The Viall Files

E1029 - Love Is Blind's Joe, Timothy Simons, Myles Smith, RHOSLC, RHOP and Are Boyfriends Embarrassing?

November 6, 2025

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  • The hosts and guests debated the modern dating trend where some women feel having a boyfriend reduces their social media status or engagement, contrasting it with the desire for companionship. 
  • Joe from *Love Is Blind* admitted his on-screen incoherence was partly due to being drunk during key moments, like the confrontation with Madison in Baja, and regretted his girlfriend doing a podcast interview. 
  • The conversation highlighted that modern dating culture often overuses terms like "non-negotiables" and that people should allow more time for relationships to develop beyond initial impressions, citing Jordan and Megan from *Love Is Blind* as an example. 
  • Joe expressed surprise at Madison claiming his connection with Casey distracted him, leading to their breakup, and later apologized if his comment about preferring 'more petite women' caused her to develop an eating disorder, clarifying he was being honest about his type. 
  • Musician Myles Smith discussed the surreal experience of performing at the *Love Is Blind* Reunion and touring with Ed Sheeran, and shared that his song "River" was inspired by his own struggles with mental health in his early twenties. 
  • Timothy Simons discussed the difference in portraying long-term marriage dynamics in *Nobody Wants This* season two compared to the initial relationship focus of season one, noting that on-screen chemistry often feels accidental. 
  • Simons detailed that his role in *Nobody Wants This* is more tightly scripted than his previous work on *Veep*, with improvisation focusing on conversational flow rather than major joke finding. 
  • Simons and the host bonded over shared experiences with their children, including the difficulty of raising twins and the amusing anecdote of his son playing Andy Warhol in a CBGB-themed sixth-grade musical. 

