The JTrain Podcast
Host: Jared Freid
Episode: Kelsey Grammer 8th Child, Meghan Markle Date Night, and Justin Trudeau's Compliments - POP CULTURE THURSDAY
Date: October 30, 2025
Episode Overview
This Pop Culture Thursday episode features Jared Freid offering his signature comedic takes on the week’s top celebrity headlines, riffing through articles from Page Six. Topics include Kelsey Grammer welcoming his eighth child at age 70, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s so-called “date night,” Elaine Hendrix’s injury drama on Dancing With The Stars, Justin Trudeau’s public declarations for Katy Perry, and George Clooney’s new non-alcoholic beer venture. Jared's irreverent humor and keen observations give listeners a playful yet pointed recap of the latest pop culture absurdities.
Key Discussion Points
1. Kelsey Grammer, Age 70—Welcomes His Eighth Child
[08:54]
- Jared’s reaction to the news:
- Amazement at the idea of having kids so late in life and questions about the financial considerations (“At what point do you have a child and money isn’t the first thing you think of? What is it, $10 million?” [11:12])
- Wonders how Kelsey even reacts to the news of another child and jokes about parenting at 70:
“Are you just like, oh really? Okay, like, does it like...Kelsey’s not going to be changing a baby. He’s got, he’s like, ah, call up the nanny service again.”
- Run-down of Grammer’s family history:
- Outlined the multiple marriages and various children, marveling at the scale
- Skepticism toward press release language, especially around “unexpected” pregnancies and “reignited a spark” in the marriage (“That is a weird quote, and it’s from a source, but I think that’s coming from... they needed a spark.” [15:20])
- Jared’s verdict:
- Implies there’s a PR angle to every quote:
“This is a load of bullshit that is produced by a PR team.” [18:28]
- Implies there’s a PR angle to every quote:
2. Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s “Date Night” at the Dodgers Game
[19:22]
- Critique of the headline and language:
- Jared mocks Page Six for calling extravagant celebrity outings “date night,” stating it’s setting unhealthy expectations:
“Calling this a date night is, like, actually detrimental to society.” [22:48]
- Offers his view on what real “date night” means for normal couples versus celebs:
“Date night is... two people a little bit too dressed up for an Applebee’s trying to fall back in love. I just hate the phrase date night.” [21:18]
- Jared mocks Page Six for calling extravagant celebrity outings “date night,” stating it’s setting unhealthy expectations:
- Relatability gap:
- Points out the inaccuracy of comparing a $30,000 Dodgers World Series outing to the typical couple’s “date night.”
3. Elaine Hendrix Misses DWTS After Injury
[26:13]
- Dancing With The Stars injuries—a recurring trope:
- Riff on the formulaic nature of DWTS’ injury storylines and their overwrought presentation:
“It seems as though this injury storyline each season...is supposed to, like, relate to and feel for and oh my God.” [27:08]
- Skeptical of the melodrama:
“She’s in the hospital bed... We have, like, real sick people here. What are you… Elaine, we told you you’re going to be fine.” [31:35]
- Riff on the formulaic nature of DWTS’ injury storylines and their overwrought presentation:
- Cynicism vs. Audience Sentiment:
- Jared suggests only the “happy-go-lucky” are fully moved by DWTS injuries, and he’s not buying the sincerity.
4. Justin Trudeau’s “Compliments” to Katy Perry
[35:55]
- The banality of the celebrity couple’s quotes:
- Jared analyzes the language used in celebrity couples’ PR statements:
“She’s the perfect woman. Because you can’t go... you have to go positive, but it can’t make you into this…simp.”
- Jared analyzes the language used in celebrity couples’ PR statements:
- Dissecting the formulaic compliments:
- Explains the hierarchy of compliments (“she’s the most beautiful girl in the world” vs. “best in the state of Florida”) and why celebs always choose “in the world” for safety.
- Notes that most of these cutesy statements come from anonymous “sources,” i.e., PR agents:
“That comes from a source. That is a source that I’m going to...my opinion is that they are connected to Justin Trudeau.” [37:47]
- PR-driven relationships:
- “They are simpatical on everything, including politics, kids, and French food. Like, such a nothing answer.” [38:10]
5. George Clooney & Randy Gerber’s Non-Alcoholic Beer Launch
[42:27]
- Casamigos Tequila praise:
- Jared’s positive take on Casamigos and its distinctive vanilla flavor.
“Casamigos I think is better than any other tequila...that vanilla in the Casamigos that makes it palatable to have straight over ice.” [42:37]
- Jared’s positive take on Casamigos and its distinctive vanilla flavor.
- Non-alcoholic beer skepticism and curiosity:
- Discusses the oddity and slight existential crisis of drinking non-alcoholic beer but concedes he likes them.
- Who is Randy Gerber?!
- Extended bit on how Gerber is always presented side-by-side with George Clooney for Casamigos promotions, even when no one knows who Gerber is:
“You really got to be up your own ass as Randy Gerber. Who is this guy to put yourself on the truck next to Clooney?” [47:10]
- Humorously dissects the awkwardness of being Gerber in promo materials.
- Extended bit on how Gerber is always presented side-by-side with George Clooney for Casamigos promotions, even when no one knows who Gerber is:
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Everything Bagel Branding:
“The word everything takes away the stigma of I'll have a garlic bagel. No one wants to have. Saying the words I'll have a garlic bagel is like, oh, it’s my fault the date didn’t work out. It’s my fault the business meeting didn’t go well. It’s my fault I didn’t get the job. It was my breath.” [03:01]
-
On Kelsey Grammer’s Eighth Child:
“70 having a kid... Eight times a charm.” [17:45]
-
On Date Night Disparity:
“If you’re that couple who’s doing date night because...the therapist said we should do this, and we need to connect more, and we’ve lost our way—so we have a date night every Thursday...that couple reads this headline and is like, fuck you.” [21:45]
-
On Elaine Hendrix’s Hospital Video:
“Do you have to be in the hospital bed? Like, she’s in the robe…This video did not have to come from...the hospital! What are you doing here? Get out of here!” [31:30]
-
On Justin Trudeau’s Katy Perry Compliments:
“If you use country, it would actually make it awkward. This girl, she’s the most beautiful girl in the country...Why did you make it so specific?” [36:53]
-
On Randy Gerber’s Recognition:
“Who the fuck is Randy Gerber? That’s what you’re known for. So you shouldn’t be on the truck.” [45:35]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [00:00] – Show opening, Bagel marketing theory & “everything bagel” bit
- [08:54] – Kelsey Grammer’s eighth child news
- [19:22] – Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s “date night” at Dodgers game
- [26:13] – Elaine Hendrix missing DWTS after injury
- [35:55] – Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry “crazy about each other” PR story
- [42:27] – Clooney & Gerber’s non-alcoholic beer launch, Casamigos riff
Episode Tone
Jared Freid’s style is observational, self-deprecating, and delightfully snarky. He blends relatable anxieties (money, dating norms) with biting commentary on the absurdity and phoniness of celebrity culture. He never shies from pointing out the PR machinery behind celebrity news or the chasm between ordinary life and celebrity spectacle, all while keeping the pace brisk and punchlines coming.
For Listeners
If you want a wry, comedic spin on pop culture’s latest, with enough cynicism to keep it real but enough warmth to leave you smiling, this episode is your Thursday treat.