1 00:00:01,040 --> 00:00:06,000 Speaker 1: This is the most dramatic podcast ever and iHeartRadio podcast. 2 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:10,639 Speaker 1: Chris Harrison and Lauren Zema coming to you from our 3 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:15,400 Speaker 1: new office, Merritt Street Media. I don't know if you 4 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:17,599 Speaker 1: guys have heard the news. If not, we're going to 5 00:00:17,640 --> 00:00:20,200 Speaker 1: break it to you right here, right now. Lauren Za 6 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:23,880 Speaker 1: and I are coming back to television at Merritt Street Media. 7 00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:28,080 Speaker 1: It is a brand new network run created by the 8 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:31,080 Speaker 1: legend doctor Phil. It's going to hit the airwaves in 9 00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:37,320 Speaker 1: the biggest network launch ever April second. LZ, Congratulations, welcome 10 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:38,000 Speaker 1: back to TV. 11 00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:43,560 Speaker 2: Congratulations babe. This feels so incredible. We have been sitting 12 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:46,040 Speaker 2: on this news for a little while and are. 13 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 3: Thrilled to be able to share it with everybody. 14 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 2: And thank you all for all of the support that 15 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:54,440 Speaker 2: you've given us, for the messages, for the we want 16 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:57,440 Speaker 2: to see you back on TV again. I almost feel 17 00:00:57,440 --> 00:00:59,360 Speaker 2: like we should go back to where we started, how 18 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:02,120 Speaker 2: we met, which is me interviewing you so that we 19 00:01:02,160 --> 00:01:04,280 Speaker 2: can kind of explain the story of how this happened 20 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:05,040 Speaker 2: and vice versa. 21 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:07,240 Speaker 1: Okay, yeah, this will be our training to get back 22 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:10,880 Speaker 1: into television. But yeah, I'm just so darn excited to 23 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:13,400 Speaker 1: be doing this. It's I'm we've been chopping at the 24 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:15,640 Speaker 1: bit to break this news because, like you said, we've 25 00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:16,800 Speaker 1: been sitting on this for a while. 26 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:23,000 Speaker 2: I've been surprised by how I don't want to say 27 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:24,960 Speaker 2: I didn't miss it. It's just I think you and 28 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:28,280 Speaker 2: I were both in the place of what we want 29 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:31,440 Speaker 2: our next chapter to be. And we literally named our 30 00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 2: production company Next Chapter Productions. But we wanted our next 31 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:37,959 Speaker 2: chapter to be something that we were really excited about, 32 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:42,959 Speaker 2: and we actually behind the scenes and never never announced this. 33 00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 2: We had another overall deal with a studio where we 34 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:48,120 Speaker 2: were working on some stuff. They were great, but we 35 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 2: never really found the project we wanted to do. 36 00:01:51,080 --> 00:01:53,160 Speaker 3: And when this came along, this felt right. 37 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 2: So I think let's dive in with that, because that's 38 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 2: going to be everybody's first question. 39 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:58,160 Speaker 3: Let me ask you, Chris Harrison. 40 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 2: Yes, why was at Street Media the right home for 41 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 2: your return to television? 42 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:08,400 Speaker 1: It was a perfect fit. When doctor Phil and I 43 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:10,240 Speaker 1: had our first lunch and then you came to our 44 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:11,919 Speaker 1: next lunch and we all got to know each other, 45 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 1: and he explained what he was doing, the purpose behind 46 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:18,000 Speaker 1: Merritt Street, and what he wanted us to be doing. 47 00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:22,360 Speaker 1: I just I had this fire burning inside me again, 48 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:25,000 Speaker 1: and I just knew, you know, you get that feeling, 49 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:27,920 Speaker 1: you're like, this feels right. This was right, And I 50 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 1: believe in what he's doing. I believe in what this 51 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 1: network stands for. And what I really liked is when 52 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:35,040 Speaker 1: he talked to both of us, he said, I want 53 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:37,200 Speaker 1: both of you back on TV, but I'm not just 54 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 1: bringing you back to do a relationship show. If you 55 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:43,200 Speaker 1: want to do that, great, you guys, think bigger, think bolder. 56 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 1: This is a blank slate. It is going to be 57 00:02:45,120 --> 00:02:48,520 Speaker 1: the biggest network launch ever. Somewhere between seventy five and 58 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:52,360 Speaker 1: eighty million subscribers will be watching Merritt Street Media. You 59 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:54,399 Speaker 1: guys go, I just want you to be a part 60 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 1: of this family. We'll figure it out. 61 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:57,639 Speaker 2: I'm glad you just had the opportunity to do the 62 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 2: Chris Harrison thing of the biggest, the biggest network launch ever. 63 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:04,080 Speaker 2: But it really is. I mean, by the numbers, seventy 64 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 2: five eighty million people, and it was I know, we 65 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:09,360 Speaker 2: had told you all we were going to announce this 66 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:11,440 Speaker 2: a little bit sooner, a little bit earlier than we 67 00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:13,640 Speaker 2: ended up being able to. Part of the reason was 68 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:16,839 Speaker 2: they were getting approached with even more deals to add 69 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:20,080 Speaker 2: even more numbers of subscribers to this launch. So it 70 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:23,480 Speaker 2: is the biggest network launch in television history. I think 71 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 2: the sort of easiest, most digestible way to convey it is, 72 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:31,000 Speaker 2: remember when Oprah launched own Doctor Phil is now launching 73 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 2: his own channel, his own network, and you all are 74 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:34,200 Speaker 2: going to be able to find it. 75 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:36,920 Speaker 3: We'll have more details on you know, literally what channel 76 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:37,280 Speaker 3: it's going. 