Side Dish: More with Colton Underwood

Summary

Podcast Summary: Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Side Dish: More with Colton Underwood (February 5, 2026)

---

Main Theme

In this lively, candid “side dish” episode, Jesse Tyler Ferguson sits down at The Butcher’s Daughter in West Hollywood for an additional chat with Colton Underwood, known for his turns on The Bachelor and the latest season of The Traitors. Over healthy L.A. food, the friends dive deep into the messy, humorous, and heartfelt realities of life on (and off) reality TV, fatherhood, public scrutiny, and the evolution of their lives and careers.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Reality TV Savvy

• Colton's Reality TV Resume
  Colton jokes about being a “seasoned reality TV professional,” rattling off his impressive tally: The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, The Bachelor, Coming Out Colton, The Masked Singer, Name That Tune, Beyond the Edge (celebrity Survivor-style show), and more.

  “This was my tenth show. So, like, by this time…” – Justin Mikita [04:10]

• Differences Between Acting and Reality TV
  Justin points out it's hard to “put the participant hat back on and just play dumb” after so many shows:

  “I know when a bunch of cameras come in a room, shit’s about to go down.” – Justin Mikita [05:19]
  They discuss how reality TV requires balancing authenticity with gameplay—unlike scripted acting.

• Surviving on The Traitors
  Jesse and Colton dissect why comedic personalities often go home early on The Traitors:

  “Nobody wants like a funny guy there or a smart ass or like anybody with sarcasm." – Justin Mikita [07:53]
  Jesse reflects he might fare better because he doesn't "lead with comedy.”
  “People find me funny after a while when they get to know me… but I don’t lead with it. Which I think disappoints some people because they’re like, ‘Oh, that's the guy from Modern Family. Why is he not making me laugh more?’” – Jesse Tyler Ferguson [08:20]

• Game vs. Show
  The trio discusses the unique pressures of being both entertainment and contestant—a complex dance everyone's trying to master.

Traitors Cast Camaraderie

• Housewives and Support
  Justin shares his fondness for Dorinda from Real Housewives, describing her as “like an auntie,” supportive on and off camera.

  “She is really grounded and actually cares about the person, which is rare.” – Justin Mikita [06:24]

• Finding ‘The Gays’
  Colton laughs about being thrilled at the greater number of out gay men this season and says they're “in the faithful group chat.”

  “There were. This is fun. Yeah. I don't have a lot of gay friends, so, like, I need more.” – Justin Mikita [07:18]

• Pickleball and Celebrity Connections
  Justin tells of his friendship with Mark Ballas (from Dancing With the Stars) via pickleball matches.

Alan Cumming & the Power of Hosting

• Alan Cumming’s Theatrical Presence
  They describe host Alan Cumming as always “in character,” raising the bar of what a reality host can be:

  “He is theatrical. He’s moving his hands. He’s so professional. He stays in his bit the entire time—like, it is his castle, we are playing his game.” – Justin Mikita [14:23]

• Fashion Evolution on The Traitors
  They highlight Alan’s evolving wardrobe game, crediting stylist Sam Spector. Justin details the efforts of “eight fittings” for his show looks, blending high-end clothes with $7 Amazon pearl neckties.

  “I will wear a thousand dollar shirt, but then a seven dollar necktie. Because I just love being able to play… I grew up shopping at Kohl’s.” – Justin Mikita [17:15]

Moving, Farming & Life After Hollywood

• The LA/Industry Exodus
  Justin talks about wanting to leave the city for a more idyllic, privacy-focused life with “a few chickens and land.”

  “I’m at this point where… I just want a few chickens and I want land.” – Justin Mikita [20:43]

• Raising Boys as Gay Dads
  With their second child on the way (another boy via embryo selection), Justin and Colton reflect on the importance of siblings for support, especially with gay parents:

  “I want them to be able to, like… have each other to sort of lean on… through that.” – Colton Underwood [22:38]

Reflections on Growth and Public Identity

• From Bachelor to Today
  Colton contemplates his tumultuous journey—from being a closeted football player to a Bachelor to a public gay dad:

  “I came out of the closet because I had such a public downfall… I don’t know if there was a path for Colton to come out if I didn’t have as sharp a downfall as I had publicly. I think it sort of forced my hand in, like, a beautiful way.” – Colton Underwood [24:13]

• Handling Online Criticism
  Justin discusses choosing to be “the only gay person someone might follow”—offering visibility despite hate from conservative or religious corners.

