Miley Cyrus Is Engaged, Simon Cowell Shades Ryan Seacrest, And Amy Schumer's Marriage - POP CULTURE THURSDAY

Summary

The JTrain Podcast: Pop Culture Thursday

Host: Jared Freid
Episode: Miley Cyrus Is Engaged, Simon Cowell Shades Ryan Seacrest, And Amy Schumer's Marriage
Date: December 4, 2025

---

Episode Overview

In this Pop Culture Thursday episode, comedian Jared Freid riffs on the latest celebrity headlines from Page Six, delivering his unique comedic take on stories like Miley Cyrus’ engagement, Amy Schumer’s marital troubles, and Simon Cowell’s comments about Ryan Seacrest. Expect witty observations, playful speculation, and a lens of self-deprecating humor as Jared navigates through Hollywood relationships, fashion choices, and comeback attempts.

---

Key Discussion Points

1. Miley Cyrus & Maxx Morando Engagement

[02:08–08:22]

• Headline: Miley Cyrus announced her engagement to fellow musician Maxx Morando after four years of dating.
• Jared admits he didn’t know Miley was dating anyone and jokes about his own unsuitability for her:
  “Miley is not into hairy Jewish man with a tissue box framed body that doesn't fit into an XL or a large T shirt.” [03:15]
• He riffs on how celebrities in the public eye either get engaged quickly or take extra time to work things out:
  “In the public eye, it’s either we connect, let’s get away from everything, we get engaged very quickly, or there’s things to work out. Four years of probes.” [04:06]
• Jared comments on engagement ring trends, comparing Miley’s chunky gold band to a superhero power source:
  “It almost looks like it’s her power source – for a superhero who wears a ring. Like, very Lanterns coded.” [07:20]
• Overall, he wishes them well and admits to being envious of Maxx’s effortless style:
  “Maxx Morando probably has hours of his day that I don’t have just in not thinking about his T-shirt and how it fits alone.” [05:59]

---

2. Sydney Sweeney’s Red-Hot Look

[10:25–13:48]

• Jared takes notice of Sydney Sweeney’s head-to-toe red ensemble while promoting “The Housemaid,” emphasizing her appeal to the “male gaze”:
  “She is a male wet dream. I’m telling you...She feeds a male gaze… I really think she knows what she’s doing with everything she’s doing.” [11:14]
• He analyzes how Sweeney uses her looks and career moves strategically, much like her business-minded approach to producing and publicity:
  “She is fully aware of power, money, capitalism. So why would it be any different for the look?” [12:10]
• Jared also speculates that Sweeney’s stylist must “work at Maxim magazine,” attributing her style choices to calculated marketing.

---

3. Amy Schumer’s ‘Conscious Uncoupling’

[13:56–20:27]

• Page Six reports Amy Schumer is “working out conscious uncoupling plan” with husband Chris Fisher.
• Jared interprets this carefully leaked phrase as a sign the couple has already split and is easing into a more public announcement: “To me, when I see Amy Schumer working out, quote, conscious uncoupling plan with husband sources, I would assume…they are slowly putting this out in an attempt to make this less of a news day burden for Amy.” [13:56]
• He relates this to personal experiences, cautioning that “conscious uncoupling” is essentially a pre-breakup: “Engaged to be engaged? That’s engaged to be broken up. To me, that is a pre-breakup.” [15:13]
• Jared also dissects how significant weight loss can signal relationship trouble:
  “You lose that much weight, the next question is, how’s the relationship?... Losing weight is a mind fuck. And I just think with like Ozempic and all this… there’s no real care taken for the brain.” [16:52–18:25]
• He reads parts of Amy’s social post:
  “Whatever ends up happening with me and Chris has nothing to do with weight loss or autism. Wow. Who brought up the autism?” [19:30]
• Madonna responds in the comments, encouraging Amy to do what feels right for herself.

---

4. Scarlett Johansson’s Awkward First Date with Colin Jost

[20:36–26:37]

• Celebrity headline teases Scarlett Johansson “ran out” on first date with husband Colin Jost.
• Jared speculates on clickbait motivations and imagines several comic scenarios (“she had to take a shit”), but ultimately guesses correctly:
  “Now what’s more likely is she had another event… So we really only had an hour and a half to get a drink... That would be a more normal one.” [21:06]
• The real story: Scarlett was flustered and ended the date after 90 minutes, spooking Jost but leaving him wanting more.
  “That’s probably the smartest thing any woman can do: ‘Hey, let’s go get another drink? No, I had a good time, but I gotta get going. Make yourself scarce.’” [23:53]
• Jared notes how these stories are beloved by women and often presented as “I’m so awkward!” tales:
  “Jenna Bush Hager probably, like, literally slipped off her seat. She made her so wet. Like, this is like one of those stories women love.” [26:12]

---

5. Julia Roberts’ Gotham Awards Look

[26:37–29:23]

• Jared examines a headline about Julia Roberts wearing a “1980s polka dot power suit” and riffs on the obscurity of the Gotham Awards:
  “What the fuck are the Gotham Awards?… Is it like, best Batman impressions?” [27:10]
• He comments that her suit looks “more Joker than polka-dot” until viewing it up close, then reminisces about red carpet fashion statements in general.
• Nods to Julia’s signature affinity for power suits dating back to the early 1990s.

