Bad Move: Calling Nancy O’Dell a “C-Word”
Almost every idiotic thing I do can be traced back to one basic flaw: trying too hard. This explains how I ended up calling Nancy O’Dell a “stupid c-word.”
That’s right. I called America’s sweetheart a “c-word” on the Adam Carolla Podcast and I may have done it more than once, although it’s all a bit of a blur now, except on iTunes, where it screeches out at you with perfect clarity. I guess I got caught up in the moment, trying to be funny, trying to fit in with the guys, trying to be so bracingly honest that pregnant women everywhere would embrace me as their new truth-teller and anti-O’Dell.
I was doing Adam’s hugely successful daily podcast when I decided to discuss Nancy’s pregnancy book, “Full of Life.” Let’s face it, after three years of not cursing on FM radio I might have been a little “fuck,” and “asshole” happy, but there was no need to go “c-word” on Nancy and I was way, way out of line, trying to make a point and of course, as is always the case when I am trying too hard, saying something lame.
After recording the podcast, I woke up in a panic in the middle of the night, wracked with guilt. Nancy will probably never even hear the podcast and wouldn’t care if she did, because she has a life, but it doesn’t matter, because I know I said it and it came out all wrong, as only the “c-word” can.
Nancy, if you happen to read this, I am so sorry.
I know you can’t relate, because according to your book your worst pregnancy symptom was frightfully lustrous hair, but I’m kind of unhinged right now.
And reading about your pregnancy skin (“I swear it actually glowed. It was luminous and smooth”) while I sat in a bathtub nauseated, eating a bowl of cereal to stave off throwing up, and covered with horrible cystic acne, made me lose my shit with jealousy.
“I’d read that an increase in hormones could sometimes cause the opposite reaction, aggravating skin and causing breakouts. Phew, I had dodged a bullet there!” writes Nancy. And guess what? That bullet you dodged hit me right in the face, and anywhere else one might find a sebaceous gland.
What’s more, the experience of pregnancy and childbirth was so richly rewarding that your husband diagnosed you with your one serious baby-related disorder: “postpartum elation.” You couldn’t stop crying because having a daughter made you think of your own beloved mother and the goddamn circle of goddamn life. Meanwhile, my mom got a job driving a public school bus through the smog-choked San Fernando Valley to avoid taking care of me when I was a baby. She hates babies and will leave a restaurant crossing her arms in a huff if one even makes a peep. I haven’t talked to her since I found out I was pregnant. And in some ways, I want my mommy, but in every fundamental way that you had and are a mother, I got nothing.
Whereas Nancy, you are perfect. You have everything. You scrapbook.
Both you and your newborn little girl are gorgeous. So you might not understand saying something you regret.
Let me just say that at the time it was really hot in Adam Carolla’s podcast studio in a garage in Glendale, and my bottled water was just out of reach and I was too self-conscious to break the mood and reach for it and one piece of my bangs kept getting in my eye and I couldn’t focus because Adam was making fun of Jenny McCarthy for her idiotic, high-maintenance hair-do while I agreed but couldn’t stop tucking my stupid hair back. I knew my tone was wrong, that while I was trying to make myself the butt of the joke, it misfired. When I tried to correct it, I went to that file in my brain labeled “how to fix it when you say something crappy about someone and you are really just trying to point out how bitter and jealous you are,” but the file was empty. Instead, there was just a post-it reading “peanut butter sounds nummy.”
Your little lime green and lavender dissertation on maternal euphoria shouldn’t try my patience with advice on how to laminate ultrasound photos and tips like “Pants with an elastic waistband are great for the first trimester.”
You are happy and productive and not broken. You had a kid and wrote a book, two things I have yet to do. You don’t second-guess every single thing you do, where as I am already second-guessing writing this sentence about second-guessing. So next time I call you a “c-word,” even if it’s completely in jest, it should be “content,” the best and most enviable c-word of all.
I know exactly what you’re writing about. I’m going through the same thing currently… Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE this! I am only 12 weeks pregnant right now, and I can say with certainty that “luminous skin” is not in my prenatal future. I hate that book. And I have a hard time not hating everyone who isn’t feeling as sick, gross, and miserable as me.