  “There’s part of me, the reason why we’re public… is because I might be the only gay person that person follows.” – Justin Mikita [26:04]

  • Sometimes he deletes or blocks, sometimes responds depending on “what time of day you catch me.” [27:17]

• Silly Social Media Backlash
  They laugh about the absurdities of online parenting criticism—fans panicking over tree branches, vases, and “stage” nursery photo props:

  “‘That leaf is going to fall off the tree and suffocate your baby!’… We are still a month away from our due date and you are worried about a vase on my changing table.” – Justin Mikita [28:03, 28:35]

Life Lessons and Looking Forward

• Colton on Finding Joy in Fatherhood
  Life feels irrevocably different and more fulfilling for both Colton and Justin now.

  “…my NFL days, Bachelor days, and then now just being a husband and a father.” – Justin Mikita [23:26]

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I know when a bunch of cameras come in a room, shit’s about to go down.” – Justin Mikita [05:19]
• “Nobody wants like a funny guy there or a smart ass or like anybody with sarcasm.” – Justin Mikita [07:53]
• “He is theatrical. He’s moving his hands. He’s so professional. He stays in his bit the entire time—like, it is his castle, we are playing his game.” – Justin Mikita [14:23]
• “I will wear a thousand dollar shirt, but then a seven dollar necktie. Because I just love being able to play… I grew up shopping at Kohl’s.” – Justin Mikita [17:15]
• “There’s part of me, the reason why we’re public… is because I might be the only gay person that person follows.” – Justin Mikita [26:04]
• “‘That leaf is going to fall off the tree and suffocate your baby!’… We are still a month away from our due date and you are worried about a vase on my changing table.” – Justin Mikita [28:03, 28:35]
• “I came out of the closet because I had such a public downfall… I don’t know if there was a path for Colton to come out if I didn’t have as sharp a downfall as I had publicly. I think it sort of forced my hand in, like, a beautiful way.” – Colton Underwood [24:13]

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• Reality TV War Stories: [04:10]–[09:26]
• Comedians on The Traitors: [07:53]–[09:35]
• Alan Cumming & Fashion: [14:16]–[18:14]
• Leaving Hollywood, Moving to a Farm: [20:16]–[21:52]
• Fatherhood, Embryos, and Parenting as Gay Dads: [21:18]–[24:13]
• Dealing with Social Media Hate & Visibility: [25:14]–[27:32]
• Absurd Internet Parenting Advice: [27:39]–[28:41]

---

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is both reflective and funny—casual, open, and supportive. The warmth of a shared meal and a strong friendship underpins a discussion that moves easily from celebrity gossip to vulnerable confessions about parenthood, growth, and representation. Blunt honesty, dry humor, and empathy shine through.

---

This summary captures the core topics, pivotal conversations, and best moments of the episode. Whether you’re a reality TV fan or just curious about life after the cameras stop rolling, Colton and Jesse offer a refreshing look at fame, family, and finding yourself in the public eye.

Transcript

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

What I love about staying at a home on Airbnb is that feeling of walking into a place that already gets what you need. The thoughtful touches, the little comforts, the sense that someone really prepared for you to be there. I'm about to experience that again on a trip up to wine country with my family in Napa. I booked this beautiful home with all these views over the hills of Napa.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

But what I really love about the.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Place is that it has this big kitchen so we can have family breakfasts and meals there. And it has enough space for the entire family to spread out. And it just reminded me how much those little details make a place feel special. You walk in and there's fresh coffee on the counter, there's a note with the WI FI password, and the font's big enough that you don't need a magnifying glass to read it. You know, those thoughtful little touches that really make a difference. And it made me think about hosting my own home on Airbnb when I'm away. But the idea of getting my place guest ready with all those thoughtful little touches is a bit, I don't know, overwhelming. That's where Airbnb Co Host Network comes in. You can hire a local co host to help with all those behind the scenes things that make a stay run smoothly. Guest communication, handling check ins, and even design and styling to make your place feel lived in and cozy.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

So if you have a place that.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You'Ve been thinking about hosting, I don't know, a guest room, a studio for the garage, even your whole home while you're away, a co host can help you actually pull it off without adding more to your plate. So if your New Year's resolution is to earn a little extra money or, or finally make use of that space, start the easy way with Airbnb's co host network.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Okay, I have a confession to make. Seafood used to really stress me out. Not because I'm gay. No, no, let me explain. I just never was sure I was gonna cook it correctly, you know, Is it reliably sourced? It just always felt complicated, like I was gonna overcook it or undercook it or mess it up. That's why I love wild. Alas, they make it ridiculously easy to get high quality, wild caught seafood delivered straight to my door. And the difference in taste is immediate. This is the kind of fish that actually makes you excited to cook. What sold me is how simple and trustworthy it is. Their seafood is 100% wild caught. It's never farmed. So there are no antibiotics, no GMOs, no additives, just clean, real fish. It's frozen right off the boat, which means it keeps all that flavor and those nutrients, especially omega threes. And it's all sustainably sourced source from Alaska. So you feel good about what you're eating and where it comes from. And there's no pressure here. If you're not completely satisfied with your first box, Wild Alaskan company will give you a full refund, no questions asked. Not all fish are the same. Get seafood you can trust. Go to wildalaskan.com jtf for $35 off your first box of premium wild Caught Seafood. That's wildalaskan.com JTF for $35 off your first order. And thanks to Wild Alaskan Company for sponsoring this episode. Hi, it's Jesse.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Here's a little side dish from this week's episode of dinner's on Me. This week's guest was my friend Colton Underwood, who you know from the most recent season of the Traitors coming out. Colton and his very well, I might say controversial season on the Bachelor. We met at the butcher's Daughter in West Hollywood. The butcher's daughter is a bright, buzz and effortlessly cool. Part cafe, part restaurant, part vibe, it's a place I thought Colton might like. It's a health forward spot. It's in the heart of WeHo, and I thought it'd be the perfect place to catch up with my buddy Colton. So let's jump back into the conversation now. As you can expect, we talked quite a bit about season four of the Traitors where he showed off his savvy.

