Podcast Summary: Bad On Paper – November 2024 Episode "Three Things"

Released on November 6, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of Bad On Paper, hosts Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter navigate the post-election stress by delivering a lighthearted and engaging conversation focused on three main topics. Aiming to provide listeners with escapism and fun, they steer clear of election-related discussions, instead opting to dive into their personal highs and lows, favorite TV shows, upcoming holiday movies, festive decorations, and current reading trends among college students.

Highs and Lows

Highs:

• Olivia's Highlight ([01:05]): Olivia shares her delight in hosting a book fair event at a Hudson Valley brewery. She praises the event’s ambiance, the camaraderie with fellow authors, and the beautiful weather. Enthusiastically, she mentions plans to expand the event next year:

  "I saw a bunch of people I don't usually see who were other authors at the event or just friends in the area... I think we are gonna do the book fair again next year and expand on it and hopefully make it even better." ([01:16])

• Becca's Highlight ([02:08]): Becca echoes Olivia’s excitement about the book fair and adds her own joy in planning a Friendsgiving dinner party. She is thrilled about her preparation, including purchasing tabletop decorations and compiling recipes, which she plans to share with her audience:

  "I'm throwing a Friendsgiving dinner party and I did it last year and I'm so excited to do it again... I'll link everything. So if you wanna steal everything wholesale, you can." ([02:08])

Lows:

• Becca's Low ([04:34]): Becca chooses to abstain from sharing a low, citing the collective stress surrounding the recent election and the uncertainty it brings:

  "I feel like I have stuff that I can't really talk about on air... it's a hard week for anyone listening, sitting in the uncertainty of the election. I don't need to low right now." ([04:34])

Olivia mentions her low focus is managing anxiety related to the election without letting it derail her productivity:

"My low, it is trying to not let the anxiety about the election just completely sideline my productivity any given day." ([05:05])

Real Housewives of New York Discussion

Becca and Olivia delve into their observations of the latest seasons of Real Housewives of New York City, analyzing the show's evolving dynamics and production quality.

• Cast and Drama ([08:08]-[14:08]): They discuss the recent recasting of the cast in Season 14 and 15, noting that the lack of longstanding members affects the drama traditionally central to the franchise. Olivia highlights the youthful energy and relatability of the new cast, particularly appreciating the diverse fashion styles:

  "I love the fashion so much. I have to say, like, I love the fashion so much." ([09:17])

  Becca contrasts this with previous seasons, remarking on the manufactured nature of the drama and questioning the authenticity of conflicts:

  "I think there is a manufactured element to it. And even I got served some clips that were interviews... what parts were real versus what parts were manufactured." ([12:03])

• Favorite and Least Favorite Cast Members ([16:19]-[21:19]): The hosts share their opinions on various cast members. Olivia expresses admiration for Bryn, while Becca favors Jessel for her humorous and non-confrontational demeanor. Conversely, both express reservations about Rebecca Minkoff and Aaron, citing lackluster engagement and unnecessary drama:

  "I think Jessel is my favorite. I think she's so kooky and out of touch... she seems sweet." ([19:06])

  "I have really soured on her this season." ([17:04])

Holiday Movies on Netflix

The duo excitedly discusses upcoming holiday-themed movies on Netflix, offering their pitches and critiques.

• "Hot Frosty" ([22:05]-[31:04]): Olivia introduces "Hot Frosty," a twist on the classic Frosty the Snowman featuring a chiseled ice sculpture brought to life by a grieving widow. Both hosts express intrigue and humor about the film's unconventional premise:

  "It's Lacy Chabert, and she is a grieving widow... he comes to life. And hijinks ensue." ([22:19])

• "The Married Gentleman" ([25:02]-[31:04]): Becca pitches "The Married Gentleman," starring Chad Michael Murray as a Broadway dancer organizing a holiday fundraiser. The conversation highlights Chad's transformation and appeal:

  "Brit Robertson... puts together an all male holiday review as a fundraiser to save this nightclub." ([25:22])

• Additional Movies ([31:04]-[31:45]): They briefly touch on other titles like Lindsay Lohan's upcoming film and "Carry On," a Christmas thriller starring Taryn Egerton and Jason Bateman.

Christmas Decorations and Plans

Becca and Olivia share their enthusiasm for the holiday season, discussing tree decorating philosophies and upcoming festive events.

