Meghan Sussex Drama, Blake Attends SXSW, Justin's "Toxic Positivity," & more!

Summary

Pop Apologists Podcast Episode Summary
Title: Meghan Sussex Drama, Blake Attends SXSW, Justin's "Toxic Positivity," & More!
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Hosts: Chandler and Lauren
Podcast: PodcastOne

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1. Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s Legal Battle

The episode opens with Chandler and Lauren delving into the ongoing legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Chandler provides a glowing review of Blake's recent appearance at the Another Simple Favor premiere at South by Southwest (SXSW), highlighting director Paul Feig's commendation: “[Paul Feig] said, ‘I couldn’t love her more. She’s a dream to work with. She’s a great collaborator. She has amazing ideas and is very open to everyone’s ideas. She’s a pro’” (05:44).

Lauren questions the sincerity of public endorsements, noting Blake’s nervous demeanor during panel discussions: “She seems very nervous” (05:44). The hosts express skepticism about the authenticity of the positive remarks, especially in light of the strained relationship between Blake and Justin.

Lauren shares an anecdote about Blake Lively’s interactions on the red carpet, particularly Anna Kendrick’s cryptic comment regarding working with Blake: “Anna Kendrick is on the red carpet and someone says, 'Anna, how’s it working with Blake again?' And she goes, 'Oh, you know...'” (06:05). This exchange fuels their doubts about the genuine nature of Blake’s collaborations.

Chandler emphasizes the complexity of public perceptions, stating, “We try our Best to present the evidence on both sides and to be unbiased” (10:13). They discuss Nick Viall’s negative remarks about Justin Baldoni on Heather McDonald’s podcast, highlighting the polarized views surrounding Justin’s character: “His take was essentially that he met him and he thought he just had a total icky vibe” (09:25).

The conversation touches on the lack of additional allegations against Justin, with Chandler pointing out the absence of more claims that often accompany such disputes: “All apparently that they can muster. The only accusation that they can get after months basically…” (12:02). The hosts remain critical of Justin’s actions and supportive of Blake amidst the controversy.

2. Meghan Markle’s Name Change and Father's Criticism

Lauren and Chandler shift focus to Meghan Markle’s recent decision to change her last name to Sussex. They discuss the backlash from Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, who publicly criticized her choice: “Thomas Markle claimed Meghan, 'never had a problem with her maiden name, until she met Prince Harry.’” (22:53).

Chandler and Lauren express empathy for Meghan, condemning Thomas’s remarks and questioning his motivations: “It’s such a good reminder about the importance of, like, taking care of yourself” (24:07). They dissect Thomas’s comments about Meghan’s lack of authenticity and her overemphasis on perfection: “She has to think about everything. She’s not spontaneous. Everything she says is preplanned and rehearsed” (23:27).

The hosts reflect on the emotional toll such familial conflicts can have, offering support for Meghan and criticizing the negative family dynamics portrayed publicly.

3. Real Housewives Updates

The duo covers recent developments in the Real Housewives of Orange County, focusing on Tamra Judge’s exit from the show for the second time: “Tamra Judge has exited Real Housewives of Orange County for the second time during a cast trip” (36:22). They discuss the reasons behind her departure, citing mental health struggles and the pressures of reality TV: “When life gives you real problems, this reality shit doesn’t make sense. Peace out. I’m out” (36:22).

Lauren empathizes with Tamra’s situation, particularly highlighting her friendship with Teddy, who is battling melanoma and brain tumors: “It’s so sad because she’s trying so hard to stay in the limelight” (38:35). The hosts emphasize the importance of mental health and the detrimental effects of reality television on personal well-being.

4. Jax Suarez’s Cocaine Addiction Revelation

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Jax Suarez from The Bachelor admitting to a cocaine addiction during his appearance on Alex Baskin’s Hot Mic podcast. Chandler summarizes Jax’s account of a heated argument with Britney Haynes: “He said they were on their way to a doctor appointment for Cruise and he got really mad because a man’s name flashed up on the screen” (33:16).

Lauren provides Britney’s perspective, revealing the severity of the confrontation where Jax, under the influence, became violent: “He was already at my throat. He was already making me cry” (33:42). The hosts condemn Jax’s behavior, emphasizing the danger and emotional trauma inflicted during the incident.

Chandler underscores the hypocrisy in Jax’s claims, contrasting his admission with his previous accusations against Britney: “Do you think somebody who was physically abusive ... admitting, you know, that he has cocaine addiction?” (34:36). They discuss the implications of Jax’s revelation on his career and personal life, expressing concern over his well-being.

5. Upcoming Shows and Cast Comments

The conversation shifts to upcoming television shows and the dynamics within their casts. Chandler and Lauren discuss Kylie and Timothy’s appearance at the Indian Wells tennis tournament, noting the couple’s genuine affection and Lauren’s observations on Kylie’s natural aesthetic enhancements: “She’s so pretty. And her aesthetic has sort of shifted since they’ve been together” (30:14).

They also review the latest season of The Valley, expressing excitement over the cast’s development and anticipating more raw, authentic moments: “I think the Valley will be really good. It’s so interesting because it’s the same age demographic of people who are in their 30s and 40s” (42:15). The hosts compare it to other reality shows, highlighting its uniqueness and potential for engaging content.

6. Final Thoughts and Reflections

As the episode wraps up, Chandler and Lauren reflect on the various topics discussed, reiterating their support for Meghan Sussex and expressing concerns over the mental health challenges faced by reality TV stars. They emphasize the importance of authenticity in public personas and the detrimental effects of fame on personal relationships.

Chandler concludes with a light-hearted segment, humorously critiquing the overuse of certain expressions and the pressures of maintaining a public image: “Every single one of us here is feeling some level of social anxiety, so let’s just get on with it, okay?” (40:35). Lauren and Chandler sign off by inviting listeners to subscribe for premium content and teasing upcoming episodes.

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Notable Quotes

• Paul Feig on Blake Lively:
  “[Paul Feig] said, ‘I couldn’t love her more. She’s a dream to work with. She’s a great collaborator. She has amazing ideas and is very open to everyone’s ideas. She’s a pro’”
  — Chandler (05:44)

• Lauren on Coasters:
  “Mortifying would be the word. No, I don’t think anyone noticed...”
  — Lauren (01:58)

• Thomas Markle on Meghan Sussex:
  “Unfortunately, Meghan has never been authentic. She has to think about everything. She’s not spontaneous. Everything she says is preplanned and rehearsed.”
  — Thomas Markle (23:27)

• Jax Suarez on Cocaine Addiction:
  “I’ve always had temper issues.”
  — Jax Suarez (34:43)

• Lauren on Reality TV Stress:
  “It’s just so curated. It’s so, like, heavily. It’s honestly the same problem that With Love Megan has.”
  — Lauren (41:58)

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Timestamp Guide

• [05:44] - Paul Feig’s comments on Blake Lively
• [06:05] - Anna Kendrick’s cryptic remarks about working with Blake
• [09:25] - Nick Viall’s take on Justin Baldoni
• [10:13] - Discussing the presentation of evidence in Blake and Justin’s case
• [12:02] - Lack of additional allegations against Justin Baldoni
• [22:53] - Thomas Markle’s criticism of Meghan’s name change
• [23:27] - Thomas Markle’s remarks on Meghan’s authenticity
• [36:22] - Tamra Judge’s exit from Real Housewives
• [38:35] - Discussion on Tamra’s friend Teddy’s health issues
• [33:16] - Jax Suarez’s admission of cocaine addiction
• [33:42] - Britney Haynes’ account of Jax’s behavior
• [30:14] - Kylie Jenner and Timothy Cernovich’s appearance at Indian Wells
• [42:15] - Anticipation for the new season of The Valley
• [40:35] - Hosts’ reflections on social anxiety and public personas

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This episode of Pop Apologists offers an in-depth and candid exploration of current celebrity dramas, personal struggles, and the intricate dynamics of public personas. Chandler and Lauren provide a balanced perspective, intertwining humor with critical analysis, making it a compelling listen for fans keen on behind-the-scenes insights into the lives of their favorite stars.

Transcript

[Chandler]

Dear old work platform. It's not you, it's us. Actually, it is you.

