Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald
Episode: Chris Franjola, Epstein, Wicked Press and Gay Clubs
Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Heather McDonald | Guest: Chris Franjola
Overview
This episode of Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald and guest comedian Chris Franjola dives into the juiciest corners of pop culture, recent celebrity drama, and true crime. They cover everything from the state of Las Vegas, the BravoCon scene, gender politics in fandom, the “Wicked” movie press tour, Epstein’s infamous past, bizarre viral podcast moments, and Thanksgiving traditions.
Heather and Chris’s signature witty banter peppers the episode, combining sharp social commentary with irreverent humor, making for an engaging and candid reflection on the week’s most “juicy” topics.
Main Topics and Discussion Points
1. Vegas Recap & BravoCon Observations
[02:34–07:44]
- Heather’s Weekend in Vegas:
- Recap of performing at MGM Grand and attending David Copperfield’s show. “You just have to go. You just have to see it.” (Heather, 03:05)
- Clubbing at Hakkasan with BravoCon crowd; DJ Kyle Cooke (Summer House) was surprisingly great.
- Las Vegas Vibes:
- City busier than ever despite rumors of it being “dead.” Heather and Chris both agree: “It was so fucking crowded.” (Heather, 03:50)
- The club had a “happy, stylish mix” of people—Bravo fans and regular Vegas partygoers.
- Changing Demographics in Bravo Fandom:
- Chris observes an influx of straight, often older male commentators in the Bravo scene (04:33–07:44).
- “There seems to be a tide of straight older men...pivot towards a Bravo love or Real Housewives love for career resurgence.” (Chris, 05:33)
- Heather: “Can we have one thing? Can we just have one thing that's ours that we've cultivated for years?” (07:20)
- Both express discomfort with men who don't relate to the female-centric content getting top commentator spots.
2. “Wicked” Press Tour and Hollywood Press Peculiarities
[09:16–18:24]
- The “Wicked” Movie Hype:
- Heather’s enduring discomfort with the “Wicked” press tour: “It’s back. It’s the press for Wicked... I did not enjoy the movie.” (09:16)
- Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo’s Odd Press Behavior:
- Both actresses called out for extreme thinness and awkward, “clawing” body language at public appearances.
- Heather’s observation: “In the middle of her being interviewed … Cynthia releases the clutch from her vagina and goes over and just moves it around. There was literally nothing wrong with it.” (11:04)
- Theory: Maybe they are “leaning into” viral weirdness for promo, or maybe there’s genuine chemistry between the two.
- Rumors about behind-the-scenes tension and pay disparity; Ariana intervened for equal pay (13:09).
- Handling Entourages and Boundaries Backstage:
- Cynthia Erivo apparently snapped at a manager for bringing people uninvited before a performance, which Heather and Chris relate to as performers.
- “You can be scary in that moment. How did your manager not clear that?” (Heather, 17:26)
3. Celebrity Crime & True Crime Updates
[18:30–21:39]
- David (LAPD Suspect):
- Updates around LAPD naming “David” as a suspect in a teen’s death, found dismembered in a Tesla trunk.
- Chris on police response: “If somebody’s dead in your trunk, you’re immediately a suspect, right?” (19:00)
- Details about property transfers to his mother—echoing the O.J. Simpson/Golman civil case.
- Chris jokes about “homicidal love” and comedic takes on true crime.
4. Britney Spears & The Kardashians: Pop Culture Crossover
[23:54–26:57]
- Britney, Kim, and Khloe’s Sleepover:
- How Britney Spears ended up in bed with Kim and Khloe Kardashian, thanks to her manager’s Hollywood ties.
- Heather addresses rumors, connections, and the dynamic of the hangout being more Christian service than genuine friendship. “She is what you see.” (Heather, 26:24)
- Online Rumors and Fan Theories:
- Some fans speculate about Lou Taylor’s presence and past conservatorship connections, but Heather doubts Britney’s overthinking.
5. Social Media, Podcast Culture, and Viral Weirdness
[27:52–54:59]
- Viral Podcast Moments — Extreme Edition
- Heather shares the “most disgusting” podcast story she’s ever heard: a guest describes making and using “pee poo ice cubes” in a sexual context.
- “She’s doing this as a job, and she chose to go on a podcast for free and tell about it. But is she like, this needs to be...You need to die with this story.” (Heather, 50:31)
- Heather shares the “most disgusting” podcast story she’s ever heard: a guest describes making and using “pee poo ice cubes” in a sexual context.
