Anna Faris' SHOCKING Appearance, Selena Gomez's Troubling Message, and the Knicks Unify NYC

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Nerve with Maureen Callahan

Episode: Anna Faris' SHOCKING Appearance, Selena Gomez's Troubling Message, and the Knicks Unify NYC
Host: Maureen Callahan
Date: June 9, 2026
Producer: MK Media

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Episode Overview

Maureen Callahan tackles explosive issues in pop culture, centering the episode on the disturbing trajectory of child stars-turned-adult actresses (especially Anna Faris, Hayden Panettiere, Selena Gomez, Amanda Bynes, and the legendary Madonna). She lambasts the entertainment media for enabling these public breakdowns, drawing sharp contrasts between "polite" celebrity coverage and the uncomfortable truths few dare discuss. In the second part, a joyous pivot: Bill from Brooklyn, the show's beloved "Mo Bro," breaks down the historic energy sweeping New York as the Knicks electrify and unify the city. It's a wild, candid ride—equal parts cultural critique and feel-good celebration.

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1. Anna Faris’ Appearance & Hollywood’s “Broken Women”

(Starts ~03:00)

• Maureen describes mounting listener worry over Anna Faris’s recent public appearances on the "Scary Movie 6" press tour.
  • “You can count her rib cage. She looks unwell. She is wearing sunglasses. She is acting—I'm just going to say it, my opinion—she looks like she's out of her mind on substances.” (05:08)
• Media enabling and denial: Calls out Entertainment Tonight and other media for glossing over Faris’ visible distress, sugarcoating the coverage as star-glamor fluff rather than ringing any alarms.
  • “The package should be: Holy fucking shit, alarm bells are going off. Anna Faris looks like she's near death.” (07:20)
• The systemic issue:
  • “You don't typically see men unravel in this way. You see women unravel in this way. It is alarming.” (02:50)
  • “Me Too has done nothing. It's done nothing.” (02:43)
• Late-night appearance as exposure: Faris appears on Seth Meyers, unable to coherently relate a story.
  • “In my opinion, she's clearly high.” (09:33)
  • Calls Seth’s approach irresponsible—should have directly addressed her state or replaced her “…I really miss David Letterman. David Letterman, who said… late night is on life support… This is exactly fucking why.” (11:04)
• Masterclass in calling it out: Contrasts this with David Letterman’s 2009 handling of Joaquin Phoenix, who was “clearly under the fucking influence.”
  • Letterman’s dry, barbed zingers (“Joaquin, I’m sorry you couldn’t be here tonight.” [15:00]) are held up as the lost gold standard.

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2. Decline of Other Former Child Stars:

Hayden Panettiere, Amanda Bynes, Selena Gomez
(17:05 – 34:32)

Hayden Panettiere

• Promotion circuit—Jay Shetty podcast and The View:
  • Slurring, unwell, not “all there.” (17:39, 18:19)
  • “Jay, why don’t you ask her why she's slurring her words? Why don't you have a real conversation…?” (17:39)
• Dishonesty about her memoir: Maureen suggests Panettiere turned to writing due to being “unemployable” in Hollywood and for financial need.
  • “This was her next best choice, writing a memoir…” (18:27)
• Real story ignored: “It’s got to be pretty bad if your daughter would prefer to live in a war-torn nation…than in America with you.” (21:07)

Selena Gomez

• Dismay at absence of real pushback on Jay Shetty podcast:
  • “I don't like being myself sometimes… that's a bigger problem than just talking about it in a relationship.” (24:30)
  • Maureen: “That sounds dire.” (24:58)
  • Critiques self-pity and victimhood: “You don't like it, go away. It's part of the deal with fame.” (25:12)
• Details the vicious fallout with kidney donor Francia Raisa:
  • Raisa (who donated her kidney to Gomez) was snubbed from Gomez’s wedding.
  • “Guess who wasn’t invited to Selena’s wedding? Her donor.” (27:16)
  • Media still refuses to name the dysfunction.

Amanda Bynes

• Media’s delusional spin:
  • Entertainment Tonight hails her “progress” as weight loss, ignoring her deep struggles.
    • “Amanda Bynes sharing where she's at on her weight loss journey in a rare life update…” (29:13)
  • Maureen’s rage: “This package makes me so angry… Amanda’s main issue is her unhappiness with her own weight. It is not. It is not. And it's really fucking sick.” (29:59)

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3. Madonna: Legendary Descent or Lack of Dignity?

(31:50 – 34:32)

• Times Square performance for Pride Month:
  • “She's basically flashing her crotch… She's wearing sunglasses and it's like, hello fellow kids…”
• Laments the absence of graceful aging among female icons:
  • “But there’s a lack of dignity here... She's not treating herself with respect.” (33:30)
• Comparison to Bette Davis in ‘Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?’:
  • Draws parallels between that iconic portrayal of an arrested child star and Madonna’s current public persona.

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4. Trouble­maker Feedback: Listeners Go Off

(37:13 – 50:41)

• Emails include:
  • Ryan Reynolds’s engagement trauma with Alanis Morissette, fueling Alanis’s “Straitjacket” lyrics:
    “This shit’s making me crazy… The way you nullify what’s in my head…” (reading Alanis’s lyrics, 38:19)
  • Rants on elitism and class privilege in publishing, referencing Maureen’s prior Bell Burden segment and memoir criticism.
    • “It turns out that that was never about equal opportunity or race at all. It's been a class war the entire time.” (Reader Lisa, 44:14)
  • Sarcastic takedown of influencer mattress claims and phony memoirs (“She wouldn’t be caught dead on a mass-market mattress.”)
  • Heartfelt letter from listener Rochelle about chronic illness and disdain for “rich, bored, ridiculously wealthy narcissists looking for some fawning, validating attention.”
• Maureen’s signature, irreverent engagement—responds in real-time, brings listeners into the community, and even pokes fun at her own on-air hair and wardrobe.
  • “I don’t have glam with me. It gets humid. I do my best for you guys, you know.” (39:32)

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5. Knicks’ Historic Run: “The City Has Laid Out the Blueprint for World Peace”

Special Guest: Bill from Brooklyn
(50:41 – 70:49)

Unprecedented Joy and Unity in NYC:

• Landmarks lit up in blue and orange, MTA painting stations, Main Street East Hampton watch parties:
  • “I don’t think NYC has been this united since September 11th…This is just pure, unadulterated joy.” (53:08)
• **Bill: “You could see the Knicks—the city has laid out the blueprint for world peace.” (53:43)
  • On diverse crowds: “I bet somewhere in that crowd there was an Israeli and an Iranian hugging it out over a win… A Palestinian and a Jew. Yes, absolutely, 100%.” (54:07)
• Cites rumors that crime is down 65% in NYC on game nights.

