The Toast

Weenie of the Roundtable: Friday, February 20th, 2026

February 20, 2026

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  • One host celebrated her child reaching nine months old, using the milestone to encourage listeners who are pregnant or nervous about parenthood, emphasizing that life begins anew. 
  • The hosts anointed Axel Dumas, CEO of Hermès, as the 'Businessman of the Week' for successfully avoiding multiple attempts by Jeffrey Epstein to meet him over several years. 
  • The discussion on pop culture news included the sad passing of actor Eric Dane at 53, speculation about Jacob Elordi potentially becoming the next James Bond, and a deep dive into the newly released Netflix documentary about the chaotic history of *America's Next Top Model*. 
  • The discussion on *America's Next Top Model* highlights its cultural impact in normalizing being made or broken on national television, alongside its problematic elements like emotional manipulation. 
  • The *Real Housewives of Beverly Hills* recap focused heavily on Lisa Rinna clarifying rumors about Colton Underwood storming out of *The Traitors* reunion, where she confronted him about a threatening comment. 
  • The hosts spent significant time analyzing the gameplay and character flaws of contestants on *The Traitors*, ultimately naming Tara and Maura as major 'Weenies of the Week' contenders due to their poor strategic decisions and lack of engagement. 

Segments

Opening Banter and Weekend Plans
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(00:00:03)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts are excited for the weekend, with one host living in Florida anticipating summer weather.
  • Summary: The episode opens with the hosts greeting listeners on a Friday, noting it feels like the start of summer, especially for the host residing in Florida. They briefly mention having a lot to cover, including recaps for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and The Traitors. The opening also includes playful banter about swimming activities.
Maternal Milestone Reflection
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(00:01:56)
  • Key Takeaway: One host celebrated her child turning nine months old, offering encouragement to women considering motherhood about the profound positive impact it has on life.
  • Summary: A host marks her child’s nine-month milestone, stating that motherhood is the most amazing thing, even though it changes one’s life significantly. She addresses women on the fence about having children, assuring them that their life begins now, while also respecting the choice to be child-free. The host acknowledges the difficulty of giving up her previous disposable income and freedom but affirms the current joy is superior.
Maj Game and Snacking Habits
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(00:05:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Playing the game Maj is mentally taxing, causing physical stress and leading to excessive snacking, particularly with high-calorie treats.
  • Summary: The hosts reflect on playing Maj the previous day, noting that one host performed exceptionally well, suggesting her mental acuity is returning. They observe that the game requires significant brain activity, which burns calories and causes stress, leading to intense snacking habits. One host admitted to consuming an entire bowl of non-Perels as a sweet treat while playing.
Kevin Federline as Inspiration
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(00:07:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Kevin Federline was jokingly anointed as a ‘Businessman of the Week’ inspiration for successfully achieving passive income while being a full-time ‘couch potato’ parent.
  • Summary: The hosts reference a past episode title about ‘Couch potatoes deserve love too,’ leading to a discussion about Kevin Federline. They acknowledge that while he lives off child support, he successfully raised his children as a full-time couch potato. This lifestyle is humorously framed as a goal for passive income.
Hermès CEO Epstein Avoidance
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(00:08:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Axel Dumas, CEO of Hermès, is praised for repeatedly and meticulously avoiding Jeffrey Epstein’s attempts to secure a meeting between 2010 and 2014, emerging as a hero from the files.
  • Summary: The hosts name Axel Dumas, CEO of Hermès, as the true ‘Businessman of the Week’ for his handling of Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was reportedly obsessed with meeting Dumas and repeatedly instructed his assistant to contact Dumas’s assistant over several years. Dumas’s team consistently avoided all meeting requests, with Dumas later stating he knew Epstein was a bad person.
Eric Dane Passing and Filmography
