The Toast

The Wayward Women of Hollywood: Wednesday, February 18th, 2026

February 18, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The hosts introduced a new recurring segment called 'Businessman of the Week' (BMOTW), immediately establishing Paul Salem as the inaugural subject due to his rumored courtship with Nicole Kidman. 
  • The hosts expressed significant disappointment with the announced Miley Cyrus 'Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special,' arguing that fans desire a musical performance rather than an interview and set recreation. 
  • The discussion on Brianna Chicken Fry's comments revealed that her friendship with Grace dissolved completely after Grace allegedly failed to defend Brianna against online hate while Brianna was in a toxic relationship, leading Brianna to label Grace as 'evil'. 
  • The hosts extensively analyzed the finale of "Tell Me Lies," debating whether the main character Lucy's final action of laughing after being abandoned by Steven was a calculated move for freedom or a sign of her continued poor decision-making. 
  • The conversation touched upon the ongoing, sad feud between two unnamed influencer friends (implied to be Brianna Lapaglia and Grace from Show Note 3, given the context of the show's discussion), noting that the lack of clear siding from mutual friends suggests both parties are hurt. 
  • Mossimo Giannulli was heavily criticized as a candidate for 'Weenie of the Week' for being spotted with a much younger stylist shortly after his separation from Lori Loughlin, contrasting sharply with the advice to choose a 'businessman' partner. 