---

6. Matt Lauer’s Rumored Media Comeback

[29:28–34:41]

• Jared expresses shock that Matt Lauer hasn’t tried to come back sooner, reflecting on the seriousness of his misconduct and the infamous “button under the desk.”
• He considers possible motives for Lauer’s long silence:
  “I think on the spectrum of choices, he really was trying to make himself a better person. I think chances are low for that… Or Matt Lauer thinks so highly of himself that he's like, I'M not coming back unless someone pays me what I was getting paid on the Today show.” [30:09–31:10]
• Observes that each year rumors are strategically floated, likely by Lauer’s own team, to test public sentiment:
  “This is all Matt Lauer's people because he's done this every year. Now. This is. This is clockwork.” [31:54]
• Addresses the lost trust and the impact of the scandal:
  “But dude, I can understand. You find out your friend is sending horrible texts to women that don't want those texts and you go, I don't know you.” [34:16]
• He notes Don Lemon’s comment that the public “misses” Lauer, but disagrees, clarifying:
  “I would say we are curious.” [34:41]

---

7. Simon Cowell Shades Ryan Seacrest

[34:45–39:41]

• Jared dives into Simon Cowell’s pointed remarks about former American Idol co-star Ryan Seacrest: “Simon Cowell shaded his former American Idol co star Ryan Seacrest by admitting he doesn't follow the lad the latter's career…. That's just like a crazy thing to say. You can't watch TV and not follow Ryan Seacrest career. Just not possible.” [35:46]
• He questions Cowell’s motives and tone:
  “That's a wildly jealous statement… Do you want nobody to have any money? Are you the only one who's allowed to be successful?” [37:38]
• Jared also shares a personal/family anecdote about the puzzling ubiquity of Ryan Seacrest:
  “My dad literally looked at the screen, goes, how does he have this job? … Wheel of Fortune is the job of a lifetime… Why him?” [38:23]
• Recaps the pair’s sometimes-contentious past on Idol, specifically recalling awkward, possibly scripted exchanges about Seacrest’s sexuality.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Miley’s Engagement Ring:
  “It almost looks like it’s her power source – for a superhero who wears a ring.” [07:20]
• On Sydney Sweeney’s Style:
  “It’s as if her stylist was working at Maxim magazine and she was like, get me the people from Maxim…” [12:04]
• On Amy Schumer’s Conscious Uncoupling:
  “Conscious uncoupling. What is that? Engaged to be engaged? That’s engaged to be broken up. To me, that is a pre-breakup.” [15:09]
• On First Dates:
  “That’s probably the smartest thing any woman can do. Hey, let’s go get another drink. I’m going with friends. No, I had a good time, but I gotta get going. Make yourself scarce.” [23:53]
• On Matt Lauer:
  “If you have what only an evil villain would have in your office, then you must be doing villainous things.” [30:09]
• On Simon Cowell & Ryan Seacrest:
  “That’s a wildly jealous statement. We rarely talk now. Not talking and not knowing what he’s done is two different things.” [36:20]
• On Julia Roberts’ Suit:
  “Honestly, weirdly enough, I would say this is the Gotham Awards is a Batman award show because she is in a very Joker-like pantsuit.” [27:30]

---

Structure & Tone

Jared Freid maintains a conversational, comedic style throughout, peppered with self-deprecation and candid cultural commentary. He openly speculates, provides hot takes, and infuses each topic with personal anecdotes and sharp observations, making the episode both accessible and entertaining for listeners regardless of their pop culture savvy.

---

Timed Segment Guide

• Miley Cyrus Engagement: [02:08–08:22]
• Sydney Sweeney’s Look: [10:25–13:48]
• Amy Schumer’s Marriage: [13:56–20:27]
• Scarlett Johansson’s First Date: [20:36–26:37]
• Julia Roberts at Gotham Awards: [26:37–29:23]
• Matt Lauer Media Comeback: [29:28–34:41]
• Simon Cowell / Ryan Seacrest: [34:45–39:41]

---

In Summary:
This Pop Culture Thursday features Jared Freid’s signature blend of humor and honesty as he riffs on the latest celebrity news, providing listeners with both laughs and unexpected insights into fame, relationships, and the absurdities of Hollywood culture.

