The Viall Files

E1050 - Ashley Darby Talks RHOP, Variety's Ramin Setoodeh, RHOSLC, Traitors Trailer & Christmas Shopping

December 18, 2025

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  • The hosts and Natalie Joy engaged in a lengthy, lighthearted discussion about the social etiquette of bringing babies and dogs to public establishments like bars and restaurants. 
  • Natalie Joy revealed she is a multi-instrumentalist songwriter who performs music, leading to a commitment for her to perform on a future episode. 
  • Ramin Setoodeh, Co-Editor-in-Chief at Variety, discussed the strategic difficulty of pairing actors for the 'Actors on Actors' series, noting that publicists often suggest safe pairings, and revealed past pushback, such as an actor refusing to be paired with Sebastian Stan due to his role as Donald Trump. 
  • The hosts expressed excitement for the upcoming season of 'The Traitors' and the crossover episode of 'The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' airing in January. 
  • Variety's Co-Editor-in-Chief Ramin Setoodeh revealed that the pairing process for *Actors on Actors* involves significant negotiation to achieve dynamic pairings, often overcoming initial resistance from actors, and that the last eight Oscar-winning actors have all participated in the series. 
  • Ramin Setoodeh identified Jennifer Lawrence as an extraordinary interviewer among actors and predicted Jesse Buckley will surprise people by winning the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in *Hamlet*. 
  • Ashley Darby discussed the pressure for authenticity on *The Real Housewives of Potomac*, contrasting her long-standing understanding of Karen Huger's character with the perceived inauthenticity of newcomer Stacy, and revealed she and Josh may be reconciling after their on-camera breakup. 
  • The hosts debated the public discussion surrounding a reality star's separation, questioning whether the individual intended for the topic to be part of their storyline. 
  • A listener's Mint Mobile Hot Take suggested that one reality star's proposal of an open relationship was a strategic move to test her partner's commitment before an inevitable split. 
  • The rapid recap of *The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City* focused heavily on the Greece trip drama, particularly the conflict between Meredith and Whitney/Heather, and the various trademark attempts by cast members like Brittany and Angie. 

Segments

Dog Food Sponsorship Read
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Sundays for Dogs offers air-dried, real food made in a human-grade kitchen, founded by a veterinarian tired of fillers in premium dog food.
  • Summary: Sundays for Dogs food is made from real meats, fruits, and veggies without kibble or unpronounceable ingredients. Pet parents report improved wellness, including better poops, fur, and energy. Listeners can receive 50% off their first order using the code VIALL at Sundaysfordogs.com/viall.
Amazon Holiday Shopping Ad
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(00:01:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Amazon’s AI shopping assistant, Rufus, helps find gifts while keeping budgets in mind, supporting Amazon’s status as the lowest-priced U.S. online retailer for nine straight years.
  • Summary: Rufus is an AI shopping assistant available on Amazon to suggest gifts based on recipient and budget. Amazon claims prices are up to 14% lower than competitors. Listeners should look for the Rufus icon on Amazon.com for smarter holiday shopping.
Podcast Intro and Banter
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(00:02:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Natalie Joy plays multiple instruments, including flute, guitar, and bass, and is being paid to perform flute at a Christmas Eve service.
  • Summary: Nick and Natalie welcomed listeners to the Reality Recap Edition of The Viall Files. Natalie revealed her musical talents, including playing flute, guitar, and bass, and confirmed she is being paid to play flute at a church service. The hosts jokingly mandated that Natalie perform an instrument on the next episode.
Public Etiquette Discussion
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(00:05:28)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts debated the appropriateness of bringing babies and dogs into public venues like bars, emphasizing that the situation is highly situational and empathy is key.
  • Summary: The conversation centered on a viral video where an older woman aggressively confronted a mother with a crying baby in a bar, leading to a discussion on parental rights versus public comfort. Nick shared an anecdote about being annoyed by a barking dog owner at a wine bar, but ultimately concluded that people should be empathetic as struggling parents or pet owners may have limited options.
Mint Mobile Hot Take Hotline Begins
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(00:18:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Mint Mobile is offering its best deal of the year: three, six, or twelve months of unlimited premium wireless plans for $15 per month.
  • Summary: Mint Mobile’s holiday promotion allows new customers to get unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data for $15/month on their unlimited plans. This deal is available for 3, 6, or 12-month commitments, providing significant savings over big wireless providers. Listeners can switch by visiting Mintmobile.com/viall.
