No Filter With Zack Peter

Episode: Savannah Guthrie Leaving Today Show, Eric Dane Passes, & SHOCKING Traitors Elimination
Date: February 20, 2026
Host: Zack Peter
Guest: Chef Stu
 

Episode Overview

In this episode, Zack Peter and frequent Friday guest Chef Stu dissect the wild week in pop culture and reality TV. The episode’s central themes include the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the rumored exit of Savannah Guthrie from the Today Show, pop culture reactions to Eric Dane's passing, and a deep-dive into the latest shocking developments on The Traitors. Zack also shares his recent experiences with podcast ranking success, feud updates, and delivers witty, candid commentary throughout, keeping a playful but unfiltered approach.

Detailed Breakdown & Key Discussion Points

1. Podcast Milestones & Listener Shoutouts

• [00:00 – 06:00]
  • Zack celebrates No Filter hitting #3 on the Apple Podcasts charts, expressing gratitude for listener support following his Megyn Kelly interview.
  • Listener feedback is highlighted, especially around Zack’s “tour tapes” reality show and golden doodles.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Can we get to number one? Is that too ambitious? Is that crazy?” – Zack Peter [03:20]

2. Tour Tapes & Subpoena-Gate Drama

• [03:30 – 05:00]
  • Zack promotes an “exclusive clip” from the upcoming episode of Tour Tapes, featuring an on-stage near-miss with being served a subpoena regarding ongoing Blake Lively drama.
  • Comedic recounting of momentary confusion and audience demographics.
  • Notable Moment:

    Zack: “Did I just get subpoenaed on stage? What? Are you kidding me?” [04:32]

3. The Ringer Contract Saga

• [06:00 – 12:00]
  • Zack details his contract drama with The Ringer network, describing being benched while under a non-compete and watching low-paid guest hosts fill his slot.
  • Candid about financial impacts and prolonged uncertainty, expressing frustration over being left “on ice” without communication or compensation.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Don’t take my money away from me and then, like, punish me and not give me a real reason, you know?” – Zack Peter [11:20]

  • Chef Stu empathizes, emphasizing the hardship of unclear contracts.

4. Nancy Guthrie Disappearance: Theory Deep Dive

• [12:00 – 26:00]
  • Zack and Chef Stu sift through speculation, discussing missing person case irregularities and the family’s (especially Savannah Guthrie’s) lack of active public engagement.
  • Theories considered: accidental family incident cover-up, outlandish “Trump took her” TikTok theories, staged kidnapping, confusing ransom notes sent to TMZ, and ineffective law enforcement involvement.
  • Key Criticisms:
    • Family has not been visibly searching or financially supporting the investigation.
    • Local authorities accused of being starstruck and possibly influenced by the family's fame.
    • Comparison to JonBenet Ramsey and Scott Peterson cases.
  • Memorable Exchange:

    Zack: “You would just think they would want to show how badly... They haven’t even given a single penny to this investigation.” [14:40]
    Stu: “They’re very good at doing those on camera. Savannah’s a news anchor.” [14:45]
    Zack: “Sheriff got paid. I don’t know if it’s the sheriff got paid off or if the sheriff is so enamored with the celebrity profile of this case that he’s willing to do whatever the family wants.” [19:03]

5. Backlash, Social Media, and Clapping Back

• [28:23 – 34:25]
  • Zack details his social media feud with Arizona state rep Alma Hernandez, who criticizes online speculation and “engagement bait” around the Guthrie case.
  • Zack defends content creators and their role in keeping the investigation alive and public.
  • Key Quote:

    “If you want to talk about responsibility, you should take some responsibility for this disastrous investigation.” – Zack [31:11]
    “What I don’t like is when people call out content creators and make it seem like we are the problem here. We are not the problem in any of this.” [34:00]

6. Found Person Update: Annie’s “Disappearance”

• [35:59 – 38:12]
  • Light-hearted update about “Ms. Annie,” an elderly woman who was found in her stalled car after going missing for two days.
  • Zack and Stu use this to highlight contrasts with the Guthrie case and add comic relief.
  • Notable Moment:

