Lovett or Leave It: "Nobel Peace Prize, Gently Used"

Date: January 17, 2026
Host: Jon Lovett
Guests: Robin Thede, Ted McGinley, Michael Urie
Location: Dynasty Typewriter, Los Angeles

Episode Overview

This episode marks the kickoff for a new season of Lovett or Leave It, Crooked Media’s irreverent live show dissecting political absurdities and pop culture moments through sharp satire and celebrity guests. Jon Lovett welcomes comedian and writer Robin Thede, as well as actors Ted McGinley and Michael Urie (from Apple TV’s "Shrinking"), for a night of rapid-fire political commentary, candid therapy-style check-ins, and a spirited debate on the greatest rom-com best friends of all time. The main throughline: America is stuck in a perpetual state of escalation and absurdity, and the only way through is with humor, truth-telling, and the occasional musical about Bigfoot.

Major Segments and Key Insights

1. Political Satire: America’s Never-Ending Escalation [03:00–15:20]

Themes:

The futility of escalation in the Trump era; politics as a never-ending cycle (the "Shepherd tone" analogy)
Ramped-up authoritarianism, government overreach, and public pushback
Satirical takes on actual news, including ICE blunders, military incursions, and political theatre

Notable Insights & Commentary:

Lovett uses the metaphor of a "Shepherd tone" to describe the current political environment: "It builds and it builds and it builds, but it builds to nowhere and nothing, like Los Angeles doing road construction." (03:08)
The absurdity of ICE’s recruitment (inexperienced agents sent into the field due to an AI glitch) and the pushback against it: “Welcome to ICE. Oops, all Paul Blarts edition.” (06:55)
Lovett highlights the growing opposition to ICE, even among unlikely sources, quoting Joe Rogan: “Are we really going to be the Gestapo? Where's your papers? Is that what we've come to?” (07:42)
Satire about Trump's diplomatic scandals: “On Tuesday, Greenland's prime minister officially told Trump to go fuck himself. Greenland, big ice.” (09:50)
The news cycle’s constant, numbing escalation: “Trump's Department of Justice crosses a new line and risks economic catastrophe. There's genuine pushback. The markets trust that Trump will back down even as he doubles down publicly and this escalation doesn't end, it just fades into the background.” (05:30)

Memorable Quote:

“America is for Americans. And that ought to terrify these freaks because Americans aren't for this. And that will always mean however they escalate, we will rise to meet them.”
— Jon Lovett (13:08)

2. Robin Thede on Relationships, Rom-Coms, and Political Legacies [18:29–35:52]

Main Discussion Points:

Authenticity vs. performance in relationships and online culture
Reflections on political change, optimism, and her mother’s legacy in politics
New projects: acting in "Relationship Goals" and producing a Bigfoot musical

Highlights:

On modern dating: “Everyone online is not who they are in person, whether they want to be or not...we're all kind of putting our best foot forward or whatever, hiding our psychosis a bit.” (18:47)
The performative nature of social media relationships: “Anything that feels overly performative is just very embarrassing...If it feels too right, I don't know.” (22:19)
Personal anecdote: Robin jokes about having 12 boyfriends, using this to riff on the social dynamics of dating apps and public/private relationships.
On her mother's political journey: Robin details her mother Phyllis Thede's tenure in the Iowa legislature and the emotional swing from the hope of Obama’s election to the “void” at the end of her service.

“I think the whole political climate on both sides of the aisle was very...kind of hopeless. Right. I mean, obviously Obama's especially first term was all about hope and change... And I think there was just an absence of that.” (24:15)
Insights on leaving a legacy—and refusing to “erase” history, even the painful parts.

“No, absolutely not. No, no. [The Trump] portrait has to go on the National Portrait Gallery. We're gonna remember this.” (27:00)

3. Rom-Com Best Friend Showdown [29:09–35:37]

Segment Structure:

Jon Lovett names iconic rom-com best friends; Robin Thede picks the “best” in a playoff-style tournament.

