The Breakfast Club – "THE PEOPLE'S DONKEY" (May 1, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club, hosted by DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God (with Jess Hilarious absent from the aired portion), features the recurring Friday segment "The People's Donkey." Listeners are invited to call in and nominate anyone they feel deserves the "donkey" label for foolish behavior, including celebrities, public figures, and even the show’s own hosts. In this episode, the conversation is dominated by listener feedback on the new Michael Jackson biopic and criticism—especially of Charlamagne’s on-air conduct.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Listener Critique of the Michael Jackson Biopic (02:18–03:56)

Caller "Bon Irene" calls in to nominate everyone praising the recent Michael Jackson movie as her "donkey." She argues the film doesn't do his legacy justice:
- “I want to give the donkey to everybody who was saying the Michael Jackson film was great. Donkey. Donkey. All of them. All of them.” (02:25, Bon Irene)
- She describes the film as a "montage" of music videos and "very superficial."
Charlamagne Tha God admits he hasn't seen the movie yet but plans to, acknowledging that capturing such an iconic figure on screen is difficult:
- “I think it is hard to capture a larger than life character like that on screen.” (03:20)
DJ Envy defends the film, saying it covers important aspects of Michael’s life including his childhood, his relationship with his father, and his musical genius:
- “It showed him as a kid growing up, how his father used to beat him... It also showed why he loved animals...the moment where he stood up to his dad.” (03:31, Envy)
Lighthearted Banter: Charlamagne jokingly speculates about the origins of the "moonwalk" tied to Michael escaping a beating, stressing the comedic tone of the conversation.

2. Charlemagne Receives "Donkey" Nomination for On-Air Conduct (04:24–08:45)

Caller "Catherine" Criticizes Charlamagne (and Envy, to a lesser degree):

Catherine calls to nominate Charlamagne for "Donkey of the Day," pointing out how his handling of a caller discussing the weight loss drug Zepbound was insensitive:
- “You really dogged her out...You always talk about mental health and all of that. And this lady could have gone through trauma when she was younger...” (04:33–04:53, Catherine)
She accuses him of potentially hurting vulnerable listeners and suggests the show is too aggressive with personal questions.
Catherine humorously roasts Charlamagne’s pronunciation and short stature:
- “You talk about people saying act or ask. You write books, and you say library. Library has an R in it.” (05:40–05:49, Catherine)
- “When you go see the Michael movie, I think you need to get your little step stool...look in the mirror and make that change.” (05:54–06:15, Catherine)
She expresses her continued support for the show despite Charlamagne's style:
- “I do have a choice not to listen, but I still listen anyway and support because I love the show.” (06:51–06:58, Catherine)

Charlamagne and Envy Respond:

Charlamagne accepts the criticism with good humor:
- “Nothing you said is wrong and I'm not offended.” (08:45, Charlamagne)
- He stresses that he isn’t insulted by comments on his height or character, equating listener feedback with honesty.
Envy explains background processes, noting that producers usually screen calls, but technical issues allowed Catherine through unscreened.
Envy also shares his views on weight loss shots, suggesting some use them as an "easy way out":
- “A lot of people do use Ozempic and that is Zepound as alternative to actually going to the gym...for a lot of people it is an easy way out.” (08:48–08:59, Envy)
The hosts reiterate their approach is rooted in playful banter typical of their relationship with listeners.

