The Brett Cooper Show: Episode 24 Summary
Title: The Feminist Celebrity Astronauts Who Saved the World
Host: Brett Cooper
Release Date: April 21, 2025
Introduction: The All-Female Blue Origin Flight
In Episode 24, Brett Cooper dives into the recent Blue Origin spaceflight, which marked its 31st mission with an entirely female crew comprising celebrities Katy Perry, Gail King, and Lauren Sanchez. Cooper sets the stage by expressing his initial skepticism and surprise at the actual execution versus the hyped expectations.
Notable Quote:
“It was better than I ever expected. I mean, the actual trip, the fallout, the PR crisis, it has been so juicy and incredible to see.”
— Brett Cooper [00:00]
The Reality of the Spaceflight: A Brief Joyride
Cooper reveals that the much-anticipated flight lasted only 11 minutes, with merely three minutes of weightlessness. He criticizes the spacecraft's design and the brevity of the mission, contrasting it with the grandeur and seriousness typically associated with space exploration.
Notable Quotes:
“But no, the trip was 11 minutes long... they experienced zero gravity and weightlessness for about three minutes.”
— Brett Cooper [03:30]
“They just got to the tip of space and then they came back down.”
— Brett Cooper [04:15]
Public Relations Fallout: Mockery and Criticism
Rather than inspiring a wave of girl power, the mission sparked widespread mockery on social media and among media personalities. Cooper highlights how the celebrities involved were perceived as out of touch and using the flight as a mere publicity stunt.
Notable Quotes:
“They were willing to do whatever it took to make that happen. And the message that they landed on... was that them going on this... was that they were going to teach women, they were gonna teach all of us how to take up space.”
— Brett Cooper [05:45]
“She belongs. She made space. She felt love. She's inspiring change. She is bringing unity.”
— Brett Cooper [10:13]
Media and Celebrity Reactions: A Mixed Bag of Critique
Cooper discusses the backlash from other celebrities and media figures who labeled the mission as superficial and hypocritical. He references Megyn Kelly's scathing review and Emily Ratajakowski's pointed criticism, emphasizing the perceived hypocrisy among the affluent participants.
Notable Quotes:
“Olivia Munn... 'What are they gonna do up there that has made it better for us down here?'"
— Brett Cooper [13:09]
“A bunch of glammed up chicks with no real world skills get to just kick back in the space pod and enjoy the view...”
— Brett Cooper [15:18]
The Downfall of Pop Feminism: Superficiality vs Substance
Cooper argues that the mission epitomizes "pop feminism"—a superficial version focused on aesthetics and visibility rather than substantive progress. He criticizes how the mission diverted attention from genuine feminist achievements and real trailblazers in the field.
Notable Quotes:
“This pop feminism is taking away from the real issues, this faux feminism mutilates real feminist politics and turns it into an aesthetic posture.”
— Brett Cooper [16:50]
“People are done with that because it means nothing. It's hilarious watching people on both sides of the issue of the political aisle help destroy this once and for all.”
— Brett Cooper [17:30]
Highlighting True Pioneers: Aisha Bow and Amanda Wein
Shifting from critique, Cooper shines a spotlight on the two less-famous women aboard the flight—Aisha Bow and Amanda Wein—who embody genuine contributions to space exploration and feminist progress. Aisha Bow, an aerospace engineer and former rocket scientist, and Amanda Wein, a scientist and survivor advocate, provided depth and meaningful narratives that contrast starkly with their celebrity counterparts.
Notable Quotes:
“Aisha Bow... is a former rocket scientist. She is an aerospace engineer who owns multiple companies with the goal of educating people and getting them into STEM.”
— Brett Cooper [22:00]
“Amanda Wein... after my rape, I experienced a broken criminal justice system. I could accept the injustice or rewrite the law. So I rewrote it.”
— Amanda Wein [23:10]
Conclusion: The Future of Celebrity Spaceflights and Feminism
In wrapping up, Cooper expresses skepticism about the sustainability and impact of such celebrity-driven missions. He anticipates future flights filled with more high-profile celebrities but doubts their ability to resonate meaningfully with the public. Cooper underscores the importance of recognizing and supporting substantive achievements over superficial displays.
Notable Quotes:
“I just spent the last 30 minutes making fun of this entire endeavor and I'm already looking ahead to the next flight.”
— Brett Cooper [29:00]
“They have actually just directed all the attention away from women who are actually trailblazers.”
— Brett Cooper [29:30]
Final Thoughts:
Brett Cooper's Episode 24 offers a critical examination of the intersection between celebrity culture and feminist movements within the context of space exploration. By juxtaposing the superficial elements of the Blue Origin flight with the authentic contributions of Aisha Bow and Amanda Wein, Cooper advocates for a more meaningful and impactful approach to feminist progress and public endeavors in space.
This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from Episode 24 of The Brett Cooper Show, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened.