The Toast – Bonnie Nuit with Joey C
Episode Date: December 2, 2025
Hosts: Claudia Oshry & guest co-host Joey C (filling in for Jackie, on maternity leave)
Episode Overview
This Tuesday edition of The Toast features Claudia Oshry alongside returning guest Joey C, a barrette-wearing, French-inspired favorite. The episode is lively, irreverent, and packed with fast-moving conversation that covers everything from personal style and tattoos to trending reality TV, viral media, pop culture news, and candid life advice. True to The Toast’s millennial tone, banter dominates, but meaningful moments and insightful takes emerge throughout, particularly on self-image, pop culture representation, and personal relationships.
Main Themes & Insights
- Blending humor and personal anecdotes to discuss millennial identity
- Exploring pop culture through reality TV, streaming trends, and viral moments
- Open, vulnerable conversations around self-image, body issues, and personal growth
- Advice with a blend of honesty, empathy, and signature Toast bluntness
Key Discussion Points
1. French Vibes, Personal Style & Tattoos
[00:34–02:18]
- Joey arrives channeling “Madeline” energy (“Bonjour!”) and wearing a barrette.
- Claudia quizzes Joey about his tattoos, prompting stories about Brooklyn in the early 2000s and “layers” to his personality.
- Joey: “There’s layers, many layers. This is my first one… my last name, and it’s the heart of Jesus I love.” [01:35]
- Discussion on hair choices and growing pains after Joey’s transplant; debate about longer hair among friends and feedback from his boyfriend.
Notable Quotes:
- Joey: “I was never able to…luscious lock[s]. I want leading man hair. Like Matthew McConaughey.” [02:53]
- Claudia: “I just want to say, as a loved one, I am going to give you pushback.” [03:12]
2. Prom Memories & Evolving Looks
[03:32–04:33]
- Claudia and Joey reminisce about their prom looks – Claudia’s long beach waves with a fishtail braid, Joey’s 1970s disco suit (bleach blonde hair, tuxedo jacket with zipper).
- Joey went to prom with friend Michelle, out and unapologetic (“full set of acrylics and lip gloss”). Michelle is now married with kids, still part of Joey’s life.
3. AI Experiments & Digital Makeovers
[04:57–05:29]
- Claudia and Joey bond over using AI to try on new hairstyles (“What app do you use?”).
- Joey prefers Gemini for images, laments ChatGPT’s cartoonish results.
- Tangent: The rise of AI-generated images for memes, jokes, “gang bang” humor (using Gemini to make outlandish scenarios).
4. Thanksgiving Hosting & Tablescape Trends
[05:56–06:35]
- Joey hosted Thanksgiving with a red table, noting stylistic similarities to Jackie’s tablescape.
- Claudia clarifies: anything “copied” was due to HomeGoods’ limited selection – “We just took what we could get. Which was red.”
- Both praise the trend of the “Pantone color of the year” and joke about being on point with TV hosts’ décor.
5. Macy’s Parade and Viral Taylor Momsen Performance
[06:52–07:40]
- The Macy’s Thanksgiving parade is background fodder; Joey found Taylor Momsen’s “goth” appearance (“spooky”) striking.
- Discussion on Momsen’s transition from child star (“Where Are You Christmas”) to rock performer and trauma reclamation.
- Joey met Momsen at the VMAs: “I saw her at the VMAs and I was frightened.” [07:39]
6. Reality TV Deep Dive — Special Forces & Casting Cameos
[07:58–16:43]
- Quick transition to “Special Forces” reality competition; Claudia reveals the latest winner (Gia Giudice alongside Shawn Johnson), shocked by Gia’s resilience.
- Claudia was invited to compete while pregnant but turned the offer down: “I could fucking never.” [16:54]
- Joey jokes he’d rather join a “Summer House” or “Influencer Survivor” – more drinks, less danger.
Notable Quotes:
- Joey: “I would’ve got my good one-liners in, in the first episode and then left.” [15:52]
- Claudia: “I, for one, would never do Special Forces.” [16:54]
- “I’d try to suck all their dicks – the hot guys are screaming at you…” – Joey, never without comedic irreverence [16:58]
7. Streaming Sex Appeal—Heated Rivalry on Max
[17:05–21:28]
- New hot topic: “Heated Rivalry” on Max—a show based on a gay hockey romance novel, currently only two episodes out but already viral.
- Claudia: “Everyone’s obsessed with it… It’s basically like a gay pornography.” [17:14]
- Joey gushes over the “bubble butt” actors, authenticity of queer tension, and popularity with “girls and gays.”
- “It really brings you…right into the scene, no matter who you are.” [18:36]
- Awaits the legendary “tuna melt” scene, now a meme on Reddit. [20:01]
- Discussion on the trope of secret lovers and queer media representation.
Memorable Quotes:
- Joey (on representation): “I think girls and gays are getting this feeling of having that crush and that intimidation…” [18:38]
8. Coming Out & Sexual Awakening Representation
[22:16–23:23]
- Joey never had to “come out”; his personality was apparent (“I was doing roller sets in my bedroom at 12. The jig is up.” [23:14])
- They recall media moments of sexual awakening, queer representation with figures like Doogie Howser.
