Lovett or Leave It – “Iran: Oops! All Ayatollahs”
Release Date: March 14, 2026
Host: Jon Lovett
Guests: Paul Feig, Monet X Change

Episode Overview

This episode of “Lovett or Leave It,” recorded live at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles, blends sharp, comedic political commentary with pop culture banter and lively interviews. The main theme explores the U.S.’s preemptive war with Iran under President Trump, the bizarre nature of leadership in crisis, and the broader absurdities and foibles of American politics. Guests Paul Feig (director, writer, all-around cocktail connoisseur) and Monet X Change (comedian, opera singer, and Drag Race royalty) join Lovett to mix jokes with serious commentary—about everything from war to Drag Race to American aging.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Iran War and Presidential Hedging (02:39–14:21)

• Lovett kicks off with a comparison between “hedgehogs” and “foxes” in leadership, referencing philosopher Isaiah Berlin and President George W. Bush post-9/11.
  • Quote (Lovett, 03:32): “We really graded this guy on a curve, specifically the curve an airplane makes when it flies into a skyscraper.”
• Critique of President Trump’s contradictory statements about the war in Iran:
  • Trump says war is “very complete, pretty much,” while the Pentagon says “we’ve only just begun to fight.”
  • Lovett makes a quantum mechanics joke: “The war in Iran is over and it has only just begun. So it's a dumb question, you ugly pig bitch.” (Lovett, 05:07)
• Discussion of civilian casualties and media denial:
  • Trump blames Iran for a U.S. bombing of a girls’ school, with Paul Feig as “Pentagon” echoing administration talking points:
    • Feig (06:05): “They have no accuracy whatsoever.”
  • Lovett skewers disinformation and lack of accountability.
• On media, oil, and spin:
  • Iran threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz, leading to oil disruptions, tankers attacked, and U.S. military posturing.
  • Trump’s solution, as relayed by Fox News: “These ships should go through the Strait of Hormuz and show some guts. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” (Feig, 09:22)
  • Lovett lampoons Trump’s gift-giving to cabinet members; matching shoes as a loyalty test (11:50).
• Domestic opinion on war:
  • Only 27% of Americans support it, reflecting increasing skepticism after two decades of Middle Eastern conflict.

2. 2026 Political Landscape & Republican Struggles (12:25–16:14)

• Republican messaging and authoritarian drift:
  • Lindsey Graham uses war rhetoric; Megyn Kelly sharply rebukes him for overstepping:
    • Quote (Lovett, 12:32): “‘No one elected you as our commander in chief. Shut the fuck up.’”
  • Trump pushes “SAVE” Act, requiring birth certificates to vote, transparently to affect election outcomes.
  • Republicans are privately urged to drop mass deportation talk, indicating electoral worry and disarray.
  • Democratic grassroots organizing highlighted with Vote Save America’s Project 218.
  • Lovett lampoons Pentagon frivolous spending even while asking for $50 billion more for war.

3. Funding War & Congressional Stance (16:17–17:57)

• Congress debates additional war funding.
  • Most Republicans support; most Democrats opposed.
  • Hakeem Jeffries and Chris Coons hedge on support—Lovett demands moral clarity:
    • Quote (Lovett, 17:36): “Trump is an unfit fucking moron. Do not fund his illegal war. ... It's hedgehog time, bitches.”

Pop Culture & Guest Interviews

Cocktails, Sequels, and Bridesmaids with Paul Feig (22:14–39:33)

• Feig reminisces about making cocktails, promotes his gin, and discusses his new movie “The Housemaid.”
• Discusses his resistance to a “Bridesmaids” sequel despite obvious financial incentive:
  • “For some reason, Bridesmaids to me feels like it’s just a singular event ... you can’t do another one where she [Wiig] is a mess again.” (Feig, 24:56)
• Lighthearted banter about remastering “Bridesmaids,” Star Wars fandom (prefers first two originals; laments seriousness in later entries), and adapting to changing times.
• Anecdote about discovering a Nazi flag as a child (30:00):
  • Feig’s mother’s horrified reaction becomes a comedic story about understanding history and context.
• Discusses supportive upbringing, childhood shyness, and how pro-female friendships fed his knack for female-driven comedies.

