Chicks in the Office – Episode Summary

Podcast: Chicks in the Office (Barstool Sports)
Episode: Taylor Swift & Blake Lively’s Texts Shading Justin Baldoni, Oscar Noms + Alix Earle Reality Show
Date: January 23, 2026
Hosts: Rhea & Fran
Occasional Guests: Noah, Megan, Sarah

Episode Overview

In this episode, Rhea and Fran deliver their signature Friday energy live from a cozy hotel room in Los Angeles. The episode covers the latest in pop culture and entertainment, including Harry Styles’ newly announced world tour (with a special focus on his MSG dates), the internet buzz around Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s leaked texts (and their legal implications), a hot rundown of this year’s Oscar nominations, and Alix Earle’s upcoming Netflix reality show. The hosts maintain their fun-loving, sharp-witted tone while dissecting these stories, and round out the show with their much-loved trivia segment.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. Harry Styles’ MSG Takeover & World Tour (11:52 – 22:20)

• Harry Styles announces world tour with central stops: Amsterdam, London, Brazil, Mexico City, NYC (30 nights at Madison Square Garden), Melbourne, Sydney.
  • Rhea jokes: “My guy is coming for Billy Joel. He does not care about the King of Long Island. He’s saying, buckle up, Billy...” (12:17)
• Hosts break down the unusual format: Rather than traditional one-night city stops, Harry is “camping out” in major hubs—especially NY.
• NYC area fans are thrilled; LA fans feel left out, as there’s not even a listening party.
• Discussion about the exclusivity of MSG shows and speculation about Harry trying to break Billy Joel’s venue record.
• Fun tangent: The possibility of running into Harry and Zoe Kravitz in New York, with Rhea daydreaming: “You will catch me up and down those streets during those months…” (22:16)

2. Celebrity Sightings & Manifestations (19:15 – 25:22)

• Rhea vents about never running into celebrities, referencing others’ random Target run-ins with Fetty Wap.
• Fran teases Rhea: “You’re getting this worked up over people running into Fetty Wap. Like, I can’t.”
• Hopeful manifesting: “Your time will come, Rhea. Your time will come.” (27:18)

3. Oscar Nominations Deep Dive (27:29 – 49:06)

• “Sinners” gets 16 nominations, leading the pack.
• Mixed emotions about “F1” being nominated for Best Picture. Fran: “F1 Oscar nominated Best Picture… I haven’t seen it, so I guess I really can’t say.” (28:31)
• Snubs & upsets:
  • Chase Infinity missing out for Best Actress.
  • Jesse Plemons (Hamnet) omitted.
  • Elle Fanning (“Sentimental Value”) scores her first nom; Dakota still has none.
• Major categories discussed (with opinions on who should win):
  • Best Actor: Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Ethan Hawke, Wagner Moura.
  • Best Actress: Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve, Emma Stone.
• New Oscar category for Best Casting and whether it’ll just correlate with acting winners.
• “This was really a great year for movies…some of my favorite ever.” (48:44)

4. Alix Earle’s Netflix Reality Show Announcement (49:29 – 52:33)

• Alix Earl confirms her family will star in a Netflix “unscripted” series (i.e., reality show).
  • Rhea: “We’ve seen this done before with the Kardashians… I just hope for the best for those young kids.” (50:01)
• The hosts reflect on the high entertainment value of the Earle family and wish them well.

5. Taylor Swift & Blake Lively’s Leaked Texts: Celebrity Privacy & Court Drama (52:34 – 68:13)

• The newly unsealed texts (originating from Blake Lively’s team as part of ongoing lawsuits around the “It Ends With Us” movie & drama with Justin Baldoni) are discussed at length.
  • Fran: “It just feels like really the most invasion of privacy.” (53:29)
• Taylor and Blake’s friendship strain is laid bare, including Taylor’s disappointed and personal texts.
• Additional group texts with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Ryan Reynolds, etc., cited—demonstrating how stressed the production became.
  • Fran reads out: “The stories are already finding their place in the pantheon of legendary Hollywood insanity…” (58:40)
• Discussion of court public opinion vs. facts: Social media overwhelmingly “Team Baldoni” despite damning language from former colleagues (like Jenny Slate, who labeled him a “false ally, fraud, and the biggest clown”).
• Rhea: “The way that social media is still reacting to all this is, like, flooded with ‘I believe Justin, Team Baldoni’…” (67:10)

