Chicks in the Office - Episode Summary: "Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco Engaged, James Kennedy Arrested + Beat Ria & Fran Game 154"
Release Date: December 13, 2024 | Host/Authors: Ria and Fran | Barstool Sports
1. Holiday Season Shopping Tips
As the holiday season kicks into high gear, Ria and Fran delve into essential shopping strategies to help their listeners navigate the bustling retail landscape. Emphasizing the urgency of early holiday preparations, they encourage listeners to "get serious about your shopping" (01:30) to avoid last-minute stress.
Key Highlights:
- Macy’s Gift Guide: Fran introduces Macy’s curated gift guides, which categorize presents by price points such as under $25, $75, and $100, making it easier to find the perfect gift regardless of budget (01:34).
- Top Picks: Both hosts highlight popular items like Ugg slippers and Dior lip oil, praising their timeless appeal and practicality (01:59).
- Beauty Gift Boxes: Ria mentions Macy’s beauty gift boxes as ideal options for Secret Santa exchanges or hostess gifts, simplifying the gifting process (02:33).
Notable Quote:
Nicole: "Ugg slippers always play. They're always going to be in style. They're so comfortable." (01:51)
2. Nicole’s Locked-Out Experience
Nicole shares a personal and rather harrowing tale of accidentally locking herself out of her apartment, a mishap that led to a costly encounter with a locksmith.
Key Highlights:
- The Incident: After a busy night involving wedding dress fittings and a fresh haircut, Nicole realizes she has locked all her keys inside her apartment (03:00).
- Locksmith Costs: The ordeal culminates in a nightmarish experience where a locksmith charges an exorbitant $650 fee to break into her home (12:52).
- Emotional Impact: Nicole expresses her frustration and embarrassment, vowing never to repeat the mistake and highlighting the emotional toll it took, including triggering a migraine (07:28 & 09:38).
Notable Quote:
Nicole: "They had to break open the door because he tried to pick the lock... It was one of those things that’s late at night, you want to get it done." (08:58)
3. Airline Status Competition
Ria and Nicole engage in a lively discussion about their ongoing competition to achieve higher airline loyalty statuses, a quest driven by the perks and recognition that come with elite memberships.
Key Highlights:
- Current Status Levels: Ria boasts about reaching platinum status, while Nicole is ambitiously pushing toward diamond status, creating a friendly rivalry (20:24).
- Account Management Issues: Nicole recounts past mishaps with having multiple SkyMiles accounts, complicating her progress towards higher statuses (21:05).
- Future Plans: Both hosts express determination to maintain and upgrade their statuses, envisioning how it will enhance their travel experiences (24:42).
Notable Quote:
Rhea: "Your worst nightmare is my worst nightmare." (18:07)
4. Celebrity News
a. Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco’s Engagement
Ria and Fran celebrate the joyous news of Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s engagement, providing an in-depth analysis of the couple's relationship and the public's reaction.
Key Highlights:
- Engagement Details: The couple’s intimate and low-key engagement party is described, highlighting the elegance of Selena’s ring and the personal touches, such as the inclusion of Taco Bell, a nod to their shared love (31:36).
- Public Reaction: The hosts note the supportive comments from celebrities like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Aniston on Selena’s Instagram, underscoring the genuine happiness surrounding the union (34:18).
- Relationship Validation: Initially met with skepticism, the relationship has proven its strength, leading to widespread acceptance and celebration from fans and peers alike (32:11).
Notable Quote:
Rhea: "At first everyone had a lot to say about this relationship, but you can't deny the love that you can feel the happiness between the two of them." (32:25)
b. Joe Burrow’s House Break-In
The discussion shifts to Joe Burrow, a prominent NFL star, who recently faced a traumatic house break-in. The incident brings to light speculations about his private life and relationship with Olivia Ponton.
Key Highlights:
- The Incident: Olivia Ponton, Burrow’s alleged girlfriend and his personal assistant, reported the break-in, raising questions about their relationship status and Burrow’s privacy (35:28).
- Privacy Concerns: Burrow expresses his frustration over the invasion of his privacy, highlighting the challenges celebrities face in maintaining personal boundaries (36:08).
- Speculative Relationship Status: The hosts discuss ongoing rumors and the lack of concrete information about whether Burrow and Ponton are still together (36:28).
Notable Quote:
Nicole: "I will be at platinum status, but not diamond like you. It kind of just makes me sick to my stomach a little bit." (21:00)
c. James Kennedy’s Arrest for Domestic Violence
Ria and Fran report on James Kennedy’s recent arrest for domestic violence, sharing details about the incident and expressing disappointment over his actions.
Key Highlights:
- The Incident: Kennedy was involved in an altercation with a woman at Kathy Hilton’s Christmas party, leading to his arrest and a $20,000 bail (47:30).