• Decorating Philosophy ([33:04]-[35:53]): Becca describes her love for kitschy ornaments and rainbow lights, while Olivia complements her style:

  "I like my Christmas tree to be as kitschy as possible... I have a disco tree." ([33:23])

  "I love that they're diversifying the cast in terms of race and stuff. That's been very refreshing." ([18:16])

• Festive Events ([36:36]-[38:43]): They plan to attend local Christmas festivals, host karaoke parties, and visit tree farms. Becca expresses excitement about the New York Philharmonic's live performance of "Elf" and attending "The Nutcracker":

  "I'm excited for the New York Philharmonic does a live performance of Elf." ([37:32])

"Hear Me Out" Trend

Exploring the viral trend of unconventional crushes, Olivia and Becca engage in a playful "Hear Me Out" segment, sharing both typical and quirky crushes.

• Olivia’s Picks ([43:12]-[50:22]): Olivia presents unconventional attractions, including characters from the children's show Zebumafu and actors like Jesse Plemons:

  "He looks like Mark Zuckerberg, so not for me. But the other one, I just like to say hear me out." ([43:54])

• Becca’s Picks ([47:07]-[50:05]): Becca shares her admiration for comedians like Jason Mantzoukas and actors like Stanley Tucci, highlighting their unique appeal:

  "Jason Mantzoukas does it for me. Stanley Tucci... had the forearms and the soothing voice." ([47:20])

Elite College Students and Reading Trends

Addressing a serious topic, Becca and Olivia analyze an article from The Atlantic titled "The Elite College Students Who Can't Read Books," discussing the implications of declining reading habits among college students.

• Initial Reactions ([50:23]-[53:33]): Becca confesses her initial judgmental response to the article but acknowledges a shift in perspective after recognizing the rise in pleasure reading among younger generations:

  "I feel like pleasure reading is on the rise among young people... what's driving the Emily Henry, all of her backlist being on the New York Times bestseller list." ([54:58])

  Olivia reflects on the importance of bridging the gap between classic and contemporary literature to foster empathy and critical thinking:

  "Demon Copperhead is the first thing that comes to mind... incredibly diverse and engaging." ([58:54])

• Book Recommendations ([59:33]-[71:21]): The hosts propose alternative literary works that balance classic literary value with contemporary relevance, suggesting titles like "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn and "All My Rage" by Sabaa Tahir as potential curriculum inclusions.

  Becca emphasizes the need for accessible and relatable literature in academic settings:

  "What is the difference between reading classics and reading contemporary literature? I empathize with this because I have a really hard time reading things that are older." ([57:10])

Book Club Picks and Obsessions

Book Club Selection:

• "Be Ready When the Luck Happens" by Ina Garten: Olivia introduces the book club's November pick, highlighting it as Ina Garten's engaging memoir:

  "Our book club pick for November is Be Ready when the Luck Happens by Ina Garten. This is her memoir you've probably been seeing everywhere." ([71:21])

Personal Obsessions:

• Becca's Reads: Becca discusses her deep dive into "Trust" by Hernan Diaz**, praising its intricate storytelling and multifaceted perspectives:

  "It's about a very wealthy couple in 1920s New York... the book is concerned with, like, what is the truth of that." ([68:19])

• Olivia's Favorites: Olivia shares her love for the song "That's So True" by Gracie Abrams and her recent reading of "Casket Case" by Lauren Evans and "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern:

  "I love this song called that's so True by Gracie Abrams... Casket Case by Lauren Evans." ([66:17])

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Becca and Olivia encourage listeners to join their book club and engage with their social media platforms for continued discussions on books, TV shows, and festive activities. They sign off with enthusiasm, inviting the audience to connect and share their own "Hear Me Out" picks and holiday plans.

"Join us in our Geneva group under Bad On Paper Podcast or our Facebook group... See you on the Internet." ([72:23])

Notable Quotes:

• "I think we are gonna do the book fair again next year and expand on it and hopefully make it even better." – Becca Freeman ([01:16])

• "I think there's less shame around genre fiction... more people are discovering reading as a hobby." – Becca Freeman ([64:32])

• "Shelving on how it's an empathy building experience... it’s a way to see yourself reflected back in literature." – Becca Freeman ([62:21])

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the engaging and multifaceted discussions of Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter in their November 2024 episode of Bad On Paper. From personal anecdotes and TV show critiques to festive plans and literary analyses, the hosts deliver a rich narrative that offers both entertainment and thoughtful reflections for their audience.