[Lauren]

Endless onboarding, constant IT bottlenecks.

[Chandler]

We've had enough. We need a platform that just gets us. And to be honest, we've met someone new. They're called Monday.com and it was love at first onboarding. Their beautiful dashboards, their customizable workflows got us floating on a digital cloud nine. So no hard feelings, but we're moving on. Monday.com, the first work platform you'll love to use. You don't wake up dreaming of McDonald's fries. You wake up dreaming of McDonald's hash browns. McDonald's breakfast comes first. Ba ba ba ba ba.

[Lauren]

You can only imagine what Blake Lively and Taylor Swift are texting about at any given time in the last three or four years. If we were to get our mitts on those messages, we would have to go to five days a week, we would have to go to seven.

[Chandler]

It would take till the end of time to unpack the messages between Taylor and Blake in Twitter 2024, especially on the heels of Matty Healy and especially.

[Lauren]

Knowing how long winded Blake Lively is over text.

[Chandler]

Oh, my gosh, can you imagine? Well, well, well. We are back at the proverbial pop apologist table, the breakfast nook, in my living room, chatting about all things pop culture, all things relevant. This world we live in, we're going.

[Lauren]

To get to all things relevant. Something I think that is highly relevant right now is. Is a subject we were discussing just before this. Coasters and you not knowing how they work or the, like, the actual physicality and the function of them, you do not understand. Like, explain to me what you think a coaster.

[Chandler]

I just want a coaster underneath basically everything.

[Lauren]

Yeah. Which is why last Saturday, on Saturday, when you had a dinner party and guests over, you had coasters underneath red wine glasses, which was ridiculous.

[Chandler]

Embarrassing for you.

[Lauren]

Mortifying would be the word. No, I don't think anyone noticed, but I. I had definitely, like, looked at them a few times quizzically, because I set my wine glass down, my wine glass was room temperature, completely room temperature, you know, probably between 80 to 90 degrees and not even that warm, just room temp 70. I set my wine glass down naked on the table, and within five minutes, there was a coaster underneath it. And, yeah, it was baffling to me.

[Chandler]

Yes, yes, it was done unconsciously. No memory of doing that that is concerning.

[Lauren]

So then this morning when I brought a, you know, a sparkling water over to the table, that I was. That I'M planning to drink during this episode. You asked me to put a coaster underneath it, and I said it's not cold, so there's no real reason to have a coaster underneath it because it's not. There's no condensation to protect the table from.

[Chandler]

Right, but you were lying because your sparkling water is cold, but it's not.

[Lauren]

Cold enough to leave a ring.

[Chandler]

See, I don't personally believe you have such a good, like, pulse on the temperature of things to really know that. And anyone with a marble table especially will understand or a marble surface that these things are very porous.

[Lauren]

So. But, okay, if my beverage is room temperature, can I have it on the table without a coaster?

[Chandler]

I prefer you didn't.

[Lauren]

Okay, that is where you're actually just being stupid.

[Chandler]

Well, I will say maybe people can weigh in, let us know. I can hear Scott, our producer's voice in my head being like, no one cares. Get to the celebrity talk.

[Lauren]

People care. Sorry, Scott. No. Anyway, just everyone think about using a coaster for a glass of room temperature red wine and how ridiculous.

[Chandler]

That is absurd. That is absurd. I will say this, though. When you eventually move and you buy all new furniture. Okay, I think you might have a different approach.

[Lauren]

No, I understand. And it's funny that you say that, because I did proceed to kick a glass of red wine a couple hours later. I literally extended my foot and just fully just kicked my glass of red wine across your living room. Luckily, everyone, it was a fraught 90 minutes, but I got it all up. Everyone just use a little bit of hydrogen peroxide and a little bit of dawn dish soap, and it does wonders. But I get it. I get it. You have new things. You want them to look nice. I'll use coasters to whatever end you want me to use.

[Chandler]

Thank you. I'd like for you to be sitting on a coaster.

[Lauren]

I know, I know. Also, they're just kind of like. They're more, like, decorative than functional.

[Chandler]

Okay. Anyway, when I was working at my last job, I went into my boss's office, and I opened the little mini fridge he had, and it was at the edge of a white, very plush $3,000 rug.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

But it was, like a blistering white color.

[Lauren]

Okay.

[Chandler]

And I opened the fridge, and there was a Starbucks coffee in the door.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

And you know those Starbucks coffees, they have those lids that are open so people don't need straws. And anyway, so it just fully fell. So the black coffee falls onto.

[Lauren]

Oh, black coffee. Not even, like, milky.

[Chandler]

A $3,000 rug. I spent Just hours combing out every hair, just trying so hard.

[Lauren]

Did it come up?

[Chandler]

No, it just still fully stained it. We need to get to programming that's decidedly more entertaining. Yeah.

[Lauren]

I think it's been a minute since we've had a Hot Topics episode.

[Chandler]

I know. And I feel like we need it. Just us.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

Just gathering around the table, discussing the things that are going on.

[Lauren]

Lots has happened.

[Chandler]

Okay, so let's start off the episode. Chandler, with a gorgeous review of the recent happenings surrounding Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. It's been a few weeks, so there have been some news items, the first of which being that Blake Lively attended the Another Simple Favor premiere at south by Southwest and looked unbothered amid her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni. Director Paul Feig said, I couldn't love her more. Talking about Blake. She's a dream to work with. She's a great collaborator. She has amazing ideas and is very open to everyone's ideas. She's a pro. Did you see the clip of her talking, like, at the panel?

[Lauren]

Yes. Yes.

[Chandler]

She seems very nervous.

[Lauren]

Yes. I mean, how could she not be?

[Chandler]

Right.

[Lauren]

How could she not be? I mean, I feel like this remark from the director feels very like, party line. I need to, you know, say nice things about Blake. These things could all be true from his perspective as well. But it's kind of hard to, like, to not take these with a grain of salt. I think the biggest thing from this premiere was when Anna Kendrick is on the red carpet and someone says, anna, how's it working with Blake again? And she goes, oh, you know.

[Chandler]

Okay. So you think that really was intentional?

[Lauren]

I think maybe not like, intentional, but she didn't, like, dispel anything with that. Yeah, she might not have woken up that morning, been like, I'm going to make this little remark about Blake. But she could not muster a fake reaction in that moment, honestly.

[Chandler]

And I think that if she really liked Blake, she would have made a point to be like, working with Blake is amazing.

[Lauren]

Yes.

[Chandler]

Love, like. Yes. I just think that any, you know, if you're a friend and you have a friend who's being, like, completely lambasted. Lambasted in the eyes of the public, and you're working with them and you go to a film premiere, you would absolutely come to their defense and be like, I just love working with them. They're so great, et cetera, et cetera.

[Lauren]

It's almost like the easier thing to do.

[Chandler]

Yes, entirely. No, it's actually very interesting.

[Lauren]

I mean, I just also think, oh, you Know.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

It's kind of like saying everything, but also nothing at the same time.

[Chandler]

It's a pointed remark. You're so right. Very interesting.

[Lauren]

But, yeah, she seems nervous. I understand her. Do I almost feel bad for her.

[Chandler]

A little bit right now?

[Lauren]

I kind of do.

[Chandler]

I go back and forth. I think that it's easy sometimes to devolve into feeling bad for her as I see just the ongoing animus. But I think ultimately I just come back to just the lies that were told. The lies that were told and the willingness to try to ruin a man's life. And I'm just like, I don't need to feel bad for this woman.

[Lauren]

What could she do to rehab her public image?

[Chandler]

I mean, I think I talked about it. I think that you said, you know, she could allege that she had some sort of intense postpartum experience, which people really did not like.

[Lauren]

I got some heat for that, but I don't take it back.

[Chandler]

Well, I don't think that you were saying she should do that. You were just saying, what could she do that could.

[Lauren]

Some. In some way. I'm not a PR person. Do not consult me for PR advice. But I think if you needed to excuse some insane behavior. Yeah, you could blame it on something like that.

[Chandler]

You were just trying to provide some sort of getaway car for her. Some sort.

[Lauren]

Literally anything, you know, like, she could say she has multiple personalities.

