Pod Meets World: "Nicole Eggert Meets World"

Episode Date: September 1, 2025
Podcast: Pod Meets World (iHeartPodcasts)
Featuring: Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, Rider Strong, Nicole Eggert

Overview

This episode reunites the Pod Meets World hosts—Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, and Rider Strong—with iconic 90s star Nicole Eggert, best known for her roles in "Charles in Charge," "Baywatch," and her guest appearance on "Boy Meets World." The conversation traverses Nicole’s early career, her experiences as a child and teen star, industry challenges, behind-the-scenes stories from TV sets, her personal battles—including her public journey with breast cancer—and her dedication to advocacy and healing. The episode blends laughter, reflection, and candid insight into both the entertainment industry and Nicole’s resilience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Nicole Eggert’s Beginnings: Pageants to Hollywood

[18:07] Danielle opens by asking Nicole to share her origin story—her journey from Glendale and a European immigrant family to Hollywood.

• Beauty pageants as a gateway: Nicole describes herself as a tomboy forced into beauty pageants by her mother, agreeing only because the venues always had a pool. Despite hating it, she kept winning, leading to TV exposure and calls from agents.

  "I was that kid that would dig big holes ... not the beauty pageant type ... but I just kept winning which meant we kept going back." – Nicole Eggert ([19:40])

• Early Commercial Success: Nicole began doing commercials by age 4-5, excited by the prospect of getting early access to toys—especially Barbies—and enjoying the escape from regular school.

  "As a kid, doing commercials was so fun ... seeing all the products early ... I didn't even know I was supposed to be in kindergarten." – Nicole Eggert ([22:01])

Transition to Sitcom Star: "Charles in Charge"

[23:25]

• Landing the role: Nicole did not formally audition; she was championed by producer Al Burton, after years of auditioning for various projects and performing unusual tasks at his request.

  "Al Burton would have you just do weird things like, can you do a handstand, can you do a headstand ... he was a bizarre guy." – Nicole Eggert ([23:56])

• Show history & syndication: Will and Rider are surprised to learn "Charles in Charge" only had one season on network TV before being recast for syndication.

  "They recast everything ... brought in a new family ... the Pembrokes and then it was the Powells. Same thing happened with Baywatch." – Nicole Eggert ([25:03])

On-Set Experiences & Pressures

[32:22]

• Pressure as a young star: Nicole reveals that the weight of expectations didn’t hit her as a teen; her main concern was missing out on a normal high school experience. In retrospect, she acknowledges a mix of great and "really horrible" experiences.

  "I really kind of live with no regrets ... Charles in Charge was really a great and really horrible experience for me and a lot of the cast in general." – Nicole Eggert ([33:17])

• Creative freedom: The writers allowed some ad-libbing, but overall, the pace and routines were controlled tightly by Scott Baio and his father, who wanted timely finishes to each workday.

  "Scott Baio and his father Mario really wanted a timely schedule ... as we got into the series he'd say, 'I want to be done by lunchtime today.'" – Nicole Eggert ([38:03])

Working with Michael Jacobs & "Boy Meets World"

[34:04]

• Different management styles: Michael Jacobs was hands-on for "Boy Meets World" but less involved in "Charles in Charge" after setup. Nicole felt lost under his direction on BMW, leading to her arc being cut short.

  "He was saying a lot of things ... I struggled, I couldn’t follow ... I ended up just really feeling confused and my part ... got cut really short because 'you’re not giving me what I want.'" – Nicole Eggert ([34:04])

• Hosts on Nicole’s guest spot: Will and Danielle recall Nicole’s character (Chancellor’s daughter Bridget Murphy) and are surprised to learn she was supposed to have a recurring arc.

  "I remember there was good chemistry between the three of us ... I didn't remember you struggling with the role at all." – Will Friedle ([39:22])

• Support from the cast: Nicole was comforted by how welcoming and relaxed the BMW cast was during a difficult period in her personal life.

  "You guys were my saving grace. I probably would have combusted if it wasn’t for you guys being so relaxed and so fun and so friendly." – Nicole Eggert ([40:05])

The Realities of “Baywatch” & 90s TV Stardom

[47:06]

• Joining “Baywatch”: Nicole describes transitioning from "Charles in Charge" to the infamous red swimsuit, initially surprised by the minimal wardrobe and immense international success.

  "I was like, where's the rest? ... The show immediately took off ... hit #1 show in the world." – Nicole Eggert ([47:09])

• Physical demands & lack of training: The cast performed real stunts and faced challenging conditions, with little lifeguard training.

  "They dump you off a barge in the ocean ... you do have to keep up ... I was vomiting, trying to run into the waves with these people." – Nicole Eggert ([47:39], [48:30])

• Pressure & body image: There was a “five-pound clause”—no fluctuating more than five pounds—while the public and press often objectified the cast. Nicole reflects on the dissonance between her youthful, healthy body and the pressure to conform.