[Colton Underwood]

As a seasoned reality TV professional.

[Justin Mikita]

This was my tenth show. So, like, by this time, this is your tenth show?

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

After all of the TV I've done over the years.

[Colton Underwood]

Wait a minute. Will you count me through these? Both Bachelors.

[Justin Mikita]

So no Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, all filmed in the same year.

[Colton Underwood]

Okay.

[Justin Mikita]

Then.

[Colton Underwood]

Obviously your reality show.

[Justin Mikita]

My reality show coming out. Colton.

[Colton Underwood]

Right.

[Justin Mikita]

Mass singer, Name that tune beyond the Edge.

[Colton Underwood]

Okay. What's beyond the Edge?

[Justin Mikita]

It was this basically celebrity Survivor. We were in Panama.

[Colton Underwood]

Okay, Gosh.

[Justin Mikita]

I just counted.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Was it a whole series?

[Justin Mikita]

Was it a whole, like. It was just one. It was just one season. We were the first season of it. I had so much fun doing that one, though, too.

[Colton Underwood]

Oh, gosh.

[Justin Mikita]

I just counted. I just counted these.

[Colton Underwood]

I'm not gonna put you on the spot.

[Justin Mikita]

There's. I can Google my imbg. There's a. There's couple that are on the loose right now. On the run.

[Colton Underwood]

I don't know if I consider Name that tune.

[Justin Mikita]

I know it's. You've been on that.

[Colton Underwood]

I've been on it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It's like, literally it's a 12 hour trip to Dublin.

[Colton Underwood]

90 minutes. 90 minutes of your time.

[Justin Mikita]

Yes.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah. At a trip to Dublin. Okay. But no, you have done a lot of reality unscripted.

[Justin Mikita]

People take all the credits that they can get.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Hilarious.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah, okay.

[Justin Mikita]

But yeah, so like, by this time. Oh, I hosted Are youe? My first for Hulu. Okay. That was another one that counts. Yeah. So anyway, but my point is, like, by this time in my career, it's hard for me to put the participant hat back on and just play dumb. Like, I've sort of been around the block. I, like, know what's happening. Like, I know when a bunch of cameras come in a room, shit's about to go down. So, like, I'm not like, numb to that. So I mean, you were really thrown.

[Colton Underwood]

Into, like, the deep end of that with the bat. I mean, that is like, I mean, if you're talking about reality TV and like going with like, like a truly reality tv.

[Justin Mikita]

Yes, you.

[Colton Underwood]

And then like, I'm sure, like all the housewives are like, so, like in tune to that.

[Justin Mikita]

For sure.

[Colton Underwood]

For sure.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Absolutely.

[Justin Mikita]

So, like, you know, like, part of it is you're making a show, but part of it is you're playing a game. So you have to like, balance it.

[Colton Underwood]

Right.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Sure.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

Dorinda I loved and still, like, she seems cool. She's great.

[Colton Underwood]

I'm not a housewife person.

[Justin Mikita]

Dorinda's like, she's, I'm not even going to call her mother, but, like, she's, I would call her like an auntie. She's like, really checks in and was there for me and like, supported.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Jordan seemed very grounded.

[Justin Mikita]

Jordan lost his father and like, she sent me this lovely poem to share with him when she lost her partner. So, like, she's just, she is really grounded and like, actually cares about the person, which is rare.

[Colton Underwood]

That reads, though. I mean, I, I, I feel like that reads. Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

In the edit because most people are.

[Justin Mikita]

Like, okay, I was on a show with him. Like, I don't owe him a friendship or them a friendship. And that's how some people are. Other, you know, other people grab potatoes. So anyways, the other person who I really like to see there was Mark Ballas.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

So Mark and I, with Terry, we.

[Colton Underwood]

Played with the stars.