[Chandler]

You weren't trying to say that's what she should do or the right thing to do?

[Lauren]

No, no, no, no.

[Chandler]

Like, how dare. You know the reality of.

[Lauren]

Actually, yes, I think she should blatantly lie and throw, you know, people who suffer from PPD under the bus everywhere, for sure. But, yeah. Anyway, it is kind of just crazy to see her appear in public. It's like. It gives me the tingles a little bit because it's like, she's so top of mind for everybody. And then to see her, like, doing appearances, it's just. That's crazy.

[Chandler]

You know what's crazy to me? What is the outfit choice, like, at this time when you're having such a hard time with the public. That outfit was just almost insane. The hair.

[Lauren]

The hair was the worst part for me. The hair that was like.

[Chandler]

Like Betty Boop hair. I don't even know what that was. It looked like Betty Boop and Dita Von Teese decided to wear, like, a 50s housewife dress.

[Lauren]

Yes, yes. That was, like, in, like, the substance. It was like. Because it was like, latex. I don't know. It. The dress wasn't terrible. I would never wear it. Yeah, but it was the hair that was like. That didn't. Didn't necessarily wash off the effort.

[Chandler]

No. She needed a beanie.

[Lauren]

She needed a beanie.

[Chandler]

She needed a beanie.

[Lauren]

As always. So anyway, are you going to see the movie? I don't even know what any of these simple favorite movies are about.

[Chandler]

I saw the first one. It's kind of corny. No, I'm not going to see it.

[Lauren]

Okay, let's talk about for a second Nick vile on Heather McDonald's podcast, Juicy Scoop.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

Because I listened to that last week. I told you you should take a listen. He had a very strong take about Justin Baldoni that I thought was pretty bold in this day and age.

[Chandler]

Yeah. His take was essentially that he met him.

[Lauren]

He met him and he thought he just had a total icky vibe. Like he met Justin Baldoni pre. All of this happening, and he was just like, this guy's a frau.

[Chandler]

Yeah. He had a bad vibe from him.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

For that, we should all. Just. All of us who had poured over all of the evidence because Nick Viall got a bad vibe from him, suddenly Blake Lively is just exonerated for falsely accusing him.

[Lauren]

And he kept, like, saying. When Heather would talk about. He kept saying, based on what evidence? What evidence? It was so annoying and rude and condescending. And he was like, I've read all the things too. And it's like, well, there is evidence to support Justin's case.

[Chandler]

Well, if he had actually read things, he was blatantly disregarding what he read, and he was actually presenting no evidence himself.

[Lauren]

Right. But he just kept barking at her, like, what? Based on what evidence?

[Chandler]

You know what to me is the smoking gun?

[Lauren]

What?

[Chandler]

The fact that Ryan Reynolds follows him. Why would Ryan Reynolds need to follow Nick Vile?

[Lauren]

Totally.

[Chandler]

Nick Vile is not a huge celebrity. No. He's a bachelor alum who has a very successful podcast right now. And that's great. But there's no reason for Vancity Reynolds to follow him. I. Unless, I don't know, there's just pals or whatever.

[Lauren]

There's a relationship ties there. Yeah.

[Chandler]

So it makes sense that he's loyal to him. And.

[Lauren]

And I just think it's laughable, his repeated, you know, what evidence? Based on what evidence? When all of the evidence points to Justin being truthful, there's overwhelming evidence to support Justin's side of things. Not Blake's.

[Chandler]

No. There's so much evidence on Justin's side, which is what makes this really hard. And we try our Best to present the evidence on both sides and to be unbiased. But it gets very hard. And it's funny. I feel like we get in trouble whenever we just even try to give Blake the benefit of the doubt at all. But it's important on this podcast for us to be as balanced as possible, even if it makes some people, like, unsubscribe and dislike us, because we're not just pouring, like, pure Blake rage bait all the time. Yeah. Even though I know that performs the best, that's just not what we're going to do. We have integrity.

[Lauren]

Yeah, we do. We're truth tellers.

[Chandler]

We're absolutely truth tellers. And we would tell the truth if there was new evidence for Blake that came out that exonerated her.

[Lauren]

Look, my. My life isn't riding on having the most correct from day one take about this. I am just, like, learning things in real time and readjusting my perspective on it. And that's what I'm going to be delivering on this podcast. It's not about being right from day one about this. We don't know these people a hundred percent.

[Chandler]

But that brings me to, in my opinion, the most laughable article that came out in the LA Times. Did you see this?

[Lauren]

I saw it.

[Chandler]

So I have been wondering, where are the other allegations? Where is the army of women who have also been harassed by Justin? They should be coming out right now in full force against him. They would have Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds helping them, who would probably pay for their lawsuits. And most of the time, guys that commit these type of offenses, they don't just do it once, especially to an A list celebrity. They probably start with more vulnerable women with less power.

[Lauren]

There's like there would be a trail of other people who have been afflicted.

[Chandler]

Exactly. So all apparently that they can muster. The only accusation that they can get after months basically, is that, okay, this came out in the LA Times, everyone. So Justin Baldoni has been accused of toxic positivity by former employees amid Blake Lively lawsuits. This is as reported in the LA Times. Former employees at Justin Baldoni's company have accused him of performing toxic positivity and evangelizing his Baha'I faith in the workplace. One person who worked at Baldoni's production company, Wayfarer Studios, told the outlet that Baldoni's bright demeanor felt insincere. It was constant positivity all the time. I would say toxic positivity. The ex employee said, I'm always a little dubious of people who advertise themselves as Disruptors of the status quo, or quote, unquote, good people. It felt phony.

[Lauren]

Well, Lauren, if this is a crime, lock me up. Throw away the key. I think that this is just such a waste of space on the Internet. I just think the fact that somebody is going on record saying that there was too much toxic positivity and that, quote, his bright demeanor felt insincere. That's my favorite part.

[Chandler]

It's his bright demeanor feels insincere. I would just love for someone to think I had a bright demeanor also.

[Lauren]

That's kind of what you're supposed to do. You're supposed to kind of, like, fake it a little bit, you know, like, if you're in charge of a company, it's actually probably good if you have a bright demeanor. Even on days where, you know, might not be the most sincere. I'm struggling to find what's actually truly wrong here. I don't think you can fault someone for toxic positivity, like, in all realness, like, maybe it can be something that annoys you about them, but I don't think it's something you should speak to a publication about.

[Chandler]

I mean, we all have people in our lives who maybe are annoyingly positive.

[Lauren]

Yes.

[Chandler]

They do too much yoga. They listen to too many Deepak Chopra meditations.

[Lauren]

Yes, absolutely.

[Chandler]

It's not their fault that we're unhealed. Okay. And that their, like, happiness strikes us as annoying.

[Lauren]

Well, I think too, it's like this. The language in this article is like, former employees at Justin Baldoni's company have accused him of performing toxic positivity. And to get into what else the article talks about, they say that, you know, he was also evangelizing his Baha'I faith in the workplace. That feels like maybe something more to address than toxic positivity.

[Chandler]

It's just not. It's certainly not sexual harassment.

[Lauren]

Right, right.

[Chandler]

And that is just. I think we would be rife with those accusations right now.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

And it just says so much that this is all they can muster. If anything, to me, it says that this guy has been the same on every film set.

[Lauren]

Yeah, he's just very woo woo.

[Chandler]

He loves his religion. He loves speaking to people in other realms. He is just a very woo woo guy. And maybe that rubs people the wrong way, but it's not the same as sexual harassment.

[Lauren]

We need to hear from his former podcast co host.

[Chandler]

Yeah, well, actually we talked to someone who knows her.

[Lauren]

We did.

[Chandler]

And this person did say, so this is not going to make people happy who are so Team Justin they take Ebola for him. But in the pursuit of being balanced, we're just going to say it so we know someone who knows her. And what they said is that he was a nightmare to work with for her.

[Lauren]

Yeah. And I think not any kind of sexual harassment way, but that he. He was an asshole.

[Chandler]

Yes, exactly.

[Lauren]

So I would like to hear her side of the story.

[Chandler]

I would like to hear her side of the story for sure. Also, though, it's like, even if he was an asshole.