True Knicks Fandom vs. Bandwagon Celebrities:

• Authentic fans:
  • “There are some of us that watched 15 years of agony and tuned in every night... we've earned this.” (58:50)
• Star power:
  • Only LA and NY generate that “front row” mystique.
  • Highlights Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU) as the real deal—a “New York treasure.”
  • “If there’s a celebrity that I could meet, she would be on the top of the list in New York.” (62:14)
• Roasts “bandwagon” celebrities:
  • Skewers Sarah Jessica Parker’s Instagram for feeling staged and “insufferable” compared to Mariska Hargitay’s authentic fandom. (64:37)

Knicks’ Style as Life Lesson:

• Jalen Brunson’s play and leadership:
  • High “basketball IQ,” emotional regulation lauded as rare and elite.
  • “Attitude reflects leadership. And this whole team is demonstrating that.” (69:47)
• Global reach:
  • Footage of Pope in Vatican cheered on by Knicks fans—“Knicks fans are everywhere, taking over the world.” (70:28)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Me Too has done nothing. It’s done nothing.” — Maureen Callahan (02:43)
• “Anna Faris looks like she’s near death. This is a mother of a young child. She’s 49 years old.” — Maureen Callahan (07:20)
• “Honestly, I don’t know that it’s responsible to have actors on when they’re in this state. I really don’t.” — Maureen Callahan (09:15)
• “Joaquin, I’m sorry you couldn’t be here tonight.” — David Letterman (15:00)
• “It’s got to be pretty bad if your daughter would prefer to live in a war-torn nation that is still getting bombed than in America with you.” — Maureen Callahan (21:07)
• “I don’t like being myself sometimes. And that’s a bigger problem.” — Selena Gomez (24:30)
• “Guess who wasn’t invited to Selena’s wedding? Her donor.” — Maureen Callahan (27:16)
• “This package makes me so angry because… Amanda’s main issue is her unhappiness with her own weight. It is not.” — Maureen Callahan (29:59)
• “She’s not treating herself with respect. This is what we’re really witnessing.” — Maureen Callahan on Madonna (33:30)
• “I don’t think NYC has been this united since September 11th. This is just pure, unadulterated joy.” — Maureen Callahan (53:08)
• “The city has laid out the blueprint for world peace.” — Bill from Brooklyn (53:43)
• “There’s no better sports fan than the New York Knick fan.” — Bill from Brooklyn (58:13)
• “Attitude reflects leadership. And this whole team is demonstrating that.” — Bill from Brooklyn (69:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:00] — Maureen introduces Anna Faris’s "alarming" public appearances
• [06:51–07:08] — Anna Faris on Entertainment Tonight
• [09:33–10:49] — Anna Faris’ Seth Meyers appearance/discussion
• [12:40–15:07] — David Letterman’s legendary Joaquin Phoenix interview
• [17:14–19:38] — Hayden Panettiere’s troubled media appearances
• [24:30–24:58] — Selena Gomez reveals “I don’t like being myself”
• [29:13–29:59] — Amanda Bynes’ weight loss “progress” as skewered by ET
• [31:50–34:38] — Madonna’s Times Square performance, lack of aging gracefully
• [37:13–50:41] — Troublemaker feedback emails
• [50:41–70:49] — Knicks segment with Bill from Brooklyn (Unity, celebration, celebrity fans, the game, leadership, and Pope sighting)

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Tone and Style

• Candid, skeptical, often profane wit
• Mix of biting media critique and heartfelt concern for fallen stars
• Celebratory, communal feel for the Knicks segment
• Engaged with and responsive to the show’s passionate, outspoken audience

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Summary Prepared for:
Those seeking the unvarnished truth behind celebrity headlines and a hit of pure NYC spirit. Perfect for listeners who missed the episode but want every barb, insight, and water-cooler moment delivered with bite and brains.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[C]

Lumi, you went to the groomer today. Mommy said we're going somewhere fun. Was it fun? Mommy lied. That Pomeranian, I swear to God, is like Teddy's soul sister. Hello and welcome to your Tuesday edition of the Nerve. I am your host, Maureen Callahan. We have so much to get into today. I have been reading your emails all weekend long and many of you troublemakers emailed about a very particular star who has been making alarming appearances on the red carpet, on late night shows, on entertainment shows. And we're going to use this example to talk about what is clearly very wrong in Hollywood regarding actresses who are now middle aged but who began as children or as teenagers or very, very, very young. Me too has done nothing. It's done nothing. And as someone was pointing out, I forget where I saw this, but you don't typically see men unravel in this way. You see women unravel in this way. It is alarming. And this segment was really interesting to put together because there was. There's a legend out there, by which I mean a legendary performer, an iconic individual who seems to me to be the bookend to what's happening. And this is going to be a fascinating discussion. Fascinating. I cannot wait to get into it with you. Then we are going to do some troublemaker feedback. And the original M.O. bro. You guys love him. I love him. Marlena put this in the prompter. She wrote this without telling me. She said he's a mo bro and he's Mo's bro. And. And that I should try to say that three times fast as a tongue twister. And I was like, marlena, why are you fucking with me? Bill from Brooklyn is going to be here and we are going to be talking about a feel good sports story that has exploded beyond the world of sports. These are the best ones. These are the ones they make movies about. Like, like Miracle on Ice kind of stuff. Like you, you cannot look away. Everybody is out of their minds with excitement and joy. And it's, it's got celebrity and it's got media and it's even got the Vatican. Okay? Bill from Brooklyn is going to be here breaking it down like nobody's business. And so are you ready? Are you ready? Let's go. Father's Day is just around the corner and if you are out of gift ideas and on the verge of panic buying another tie or, or overpriced bottle of bourbon, please just stop yourself. Do yourself and your father a favor. Check out Firecracker Farm Hot salt. This is coarse sea salt infused with real hot peppers. It's packaged in a sleek stainless steel push grinder that looks beautiful sitting on a counter or next to the grill. It's got some real weight to it, it feels substantial and it's one of those gifts that feels thoughtful without trying too hard. The flavor here, incredible. It instantly upgrades steaks, burgers, eggs, veggies, anything, anything. It's simple, it's elevated and it's actually useful. What's also great is that Firecracker Farm is a small family run American company. The entire family's involved and you can tell there is real pride behind this product. Here is the catch. These sell out fast, especially before Father's Day. This is not a last minute Amazon situation. So go over to Firecracker Farm. That's Firecracker, dot Farm, F A R M and use code the nerve for a discount. Don't drop this ball. Go and get him something he will actually use and love. You are welcome. We begin with Anna Faris. She is out promoting Scary Movie 6. And I mean, it's an apt title. She. This is, this is very disturbing. And what's equally disturbing is that nobody's like responding as if this does not seem like an emergency situation. When I tell you how old this woman is, your jaw is going to drop. Here she is at the scary movie six premiere at the Paramount Theater in LA June 3rd. Looking she. You can count her rib cage. You can count the bones in her rib cage. She looks unwell. She is wearing sunglasses. She is acting. I'm Just going to say it. My opinion, she looks like she's out of her mind on substances. Now here's the way the entertainment media is covering this. An interview with Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet. Anna Faris. Here we go.

[D]

This has been a journey.

[C]

What?

[D]

This has been a journey, right?

[C]

They keep telling me to stop crying,

[A]

but I'm like, you know, this is this scary movie. I had a violent origin story. My first movie. I was scared out of my mind.

[C]

What a wonderful feeling to get to thank them all over and over for

[A]

what they gave me.