[Justin Mikita]

I've never done Dancing with the Stars.

[Colton Underwood]

I'm just casting you in all these shows. That you have never done.

[Justin Mikita]

That would be the only one that I think I would do at this point. It's the only one I have left.

[Colton Underwood]

So that.

[Justin Mikita]

Yeah.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah. Okay, so you. But you. So how did you know him?

[Justin Mikita]

We played pickleball together.

[Colton Underwood]

Okay.

[Justin Mikita]

So him and Derek were partners against Jordan and I and we played a.

[Colton Underwood]

Bunch of a few. Yeah, yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

He seems also.

[Colton Underwood]

I met him like once or twice. He seems really lovely.

[Justin Mikita]

He's very grounded.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

So like, instantly I was like, okay, like, there's a crew here that I could put together. And then also there's a lot of gays. And I was like, there were. This is fun. Yeah. I don't have a lot of gay friends, so, like, I need. I need more. Yeah, that was it.

[Colton Underwood]

Are you, Are you in touch with all the gays?

[Justin Mikita]

Oh, yeah.

[Colton Underwood]

Okay, good.

[Justin Mikita]

We don't have like our own group chat, but like we're in the faithful one.

[Colton Underwood]

Okay, so before we get off of the Traders, is there anything that you are like, you'd love to.

[Justin Mikita]

Well, I think I had dinner at your house a few weeks before I left her.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah, you did.

[Justin Mikita]

Because we were. You basically were like, just don't do what Wells did.

[Colton Underwood]

Right.

[Justin Mikita]

We love Wells. Yeah.

[Colton Underwood]

My friend Wells was kicked off very.

[Justin Mikita]

Quickly because I'll tell you this, I know why it didn't work for him. Comedy doesn't transfer. Nobody wants like a funny guy there or a smart ass or like anybody with sarcasm.

[Colton Underwood]

Right.

[Justin Mikita]

Because you already have your guard up and you have trust issues already with everybody. So, like, the funny guy doesn't typically like last very long.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's really smart, actually.

[Colton Underwood]

And that's also. I think I'd be good at it because I don't lead with comedy.

[Justin Mikita]

No.

[Colton Underwood]

Like, I think people would be really. People find me funny after a while when they get to know me and I feel comfortable like letting that side of me show. But I don't lead with it. Definitely don't lead with it. Which I think disappoints some people because.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

They'Re like, oh, that's the guy from Modern Family.

[Colton Underwood]

Why is he not making me laugh more?

[Justin Mikita]

I think if Wills would have slow played how naturally funny and quick witted he is. Yeah, he would have done much better.

[Colton Underwood]

Right.

[Justin Mikita]

But because he came out of the gate so strong. And once again, this goes back to. He was also. You have to look at some of his other castmates like a Johnny Bananas.

[Colton Underwood]

Right?

[Justin Mikita]

Like, it's like Fire and Ice type thing. Like, they didn't work well together. And so as soon as Johnny went, they were like the next obvious we got to go for him. So here's. Here's my stance on, like, actors coming into this show is they feel like I dealt with this with even like, Michael where he would do or say something and, like, you can tell he's, like, looking around to see if there's a reaction. Like, yes, this isn't that. Like, this is what we do. Like, this is who we are and, like, we play these games. We come as ourselves.

[Colton Underwood]

Right.

[Justin Mikita]

So I feel like actors always try to do a little too, bit too much.

[Colton Underwood]

Right.

[Justin Mikita]

Because they're, like, trying to keep up with, like, they don't have the standard personality of like, a reality person.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

You know what I mean?

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

I do.

[Colton Underwood]

I also think my hearing. I also think that I would do really well on the show.

[Justin Mikita]

You would crush.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I think I would do well because.

[Colton Underwood]

I. I mean, I want to be pretentious to say I'm like, not like a normal actor, but I do.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I am actually kind of like a.

[Colton Underwood]

Shy person in general.

[Justin Mikita]

But you're also endearing and you could, like, really buddy up.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

You would be like a good core.

[Colton Underwood]

I. I don't know. I think I'd be good at it. Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I just feel like it's so funny.

[Colton Underwood]

With the show because now that it's in its fourth season, like, you're seeing how, like, people, you know, they'll say.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Things like, you're acting shifty.

[Colton Underwood]

Like, are you a traitor?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I'm like, you're acting shifty because you're.

[Colton Underwood]

Nervous and you're on, like a reality TV show.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Yes.

[Justin Mikita]

You know, eight cameras pointed at you and you're miked up.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And I feel like I've been on there, like, well, you're an actor. You're probably acting like, I mean, it's.

