The Broski Report with Brittany Broski

Episode 127: I WATCHED HEATED RIVALRY
Release Date: February 3, 2026
Host: Brittany Broski

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Brittany Broski returns to the mic with a mix of her signature humor and candid insight. She dives deep into her thoughts on the hit show "Heated Rivalry," catching the fandom up on her reactions, observations, and beloved tropes. The episode then pivots into reviews (including a detailed, hilarious unboxing of Neato fidget toys), discussions on travel essentials, musings on recent media consumption, and an earnest critique of her alma mater, Texas A&M, in light of recent academic controversies. Throughout, Brittany maintains her approachable, irreverent tone, blending pop culture commentary, personal stories, and sharp political observations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. "Heated Rivalry" Review & Fangirl Analysis

[05:57 - 20:30]

• Reluctant Viewing and Immediate Obsession:
  Brittany admits she was hesitant to watch "Heated Rivalry" despite the hype, but ultimately found it worth the emotional rollercoaster:

  “It took me a while to watch it… Odds are I'm not watching that shit. Also, my tastes are very...if I'm in a gothic mood right now, pretty much that's all I'm watching.” [06:44]

• Fanfiction Tropes in TV:
  Brittany draws direct parallels between the show’s dynamic and the popular "grumpy x sunshine" trope in fanfiction, name-dropping personal favorites from Wattpad and One Direction fics.

  “For all of my fanfiction girls, this is a grumpy x sunshine trope… Not to mention Mandalorian fanfiction. We won't even get there.” [08:29]

• Standout Moments and Emotional Beats:

  • The elevator scene (Shane texting “we didn’t even kiss”) and the phone call in Russian featuring an “I love you” were particularly moving.

    “When he’s in the elevator… I literally said, oh my God. That was the first one where I was like, fuck this dumbass, stupid show.” [10:13] “When he says I love you in Russian, bitch. I almost fell out. Damn.” [11:36]

• Community & Fan Commentary:
  Brittany wistfully recalls the communal feeling of commenting live on fanfiction chapters, drawing comparisons to TikTok comment culture today.

• Biases and Character Preferences:

  • Declares “Connor’s story” and Ilia as favorites.
  • Expresses a wish for a Scott Hunter spin-off.

    “That whole episode where it’s all about their story... I’d watch a spin off show of just them. Literally just them. Fuck the other two.” [12:33]

• Queer Experience Representation:
  She reflects on the historical and present-day realities for queer people, contrasting progress in the US with ongoing repression, and appreciating the show’s delicate portrayal of the fear and hope in queer love.

  “As an American ... even though we're in the most regressive stages of public displays of self-expression... we are in such a regressive state that it's scary to think about this.” [13:45] “I'm over having to argue that gay rights are human rights, that trans rights are human rights.” [15:00]

• Final Thoughts:
  Brittany gives the show 9/10, praises the cast, acting, story, and pacing, and asks for a Season 2—and cheekily invites the main actors onto her show.

  “What a hidden treasure chest is HBO sitting on with this. This show. So can't wait for season two. Sorry it took me so long to watch it.” [17:10]

2. Media Roundup: Game of Thrones & Horror Miniseries

[16:47 - 23:30]

• “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” Appreciation:
  Obsessed with the Dunk & Egg prequel, Brittany and her friend Drew are committed fans, debating costumes for Halloween. Praises the production design, acting, and fresh perspective on Westeros.
  • Memorable moment:

    “You’re out of your gob if you think I'm not throwing that bald cap on my big ass head and wearing a cloak and going as Egg from Night of the Seven Kingdoms.” [16:56]

  • Calls out the show’s Irish casting: "Up the Parish, up the Parish. We’re so up. Ireland, stand up. I'm not Irish. Ireland, get the fuck." [18:10]
• Robert Eggers Filmography Adventure:
  Shares excitement for upcoming films, recent viewing of "The Witch," and her fear of goats:

  “This movie scared the living shit out of me. I watched it alone. Thank God I wasn't high when I watched it.” [21:41]

  • Discusses horror film theory:

    “The scariest thing imaginable is that which we cannot imagine. Like, if you show me the monster, it's almost less terrifying.” [22:20]

3. The Ultimate Neato Fidget Toy Review

[28:04 – 41:48]

• Unboxing and Honest Critiques:
  Brittany dives into a tactile review of Neato’s line-up, with her trademark physical comedy and ASMR-esque squishing.
  • Favorites: Neato Gumdrop (“absolute classic seven”), Fuzzball Velvet Squeeze (“this is an eight for me”), and the Cool Cat (“the cat has no gender… I’ll put the cat on the… ”).
  • Least favorite: Snowball (“made me tingle bad. Tingle negative.”) [32:11]
• Philosophy on fidgets:
  Takes fidgeting seriously:

  “I don't fuck around with my stim toys. I'm not joking about my fidgets.” [28:49]

  • Compares her fidget-destructive style to Lenny from Of Mice and Men.
• Feedback for Neato:
  Suggests moving into hard-plastic/magnetic fidget toys while acknowledging the brand knows their audience.

