Ranking the Top Pop Culture Moments of 2024

Summary

Podcast Summary: Chicks in the Office - "Ranking the Top Pop Culture Moments of 2024"

Release Date: December 23, 2024

Introduction

In this festive episode of Chicks in the Office, hosts Ria Ciuffo and Fran Mariano dive deep into the most impactful and memorable pop culture moments of 2024. Amidst holiday cheer and personal updates, the Chicks offer an engaging analysis of the year's highlights, blending professional insights with relatable anecdotes.

Holiday Season and Personal Updates

The episode kicks off with Ria and Fran sharing their excitement for the holiday season, acknowledging the overlapping celebrations of Christmas and Hanukkah. Fran enthusiastically promotes Macy's as the go-to destination for holiday shopping, emphasizing the importance of securing gifts in time for the festivities (01:24).

Fran also opens up about her upcoming wedding plans, expressing anticipation for her honeymoon in London alongside her fiancé and his family. She shares humorous insights into bridal and bachelor party dynamics, highlighting the unique approach her family takes in hosting events that include fun games and unexpected prizes (05:02). Ria reciprocates with her own excitement for personal milestones, underscoring the importance of travel and new experiences as they approach the new year (17:15).

Ranking the Top Pop Culture Moments of 2024

The core of the episode focuses on identifying and ranking the top pop culture moments that shaped 2024. Ria and Fran each present their top five lists, providing detailed explanations and personal reflections on why these moments stood out.

1. Love Island USA Season 6

   • Fran: "Love Island, USA is the number one pop culture moment of the year because of how much we, you know, divulge our time and spent our time dissecting this show and even going to Fiji" (25:47).
   • Ria: Echoes Fran's enthusiasm, highlighting the show's significant impact and personal connection, especially through their work-trip experiences in Fiji.

2. Kendrick Lamar and Drake Beef

   • Fran: "We got incredible beef from this, but we got such good music that I still listen to every day" (26:17).
   • Ria: Adds that the conflict influenced popular music trends, noting its dominance on platforms like Spotify.

3. Sabrina Carpenter's Impact

   • Fran: "Sabrina Carpenter comes in for number three. Yeah, just Sabrina Carpenter as a whole. Her album, her singles, just Sabrina Carpenter comes In for number three" (29:33).
   • Ria: Agrees, emphasizing Sabrina's significant presence and contributions to pop music this year.

4. Wicked (Musical/Movie)

   • Fran: "Wicked is your one. Wicked's. I'm gonna lock in a solid list right now. Starting at 1... Wicked... that's their year" (33:12).
   • Ria: Highlights the cultural moment surrounding "Wicked," appreciating its influence and the fan enthusiasm it generated.

5. The Olympics

   • Fran: "The Olympics as, like, just, like, the characters that were coming out of it, the Olympic Village" (31:19).
   • Ria: Reflects on the global excitement and the year's hot summer events aligned with the Olympics.

Additional Highlights

• Hot Rodent Boyfriend & Viral Trends:

  • Ria discusses various viral moments and social trends that captured public attention, such as the "Hot Rodent Boyfriend" phenomenon and specific internet fads (27:36).

• Challengers and Chanting Phenomena:

  • Fran and Ria explore the widespread cultural impact of specific challenges and chants that swept through social media platforms, analyzing their reach and influence (27:50).

Popcorner: Listener Voicemails and Discussions

In the Popcorner segment, Ria, Fran, and guest Noah engage with listener voicemails, offering their takes on various pop culture questions and hot takes:

1. Craig Conover's Hands:

   • Listener Kesslee asks if Craig Conover genuinely has small hands or if it's an illusion based on how he holds them.
   • Ria: Responds humorously, acknowledging she hasn't noticed but promises to pay closer attention (43:09).
   • Fran: Confirms neither she nor Ria have noticed, adding a light-hearted comment about Craig's appearance (43:18).

2. Perfume and Cologne Commercials:

   • Listener D questions the often bizarre and exotic settings of perfume and cologne ads.
   • Fran: Suggests that these commercials aim to create a dream-like, aspirational image, associating the scent with a desirable lifestyle (45:24).
   • Ria: Agrees, explaining that the ads are designed to evoke fantasies and enhance the product's appeal through sex appeal and exotic imagery (45:37).

3. Film Industry Concerns:

   • Listener D muses whether the film industry is doomed due to the prevalence of remakes and reboots over original content.
   • Fran: Acknowledges the trend but remains optimistic, believing that original ideas still emerge despite the industry's focus on nostalgic and profitable franchises (49:25).
   • Ria: Expands on the cyclical nature of remakes and acknowledges the financial motivations behind studios' choices, yet remains hopeful for future originality (51:02).

4. Martha Stewart Documentary Confusion:

   • Listener Mel shares a revelation from a documentary, confusing Martha Stewart with an actress from movies like Miss Congeniality.
   • Ria: Finds the comparison amusing, noting the similarities and the natural confusion between the two (52:22).
   • Fran: Agrees, highlighting the uncanny likeness and vocal similarities (52:29).

5. Love Island Marital Preferences:

   • Listener Alexis asks Fran and Ria to rank Love Island Australia, UK, and US, expressing a preference for the UK version.
   • Fran: Prefers Love Island UK due to its origins and enduring appeal, while also acknowledging the strong season of Love Island USA (55:54).
   • Ria: Shares a similar stance, favoring the UK version for its classic status and personal connection (57:36).

Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Ria and Fran reflect on the whirlwind of events and cultural phenomena that defined 2024. They express excitement for the upcoming year, particularly Fran's wedding and honeymoon, and encourage listeners to share what they might have missed in their pop culture rankings. The hosts emphasize the continuous evolution of entertainment and the importance of staying connected with their audience through future episodes.

Notable Quotes

• Fran: "Love Island, USA is the number one pop culture moment of the year because of how much we, you know, divulge our time and spent our time dissecting this show and even going to Fiji." (25:47)

• Ria: "Love Island USA brings up the average, like, so much, you know." (55:34)

• Fran: "I think people love nostalgia, so the people kind of capitalize on that." (49:23)

• Ria: "It's hard to think about all the stuff that happened and try to..." (38:43)

Conclusion

This episode of Chicks in the Office masterfully blends personal narratives with a comprehensive review of the year's key pop culture events. Ria and Fran's dynamic discussions offer both depth and entertainment, making it an engaging listen for fans eager to catch up on the highlights of 2024.

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Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript for reference.

Transcript

[Ria Ciuffo]

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[Fran Mariano]

What's up everyone? It's chicks in the office with Ria and Fran giving you that Friday energy on a Monday.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Happy Monday, everybody.

[Fran Mariano]

Happy Christmas week. Happy Hanukkah week as well. The holidays are here.

[Noah]

Oh, it is Hanukkah week.

[Fran Mariano]

Oh, wow.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I was about to cut you off.

[Noah]

How is it already?

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah, we talked about this last week with you.

[Noah]

No, no, it feels like it's.

[Ria Ciuffo]

No, time has changed for us. Sitting in the exact same spot, but. But for the listeners, it is Christmas Hanukkah.

[Fran Mariano]

It is Christmas Hanukkah week. Yeah, you better be prepared. This is. It's.

[Ria Ciuffo]

If you're not, you know where you can go? Macy's.

[Fran Mariano]

Go to Macy's. Shop at Macy's. It's the time of the year. And now you're, you're married. You are literally at crunch time. Okay, it is Monday. You better run to your local. Local Macy's. If you didn't figure it out, that is the place to go to. Get in your car. You're listening to us right now. Get in your fricking car. And you get in that car and you drive to Macy's and you find everything. You possibly make sure you have your gifts.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Because like Martha Stewart told us, you can't forget anybody's gift.

[Fran Mariano]

You cannot forget.

[Ria Ciuffo]

My dad actually was always a Christmas Eve to the mall shopper.