9. Name Changes, Brands, and Pop Culture News
[23:30–28:54]
- Millie Bobby Brown’s (now “Millie Bonnie Brown Bongiovi”) new married name and taking on family identity.
- Debate: should women change their names after marriage? Both hosts kept their original names (“pure laziness”).
- “I just don’t care, you know? I think people think we’re joking, but really, for your career, you do need to keep it.” [28:33]
- Joey notes: if he were younger, he’d hyphenate and tattoo his new name, but sees it as unnecessary later in life.
10. Amy Schumer’s Weight Loss and Women in Body Discourse
[29:00–32:44]
- Claudia discusses Amy Schumer’s Instagram transparency about losing 50 pounds, using medications and surgery, and public reactions.
- Frustration over expectations for women to “explain themselves” whenever they lose weight, unlike men (e.g., Jelly Roll’s praise without scrutiny).
- Joey shares his own body journey — from a heavier Italian childhood, anorexia in post-high school, and today’s body goals.
11. French Food & NYC Restaurant Chat
[32:47–34:40]
- Joey searches for the perfect French restaurant to celebrate his birthday—debate over destinations (La Cucu, Frenchette, Daniel).
- Claudia offers candid local advice (“Frenchette is very chic… get the roast chicken, it’s the best in the city!” [34:08]).
12. Diddy “Reckoning” Netflix Documentary
[38:46–41:10]
- Netflix has released a trailer for a documentary about Sean “Diddy” Combs featuring tense moments six days before his arrest.
- 50 Cent is producing the documentary, meaning “it’s a takedown, a hit piece,” according to Claudia and Joey.
- “He’s committed his life to destroying Sean Combs.” – Claudia [40:17]
13. Dear Toasters: Advice Segment
[41:53–55:28]
- Makeover Intervention: A listener asks for help with her brother’s thinning hair:
- Joey enthusiastically suggests a full “makeover montage” and recommends shaving the head or considering a hair transplant.
- “Balding never looks good on anyone… being totally bald, shaving—that’s the most option you’d want.” [43:39]
- Ice Cream Leftover Etiquette: Another listener complains about her sister always taking home leftover party desserts.
- “I don’t want anything in the house ever—get it out!” – Joey channels his sweeper energy. [46:03]
- Declining Father-in-Law’s Friend Request: Claudia and Joey gently scold a writer for not letting her widowed father-in-law be Facebook friends to see grandchildren, urging kindness and perspective.
14. Joey’s Personal Life & Relationship Candor
[51:16–55:23]
- Joey shares the story of meeting his boyfriend (“I said, yo, you got a fat ass.” [51:57])
- On not following each other on Instagram: “We always had that rivalry thing… it was a joke at the beginning.” [52:19]
- Joey cherishes his boyfriend’s confidence the most, and both recognize that comedy and personality, rather than looks, are core to their charisma and success.
15. Show Closer: Banter, Upcoming Appearances & Aspirations
- Joey teases upcoming brand deals and jokes about his nightstand essentials (Aquaphor stick, Diptyque candle, boyfriend’s photo).
- Claudia hints at future guest slots and ongoing collaborations.
Highlight Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “I would have gone home. Got my good one-liners in first episode and then left.” — Joey on Special Forces [15:52]
- “It really brings you right into the scene, no matter who you are.” — Joey, on “Heated Rivalry” [18:36]
- “I was doing roller sets in my bedroom at 12, the jig is up!” — Joey on never needing to ‘come out’ [23:14]
- “Balding never looks good on anyone. Being totally bald… that’s the most option you’d want.” — Joey, on hair advice [43:39]
- “I was at a work party…saw him…said, ‘Yo, you got a fat ass.’ So romantic, it’s insane.” — Joey on meeting his boyfriend [51:57]
- “We don’t really work hard. We’re given things because of our personalities.” — Joey, on confidence and success [55:28]
Notable Timestamps
- [00:34] – Opening French banter; Joey’s “Madeline” look
- [01:23] – Joey discusses his tattoos and their stories
- [03:12] – Claudia asserts her opinion on Joey’s hair length
- [04:53] – AI apps for digital style changes
- [06:14] – Thanksgiving décor and HomeGoods fail
- [07:39] – VMAs, Taylor Momsen’s “spooky” parade moment
- [14:06] – Casting surprise: Gia Giudice wins Special Forces
- [17:14] – “Heated Rivalry”: viral gay hockey series on Max
- [23:14] – Joey on his easy “coming out”
- [29:12] – Amy Schumer’s candid weight loss post
- [38:46] – Diddy documentary take-down discussion
- [41:53] – “Dear Toasters” advice segment
- [51:57] – Joey’s meet-cute with his boyfriend
- [55:28] – Reflection on confidence, charisma, and “being given things”
Final Thoughts
Throughout, Claudia and Joey blend irreverent, personal storytelling with honest takes on trends and audience questions. The episode’s tone is lively, confessional, and distinctly millennial, balancing sharp humor with supportive energy. Whether they’re weighing in on celebrities changing their names, analyzing the authenticity of queer media, or giving brutal hair loss advice, it’s clear that real talk and real relationships are at the heart of The Toast.
If you missed the episode, this summary should leave you both entertained and in-the-know!