Transcript

[A]

You're a nosy. You want the full sitch? Come to Pop Culture Thursday.

Hello and welcome to the J Train Podcast. This is Jay Train Jared Freed coming to you live from Manhattan, New York. That's right, every Thursday is a Pop Culture Thursday where I, the comedian, goes to Page Six and read some headlines and then we riff on the articles. It's a read and riff, people. So if you have an article that you've read and you want me to riff on it, send it to the email J Train Podcast gmail dot com. Don't DM it. You can DM it to the J Train Instagram account, which you're not. If you're not following at J Train Podcast, that's very helpful. How do you pay for this show? This is a daily show. I want to thank you for being a listener. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being a friend. Da da da da da da.

So I want to thank you. If you are looking to give back to this show in any way, join the patron. Come to a show tonight. Detroit, Michigan, if you're in Detroit, Friends in Detroit, lovers in Detroit, anyone near Royal Oak, let them know about the show I have tonight. I'm going to be in Columbus, Ohio on Friday. So Detroit and Columbus, and then I head to Orlando, San Diego to close out the year. I can't believe it's December 2025. I can't believe it. I know, I'm that guy. I'm that guy. So you can also join the Patreon link in the bio. We have one sponsor. Look at it. Gonna get to the sponsor now so that we can get to the the meat of the show. I have a bunch of articles from Page Six sitting in front of me. That's my source. I just like.

Let'S do the first article. Miley Cyrus, our friend Miley. I'm taping this December 2, 2pm because of the nature of my week. I try to get as close to Thursday as possible. We're taping it on Tuesday, 2pm Eastern Time. Miley Cyrus and Max, with two exes, Mirando, are engaged after four years of dating. I didn't even know she was dating anyone. I, I got to say the Miley.

Miley pokes in. Pokes out of the public consciousness. I think that has to do with how big there's a bigness. You can get so big that.

Max Mondo has a look. Look at Matt. Let me just say Max Morondo and I are two opposite looks. I can see by this picture of Miley And Max with two X's. The that they are seemingly in love. Good for them. Him and I. I am not Miley's type. Miley is not into hairy Jewish man with a tissue box framed body that doesn't fit into an XL or a large T shirt.

Miley is not into man who puts on T shirt and stretches it out 17 times. Max Morondo. Good looking dude, different flavor. He's got hair from the 80s. Max Morondo. His look. I, I, I, I, I hate to make this about looks, but I'm, you know, you see, I didn't know she was dating anyone. You date a guy, Max, with two exes, you're engaged after four years of dating. Which good for you too, I'm sure. I think in the public eye.

It'S either we connect, let's get away from everything, we get engaged very quickly, or there's things to work out. Four years of probes. She can buy herself flowers, but he bought her an engagement ring. Miley Cyrus and Max Morondo are engaged after four years of dating. Page Six can confirm. The couple initially sparked engagement rumors when they walked the red carpet for Monday's world premiere of Avatar, Fire and Ash in Los Angeles. Max Morondo looks like he would look totally different in the morning than he does at night. And I'm not trying to be mean. I, let me speak for myself. I have one look when I wake up and when I go out at night, it's, it's Jared, it's fine. I think men in general are probably closer to me where it's in a tux or sloppy slobber stain. Max Morondo. I think if this guy's wet, it's like an owl. You're like, oh my God, I thought he was poofier. Like, because he is like a manicured man. No hair, looks like he might be slick like a dolphin.

Listen, I say this with envy, like Max Morondo with two X's. I don't think he has ever put on a T shirt and even looked in the mirror. I put on a T shirt and it's a 10 minute should I wear this T shirt Festival? And I'm looking in seven different mirrors at eight different angles to make sure that all of them are not fat. This guy puts on a T shirt, just walks. I'm just trying to think Max Morondo probably has hours of his day.

Hours of his day that I don't have just in not thinking about his T shirt and how it fits alone.

Good for I'M envious. They look happy. Max Morondo looks more like. He kind of looks like Sarah Squirm. Sarah Sherman from SNL a little bit. But we're two different types. You know, it's one of these moments you go, you never had a chance with Miley Cyrus, Jared. You never had a chance. I listen, I think she's beautiful. She's got a look. She has a look too.

Okay, that's our Cyrus and the fellow musician. 27. So she's 33, he's 27.

Posed for pictures together as she made her show. Stopping diamond set in a thick gold band was front and center in every shot. That, that's like gibberish to me. I don't understand engagement ring talk. Jewelry designer Jaque.