6. Lightning Round Pop Culture Updates

• Jacob Elordi & Margot Robbie’s chemistry on and off screen.
• Wicked/Wicked for Good Oscar snubs.
• The rise of animated features like K-Pop Demon Hunters and Zootopia 2.
• Musings on casting and movie trends.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Harry Styles tour announcement fangirling:

  • “He’s coming for the big banner… He doesn’t care about the piano man. He’s Harry Styles.” (12:26 – Rhea)

• On Zoe Kravitz–Harry Styles romance rumor:

  • “Welcome to the club, sweetheart. Like, come on.” (20:59 – Rhea, on Page Six reporting Zoe called Harry her soulmate)

• On the mess of the Taylor/Blake/Justin Baldoni situation:

  • “No wonder Taylor Swift and Blake’s relationship is strained right now, because I’m sure that Blake was like, ‘Well, I need to include this. It’s a massive part of the story…’” (55:51 – Fran)
  • “There is no world in which Taylor Swift is okay with her text messages being out in the world right now.” (56:40 – Rhea)

• On the Oscars “money games” and F1’s out-of-nowhere Best Picture nomination:

  • “I don’t know what money they put behind that one, but a battle after another.” (29:03 – Rhea)

• Fran on Dakota Fanning never being nominated for an Oscar:

  • “What has Dakota done that’s been Oscar worthy?” (39:16 – Fran)

• On the implications of celebrity group chats being made public:

  • “Reading this, I’m like, oh, no. I just think everybody thought, like, my god, please no one ever sue me where my text messages have to be…I have to be out in the public like this, because…it’s a disaster.” (55:49 – Fran)

• Discussing Ryan Reynolds’ tone in leaked emails:

  • “Ryan Reynolds never drops the act.” (59:18 – Rhea)
  • “It must be exhausting having that level of fame and…being fairly widely regarded as like, a good guy…” (59:49 – Fran)

Trivia Segment Highlights (70:32 – End)

• The episode ends with a spirited round of “Beat Ria & Fran” against Sarah and Megan (sisters).
• Sample questions:
  • What does the DJ from Full House stand for? (“Donna Jo” – 72:19)
  • What color is Arnold’s tiny hat? (“Blue” – 72:44)
  • What was Ken's renaming of Barbie's Dreamhouse? (“Mojo Dojo Casa House” – 75:37)
• The game ends with a nail-biting overtime, with the contestants clinching the win on a Parasite trivia answer (first foreign language film to win Best Picture).

Key Segment Timestamps

• Harry Styles World Tour: 11:52 – 22:20
• Celebrity Sightings Tangent: 19:15 – 25:22
• Oscars Discussion: 27:29 – 49:06
• Alix Earle Reality Show: 49:29 – 52:33
• Taylor Swift & Blake Lively Text Leak: 52:34 – 68:13
• Trivia (“Beat Ria & Fran”): 70:32 – End

Tone & Closing Thoughts

Upbeat, pop-culture savvy, and occasionally irreverent, the episode is packed with fan energy and inside jokes—particularly for loyal listeners who track awards season, celebrity gossip, and TikTok/influencer culture. Rhea and Fran balance snarky commentary and genuine excitement, especially regarding the Grammys and Harry Styles’ tour. Their take on the Taylor/Blake/Justin drama walks the line between empathy for the stars’ privacy and fascination with the behind-the-scenes revelations.

Closing Words:

“We are headed back on tour and we want to see your beautiful faces there… We love you so very much, and we’ll talk to you on Monday.” (93:06 – Rhea)

End of Summary