No Filter With Zack Peter: “Taylor Avoids Blake in NYC, Pump Rules FLOPS in Ratings, & Golden Globes Podcast Nominee Criticism!”

Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Zack Peter

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Zack Peter dives into the latest and juiciest happenings across the reality TV and pop culture landscape. He covers Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s awkward public non-encounter in NYC, delivers a scathing review of the Vanderpump Rules reboot and analyzes its viewership fall-off, and exposes the pay-to-play nature of the Golden Globes’ podcast award nominations—with a sharp take on why big names like Joe Rogan didn’t make the cut. As always, Zack brings receipts and his signature unfiltered candor, serving listeners a mix of news, critique, and sly humor.

1. Taylor Swift & Blake Lively: NYC Non-Encounter

[00:00 – 31:30]

Key Points

• Taylor Swift and Blake Lively Spotted (Separately) in NYC:
  Both were seen out on Tuesday night, but notably not together, fueling ongoing rumors about tensions or a rift in their friendship.

  • Taylor was seen with Estee Haim promoting a holiday pop-up.
  • Blake was in West Village, promoting her haircare brand Blake Brown and taking part in what Zack calls “obviously staged” paparazzi moments.

• Legal Drama:
  Zack references a judge recommending Blake Lively settle a legal dispute before going to trial, which she declined, signaling a drawn-out court battle likely to stretch another six months.

Zack’s Commentary & Memorable Quotes

• On Blake’s PR moves:
  “She’s trying to keep a lot under wraps. We’ll see. Blake is queen of redactions.” [05:00]
• On Blake’s appearance:
  “Blake Lively’s outfit and her hair look really good. I’m shocked, because her hair never looks nice.” [19:20]
• On the celebrity photo ops:
  “I’m critiquing the photo itself...These clearly appear to be paparazzi photos that were staged, like, they asked the paparazzi to come.” [20:50]
• On the Swift/Lively situation:
  “Taylor Swift was like, ‘I ain’t talking to you. Who are you? We are never, ever, ever getting back together…’” [16:55]

Notable Moments

• Discussion of Blake “snubbing” fans by only coming outside briefly for a photo op:
  Zack pokes at her lack of interaction with fans and likens her to “the peasants can have my crumbs today.”
• Audience chat:
  Listeners speculate on whether Blake will attend Taylor’s wedding and discuss the disingenuous vibes of both Blake and Meghan Markle.

2. Meghan Markle’s Netflix Holiday Special: Zack’s Brutal Review

[11:30 – 16:40, with podcast clip at 13:45]

Key Points

• Zack recaps his viral appearance on “Don’t Let it Stew,” where he rips into Meghan Markle’s holiday special.
• He criticizes the show for lacking authenticity and utility (no recipes provided, Markle appears unprepared and disengaged).

Notable Quotes

• “I just, I don’t understand the value of this show. I don’t get it. Who’s watching it? Why are you watching it?... What are you selling me? Jam, that’s it.” [13:55]
• “She calls herself a boss girl entrepreneur… what a loser. Like, put the recipes on your website and people can go look.” [14:22]
• “It’s like she’s experiencing the show with the rest of us.” [15:45]

3. Vanderpump Rules Reboot: Viewership “Total Disaster”

[44:10 – 01:21:25]

Overview

• The much-hyped reboot (season 12) saw a catastrophic ratings drop (down 78% from the previous season), with only 229,000 viewers tuning in for the premiere—an all-time franchise low.
• Zack details the ratings history, emphasizing that not even shifts to streaming on Peacock can justify the precipitous fall.

Zack’s Main Arguments (“My Thesis”)

• Bravo should have ended on a high:
  Season 11 should have been marketed as a farewell season, capturing nostalgia and bringing closure to the audience.
• No compelling handover:
  Without a true “passing of the baton” (e.g., OGs having a finale dinner, new cast serving them like the original RHOBH-VPR crossover), viewers feel robbed of closure.
• Reheated Nachos Analogy:
  “This reboot is like reheated nachos: never as good as when they’re hot and fresh.” [59:15]
• Reality TV culture has shifted:
  The original cast wanted to be actors/musicians and didn’t care about “being cringe”—the new cast are influencer-types more concerned about branding and memes than authentic drama.

Notable Quotes

• “This was a garbage reboot. Anybody that’s trying to convince themselves that this was actually a good show has lost what good reality TV is.” [56:30]
• “When Sheena was dancing on the bar, she really believed she was a pop star. That’s the level of cringe and delusion that we loved.” [01:08:00]
• “They bought their boyfriends penguins—Stassi made terrible decisions—Sandoval thought he was the hottest gift on earth. It was real.” [01:09:30]

Viewer Input

• Fans in chat agree, noting the need for closure:
  “They should have done last season as just a few episodes and clips of what they wanted to be when they started…and catch up on what they ended up doing.” [01:13:45]

4. Golden Globes Podcast Nominee Criticism—It’s Pay-to-Play

[01:21:25 – 01:45:30]

Key Points

• The Golden Globes introduced a new podcast category, nominating mostly celebrity podcasts and omitting some of the top podcasts in the world, including Joe Rogan.
• Zack breaks down the politics and economics behind these nominations:
  • You must pay $500 just to be considered, $5,000 to upload your content for voters, $25,000–$75,000 for additional promo, visibility, or even to “win” a “Variety Impact Award.”
  • Variety panels and “organic” coverage are pay-to-feature; Variety’s decks with ad and promo buy-ins were leaked.

Notable Quotes

• “Joe Rogan was never going to make the list…The Golden Globes is not about politics—it’s about Hollywood celebrities and pop culture.” [01:28:50]
• “You have to pay $500 up front just to be considered…then $5,000 for visibility. And if you want to be a panelist on a Variety panel to promote your show, that’s $25,000.” [01:32:30]
• “This is why when people see those Variety panels…those panels are usually sponsored. It’s paid coverage. It’s paid media.” [01:35:02]
• “You can pay $75,000 to get the Variety Creative Impact Award in podcasting, which comes with ‘totally organic’ coverage. Little do you know you have to pay for that. So, you can buy awards too.” [01:39:30]
• On Rogan:
  “Could you imagine Joe Rogan on stage at the Golden Globes thanking the Academy? It would never happen—Rogan doesn’t give a f***.” [01:42:02]

5. Interactive & Audience Comments

Throughout, Zack interacts with chat and names mods Christina and Laura, responding to comments on Blake Lively v. Meghan Markle, the nature of reality TV, and the performativity of current influencers.

Notable Episodes Timestamps

• Taylor/Blake NYC / Legal Drama: 00:00 – 10:30
• Meghan Markle Netflix Critique: 11:30 – 16:40 (clip at 13:45)
• Celebrity PR & Paparazzi Staging: 19:00 – 24:00
• Vanderpump Rules History & Ratings Breakdown: 44:10 – 58:00
• Zack’s Detailed Critique/Thesis on Reboot Failure: 56:30 – 01:21:25
• Golden Globes Podcast Nominee Pay-to-Play Exposé: 01:21:25 – 01:45:30

Closing Thoughts

Zack delivers a masterclass in pop culture critique, blending research (with hard viewership numbers and award nomination procedures) and his trademark humorous snark. He underscores the commodification of both reality TV and awards shows, pulling back the curtain for listeners. For fans (or haters) of reality TV, celebrity culture, and the podcasting world, this episode is a sharp, entertaining, and unfiltered guide to this week’s most controversial entertainment headlines.