What’s the Verdict? with Nick Reit and Jess Jones

When Jess is away, Nick will play! With Rae!! That’s right, Nick is joined LIVE in the studio this week by special guest host Rae Wessel, and the energy?? It’s impeccable. There was a lot to cover in pop culture… the Met Gala (American Flop theme), the VMAs (didn’t watch lol), and, of course, Nicki’s cousin’s friend’s swollen testicles (thoughts and prayers to the Barbz). After that Week in Review, Nick gets all of Rae’s best dating tips and tricks, including her top three ways to spot a red flag! Spicy! Also, these besties solve the mystery of the cheeky square… They’re unafraid to get goofy and unafraid to reference references! To find more of Rae’s latest adventures (is sliding into the DMs a red flag?), find her on IG @raewessel.

Shake it for the birds, shake it for the bees, shake it for the catfish and Timothy Janovsky! Author, friend, and consulting rom-com expert Timothy Janovksy makes a courtroom appearance to talk about his debut novel Never Been Kissed. Then, the court reveals some shocking evidence as first kisses are rated and one-syllable names are called out for their power. Which Housewife of Salt Lake City has the best tagline? Will we ever get the correct thing we ordered from a Dunkin’? Are we prisoners to armpit behavior? Does the green light in The Great Gatsby mean anything? And most importantly, will Wren get the credits-rolling kiss of his dreams? We don’t have all the answers, but to find out the answer to that last question, pre-order Never Been Kissed wherever you buy books! And for more updates and book news from Tim, be sure to check him out @timothyjanovsky on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok or at timothyjanovsky.com!

Get your Lost encyclopedia’s out and login to your AO3 account, because THE original fan of What’s the Verdict, Sam Narciso is here! The Judges and Sam are close-reading the rules and bringing in NEW games this week, discussing everything from the Manifest revival...to TikTok bullies...to Larry Stylinson...to Brokeback Twilight! Sam walks everyone through what it’s like to be at PaleyFest AND at an MKTO concert, and then the gang gets ROWDY discussing Tits and Tats (and Narcisos making hats!?). To keep making Sam’s TikToks viral, go follow her at @samissuffering, and on Instagram (@s.is.for.sunshine) and Twitter (@samsufferedenuf)!

 This August, love is in the air, tickets are in your pockets, and the Christmas Creep is in your chimney! The Court is joined by the ONLY couple that is allowed to get married until May 2022, Alexa Wilder and Nathan Quinn! They bare it all and share their engagement story in chunks (recaps provided by Jess), and Nick exposes Nathan’s social media “secret”! Then, the group debates if vows should really just be a tight five standup routine and if meet-cutes actually exist or if it’s all one big media conspiracy. Alexa’s Tits and Tats deliver some HOT takes, and Nathan’s takes are ice cold...some would even say…arctic? Plus, Nick and Jess get several crash courses on coffee beans, watermelons, and bell peppers! The best part? None of it is fact-checked. For more voice content and arbitrary tags of Nathan, check out Alexa on Instagram @alexateachmehowtosing and @alexa_wilder!

It’s a Lazy Girls’ Hang, and we’re truly seeing where the wind blows us on this one! BYOO (Bring Your Own Opinions), because Nick and Jess get into it on everything from smoothie-seltzer to Barilla bags. Then, everyone takes a trip to Rhythm Nation to discuss the new Cinderella trailer (Can you say, “Dresses...by Ella”?!?) and debate the hotness of the prince like true SHE-E-Os. The Court dissects everything from Schmigadoon to White Lotus to Fboy Island (beware of spoilers!) and has some wild, in-the-moment verdicts! Jess reveals a TWIST, never-been-done-before Tit & Tat (because some things can be two things), and Nick draws the line with Apple once and for all… Follow us @theverdictpod on Instagram and Twitter for more antics and opinions, and listen/subscribe wherever you get your podcasts ;)  

*Insert bullhorn noise followed by train noise followed by cheers*! We’re a dating show now! After this week’s guest, Michael J. Poyntz (but if you work with him, you probably know him as “MJ”) performs some questionable matchmaking, The Court discusses his chain smoking new puppy, Mazy, tall boy privilege, and the mechanics of Zoom improv. Then, everyone talks about the best and worst ways to run a work-related errand (loose term) on company time, the highs and lows of being/having older siblings, and the joy and despair of sticking your fingies in your mouth to floss. Brush up on your knowledge of Genovia’s national anthem and get ready to look back fondly on your best diving board tricks in an episode that will leave you saying, “Wowie Zowie Hoochie Mama Yeah!” For more of Michael’s adorable puppy, be sure to follow him on Instagram @mikejpoyntz or at his cool website michaeljpoyntz.com! And for more of his improv team, CATTYWAMPUS, check them out on Instagram @cattywampusimprov. 

Surprise! Nick’s in the mountains and the Anxious Girls have entered the *~*AiM cHaTrOoM*~*. Special Guest Host Maddison Underberg returns to provide updates on Louie’s job status (Spoiler: STILL Funemployed!) and dish on New Gossip Girl. Then, the anxious girlies get in their feels as they debate pimple popping videos, recount bird horror stories, and plan out how to use their gift card “free money”. The Tits are sweet and the Tats reveal Brian’s top secret recording location! Do you know why birds pooping on you is considered good luck? How hi-def is too high def for a video of a cyst? How should Maddison spend $300 to Target? Give the Anxious Girls some love and listen this week, but be prepared to say “Eewie!” Plus follow Maddison on Twitter @MaddisonU and on Instagram @maddisonunderberg for Culver’s Updates! 

 Meet rising star, Big F***in’ Asshole, girl boss, and the man behind Jess’ (as well as many others’) HFJ: Stav! After an in-depth discussion about fitness, positivity, the journey of building his business (Body By Stav), and touring with Les Mis, Stavros joins the court to get down to actual business. Why haven’t we come up with a solid alternative for splitting the check? Photo dumps….where is the line between vibes and curation?! And is anyone else so traumatized from Shakespeare at 7 AM, or is it just us? For more fitness tips, future photo dumps, and information on Body By Stav, be sure to check out this Broadway Belter and Gym Gem at @Stavros.Koumbaros on Instagram (because no ones using Clubhouse, anyway)!!