The Toast

90s Blind Spots: Monday, March 2nd, 2026

March 2, 2026

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  • The hosts discussed their restorative weekend, which involved a barbecue marred by terrible pre-made kosher hamburger patties from a non-specialized Publix. 
  • The 'Businessman of the Week' segment honored Dr. Mike, the husband of listener Bridget Ball, for his unwavering support during her recent chemotherapy treatment. 
  • The hosts analyzed the SAG Awards (Actor Awards 2026), noting Michael B. Jordan's win over Timothée Chalamet and criticizing Kristen Bell's hosting and the perceived poor writing in the movie *Sinners*. 
  • The hosts believe that manufactured TikTok dances by major artists, like Harry Styles' performance at the BRIT Awards, are often cringe-worthy unless they organically succeed. 
  • Law Roach confirming Tom Holland and Zendaya's marriage suggests Zendaya prioritizes privacy and does not cater to public speculation, unlike many other celebrities. 
  • The hosts argue that Pink is a poor replacement for Kelly Clarkson on the daytime talk show because Pink is outspoken and divisive, whereas Kelly Clarkson's success lies in being universally uplifting and apolitical. 

Segments

Weekend Recap and Audio Issue
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(00:00:03)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts had a restorative and fun weekend, which was initially recorded before an audio issue forced a restart.
  • Summary: Claudia enjoyed a restorative weekend staying in pajamas, while Jackie’s weekend included hosting friends, playing Mahjong, and having a barbecue. The initial two minutes of the episode had to be re-recorded due to an audio malfunction. The barbecue weather in Florida involved brief, intense storms reminiscent of summer camp.
Barbecue Food Critique
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(00:01:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Pre-made kosher hamburger patties purchased from a standard Publix were deemed disgusting, contrasting sharply with the quality of patties from a dedicated kosher grocer.
  • Summary: The barbecue food was generally excellent, except for the hamburgers. Ben purchased pre-made kosher patties from Publix, which Jackie found terrible, leading to a debate over the quality of kosher grocers’ prepared meats. The low dish count from grilling made cleanup surprisingly easy, which is an underrated benefit of barbecuing.
Farmer’s Market Vlog Experience
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(00:03:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Ben developed a strong rapport with a vendor at a farmer’s market selling Middle Eastern goods, leading to Jackie feeling like a third wheel.
  • Summary: Ben and Jackie vlogged their trip to a farmer’s market where Ben bought cheeses and oils from a vendor running a stand called ‘Mediterranean Delight.’ Jackie was unimpressed with the elevated fusion fare, particularly the eggplant and labneh, and felt awkward due to the vendor’s attention toward Ben. The vlog content, which captured their unscripted interactions, is available on The Toast Patreon.
Sunday Dinner Pivot Disaster
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(00:06:14)
  • Key Takeaway: A planned Sunday Chinese food dinner was abandoned for a highly inaccessible, fusion Asian tapas restaurant recommended by Jackie’s sister, leaving Claudia hungry.
  • Summary: Claudia pivoted away from Chinese food due to concerns about overeating, seeking a recommendation from Jackie’s sister instead. The resulting restaurant served elevated, fusion Asian tapas, which Claudia found inaccessible as she prefers simple rice and chicken dishes. Ben loved the food, but Claudia left hungry and vowed to try the more traditional sushi place across the street next time.
Businessman of the Week Feature
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(00:09:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Dr. Mike Choto, husband of listener Bridget Ball, is honored for supporting his wife through chemo and is a plastic surgeon in the Dallas area.
  • Summary: Dr. Mike is the Businessman of the Week because his wife, Bridget Ball, wants to support his plastic surgery practice after he put his work on hold during her cancer treatment. He is highly recommended for cosmetic procedures in the Dallas metro area, with Shannon Ford having had positive experiences there. The segment emphasizes using the platform to highlight good news and cause-driven individuals.
Book Club Discussion: What Kind of Paradise
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(00:12:40)
  • Key Takeaway: The current book club selection, What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown, centers on the daughter of the Unabomber and shares thematic similarities with Educated.
  • Summary: The book What Kind of Paradise explores a coming-of-age story involving the Unabomber’s daughter living in isolation. Claudia admitted to not knowing the history of the Unabomber, who was a serial killer against technology, caught after his manifesto was published. The Unabomber was caught when his brother’s wife recognized his writing style in the published manifesto.
Waco Analogy and Ceiling Fan Terror
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(00:16:39)
  • Key Takeaway: A malfunctioning ceiling fan light at their accommodation caused psychological terror, leading Claudia to compare the experience to the FBI’s tactics at Waco.
  • Summary: The experience of being woken up by a bright, improperly wired ceiling fan light twice was described as psychological terror, akin to the tactics used during the Waco siege. This led to a tangent comparing the survivalist upbringing described in Educated to the hosts’ own childhoods.
SAG Awards Review and Snubs
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(00:22:58)
  • Key Takeaway: The Netflix-streamed SAG Awards featured a high-quality production, but Michael B. Jordan’s win over Timothée Chalamet and the snubbing of Rhea Seehorn were noted.
  • Summary: The SAG Awards, now branded as the Actor Awards, were praised for their seamless, commercial-free live stream on Netflix. Kristen Bell’s hosting was deemed inoffensive but perhaps not necessary for continuity. The supporting actress award went posthumously to Catherine O’Hara for The Studio, which Seth Rogen accepted.
The Pit and Dynasty Talk
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(00:28:41)
  • Key Takeaway: The drama series The Pit won Best Drama, and its lead actor, Noah Wyle, was compared to Adam Sandler, while the show’s cast looked notably unglamorous.
