Just Trish Ep 237 – “Trishmas Wish” with Ted Nivison & Oscar Gracey
Podcast: Just Trish
Host: Trisha Paytas
Co-Host: Oscar Gracey
Guest: Ted Nivison
Date: December 18, 2025
Overview
This episode celebrates the “Trishmas Wish” with viral YouTuber and director Ted Nivison joining Trisha, Oscar, and Moses for a sprawling, hilarious, and heartwarming conversation. Trisha’s Christmas wish was, above all, to reunite with Ted—dubbed the “blueprint straight guy” of the pod—leading to a reunion filled with deep dives into pop culture, YouTube dynamics, cancel culture, award show drama, creative ambitions, Broadway dreams, AI anxieties, baby talk, and (of course) thick doses of chaotic Trish/Oscar banter.
Key Discussion Points & Highlights
1. Ted as the “Trishmas Wish,” Friendship Dynamics, and Missed Invites
- Trisha reveals Ted as her Christmas wish guest and the “blueprint” for every straight guy discussed on the podcast (25:24).
- Oscar and Ted banter over missed invites – birthday parties, director gigs, and group activities—with Trisha admitting to chronic DM avoidance and ghosting due to anxiety (04:46, 24:11).
- Memorable exchange:
- Trisha: “I did issue a statement via Insta for the birthday. It pained me too much to let him down, so I just avoided…” (06:03)
- Ted: “That makes it even worse! Public forum, intense clocking.” (06:04)
- Moses: “He’s the blueprint. You’re the one we like... That makes me feel so remarkably good.” (25:35)
2. Catching Up: Ted’s Year, Europe Trip, and Creative Projects
- Ted recaps his year and a half: traveling Europe (Italy, Portugal, France, UK), gaining 25 pounds on “real food,” and making a retro VHS music video for James Marriott (09:13–11:36).
- His recent project: directing a “mascot fight club” music video for Good Kid, with plans to include Oscar as an extra (12:01–13:40).
3. Streamer Awards & the State of Streaming
- Ted attends the Streamer Awards as an “honorary guest” despite not streaming all year (15:07).
- The hosts break down the roasting controversy (Diddy joke by Fanfan), the shifting landscape of streamer cliques, drama, “snubs,” and monetization (17:10–29:14).
- Quote:
- Ted: “In person you don’t even realize the internet is about to morph everything into the real issue. It’s just Fanfan doing her thing…” (17:09)
- Moses: “Most of the drama I see now is straight out of the livestream world.” (28:30)
4. YouTube, Drama, & Staying Out of Mess
- Ted and Trish discuss how newer creators often rely on drama for views—a contrast to their own drama-free approaches (30:54–32:00).
- Trisha teases her iconic “Rage Baby” videos and hints at potential return of her beloved “Tavern” TikTok character (31:13–32:22).
- Quote:
- Moses: “You’re down to earth always. I like you because you’re never in a mess online.” (25:54)
5. AI, Cinema, and the “Avatar Movies Racist?” Question
- The group debates the ethics and impact of generative AI in film, including AI actors/celebrities (36:16–37:59).
- Trisha corners Ted on whether Avatar movies are racist—Ted gives a thoughtful, nuanced take relating to cultural appropriation and “revenge narrative” tropes (40:28).
- Ted’s Letterboxd Top 4: Howl’s Moving Castle, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Steve McQueen’s Hunger, and Wild Tales (42:28).
6. Director & Creative Life—Insider Tales
- Ted describes the logistics of music video production, working with producers, finding locations, and even using personal funds to “make the art better” (12:07–13:03, 89:43–90:07).
- Trish and Ted commiserate over awkward internship interviews and “embarrassing” favorite movie answers—Ted picked Elf at Blumhouse; Trish picked Hunger Games: Catching Fire at the Academy (62:13).
7. Broadway Dream Fulfilled—Trisha in Beetlejuice
- Trisha shares the detailed journey of landing her Broadway debut in Beetlejuice after a “nerve-wracking” audition while eight months pregnant (77:04–88:53).
- The whole process: from self-doubt and a grueling rehearsal week (“all day, all night”) to performing 28 shows in three weeks and facing misconceptions about influencer casting/pay.
- Quote:
- Trisha: “Broadway was my biggest dream, and probably the furthest for me to achieve because of my lack of training. I have no shame—I paid to be there, I’d do it again.” (85:49, 89:01)
8. Touring, Burnout, and Live Performance
- Ted contemplates launching a stand-up/variety tour, navigating agency pressure vs. authentic creative ambition (79:23–81:26).
- Trisha encourages him, noting how livestream and podcast “meets and greets” often differ from genuine on-stage energy (80:42).
9. Babies, Friendships, and the 27-Year-Old Dilemma
- Ted’s best friend (and podcast co-host) became a new dad, prompting talk of career vs. parenthood timing in the content creator world (100:14–106:56).
- “You ready for a baby?” Oscar asks—Ted admits, “I’d be a killer dad…but for now, I’m focused on work.” (101:38)
10. Millennial/Gen Z Culture, “Viral” Dilution, and the Curse of Individualized Feeds
- Ted laments how “viral” now signifies any promoted trend—true virality is dead due to algorithmic feeds (59:49–61:30).
