The Toast

Bye Bye Bachelorette: Friday, March 20th, 2026

March 20, 2026

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  • ABC has canceled Taylor Frankie Paul's season of 'The Bachelorette' due to the release of a horrifying 2023 domestic abuse video involving her and Dakota, which the hosts deem unprecedented for the franchise. 
  • The hosts distinguish this situation from 'Scandoval' by emphasizing that the Bachelorette news involves genuinely criminal and disturbing behavior, not just salacious gossip. 
  • Jessi Ngatikaura's husband, Jordan, filed for divorce from her on the same day the abuse video dropped, an act the hosts speculate was a calculated move to gain attention amidst the larger news cycle. 
  • The hosts believe Olivia Rodrigo should continue to be asked about Sabrina Carpenter because she initiated the public drama, despite Olivia's expressed annoyance. 
  • Demi Lovato clarified that the American Heart Association requested she perform "Heart Attack" at their event, despite the perceived awkwardness of the song choice. 
  • The hosts awarded Florida Georgia Line members Queenie of the Week for reuniting despite past drama, while Zach Affleck and Jace Matthews were named Weenies of the Week for separate reasons related to their respective relationships. 

Segments

Happiness Philosophy Debate
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(00:00:03)
  • Key Takeaway: True happiness (‘Capital H Happy’) is debated, with one host believing it is rare and the other asserting they are generally a happy person (’lowercase h happy’).
  • Summary: The hosts debated the concept of being a ’truly happy person’ versus having ‘happy moments.’ One host referenced Josh Peck’s book, suggesting innate joy is rare. They concluded that while they strive for happiness, they acknowledge that some days are hard, and happiness exists on a spectrum of moments and overall life satisfaction.
Bachelorette Cancellation Analysis
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(00:03:05)
  • Key Takeaway: The cancellation of Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of ‘The Bachelorette’ is deemed unprecedented, comparable in magnitude to ‘Scandoval’ but significantly darker due to criminal allegations.
  • Summary: The cancellation of the season, filmed and ready to air, is considered an unprecedented move by ABC. The hosts compared the news’s impact to ‘Scandival’ but stressed that this situation is disturbing and criminal, unlike the previous cheating scandal. They noted that production vetting should have caught Taylor Frankie Paul’s known criminal history from 2023.
Taylor Frankie Paul Abuse Video Details
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(00:13:48)
  • Key Takeaway: A newly released TMZ video from 2023 shows Taylor Frankie Paul violently attacking Dakota, including throwing metal bar stools while their child was present and screaming for their mother.
  • Summary: The video confirms details from the 2023 domestic violence arrest where Taylor pled guilty and is still on probation. The footage shows her in a rage, wielding furniture, and the child being hit by collateral damage, leading the hosts to conclude the season must be canceled. The hosts also noted Taylor’s subsequent behavior on ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ suggested deep self-hatred stemming from this incident.
Taylor’s Team Statement Reaction
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(00:39:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Taylor Frankie Paul’s team released a statement blaming Dakota for a ‘destructive campaign’ and omitting context, which the hosts found disgusting because it failed to first express horror over the video’s contents.
  • Summary: The spokesperson’s statement focused on framing Dakota as manipulative and attention-seeking, while failing to address the severity of the violence shown in the video. The hosts demanded that if context was missing, such as Dakota allegedly locking Taylor in a garage, the team should explicitly state it rather than using vague language.
Usher/Bieber Altercation at Party
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(00:42:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Usher and Justin Bieber had a heated exchange at Beyoncé’s Oscars After-Party, which is notable given Usher’s historical role in Bieber’s career alongside Scooter Braun.
  • Summary: The altercation occurred at a high-profile event attended by Taylor Swift, adding another layer of celebrity tension. The hosts found the conflict interesting because Usher and Scooter Braun were key figures in Justin Bieber’s early career, and both men are currently estranged from Bieber.
Jesse and Jordan Divorce Filing
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(00:32:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Jordan filed for divorce from Jessi Ngatikaura the same day the abuse video broke, potentially to steal media attention, though Jessi’s prenuptial agreement may protect her business assets.
  • Summary: The hosts believe Jordan’s timing was opportunistic, possibly jealous of the attention Taylor Frankie Paul was receiving. Legal research indicated that Jessi’s business, established before marriage in 2016, is likely separate property, though its growth during the marriage could be contested.
Usher, Bieber, and Taylor Swift
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(00:43:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Taylor Swift attended Beyoncé’s Oscars after-party while Justin Bieber was present, despite past or current tensions.