I. I definitely am butchering that name was later confirmed by her rep.

The ring. Let's take a look at the ring. Yeah, it's a big rock 14 karat yellow gold. It's a thick band.

Look at the noting that it's a cushion cut stone set in a chunky 14 karat yellow gold band. It almost looks like it's her power source for a like it looks like the power source for a superhero who wears a ring.

Like very lanterns coded. Yeah, Max and I, we are two different looks. Max's dad Dan Morondo shared a congratulatory post on a on social media further confirming the news. Yeah, this guy, good for him. Good for them. All right, congrats from the J Train podcast. From us to Miley and Max with two X's. We wish you the best. We are sponsored. Ara frames. I can speak personally to our frames. It is, it is a no brainer gift.

When I do gifts or when I have done gifts, I just want it done and I want to know that it's going to be appreciated. Aura frames, you can get this done right now. The link is in this bio and it's going to be a winner. I got it from my parents. You can update the frame from anywhere. It's an electronic frame that you basically can be on the app and you can update it anytime you want. So that is a gift that keeps reminding the person you got it for that you got them a great gift. That's the gift I want. I want the gift. That's a nag. I want the gift that's like hey, Jared got it for you. Jared, your favorite son. That's the gift for from him. That's what aura frames does. It's a gift that keeps on giving from you. Stop looking for the perfect gift. Check out Aura Frames. Aura's digital frame is the gift your loved ones will display all year long. I'll say this. I also have it up in my new apartment. It looks good. It's not it. It's made to be put up in a nice home. Like you can put it in your shithole apartment. Fine. But you don't have to worry about it matching the decor. Mine went right up. That was first out of the box. So I have one, my parents have one, my brother has one. I've given them to everyone. I, I really think you should get involved with what they're doing. With the Aura app, you can upload unlimited photos and unlimited videos. You can have preloaded photo. You can even preload photos. So when you take it out, it's ready to go. You'll have the perfect gift right out of the box for a limited time. Saving the perfect gift by visiting araframes.com to get free $35 off Aura's best selling Carver Matte frames named number one by wire cutter by using promo code J Train at checkout. That's A R A frames.com promo code J Train. This deal is exclusive to J Train fans and Ara Frames sell out fast. Order yours now to get it in time for the holiday. Support the show by mentioning J Train at checkout. Terms and conditions apply. That's a no brainer.

So we're done with ads. We've done an article and an ad. We're belting this out. I love doing Pop Culture Thursday. I really do. I want to thank you guys for being involved. I, I, I, I know I'm like heavy on looks right now, but I saw a video and it's kind of the reason I'm clicking on this link. Sydney Sweeney brings the heat in. Head to toe Red promoting the housemaid in New York City. I saw Sydney Sweeney on.

Fallon with this look, or at least the hairstyle. Yeah, I saw her on Fallon in not the red dress that she's wearing in this picture with the red boots. I mean, she is a male wet dream. I'm telling you. I'm s, I, I hope that's not too gross. She feeds a male gaze. There's like the female gaze, the male gaze. I, I really think she knows what she's doing with everything she's doing. Like, even the hairstyle, it's this like bob cut. I, I love an angular hairstyle on a woman. I love this. She's got curves. She's Jessica Rabbit. I don't know. This will get the more, the longer I go, the creepier I sound. I'm just saying it's weird to me. It's interesting to me. Not weird. It's interesting when someone knows the tape. It's as if her stylist was working at Maxim magazine and she was like, get me the people from Maxim magazine. I want them now. I'm going to make money off of these idiot men who are going to drool over me. That if it feels calculated because it's so.

It'S so hitting me in the like the sensors of a male drool fet like I'm the wolf in Looney Tunes. Awga. Like there's an awooga to this look. And I don't think, I think a lot of women see this look. They go, I could do it maybe. You know, this is like, you're like, women dress for other women. I think Sydney Sweeney dresses for men is my opinion. And I don't. And because, and what goes into that opinion? You go, jared, you're disgusting. Well, what goes into the opinion? I don't just, like, say things for saying things sake. This woman is notorious for just making money. She's a producer in all these movies. Her and Glenn Powell were like, faking a relationship to promote a movie. She is fully aware of power, money, capitalism. So why would it be any different for the look? Because I saw this look. I stopped the phone, I literally went on my scroll.

Am I going to read about this? She paired the burgundy design with matching red pumps and bundled up against December's chill. And like, like, if you had a man dress a woman, this is a straight man dress a woman. This is what they would do. And may I think a lot of women would look at this and go, it's a lot like the red too. Oi. Yup, it's, there's, I, I just think she's smarter than the average bear.

So this article again, word looks heavy. I, I, I hope that's okay.