[Colton Underwood]

Just like, you know.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Colton Underwood]

But I do think I would be good at it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Now for a quick break, but don't go away. When we come back, Colton tells me about working with the iconic Alan Cumming on the traders and how the stylish host sets a high bar.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Long work weeks and busy weekends can.

[Colton Underwood]

Really wear you down.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

And sometimes what you don't need is another resolution. We don't need another vision board, people. We need a real reset. That's why prolong's five day fasting mimicking diet really caught my attention. It works at the cellular level to help rejuvenate your body from the inside out, supporting energy metabolism, healthy aging, and even skin appearance. We all set health goals. We want to Eat better, feel stronger, be more mindful, but without a plan, they can fade pretty quickly. Prolong gives you a science backed, structured approach that helps you stay on track. And unlike quick cleanses or detoxes, this is designed to create benefits that will last well beyond five days. Prolong is a plant based nutrition program with soups, snacks and beverages that keep your body in a fasting state while still nourishing it. Everything comes prepackaged and labeled by day so there's no prep, no planning, no guesswork. You're not standing in your kitchen going am I doing this right?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It was developed over decades with USC's.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Longevity Institute and is backed by top US medical centers. Prolon is also the only nutrition program clinically shown to trigger autophagy in humans. You know that Nobel Prize winning process where your body clears out and recycles damaged cells? You know autophagy. And I'll say this no matter the season, when I'm craving a reset, Prolon is the only nutrition program that works for me. It's convenient, it's backed by Nobel winning science and it works. Ready for your own reset? For a limited time, Prolon is offering dinners on me listeners 15% off plus a $40 bonus gift. When you subscribe to their five day program, just visit prolonlife.com d o m that's P R O L O N L I F E.com dom to claim your 15% discount and bonus gift. Prolonlife.com dom you know that one task.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You'Ve been putting off since forever? If that task is start therapy, which it is for me, growtherapy makes it way easier to finally check that off your list. It's covered by over 100 insurance plans and you can get started in as little as two days. Therapy can be such a powerful thing, whether you're working through something specific or just trying to understand yourself a little bit better. But actually finding a therapist, that part can feel overwhelming. Grow Therapy makes it a lot easier. They connect you with thousands of independent licensed therapists across the US offering both virtual and in person sessions, including nights and weekends as well. You can search by what actually matters to you, insurance, specialty, identity or availability and find someone who fits you, not the other way around. There are no subscriptions, no long term commitments. You just pay per session and if something comes up, you can Cancel up to 24 hours in advance at no cost. Whatever challenges you're facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Grow accepts over 100 insurance plans, including Medicare in some states. Sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as $0 depending on their plan. Visit growththerapy.comdom today to started. That's growththerapy.comdom availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan are for the whole cast.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Okay, be right back.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And we're back with more dinners on me.

[Colton Underwood]

How much time do you have with Alan? Like, is he kind of Very little. I just.

[Justin Mikita]

We just ran into him at the premiere party at the Abbey. Oh, really? He said so. He was like, I feel like this is always my first time actually meeting you guys because, like, he truly isn't on coming. He's in character the entire time. Yeah. Like, even when like we have stop downs for camera repositioning, like, he is theatrical. He's moving his hands. He's so professional.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

So he stays in his bit the entire time. Like, it is his castle. We are playing his game. His dog is always with him. Like it is a. It is a thing. So it's sort of cool because like, from as a professional, it's like, that is awesome. Like the standard that you're setting for like a reality television host.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

If you're bringing it to like the next level.

[Colton Underwood]

I mean, I got to know Armand as a Broadway performer, you know, like, and so I'm so excited that someone who has those roots. I mean, he obviously has done incredible TV and film work as well. But, like, you know, I consider him like a Broadway guy and I just love.

[Justin Mikita]

So funny though.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You know him from Broadway and I.

[Colton Underwood]

Know from Spice Girls.

[Justin Mikita]

No, I know him from as Nightcrawler. Oh, yeah, yeah, because I'm I like, like superhero.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah, totally, totally, totally. A lot of people also know him as like the villain in Spice World. Oh, yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

I haven't seen him.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah, yeah. But yeah, he's great. And obviously, you know, the show is also built on like all these incredible looks that I think it started with Alan, obviously. And like, I also saw the evolution of it because ironically, Alan and I have the same stylist. And I remember Sam Spector who does such an incredible job on the Traitors and deserves an Emmy award and hopefully we'll get one in the near future. He was like talking about the show that he was dressing Alan for.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And like, it started off like, if.

[Colton Underwood]

You look at the early episodes of season one, it's like he's just like kind of leaning into like what he does.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

He's like, he always like had a.

[Colton Underwood]

Little bit of a flare, but like now, I mean, Alan's like, it's a coffin. Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And this is all Sam's stuff. I mean, he's the one that's, like.

[Colton Underwood]

Putting this all together, and I'm so proud of him.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

But then you start noticing and, I.