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(00:16:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Eric Dane, known for Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, passed away at 53, nearly a year after announcing his ALS diagnosis, leaving behind a notable filmography including Burlesque.
  • Summary: The first news story reports the sad passing of Eric Dane, who announced his ALS diagnosis ten months prior. The hosts reviewed his work, noting his roles in Grey’s Anatomy (McSteamy) and Euphoria, where he played Nate’s father. They specifically recalled his performance in Burlesque for teaching them about the concept of air rights.
Jacob Elordi Bond Speculation
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(00:22:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Jacob Elordi is allegedly offered the role of James Bond in Denis Villeneuve’s Bond 26, though the hosts feel the prolonged speculation around the next Bond has diminished public interest.
  • Summary: Jacob Elordi, an Australian actor, is rumored to be offered the role of the next James Bond, succeeding Daniel Craig. The hosts feel the process has been drawn out too long, similar to the Jeopardy host search, causing them to lose interest in the outcome. They agree Elordi is an obvious choice, but one host worries about his long-term staying power outside of major franchises.
YA Netflix Adaptation Cycle
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(00:30:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Phoebe Dynevor is cast in the adaptation of Emily Henry’s Beach Read, highlighting the current trend of adapting YA books, a genre the hosts feel has become oversaturated.
  • Summary: Phoebe Dynevor is set to star in the 20th Century Studios adaptation of Emily Henry’s novel Beach Read. The hosts express fatigue with the current wave of YA book adaptations, particularly those by Emily Henry, noting that the genre seems to be cycling through similar concepts. They recall the intense popularity of Netflix’s early YA romance films like The Kissing Booth and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
Chelsea Handler Reality Star Series
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(00:33:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Chelsea Handler is developing a Hulu comedy series, potentially starring herself, about a washed-up reality star forced to confront motherhood when her estranged daughter moves in.
  • Summary: Hulu is developing a comedy called Townhouse executive produced by Chelsea Handler, focusing on a reality star whose entourage must help rehab her image. The plot centers on the star being confronted with motherhood, a role she has avoided her entire life. The premise is noted as being highly ‘Sonia Morgan-coded’ due to the themes of a reality star living in a townhouse with an entourage.
America’s Next Top Model Reckoning
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(00:41:24)
  • Key Takeaway: The new Netflix documentary Reality Check: An Inside America’s Next Top Model reveals the emotional manipulation and chaotic production behind the iconic show that shaped 2000s pop culture.
  • Summary: The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at America’s Next Top Model, featuring judges like Tyra Banks, Jay Manuel, and Nigel Barker. It exposes the show’s use of emotional manipulation, controversial challenges, and editing choices that framed contestants’ experiences. The series is credited with normalizing the idea that one could be made or broken on national television.
Reality TV Documentary Review
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(00:43:40)
  • Key Takeaway: The Reality Check documentary on America’s Next Top Model reveals the emotional cost and manipulation behind the show’s cultural phenomenon.
  • Summary: The documentary features former contestants and judges to show how moments were edited and framed for television, providing perspective on accountability in 2000s reality TV. It normalized the idea that careers could be made or broken on national television, teaching phrases like ‘smize.’ The film addresses emotional manipulation and controversial challenges that have not aged well.
First Day Multivitamin Ad Read
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(00:44:48)
  • Key Takeaway: First Day Daily Multivitamins are formulated to combat ‘hidden hunger’ in children caused by picky eating or nutrient-poor diets.
  • Summary: Hidden hunger affects 50% of kids and can manifest as big emotions or trouble concentrating. First Day offers clean, science-backed multivitamins for all ages, containing nine essential vitamins for brain and mood support plus a superfood blend. Listeners can use code TOAST for up to 57% off their first purchase at firstday.com.
Armra Colostrum Ad Read
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(01:06:31)
  • Key Takeaway: ARMRA harnesses bovine colostrum, the nutrient-dense substance produced at birth, to offer benefits like immune strengthening and enhanced performance.
