Too Many Tabs with Pearlmania500

Episode 146: Checking in on ROCK BOTTOM

Date: September 21, 2025
Hosts: Pearlmania500 and Mrs. P

Overview

This rich, fast-paced episode revolves around the theme of public downfalls, especially through the lens of Ned Fulmer's fall from grace and calculated attempt at a comeback with his new podcast “Rock Bottom.” The hosts dissect the overlap between celebrity “redemption” narratives, the machinery of viral media, and the awkward spectacle of trying to monetize one’s lowest moments. Along the way, they riff on recent weird news – from chefs robbing banks and Publishers Clearinghouse bankruptcy, to the latest “Dancing With the Stars” cast and the secret origins of Pilates. The humor is biting and the energy remains high, as the hosts bounce between incisive pop culture commentary, personal stories, and sharply satirical asides about the state of the world.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Ned Fulmer's "Rock Bottom" Podcast (01:30–34:45)

• The Coldplay Portal Theory & Context
  Mrs. P launches into a whirlwind of tabs, starting with the viral Ned Fulmer cheating scandal and his new podcast.
  “I believe that that CEO getting caught [cheating] opened the portal for Ned Fulmer to return.” – Host 1 (03:15)

• Recap of the Try Guys Scandal
  Fulmer, branded as the “wife guy,” was caught cheating on his wife with a subordinate at his company. He was fired and scrubbed from Try Guys’ content.
  “He’s the one that got caught cheating.” – Host 1 (03:34)
  “I remember Downfalls. I remember them very well. So I can tell you, I plot a few of them.” – Host 2 (03:41)

• Ned’s Comeback Attempt: The “Rock Bottom” Podcast
  Ned returns after three years with a podcast titled “Rock Bottom,” framing himself as having learned from his infidelity. Hosts critique this narrative arc as cliché, insincere, and deeply PR-driven.
  “Only good people have podcasts.” – Host 2 (04:39, tongue-in-cheek)

• Media Choreography & Cynical PR (08:08, 09:58+) The timing of People magazine and TMZ articles is scrutinized, with hosts suggesting these media drops were orchestrated to engineer a redemption narrative.
  “This feels like a plant.” – Host 2 (28:18)

• First Guest: His Wife, Ariel
  The podcast’s debut features Ned’s estranged wife, who, notably, does not forgive him on air. Mrs. P recounts key moments:

  • Ariel: “People ask me, like, do you forgive Ned for what he did? And, I mean, the answer is no, absolutely not. How can you forgive somebody for, like, for lying to you?” (22:21)
  • Mrs. P reads blasts of withering honesty from Ariel during the podcast, noting the electric tension and Fulmer’s near-catatonic response.
  • “Not only did you having an affair just shattered our marriage, but it also...you gave that to me, and now I have to carry that around for the rest of my life.” – Ariel (24:17)

• Hosts’ Reactions to the “Rock Bottom” Concept
  The hosts lambast Fulmer’s concept, likening it to politicians using their wives for “good wife” optics and accusing Fulmer of seeking to profit from the chaos.
  “That’s not a podcast...That’s therapy. That’s couples therapy.” – Host 2 (17:59)
  “Why would I go on Ned’s show if I just watched him not be able to process being rock bottom?” – Host 2 (25:41)

• Technical Shenanigans & Reviews
  Fulmer merely repurposes the RSS feed of a former podcast with his wife, causing all the previous glowing reviews to be attached to this new, critically-panned content.
  “He just changed the name to Rock Bottom. So if you look at his reviews on iTunes, he has a thousand reviews and 4.9 stars. And all the reviews are from three years ago from when him and his wife had a podcast together.” – Host 1 (31:01)

2. Other Bizarre News Tabs

Bank Robbing Chef in San Francisco (34:53–41:14)

• Renowned Chef Valentino Luchin robs three banks in one day, using handwritten notes. Hosts joke about the notes (“86 the fish”) and share behind-the-scenes anecdotes about bank robberies:
  “From SUV to robbing banks is crazy.” – Host 2 (35:17)
  “I thought it was a good plan, but it was not.” – Chef (40:13, as quoted by Host 1)

Publishers Clearinghouse Bankruptcy (41:16–46:50)

