Lovett or Leave It Episode Summary: "But His Mom's Emails feat. Louis Vertel"

Release Date: December 7, 2024

In this episode of Lovett or Leave It, hosted by Louis Vertel, listeners are treated to a mix of sharp political commentary, behind-the-scenes entertainment insights, and lively interactions with special guests Bruce Valanch and Raven Simone. The episode delves into recent political maneuvers, controversial appointments within the Trump administration, and entertaining anecdotes from the world of the Oscars and pop culture.

1. Political Commentary

Joe Manchin’s Pardon Suggestion

The episode opens with a heated discussion about West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin's recent suggestion regarding President Biden's pardon of Hunter Biden. Bruce Valanch expresses empathy towards Manchin's position, stating at [01:50]:

“As a father, I don't know of a father that wouldn't have done the same thing... wipe them out.”

Louis Vertel humorously counters Manchin's proposal:

“Well, I hope Joe Manchin lands a margarine endorsement because that sounds like a smart balance to me.” ([02:06])

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Disagreement

Louis highlights California Governor Gavin Newsom as the highest-ranking Democrat to publicly oppose Biden's pardon decision. Newsom's criticism underscores the internal divisions within the Democratic Party:

“With everything the president and his family have been through, I completely understand the instinct to protect Hunter. But I took the president at his word, so by definition I'm disappointed and can't support the decision.” ([03:00])

Trump Administration Appointments and Withdrawals

The conversation shifts to the Trump administration's tumultuous appointment process. Highlighting the withdrawal of Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister from the DEA leadership role, Louis remarks at [03:50]:

“It's so uncomfortable when someone named Chad does the right thing. Up is down. I love this.”

Furthermore, Bruce discusses the FBI Director pick Cash Patel's promotion of dubious supplements:

“FBI doesn't stand for female body inspector.” ([05:00])

Pete Hegseth’s Nomination Controversy

A significant portion of the episode centers on Pete Hegseth's nomination for Secretary of Defense. Controversial emails from Hegseth's mother criticizing his behavior surface, leading to scrutiny of his qualifications. Louis narrates the unfolding drama:

“Pete Hegseth’s mother had sent him an email... But you know how moms are always saying kooky mom stuff.” ([06:36])

Bruce adds insight into the allegations of Hegseth’s drinking problem and the subsequent backlash within the GOP:

“There is no ounce of truth to any of these anonymous allegations... but I love that for Chad.” ([06:48])

2. Entertainment and Pop Culture

Coca-Cola’s AI Holiday Commercials

Louis critiques Coca-Cola's use of artificial intelligence in creating holiday advertisements:

“Coca-Cola made no apologies for its ugly digital slop... the polar bear is dead.” ([13:37])

New Show: "Human vs. Hamster"

The hosts introduce Sarah Sherman's new Max show, "Human vs. Hamster", a satirical competition series where humans and hamsters compete for cash prizes. Louis mocks the absurdity:

“What's Christmas without a jaw-dropping new low in corporate greed?” ([13:43])

Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan’s Breakup Rumors

Louis and Bruce discuss the rumored breakup between Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan, including sensationalist claims of infidelity:

“Barry was caught in an intimate moment with Dame Maggie Smith... the audience is looking at a still of Barry in Saltburn fucking a corpse.” ([15:16])

Crypto Coin Crash by Hayley Welch

The hosts comment on Hayley Welch's failed crypto venture, Hoctua Meme Coin, which plummeted by 90% shortly after launch, sparking accusations of a pump-and-dump scheme:

“What has the world come to that you can't even trust a blowjob influencer to sell you unregistered securities?” ([14:00])

Miscellaneous Pop Culture News

Louis touches on various pop culture tidbits, including Oxford University Press naming "Brainrot" as the Word of the Year and Pantone's selection of "Mocha Mousse" as the Color of the Year 2025, humorously critiquing these choices:

“They define brain rot as... material now particularly online content considered to be trivial or unchallenging.” ([14:00])

3. Guest Segment: Bruce Valanch on Oscars

Experiences from the Oscars

Bruce Valanch shares behind-the-scenes stories from his extensive career covering the Oscars, including the infamous 1989 ceremony where Rob Lowe’s sex tape became a major scandal:

“Whenever they mentioned Rob Lowe, they would say, most recently seen on the Oscars, Dancing with Snow White.” ([24:31])

Bruce recounts the surreal performances and mishaps, such as the bizarre Rob Lowe and Snow White dance number and the theft of Oscar moments.