Hot Take: Men’s Shorts Attire
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(00:21:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Nick Viall strongly dislikes men wearing shorts in public settings like grocery stores, while Natalie Joy and the caller Emily disagree, finding them acceptable, especially in hot weather.
  • Summary: A caller argued that shorts are fine for men in hot weather, even with gym shoes, contrasting with Nick’s strong aversion to seeing men’s legs outside of the gym. The hosts agreed that khaki shorts are unacceptable, but sweatshorts are cute, and the ideal short length must be above the knee.
Hot Take: Below Deck Franchise
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(00:24:38)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts acknowledged missing out on the ‘Below Deck’ franchise, noting that Fraser from ‘Below Deck Mediterranean’ is dating Matt Rogers, a former guest on the podcast.
  • Summary: A caller urged the hosts to cover the ‘Below Deck’ franchise, comparing it to how they later embraced ‘Summer House’ after initially skipping it. The hosts confirmed they enjoyed their previous interview with Fraser and were excited by the news that he is dating Matt Rogers. There are multiple ‘Below Deck’ franchises airing, often one at a time.
Hot Take: Natalie Joy Correction
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(00:28:00)
  • Key Takeaway: A caller praised Natalie Joy for correcting Nick Viall’s takes, reinforcing that Natalie is a valued, intelligent voice on the podcast.
  • Summary: Caller Meredith called in specifically to express gratitude for Natalie Joy’s input, stating that she often agrees with Natalie when she disagrees with Nick. This segment highlighted the perceived dynamic where Natalie serves as a corrective voice to Nick’s opinions.
Mormon Wives Husband ‘Dad Talk’
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(00:29:47)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts expressed fatigue with the ‘Dad Talk’ segments involving the husbands of ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,’ preferring to focus solely on the wives of the show.
  • Summary: The hosts noted that Dakota (Taylor Frankie Paul’s ex) might have a new girlfriend, which prompted a discussion about the ‘Dad Talk’ bits. They find the husbands’ scripted interactions less engaging than the wives’ storylines, preferring Bravo’s approach of keeping husbands secondary to the main cast.
Summer House Cast Photos Reused
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(00:32:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Bravo reused several cast photos from the previous season for the new ‘Summer House’ promotional gallery, with Lindsay Hubbard being the only original cast member to receive a new photo due to her pregnancy and haircut.
  • Summary: Fans noticed that many ‘Summer House’ cast photos for the upcoming season were identical to last year’s, including the outfits, suggesting Bravo saved money or production was delayed. Lindsay Hubbard’s photo was updated because she was pregnant and has a new haircut, while others like Jesse Solomon and Amanda appeared unchanged. The new season is scheduled to premiere on February 3rd.
Craig Conover’s TikTok Response
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(00:37:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Craig Conover responded defensively to a fan telling him to ‘go to bed’ by detailing his philanthropic efforts gifting employees, which the hosts felt was an ill-advised PR move.
  • Summary: Craig Conover posted a lengthy response to a fan’s comment, detailing how he was busy gifting 42 employees from his family’s company and Sewing Down South. The hosts felt this response was self-aggrandizing and would have been better delivered by an employee benefiting from his generosity rather than by Craig himself in response to a simple comment.
Grammarly and Chewy Ads
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(00:41:18)
  • Key Takeaway: Grammarly’s AI-powered tone features help professionals communicate confidently, with 93% of users reporting increased productivity, while Chewy’s Chewy Claus initiative donates five meals to shelters for every pet wish submitted.
  • Summary: Grammarly offers real-time writing support to elevate professional writing, allowing users to avoid wasting time proofreading. Chewy’s holiday campaign encourages pet owners to submit their pet’s wish via the app, which triggers a donation of five meals to shelters and rescues, doubling the donation if submitted through the app.
Quince Clothing Ad
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(00:43:55)
  • Key Takeaway: Quince offers premium wardrobe staples, such as 100% Mongolian cashmere sweaters for $50, and provides free shipping and 365-day returns.
  • Summary: Quince focuses on high-quality materials and ethical production standards for items like clothing, bedding, and travel accessories. The brand’s cashmere sweaters are highlighted as excellent gift options due to their quality and low price point. The company now offers free shipping and 365-day returns, including service to Canada.
Interview with Ramin Setoodeh
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(00:45:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Ramin Setoodeh strategically pairs actors for ‘Actors on Actors’ to create dynamic, surprising conversations, often overriding safe suggestions from publicists, and noted the series was recently spoofed by SNL.
