Not Skinny But Not Fat with Amanda Hirsch
Episode: Kaley Cuoco Still Goes To Massage Envy
Release Date: February 10, 2026
Episode Overview
In this lively, candid, and often hilarious episode, Amanda Hirsch welcomes beloved actress Kaley Cuoco for a laid-back yet deep conversation. The two cover everything from Kaley’s new role in the four-part miniseries Vanished, her refreshingly grounded approach to fame, motherhood, Hollywood relationships, beauty treatments, nostalgia for her early career, and her Rams football obsession. With warm chemistry and lots of laughter, they discuss real-life insecurities, industry insights, and what it's actually like to balance celebrity, family, and self-worth.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Hollywood Relationships, Jealousy, and Press Tours
(06:59 – 09:17)
- Amanda and Kaley discuss the real dynamics of Hollywood press tours, referencing the high-profile Margot Robbie/Jacob Elordi press tour and speculating about relationships, gifts, and rings.
- Kaley is honest about jealousy, sharing:
“I am. I openly admit that … I’ve had to contain myself in moments and do a lot of therapy … I'm better than I used to be.” (08:10-08:23)
- Both agree that despite the unique nature of the industry, stars are “normal people” who feel all the usual emotions.
2. Turning 40 and Emotional Growth
(09:24 – 11:25)
- Kaley reveals the emotional impact of turning 40:
“I cried for like two weeks … it was just a little emotional just knowing how fast life goes and trying to take and be like, oh, my God, like, what happened over these, you know, these last years?” (10:21-10:47)
- She reflects on parenthood and how having a child has made her more emotional and reflective.
3. Parenting, Public Expectations, and Social Media
(11:28 – 16:44)
- Kaley’s parenting style is unapologetically relaxed.
- On public opinions about parenting:
“People are so nuts ... she shouldn't watch tablets, I'm like, okay, well, she's going to. Why are you telling me that? ... I would never tell someone what to do with their kid. I would die first.” (15:09-15:35)
- Kaley doesn’t overthink posting her daughter on social media, seeing transparency as natural.
4. Leaving Her Daughter During Filming
(16:45 – 21:44)
- Kaley details her decision not to bring Matilda to France for the shoot of Vanished, describing the practical (no parks, dangerous streets) and emotional reasoning:
“I landed there ... my house was literally on the side of a mountain. Gorgeous for an adult, not for a two-year-old.” (17:54-18:23)
- She experienced no mom guilt, noting,
“FaceTimed that girl twice a day. She rarely came to the phone … she was so happy. And so she…” (18:44-19:13)
5. “Mom But Still A Dumb”—Balancing Identity
(28:33 – 30:55)
- Amanda and Kaley embrace being a mom without losing one’s former sense of self:
“I know I'm a great mom ... she's the happiest, sunshiniest, funniest child to me ... and I also know I'm good at my job. I know I'm a good friend." (28:37-29:12)
- Kaley tells the story of taking her daughter for her first manicure—adorable chaos ensues:
“She thought it was a bath. So she starts pulling her clothes off ... In the spa chair.” (30:35-30:43)
6. Friendship & “Boop”
(31:25 – 33:19)
- Kaley’s best friend Zasha Mamet (“Flight Attendant” co-star) and their shared love for horses.
- They have a running “boop” joke from their chemistry read:
“She said something and I just went like, boop, like, on her nose. She was like, ‘Why did you just boop me?’” (32:54-33:15)
7. Fame, Googling Yourself, and Sex Symbol Status
(33:21 – 35:10)
- The ever-present “bikini pics” when Googling Kaley.
- On her Big Bang Theory era:
"I turned 21 in the first season … at my peak of my best.” (34:24-34:34)
- Reflecting on how life and self-perception change across decades.
8. Beauty Rituals & Cosmetic Procedures
(36:11 – 39:10)
- Both discuss clean vs. “chemical” beauty routines, Botox mishaps, and fillers.