Segments

BMOTW Introduction and Rationale
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(00:00:58)
  • Key Takeaway: The ‘Businessman of the Week’ (BMOTW) segment is specifically designed to help ‘wayward women of Hollywood’ find stable businessmen, clarifying that it is not intended for a ‘Businesswoman of the Week’ feature.
  • Summary: The segment BMOTW was established to pair wayward women of Hollywood with stable businessmen, exemplified by Paul Salem’s potential courtship with Nicole Kidman. The hosts defended the segment’s focus, asserting that the goal is to uplift women by connecting them with grounded men. Paul Salem is confirmed as the inaugural BMOTW.
Tell Me Lies Finale Reaction
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(00:03:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Both hosts felt a significant emotional weight lifted by the conclusion of the anxiety-inducing ‘Tell Me Lies’ series, though they ultimately found the finale to be very good.
  • Summary: The hosts expressed relief that the anxiety-inducing series ‘Tell Me Lies’ has concluded, stating they were dreading watching it emotionally each week. Despite the relief, they agreed the finale itself was executed well. The detailed recap of the finale is reserved for the end of the episode to maintain a spoiler-free zone initially.
Shahs of Sunset Commentary
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(00:03:58)
  • Key Takeaway: One host is considering abandoning support for certain ‘Shahs of Sunset’ cast members because their recent behavior conflicts with the host’s established alliances.
  • Summary: The host is struggling with recent developments on ‘Shahs of Sunset’ where previously favored cast members are acting out, making it inconvenient to maintain support. Specifically, one cast member is criticized for being bratty and condescending toward the Valley lifestyle, despite the homeowners there viewing it as the American dream. The segment also noted that the show’s title was almost ‘The Valley: Persian Version’ instead of ‘The Valley: Persian Style.’
Miley Cyrus Hannah Montana Special
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(00:17:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Fans desire Miley Cyrus to perform Hannah Montana songs, not just participate in an interview and set recreation for the 20th anniversary special.
  • Summary: Miley Cyrus is celebrating the ‘Hannaversary’ with a Disney+ special featuring an interview hosted by Alex Cooper, set recreations, and never-before-seen footage. The hosts strongly criticized this format, stating that the music and singing are what the generation misses most, comparing the format unfavorably to the ‘Friends’ reunion. The potential inclusion of movie characters like Vanessa Williams and Tyra Banks was noted if movie elements are featured.
Hilary Duff Family Dynamics
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(00:30:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Hilary Duff confirmed her complicated relationship with sister Haylie and her parents, attributing the difficulty to the instability of her upbringing and differing values in motherhood.
  • Summary: Hilary Duff opened up about her complicated family dynamic in Glamour Magazine, noting that family members affect you the most, even if relationships change post-divorce. She mentioned finding deeper friendships with mothers whose values align with hers, which could imply differences in parenting or politics. The host praised Hilary Duff’s public stability, contrasting it with her reported difficult home life, and credited the show Younger as an important bridge in her career transition.
Brianna Chicken Fry/Grace Fallout
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(00:38:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Brianna Chicken Fry stated on the Impulsive podcast that Grace is ’evil’ because Grace refused to publicly defend Brianna against online hate during Brianna’s abusive relationship, leading to a permanent rift.
  • Summary: The fallout between Brianna Chicken Fry and Grace became permanent after Grace allegedly refused to tell fans to stop sending hate to Brianna while Brianna was dealing with an abusive relationship. The drama surrounding their friendship breakup was considered outsized compared to the actual size of their shared podcast, BFFs. The hosts noted that the lack of defense from Grace, who benefited greatly from her association with Brianna, was a major breach of friendship.
Influencer Feud Dynamics
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(00:44:46)
  • Key Takeaway: The ongoing feud between two influencer friends is characterized by mutual hurt, suggesting neither party was entirely in the wrong.
  • Summary: The dynamic between the two influencer friends is described as sad, stemming from one choosing a rock star over the other while young and impressionable. The fact that mutual friends have not sided with one over the other implies a shared fault or mutual hurt. The hosts expressed a desire to hear the perspective of the friend who has been less open, Grace.
Podcast Idea Pitch
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(00:46:06)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts brainstormed a fictionalized project about the influencer feud, comparing it to the narrative structure of ‘Tell Me Lies’ and referencing Anna Delvey’s story.
  • Summary: The hosts suggested that the influencer feud could be adapted into a show combining elements of ‘Tell Me Lies’ and the Anna Delvey story, focusing on two small-town girls entering the influencer world. One host offered this as a ‘free idea’ but stated they lacked the time to pursue it. The segment concluded with a lighthearted warning to others not to call the host who offered the idea.
Container Store Ad Read
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(00:47:24)
  • Key Takeaway: The Container Store offers expert help to create functional organization systems for spaces like closets, kitchens, and garages, promoting a calmer state of mind.
  • Summary: The Container Store helps customers organize their homes to reduce chaos, emphasizing that having a place for everything leads to a calmer day. Their experts design systems for various areas, including garages and home offices. Listeners can receive a special discount online or in-store by visiting containerstore.com/toast.
Taylor Farms Salad Kit Ad
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(00:48:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Taylor Farms Chop Salad Kits provide convenient, pre-washed, and crisp salad options in various flavors, including Caesar, Mediterranean Crunch, and Avocado Ranch.
  • Summary: Eating salads is beneficial for both internal and external appearance, but preparation can be inconvenient; Taylor Farms kits eliminate the need for chopping or washing. The kits come in individual sizes or larger options suitable for dinner parties. Flavors range from classics like Caesar to more adventurous options like sweet kale and pizza ranch.
Gold Bond Hand Cream Ad
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(00:50:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Gold Bond’s new scented hand creams offer 24-hour hydration with skin-loving benefits in four scents: Vanilla Dream, Floral Bloom, Citrus Pop, and Cedar Rain.
  • Summary: The hand creams provide clinically shown, long-lasting hydration, making moisturizing feel like a luxury moment rather than a chore. They are formulated with ingredients like aloe and Vitamin E, making them perfect for on-the-go use. The products are available for purchase on Amazon.
Mossimo Giannulli’s New Relationship
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(00:51:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Mossimo Giannulli (62), Lori Loughlin’s ex-husband, was seen with a much younger stylist, Hannah Harrison (32), leading to strong disapproval from the hosts.
  • Summary: Giannulli was spotted with Hannah Harrison, a stylist 30 years his junior, shortly after his breakup from Lori Loughlin. The hosts found the age gap distasteful, especially given Giannulli has daughters around the new partner’s age. He was immediately nominated as a candidate for ‘Weenie of the Week’ for his actions.
Tell Me Lies Finale Analysis
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(00:53:27)
  • Key Takeaway: The creator of ‘Tell Me Lies’ intended for the series to end after three seasons with the wedding weekend finale, aiming for a satisfying conclusion rather than letting the story drag.
  • Summary: The creator stated the decision to end the show was intentional to provide a satisfying wrap-up, feeling three seasons was the perfect length to culminate the college downfall. The hosts debated the meaning of Lucy’s final laugh after Steven abandoned her, with one interpretation being she was finally free, while the other suggested she was simply disappointed he moved on. The hosts criticized the finale for rushing certain plot points, such as Lucy’s relationship with the bartender and the lack of development for Wrigley and Brie’s reunion.