No Filter with Zack Peter
Episode: Hilary Duff Felt "Used" By Ashley Tisdale Drama; Savannah Guthrie's Husband Visits Today Show
Date: February 25, 2026
Host: Zack Peter
Episode Overview
This episode finds Zack Peter in his signature rapid-fire, unfiltered mode, covering a whirlwind of current pop culture drama. From Hilary Duff's reaction to the Ashley Tisdale "toxic mom group" controversy, to the mysterious developments in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance and a scathing (and hilarious) take on the legacy of America’s Next Top Model, Zack delivers hot takes and news drops with wit, receipts, and occasional soapbox moments. Community chat and live listener engagement color the episode, while Zack offers emotional resonance at the end in response to tragic breaking news.
Key Topics & Discussion Points
1. Members Only Zoom & Podcast Updates [02:00-06:00]
- Zack promotes the podcast’s exclusive, members-only Zoom calls and plugs Juicy Scoop appearance.
- Banter and musical references (“With Love” by Hilary Duff) establish an upbeat and playful tone.
2. Nancy Guthrie Disappearance: 25 Days Missing [06:00-30:00]
- Updates on the Case:
- Latest activity at Nancy's home with FBI presence and search parties.
- Savannah Guthrie’s husband, Mike Feldman, visits her Today Show colleagues to thank them.
- Zack’s Take on the Feldman Visit:
- Questions the appropriateness:
“Tell me if I'm crazy or not, but this feels a little weird…he doesn't even work there, right? I just felt like that was kind of weird.” [09:00]
- Discusses workplace culture and trauma-bonding among TV staff.
- Questions the appropriateness:
- Confusion Around Evidence:
- Surveillance footage controversy:
- No timestamps due to lack of a subscription.
- Zack speculates about possible tampering or missing evidence.
- Suggests the case feels like it’s turning cold and the family’s actions may be performative.
- Listener chat weighs in; Zack questions police narrative, expresses distrust of local Sheriff Nanos.
“Banana nose is an idiot. I just don’t believe anything he says. If Nanos says it's not true, that means it’s true!” [22:25]
- Surveillance footage controversy:
- Theory/Speculation:
- Possible inside job, skepticism toward media reports.
- Neighbors’ unreliable recollections of “strange men” prior to Nancy’s disappearance.
- Broader commentary on security systems for elderly and limitations of technology.
- Overall Mood:
- “Everything about this is just weird.” [28:15]
3. Ashley Tisdale vs. Hilary Duff: Toxic Mom Group Drama [41:15-1:05:00]
- Background Recap:
- Ashley Tisdale’s essay in The Cut about being excluded from a mom group (rumored to include Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, Meghan Trainor).
- Alleged political differences splitting group (Hillary and Hayley Duff’s reported estrangement).
- Hilary Duff’s New Album as Commentary:
- Deep dive into lyrics from "We Don’t Talk Anymore" — a clear missive to her sister Hayley.
“If it’s ‘cause you were jealous, God knows I would sell it all, then break you off the bigger half.” — Hilary Duff, quoted by Zack [49:45]
- Zack interprets the lyrics as both vulnerable and subtly shady (“I can’t help it that I’m so popular”/Gretchen Weiners reference).
- Deep dive into lyrics from "We Don’t Talk Anymore" — a clear missive to her sister Hayley.
- Critique of Ashley Tisdale Coverage & Media Narrative:
- Hilary’s side: She feels “used” by the drama going viral, as discussed on Call Her Daddy.
- Zack expresses frustration at interviewer Alex Cooper for softball questions:
“If you're going to interview somebody…ask them the real questions. What I find so frustrating about Alex Cooper is she asks such... fluff, surface level questions. She doesn’t dig any deeper.”
- Zack’s Interviewer Philosophy:
- Wishes for directness:
“Ask the f*cking question. Is this song about your sister? Were you close to Ashley Tisdale? Were you a mean mom?” [54:00]
- Praises guests who open up (“Part of loving you is either getting some tea from you, making you seem more relatable...”)
- Wishes for directness:
- Speculation on Family Dynamics:
- Suggestion that Haley Duff and Ashley Tisdale’s continued friendship is a “direct dig” at Hilary.
- Observations: Hilary isn’t close with her father either; feels she’s in a “bubble” with her new family.
- On “Call Her Daddy” and Celebrity Interview Culture:
- Critiques show’s evolution from cult-favorite sex podcast to bland celebrity interview vehicle.
“There’s just not a whole lot of anything that comes out of these episodes now…not a lot of depth.”
- Critiques show’s evolution from cult-favorite sex podcast to bland celebrity interview vehicle.