  • Summary: Ramin Setoodeh produces ‘Actors on Actors,’ which partners top performers of the year for interviews, such as the upcoming Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence pairing. He actively seeks surprising pairings over safe ones suggested by award season strategists. The series is now partnered with CNN and available on their streaming platform and Variety’s YouTube channel.
Actors on Actors Pairing Strategy
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(00:47:25)
  • Key Takeaway: The Actors on Actors pairing process involves overcoming resistance from actors’ teams who often suggest safe pairings, requiring Ramin Setoodeh to push for more dynamic combinations.
  • Summary: Consultants and strategists often suggest safe pairings for Actors on Actors, but the editor strives for the most interesting and dynamic duos, sometimes facing pushback from actors’ teams. A famous example involved resistance to pairing Sebastian Stan due to his role as Donald Trump. Ramin Setoodeh successfully negotiated for the Dwayne Johnson and Brendan Fraser pairing, which was not an immediate ‘yes.’
Actor Interview Skills
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(00:49:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Seventy-five percent of questions asked during Actors on Actors interviews are initiated by the actors themselves, though production will interject during lulls.
  • Summary: While suggested questions are provided, actors drive the majority of the conversation during Actors on Actors. Hugh Jackman, having studied journalism, needed minimal guidance during his interview with Cynthia Erivo. Jennifer Lawrence is highlighted as an extraordinary interviewer who effectively gets to the core of what she wants to ask.
Dream Guests and Oscar Buzz
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(00:50:41)
  • Key Takeaway: Meryl Streep remains a highly desired but unconfirmed participant for Actors on Actors, and Jesse Buckley is tipped as the surprise frontrunner for Best Actress.
  • Summary: Leonardo DiCaprio was a long-time dream guest who participated this season, but Meryl Streep has consistently declined participation despite every actor wanting to pair with her. Ramin Setoodeh suggested pairing Meryl Streep with Timothy Chalamet or Viola Davis if she were to participate. The predicted surprise Oscar winner for Best Actress is Jesse Buckley for her role in Hamlet.
Rob Reiner’s Legacy and Death
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(00:55:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Rob Reiner was universally beloved in Hollywood for his kindness, generosity, and egoless approach to filmmaking, prioritizing audience immersion over directorial credit.
  • Summary: Rob Reiner was described as universally beloved, even by those politically unaligned with him, and was known for being thoughtful and kind to journalists. His partnership with Nora Efron, whom he mentored, and his work on classics like When Harry Met Sally are noted parts of his legacy. Reiner disliked a backlit shot in The Princess Bride because the glare reminded him the scene was being filmed, emphasizing his focus on immersing the audience.
RHOP: Authenticity and Stacy Criticism
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(01:05:32)
  • Key Takeaway: Ashley Darby feels she is emerging as ‘Ashley 2.0’ this season by calling out others, and she defends her criticism of Stacy by stating it stems from Stacy’s inauthenticity compared to the person Ashley previously knew.
  • Summary: Ashley Darby finds filming more demanding than watching the season back and feels fans are generally accepting of her current self. She strongly believes Angel’s confusion over her living situation was ‘phony’ and questions her authenticity in Potomac. Ashley asserts that her criticism of Stacy is fair because Stacy’s current televised persona contradicts the person Ashley has known for years.
RHOP: Wendy’s Allegations and Josh Breakup
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(01:11:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Ashley Darby feels bad for Wendy’s children regarding the serious allegations but notes the situation echoes Wendy’s past persona of being ‘better than you,’ while Ashley’s breakup with Josh in the arcade was due to realizing their timelines regarding children did not align.
  • Summary: Ashley’s initial issues with Wendy stemmed from feeling Wendy weaponized her degrees, but she now feels bad for Wendy’s children concerning the allegations. Ashley explained that breaking up with Josh at the arcade was difficult but necessary because she realized their timelines for having children were incompatible, a non-negotiable for her after her marriage ended over a similar issue. Ashley and Josh may now be friends again.
RHOP Rapid Recap
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(01:25:12)
  • Key Takeaway: The recent Real Housewives of Potomac episode featured a cowboy-themed party where Stacy brought Timu and potato salad, and Angel’s questionable housing situation in Potomac was heavily scrutinized by the group.
  • Summary: Tia hosted an event where Stacy was uninvited, and the group performed ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing.’ Giselle accused Angel of moving to Potomac solely for the show, and Wendy’s alleged knowledge of Angel asking realtors for unrealistic deals was discussed. At the cowboy party, Giselle’s reaction to Timu was noted, and the women confronted Angel about not actually living in Potomac.
