Chicks in the Office – Episode Summary

Episode: Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban Divorce, AI Actress Sparks Backlash + 'TSITP' Prequel?
Hosts: Ria & Fran (Barstool Sports)
Date: October 1, 2025

Main Theme

This episode dives deep into the latest pop culture headlines, including the shocking Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban divorce, the rise (and controversy) of an AI actress in Hollywood, and evolving fan hopes for a prequel series to ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’. Ria, Fran, and producer Noah offer candid reactions and lively banter, blending hot takes, personal recommendations, and popcorner voicemail interactions.

Episode Breakdown

1. Catching Up: Studio, Travel & Swiftmania

• The hosts are back in studio, prepping for an upcoming trip to Singapore.
• Taylor Swift Spotify Pop-Up:
  • Ria & Fran were among the first to experience the new 'Life of a Showgirl' pop-up in NYC, speculating on potential Easter eggs (Valentine’s motif, mysterious book props, lyric hints).

  "[The pop-up was] really cute to see ... different rooms with potential Easter eggs." (Fran, 03:36)

  • Anecdote: Swift’s music played throughout, but Shawn Mendes' “Treat You Better” briefly (and humorously) interrupted the playlist. (05:10)
• Music Rec:
  • Strong praise for Olivia Dean's new album.

  "She needs to do the Bond song ... she has that Adele-esque, Billie Eilish type feel." (Ria, 07:28)

  • Noah shares he’s been looping the album, and they reminisce about seeing Olivia Dean live.

2. What We're Watching: Netflix’s 'Inside' Reality Show

(09:35 – 21:17)

• Fran binged 5 episodes of "Inside," a new reality show featuring social media and reality stars in a social experiment format:
  • Contestants have a dwindling $1 million prize pot; everyday luxury costs deduct from it.
  • Ekin-Su is a standout for her frugal gameplay ("She’s not taking from the store, which is the way to play it, in my opinion." – Fran, 11:14)
  • Viewers are mystified by how eagerly most contestants spend money on trivialities ("You're taking money out of your own... million dollars if you don't touch it," – Fran, 13:18).
  • Funny moments: Contestants secretly buy snacks (Sketch and his Pringles), and one pays $30k for pizza after two days.
• Cast notes: Mark from Montana Boys is unexpectedly likable; connections are drawn between reality personalities’ love lives.
• The hosts were surprised by how enjoyable and watchable the show is.
• Recommendation: Mindless, fun streaming material – even if you expect not to like the cast.

3. HEADLINE – Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban Divorce

(22:43 – 34:06)

• News: Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are divorcing after 19 years of marriage.

  "This shocked me because just this past year we saw Keith Urban speak so beautifully about Nicole..." (Fran, 24:43)

• Rumors:
  • Nicole allegedly wanted to save the marriage; separation began earlier in the summer.
  • Custody: Nicole secures majority time with their kids (306 out of 365 days).
  • Signs: Fans point to subtle social media cues (or lack thereof) as hinting at trouble.
• Broader reflections:
  • Discussion about “success” in long-term celebrity marriages.
  • Cultural questions about whether Hollywood marriages reaching 19+ years "count" as successful.
• Fun conjecture: Who will Nicole date next? Zac Efron jokes, Jimmy Fallon’s viral “almost dated” interview.
• Cultural context on AI: Nicole called a private, enigmatic figure; both Nicole and Keith’s shared Australian roots spark detours into their biographies.

4. Major Trending Topic – Hollywood's First AI Actress: Tilly Norwood

(34:10 – 45:29)

• A digital creation named "Tilly Norwood" is stirring controversy as agencies consider signing her for film/modeling roles.
  • SAG-AFTRA deeply objects, declaring,

    "Tilly Norwood is not an actor. It's a character generated by a computer program... trained on the work of countless professional performers." (38:07)

• Moral, legal & industry concerns discussed:
  • Threat to actors’ livelihoods.
  • AI’s inability to convey real emotion or life experience.
  • The slippery slope of creative credit: AI models are built from “stolen performances.”
• The AI’s creator, Eileen Vander Velden, defends the project as "a creative work, a piece of art ... AI offers another way to imagine and build stories." (39:17)
• Hosts' reactions:
  • Visceral discomfort after browsing Tilly Norwood’s Instagram (“Evil villain Vander Velden!” – Ria, 41:54)
  • Strong hope no talent agency actually signs AI characters.
  • Comparison to previous AI controversies (Scarlett Johansson’s likeness/voice, magazines using AI models).
• Takeaway:

