The Toast — “Tiny Violins”
Hosts: Jackie & Claudia Oshry
Date: Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
Episode Overview
In today’s “Tiny Violins” episode, Jackie and Claudia Oshry deliver their signature blend of pop culture gossip, spirited debate, and unfiltered opinions. The main focus is a deep dive into the recent legal drama surrounding Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and leaked text messages implicating Taylor Swift and Blake. The sisters also discuss the latest on the Beckham-Peltz family feud, celebrity news (including Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi’s surprising on-set bond, and Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding rumors), and recap the Razzie nominations. As always, they finish with their “Dear Toasters” advice segment, fielding listeners’ questions on tricky life scenarios.
Major Discussion Points & Insights
1. Ongoing Beckham-Peltz Family Feud ([01:27]–[05:05])
- The fallout from Brooklyn Beckham’s public airing of family issues is still reverberating.
- Victoria Beckham’s recent Instagram activity—a mix of subtle shade and overt family support—was dissected.
- Nicola Peltz’s ambiguous, no-caption posts and their possible motives were discussed.
- Jackie: “I’m never going to side with the person who airs family laundry.”
Speculative Insight:
A theory (attributed to Susie Weiss) suggests Brooklyn and Nicola may be expecting a child, based on Brooklyn's repeated references to “future children” in the drama. Jackie & Claudia note the timing may have heightened Brooklyn’s protectiveness.
Key quote ([03:35], Claudia):
"He's a young boy, perhaps on the brink of fatherhood for the first time, and that can send you into a really overprotective overdrive."
2. Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni Legal Drama & Leaked Texts ([05:05]–[30:17])
The Leaks:
- Unredacted text messages and emails from Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, Ryan Reynolds, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and others were revealed as part of ongoing legal proceedings.
- A Taylor Swift text referring to Baldoni “getting out his tiny violin” became a viral focus, with fans speculating about its connection to Taylor’s song “CANCELED.”
- Jackie and Claudia dismiss the theory, noting “tiny violin” is simply Taylor’s term for victim-playing, not proof of the song’s subject.
Key quote ([17:00], Claudia quoting Taylor):
"I think this b*tch knows something is coming because he's gotten out his tiny violin."
Blake’s Outreach:
- Blake reached out to Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and others for input on her edit of the film, describing Baldoni as “a crazy person” and criticizing his inexperience.
- She lobbied for an executive producer credit, documenting all her efforts in a lengthy, impassioned email to the Producers Guild.
Perception & Fallout:
- Claudia: The public is focusing on how “cringe” Blake comes off, while more serious HR allegations against Baldoni (testimony from Jenny Slate, the actress playing young Blake, and others) are being downplayed.
- Taylor & Blake were “so in it together” in the texts, making their apparent friendship fallout even more notable.
- Jackie: “Blake's crime, once again, is being cringe and weird. But the heart of the matter is actually the creepy allegations about Baldoni.”
Important Legal Detail:
- Whether Blake’s letter to the Producers Guild (detailing her producer-like responsibilities) ends up undermining her own lawsuit, since it supports arguments she was not an employee.
Cultural Commentary:
- They touch on the risks of putting workplace drama in writing, noting unease at private messages being litigated so publicly.
Key quote ([21:33], Claudia):
"It's made me think twice about helping my friend out with her workplace drama. You can't even talk sh*t in peace anymore."
Careers on the Brink:
- Both hosts agree Blake Lively’s reputation is at more risk than Baldoni’s, but Hollywood can be surprisingly forgiving if the right person advocates for a comeback.
3. Razzie Nominations Recap ([30:23]–[37:19])
- Jackie and Claudia walk through the Golden Raspberry Award nominations for “worst” films and acting performances.
- Major films nominated: "Snow White," "The Electric State," "Hurry Up Tomorrow," with specific callouts for actors like Ben Platt, Ice Cube, and Natalie Portman.
- They critique the Razzies as increasingly irrelevant since nominated films are so obscure, and advocate for the awards to modernize by including streaming content and TV.