[Fran Mariano]

What?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Macy's? Yeah, and that's like always. You get all the gifts Christmas Eve. So if you're like my dad and you have that scenario down and you're like, no, I'm a Christmas Eve shopper. Macy's. You make you beeline right to Macy's. You get everything that you need and it's Great. Cause you can get kitchenware, clothes, jewelry, luggage, bedding, cutlery. I'm just naming categories now. Kitchen, appliances. So many shoes, beauty brands.

[Noah]

I was at Macy's yesterday. Spent the whole day there.

[Ria Ciuffo]

There you go.

[Fran Mariano]

You got your shopping done.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Get lost in a Macy's.

[Noah]

Yeah, it was beautiful.

[Fran Mariano]

I love it. Love it.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Feeling festive. So make sure you are shopping. And right now, you know, it's probably a little. It's a little. It's late, so you're gonna have to get in the car and go to Macy's.

[Fran Mariano]

You have to go right now. Right now. Get in there. Go shop at Macy's. How's everybody doing from the last 20 minutes that we recorded the last episode? How are you feeling since then?

[Ria Ciuffo]

It is. It really is. It actually is so funny because there are so many podcasts that do, like, stack episodes and they, you know, record in bulk sometimes, and then, like, they have it in the tank ready to go for certain occasions. We just, like, could not function like that. I really don't think. I really don't think we could. Cause even just from this moment of, like, we're like, okay, so now what?

[Fran Mariano]

Well, here's the thing. Now I get into a silly, goofy mood because we just recorded the Frost episode, and now I'm on film, and now I'm in a silly, goofy mood, and I'm feeling all types of kitty cat crazy, and I'm feeling like I want to bounce across the walls and jump up and down and spin around. But I just want to say to both of you, happy holidays and happy Hanukkah, too.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah. Nice. That was beautiful.

[Fran Mariano]

That was good. Straight up. I appreciate you guys. Me forever. Yes, I do. I do want to love you forever, Francesca. I do want to love you forever. And I will love you forever.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I will as well.

[Fran Mariano]

Thank you. Please.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, I will as well.

[Fran Mariano]

We're the last one standing at this company.

[Ria Ciuffo]

So what's our holiday? What's the holiday plans here, guys? You've talked about it a little, but you're going on. You're going to London.

[Fran Mariano]

Yes, London, gal. Going to London. Gonna hit up Petty for a day. My first time seeing Paris. The big E.T. i'm gonna look at Eiffel Tower. Yeah, we're tight like that. I got a nickname.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

You see the big F? Yeah, the big if.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Oh, man. The big hey, the what accent is that? I don't know.

[Fran Mariano]

The big if. Australian.

[Ria Ciuffo]

The Eiffel Tower is a beautiful sight.

[Fran Mariano]

Yes.

[Noah]

Are you gonna go in or up?

[Fran Mariano]

Probably not. Probably just. Yeah, mid level down. Probably.

[Ria Ciuffo]

You can get, you can get nice and close now too. You know, after when I went, it was all blocked off because of the Olympics.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah, I'll probably touch it if I can.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

Can I?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Good question.

[Noah]

Definitely can. What do you mean?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

I'll probably put my hand on it.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

And do something like that. Very, very excited. The holidays. Christmas Eve. Christmas, Bada Bing. Do that. And then we'll go right to London. I cannot wait to have a little London adventure with my fiance and his fam. And then, you know, not to rush. I don't want to rush the week, but it's my bridal shower the week after on January 11, so I'm pretty freaking pumped about that as well.

[Ria Ciuffo]

That's going to be fun.

[Fran Mariano]

Super excited.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Fun. Your family's excited for that too. Your mom's excited.

[Fran Mariano]

Well, the way that my mom runs a bridal shower is as if she's running a carnival where there's like games and prizes.

[Ria Ciuffo]

100 like, she, my mom, she was floating some ideas to me. I was like, yeah, she's got this under control.

[Fran Mariano]

My mom.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Spectacular.

[Fran Mariano]

No, truly, she. The way that she runs bridal showers is gifts to the guests, not to the bride. And I appreciate that. Like, I think, you know, people, they spend their Saturday afternoon or their Sunday afternoon or whatever time it is going to a bridal shower and it's usually, you know, the same thing. But my mom likes to spice them up. She. She the. My sister in law's bridal shower. There were prizes galore that people were winning left and right and everybody and.

[Ria Ciuffo]

All the guests hope I win something.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah, all the guests left with and they're like, wow, I wasn't expecting to show up to like a bridal shower and win something and go home with it. So that's always fun.

[Ria Ciuffo]

And, you know, it's kind of funny. I was thinking about your bridal shower the other day and I was like, why did I, like, kind of thing. Noah would be there. We like, he, like, wouldn't. But like, in my mind I was like. And in my mind, like, as you were just saying that I was about to be like, oh, no, you could win something. But I'm like, wait a second. No, I'll be there.

[Fran Mariano]

Wait, Can I just say that my family said the same thing. We were like, do you want to invite Noah?

[Noah]

I feel like it's one of those things where, like, people wouldn't think twice if I was there.

[Ria Ciuffo]

They really wouldn't.

[Fran Mariano]

We want to know what the craziest part is the crazy. The craziest and not so crazy, but. I don't know if I talked about this, but Matt and I are doing. Our bachelor and bachelorette party is the same weekend in the same place, but two separate houses. So all the girls in one house, all the guys in one house. And Thursday and Friday, we will not be together at all. We won't see each other, whatever. And then Saturday, we'll all join together Saturday night and do something fun together. Because we were like. We both wanted to do the same place, but then, like, the week we were like, why don't we just, like, do something, like, together but separate at the same time? So we get separate time with the girls, separate times with guys, and then we can all join forces for one big party. So that leads to Noah practically being on my bachelorette party because Noah is going to Matt's bachelor party.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

So then it crossed my mind, and I was like, oh, my God, no one's gonna be at my bachelor party. Like, my bachelorette party.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Like, it's fitting. We should just, like, invite Noah to come over on Thursday.

[Fran Mariano]

It's, like, so fitting but insane at the same time. You know what I mean? Like, it makes sense.

[Noah]

People are making that joke in. Fran had hers. Like, where's Noah?

[Ria Ciuffo]

No, I. The crazy thing is, like, you will actually be there. You will be in. You literally will be at mine in the city.

[Fran Mariano]

You will literally be there. But, yeah, we won't. We won't be joining forces till Saturday night, which is going to be a great weekend. I'm so excited for that as well. Super fun. Super fun things going on there. But I was, like, cracking up my family, being like, do you want to invite Noah to your bridal show?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Just, like, imagining Noah walking in, like, with a gift in his hand, being like, doritos off my registry. No. What would you. This spoon.

[Fran Mariano]

What would you get off a registry? Like, do you know what a registry is?

[Noah]

I know what it is, but I've never, like, gone on one.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

If you were going.

[Noah]

I'm a money girl.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Money guy.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah. But if you were going to a bridal shower, what would you buy off the register?

[Noah]

What do you think? I don't know what's on. I would have to check. Right? Like, is every registry.

[Fran Mariano]

Do let me send you my registry.

[Noah]

Like, are there just gifts that every registry has?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, like, there's a pretty standard. You know, like, it's a lot of. It's a lot of things that you would want for Like a new home, you know, kitchen stuff, bedding. And then, like, you. You can get adventurous and add some fun things. People, I feel like, are getting. Are exploring more with their registries these days of, like, more either, like, technology or, like, fun stuff or trip stuff. You can. Like. There's a honeymoon fund people donate to.

[Fran Mariano]

I feel like you would be a honeymoon fund donator because.

[Noah]

Yeah, that. That's basically just money.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yep.

[Noah]

But I like that because then, yeah, I feel like I'm See, like, a.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Nice Egg Lake crusade Dutch oven. You'd be like, yeah, this is what I'm getting.

[Fran Mariano]

Are you getting me that?

[Ria Ciuffo]

No, I.

[Fran Mariano]

You keep bringing up the Le Creuset. I don't know why.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I just really like them, and I think they make for a great gift.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah.

