Podcast Summary: Chicks in the Office

Episode: VMAs Roundup, Harry Styles & Zoë Kravitz PDA + 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' E9 Recap
Hosts: Ria & Fran (Barstool Sports)
Release Date: September 8, 2025

Overview

In this lively episode, Ria and Fran bring their signature banter and millennial humor to a jam-packed run-through of recent pop culture moments. They cover highlights from the VMAs—including standout (and questionable) performances, notable celebrity no-shows, and reactions to the current state of award shows. The Chicks break down a weekend full of New York City celebrity romances, discuss the latest episode of ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’, and share their weekly entertainment Watch Report. It’s a high-energy chat that keeps listeners in the loop on pop culture’s hottest (and sometimes messiest) happenings.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Lady Gaga Concert & VMAs Preparation

[02:19 – 11:39]

• Lady Gaga’s MSG Show:

  • Ria describes the Saturday night concert as the “best concert I’ve ever been to,” with both marveling at the Broadway-level production and immersive storytelling.

    “It is a whole Broadway production... I really just had no words. Like, I was left speechless and my wrists were hurting from the amount of paws I was putting up.” - Ria [05:37]

  • Gaga pre-recorded her VMA performances during the concert, confusing some fans in the audience.
  • Lot of merch talk—the Chicks compare purchases, with Ria laughing about snatching up “three different shirts, [a] sweatshirt, [and] a tank top.”
  • Both praise Gaga’s ability to create community (“put your paws up!”) and the importance of seeing everything in an arena setting.

• Personal Weekend Recount:

  • Recaps on football’s return and events in Savannah, including gourmet meals, riding a mechanical bull (Noah’s misadventure), and wedding stories.
  • Observations on crowd mix (Jets game plus Gaga fans) and the energy in NYC.

2. VMA Awards Recap & Reactions

[35:44 – 52:03]

• Evolving Nature of Award Shows:

  • Fran notes a shift: “Now you watch the VMAs and... the best reaction they’re getting from the crowd is Frankie Grande,” highlighting a lack of A-listers compared to past years.

    “You don’t have Taylor Swift dancing in the front row.” – Fran [36:38]

  • Both poke fun at Frankie Grande’s perennial presence as “the ultimate Nepo sibling.” [37:33]
  • More note on the nostalgia of not recognizing newer artists—a generational shift is apparent.

• Performances & Highlights:

  • Praise for Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae (“the girlies...their performances were amazing”), and Ricky Martin’s energy.
  • Light roasting of Mariah Carey for “giving nothing” during her performance but acknowledging her hit catalog and iconic status.

    “Thank you for giving nothing during your performance. Honestly, I love Mariah because that seems to be par for the course.” – Ria [42:35]

  • Discussion of Ozzy Osbourne tribute by Youngblud—Ria skeptical about how much Youngblud emulates Ozzy (maybe a bit too much), but all agree he’s talented.
  • Express disappointment at the VMAs lacking flips and more dynamic acts:

    “There was a lack of flips at the VMAs...And I’ve been booning from the beginning. There is a movement happening on TikTok right now...” – Fran [47:23]

• Skepticism Towards Awards:

  • Chicks acknowledge, with humor, the transactional nature of award show appearances (“Lady Gaga was clearly paid to be there”).
  • Both say the awards themselves feel “fake” given only attending nominees seem to win.

3. Celebrity Couples Spotted in NYC

[52:03 – 61:16]

• Harry Styles & Zoë Kravitz Out and About:

  • The Chicks confirm sightings all over New York: “They’re not even trying to hide,” seen dining with Lenny Kravitz and holding hands everywhere.

    “In every single photograph, Harry is lending his nice blue jacket to Zoe. This is a couple.” – Ria [54:05]

• New Pairings and Speculation:

  • Austin Butler and Emily Ratajkowski seen on a date.
  • Olivia Jade and Glen Powell out for dinner—with Lori Loughlin joining, raising eyebrows about the seriousness of the pairing.
  • Madison Beer and Justin Herbert’s relationship: Ria notes it “makes sense”—a step up from Madison’s previous partners.
  • All observe that football players dating pop stars is very much in style right now (“Tony Romo/Carrie Underwood era, but now it’s everywhere”).