[Justin Mikita]

Mean, it was a little bit this.

[Colton Underwood]

Way just because of the type of people that they're bringing on. But, like, the cast is now, like.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

It'S all about their looks.

[Justin Mikita]

He brings everybody up a level.

[Colton Underwood]

Yes.

[Justin Mikita]

Like, that's like, one thing that, like, coming on the show. I'm like, oh, I have to bring it.

[Colton Underwood]

Right.

[Justin Mikita]

Because, like, like, it's so campy.

[Colton Underwood]

And is this.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

But is that, like, something that you.

[Colton Underwood]

So obviously you have to prepare to bring all those clothes yourself.

[Justin Mikita]

Yeah.

[Colton Underwood]

And I assume you would have to, like, hire your own stylist if you want or, like, you know, put that together yourself. That's out of your pocket. I worked with the stylist. You did. As I said, I was really smart. And then, I mean.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Yeah.

[Colton Underwood]

Because you don't have just like a pearl necktie hanging around.

[Justin Mikita]

By the way, that was $7 on Amazon.

[Colton Underwood]

On incredible.

[Justin Mikita]

Yeah. But it was, like, paired like that. I'm a big. So, like, when I first met my highs and lows, like, I will wear a thousand dollar shirt, but then a seven dollar necktie.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

Because, like, I just love being able to play. Like, I grew up shopping at Kohl's. Right. Like, and, like, that doesn't just go away.

[Colton Underwood]

Right.

[Justin Mikita]

So, like, I'm always looking for a good deal and. But now I want to, like, bring it and up my sound. But yeah, it took eight fittings to get the entire look for the showdown. Wow. And then it's incredible, too, because she packages it and labels it and, like, sure puts it all together. So then when you get to Scotland, you just hang your things up and you have it all labeled out. It makes life.

[Colton Underwood]

And, like, steamer trunks. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I just saw something on your Instagram story that. Where you're wearing that great, like, Princess Diana cardigan.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

Doing very well for that company right now.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

Oh, I. I still wear some of the wardrobe. Some of it, you know, like, has to go, like, the bigger pieces. Pieces go back to, like, the PR and like.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Sure.

[Justin Mikita]

And I. I wore this in one of my interviews.

[Colton Underwood]

Okay.

[Justin Mikita]

I was like, I don't know. I'm an outfit repeater. I don't have time. I don't have time to have new outfits every time I do things.

[Colton Underwood]

No, no.

[Justin Mikita]

So.

[Colton Underwood]

Of course not. Yeah, I know. You look great.

[Justin Mikita]

Thank you.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah. I was impressed.

[Justin Mikita]

I had fun with it. I had fun with it.

[Colton Underwood]

But you always look good. You always look like, well put together.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Even when, like I see you at.

[Colton Underwood]

The gym, I'm like, you're like the version of like the guy who goes to the gym that I wish I could be. Like, you just look like, oh, he's wearing the cute gym clothes I like to match.

[Justin Mikita]

Yeah, I've, like, I've been that way since I was a little kid.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Now for a quick break, but don't go away. When we come back, we talk about fatherhood and the scrutiny that comes with it. And we debate whether he should leave Hollywood to become a farmer. Okay, be right back. You know those moments where your brain suddenly goes, wait a minute, wait a minute, did I lock the door? Or you're already out to dinner and you think, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, did I turn off the stove? Or worse, you come home and you're.

[Colton Underwood]

Like, wait a minute, wait a minute.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Something just feels off.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Those are the moments where your heart drops and suddenly every second counts. That's what ADT understands. Feeling safe at home isn't a luxury, it's foundational.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

It's the thing that lets you actually.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Relax, be present and live your life without that low level worry humming in the background. ADT offers customizable home security systems installed by professionals so you feel protected from the start. They're backed by 247 monitoring and the most company operated monitoring centers in the industry. And their technology helps verify alarms so first responders can be sent faster than with unverified alarms. I also love that with the ADT app you can check in on your home from virtually anywhere. Whether you're traveling, working late or just lying in bed second guessing yourself, you can see what's going on and actually rest easy. ADT makes sure your home is your haven. Not another thing to worry about when every second counts. Count on ADT. Visit ADT.com to learn more. And we're back with more dinners on me.

[Colton Underwood]

You keep threatening to like leave town.

[Justin Mikita]

Yeah, I want to farm.

[Colton Underwood]

I know, I mean, you know me.

[Justin Mikita]

I like, I'm at this point where one, I don't think you have to be in LA anymore. You don't, you know that like that's controversial and people want to bring film back here, as do I. But like, but you can always come.

[Colton Underwood]

Back for it if you need to look at.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Even like Traders, we filmed that in.

