The Toast

Movies That Raised Us: Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025

October 22, 2025

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  • The hosts believe that the teen media landscape has collapsed due to social media, contrasting with their own formative years shaped by movies like *Mean Girls*, *Clueless*, and *Legally Blonde*. 
  • Elizabeth Olsen has declared she will no longer act in studio films without a guaranteed theatrical release, prioritizing the communal experience of cinema over streaming exclusivity. 
  • Khloé Kardashian responded graciously to Savannah Guthrie expressing regret over a 2012 *Today Show* interview question regarding the OJ paternity rumors, praising Guthrie for taking accountability. 
  • The hosts strongly defended Andy Richter's continued presence on *Dancing with the Stars* based on his entertainment value and improvement, arguing it is not pity voting, but Scott was deemed the most deserving of elimination due to a boring performance and forgetting choreography during his *Wicked*-themed dance. 
  • The judging fairness for Jen was questioned, as the hosts felt she received unnecessarily harsh criticism and a lower score (32/40) compared to Danielle, whose performance they felt was on par with Jen's (who received a 36/40). 
  • Alex Earle, despite performing well, is criticized for not having challenging choreography from Val, leading to her getting 'lost in the middle' and potentially missing a top-four spot unless Dylan falters. 

Segments

Hump Day Camel Facts
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(00:00:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Dromedary camels possess one hump, while Bactrian camels possess two humps, differentiated by species and habitat.
  • Summary: The hosts opened The Toast with banter about hump day and camel anatomy. Dromedary camels are distinguished by having one hump, whereas Bactrian camels have two humps. This distinction is based on the species and the geographical regions where the camels reside.
RHONY Morocco Influence
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(00:03:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Countess Luann’s trip to Morocco on The Real Housewives of New York significantly shaped the hosts’ high school worldview, particularly her ‘Yahabi B’ catchphrase.
  • Summary: The trip to Morocco from The Real Housewives of New York is cited as a major influence on the hosts’ formative years. Iconic moments from that trip included Luann being thrown off a camel and subsequently adopting ‘Yahabi B’ as a personality trait. The discussion also briefly touched upon Luann’s infamous ‘Herman Munster shoes’ moment.
Molly-Mae Hague & Media
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(00:04:17)
  • Key Takeaway: The collapse of dedicated tween media, exemplified by the lack of current Disney Channel/Nickelodeon equivalents to past stars like Selena Gomez or Demi Lovato, is pushing young audiences toward adult platforms like Amazon Prime.
  • Summary: Claudia watched Molly Mae Hague’s documentary and noted her stress regarding motherhood and fashion, wishing Molly Mae would listen to The Toast for levity. The hosts observed that tween culture is suffering because teen media is no longer centralized on channels like Disney or Nick. Instead, young audiences access content like Molly Mae’s documentary via adult platforms such as Amazon Prime.
Most Quoted Movies
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(00:05:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Mean Girls is the most frequently quoted movie by the hosts, followed by Clueless, Legally Blonde, and Sleepover.
  • Summary: The hosts confirmed that Mean Girls is the most quoted film on The Toast, calling it the greatest piece of cinema ever made. Other highly quoted films that shaped their worldview include Clueless, Legally Blonde, and Stick It. They contrasted this with current youth media consumption, suggesting younger generations are shaped by ‘K-pop demon hunters.’
Downton Abbey Movie Review
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(00:09:02)
  • Key Takeaway: The Downton Abbey movie sequel was considered adorable but suffered from an extremely thin plot, though the franchise is forgiven for milking its popularity.
  • Summary: Jackie watched the new Downton Abbey movie and found it enjoyable for seeing the cast reunited, despite the plot being thin. The hosts noted that the family dynamic on screen has pared down over time, with characters like Mr. Mason now featured prominently at dinner. They also recalled an uncomfortable sex talk scene between Pat Moore and Elsie.
Selena Gomez/Elsie Hewitt Drama
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(00:10:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Selena Gomez liked a TikTok criticizing Elsie Hewitt (Pete Davidson’s girlfriend), leading the hosts to defend Gomez, noting their own past viral takes on the singer were well-received by fans.
  • Summary: The hosts discussed the history between Elsie Hewitt and Benny Blanco, noting Selena Gomez liked a TikTok critical of Hewitt. The hosts mentioned they previously went viral twice for their take on Selena Gomez, which Selena fans supported by saying ’nature is healing.’ They also referenced an archival clip from five years ago being posted by a dedicated fan account.
Halloween Costume Plans
