Podcast Summary: Every Outfit Episode 225 – "On And Just Like That: Carrie Golightly"

Introduction

In Episode 225 of the Every Outfit podcast, titled "On And Just Like That: Carrie Golightly," hosts Chelsea Fairless and Lauren Garrone delve deep into the third episode of Season Three of the popular series And Just Like That. The episode features guest appearances by Patrick Sandberg and Lauren Kramer, who join Chelsea and Lauren to offer their insights and critiques. The discussion begins with a heartfelt update from Chelsea about Lauren's maternity leave and the arrival of her adorable baby, setting a warm and personal tone for the episode.

Recap of "And Just Like That" Episode 3: Carrie Golightly

The episode begins with Carrie Golightly engaging in a Zoom meeting with her book editor, where she reveals that she's venturing into fiction writing. Her editor informs her about speaking opportunities at Google and South by Southwest (SxSW). This scene provides much-needed context regarding Carrie's current fame and the success of her memoir, Widowcon. Lauren Garrone notes, “[01:46] Lauren Garrone: You're going to be shocked to hear me say this, Chelsea, but I actually really appreciated this scene...” highlighting the significance of Carrie's growing recognition.

Carrie's reluctance to fully embrace these high-profile opportunities is evident as she opts to attend a seemingly obscure memoir panel in Williamsburg, Virginia, rather than leveraging the offers from Google and SxSW. This decision underscores Carrie's ongoing struggle between personal fulfillment and career advancement. Chelsea expresses confusion over Carrie's fame level, suggesting a more straightforward mention like being on the New York Times bestseller list would have sufficed to clarify her status.

The narrative then shifts to Carrie's lunch at the newly opened Hot Fellas brick-and-mortar location, which isn't performing well. Lauren speculates, “[03:12] Lauren Garrone: Yeah. Do we think it's not doing particularly well because LTW hasn't arrived with all the hot moms.” This sets the stage for exploring the dynamics of Carrie's social circles and business ventures.

The core storyline revolves around Carrie and her friend Seema's trip to Virginia to meet Aiden, Seema's boyfriend. Their journey is marked by Carrie’s attempt to secure Adderall for Aiden’s son, Wyatt, highlighting the pressures and ethical dilemmas Carrie faces. The hosts critique Carrie's manipulative behavior, comparing it to her past interactions with Mr. Big, revealing that Carrie hasn't significantly matured in her interpersonal relationships.

Seema's subplot involves her discovering that her boss, Elliot, is retiring and selling their mutual company to Ryan Serhan, a notable real estate agent from the Netflix show Selling Manhattan. This revelation prompts Seema to reevaluate her career path, considering leaving the company to pursue her own ventures. Lauren Kramer humorously explains, “[05:50] Lauren Garrone: Yeah, like, isn't there like a Veneta store in Williamsburg now, or am I making that up?” reflecting on the rapid changes in Williamsburg's commercial landscape.

Meanwhile, Charlotte grapples with work stress, feeling she’s missing out on sales due to familial obligations and her own decision to bring Harry to a clubbing outing. Their storyline injects humor and critique of the art world's often superficial dealings, as Charlotte attempts to facilitate a romantic encounter for a colleague, only to misinterpret intentions and face awkward outcomes.

Anthony's subplot introduces his venture, Hot Fellas, a store struggling to attract customers despite an initial successful launch day. His obsession with the store's aesthetic over functionality leads him to bizarre marketing tactics, such as selling his own body to attract attention, which Lauren Kramer finds both humorous and bewildering.

Analysis and Discussion

Chelsea and Lauren, joined by Patrick Sandberg and Lauren Kramer, offer a critical analysis of the episode. They express concerns over Carrie's persistent manipulative tactics and lack of character growth. At [04:14], Chelsea remarks, “Well, this is what Carrie does to her, quote unquote, fun friend,” highlighting Carrie's tendency to prioritize her desires over genuine connections.

The discussion also touches upon Seema's decision-making, with Lauren Kramer questioning Seema’s awareness of the signs indicating she should venture out on her own. Chelsea adds humor to the critique, noting Carrie's unrealistic use of luggage as a means to mask her ulterior motives during the trip.

Charlotte's storyline receives mixed reactions. While praising her comedic performance when she spirals into clubbing antics, the hosts criticize the unrealistic portrayal of sales tactics under the influence of substances. For instance, Charlotte ensures her clients, often under the influence of cocaine, make impulsive art purchases, which Chelsea finds implausible.