Well, not really. Well, kind of Amy Schumer working out conscious uncoupling plan with husband sources. To me, when I see Amy Schumer working out, quote, conscious uncoupling plan with husband sources, I would assume my opinion is that Amy Schumer and her husband have already broken up. They are slowly putting this out in an attempt to make this less of a news day burden for Amy. I think that's a mistake if I were Amy or if I were her counsel, because I think when you say conscious uncoupling, I, I've broken up with women like this, thinking it was the right decision. Hey, why don't we take a break? How about we just. When we're together, we're together. When we're apart. Apart. And it's all leading to a breakup. So. And I'm doing that to try and mitigate the pain on both of us, but really, I'm making it more painful. I think Amy Schumer, because.

It has to be.

That they're breaking up. And she's like, I don't want to deal with the amount because she gets a ridiculous amount of hate on the Internet. There's something about Amy, and I think it's again, like, Sydney Sweeney. I'm sitting here a wooga to her. Look. I think at a certain time, Amy, blonde woman, short dresses on stage, telling jokes, maybe making fun of men. And. And now they're back with their pitchforks. And they're. And they're being. And they're really ruthless with her. And she does seem to feel it. So I think when I see Amy Schumer working out conscious and complex plan with husband. So sources, I think we're like, inching towards hearing that they've broken up because conscious uncoupling. What is that? Engaged to be engaged? That's engaged to be broken up. To me, that is a pre breakup. Amy Schumer and husband Chris Fisher have zero chance of salvaging their marriage. A source close to them tells Page Six. They've been having issues for ages, and my understanding is all they're doing now is working out a conscious uncoupling plan. I mean, their kid is very young at this point. Just do it. The source is. The source alleged, referencing a divorce term popularized by Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin in their 2014 split. The slimmed down comic 44 and her chef husband, 45, first sparked rumors. I don't think this guy's cooked one meal, he gets called a chef. I've never heard of a restaurant by him. An opening a special dish first sparked rumors of trouble when Schumer spent the entire summer apart from Fisher in 2023.

When she went to Europe with Jerry Seinfeld and his wife Jessica. I think she was doing shows. By the end of the summer, they had reunited on Martha's Vineyard, Mass. And are believed to have been working on their relationship since. Well, he owns. I think his family owns like half of Martha's Vineyard, like, I like. I think that calling him a chef is a little bit generous. I think he's son of money. However, now Friends say the couple's focus will be their beloved six year old son Gene. They show the picture that she just posted of her losing weight. This is not a good sign to any couple where someone is losing a drastic amount of weight. And that is, I, I know that's probably one of those like old opinions that you're like, we lost a lot of weight. Oh really? Like you're not, you know, I think, listen, there is a piece of me that's like, if I get in a relationship, there's no chance I'm losing the ten pounds I have to lose. If I get in a relationship, I'm going up or staying consistent, I'm not going down. When you see Amy Schumer lost 50 pounds, you go, what's the motivation? What? Why? What aren't we happy with that we need. And again like I'm someone who wants to change their body and always is trying but in a relationship the motivation is just in a happy loving relationship I'm going to, ah, this person is into this. So whatever. I don't know. You lose that much weight, the next question is, how's the relationship? Because also the, the thing that's underrated about losing a lot of weight is you are a different person. You have to adjust to your brain in this new body and that is a change that also you have to deal with how you see other people and view how they view you and how you feel when they again, it's a whole, it's a losing weight is a mind fuck. And I just think with like Ozempic and all this, like, you know, all the drugs that go with it, you go, there's no real care taken for the brain or we don't think about it. So listen.

I mean this source that they have is, this is the quote. There is zero chance of salvaging the marriage. But Amy also wants to have the most amicable co parenting relationship possible with Chris. What is she, what else are they gonna want? Amy doesn't want to deal with him ever again. They're not gonna say that this is why it's from her. It has to be from her.

Schumer is worth an estimated 45 million from her Netflix standup shows and movies. High. Ah, wow. But it's not yet known if they had a prenup that would entitle Fiser to any of her money in a split. I think he's got money. Schumer alluded to her marriage woes on Instagram, writing on Monday, whatever ends up happening with me and Chris has nothing to do with weight loss or autism. Wow. Who brought up the autism? What? Fingers crossed we make it through. She continued. This was written on Instagram. I mean, that's an end of a relationship post if I've ever seen one.

The message spurred Madonna to write back saying, why do you feel like you need to apologize for looking after yourself? People are always going to have their judgments and their opinions. Do what makes you feel happy and healthy. The train wreck star shares a manager guy ossery with the hung up singer. Hey, this is like.

So they're having.

This is all happening.

In a very public way. I mean, to write that on Instagram, that's a big post. All right, let's go on.

I love us. I love a headline like this.

Because.