Final Results:

Winner: Rupert Everett as George in "My Best Friend’s Wedding"
Honorable mentions: Arsenio Hall in "Coming to America", Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Along Came Polly" (whom Robin says could've beaten anyone)
Discussion illuminates the essential role of the “friend” in grounding romantic escapism—and how rom-coms often present love as an obstacle course where everything must be “just right.”

Fun Quotes:

“Tom Hanks is the villain in every film.”
— Robin Thede (31:34)

“I'm not selling my voice just to kiss a man with legs. Okay?”
— Robin Thede, riffing on "The Little Mermaid" logic (33:52)

4. Therapy for the Host (and You): John Lovett with Michael Urie & Ted McGinley [39:01–60:41]

Segment Focus:

Lovett asks “therapy” questions about ambition, aging, and self-perception, using the Shrinking cast as stand-in therapists.
Behind-the-scenes anecdotes about TV acting, animal co-stars, and working with Harrison Ford.

Key Anecdotes & Insights:

On acting with babies vs. animals: “Babies are great to act with...they’re basically just a living prop.” — Michael Urie (42:40)
Ted McGinley describes being bitten by a dog on "Happy Days" and working with an orangutan on "The Love Boat." (43:34; 44:47)
On working with Harrison Ford:

"You can't take your eyes off Harrison. Jason and I are in the front seat, like, acting our pants off, and he's back there just being a human being, and he's incred[ible]...He goes through every human emotion with just his face."
— Michael Urie (48:03–48:44)
Therapy question—on not being able to envision the future:

"At nighttime, you close your eyes, you picture where you're going to go, how you're going to be in that setting, and you go there."
— Ted McGinley, prescribed visualization method (46:07)
On balancing ambition vs. happiness:

“What I like best about that is, you didn't want to do the work to become less ambitious.”
— Ted McGinley (49:57)
On aging:

“I just don't think this energy works in a kind of wizened form.”
— Jon Lovett
“I would say you're not seeing yourself in a real way. It works for you.”
— Ted McGinley (59:56–60:04)

Self-Deprecating Humor:

Lovett: “I don’t like some soft little faggy. I want to work.”
Ted: “I'm like a cockroach. You can't get rid of me. I am a survivor for sure.”

5. Second Thoughts: Regrets and Jokes at the End [65:01–71:34]

Structure:

Each guest shares things they regret or want to “take back” from the episode, continuing the show’s tradition of meta-humor and candor.

Examples:

Michael Urie jokingly regrets Lovett comparing ALF to “Harry and the Hendersons.” (65:37)
Ted McGinley shares about the recent loss of his family home to fire, adding poignancy and realness to the show’s usual irreverence.

"There are so many blessings, you know, mixed in with this complete chaos...the chaos that goes through your mind. It's crazy." (67:59)
Robin ribbing Lovett for not engaging in small talk upon her introduction
Lovett’s honest reflection on internalized language and body image

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

On the perpetual escalation in politics:

“Politics feels like a shepherd tone...it seems like it's always ascending, but it never actually gets higher.”
— Jon Lovett (03:08)
On ICE’s AI blunders:

“Welcome to ICE. Oops, all Paul Blarts edition.”
— Jon Lovett (06:55)
On therapy and being busy:

“I haven’t been to therapy in about a year and a half because I am so busy.”
— Jon Lovett (40:26)
On authenticity in relationships:

"You can't want the attention you're seeking."
— Robin Thede (23:09)
On aging and self-acceptance:

“I would say you're not seeing yourself in a real way. It works for you.”
— Ted McGinley (60:03)
On surviving a fire:

“There are so many blessings, you know, mixed in with this complete chaos...”
— Ted McGinley (67:59)

Highlighted Moments & Timestamps

[03:08] Lovett’s "Shepherd tone" explainer, setting the comedic tone for the episode
[06:55] ICE’s "Oops all Paul Blarts" joke
[09:50] Greenland tells Trump to “go fuck himself”
[22:37] Thede on authenticity and performativity in relationships
[24:15] Thede reflects on her mother’s Obama-era hope vs. today’s hopelessness
[30:13–33:37] Rom-com best friend bracket, crowning Rupert Everett’s character the winner
[42:40] Urie prefers acting with babies over animals
[48:03–48:44] Worshipful recounting of Harrison Ford's star power
[59:56–60:03] Lovett’s concerns about “aging out” of his own energy, McGinley’s reassurance
[67:59] McGinley shares about his home burning down in the Palisades fire, finding gratitude amid loss

