The Nerve with Maureen Callahan - Episode Summary

Episode: Meghan Markle's Self-Destruction, Dakota Johnson at Saudi Film Fest, and a Quick Trip Through Space
Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Maureen Callahan
Guests: Rob Shooter (Celebrity Reporter), Professor Avi Loeb (Harvard Astrophysicist)

Overview of the Episode

This episode of The Nerve dives headfirst into Hollywood's most controversial and cringe-worthy moments, from Meghan Markle's public and private unraveling to celebrities' hypocritical attendance at the Saudi film festival, and concludes with a mind-expanding interview about the mysterious interstellar comet 3I Atlas with Harvard Professor Avi Loeb. Callahan's signature mix of incisive humor, cynicism, and dogged skepticism shines throughout, challenging celebrity culture, media narratives, and even the scientific establishment.

1. Meghan Markle: Self-Destruction in the Public Eye

[06:23–16:41]

Key Discussion Points

• Meghan Markle’s Current Scandal:
  Meghan's father is in ICU with a leg amputation. She hasn't reached out, further damaging her already battered public image following her failed Netflix special.
• Brand Collapse:
  “If you’ve built a brand on compassion...you gotta follow through with it.” – Rob Shooter [07:12]
  Both Maureen and Rob emphasize that Meghan's reputation for "compassion" is now unsalvageable given her conduct.
• Speculation on Future Tactics:
  Maureen hypothesizes that after her father's death, Meghan may try to allege sexual abuse to justify her coldness – a theory discussed among journalists but not yet aired publicly.
  “When Thomas dies, Meghan is going to claim that he sexually abused her... so she can be the victim.” – Maureen Callahan [09:33]
• Harry Might Be Next:
  The panel predicts that Meghan will use similar tactics on Harry post-divorce, perhaps alleging abuse for sympathy.
  “When she leaves Harry, and she will, she is going to allege...that he abused her.” – Maureen Callahan [12:48]
• General Consensus:
  Both find Meghan’s lack of supportive relationships, even among family or friends, to be a major red flag.

Notable Quotes

• “She could jump on a private plane. She could be with him or at least pick up the telephone. This is really, really ugly...she's not going to recover from this.” – Rob Shooter [07:12]
• “I refer to her as a spiritual reptilian.” – Maureen Callahan [08:51]
• “If you meet somebody who has no roots. Be cautious.” – Rob Shooter [16:03]

2. Toxic Hollywood: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and Burned Bridges

[16:41–24:24]

Key Discussion Points

• Paramount Cancels Three Ryan Reynolds Films:
  Ryan Reynolds had a three-film deal, including a Ferris Bueller spinoff, which has been scrapped.
• Overselling and Untrustworthiness:
  Rob describes Reynolds as a "pitching machine" and "hustler" more skilled at self-promotion than acting.
• Backstage Bullying Claims:
  Blake Lively and Ryan, along with Taylor Swift, reportedly ambushed film director Justin Baldoni, sabotaging his career before it even began. Hollywood is now leery of working with them due to trust and reputational risks.
• Falling Out with Hugh Jackman:
  Once best friends, Jackman has distanced himself from Reynolds, aware of the reputational risks, especially after a recent Golden Globes nomination snub.

Notable Quotes

• “His real talent is very similar to Meghan Markle... promoting himself.” – Rob Shooter [17:24]
• “They have hurt their careers with this relentless lawsuit. Even if they win this, they’re going to lose—because they’ve destroyed themselves.” – Rob Shooter [20:23]
• “The last thing [Hugh Jackman] needs is the stench of Ryan Reynolds around him too.” – Rob Shooter [22:57]

3. Awards Season: The Golden Globes Have Lost the Plot

[24:24–30:35]

Key Discussion Points

• Lost Relevance:
  The Golden Globes are now run by “snobs,” nominating obscure foreign films, betraying the fun, glitzy, corrupt spirit that once made them a spectacle.
• Hollywood's Disconnect:
  Audiences, Callahan notes, don’t care about awards given to movies they’ve never seen.
• Anecdotes of Past Globes Corruption:
  Rob shares that bribery was once an open, even charming, secret among industry insiders.

Notable Quotes

• “They’ve ruined the Golden Globes by trying to make it more legit. I loved that it was totally illegitimate.” – Rob Shooter [25:48]
• “It could be an email. The whole night could just be an email.” – Rob Shooter [30:02], quoting Tina Fey

4. Hollywood Hypocrisy: Saudi Film Festival Red Carpet

[33:39–39:17]

Key Discussion Points

• A-List Attendance Despite Abuses:
  U.S. celebrities, especially women, flock to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival, ignoring the kingdom’s human rights record for exposure and paychecks.
• Cringe-worthy Celebrity Justifications:
  Dakota Johnson and Adrien Brody offer tone-deaf praise.
  “Less than 24 hours in Saudi Arabia, I have a renewed faith in cinema.” – Dakota Johnson [36:16], mocked mercilessly by Maureen.
• Celebrity List:
  Other attendees lambasted by Maureen: Gwyneth Paltrow, Johnny Depp, Jessica Alba, Queen Latifah, Uma Thurman, and more.

