The Commercial Break – “Mmmmm…Norish Princess!”

Date: August 28, 2025
Hosts: Bryan Green & Krissy Oatley
Guest Mentioned: Jamie Kern Lima (clip), Brett Gelman, Dusty Slay

Overview

This episode of The Commercial Break features Bryan and Krissy catching up after a short break. Through their signature chaotic, off-the-cuff banter, they riff on topics like parental involvement in schools, 90s and 2000s youth mischief, comedian guests, and the shockingly weird royal family drama from Norway. The hosts also react to cringe-worthy pop culture interviews (notably one with Jamie Kern Lima) and deliver their satirical takes on parenthood, streaming wars, and why Netflix has "broken" television. Comedian Dusty Slay and actor Brett Gelman are discussed as recent guests, and the episode's highlight is an irreverent deep-dive on the Norwegian royal family’s tabloid-worthy scandals.

The tone remains irreverent, spontaneous, and full of side tangents, "embracing its chaotic, unpolished charm."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

School Days & Parental Involvement

(04:49 – 23:26)

• Bryan recounts a string of illness in his house, poking fun at parental paranoia over "MRSA" and school gossip.

• Both hosts reflect on how parental involvement in schools has skyrocketed since their childhood:

  • Bryan mocks the number of school meetings and parent-teacher conferences, recalling the dread associated with these events.
  • Bryan: "Why do we have a parent teacher conference? What could you possibly know about my kid yet? You’ve seen him for five hours!” (07:13)
  • Krissy talks about her mother’s PTA involvement; Bryan’s parents were less engaged.
  • Conversation shifts to changing generational norms—parents are now more present, sometimes veering into "helicopter" territory.

• Notable Quote:

  • "Just one water slide in my life, just one encephalitis-filled, mud-flopped, dead-grass-filled, swampy water slide, and my whole educational career could have been different. I could have been a doctor or a lawyer or a QuickBooks expert—or an accountant." — Bryan (23:19)

School Mischief & Discipline: Then vs. Now

(08:09 – 16:36)

• Reminiscing about school, Bryan admits to being a "total shithead," though more mischievous than malicious:
  • Anecdote about pouring pixie sticks into an air conditioner on a field trip.
• Discussion about disciplinary systems (demerits, detentions) and a strict, universally disliked “disciplinary officer.”
  • Bryan: "There was a disciplinary officer... a former nun...her job was running around making people miserable." (14:46)
• Smoking on campus—reflecting on how different things were in the ‘90s:
  • Krissy: "I remember the smoking happening in the bathroom." (15:39)
  • Both recall how odd it sounds now to have “smoking areas” for high schoolers.

Catching Up on Comedian Guests

(28:37 – 36:45)

• Recent guests: Brett Gelman and Dusty Slay.
  • The audience response to Dusty Slay was enthusiastic, with listeners texting after the episode.
  • Bryan’s review of Dusty’s special:
    “If we’re going to give it a score, I’m going 8.75 out of 10.” (32:10)
  • Krissy: "That's a high score."
  • Discussion of style: both appreciate clean comedy when it’s smart and genuinely funny, even if that's not "their thing."
  • Brett Gelman’s new show: The hosts describe it as “the weirdest thing” they’ve seen, a “horror comedy drama with a little of the occult.” They are honest about finding it entertaining-yet-bizarre, and “not sure it’s right up their alley,” but recommend listeners give it a try.

Streaming Wars & The Death of Traditional TV

(36:45 – 46:16)

• Netflix’s "Stranger Things" is set to premiere during the holidays, and the hosts joke about how it will disrupt family time.

  • Bryan: "It takes some real fucking cahoots to say, you know what we're going to do? We're going to ruin your Christmas, we're going to ruin your Thanksgiving, and on top of that, we're going to ruin your New Year ..." (36:48)

• Briefly discuss "The Paper," Peacock’s new “Office” spin-off, and the difficulty of capturing the magic of the original.