  • Summary: Noah Wyle won for his role in The Pit, which Claudia compared to the new generation’s Game of Thrones due to its massive cast showing up in very casual attire. The show’s success highlights the appeal of limited series formats, which often avoid the pitfalls of extended seasons seen in shows like Big Little Lies. The discussion briefly touched on the Kennedy and Bush families as examples of American political dynasties.
Manufactured TikTok Virality
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(00:41:33)
  • Key Takeaway: For a song to succeed in the current music landscape, it must gain traction on TikTok, often through manufactured dance trends by major artists.
  • Summary: Organic viral dances are natural occurrences, but large artists sometimes manufacture them, which can appear cringe-worthy if unsuccessful. Taylor Swift’s music video choreography was cited as an obvious attempt at manufacturing a TikTok dance. The hosts agree that if a song does not take off on TikTok today, it generally does not take off at all for this generation’s music.
Harry Styles’ Artistic Integrity
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(00:41:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts theorize Harry Styles’ recent attempts at manufactured virality stem from his latest song not achieving the expected success without heavy promotion, forcing him to acknowledge marketing importance.
  • Summary: The hosts perceive Harry Styles as highly scrupulous in his artistic choices, making his performance of a new dance at the BRIT Awards seem like a forced marketing effort. They suggest his previous releases could succeed without promotion, but the recent song’s lack of legs indicates he is now paying attention to marketing strategies. This shift suggests he is learning that marketing matters, even for established stars.
Gender Equality in Career Pressure
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(00:44:15)
  • Key Takeaway: The pressure on male artists like Harry Styles to constantly produce content without breaks mirrors the relentless demands historically placed on female artists in the pop industry.
  • Summary: The speaker is glad that male artists are now experiencing the pressure to never take a break, a burden often faced by female artists who fear being forgotten if they pause for personal reasons like pregnancy. Artists like Zara Larsson constantly work to avoid career stagnation, a reality Taylor Swift highlighted in her documentary. This shared pressure is seen as a form of gender equality in career demands.
Zendaya and Tom Holland Marriage News
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(00:45:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Law Roach confirming Zendaya and Tom Holland’s marriage suggests Zendaya values privacy so highly that she allows such news to surface only through carefully managed channels.
  • Summary: Law Roach revealed on the red carpet that the wedding has already occurred, and the hosts believe any statement from Roach regarding Zendaya has been cleared by her. Zendaya’s perceived indifference to public opinion allows her to maintain privacy, evidenced by her ability to marry without widespread knowledge. The hosts believe she prefers to keep her personal life private rather than orchestrate a public announcement.
Celebrity Paparazzi Evasion
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(00:46:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Zendaya successfully evades paparazzi more effectively than other major female stars, proving that complete privacy is achievable for the most famous individuals if they prioritize it.
  • Summary: The hosts contrast Zendaya’s privacy success with Taylor Swift, suggesting that when Swift is photographed by paparazzi, it is often because she allows it, perhaps by boarding planes publicly instead of using private hangars. They argue that if the most famous women can evade constant paparazzi coverage, others claiming to want privacy likely do not want it as badly. Evading paparazzi is difficult but possible, as demonstrated by Zendaya.
NBC eyeing Pink for Talk Show
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(00:52:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Pink is reportedly being considered to replace Kelly Clarkson, but the hosts believe this is a bad move because Pink’s outspoken nature conflicts with the escapist, universally appealing tone of the existing daytime show.
  • Summary: The hosts argue that Kelly Clarkson’s success lies in her ability to remain joyful and avoid controversial topics, providing an escape for viewers, a privilege few hosts maintain. Pink, known for being outspoken on various issues, would likely alienate the audience seeking non-political fluff. Furthermore, Pink’s demanding touring schedule conflicts with the full-time commitment required by a daily talk show format.
Alternative Talk Show Hosts
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(00:58:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Katy Perry is suggested as a viable, high-energy replacement for the Kelly Clarkson show due to her love of being adored and her ability to sing, maintaining the show’s musical element.
  • Summary: The hosts suggest that a successful replacement needs to be universally liked, like Kelly Clarkson, unlike Pink who is more divisive. Katy Perry is proposed because she possesses high energy and a desire for public affection, which could channel into hosting duties. The musical element, exemplified by the viral ‘Kelly Okey,’ is crucial for success, making singers like Perry or Kristen Bell (who also sings) logical candidates.
Shanna Moakler on Co-Parenting
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(01:02:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Shanna Moakler’s public criticism of Kourtney Kardashian’s involvement in co-parenting Travis Barker’s children is viewed as counterproductive, especially since Kourtney has reportedly provided a stable environment for the kids.
  • Summary: Shanna Moakler stated on a podcast that lines were crossed regarding co-parenting her children with Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian, noting she does not speak to that family. The hosts point out that Alabama, one of the children, appears to love Kourtney, who reportedly built a house specifically for the children. Going on a podcast to criticize the stepmother who seems actively involved in the children’s lives is considered rude and unlikely to foster conversation.