[C]

And they show a photo of her as a young actress and she looks like a normal, healthy, happy person with light in her eyes. This Anna Farris looks like a meth addict. She looks like someone you would see on tlc, some sort of freak show reality show. She looks like someone you would see waiting for their relative to get out of prison on Love After Lockup. She is clearly unwell. Keep going. Entertainment Tonight. That's not the package. The package should be. Holy fucking shit. Alarm bells are going off. Anna Faris looks like she's near death. This is a mother of a young child. She's 49 years old. 49. Her ex husband is Chris Pratt, since remarried to Katherine Schwarzenegger. Keep going, keep going. Entertainment media keep spoon feeding what you think is a blind and dumb population. Oh, look, here's a glamorous movie actress on the red carpet for her latest movie. Isn't it all fun and games? No, it's not. She looks like she's going to OD any minute. That's not the package you do. But please, by all means, keep leaving this lane open to the nerve. It's why we're here. It's why we're here. Now, Anna went on to Seth Meyers and is relaying a story in a way that is very tortured because she's, I think my opinion, she's clearly high. So she's having trouble getting a thought out cohesively within the four to six minutes you're given on a late night show. Seth, I wonder if this was deliberate because I'm sure he saw her backstage and said hello and all of that and took one look at her and was like, oh, shit. Honestly, I don't know that it's responsible to have actors on when they're in this state. I really don't. And this is the sickness of the media and entertainment industrial complex that rather than say, you know what, we'll just fill, we'll just fill in like someone across the hall, we'll just get them to come on and. Or like, Seth should really have, like a sidekick so that he could just sort of fill that extra six to 10 minutes. I don't think this is responsible. Seth is going to remind his audience in his introduction that Anna is not just known for the Scary Movie series or the franchise rather, but that she's also known for the sitcom mom in which she starred with Alice and Janney. And what's salient there is that they played a mother and daughter who were in recovery from substances. That seems a little bit pointed. Here's Anna trying to be charming and telling Seth about the time she made an anonymous YouTube account to charge. Try to reach him. And this truly makes no sense because you know what really happens? Famous people. Her publicist calls him his publicist. That's it. Here we go.

[A]

In January of 2026, I thought, I'm gonna create an anonymous YouTube account.

[D]

Okay, and for what purpose?

[C]

To reach out to you.

[D]

Why would.

[A]

Okay, I. I want to say, you

[C]

know, that that's like the worst way to reach out.

[A]

Listen, I'm at a stage in life where I really want to express my gratitude anonymously.

[C]

Well, I was hoping that you would

[A]

sort of pick up something in there.

[C]

Okay, this is really, really concerning and really depressing. And you can tell Seth is trying to be polite and help her along and. But I don't. I don't think having her on. If you're going to have her on, I think you got to ask, what's up here? What's going on? Are you okay? Something doesn't seem right. These are the moments. I really miss David Letterman. I really do. David Letterman, who said to the New York Times very recently, late night is on life support, and he'll be shocked if any of these guys are on the air a year from now. This is why. This is exactly fucking why. Watch David Letterman handling a guest who's clearly under the fucking influence. My opinion. But Dave clearly thought so. The audience clearly thought so, and all the media coverage afterward, Afterward, excuse me, clearly thought so. Because after this appearance, you know what the coverage was. Can this guy's career sustain itself? Joaquin Phoenix, February 11, 2009, promoting the indie film Two Lovers Co starring Gwyneth Paltrow. He was also promoting his nascent hip hop career, which nobody knew. Is it real? Is it a prank? Nobody can tell. This appearance itself, though. Not a prank. Not a prank. Watch Letterman masterfully hit Handle this. Who showed up to his set drunk and high? One or the other? Probably both. Here we go. Now this. Two Lovers. Now, it's loosely based on a novel by Dostoevsky. Is that correct? I don't know. I mean, I think. I think it might say that in the opening credits.

[D]

Does it say that?

[C]

I haven't seen the movie. Haven't seen the film yet. Yeah. What a surprise. Now, what's brilliant about Letterman's reaction here and his needling of Joaquin Phoenix is you can tell, he's like, look, we're both here to do a job. You're promoting your film on my show, and you're sitting here and you're like, I have no idea what this movie's about. I mean, I just acted in it, but I haven't seen it. Like, why would I watch my movie? Somebody on Letterman staff had to watch that movie and get filled in. And then this. This asshole rolls up and it's like, why don't you just do the whole heavy lift why don't you do the whole heavy lift of this conversation and tell America why they should go and pay money and spend their limited free time seeing a movie that I star in that I couldn't be bothered to watch? Watch Letterman and listen again. A master if asks now, again, Joaquin just said, I haven't seen the movie. Let's. Letterman says, hey, man, why don't you set this clip up? Here we go. Can you.

[D]

Can you set up the clip for us, Joaquin? Are you kidding?

[C]

Are you serious?

[D]

Just the maniacal laughter. I don't know what the clip is.

[C]

Don't know what the clip is. It's you and maybe you in a scene with you and Gwyneth Paltrow.

[D]

All right, you're doing fine.

[C]

Or.

[D]

Thanks.

[C]

High praise coming from you. How desperately I miss a presence on mainstream television in mainstream media with teeth. Nobody was off limits to Letterman. Nobody. And he's like, I can't believe I have to deal with this prick who's chewing gum. At one point, he's wearing sunglasses. Okay? It looks like he hasn't bathed in a week. His beard is scraggly. His hair is scraggly. And at one point, Letterman says, thanks for chewing gum this entire time. And Joaquin is like, oh, does that bother you? He removes the gum from his mouth and he sticks it under Letterman's desk, which is a sign of contempt. Here's Letterman sending Joaquin off the way in which he deserves. Here we go.

[D]

Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight.

[C]

Funny. You're funny. That still makes me laugh out loud. That is one of the funniest ad libs Because a. Not only is it dead to rights, true, but Letterman had the balls to say it to his face. Say it to his fucking face. This would be a better and a healthier culture if more people said to the faces of these celebrities who are showing up clearly under the influence instead of being like on a podcast with the like of likes of Jay Shetty. Oh, you're telling some real truths. You're being really vulnerable. How about, why are you grinding your jaw like you just did an eight ball five minutes ago? Here's Hayden Panettiere, another very troubled star. She was most famous, I believe, for the television show Heroes. And then she starred in Nashville opposite Connie Britton, who by all accounts, Connie had real issues with Hayden. Wonder why it's not a spoiler to tell you that Hayden does not have custody of her daughter. Here she is on Jay Shetty's podcast promoting her new memoir. Memoir. Excuse me, I'm trying to get it. It's like it wants to come out of my mouth so quickly. Her new memoir is entitled this is Me, which is the most basic, redundant, obvious title going a memoir called this Is Me. This is the Imagination we're working with. Could nobody at her publisher say, hayden, why don't you workshop that and get back to us? This is Me. Oh, my God. Here she is on Jay's podcast, May 11, 2026, and listen not just to what Hayden is saying, but how she is saying it, by which I mean the enunciation or lack thereof. Jenna Bush Hager. This is calling. Here we go.

[A]

I worked so hard to create this incredible life and career, and I burnt it all to the ground. Don't believe what you see in a picture. There's so much more going on. So much more. For the first time, I was able to put into words what has been going on for the past decade. I was gonna ask if I could read it.

[C]

I'd really appreciate it. Okay, Jay, why don't you ask her why she's slurring her words? Why don't you ask her why she doesn't seem to be all there? Why don't you have a real conversation and not a star one? I mean you. Here's Hayden over at the View two weeks ago, and Whoopi is going to ask a question that is so boilerplate and that is so often asked. I feel. I feel I must be honest with you guys. A little. A little Ryan Reynolds energy. I kind of want to light something on fire. Okay. When I hear this question. Here we go.