77 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 1: To be, right, But it'll be on Dish, it'll be ondirected, 78 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 1: it'll be on Charter Cave, it'll be on all everything. 79 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 2: So when we started meeting with Phil, like you said, 80 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 2: I think we were both instantly excited. There were a 81 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 2: couple of things that instantly excited me. One, doctor Phil 82 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 2: is brilliant. I mean, if you don't know his background, 83 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:55,840 Speaker 2: the reason Oprah found him and put him on TV 84 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:58,800 Speaker 2: was because she was just so impressed by him. And 85 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:01,360 Speaker 2: by the way, this kind of feels like kismet. Yeah, 86 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:04,640 Speaker 2: Doctor Phil launched his show. I went and looked this 87 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:07,760 Speaker 2: up two thousand and two. What else launched in two 88 00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 2: thousand and two? 89 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 1: Babe The Bachelor? My career doing The Bachelor, And I 90 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:15,080 Speaker 1: didn't know that for some reason. I think because of Oprah. 91 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:17,200 Speaker 1: I felt like he's been on so much longer. When 92 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:19,280 Speaker 1: you told me that he started the same year that 93 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 1: we started, I really that it feels full It feels 94 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:24,239 Speaker 1: full circle. 95 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:25,240 Speaker 3: So he's so brilliant. 96 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 2: And I had actually interviewed him a couple times when 97 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 2: I was at ET because at that time his show 98 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:33,039 Speaker 2: was on CBS, we both were. And when Doctor Phil 99 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:36,720 Speaker 2: announced he wasn't renewing with CBS, that was a big deal, right, 100 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:40,120 Speaker 2: I mean, his show is a huge daytime show, I 101 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:42,400 Speaker 2: think the biggest, and so for him to leave and 102 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 2: say I'm going to start my own thing that made 103 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:47,880 Speaker 2: waves in the industry. And that leads me to the 104 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 2: second thing that excited me, which was that he wanted 105 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 2: to make waves. To have incredible resources, this facility is 106 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:58,080 Speaker 2: so stunning that they've built here in Texas, and to 107 00:04:58,279 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 2: also have the experience of someone like Doctor Phil who 108 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:05,560 Speaker 2: is such a pro at what he does, and having 109 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:09,440 Speaker 2: those two worlds colliding is really something special that does 110 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:10,840 Speaker 2: not come along very often. 111 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 1: And I'll piggyback off that because a couple of things. 112 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:16,160 Speaker 1: Number One, why am I so excited about Merritt Street. 113 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 1: One of the reasons you just mentioned. It's right here 114 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:20,440 Speaker 1: in my own backyard. To be able to get back 115 00:05:20,480 --> 00:05:23,000 Speaker 1: to television and do something meaningful, and to do it 116 00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:25,279 Speaker 1: here in the DFW area where I grew up, my 117 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:29,160 Speaker 1: mom still lives, all my friends family. This is awesome. 118 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:31,720 Speaker 1: This is such a treat for me to be around. 119 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:35,080 Speaker 1: We're hiring locals, bringing people out of the local colleges. 120 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:39,039 Speaker 1: This is just such a cool thing to be able 121 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:42,240 Speaker 1: to give back to this community and to bring television here, huge, 122 00:05:42,279 --> 00:05:44,599 Speaker 1: big time TV. This state of the art facility that 123 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 1: he built, I've never seen anything like it. It really is. 124 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:51,200 Speaker 1: It is. I've been to CNN, I've been to Fox News, 125 00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:56,040 Speaker 1: I've been to all these places. This place is absolutely astronomical. 126 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:58,800 Speaker 1: And Doctor phil They've spared no expense, cut no corners. 127 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 1: It's incredible. The other thing to me is you and 128 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 1: I had different options to return to television. We had 129 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 1: talked about different ideas, We had ideas pitched to us, 130 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 1: and nothing just nothing felt right, Like nothing got that 131 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:16,279 Speaker 1: fire burning where I'm like, yes, this is it. And 132 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:20,560 Speaker 1: something about running into doctor phil Us, becoming friends and 133 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:24,040 Speaker 1: him pitching us this idea. All of a sudden, the 134 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 1: stars aligned and this thing just felt right. And as 135 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:29,839 Speaker 1: soon as you and I were on you know, talked 136 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:32,680 Speaker 1: about this, we knew. We were like, this is it. 137 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:35,839 Speaker 3: It is. It's kind of like a what's work love 138 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 3: at first sight? 139 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:38,599 Speaker 1: You know, it's funny. I was gonna say, this has 140 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 1: been a relationship show for the last couple of years. 