  • Summary: Both Usher and Justin Bieber reportedly do not speak to each other, but they do speak to other people present at the party. The hosts found it strange that Taylor Swift was in the same room as Justin Bieber given her history with various figures. They speculated that when Taylor Swift attends an event with Travis Kelce, other potential conflicts become irrelevant.
Olivia Rodrigo Vogue Interview
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(00:45:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Olivia Rodrigo gave a ‘political answer’ regarding Sabrina Carpenter in her British Vogue interview, which the writer interpreted as agitation.
  • Summary: Olivia Rodrigo stated she is happy for Sabrina Carpenter’s success, viewing the constant questioning about their past drama as annoying. The hosts argued that Olivia should be grateful for Sabrina’s subsequent rise, as it prevented Olivia from being viewed solely as a bully. They asserted that if the drama hadn’t propelled Sabrina’s career, Olivia would have ended up looking like the primary antagonist.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Success Update
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(00:47:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Sabrina Carpenter headlined a Lollapalooza event in South America, possibly São Paulo, to a crowd of 100,000 people.
  • Summary: Sabrina Carpenter headlined an international Lollapalooza event, reportedly drawing an audience of 100,000 people. The hosts watched a video of the concert and confirmed the location was likely São Paulo. The segment concluded with the hosts affirming their support for Sabrina’s continued success.
Demi Lovato Heart Attack Performance
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(00:47:39)
  • Key Takeaway: Demi Lovato flagged the performance of “Heart Attack” to the American Heart Association (AHA) beforehand, but agreed after being told fans requested the 2013 track.
  • Summary: Demi Lovato performed her song “Heart Attack” at an AHA event, which went viral for the wrong reasons, leading her to clarify the situation on Elvis Duran. The AHA reportedly told Lovato that fans specifically wanted to hear the 2013 track, prompting her agreement. The hosts praised the AHA for having a ‘wicked sense of humor’ regarding the song choice.
Kiki Palmer Talk Show Potential
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(00:49:45)
  • Key Takeaway: Kiki Palmer is suggested as a strong candidate to replace Kelly Clarkson as a daytime talk show host due to her interviewing skills and network TV background.
  • Summary: Kiki Palmer recently appeared on her own podcast, baking cookies for guests like Demi Lovato, showcasing her engaging personality. The hosts believe she possesses the necessary skills, including interviewing and singing, for a successful network talk show. Palmer previously co-hosted the third hour of GMA with Michael Strahan, demonstrating prior network talk TV experience.
Chuck Norris Death Announcement
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(00:50:27)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts received breaking news that Chuck Norris passed away at the age of 86 on March 19th, 2026.
  • Summary: The hosts reacted to the news of Chuck Norris’s death, noting his iconic status and martial arts mastery. The internet quickly updated his Wikipedia page following the announcement. Chuck Norris was 86 years old at the time of his passing.
SNL Launches Short Form Series
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(00:51:26)
  • Key Takeaway: SNL launched a new short-form series on Peacock and YouTube called ‘The Rundown’ featuring SNL alums curating favorite historical clips.
  • Summary: The series involves SNL alumni, such as Dana Carvey and Mikey Day, selecting favorite segments from the show’s history. These clips are added to Lorne Michaels’ famous ‘The Rundown’ board to build an all-star episode over time. The hosts viewed this as a sign that the ‘best is behind’ the current iteration of SNL.
Queenie and Weenie of the Week
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(00:52:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Florida Georgia Line members received Queenie of the Week for reuniting after individual flops, while Zach Affleck and Jace Matthews were named Weenies.
  • Summary: The Florida Georgia Line members reunited after individual singing careers reportedly ‘flopped,’ despite maintaining their political differences were not the cause of the initial split. Zach Affleck was named Weenie of the Week over his wife, as the hosts chose to blame the man rather than the postpartum woman. Jace Matthews was Weenie of the Week for not giving his wife space to heal after moving to California, possibly due to mold issues at home.
Patreon Content Preview
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(00:56:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Upcoming Patreon content includes a professional astrologer reading the hosts’ birth charts and an on-camera color analysis consultation.
  • Summary: The hosts had an astrologer read their charts, which corroborated their bond as ‘soul sisters’ and highlighted the influence of the number 22 in both charts. The next Patreon episode will feature a professional color analyst performing an on-camera analysis for both hosts. The Patreon remains at the original price of $7.99 per month for five extra episodes.