  • Reference to other TV spinoff successes, like “Better Call Saul,” and the rarity of lightning striking twice.

• Broader discussion about TV being “officially broken,” with streaming/podcasting as the new norm.

  • Jimmy Kimmel not renewing, Conan O’Brien’s pivot, and how "the media landscape will never be the same."

Insufferable Influencer Banter: Jamie Kern Lima & Meghan Markle

(49:24 – 52:44)

• Hosts react live to a viral podcast interview between Jamie Kern Lima and Meghan Markle.
  • Bryan calls it "the most insufferable conversation ever."
  • Cringe-laden clip where “affirmational” words like “yet” are endlessly repeated ("I can’t do it… YET!") (51:45).
  • Bryan’s sarcastic quip: “Yet. Oh, such a powerful word ‘yet,’ Chrissy. We haven’t gotten that 20-million-dollar contract… yet. Neither of us have been to jail yet… It’s insufferable." (52:22)

The Wild Norwegian Royal Family Saga

(23:27, 49:24, 52:44 – 64:10)

• The highlight of the episode: the Norwegian royal family’s ongoing “chaotic, tabloid-level drama.”

  • Bryan explains the strange case of the Norwegian crown prince’s son—born from a one-night stand, frequently arrested, recently accused of serious crimes.
  • Also, the princess’s unconventional marriage to an American “shaman” and self-proclaimed alien who claims to be able to regenerate his limbs.
  • Ridicule at the expense of tabloid culture and the eccentricities of European royalty.
  • Netflix is filming a documentary about the Norwegian princess and her "shaman" husband.
  • Bryan: “He claims to be from outer space—a different universe. He’s clairvoyant and he’s here to save the world. He’s a guru, a clairvoyant guru out of California. He is a wild, wild character and he’s marrying… the royal family.” (55:38)

• The hosts joke repeatedly about getting Princess Martha Louise and her shaman husband on the podcast.

• Krissy: "I love this. Yeah, I’m gonna turn on my alerts for that one." (58:05)

• Commentary on generational differences, race, and the peculiar specifics of Norwegian culture and scandal.

  • Bryan: “God, you’re Norrish. The Norrish royals are crazy. They’re insane!" (57:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bryan, on school meetings:
  "What are we doing the first day of school? Is it just, like, a setup? What is going to happen?" (16:49)
• On clean comedy:
  "Gay porn, straight porn, I could really do either or as long as it's good, you know what I mean?" —Bryan (31:29)
• On podcasting's rise:
  "Conan needs a friend [is]… just like we do. He has exactly the same amount of cachet that the commercial break does!" (45:07)
• On the Norwegian royal shaman:
  "He claims he can regenerate his own body... Who hasn't met their wife in a past life?!" —Bryan (58:36, 60:56)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• (04:49 – 16:49): School days, parent conferences, childhood mischief
• (28:37 – 36:45): Comedian guests—Dusty Slay, Brett Gelman; reviews and reflections
• (36:45 – 46:16): TV/streaming, Stranger Things, Office spin-off, “broken TV” thesis
• (49:24 – 52:44): Meghan Markle/Jamie Kern Lima podcast mockery
• (52:44 – 64:10): Main event—Norwegian royal family drama, shaman husband revelations

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

Bryan and Krissy maintain The Commercial Break’s signature spontaneity, irreverence and “cheesecake factory” blend of topics. Listeners get:

• Relatable stories about the perils and paranoia of modern parenting
• Candid reviews and insights for fans of stand-up and streaming
• A hilarious takedown of influencer podcast culture
• A rabbit hole deep-dive into royal absurdity, capped with a plea to someday interview the shamanic Norwegian princess and consort.

As always, they close with gratitude to fans, reminders to join via socials, and an enthusiastic sign-off.

This episode is a ride—equal parts childhood nostalgia, comic interview wrap-up, pop culture skewering, and tabloid oddity news, seasoned with the hosts’ signature self-aware humor and comradery.