The JTrain Podcast: Pop Culture Thursday

Episode: Rihanna Stands At A Concert, Timothée Chalamet Matches His Mom, & Harry & Meghan Make A Movie
Host: Jared Freid
Date: December 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this Pop Culture Thursday, comedian Jared Freid digests the latest batch of celebrity news from Page Six—riffing on heavy headlines (the tragic Rob and Michelle Reiner murders) and breezier pop moments like Rihanna’s run-in at a Mariah Carey show, Timothée Chalamet’s mother-son fashion statement, Harry and Meghan’s Netflix venture, and more. Jared’s signature blend of sharp humor and sympathetic commentary ties the episode together, even as he laments the challenge of finding non-tragic stories this week.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Rob and Michelle Reiner Tragedy + Page Six Coverage

• Jared reflects on the saturation of tragic news this week, specifically the murders of film legend Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle ([01:04]). He explains Page Six is packed with this story, making it harder than usual to source lighter content:

  “The whole website is just Rob, Michelle Reiner ... I try to keep things light and fun here, but this week... it was really hard to find things that weren’t related to the story.” ([02:24])

• Celebrity tragedy as tabloid fodder: Jared notes the intersection of family, addiction, and showbiz culture in the narrative, emphasizing the human elements. He also critiques Trump’s insensitive response to the death:

  “If I was Trump’s PR person... the way to get at the people that don’t like you is to be so kind and just kind of like, you know, understand, you know, and to say something along the lines of, ‘Oh, this is a really sad day for the country. He added to the culture in a way that, you know, can’t even be explained.’” ([06:32])

• Bill Hader’s unfortunate involvement: Jared digs into headlines about Bill Hader’s “tense chat” with the suspect just before the murders:

  “A day later you’re like, ‘What? He did what?’ That is just—I… wouldn’t wish that on, you know, you wouldn’t wish the whole thing. But for a story I’ve not been able to look away from, that’s like a side story.” ([12:26])

• “Party is haunted” angle: Plays up the discomfort for those unwittingly involved in a tragic event, referencing the impact on Conan O'Brien’s future holiday parties ([13:45]).

2. Lighter Pop Culture: Rihanna at Mariah Carey’s Concert ([21:25])

• Rihanna dances in the crowd at Mariah Carey's Las Vegas show. An audience member asks her to sit down:

  “It takes a massive amount of cojones to be like, ‘Hey, down in front, Rihanna. I’m trying to watch the concert.’” ([24:19])

• Jared fans out over Rihanna’s enthusiasm and the relatable celebrity encounter.
• “The audacity” of yelling at Rihanna: Jared laughs at the situation and comments on the boldness required to shush her:

  “You’re at a concert, you can’t dance? … The audacity to yell at Rihanna to sit down while she’s fangirling over Mariah Carey is wild.” ([23:32])

• Tit-signing anecdote: Jared humorously recaps the viral video of Rihanna having Mariah Carey sign her chest, highlighting the celebrity-on-celebrity fan action ([25:40]).

3. Harry & Meghan’s Netflix Rom-Com ([28:51])

• Harry and Meghan to produce a romantic comedy based on Jasmine Guillory’s novel “The Wedding Date,” after previous flops.
• Jared critiques their creative choices:

  “They have massively miscalculated what we want from them creatively… We want the Osbournes. We want to come in your home. We just want to watch what you guys do on a daily basis.” ([29:42])

• Expresses skepticism that audiences want a rom-com produced by the Sussexes, not just about them.

4. American Eagle “Nepo Baby” Divorce Lawsuit ([32:55])

• Tabloid intrigue over an ugly divorce: The ex-wife of American Eagle heir Jeffrey Schottenstein is sued by her divorce lawyers for unpaid legal fees.
• Jared unpacks the clickbait headline:

  “Ex wife of American Eagle. Nepo baby. Hit with lawsuit from divorce lawyers. Like, this has all the words that you go, I gotta click it.” ([33:12])

• He jokes about expectations from such a story and comments on the inherent drama, before realizing mid-story that it’s heavier than anticipated ([35:10]).

5. Timothée Chalamet & His Mom’s Fashion Statement ([39:44])

• Timothée and his mother match in 'Marty supreme orange' on the red carpet.
• Jared’s hot take:

  “Here’s the problem with dressing like your mom on the red carpet... This picture will be used against you. I’m not matching my mom. I’m just not doing it.” ([40:40])

• Points out that, while the outfit is objectively stylish, it’ll likely fuel future “mama’s boy” narratives.

6. Selena Gomez’s Voice Change & Parasocial Pressures ([44:00])

• Selena responds to fans asking about her ‘voice change’:

  “This is going to be Selena going, ‘Yeah, I went through puberty. I’ve been a child star. I’ve been in music my whole life. Voices change. This is going to be nothing.’” ([44:13])

• Jared jokes about the absurdity of some fan questions, and gives advice:

  “If I’m her, again, if I’m, like, celebrity consultant, I’m gonna be like, Timothée, let’s not match mom... Selena, let’s stay off of Instagram Live... The whole part of making it is you don’t have to answer someone who goes, ‘Why has your voice changed?’” ([45:55])

• On parasocial feedback loops:

  “‘When someone says, ‘I love you’re being real with me,’ that’s them going, ‘I shouldn’t have fucking done this. This was a huge mistake.’” ([48:44])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Page Six longevity:

  “Page Six is going to exist in some way or some form, I’m sure, for all of our lives. I actually believe in Page Six making it to the next iteration of media more than I believe in a lot of other media platforms.” ([01:00])

• Bill Hader’s awkward situation:

  “How many times have you said something to someone—like, taking a moment where you’re like, ‘Hey, just two seconds, we’ll be right with you,’ and then you’re like, was I too much? Did I say anything? ... And then you get a call. ‘He what?’” ([13:22])

• On Rihanna at Mariah Carey:

  “At a concert, you can’t dance?... The audacity to yell at Rihanna to sit down while she’s fangirling over Mariah Carey is wild.” ([24:15])

• On Harry and Meghan’s media misstep:

  “We want the Osbournes. We want to come in your home. … That’s the one thing they won’t do. And it’s like, then what is this all for?” ([30:10])

• On Timothée Chalamet matching his mom:

  “I am not matching my mom on any red carpet. We are not going to be her in some sort of leopard number, me in a leopard tux. Nope, nope, not happening.” ([41:31])

• On Selena Gomez’s fan interaction:

  “‘I love that you guys are being real with me…’ No she doesn’t. Nobody appreciates when someone’s like, ‘Hey, your voice sounded good before and now it sounds different.’” ([47:54])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Rob and Michelle Reiner tragedy & Bill Hader angle: 01:00–15:40
• Rihanna at Mariah Carey concert: 21:25–27:15
• Harry & Meghan’s Netflix movie deal: 28:51–32:00
• American Eagle Nepo Baby divorce drama: 32:55–39:00
• Timothée Chalamet and his mom on the red carpet: 39:44–42:00
• Selena Gomez voice change Q&A: 44:00–48:44

Episode Tone

Jared brings a fast-talking, riff-heavy, and self-deprecating approach—balancing dark headlines with snark, sarcasm, and wry sympathy for the predicaments of public figures. The tone is conversational, irreverent, and occasionally heartfelt, especially when addressing the week’s heavier news.

Pop Culture Thursday returns next week—with, hopefully, fewer tragic headlines and more rom-coms, concerts, and questionable celebrity choices.