The Megyn Kelly Show: Secrets of Disgusting Media and Explosive New Details About Blake Lively (Ep. 977)
Release Date: January 7, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly
Guests: Billy Bush and Bryan Freedman

Introduction

Megyn Kelly opens the episode by introducing her guests, Billy Bush and Bryan Freedman. She sets the stage for a deep dive into the recent legal battles involving actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, particularly focusing on allegations of sexual harassment and subsequent smear campaigns.

Billy Bush's Experience with NBC and Legal Battles

[00:00 - 05:35]

• Backstory with NBC: Billy Bush discusses his tumultuous tenure at NBC, including his public exit following the infamous "Access Hollywood" tape involving then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.

• Legal Representation: Bush introduces his attorney, Brian Friedman, who previously represented him during his legal struggles with NBC.

• Deposition Anecdote: Bush recounts his initial negative perception of Friedman during his deposition but highlights how their professional relationship evolved positively over time.

  Billy Bush [04:10]: "He's a superb, terrible pickleball player, but superb."

Family Legacy and Early Life

[05:35 - 10:08]

• Bush Family Ties: Billy clarifies his relationship within the Bush family, mentioning that former President George H.W. Bush is his uncle and explaining the familial connections.

• Upbringing: Raised in Manhattan's Upper East Side, Billy attended Colby College in Maine and began his career in radio before transitioning to television.

  Billy Bush [06:35]: "As my dad said, Billy was on the dean's other list. So the grades weren't exactly fantastic."

Navigating Hollywood's Competitive Environment

[10:08 - 18:50]

• Challenges in Media: Bush elaborates on the cutthroat nature of the entertainment industry, sharing his experiences with executives like Rosie O'Donnell and Matt Lauer.

• Contractual Constraints: He discusses the limitations imposed by NBC contracts, which prevented him from highlighting his family connections, aiming to establish his own identity within the industry.

  Billy Bush [10:46]: "So I made it so that they could never bring that up."

The Fallout from the "Access Hollywood" Tape

[18:50 - 30:08]

• Impact on Career: Bush delves into the immediate aftermath of the leaked tape, describing the emotional and professional turmoil he faced, including suicidal ideations and subsequent therapy.

• Forgiveness and Resentment: While he extends forgiveness to some individuals involved, he remains unforgiving towards others, particularly Andy Lack, former NBC executive who played a pivotal role in his firing.

  Billy Bush [18:45]: "I've forgiven him."

Billy Bush's New Endeavors and Critique of Media Practices

[30:08 - 46:27]

• Launching "Hot Mics with Billy Bush": Bush announces his new YouTube and TuneIn show, aiming to provide a platform for uncensored and genuine conversations, contrasting with his tightly controlled stint at NBC.

• Critique of Morning Shows: He offers a scathing critique of the morning show environment, highlighting the lack of authenticity and the prevalence of backstabbing.

  Billy Bush [35:21]: "I don't think like that. I just, I can't work like that. I feel sick."

Legal Drama: Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni

[51:20 - 133:45]

• Overview of Lawsuits: Megyn Kelly introduces the central legal dispute where Blake Lively has filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni and the production company alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign. In response, Justin Baldoni has filed a countersuit against the New York Times for defamatory reporting.

• Interview with Brian Friedman: The episode features an in-depth discussion with Brian Friedman, Justin Baldoni's attorney, who vehemently denies the allegations and accuses Blake Lively of orchestrating a defamatory campaign to ruin Baldoni's reputation.

  Brian Friedman [57:49]: "Blake Lively was no victim here. She was in control, she was in power and she took over this film."

• Analysis of Evidence: Friedman presents evidence suggesting that the smear campaign was premeditated, involving manipulated text messages and coordinated efforts with PR teams to tarnish Lively's image.

  Brian Friedman [84:01]: "Everything in his words is protection. Not planting stories, not doing anything offensive."

• Megyn's Rebuttal: Kelly challenges the validity of the claims, highlighting inconsistencies and the absence of substantive evidence linking the smear campaign directly to Baldoni and his team.

  Megyn Kelly [93:02]: "But I grant you all of that. It seems very clear that Blake Lively's legal team made some very critical material omissions in their complaint."

• Ryan Reynolds' Involvement: The conversation touches upon Ryan Reynolds' alleged role in supporting Lively's actions against Baldoni, though specifics remain vague.

  Brian Friedman [132:52]: "If you are doing it to punish somebody for the sexual harassment allegations, that's one thing. But... there's no public allegation at that time that he's engaged in any type of sexual harassment."

• Closing Arguments: Friedman emphasizes the intention behind Baldoni's actions to protect the film's integrity and his own reputation, portraying Lively as manipulative and power-hungry.

  Brian Friedman [134:35]: "We're going to put every single text message out there... people can make their own determinations as to what happened."

Conclusion and Future Developments

[133:45 - End]

• Upcoming Legal Actions: Friedman hints at further legal actions against additional parties, including PR agents and possibly Ryan Reynolds, underscoring the escalating nature of the legal battles.

  Brian Friedman [101:46]: "I'm just going to tell you, you're going to have to wait and see. It's coming up soon."

• Final Remarks: Megyn Kelly reflects on the complexities of the case, expressing skepticism about the veracity of Lively's claims and expressing support for Friedman and Baldoni.

  Megyn Kelly [135:00]: "I have to say that I say this not just because I'm your friend. I have no, absolutely no feelings about this guy Justin Baldoni."

Key Quotes with Timestamps

• Billy Bush on Brian Friedman:

  [04:10] Billy Bush: "He's a superb, terrible pickleball player, but superb."

• Brian Friedman on the Nature of Allegations:

  [57:49] Brian Friedman: "Blake Lively was no victim here. She was in control, she was in power and she took over this film."

• Megyn Kelly on Media Reporting:

  [93:02] Megyn Kelly: "But I grant you all of that. It seems very clear that Blake Lively's legal team made some very critical material omissions in their complaint."

• Brian Friedman on Protecting Reputation:

  [84:01] Brian Friedman: "Everything in his words is protection. Not planting stories, not doing anything offensive."

Insights and Conclusions

The episode offers a contentious look into the alleged behind-the-scenes conflicts in Hollywood, particularly highlighting the use of legal battles as tools for personal and professional vendettas. Through the perspectives of Billy Bush and Bryan Freedman, viewers gain insight into the manipulative tactics that can be employed by individuals with significant influence. The detailed legal arguments presented by Brian Friedman challenge the validity of Blake Lively's claims, suggesting a calculated effort to undermine Justin Baldoni's reputation and control over their collaborative project.

The discussion underscores the complexities of power dynamics in the entertainment industry, where legal and PR strategies often intersect to shape public perception. Megyn Kelly's role as a host facilitates a critical examination of these issues, encouraging viewers to question the narratives presented by powerful media figures.

Note: This summary is based on the provided transcript of The Megyn Kelly Show Episode 977 and reflects the discussions and viewpoints expressed by the participants during the show.