141 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:44,840 Speaker 1: And let me let me dispel one rumor. People have said, oh, well, 142 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:47,359 Speaker 1: he stayed away because there was a two year no 143 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 1: compete clause and that's why he stayed away this long. 144 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 1: That was not the case. We really just couldn't find 145 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 1: anything that I wanted to sink my teeth into. Nothing 146 00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:00,160 Speaker 1: really lit that fire in me until this, And and 147 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:02,599 Speaker 1: luckily Lauren and I had the ability to wait and 148 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:05,560 Speaker 1: be patient. And I give you a lot of credit 149 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 1: for that, and myself, I'll tell you know, pat myself 150 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 1: on the back of like being patient and not just 151 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: jumping back to jump back. I didn't want to get 152 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:15,760 Speaker 1: into TV just to do TV again. I wanted it 153 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 1: to be right. 154 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:19,280 Speaker 2: Yeah. I think you know, we're coming from a place 155 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 2: of like if someone was in their twenties asking me 156 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:24,600 Speaker 2: that question, I'd say, dive in, say yes to everything, 157 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:29,200 Speaker 2: try everything, take the opportunity. But once you've really gotten 158 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 2: to a good place you want to be at in 159 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:34,160 Speaker 2: your career, then you just have to start making decisions about, well, 160 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 2: what do I want my career to be, and sometimes 161 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:40,720 Speaker 2: you have to say no. Sometimes saying no is more powerful, 162 00:07:40,880 --> 00:07:42,720 Speaker 2: but you know that comes later. So I think we 163 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:48,360 Speaker 2: were both at that place. And maybe the one of 164 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:51,560 Speaker 2: the biggest assets about Merritt Street and Doctor Phil also 165 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 2: is I don't know anywhere else, you know. Again, we 166 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:59,800 Speaker 2: talk to other networks about possibly doing overall first Look 167 00:07:59,840 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 2: d and that kind of thing. I don't know anywhere 168 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:05,960 Speaker 2: else where. Someone who is running the network has been 169 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:10,360 Speaker 2: on TV themselves, and that is a game changer. It's 170 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:12,520 Speaker 2: almost hard to convey if you're not in the industry. 171 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 2: But you know what a lot of people have an 172 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:16,800 Speaker 2: issue with in Hollywood right now, people who have been 173 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 2: working in this business a long time, is that creatives 174 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 2: used to run studios and now numbers people. 175 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:26,200 Speaker 1: Do people that had TV experience, they made TV. 176 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:29,640 Speaker 2: And now it's not like that. So it's kind of 177 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 2: losing that that magic. And not only losing that magic, 178 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:39,320 Speaker 2: but it's just really hard to like pitch stuff and 179 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:42,680 Speaker 2: get stuff done because everybody behind the scenes is like 180 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:45,120 Speaker 2: a numbers person and is only worried about the bottom line, 181 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:47,240 Speaker 2: and you're trying to tell them, but if we make. 182 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:49,120 Speaker 3: This project great, it will be good. 183 00:08:49,160 --> 00:08:51,760 Speaker 2: Like I would say, one of the huge reasons the 184 00:08:51,760 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 2: Barbie movie crush this summer is because Mattel told director 185 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:59,040 Speaker 2: Greta Gerwig, do your vision. They let her do her 186 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:00,880 Speaker 2: vision and it was great, and they didn't try to 187 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:01,319 Speaker 2: step in. 188 00:09:01,280 --> 00:09:03,600 Speaker 1: Too much, even at the expense of Mattel, Like they 189 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:05,679 Speaker 1: took some shots at Mattel, but they said, no, no, 190 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 1: do your movie. 191 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:07,520 Speaker 3: Do you think? 192 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:07,960 Speaker 1: Yeah? 193 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:10,920 Speaker 2: And when we sit in a room with Phil, this 194 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:14,920 Speaker 2: is his network. He's running it. He makes quick, smart, 195 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 2: powerful decisions, and he knows what's good. And to see him, 196 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:22,160 Speaker 2: you know, have that trust in us, like when we've 197 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:26,400 Speaker 2: been talking about some potential relationship reality shows. He's very 198 00:09:26,480 --> 00:09:28,760 Speaker 2: much like you guys. You know, Chris, you know what 199 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:29,760 Speaker 2: you're doing, What do you want to do? 200 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:32,520 Speaker 1: What you know? I think you would call it in 201 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:35,720 Speaker 1: sports a player's coach. There are certain people you play 202 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 1: for in sports that. 203 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 2: That's one of the first sports analogies you've ever made 204 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:40,600 Speaker 2: that I've understood. 205 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:45,320 Speaker 1: In they really understand because they've been there. You know, 206 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:47,840 Speaker 1: they've played, they've been on the field. They know what 207 00:09:47,880 --> 00:09:50,199 Speaker 1: you're going through as a player. That's Doctor Phil. When 208 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:51,600 Speaker 1: you sit down and you pitch him a show or 209 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:54,160 Speaker 1: you talk to him, the guy's been there. He's doing 210 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:56,720 Speaker 1: it at the highest level. He's still doing it because 211 00:09:56,760 --> 00:09:59,040 Speaker 1: Doctor Phil Primetime is going to be the anchor of 212 00:09:59,040 --> 00:10:02,280 Speaker 1: this network. He is Doctor Phil Brilliant. He owns his 213 00:10:02,280 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 1: own show. So he has brought Doctor Phil the catalog 214 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 1: as well as his new show, Doctor Phil Primetime to 215 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 1: this network, and he's doing some unbelievable, really moving shows. 216 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:17,280 Speaker 1: As he says, I want to really own the debate 217 00:10:17,360 --> 00:10:20,400 Speaker 1: lane in this country because, as he says, we got 218 00:10:20,440 --> 00:10:33,320 Speaker 1: problems and we're going to start solving some of these problems. 