Podcast Summary: The Toast – Episode: Beyoncé, 'Brina and Baldoni' | Monday, February 3rd, 2025

Hosts: Jackie and Claudia Oshry

Introduction

In this episode of The Toast, hosts Jackie and Claudia Oshry delve deep into their recent experiences and observations surrounding the 2025 Grammy Awards. The discussion spans a comprehensive Grammy recap, personal weekend anecdotes, and touches on other entertainment industry news, including updates on Beyoncé and the Justin Baldoni-Blake Lively situation.

Grammys Recap

Overall Impressions

The hosts express mixed feelings about the Grammys' lengthy format:

• Claudia: [00:53] "I do take major umbrage with the abuse of our time."
• Jackie: [00:53] "It genuinely felt like they wanted to waste our time 1,000%."

They critique the excessive duration of the show, particularly the tributes and performances that seemed to drag on:

• Jackie: [01:09] "The Quincy Jones tribute was like, far too long. No disrespect to the dead."

Notable Performances and Winners

• Sabrina Wins Best Pop Vocal Album:

  • Claudia: [21:07] "Sabrina won, which I was so happy. It was the best pop vocal album of the year."
  • Jackie: [21:25] Praises Sabrina's cohesive red carpet look and performance aesthetics.

• Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars' Duet:

  • Claudia: [24:33] "Die with a Smile is so beautiful... it just transcends everything."
  • Jackie: [24:51] Highlights the musicality and global success of their performance.

• Kendrick Lamar Dominates Major Categories:

  • Claudia: [29:59] "Song of the Year and Record of the Year went to Kendrick Lamar."
  • Jackie: [30:21] Acknowledges Lamar's deserving win despite personal preferences.

• Billie Eilish's Performance and Snubs:

  • Claudia: [14:57] "Billie Eilish is a phenomenal artist, but her performance left much to be desired."
  • Jackie: [15:05] Notes the emotional impact of her song despite the snubs.

Host's Performance and Critique

• Claudia: [15:39] Criticizes Trevor Noah's hosting, describing his performance as "unfunny and unnecessary."
• Jackie: [42:38] Agrees, suggesting Noah should retire from hosting.

Album of the Year Controversy

The debate centers around Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter versus Sabrina and other nominees:

• Claudia: [33:17] Expresses confusion over Beyoncé's win, suggesting potential bias or industry favoritism.
• Jackie: [34:04] Draws parallels to past award show biases and the overshadowing presence of major artists like Beyoncé.

Fashion and Red Carpet Highlights

• Sabrina's Look:
  • Claudia: [21:25] "Her red carpet look was by far my favorite. She looked such a vision."
• Lady Gaga's Dance Skills:
  • Jackie: [44:43] "The belly dance is something you can hone, but it still looks incredibly natural."
• Olivia Rodrigo's Appearance:
  • Claudia: [47:35] "Olivia looked the best she'd ever looked—very mature and radiant."

Technical Issues and Timing

• Claudia: [50:12] Criticizes the show's extended runtime, leading to frustration as major awards were still to be announced past the usual end time.
• Jackie: [50:19] Agrees, emphasizing the need for a more concise and engaging format.

Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' Tour Announcement

Following the Grammys, Beyoncé announces her 2025 Cowboy Carter tour:

• Notification: [50:44] Beyoncé confirmed via Instagram that she'll be touring major cities including LA, Chicago, London, New York, Paris, DC, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Houston.
• Hosts' Take:
  • Claudia: [51:10] Questions the size and scope of the tour, considering Cowboy Carter isn't her most commercially successful album.
  • Jackie: [51:21] Expresses excitement and curiosity about potential future tour expansions.

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively Controversy

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Justin Baldoni's website launch amid tensions with Blake Lively:

• Website Launch: [66:29] Justin Baldoni releases lawsuitinfo.com, detailing interactions and alleged misconduct.
• Hosts' Reactions:
  • Claudia: [56:55] "This was no mark on Chapel for me," indicating discomfort with Associated Press journalists cutting interviews short.
  • Jackie: [67:39] Admits confusion and a possible shift in opinion after reviewing the website content.
  • Claudia: [68:14] Maintains skepticism about Justin Baldoni's intentions and actions, citing public backlash and support for Blake Lively.
• Impact on Colleen Hoover:
  • Claudia: [74:25] Discusses how Colleen Hoover's actions and public statements have influenced perceptions of both her and Justin Baldoni.
  • Jackie: [75:17] Highlights Hoover's deactivation of social media and ongoing personal issues, linking them to the broader controversy.

Lighthearted News: Christina Hawk's New Relationship

To conclude on a lighter note, Jackie and Claudia share news about Christina Hawk's new relationship:

• Announcement: [77:03] Christina Hawk is spotted with Chris LaRocca, CEO of Network Connects.
• Hosts' Commentary:
  • Claudia: [78:37] Praises Chris LaRocca's professional stature and relationship with Christina.
  • Jackie: [81:08] Jokes about Christina and Chris's compatibility and future together.

Conclusion

Jackie and Claudia wrap up the episode by reflecting on the mixed successes and disappointments of the Grammys, the ongoing controversies in the entertainment industry, and positive personal news. Their candid discussions offer listeners a blend of critique, support, and lighthearted commentary, encapsulating the multifaceted nature of today's pop culture landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Claudia on the Grammys' Length: [00:53] "I do take major umbrage with the abuse of our time."
• Jackie on Sabrina’s Win: [21:07] "Sabrina won, which I was so happy. It was the best pop vocal album of the year."
• Claudia on Trevor Noah: [15:39] "Trevor Noah was so unfunny and unnecessary."
• Jackie on Beyoncé's Tour: [51:21] "We just are so used to like a global world tour. And like, this seems very intentional."

This episode offers an in-depth look at the Grammys with personal insights from Jackie and Claudia, providing listeners with a nuanced perspective on the event's outcomes and the broader implications within the music industry.