Notable Quotes

• “So what if a woman will be stoned to death if she is caught in the company of a man, not her husband? You know what, we've got a film festival to attend. We've got checks to cash.” – Maureen Callahan [33:39]
• “He’s really, really struggling. What Saudi’s doing for creative empowerment. Are you kidding me?” – Maureen Callahan, on Adrien Brody [38:04]

5. Sarah Jessica Parker: The Perks of Celebrity Entitlement

[39:17–46:42]

Key Discussion Points

• SJP as Booker Prize Judge:
  Lampoons Sarah Jessica Parker for becoming a Booker Prize judge by simply asking on Instagram, thereby displacing real authors.
• Public’s Reaction:
  Maureen reads and celebrates reader comments voicing dismay over celebrity gimmicks in serious literary spaces.

Notable Quotes

• “There are authors out there who have spent years slaving over their book...and they give four pages of real estate to Sarah Jessica Parker.” – Maureen Callahan [41:24]
• “The issue isn’t whether the celebrity is qualified...the issue is who did they displace?” – Quoting "John Smith," NYT reader [41:43]

6. Listener Feedback: Meghan Predictions & Media Snark

[46:42–52:28]

Key Discussion Points

• Meghan Critiques Resonate:
  Listeners passionately agree with Maureen’s theory about Meghan Markle’s future allegations.
• Rudolph Reinterpreted:
  Fans support Maureen's interpretation of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" as a fable of bullying.

7. Out of This World: Astrophysicist Avi Loeb on 3I Atlas

[55:10–80:14]

Key Discussion Points

• 3I Atlas, the “Party Bus” Comet:
  Only the third interstellar object known, larger and with more anomalous behavior than predecessors.
  • Moves perfectly in the plane of the solar system’s planets. Chance of this by accident: 1 in 500.
  • Passes close to Mars, Venus, and Jupiter in a suspiciously precise trajectory.
  • Unusual composition: abundance of nickel but little iron, similar only to industrial metals.
  • Antitail—material plume jets towards the Sun instead of away, which is not characteristic of natural comets.
  • 16-hour periodic “flashing lights” detected—possibly pulsating jets but could be technological.
• Skepticism of NASA's Response:
  Loeb criticizes NASA for downplaying anomalies and providing mediocre, filtered information; emphasizes scientific curiosity and transparency.
• Alien Technology?:
  Loeb is open to the possibility, encourages direct observation (“black swan” logic), but notes evidence is not yet conclusive.
• “Wow” Signal & Radio Surveillance:
  3I Atlas came from the same direction as the famous unexplained “Wow!” signal from 1977; only 0.6% chance this is a coincidence.
• Government Secrecy and UFOs:
  Callahan plays a clip from The Age of Disclosure featuring government and military officials conceding the reality of unexplained aerial technologies.
  Loeb advocates for government transparency if evidence involves phenomena decades old.
• Philosophical Take:
  Loeb frames the search for extraterrestrial intelligence as a push against existential loneliness and encourages optimism—while acknowledging the dangers if the “other” is not friendly.
  • “One reason I’m seeking a higher intelligence out there is because I don’t often find it in academia.” [79:16]

Notable Quotes

• “The foundation of science is the humility to learn, not the arrogance of expertise.” – Professor Avi Loeb [56:54]
• “If you meet a friend, if ever you meet somebody new, and there’s just no history, no connections, no roots. That’s telling you something...It doesn’t have to be Meghan Markle.” – Rob Shooter [16:03]
• “It’s just like being in a party where no one wants to dance with you. This visitor comes in and doesn’t want to dance with the Earth.” – Professor Avi Loeb [63:03]

Memorable Moments

• Maureen’s Nickname for Meghan Markle: “I now refer to her as a spiritual reptilian.” [08:51]
• Snark about Saudi Film Festival Attendees: “Winners all.” [38:04]
• Professor Loeb’s Humor: “One reason that I’m seeking higher intelligence out there is because I don’t often find it in academia.” [79:58]

Key Timestamps

• [06:23] - Meghan Markle’s reputation and family drama
• [09:33] - Maureen’s controversial prediction about Meghan’s next move
• [14:00] - Meghan and Harry’s potential future
• [17:07] - Paramount’s cancellation of Ryan Reynolds projects
• [22:20] - Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s friendship over
• [25:19] - Golden Globes’ fall from grace
• [33:39] - Hollywood hypocrisy at the Saudi Film Festival
• [36:16] - Dakota Johnson’s tone-deaf Saudi praise
• [55:10] - Avi Loeb discusses 3i Atlas’ unusual features
• [61:19] - “Flashing lights” and speculation on jet propulsion
• [64:31] - The Age of Disclosure documentary reviewed
• [79:16] - Loeb on the quest for cosmic connection

Tone & Style

The tone is biting, skeptical, and unsparing in critique—peppered with sharp humor and cultural literacy. Callahan does not shy away from controversial speculation or calling out hypocrisy, making for an unapologetically entertaining and incisive listen.

For the Curious:

If you haven’t listened, this episode offers:

• Sharp, provocative, and often hilarious dissections of celebrity crises and media absurdities
• Candid, forward-looking speculation that mainstream outlets avoid
• An exclusive, jargon-free exploration of the frontiers of space, science, and the enduring human yearning not to be alone

Summary prepared for readers who want the full color and content without having to endure the ads or the intros.