4. Jonas Brothers Christmas Movie & Online Discourse

[61:17 – 67:39]

• Announcement of their Christmas movie, coming November 14.
• Ria laughs off internet criticism labeling the brothers “broke” or calling the movie a cash grab:

  “All they want to do is spread cheers and people have something to say. Oh, they’re broke. No, they’re not.” – Ria [63:11]

• Discussion of negative Twitter and TikTok sentiment; Chicks advocate just letting people have “some Christmas joy.”
• Reflection on Jonas Brothers’ Disney reunion and nostalgia for their TV show.

5. White Lotus Season 4 Location Reveal

[67:51 – 70:27]

• Season 4 will be set in France, though it’s unclear what region.
• Chicks speculate on French Alps versus South of France, referencing Mike White’s comments about switching up the show’s coastal vibe.
• Discussion on whether the “Four Seasons” hotel trend will continue, and excitement at the prospect of “French hotel worker drama.”

6. Weekly Watch Report

[72:07 – 97:44]

• 'The Summer I Turned Pretty’ E9 Recap:

  • Ria and Fran discuss the mixed fan response to the Paris-focused episode, particularly Belly’s new storyline and lack of satisfying closure for Conrad/Belly fans.

    “I think they really tried to put that emphasis for Jeremiah too...even in that phone call when she was like, ‘I think I need this for myself,’ he’s like, ‘Well, don’t ever call me again.’” - Fran [79:02]

  • Fran hopes for a satisfying series wrap but worries about rushed pacing.

• Watch Report Quick Hits:

  • Noah rides a mechanical bull, and they recount Savannah bar antics.
  • Ria watches parts of a Lisa Rinna Lifetime movie; Fran is working through ‘My Life with the Walter Boys’ season 2; commentary about the mysterious real-life age of the lead actress goes viral.
  • Chime in quickly on “Beyond the Villa”—Ria calls it a “C minus show”—and Billy Joel’s documentary (“did not leave anything behind”).
  • Noah found new Spike Lee/Denzel movie “Highest to Lowest” and the comedy ‘Friendship’ both underwhelming.
  • Interest in seeing the horror movie “Weapons.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On VMAs Lacking Star Power:

  “Now you watch the VMAs and... the best reaction they’re getting from the crowd is Frankie Grande.” – Fran [36:32]

• On Mariah Carey’s Performance:

  “She’s the definition of logging onto your computer so it looks like you’re at work... and then moving the mouse around a little bit.” – Ria [43:14]

• On Youngblud’s Ozzy Performance:

  “I think Youngblud just studied Ozzy Osbourne and took his entire soul and personality.” – Ria [45:13]

• On Celebrity Couples:

  “Holding hands. In every single photograph, Harry is lending his nice blue jacket to Zoe. Like, this is a couple.” – Ria [54:25]

• On The Jonas Brothers' Christmas Movie Reaction:

  “All they want to do is spread cheers and people have something to say.” – Ria [63:11]

• On Summer I Turned Pretty’s Belly:

  “Belly only cares about herself the whole time. Belly doesn’t really give a shit about anyone but herself.” – Ria [81:17]
  “They’re kids, and they’re not gonna do the perfect thing every time.” – Fran [80:21]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Lady Gaga concert & VMAs setup: [02:19 – 11:39]
• VMAs recap & award show analysis: [35:44 – 52:03]
• NYC Celebrity couples: [52:03 – 61:16]
• Jonas Brothers Christmas movie reaction: [61:17 – 67:39]
• White Lotus France location speculation: [67:51 – 70:27]
• Weekly Watch Report including TSITP E9 recap: [72:07 – 97:44]

Tone and Style

The Chicks keep the podcast fun, conversational, and full of the energetic, sarcastic, and sometimes slightly self-deprecating tone that their listeners love. There are plenty of running jokes (especially about aging millennial pop fans, fantasy football, and New York night life), and their takes are both critical and affectionate.

Closing

This episode is a whirlwind pop culture round-up, offering listeners relatable commentary, genuine laughs, and the feeling of catching up with friends who always have the inside scoop. Whether it’s dissecting the VMAs’ faded glamor, tracking celebrity PDA, or obsessing over their current favorite TV shows, Ria and Fran deliver the ultimate Monday pop culture catch-up.

“Put your motherfucking paws up, baby. Woo woo woo woo. Hi, my little monsters.” – Ria [02:19]