[Lauren]

Yeah, totally.

[Chandler]

There's plenty of assholes in Hollywood. That's nothing new. Look where Blake Lively got. Okay, being a total asshole.

[Lauren]

I feel like the Internet is just now catching on to protein, but I'm just going to go ahead and come right out and say it. I've been on my protein grind for years, and you want to know why I've been on my protein grind. Clean simpletes, clean some beliefs.

[Chandler]

You guys, this brand has so many incredible products so you can get more protein in. Here's the thing. We all know it helps you build muscle, but I feel like what we don't talk about enough is how good it makes you feel when you're hitting that at least 100 grams of protein a day. You feel better. Your energy is better, your skin is glowier, your hair is healthier. Your body really needs this nutrient. And unless you're shoveling piles of meat in your mouth, you gotta be intentional about how you get it.

[Lauren]

Wow, what a visual you just painted, everyone. Thank goodness. You don't have to do that because we have clean simple eats. Go to cleansimpleats.com and use our code Popapologists.

[Chandler]

I love the Simply Vanilla. The protein powder is exquisite, just with milk or water. I also love their clear protein drinks. You cannot go wrong. Go to cleansimpl eats.com, use code popapologist for 10% off.

[Lauren]

I always know the early bird is hitting because I will be watching some Instagram reels and I will just start furiously sending them to all my friends and everything I see is funny.

[Chandler]

That is honestly one of the best parts about early bird CBD gummies. They just make whatever you're doing just a little bit easier. They remove the friction in your brain. So whether you're trying to get into a show, enjoy a beautiful meal and not be thinking about your to do list, or fall back asleep in the middle of the night, have an early bird. It's kind of a panacea.

[Lauren]

Absolutely. Couldn't agree more, everyone. If you're new to early bird or you've never tried them before. I recommend getting the travel packs because they're a little bit more inexpensive and you can try out all the flavors and just see if they work for you.

[Chandler]

Go to earlybirdcbd.com use code pop20 for 20 off your order. And also if you do splurge for a bottle, it'll last you a long time. My favorite flavor is the watermelon. Go to early birdcbd.com use code POP20 another piece of this that's very interesting.

[Lauren]

Yes.

[Chandler]

That we need to get into is that Blake and Ryan have sought to protect the text messages with their famous friends amid their legal battle. Justin Baldoni, that's the headline. So Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are requesting to keep things private amid the couple's sprawling legal battle with the it ends with US Director Justin Baldoni. Their attorney, Meryl Govinsky requested an additional protective order for already non public information conversations with other, quote, high profile individuals during a virtual court hearing on March 6.

[Lauren]

So he basically argues and says there is a significant chance of irreparable harm if marginal conversations with high profile individuals. Taylor Swift, with no relevance to the case were to fall into the wrong hands. He continues, he says there are 100 million reasons for these parties to leak information because the PR value is greater than complying with the court's orders. So everyone, if you'll remember, Blake and Ryan want all of Justin's messages from the last X amount of years. They want all of his messages. And so in in turn he's also asked for the same from them. And this is what they're saying. They're basically saying we have too many a lister friends and if our messages with them were to get out, it would just cause a whole PR circus.

[Chandler]

Yep. The quote is there's sensitive information to protect, including trade secrets, marketing plans and business strategies, discussions regarding other clients and non public projects. This is a feud between PR firms, trade secrets and confidential information.

[Lauren]

Oh, and it says there's quote information related to the physical, mental health of the party, speaking about children, locations of private residences or homes, non related third parties, and personal and intimate conversations with unrelated third parties. So there's a lot of a lot of chit chat happening. I mean you can only imagine what Blake Lively and Taylor Swift are texting about at any given time in the last three or four years. If we were to get our mitts on those messages, I mean we would have to go to five days a week.

[Chandler]

Oh we have to go to seven. It would take till the end of time to Unpack the messages between Taylor and Blake in 2024, especially on the.

[Lauren]

Heels of Matty Healy and especially knowing how long winded Blake Lively is over.

[Chandler]

Oh, my gosh. I am dying to hear Blake Lively's text message to Taylor Swift after she has listened to the Alchemy for the first time.

[Lauren]

Why the Alchemy?

[Chandler]

Because I feel like it's low key. The cheesiest song on the album. It's just like, touchdown. Call the Amateurs.

[Lauren]

I was actually recently thinking about that song, and, like, the line that just literally gets me every time I might be enjoying the song. And then when I hear this line, it just, like, dissipates. It's when he says it's. It's heroin, but this time with an E. See, I feel like you were so positive about that song.

[Chandler]

You were just so much.

[Lauren]

I was never positive. I was positive about so high school. I was never.

[Chandler]

I think he literally said that to her. I think that was one of the lines in, like, a love letter to her or something. I feel like I heard that. That. That actually was, like, an authentic thing.

[Lauren]

That he said to her and heroine before. That's, like, in reference to Matty Healy.

[Chandler]

Oh, is it a Matty Healy?

[Lauren]

Yeah, that's what I thought. Yeah.

[Chandler]

Oh, that's interesting.

[Lauren]

That's what I thought.

[Chandler]

See, I think it's more just like Twilighty. Like, you're like heroin to me. Isn't that what Edward tells Bella? Yeah, like, you're like heroin to me.

[Lauren]

Anyway, either way, in any of these scenarios, I'm running to the Twilight.

[Chandler]

Very cringe.

[Lauren]

But, yeah. So we would kill to see these messages. It would be a PR circus. So what do you think will happen? Do you think they're going to be able to keep them sealed or they also argue in this. Maybe they can just only be seen by the party's attorneys, not by, like, the parties themselves.

[Chandler]

Well, apparently, Blake has dropped her request for his text messages in order to not have to provide hers.

[Lauren]

Great.

[Chandler]

But that kind of makes me wonder. I mean, maybe I don't know that his team has dropped his request. And there's a part of me that wonders if Brian Friedman would just, like, no, it's worth it to turn everything over to her, to get all of her.

[Lauren]

Right. Right. This will only look bad for her.

[Chandler]

I mean, ultimately, at the end of the day, whoever is comfortable turning over all their communications is the innocent party, in my opinion.

[Lauren]

Right.

[Chandler]

I just feel like if you're willing to turn.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

It's the least to hide.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

Because on some level, your text to your friends, they kind of generally say everything.

[Lauren]

Would you turn over your texts?

[Chandler]

I just feel like if I felt genuinely sexually harassed, I would have texted my friends about it, you know?

[Lauren]

Yeah. Well, I think. And she does. You know, we have little snippets of.

[Chandler]

Things that she's messaged, but nothing actually truly condemning.

[Lauren]

Nothing super, super condemning. But she references being uncomfortable.

[Chandler]

She referenced. Yeah. Him being, like, creepy.

[Lauren]

Yes.

[Chandler]

Okay. Well, anyway, those are the updates on the Blake and Justin of it all. Everyone, we. We must turn to other matters.

[Lauren]

It feels like this is my ERAS tour now.

[Chandler]

I know, because it's just like it's.

[Lauren]

Taking up so much of my brain still.

[Chandler]

Well, I feel like the news is really slowing.

[Lauren]

It is slowing.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

Which I'm kind of grateful for.

[Chandler]

Right? I mean, especially if we're going to be going to trial in March.

[Lauren]

We need to, like, rest.

[Chandler]

Yes, we absolutely do. We need a year for us before then. All right, so we chatted all things With Love Megan on our most recent premium episode. So please subscribe if you're interested in listening to that. But we do have some updates on With Love Megan and some news articles that I wanted to chat with you about, Jan. Okay, the first is that Meghan Markle's dad, Thomas, has reacted to her changing her last name to Sussex.

[Lauren]

This article made me really sad.

[Chandler]

Okay. Thomas Markle claimed Megan, quote, never had a problem with her maiden name, quote, until she met Prince Harry. Now I have to say I'm Megan Sussex's dad. He complained.

[Lauren]

That sucks. That he now has to say, I'm Megan Sussex's dad.