[Ria Ciuffo]

But no, I will not be. I actually was thinking about this yesterday because I thought, oh, man, I gotta start thinking about Ria's bridal shower gift, like, now because you are such a thoughtful gift giver. And I was like, fucking hell. I can't believe I had to go first. Now I gotta compete with all the gifts that she got me.

[Fran Mariano]

You don't have to compete.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah. Yes, I do, though. Like, you put together such a. Not compete, but, like, we're gonna match.

[Fran Mariano]

We're different gift givers.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I won't. The problem is I probably won't match it. It's just. It's an energy I can't match. You put together this beautiful basket. I'm not creative like that.

[Fran Mariano]

Oh, thank you.

[Ria Ciuffo]

But it was so beautiful. But then, it's just so funny now when we have to do it and we switch because you were like. You were like, oh, Fran, I made you this basket. You know, I just feel like getting something off the registry is not. Like. It's not. It's that.

[Fran Mariano]

Well, I asked you. Well, honestly, when I looked at your registry, I was like, oh, shit, everything's taken.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

What am I gonna get you? The containers.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Right, right.

[Fran Mariano]

You know what I mean? Like, if I got you the containers off your registry, you know, like, that's.

[Ria Ciuffo]

We already have the deal on part of the wedding gift.

[Fran Mariano]

Yes.

[Ria Ciuffo]

But I was like, I can't.

[Fran Mariano]

Like, that's not meaningful to me.

[Ria Ciuffo]

No, but I was like, drop the ball on the. I can't drop the ball on the barrel. Shower, kiss the Le Creuset.

[Fran Mariano]

I'll take it.

[Ria Ciuffo]

No, no, I gotta take a. I'll take a deeper dive.

[Fran Mariano]

Okay.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Into your registry and see. But, you know, I've been taking some screenshots of some Stuff I've been brewing with some ideas. What is nice that. Because this is the holiday season right now. Like, my TikTok. Everything is, like, all people being like, what's a great gift for her or him or whatever? And when I see things, I'm like, ooh, that could be. That could be bridal shower worthy.

[Fran Mariano]

Well, honey, listen, you don't worry about a thing. Your presence is a gift, and I appreciate that. Enough.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I found your invitation.

[Fran Mariano]

Thank God. Did you text my mom?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Well, I already told her I was coming.

[Fran Mariano]

You're right.

[Ria Ciuffo]

But I do now have the. I found it.

[Fran Mariano]

Cool.

[Ria Ciuffo]

And I, you know, is a very, very cute invitation. And I'm. I like the theme. The invitation is pretty.

[Fran Mariano]

I think I'm gonna wear my grandma's pearls.

[Ria Ciuffo]

That's so. That's amazing.

[Fran Mariano]

It's pearls and Prosecco. I got a. I got a cute dress, and then I'll wear my grandma's pearl with it.

[Ria Ciuffo]

My only problem is, is, you know, the very cute idea of the. The recipe card. What am I writing down on that?

[Fran Mariano]

Have Joe write something down.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Oh, I could do.

[Fran Mariano]

I could. I figured it would be a Joe dish.

[Ria Ciuffo]

So true. It could be a Joe dish.

[Fran Mariano]

What are you gonna write down?

[Ria Ciuffo]

No, literally nothing. No, I'd like cereal. Like, I don't know. Like, I was like, can of soup. Go to the store, buy a can.

[Fran Mariano]

Of soup, throw it in, throw it.

[Ria Ciuffo]

On your oven, throw it on the stove top, pour into bowl, add spoon. Enjoy.

[Fran Mariano]

You know what's so funny, though? Like, I think from our personalities, people would assume, like, you're some, like, home chef. Like, you have to cook it up, whatever. But we're so opposite in that sense. We're like, I'm the home chef, and.

[Ria Ciuffo]

You'Re like, no, I am not. Look, there's a few things that I can make just fine. But Joe is a great cook, so why would I take that? You know? And he love. He loves doing it.

[Fran Mariano]

Yes. When you love doing it, it's different. It's, like, totally. It's like. It's not a. It's not a bother.

[Noah]

But do you not love doing it because you don't know how? Like, that's how I feel. I feel like maybe if I knew how to cook, I would enjoy doing it. I'm just so far behind and have. No.

[Ria Ciuffo]

We just have a. We have a tough time cooking together because he loves, like, taking some artistic choices and changing things up and maybe using a little of this instead of that. And I'm just a psychopath where like, if I'm looking at a recipe and I'm like. Like, sometimes in the cookbooks that we have, he'll be like, oh, pick something out. I'll make it. I'm like, okay. Like, I'll pick something out and, like, I'll look over and I'm like, he's not. He's not using what. He's not using what the recipe said. And then he looks at me and he's like, I know what you're thinking. I'm like, but. But it's said. It's said to use that.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah. No, the best part is making it your own.

[Ria Ciuffo]

No, I know, but I also do.

[Fran Mariano]

Not like cooking with Matt or somebody else. I, like, just let me do it.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah. You know, literally, me cook.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah. And too many cooks in the kitchen is a thing, like when you're trying to cook it up and someone. Hey, I like a sous chef once in a while.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

Grab me that bowl it. Grab me that knife.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Right.

[Fran Mariano]

Put this over there.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Right. Like, the little, like, I'm like, oh, I can wash the lettuce, the things like that.

[Fran Mariano]

But Matt's actually been cooking more too, and that's such a treat as well, because I'm like, all right, now we get. Now we're getting the flow.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Right?

[Fran Mariano]

It's a lot of bit of me. You know, I'm not gonna say a little bit of me. A little bit of you. It's a lot of bit of me and a little bit of you, which I can handle because I do love to cook. But he's been chefing it up too, a little bit, and I'm like, dang, I could get used to this, mister. I could sit back and get used to this.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah. So that's my problem. I am used to it. We were talking about your battle shower.

[Fran Mariano]

Right, right, right, right.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah. So that's coming up in January. Some fun stuff. It's all here, honey. 2025. 2025.

[Fran Mariano]

Here's a big year wedding is four months away on Christmas day.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

So that's.

[Ria Ciuffo]

That's crazy.

[Fran Mariano]

Frickin super exciting. Yes.

[Ria Ciuffo]

So crazy. Cause it's like when it all went down and we started planning and we're like, oh, it feels like it's so far away, but it's gonna fly. And it feels like it has no flew by.

[Fran Mariano]

I feel like, really appropriate amount of time to, like, get planning done and everything. I'm just so, so, so, so excited. But I am not stressed, which causes me to believe I may be missing some things, you know? What?

[Ria Ciuffo]

I mean, no, I honestly, I felt the same way at around this time because I was like, am I supposed to be, like, having a problem right now or, like. Or like, being worried about things? And it's just, yeah, you kind of have everything sorted until that last month or so when you're doing, like, the actual little things of, you know, decorations or seating charts and like, all that stuff.

[Fran Mariano]

Right. And I don't have a planner, but I do have a day of coordinator, so that's, you know, ease the stress of that. And yeah, I feel like we, like, kind of booked everything early, like back in 2023, almost. Like it's been booked for a while and I don't feel stressed at all, which I'm like, oh, my God, everyone says how stressful this is, and I feel like I'm missing something because I don't feel stressed about it. But I know that the stress is coming TR me. I. I understand that it will be coming like, two months before, a month before. Like, all of that is gonna creep up and all the stress will be there when you have to do all those last minute things. Like, I'm very aware that the. The stress will be coming, but I'm really just excited to get married and have my husband and then go on a honeymoon and then live life together and have a family and all the beautiful things. So I'm really excited about that. I am. I'm sorry, I feel like I'm talking so much about this and, like, my upcoming plans right now, but I really just am so excited that I could.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Like, it's gonna be a huge year.

[Fran Mariano]

I could just, like, burst of energy right now. Like, I cannot wait for our honeymoon after two to just, like, truly, like, unplug. I feel like I've been very, very, very, very plugged in lately also with Surviving Barstool as well. It's just been, like, very, very, very plugged in, and it's hard to unplug. And so I'm really looking forward to that time together after getting married and just really soaking it in together and sort of being unplugged. And then it's just a beautiful thing, and I really. I can't wait for it. And every night I think about my vows. I add a little something. You know what I mean? I add a little something I want to add in there.