Memorable moment ([33:37], Claudia):
"Chrissy Teigen, you can come back for anything, Koji. It's so true... she was everywhere."
4. Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi's “Codependency” ([38:44]–[43:35])
- Discuss Margot Robbie’s comments on becoming “codependent” with Jacob Elordi during filming.
- Both hosts are skeptical of actors who normalize intense on-set bonds, considering it inappropriate given their off-set relationships.
Key quote ([40:20], Jackie):
"This is not how co-workers talk about one another. This is such an HR violation. Where's Blake Lively?"
- Debate about actors who take moral stances on on-screen intimacy (George Clooney’s “no more kissing girls” decree).
5. Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Wedding Rumors ([50:08]–[54:32])
- The hosts address Page Six reports on Taylor and Travis’s supposed relationship hurdles—including his possible NFL retirement and their wedding plans.
- Both hosts express skepticism, doubting a real breakup, but discuss the transition challenges facing pro athletes.
Key quote ([50:50], Claudia):
"It is a lot of change. Athletes always struggle when they retire. It’s a challenge for even the strongest relationship."
6. Alex Earle, Tom Brady, and Sports Tangents ([55:05]–[61:46])
- Claudia “predicts” the potential connection between influencer Alex Earle and Tom Brady, joking about her psychic abilities based on an old episode.
- Friendly banter on unexpected football teams in the playoffs and the script-like feel to the NFL this season.
7. Dear Toasters: Advice Segment ([62:09]–[72:09])
Advice Highlights:
- Toxic Mother-in-Law: A mother-in-law gives her son a “push present” for doing “so much” during childbirth. Both hosts are aghast; husband should diplomatically decline and support his wife.
- Key quote ([63:58], Jackie): "Babies give you love, but they also give you power, because everyone wants to see the baby."
- Boyfriend Over Money: Listener borrowed cash from boyfriend and forgot to pay back. Boyfriend was upset; Jackie and Claudia call him ungenerous, urging a conversation about reciprocity and generosity in relationships.
- Fiancé Licking Fingers: Fiancé’s gross habit of licking fingers after eating; hosts say it’s reasonable to be repulsed and recommend a firm conversation or even requiring gloves—a humorous “no glove, no love” policy.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “I just love spirited debate… although the deeper we get into this, it’s unbelievably tragic.” (Claudia, [01:27])
- On leaked texts:
"It's such an invasion. It's insane." (Claudia, [21:14]) - On Razzies irrelevance:
"Not only have I not seen these pictures, I have not heard of them. It’s more fun when they swing at something up for an Oscar." (Jackie, [36:28]) - On Margot Robbie’s codependency:
"Where are the actors who treat their job like a job and then go home to a loving family?" (Claudia, [40:28]) - Fan service segment:
"If you have the opportunity to share a film set with Margot Robbie, you're going to make sure you're within 5 to 10 meters at all times." (Jacob Elordi, as quoted by the hosts, [40:01])
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Beckham-Peltz family drama: [01:27]–[05:05]
- Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni legal scandal: [05:05]–[30:17]
- Razzies Nominations Recap: [30:23]–[37:19]
- Margot Robbie/Jacob Elordi story: [38:44]–[43:35]
- Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce rumors: [50:08]–[54:32]
- Alex Earle/Tom Brady/Sports banter: [55:05]–[61:46]
- Dear Toasters (Advice): [62:09]–[72:09]
Episode Summary
This is a classic “The Toast” episode: irreverent, gossipy, and context-rich for internet-centric pop culture. Jackie and Claudia skillfully weave together tabloid updates (with their own hot takes), feminism, a running commentary on how celebrity careers rise and fall, the realities of adult friendships, and the social intricacies of relationships, family, and “toxic” in-laws. The tone is playful, occasionally exasperated, but always grounded in the sisters’ unique chemistry and honesty.
For listeners wanting celebrity context, meme-able sound bites, and candid relationship advice—this episode delivers it all in typically “swirly girly” Toast style.