Segments

Dating Intentionality vs. Reality
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(00:07:50)
  • Key Takeaway: The overuse of buzzwords like “dating intentionally to marry” online can lead to unrealistic expectations, causing people to prematurely dismiss potential partners after only one date.
  • Summary: The discourse online has led to the misuse of dating terminology, making people overly critical early on. Jordan and Megan from Love Is Blind demonstrated that compatibility can be found by giving people more time beyond the first date. Waiting for someone to “knock you off your feet” immediately prevents genuine connection development.
Boyfriends and Social Status
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(00:08:56)
  • Key Takeaway: A recent Vogue article suggests that for some women, having a boyfriend is now perceived as uncool or a downgrade to their personal status and social media engagement.
  • Summary: The article posits that men no longer serve as a status symbol for women who now achieve status independently. This trend is reflected in lower social media engagement when women post content featuring their partners. The hosts counter that life is generally better when shared with someone, whether a partner or friend.
Casting Call & Viall Files Plus Promo
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(00:15:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The Viall Files is actively casting for a dating docuseries primarily seeking men and women aged 22-45 in the Los Angeles and Nashville areas.
  • Summary: Submissions are open for a new dating docuseries project from ENVY Media, encouraging viewers to apply via the Instagram bios. While primarily targeting LA and Nashville, submissions from other areas willing to travel are accepted. Listeners are also encouraged to subscribe to Viall Files Plus for exclusive content and announcements.
Upcoming Guests Preview
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(00:17:36)
  • Key Takeaway: Future guests include Timothy Simons discussing Nobody Wants This and Myles Smith, who performed at the Love Is Blind Reunion.
  • Summary: Timothy Simons, who plays Matt in Nobody Wants This (streaming on Netflix), will join the show. Myles Smith, who performed at the Love Is Blind Reunion and recently performed in Ireland, is also scheduled to appear. The show references Alex Warren’s previous appearance leading to his increased success.
Justin Baldoni Lawsuit Dismissal
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(00:17:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation and extortion countersuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds has been formally dismissed after he failed to meet court deadlines.
  • Summary: Baldoni missed the final deadline to resubmit evidence for his countersuit, leading to the case being closed. This dismissal supports the prior suspicion that the countersuit was a retaliatory tactic to distract from Blake Lively’s initial claims of inappropriate behavior and online harassment. The original defamation and extortion lawsuit against Blake and Ryan is now officially shut down.
Celebrity Cloning and Ethics
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(00:25:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Tom Brady revealed his new dog is a clone of his late dog, Lua, raising ethical questions about whether the limited time spent with a loved one is what makes the relationship special.
  • Summary: Colossal Biosciences, in which Brady is an investor, successfully cloned his dog, following previous work cloning Paris Hilton’s and Barbara Streisand’s pets. The hosts debated that cloning removes the special nature derived from the finite time shared with a pet or person. They humorously suggested that if humans were cloned, the clone should be forced to spend time with the original to realize how insufferable they are.
Method Acting Debate
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(00:28:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Daniel Day-Lewis eloquently shaded Brian Cox for criticizing method acting, stating Cox has a “soapbox” he shows no sign of climbing down from.
  • Summary: Brian Cox, known for Succession, apparently made comments critical of method acting, which Day-Lewis, a famous method actor, responded to sharply. Method acting often faces criticism when used as an excuse for obnoxious behavior on set, such as Jared Leto’s alleged actions. Day-Lewis’s response was noted for its eloquent shade, comparing the situation to drama among “old diva men.”
Whitney Levitt DWTS Feud Speculation
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(00:30:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Whitney Levitt responded evasively when questioned about a rumored feud with eliminated Dancing with the Stars contestant Jen, stating she is focusing on supporters.
  • Summary: Whitney’s alleged smirk upon Jen’s elimination fueled online speculation of a feud, despite Whitney’s efforts to rebrand her reputation through the show. Her response avoided confirming or denying the tension, instead focusing on gratitude for her current supporters. The hosts noted that Whitney’s perfectionism and inability to show vulnerability make her difficult to root for.
Joe’s Post-Show Relationship Clarity
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(00:47:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Joe expressed relief after breaking up with Madison, stating he did not need to provide specific reasons for the split, as “it just wasn’t it.”
  • Summary: Joe felt that after the breakup, Madison repeatedly sought reasons, which he believes is painful as it forces the recipient to list negative traits. He admitted to a moment of weakness kissing Madison after their final talk, which he regretted. Joe confirmed he dated Casey longer than Madison, though Madison was upset about perceived overlap.
Joe’s Relationship Timeline
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(00:51:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Joe confirmed dating Casey longer than Madison and denied overlap, attributing Madison’s reunion claims to shock or closure.
  • Summary: Joe stated he dated Casey for about a month and a half and did not feel he owed her anything. He was shocked by Madison’s reunion claim regarding overlap with Casey, suggesting it might have been for her closure. Joe also clarified that other women at the reunion were generally friendly, not necessarily confessing love.
Googly Eyes and Casey’s Claims
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(00:52:45)
  • Key Takeaway: Joe explained the ‘googly eyes’ comment was a conversation he had with Madison about Casey being ’extra-friendly’ with multiple women.
  • Summary: Joe recounted telling Madison about Casey being ’extra-friendly’ after other women expressed interest in him, which he said was a long conversation. He denied that this interaction was the reason for his breakup with Madison.
Brendan and Casey Allegations
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(01:04:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Joe confirmed Brendan denied the alleged party incident involving Brendan and Casey, stating he trusts his friend’s account.
  • Summary: Joe confirmed he was not present at the alleged party involving Brendan and Casey, but spoke to Brendan who denied it ever happened. Joe believes the rumor was likely spread by a group of women who dislike Casey.
Madison’s Eating Disorder Accusation
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(01:05:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Joe was unaware of Madison’s claim that his comment about preferring petite women caused her to develop an eating disorder until seeing it publicly.
  • Summary: Joe stated he did not know about Madison’s accusation until seeing it in interviews, and he had reassured her of her beauty immediately after making the comment about his type. He apologized if his honesty caused her pain but noted the issue never came up between them afterward.
Joe’s Current Relationship Longevity