- The group reminisces about YouTube’s golden age, Obama-era millennial optimism, and shifting generational “cringe” perceptions (57:06–59:02).
11. Existential Questions: Wealth, Overconsumption, and Social Good
- Moses and Trisha muse over their lottery dream: buy the neighbor’s $10-million house with a water slide, then start a spaghetti philanthropy project (52:12–53:39).
- Ted reflects on “doordash guilt” and being a non-consumer—still driving his 2002 Toyota Tacoma (55:06).
12. The Ted Death Hoax Prophecy
- Revisiting an old YouTube joke: “I am Ted Nivison and I will die October 23, 2025,” which circulated in his fandom and haunted him this year (107:53).
- Quote:
- Ted: “As I was going to sleep October 22, I really hoped I’d wake up… Now that it’s passed, I’m gonna live forever.” (109:16)
13. Loch Ness Monster, Irrational Fears, & Training Nessie
- Chaotic speculation: could Ted train Nessie (the Loch Ness monster) to do math? Would that be problematic? (137:05)
- The group spirals into the Scottishness of Ted’s ancestry, irrational fears (open water, IRL streamers), and the eternal cringe of being called “Millennial.” (134:02, 131:41)
14. Spontaneous Broadway/SciFi/Music Tangents
- Doctor Who fandom, TikTok song “Gnarly,” Spongebob dance challenges, and Trish/Oscar’s cosplay dreams (75:02–77:04, 113:02–114:22, 141:12).
15. Ending with Wishes, Podcast Ideas, and Future Promises
- Discussion of possible spin-off podcasts (“Tall and Small,” “Ted & Oscar’s Excellent Adventure”), the end of Ted’s Chuckle Sandwich, and Trish manifesting another appearance from Ted (144:15).
- Quote:
- Moses: “You are the Trishmas Miracle!” (144:06)
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- Trisha: “I issued a statement via Instagram—couldn’t face letting him down.” (06:03)
- Oscar: “You’re the blueprint. You’re the one we like, that makes me feel so remarkably good.” (25:35)
- Ted: “In person you don’t realize the internet’s about to morph everything into the real issue.” (17:09)
- Moses: “Most drama now is from the livestream world.” (28:30)
- Ted: “Authenticity makes you the gay community favorite. Are we just talking about the f-slur?” (23:39)
- Ted: “I have a Bachelor of Science in Cinema. No idea why it’s Science.” (35:46)
- Trisha: “Broadway was my biggest dream, and probably the furthest for me to achieve…” (85:49)
- Ted: “The word viral is so diluted now. No Lululemon leggings have gone viral.” (59:49)
- Ted: “I’m not overconsuming—I still drive my truck from 2002.” (55:20)
- Ted: “I really hoped I’d wake up on October 23. Now I’m gonna live forever.” (109:16)
- Ted: “I'm giving Nessie more freedom… Training Nessie in math—someone’s got to clip that.” (138:52)
- Moses: “You are the Trishmas Miracle!” (144:06)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:49 – Ted’s Presidential “Kennedy” middle name, Massachusetts roots
- 04:46 – The saga of missed events, ghosted invites, anxiety
- 09:13 – What’s changed for Ted in 1.5 years; Euro trip
- 12:01 – Behind the scenes: directing music videos & mascot fight club
- 15:07 – Inside the Streamer Awards, “honorary” status
- 17:10 – Roasting controversy, Fanfan, and the Diddy joke
- 25:24 – Ted is the “blueprint straight guy,” Christmas wish
- 30:54 – Drama, creator culture, and why Ted stays out of mess
- 36:16 – AI, cinema, ethics, and acting
- 40:28 – Are Avatar movies racist—Ted’s take
- 42:28 – Ted’s Letterboxd Top 4 & Edgar Wright fandom
- 62:13 – Awkward internship interview stories (Elf, Hunger Games)
- 77:04 – Trisha’s Beetlejuice Broadway journey
- 85:49 – Trisha gets the call: Broadway dream comes true
- 100:14 – Babies, friends’ parenting timelines, creative careers
- 109:16 – The Ted death hoax prophecy resolved
- 134:02 – Irrational fears, open water, Megalodon
- 137:05 – Can Ted train Nessie? Scottish tangent
- 141:12 – Gnarly, TikTok pop, and the “viral” dilution
- 144:06 – Ted as the Trishmas Miracle; closing banter
Tone & Atmosphere
- Candid and playful (as always), with Trisha’s signature openness and Oscar’s dry humor.
- Deeply self-aware while riffing on personal failings, industry trends, and internet drama.
- Heartwarming—Trisha and Oscar genuinely adore Ted, with the entire episode radiating found-family holiday reunion energy.
For Listeners Who Missed It
This episode is a wild tumble of juicy internet stories, heartfelt creative confessions, and “chosen family” energy, with Ted Nivison’s visit serving as both Trisha’s ultimate holiday wish and a surprisingly deep dive into what it means to be an online creator—striving for authenticity, dodging drama, and dreaming bigger. Whether you’re here for Trisha’s Broadway tales, deep pop culture cuts, Gen Z/Millennial feud takes, or just infectious group chemistry, this episode delivers a thoroughly entertaining, funny, and human holiday listen.