219 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:38,400 Speaker 2: So maybe the next big question people ask is what 220 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:41,880 Speaker 2: are you working on specifically and what does this return 221 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:43,560 Speaker 2: to TV really mean? 222 00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:46,320 Speaker 1: I love this. We're doing this in our new office 223 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:48,840 Speaker 1: and Doctor Phil is about to walk by right now 224 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 1: to go out to the stage to do Doctor Phil Primetime. 225 00:10:52,120 --> 00:10:54,640 Speaker 1: So the floor director's right outside. We got our camera 226 00:10:54,720 --> 00:10:58,080 Speaker 1: crew right there taking pictures of us, and Doctor Phil 227 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 1: is about to walk by, very hands on work. Everybody 228 00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:04,240 Speaker 1: is around each other all the time. Just a creative 229 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:08,080 Speaker 1: think tank. I love this. But to your question, where 230 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:10,960 Speaker 1: will you see Elsie and I back on TV? A 231 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:14,560 Speaker 1: couple of big projects. First and foremost, I will be 232 00:11:14,559 --> 00:11:17,199 Speaker 1: appearing on Doctor Phil Primetime. As Doctor Phil said, you 233 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:19,240 Speaker 1: know what I was doing with Oprah and how I 234 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:22,160 Speaker 1: would kind of supplement and help her. I want you 235 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:24,120 Speaker 1: doing that on Doctor Phil Primetime. So I will be 236 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:27,560 Speaker 1: appearing immediately starting April second, as the show launches, the 237 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:30,600 Speaker 1: network launches, I'll be on Doctor Phil Primetime, filling in 238 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:34,440 Speaker 1: doing some work with him. And I love that because 239 00:11:34,440 --> 00:11:37,560 Speaker 1: it immediately got me back to my journalism and the 240 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:39,280 Speaker 1: same thing with you. You and I have talked about these 241 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 1: stories that he's doing. 242 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:43,520 Speaker 2: Well, we need sort of a new word because you 243 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:49,720 Speaker 2: have been doing journalism. Yeah, but like you did that 244 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:51,920 Speaker 2: on The Bachelor. I mean you interviewed people on. 245 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 1: The Batchel are using your skills for sure, totally. 246 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:56,120 Speaker 3: That was the Chris Harrison hot seats. 247 00:11:56,120 --> 00:11:59,160 Speaker 2: So yeah, your journalism, yes, but I think what you're 248 00:11:59,160 --> 00:12:01,439 Speaker 2: doing is bringing the hot seat to Doctor Phil. 249 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 1: And oh interesting, Yeah, you've seen a couple of the shows. 250 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:05,800 Speaker 1: You tell me what I'm bringing, Well. 251 00:12:05,640 --> 00:12:06,559 Speaker 3: That is what you're bringing. 252 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:09,640 Speaker 2: You know, you did a show about They've brought you 253 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:11,880 Speaker 2: in to talk about some relationship topics and I think 254 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:14,560 Speaker 2: you've done great with that. Also, it's getting you back 255 00:12:14,600 --> 00:12:16,960 Speaker 2: to you know, he was really great with asking you 256 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:17,760 Speaker 2: what are you interested in? 257 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:18,440 Speaker 3: What do you want to cover? 258 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:20,080 Speaker 2: So I know you want to do some stuff with 259 00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:23,720 Speaker 2: sports and things that are happening in that world, controversies. 260 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 2: But Doctor Phil's show is kind of the perfect fit 261 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:29,560 Speaker 2: for you of that journalism interview background. 262 00:12:29,559 --> 00:12:31,280 Speaker 3: But there's some drama on Doctor Phil. 263 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:35,840 Speaker 1: No. He look, he knows this network television also needs 264 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 1: to be entertaining. That's what we're here for too, is 265 00:12:38,559 --> 00:12:40,800 Speaker 1: to entertain you. And that's again you go back to 266 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:43,560 Speaker 1: having a player's coach, having a guy who's been in 267 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:46,640 Speaker 1: the trenches and been on TV. He knows we're not 268 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:49,719 Speaker 1: just going to do ah. You know, TV, we kind 269 00:12:49,720 --> 00:12:51,600 Speaker 1: of entertain We got to make you laugh, got to 270 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:53,280 Speaker 1: make you think, got to make you cry. That's what 271 00:12:53,360 --> 00:12:55,440 Speaker 1: TV does and that's what Doctor Phil does and he's 272 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: brilliant at it. 273 00:12:56,240 --> 00:12:59,280 Speaker 2: Another part of the reason the fit seemed so perfect 274 00:12:59,320 --> 00:13:03,880 Speaker 2: to me, I think you two share reasons that you 275 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 2: have been on TV for so long. Like Doctor Phil 276 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:09,480 Speaker 2: moved his show to Texas, he moved lots of LA 277 00:13:09,520 --> 00:13:10,200 Speaker 2: staffers with him. 278 00:13:10,240 --> 00:13:11,400 Speaker 3: He takes care of his people. 279 00:13:11,920 --> 00:13:14,360 Speaker 2: And you know, when we were going through everything, I 280 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:16,960 Speaker 2: know that a huge part of the reason you made 281 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:19,560 Speaker 2: a lot of the decisions that you made, I think 282 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:23,640 Speaker 2: in part well, I think sometimes really to your own detriment, 283 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:26,800 Speaker 2: Like looking back, they weren't great decisions for you personally, honestly, 284 00:13:27,240 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 2: but you made those decisions because your driving force was 285 00:13:31,559 --> 00:13:34,160 Speaker 2: never yourself. It was I want to make sure the 286 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:36,680 Speaker 2: show stays okay. I don't want you know, I want 287 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:40,160 Speaker 2: to make sure that everybody who I've worked with is okay. 288 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:42,360 Speaker 2: And you were really focused on their jobs. So Phil 289 00:13:42,360 --> 00:13:45,800 Speaker 2: brought a bunch of people from LA to hear and 290 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:47,280 Speaker 2: his bond with his audience. 291 00:13:47,600 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 3: He really cares about his audience. 