “If you’re receiving this, it means that you are someone who is important to me.” —Jessica, quoting Taylor’s note (43:16)
  “I would have gone rogue, I would have found a way to get that out into the light.” —Camilla, on leaking the music video (39:27)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Season Premiere Recap & Spoilers (Grey's/9-1-1 Nashville): 02:30–08:30
• Fashion, Character Rivalries, and Social Media Antics: 08:30–13:00
• Set Stories, New Cast, and Filming Challenges: 13:00–18:40
• Character Backstories, Relationship Drama: 21:49–26:35
• Filming Firefighter vs. Doctor, Questioning ‘Hotness’: 28:41–29:42
• Taylor Swift/ABC Premiere Music Video Drama: 37:41–39:45
• Opening Taylor’s Gift & Album Favorites: 40:44–46:17
• Upcoming Storyline Teasers: 47:37–49:25
• Plans for Future Episodes & More Cast Guests: 49:25–50:13

Tone & Style

Breezy, playful, filled with mutual admiration and comic relief, Jessica and Camilla’s banter is warm and unfiltered—giving listeners the feeling of eavesdropping on two best friends with the inside scoop on TV’s favorite dramas.

Their openness about personal insecurities (Camilla sharing nerves over reprising Jo), genuine friendship moments, and willingness to address pop culture crossovers (hello, Taylor Swift fandom!) make for a fun, relatable, and informative listen.

Takeaway

For diehard Grey’s or 9-1-1 Nashville fans, this podcast is a must-listen for premiere breakdowns, juicy behind-the-scenes tea, and BFF vibes. Come for the spoilers, stay for the Taylor Swift unboxing, and savor the promise of even deeper dives and special guest gossip all season long.