Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald

Episode: Brandy and Julie on Biggest Loser, RHOC and Premature Documentaries

Date: August 21, 2025
Host: Heather McDonald
Guests: Julie Goldman & Brandy Howard (Dumb Gay Podcast)

Overview

In this lively episode, Heather welcomes Julie and Brandy back for their signature sharp, funny pop culture commentary after a six-week stint in Denver. The conversation dives into Netflix’s "Fit for TV" (the Biggest Loser exposé), reality TV docu-series mania, Real Housewives of Orange County drama (including rumors, exaggerations, and friendships gone awry), and a real-life update on a Hollywood legal battle. Classic Heather: plenty of Bravo, juicy industry tales, laughs, and candid authenticity.

Major Topics & Insights

1. Reunion Updates & Juicy Scoop Fandom

[00:26–04:00]

• Julie and Brandy discuss their Denver stage run, share stories about homesickness, and laugh about how many fans recognized them—“all really attractive women” per Julie.
  • Quote: “I have the best looking audience, and I’m proud to say it.” (Heather, 03:37)

2. The Biggest Loser Netflix Documentary ("Fit for TV")

[05:47–19:32]

• Heather recaps the shock factor and controversy in the new documentary: Jillian Michaels facing fallout over caffeine pills, contestants gaining and losing extreme amounts of weight, and accusations that the show ruined metabolisms.
• Julie shares her personal connection: her late friend Poppy Kramer, a comedian and season finalist, struggled with weight loss, maintenance, and possible Adderall/caffeine misuse. Poppy’s experience underscored the dangers and lasting mental health impact.
  • Memorable moment: Julie describes Poppy carrying a massive food scale everywhere as she tried to keep weight off.
  • Quote: “When you fluctuate in weight like that more than a handful of times, you will die. And that’s what I think occurred.” (Julie, 11:18)
• Discussion on the toxic culture—especially for women—about weight, TV fame, and relentless body scrutiny.
  • Quote: “I mean, everybody pretty much is. It’s pretty rare that someone is like, you know what? I’ve been happy with my weight and my body my entire life.” (Heather, 12:19)
• High-pressure tactics on-set: dehydration, using Preparation H to cut weight for televised weigh-ins, and the culture of celebrating rapid, unsustainable losses.
• Rumors, lawsuits, and why Jillian Michaels was left out of the documentary.
  • Quote: “That is so shady that they do everyone and they don’t do her. She’s like one of the main things of the show.” (Brandy, 28:09)

3. Premature Documentaries & Reality TV “Docs”

[25:31–35:36]

• Lighthearted but critical look at the recent (and sometimes baffling) trend of documenting newly-minted viral stories and minor celebrities—like William White, a TikTok sensation whose “true story” doc is hitting Paramount+.
  • Quote: “It’s gonna be like, E! True TikTok Story. Like, it’s just a TikTok story.” (Heather, 28:33)
• Discussion of Heather’s experiences participating (often unpaid) in TV docs, including Chelsea Lately retrospectives and Real Housewives specials.
• How little contributors are paid—usually nothing—and the reality that some stars (if pivotal) command substantial fees.

4. Hollywood Lawsuit Update: Devin LaBella vs. Kevin Costner

[38:03–46:36]

• Heather gives a personal update on her niece, Devin LaBella, a stuntwoman suing Kevin Costner’s Horizon 2 production after an improperly managed, traumatic assault scene.
• The challenges of seeking justice in a male-dominated system, how professionalism is used against survivors, and disturbing ways trauma is dismissed.
  • Quote: “She (Devin) went through all the proper channels of saying, ‘Hey, something went wrong…’ Then she was shut out and not heard and pretty much blackballed and not worked since.” (Heather, 39:39)
• Wider discussion about Hollywood power structures, the #MeToo movement, and the price of coming forward.

5. Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC): Deep Dive

[50:34–70:37]

• Breaking down the latest RHOC happenings:
  • Katie’s role as a controversial new cast member and her attempts to curry favor with Bravo bloggers/podcasters, sharing (and possibly fabricating) rumors.
  • A game of “telephone” involving claims that Gretchen accused Tamra of drugging her years ago—a story inflated and mutated through the cast and social media.
    • Quote: “I just think this is a case of, like, telephone that just then got exact. Everyone wanted to up the story they heard previously.” (Heather, 56:09)
  • The recurring pattern of Housewives spinning rumors about cast husbands’ sexuality—with no evidence, but plenty of drama.
  • Insider scoop: producers aren’t happy about the out-of-control social media/blogger scene, but “the toothpaste is out of the tube.”
  • Classic feuding: Tamra confronting Jen with old “unflattering” photos, Gretchen’s savage clapback about DUIs, ongoing cast trips and quitting threats, and Tamra’s shifting strategy.
    • Quote: “I wish there could be some fun and juice. I like the fat photo. I think I love the Gretchen DUI moment. There needs to be more of that.” (Heather, 70:20)

6. Housewives & Reality “Jobs” Post-Fame

[76:48–78:36]

• What do former reality stars do post-show? Heather lists: real estate, podcasting, band/club gigs, OnlyFans, and the inevitable pivot to “life coach.”
  • Memorable exchange:
    • Heather: “There’s four jobs you can have when you stop being a reality star… Realtor. Podcaster. Singer. OnlyFans. And then possibly life coach.” (76:48–77:13)

7. Travel Mishaps: Pickpockets & “Karen” Heroics

[78:36–83:38]

• Viral video: A tourist mom chases down pickpockets in Italy, recounted with glee—“Sometimes you need a Karen, and I think Karens are coming back in fashion.” (Heather, 78:57)
• Julie and Brandy share their own wild pickpocket encounter in Barcelona: “We attack them. Yeah, we attack them in the street. And they’re like, Come on, lady… And that’s when I come alive, Drake. That’s when I come alive.” (Brandy, 82:29–82:54)

8. Quick Hits: Desperate Housewives, Brandi Glanville’s “Face Parasite,” Housewives Cruise Fizzle

[83:15–87:28]

• Eye-rolling at “guest star” gripes over actors’ perks on Desperate Housewives.
• Brandi Glanville’s ongoing health struggle—$130k spent to find the cause of a mysterious sensation in her face.
  • Thoughtful commentary about the toll of reality TV, mental health, and Bravo’s harsh ecosystem.
• Housewives cruise with Jersey cast members canceled—possibly due to bad sales or a return to filming.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “When you fluctuate in weight like that… you will die.”
  — Julie on rapid weight loss and Biggest Loser (11:18)

• “That is so shady… she’s like one of the main things of the show.”
  — Brandy on Jillian Michaels being absent from the doc (28:09)

• “I have done every documentary… for bone free. I have never been paid for any documentary…”
  — Heather, on reality doc payments (30:12)

• “She went through all the proper channels… Then she was shut out and not heard and pretty much blackballed.”
  — Heather on her niece’s case (39:39)

• “I just think this is a case of, like, telephone that just then got exact. Everyone wanted to up the story…”
  — Heather on the “roofie” drama (56:09)

• “There’s four jobs you can have when you stop being a reality star: Realtor. Podcaster. Singer. OnlyFans…”
  — Heather (76:48–77:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Fit for TV / Biggest Loser Doc: [05:47–19:32]
• Personal Connection (Poppy Kramer): [08:25–13:35]
• Reality Docs & Payment: [25:31–35:36]
• Kevin Costner/Devin LaBella Lawsuit: [38:03–46:36]
• RHOC Drama Deep Dive: [50:34–70:37]
• Housewives “Post-Fame” Careers: [76:48–78:36]
• Pickpocket Travel Stories: [78:36–83:38]
• Brandi Glanville/Quick Housewives Bits: [83:15–87:28]

Final Notes

• The episode is packed with classic Juicy Scoop humor, plenty of room for insider gossip, a few important social commentaries (on weight, fame, and power), and a dynamic repartee only possible when Julie and Brandy join Heather.
• For Bravo fans and reality TV connoisseurs, this is a definitive must-listen episode.