292 00:13:50,120 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 2: He here in the Merit Street Media Studio has built 293 00:13:54,840 --> 00:13:58,920 Speaker 2: an entire red carpet audience experience so that when the 294 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:01,360 Speaker 2: audience comes in for him tape, they have a really 295 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:05,439 Speaker 2: cool VIP Hollywood like experience right here in Texas. And 296 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:08,559 Speaker 2: he understands that connection. And you've always understood that connection. 297 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 2: I always say The simplest way to explain it is 298 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:13,760 Speaker 2: you stop and take a picture with everybody, because you 299 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:16,040 Speaker 2: know those people are the reason that you're here. 300 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:17,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, and by the way, if you're ever in the 301 00:14:17,559 --> 00:14:19,480 Speaker 1: DFW area, you want to come see a life taping 302 00:14:19,520 --> 00:14:21,760 Speaker 1: of Doctor Phil Prime Time or maybe something else, and 303 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 1: I will be talking about and doing very soon. But 304 00:14:25,520 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 1: I thank you, and I feel the same when I'm 305 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 1: on stage with him. He has this charisma and this 306 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 1: charm and again I go back to sports, all my 307 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:37,240 Speaker 1: analogies or sports. But it's been fun to kind of 308 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:41,160 Speaker 1: exchange barbes with him and kind of volley back and 309 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 1: forth with him when we're on stage together and we're 310 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:48,320 Speaker 1: hosting together. It really is a masterclass in hosting. I 311 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:50,600 Speaker 1: really enjoy his style, and it took me a minute, 312 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:53,080 Speaker 1: you know, to watch his style to see how he 313 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:55,440 Speaker 1: does things. But it's fun to be on stage with 314 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:59,360 Speaker 1: another host who does it at this high level because 315 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:02,000 Speaker 1: he's so damned talented. And you know, by the way, 316 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 1: don't ever underestimate the guy with the accent. That's what 317 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:07,320 Speaker 1: he wants. Yeah, that's what he wanted. 318 00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 3: He's doing that Texas draw to draw it out of you. 319 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 1: But That's one of the things he said to both 320 00:15:11,920 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 1: of us when when he said, I want you guys 321 00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:16,400 Speaker 1: to come to Merritt Street, I want you back on TV. 322 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:20,280 Speaker 1: I think you both have you resonate with your fans, 323 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:21,960 Speaker 1: and you have this fan base that you're going to 324 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:25,640 Speaker 1: bring with you. So I like that. You know, game 325 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:26,920 Speaker 1: recognizes game. 326 00:15:27,080 --> 00:15:30,920 Speaker 2: You know well to have someone tell you, especially in 327 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 2: our business, like here's what's a little bit of the 328 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:39,160 Speaker 2: contradiction of Hollywood. People who really make it are a personality, right, 329 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:41,480 Speaker 2: Like when you think about Jack Nicholson, you know exactly 330 00:15:41,520 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 2: who're thinking about. When you think about Tom Hanks, you 331 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:47,560 Speaker 2: know people know that person. But what this business also 332 00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:49,600 Speaker 2: tells you over and over again is fit a mold, 333 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:52,040 Speaker 2: fit a mold, fit a mold. And you and I 334 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:55,320 Speaker 2: were both at places where like I did Roses and 335 00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:58,000 Speaker 2: Rose and I loved it, and I created that myself 336 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:00,160 Speaker 2: and pitched it and they greenlit that and support it. 337 00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:03,360 Speaker 2: So I'm so grateful. But when I was doing interviews, 338 00:16:04,040 --> 00:16:06,880 Speaker 2: you know, it was always like, okay, but you have 339 00:16:06,920 --> 00:16:08,840 Speaker 2: to be doing it the ET way, ask it the 340 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:11,320 Speaker 2: ET way. And on the one hand, yes, but on 341 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:14,520 Speaker 2: the other hand, you know you lose yourself a little bit. 342 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:18,000 Speaker 2: And so to have him say to us, I want 343 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:19,880 Speaker 2: you to come here and do what you want to 344 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:20,800 Speaker 2: do and be yourselves. 345 00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:23,200 Speaker 3: What a gift. I felt so blessed. 346 00:16:23,280 --> 00:16:25,240 Speaker 1: One of the things that there's a quote that's stuck 347 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:26,920 Speaker 1: with me, and I've said this to some other people. 348 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:29,240 Speaker 1: So We're sitting with doctor Phil in his office and 349 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:31,360 Speaker 1: you know, I'm really hand ringing and him and and 350 00:16:31,400 --> 00:16:34,040 Speaker 1: Holland about how I'm going to return, which of his 351 00:16:34,120 --> 00:16:36,840 Speaker 1: shows that I would make the first show back, and 352 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:39,760 Speaker 1: what subject matter will I cover? And you know, I'm 353 00:16:39,880 --> 00:16:42,800 Speaker 1: really in the weeds on this, and he just stops me. 354 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:44,760 Speaker 1: And as only doctor Phil could say, he is like, Chris, 355 00:16:45,560 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 1: we don't have to hang this in the louver, meaning 356 00:16:50,120 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: everything doesn't have to be perfect. Get let's get you 357 00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:55,680 Speaker 1: back on TV man. People just want to see you talk. 358 00:16:55,800 --> 00:16:58,840 Speaker 1: Let's go. And I just love he cuts to the chase, 359 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:01,440 Speaker 1: and that's a line that's going to resonate and stick 360 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:03,880 Speaker 1: with me for a long time. He just stopped me. 361 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:05,600 Speaker 1: He's like, we don't have to hang it in the loover, man, 362 00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:07,240 Speaker 1: Let's just go do TV. Well. 363 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:08,800 Speaker 3: We're definitely both perfectionists. 