Best Friends with Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata

Episode: "Nicole Had To Undress Some Shrimp" (Re-Release)
Date: December 11, 2024
Podcast Network: Headgum

Episode Overview

In this lively re-release episode, Nicole and Sasheer dive into stories about restaurant mishaps, food service jobs, personal quirks, and the weirdest things encountered at social gatherings. The central theme is friendship—navigating life’s strange, gross, and hilarious moments together—while fielding an unforgettable listener question about befriending a tooth and death-obsessed stranger. Their signature bubbly chemistry, candid storytelling, and offbeat humor are on full display.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nicole's Shrimp Trauma (00:35–03:14)

• Nicole recounts a distressing dinner where she was served “clothed” shrimp she had to peel herself, only to discover they were undercooked:
  • “They gave me a plate of shrimp with its head still on, with its fucking, like, whiskers… you had to undress it yourself.” (00:40, Nicole)
  • She was unsettled by the shrimp’s gray color, indicating undercooking, but ate them anyway—leading to stomach upset the next day.

2. Restaurant Horror Stories (03:23–07:48)

• Both hosts reminisce about unexpected (and gross!) discoveries in restaurant food:
  • Sasheer found plastic in her meal, leading to a server sharing a bizarre story about metal in food (03:23–04:51).
  • Nicole, as a hostess, once saw a customer find a twisty tie in their food, sparking concerns about kitchen cleanliness and management’s unwillingness to escalate issues (04:51–06:35).
  • Nicole’s experiences in grimy restaurant basements and stories about expired “family meal” chicken quesadillas. (05:24–07:48)
  • They marvel at how people continue to eat out post-service industry exposure:
    • “It’s amazing that we still eat at restaurants.” (06:35, Sasheer)

3. Catering Life & Tipping Etiquette (07:48–09:28)

• Sasheer describes catering events, sneaking leftovers, and dealing with tips. Nicole tries to encourage tipping by starting her own impromptu tip jar.
  • “You’re like the Robin Hood of spirit food service.” (09:28, Sasheer)

4. Weird Social Interactions & Pandemic Norms (09:37–12:14)

• Odd behavior from servers and forced interactions since the pandemic:
  • Servers sometimes get too cozy (one even sat down at Sasheer’s table), leading to awkwardness.
  • Nicole’s frequent and often unwanted stranger encounters, such as overly attentive Delta Lounge staff.
    • “There was a lady working in the lounge...anything you need I will get it for you...She was too old to be a fan.” (11:10, Nicole)

5. Compliments, Colors, and Self-Image (12:16–16:28)

• Hosts discuss fashion, color choices, and social media critiques of their looks.
  • Nicole advocates for brands like Farm Rio to offer more size inclusivity.
  • “Kind of like you: black based and colorful.” (14:16, Nicole to Sasheer)

6. Birthstones, Growing Up, and Regrets (16:28–20:15)

• Spirited banter about birthstones (peridot and emerald), their meanings, and impulsively wanting jewelry.
• Nicole laments not continuing piano lessons; both discuss home hobby aspirations.
  • “I wish I could. I have long thingies. I can do the chords.” (19:16, Nicole)

7. The (Failed) Pole-Dancing Adventure (20:15–21:56)

• Nicole injures herself trying pole-dancing without stretching, mock-lamenting her extremism.
  • “And she pulled a couple muscles...What are you doing? You're such an extremist. Just stretch!” (21:43, Nicole)

8. Buzzfeed Quiz: Shrek vs. Prince Charming (22:08–34:10)

• The friends take a Buzzfeed quiz to determine if they’re more compatible with Shrek or Prince Charming, sparking playful debates about their personalities, favorite sea animals, color choices, and gaming ineptitude.
  • “Buzzfeed finally gave me what I wanted...Shrek is your soulmate.” (32:41, Nicole)
  • Both get “Shrek,” prompting mock rivalry.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Undressing Shrimp:
  “You know how sometimes you undress somebody and you don’t clock something not right on the level? That might have happened with a couple of the shrimps I ate.” (02:54, Nicole)
• On Restaurant Cleanliness:
  “That restaurant was disgusting. That basement was like mice, roaches...One time—oh my gosh, it’s gross. But also the worst thing is I still ate from both of those restaurants because I didn’t have money. And this was free food.” (07:26, Nicole)
• On Social Media Critiques:
  “They showed me in like all blacks. And they're like, look how washed out she is. I'm like, they didn't have to do that. They could just say I look better in bright colors.” (14:27, Sasheer)
• On Tip Jar Etiquette:
  “I'm like, benevolent and stuff. I just like helping everybody where you can.” (09:28, Nicole)

Listener Question: "Should I Befriend a Tooth Collector?" (35:12–47:50)

Caller’s Situation (35:12–37:58)

• Laura from Austin shares that she befriended someone at a crawfish boil who confessed, after hours of partying, to collecting human teeth and having a deep interest in death—complete with a necklace of real teeth (35:12–37:58).
• Laura wonders how to gently extricate herself from this new friendship.

Nicole & Sasheer’s Advice (37:58–44:10)

• Both agree: This is too weird for them and the teeth enthusiast gave Laura a valid “out.”
  • “Teeth gave you an out. She said…I'm so glad you were upfront, but my interests don’t align with teeth collecting and death.” (38:37, Nicole)
  • “For those reasons, I'm out.” (38:59, Sasheer)
• Spirited speculation ensues about where people acquire human teeth, including a visit to a (real!) website selling them (“B for Bones International”). The hosts gawk at the possibility and ethics of buying teeth online.
  • “We offer everything related to teeth. Want something we don’t have? We can get it. Ethically and legally.” (41:09, Nicole reading from the website)
• The segment winds down with jokes about the caller’s potential fate (“They’re murderers. That’s murderous behavior!” - 43:13, Nicole).

Final Takeaway

• Nicole and Sasheer urge Laura not to feel bad about drawing boundaries, reiterating that everyone deserves to pick friends with compatible quirks.

Bonus: Odd Facts & Side Conversations

• Sandwich Origins: Sasheer recounts learning about the invention of sandwiches from children’s books—using bread to avoid “meat glove” mess (45:04).
• Physical Quirks: Sasheer describes a “hot dog bun” divot on her head, and she and Nicole riff humorously on seeking matching hot dogs (46:29–47:41).

Important Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Time | |--------------------------|-----------| | Shrimp saga & food woes | 00:35–07:48 | | Catering & tipping tales | 07:48–09:28 | | Social oddities | 09:37–12:14 | | Color/fashion chit-chat | 12:16–16:28 | | Birthstones/hobbies | 16:28–20:15 | | Pole-dancing fails | 20:15–21:56 | | Shrek Quiz & banter | 22:08–34:10 | | Listener dilemma | 35:12–47:50 |

The Hosts’ Tone & Energy

Nicole and Sasheer’s rapport is unfiltered, playful, and marked by warmth, curiosity, and occasional exclamations of horror (especially regarding food and teeth mishaps). Their language, humor, and banter remain authentic throughout, with Nicole often spinning up visual gags and Sasheer grounding the conversation with thoughtful, if sardonic, perspective.

TL;DR

A classic, chemistry-charged episode full of hilarious food horror stories, personal confessions about color and style, and quick-witted friendship advice—topped off with one of the weirdest listener questions yet. Nicole and Sasheer prove, once again, that no topic is too gross, bizarre, or sincere to talk through with your very best friend.