[Chandler]

He says, I haven't seen the show, but I've seen a ton of clips and I've read many stories. I might sit down and watch it one day, but I'm not sure. He said cooking shows are horrendously boring unless the presenter has a passion for it. He continued, you have to be authentic to hold people's attention. When you're stuffing the turkey's ass, it has to look like you're having fun doing it. This is insane.

[Lauren]

It's insane. I wonder if they just were like, Send us a 4 minute voice memo with everything. Right, with everything you want to say about this, and then we'll send you a check.

[Chandler]

It's so unhinged.

[Lauren]

It's so unhinged. It's so. It's in such poor taste. I mean, we've always known this man will throw her under the bus at, you know, at any. It's actually really sad.

[Chandler]

It's exonerating for her.

[Lauren]

I feel like it is. It makes me, like, want to record an episode about why.

[Chandler]

What I loved about the show, I mean, it continues. Let me finish the quote, discuss it. So Thomas went on to say, unfortunately, Megan, quote has never been authentic. He says this about his own daughter. She has never been authentic. He says she has to think about everything. She's not spontaneous. Everything she says is preplanned and rehearsed. It makes me laugh because I know all her looks and expressions. I know when she's faking it for the cameras. She's trying so hard to be perfect that she tenses up every time the camera is on her. The best cooks are funny. They mess up. They are human. She just wants to be perfect. It's sad because she's trying so hard to stay in the limelight. I mean, okay, I think the call is coming from within the house, Thomas, about someone trying to stay in the limelight, giving quotes, throwing your own daughter under the bus.

[Lauren]

It's really, really sad.

[Chandler]

It's so sad. And it gives me a lot of empathy for her because, of course, she would not want this guy in her life. She cannot trust him at all.

[Lauren]

Right. And maybe she actually really doesn't like her old last name because it reminds her of this dude who will literally, you know, sell her up the river at any given moment. Right.

[Chandler]

Also, I will say, I know that a lot of people roll their eyes at Sussex, and I kind of do, too. That's. It's not really a last name. It's the county or whatever that they're the Duke and Duchess of. I feel like Mountbatten.

[Lauren]

Yes. I saw something, some actual Mountbatten saying her last name is actually Mountbatten or something.

[Chandler]

And Mountbatten Windsor is pretty hot.

[Lauren]

So down from now, you know, I'm Mountbatten Windsor now.

[Chandler]

I mean, that. That would have just been such a more.

[Lauren]

Yeah, chills.

[Chandler]

Regal sounding name. And it's just legally appropriate. Like, do we have to deny her the ability to take her husband's legal last name? Which is literally what so many. I mean, I did it. You're going to do it. So many women take their husband's last name.

[Lauren]

Right, Right.

[Chandler]

Kim Kardashian West. Kim Kardashian took her as his last name. No one was like, oh, my gosh, she's just trying to clout chase.

[Lauren]

Right. Also, she married a prince. I don't think she really needs to, like, try to stay in the limelight a thousand percent.

[Chandler]

She's hounded by people being interested in her, including us. The other thing I'll say is, remember when a live girl did that interview with Vanity Fair?

[Lauren]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Chandler]

And she was talking. Someone asked her. They're like, are you gonna take, you know, Jeff Bezos's lawsuit? And she's like, hell, yeah, I'm gonna. Mrs. Bezos.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

I just think that no one was giving her crap for it.

[Lauren]

Right, Right.

[Chandler]

It's just totally within her rights. Lauren, take this guy's last name.

[Lauren]

Did it.

[Chandler]

Harry's last name.

[Lauren]

100%. Thomas Markle, I think should be thrown in prison. I agree. Can you imagine if your dad was saying this about you? It does give me just, like, a whole new level of empathy for her.

[Chandler]

And I just can't imagine if I had truly married a prince of the United Kingdom and my dad had embarrassed me so much and my older sister. It really does give me a lot of empathy for her. And I can understand on some level why she's almost just, like, so afraid to be herself because she's just dealt.

[Lauren]

With what good does it.

[Chandler]

Trauma, you know?

[Lauren]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Chandler]

But, wow. I just thought that was, like, flooring.

[Lauren]

How much money do you think he gets for something like this?

[Chandler]

Like 50 grand. It's crazy.

[Lauren]

I'm remembering how Demi Moore's mom sold nude photos of her, and then she took nude photos of herself. The amount of Hollywood parents who sell their children out is sickening.

[Chandler]

I think we're really lucky to have great relationships with our parents. And so sometimes I think we can maybe lack a little empathy for people who had to cut their parents off. But it's. I read this, and I'm like, I know exactly why you're dumb.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

And you should be.

[Lauren]

And you absolutely should be. There's no world where keeping a person like this in your life, like, does you any good even.

[Chandler]

Or that you never trust them, even if they're your. They're your biological parent who raised you. It's just. You have to have boundaries. Okay, so we're pro. Megan Sussex.

[Lauren]

The show wasn't 100% for us, and there were some snoozy bits, but we. We want her to be successful, and we don't want to sell her, you know, up the river.

[Chandler]

Yeah, we.

[Lauren]

Down the river.

[Chandler]

We don't want to put her in the river in any way.

[Lauren]

No.

[Chandler]

We would like her to be on land. Everyone.

[Lauren]

So everyone. There was an article about how the Netflix bosses are worried about the Meghan Markle reviews. And so I thought something interesting here is that they filmed a Bunch of content. They filmed a bunch of these shows, but I think they only cut together one season. And so what they do is they release the first season and then they kind of like wait to hear how people respond to it and then take that feedback and then cut together the second season.

[Chandler]

Gotcha.

[Lauren]

Oh, interesting.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

Yeah. So basically a source said that what this does is allow edits to be made to the show from feedback from press and Netflix viewers. It's clever and cost effective, but it doesn't necessarily mean that, like, it's for sure. Renewed for a second season, I guess.

[Chandler]

Well, she. She has said season two is coming.

[Lauren]

Yeah. But it's like a second. A second season is coming, but that doesn't mean that her Netflix contract has been renewed. That's the distinction.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

So it's not like she got another big check from Netflix. Right.

[Chandler]

And they filmed it all at once. So clearly season two is probably always coming. You know, they already have done it. They've already. All the production costs are done. They just have to cut it. They edit it now.

[Lauren]

And so I wonder how they're going to edit it together to be more messy or imperfect or maybe a little bit more real. I don't know. I'm curious what they're gonna do. I'm excited now knowing that, like, they have more to show us, I guess. Yeah.

[Chandler]

I'm wondering if they will, because all I can see them doing is adding in maybe some more raw clips from her iPhone. Yeah. In post.

[Lauren]

And maybe it's less perfect. Maybe with love, Megan is a little bit less perfect.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

More BTs. More before the cameras start rolling footage.

[Chandler]

But you have to get that footage. You think they already got it? Maybe.

[Lauren]

I think incorporating more behind the scenes. Like every time that cameras flashed to the other cameras and that showed, like, her interaction with them, I think it did good for her. Even if we felt like it was times, you know, a little annoying.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

I do think that helps. So hopefully they have more of that.

[Chandler]

Because I feel like, really, I think what they need to do to make it better is truly do it where she's around people who she talks to normally and not like their kindergarteners.

[Lauren]

Don't know if that's is possible, if.

[Chandler]

That'S her style at all.

[Lauren]

No, and I. I think your other point is true, that she should have more iPhone video.

[Chandler]

Right. That's what they could.

[Lauren]

And they could. And she could film that, you know?

[Chandler]

Yeah. They could say, we just need more footage.

[Lauren]

I was.

[Chandler]

Something on your house we need.

[Lauren]

Like, even if the kids Faces are blurred, like, a little bit with the kids or even if they're obscured in some way. Just like you. Not in this, like, set. Kitchen. You in your actual home.

[Chandler]

We need some authentic B roll.

[Lauren]

Yes. To slice it.

[Chandler]

Okay. So the Netflix executives. You've heard it here first. Did you see Kylie and Timothy? I did the Indian Wells tennis tournament.

[Lauren]

I have been. We were talking about Kylie and Timothy, and then I saw the video of them at the tennis tournament. I love it. And people will comment and say that they think it looks. You know, it looks like he's trapped, and he's just like, when is this over? I'm so into it.

