I Know You Didn't Ask with Megan O'Donnell

Welcome back to I Know You Didn’t Ask — I’m Megan O’Donnell, and this week we’re diving into pop culture chaos. We start with personal lows (a devastating chili cookoff performance) and emotional highs (Punch, the abandoned baby monkey clutching his plushie — the only news story my nervous system can handle right now). I also hit a productivity wall this week, and honestly? Sometimes survival just means making food, skipping the workout, watching monkey videos, and letting yourself rest while the snow tells you to stay home. On the TV front, I share early thoughts on Heated Rivalry, FX’s JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette series, and my return to Carole Radziwill’s What Remains. Then we break down Season 10 of Love Is Blind — strong, accomplished women… questionable men — and ask (again) whether love is actually blind. I also unpack Netflix’s Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, revisiting Tyra, the judges, and the cultural impact of early-2000s reality TV. Plus, quick updates on the Nancy Guthrie case and Nick Reiner in court. It’s sharp, opinionated, and a little unhinged — just how we like it. Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m traveling, eating cheeseburgers in bed in my underwear, and reminding Bravo that Friday nights are for deep-cut Housewives — not random 2000s sports movies. From zero D-list celebrity sightings in LA to accidentally witnessing Keegan-Michael Key aggressively making out with his wife in first class, the trip delivered… just not how I expected. We get into whispered celebrity tea, an aggressively healthy salad at Goop Kitchen that made me miss mayo-based dressings, and a very chic, two-martini-deep stranger with an invite-only funeral story. I also take a moment to acknowledge the passing of James Van Der Beek and the uncomfortable but necessary conversation his fundraising controversy reignited about healthcare in America. Then we tackle the American bison in the room: Jill Zarin absolutely nuking her own comeback after going on an Instagram rant about the Super Bowl halftime show — starring a flawless, cinematic performance by Bad Bunny. The fallout? Lost followers, lost job, and a statement from Blink49 Studios proving once again that actions have consequences. Housewives history repeats itself. The internet is forever. And no — Kid Rock discourse should not be making a comeback in 2026. Unfiltered, unhinged, and exactly how you like it. Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode is stacked. We’re joined by Brandon West, the face behind Front Page Pop—your go-to source for celebrity news, music drama, and reality TV chaos. If it’s hot off the press, Brandon’s already posted it. Welcome to the show. It’s Super Bowl Sunday… but do we actually care? We talk game-day vibes, favorite Super Bowl foods, and why I’m only tuning in for the Benito Bowl (possibly alone, possibly making Fun Dip for dinner). While my husband heads to a party, I’ll be avoiding the game entirely—no shame, just snacks. Then we get into the deeply disturbing and still-unfolding case involving Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie. We break down the timeline, the ransom notes sent to multiple newsrooms, the cryptocurrency demands, the FBI reward, and why investigators believe this was not a random crime. From suspicious activity around the home to questions about motive, media attention, and power dynamics, we unpack what’s known, what doesn’t add up, and why this case feels especially chilling. Plus: the daytime talk show shakeup no one can ignore. From Kelly Clarkson stepping away to Sherri Shepherd’s show not being renewed, we talk about why the daytime format is quietly collapsing—and how this mirrors what’s happening in late night. And finally, Bravo chaos: a new RHONY “Golden” era in Palm Beach (minus Dorinda), Bethenny being Bethenny, Jill claiming ownership of everything, and thoughts on whether this franchise revival will actually work. We also touch on new Housewives dating drama, calculated storylines, and why some of these men are giving… housewife hunter. Pop culture, crime, gossip, and opinions you didn’t ask for—but absolutely needed. Let’s get into it. 🎙️✨ Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s episode is a full pop-culture spiral: we mourn the shocking loss of legend Catherine O’Hara , unpack Nigella Lawson possibly replacing Dame Prue Leith on The Great British Bake Off—and the unhinged sexual tension that may follow with Paul Hollywood—before detouring into why Bake Off contestants are pure angels and American competition shows could never. We also get into Meghan Markle’s mysteriously vanished Kardashian birthday photos (fashion victim or PR panic?), Kim Kardashian’s explanation, and why it truly was not that serious. Plus, thoughts on Netflix’s upcoming America’s Next Top Model documentary, the trauma it inflicted on an entire generation, Tyra going too far (always), iconic makeovers, missing judges, and why this show both broke and built me. And finally… we dig into the deeply unsettling Epstein–Bravo connections that no one asked for but everyone needs to talk about. Buckle up. Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode dives into the latest Bravo chaos, from the shocking Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula breakup and what it means for Summer House, to Lala Kent and Michelle Saniei stirring up buzz with their new restaurant venture. We’re also talking Teresa Giudice expanding her empire with a brand-new New Jersey restaurant (because of course she is), plus a few extra pop culture twists and reality-TV headlines you definitely don’t want to miss. 🎧🍸 Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re covering it all this episode—from Alix Earle’s reality show and Netflix’s Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart to Queer Eye Season 10 press, Alex Honnold’s Taipei climb, Selena y Los Dinos, The Keepers, and more. Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m joined by Gaby Grossman to unpack the absolute nonsense that is RHOSLC, Southern Charm, and The Traitors US. We’re talking shoveling food in your mouth, breaking girl code, wtf happened on the plane back from Greece & so much more! Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s episode is a chaotic pop-culture catch-up fueled by nostalgia, celebrity mess, and hot takes you didn’t ask for but absolutely need. I reflect on my wild, carefree NYC post-grad era before diving into Golden Globes chaos (Sean Penn smoking indoors, J.Lo’s alleged diva behavior, and why cigarettes are suddenly cool again), the Hailey and Justin Bieber TikTok drama and the Streisand Effect, billionaire beauty buys from Rhode, and the unserious state of American politics featuring Farrah Abraham’s political ambitions. We also get into the iHeart Podcast Awards nominees, why celebrity podcasts keep winning “emerging” categories, and why independent creators are allowed to be salty about it. Hard-hitting news, obviously. XOXOOXXOXO Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LISTEN TO PART ONE HERE! In Part Two of the George Santos saga, the wheels fully come off. From a bipartisan investigation to a jaw-dropping federal indictment, we break down how Santos allegedly ran campaign finance schemes, collected unemployment while employed, lied on House disclosures, and spent donor money on luxury hotels, Botox, designer shoes, OnlyFans, and caviar lunches. We cover the charges, the guilty plea, the historic expulsion from Congress, his prison stint (cupcakes, solitary, and all), and the Trump commutation that cut his sentence down to just 84 days. Plus: the bizarre post-prison press tour, the collective pop culture obsession, endless side scams, and why admitting guilt felt oddly refreshing. George Santos didn’t just lie — he turned infamy into currency. And as much as we hate to admit it… we’re still watching. Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I recap Carl Radke’s Barnes & Noble event in Clifton, NJ — five years sober, brutally honest about friendships, Summer House tea (Paige leaving, Amanda & Kyle “going through it”), DWTS dreams, and why sobriety reveals who actually liked you. From there, we dive into Southern Charm and Austen Kroll’s wildly uncomfortable Viall Files appearance, failing-upward behavior, and podcast hosts who should ask fewer questions. We hit RHOSLC chaos — Monica Garcia stirring the pot, stomach-pump rumors, pills, hypocrisy, drug tests, and a reunion that’s already delivering (full recap coming with a guest once it wraps). Plus: Andy Cohen gets honored by NYC with a literal trash can, his growing disdain for Bethenny, TikTok oversharing, and the Reality Reckoning fallout. Quick stops across the Bravo-verse: RHOC (Gina’s engagement + glow-up, Katie Ginella exits), RHOA (Kim Zolciak’s tax mess, Kandi vs. Todd custody drama), RHOBH (Kyle Richards buying a $6.5M Tennessee home), and a wholesome check-in on Alex McCord thriving in Japan. Follow me on Instagram & TikTok @MeganThePodcaster — and buckle up. 