364 00:17:08,840 --> 00:17:11,200 Speaker 2: We like for our quality to be really high, which 365 00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:13,840 Speaker 2: by the way, is why I have sometimes honestly struggled 366 00:17:13,880 --> 00:17:17,159 Speaker 2: with podcasting. I'm excited to be back on TV because 367 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:21,199 Speaker 2: I grew up and studied and loved a medium that 368 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:25,240 Speaker 2: is really like edited and not a word is wasted. 369 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:26,560 Speaker 1: Scripted, formulaic to a certain degree. 370 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:29,000 Speaker 2: When I would edit Roses and Rose, I would cut 371 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:32,439 Speaker 2: out half seconds, like the timing matters so much to me, 372 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:35,679 Speaker 2: especially because that's what you learn about in comedy, Like 373 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 2: timing matters so much so to just sit and what 374 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 2: we've always been told about podcasting is talk longer, go longer. 375 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:43,639 Speaker 3: It crushes me. 376 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:57,439 Speaker 1: Okay, well, before we wrap this up, I think we 377 00:17:57,440 --> 00:17:59,720 Speaker 1: need People are going to be wondering, Hey, what else 378 00:17:59,760 --> 00:18:01,480 Speaker 1: are you working on. 379 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:04,280 Speaker 2: One of the first things we're working on is a 380 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 2: morning show together, a morning show that we will co host. 381 00:18:08,119 --> 00:18:11,000 Speaker 2: That was one of our first ideas here at Merit, 382 00:18:11,080 --> 00:18:13,879 Speaker 2: and again they were super supportive of it. So we 383 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:16,919 Speaker 2: have that in the works, and I think that's going 384 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:20,240 Speaker 2: to be that great next chapter, as we named our company, 385 00:18:20,280 --> 00:18:23,399 Speaker 2: Next Chapter Productions for us, where we've been doing the 386 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:26,199 Speaker 2: podcast together, but now we can do something together in 387 00:18:26,280 --> 00:18:30,000 Speaker 2: a medium that we really love, which is television. 388 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:33,920 Speaker 1: Merritt Street Media. Immediately April second, we'll launch with Doctor 389 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:37,240 Speaker 1: Phil primetime, and they also have news. There's a big 390 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:40,119 Speaker 1: news department and they have a very talented group of 391 00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:44,440 Speaker 1: newscasters and producers. In the morning, I think they're doing 392 00:18:44,480 --> 00:18:46,600 Speaker 1: two hours of news. There's going to be evening news 393 00:18:46,600 --> 00:18:50,520 Speaker 1: as well. That will launch immediately. And then what we 394 00:18:50,560 --> 00:18:54,680 Speaker 1: are working on is producing a late morning talk show, 395 00:18:55,320 --> 00:18:58,520 Speaker 1: the two of us hosting together. That could be dangerous, 396 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:00,480 Speaker 1: it could be fun, the. 397 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:01,960 Speaker 3: Most dramatic talk show ever. 398 00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:04,119 Speaker 1: Yeah, okay, it'll come on right after It'll come on 399 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:08,040 Speaker 1: right after the morning news. And that is something that 400 00:19:08,119 --> 00:19:11,919 Speaker 1: I am so excited about. It's, if I had to 401 00:19:11,920 --> 00:19:16,480 Speaker 1: pick one thing, that's probably my my most excited project 402 00:19:16,560 --> 00:19:20,280 Speaker 1: to be diving into. It's something I've dabbled in before 403 00:19:20,359 --> 00:19:22,800 Speaker 1: because I've you know, hosted with Kelly and The View, 404 00:19:22,880 --> 00:19:24,640 Speaker 1: and I've done a bunch of that stuff. Obviously you've 405 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:27,760 Speaker 1: done ET and you have done your fair share of interviewing. 406 00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:31,439 Speaker 1: To be on together because you're so damn talented, but 407 00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:34,960 Speaker 1: I also love working together. I love our chemistry on 408 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:38,439 Speaker 1: TV and off, So I just think it's it's going 409 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:41,080 Speaker 1: to be fantastic and I and I again kudos to 410 00:19:41,119 --> 00:19:44,120 Speaker 1: doctor Phil for saying, LZ, Chris, go do your thing. Man. 411 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:44,760 Speaker 3: Yeah. 412 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:47,320 Speaker 2: Well, when we've been talking about it, you know what 413 00:19:47,359 --> 00:19:49,800 Speaker 2: we want it to be. I think we want it 414 00:19:49,840 --> 00:19:52,480 Speaker 2: to be relatable. We want it to be fun. We're 415 00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:54,760 Speaker 2: going to talk about our relationship. We're going to dive 416 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:59,040 Speaker 2: into the issues everybody's facing, but do it in a 417 00:19:59,080 --> 00:20:02,959 Speaker 2: really digestible, fun way. And I'm really going to fulfill 418 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:05,639 Speaker 2: my mom's dreams right now because, like literally, when I 419 00:20:05,680 --> 00:20:07,199 Speaker 2: was a kid, my mom wanted me to be on 420 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:10,959 Speaker 2: the morning news shows in Chicago. So you know what 421 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:13,800 Speaker 2: this is about. This is about making Donna zeba happy 422 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:14,640 Speaker 2: Love you mom. 423 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:16,760 Speaker 1: If we can get back to work and be happy 424 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:19,880 Speaker 1: and make Donnazema happy, I mean, talk about a win win. 425 00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:22,680 Speaker 1: One of the things that will work its way into 426 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:26,399 Speaker 1: our morning show is the synergy of this network. Doctor 427 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:32,120 Speaker 1: Phil has this beautiful synergistic idea of from morning to evening, 428 00:20:32,720 --> 00:20:34,520 Speaker 1: you can turn this network on and leave it on 429 00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:38,520 Speaker 1: all day. In one show, we'll not just lead into another, 430 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:41,159 Speaker 1: it will kind of bleed into another in that you 431 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:42,520 Speaker 1: never know who you're going to see in the morning, 432 00:20:42,520 --> 00:20:44,199 Speaker 1: Doctor Phil will be on our show. We'll be on 433 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:47,080 Speaker 1: Doctor Phil's show. I almost throughout some other names of 434 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:49,639 Speaker 1: people that are coming to this network, But the idea 435 00:20:49,760 --> 00:20:51,879 Speaker 1: is we're all going to kind of take part in 436 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:56,000 Speaker 1: each other's projects. Even the morning news will kind of 437 00:20:56,200 --> 00:20:58,400 Speaker 1: bleed in and we will go back into the news 438 00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:00,960 Speaker 1: set at times on our show for breaking news or 439 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:03,639 Speaker 1: for the news of the day and making things more digestible. 