[Chandler]

Yeah. I think that they are so gorgeous together. I think she is so pretty.

[Lauren]

She's so pretty. And her aesthetic has sort of shifted since they've been together.

[Chandler]

Oh, has it?

[Lauren]

I think she started seeing a new injector.

[Chandler]

Okay.

[Lauren]

And it's just, like, softer look. She just, like, really looks beautiful right now. She was beautiful before, but I think she has less filler or, like, the filler looks different. It looks a lot more natural.

[Chandler]

Right.

[Lauren]

And they look genuinely into each other.

[Chandler]

Oh.

[Lauren]

And I don't think you can fake that.

[Chandler]

No. I mean, they've been together now for a while. Like, multiple years.

[Lauren]

It feels like maybe.

[Chandler]

Maybe.

[Lauren]

Yeah, for sure. Over, like, a year and a half, probably.

[Chandler]

Let me see when they started getting together. So this is kind of flooring, but they've been together for two years.

[Lauren]

Yeah. That's not faking it.

[Chandler]

That's wild.

[Lauren]

That's crazy. All of the footage of them together at the Oscars. Like, I showed you some stuff. You were not as bought in.

[Chandler]

I was not as bought in at the beginning, but now I'm bought in.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

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[Lauren]

Okay, I want to talk about Jax.

[Chandler]

Yes, let's.

[Lauren]

Because I think that's maybe the most interesting piece of Bravo news that's come out in the Last couple weeks. So Jax has opened up about the fact that he has a cocaine addiction. And he went on Hot Mic podcast with Alex Baskin and talked about it. I think he's setting this up. Well, I think he did this intentionally because the Valley is about to premiere again, and I think that's maybe gonna be part of the storyline. I'm happy that he is reckoning with this. He, to me, is just. I say this with love. He's just a mess.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

I mean.

[Chandler]

Okay, so I have some more context for how this all happened.

[Lauren]

I would love to read. Yeah.

[Chandler]

Okay. So Britney has basically shared her side of the story. Cuz he said on. Yeah, on the podcast that he has struggled with cocaine addiction. And what Britney says is that basically they had this altercation and he kind of was forced to come clean about it to keep his job on the Valley. And what's interesting to me about it is like, I'm sorry, wasn't he the one accusing her of being, like, a drunk deadbeat mom?

[Lauren]

No, Lauren, it's stunning. So on Alex Baskin's podcast, he says that they were on their way to a doctor appointment for Cruise and that he got really mad because a man's name flashed up on the screen. Yeah, that in Britney's phone was connected and then it just set him off.

[Chandler]

Right, right.

[Lauren]

And that, you know, in that moment, he, you know, was absolutely terrible, yelling, whatever. And he realized then that he needed to get help. But Brittany tells a very different side of the story.

[Chandler]

Yeah, so she says Jax woke up after a night of partying in November 2024, and I quote, horrible mood, and began making her cry on their way to their son Cruz's doctor's appointment. She claimed he had been using drugs the night prior and was hungover. Britney said she had asked Jax not to tag along for the long car ride, but he insisted. And the former couple started arguing first about a bar opening. Not another guy, as recently claimed. Before a guy ever texted my phone, Brittany says, he was already at my throat. He was already making me cry. And I was in the car for at least 30 minutes. At that point. We almost pulled over so I could get out and call an Uber and put me and Cruz in an Uber like it was bad. When another man's phone number popped up on the GPS screen, Britney said of Jax, he loses it. He starts trying to grab my phone and cruises in the backseat in his car seat. That alone is horrible. She recalled him reaching over, grabbing her phone, and yelling the most despicable things at her all the while, Cruz was sitting in the backseat. I mean, so she says she almost got out of the car to get into her with Cruise.

[Lauren]

How scary is this?

[Chandler]

Before, like, before this text flashes so clearly? This guy Jax has these major temper problems.

[Lauren]

Yes, yes.

[Chandler]

And it has nothing to do with, like.

[Lauren]

And he admits that. He says that he's always had temper issues. Nothing is scarier to me than this. Can you imagine being in a car? You're driving in a car.

[Chandler]

No, I can't.

[Lauren]

And I don't know who was driving, but to be that terrified, and your son is in the backseat.

[Chandler]

Your toddler's in the backseat. Also, the fact that Brittany took all the heat he was giving her and never outed him.

[Lauren]

No, I know, I know.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

So they go to the doctor's appointment, and she decides, I want to take an Uber home. I'm not gonna ride back with this guy. And she gets in the Uber, locks the door, and she calls her manager, Jax's sister, publicist, Alex Baskin. Everybody basically saying, like, get him help.

[Chandler]

That's why he actually. Because she called Alex Baskin, that's when he has to come clean. It's not because he's just trying to, like, finally come clean, I guess, on his own.

[Lauren]

This man is just a liar. Okay, this is interesting.

[Chandler]

So someone on Reddit says, I still remember at the Jax Roast, Sandoval alluded to it by saying something like, for Jax, it's always allergy season. So people who have, like, cocaine problems, they're, like, always sniffling, and they, like, have nose issues.

[Lauren]

Like, literally me on this podcast, because I'm always sniffling.

[Chandler]

You actually are always sniffling.

[Lauren]

I am. My makeup makes my nose run. So every time I do my makeup and I travel over here in the cold, I got a runny nose.

[Chandler]

Yeah, you're just a more sniffly person.

[Lauren]

I'm a more sniffly person, for sure.

[Chandler]

Chandler is as pure as driven snow.

[Lauren]

I've never. I've never done.

[Chandler]

That was driven snow. That was actually the worst thing.

[Lauren]

Chandler.

[Chandler]

Those pure as driven snow. And as you know, not partaken in any.

[Lauren]

I've never partaken in driven snow.

[Chandler]

Of course. In other news, everyone. In other Bravo news, Tamara Judge has exited Real Housewives of Orange county for the second time during a cast trip. She says, I am out. It was a long run. When life gives you real problems, this reality shit doesn't make sense. Peace out. I'm out.

[Lauren]

Then she posted a story selfie with a little, like, sticker that says, mental health is Health.

[Chandler]

Okay. What's going on with Teddy is crazy.

[Lauren]

I know. I was actually thinking about it because I saw one of her videos and I feel really bad. I know we talked about, like, the horse trainer and everything, and like, man, life has just taken such a sharp left for her.

[Chandler]

Did you know that? Okay, so everyone, the reason we're obviously bringing up Teddy is this is a really good friend of Tamra's, and I.

[Lauren]

Think they have a podcast.

[Chandler]

Oh, yeah, I forgot about two T's. I just feel like I have, like, what's become truly for me, I think my best friend, my friend Elizabeth. And anyway, I saw her yesterday and she was kind of limping and it made me kind of emotional. Like, is having some knee issues and I'm just like, I don't like seeing my best friend in a feeble state. It's kind of scary to me.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

Like something is going on. I'm worried about you.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

Just like, it scares you, right?

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

And anyway, I think that. Gosh. And it just reminds me of Kyle and her best friend. Like, I just think as life gets long and things happen.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

And we're no LONGER in our 20s, where people are getting. Life feels more fragile, mortality is more clear. And I just think that, like, obviously it's not worth it to her. I'm sure they're on the cast trip. I'm sure there is some blow up. I'm sure she was the one getting lambasted. Word of the episode, if that is even a word. And I just think she was probably like, my friend has cancer and has had more brain tumors than they thought that were removed.

[Lauren]

Right.

[Chandler]

And did you know all the brain tumors were from her. Her melanoma? So it metastasized into her lungs and her brain from the skin. I didn't even know cancer could do that.

[Lauren]

You know, it'll move. It doesn't just stay in one spot.

[Chandler]

I just didn't realize it could go into your brain.

[Lauren]

When did she know that she have. She had melanoma well over a year ago.

[Chandler]

Remember she posted that crazy scar on her back and it's like, get skin cancer.

[Lauren]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Chandler]

I think it's such a good reminder to get checked, to be aware of things on your body, to take it seriously. Because, I mean, this is so gnarly. Like, even just seeing her, she's doing radiation, all this stuff. I think there's also this thing that people don't really talk about enough. But all the treatment, it can also have really bad side effects.