Reality Star Separation Discussion
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(01:40:44)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts debated the appropriateness of discussing a reality star’s separation, noting that bringing it up at a reunion implies it’s open for public commentary.
  • Summary: The hosts questioned whether a reality star’s alleged reunion announcement of separation made the topic fair game for discussion. They noted the star is not pretending the marriage is over, as she continues living her life publicly. This ambiguity creates confusion about what topics are off-limits for commentary.
RHOSLC Mint Mobile Hot Take
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(01:41:43)
  • Key Takeaway: A listener theorized that a RHOSLC star offered an open relationship to give her husband an ‘out’ because the marriage was already failing, a move that ultimately backfired.
  • Summary: The hot take suggested that the RHOSLC star might have proposed an open relationship because the marriage was souring, expecting her partner to decline the offer. The listener believes the star is now backtracking because the plan did not work in her favor. The hosts questioned the security of staying married if partners are allowed to see other people.
Open Marriage Intentions Analysis
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(01:43:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Couples typically enter open relationships to spice things up or try new things while protecting the core relationship, not usually as a precursor to divorce when one partner is already moving out.
  • Summary: The hosts analyzed that open relationships usually aim to spice things up or are used when couples have young children. They suggested that using it when one partner is already moving out seems to lack the best intentions. The segment also touched on the difficulty couples face returning to just the two of them after children leave the home.
RHOSLC Greece Episode Recap
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(01:45:49)
  • Key Takeaway: The RHOSLC Greece episode featured Meredith feeling isolated while Whitney apologized for insults, and Brittany revealing a high number of past sexual partners, leading to trademark disputes.
  • Summary: Meredith felt targeted by Whitney and Heather, who she perceived as ‘mean girls,’ especially when she was unable to speak to her son on Mother’s Day. Brittany revealed she kissed 367 men and trademarked ‘high body count hair,’ which angered Angie, who felt the line was hers. The segment concluded by noting Lisa Barlow checking on Brittany after the group conflict, showing the cast’s ability to fight and then move on.
Meredith’s Behavior and Friend Dynamics
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(01:48:18)
  • Key Takeaway: Meredith’s refusal to acknowledge fault and constant need to control the narrative makes her frustrating to be friends with, though Lisa Barlow showed strong loyalty defending her.
  • Summary: The hosts found Meredith’s refusal to ever admit fault infuriating, suggesting it would be difficult to maintain a friendship with someone who constantly gaslights. However, Lisa Barlow was praised for defending Meredith against Whitney’s accusations of alcoholism and pill-popping, demonstrating strong loyalty. The dynamic shift suggests Lisa and Meredith’s friendship is strengthening this season.
Heather’s Role and Poking the Bear
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(01:52:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Heather is actively trying to provoke Meredith into a ‘psycho mode’ reaction by bringing up old conflicts, such as the plane incident and the Meredith/Brittany argument, to make Meredith the season’s villain.
  • Summary: Heather is characterized as someone who enjoys stirring the pot and poking the bear, specifically by trying to trigger Meredith’s known sensitivities. The hosts noted Heather’s attempt to use Angie in Meredith’s swimsuit was intentional provocation that Meredith handled calmly. Heather is criticized for continuing the Meredith/Brittany argument after the two had already resolved their issues.
Trademark Disputes and Credibility
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(01:55:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The trademark dispute between Angie and Brittany over ‘high body count hair’ highlights the legal ambiguity of trademarking phrases spoken on reality TV, especially when one party claims prior use.
  • Summary: The hosts were split on the trademark issue, noting that Brittany’s claim of having an Excel sheet tracking her sexual history suggests a level of detail that contradicts perceptions of her being ‘dumb.’ Legally, one can trademark almost anything, but commonality affects uniqueness. The hosts noted that Bravo trademarked ‘receipts proof timeline screenshot,’ which was also a phrase used on the show.
Donkey Rides vs. Cooking Class
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(01:59:13)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts preferred the potential drama and unique visual of Mary Cosby riding a donkey over participating in the Greek cooking class.
  • Summary: The preference leaned toward the donkey rides, specifically citing the desire to see Mary Cosby on a donkey. Mary’s comment about her 300 church members was interpreted as a deflection rather than a defense of Brittany’s kissing revelations. The segment concluded with the hosts acknowledging Brittany’s self-proclaimed correctness regarding her observations about Meredith.