[D]

So what made you decide now to finally just say, okay, here's what's going on.

[C]

In other words, why did you finally decide that now is the time to write this book? I will give you the unvarnished answer, okay? From inside. Inside the house. Okay. I've been doing this long enough. I've been writing books long enough. What's going on is that Hayden is unemployable. Hayden can't get any acting work because Hayden has a terrible, well earned, my opinion, reputation. She needs money. She needs some income. This was her next best choice, writing a memoir that she hired a ghostwriter to do. You know? You know, she doesn't even believe half the stuff she's shilling out. And she's probably resentful that in order to earn some money, she has to talk about all of the difficult things in her life. I mean, who. What mother loses custody of their daughter? When I tell you where her daughter is right now, you're not even gonna believe it. You're not even gonna believe it. And here's Hayden, by the way, giving the most bullshit boilerplate answer that these harridans at the View are gonna sit there and nod their heads and be like, yes, that's right. We believe you. Wow, you're such a great fucking person, Hayden. Here we go.

[A]

I think once I talked about postpartum depression and opened up about that and had really no idea what the backlash was gonna be. There was a lot of from people that understood and had been through it, and then there were a lot of people who were like, like, I talk about Neutrogena dropping me because of it, and I had no idea what that was going to, like, the repercussions of that. And I was like, you know what? I need to open up, and I need to dare to be brave and hopefully help other people.

[C]

Oh, my God, everyone's a victim. She's near tears again. She's an actress. She's slurring her words again, and she's saying, you know, I caught a lot of. Because I talked about postpartum, and I got a lot of backlash. Really? Exactly what kind of backlash did you get talking about postpartum? Ask Brooke Shields, who wrote an entire memoir about postpartum. I think it was called Down Came the Rain. And Brook Shields helped a lot of people with that memoir, and all she got was well deserved praise for opening up about a condition that is very serious, far more common than people realize, and often makes women feel incredibly alone and terrified. That's not the real story, but who would expect those Idiot loser star at the View to push her on the real story. Okay. Oh, nobody understood me. So I had to be brave. I had to be brave and write a book. Book the real story. Per USA Today, there are many publications that cover this. Published May 13, 2026 regarding Hayden's daughter in 2018, while battling a cycle of depression, anxiety and addiction, which, I'm sorry, seems to be active, it is not helpful to pretend that this is a healthy, intact person in front of us asking us to buy her story and literally spend money and time on her book. Panettiere signed over full custody to her ex, former professional boxer Vladimir Klitschko, if I'm saying his name right. Panettiere later revealed that she was working to heal when her ex fiance initially asked for full custody while in Ukraine. At the time. This is Hayden's side. She believed this language is so soft, she. And it's so passive. She believed the arrangement would be temporary, but it evolved into a permanent primary living situation. That means either either Hayden is like, I really, I am either not capable of raising my daughter or I do not want to or. Or things are so bad, so bad that she cannot have custody of this girl who is now 11 and lives with her father in Ukraine. It's got to be pretty bad if your daughter would prefer to live in a war torn nation that is still getting bombed than in America with you. Check out the motherlode, which we talked about on a very recent nerve. You see how dark it is for many of these children of privilege. A nanny's not going to cut it. That's how bad it is. My opinion, my opinion. Now we go over to Selena Gomez, who took herself over to Jay Shetty's podcast. You know, again, nominative determinism. Shetty, it's a little too close to Shitty. Jay Shitty's podcast March 24, 2025. Now, I've said this before about Selena Gomez, who I believe is a billionaire, whose rare beauty products, her makeup line, which I like a lot, has I believe made her a billionaire. Selena has been famous since childhood and I think, I think very dark things happened to these girls and women. I think this, I think they are fucked up for a reason. I really do. And this is why I think it is not healthy to pretend that when Selena Gomez is sitting across from you and she sounds as though she is suffering from a grave kind of treatment resistant depression, that you act as though everything is fine. Isn't Jay Shetty's podcast all about self actualizing and getting, you know, why do I bother? Here we go.

[A]

The world has become so hard to please, if you will. I'm called fake. I'm called. It's insincere. It's fake. All of this, like, it just doesn't feel safe. And I don't like being myself sometimes. And that's a re. That's a bigger problem than just talking about it in a relationship.

[C]

She said something very alarming there. She said, I don't like being myself sometimes. That sounds dire. And then she says, you know, well, the world makes me feel this way. The world calls me names, you know, this is not a person of real substance with great internal resources. You don't like it, go away. It's part of the deal with fame. If you can't take it and the billion plus dollars you have made isn't enough to make up for your absence. Do you know what I mean? Like, what are we doing here? What are we. Why are we all supposed to feel bad about whatever her issues are? But again, Jay Shetty is doing no favors leading in to Selena's self professed victimhood. Daily Mail plus published October 8, 2025. The headline, Selena's brutal wedding Snub. We're a victim. Are we? I'm reading from the piece. In 2017, Selena's longtime friend Francia Reza donated. This is a young woman. Young woman donated her kidney to Gomez, who needed a transplant. Raisa said this on the Today show as reported by Yahoo. On November 7, 2022. Raisa herself said one day Selena came home and quote, she was emotional. I hadn't asked anything. I knew that she hadn't been feeling well. She couldn't open a water bottle one day and she chucked it and she started crying. I said, what's wrong? That's when she told me. She goes, I don't know what to do. But the list is seven to 10 years long, the transplant list. And it just vomited out of me. I was like, of course I'll go get tested. This is the key part. While Gomez objected because of race, his own busy career. That's your objection. Your objection should be, hey, you are a young, healthy woman who may want to have children one day. You should not be cutting yourself open for the likes of me. I have money and resources, and I know powerful people who. Why don't we take a beat and see what other options I could come up with?

[D]

No.

[C]

Selena was like, but you're busy too. Like, nowhere near as busy as Selena. And this is all bullshit. It's such bullshit. Nobody pushes back on anything. Hence the nerve. Hence the nerve. Raisa said, I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it, Selena. I'm going to give you my kidney. And so then Raysa and I quote, quote said I called her assistant and said, give me the information. I want to do this. Raisa had to call Selena Gomez's assistant to get the medical information of Selena's doctor and would be transplant team Selena. She couldn't ask Selena for it. She's only giving her a vital organ. You know, guess who wasn't invited to Selena's wedding? Her donor. Amanda Bynes on Instagram posted February 12th flashing her nails. Amanda has clearly been very unwell for quite some time. And every time she takes to social media or is photographed or gives an interview, all I can think of is this girl is a walking cry for help. Bad things were clearly visited upon this girl as a child star. There's no doubt in my mind, no fucking doubt. But here's Entertainment Tonight again, again reporting on Amanda's quote, progress and goals on November 6, 2025. And it's not, of course it's not what you would think. Amanda's making progress, you guys, and ET Is here to tell us all about it. Here we go. I've lost 20 pounds so far.

[D]

I'm so excited about that.

[A]

Amanda Bynes sharing where she's at on her weight loss journey in a rare life update just over four, four months after announcing she was starting weight loss meds.

[C]

I'm 173 now, so I hope to get down to like 130, which would be awesome.

