The Viall Files

E1085 - Mercedeh Javid, Kate Chastain, Summer House, RHOP and More Baby Names

February 26, 2026

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  • The hosts and guests discussed the difficulty of choosing baby names, specifically debating the name 'Nirvana' and the concept of naming twins to be completely opposite. 
  • The trailer for *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* Season 17 generated excitement, particularly due to the return of Phaedra and anticipated drama involving Portia and Sanya. 
  • Mercedes Javid (MJ) shared that watching the episodes of *The Valley: Persian Style* has been 'hell' as she is still emotionally married to Tommy despite filing for separation because she loved him too much to continue being heartbroken daily. 
  • Mercedeh Javid revealed that filing for divorce from Tommy was a last-resort attempt to wake him up, as she still loves him and believes he checked out of the marriage first. 
  • Kate Chastain views reality TV as leaning into a character, similar to a WWE superstar, and prefers the less restrictive environment of *House of Villains* over the strict game focus of *The Traitors*. 
  • Both Mercedeh Javid and Kate Chastain emphasized the importance of vulnerability and conflict resolution in relationships, contrasting it with stubbornness or relying too heavily on 'therapy speak' as a defense mechanism. 

Segments

Coop Pillow Advertisement
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Coop Sleep Goods pillows offer adjustable firmness and a 100-night risk-free trial, with 86% of sleepers reporting better sleep.
  • Summary: Coop Sleep Goods pillows are customizable in firmness and stay cooler on every side. The product boasts 100,000 five-star reviews and offers a 100-night sleep trial. The hosts also use the toddler version for their child.
FX/Hulu Series Promotion
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(00:01:32)
  • Key Takeaway: FX’s limited series John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette explores the complex courtship of the iconic couple.
  • Summary: The new limited series from executive producer Ryan Murphy details the romance of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. Their public fairy tale romance became a national obsession. Viewers can watch the series on FX, Hulu, and Disney Plus.
Mint Mobile Ad Read
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(00:02:04)
  • Key Takeaway: New Mint Mobile customers can switch to unlimited premium wireless for $15 per month for a limited time.
  • Summary: Mint Mobile offers the same coverage and speed as competitors but at a significantly lower price point. New customers can get 50% off three, six, or 12-month plans. Activation is quick via eSIM with no long-term contracts required.
Household Adjectives & Baby Names
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(00:03:55)
  • Key Takeaway: The household staff provided adjectives for each other, and the hosts received mixed feedback on the baby name ‘Nirvana’.
  • Summary: The hosts introduced the household members, including Leia who is pregnant. Listeners were divided on the name Nirvana, with some liking the nickname ‘Vanna’ while others strongly opposed the name choice. Natalie prefers the twins’ names to be completely opposite to avoid sounding alike.
Twin Birth Logistics Discussion
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(00:08:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Parents of identical twins often use physical markers or hospital procedures like name anklets to distinguish between babies on birth certificates.
  • Summary: The hosts questioned how parents identify which twin is which when filling out birth certificates, especially if they look alike. Suggestions included using hospital assistance, name anklets, or dressing them differently from the start. Natalie’s doctor specializes in twin vaginal births, noting specific positioning requirements for the babies.
RHOA Trailer Reaction
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(00:13:36)
  • Key Takeaway: The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 17 trailer confirms Phaedra’s return and teases significant drama, especially between Portia and Sanya.
  • Summary: The trailer excited the hosts, who noted the return of Phaedra and the introduction of two new cast members. They anticipate Cynthia Bailey will continue her role as the peacekeeper, avoiding direct conflict. The hosts are eager to see Portia’s interactions, especially after a specific clip suggesting high drama.
The Valley Trailer Reaction
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(00:15:32)
  • Key Takeaway: The The Valley trailer feels lighter and more relatable without Jax Taylor, focusing on issues like exes and friend group hookups.
  • Summary: The absence of Jax Taylor makes the show feel ’lighter and better,’ allowing other cast members like Kristen Doute to shine. Kristen’s growth from early Vanderpump Rules seasons is praised as compelling reality TV evolution. The potential dynamic between Lala Kent and Michelle (Schwartz’s rumored partner) is anticipated for providing necessary conflict against Jesse’s ex.
Summer House Recap & Dynamics
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(00:34:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Kyle’s inability to acknowledge his role in his marital issues contrasts sharply with Carl Radke’s significant positive personal turnaround.