4. Kelly Cutrone vs. Jay Manuel & The America's Next Top Model Reckoning [1:05:00-1:18:00]
- Kelly Cutrone’s Drag of Jay Manuel:
- Quotes her comment:
“Jay never even worked in the fashion industry. He worked at a MAC makeup counter in Toronto. Tyra boosted him, and how did he repay her? By writing a novel about her and the show, which no one bought…” [1:06:30]
- Calls out J. for trying to stay relevant by “trashing Tyra.”
- Quotes her comment:
- Zack’s Major Rant: Hypocrisy in Reality TV Outrage:
- Points out that everyone — hosts, judges, audience — participated in the culture of snark and spectacle.
“We watched it because we were — oh my God, did you see? — That's just what the culture was... Don't sit here and act like you weren't watching that show week after week and you weren't obsessed.” [1:10:00]
- Says it’s unfair to retroactively condemn Tyra Banks alone:
“All of them were awful. The reality is, as viewers — and I'm going to call you out right now watching this — we all were complicit in that culture.” [1:12:15]
- Points out that everyone — hosts, judges, audience — participated in the culture of snark and spectacle.
- Critical Reflection:
- Reality TV contestants "knew the deal;" points out comparison with The Bachelor — you can’t plead ignorance in 2026.
"Anybody that signs up for The Bachelor in today's day and age and then wants to cry about the experience afterwards? Bullsht. Bullfcking sh*t." [1:18:20]
- Reality TV contestants "knew the deal;" points out comparison with The Bachelor — you can’t plead ignorance in 2026.
- Audience Engagement:
- Lots of back-and-forth with listeners about nostalgia, contestant agency, and the shifting realities of fame.
5. Zack’s Reflections: Reality TV, Podcasting, and Interviewing [1:19:00-1:28:00]
- Discusses own experience as an interviewer and reality TV hopeful ("Disaster Daters" backstory, potential for a gay Bachelor-style show).
- Gets candid about the difficulty of continuing "Disaster Daters" after his co-host and friend Jeff’s passing.
“His absence was definitely felt in the episodes that we did tape. I’ve shelved those episodes for now.” [1:26:00]
6. Breaking News & Emotional Closer [1:28:00-End]
- Live Reaction to News:
- Mary Cosby’s son (Real Housewives of Salt Lake City) reportedly passes away at 23 (suspected overdose).
“You have so much life left ahead of you. Don’t throw it away. It can get better. It will get better. You just have to have faith.” [1:34:00]
- Mary Cosby’s son (Real Housewives of Salt Lake City) reportedly passes away at 23 (suspected overdose).
- Zack’s Words of Encouragement:
- Shares personal thoughts on perseverance and finding light after hardship.
- Encourages listeners to “give a little, do a little, try to set out...three things you’re grateful for in this moment and channel that outward.”
- Ends with a call for community, kindness, and gratitude.
Notable Quotes
-
On workplace trauma-bonding at the Today Show:
“On TV they try to make it seem like, oh, we're all one big family and we all love each other, but...at the end of the day, they're really just coworkers at the Today show.” [12:15]
-
On the Hilary Duff/Hayley Duff rift:
“It kind of seems like she's accusing Haley of being the one that doesn't talk to her...But we have traditionally seen that Hilary Duff has gotten into drama, and she seems to be a little shady.” [52:00]
-
On Call Her Daddy's interviewing style:
“Ask straight questions, don’t dance around…[Alex Cooper] gave us a word or two, and that word or two can make a headline. And the quotes are just so stupid.” [55:20]
-
On reality TV accountability:
"You cannot look at 2006 with the same lens in 2026 and not also realize we were all complicit in that culture..." [1:12:51]
Timestamps for Major Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|--------------| | Members announcement / banter | 00:00-06:00 | | Nancy Guthrie disappearance update | 06:00-30:00 | | Hilary Duff/Ashley Tisdale mom group drama | 41:15-1:05:00| | Top Model/Reality TV culture discussion | 1:05:00-1:18:00 | | Podcasting/interview reflection | 1:19:00-1:28:00 | | Breaking news (Mary Cosby's son) & close | 1:28:00-end |
Episode Style and Community Tone
- Zack’s delivery is witty, irreverent, and highly interactive with his live audience.
- Energetic and playful with occasional rapid digressions, well-placed shade, soapbox rants, and pop culture nostalgia.
- Ends on a note of seriousness and encouragement in response to tragic headlines.
Summary
Whether you’re tracking the meta-drama of Hollywood mom groups, the messy reality of true crime reporting, or the legacy of 2000s TV, this episode of No Filter with Zack Peter is pure, unfiltered pop culture tea — balancing humor, analysis, and community vibes, while ultimately landing on a message of resilience and kindness.