  "So much so that they gave my character an eating disorder ... a five-pound clause that they could weigh us ..." – Nicole Eggert ([50:56])

Industry Trauma & Advocacy

[61:01-65:33]

• Difficult experiences on set: Nicole courageously discusses sexual harassment and abuse on the "Charles in Charge" set, further compounded by isolation and secrecy.

  "I was being sexually abused ... I wasn't always everybody's favorite person because I was favored by the star of the show." – Nicole Eggert ([63:41]) "I still feel that from some of the cast ... everybody was suffering a form of abuse. It made for a very strange dynamic and a lot of hostility ..." – Nicole Eggert ([64:13])

• Blown Away film: Nicole recounts working on the cult-classic 90s erotic thriller, feeling vulnerable among older, troubled costars and lacking on-set support.

  "A lot of the sex scenes started becoming very improv ... being kind of feeling alone as a young woman on set with all these men ... it was a growing learning moment for me." – Nicole Eggert ([61:32])

• Leaving “Baywatch”: Subjected to tabloid "bimbo" shaming and unable to please producers despite her professionalism and conscious character choices, Nicole chose to leave the show for her own wellbeing.

  "So me giving you a little background ... that was my moment of saying, no, I want off this show ... I just need out." – Nicole Eggert ([68:46])

Health Journey: Surviving & Thriving After Cancer

[70:07]

• Breast cancer battle: Nicole openly discusses being diagnosed with stage II breast cancer, the rigors of treatment—chemo, surgery, and radiation—and how the journey is ongoing, not a "one and done."

  "It's not something that you ... then life goes on. You're in it forever. ... I'm being tested monthly, my treatments are behind me, I still have surgeries ahead." – Nicole Eggert ([70:41])

• Community & advocacy: Nicole and Danielle connect over their shared diagnosis and talk about the strength found in survivor circles and their mutual support.

  "It's a group nobody wants to join but once you're in it you're going to meet some of the best people ever." – Danielle Fishel ([76:49])

• Motherhood as motivation: Through all of this, Nicole’s daughters gave her purpose and a reason to keep moving forward.

  "They just gave me a sense of ... responsibility to get healthy and to remain healthy if nothing else ..." – Nicole Eggert ([78:48])

Reflection on the 90s, Growth, and New Purpose

[84:10-85:53]

• If she could tell her younger self anything?

  "I'd probably tell her to boss up a little bit more ... speak up for yourself, stand up for yourself ... find a safe zone." – Nicole Eggert ([84:25])

• Survivor to thriver:

  "I've survived ... now I want to be a thriver ... I'm putting that survivor era behind me and I want a thriver era." – Nicole Eggert ([85:53])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I was always like, 'I don't think I’m supposed to be in kindergarten, right?'" – Nicole Eggert ([22:01])
• "So much so that they gave my character an eating disorder—yeah, we had a five-pound clause..." – Nicole Eggert ([50:56])
• "I just tried to go against the stereotype ... producers were pissed I didn't have the long hair ... I just couldn't make anybody happy." – Nicole Eggert ([69:00] to [69:34])
• "You guys were my saving grace ... I probably would have combusted if it wasn’t for you guys being so relaxed and so fun and so friendly." – Nicole Eggert ([40:05])
• "It's a group nobody wants to join, but once you're in it you’re going to meet some of the best people ever." – Danielle Fishel ([76:49])
• "I’ve survived, and I feel like all the survival things I’ve been through got me to cancer. Now I want to be a thriver." – Nicole Eggert ([85:53])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Nicole's Origins & Pageant Childhood – [18:07]–[21:21]
• Charles in Charge: Production & Set Culture – [23:25]–[26:07]
• Creative Freedom & Working Under Pressure – [32:22]–[38:03]
• "Boy Meets World" Guest Spot & Michael Jacobs – [34:04]–[41:20]
• "Baywatch": Pressure, Body Image, and Public Scrutiny – [47:06]–[52:14]
• Sexual Abuse, Industry Secrecy, and “Blown Away” – [61:01]–[67:40]
• Leaving “Baywatch” & Moving On – [68:46]–[70:07]
• Cancer Journey & Sisterhood with Danielle – [70:07]–[78:48]
• Parenting Through Adversity – [78:48]–[82:01]
• Looking Back: Advice To Her Younger Self – [84:08]–[85:53]

Overall Tone and Takeaways

The episode is candid, compassionate, at times raw, and ultimately hopeful. The hosts and Nicole never shy away from hard truths about the entertainment industry's dark side, but interweave humor, nostalgia, mutual support, and the drive to not just survive adversity but to “thrive.” Nicole Eggert stands as both a symbol of 90s pop culture and a testament to growth and resilience.

For More

• Nicole Eggert’s podcast: Perfectly Twisted
• "After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun" documentary (Nicole as producer & subject)
• Follow Nicole & Pod Meets World on social for updates, behind the scenes, and future crossover episodes.