Girls Gotta Eat: The Snack — 2025’s Best Pop Culture Moments with Kevin “KFC” Clancy

Podcast: Girls Gotta Eat (Dear Media)
Episode: The Snack — 2025’s Best Pop Culture Moments
Guests: Ashley Hesseltine, Rayna Greenberg, Kevin “KFC” Clancy
Date: December 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This special year-end edition of "The Snack" brings on Kevin Clancy (aka KFC) — Barstool Sports OG, pop culture commentator, and host of KFC Radio — to recap the wildest, weirdest, and most iconic moments in pop culture throughout 2025. The conversation is freewheeling, irreverent, and packed with both sharp insight and running jokes, as Ashley and Rayna banter with their long-time friend (and first full guest ever on The Snack). Topics range from viral internet phenomena and reality TV scandals to major breakups and celebrity shenanigans, with an emphasis on humor, relatability, and that classic GGE tone: comedic, candid, and always pop culture-obsessed.

Meet the Guest: Kevin “KFC” Clancy

[02:02–03:53]

• KFC reflects on his long-running podcast "KFC Radio," the shifting media landscape, and its upcoming conclusion after 15 years.
• He discusses how the show evolved through multiple co-hosts and formats, and the bittersweetness of saying goodbye:

  "It's almost like the seven stages of grieving in a way… I was not expecting [the outpouring of love] because most Barstool fans hate me." — KFC (04:11)

• The moment resonates with Ashley, who compares it to her own major life pivots.

Pop Culture Hot Takes & “One Minute Man”

[05:05–09:16]

• KFC shares origins of his breakout social commentary series "One Minute Man," and how the pivot to short-form video mirrors his taste and the culture's evolution:

  “I think people are so sick of the extremes… Being normal has been my mantra forever, and I’m hoping now you can cash in on that.” — KFC (07:52)

• The group discusses the rise of “rage bait,” the noisy (but tiny) loudmouths dominating internet discourse, and staying grounded in a world of extremes.

“Walking It Back”: KFC’s Approach to Mistakes

[09:27–11:41]

• Discussion of KFC’s willingness to publicly walk back a hot take — notably about Jimmy Kimmel — and how growth means admitting when you’re wrong.
• Notable funny complaint:

  “The first video did, like, 750,000, and the second one did, like, 250,000. There’s half a million people out there who saw that one… and not the new one.” — KFC (10:38)

Should Comedians & Podcasters Have Power? (Politicization of Everything)

[12:04–13:33]

• All agree: the culture’s obsession with comedians and podcasters weighing in on political matters is, well, a lot.
• KFC:

  "I don't know where all of a sudden we determined that comics are the new philosophers... Should we also be impacting elections? I don't know." (12:20–13:27)

Chronological Recap of 2025’s Pop Culture Bombshells

TikTok “Shutdown” Meltdown

[13:43–14:26]

• The year began in chaos as TikTok was (temporarily) banned—sparking apocalyptic vibes, career panic, and, per Ashley:

  “We were in LA and it… felt like the world was ending. I was like, I think the world is ending now.”

Super Bowl: Eagles Win, But It’s All About Kendrick’s Jeans

[14:48–16:15]

• Eagles win big; Kendrick’s questionable bootcut jeans moment goes viral.
• Hilarious takes on short kings in bell bottoms:

  “The last thing he should be doing is… truncating his legs.” — Rayna (15:21)
  “He could have worn whatever. People were like, where can I get those jeans?… Why?” — KFC (15:13)

“White Lotus” Season 3 — Unhinged TV

[16:57–17:56]

• Season described as “polarizing” and “uniting the country.”

  “The hand job heard around the world.” — Ashley (17:13)

April’s Viral Girls Trip to Space

[18:04–19:31]

• Celebrity space flight mocked for being over-the-top and oversold as a feminist moment.
• KFC:

  “If they just said, like, this was an insanely unique experience… and what it really does is make me respect the people who are real astronauts…” (19:09)

Katy Perry, Album Flop, Odd PR Moves

[19:35–20:39]

• General consensus: Katy flopped musically, but her random associations keep her in the news.
• KFC notes how, sometimes, “people just don’t like you.”

Delco Pooper & the American Pope

[21:10–22:31]

• KFC’s viral education on the papal conclave:

  “That might have been, like, my most actual, like, contribution… Broadcasting live from the Vatican, I considered it.” (22:27–22:32)

Bill Belichick’s Bizarre Romance

[23:22–25:41]

• Everyone’s aghast at the Patriots coach’s relationship with 24-year-old Jordan Hudson:

  “She is Vanessa from the Little Mermaid… acts like it… one of the best comparisons of all time.” — KFC (23:35)
  “I feel like before this, like, I think it’s crazy when people tarnish their legacy like this.” — Ashley (25:08)

Karen Read Trial

[31:02–33:03]

• A murder trial obsesses Boston; the crew discusses media ethics, trial as spectacle, and social divisions.

Labubu Craze

[35:23–36:00]

• 2025’s toy mania: Labubu dolls. Resale excesses and parents’ nightmares.