🍿🎤 Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I’m recapping the 86th Annual Golden Globes, where Nikki Glaser crushed hosting for year two with sharp jokes, stunning looks, and a Michael B. Jordan bit that committed so hard it made everyone uncomfortable (his mom included). Also… why was the music straight out of 2003? “Yeah,” “Pon de Replay,” and “Heads Will Roll” had me questioning reality. We break down the night’s big winners, Netflix’s Adolescence (haven’t watched yet but will, once I emotionally recover from our bedroom TV breaking) and PTA’s One Battle After Another — which I fell asleep during and hated, so I guess I need to rewatch since everyone else loved it. Leo showed up dapper with his mom, Timothée Chalamet beat him for Best Actor in a very male All About Eve moment, and Julia Roberts reminded us all why she is Hollywood royalty. Then we spiral into comedy and chaos: Marcello Hernández’s American Boy, Robbie Hoffman’s Wake Up, Ali Wong and Bill Hader’s breakup, Nick Reiner legal updates, Spencer Pratt running for mayor of LA (zero policies, max vibes), and the Ashley Tisdale Toxic Mom Group saga — influencer villages, Instagram exclusion, and why taking friend drama to The Cut might not be the healing moment you think it is. Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Link to The Fabulist book for sale! Join us for a full deep dive into the unbelievable life of George Santos, the disgraced former NY Congressman. We cover everything — from his childhood and family background, to his fake education claims, his shocking drag performances, scams targeting veterans and everyday people, his prison experience, and where he is now. If you want the full story behind one of the most infamous political scandals of recent years, this episode has it all. Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

YES, the world is on fire — dictators are being captured, countries are getting bombed, peace deals are almost happening, and skiers are fleeing wildfires — but let’s be serious for a second… what the fuck happened in St. Barths?! This episode is a full spiral from global chaos to the only thing that actually matters: yachts, billionaires, vulgar displays of wealth, and the emotional devastation of spending the holidays in Montclair, NJ instead of on a $300 million boat eating caviar with Jeff Bezos. We’re breaking down the St. Barths industrial complex — the food, the beaches, the shopping, the yachts (if you don’t have one, you’re poor, sorry), and the celebrity sightings that made us question every life choice we’ve ever made. From Bezos’ floating ego, Geffen’s Rising Sun, and Walmart money doing what Walmart money does, to Alix Earle potentially upgrading from a mid NFL player to Tom Brady himself (sad divorced dad vibes included), we get into the rich, the ridiculous, and the spiritually unrelatable. Plus: Bethenny Frankel, vaping rich kids, Step Rose x Tinx discourse, and what it would truly mean to be stuck in St. Barths due to airspace closures (a dream). Then we pivot — violently — into: Members Only Palm BeachBugoniaRoofman It’s unserious, unhinged, deeply judgmental, occasionally intellectual, and absolutely necessary listening. Thanks for listening — and tune in Friday for the George Santos episode. Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2025 was a pop culture fever dream — and we need to talk about it. In this episode, I’m breaking down the biggest cultural moments that defined the year: recession panic showing up in the most unexpected places, rage bait officially entering the dictionary, AI exploding into creative and white-collar spaces, and the internet spiraling in real time. We’ll revisit 2025’s most unforgettable moments in order — TikTok almost getting banned, Kendrick Lamar choosing chaos at the Super Bowl, Labubus taking over America, celebrity space trips, public cheating scandals, brand meltdowns, canceled shows, hot criminals, free speech freak-outs, shocking deaths, and the moments that made us all collectively say, “oh no.” We’re closing it out with how we’re entering 2026, a quick take on resolutions, and a list of phrases I’m officially retiring for the new year. Pop culture, chaos, and commentary — exactly how we like it. Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The holidays got me sick, bored, and mildly unhinged — so obviously I pressed record. Pardon the congested voice, but we’re powering through. This episode is a full holiday brain dump: Christmas chaos with the Kardashians, a little celebrity death discourse, and a deep dive into what the hell I’m watching while everyone else enjoys “prestige TV.” We’re talking The Family Stone (SJP’s gloriously unlikable energy, Luke Wilson supremacy, and why the Wilson brothers are Hollywood’s hottest siblings), Bridgette Bardot’s complicated legacy (iconic beauty, French New Wave impact… and yes, the racism), and how we’re supposed to reconcile art with deeply disappointing politics. Plus: Kim Kardashian’s unhinged Christmas gifts, puppies as presents (a hard no), Alabama Barker’s wildly inappropriate haul, baby daddies getting snubbed on gingerbread houses, and why Nicola & Brooklyn are officially my newest hyperfixation. Then it’s onto my current watch list — from cult documentaries and Mormon scandals to Selling OC, Emily in Paris, Scientology chaos, homoerotic hockey romance (don’t ask), and why I keep rewatching things I’ve already seen instead of literally anything new. Congested, caffeinated, opinionated, and very much in holiday break mode — let’s get into it. 