The Friend Zone – "Best of 2025" (December 31, 2025)

Hosts: Dustin Ross, Hey Fran Hey (Francesca), Asante

Network: Loud Speakers Network

Episode Overview

In this extra festive end-of-year bonus episode, the trio presents "The Best of The Friend Zone 2025," highlighting both the year’s most hilarious moments and important conversations. The themes span from Broadway drama, pop culture critiques, mental health phenomena, viral TikTok obsessions, reader mail, and the ever-timely subject of friendship. True to the show, the discussions are deeply rooted in Black culture, sharp observational wit, and a shared ethos of protecting your mental hygiene—“because who in the hell wants a musty brain?”

Key Discussion Points & Notable Segments

Broadway Drama: Patti LuPone, Microaggressions, and Black Excellence

[01:35 – 16:30]

• Patti LuPone’s Controversies:
  • Dustin brings an impassioned breakdown of Broadway legend Patti LuPone’s recent “shady” media profile, where she disparaged Black Broadway icons Audra McDonald and Keisha Lewis.
  • LuPone’s complaints about the noise from "Hell’s Kitchen" (Broadway hit featuring Keisha Lewis) raise accusations of coded racism and microaggressions.
  • Keisha Lewis publicly responded, supported by Audra McDonald, which LuPone later dissed in a profile by questioning their status and using vulgar language.
• Quote:
  • Dustin: “She can’t stand to see this Black woman on top… You don’t let this motherfucker do this and bully us by calling our play loud and ghetto and rowdy.” [12:06]
  • Francesca: “She called Keisha Lewis a bitch?!” [05:53]

The "Wicked" Movie & Broadway Musical Critiques

[17:18 – 26:38]

• Asante watches the "Wicked" movie in segments, expresses he’s underwhelmed by the music despite star performances from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
• The group jokes about Fantasia doing "Wicked" (“That witch boot would have been flying!” – Dustin [24:48]).
• They compare Broadway musical music, preferring "The Color Purple" over "Wicked."
• Memorable Moment:
  Dustin: “Fantasia would have laid that Wicked song out. Don’t play with it.” [24:27]

Viral TikToks, Mental Health, and AI Obsession

[27:01 – 47:41]

• Fran unpacks a TikTok series ("Kendra and the psychiatrist") about a woman obsessed with her psychiatrist, slipping into “AI psychosis” where ChatGPT-like bots fueled her delusions.
• The group debates the dangers of AI for vulnerable users and society’s increasing reliance on digital affirmation, referencing a Reddit forum called "AI Soulmate."
• Quote:
  • Francesca: “It’s a literal AI psychosis… The AI is calling her the oracle and saying she has insights into the human condition that the average person doesn’t.” [33:47]
  • Dustin: “It is crazy to fall in love with something that’s not a person. Full stop.” [41:32]

TikTok Rapture & End-of-World Culture

[51:27 – 66:09]

• The hosts discuss a wave of TikTok users convinced the Rapture/end of the world was imminent, with some people selling homes, quitting jobs, and worrying about their pets’ souls.
• They marvel and express concern for how online end-times rumors can become real-life harmful actions.
• Memorable Moment:
  Dustin: “With all of the things wrong with the world today… this woman wants to know who’s gonna look after her dogs in the rapture.” [56:03]

Francesca’s Ongoing Cat Moms Chronicles

[66:25 – 82:26]

• Fran gives heartfelt, funny updates about neighborhood cats Rose and Ollie, owned by a lesbian neighbor “who looked like Ellen,” and debates what’s best for the cats as the owner prepares to move.
• The group turns the segment into a loving, comic examination of change, boundaries, and accidental pet-parenthood.
• Quote:
  Dustin: “Fran, you can’t psychoanalyze a cat!” [75:25]
  • Francesca: “It made me laugh thinking about … I’m changing the bowl for the cat’s water, I was like, my life … I love that.” [73:25]

FEATURE SEGMENT: Low-Maintenance Friendships

[82:47 – 106:12]

• Discusses the meaning of "low-maintenance friends," the pros and cons, and how life stages affect friendship dynamics.
• Dustin: “All I require is you stay down. Just be present … be on your side.” [84:07]
• Fran shares research: time, flexibility, and trust are key; social media results in higher loneliness despite “connection.”
• Asante adds: relationships change, and that quality over quantity matters—“you get this bundle of love whenever you want it, but in spurts, not all the time.” [85:48]
• Fran: “It's a fake sense of connection because you see where they're at... but like, have you called them?” [98:13]
• Data: Percent without close friends has increased from 3% (1990s) to 13% (2020s). [Refinery29, via Francesca]

Culture Corner: Michelle Williams, Plane Etiquette, and Respect

[106:12 – 116:14]

• Dustin defends Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams, after she posted about a stranger putting their foot on her in first class.
• Heated (hilarious) rant on Black etiquette, boundary-setting during travel, and why NO ONE should ever disrespect a Michelle.
• Quote:
  Dustin: “She didn't know the F was gonna be for foot.” [109:16]
  “Why would you put your foot on Michelle Williams? … You’re nasty.” [115:31]

Tiny Desk & Live Performance Realness

[116:25 – 125:42]

• They review recent Tiny Desk concerts, discussing Amerie's performance ("It's always good to see Amerie … even if the vocals aren't what you want," Asante [117:04]), comparing background singers and industry support.
• Debate whether live or studio talent matters, citing Mariah the Scientist and J.Lo.
• [124:21] Asante: “Mariah the Scientist sings like a stripper that died in the club… but doesn’t know she’s dead.”