[Ria Ciuffo]

It's the best. I just like, I'm so excited. I'm so excited for you. It's gonna be such a great year. I mean, it's like when me and My girlfriends do our holiday drinks at the end of the year. We go around and do. Oh, what was your. The highlights of this year? And what are your goals for next year?

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah.

[Ria Ciuffo]

And Madeline and I, who are the two ones that. That got married this year, we were like, I mean, what do we got? Everything. This was the best year ever. Like, it's like, what do we. What? You know, it was like, oh, you know, weddings over, honeymoon's over. Like, all the good stuff is like. We were so excited, but what. Going into it. But it was. I mean, it was, it was, it was. 2024 was by far, like, the best year. Which is awesome, right?

[Fran Mariano]

I mean, just like your wedding into your honeymoon. I mean, the summer that we had right before that as well.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I know. I really want. It's. And it's tough with the job and whatnot, but, like, our honeymoon just really gave me the travel bug where I'm just like, God, I really want. I really want to get out there and see some new places and travel and do it before, like, Gotta do.

[Fran Mariano]

It before you get a family.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

No, I'm totally with you. I. I also have to travel.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I'm so excited for you for your honeymoon. It's just the best fucking time ever.

[Fran Mariano]

Oh, I'm. I'm so, so, so excited. I mean, Switzerland. Like, I. What's crazy is we've had this picture in our apartment now in. Of Switzerland, but, like, we. It's a sick picture. I love it. But we've never thought, like, I never thought I'd be going to Switzerland.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

For our honeymoon. But now. And it's like two people in a car driving through the mountains of Switzerland, and now we're like, oh, my God, that's us.

[Ria Ciuffo]

That is gonna be.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah, but, like, that wasn't what. You know what I mean? It's weird, but it's so exciting. And then Spain. I just can't wait for them. It's gonna be so, so cool. And it's gonna be. 2025 is going to be such a spectacular year and so special, and I truly can't wait for those moments. And I'm so excited to bring in the new year with Matt in our favorite place, too. It's such a great way to start the year. But we do have to talk about 2024, because to wrap up this year, we've had such an incredible year, not only professionally, but also personally talking about your wedding and what a big life moment that is, and a big change going into 2025. Like, it's you know, it. It's just a crazy year. And. And before that, going to Fiji out of nowhere in the summer, like, we just. We just.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, we had an awesome day.

[Fran Mariano]

We randomly went to Fiji to cover the biggest show on TV at that time, Love island, usa.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yep.

[Noah]

I had dinner with Maura Higgins.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yes.

[Fran Mariano]

And talked about your peanut allergy the whole time.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

And you live to tell the tale. Thank God. But it's just crazy. Like, the year flew by. We had two tours. Thinking about how we went on tour in March, April, whatever, whatever time that was, because time's a blow.

[Ria Ciuffo]

We traveled a lot this year, which I think is also contributing to my travel bug, because not only were we, like work traveling a lot, but like, Fiji was absolutely insane as a work trip. And I went on a couple, like, went to Paris for the first time. And like, seeing the All. I love going to the new cities when we're going to new cities on tour. We have so much fun.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah. This tour was so incredible. It was one of my favorite tours we've ever done. The cities were great. The things that we got to do in the cities were awesome. It was just truly like our best year yet. Like, it was. It was such an. It's such an incredible year and I only wish for more.

[Noah]

Speaking of that, we do have a vlog that will be out by now. Short little vlog.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Wonderful.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah.

[Noah]

From the tour. Some behind the scenes stuff.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah.

[Noah]

From the shows.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Go check that out on YouTube.

[Fran Mariano]

Check that out on YouTube.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Noah, do you have any 20, 25 goals?

[Noah]

Goals? No.

[Fran Mariano]

I could have, like, something for you.

[Noah]

But, like, I legitimately have not thought about it.

[Fran Mariano]

Hey, live life, you know? I mean, my goal is to not lock myself out of my apartment anymore. That's a resolution. That's a New Year's resolution that I have because I did it again.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

Today. And I'm not proud of it. I'm really not proud of it. I'm actually disgusted with myself. And I could tell the front desk is as well. Like, nobody's happy with me.

[Noah]

What do you do? You walk out of your.

[Fran Mariano]

I walk out without a key and it's locked.

[Noah]

Grab your phone, you grab your purse.

[Fran Mariano]

I grab everything.

[Noah]

And so then just have a key in, like, your bag.

[Fran Mariano]

Like, I know. Well, the keys. Okay. The problem is I need a separate set of keys. Cause I have my keys with my car key, but I don't take my car key, car key keys with me when I'm not using my car. If I'm stepping out of the house. And so that's where the problem lies. You know, it's like I need to just.

[Ria Ciuffo]

You need a new set of keys that are just keys, or I just.

[Fran Mariano]

Need to carry my car keys everywhere.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Right.

[Fran Mariano]

You know what I mean? Like, I just need to make a decision here and stick with it or else I'm becoming Zoe101 and putting a key around my neck, which I really don't want to do. I don't think it's cute.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

And I don't want to do that. I don't think it's a statement, a fashion statement that I want to be a part of. No, that's fair. But that's. That's a. That's a realistic New Year's resolution I have going for myself is to fucking stop locking myself out of my apartment. And, you know, you have the usual New Year's resolutions, but honestly, I feel like I have. Have been doing what usually, you know, the New Year's resolutions come in with the, you know, oh, I want to be healthier, I want to work out, whatever. But I have been doing that. So it's like, I feel great about that going into the new year, and I'm just hoping to keep it up into the right.

[Ria Ciuffo]

It's just like this, Stay committed to.

[Fran Mariano]

Stay committed, only get better. You know what I mean? Like, that's. That's the goal. Get ready to arrive home this holiday season in your Abercrombie winter wear. I have all my Abercrombie ready to go for when I walk through those doors. I got my cheetah print coat ready to go. I got all my coats to wear in London as well. Abercrombie has it all. They got denim sweaters, skirts, outerwear, all that you can find at Abercrombie to be ready to go home in the holidays in and feel good about how you arrive. Abercrombie drops new stuff every single week, so make sure to download the app or visit abercrombie.com but even more exciting news, we have a code right now. You can use code afchicks get an extra 15% off almost everything at checkout. The code will be valid in the US and Canada from December 13th to December 31st. Exclusions do apply. You could see details [e-mail] so once again, use code AF Chicks to get an additional 50% off. You can see details [e-mail] but we are going to talk about some pop culture moments, big ones from this year. We kind of have a List. We can go through them.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah. I don't know if. Or if we want to just like, all kind of go in and give our top ones. Our top ones. Our thoughts. We can dissect it from there and how we feel about it.

[Fran Mariano]

Let's do a top three. A top three.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Top three.

[Fran Mariano]

Top three.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I can limit it to top five. Top five.

[Fran Mariano]

Okay. Top five.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

Okay. We could do a top five.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

I just don't want to miss out on any. You know what I mean?

[Ria Ciuffo]

That's why I was going to say top 10.

[Fran Mariano]

Meanwhile, more like. No, like, each, like top.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Oh, oh, oh.

[Fran Mariano]

Not top three in general. I'm saying we each pick our own. Yeah, okay. Top. Each pick our own. Top five.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

Oh, it's gonna be so hard to rank them.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I know.

[Fran Mariano]

In no particular order.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I don't wanna. No, I think we gotta go in order.

[Fran Mariano]

In particular order?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, in order. You know, this is how you feel, and this is, like, moments that hit for you, you know?

[Fran Mariano]

Okay, listen, here's the thing. I'm just gonna have to be bold and do the particular order.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

Okay.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yep, yep, yep.