Writing for Campy TV Specials

Discussing his new book, Bruce delves into his time writing for notoriously campy television specials like the Paul Lynde Halloween Special and the Star Wars Holiday Special:

“Snow White goes to San Francisco and discovers a world outside of Disney... and they named an alien character Cuntface.” ([38:04])

His candid tales highlight the challenges and absurdities of creating engaging content for mainstream audiences.

New Book Announcement

Bruce announces his upcoming book, "It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time", detailing his experiences writing for some of the worst TV shows in history:

“I wrote a book about how I wrote for the worst TV shows in history and lived.” ([37:11])

4. Guest Segment: Raven Simone on Hosting "Scrabble"

Introduction to Raven Simone

Raven Simone, host of the CW’s new game show "Scrabble", joins the conversation to discuss her transition from acting to game show hosting. Louis compliments her versatility:

“You have tons of material from your time in the trenches... but I have been told specifically that you may have some Madonna material.” ([38:04])

Playing Scrabble Trivia

Raven engages in a playful Scrabble trivia game with Louis, showcasing her quick wit and knowledge:

• Za (pizza): “Za is a real word.” ([48:37])
• Cyclopsy (medical term for a cyclops): “I'm going to say no, that is not a word.” ([49:30])

Her performance highlights her skills in quick thinking and her enjoyment of word games despite admitting a poor memory for spelling.

Personal Anecdotes and Hosting Insights

Raven shares personal stories about child stardom and the pressures of growing up in the entertainment industry:

“I had to grow up at the speed that I needed to grow up in.” ([47:52])

She also discusses the challenges and excitement of hosting a game show, drawing inspiration from legendary hosts like Dick Clark.

5. Humorous Interactions and Gift Recommendations

Gay Gift Guide Spin Wheel

In a lighthearted segment, the hosts spin a gay gift guide wheel, offering quirky gift suggestions:

• Raven Simone suggests a portable tea kettle:

  “I love hot water. It's better for hydration... I have my own teapot because I don't trust people in the way they clean all the time.” ([61:39])

• Bruce Valanch humorously recommends a bedside microwave:

  “A microwave that... is a very damned gay.” ([62:55])

Louis contributes with trivia card games as ideal party gifts, emphasizing their potential to spark engaging conversations:

“Trivia Pursuits sells stacks of cards that are just like 80s, 90s, 2000s, 2010s.” ([65:00])

6. Conclusion and Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Louis reflects on personal joyrides and family road trips, intertwining heartfelt moments with humor. The hosts express gratitude towards their guests and promote upcoming segments, ensuring listeners stay engaged for future episodes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Bruce Valanch on Joe Manchin's Suggestion ([01:50]):

  “As a father, I don't know of a father that wouldn't have done the same thing... wipe them out.”

• Louis Vertel on Joe Manchin ([02:06]):

  “Well, I hope Joe Manchin lands a margarine endorsement because that sounds like a smart balance to me.”

• Governor Gavin Newsom’s Statement ([03:00]):

  “With everything the president and his family have been through, I completely understand the instinct to protect Hunter. But I took the president at his word, so by definition I'm disappointed and can't support the decision.”

• Bruce Valanch on FBI Director Pick Cash Patel ([05:00]):

  “FBI doesn't stand for female body inspector.”

• Louis Vertel on Pete Hegseth ([06:36]):

  “…moms are always saying kooky mom stuff like, I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around and uses women for his own power and ego. You are that man and have been for years.”

• Bruce Valanch on the Oscars 1989 ([24:31]):

  “Whenever they mentioned Rob Lowe, they would say, most recently seen on the Oscars, Dancing with Snow White.”

• Raven Simone on Scrabble Hosting ([53:34]):

  “I am in love with the person that has memorized all the two letter words and all the three letter words.”

• Raven Simone on Child Stardom ([47:52]):

  “I had to grow up at the speed that I needed to grow up in.”

Conclusion

This episode of Lovett or Leave It masterfully blends incisive political analysis with entertaining stories from the entertainment industry. Through engaging discussions and humorous exchanges, Louis Vertel, along with guests Bruce Valanch and Raven Simone, provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of current political controversies and nostalgic reflections on pop culture, ensuring a captivating and informative experience.