[Lauren]

Of course. Yeah.

[Chandler]

That can be debilitating.

[Lauren]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Chandler]

So even if you beat the cancer, you might ultimately, like, you know, your.

[Lauren]

Body and physicality might be forever changed.

[Chandler]

Yeah. And you might not make it from the treatment's long term side effects. So it's just. I don't know, it's such, like, a sobering reminder about the importance of, like, taking care of yourself and.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

I just think we need to give Teddi a pass at this point.

[Lauren]

I know. I literally saw one of her reels and I was like, I feel bad for everything I've said because her life is just. Yeah. I can't even imagine what she's going through.

[Chandler]

It was sweet to see Edwin by her side.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

Obviously. I think when things like that happen, I think things probably click into perspective. I don't know them at all, but clearly they're fighting through this together. It's just devastating.

[Lauren]

I honestly hope Tamra stays off the show.

[Chandler]

It's not good for her.

[Lauren]

It's not good for her. It's like. I mean, I don't know who reality TV is good for.

[Chandler]

Right. And it's just. I feel like there's someone like a Heather Dubrow who seems like she can really keep her highest self while she's filming reality tv, but that's just not how Tamara.

[Lauren]

I don't know that I could do that.

[Chandler]

No. I don't know that I could either. And I think Tamara has done well with Vienna cbd. She has a great podcast. She doesn't need it.

[Lauren]

She might not, like, need it need it, but she might want the money.

[Chandler]

But then all of a sudden you're like, I actually don't need this.

[Lauren]

Right.

[Chandler]

Plenty of money to live a nice life. I don't need the. The stress.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

I don't need the negativity.

[Lauren]

And I think the other aspect of all this is that Gretchen has returned.

[Chandler]

Right. And they were always, like, at odds.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

So.

[Chandler]

Well, you went to Bass Lake. Remember that?

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

You went to Bass Lake. Oh, my gosh.

[Lauren]

I will.

[Chandler]

What?

[Lauren]

I have to send you something on the subject of housewives, just for a moment.

[Chandler]

The one thing I will say as Chandler's looking this up, everyone, is that I just feel like this season of Orange county is clearly gonna be good.

[Lauren]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Chandler]

Which I'm excited about.

[Lauren]

I just wanna take a moment. Lauren and I have talked about Roni. Latest Roni, the past several seasons. We've talked about it. There are good things to it. But I just want to remind you of how good we had it with this one single Clip.

[Chandler]

If I had to give a secret to the world. What's the secret? I am scared every day.

[Lauren]

Of what? Just.

[Chandler]

Oh, my God.

[Lauren]

Don't be scared.

[Chandler]

Us. Don't be scared, babe. Don't be scared.

[Lauren]

We really had real women sharing their real lives and inner thoughts. Maybe they were just like, I don't know, at a more interesting life stage than the Current Housewives, but it was just really good.

[Chandler]

It was so good. I mean, so much better than Romeo.

[Lauren]

Like, I'm thinking about, like, the Brin and uba. Not even the very end of the season drama of just, like, the stupid shit, the stupid fake drama. Compared to that. Well, I'm scared every day.

[Chandler]

Come here. I'm scared.

[Lauren]

And then, like, Ramona going over and hugging her, and it's just like. It was just real.

[Chandler]

I just think that, like, the girls on Roni are still trying, I think, to, like, make it. They're trying to, like, be the super successful tycoons.

[Lauren]

Yes.

[Chandler]

And they're not at the stage of their life yet where they just have learned a lot. They've made some mistakes. They'll fall in a bush, they'll talk some shit. It's all so, like, heavily. It's honestly the same problem that With Love Megan has. It's just so curated.

[Lauren]

It's like the difference between going on, like, a work trip or, like, influencer trip or something, versus going on a trip with your, like, actual college best friends where it's like, you can hang out in sweats, you can talk the way you, like, normally talk. You don't have to, like, there's no pretenses. You're not trying to get anything across. You can just, like, actually just exist the way you want to exist completely versus having to, like, sell yourself.

[Chandler]

Right. Entirely.

[Lauren]

So, anyway, just. Well, we love you, Dorinda.

[Chandler]

I will say I do have high hopes for the season of the Valley, too.

[Lauren]

Yes.

[Chandler]

I think the Valley will be really good. It's so interesting because it's the same age demographic of people who are in their 30s and 40s. And so it's kind of more. You're on the, like, you're on the up.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

But those people seem way less interested or they care a lot less about how they're perceived, as the Roni girls do.

[Lauren]

Yeah, agreed.

[Chandler]

So agreed. Which is honestly the key to its magic. Right. I want to talk to you about the Baldwins.

[Lauren]

We weren't going to talk about it, and then I said, you should watch it.

[Chandler]

No, I mean, you brought it up and I said, I'm the reason this podcast exists. You are. And I just have to tell you, I am so floored by how good of a show this is. Okay. That's not your take?

[Lauren]

No, that is not my take.

[Chandler]

I find them to be so infinitely watchable. It's the anti love with love, Megan. For me, it's raw. It's super vulnerable. I think it's very real. I think you're seeing the messiness. I think they're really giving a lot. It's not this overproduced, super shiny, super polished, inauthentic, you know, production.

[Lauren]

All of those things are true. Those things, to me, though, do not make it infinitely watchable.

[Chandler]

Okay. Really? So you don't. You don't find them to be, like, as people, very intriguing?

[Lauren]

I do find them to be intriguing. I think there's something about it that just feels kind of like. It doesn't feel relaxing to watch. It feels grating.

[Chandler]

I don't like the scenes with the kids.

[Lauren]

There's a lot of them, and there's a lot. There's a lot of children. And, like, what, are there, like, six animals, too?

[Chandler]

Oh, eight animals. I think she says seven kids, eight animals.

[Lauren]

I cannot imagine. Imagine that many living things in a New York City apartment. Doesn't matter how rich you are.

[Chandler]

No, they already said they've outgrown that apartment. They need a bigger one. I'm watching it, and I feel like Alec Baldwin is so entertaining.

[Lauren]

He's funny.

[Chandler]

He's super funny.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

And I feel like she has just a real enigmatic quality that's fun to watch. Like, whether you like her or hate her, she's fun on the screen, and she's. She is not afraid. I think about how she's perceived. Like, she has really mastered the art of not giving enough.

[Lauren]

She doesn't care. Because I think she would have done a better job of being likable in the first episode, which I only watched the first episode.

[Chandler]

Just FYI, she doesn't drop the Spanish thing whatsoever.

[Lauren]

No, zero percent.

[Chandler]

It's full force.

[Lauren]

Yeah. Okay. I think the hard part for me is that when I get done with a long day of corporate America and also trying to be a social media person, I don't really want to watch a TV show about busy people in New York with, like, a house that's full of kids and animals. That is not relaxing to me. And there's also nothing aspirational about it.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

And so I think for those reasons, it just feels all very TLC to me. And I think then this rust Shooting layer that's like infused into all of it.

[Chandler]

Yeah. I mean I shouldn't laugh, but feels.

[Lauren]

Very tone deaf or just like tone deaf is overused. But it just. Am I supposed to feel bad for these people that this happened to them? And I think they try to do their best job of being self aware about it, but I'm kind of like just honestly, it's just not something I wanted to watch TV about.

[Chandler]

Well, I do think it's interesting to watch essentially Alec Baldwin in a position where he's could lose everything and go to jail for the rest of his life. And he has seven children with this woman and clearly they need the money. Right.

[Lauren]

I think that that's what it is. I don't really like watching celebrities who need money.

[Chandler]

Who need the money.

[Lauren]

That is like a little like hard for me to watch.

[Chandler]

Well, I feel like they almost all of them need the money. They're just so much better.

[Lauren]

Yeah, but some of them do a better job. Yeah, exactly. Of like hiding it. I think when you see like some of like their dated fixtures in their house, it hurts me.

[Chandler]

It hurts you? Yeah.

[Lauren]

It's grading on my mental health.