[A]

So I look better in paparazzi pictures

[C]

and you don't see my double chin from strange angles.

[A]

Despite her progress, the 39 year old

[C]

says she's still got a ways to

[A]

go to meet her desired goal.

[C]

I want to lose about 50 more pounds. I'm trying to lose more weight just to feel skinny and cute.

[A]

It's been 15 years since the former child star appeared on screen. She retired from Hollywood after starring in Easy A alongside Emma Stone.

[C]

This package makes me so angry because we see Amanda as a young, pretty, vivacious actress whose career was on an upward trajectory, who had life in her eyes and like Anna Faris is now a middle aged woman who has destroyed herself. And Entertainment Tonight treats this like a fucking feel good story about weight loss, about look at her, look at her and you tell us that everything's cool and that Amanda's main issue is her unhappiness with her own Weight. It is not. It is not. And it's really fucking sick. It's sick. Which brings me to the legend that we referenced in our introduction. This was a person who I thought was going to be very interesting and consequential to see age, to see how she handled aging and the ways in which she would push the culture forward as she had done for decades. There are very few people, performers who can say that they have single handedly transformed culture. And Madonna is one. And I saw this footage of her in Times Square. I believe this is a performance for Pride Month and it's not the first time we've seen this, but it is to weep. If you are listening to this, I urge you to go to this segment on the YouTube feed on our channel and watch it because it's beyond upsetting. Here we go. She's got one leg over the plexiglass barrier and she's wearing what looks like a negligee. So she's basically flashing her crotch. She's wearing a bodysuit, but she's flashing her crotch. And she's wearing like thigh high tights with lace and she's wearing sunglasses and it's like, hello, fellow kids. I may be like 67 years old, but I'm sexy, right? And this is really what we're witnessing. This, this, this. I hate to do this, but we have to be honest about what we're witnessing. I, I love and admire women who really are aging gracefully and who understand this is not a moral judgment. Again, it's really, really not. Do what makes you happy. If you're not hurting anybody else, do whatever floats your boat. But there's a lack of dignity here. Like it's. And that's what's depressing about it. She's not treating herself with respect. This is what we're really witnessing. If you haven't seen Whatever Happened to baby Jane? The 1962 classic in which Bette Davis stars as Baby Jane Hudson, an arrested former child star who, by the way, it looks like Amanda Bynes has taken a few aesthetic cues from Madonna, doesn't realize she's in the camp performance of her life as Baby Jane Hudson. Baby Jane lives in a house with her. Her shut in sister, who's also a paraplegic, played by Joan Crawford. And this is Bette Davis performing I've written a letter to Daddy. Take a look and tell me if you don't see Madonna. Here we go. Instead of a stamp I put kisses. The postman says that's best to do. I've written a letter to Daddy saying I love

[D]

you.

[C]

And that piano player's side eye. That is all of us. Next up, troublemaker feedback, followed by a little convo with the OG Mo bro Bill from Brooklyn. We will see you in a minute. If you are One of the 30% of Americans who wake up every morning with a sore jaw, frequent headaches, and or increased tooth sensitivity from grinding your teeth at night, consider giving Remy a try. Their custom night guards are clinically tested and FDA cleared to prevent teeth grinding, to reduce jaw tension and facial muscle strain, and to improve sleep quality. Here is what's also great about Remy. Their impression kit arrives at your door. No dentist appointments. You apply two molds to your teeth. It takes about 10 minutes to set, then you mail them back. That's it. Two weeks later, your custom night guards will arrive. It is that simple. And best of all, Remy offers the same quality night guard you'd get from your dentist, but it costs 80% less. Protect your teeth with Remy by using Code nerve to get 50% off your new night guard with Remy Club. Subscribe and save. That's 50% off at shop r e m I.com nerve or with code Nerve. And thank you to Remy for sponsoring this episode.

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Oregon Parks make an Oregon Summer but what makes an Oregon park? Well, Oregon Lottery Gameplay helps no matter the game Megabucks, video lottery or keno funds from lottery games help support parks projects across the state, ensuring they stay safe, accessible and open for all. In fact, Discover State Park Scratches are in stores now. It's the perfect way to put a little bit of Oregon's parks in your pocket. The Oregon Lottery Together we do good things. Must be 18 or older to play. Lottery games are based on chance and should be played for entertainment only.

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Out on the road, it's nice to have a partner who can help you make the most of your journey. A partner like the Luvs Rewards app. With Love's Rewards along for the ride, you earn points on food, fuel, drinks and more every time you scan. Then you can spend those points at Love's just like cash. So every stop is even more rewarding. Download the app today and watch the points roll in mile after mile. Love's Rewards save and earn at every turn. Terms apply. See website for details.

[C]

