Throwbacks with Matt Leinart & Jerry Ferrara

Episode: Stephen Colletti on Traitors Finale, Laguna Beach Reunion, Love Triangles and More
Date: February 26, 2026
Guests: Stephen Colletti
Hosts: Matt Leinart, Jerry Ferrara

Episode Overview

This episode brings together Matt Leinart and Jerry Ferrara for a spirited conversation with Stephen Colletti, known for Laguna Beach, One Tree Hill, and his recent run on the reality hit The Traitors. The discussion covers Stephen’s Traitors experience, strategies, and behind-the-scenes drama, a long-overdue clearing of the air about the infamous Laguna Beach-Matt Leinart storyline, and a heartfelt look at fame, reunions, and fatherhood. Blending reality TV, sports, and personal growth, the episode is both nostalgic and revealing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Spark: Why Matt & Jerry Love The Traitors

• [02:11] Matt shares how binge-watching The Traitors was driven by Stephen’s appearance, highlighting the intrigue of its gameplay and cast diversity:

  “It is deceitful. It's everything you could imagine. You have all these big personalities from different industries coming together in a castle, just all conniving to be the last man standing.”

• [03:17] Jerry admits he’s usually skeptical of overhyped shows, but The Traitors exceeded expectations, making him want to be a contestant.

2. Why Colletti Joined The Traitors, and His Game Plan

• [20:02] Stephen explains his initial approach and hindsight:

  “Sitting here now, I really wish that I gunned to be a Traitor. They just seem to have so much fun… I was going into it, trying to play it a little bit safe. This was something that I was stepping outside of my comfort zone.”

• He wanted to be recruited as a Traitor later, believing being a Faithful would be “the easiest way in.”

3. Gameplay Strategy, Social Dynamics, and Regrets

• [26:49] Stephen reflects on missed clues and classic Traitors gameplay, particularly not catching Rob’s moves or Candace’s subtle warnings:

  “Now when you guys watch it, you see everything going on. It seems very obvious. But back then...she's just desperate, she's just trying to point the finger at somebody else, and she's not going to point the finger at a fellow traitor.”

• [29:47] On alliances: Stephen reveals that actually knowing someone in the game is a “massive advantage,” referencing Johnny and Tara’s pact.
• [32:44] Donna Kelce’s impact: She struggled in the Traitor role as “the sweet mother,” but her game intuition marked her as an unsung hero.

4. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• [13:48] Matt on USA Hockey’s Olympic run:

  “They are on the greatest bender and the greatest ride that I've ever seen in sport for multiple days. Much deserved... They represented our country so well.”

• [35:38] Matt recalls Colletti’s now-iconic Traitors quote:

  “You had the greatest line in the show: ‘I do have my California boater's license.’”

• [39:49] Matt finally brings up the infamous Laguna Beach mention:

  “I just want to say I had no idea what was going on, dude...when my name got brought up on the show, I was like, what the—what the happened?”

• [41:20] Stephen responds:

  “You did not do anything wrong. Those…we were two ships passing in the night… There wasn’t a hidden love triangle that involved you and I and her at that time.”

5. Laguna Beach Reunion: Throwback Reflections

• [42:21] Stephen describes the mix of nostalgia and weirdness at reuniting with the original cast after 20 years, after not all being in the same room since the show aired.
• [45:00] On fame's fast arrival:

  “It really was…this isn't actually something that people are watching. Maybe they watched an episode... Next week, everything's going to return to normal.”

6. Blending Sports and Reality TV—Who Makes a Good Traitor?

• [48:10] Stephen’s picks from his TV history:

  “James Lafferty...would make a great traitor because he is very unassuming, very smart... For Laguna [Beach]...Trey would make a very, very good traitor because he's also somebody who could be a man of the people.”

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps and Attribution)

• On playing Traitors as a Faithful:
  “I felt like being a faithful is the easiest way in…But in hindsight, sitting back and being a little more quiet and relaxed does work well as a traitor.”
  — Stephen Coletti [20:02]

• On missing clues:
  “There’s a frustration…You feel like an idiot watching that back.”
  — Stephen Coletti [26:49]

• On reality TV friendship strategies:
  “Having someone there that you know is a massive advantage, especially if you know that they're going to be in the game and you guys have a conversation beforehand.”
  — Stephen Coletti [30:45]

• Clearing the air on Laguna Beach ‘drama’:
  “I want it. I was waiting for [Kristin] to say something where I was like, yeah, screw that guy…She was like, ‘he was a gentleman. He opened the door for me.’ And I was like, okay...It's a good man, and you are a good guy.”
  — Stephen Coletti [41:20]

• Advice for new dads:
  “There is no—there’s no, like, love like a love that you have for your kid...cherish that moment.”
  — Matt Leinart [51:05]

Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|---------------| | 00:00–06:16 | Chopping it up: Olympics hockey, The Traitors, why they're hooked | | 06:16–16:13 | The Traitors breakdown—cast types, gameplay, and possible strategies for Matt & Jerry | | 18:42–26:49 | Stephen Coletti joins: Why he picked Faithful, hopes for recruitment, game philosophy | | 26:49–32:44 | Dissecting Traitor gameplay, missing clues, importance of alliances | | 32:44–39:27 | Donna Kelce’s game, roles of “real” friendships, who to trust | | 39:27–45:53 | Clearing the air: Matt and Stephen settle the Laguna Beach beef and laugh at the “love triangle” myth | | 45:00–47:27 | Fame after TV, handling instant attention, college experience | | 47:27–49:48 | Fresh Take of the Week: Who would be a good Traitor from Laguna/One Tree Hill? | | 50:05–52:34 | Stephen expecting first child, dad advice all around | | 52:59–57:54 | Jerry’s dad life: Dealing with his son’s Knicks heartbreak and playground trash-talk consequences |

Other Highlights & Inside Jokes

• “Professional liar.” Jerry jokes about his acting background being perfect for The Traitors’ duplicity.
• Jerry’s son’s Knicks heartbreak—turning sports disappointment into a learning moment for his young son about humility.
• Matt’s nostalgia for collegiate and LA life colliding with pop culture on Laguna Beach and Entourage.
• Ongoing theme: The unique competitive heart required for both top-level sports and top-tier reality TV.

Conclusion

This episode delivers an entertaining panorama of nostalgia, competitive spirit, and real-world wisdom—from reality TV betrayals to coping with the pressures of fatherhood and fame. Stephen Colletti stands out as a thoughtful, down-to-earth guest, offering behind-the-scenes honesty and humility about his time on The Traitors and Laguna Beach, while Matt and Jerry provide plenty of laughs, sports analysis, and perspective from their own journeys in the public eye.

Final Quote:

“If somebody calls you right now and says, will you be on Traitors, would you?”
— Stephen Coletti [49:44]

Matt & Jerry (in harmony):

“Absolutely.”