Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Episode: Two Guys, Five Rings: Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir
Date: January 24, 2026

Episode Overview

In this vibrant episode, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang—aka "your culture consultants"—dive into all things Olympics, pop-culture, and friendship with special guests and iconic figure skating duo Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir. The discussion covers their rise as beloved commentators, their forays into non-skating events, the importance of authenticity in their partnership, personal reflections on being in unexpected spaces, and their joint experience on the reality show "The Traitors". Expect a playful, insightful, and fashion-filled journey through sports, entertainment, and what it means to make your own lane in culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction: Pairing Up and Opposites (00:11–02:22)

• Matt and Bowen riff on the idea of pairings—from melodies to dynamic duos, setting the stage for their guests.
• Banter on the similarities and differences between theater, music, and sports.
  • Memorable line (Bowen, 00:38): "Theater is the opposite of sports."
• They draw a playful parallel between their own duo energy and that of Tara and Johnny, teeing up the main guests: “The two and only Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir.” (02:22)

Tara and Johnny's Origin Story: Finding a Kindred Spirit (03:18–05:40)

• How their partnership began:
  • Tara and Johnny were initially solo commentators for women’s and men’s figure skating, respectively, at NBC.
  • Their friendship sparked while sitting in a hallway discussing handbags before the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
  • After that impromptu connection, they pitched NBC to let them commentate together, leading to an audition and subsequent joint coverage at Sochi.
  • Tara (04:23): “By the end of that conversation, we said, we need to pitch NBC that we commentate together. And this was right before the 2014 Olympics.”
• Johnny on instant rapport despite skating's cutthroat culture:
  • “For some reason, when Tara and I met, I didn’t feel any of that. There was no competitiveness. It was just pure love…to actually share a career and something we love with the world and do it sitting next to our best friend…so magical.” (04:51)

Breaking Out of the Skating World: New Challenges, New Stages (05:41–09:18)

• Transitioning beyond figure skating:
  • After Sochi, their popularity surged, leading to broader roles—commentating at the Kentucky Derby, Super Bowl, National Dog Show, and more.
  • Tara (07:00): “We show up everywhere you think we should have been, and somehow we just have to learn and figure out what we’re doing…”
  • Johnny (08:01): Shares the experience of being “slighter and tinier than most” at Super Bowl media day, and the unique reactions they receive from unlikely fans, like LA motorcyclists.
  • They credit their chemistry and mutual support for being willing to try new things: “We love having fun and experiencing new things, and it’s easy when we’re together…we find the fun and humor in everything.” (08:18)

Fashion at the Olympics: Process and Philosophy (09:18–11:12)

• Bowen asks about their Milan Olympics fashion prep.
  • After years of partnership, their telepathic coordination means they often show up with matching or complementary styles, even when not discussing outfits.
  • Tara (09:44): “We will show up…we weren’t allowed to talk to each other [on Traitors]…and we showed up in white and black.”
  • They shop months in advance and travel with up to 20 suitcases, mixing and matching pieces at the hotel, always sharing elements for each broadcast.
  • “We always do a gold look that we look forward to, but we have a Traders nod coming at you guys for this year.” (10:38)

Authenticity, Pressure, and Pushing Boundaries (11:23–15:29)

• Bowen and Matt reflect on why Tara and Johnny fit in niche or unexpected spaces.
  • Both come from humble beginnings outside Philadelphia.
  • Johnny discusses the perfectionist culture of elite skating and how it forged resilience and adaptability: “To be a figure skater, you have to be a little bit of a perfectionist and a little bit competitive, at least.” (13:06)
  • He credits becoming an entertainer with learning to “take it on the chin … if we’re not great at it, we can laugh our way through it.”
  • Tara (14:20): Emphasizes the power of authenticity in both their skating and commentary: “…we always just felt like we have to be our most authentic selves… it feels like a safe space that we’re allowed to do that.”

Figure Skating’s Changing Culture (15:29–16:36)

• Shifts in the sport: Tara describes how new personalities and openness have broadened the scope of what’s acceptable.
  • Tara (15:39): “We call them the Big Three … they all have such different personalities.” She praises Isabel Levito, Amber Glenn, and Alyssa Liu for bringing perseverance, authenticity, and fun.
  • The sport is evolving for the better, more welcoming to diverse personalities.

Local Lore: Delaware Skating Connection (16:36–17:46)

• A nod to regional fame: Matt asks Tara about training in Newark, Delaware, confirming local rumors.
• Johnny (17:12): Reflects on University of Delaware as the “number one training facility” of their era. “More than you would expect have come through Newark, Delaware.”

