Las Culturistas – Episode: "GALAXY" (June 4, 2025)

Hosts: Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Produced by: Big Money Players Network and iHeartPodcasts

Introduction to "GALAXY"

In the “GALAXY” episode of Las Culturistas, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang embark on a cosmic journey through various facets of pop culture, blending humor with insightful commentary. The hosts delve into topics ranging from trendy summer snacks and gaming culture to ASMR phenomena and the expansive universe of Star Wars. This episode is a testament to their dynamic chemistry and deep understanding of contemporary cultural trends.

Snack of the Summer: Frozen Green Grapes

Matt Rogers kicks off the episode with enthusiasm about the new "snack of the summer."

• [01:00] Matt Rogers: "Flashback to last year, cucumbers with hot sauce were the snack of the summer. But this year, it's frozen green grapes. It's like eating dessert naturally."

Bowen Yang adds a poetic touch to the discussion:

• [02:41] Bowen Yang: "It's nature's jewelry in a way, don't you think?"

Matt Rogers humorously ties it into their cultural rules:

• [02:44] Matt Rogers: "Just like everyone's more beautiful with jewelry. It's rule culture number four, everyone. More beautiful jewelry."

The hosts agree on the ubiquity and appeal of frozen grapes, although a brief humorous debate ensues about the grape colors, showcasing their playful banter.

Gaming and Mario Party Discussions

The conversation seamlessly transitions into a discussion about gaming, specifically focusing on the Mario Party series.

Matt Rogers shares his limited experience with grocery shopping, humorously highlighting his reliance on convenience foods like rotisserie chicken for events:

• [04:18] Matt Rogers: "I'll go into the grocery store if I need to make buffalo chicken dip, basically."

Bowen Yang praises rotisserie chicken as a cultural staple:

• [05:06] Bowen Yang: "Think about how amazing rotisserie chicken is. The smell, the look. You skipped so many steps in so many recipes by buying rotisserie chicken."

They discuss the significance of rotisserie chicken in popular culture, joking about its omnipresence and debating its status as a cultural icon.

ASMR and Gentile Whispering

The hosts shift gears to discuss the ASMR phenomenon, spotlighting the Russian artist Gentile Whispering.

Bowen Yang introduces Gentile's background:

• [18:00] Bowen Yang: "Gentile Whispering, some call her the mother of ASMR. She was a victim of human trafficking before coming to America, and she shares her journey on her lifestyle blog, Sassy Masha."

Matt Rogers highlights Gentile's unique approach:

• [18:28] Matt Rogers: "She puts on a Russian accent in her ASMR videos because it tickles your brain. She consciously tweaks her grammar to maximize the ASMR effect."

Their discussion underscores the therapeutic and cultural impact of ASMR content creators like Gentile.

Star Wars Reviews: Andor and Last Jedi

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to reviewing Star Wars series and films.

Matt Rogers praises Andor, expressing disbelief at its quality:

• [22:58] Matt Rogers: "There are Andor people trying to rally the troops; they can't believe how good Andor is."

Bowen Yang counters with enthusiasm for Star Wars fandom:

• [23:37] Bowen Yang: "Believe it. You can't believe how good that was. You sound stupid. You've been watching good movies forever."

They also delve into The Last Jedi, discussing the popularity of the Porgs:

• [24:27] Bowen Yang: "I think everyone saw the Porg and was like, damn, that's cute. The Porg was a great invention and I believe it earns the film some sort of positive category."

Their engagement reflects deep familiarity with the Star Wars universe and its evolving lore.

The Culture Awards and Branding Ideas

Transitioning from discussions to creative brainstorming, Matt and Bowen explore ideas for their own Culture Awards and branding ventures.

Matt Rogers envisions the Culture Awards trophy:

• [29:30] Matt Rogers: "The trophy itself is called the Cult. When you see that bronzed West Elm doorstop over that cylindrical gold base, that is the culture."

Bowen Yang agrees and adds layers to the concept:

• [30:34] Bowen Yang: "The Cult should absolutely come to life in some way. It should have its own identity and personality."

The hosts creatively discuss franchising the Cult as a character, considering its potential for future expansions and brand identity.

Additionally, they brainstorm a hypothetical gum brand:

• [33:00] Matt Rogers: "Can we do chewing gum? Are you chewing Matt and Bowen? We should do chewing gum."

Bowen Yang suggests flavor ideas:

• [33:11] Bowen Yang: "Coconut lime, like your standard duos. Maybe strawberry banana."

Their playful ideation showcases their knack for blending humor with entrepreneurial spirit.

Survivor Season 50 Discussion

Matt and Bowen delve into the latest developments in the popular reality show Survivor.

Matt Rogers expresses disappointment over the absence of fan-favorites in Season 50:

• [42:03] Bowen Yang: "What do you think?"

• [42:06] Matt Rogers: "It's kinda nuts. I don't get bringing anyone back besides Camila."

Bowen Yang voices support for returning contestants:

• [43:52] Matt Rogers: "I prefer watching Suri again. She's incredible and easy to root for because she's so good."

They critique the casting decisions, expressing a desire for more engaging narratives and returning legends to enrich the show's dynamics.

"I Don't Think So, Honey" Segment

In their signature 60-second rant, Matt and Bowen address grievances within the culture.

Matt Rogers vents about Survivor casting choices:

• [51:21] Matt Rogers: "I don't think so, honey. You're not gonna put Jerry Manthay on Season 50 of Survivor. You're an idiot. You guys are wacko."

He enthusiastically dissects missed opportunities for character pairings and dynamic storytelling within the show.

Bowen Yang complements his co-host's fervor:

• [54:39] Bowen Yang: "I don't think so, honey. Travel. I don't want to leave my house."

Their energetic exchange highlights their passion for media representation and their candid approach to critiquing popular shows.

Closing Remarks and Future Projects

As the episode winds down, Matt and Bowen discuss upcoming projects and personal anecdotes.

Matt Rogers shares his experience presenting at the Gotham Awards:

• [40:24] Matt Rogers: "I acquitted myself. It was a really fun evening."

Bowen Yang mentions the taping schedule for future shows:

• [41:20] Bowen Yang: "We are taping the show on July 17th at the Orpheum in Los Angeles. It's on Bravo on August 5th and the next day on Peacock."

They also tease their involvement in future segments and potential collaborations, keeping listeners engaged with forthcoming content.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Rogers ([02:41]): "It's like eating dessert naturally."

• Bowen Yang ([18:00]): "Gentile Whispering, some call her the mother of ASMR."

• Matt Rogers ([22:58]): "Andor is huge in the Star Wars Community and beyond of all time."

• Bowen Yang ([33:11]): "Coconut lime, like your standard duos."

• Matt Rogers ([51:21]): "You guys are wacko."

Conclusion

The "GALAXY" episode of Las Culturistas is a vibrant exploration of diverse cultural elements, from snack trends and gaming to ASMR and expansive sci-fi narratives. Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang demonstrate their unique ability to intertwine humor with insightful analysis, offering listeners an engaging and comprehensive take on the ever-evolving cultural landscape. Their discussions not only entertain but also provoke thought, ensuring that Las Culturistas remains a staple for culture aficionados.