Tone and Style

The episode is marked by Lovett’s signature blend of political outrage, rapid-fire jokes, self-deprecating asides, and warm, improvisational rapport with his guests. Serious topics—authoritarian overreach, personal loss, the search for meaning in chaos—are leavened with absurdity and candor, offering listeners both catharsis and comic relief.

Episode Takeaway

Nobel Peace Prize, Gently Used artfully balances despair and hope, stasis and resistance, with the reminder that authenticity, humor, and human connection offer a way through any “endless escalation”—be it political turmoil or personal aging. America’s for Americans, and laughter, apparently, is too.

Listen if you want:

A comedic yet sharply insightful take on the absurdities of 2026 politics
Heartfelt reflections on family, legacy, performance, and growing older
Pop culture debates and behind-the-scenes stories from beloved performers
Self-aware, honest talk therapy—live and unscripted

[Summary by Podcast Summarizer AI, 2026]

Lovett or Leave It: "Nobel Peace Prize, Gently Used"

Date: January 17, 2026
Host: Jon Lovett
Guests: Robin Thede, Ted McGinley, Michael Urie
Location: Dynasty Typewriter, Los Angeles

Episode Overview

Major Segments and Key Insights

1. Political Satire: America’s Never-Ending Escalation [03:00–15:20]

Themes:

The futility of escalation in the Trump era; politics as a never-ending cycle (the "Shepherd tone" analogy)
Ramped-up authoritarianism, government overreach, and public pushback
Satirical takes on actual news, including ICE blunders, military incursions, and political theatre

Notable Insights & Commentary:

Lovett uses the metaphor of a "Shepherd tone" to describe the current political environment: "It builds and it builds and it builds, but it builds to nowhere and nothing, like Los Angeles doing road construction." (03:08)
The absurdity of ICE’s recruitment (inexperienced agents sent into the field due to an AI glitch) and the pushback against it: “Welcome to ICE. Oops, all Paul Blarts edition.” (06:55)
Lovett highlights the growing opposition to ICE, even among unlikely sources, quoting Joe Rogan: “Are we really going to be the Gestapo? Where's your papers? Is that what we've come to?” (07:42)
Satire about Trump's diplomatic scandals: “On Tuesday, Greenland's prime minister officially told Trump to go fuck himself. Greenland, big ice.” (09:50)
The news cycle’s constant, numbing escalation: “Trump's Department of Justice crosses a new line and risks economic catastrophe. There's genuine pushback. The markets trust that Trump will back down even as he doubles down publicly and this escalation doesn't end, it just fades into the background.” (05:30)

Memorable Quote:

“America is for Americans. And that ought to terrify these freaks because Americans aren't for this. And that will always mean however they escalate, we will rise to meet them.”
— Jon Lovett (13:08)

2. Robin Thede on Relationships, Rom-Coms, and Political Legacies [18:29–35:52]

Main Discussion Points:

Authenticity vs. performance in relationships and online culture
Reflections on political change, optimism, and her mother’s legacy in politics
New projects: acting in "Relationship Goals" and producing a Bigfoot musical

Highlights:

On modern dating: “Everyone online is not who they are in person, whether they want to be or not...we're all kind of putting our best foot forward or whatever, hiding our psychosis a bit.” (18:47)
The performative nature of social media relationships: “Anything that feels overly performative is just very embarrassing...If it feels too right, I don't know.” (22:19)
Personal anecdote: Robin jokes about having 12 boyfriends, using this to riff on the social dynamics of dating apps and public/private relationships.
On her mother's political journey: Robin details her mother Phyllis Thede's tenure in the Iowa legislature and the emotional swing from the hope of Obama’s election to the “void” at the end of her service.