• Lifetime prize winners suddenly cut off as bankrupt company is sold to a gambling conglomerate.
  • Example: “Willie,” 61, loses $5,000/week income, selling his jet ski and trailer to survive.
  • Riffing on “lump sum or annuity” and financial disaster.
  • “$5,000 a week for life from Publishers Clearinghouse. And now he’s looking for a new job. And...he hasn't worked in 10 years.” – Host 1 (44:31)

3. Dancing With the Stars Commentary (49:51–60:22)

• Hosts roast and praise the cast, riffing on the nature of influencer “celebrity.”
  • Hilaria Baldwin: Listeners made Mrs. P watch because she’s now contesting.
  • Alix Earl: Hosts can’t figure out why she’s famous; later discover her dad married Elliot Spitzer’s former mistress.
  • Corey Feldman, Topanga (Danielle Fishel), Andy Richter, Mormon housewives, and more.
  • “This annoyed me because I don’t understand why she’s famous.” – Host 2 (51:21, on Alex Earl)
  • “Andy Richter was out there and he danced the most divorced dad dance I’ve ever seen in my entire life. It looked great.” – Host 2 (58:08)

4. Fun Aside: The True Story of Pilates (62:50–69:32)

• Mrs. P shares the secret origin: Joseph Pilates, sickly German immigrant, developed Pilates in a British internment camp during WWI, using bed springs for resistance.
  • “White women across America have been spending millions of dollars...to do jail workouts.” – Host 2 (68:22)

5. Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Quits (74:57–76:37)

• Jerry Greenfield exits due to feeling silenced by Unilever at a pivotal political time.
  • “Standing up for the values of justice, equity and our shared humanity has never been more important. And yet Ben and Jerry’s has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power.” – Jerry Greenfield (75:54, as quoted by Host 1)

6. Recurring Satirical Rants & Social Commentary

• Cynicism about "cancel culture" and influencer redemption arcs
• Deep, humorous dives into American decline, fascism, and the addictive churn of digital content.
  • “If you dial it back, like far enough, it’s like, how did this start? Racism.” – Host 2 (68:49)
  • “There is no rock bottom. You just have to do what you need to do to survive.” – Host 2 (74:27)
  • “The ice cream man was right. Ding a ling ling. Listen to that bell...or is that an alarm bell, Mrs. P?” – Host 2 (76:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Fulmer’s PR ‘apology tour’:
  “He’s trying to make amends with the audience...But that’s not gonna [work].” – Host 1 (18:48)
  “Why would I go on Ned’s show if I just watched him not be able to process being rock bottom?” – Host 2 (25:41)
• On Ariel’s honesty:
  “People ask me, like, do you forgive Ned for what he did? And, I mean, the answer is no, absolutely not.” – Ariel Fulmer (22:21, quoted by Host 1)
• On influencer ‘fame’:
  “I don’t know why she’s famous...She’s a lifestyle influencer. What does that mean?” – Host 2 (51:47, about Alix Earl)
• On Dancing With the Stars:
  “Andy Richter...danced the most divorced dad dance I’ve ever seen in my entire life.” – Host 2 (58:08)
• On Pilates:
  “White women across America have been spending millions of dollars...to do jail workouts?” – Host 2 (68:22)
• On the Ben & Jerry's departure:
  “Standing up for the values of justice, equity and our shared humanity has never been more important. And yet Ben and Jerry’s has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power.” – Jerry Greenfield, quoted by Host 1 (75:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Show Themes: 01:02–02:22
• Ned Fulmer’s “Rock Bottom”: 03:00–34:45
• Bank Robbing Chef: 34:53–41:14
• Publishers Clearinghouse Bankruptcy: 41:16–46:50
• Dancing With the Stars Recap: 49:51–60:22
• Pilates Origin Story: 62:50–69:32
• Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Leaves: 74:57–76:37
• Final Rant/About “Rock Bottom”: 76:37–End

Conclusion

This episode is a tour de force of pop culture dissection, blends of personal anecdotes, and unsparing analysis of how the Internet and media handle scandal, redemption, and absurdity. Pearlmania500 and Mrs. P leverage their wit and chemistry to make even the darkest rabbit holes entertaining. Both trenchant and funny, the episode is perfect for listeners who want to laugh while staying sharp about today's weird, crowded digital landscape.

Remember to like, subscribe, comment, and support the show at pearlmania500.net or on Patreon. And as always: Too many frauds, too many scammers, too many tabs.