🎄🎧 Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MERRY CHRISTMAS YA FILTHY ANIMALS! Here's another re-release of a great recent episode. Tune in on Monday when the holiday hangover ends ;) This week, we dive headfirst into Scheana Shay’s brand-new book My Good Side—and trust me, it’s giving us everything we hoped for and more. From behind-the-scenes Vanderpump Rules tea to Scheana’s raw reflections on fame, love, and finding her voice, we break it all down chapter by chapter. Was it juicy? Was it messy? Did we get answers to the questions we’ve been screaming at the TV for years? Tune in for the ultimate recap, plus our unfiltered takes on what Scheana left in, what she left out, and what it all says about life in the Bravo-verse. Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MERRY CHRISTMAS YA FILTHY ANIMALS! I'm lazy & haven't been recording, so here's a re-release of one my BEST SHOWS EVER. This Friday's Episode, we’re diving headfirst into the absolute fever dream that is the NYC Crypto Kidnappers case—a tale of SoHo nightlife, Bitcoin passwords, and enough alleged torture to make a Tarantino script blush. Picture this: crypto bros John Woeltz (self-appointed “Crypto King of Kentucky”) and William Duplessie allegedly lure an Italian man to their $15 million townhouse, then hold him for 17 days, shocking him with a Taser, dousing him in tequila, and even dangling him from a staircase until he coughed up his Bitcoin passwords. The victim eventually escapes barefoot and bloodied into the street… which is where things should have ended—except the defense is now claiming it was all one big consensual drug-fueled “frat party” gone wrong. Oh, and making a cameo in this circus? None other than Charlie Zakkour from Next Gen NYC—yes, spotted in footage of John’s arrest, just hanging around like it’s a Tuesday. We’ll unpack every unhinged twist: the million-dollar bail, the bizarre “manifesto” found in Kentucky, the defense’s wild party-story spin, and the sheer absurdity of how fast crypto cash can turn your penthouse into a true crime set piece. From the Soho club scene to the courtroom drama, this story is part Wolf of Wall Street, part Saw, and 100% a cautionary tale about what happens when the blockchain bros go feral. Buckle up—this isn’t just a kidnapping case, it’s a masterclass in how to completely torch your reputation (and allegedly, other people). Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We break down Pete Davidson becoming a dad, Bowen Yang leaving, and the wild Priscilla Presley, Riley Keough, John Travolta, and Scientology lawsuit allegations. Plus, the ongoing Beckham family feud, John Stamos teasing nudity on The Hunting Wives, Netflix taking over podcasts and media, and a serious update on the Rob Reiner case. Pop culture chaos, cults, celebrity drama, and hot takes — let’s get into it. Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Love Meghan, Season 2 Episode Recap! I’m recapping the With Love, Megan Holiday Special — the moments that had me obsessed, confused, emotional, and fully spiraling. From festive chaos to the scenes everyone’s talking about, this is my unfiltered take on what worked, what didn’t, and why we can’t stop watching the DUCHESS in action. Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is my official post-mortem on my Holiday Dip Party — inspired by the hilarious comedian Zack Noe Towers — where friends gathered for what can only be described as a sacred communal experience. I’m memorializing everything: the data, the guest list, who brought what, which dips shocked us, which flopped, what I’d never do again, and what absolutely needs to be repeated. We’re talking full dip DATA — sweet vs savory strategy, ideal dipping vessels, and the unspoken politics of duplicate Buffalo chicken dips. I break down the winners and losers (yes, both exist), hosting tips I swear by, accoutrements that carried the night (hello Frito Scoops), my biggest regret of the evening (I forgot the strawberries — please forgive me), and why parties like this matter more than ever. Plus: leftover regrets, stomach pain confessions, and quotes from guests that honestly made me emotional. Hosting should look easy — even if you’ve been spiraling for a week beforehand — and this episode is proof that bringing people together is still one of life’s greatest flexes. Listen to I Know You Didn't Ask wherever you listen to podcasts! Let's connect - follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok! Email me at meganthepodcaster@gmail.com to say hi :) If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bravo-happy-hour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.