“I think the whole political climate on both sides of the aisle was very...kind of hopeless. Right. I mean, obviously Obama's especially first term was all about hope and change... And I think there was just an absence of that.” (24:15)
Insights on leaving a legacy—and refusing to “erase” history, even the painful parts.

“No, absolutely not. No, no. [The Trump] portrait has to go on the National Portrait Gallery. We're gonna remember this.” (27:00)

3. Rom-Com Best Friend Showdown [29:09–35:37]

Segment Structure:

Jon Lovett names iconic rom-com best friends; Robin Thede picks the “best” in a playoff-style tournament.

Final Results:

Winner: Rupert Everett as George in "My Best Friend’s Wedding"
Honorable mentions: Arsenio Hall in "Coming to America", Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Along Came Polly" (whom Robin says could've beaten anyone)
Discussion illuminates the essential role of the “friend” in grounding romantic escapism—and how rom-coms often present love as an obstacle course where everything must be “just right.”

Fun Quotes:

“Tom Hanks is the villain in every film.”
— Robin Thede (31:34)

“I'm not selling my voice just to kiss a man with legs. Okay?”
— Robin Thede, riffing on "The Little Mermaid" logic (33:52)

4. Therapy for the Host (and You): John Lovett with Michael Urie & Ted McGinley [39:01–60:41]

Segment Focus:

Lovett asks “therapy” questions about ambition, aging, and self-perception, using the Shrinking cast as stand-in therapists.
Behind-the-scenes anecdotes about TV acting, animal co-stars, and working with Harrison Ford.

Key Anecdotes & Insights:

On acting with babies vs. animals: “Babies are great to act with...they’re basically just a living prop.” — Michael Urie (42:40)
Ted McGinley describes being bitten by a dog on "Happy Days" and working with an orangutan on "The Love Boat." (43:34; 44:47)
On working with Harrison Ford:

"You can't take your eyes off Harrison. Jason and I are in the front seat, like, acting our pants off, and he's back there just being a human being, and he's incred[ible]...He goes through every human emotion with just his face."
— Michael Urie (48:03–48:44)
Therapy question—on not being able to envision the future:

"At nighttime, you close your eyes, you picture where you're going to go, how you're going to be in that setting, and you go there."
— Ted McGinley, prescribed visualization method (46:07)
On balancing ambition vs. happiness:

“What I like best about that is, you didn't want to do the work to become less ambitious.”
— Ted McGinley (49:57)
On aging:

“I just don't think this energy works in a kind of wizened form.”
— Jon Lovett
“I would say you're not seeing yourself in a real way. It works for you.”
— Ted McGinley (59:56–60:04)

Self-Deprecating Humor:

Lovett: “I don’t like some soft little faggy. I want to work.”
Ted: “I'm like a cockroach. You can't get rid of me. I am a survivor for sure.”

5. Second Thoughts: Regrets and Jokes at the End [65:01–71:34]

Structure:

Each guest shares things they regret or want to “take back” from the episode, continuing the show’s tradition of meta-humor and candor.

Examples:

Michael Urie jokingly regrets Lovett comparing ALF to “Harry and the Hendersons.” (65:37)
Ted McGinley shares about the recent loss of his family home to fire, adding poignancy and realness to the show’s usual irreverence.

"There are so many blessings, you know, mixed in with this complete chaos...the chaos that goes through your mind. It's crazy." (67:59)
Robin ribbing Lovett for not engaging in small talk upon her introduction
Lovett’s honest reflection on internalized language and body image

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

On the perpetual escalation in politics:

“Politics feels like a shepherd tone...it seems like it's always ascending, but it never actually gets higher.”
— Jon Lovett (03:08)
On ICE’s AI blunders:

“Welcome to ICE. Oops, all Paul Blarts edition.”
— Jon Lovett (06:55)
On therapy and being busy:

“I haven’t been to therapy in about a year and a half because I am so busy.”
— Jon Lovett (40:26)
On authenticity in relationships:

