Not Today, Pal – "A Bear Crashed Their Wedding?!"
Hosts: Jamie-Lynn Sigler & Robert Iler
Date: December 11, 2025
Network: YMH Studios
Episode Overview
In this lively episode, former Sopranos co-stars Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Robert Iler dive into their usual dynamic of polar opposites—Jamie’s warm optimism clashing hilariously with Rob’s grumpy realism. They riff on viral videos, gym culture, social media habits, reality TV, pet peeves at home, food opinions (especially Italian), and whether omens should impact life’s big moments—like a bear crashing a wedding. The duo is joined by producer Zolo and “Cougar” as they field calls, swap nostalgic Sopranos anecdotes, and ponder the existential question: can you sneeze in your sleep?
Main Themes & Purpose
- Pop Culture Observation: Commentary on generational identity, reality TV, and social media habits.
- Personal vs. Public Persona: Jamie and Rob’s vastly different approaches to life, plans, and sharing online.
- Friendship Dynamics: The enduring, hilarious friction and love between two polar-opposite friends.
- Audience Engagement: Reading listener submissions about annoying roommate habits and debating pet peeves.
- Nostalgia & Showbiz Memories: Revisiting Sopranos history and reflecting on how much (and how little) has changed with fame.
Key Discussion Points
1. Fan Encounters & Recognition (00:40–02:24)
- Rob recounts a rare fan who sang the full podcast theme song, unlike most who reference only Sopranos or clips:
“Usually people say, ‘oh, I love the pod’—that means clips. Yesterday, a guy SANG the theme song. That’s a first.” – Rob (00:40) - Jamie notes younger fans knowing her solely from the podcast, not Sopranos, especially at an Austin bar:
“Multiple young people came up to me: ‘I’ve never seen Sopranos, but I love the pod.’” – Jamie (01:16)
2. The Viral Gym Guy & Generational Dating Profile Vibes (02:24–06:02)
- Jamie shows Rob a video of an older man dancing/stretching at the gym, sparking a debate: Would you find him entertaining or annoying?
- Rob on authenticity:
“If this guy was a 6’4” athlete, it’d annoy me. But I love that he’s just this little old guy doing his thing.” – Rob (03:35) - Jamie wonders if her “fun plans” personality would come off weird on dating profiles; they discuss vintage dating show aesthetics and '80s/'90s TV style.
3. How We Age & TV Nostalgia (05:48–08:25)
- Reflecting on how TV moms were much younger than they appeared compared to today’s standards.
- Jamie: “Golden Girls started in their late 40s! Not their 80s.” (06:09)
- Brief debate: Is it harder to get rejected quickly, or peak once and fade on talent shows?
4. Social Media & Annoyances: Pet Peeves at Home (19:55–23:55)
- Rob reads out listeners' pet peeves about living with others, including:
- Leaving floss picks everywhere (Christina P. reference)
- Annoying social media captions: “Another ____ in the books”
- Wet towels on dry towels (“That’s how you get the stinky towels!” – Rob, 21:52)
- Watching phone videos at full volume
- Slurping food and mouth sounds
5. Italian Food Hot Takes (23:01–27:01)
- Dispute over eating spaghetti with a spoon versus fork:
“The day I learned to use a spoon with spaghetti, I looked down on everyone who doesn’t.” – Rob (23:10)- Jamie learned it “on set” for The Sopranos; Zolo notes actual Italians scorn the spoon technique.
- Penne vs. rigatoni: unanimous penne disdain, rigatoni preference.
6. Bear at a Wedding – Omens vs. Cool Story? (28:03–30:43)
- Discussion of a viral wedding video where a bear attacks a moose in the background.
- Jamie: “I’d actually think it was cool.”
- Cougar: “That’s a sign we should be getting the [hell] out of here, not about marriage.”
- Rob: “Would anyone actually take that as a bad omen for the marriage?”
7. Sleep Science: Can You Sneeze While Sleeping? (32:33–34:50)
- Rob wonders if people can sneeze in their sleep; group consensus via quick research:
“It’s generally impossible—brain is too relaxed to trigger a sneeze reflex.”- Jamie: “Always gonna put my money on Any.” (in reference to producer fact-checking, 34:35)
8. Sopranos Nostalgia & Fan Memories (36:21–38:48)
- Jamie and Rob reminisce over an Entertainment Weekly Sopranos cast photo shoot:
“I loved my dress, felt like a princess, and it stood out from all the millions we did.” – Jamie (37:47) - Delmonico’s steakhouse in Syracuse has their photos up: “Cool. I love it.” – Jamie (36:48)
9. Failed Attempts to Call "The Sandwich Guy" Giovanni (16:18–19:46, 38:48–39:23)
- Jamie and Rob repeatedly try—and fail—to get their favorite viral sandwich maker on the phone, ultimately leaving a message for next week.
- Rob: “No, he’s a hard worker. We respect it.”
10. Reality TV Obsession & Housewives Franchises (15:20–16:18)
- Jamie recommends Real Housewives of Salt Lake City:
“If you’re gonna watch any…these women were Mormon…Jen Shah’s in jail, there’s FBI—just so good.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Dating Apps & Aging:
“There’s no way this person is 35. Some lives, you know?” – Rob (06:15) - On Planning & FOMO:
“I mean it. I’m that excited. I mean it.” – Jamie, on overcommitting to plans (04:52) - On Annoying Uber Drivers:
“If Cutter’s in the front and me and you were in the back and this guy hits the harmonica…I would laugh until he dropped us off.” – Rob (10:12) - On Wedding Omens:
“Would you take that as a sign or just be like, ‘Oh, that’s cool’?” – Rob (28:31) - On Pet Peeves:
“That’s how you get the stinky towels!” – Rob (21:52) - On Italian-American Food Disputes:
“Penne is trash…rigatoni is better.” – Rob & Jamie (26:15–26:22) - On Friendship:
“If you told me tomorrow you never have to go to another wedding again, best day of my life.” – Rob (31:31)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Time | Segment Brief | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:40–02:24| Unexpected fan encounters & generational fame | | 02:24–06:02| Gym videos, generational differences, and dating profiles | | 05:48–08:25| TV nostalgia: aging in showbiz & reality TV | | 19:55–23:55| Listener pet peeves: towels, social media, slurping, etc. | | 23:01–27:01| Italian vs. Italian-American food habits debate | | 28:03–30:43| Bear at a wedding: omens or no big deal? | | 32:33–34:50| Can you sneeze in your sleep? Sleep science chat | | 36:21–38:48| Sopranos nostalgia: fan photos at Delmonico’s, old shoots | | 16:18–19:46| Calling the sandwich guy—Giovanni |
Overall Vibe & Takeaway
The episode captures why Jamie and Rob remain so beloved: their easy, affectionate bickering, their real-life perspectives on fame and the mundane, and their nostalgia for the past without being stuck in it. The segments are peppered with genuine affection, deep-cut pop culture references, and a healthy dose of irreverence—as well as love for their audience’s quirks and questions.
Memorable Moment:
Jamie and Rob, failing to reach Giovanni the Sandwich Guy, while earnestly debating the ideal Italian sandwich and the proper use of cheese—quintessential Not Today, Pal.
For new listeners:
If you want unfiltered laughs, Seinfeldian debates about towels and pasta, and a window into the weird, wonderful friendship of two former TV siblings, this one’s a great intro—especially if you’re wondering whether to take signs from the universe or just eat the sandwich and enjoy the wedding (unless there’s a bear).