We are back and it is now time for troublemaker feedback. And this feedback. Oh my God you guys. Hi Maureen. When you speak about Ryan Reynolds, it reminds me that I was a fan of his a long time ago when he was on a sitcom. I am not a fan anymore. It also Reminds me, we have gotten many emails about this, but this is one. This one really sent me on a search and I've come back with metaphorical fruit. It reminded me that he was engaged to Alanis Morissette in the early 2000s. Fan of hers at the time. He totally screwed her over. This troublemaker Rights went as far as to meet her parents for permission to propose marriage, then basically dumped her hard, suddenly meeting Scarlett Johansson. I know all is fair in love, blah blah, blah. But I felt bad for Alanis, who was devastated she ended up writing a song called Straight Jacket about him. So let's read from said lyrics to Straitjacket from 2008. I believe this was part of a breakup record that Alanis did after Ryan dumped her. Is pretty fucking cruel to go and you know, like, what is this, 1850? He's got to go ask her parents for her hand in marriage. You know, he's fucking. Here we go. Something so benign for me Alanis's lyrics begin construed as cruelty. Such a difference between who I am and who you see Conclusions you come to of me routinely incorrect. I don't know who you're talking to with such fucking disrespect. This shit's making me crazy. The way you nullify Alanis. God, can she write nullify? The way you nullify what's in my head. You say one thing, do another and argue that's not what you did. Gaslighting. What can we say? Ryan loves a fire, right? Psycho arsonist Ryan Reynolds. He loves a fire. Alanis's lyrics continue your ways Making me mental are you are how you filter a skewed interpret clunky I swear you won't be happy till I am bound in a straight jacket. Alana stodged a bullet dodged a bullet Marina subject line. This was. This is actually sent from the email address. It's fake. It's xx. The email address is. It's fake. Sorry. 2020@gmail. So we think it's either Jack Schlossberg, Megan Markle or Blake Lively. Marlena, Maureen needs help. Help is in all caps. Help again in all caps. Maureen with her styling. The just rolled out of bed look is not it. Seek outside sources of help. She needs it bad. What can I say? I'm out on Long Island. I don't have glam with me. It gets humid. Do my best for you guys, you know. Anyway, elitism in publishing strikes freaking again. This is in response to our Bell Burden segment. This is troublemaker Lisa who who writes to us often and we love Lisa's emails. As discussed, we are going to have a follow up segment with new reporting on Bell. Okay, thank you for once again exposing the elitism that is modern day publishing. Long gone and we are the poorer for it, culturally are the days when a hopeful writer could send a manuscript to one of the big five publishers and dream of seeing their hard work and things that they actually have to say that they feel not only compelled to say, but to share and to put out into the world in the hope of starting an interesting conversation. No more. The likes of Bell fucking Burden and Amy Griffin are getting fucking book deals. It's always been a who you know club, Lisa writes, but never has the elitism been this blatant or obnoxious. I could not agree more. Lisa writes. I still cannot get over George Stephanopoulos calling Bell Burden's quote unquote memoir experience a unimaginable. Who gets the country club in Martha's Vineyard, George? That's unimaginable. That's unimaginable. What I find most interesting, Lisa writes, is how the very same media that spent years lecturing us about white privilege is openly perpetuating real privilege, which is class privilege. Yes, yes and yes. This memoir and the Motherlode book that the Nerve rightfully barbecued last week are the living, breathing example of everything we were told was wrong with society. We were, we were all supposed to check our privilege, step back and make room for underrepresented voices. It turns out that that was never about equal opportunity or race at all. It's been a class war the entire time. Yes, yes, and yes. That scene in The Devil Wears Prada 2 with Kara Swisher and Jenna Bush Hager out in the Hamptons was pure unself aware elitism on full display. And they probably have no idea how cringe it looks to the rest of us out here. To quote a better George, George Carlin, spiritual godfather of the Nerve, it's one big club. And if you don't come from Big Bunny and have the right dinner party connections, you ain't in it. That's right, we're not in it. And we don't want to be the troublemakers and the Nerve, we don't want to be in it. We're the better for it. Come join us over here, won't you, please? The right side of this party. Thank God for independent media. Lisa says and loved the mini. Warm regards to you and the whole team. Thank you, Lisa, for writing. Oh my gosh. Maureen, this is Troublemaker L from Sarasota Belle Burden looks like she is playing playing Gwyneth Paltrow, not the other way around. And they probably already knew each other with the and the pursed lips. I do not believe that Bell Burden bought a sleep number mattress. She probably has one from Switzerland that costs more than I paid for my shack of a horsehair mattress that takes years to make. She means Bellburden probably bought one of those like mattresses that are manufactured in Switzerland that take 20 years to make and are made from real horse hair and they cost like you know, $100,000 starting floor. That woman Troublemaker L writes wouldn't be caught dead on a mass market mattress. I agree, I agree. She sounds completely rehearsed. Her body is so constrained like one spotty is when you are telling bullshit. And why are all of these liars dressed in monastic garbage same virtuous white wearing self whitewashing their sins like Meghan Markle. This troublemaker L from Sarasota says would shipper stat our final email. This devoted troublemaker says we can use her name. And I'm so happy Rochelle, because when I got to the bottom of your email I was hoping you would say so. I loved your email. Loved it. And I think that the troublemakers will as well. Regarding Bell Burden, she got coverage in Vanity Fair. I took one glance at this book's contents and I thought pass. I was curious because she is Babe Paley's granddaughter, but I knew without reading a word that that was the most interesting thing about her. You were dead on Rochelle. Dead effing on Rochelle continues. These 1 percenter sad sack victims are are indeed. And she put victims in quote a stain on the culture. As a side note, I have been living with chronic pain for over 25 years. Your sympathies? Keep going troublemaker. Keep going. I had tumors removed from inside my spinal cord which subsequently caused nerve damage and back pain problems. I have had four four ensuing surgeries on my spinal cord over the years. I have been on disability for 15 years and I learned a long time ago the importance of not leading with victimhood. Everyone's got their own shit no matter how big or small. Unless asked. People don't want to hear your woe is me story. Especially from these vain boredom ridiculously wealthy narcissists looking for some fawning, validating attention devoted troublemaker Rochelle. Rochelle, we love you. We root you. We cheer you on. Keep your feedback coming. Email me please at maureenvilmaycare media.com or DM me @maureen Callahan, writer or at the Nerve show. Marlena just interrupted on prompter again, as is her want. She says in regard to that email that either Jack, Megan or Blake sent that she can't help. She can't help me. She pulled this up. She pulled this up from the comments on YouTube. Marlena, I love you. I love you, Marlena. Okay, these are the comments she says she pulled up. If she did not write them herself in solidarity with me and my flattening hair. Marlena, come on. Please get a hairstylist. Your hair looks like you just got out of the shower. That is so rude. And it does not. And Marlena, your hair today looks makes you look like Morticia from the Addams Family. If that's real, you should take that as a compliment. Morticia from the Addams Family. Fucking stunning. Okay, One of my beauty icons as a child back when I was a brunette. Keep your feedback coming. Email me at maureenevilmaycaremedia.com DM me please on Instagram @maureen callahanrider or at the Nerve Show. And please remember to subscribe to the Nerves Substack. That is our weekly email full of bonus original and extra content which will land in your inbox on Friday after the last full nerve of the week and before the mini lands on Saturday. Just go over to thenerveshow.com to sign up for that. Okay, Mo Bros, buckle up. The OG is here. Bill from Brooklyn up next. See you in a minute. Are you wrestling with bras that dig in shapewear that rolls down constantly? It's not just you or underwire that feels like medieval torture. Give Honey Love a try. This is a brand designed by people who actually wear bras. Women. Honeylove's Cloud Embrace bra is a modern wireless T shirt bra with supportive, lightly padded foam cups that feel like a cloud against your skin. Their new crossover Contour bra gives you such a beautifully contoured shape, and their shapewear's targeted compression is designed to enhance your curves instead of squeezing them. A great bra is the foundation of any wardrobe. So start Every outfit with HoneyLove. Treat yourself to the most advanced bras and shapewear on the market, and use our exclusive link to save 20% off [e-mail] nerve that's honeylove.com nerve after you check out, they're going to ask, where did you hear about them? Please support our show. Tell them you are a troublemaker and the Nerve sent you. Experience the new standard in comfort and support with Honey Love.

[A]

Oregon parks make an Oregon summer. But what makes an Oregon park well, Oregon Lottery gameplay helps no matter the game. Megabucks, video lottery or keno funds from lottery games help support parks projects across the state, ensuring they stay safe, accessible and open for all. In fact, decided Discover State Park Scratches are in stores now. It's the perfect way to put a little bit of Oregon's parks in your pocket. The Oregon Lottery Together we do good things. Must be 18 or older to play Lottery games are based on chance and should be played for entertainment only.

[B]

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[C]

Joining us now, Mo Bro favorite excuse, as he likes to correct me, the original Mo Bro show. It's Bill from Brooklyn to talk all things New York City. Knicks, celebrities, media and a historical run that is just completely captivating whether you follow much professional basketball or not. Bill, welcome back to the Nerve.

[D]

Thank you for having me. It has been an amazing six weeks or so of watching this basketball team go and seeing what it's done for the city. Great to be here to talk about it.