"You can't want the attention you're seeking."
— Robin Thede (23:09)
On aging and self-acceptance:

“I would say you're not seeing yourself in a real way. It works for you.”
— Ted McGinley (60:03)
On surviving a fire:

“There are so many blessings, you know, mixed in with this complete chaos...”
— Ted McGinley (67:59)

Highlighted Moments & Timestamps

[03:08] Lovett’s "Shepherd tone" explainer, setting the comedic tone for the episode
[06:55] ICE’s "Oops all Paul Blarts" joke
[09:50] Greenland tells Trump to “go fuck himself”
[22:37] Thede on authenticity and performativity in relationships
[24:15] Thede reflects on her mother’s Obama-era hope vs. today’s hopelessness
[30:13–33:37] Rom-com best friend bracket, crowning Rupert Everett’s character the winner
[42:40] Urie prefers acting with babies over animals
[48:03–48:44] Worshipful recounting of Harrison Ford's star power
[59:56–60:03] Lovett’s concerns about “aging out” of his own energy, McGinley’s reassurance
[67:59] McGinley shares about his home burning down in the Palisades fire, finding gratitude amid loss

Tone and Style

Episode Takeaway

Listen if you want:

A comedic yet sharply insightful take on the absurdities of 2026 politics
Heartfelt reflections on family, legacy, performance, and growing older
Pop culture debates and behind-the-scenes stories from beloved performers
Self-aware, honest talk therapy—live and unscripted

[Summary by Podcast Summarizer AI, 2026]

Nobel Peace Prize, Gently Used

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

Lovett or Leave It: "Nobel Peace Prize, Gently Used"

Date: January 17, 2026 Host: Jon Lovett Guests: Robin Thede, Ted McGinley, Michael Urie Location: Dynasty Typewriter, Los Angeles

Episode Overview

Major Segments and Key Insights

1. Political Satire: America’s Never-Ending Escalation [03:00–15:20]

Themes:

Notable Insights & Commentary:

Memorable Quote:

2. Robin Thede on Relationships, Rom-Coms, and Political Legacies [18:29–35:52]

Main Discussion Points:

Highlights:

3. Rom-Com Best Friend Showdown [29:09–35:37]

Segment Structure:

Final Results:

Fun Quotes:

4. Therapy for the Host (and You): John Lovett with Michael Urie & Ted McGinley [39:01–60:41]

Segment Focus:

Key Anecdotes & Insights:

Self-Deprecating Humor:

5. Second Thoughts: Regrets and Jokes at the End [65:01–71:34]

Structure:

Examples:

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

Highlighted Moments & Timestamps

Tone and Style

Episode Takeaway

Summary

Lovett or Leave It: "Nobel Peace Prize, Gently Used"

Date: January 17, 2026 Host: Jon Lovett Guests: Robin Thede, Ted McGinley, Michael Urie Location: Dynasty Typewriter, Los Angeles

Episode Overview

Major Segments and Key Insights

1. Political Satire: America’s Never-Ending Escalation [03:00–15:20]

Themes:

Notable Insights & Commentary:

Memorable Quote:

2. Robin Thede on Relationships, Rom-Coms, and Political Legacies [18:29–35:52]

Main Discussion Points:

Highlights:

3. Rom-Com Best Friend Showdown [29:09–35:37]

Segment Structure:

Final Results:

Fun Quotes:

4. Therapy for the Host (and You): John Lovett with Michael Urie & Ted McGinley [39:01–60:41]

Segment Focus:

Key Anecdotes & Insights:

Self-Deprecating Humor:

5. Second Thoughts: Regrets and Jokes at the End [65:01–71:34]

Structure:

Examples:

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

Highlighted Moments & Timestamps

Tone and Style

Episode Takeaway

Date: January 17, 2026
Host: Jon Lovett
Guests: Robin Thede, Ted McGinley, Michael Urie
Location: Dynasty Typewriter, Los Angeles

Date: January 17, 2026
Host: Jon Lovett
Guests: Robin Thede, Ted McGinley, Michael Urie
Location: Dynasty Typewriter, Los Angeles