Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Guest: Lisa Rinna
Episode Theme: Hustling, Housewives, and Harry Hamlin
Date: February 24, 2026
Location: Coral Tree Café, Brentwood, CA

Overview

In this engaging episode, host Jesse Tyler Ferguson sits down with Lisa Rinna—actress, reality TV icon, and author—for a candid meal and conversation at the LA institution, Coral Tree Café. Together, they dive into Lisa’s journey through reality television, her memoir, the reality of fame, her family life, professional resilience, and thoughts on aging in Hollywood. The episode is filled with warmth, genuine vulnerability, and plenty of laughter, offering listeners a revealing look into Lisa’s world beyond the camera.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Lisa on ‘The Traitors’ and Reality TV (05:01–22:00)

• Decision to Join ‘The Traitors’
  • Lisa was initially hesitant to return to reality TV but was persuaded by a close family friend (05:05–05:47):
    “I didn’t want to do any reality…I was done for now…My neighbor down the street…convinced me to do it.” — Lisa Rinna (05:08–05:47)
  • The role was a game-changer, giving her renewed visibility and thrilling experiences.
• Being a ‘Traitor’
  • Lisa admits she wanted to be a traitor for the camera time: “If I’m gonna do it, you want all the camera time. Otherwise, why?” — Lisa Rinna (06:12)
  • Discusses the exhaustion and anxiety of filming, lack of sleep, and getting “backed into a corner” by fellow player Colton (06:24–07:25).
  • Reveals how the game’s turning point was being accused on camera, a rare twist in Traitors’ history (07:02–07:20).
• Game Dynamics vs. Housewives
  • Highlights differences:
    • ‘The Traitors’ is producer-free—"they really let that game play out" (17:21–17:46).
    • ‘Housewives’ is the opposite: “The producers produce you and they talk to you” (17:28–17:39).
    • Being a “hostess” and forming alliances was Lisa’s main strategy (19:22).
    • Humorous take on the grueling labor: “If you want to be a traitor, honey, you are…literally three hours more a day…into the middle of the night” (23:40–23:48).

The Weight of ‘The Real Housewives’ (09:43–14:55; 26:12–32:07)

• Vulnerability and Grief
  • Lisa describes filming ‘Housewives’ soon after her mother’s death:
    “In hindsight, it would have been better if I had said…let me take this time. But I’m a worker bee…So would have been better if I didn’t do the show in that state of mind.” — Lisa Rinna (10:18–11:06)
• Changing Dynamics in Reality TV
  • Noted increasing toxicity from the fan base and social media:
    “…the response to us changed. And that made it really difficult—really difficult. Which you’re just like, wait, it’s a TV show.” — Lisa Rinna (12:06–12:47)
  • Addresses trauma-bonded friendships formed through Housewives (32:18–32:29).
• Making the Most of Fame
  • Acknowledges the visibility boost Housewives gave her: “That show…catapulted you. I knew at the time in my career, I needed that real estate” (27:01–27:08).
  • Lisa refers to business opportunities that stemmed from leveraging her Housewives fame (see “Hustle”).

Lisa Rinna’s Memoir & Personal Growth (10:14–11:06; 26:12–27:08; 43:01–47:20)

• Cathartic Experience
  • Writing the memoir was deeply cathartic:
    “It was very cathartic for me…to just tell my side of the story, to tell what was going on with me and how I felt about it.” — Lisa Rinna (10:18)
  • Lisa was nervous about the vulnerability in her book:
    “Are you nervous for people to read some of it? Yeah, because it’s so vulnerable…I don’t like to be vulnerable. Like, who does?” — Lisa Rinna (43:04–43:15)
• Revealing Family Struggles: PANDAS
  • Lisa opens up about her daughter’s struggle with PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections), a first for her publicly (43:34–44:15).
  • Describes the intense family toll, parenting strategies, and the challenge of focusing energy on the child in most need (44:29–45:41).
• Importance of Humanity
  • Lisa highlights the significance of showing humanity, marital reality, and the struggles of raising a family—especially in Hollywood (46:44–47:20).