[C]

Speaking of what it's done for this city, we're going to show some video and some photo. This is the city lit up for the Knicks on Friday. Just about every major building was in Nick's colors, blue and orange. This is incredible. We've got the Empire State Building shot from above in blue and orange. The MTA is painting subway stations on the street. The street level where you see the stairs, they're painting the railings in Nick's colors. There was a Knicks watch party on Main street out in East Hampton, New York this past weekend. I wasn't here to see it, but I saw it online and this never happens in East Hampton. They don't play. Put huge screens up in the middle of the street so people can come out and party like this. It never happens there. Then we're seeing Knicks fans getting arrested during Nick celebrations. It's all peaceful, like they were just climbing poles to get better looks. And this guy comes down and he sees the cop and he's like, okay, fair enough. You got to arrest me. It's worth it. It's a Nick celebration and finally, what may, may be my favorite. This is a kid wearing a yarmulke, okay. Break dancing in front of a mixed race crowd outside the Garden during the celebrations. I love this clip so much. Can we show it? He's dancing to planet rock by africa bambaata, And everybody's cheering him on and dancing with him. Oh, my God, Phil, I have to say, you know, you were here, I was here. And so I say this with utter sincerity, you know, and with all the respect it deserves. I don't think New York City has been this united since September 11th. And that, that, that unison was, was grief and mourning and resolve and all of that. This is just pure, unadulterated joy.

[D]

I had the exact same thought about 11, 100%. I mean, I know this might sound a little far fetched, but this is almost like you could see the Knicks. The city has laid out the blueprint for world peace. I'm. I bet a large amount of money that somewhere in that crowd there was an Israeli and an Iranian hugging it out over a win.

[C]

A Palestinian and a Jew. Yes, absolutely, 100%.

[D]

Like everybody's out there having a good time. You know, I mentioned to you one time when we spoke recently that heard a report, don't know if it's true or not, on, on a sports radio show, that crime in the city is down 65% on game nights. I mean, that's unheard of, but it's just, it's something to watch. I mean, these people are out there, they're partying. I mean, I don't. Have you seen the clips from people from Jersey? And you can hear the city, you can hear the cheering from New Jersey.

[C]

In New Jersey, across the river.

[D]

You can hear it across the river. It's just, it's a once in a lifetime event. I mean, I've never. There's never been a championship in my lifetime. I remember 99 when they went and they played against the spurs and we had no chance going into that series. And we, you know, we lost. I believe it was 4 to 1. We gave it everything we had, but we were just outgunned. But this team, this team is just different. This is, this team is the epitome of New York. Everyone's going to work doing their part. Nobody cares about being the superstar. They're just there to work, do their part. And it's working. We win big, we can crush you. Or we can win ugly like we did two nights ago. And it was an ugly win. But a win's a win.

[C]

I Want to talk to you about something you said that had not occurred to me. And when you said it, I was like, wow, not only are you right, it's a really smart observation. We're watching a lot of celebrity Knicks fans travel to these games. And I was saying to you, watching game two, which was in Texas, why are there no celebrities in the front row? Like, where's the star power? That's part of the fun. And you're seeing way up in this. Not way up. You know, they have great seats, but it's like Ben Stiller's up in the seat. I was like, I was texting with you. I was like, is that Fat Joe? You were like, yeah. He seemed like he had a couple of drinks before he was getting interviewed. Timothy Shamalama, Ding Dong is there. You know, they're traveling. And you said only two cities can. Can hold, generate, attract star power like this in basketball. And it's LA and it's New York. Tell me why, what's your theory?

[D]

I don't know. I mean, I don't know if it's just that, you know, I mean, in New York, a celebrity can walk down the street and go unnoticed. Like, I mean, I've.

[C]

Or people will deliberately leave them alone.

[D]

Like, I'm gonna tell you, I had, I. I saw Clyde Frazier once.

[C]

We want him on the show so badly. We want Clyde Frazier on the show so bad. Badly. My fashion, one of my absolute fashion icons. Go on.

[D]

So two people I've seen in real life and in. In that. I mean, I've seen a few celebrities in the city. I saw Reggie Jackson, I passed him in a hallway, and everybody just. Everybody just kind of leaned against the wall and let him go by. It was like Moses parting the Red Sea. And the room just stopped while he walked through. Like that man, he commanded that room as he walked through. And then Clyde, he was quiet off to the side. He wasn't dressed in typical Clyde fashion.

[C]

What was he wearing, Bill?

[D]

He was just wearing regular clothes. Regular, you know, nice button down and a sports coat. Had a little hat on, trying to hide who he was. But we locked eyes and he gave me a little smile, like, acknowledging that. I mean, I guess I was standing there like a super fan, like, holy shit, it's Clyde.

[C]

Who wouldn't, right?

[D]

But I just left it at that. I didn't approach him. And it was like, that's the New Yorker, right? You know, and I think that's one of the attractions of New York and L. A. I mean, L. A is L. A. Like, that's. It's Hollywood, right? That's. That's where the other. The rest of the celebrities are, generally.

[C]

Yeah. But if you think about it, you know, like, you don't see. It's like, unlike baseball, I guess, you know, where it's like, Boston has generated a fair amount of celebrities, including Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. And it's not like you see them at, like, Celtics games, front row.

[D]

Yeah, you see them at Red Sox games. They were there when the Red Sox were big. But, I mean, listen, I'm gonna say this. There's no. There's no better sports fan than the New York Knick fan. The true.

[C]

So true.

[D]

Right? And there's a lot of. There's a lot of bandwagon. People jumping on the bandwagon now. And that's fine. Like, it's great because you see what it's. It's done for the city. It's really united the city. But there are some of us that watched 15 years of agony and tuned in every night and showed up and sold out the Garden when there were teams that would lose to college teams. Like, we put some horrific teams on the court over years, and we still showed up. So all of this energy, all this positive energy, all these people out there right now, this is. We've. We've been waiting for this. We've earned this. We have earned this.

[C]

Yes, you have suffered. You have suffered greatly. Before we get to the clout chasers, the celebrities who seem like Johnny come lately to this, because there are several. I want to show this video. Speaking of. There's no better fan than, like, a New York Knicks fan. They're traveling everywhere. You know, when I was watching game two, and it was. I was like this. This crowd is 50% New York. 50% of people who travel to go to this game. This crowd outside of the hotel as the spurs leave to board their bus to come to New York to play. Let's take a look at this.

[D]

Yo, keep the bus running. You're gonna be out of here in two days.

[C]

Two days.

[D]

Keep the bus running.

[C]

See ya. Oh, yeah.

[D]

What up, Yo, Wendy? Get ready to go golfing, buddy. I mean, that's. That's the New Yorker, right? We. We will find them and we will. We will tell them exactly as it is. And you know, those. Wemby was walking out there with kind of. With his head down. Like, body language says it all. Yeah, we just. They're broken. They have been broken. They haven't figured out how to win yet. And they'll have their time when he's a great player, he's young, but they haven't figured it out yet. So this is our time. And it's. It's great seeing fans do stuff like that. And listen, none of it was. None of it was mean spirited. It's just. It is what it is. It's our time.

[C]

You know, it's funny you saying that, like, New York fans will find you. Will find you, and we'll hurt you. I feel like New York right now is Seal Team 6 and they're Osama bin Laden and it's just not gonna end well, I should say. You and I are talking like before game three, so we don't know how that's turning out. But a celebrity who has been courtside and who is real deal and who, by the way, your wife has plenty of occasion to see because your wife works somewhere where Law and Order SVU shoots very frequently and has said that nobody ever has a bad word to say about this woman. In fact, they love her. Mariska Hargitay is a hardcore fan. She's now on Broadway, so she's missed a couple of games, but she and Jalen Brunson have, like, it's. I look at those two and I'm like. It's almost like she. She's like a second mother to him. Like, he idolizes her and she loves him. Let's take a look at her talking about their relationship. You've been sitting courtside for so long, so you. Are you going to be inviting Jalen? Jalen. The last game that I went to, when I went on the court to congratulate him, I was telling him how great it was, and he grabbed me by the show shoulders and said, I'll be there.