4. What’s In My Travel Bag?

[41:49 – 56:45]

• Travel Essentials and Strong Opinions:
  • Pillows: Reversible neck pillow, avoids the “choking” feeling of newer options.
  • Candid carry-on review: Dunks on the viral “Béis Weekender Bag”

    “The base weekender bag, Girl, I'm gonna be completely honest with you. That shit sucks.” [43:05]

  • Recommends Calpak ballet bags; details the perfect travel bag’s needed features.
  • Medical “candy bag”: Makeup bag packed with every medication, from Zofran to antihistamines, and even UTI antibiotics.
  • Snacks: Insists on bringing filling protein bars, “That’s It” fruit bars for emergency meals.
  • Books, Gadgets, Games:
    • Keeps a rotating stack of reads (currently: "Turn of the Screw" and various Gothic novels).
    • Brings playing cards, converters, both wired and wireless headphones.
    • "Cannot be without chapstick"—keeps at least six on hand at all times.

5. Paris Fashion Week & Body Image in Fashion

[56:45 – 61:06]

• Fashion Show Reflections:
  • Attended Patu show, Jimmy Choo dinner in Paris, praised whimsy and inclusivity at these events.
  • Discussed plus-size experiences in fashion:

    “You're still seen as a big fatty in the fashion world. Sorry. And you're not like, a size 12. Even a size 18, I don't believe is a big fatty… to be invited and seen in these places, it's like, it's good. It's great. And it feels like a step in the right direction.” [59:48]

  • Urges fashion brands to properly represent the average American woman.

6. Texas A&M, Censorship, and Academic Freedom

[61:06 – 69:29]

• Alma Mater Under Fire:
  • Expresses shame and anger at Texas A&M for recent censorious, right-wing administrative choices.
  • Criticizes the firing of professors for teaching “women and gender studies.”

    “They are telling me, as a philosophy professor, I cannot teach Plato because Plato had ideas on there being more than 2 genders.” [63:35]

• Liberal Arts Advocacy:
  • Offers emotional support for student/faculty protest and laments the diminishing funding for the humanities:

    “I've always, like, one of my dreams one day... is to give back to A&M and create a building and provide scholarships for the liberal arts college… Where is the humanity?... I'm watching... the flame being extinguished.” [65:40]

• Political Rant & Hopeful Note:
  • Closes with explicit criticism of current US leadership.
  • Calls this era “growing pains” and urges listeners to hope and advocate for genuine freedom.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This story and the reason why it works is because it's a grumpy x sunshine trope from fucking Wattpad. Are you mad at me? Is it not?” — Brittany, [08:29]
• “That whole episode where it’s all about their story... I’d watch a spin off show of just them. Literally just them. Fuck the other two.” — Brittany (on Scott Hunter’s subplot), [12:33]
• “I'm over having to argue that gay rights are human rights, that trans rights are human rights. I'm so sick of this being a talking point when it's just common sense.” — Brittany, [15:00]
• “The base weekender bag, Girl, I'm gonna be completely honest with you. That shit sucks.” — Brittany, [43:05]
• “I am not stick thin. I’ve got curves. And to be invited and seen in these places... It’s good. It's great. And it feels like a step in the right direction.” — Brittany, [59:48]
• “It actually is so maddening to think about. I'm very frustrated with A&M. I'm frustrated with the attack on education and on censorship and on telling educated professionals with PhDs what they can and cannot teach.” — Brittany, [66:44]
• “There's no other option. This is such a period of growing pains and of the old dying out and the new being ushered in.” — Brittany, [69:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Episode Start (content begins): 00:39
• Heated Rivalry Review: 05:57–20:30
• Game of Thrones & The Witch Discussions: 16:47–23:30
• Neato Fidget Toy Review: 28:04–41:48
• Travel Bag Essentials & Book Recommendations: 41:49–56:45
• Paris Fashion Week Reflections: 56:45–61:06
• Texas A&M Academic Freedom Rant: 61:06–69:29
• Closing Remarks: 69:10–69:29

Summary Tone & Style

• Playful, candid, and irreverent: Brittany constantly veers into humor, exaggeration, and meme references (“big guy meal, spongebob pants…”).
• Insightful and heartfelt: Even in critique, she grounds her rants with empathy and advocacy—particularly when discussing LGBTQ+ rep or academic issues.
• Self-deprecating and chatty: Leaning into parasocial podcast bestie vibes (“can you do that for me? Thanks”), but never without a point.

For Listeners Who Missed It

Brittany delivers a spirited, deeply personal episode: dissecting why queer TV matters, reviewing her favorite toys, sharing practical travel hacks, and calling out regressive academia. Whether you’re here for the media hot takes, the fidget unboxings, or the cultural critique, this episode delivers Brittany Broski at her most authentic: thoughtful, passionate, and always hilarious.