    Zack: “She ran out of gas and says she was just chilling.” [37:56]

7. Eric Dane’s Passing & ‘Euphoria’ Discussion

• [39:09 – 41:22]
  • Somber reflection on Eric Dane (McSteamy) dying of ALS; chat transitions to his work on Euphoria.
  • Chef Stu notes Dane filmed for Euphoria’s season three before passing.
  • Zack pivots the conversation to The Housemaid movie featuring Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney, praising her and co-star Brandon Sklenar.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Sydney Sweeney... her body, you see her boobs and everything... she looks incredible.” – Zack Peter [40:44]
    Stu: “He’s so dreamy!” (on Sklenar) [42:12]

8. The Traitors – Shocking Elimination & Game Mechanics

• [43:09 – 52:20]
  • Zack and Stu break down the latest The Traitors episode: final mechanics, confusion over rules, and which contestants might win as traitors or faithfuls.
  • Discussion of betrayals (Tara manipulating Natalie), player strategies, and how previous seasons’ endgames influence predictions for this one.
  • Consensus that traitors will likely win this season due to faithfuls’ missteps.
  • Notable Quotes:

    Zack: “At this point, the traitors deserve to win. Like, the faithful deserve to lose because they played such a bad game.” [47:14]
    Stu: “She changed everybody’s mind and... Rob was just, like, staying quiet, like, hoping to God.” [50:12]

9. Personal Updates & Plugs

• [52:56 – 55:58]
  • Chef Stu promotes his upcoming group trip to Ireland (September, 8 days, birthday celebrations included).
  • Don't Let It Stew podcast updates; Stu admits to taking a much-needed break.
  • Zack makes a final push for listeners to leave five-star reviews to help the show hit #1.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Zack on podcast success:

  “Number three. 1, 2, 3. Which is insane, wackadoodle, crazy time.” [01:06]

• On the Guthrie case:

  “Day 20. Trump is not going to save Nancy Guthrie.” [12:54]
  "I think that the kidnapping is faking gay... It was either a cover up or a setup." [16:58]

• On social media responsibility (Rep. Hernandez feud):

  “Followers aren’t facts. Snap likes aren’t credentials. Snap. And your favorite streamer. Having a ring light and a fan club doesn’t magically make their takes useful or helpful in our city.” – Rep. Alma Hernandez, read by Zack [29:23]
  “You should take some responsibility for this disastrous investigation.” – Zack Peter to Hernandez [31:11]

• Chef Stu on The Traitors strategy:

  “It’s so hard because so many people say different things... then she has, you know, an hour on her back.” [48:32]

• Pop culture comic relief:

  "She was just chilling in her car for the last two days. Could you imagine? She was just chilling..." [37:56]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00 – 06:00] – Podcast rankings, listener appreciation, “tour tapes” show
• [06:00 – 12:00] – Zack’s Ringer contract woes
• [12:00 – 26:00] – Nancy Guthrie disappearance: deep-dive, family and law enforcement criticism, wild theories
• [28:23 – 34:25] – Social media blowup with Rep. Alma Hernandez, defence of content creators
• [35:59 – 38:12] – “Missing Annie” comic relief
• [39:09 – 41:22] – Eric Dane tribute and Euphoria discussion
• [43:09 – 52:20] – The Traitors: rules, strategies, shocking elimination commentary
• [52:56 – 55:58] – Chef Stu’s Ireland trip, podcast plug, closing calls to action

Language & Tone

• Tone: Candid, irreverent, witty, conversational, unapologetically direct.
• Language: Mix of playful pop-culture riffing ("What in the coconut tree?!"), authentic frustration, and sincere listener appreciation, interspersed with banter and sarcasm.

Summary Takeaway

This energetic episode epitomizes the No Filter brand: sharp pop culture commentary, no-holds-barred takes on baffling true crime developments, and inside-reality-TV banter—all delivered with Zack’s signature snark and Chef Stu’s dry humor. Listeners get both speculative intrigue around the Nancy Guthrie case, empathetic reflections on entertainment industry woes, and reality TV strategizing, all wrapped up with calls for direct listener engagement.