[Justin Mikita]

Scotland and like all these, all the projects that I've like been a part of in these last few years. Just don't film here.

[Colton Underwood]

Right.

[Justin Mikita]

Of course I have friends here, and there's a lot of industry people here, but I want my privacy. I'm like, to this point where I sort of just want a few chickens and I want land.

[Colton Underwood]

I thought I was an encino.

[Justin Mikita]

I know, but, I mean, look, I would if. If I was on Modern Family, I could live.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

I don't know. I just, like, I grew up in the Midwest. Like, I sort of want to go back to those roots. I loved my childhood. Like, that's a. I really enjoyed how I grew up, and I want our boys to sort of have that.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Boys.

[Justin Mikita]

Well, yeah.

[Colton Underwood]

Are you pregnant again?

[Justin Mikita]

No, not yet.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Are you trying.

[Colton Underwood]

I won't keep it. Getting ready to take this out?

[Justin Mikita]

No, no. I talk openly about this.

[Colton Underwood]

Oh, really?

[Justin Mikita]

We're going to. Yeah. We're going to start for number two soon, so.

[Colton Underwood]

Wow.

[Justin Mikita]

And then. I don't know if we've. But all of our embryos are boys.

[Colton Underwood]

Oh, definitely.

[Justin Mikita]

So we know what we're having. Yeah, we have a few.

[Colton Underwood]

I love having two boys. Yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

Wait, so. Because, I mean, I know we talked about this on daddyhood a little bit, but, like, it was also at the very, very, very beginning when. When I had you on.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Justin Mikita]

You were.

[Colton Underwood]

You're a great podcaster, by the way.

[Justin Mikita]

Thank you.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's done.

[Colton Underwood]

Daddy Hood's done. Right. What I was.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Daddy had done.

[Justin Mikita]

We're getting ready for season three.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Okay.

[Justin Mikita]

So we're gonna do season three. We moved more into, like, parenting.

[Colton Underwood]

Okay.

[Justin Mikita]

Yeah. I mean, that's also, like, I'm at such a good place in my life right now where it's like. Like, you. I feel so fulfilled.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

And, like, privileged to even have Bishop and, like, going through the process of getting ready for number two. It's like, I want him to be an older brother, so.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

Yeah.

[Colton Underwood]

I mean, I'm so glad we did it for those reasons. Justin and I both have siblings, and, you know, we, you know, having just lost my mom last year, I know how much my siblings and I supported one another through just. Just that, like, I just think about, you know, I don't want my children to go through any of their life without someone that they can kind of, I don't know, commiserate with. I mean, I want them to be able to, like, how about our two gay dads or two crazy gay dads? I want them to, like, have each other to sort of lean on. On through that.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

So I'm so excited.

[Colton Underwood]

Revo. That's great. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

That's hence why I thinking of moving to a farm.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah, I know. I know.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Enjoy it.

[Colton Underwood]

I mean, when you look back at, like, the past 10 years of your life and, like, you see where you're at now, and, like, I mean, I. I get to be one of your close friends on instagram, so I get to see, you know, you and some of these really sweet moments with Bishop, and I just.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It feels like not even another lifetime.

[Colton Underwood]

Ago, but, like, another life. Life completely. When I. When I even was just, like, looking at, like, tape of you on, you know, the bachelor and the bachelorette, like.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

At this point, it's three lives.

[Justin Mikita]

Like, my NFL days, bachelor days, and then now just being a husband and a father.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah. I mean, obviously, you love it, but, I mean, what does it feel like when you kind of a retrospective and you look back on that?

[Justin Mikita]

It's like a mix of a bunch of different emotions. Like, I think when I was. I was 24 when I did the bachelor, like, when I first signed up for bachelorette or got onto that show. So at that point in my life, like, and. And I should say this, my age was 24, but playing football and, like, to the level that I played, it was so debilitating in my emotional maturity because I didn't date. I didn't try. I went to. I traveled to summer camps to play football. Like, it's not like I was getting this experience dating and emotional. Like, my emotional IQ was, like, very, very low. So, like, by the time then all of a sudden, now I'm on front of a camera, 24, 25 years old, pissing America off left and right and, like, trying to, like, figure out this balance. It's just. I don't know. It's like, it's a mix of emotions for me. Cause I'm like, I'm so glad that I had that experience. It forced me to grow up really quickly. I learned so many life lessons. I came out of the closet because I had such a public downfall. Like, I don't know if I would have, like, I don't know if there was a path for Colton to come out if I didn't have, like, as sharp as a downfall that I had publicly. I think it sort of forced my hand in, like, a beautiful way now that, like, of course, I wish could have happened more naturally. Sure. But, like, that's sort of, like the mixed bag of emotions I get where it's, like, pain and trauma, but then also, like, this beauty and, like, happiness now that I get now that I'm on the other side, you're so public.