  • Summary: The recent Summer House episode highlighted Kyle’s focus on Amanda’s perceived shortcomings rather than his own behavior, leading to predictable relationship cycles. Carl Radke is praised as the biggest turnaround personality in the group for actively working through addiction and past issues. The hosts predict Kyle will seek validation from a new partner who supports his DJ career, repeating past patterns.
Mercedes Javid Interview Start
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(00:48:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Mercedes Javid confirmed her heart is ‘smashed into a zillion pieces’ and she is emotionally still married to Tommy despite filing for separation.
  • Summary: Mercedes stated she does not watch the episodes because they are ‘hell’ to relive, especially seeing Tommy not show up for her event. She emphasized that conflict resolution, not conflict itself, defines compatibility in marriage. She believes Tommy checked out of the marriage long before she filed the paperwork because she loved him too much to continue being heartbroken daily.
Mercedeh’s Divorce Filing Hope
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(00:51:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Filing for divorce was Mercedeh’s final attempt to prompt Tommy into working through their issues, not a sign of falling out of love.
  • Summary: Mercedeh admitted that filing for divorce was 100% a last-resort wake-up call, done out of love because she couldn’t bear the daily heartbreak. She emphasized that compatibility in marriage is defined by conflict resolution, not the absence of conflict. She believes Tommy checked out of the marriage long before she filed the paperwork.
Tommy’s Pattern of Blame
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(01:01:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Tommy exhibits a pattern of staying mad and blaming external figures like Jeff Lewis, Reza, and his mother, avoiding self-reflection.
  • Summary: Mercedeh noted that Tommy often gets riled up and stays mad at others, preventing them from addressing core issues between them. She regrets allowing Jeff Lewis to discuss private matters on the radio, which further agitated Tommy. She sees a pattern where Tommy chooses to blame everyone else instead of focusing on the relationship.
Skye and Tommy Similarities
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(01:02:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Skye and Tommy share a stubborn trait of maintaining a hard line instead of being vulnerable, which hinders progress in relationships.
  • Summary: The comparison between Skye and Tommy centers on their shared tendency to prioritize being ‘right’ over vulnerability, which is deemed a ‘shitty thing’ in relationships. Mercedeh believes Skye would likely return for another season of Summer House because she enjoys the limelight and presenting a certain lifestyle. Skye’s perceived superiority complex and unpolished expressions conflict with her curated image.
Reza’s Value and Real Estate Career
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(01:08:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Reza is valued as a high-value human being because his opinions, though frequent, stem from a loving place and offer unique insight.
  • Summary: Mercedeh highly values Reza for his intelligence and ability to call things out from a loving perspective, making him a smart person in her camp. She enjoys working with Mo in real estate, describing him as polished, professional, and self-made, which provides a great learning environment. Mercedeh is busy and successful in her real estate return, noting that she no longer needs to resort to door-knocking for business.
The Traitors vs. House of Villains
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(01:11:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Kate Chastain found House of Villains more enjoyable than The Traitors because it encourages embracing the ridiculousness of strong personalities rather than strictly adhering to game rules.
  • Summary: Kate believes The Traitors is too buttoned-up, strictly focusing on the game and omitting interesting interpersonal dynamics like showmances that occur in the castle. She suggests House of Villains is more fun because it leans into the chaos and allows participants to display their worst behavior enthusiastically. Kate noted that Tom Sandoval was dedicated to his cameos, filming them for hours in his walk-in closet.
Florida Reality TV Stars
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(01:36:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Kate Chastain theorizes that people from Florida, due to their weather-induced freedom, are poised to become the next major reality TV demographic, similar to the Mormons.
  • Summary: Kate believes living in a cold climate forces people to be organized, whereas Florida’s weather allows for a more free-spirited approach, which translates well to reality TV. She confirmed she would never return to Below Deck in a working capacity but would love to return as a charter guest. Kate expressed admiration for housewives who manage the blurred lines between their TV persona and real life.