The Coldplay CEO Scandal

[36:04–38:06]

• The undisputed meme event of the year.

  “It was the perfect storm… The band, the video, the kiss cam, the reaction, the story…” — KFC (36:07)
  “If you just say Astronomer CEO, people know.”
  "Nothing equals that, except maybe COVID," notes Rayna.

Taylor Swift & Travis “Tayvis” Engagement

[38:37–39:23]

• Even pilots announce it mid-flight — the ultimate culture moment.
• KFC:

  “It’s like, news. Breaking news. We have to make sure the world knows Taylor’s engaged.” (39:17)

Trump’s Escalator Debacle at the UN

[39:41–40:15]

• A new all-timer in political slapstick:

  “It might be one of the clips... that I’ve watched the most in my life.” — Rayna (39:53)

Louvre Heist

[40:41–41:38]

• An art theft right out of a movie.

  “They walked up this set of steps and scootered off.” (41:05)

Notable Awards Segment

[48:40–51:46]

• Worst Predator: Diddy wins for his “horrendous stuff.”
• Hero of the Year: Cardi B (for her legal win and general badassery), with 50 Cent as close runner-up.
• Anti-Hero(es): Phillies Karen, Coldplay CEO, Jordan Hudson.
• Quote of the Year: “I’m a mommy” and “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday,” with Rayna and Kevin debating the lore of viral one-liners.

Breakups & Unexpected Couples

[52:30–58:27]

• The hosts run down the year’s most surprising splits — from Jessica Simpson/Eric Johnson and Katy Perry/Orlando Bloom to Nicole Kidman’s “cocaine clause” and Amy Schumer’s “blah blah blah” divorce post.
• Unexpected pairings such as Liam Neeson & Pamela Anderson, JoJo Siwa & Chris Hughes, Katy Perry & Justin Trudeau, Billy Ray Cyrus & Elizabeth Hurley, and Jennifer Aniston & Jim Curtis draw laughter and disbelief.

  “He hypnotized her into being together. Imagine that. I’m actually a warlock.” — KFC (58:11)

In Memoriam: Rob Reiner

[58:31–59:43]

• Commentary on the passing of Rob Reiner and his wife, the impact of his work, and the love story behind the ending of “When Harry Met Sally.”

Other Major Moments & Closing

[59:51–62:26]

• Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld’s pregnancy:

  “It’s a little like Taylor and Travis, JV… Pop culture girly meets football guy.” — KFC (60:05)

• The upcoming reality show “Suddenly Amish” sparks disbelief and jokes.
• Rayna confuses Orthodox Jews with the Amish during a childhood anecdote, sparking a hilarious correction.

Notable Quotes & Classic Banter

• “Being normal has been my mantra forever, and I’m hoping now you can cash in on that.” — KFC (07:52)
• “Sometimes people just don’t like you… it kind of sucks.” — KFC on Katy Perry (20:13)
• “I don’t know where all of a sudden we determined that comics are the new philosophers…” — KFC (12:20)
• “If you just say Astronomer CEO, people know that that implies a Coldplay, a scandal, cheating…” — KFC (37:02)
• “It was the perfect storm… I have not seen something take over the Internet like that.” — KFC on Coldplay CEO (36:07)
• “He hypnotized her into being together. Imagine that. I’m actually a warlock.” — KFC on Jennifer Aniston’s new flame (58:11)
• “I would rather absolutely die than have my sexts read out loud in court.” — KFC (33:36)

Lightning Round: Mini-Awards

[48:40–51:46]

• Worst Predator: Diddy
• Hero: Cardi B, 50 Cent
• Anti-Heroes: Phillies Karen, Coldplay CEO
• Quote of the Year: “I’m a mommy”; “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday”

Additional Timestamps

• KFC on K-Pop Demon Hunters: [46:37–47:16]
• Coldplay CEO discussed: [36:04–38:06]
• Quote of the Year segment: [50:07–51:54]
• Breakups & Unexpected Couples: [52:30–58:27]

Episode Tone & Takeaways

• Comedic, rapid-fire, and deeply plugged-in. Ashley, Rayna, and KFC toggle between snark, sincerity, and generational perspective. The trio excels at elevating "silly" pop culture stories into reflections on identity, media ethics, fame, and the wonderful nonsense of modern life.
• Underlying Message: In a world of extremes and viral craziness, being “normal” is a virtue — and both humor and honest conversation help us process it all.

For More

• Kevin Clancy: @KFCBarstool on Instagram, soon-to-be new podcasts post-KFC Radio.
• Ashley & Rayna: @girlsgottaeatpodcast; rainagreenberg.com and ashleyhesseltine.com for tour tickets, more content, and vibesonly.com for signature “male sex toys.”
• “Tune in Mondays for regular Girls Gotta Eat, and Thursdays for The Snack!”

This summary skips advertisements and focuses entirely on pop culture content and key conversations, capturing the spirit and main beats of the episode for listeners and new fans alike.