I had awful cystic acne as well, and it blew so bad. I can totally see myself thinking Nancy OD is a C just for that luminous skin comment. That being said, I’m glad you regret it because that word is so ick, and you feeling bad about saying it makes you even more awesome.
We love you T!
You are so goofy! When I first started reading this I thought “she is trying way too hard to defend herself” until I realized that this was prompted by nothing but your own guilt. I thought that if someone had called you out, you really didn’t need to be so…self-correcting (???)…Anyway, I know that this happened several weeks ago, but I had to respond. You are funny, you have a gift and you’re gorgeous!!
I hated Nancy O’Dell’s book.
I hated her after I read it.
You might feel bad about calling her a c-word, but you have fans out here who love you for saying what we’re all thinking anyway.
T, i just wanted to say congratulations on everything and that i miss your voice in the morning. i share the sentiment that some people have expressed of the hopes that you, adam and brian will be reunited.
i dont mean to gush, but i also wanted to tell you (as i am sure many people do) how amazing you are. the fact that you not only are a beautiful woman who is intelligent, quick-witted and funny, and talented-BUT ALSO that you held your own, on a daily basis, with adam carolla (who is, in my opinion, one of the most talented, entertaining and enjoyable people ever-but his personality is such that, if you weren’t substantial, he would have quickly overwhelmed you and left you in his wake) as well as the many guests, is a testament to your skill. i just started reading your blog recently, after you mentioned it on adam’s podcast, and i am a big fan of your writing.
well, i could literally write pages of praise for you, so i’ll get goin’ before i waste too much more of your time…thank you for all of the entertainment, past and present.
who the f is this c word Teresa Strasser?
Who the F is Nancy ODell? F that C!
We don’t pay you to be apologetic, we pay you to make with the snarky!
(What? We don’t pay for this site? Oh, well F that C anyway!)
I love you Teresa Strasser!
Found your blog via Adam’s podcost. Love it and love the way you write. Miss you guys on the radio! Anyhoo…
You most likely gave Nancy O’Seward a huge shot in book sales. Call me anything you like – just buy my book.
I might just be a douchebag because I laughed when I heard you say it. Oh well I’m OK with that. It really was funny and partially because the c-word is taboo and partially because you being bitter and ripping on her was very funny. The book sounds very annoying and I am not sure I would ever read something where the auhor writes about themselves in the bragadocious manner you describe unless they are being sarcastic. Keep up the good work and I am glad I found your blog.
Mike
Seriously, look at Nancy’s photo. Take your finger and cover her face below the eyes; look just at her eyes and eyebrows. That is not simply loving and compassionate, that is also alpha-female and assertive: not in the explicitly aggressive sense of attacking everybody else (which usually backfires for human females, and often for males), but in the sense of staking, claiming and establishing her territory. She knows what she’s doing, and it works, regardless of how many others acknowledge it.
Apologies are great, and from a career/political perspective, I can’t argue with your decision to apologize here. But, to third party observers, make no mistake, Nancy O’Dell’s book is an example of how women engage in passive-aggression to stake their social territory: not by saying what they feel and directly challenging others, but by doing their best to project an image of effortless, sweat-free near-perfection, to make all the other women seem (and feel) lesser in comparison. Teresa, you weren’t wrong in your intuitive first impression of O’Dell, even if you were impulsive in your on-air reaction to her.
Great blog T! I love your writing and your honesty. I think she will forgive you:)
Wow! I am so glad ran into your blog. I echo the sentiments of the other replies: miss listening to you in the morning.
As for this particular post, I am jealous at how well you articulate your feelings. Your writing is insightful, funny, sad, refreshing, and most importantly honest. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. The reading experience is awesome.
Don’t sweat it T.
It didn’t seem that you called her a C, but that your reaction to her symptom-free pregnancy was expressed clearly. C was just the word you used to express those feelings, no to describe her.