I like to guess what they're saying. Scarlett Johansson. I didn't know Scarlett Johansson has two S's. Are you kidding me? Scarlett Johansson details why she ran out on first date with husband Colin Jost. What could be the reasons she runs out on a first date? This is as clickbaity as it gets. This is them saying, you need to know. This is them treating the. The reader of Page Six as if there's some sort of pig who needs to eat. Because. Scarlett Johansson details why she ran out on first date with husband Colin Jost. You're sitting there like, well, tell me why? And they're like, you gotta click it. Give us a click. And I'm sitting here being like, okay, because here are the options. Why would Scarlett Johansson run out on first date with Colin Jones, who's now her husband? She had to take a shit. I don't think. She's in an interview being like, you wouldn't believe it. I'm on a date with Colin. It's our first date. I gotta take a huge dump. So I was like, colin, oh my God, this is so much fun. I. I can't drink anymore. I gotta wake up early. And then I went home and just, you know, just. Just pushed out a fat one. Like, I don't think that's what happened in the interview. Now what's more likely is she had another event. Scarlett Johansson. If she's not making a movie, she's at events. So I'm out with Colin and I had another event. So we really only had an hour and a half to get a drink. And I had a good time. And I was like, I don't know, he's cute. So I was like, listen, I. This was a lot of fun, but I gotta go. I have this event even Though I want to stay. That would be a more normal one.

There's another option where he's disgusting. She's on the first date. Like, the. The other option. That would be the juiciest. I don't think they would title it this way. Like, they would be like, Colin made a rude remark on their first date. But if he was like, let me see them. I'm on. So the other option is, we're on a date. Colin is a monster. Like, he's just being a dick. He's like, let me see those titties. You look hot. And I'm like, whoa, that's not the type of woman I am. I'm out of here. And then I got home, and I was like, that guy's got gumption. Maybe we should. Maybe I should really. You know what? That guy Colin really acted crazy. Crazy enough for me to love him. Maybe that's it. But I don't think so. So let's see what the reason was. I am gonna go with event.

Okay. Scarlett Johansson panicked and abruptly left her first date with her husband. Colin Jost, the Black Widow actress, recall a lovely date with her now husband. So there was no ask for titties with her now husband. In 2017, while co hosting Monday's episode of the Today show with Jenna Bush Hager. I mean, now we're back in Jenna Bush Hager land. This story is going to be very, very. It's going to be Leave it to Beaver. Nobody had ever asked me out before. Johansson said what if? Explaining, I was a serial monogamist, and I never got the sort of traditional like, hey, would you like to have dinner sometime? She's a child actress, so that does make some sense too. At the time, the Saturday Night Live cast member brought Johansson to an Italian restaurant in the East Village. What's the restaurant? We had dinner afterwards. He was like, I'm meeting my friends. Let's go grab a drink. And I hadn't dated, basically, ever. So I was like, I have to go now. I need to leave. Johansson remembered she wrapped up the date in about an hour and a half. I said that. And before making her swift exit. If I'm Colin Jost, I'm like, man, maybe she didn't have a good time. That's probably the smartest thing any woman can do. Hey, let's go get another drink. I'm going with friends. No, I had a good time, but I got to get going. Make yourself scarce. I got home to rel. I got home to relieve my babysitter and she was like, why are you home? And I was like, I don't know. I just felt so flustered. She explained. ScarJo41, we're the same age. Said that premature departure totally spooked the comedian. This is what I just said. Later. He was like, I totally thought that was it. You were acting so weird. I panicked. I don't know. The Jurassic World Rebirth star laughed in his 2020 memoir, A Very Punchable Face. The Weekend Update co anchor recalled his first impression of Johansson after meeting on the set of SNL in 2006. She was beautiful, smart, sweet, and intimidating intim. Intimidatingly sophisticated. That is only a phrase you could write. I can't even say it.

All right, well, I. I kind of get that. It's also kind of confusing. It's also, also, also, first of all, I get it. We're on this date. He's like, I'm going to meet friends for drinks. You want to come? You're like, I'm okay. Should I go? Do I not go? What am I supposed to do? I've never really been on a date like this. We just did dinner. I'm done. It's late. I got a babysitter. Let me get home to my kid. I get it. And then afterwards, you go, what? What are we doing? Why did I leave? I had a good time. He's sitting there. Does she like me? I thought we had a good time. She's a superstar. They do look good together. Also, this story is.

A story every woman loves to have the. I don't know. I was just like, no, I. You know, I guess I'm so klutzy. How did I not know this is a story? Jenna Bush Hager probably, like, literally slipped off her seat. She made her so wet. Like, this is like one of those stories women love. Oh, I just was, like, so awkward. You know me.