[A]

That's how extraordinary he is.

[C]

That. That's what he said to me. And I was like, wait, what? He's switching gears on me going, I'll be there. You have several thoughts about Mariska, the way in which she represents New York City and where are the other SVU law and order people?

[D]

She's the only one that matters. I mean, and this is. This is what it says to me about Jalen Brunson, right? He's. He's not just a hired gun that's coming to New York, Right? He wasn't. Even when he was brought into the Knicks, when we signed him, there were people laughing at the signing, saying he was never going to be the one to lead us to a championship. He was a role player at best, and not Only has he worked hard and improved his game every year. For those of us that have watched, every year, he has gotten significantly better to where he is today. And he's embraced like Olivia Benson is. She is a treasure to New Yorkers right from being on natural from day one and being part of the New York culture, she's like, if there's a celebrity that I could meet, like, that she would be on the top of the list in New York. And the way he has embraced her and not, not necessarily all the other fans out of there, I mean, I'm sure he says hello to them and has his relationships, but that one, he seems pumped up just to see her. Like, that's. And it's such a. It's that. That. That sighting of a celebrity in the city that you're just excited. Like, there's something like, okay, that's pretty cool. And then there's. Then there's Benson that she's. She's up on another level.

[C]

I couldn't agree with you more. You know, speaking of Brunson and the way in which he's improved his game season after season and began as sort of a. People were laughing. You know, this is what I really do love about watching professional sports, because there are just so many applications the rest of us can take into our own lives. And I wanted to talk to you about this play in game two. Oh, by the way, before we get to that, can we just look at Sarah Jessica Parker's Instagram post, which I sent to you about. Like, she's like, this thing is art directed to within an inch of its life. Oh, somebody just happened to catch her on the. The floor in ecstasy and a ripture. Oh, look, she's wearing her Nick's pants. Oh, my God. And then there's some insufferable posts. Like, it didn't have to be pretty. It didn't have to be perfect, but we got it done. And this fakery, this horseshit, you know, compared to, like, Olivia, we're saying Olivia Benson, she's a real person. Marisa Hargitay, you know, it just, It. It's like, it's insufferable. What do you think when you see that?

[D]

I think, honestly, I think right now we are wasting valuable energy talking about Sarah Jessica Parker when we could be talking about the next. Like, who cares what she thinks? She's. She's so desperately trying to get on the bandwagon of it and just completely out of. Out of the conversation with this.

[C]

Well, that's why I had to Bring it up because it's so fake, it's so phony, it's so forced. And that is antithetical to what New York is about. New York is about authenticity. New York is. That's why people come here. You can be whoever you want.

[D]

So could be the reason she's posting that from home rather than sitting next to Olivia Betson.

[C]

That's a great point. Great point. Okay, let's look at the play that won the game for the Knicks. And I love this play. I texted you after this play and I said, I think Jalen Brunson just might be a genius, because Jalen Brunson saw where this ball was going before anybody figured it out.

[D]

So here's where this is this part of it with teams when there's something to be said for learning how to win. And, you know, you make your way up into the playoffs a couple of times, you lose tough games and you get bounced out. And that happened to the next last couple of years, and then this year now you see it, and you see this team is locked in. And no one is more locked in than Jalen Brunson. He knew he's looking at that play, seeing the ball in Wembley's hands. Now, Wemby is their best player, but Wemby had no business bringing that ball up the court. That ball should have been in the point guard hands. Who is more a steadier ball handler. Right? That's the guy you want traveling with the ball to protect it. And Brunson recognized that. And he didn't trail back to go all the way on defense. He recognized that and picked it up and knew there was an opportunity for a turnover. And the minute that ball, if you slow that down frame by frame, you see Brunson's eyes open up like, oh, shit, really? And it hits the. It's the other spurs player in the back. Brunson picks it up, gets the foul. That is just. It's known as ball iq. Basketball iq. He knew because of who had the ball, what the potential was, and he was in the right place to succeed. And that won them the game.

[C]

I love that. I love everything about that. The other thing I wanted to talk to you about before we see what actually happens, and I want your prediction as to how many games it will take for them to win again. We're talking hours before game three is Brunson's emotional regulation. Because, I mean, the basketball we're seeing is like beyond elite. It's beyond elite. And you see him get very frustrated, very angry. There have been calls that have been questionable at best. And what I'm so struck by is his emotional regulation. You'll see it, he'll contain it. And we're going to look at it here where you see him locking eyes with. With his opponent, but he just walks away when it's over, when he comes off the court, then you see it,

[D]

then it comes out smothering Brunson and a foul.

[C]

The two stare at each other and

[D]

Brunson doesn't say anything. He just stares bridges, trying to push him away.

[C]

Talk to me about what a rare quality that is because I just think emotional regulation is everything in life.

[D]

So again, this is. This is Jalen Brunson. Just to put it in sports terms. He's locked in. He. Nothing is going to take him off of his focus for this, for this championship run, the same as the rest of that team. No one's worried about stats. No one's worried about being the mvp. No one is worried about anything other than picking up the win. And you see that in Brunson's face. He knows the spurs know they can't beat him. They cannot win this series the way they're playing. So they're trying to take him psychologically out of the. Trying to get him emotional to where he then makes emotional plays, turns the ball over. That's. They're trying to get into his head and he's not allowing it to happen. The funny thing is, few seconds later on in that clip, Jalen Brunson's father is an assistant Knicks coach.

[C]

Yep.

[D]

And he played on the late 90s Knicks teams that were. They were a tough team. And you see him wandering onto the court, yelling at Fox, saying, you're not tough. Don't do that. So he's out there ready to defend his son, as I'm sure. Thank God that didn't happen in New York City, because the whole Garden might have rushed to court, got after Fox, but Brunson has. He's figured it out how to keep his cool. He's figured out how to lead this team. And they're all following them. Attitude reflects leadership. And this whole team is demonstrating that.

[C]

Attitude reflects leadership 100%. You said it so well. And the last thing we're going to look at to show the global reach of this story, of this team, of this moment and excitement, here is Pope Leo in the Pope Mobile, and he's being cheered. That's outside the Vatican. He's in Vatican City. Go Nicks. They're everywhere. Knicks bands are everywhere, taking over the world.

[D]

Taking over the world.

[C]

I love it. Well, Bill, I can't wait to see you to celebrate when it's all over, not to jinx anything. And thank you so much for bringing your insight and just general joie de vivre to the Verve.

[D]

Thank you for having me. Let's go. Nix. Nixon Ford.

[C]

Oh, Nixon Ford. Bold prediction. All right, my friend. See you soon.

[D]

See you.

[C]

That does it for our Tuesday edition of the Nerve. Come back and see us tomorrow, won't you? For the Nerve at night, if you haven't already, check out our [e-mail] be sure to subscribe. Plus nerve merch go grab something for yourself or a fellow [e-mail] we will see you back here tomorrow at the Nerve, where you will never guess what we're about to say next. At Amica Insurance, we know it's not just what's inside your home that matters. It's who you share it with. That's why we work even harder to protect it. Visit amica.com and get a quote today.

[B]

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