3. Reflections on Listener-Host Dynamics & Mental Health (09:45–10:39)

Charlamagne defends the show’s ethos of roasting each other and listeners, emphasizing mutual respect and a culture of jokes:
- “Jokes are a part of having healthy mental health. The people that call into this show...I can dish it, I can take it. That’s the beauty of The Breakfast Club.” (10:02–10:18, Charlamagne)
The hosts share anecdotes about interacting with fans at events, noting how listeners playfully tease them in person as well:
- “You know how many people walk with me at the Black Effect Festival with jokes?” (10:20–10:24, Charlamagne)
Envy affectionately clarifies a recurring misconception about his ethnicity:
- “I’m not Dominican, by the way, everybody out there, Black Effect Festival, Envy, why you here? You Dominican? No, I’m not Dominican.” (10:26–10:31, Envy)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Bon Irene (on the Michael Jackson biopic):
- “It did not do him justice at all...I feel like it was a montage of, like, a music video...very superficial.” (02:49–03:20)
Envy (defending the film):
- “To say it's whack and trash, that's a stretch.” (03:56)
Catherine (roasting Charlamagne):
- “When you go to the bathroom in the morning, get up on it [a step stool] and look in the mirror and make that change.” (05:54–06:15)
Charlamagne (on criticism):
- “None of this offends me because it's true.” (07:01, 08:45)
Envy (on weight loss drugs):
- “Those shots, for a lot of people—not everybody—is a cop out.” (08:59)
Charlamagne (on show culture):
- “Jokes are a part of having healthy mental health...I can dish it, I can take it.” (10:02–10:18)

Important Timestamps

02:18: Caller Bon Irene criticizes the Michael Jackson movie.
03:31: Envy details what the movie includes about Michael’s life.
04:24: Catherine calls to give Charlamagne "donkey" for insensitivity.
05:40: Catherine delivers humorous jabs at Charlamagne’s speech and height.
06:58: Catherine expresses ongoing support for the show, despite her criticisms.
08:48: Envy explains his view on weight loss drugs as a shortcut.
10:02: Charlamagne explains the show's joking culture.

Episode Tone

The tone is classic Breakfast Club: direct, funny, and unapologetically blunt, with plenty of mutual roasting between hosts and callers. Even heated criticism is handled with humor and self-deprecation, reinforcing the show's "dangerous" but playful morning vibe.

Summary prepared for listeners who want the highlights and dynamic spirit of The Breakfast Club’s "THE PEOPLE'S DONKEY" segment (May 1, 2026).

The Breakfast Club – "THE PEOPLE'S DONKEY" (May 1, 2026)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Listener Critique of the Michael Jackson Biopic (02:18–03:56)

Caller "Bon Irene" calls in to nominate everyone praising the recent Michael Jackson movie as her "donkey." She argues the film doesn't do his legacy justice:
- “I want to give the donkey to everybody who was saying the Michael Jackson film was great. Donkey. Donkey. All of them. All of them.” (02:25, Bon Irene)
- She describes the film as a "montage" of music videos and "very superficial."
Charlamagne Tha God admits he hasn't seen the movie yet but plans to, acknowledging that capturing such an iconic figure on screen is difficult:
- “I think it is hard to capture a larger than life character like that on screen.” (03:20)
DJ Envy defends the film, saying it covers important aspects of Michael’s life including his childhood, his relationship with his father, and his musical genius:
- “It showed him as a kid growing up, how his father used to beat him... It also showed why he loved animals...the moment where he stood up to his dad.” (03:31, Envy)
Lighthearted Banter: Charlamagne jokingly speculates about the origins of the "moonwalk" tied to Michael escaping a beating, stressing the comedic tone of the conversation.

2. Charlemagne Receives "Donkey" Nomination for On-Air Conduct (04:24–08:45)

Caller "Catherine" Criticizes Charlamagne (and Envy, to a lesser degree):

Catherine calls to nominate Charlamagne for "Donkey of the Day," pointing out how his handling of a caller discussing the weight loss drug Zepbound was insensitive:
- “You really dogged her out...You always talk about mental health and all of that. And this lady could have gone through trauma when she was younger...” (04:33–04:53, Catherine)
She accuses him of potentially hurting vulnerable listeners and suggests the show is too aggressive with personal questions.
Catherine humorously roasts Charlamagne’s pronunciation and short stature:
- “You talk about people saying act or ask. You write books, and you say library. Library has an R in it.” (05:40–05:49, Catherine)
- “When you go see the Michael movie, I think you need to get your little step stool...look in the mirror and make that change.” (05:54–06:15, Catherine)
She expresses her continued support for the show despite Charlamagne's style:
- “I do have a choice not to listen, but I still listen anyway and support because I love the show.” (06:51–06:58, Catherine)

