'Dish Nation' Ends After 13 Seasons: 'So many dope times'
Beloved celebrity news show Dish Nation is saying goodbye after 14 years.
The show, which was created by Stu Weiss, and premiered July 25, 2011 as a summer test run before launching nationwide as a full series September 10, 2012, aired its final episode yesterday with co-hosts Gary With Da Tea, HeadKrack, Da Brat and Tanner bidding farewell to Dish and the fans.
But rather than "dish" on juicy celebrity gossip, the hosts took a trip down memory lane sharing each of their favourite guests, halloween costumes, and moments from all 13 seasons.
Favorite guests
During a flashback to an episode featuring film producer Will Packer and actor and comedian Kevin Hart, the topic of discussion was none other than a photo of Gary on the beach in a thong.
While Hart was teasing Gary for his bold fashion choice, Da Brat jumped in to defend her fellow host.
"Don't do that to Gary. He's living his best life," she said. "He could post whatever he want to post. All these tricks and thot pockets post all sorts of stuff and y'all don't complain about that do you now, Kevin?"
The comedian lightheartedly responded with just five words,"They're not built like Gary."
Gary chose Hart as his favorite guest because they "have a great dynamic".
"Every time we're around each other, it's craziness," he said. "I like Kevin."
Following that was a clip of Regina Hall leaving resident lyricist HeadKrack tongue-tied when the actress asked the co-host if he was single.
"Uh... I'm single, here, sitting in my chair, alone," he said. But after a few laughs, he informed Hall that he was not single.
The next clip was that of former celebrity talk show host Wendy Williams and Da Brat saying they love each other "today".
"Tomorrow, different story," Da Brat said with a laugh.
Tanner, who joined the show in 2021, threw it back to a cute bit between himself and Ryan Gosling during a press tour for the actor's 2024 film with Emily Blunt, The Fall Guy.
"I want you to take a good look at me. I've got blond hair, a nice stubbly beard, and I stay in the gym. Can I be Ryan Gosling's stunt double one time," Tanner asked.
"Yes! Done," Blunt shouted.
But it was what Gosling said next that really made Tanner's day.
"I think I would have to work out more to play you, dude," with Blunt adding, "Tanner, you're jacked!"
Reflecting on why he chose Gosling as his favorite guest, Tanner said, "We're bros now. Me and Gosling. He's gonna be my stunt double one of these days."
Another clip, which featured Morris Chestnut staying a while after his interview was done, left Da Brat shocked at just how many female employees worked in the building.
"I never seen them line up like that. They lined up! I mean all of them were in the room. They never ALL come sit in the room," she said. "I mean, they came from different floors, different offices. I never even knew some of those people that came out. I was like who is that, from accounting? Wow!"
But the segment could not end with anyone other than comedienne Luenell, who left all the hosts in stitches, including frequent correspondent Chuey Martinez who found himself holding Luenell's foot in the air.
"This is not a game," she laughed.
"I love Luenell! She's a riot! She's always fun," Tanner added.
Other guests who visited the show include a United States vice president, first lady, and endless more.
"Yo, so many dope times. And like, everything come at us so fast you forget all the people that came through," said HeadKrack. "And I had one shot with Regina [Hall]; all I had to do was lie, man."
Favorite Halloween costumes
The next segment featured past halloween costumes which included a surprisingly "solid" alien encounter between two of the show's hosts.
During a Met Gala-themed halloween episode, Tanner and HeadKrack came dressed as "Sexy Nurse Pete Davidson holding Frank Ocean's Green Alien Baby".
"It was that day that I realized Tanner had sneaky muscles," said HeadKrack. "He was holding me and it felt like I was holding on to an air conditioning unit at the bank of the thing ... Like, yo, the dude is solid."
Of course, Gary chimed in with, "That looks like love."
Other costumes throughout the years featured Da Brat returning the favor when she dressed as fellow talk show host Sherri Shepherd. The rapper wore a denim angel-sleeve jacket with a long, brown, wavy wig and a high-pitched voice to match as she kept repeating Shepherd's catchphrase, "Hey, family!"
HeadKrack was Slick Rick James with an eye patch.
But it was none other than Gary With Da Tea, who, most recently, dressed up as Shannon Sharpe with his "man purse", but who previously came dressed as Tarzan during what was quite possibly the most awkward day at work.
"Yo, one of my favourite ones, when Gary was Tarzan because, like, we couldn't have planned this. But there was a daggone fire drill that day and Gary was just outside like ...," said HeadKrack.
"And with no explanation, no context. I don't think nobody else was dressed up. It was just Gary outside around all these corporate people in suits."
"A mess, honey," Gary added. "Those were the days."
Favorite bloopers
Fittingly, what came next were a few of the host's and producers' favorite bloopers.
First up was Gary, who could not throw a tiny plush basketball into a handhelp hoop.
"I want to be a ball-eeerrrrr!" he sang.