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(00:59:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Joe believes his current girlfriend, Avery, is ’the one’ because he can be himself and they make each other better, unlike previous relationships.
  • Summary: Joe expressed optimism about his current relationship, contrasting it with past long-term relationships where he felt he wasn’t bringing out the best in his partner or vice versa. He emphasized that with Avery, he can be himself without needing to sacrifice or mold into someone else’s ideal.
Myles Smith’s Career Highlights
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(01:04:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Myles Smith found performing at the Love Is Blind Reunion enjoyable, but playing shows in Dublin felt more like home than performing in LA.
  • Summary: Myles Smith admitted to only casually watching Love Is Blind via clips but respected the courage of the participants. He is enjoying the massive success of his song “Stargazing” and found touring with Ed Sheeran an unbelievable experience, learning much from the artist.
Myles Smith on Love is Blind
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(01:05:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Myles believes love is ‘partially blind’ and that the Love Is Blind experiment requires significant courage and confidence.
  • Summary: Myles stated that while he wants to see what a partner looks like, he respects the show’s premise. He finds the idea of marrying someone sight unseen wild, contrasting it with his view that love involves both emotional connection and physical attraction.
Myles Smith Song Inspiration & Quirks
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(01:06:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Myles draws inspiration for his love songs from both his personal life and observing the journeys of his married friends.
  • Summary: Myles confirmed he loves salmon as a non-meat option and that he taught himself guitar and piano at age 12 after feeling like an outsider due to not fitting in athletically or socially. He chose ‘I Will Survive’ by Destiny’s Child as the one song he’d listen to on a desert island.
RHOP Recap Highlights
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(01:19:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Stacey provided a legendary moment by sending her husband, Timo (written as Timu), a selfie asking for sex, only for him to reply, ‘I think you have the wrong number.’
  • Summary: The Real Housewives of Potomac recap noted Stacey denying rumors about Chris Samuels and Angel revealing she would kill Giselle if forced to choose. The hosts felt Giselle’s apology to Angel regarding the catfish comment was fake, and they praised Stacey for her ‘main character energy’ despite the group’s focus on her.
RHOSLC Yacht Drama Recap
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(01:28:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Heather is emerging as a fan favorite for breaking away from Lisa’s influence and genuinely bonding with Bronwyn, while Meredith’s defense of Lisa was questioned.
  • Summary: The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City recap focused on the yacht trip where Bronwyn slept on the deck and confronted Lisa about spreading a rumor that Todd was making out while farting. Brittany retaliated against Meredith’s questioning about her drinking by bringing up TikTok rumors about Seth, which Meredith strongly denied.
Timothy Simons Joins Show
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(01:39:44)
  • Key Takeaway: Timothy Simons first appeared on The Viall Files five years prior to discuss his podcast with Matt Walsh, which started as a Veep rewatch during the pandemic.
  • Summary: Timothy Simons returned to promote his new show, Nobody Wants This, and mentioned his co-star Jackie Tone, whose dog Glenn is often the subject of his ear-related jokes in the cast group chat. The hosts praised the realistic portrayal of marriage between their characters on the show.
Nobody Wants This Chemistry
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(01:40:57)
  • Key Takeaway: On-screen chemistry in Nobody Wants This is largely accidental, not planned.
  • Summary: Timothy Simons noted that the chemistry between actors, like himself and Jackie, is something that cannot be planned for. He contrasted the adrenaline-fueled start of relationships in season one with the deeper, more realistic portrayal of long-term marriage issues in season two. Simons confirmed he is married for 17 years.
Improv and Character Overlap
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(01:44:21)
  • Key Takeaway: The scripting for Nobody Wants This is tight, limiting improvisation to conversational adjustments rather than major scene changes.
  • Summary: The show is more heavily scripted than Veep, where rehearsal allowed for significant improvisation around scene beats. On this show, improvisation is used to make dialogue sound more conversational rather than finding new jokes. Simons feels his worldview overlaps more with his character, Matt, than specific character traits do.
Haircuts and Midlife Crisis
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(01:47:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Simons dyed his hair blonde and adopted a mullet for fun and to embrace trying new things at his age.
  • Summary: Simons dyed his hair blonde for an Emmy event and adopted a mullet for the second season of Nobody Wants This, inspired by a ‘LA expensive streetwear scumbag’ aesthetic. He views these changes as staying young rather than having a midlife crisis. He also recalled intentionally parting his hair the wrong way for his Veep audition.
Parenting Twins vs. Single Child
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(01:51:53)
  • Key Takeaway: Raising twins in the early stages is described as a ‘full-on nightmare’ blackout situation compared to raising one child.
  • Summary: Simons has 13-year-old twins (one boy, one girl) and described their early years as a survival effort. He noted that twin telepathy is more common in identical twins. He shared an anecdote where his verbal son would answer questions directed at his non-verbal daughter.
Collecting Blu-rays and Film Quality
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(01:54:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Simons collects Blu-rays because he values the superior picture and sound quality over digital purchases, which he feels he doesn’t truly own.
  • Summary: The Blu-ray collecting habit started during the pandemic, driven by a desire for physical media ownership and better quality. He cited the importance of physical media on the shelf from his childhood. His top three desert island Blu-rays are Inside Llewyn Davis, Sorcerer, and a Michael Mann film like Thief.
Acting Intimacy and Spouse Conversations
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(02:03:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Actors must have conversations with their spouses about on-screen intimacy, though performing sex scenes is often considered less awkward than performing death scenes.
  • Summary: Simons stated that conversations about kissing or intimacy in scripts are necessary, viewing it as ’legal cheating’ that is part of the job. He agreed with the sentiment that performing a death scene is harder than a sex scene because everyone knows what sex is like, making bad performances noticeable. His wife and children watch Nobody Wants This.
Promoting Second in Command Podcast
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(02:15:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Simons co-hosts the Second in Command podcast, which analyzes movies featuring presidents or vice presidents, often leading to deep dives into political details or physical attributes.
  • Summary: The Second in Command podcast invites guests to choose a movie with a president or vice president for analysis of internal and external politics. Recent episodes included Clear and Present Danger and Dave, the latter sparking a lengthy discussion about whether Sigourney Weaver could tell the difference between Kevin Kline playing the president and his body double in a shower scene.