- Sexual Health Trends & Dating Taboos:
- Young women in podcasts discussing resistance to condom use: “Enough with the condom agenda.” (53:36)
- Heather warns: “Maybe I don’t want you to be my daughter-in-law. Like, what are you talking about?” (54:30)
- Lavender Marriages and Partnerships:
- Rise of openly-gay/straight platonic marriages; mention of a new app connecting those seeking non-romantic, supportive marriages (56:01–57:43).
6. Gay Clubs, Bachelorette Parties & Shifts in Social Spaces
[58:43–61:11]
- Straight Infiltration of Gay Bars:
- Viral TikTok post explains how straight women and their boyfriends are overtaking traditionally gay spaces.
- Comment section joke: “Go back to showing gay porn on the screens. That’ll keep the straights out.” (60:16)
- Both agree: Let spaces serve their intended communities.
7. Epstein Recap — The Infamous Past Resurfaces
[29:50–36:52]
- VH1 “Fabulous Life” Revisited:
- Old footage surfaces showing Epstein being lauded as a Wall Street baller—highlighting how public his “luxury” and connections were before his crimes became widely known.
- Heather and Chris break down how Epstein secured powerful industry positions, relationships, and funding without credentials.
- Who Will Visit the Island Now?
- Epstein's island sells for $60 million, destined to become a luxury hotel.
- Heather: “There’s a nice hotel, Starbucks… it's going to be high-end. They won’t have a problem filling it up.” (33:09)
- On the remaining evidence: “We need to see the VHS tapes.” (34:15)
- Where's Ghislaine?
- Ghislaine Maxwell now in the Texas prison with Jen Shah and Elizabeth Holmes—potential for a wild, all-star inmate podcast.
8. Lighter Segments and Holiday Talk
[72:46–89:22]
- Thanksgiving Banter — Chris as “Turkey Tom”
- Both riff on holiday traditions; Chris in a turkey costume (74:02), family routines, and Thanksgiving meal hot takes.
- Discuss stuffing controversies (“Stuff it in the turkey or not?”), sides they love and loathe, and how turkeys became one-day-a-year celebrities.
- Classic Juicy Scoop humor: “As a guy who’s been stuffed pretty much every year, I feel for that woman.” (Chris, 84:37)
- Awareness for Public/Fan Etiquette at Events:
- Heather shares stories of fans accusing her of rudeness at BravoCon, emphasizing the grind and expectations celebrities face.
- “Some people, you just cannot win.” (Heather, 81:49)
- “Maybe you were annoying.” (Chris, 82:18)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Changing Bravo Fandom:
- “There seems to be a tide of straight older men... pivoting towards Bravo for career resurgence.” (Chris, 05:33)
- “Can we just have one thing that's ours that we've cultivated for years?” (Heather, 07:20)
-
On “Wicked” Press Weirdness:
- “What in the satanic grooming. What the fuck did these two girls, what souls did they have to sell to actually become real witches to star in this fucking wicked.” (Heather, 11:04)
- “I always said that [Ariana Grande] looks like she was made in like a Japanese anime fashion.” (Chris, 14:32)
-
On Social Media Decay:
- “That's what they're doing. I mean, that is the sickest, grossest stuff I have ever heard.” (Heather, 51:17)
- “Better be in a lavender relationship [than be on a sex podcast].” (Chris, 58:05)
-
True Crime:
- “If somebody’s dead in your trunk, you’re immediately a suspect, right?” (Chris, 19:00)
-
On Thanksgiving/Family:
- “I'm thankful for living here... and that everybody’s thriving.” (Heather, 76:41)
- “I believe, as a turkey, that we should continue with turkey. It's put us on the map.” (Chris, as Turkey Tom, 84:37)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Vegas & BravoCon recap: [02:34–07:44]
- The “Wicked” Press Tour Madness: [09:16–18:24]
- David Tesla True Crime Story: [18:30–21:39]
- Britney Spears Sleepover with Kardashians: [23:54–26:57]
- Podcast/Internet Outrage, Gen Z Dating Norms: [27:52–54:59]
- Epstein’s VH1 Feature and Island Update: [29:50–36:52]
- Thanksgiving Talk, “Turkey Tom”, and Holiday Sides: [72:46–89:22]
- Fan Etiquette & Celebrity Life at Conventions: [77:04–84:10]
Final Thoughts
Heather and Chris smoothly blend biting humor, personal anecdotes, and tabloid gossip, delivering both critical commentary and comic relief. They examine pop culture’s stranger corners—whether it’s the state of fandom, the baffling “Wicked” PR, or unthinkable podcast confessions—while ultimately celebrating the quirks and chaos that make their world so “juicy.”
Listen to Juicy Scoop for more wild scoops and sharp takes—Heather never holds back.