[Fran Mariano]

I'm gonna start off number one, Love island, usa. For me, Love Island, USA is the number one pop culture moment of the year because of how much we, you know, divulge our time and spent our time dissecting this show and even going to Fiji, like we just talked about. That is number one for me. Okay, number two, I gotta put Kendrick and Drake, because Kendrick and. I'm flying now. I'm flying through this list. Meanwhile, I'm like, this is gonna be so hard.

[Ria Ciuffo]

No, no, no.

[Fran Mariano]

Kendrick and Drake. For me, we got. Not only did we get incredible beef from this, but we got such good music that I still listen to every day. Like, I am still listening.

[Ria Ciuffo]

There's rumors out there that it did make people's Spotify rap.

[Fran Mariano]

It did make mine.

[Ria Ciuffo]

And I.

[Fran Mariano]

That's why I didn't share my Spotify rap.

[Noah]

Because four out of my five top songs, same rap. This is.

[Fran Mariano]

Majority of mine were the Kendrick and. And Drake disses. So I gotta put that at number two. That is so.

[Noah]

So I look back on that time at, like, what a time to be alive. Yeah, like, every night I'd just be like, another one, another song.

[Fran Mariano]

It just was like, oh, my God, he's dropping again. I can't believe it. Like, it was just insane. And now this is where it gets tricky because I feel like a lot of stuff kind of gets, like, thrown together here. So I'm Gonna name my two, and then we can go around the circle, and then we'll go back around. How about that? We go two, two, two.

[Ria Ciuffo]

No. Well, I was trying to steal.

[Noah]

You're trying to steal.

[Fran Mariano]

I was actually gonna go, who can I steal from?

[Ria Ciuffo]

I was gonna go five to one.

[Noah]

Oh, build suspense.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah. Like, I was gonna. I was gonna build up to my. To my number one. So I'm gonna go five.

[Fran Mariano]

Okay.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Okay. All right. So I'm looking at this again, and I'm. All right, five. I'm gonna go. Hot rodent boyfriend.

[Fran Mariano]

Mm.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I think that's my, like, theme of the year for so many of these guys was really wish that, yeah, it's over. But I'm saying these are moments.

[Noah]

No, no, I know, but I'm saying, do you think the rodent thing is over now?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Oh, not necessarily.

[Noah]

Because, like, people have turned on Barry and.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah. As Timothy Chalmette Chamois in it.

[Noah]

So I feel like that's an insult to him. I don't know.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, yeah. But that, like, kind of ties in with all. Everything from, like, Challengers and all that stuff. So, like, that whole, like, phase of the Challengers hype and everything. So that's. That's five. Four. I'm going to go. Damn. See, like, there's some that I would put on there objectively that are big moments, but, like, for me, it didn't dominate my personal life, you know, Like, I think of, like, the Rizzler and Big justice as, like, such a huge one. For me personally, I wouldn't put it on my list, but I'm like, oh, that's. That is. That is so high up. Okay, four. I will go. Oh, man. I think just ladies in music this year with a hyper focus on Chapel Roan, I think, like, I had a hyper fixation on Chapel Roan all year, so I will put that in there. I think we had such amazing new music from so many female artists. I think, you know, between TTPD or Cowboy Carter, every, like, Eternal Sunshine, all these albums. Chaperone. I felt like I, like, really hyper fixated on chaperone this year. I listened to so much Chaperone. You know, Sabrina Carpenter gets thrown into that as well. But I will say, like, ladies dominating pop music. I'll throw it four.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah, I. I would throw in three. Sabrina Carpenter for me. Yeah, just Sabrina Carpenter as a whole. Please, please, please. To be more specific and just. I would say Sabrina Carpenter. Like, that's my being specific. But her as a whole, her album, her singles, just Sabrina Carpenter comes In for number three. Yeah, for me.

[Ria Ciuffo]

And then I think I'll go. It's still. It's tough because it still kind of ties in, but I think I'll. Oh, man. Damn. I may cheat and put ladies dominating. Pop music also falls into, like, brat summer because I feel like brat.

[Noah]

That's so specific.

[Ria Ciuffo]

That's its own thing. I feel like I'm running out of. Yeah, I'm running out of space. Running out of space.

[Noah]

My number five is. Hashtag Blakely is over party.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah, you were. You were deep in that the.

[Ria Ciuffo]

It ends with us drama. Yeah, that's a good one. That's a really good one.

[Fran Mariano]

What's your number four?

[Ria Ciuffo]

That was dominating.

[Noah]

I have. This is going to ruin the tour. At number four.

[Fran Mariano]

Oh, that's a classic. Yep.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Justin Timberlake. This is going to ruin the tour.

[Fran Mariano]

That's an absolute classic.

[Noah]

It seems like he's, you know, he's made a good comeback since then.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah, he's. He's performing.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah. People were hyper fixated on his bulge the other night. You see that?

[Noah]

I saw, like, a news. I'm post a video, and I'm like, am I missing something?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah. He's wearing some, like, harness.

[Noah]

Yeah. Because he gets, like, lifted up. But I'm like, yeah, I didn't see any, like, major bulge, actually.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

Seems like it was accentuating it.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Right, right, right. Well, I think people were disappointed in the bulge, so that's what. That was the conversation.

[Fran Mariano]

So, yeah, I would go for, like, the Olympics as a whole. Actually, no, I'll put the Olympics at five.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Okay.

[Fran Mariano]

I'm gonna put the Olympics as, like, just, like, the characters that were coming out of it, the Olympic Village. Just everything that was going on with the Olympics, I would put at number five.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Okay.

[Fran Mariano]

That was kind of around the same time as Love island, too.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Like, that was a hot part of the summer. It was a hot summer for sure.

[Fran Mariano]

That was a hot part of the summer. Now I'm looking for that number four spot. You know, the number four spot is wide open for me.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Noah]

I see baby reindeer popping up for.

[Ria Ciuffo]

A lot of these guys.

[Fran Mariano]

I know.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I know. You know what's so funny that I kind of forgot was, even this year was the Willy Wonka experience. That was, like. For, like. That was so bad. That was just like, a whole crazy thing. I was like, oh, my God, I can't believe that was this year.

[Noah]

Wait, Willy Wonka? Did that come out? The movie did that. That came out at the end of last.

[Ria Ciuffo]

End of last year. Okay, so then I have two. Shit.

[Noah]

My three spot is Cowboy Carter.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, you. That was a big one for you.

[Noah]

Yeah.

[Ria Ciuffo]

2. I think I might have to go. I might have to go Moo Dang.

[Noah]

Really?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

A number two?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

I never even heard you talk about it.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I really never talked about it on the show that much, but how could it be your number two? I talked about it all the time. Not all the time, but, like, G and I send those videos back and forth to each other, like, all the time. And it was a big what is.

[Noah]

It about conversation that never came up on.

[Ria Ciuffo]

That's why it was fascinating. But it was always on my TikTok of, like, people going to the. To the. To the zoo and, like, waiting online for hours to try and get a good spot to see Mu Dang.

[Noah]

What. What is it about Mu Dang compared to, like, any other baby hippo?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Something special about Mu Dang. That's.

[Noah]

Yeah, I'm just like.

[Ria Ciuffo]

That's what. That. That's what.

[Noah]

Sure. All baby hippos.

[Ria Ciuffo]

That's what creates a cultural moment. I'm rethinking my entire list.

[Fran Mariano]

This is why.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Because I have a one spot that I'm like, I can't. I have two that, like, are my one, and I don't know. I don't know what to do.

[Fran Mariano]

I'm gonna put Wicked at number four for me.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah. I'm gonna do Wicked's my one. Wicked's.

[Fran Mariano]

It's your one.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

I'm gonna lock in a solid list right now. Starting at 1.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Okay.

[Fran Mariano]

1. Love Island USA Season 6. 2. Kendrick and Drake. 3. Sabrina Carpenter.

[Ria Ciuffo]

4.

[Fran Mariano]

Wicked. 5. The Olympics. Okay, that is my solid.

[Ria Ciuffo]

That's a good list.

[Fran Mariano]

That is my.

[Ria Ciuffo]

That's a really good list.