  • Summary: Colostrum is described as magical and nutrient-dense, and ARMRA makes it accessible for human consumption. Benefits include strengthening immune health, nourishing the microbiome, fortifying gut health, and improving metabolism, hair, and skin health. Listeners can get 30% off their first subscription order at armra.com/toast using code TOAST.
RHOBH Reunion Tea Spill
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(00:48:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Lisa Rinna clarified that Colton Underwood did not storm out of The Traitors reunion, but she did confront him about a ’take her hostage’ comment.
  • Summary: Rinna stated she saw Colton leave but also saw others leave, noting it took a long time for people to return. She directly asked Colton about his comment, which she researched beforehand, causing him to react strongly. The hosts noted that the show used to feature more interesting people, contrasting it with the current cast they do not care about.
The Traitors Player Analysis
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(00:49:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Tara is identified as the worst person on The Traitors currently due to her inaction, while Eric is considered the most obvious traitor due to his lack of engagement.
  • Summary: Tara is criticized for being afraid to take risks late in the game, possibly due to a negative experience when accusing Steven last week. Maura is deemed embarrassing for blindly supporting Rob and refusing to consider evidence against him, highlighting that loyal votes keep her in the game. Eric is seen as a liability whom Rob is suspiciously protecting, suggesting Rob’s true allegiance might be elsewhere.
Sociological Experiment of The Traitors
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(00:53:30)
  • Key Takeaway: The roundtable is a sociological experiment where legitimate concerns about Rob are suppressed, allowing him to manipulate the group into infighting.
  • Summary: Rob smiles while the conversation devolves into a fight between Tara and Natalie, demonstrating how easily humans are manipulated. The hosts note that faithfuls often lack the courage to pursue clear evidence, such as Candace’s initial suspicions about Rob. The game rewards luck and being unremarkable, as the best players like Colton were eliminated early.
Natalie’s Banishment and Erika’s Role
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(00:56:55)
  • Key Takeaway: Natalie’s speech about strength being used against her was poignant, but her banishment was strategically beneficial for the Traitors by removing a non-guaranteed vote.
  • Summary: Erika’s support for Natalie was noted as being perfectly timed, leading to Erika sharing a personal experience of abuse after a facelift. The hosts found it chilling when Erika mentioned being the mother of a police officer who required 911 intervention. The logic of the Traitors is to eliminate those who might flip, like Natalie, to secure votes from Mark and Maura.
RHOBH Denise Richards Conversation
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(01:00:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Denise Richards’ conversation about past abuse following a facelift was shocking, prompting an unexpectedly supportive reaction from Erika Jayne.
  • Summary: The hosts felt Denise was mistreated by the women, especially Kyle, during her time on the show, and they would welcome her return. Erika’s supportive response, sharing that similar things happened to her, was praised as graceful friendship. Sutton also reacted appropriately by getting choked up in her confessionals over the heavy topic.
RHOBH Cast Dynamics and Kyle Critique
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(01:06:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Kyle Richards is criticized for being nasty in her interviews, undercutting Dorit’s struggles, which contrasts with the fun atmosphere Rachel Zoe sought on the trip.
  • Summary: Rachel Zoe’s dislike for Kyle is growing because Kyle is not currently a ‘fun person’ and is being overly critical in her interviews. Dorit’s comment about Amanda being financially dependent was deemed uncalled for given Dorit’s own ongoing legal battles. The hosts wished Erica and Dorit had been on the Hamptons trip instead of Kyle.
Queenie and Weenie Awards
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(01:09:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Paul Salem was unanimously named the first ‘Queenie of the Week’ for bringing immense joy via a photograph, while Lucy from Tell Me Lies was named ‘Weenie of the Week’ for plot-ruining behavior.
  • Summary: Paul Salem earned the joint ‘Businessman of the Week’ and ‘Queenie of the Week’ awards, with the hosts hoping he remains the last recipient. Lucy’s decision to get back into the car only to repeat bad behavior at a wedding was cited as a major plot hole. The hosts also considered Tara Lipinski for Weenie due to her roundtable behavior.