International movie star Scarlett Johansson. I'm so awkward. So let's do another one. I. I like this story because the only reason I chose the story, Julia Roberts wears 919 Julia Roberts ops for 80s inspired polka dot power suit at 2025 Gotham Awards. The only reason I clicked on this. What the fuck are the Gotham Awards? What award are they giving? It's one thing to have the Gotham Gala where someone's being honored for their philanthropy, but to have the Gotham Awards? Is it like, best Batman impressions? What? What could. What awards are we in the running for here in New York City? I do want to see the pantsuit. Okay. Is that it? From far away. That is not what I would call a polka dot pantsuit. I would call this. Honestly, weirdly enough, I would say this is the Gotham Awards is a Batman award show because she is in a very joker like pantsuit. That purple is from Batman, the cartoon show, what the Joker would wear. But up close, it's more polka dot than Joker.

Julia Roberts is throwing it back to the 80s with her latest look hitting the red carpet for the 2025 Gotham Film Awards. Okay, that makes it a lot more descriptive. The Gotham Film Awards. Okay, we're awarding film. Roberts chose a silk power suit in brilliant shade of purple and covered in polka dots. I don't know. From far away, that is the Joker. The jewel tone look included, wide leg trousers. What did she get nominated for? Is she in movies right now?

Julia Roberts is like, I mean, talk about beautiful humans. Who's she with?

They really received the visionary tribute award.

Roberts has long been a fan of the power suit. She famously wore a gray men's Giorgio Armani suit to accept the 1990 global Golden Globe award for best actress for a star making role as Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman.

Well, that's like Diane Keaton was wearing these big old hats. Like sometimes you go with a look and also you go like, for me, like a layered look cuts me better.

All right, we're going to do one more and then we're out of here.

Or maybe two more because I had. We had a little bit of an interruption. We had to cut out. Um, all right. Matt Lauer eyeing media return eight years after today. Firing report now. I can't believe Matt Lauer is yet to come back. I. And I do remember he was accused of some pretty bad things. And as well. I don't know. I don't. I just remember he had the button that would lock the door behind you when you came into his office. So I think if you have an evil, like, evil.

Like, if you have what only a evil villain would have in your office, then you must be doing villainous things. But like, I'm trying to think why Matt Lauer would take this long to come back. It's either.

I think on the spectrum of choices, he really was trying to make himself a better person. I think chances are low for that. He saw the error of his ways, needed to go get in touch with whatever. I think that's. There's very little chance, but that is a chance that he went to yoga and really, you know, sought therapy and a change in his life. Or Matt Lauer thinks so highly of himself that he's like, I'M not coming back unless someone pays me what I was getting paid on the Today show. And I think he was getting like 10 million a year back then. I think he was like, really making and making insane money or.

Cause usually what these guys do is they go political, they go very right of center and they do their own, like, Instagram. Like, we haven't even seen Matt Lauer do an Instagram of like, the crime in New York City is crazy. Like, you would think you would have one of those. The taxes on the Hamptons are out of control. We haven't seen that from him, which is surprising. Matt Lauer is reportedly eyeing a return to media. Eight years after he was fired from the Today show, the disgraced news anchor wants to get back in the media. I've heard this story for the last, like, three years in a row. It seems like he puts this story out every year to see if the water's warm enough for him to jump in.

He's talked to some people about it. An insider added. This is all Matt Lauer's people because he's done this every year. Now. This is. This is clockwork. Lauer, 67, was notoriously fired from NBC over inappropriate sexual behavior in 2017. The network received a detailed complaint from a colleague about his behavior and had reason to believe this may have not been an isolated incident. Page Six exclusively reported that the former TV personality was also accused of sexting female staffers as NBC allegedly send glued messages and revealing pictures to women, including a young intern. Yeah, he was doing all the things this guy was, you know, acting like he was untouchable.

Shortly following his firing, two other women came forward with claims against Lauer. One of them claimed the actor, the anchor, summoned her to his office for sex and she felt helpless because she didn't want to lose her job. One day after the network announces fire Lauer man a public apology, but made sure to note that some of the accusations were untrue. This guy disappeared in a way that people usually don't disappear. There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain. Okay, so he goes in. Lauer added that some of what has been said about him is untrue or mischaracterized. But here's the thing. He never did the, like interview to get back in. I think he knows I have to do one interview where I, you know, basically call these people out for what I think is lying or just take all the bullets. But there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. Okay? He and ex wife Annette Roque, also split in the wake of the scandal. Finalized her divorce two years later. Since his fall from grace, Lauer has lived a quiet life in the Hamptons. This is the thing. He went to the Hamptons. He didn't even go to like, Florida. He. He handled this in a way where the interview is actually warranted. I. I would love. We have. We used to hear from this guy every morning and then nothing. The source also told people that almost a decade later, he is still angry with the way he was treated by the industry. See that there is a bigger story here. The p. And people thought he. They thought were his friends, so he got bailed on. But dude, I can understand. You find out your friend is sending horrible texts to women that don't want those texts and you go, I don't know you. In the past eight years, a source said he's been focusing on being a good father to his kids. Of course, this is from him. Jack, 24, Romy, 22, and Tice, 18, whom he shares with Roke and spending time with them. I. I would love. Earlier this year, former CNN journalist Don Lemon predicted Laur's come back to the news industry and claimed the public misses him. Oh, I wouldn't say that, Don. I would say we are curious.