440 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:06,720 Speaker 1: So that will it's going to be a different vibe 441 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:09,040 Speaker 1: and a different show than you're used to, and the 442 00:21:09,080 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 1: network itself is going to be a different vibe in 443 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:15,359 Speaker 1: a different feel. And I love this idea of Doctor 444 00:21:15,400 --> 00:21:17,600 Speaker 1: Phil of like, hey man, everybody's door is open. We're 445 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:19,840 Speaker 1: all going to be here one big fraternity and we're 446 00:21:19,840 --> 00:21:22,600 Speaker 1: helping each other out, which is very different than what 447 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:24,920 Speaker 1: I'm used to a network TV, where it is kill 448 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:25,639 Speaker 1: or be killed. 449 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:30,359 Speaker 2: Yes, And he's very much about you know, I know, 450 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:32,880 Speaker 2: he just released his book We've Got Issues, and he 451 00:21:33,720 --> 00:21:35,959 Speaker 2: again wanted to I mean, the story I've heard him 452 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:39,120 Speaker 2: tell over and over again is that he was having 453 00:21:39,160 --> 00:21:44,080 Speaker 2: dinner with his lovely wife Robin, and he said to her, Gosh, 454 00:21:44,119 --> 00:21:46,480 Speaker 2: the media has just gotten like out of control and 455 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:51,240 Speaker 2: I'm paraphrasing him, and she didn't even pause between taking 456 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:52,520 Speaker 2: a bite of her food and said. 457 00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:54,320 Speaker 3: Well, honey, you are the media. 458 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:57,280 Speaker 2: And that made him realize, like, I need to play 459 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:01,080 Speaker 2: a part in creating something better. And so he really 460 00:22:01,119 --> 00:22:03,919 Speaker 2: does want this network, Merrit Street Media, to be a 461 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:07,399 Speaker 2: place where it's not just all talking heads screaming at 462 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:12,360 Speaker 2: each other. It's real, grounded approaches. And I've watched him 463 00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:16,280 Speaker 2: now approach his shows, the level of research he does. 464 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:19,960 Speaker 2: He researches every single side of an issue when he's 465 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:21,600 Speaker 2: going to tackle it, so that he goes in so 466 00:22:21,800 --> 00:22:24,320 Speaker 2: informed and he just tries to get to the truth 467 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:29,119 Speaker 2: and to the reality and to a solution, not a controversy. 468 00:22:29,160 --> 00:22:31,959 Speaker 3: And so I really am refreshed by that. 469 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:33,880 Speaker 1: He one of the first things he said to both 470 00:22:33,880 --> 00:22:36,440 Speaker 1: of us, this is not political. We're not right, we're 471 00:22:36,440 --> 00:22:40,480 Speaker 1: not left, We're facts. And he said, Chris, you may 472 00:22:40,480 --> 00:22:42,520 Speaker 1: not like what you're going to hear on Merit Street Media, 473 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:45,760 Speaker 1: but one thing you can deny, it's just the facts, 474 00:22:46,240 --> 00:22:50,200 Speaker 1: and take from that what you will and just have 475 00:22:50,280 --> 00:22:53,199 Speaker 1: the debate and be able to ask questions and be 476 00:22:53,359 --> 00:22:57,800 Speaker 1: able to take that and have a conversation. Heaven forbid, 477 00:22:57,840 --> 00:22:59,679 Speaker 1: we have a real conversation. 478 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:03,000 Speaker 2: Heaven forbid, people who disagree can just talk to each 479 00:23:03,040 --> 00:23:04,119 Speaker 2: other and have a conversation. 480 00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:06,880 Speaker 1: Okay, So one more thing. 481 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:09,720 Speaker 2: Let's talk about the thing that I think probably a 482 00:23:09,720 --> 00:23:12,480 Speaker 2: lot of your longtime fans will be pretty excited about, 483 00:23:12,520 --> 00:23:14,960 Speaker 2: which is the other project we have in. 484 00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:17,200 Speaker 1: The works here at Mary the Elephant in the Room. Yes, 485 00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:21,040 Speaker 1: there are talks for a relationship show that is indeed happening. 486 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:24,400 Speaker 1: There are talks. We're still early days because we're early 487 00:23:24,480 --> 00:23:27,440 Speaker 1: days in this network of the Vibe and we kind 488 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:30,680 Speaker 1: of want to see how this feels and what kind 489 00:23:30,720 --> 00:23:34,320 Speaker 1: of show would fit. But we're in talks. And again, 490 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:36,320 Speaker 1: the beautiful thing is you just sit with doctor Phil 491 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:39,880 Speaker 1: and that's who we're dealing with, and when he says yes, 492 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:42,440 Speaker 1: we go, and he loves it. He loves the ideas 493 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:45,600 Speaker 1: we're talking about, and we're pitching. And so yes, there 494 00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:49,119 Speaker 1: will be I believe a relationship show at Merritt Street 495 00:23:49,160 --> 00:23:51,639 Speaker 1: Media and we will be back with that as well. 496 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:55,160 Speaker 1: So hopefully people will be happy that we'll be coming 497 00:23:55,200 --> 00:23:57,960 Speaker 1: back with a relationship show and probably some you know, 498 00:23:58,040 --> 00:24:01,560 Speaker 1: familiar names, some familiar faces that will be helping me 499 00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:02,600 Speaker 1: put this show together. 500 00:24:02,960 --> 00:24:04,919 Speaker 2: If you were going to let me just put you 501 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:07,719 Speaker 2: right into tease mode, how would you tease it? 502 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:12,520 Speaker 1: Well, this will be the most dramatic relationship show ever 503 00:24:13,440 --> 00:24:19,160 Speaker 1: for real. No, I am excited and I do love 504 00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:21,320 Speaker 1: again that Doctor Phille said. Look, I'm not bringing you here, 505 00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 1: you know, to hand out roses or to do a 506 00:24:23,520 --> 00:24:25,320 Speaker 1: relationship show. If you want to do that and we 507 00:24:25,359 --> 00:24:28,720 Speaker 1: think it fits, great, we can add that to the repertoire. 508 00:24:28,800 --> 00:24:30,800 Speaker 1: But I want y'all to think bigger. I want you 509 00:24:30,840 --> 00:24:33,760 Speaker 1: to be creative because he knows that we love TV 510 00:24:34,119 --> 00:24:36,120 Speaker 1: and he was such a huge fan of you because 511 00:24:36,160 --> 00:24:38,359 Speaker 1: y'all kind of shared the CBS world and so he 512 00:24:38,440 --> 00:24:41,120 Speaker 1: knew of you. He loves you. He thinks you're talented 513 00:24:41,160 --> 00:24:43,959 Speaker 1: as hell. He's been very appreciative of my talent and 514 00:24:43,960 --> 00:24:47,720 Speaker 1: he's been so complimentary. I love that we kind of 515 00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:50,400 Speaker 1: can just run with this and the Morning show, whether 516 00:24:50,440 --> 00:24:53,480 Speaker 1: it's a reality show, Doctor Phill Primetime, There's going to 517 00:24:53,520 --> 00:24:58,399 Speaker 1: be other projects coming through the door. Here, sky's a limit. 