[Chandler]

Well, I will say it's definitely not. I think the Paula's shiny outcome of marrying a lot older that may be maybe, I don't know, would have been imagined for her. I mean it's interesting seeing that whole scenario basically 20 years later or 15 years later when a lot of the shine is worn off. And obviously it's like so different marrying someone in his 50s and then he's like fully about to be 70.

[Lauren]

Yes, yes. And I think that's the other thing. She has like bouncing off the walls energy. And he just seems so tired.

[Chandler]

He seems exhausted.

[Lauren]

I'm exhausted for him.

[Chandler]

He was cute when they were first dating.

[Lauren]

Totally. Yeah.

[Chandler]

Yeah. It is rough. And I feel like with her she is just such an interesting person to watch. I mean did you at all observe her aesthetic, her style?

[Lauren]

Yeah, I think so. I think I observed it.

[Chandler]

Okay, what did you observe?

[Lauren]

Nothing that remarkable. No, I would say it's boob forward.

[Chandler]

She's a very tip forward.

[Lauren]

She's tip forward.

[Chandler]

And it's so interesting to watch. Just the way I think that there are certain women who understand the power of their breasts of like large breasts. Yeah. Especially like on a tiny female.

[Lauren]

No. And frame, she has like her frame is so tiny. And the fact that she's had that many kids, she's built different.

[Chandler]

She's. She's built so different. But I also like her and Lauren.

[Lauren]

Sanchez understand the power of a chest.

[Chandler]

No. A hundred percent. And like the. Honestly, the net worth increase that it can potentially result in, in your life if you just decide to go for it and become a tit forward woman. Yes. Yeah.

[Lauren]

Like every top is very tight.

[Chandler]

Yes. And there's a lot of cleavage at all times. It's almost like she was just like, if I show a lot of my breasts at all times, my life just gets easier. Men are nicer to me. My husband says yes.

[Lauren]

More. Yeah. Yeah.

[Chandler]

And it's like she just, she's just mastered the art of just doing what works.

[Lauren]

As someone who's never had that type of body or power that comes with it.

[Chandler]

Right.

[Lauren]

I. Yeah. I mean, I would like to experience it for a day or two.

[Chandler]

I appreciate the shamelessness and I appreciate. I don't know, I just. It's fun to watch.

[Lauren]

Do you want to know the hardest part for me to watch?

[Chandler]

What?

[Lauren]

The scene that was just like, why am I spending my one precious life watching this? And this is not to mom shame. This is really just about shaming in general.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

When they were decorating the cake for.

[Chandler]

The baby with store bought frosting, they're all eating.

[Lauren]

They're all eating that gross store bought frosting. I think I really judge people who do store bought frosting because I think it's so gross.

[Chandler]

So easy to make.

[Lauren]

So easy to make normal frosting. And so I think seeing an A list celebrity with really like, with access to things and they couldn't even, I mean, I don't know, go pop down to Magnolia Bakery and get some type of like whipped situation. That. That was hard for me to watch because it just was like, these people have everything that I don't have.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

And yet they do it so poorly.

[Chandler]

No, it's behavior not of people, of their means. Yeah.

[Lauren]

You know, Absolutely. So that was hard for me to watch. I think additionally, the scenes where she's trying to figure out where everyone's going to sit in the car. Another one where I was just like, I'm too young for this.

[Chandler]

And it's just, if she's describing it being not enjoyable to do, buckling all those kids in and packing up the vehicles, it's even less enjoyable to watch.

[Lauren]

So to watch the 20 minutes before as they deliberate where all the kids are gonna sit.

[Chandler]

Right. I think that it's a lesson that maybe seven is too many. For you and I.

[Lauren]

For you and I, seven in New York City is too many.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

Okay. Lauren, this is also the other Major thing for me, showing all of those kids on camera at this age, fully on camera. To me, doing that in this day and age is so it's beyond.

[Chandler]

Well, my thought process is. Clearly something is amiss financially, which is why they're doing right. Otherwise, I'm sorry. Especially if I'm, you know, on a glide path toward my 70s. There's no way I'm having 4K resolution cameras following me around. I might do a Martha Stewart documentary with a nice soft filter. I am not doing a reality show with tlc, but I think what's going on is. I think that they were like, okay, if the worst happens and I go to jail, at least this could be some sort of, like, career for you.

[Lauren]

Right.

[Chandler]

And that's why they did it. Yeah, that's.

[Lauren]

Yeah. Which is my theory, which makes sense. I don't think it will get renewed for another season.

[Chandler]

I hope it does. I'm midway through the second episode.

[Lauren]

Oh, you are?

[Chandler]

Yeah. Did you notice that when her first child was born, she spoke with a Spanish accent?

[Lauren]

Yeah. Right. Yeah.

[Chandler]

And that was when she was maybe 28 or 29. It just was very interesting to see how long she's been going full force with the faux Spanish.

[Lauren]

Right, right. But then she talks with an American accent.

[Chandler]

Yes, she sometimes does, but a lot of times it's the Spanish accent. Even with her, the way she speaks English.

[Lauren]

Right. Well, what does he say to her? Like, you're speaking English with this in a Spanish cadence or something. It's hard to understand what you say.

[Chandler]

He's like, it's always perilous for me when you're speaking with this way. And she was. She was like, speaking so quickly, the words were blending together. It's very, very funny.

[Lauren]

I hope, as you continue to watch, because I'm not going to continue to watch that you see a more loving dynamic between them, or you believe in their love, or you can see it in new ways.

[Chandler]

I believe in their love.

[Lauren]

You do?

[Chandler]

Yeah. I think that he was very smitten with her, and I think she was a yoga instructor who he kind of, like, gave the world to. And I think. I mean, it's very clear that he loves their kids and she obviously loves their kids. And I think he only had one kid before this, so I don't think this is like his second huge family.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

So I don't know. They seem pretty, like, in it.

[Lauren]

I know there was drama with Ireland.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

You know, his other daughter. But she's going to appear in the show.

[Chandler]

Oh, she is, yeah.

[Lauren]

She's. There was some trailer promo where she was like, with the kids.

[Chandler]

I think that's.

[Lauren]

That's to come.

[Chandler]

Okay, well, cannot wait for that. I will report back since I'm continuing watching. Oh, wow. What a smattering of topics. Everyone, we hope you enjoyed this episode. If you want more, become a global elite for premium subscribers.

[Lauren]

You guys, it's not as expensive as you would think to become a global elite.

[Chandler]

It's not.

[Lauren]

According to Lauren and I.

[Chandler]

If you want to become a global elite, it's only $9.99 a month, which is pretty good.

[Lauren]

And you can consider yourself to be a global elite.

[Chandler]

Yes.

[Lauren]

If you sign up.

[Chandler]

Yeah, you don't need to be a hundred millionaire. You can just throw $9.99 at your favorite podcasters and listen to us talk trash on with Love, Megan, which is the newest episode we have. And we are going to be back on Friday with another episode, so stay tuned for more. Love you guys.

[Lauren]

Love you. Bye.

[Chandler]

I'm Stassi Schroeder, and honestly, you never know who or what you might hear on my podcast, Stassi, because, well, I'm a little cray cray. One of the ways, you know you have grown is when you come to the realization that Carrie Bradshaw is kind of the worst person. I've had to explain to her that the fireplace grows so that Santa can fit in it. Now she's gonna be like, well, there is no fireplace and we're in this hotel and I'm gonna have to explain her. I don't know. He gets a hot. Like. All these things that you have to come up with, it's just kind of crazy. Should I bring a whistle to wherever I go? Do you think that that would be the thing to break the ice? Whistle. Listen up. Every single one of us here is feeling some level of social anxiety, so let's just get on with it, okay? Take a breath. Relax. So please do me a fav. Listen, follow rate and review my podcast dossi. Wherever you get your podcast. Are you looking for your next case? Pluto TV has all your favorite crime dramas streaming for free. You're gonna need some backup, which means suspense is free. Very cool. Watch CSI New York, Criminal Minds, Blue Bloods Tracker, FBI and swat. All for free. You can't outrun this. Someone is gonna pay for all this crime, but it's not gonna be you. Take care of business, fellas. Watch all the cases, all for free from all your favorite devices.

[Lauren]

We got you.

[Chandler]

Feel the free Pluto TV stream. Now pay Never.