  "This just reaches a point where it's scary and it's just taking over." (Fran, 40:35)

5. Sweet Celebrity News: Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco's Wedding

(45:33 – 51:11)

• New wedding details reveal a chilled, love-filled event:
  • No formal sit-down, all dancing and cocktail hour.
  • Barefoot first dance (Benny hates shoes), homey decor reminiscent of their Beverly Hills home.
  • Mark Ronson DJed; Nobu catering; heartfelt and tearful vows; guests were "sobbing" at Benny’s touching coupon book gift to Selena’s younger sister.
  • Celeb guests: Paris Hilton; “Wizards” cast; Sofia Carson.
  • Hosts celebrate couples owning their wedding style:

    "I appreciate when people... have their wedding the way they want it to be. No pressure..." (Ria, 46:24)

6. Popcorner: Voicemails & Audience Takes

(52:03 – 71:12)
The hosts respond to listener calls on...

Zac Efron supporting his brother on Dancing with the Stars (52:03)

• Consensus: Unlikely he'll show up; it’s Dylan’s moment. Family likely voting from afar.

Golden Bachelor "Night One" Format (54:00)

• Suggestion: Why not start earlier to avoid seniors pulling an all-nighter?
• Reality: Producers intentionally run shows overnight to heighten drama via exhaustion; aesthetics of limo entrances require evening settings.

Bachelorette’s Double Standard (57:47)

• Some fans call out that past male contestants with problematic histories face backlash, while the lead Taylor Frankie Paul’s checkered past is largely bypassed.
  • Fran: "They're just leaning into it now. With other contestants, it's like, 'How did you not do the background?'" (57:52)
  • General sense the franchise has become more sensational and less consistent.

Riley on Dancing with the Stars (59:45)

• Callers note she’s a polarizing figure; hosts self-describe as “Riley neutral.”
• Ria: "Riley is adorable ... I haven't seen people disliking her that way." (60:51)
• Dislike might stem from claims of nepotism, her age, or online dance purism.

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Prequel Idea (63:56)

• Mixed feelings:
  • Ria would watch but isn’t clamoring for it; Fran isn’t particularly interested in a prequel about the moms’ backstory.
  • Noah argues it’s less a "prequel" and more a spinoff—lacking the direct narrative tie-ins fans might expect.
  • Metacommentary on prequels and TV spinoffs as a whole (“You use the name and the connection to get people to watch, but... it’s just a different world.” – Noah, 68:23)

Denise Richards & Charlie Sheen Rekindling? (68:59)

• Caller floats the possibility after seeing a recent documentary.
• Hosts agree the affection is still there but ultimately,

  "No, the door's closed ... They've been through too much." (Fran, 70:15)

  • Nostalgic, romantic curiosity, but realism prevails.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the AI Actress Trend:
  "It creates the problem of using stolen performances to put actors out of work, jeopardizing performers livelihoods and devaluing human artistry." (SAG-AFTRA via Ria, 37:00)

• On Nicole Kidman’s Profile:
  "She's just someone you can't get a read on, in my opinion." (Ria, 25:07)
  "Break Nicole Kidman down to her core... What is she doing in her spare time?" (Fran, 25:36)

• On Reality TV Tropes:
  "They're trying to tire them out for a reason. To make them go crazy. It's a reality TV show method on purpose." (Fran, 55:24)

• On TSITP Prequel Not Fitting:
  “Just make a new show on Amazon Prime. Yes.” (Fran, 66:14)
  “You use the name and the connection to get people to watch, but... it’s just a different world.” (Noah, 68:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Pop Culture Catch-Up (Taylor Swift, Olivia Dean): 03:00 – 08:13
• Inside (Netflix Reality Show): 09:35 – 21:17
• Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban Divorce: 22:43 – 34:06
• AI Actress Tilly Norwood Discussion: 34:10 – 45:29
• Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco Wedding: 45:33 – 51:11
• Popcorner (Listener Calls – Various Topics): 52:03 – 71:12

Conclusion

This episode is a lively, opinionated rundown of hot pop culture stories, notable reality TV, and listener-driven topics. The hosts blend humor and skepticism—especially regarding AI in entertainment and the inconsistent moral standards in reality TV casting. Amidst their playful digressions, Ria and Fran deliver both quick wit and emotional nuance, leaving listeners well-versed in the week’s biggest entertainment news and trends.