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(00:12:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Claudia’s family is dressing up as Toy Story characters for Halloween, with her planning to be the ‘Sultry Shepherdess’ Bo Peep.
  • Summary: Claudia confirmed she will participate in Halloween costumes for her child, while Jackie has no plans yet. Claudia’s family theme is Toy Story, with her partner Zach potentially being Rex and Bruno being Slinky. Jackie was advised she could dress as a pumpkin or a chick hatching from an egg if she wanted a simple costume.
Office Candy Bowl Etiquette
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(00:14:14)
  • Key Takeaway: It is mandatory for anyone with an office desk to have a bowl of candy out for Halloween, and standard Hershey’s Kisses are preferred over flavored or dark chocolate varieties.
  • Summary: The hosts emphasized the importance of having a bowl of candy available at office desks during the Halloween season. They agreed that standard milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses are the appropriate selection for this purpose. Flavored or dark chocolate options, like the purple-wrapped Kisses, are strongly discouraged.
Weight Watchers & Squarespace Ads
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(00:15:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Weight Watchers now offers personalized health solutions, including access to prescription weight loss medication via licensed clinicians, catering to different motherhood stages like breastfeeding.
  • Summary: The first story segment was preceded by ads for Weight Watchers, Squarespace, and Roback. Weight Watchers has evolved to offer personalized plans, including options for breastfeeding mothers needing weight maintenance rather than loss. Squarespace’s Design Intelligence uses AI to help users build bespoke websites easily, and Roback’s Bedford Mockneck is highlighted as a comfortable fall staple.
Mariska Hargitay on Friends
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(00:20:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Mariska Hargitay auditioned for the role of Monica on Friends but ultimately found success as ‘America’s sweetheart sex cop’ on Law & Order: SVU.
  • Summary: Mariska Hargitay revealed to Amy Poehler that she initially wanted a career in comedy and auditioned for Friends. The hosts speculated she would have been better suited for Phoebe or Rachel, not Monica, though they acknowledged Courtney Cox’s looks resemble a young Hargitay. They noted Hargitay remains a stable figure on Law & Order: SVU, similar to Ellen Pompeo on Grey’s Anatomy.
Kardashian Paternity Interview
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(00:26:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Savannah Guthrie expressed regret for asking Khloé Kardashian about the O.J. Simpson paternity rumors just seconds before a commercial break on the Today Show in 2012.
  • Summary: Savannah Guthrie admitted regretting asking Khloé Kardashian about the O.J. paternity rumors during a 2012 Today Show interview, a question producers pushed for. Khloé responded graciously on Instagram, calling Guthrie a ‘doll’ for taking accountability. The hosts noted that such intrusive, short-form questioning is characteristic of that era of morning television, which has since been replaced by podcasts for deeper content.
Kendall Jenner Mocked by Ex’s Sister
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(00:30:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Ben Simmons’ sister, Olivia, posted a TikTok mocking Kendall Jenner for being unable to evenly slice pre-scored, ready-made cookie dough during a family game night.
  • Summary: Ben Simmons’ sister, Olivia, directly called out Kendall Jenner on TikTok for her alleged inability to bake, specifically failing to cut slice-and-bake cookies evenly. The hosts found the story anticlimactic and mean-spirited, noting that if Kendall had actually needed her chef, that would have been a better story to share. They concluded that Olivia’s behavior was ‘cockblocking’ Ben Simmons from dating future famous women.
Elizabeth Olsen on Theatrical Releases
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(00:38:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Elizabeth Olsen stated she will not sign on for studio movies that lack a guaranteed theatrical release, emphasizing the importance of gathering as a community to watch films.
  • Summary: Elizabeth Olsen prefers theatrical releases for studio films, stating she does not want to make movies where streaming is the ’end-all.’ She believes it is powerful for people to gather in a communal space for shared excitement, similar to attending sporting events. While the hosts agreed with the sentiment about lack of connection, they found it difficult to care given Olsen’s privileged position.
DWTS Wicked Night Recap
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(00:46:59)
  • Key Takeaway: On Dancing with the Stars’ Wicked Night, two couples earned the season’s first 10s, and Scott Hoying was eliminated over Andy Dick, despite Andy’s performance being considered more forgettable.
  • Summary: John M. Chu served as a guest judge for the Wicked-themed night on Dancing with the Stars. The hosts praised Derek Hough for walking the walk as a judge who also performs, contrasting this with the need for judges like Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba to prove their expertise. Scott Hoying was eliminated, which the hosts felt was justified as his performance was boring and he forgot choreography, while Andy Dick’s entertainment value kept him in the competition.