- Public Reaction: The hosts condemn the behavior, emphasizing the seriousness of domestic violence and expressing concern for the victim’s well-being (49:00).
- Legal Proceedings: The case is under review by the attorney’s office for possible charges, with officials deeming it a misdemeanor (49:04).
Notable Quote:
Fran: "It's just pathetic. It's extremely disappointing." (49:17)
d. Austin Butler Cast in American Psycho
The hosts discuss Austin Butler’s casting in a new adaptation of "American Psycho," exploring what this means for the iconic role originally portrayed by Christian Bale.
Key Highlights:
- Casting Decision: Butler replaces previous contenders like Jacob Elordi, with director Luca Guadagnino supporting the choice due to Butler’s exceptional audition performance (51:07).
- Character Interpretation: Ria speculates on Butler’s portrayal and appearance, debating how he will embody the complex character of Patrick Bateman (54:53).
- Director’s Vision: The duo expresses confidence in Guadagnino’s direction, anticipating a fresh take on the classic narrative (53:56).
Notable Quote:
Nicole: "I'm very excited. I actually think Austin Butler is gonna crush that." (51:11)
e. Reboot of Friday Night Lights
Ria and Fran announce the revival of the beloved series "Friday Night Lights," providing insights into the new adaptation and its potential storyline.
Key Highlights:
- New Adaptation: Peacock secures the rights to produce a fresh series, helmed by original showrunner Jason Katims, set against the backdrop of Texas high school football (59:17).
- Plot Overview: The new series focuses on a high school football team striving for a state championship amid the challenges posed by a devastating hurricane, positioning the sport as a unifying force for the community (60:22).
- Audience Expectations: While acknowledging the legacy of the original, the hosts express optimism about the new series retaining the heartfelt essence of the franchise (61:10).
Notable Quote:
Rhea: "Football saves the day once again in Texas." (60:22)
5. Game Segment: Beat Ria & Fran Game 154
Adding an interactive twist, the episode features "Beat Ria & Fran Game 154," a trivia segment where listeners can participate and test their knowledge. Guests Nicole and Amy joined for a series of entertaining questions ranging from pop culture trivia to classic movie lines.
Notable Moments:
- Selena Gomez’s Engagement: Quick congratulations and playful banter about Selena’s happiness.
- Airline Status Rivalry: Continued friendly competition between Ria and Nicole regarding their Delta SkyMiles statuses.
- Trivia Fun: Engaging questions on "Mean Girls," "Friends," Taylor Swift theories, and more, contributing to the episode’s lively atmosphere.
Sample Quote:
Nicole: "Congratulations to Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco. An engagement. So happy for them." (31:36)
6. Closing Remarks
As the episode wraps up, Ria and Fran reiterate their excitement for upcoming events, including Fran’s attendance at a Rare Beauty event featuring Martha Stewart and Ria’s pursuit of platinum airline status. They encourage listeners to stay tuned for new episodes and share their enthusiasm for holiday festivities.
Notable Quote:
Rhea: "Hopefully, Fran meets Martha Stewart and I get my platinum status and we'll be on our way." (89:20)
Conclusion
This episode of "Chicks in the Office" encapsulates a blend of personal anecdotes, celebrity updates, and engaging discussions, all underscored by the hosts' dynamic chemistry. From navigating holiday shopping to celebrating celebrity milestones and addressing serious news, Ria and Fran deliver a well-rounded and entertaining listen that keeps their audience informed and entertained.
Interested in more episodes? You can find "Chicks in the Office" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Prime Members enjoy ad-free listening on Amazon Music.
Timestamp Guide:
- 01:30 – Urgency of holiday shopping
- 01:34 – Macy’s Gift Guide
- 01:51 – Nicole’s Ugg slippers recommendation
- 03:00 – Nicole’s locked-out story begins
- 07:28 – Details about the locksmith incident
- 08:58 – Nicole discusses payment and mishap
- 12:52 – Discussing the $650 locksmith fee
- 21:00 – Nicole’s airline status competition
- 24:42 – Future airline status aspirations
- 31:36 – Announcing Gomez & Blanco’s engagement
- 32:25 – Public perception of celebrity relationships
- 35:28 – Joe Burrow’s house break-in details
- 36:08 – Burrow on privacy invasion
- 47:30 – James Kennedy’s arrest discussion
- 51:07 – Austin Butler in American Psycho
- 53:56 – Director’s vision for American Psycho
- 59:17 – Rebooting Friday Night Lights
- 60:22 – New series’ focus on Texas football
- 61:10 – Ria and Fran’s excitement for upcoming events
- 89:20 – Final wishes for Fran and Ria’s achievements
Note: Timestamps are indicative based on the provided transcript and are used to reference notable quotes and sections.