[Fran Mariano]

Top five list of. Of 20, 24. Lock it in, ladies and gentlemen.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I see. I'm just gonna have to bump one off the bottom. I'm changing. This is gonna be my changing. I'm changing because I gotta go. I gotta go Eris Tour.

[Noah]

I was gonna say it's. I'm surprised.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, I gotta go eras tour. 1. Aristor or like, I'm between Aristor, Wicked. That's like, those are my two.

[Noah]

Like, but what about, like, Taylor and Travis?

[Ria Ciuffo]

I guess that's all combined. It's like, because Travis out for the. Like, that's all. So I'm gonna go Eris Tour and then. And then I gotta go Wicked too.

[Noah]

What about Diddy?

[Ria Ciuffo]

That's not. Like, I might have to remove. And give that. And give that little hippo just a big Give that little hippo an honorable mention.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah, but you. Because you didn't even talk about him on the podcast.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, but.

[Noah]

But, like, who is Mudane knocking off your list?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, no, I know. At this point, I'm like, yeah, you're.

[Fran Mariano]

Gonna knock Travis and Taylor off.

[Ria Ciuffo]

No, I know.

[Noah]

Sorry, Travis. Mood. Dang. Beat you out.

[Ria Ciuffo]

No, I. That's what I'm saying. Like, I was like. I. I. Yeah, I don't know. Okay. That little adorable hippo, she's gonna have to go.

[Noah]

It's a she.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Noah]

Oh, I thought it was. Oh, I was saying.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Oh. Oh. Misgendered.

[Fran Mariano]

Mu.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Dangling.

[Fran Mariano]

I'm sorry.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Okay. Aristor. Wicked Brat Summer. So much music in mine, which is, like, not females in pop music. Hyper Focus. Chapel Roan. That's four. Five. Oh, no. Or is that all of them already?

[Noah]

That was fourth.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Oh, that was four. Oh. Because I had hot rodent. Hot rodent boyfriend in there. I'm bumping them, too. I'll go five. Love island, usa.

[Noah]

Yeah. How can you not?

[Ria Ciuffo]

How can I not?

[Noah]

We were in Fiji.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Honorable mention can go to, like, those are, like, big moments in time. And then I feel like I always want to throw because, like, you could do a whole nother list of, like, viral moments.

[Fran Mariano]

Right.

[Ria Ciuffo]

And, like, social trends, like hot rodent boyfriend. Mu. Dang. This is going to ruin the tour. Looking for a man in finance. Like, the whole Nara Smith Tradwife thing was such a huge thing this year, too. And Rizzler and Big justice could probably go in there also.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah, they definitely. It is their year.

[Ria Ciuffo]

You know, it was. It was. It was their year. The Wiki. The Willy Wonka exhibit. Yeah. Okay. I can't believe I didn't put it. Like, I loved the Olympics. I was so obsessed with the Olympics.

[Fran Mariano]

But, yeah, I'm shocked that's not in there for you. Yeah.

[Ria Ciuffo]

It's just up against these other things. It was like, that really held the famous medal. I know. Really occupied my year. So. Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

All right, Noah, what's yours? Your top five?

[Noah]

I'm not really. Like, the first three are. I guess Kendrick and Drake is definitely number one. I'll put Love island season six as number two. I think I have a strong bias because I went to Fiji because of it. Although it was a great season.

[Ria Ciuffo]

It was so big.

[Fran Mariano]

Like, it wasn't a small little thing.

[Noah]

It would probably be on my list even if I didn't go.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Noah]

That bumps it up. Cowboy Carter, number three. Like, that was she. Beyonce was my top artist this year, so.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah.

[Noah]

Yep. The last two, I'm not like that. I don't feel that strongly about. But they're just funny. Like, ruined the tour because I can't think. I'm like, what else am I missing?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Like, I guess it ends with us. Drama is a really good one. And also for me personally, like, I would throw just like everything that was around the idea of you, like, into my soul.

[Fran Mariano]

Just the movie as a whole.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Just the movie as a whole. The band, like, I just. Just was obsessed with that for a solid month plus of like, actually listening to August Moon. Like, they were a real band and they are a real band.

[Noah]

But wait, Daisy Edgar Jones. That was last year, right?

[Ria Ciuffo]

Of what?

[Noah]

Why did I say Daisy Edgar Jones? I was trying to say Daisy Jones.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

Jones.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

Period. Well, Twisters.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

Twisters was a big moment.

[Noah]

What about Glen Powell?

[Fran Mariano]

Oh, my God.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Summer.

[Fran Mariano]

The Glen Powell Summer.

[Noah]

I know that FaceTime. That didn't help.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah. I mean, well, that we were in Fiji, so I guess that clocks into the Love island usa.

[Ria Ciuffo]

What's crazy? What? Even at like, the beginning of the year was still like, beginning of 2024, if you think about it. That's like, still when those award shows were happening, that was still like Barb and Heimer. Ryan Gosling's Oscars performance was this year.

[Fran Mariano]

The Chiefs won, the Super Bowl, Celtics won.

[Noah]

I wasn't going to put that as sports.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Y.

[Fran Mariano]

But I mean, Taylor Swift went on the field for sure.

[Noah]

It's not like part of anyone's list.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah. Yeah, I know.

[Fran Mariano]

I kind of like fits into the.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Like, you could just do Taylor Swift. It's like one is Taylor Swift right?

[Fran Mariano]

Just as tour.

[Ria Ciuffo]

As a. Yeah. But. Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

Wow. What a year. There's so much that happened. But seriously, at the end of the year, it's hard to think about.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I feel like ly stuff was actually. Was really wild.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah. It's hard to think about all the stuff that happened and. And try to.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Jlo and Ben broke up again and.

[Fran Mariano]

Now he's prancing around with.

[Ria Ciuffo]

With Jennifer Gardner, Molly Mae and Tommy Fury. I'm so excited for the documentary.

[Fran Mariano]

We didn't even talk about that. So.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Good. I know.

[Fran Mariano]

When does that come out again?

[Ria Ciuffo]

I. Beginning of the year.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I think, like, it's gonna be on Amazon and it comes out Molly Mae behind it all is gonna be on Prime Video January 17th. I'm very excited for that.

[Fran Mariano]

I cannot wait for this. I hope we get. You know, not to be too nosy, but I want the details. Yeah, I want the details in the doc. And I don't think she'd be making this documentary for no reason if she wasn't gonna be given the details.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Definitely. I think as far as, like, you know, every year there's always crazy, like, sad, like, Diddy bad. All bad stuff.

[Noah]

Yeah. Let's go. Villain of the year.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Villain. Yeah. I think you could get. I think we probably give him that time. Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

I think Diddy.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Super fair. I think he totally deserves that one. For sure.

[Fran Mariano]

Yes.

[Noah]

It's between Blake. Yeah.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Jesus.

[Fran Mariano]

Yes. Yeah, I think. I think Diddy. I think that one.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah. We'll put Diddy. I mean, for sure. At villain of the year.

[Fran Mariano]

Did he. Diddy tops that one. What a year. 2024.

[Ria Ciuffo]

What a year.

[Fran Mariano]

Guys, let us know what we missed, because I'm sure there's something.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, no, there's.

[Fran Mariano]

There's going to be tons.

[Ria Ciuffo]

There's plenty. I mean, just like, even viral trends and everything. Like, alone, you could make, like, a list of, like, 50 things.

[Fran Mariano]

Right? There's always something new trending every single day.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Exactly.

[Fran Mariano]

But those are our top moments of 2024.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Holiday parties can turn into a great story that ends with a toast over Coors Light. Getting snowed in can turn into the ultimate movie marathon. It doesn't matter if the holidays don't go as planned. Choose chill and reach for an ice cold Coors Light. When you embrace a chill mindset this holiday, it's a good time to choose chill and crack open a Coors Light. Coors Light is mountain cold refreshment, crisp and refreshing as the Rockies. This is it, guys. These are the final days. Christmas Eve is tomorrow. Maybe you're hosting a Christmas Eve bash. You got everybody coming over. Certain people are cooking food or bringing foods. Maybe something gets forgotten or something gets lost. Don't worry. Relax. Choose chill. You can get Coors Light straight to your door, which is so easy. So you can be locked and loaded, ready to go when it's time for guests to come over. Or maybe you're going to somebody else's house, family's house for Christmas Eve, Christmas day. Make sure you're bringing the Coors Light. Choose chill this holiday season and then reach for a Coors Light. Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door. Visit Coors Light.com chicks or you can find it pretty much anywhere that sells beer. And as always, guys, celebrate responsibly. From Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado.