Keep it up T. You’ll always be my favorite News Cooze!
c-word! c-word! c-word! c-word!
i hate her! hate her! hate her! hate her!
keep up up the great writing and blogging T. And forget Twitter, it’s already dead technology
Teresa, you are my DEMI-GODDESS! I loooooved hearing you and Bald Bryan on Adam’s podcast again. You three are priceless together. Congratulations on being pregnant (yes, it does SUCK at times!). You’ll be a FANTASTIC mother! Thanks for telling listeners about this website. I love it! Many, many good wishes for you always!
Hey T this is about Adam’s podcast I just wanted to say I think you’ll make a great mommy and your son will be lucky to have you as his. I’m a 26 year old guy and I still go to my mom all the time for advice, especially about girls because most guys, my dad included, are pretty clueless in that department. The point is that it’s possible for a guy to be close with his mom, and not be gay.
Just wanted to say it was great hearing you on Adam’s podcast! I used to listen to you guys every morning. And I hated being pregnant – I now have a 1 year old. Your posts crack me up – and I can totally relate!
Don’t worry about it Terry – we’ll always love you. You’re a genius.
Oh, and on having the boy and wanting a girl – don’t worry about that either – you’ll be surprised how much you love that little boy.
Adam is so much better with you and Bryan…still hoping that something works out in the future where you three can reunite for good. Happy birth and parenting T…you’ll be great!
Can’t wait until the next reunion podcast.
Great blog entry. I think your real mistake was reading that book. You need to be watching multiple episodes of COPS, Maury, and Springer right about now.
Loved hearing your voice again. You guys should get together more often.
Big fan of ace and I saw your picture on his podacst website. Just wanted to say that you looked absolutely beautiful. Also loved the aritcle and I don’t think you should be second guessing your self, you just spoke from the heart
Hope to hear back on the podcast soon.
ABSOLUTELY DITTO!
hey Teresa
I LOVED that podcast w/ Carolla and Bald Bryan! I have NEVER heard you sound more… honest! Yes, when the show was still on the radio, you annoyed me (especially drilling Ted Nugent and Gene Simmons), but hey- it made good radio!
As for calling this woman a c***: well, i think my fiance and EVERY OTHER women I know who has given birth would love to strangle any C*** who brags about how little she suffered during childbirth or pregnancy!
Because YOU can bust Gene Simmons n*ts on the air, challenge Ted Nugent in the studio (you did give both a run for their money at times!), AND can publically call a woman the C-word, I SALUTE YOU!!!!
Good Luck with the new family!
J
I wanted to tell you not to worry. I am a former football player and Marine and I loved my Mom very much. I can remember telling her one time that I hated her (I was about 7) and immediately returning, crying, and telling her how sorry I was. We had a great relationship and I miss her every single day.
We have a girl, 4 and a boy, 2. They are very different. Interestingly, when my daughter was a baby she did not want my wife to hold or snuggle her. My son, always cuddling with her and hugging her. They are all different. Although, the boy is a bit more rambunctious. Climbing, jumping, “booming” stuff. He’s definitely a boy.
So, don’t let the guys get you going. Your relationship with your son will be awesome and he will love his Mommy, just like all little boys do. And just remember, anytime any man is put in front of a camera, the first words out of his mouth are Hi Mom. Well, other than Ace anyway.
Good luck and enjoy.
By the way, my wife had morning sickness all day every day, breakouts, and all that good stuff. So I, as a husband and someone who wanted to live through all 9 months without being “offed” in the middle of the night, gave her foot and neck massages and made sure she had plenty of books.
Tell your husband to get ta rubbin! It’s his duty as the future Dad!
Been listening to you for a long time. Love your sense of humor. But, stop beating yourself up for making a joke. Your much to hard on yourself in every aspect. Stop worry about other people so much and focus on your own family.
I agree. Little boys just love their mommies! Mine is 6 and still is very
kissy-huggy-lovey with me. Whereas the girls his age all seem to be
maturing more rapidly and getting that teenaged attitude. Boys just
stay babyish and clueless longer! Sure, there’ll be a time from age 15
to 25 where he’ll want to go off and be independent, but by his 30s he’ll be
caring and protective of you. Just like my dad and all my uncles were,
while the females seemed to all move far away.