Charlamagne and Envy Respond:

Charlamagne accepts the criticism with good humor:
- “Nothing you said is wrong and I'm not offended.” (08:45, Charlamagne)
- He stresses that he isn’t insulted by comments on his height or character, equating listener feedback with honesty.
Envy explains background processes, noting that producers usually screen calls, but technical issues allowed Catherine through unscreened.
Envy also shares his views on weight loss shots, suggesting some use them as an "easy way out":
- “A lot of people do use Ozempic and that is Zepound as alternative to actually going to the gym...for a lot of people it is an easy way out.” (08:48–08:59, Envy)
The hosts reiterate their approach is rooted in playful banter typical of their relationship with listeners.

3. Reflections on Listener-Host Dynamics & Mental Health (09:45–10:39)

Charlamagne defends the show’s ethos of roasting each other and listeners, emphasizing mutual respect and a culture of jokes:
- “Jokes are a part of having healthy mental health. The people that call into this show...I can dish it, I can take it. That’s the beauty of The Breakfast Club.” (10:02–10:18, Charlamagne)
The hosts share anecdotes about interacting with fans at events, noting how listeners playfully tease them in person as well:
- “You know how many people walk with me at the Black Effect Festival with jokes?” (10:20–10:24, Charlamagne)
Envy affectionately clarifies a recurring misconception about his ethnicity:
- “I’m not Dominican, by the way, everybody out there, Black Effect Festival, Envy, why you here? You Dominican? No, I’m not Dominican.” (10:26–10:31, Envy)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Bon Irene (on the Michael Jackson biopic):
- “It did not do him justice at all...I feel like it was a montage of, like, a music video...very superficial.” (02:49–03:20)
Envy (defending the film):
- “To say it's whack and trash, that's a stretch.” (03:56)
Catherine (roasting Charlamagne):
- “When you go to the bathroom in the morning, get up on it [a step stool] and look in the mirror and make that change.” (05:54–06:15)
Charlamagne (on criticism):
- “None of this offends me because it's true.” (07:01, 08:45)
Envy (on weight loss drugs):
- “Those shots, for a lot of people—not everybody—is a cop out.” (08:59)
Charlamagne (on show culture):
- “Jokes are a part of having healthy mental health...I can dish it, I can take it.” (10:02–10:18)

Important Timestamps

02:18: Caller Bon Irene criticizes the Michael Jackson movie.
03:31: Envy details what the movie includes about Michael’s life.
04:24: Catherine calls to give Charlamagne "donkey" for insensitivity.
05:40: Catherine delivers humorous jabs at Charlamagne’s speech and height.
06:58: Catherine expresses ongoing support for the show, despite her criticisms.
08:48: Envy explains his view on weight loss drugs as a shortcut.
10:02: Charlamagne explains the show's joking culture.

Episode Tone

Summary prepared for listeners who want the highlights and dynamic spirit of The Breakfast Club’s "THE PEOPLE'S DONKEY" segment (May 1, 2026).

wavePod

THE PEOPLE'S DONKEY

Summary

The Breakfast Club – "THE PEOPLE'S DONKEY" (May 1, 2026)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Listener Critique of the Michael Jackson Biopic (02:18–03:56)

2. Charlemagne Receives "Donkey" Nomination for On-Air Conduct (04:24–08:45)

Caller "Catherine" Criticizes Charlamagne (and Envy, to a lesser degree):

Charlamagne and Envy Respond:

3. Reflections on Listener-Host Dynamics & Mental Health (09:45–10:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps

Episode Tone

Transcript

Summary

The Breakfast Club – "THE PEOPLE'S DONKEY" (May 1, 2026)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Listener Critique of the Michael Jackson Biopic (02:18–03:56)

2. Charlemagne Receives "Donkey" Nomination for On-Air Conduct (04:24–08:45)

Caller "Catherine" Criticizes Charlamagne (and Envy, to a lesser degree):

Charlamagne and Envy Respond:

3. Reflections on Listener-Host Dynamics & Mental Health (09:45–10:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps

Episode Tone