[Fran Mariano]

Cheers. Thank you, guys.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Thank you guys so much. World's most refreshing podcast. Yes.

[Fran Mariano]

All Right, let's get into the Popcorner, where we're going to be taking your voicemails. Pop culture questions takes opinions. Or maybe you have something else you want to ask, and we are here to talk about it.

[Ria Ciuffo]

You missed them. We did a couple with Kelly. So I'm glad we're doing this now so that you can jump in, because literally there was one caller that I just thought was, like, you disguising your voice, talking about Jack Black, and.

[Fran Mariano]

Oh, my God.

[Ria Ciuffo]

And I was like, is this just for you?

[Fran Mariano]

I called in. All right, let's do it.

[D]

Hi, Re and Fran. This is Kesslee from Boston. We went to your holiday spectacular. It was amazing.

[Fran Mariano]

Thank you.

[D]

I have a hot take. Or more like a question for you guys. I know you're friends with him. I'm not trying to judge anyone's appearance, but I'm just dying to know, because every time I see him on tv, it's the only thing my eyes focus on, and I never see anyone talk about it. But does Craig Conover have really little hands, or is it just the way he holds them? Or is something going on? Because every time he sees, my eyes just go right to his hands. Anyways, love you guys. Bye.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Oh, my God. And Craig is a friend, but I really can't say otherwise. I've never noticed.

[Fran Mariano]

I gotta be honest. Neither have I.

[Ria Ciuffo]

But it's the first thing I'm gonna look at the next time we see him.

[Fran Mariano]

That is so funny. And I'm really gonna start. I'm really gonna start scoping that out.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Like, I'm about to, like, pull up his Instagram for a second just to be like, wait, am I. I. Clearly, it's not something that either of us have ever, like, noticed in real life. To be like, oh, yeah. I mean, I don't know.

[Fran Mariano]

I feel like I've never particularly noticed. But now. But now, if I. Noticing.

[Ria Ciuffo]

But I'm like, here's. I'm looking at him holding all his pillows. They don't look small to me.

[Noah]

Maybe small on this one.

[Fran Mariano]

Maybe if he's just wearing a big sweater or like a big shirt or anything smaller.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, he has. He. He's a handsome guy, but, you know, he's a guy that has, like a. There's some. He's got a big head, you know?

[Fran Mariano]

Oh.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Not like he's got a big head, but, like, he's like. I feel like he has a big.

[Noah]

So, like, it's making you think his other.

[Ria Ciuffo]

No, but I'm saying maybe it's thrown people Would think the proportions are off.

[Noah]

Yeah, he's like, has his hand on his face. His hand looks.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Sm.

[Fran Mariano]

Head is huge.

[Ria Ciuffo]

That's what I'm. That's what I'm saying.

[Fran Mariano]

You're trying to back him up here and be like, his hands might look small because.

[Noah]

No, don't worry. His hands are small. His head is huge.

[Ria Ciuffo]

He's got a lot of hair.

[Fran Mariano]

That is funny. All right.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Damn. Sorry, Craig.

[Fran Mariano]

Moving on. I feel bad.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I can't say I've noticed. Can't say we've noticed.

[Fran Mariano]

I have not noticed. But I will be looking now.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yep.

[D]

I have a lot of hot takes this week, so you may hear from.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Me more than once, but I'm not sorry.

[D]

And I don't really think this is a hot take. I think actually everybody can agree upon this, but it's not something that's ever really talked about. Why are perfume and cologne commercials so damn weird? Like, there's some hot celebrity that we all love and then they're in some exotic location, like, doing some weird ass shit. Like, why, why is that the perfume commercial? Like, why is Versace showing that? Why is, is Gucci making that a commercial? Like, I'm confused. Like, is there a science behind it? Please, somebody explain.

[Fran Mariano]

I think that the goal here is to be like, yeah, like, I could smell like this sexy celebrity if I get this cologne. Like, let's make it look like this sexy celebrity is out doing something crazy and then that's how I'll smell.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Right. Create like, like a dream sequence.

[Fran Mariano]

Yes.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Like, it's like this perfume will transport you to a yacht in Capri. And you're gonna smell amazing.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah.

[Ria Ciuffo]

You know, it just takes you back. And they, and they get. And they put, like, they put, you know, Miley Cyrus in these commercials. Or at least they're on. Like, they're like, they to be like, oh, like, so it's just like, it's just, it's. I think it's just dreamy. It's sexy. Like, I think perfume and cologne, like, they always throw like that sex appeal at it, at you because, like, you want to smell good and therefore attract people, you know?

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah. I think that's what my thoughts on that. I think so too. They are always extreme.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Some of them are bizarre. For sure.

[Fran Mariano]

For sure. But I think it's supposed to be like, ooh, what's this fantasy sexy world.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Exactly. And it's supposed to catch your eye to, like, when there's times when you're watching and you're like, what is this commercial Even for. Right. And then, like, the Dior sign comes up at the end, and you're like. Like, oh, what the. But, yeah, I think that's. It's supposed to be, like, outside of reality, I think.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah, I agree with that.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Coors Light presents To chill or not to chill when your friend bets against your team and the friendship. Or choose chill because you're drinking Coors Light with your buddy Coors Light.

[Noah]

Choose chill.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Celebrate responsibly. 2024 Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado.

[D]

Hey, ladies. Love the pods. Listen, on my way to work every day that I can. And I have a hot take and a question. Hot take is, I did not think challengers was that good. I'm sorry. I. Maybe it was like what you guys were talking about last week with, like, when you hear so many reviews that something's so amazing, you get it in your head. But I didn't think it was that good. Wimbledon will always be the best movie. Fran can have my back on this.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, I do love Wimbledon.

[D]

And my question is, do you think the film industry is doomed? I feel like lately all we get is remakes and reboots and whatnot. Like, I love old school Adam Sandler and Shout Out New Jersey. He's filming Happy Gilmore 2 right now. But, like, is the film industry doomed? Are we gonna continue to get original things when all we're getting right now, I feel like, is adaptations and remakes and things like that? So interested to hear you guys thoughts. I'm interested to hear Noah's thoughts on that, but, yeah, thanks so much. Congrats, Fran, and congrats, Ria, on your upcoming wedding. So, so happy for you guys. Bye.

[Ria Ciuffo]

It's very sweet.

[Fran Mariano]

Thank you.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I. Challengers, I can understand. Like, I've had conversations with plenty of people who didn't like challengers.

[Fran Mariano]

Me, too.

[Ria Ciuffo]

And I. I think that's. I think that's fair. I can totally see, like, either the. The choices or the ending or, like, whatever. People being like, nah, not for me.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah. I. I've also heard a lot of people not like challengers. Yeah, I really loved challengers, but I can see why people didn't like the ending because it was sort of, like, left on a note where you kind of have to decide what you think is the end. So I really think it just comes down to personal taste. And so many people I know did not like it.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

So I actually don't even think it's that hot of a take. I think. Yeah, I. I was shocked. Even though I loved it, I was Shocked it was nominated for awards because I heard so many people didn't like it. So that's why I was shocked it was nominated for awards, but I did love it. And, you know, there's. There's always gonna be new movies, but there's always gonna be new.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

New takes on old films as well at this point.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Because people, like, doomed.