Andy vs. Scott Performance
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(00:49:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Andy’s value lies in his performer charisma and improvement, outweighing Scott’s boring, technically flawed Wicked performance.
  • Summary: Andy Richter brings valuable PJOM charisma and is vastly improving, making his performances enjoyable to watch despite technical shortcomings. Scott’s performance, despite his love for Wicked, was boring, and he forgot choreography, making his elimination justified. The show’s purpose is improvement, which Andy demonstrates while Scott appears to be regressing.
Alex Earle Choreography Critique
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(00:53:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Alex Earle’s recent performances lack challenging choreography from Val, causing her to get lost in the middle despite executing dances cutely.
  • Summary: Alex Earle’s choreography was not challenging enough, failing to provide the breakout moment she needs to stand out. Many dances focused too much on theatrical sets rather than skill dancing, which affected Alex and Elaine Hendrix, whose performance was half-dance and half-stunt. Val needs to choreograph something bigger for Alex, as she is currently being forgotten among the top contenders.
Robert and Whitney’s Force
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(00:55:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Robert Irwin and Whitney are a strong force, though their initial performance set an almost impossibly high bar they have been chasing since.
  • Summary: Robert Irwin and Whitney’s dance to ‘Dancing Through Life’ earned their best score, fitting the theme perfectly as it is a song that inherently makes people want to dance. The hosts believe Whitney is the driving force behind their success, noting it would be interesting to see how Robert fares with a different partner. They are adorable and seem to share a genuine, supportive relationship.
Whitney Levitt’s Intensity
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(00:56:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Whitney Levitt deserves to win, and public backlash regarding her ballroom background should cease as the show requires a 360-degree performance.
  • Summary: Whitney and Mark received the season’s first 10s, and Whitney is taking the competition very seriously, though she appears tense. The hosts dismiss criticism about her prior dance training, asserting that technicality alone is insufficient; creativity, popularity, and overall performance matter. Whitney’s performance this week was a joy to watch, especially after a messy performance the previous week.
Dylan and Daniella Vibe Check
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(00:58:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Dylan and Daniella are technically good and seem happy, but they do not personally move the hosts, who see Robert Irwin as Dylan’s main competitor.
  • Summary: The song choice ‘I’m Not That Girl’ was considered weird for Dylan, though they managed to pull it off. The hosts admit that while they enjoy Dylan and Daniella, they do not personally connect with their performances. They predict Dylan’s biggest competition for a top spot will be Robert Irwin due to their similar ’leading man’ vibe.
Andy Richter’s Entertainment Value
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(00:59:36)
  • Key Takeaway: Andy Richter provides essential entertainment and joy, and his continued presence is warranted until the competition becomes strictly about the best dancers.
  • Summary: Andy and Emma’s performance utilized extras and costume effectively to compensate for his technical limitations, resulting in an enjoyable show. The hosts emphasize that enjoyment and entertainment are crucial components of the competition, not just footwork. Andy’s improvement and serious approach to the challenge justify him staying over less engaging contestants.
Jen vs. Danielle Scoring Disparity
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(01:02:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Jen is being judged too harshly compared to Danielle, whose breakthrough dark performance received a significantly higher score despite similar perceived quality.
  • Summary: Jen received a 32/40 despite a good performance, while Danielle received a 36/40 for her dark, moody performance, which the hosts felt was on par with Jen’s. The hosts are frustrated by the lack of grace given to Jen, especially considering her postpartum status, unlike the grace extended to Andy. Danielle’s change in style was appreciated, but the scoring difference between her and Jen seemed unjustified.
Jordan Childs’ Ten Score
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(01:04:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Jordan Childs secured her first 10, proving she is a dream partner for pros due to her physicality and rapid development into a beautiful dancer.
  • Summary: Jordan Childs earned a 10 for her performance of ‘For Good,’ which was choreographed well to include lifts and physicality. She excels because she handles the intense physical demands easily, unlike many contestants early in the season. Jordan and Whitney are currently positioned as the top two contenders for the win.