[Colton Underwood]

On, on, you know, Instagram, with your fam. I mean, you certainly protect a lot of that and in a way that we all do. But, you know, you are very open about, you know, your marriage to Jordan and, you know, being a dad and, like, the struggles of, with that. How do you deal with criticism and, like, just, you know, Internet chatter now, having the history of what, what you've been through? I mean, I, I, I, I tend to think that you probably have a better set of tools than someone like me.

[Justin Mikita]

Well, it's just, it's so. It's pretty complicated because the Bachelor franchise skews pretty conservative.

[Colton Underwood]

Yeah.

[Justin Mikita]

Like, all the way to the fact that, like, last or when this last election came up, I put a poll on my Instagram. Just curious who people are voting for. 70% of my followers are voting for Trump.

[Colton Underwood]

Oh, interesting.

[Justin Mikita]

So, like, really interesting. There's, like, this part of me, the reason why we're public and why we show Bishop's face and why I highlight our fun moments in our family is because I might be the only gay person that that person follows.

[Colton Underwood]

Right.

[Justin Mikita]

And like I said, want to represent gay dads. I want to represent our community to, like, not be so defensive. So as, like, when Mary in Alabama goes to vote, she knows that, like, oh, yeah, I thought, like, they're two really good dads. Like, they deserve those rights. Like, that's just sort of how my brain works. And also why Jordan and I ultimately decided that we were going to be public with, like, showing Bishop and our other kid, you know, is just we want people to see us. And, like, I also, when I can say that, but then also say, like, I totally, totally, totally understand why most people in our community do not show their kids. Yeah. Because there are some really hateful and mean people out there. It found one of my posts found the religious side of things, and it was brutal. Like, because I monitor comments, you asked how I handle it. Sometimes I respond, sometimes I just delete. Sometimes I block and report. I'm all over the place on how I handle things. It just depends on what time of day you catch me.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It's so funny.

[Colton Underwood]

I feel like when we were, when you were expecting Bishop and you were talking about doing some sort of post, I don't know if it was something that you were doing for. I, I don't remember the, the circumstances of the post, but I remember us telling you that we had done a post on our Instagram because we had Someone help us with our nursery.

[Justin Mikita]

Yeah.

[Colton Underwood]

And we took some pictures of the nursery and to support the designer, and I think Crate and Barrel, like, gave us some stuff, so we had to take some pictures. And there was a tree. I think it was actually even just like a rubber fake tree, but it was like behind the crib and like kind of the branches right over the tree. And it was on my Instagram and like, the amount of people that came out because of the tree, like, that leaf is gonna fall off the tree.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And suffocate your baby. He had a vase on his changing.

[Justin Mikita]

Table and it was the end of the world of like, you idiots. He can hit that. I'm like, he's not even here yet.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Also, this is a stage.

[Justin Mikita]

This is. If you want to know how a.

[Colton Underwood]

Coda Johnson's lemons at her on her Architectural Digest shoot.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

She didn't put the lemons there.

[Justin Mikita]

No. What? The artichokes is the one that always get like. Because they photograph so well. Keeps a bowl of artichokes in their house. Unless it's getting photographed, of course.

[Colton Underwood]

I'm not going to have the.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

The vaser and the changing table.

[Colton Underwood]

It's a picture.

[Justin Mikita]

It was the end of the world.

[Colton Underwood]

The baby's not even born for us. I know. It's so funny.

[Justin Mikita]

I was like, we are still a month away from our due date and you are worried about a vase on my changing table.

[Colton Underwood]

I know, I know.

[Justin Mikita]

It's like, do you see a diaper warmer anywhere in this picture?

[Colton Underwood]

We're not ready. We're not ready. Believe me.

[Justin Mikita]

Oh, my God.

[Colton Underwood]

So fucking funny to me.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

So that was a little side dish.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

From this week's episode with Colton Underwood. If you haven't heard our full conversation yet, make sure to check it out on Dinners On Me. This episode of Dinners on Me was recorded at the Butcher's Daughter in West Hollywood, California. Next week on Dinners On Me. You know him from Cheers, the Good Place, and more recently from Netflix's A Man on the Inside, it's Ted Danson. We'll get into his legendary run as one of TV's most iconic leading men and his latest chapter on screen, which this season includes his wife as a co star. Dinners On Me is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and a kid named Beckett Productions. It's hosted by me, Jesse Tyler Ferguson. It's executive produced by me and Jonathan Hirsch. Our showrunner is Joanna Clay. Our associate producer is Alyssa Midcalf. Sam Baer engineered this episode Hansdale. She composed our theme music Our head of production is Sammy Allison. Special thanks to Tameka Balance Kolasny and Justin Makita. I'm Jesse. Tyler Ferguson. Join me next week.