“Sexual Congress or Sexual Congress” Game (34:23–39:33)

• Guests must distinguish between salacious political news and erotic thriller plots.
• Playful commentary on the intersection of politics and sensationalism; notable moment:
  • Lovett on Kirsten Sinema: “Centrism. I do like her glasses, I will say.” (Feig, 38:58)

Drag Race, Survivor, and Aging with Monet X Change (42:16–64:41)

• Monet discusses the evolution of RuPaul’s Drag Race:
  • Current season’s queens are older/more experienced: “Last season, they were all like, 22. I was like, ew, get out of here. You don’t know anything about life.” (Monet, 43:29)
  • Debates whether queens should play fictional characters on Snatch Game; supports creativity due to running out of real celebrities.
• Deep Drag Race insider talk:
  • Monet advocates for Drag Race judging changes (“Bring on more queens!”), calls for freshening up challenges, and reminisces fun moments and personal fashion preferences.
• Monet’s 36-hour Survivor experience and subsequent admiration for the real game (50:01–53:49).
• Traitors: Monet reveals behind-the-scenes dynamics on the reality show, the impact of Housewife contestants, and the importance of strategic social play (54:14–58:37).
• Discusses her opera training and the controversy over Timothée Chalamet’s comments about keeping art forms alive; defends him and reflects on opera’s accessibility crisis (59:48–61:05).
• Laments the indignities of aging, both physical and existential:
  • Monet (63:00): “Black don’t crack, but my joints absolutely do.”
  • Feig (64:05): “The worst thing in the world is guys who get older who try to stay young… Put on a suit and be an adult. Adult life is the greatest.”

Segment: “I Don’t Care, I Love It” (68:41–73:31)

• Hosts and guests defend their guilty pleasures, regardless of public opinion:
  • Feig: Loved the brief patriotic unity after Biden dropped out in 2024 and Kamala took over.
    • “For that three months, we all loved America.” (Feig, 69:05)
  • Monet: Champions the practicality and lost dignity of selfie sticks (70:36).
  • Lovett: Advocates for the return of true, algorithm-free blind dates.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lovett (07:14): “It’s an excursion that will keep us out of a war” – skewering political euphemisms.
• Feig (23:29): “If something’s great, don’t mess with it.”
• Monet (44:30): “I have a good head. I give good head. It’s all good, you know?”
• Monet (46:38): “I know you, and I love you, from Mr. Poole, from Sabrina the Teenage Witch.”
• Feig (64:05): “The worst thing in the world is guys who get older who try to stay young… Put on a suit and be an adult.”
• Lovett (71:29): “The reason there was a backlash [to selfie sticks] is because girls like them… it’s misogyny.”
• Monet (63:44): “I think I do like the wisdom I’m getting. And I also love the amount of ‘I don’t give a fuck’ I’m getting.”
• Paul Feig (74:21): “How could that go bad in terms of pure [media]…?”
• Monet (76:03): [delivering a brief operatic moment on request]

Final Thoughts and Second Thoughts (73:31–76:16)

• Lovett recaps with tongue-in-cheek “regrets” of the episode, but ultimately stands by controversial jokes and messy intros.
• Monet serenades the audience with impromptu opera—with martini in hand.
• Hosts thank guests and deliver closing banter about the passage of time, generational divides, and the importance of remaining curious.

Important Timestamps

• Opening Monologue and Iran Segment: 02:33–17:57
• Paul Feig Interview: 22:14–39:33
• Sexual Congress Game: 34:23–39:33
• Monet X Change/Pop Culture Discussion: 42:16–64:41
• I Don’t Care, I Love It: 68:41–73:31
• Second Thoughts/Opera Performance: 73:31–76:16

Tone & Style

Mixes political satire, pop culture critique, and sincere social commentary in Lovett’s trademark irreverent, self-deprecating, and deeply insightful style. Conversations are lively, quick-witted, and generous in letting guests shine, while anchoring the show in the chaotic, comedic realities of the present.

This episode deftly balances comically bleak political news, outright absurdist observations, and genuine moments of cultural celebration and reflection—a perfect sampler of everything “Lovett or Leave It” has to offer.