Hustling, Resilience, and Reinvention (29:24–36:38)

• The ‘Rinna Hustle’
  • Jesse details Lisa’s relentless work ethic through a list of her projects in a single year: from infomercials to QVC, to the famous ‘Depends’ ad (29:24–30:15).
  • Lisa’s take:
    “We have done some things that are truly remarkable being actors…We got two babies we’re raising. Like, get to work.” — Lisa Rinna (30:30–30:49)
• Life After 60: The “Rinna-sance”
  • Lisa discusses her recent modeling moments—including walking Paris Fashion Week at age 62:
    “It’s truly…there’s an expiration date on what people consider that career—take be Hollywood. Yeah. Well, when I turned 40, that’s when we started the stores, because I thought my career was over…But now look at it 22 years later and go, wow, I would never have seen this moment then.” — Lisa Rinna (36:11–36:38)
• On Aging and Inspiring
  • Lisa finds inspiration in the “renaissances” of women over 50 like Pam Anderson, Demi Moore, Nicole Kidman, stressing it’s vital for her daughters:
    “It’s really important for my daughters to see that you’re not washed up when you turn 60…you can still be a viable female in this world.” — Lisa Rinna (35:00–35:46)

Fashion, ‘Housewives’ Costs, and Showbiz Realities (36:38–39:46)

• Fashion Realities
  • Peels back the curtain on Housewives fashion: “You have to do your own hair, makeup, and you have to dress yourself…that’s where all my money went” (37:25–38:00).
• Value of Marital Partnership
  • Lisa and Jesse reflect on the hard work and ongoing effort required for a long, happy marriage:
    “Marriage, a good marriage, is a lot of work…As long as you have a mutual respect for one another…I think is really the key.” — Lisa Rinna (48:20–48:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If I’m gonna do it, you want all the camera time. Otherwise, why?” — Lisa Rinna (06:12)
• On Housewives’ production style: “The producers produce you and they talk to you. They plant seeds. They plant storylines. These producers [on Traitors] stay back and the game plays out, and it’s quite brilliant.” — Lisa Rinna (17:28–17:47)
• On deciding to share her daughter's struggle:
  “I’m glad that I get to, because I also know families that are suffering…Anytime I can get out what really is going on, I felt very good about saying.” — Lisa Rinna (44:15)
• “You can dance. You can be silly. You can be weird. You can be beautiful. You can be everything.” — Lisa Rinna on being a woman in her 60s (35:39–35:46)
• “Marriage, a good marriage, is a lot of work…As long as you have a mutual respect for one another, I think is really the key.” — Lisa Rinna (48:20–48:23)

Memorable Moments by Timestamp

• 05:05–05:47 — Lisa explains her process of being convinced to join ‘The Traitors.’
• 09:28–10:18 — “It’s not Housewives for me.” – Lisa on the difference in personal impact between ‘The Traitors’ and ‘Housewives.’
• 10:14–11:06 — Lisa discusses the difficult decision not to take time off after her mother’s death.
• 12:06–12:47 — “The response to us changed…” Lisa on the rise of toxic Housewives fandom.
• 19:22–19:33 — Lisa articulated her “hostess” strategy in ‘The Traitors.’
• 27:01–27:08 — Lisa and Jesse discuss the unique career boost from ‘Housewives.’
• 35:00–35:46 — Lisa gets passionate about positivity for women over 60.
• 36:38–37:24 — Discussion of hidden costs and realities of dressing for Housewives.
• 43:04–43:15 — Lisa admits fear over her new book’s vulnerability.
• 44:29–45:41 — Honest discussion of the emotional toll of parenting through a child’s illness.
• 48:13–48:23 — Lisa offers advice on the work needed for a strong marriage.

Episode’s Tone & Takeaways

Lisa Rinna’s trademark candor and self-deprecating humor are ever-present. The conversation is rich in vulnerability, hustle, and hard-won wisdom—a true mix of sunny LA optimism and showbiz grit. Both Lisa and Jesse deftly intertwine personal stories with insights about Hollywood, reality TV, aging gracefully, and the ongoing work required to nurture family and self.

Listeners will walk away with:

• A new understanding of the real costs (emotional, financial, and professional) behind reality TV stardom.
• A rare look at the emotional labor and resilience behind Lisa’s public persona.
• Honest advice about hustle, parenthood, aging, and partnership in Hollywood and beyond.

Lisa Rinna’s memoir releases February 24th, offering a deeper look at the stories and vulnerabilities shared in this episode.