The Traitors: Inside Reality TV Dynamics (18:03–27:36)

• The Faithfuls’ Experience: Tara and Johnny discuss strategizing as “faithfuls,” reacting to seeing conversations in the “turret” for the first time as viewers.
  • Insights on contestant Rob, whose laid-back attitude and surprise gameplay were “iconic.” (18:45)
  • Tara (18:45): “Rob blows my mind … in the castle, he was just so laid back.”
  • Overwhelmed and disoriented at times, Johnny jokes about being “traumatized” by the experience and worrying about hair and makeup (19:45).
  • Both describe the castle as alternately “traumatizing and terrifying” but also fun and healing, given their unusual childhoods as skaters.
  • Johnny (21:39): “Anytime you give us…an Easter egg hunt or a conga line, like, we’re both going to give it our all because we didn’t get to do it.”
• Handling Reality TV Secrets:
  • Refuse to share how long the “castle” drive is, referencing strict NDAs.
  • Matt compliments their “gold medal” adherence to NDA rules (22:36).
• Strategizing Relationship Concealment: Upon entering “The Traitors,” they tried to downplay their friendship.
  • Tara: “I thought he was being way too friendly. So I really give him the cold shoulder of like, nice to meet you, sir.” (23:09)
• Starstruck Moments (or Not):
  • Neither is particularly starstruck, often not following reality TV or pop culture closely.
  • Johnny: “I really don’t follow pop culture a lot…” (23:43)
  • Most impressed by the castle itself.
• Organic Friendships: Tara bonds with Candace outside of Housewives lore, reflecting the importance of meeting people as they are.
  • Tara (26:31): “I just know who I met. The human in front of me that I…grew a friendship with, and now we talk about our babies, and I still haven’t watched any of the shows…”

Closing Banter: Milan, Wine, and Friendship (27:36–29:15)

• Talk of future meetups in Milan, prioritizing pasta, wine, and future episodes.
• Exchanges jokes about possibly “forgetting” to report on these future adventures, rounding out with their signature irreverence and light heartedness.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Bowen (00:38): “Theater is the opposite of sports.”
• Tara (04:23): “This is my soulmate in life, and I love you.”
• Johnny (04:51): “It’s so rare…to find someone like that, but from where we come from, even more rare.”
• Tara (07:00): “We show up everywhere you think we should have been, and somehow we just have to learn and figure out what we're doing…”
• Matt (11:23): “You guys stand out in this outstanding way…pushing things forward in terms of people projecting certain ideas onto you.”
• Johnny (13:06): “To be a figure skater, you have to be a little bit of a perfectionist and a little bit competitive, at least.”
• Tara (14:20): “We have to be our most authentic selves. We have to say what we feel, whether…it’s for the entertainment of it all and to have fun or to call out a judging panel.”
• Johnny (21:39): “Anytime you give us like...an Easter egg hunt or a conga line, like, we’re both going to give it our all because we didn’t get to do it.”
• Tara (23:09): “I thought he was being way too friendly. So I really give him the cold shoulder of like, nice to meet you, sir.”
• Tara (26:31): “I just know who I met. The human in front of me…”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:11–02:22: Matt and Bowen’s musical and duo banter; intro to guests
• 03:18–05:40: Tara and Johnny’s origin as a duo and chemistry
• 05:41–09:18: Breaking out of figure skating; new pop culture frontiers
• 09:18–11:12: Olympics fashion planning and execution
• 11:23–15:29: Authenticity, pressure, and boundary-breaking in career and sport
• 15:29–16:36: Evolution within figure skating—The “Big Three”
• 16:36–17:46: Delaware skating lore and local pride
• 18:03–27:36: Reality TV: The Traitors—secrets, strategy, and cast dynamics
• 27:36–29:15: Conclusion—future plans for Milan, wines, and enduring friendships

Takeaways

• Tara and Johnny’s on-air magic is rooted in genuine friendship, authenticity, and resilience developed in the demanding world of figure skating.
• Their forays into mainstream pop culture highlight the power of stepping outside comfort zones and being willing to laugh through uncertainty.
• The episode balances inside-skating nostalgia, commentary on reality TV’s weirdness, and the reminder that sometimes standing out—and supporting each other while you do—is the best way to win the gold.

Listeners are left with the infectious optimism and camaraderie of all four personalities—ready for more culture, more Milan, and more "looks, looks, looks."