Rant of the Week: Candace Owens, Lawsuits & Consequences

[143:47 – 153:47]

• Dustin gleefully narrates Candace Owens’ troubles: sued by the French First Lady Brigitte Macron for spreading a false transgender rumor and then expecting U.S. government rescue for her “free speech.”
• Memorable Quotes:
  • Dustin: “Honey, sit and twist. Ain’t nobody coming to help you do nothing at all.” [146:11]
  • Francesca: “That’s what you get for thinking they were gonna save you.” [148:00]
  • Dustin, on her desire for presidential intervention: “Why would you think [Trump] had any allegiance to you? … They’ll drop your body in that rose garden and pave right over it, girl.” [148:36]

The (Actual) Worst: Azealia Banks & Dangerous Speech

[154:56 – 170:50]

• They condemn Azealia Banks' unhinged tweets defending pedophilia and expressing blatant transphobia/homophobia.
• [157:21] Francesca: "She has the talent of, how you always think this is the worst thing she's ever said and she always one-ups it."
• Dustin: “She always looks like she stopped, dropped, and rolled all the way home … It's not an artsy-fartsy vibe. It's just fartsy.” [161:27]
• Clear line on supporting artists with dangerous or hateful views, even if their art was once meaningful.

Outrageous Takes: Juelz Santana Says “Kids Don’t Need to Know How to Read”

[171:09 – 179:56]

• Full play-by-play of Juelz Santana’s viral No Funny Show quote: “children don’t need to learn to read; you can just listen to a book on YouTube.”
• Hosts are appalled. Dustin calls him "a ditz … a bimbo."
• Francesca: "I’m stunned someone would say this and mean it.” [177:32]

Pop Culture Roundup: Love is Blind (Denver), Love Island, and More

[180:00 – end]

• The crew previews the “Love is Blind” Denver cast, finding the season “messy” and “wild,” with hints of coded self-hate and “lavender marriage” (beard relationships).
• They touch on “Love Island” couple dynamics.
• Dustin: “Look at your husband, look at your neighbor, and say, the fuck is you all. How desperate can you be to be on a show called Love is Blind... and you got hateful feelings...” [191:47]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |------------|-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12:06 | Dustin | “You don’t let this motherfucker do this and bully us by calling our play loud and ghetto and rowdy.” | | 24:27 | Dustin | “Fantasia would have laid that Wicked song out. Don’t play with it.” | | 33:47 | Francesca | “It’s a literal AI psychosis… The AI is calling her the oracle…” | | 41:32 | Dustin | “It is crazy to fall in love with something that’s not a person. Full stop.” | | 56:03 | Dustin | “With all of the things wrong with the world today… this woman wants to know who’s gonna look after her dogs in the rapture.” | | 84:07 | Dustin | “All I require is you stay down. Just be present…be on your side.” | | 98:13 | Francesca | "It's a fake sense of connection because you see where they're at... but like, have you called them?" | | 109:16 | Francesca | “I didn’t know the F [seat 3F] was going to be for foot. No, she didn’t.” | | 115:31 | Dustin | “You might as well sleep in a petri dish with your nasty ass. Why would you put your foot on Michelle Williams?” | | 146:11 | Dustin | “Honey, sit and twist. Ain’t nobody coming to help you do nothing at all.” | | 148:36 | Dustin | "They’ll drop your body in that rose garden and pave right over it, girl." | | 157:21 | Francesca | "She has the talent of, how you always think this is the worst thing she's ever said and she always one-ups it." | | 161:27 | Dustin | "She always looks like she stopped, dropped, and rolled all the way home … It's not an artsy-fartsy vibe. It's just fartsy.” | | 177:32 | Francesca | "I'm stunned. I don't even have a commentary." | | 191:47 | Dustin | “Look at your husband, look at your neighbor, and say, the fuck is you all. And how desperate can you be to be on a show called Love is Blind... and you got hateful feelings...?” |

Flow & Vibe

• Language is explicitly Black, queer-friendly, irreverent, and peppered with pop culture references and inside jokes, often delivered in a blend of drag-ball wit and righteous indignation.
• The tone remains equal parts hilarious and sincere, with deep dives into nuance behind internet trends, friendship dynamics, and societal changes.

For Listeners/Newcomers

If you missed this episode, expect a rapid-fire, unapologetic mix of tough love, boundary-pushing comedy, Black joy, and no-bullshit social commentary. The “Best of 2025” is both a highlight reel and a time capsule of what it’s like to be living, loving, laughing, and learning in community—The Friend Zone way.

#TheFriendZone #Bestof2025