- Kaley on overly frozen Botox:
“There is a scene where I have to really do this thing with my face ... and my nothing moved. My forehead didn’t move, and it looked like I was trying to move it ... So I reined it in.” (37:20-37:47)
9. On “Vanished” and Acting Choices
(44:49 – 51:05)
- Kaley describes her attraction to the four-part MGM+ miniseries and details the plot.
- She compares her “Vanished” character to Cassie from “Flight Attendant”:
"Cassie ... was such a disaster and the world spun around her. This character ... she's not a disaster. ... It's a bad thing that's happening to actually kind of a normal person." (47:40-48:06)
- Her stunt double is a long-time friend and constant companion on set.
10. Acting, Directing, and Producing
(61:12 – 66:03)
- Kaley reflects on her lengthy career, ability to step outside Hollywood craziness, and production work.
- On producing:
“There’s like 200 people that are actually doing it all ... being able to start producing ... it's opened up my mind. My empathy is like, so have you.” (62:57-63:12)
- She jokes about having “no patience” for directing due to all the prep.
11. Football Fandom and Aspirations
(67:12 – 71:36)
- Kaley’s devotion to the LA Rams, and her hilarious attempt to throw a Super Bowl party that never happened.
- Wants to host NFL Honors and be on SNL:
“I hope next time I talk to you, I can say I’m hosting NFL honors next year. ... That and SNL. There, I said it here.” (71:27-71:38)
12. Hollywood Honors, John Ritter, and Early Career
(72:03 – 74:21)
- Kaley discusses her Hollywood Walk of Fame star (next to John Ritter), and her formative experience working with John Ritter on “8 Simple Rules.”
- On Ritter’s influence:
“The year I spent with him meant more to me than most things. ... Shaped my life at 16, for sure.” (73:37-73:41)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Kaley on Fame and Normalcy:
“I have never seen myself other than a girl walking in a massage envy. Like, I never think that way.” (12:23-12:43)
- Kaley on Mom Guilt:
"I knew my commitment to this job ... I had a lot of work I had to do. ... Even if Matilda was here. How awful would this be for her?" (20:44-20:44)
- Kaley on Body Confidence:
“I know I'm a good mom. … I know I'm good at my job. I know I'm a good friend.” (28:37-29:12)
- Kaley on Producing:
“It is a lot of work, but … it’s really makes it so special when something like hits.” (63:38-63:51)
- Kaley’s Dream Jobs:
“That and snl. There, I said it here.” (71:38)
- On John Ritter:
“He was just everything that you would hope this man would be. … that's an imprint on my soul for the rest of time.” (74:05-74:21)
Important Timestamps
- 06:59 – 09:17: Hollywood jealousy, relationships, and why actors get “jelly” too
- 12:23 – 12:43: Kaley’s “Massage Envy” anecdote about staying grounded despite fame
- 16:45 – 21:44: Deciding not to bring her daughter to a film set overseas
- 28:33 – 30:55: “Mom but still a dumb”—on holding onto self-identity as a mother
- 47:32 – 48:06: Comparing characters in “Vanished” and “Flight Attendant”
- 61:12 – 63:38: On career longevity, producing, and emotional health in Hollywood
- 67:12 – 69:41: Kaley’s Rams fandom and her (failed) Super Bowl party prep
- 72:03 – 73:41: Walk of Fame, John Ritter, and the emotional impact of early mentors
Tone and Style
The episode is warm, irreverent, honest, and self-aware, with Amanda’s signature casual “best friend on the couch” vibe. Kaley is open and witty, happily sharing both personal and professional stories, poking fun at herself, and offering sincere reflections on life in and out of Hollywood. Their chemistry makes for a fun, heartfelt, and relatable conversation.
Recommended for:
Anyone who loves celebrity interviews with real substance mixed with playful Hollywood gossip, honest mom talk, and an inside look at the unfiltered reality behind the headlines.