But not only could Gary not sink a basket, but he also couldn't throw a cake into Tanner's face. During a flashback, Gary was tasked with "pieing" Tanner in the face with a cake but somehow the cake completely missed Tanner's face and flew into the air instead, leaving Gary hitting Tanner with the platter instead.
"You had one job!" shouted HeadKrack.
But when it comes to Gary, if he "shenans" once, he'll "shenanigan", because during a "scare cam" moment, Gary yelled "motherf***er" during a jump scare.
And if that wasn't enough, the resident shade queen found himself with more than a mouthful reading the teleprompter during a segment about an outfit rapper Yung Miami wore on the MTV VMA's red carpet.
"You f***ed that all up! Let's go again!" Da Brat yelled.
But Gary wasn't alone as HeadKrack jumped in reminiscing about a time he, too, mispronounced a word.
"I remember the first time I saw 'awry' written down on a prompter and I was like, Oh, things went aw-ree.'"
Da Brat added, "What's the chick's name where the t and the p is silent?"
"Emily Ratajkowski. We wanted to put all those letters in her name," said HeadKrack who added, "And shoutout to Will 'Pharrell'."
Favorite moments
Although it's difficult to pick just one or even a few favorite moments from the last 14 years, the quartet managed to pull out a few good ones.
First was Gary playing in the snow atop the studio's roof when everyone else decided to stay home.
Next was Brat asking Tanner about a suspicious piece of fruit that was emblazoned on his shirt.
"You got watermelons on your shirt," she asked. "On Juneteenth?"
A terrifying moment for Gary, but laughable for all those watching, was when HeadKrack decided to bring a Burmese python (yes, like the one Britney Spears had around her neck during her 2001 VMA's performance of "I'm a Slave 4 U") into the studio, which left Gary, former co-host Porsha Williams and comedian and frequent Dish Nation columnist Rickey Smiley crawling across the desk and screaming for their lives.
HeadKrack shared that one of his childhood best friends had a pet snake.
"I woulda probably been similar to you but more manly had I never had that previous experience," he said to Gary. "Once you realize they ain't gone do nothing, you know. They want to be held."
But one of the most touching moments from the show was when Da Brat's mom, wife Judy, and son surprised her on set, leaving her in tears.
As the episode came to a close, the co-hosts completed their final "Dish Is It!" segment, asking one another who was their favorite celebrity ever to dish about.
"All of 'em," said Gary.
But the host who is known for never letting celebrities live anything down, had to be reminded of a certain someone he always dished extra hard on whenever his name was brought up.
"It seems you always went very heavy-handed on Arnold Schwarzenegger for what he did to Maria Shriver," said HeadKrack.
"Oh, yes! If I have to hear about the housekeeper one more time; the maid. You've never let them live that down," Da Brat added.
"Did you ever forgive Arnold," Tanner asked Gary.
"No, but I think I may have to forgive him now because I want to see Jesus' face," said Gary. "So, Arnold if you're watching, I'm sure you are, I forgive you. Maria, I still love you and I feel bad still for what happened to you with the maid."
"Let it go," said Da Brat. "Don't say that part. If you forgive, you let it go. Don't keep bringing it up."
Gary added, "Arnold I forgive you."
Parting Words
After reminiscing on all the great things that happened throughout all 14 years and 13 seasons, the hosts wrapped up the show by thanking fans who've stuck with them throughout the years.
"Guys, this is really it, man. We did the math and we did about 3,395 episodes. So, we just want to say thanks to everybody who ever watched the show over all these years," said HeadKrack.
"You all are loved. You all are so beautiful. And I'm gonna miss you but check me out, I'ma be doing my show called Fish Nation", Gary added.
HeadKrack continued, "I wanna say what's up to any person who ever ran down on me at the airport, like, 'HeadKrack, what we dishin' bout?' Like, this show literally helped change my life. For anybody who ever allowed us to come into your life and be a part of it over these last [13 seasons], thank you so much because just the same way we enriched you, y'all also enriched me."
Sharing his sentiments, Da Brat added, "Thank you to everybody for watching. We appreciate you and we hope that you continue to follow us on our journeys 'cause we'll be around."
And Tanner, who was the last to join the crew, thanked his fellow co-hosts for welcoming him onto their team.
"I just want to start by saying thank you to you guys for making me feel welcomed along with everybody who works on the show," he said.
"Thank you to you guys (audience) for inviting us into your homes. And if you caught me like HK said at the airport or in the grocery store ... (or in the gym). But it's been so nice to get you meet you guys out in the world. So, thanks for inviting us into your home."
And in true Dish Nation fashion, Gary got the last say.
"But anyway, y'all, I wanted to have the last word, honey. This is ALL the tea we have for you. So, thanks for all the love and I wanna cry ... mwah byyyeeee!"
And while Dish Nation might have ended, each host can be found at their Instagram handles: @headkrack, @garywdtea, @sosobrat, and @gramoftan.