518 00:24:58,840 --> 00:25:01,120 Speaker 1: The sky's a limit, and we are back. We're back 519 00:25:01,160 --> 00:25:01,600 Speaker 1: on TV. 520 00:25:02,119 --> 00:25:03,880 Speaker 3: To see you. 521 00:25:05,800 --> 00:25:12,240 Speaker 2: Walk out on stage again was emotional for me, it's 522 00:25:12,280 --> 00:25:16,159 Speaker 2: been a minute, and I never had any doubt that 523 00:25:17,240 --> 00:25:20,160 Speaker 2: you would be back with what you wanted to come 524 00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:26,840 Speaker 2: back with. But there's something about the actual moment of 525 00:25:26,880 --> 00:25:30,080 Speaker 2: you walking out. Everybody went crazy and applauded for you 526 00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:32,320 Speaker 2: when they saw you. I was just so proud of you. 527 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:33,679 Speaker 2: I was so proud of you. 528 00:25:33,840 --> 00:25:34,520 Speaker 1: Thank you. 529 00:25:34,520 --> 00:25:41,359 Speaker 2: You crushed it. You didn't miss a beat, you were 530 00:25:42,119 --> 00:25:44,119 Speaker 2: I'm in awe of your talent. I am. I used 531 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 2: to feel this way even before we were ever dating. 532 00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:49,080 Speaker 2: I would interview you and just I would look forward 533 00:25:49,080 --> 00:25:51,240 Speaker 2: to our interviews because you were a SoundBite machine and 534 00:25:51,240 --> 00:25:52,800 Speaker 2: you'd get me all the headlines I wanted. 535 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:56,120 Speaker 3: And you're so good at what you do. 536 00:25:56,640 --> 00:26:00,920 Speaker 2: So to just watch someone you love do what they 537 00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:05,920 Speaker 2: love to do is always a blessing. And I feel 538 00:26:06,000 --> 00:26:08,520 Speaker 2: so grateful. I feel so thankful for where we're at, 539 00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:13,760 Speaker 2: so happy, and I just feel like this is such 540 00:26:13,760 --> 00:26:16,040 Speaker 2: an exciting moment for you, because you talked about this 541 00:26:16,119 --> 00:26:20,520 Speaker 2: earlier about doctor Phil being kind of a masterclass for you. 542 00:26:21,160 --> 00:26:23,680 Speaker 2: For me watching YouTube up there, I was like, God, 543 00:26:23,760 --> 00:26:26,280 Speaker 2: I am watching two of the best in the business together, 544 00:26:26,920 --> 00:26:31,000 Speaker 2: And what you can create from here is. 545 00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:34,120 Speaker 3: I think going to be some of your best work. 546 00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:36,800 Speaker 1: Yet I'll let everybody behind the scenes a little bit. So, 547 00:26:36,880 --> 00:26:39,679 Speaker 1: as I said, we've taped already a few episodes of 548 00:26:39,680 --> 00:26:42,400 Speaker 1: Doctor Phil Primetime where I'm appearing on Doctor Phil's show, 549 00:26:43,680 --> 00:26:47,480 Speaker 1: and the very first time, right as he was about 550 00:26:47,480 --> 00:26:49,159 Speaker 1: to introduce me, and I'm about to walk on stage. 551 00:26:50,560 --> 00:26:52,600 Speaker 1: While I knew I was going to come back to TV, 552 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:55,040 Speaker 1: I didn't know if it would ever happen again. You know, 553 00:26:55,080 --> 00:26:58,840 Speaker 1: you just you don't know because this business is difficult. 554 00:26:58,880 --> 00:27:01,920 Speaker 1: I don't care who you are, It is a tough business, 555 00:27:01,960 --> 00:27:05,800 Speaker 1: and so you never that stage is never promised to anybody. 556 00:27:06,440 --> 00:27:09,520 Speaker 1: So as I do, before I walk out on any stage, 557 00:27:09,520 --> 00:27:12,440 Speaker 1: I say a quick little prayer, and I got emotional 558 00:27:12,520 --> 00:27:17,399 Speaker 1: because I realized, deep down, I wasn't sure if I 559 00:27:17,440 --> 00:27:21,159 Speaker 1: was ever going to do this again. And I'm grateful 560 00:27:21,320 --> 00:27:23,520 Speaker 1: for the opportunity, just as I was always grateful to 561 00:27:23,520 --> 00:27:26,560 Speaker 1: walk on any stage when I was hosting. I was 562 00:27:26,600 --> 00:27:30,000 Speaker 1: so grateful for that opportunity, and I thought of you, 563 00:27:30,200 --> 00:27:34,200 Speaker 1: thought of our family, and I got a little teary 564 00:27:34,200 --> 00:27:37,240 Speaker 1: eyed to walk out to that audience again and to 565 00:27:37,280 --> 00:27:39,200 Speaker 1: be able to do what I love, and I realized 566 00:27:39,680 --> 00:27:42,919 Speaker 1: being here at Merritt Street Media. I'm getting to do 567 00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:46,000 Speaker 1: what I love again, and I have that passion at 568 00:27:46,040 --> 00:27:53,560 Speaker 1: a very real, raw level. You know. I feel like 569 00:27:53,600 --> 00:27:55,399 Speaker 1: I got to go to the mountaintop with what I 570 00:27:55,440 --> 00:27:57,760 Speaker 1: was doing previously and here now I get to do 571 00:27:57,800 --> 00:28:00,639 Speaker 1: it because I love it period to do it with you. 572 00:28:00,720 --> 00:28:02,320 Speaker 1: I get to do this with the woman. I love you, 573 00:28:02,359 --> 00:28:04,320 Speaker 1: and I have been coming to work every day. We 574 00:28:04,440 --> 00:28:06,880 Speaker 1: drive into work every day, we talk about what we're 575 00:28:06,880 --> 00:28:08,440 Speaker 1: going to do, and I know that can be a 576 00:28:08,440 --> 00:28:10,520 Speaker 1: slippery slope. Maybe we'll do a podcast on working with 577 00:28:10,560 --> 00:28:13,239 Speaker 1: your such a gift and significant other, but it's just 578 00:28:13,280 --> 00:28:16,119 Speaker 1: been such a dream for me to get to watch 579 00:28:16,240 --> 00:28:19,600 Speaker 1: you being so damn good at what you do, and 580 00:28:19,680 --> 00:28:22,439 Speaker 1: so to bring our talents together and to do this together. 581 00:28:23,320 --> 00:28:26,280 Speaker 1: This is the dream. Mary Street Media is the dream. 582 00:28:26,760 --> 00:28:31,160 Speaker 1: And with that, we'll wrap this up and just say 583 00:28:31,160 --> 00:28:33,240 Speaker 1: thank you. As Lauren said off the top, thanks for 584 00:28:33,280 --> 00:28:37,600 Speaker 1: all the love, your response, your notes, your direct messages 585 00:28:39,160 --> 00:28:42,480 Speaker 1: since we announced this what less than twenty four hours ago, 586 00:28:42,800 --> 00:28:46,640 Speaker 1: has been overwhelming. And I love you guys. We love 587 00:28:46,680 --> 00:28:52,280 Speaker 1: you guys. You have always meant the world to me, 588 00:28:52,400 --> 00:28:55,160 Speaker 1: and I mean the audience. I always you know, as 589 00:28:55,200 --> 00:28:57,640 Speaker 1: Lauren said, I tried to foster that connection with you guys, 590 00:28:57,680 --> 00:29:00,760 Speaker 1: and it meant something to me, So it means something 591 00:29:00,760 --> 00:29:02,320 Speaker 1: to me now that you guys are so excited that 592 00:29:02,320 --> 00:29:05,040 Speaker 1: we're back and we can't wait for what is to come. 593 00:29:05,800 --> 00:29:09,440 Speaker 1: And stay tuned because we'll keep you posted as this 594 00:29:09,560 --> 00:29:13,080 Speaker 1: network launches April second, as Lauren and I announce our 595 00:29:13,160 --> 00:29:17,320 Speaker 1: projects and shows we're doing. But thank you. We can't 596 00:29:18,280 --> 00:29:20,800 Speaker 1: say enough how excited we are to be back here 597 00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:23,640 Speaker 1: at Merritt Street Media. And we will talk to you 598 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:26,680 Speaker 1: soon because we have a lot more to talk about. 599 00:29:26,960 --> 00:29:29,520 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening. Follow us on Instagram at the most 600 00:29:29,600 --> 00:29:32,120 Speaker 1: dramatic pod ever, and make sure to write us a 601 00:29:32,120 --> 00:29:34,800 Speaker 1: review and leave us five stars. I'll talk to you 602 00:29:34,800 --> 00:29:35,240 Speaker 1: next time.