Anthony's endeavor with Hot Fellas becomes a point of amusement, especially his dissatisfaction with the store's clientele and his over-the-top marketing strategies, such as emphasizing the need for male genital prints on bread packaging to attract customers. Lauren Kramer humorously questions the viability of such marketing, stating, “[26:54] Lauren Garrone: Do we think that's product placement?”

Guest Insights: Patrick Sandberg & Lauren Kramer

Guests Patrick Sandberg and Lauren Kramer provide additional perspectives, often bringing humor and critical viewpoints to the discussion. Patrick expresses disbelief at Carrie's actions, comparing her behavior unfavorably to her previous relationship dynamics. Lauren Kramer echoes these sentiments, emphasizing that Carrie hasn't shown significant personal growth, remaining stuck in old patterns of manipulation and passive-aggressiveness.

The guests also critique the show's narrative choices, such as the portrayal of Seema's professional setbacks and the unrealistic scenarios presented. They discuss the lack of interconnectedness in character storylines, making the episode feel disjointed and unmoored.

Additional Topics

Beyond the episode recap, the hosts and guests explore various other topics:

1. Materialist – A24 Film Review:

   • Chelsea and Lauren discuss the A24 film Materialist, drawing parallels to Sex and the City. They compare Dakota Johnson's character Lucy to Carrie Bradshaw, highlighting the exploration of love intertwined with financial status. Lauren Kramer praises the film's truthful depiction of jaded love, stating, “[32:06] Lauren Garrone: But Chelsea, did I ever tell you that I once saw Matchmaker?”

2. Howard Stern Interview with Sarah Jessica Parker:

   • The hosts touch upon a controversial moment from Howard Stern's interview with Sarah Jessica Parker, discussing the authenticity and transparency of actors regarding their on-screen personas. They express skepticism over Parker's claims of not having watched her performances, debating the implications of an executive producer not fully engaging with their show's content.

3. Sabrina Carpenter Controversy:

   • A brief segment discusses the backlash against Sabrina Carpenter's new album cover, which depicts her kneeling with a man grabbing her hair. The hosts debate whether the image glamorizes violence against women or serves as a playful satire, ultimately defending Carpenter's artistic expression.

4. Cola Scola's Tony Win:

   • The podcast celebrates Cola Scola's unexpected Tony Award win, viewing it as a deserved acknowledgment of creative talent. They reminisce about past award ceremonies and express admiration for Scola's performance and journey in the theater world.

5. Paul Reubens Documentary – "Pee Wee as Himself":

   • A significant portion is dedicated to discussing Matt Wolf's documentary about Paul Reubens. The hosts and guests share their emotional reactions, recounting their memories of Pee Wee's Playhouse and reflecting on Reubens' personal and professional struggles. They praise the documentary's honest portrayal of Reubens' life, his relationships, and his creative genius, emphasizing its emotional depth and historical significance.

Conclusion

Episode 225 of Every Outfit offers a comprehensive and engaging analysis of And Just Like That's episode focusing on Carrie Golightly, intertwined with insightful discussions on broader pop culture topics. Chelsea, Lauren, Patrick, and Lauren Kramer provide a blend of humor, critique, and personal anecdotes, making the episode a rich listen for fans seeking deeper understanding and varied perspectives. The episode concludes with teasers for upcoming content, including a special mini hotline episode featuring Chelsea's wife Tatiana, promising further exploration of relationship and fashion queries.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Chelsea Fairless [00:04]: "I spent $40,000 on shoes."
• Lauren Garrone [01:46]: "You're going to be shocked to hear me say this, Chelsea, but I actually really appreciated this scene..."
• Chelsea Fairless [04:14]: "Well, this is what Carrie does to her, quote unquote, fun friend..."
• Lauren Garrone [05:50]: "Seema's gay oppressor boss is played by the actor John Glover."
• Lauren Kramer [32:25]: "I think if our approval hasn't sold you on this film, let me explain Materialist a different way."
• Chelsea Fairless [55:34]: "It builds characters, though, to watch bad musicals."
• Lauren Kramer [74:02]: "She's doing it to be very Addison, no matter what it is."

These quotes encapsulate key moments and opinions shared during the podcast, providing listeners with direct insights from the hosts and guests.