[Fran Mariano]

No, I don't think we're doomed either. I think there's new ideas out there, but I think that people love nostalgia, so the people kind of capitalize on that. They're like, ooh, like, let's capitalize on this moment. People love that nostalgic feeling. And with so much talk about, like, social media and technology these days, people, like, want to hold on to the past. But there's always going to be new ideas too, I think.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, I think it's very much like a cycle where right now we're very like much in this cycle of remakes and reboots and different movies of the same characters. Marvel, dc, you know, we're getting the same superhero movie played by 9 billion different people. Like, it's just the kind of cycle. And who knows how long that'll last, but eventually it'll, like, come back around. And. And I do think there is something to say for studios not really supporting the original ideas as much because it is definitely very money forward. And, you know, I think about. Sweet. I'm gonna reference the holiday. But you know, when Arthur's saying there was a time when they. They didn't care about the. The blockbusters and the. And the hits and the money is like, now. It's so like, you know, studios really want the dollar signs and they know what's gonna. What's gonna sell. And when you make Kung Fu Panda 4, like, people are.

[Noah]

But I also think there are, like, still all these original movies coming out. They're just not, like, being pushed.

[Ria Ciuffo]

But that's what I'm saying. Like, they're being made. They're being made. It's just like.

[Noah]

But they'll never compete with.

[Ria Ciuffo]

No, it's just. I'm saying it's hard. That's why it's, like, harder to be the main focus.

[Noah]

Also, the whole Sydney Sweeney, Glenn Powell thing, I feel like was. We didn't talk about, like, we mentioned Glenn Powell, but, like, that was a shy in, like. But anything but you. That's a new. Like, that was very successful.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

Forgot about that whole thing, too. Wow. That was something else. I can't believe that was this year.

[Noah]

That feels like forever.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Crazy. That was this year.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah, that's crazy.

[Ria Ciuffo]

But I don't think we're doomed. Yeah, I think Doom likes there's all a tv.

[Noah]

Really good tv.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's true.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[D]

Hey, Rhiann, Fran, this is Mel from Watertown, Mass. Can't wait to see you guys in Boston.

[Fran Mariano]

Okay.

[Ria Ciuffo]

So my home.

[D]

I the only person that discovered after watching the Martha Stewart documentary that the pageant lady in Miss Congeniality and the wedding planner in Bride wars is not Martha Stewart. Because I could have sworn that, like, as a child, I. Until literally this documentary came out, I thought that Martha Stewart also acted and that is who she was. But it is an actress and.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yep.

[Fran Mariano]

That is.

[D]

Let me know your thoughts.

[Ria Ciuffo]

That is. That's actually very funny. And I totally.

[Fran Mariano]

That is spot on.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Candice Bergen, she's thinking of.

[Fran Mariano]

Especially with Bride wars. Thinking of that like, that totally was Martha Stewart, but it's not Martha Stewart.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

That is so funny. Oh, my God, what a spot on take there.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I know. And there are. There.

[Fran Mariano]

She talks like Martha Stewart.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Totally. And there are just even. There's just similarities in the way they look, you know, and they're both like, Martha's a little bit older than she is, but candace Bergen is 78 years old. So, like, you know.

[Noah]

Yeah, maybe that was her inspiration.

[Ria Ciuffo]

That'd be so funny. I could totally see that. You know what? I feel like I also definitely, as a kid, like, thought that she was Martha Stewart. Me, too.

[Fran Mariano]

Like, that's why I'm saying, like, oh, that is Martha Stewart.

[Ria Ciuffo]

But it's not. But it's not. Wow, that is a good comparison.

[Fran Mariano]

That is so funny.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

Dang.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Good comparison that is.

[Fran Mariano]

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[D]

Hi Ran Fran, this is Alexis from Chicago. I've actually been to both of your live shows in Chicago, so I'm a Chicago super fan perhaps, but my pop culture hot take slash opinion or just something I want to get your guys's point of view on. Would love to know a little Mary Kill for Love Island Australia, Love Island UK and Love Island US based on all seasons that you've watched for each of those shows. I think personally I would marry UK just because UK is a classic. I started my love I Island journey with uk so would love to marry UK but not sure about us or Australia. So would love to hear your guys's opinions on customary kill for those three shows. Thanks. That's all.

[Fran Mariano]

That's a good question. And it's so hard because this past season of Love Island USA was.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

So, so, so good.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I think it brings up the average, like, so much, you know. Right. So I would, I think I'll probably have the same.

[Fran Mariano]

I would kill Web Island Australia. That's really not a question for me.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah. Yeah. Um, yeah, I'm, I would marry uk, I think, you know, fuck. Probably goes to Love Island US and.

[Fran Mariano]

It has potential to marry.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Right? Exactly. Like, we're just getting to know each other, but we're getting frisky. Right.

[Fran Mariano]

And there's potential there for marriage. It's not just a woman.

[Ria Ciuffo]

And like, I can live like Love Island Australia is fun, but I can.

[Fran Mariano]

Live without Love island for sure. For sure. And UK is where it all started.

[Noah]

What would you rather rewatch maybe in like a couple years? You think, like, season six of us or season five of uk?

[Fran Mariano]

Season six of us.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I think it's, it's, it's tough. I, I, there's something also just very special about season five of UK because it was one of the first seasons I ever watched. Yeah, maybe the first season I ever watched. It is.

[Fran Mariano]

But it's so hard now because Molly and Tommy.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But you know, but honestly, UK season five is.

[Fran Mariano]

So I said season six too fast because that is a tough. But I did watch UK Season 5 right after I watched Love Island Season 6 this past summer, I went back and rewatched it and, like, obviously was. It was just as amazing, but I still, like. I think I was just. It was riding the high of season six of. Of usa.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Fran Mariano]

You know, it's just, like, it also still is fresh.

[Noah]

Like, maybe some of these coup. Not that I'm rooting for it, but like, these US couples, if they're not together in a few years.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah. But I genuinely, like, still follow them. Like, I still follow Serena, Janae, Leah. Like, I'm still following what they do.

[Noah]

Because you didn't watch season five live, so I feel like you're more connected somehow.

[Fran Mariano]

No, I did watch season five of UK Live.

[Noah]

Oh, really? I didn't know that.

[Fran Mariano]

Yes. While it was airing on Hulu.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Yeah.

[Noah]

So you always have a bias to the U.S. i feel like.

[Fran Mariano]

No, no.

[Ria Ciuffo]

It's so hard.

[Noah]

You can relate to them more.

[Fran Mariano]

Right.

[Ria Ciuffo]

I honestly, my bias kind of goes to uk, Right. Because it was the first one.

[Fran Mariano]

That's a tough question, but in terms of Mary Fuck Hill, it's Mary UK fucking US and Kill Australia.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Uk, I think, is one that I've already gone back and rewatched, you know, with that. With that season. I don't. I'm very interested to see how season six feels as a. As a rewatch. You know, just not. It's. That's like a. In a couple years, that's for sure. That's the rewatch. And then sometimes the rewatch makes you feel differently, too.

[Fran Mariano]

Yeah. Definitely excited to rewatch that. Yeah. All right, guys, that wraps up the popcorner.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Happy holidays.

[Fran Mariano]

Sing it, baby. That's it.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Happy holidays.

[Fran Mariano]

We love you guys.

[Ria Ciuffo]

See you in 2016. 2016. I almost just said, Whoa. 2016.

[Noah]

I wish.

[Ria Ciuffo]

How did. How is 2016? What just flew out of my mouth.

[Noah]

Isn't it crazy? 2016 is not even 25.

[Fran Mariano]

25. Then we're gonna see you in 2025.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Isn't it crazy that it's. We're gonna be a quarter done with the 2000s?

[Fran Mariano]

Oh, gosh. This.

[Ria Ciuffo]

You know, Isn't that crazy?

[Fran Mariano]

It is crazy. And a full quarter. That's crazy. It's crazy. Time flies. All right, everybody. We love you guys so very much. We hope you have a magical week.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Enjoy.

[Fran Mariano]

Magical week after that because we won't hear from you or talk to you then.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Great New Year's, and we will be.

[Fran Mariano]

Back on Monday, January 6th.

[Ria Ciuffo]

Good tidings for all.

[Fran Mariano]

We love you so much. Thank you again and good night.