Okay, we'll do one more.

I like this story because it's like, kind of crazy to me. Simon Cowell shades former American Idol co star Ryan Seacrest. I don't follow his career.

It takes a special type of jealousy for Simon Cowell, who was successful and has done all the things to find jealousy in Ryan Seacrest. Who. They do different things. Like, it's not like Simon Cowell, host of this is jealous of Ryan Seacrest, host of that. Like, did Simon Cowell want to do Wheel of Fortune like, and why? So Simon Cowell would have to be such a piece of shit to be jealous of Ryan Secrest. I. Because it's. It's more understandable to have Ryan Secre. If. If Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest were both host, you'd be like, Simon be like, yeah, those are jobs I would have loved to have had. But Simon Cowell doing Wheel of Fortune? Not going to happen.

Simon Cowell shaded his former American Idol co star Ryan Secrest by admitting he doesn't follow the lad the latter's career. On Saturday's episode of the New York Times podcast the Interview, the TV personality was asked why he thought c that Seacrest was so popular. I don't know, actually. He said he was Very, very ambitious. And look, I don't follow his career, if I'm being honest with you. That's just like a crazy thing to say. You can't watch TV and not follow Ryan Seacrest career. Just not possible that you, literally every time he comes on the screen, you have to close your eyes and go, I, la la la la. Ryan Seacrest is everywhere. So I don't know what he's doing or done. Stop it. That's a wildly jealous statement. We rarely talk now. Not talking and not knowing what he's done is two different things. I always knew with Ryan he was very steely about his career wanting to be famous. See, this is all, this is where you go, simon, what's wrong? What's your problem? Do you want nobody to have any money? Are you the only one who's allowed to be successful? That would be my follow up question. Everything you're saying right now. I, I, this is the New York Times, it's called the Interview. And you don't ask a follow up question to the way he's saying these things. I, I, I'm saying this off a quote, so maybe I'm wrong. I always knew with Ryan he was steely about his career wanting to be famous. I mean, this massive, massive desire about being very famous. That is an obnoxious quote. Here's the quote in full. I always knew with Ryan he was very steely about his career wanting to be famous. I mean, this massive, massive desire about being very famous. The former X Factor judge, however, acknowledged that Secrest 50 does work hard. If you're the interviewer and someone says to you and Simon Cowell, who used to work with Ryan Seacrest says he was very steely about his career wanting to be famous. I mean, this massive, massive desire about being very famous. My first question is, hey, Simon, do you have a problem with Ryan Seacrest? That is a weird way to describe someone's very successful career. That he was sitting there. Did, did he give off? Do you have a story to tell where he was somehow being cagey and sly about? Was he walking around plotting? Could you feel that from him? That's the next question.

Because listen, I agree with Simon. I agree with how does this guy have all the jobs? The question, my dad and I were watching Wheel of Fortune last night. My dad literally looked at the screen, goes, how does he have this job? I have had that discussion here on Pop Culture Thursday. Why him? Why does he become the wheel of, For Wheel of Fortune is the job of a lifetime. You're set done Generationally rich done the whole your kids, your kids, kids all good. Why him? What has he done? How did he get put in those circles? He does work hard again, but what did Simon see.

That we would like to know about? The duo worked along these alongside each other on American Idol season one in 2002 to when Simon Cowell departed after night season nine, 2010. That's a good run.

Sest was the show's host while Cowell was a judge alongside Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. The co stars notably clashed on camera during including in 2007 when Cowell commented on secre sexuality. At the time, Secess asked Cow if he had any advice for performer Melinda Doolittle wearing 4 inch heels per TMZ.

You should know, Ryan, he responded as Seacrest clapped back. Stay outta my closet. Come out. Cowles then said, I remember this. That's such a weird conversation. Such a weird way to go at each other. I. I don't know. All of that's weird. However, the controversial remarks, along with several others, were poorly scripted. I don't know about that one. That saves them both. I'm sure they both regretted the whole thing. All right.

That'S it. Pop Culture Thursday. Back next week, boom.