The Friend Zone – Episode: "Rent-A-Man"

Release Date: March 12, 2025
Hosts: Dustin Ross, Francesca “Hey Fran Hey”, Assanté
Main Theme: Reality TV shakeups, pop culture, and reflections on identity

Episode Overview

In "Rent-A-Man," the hosts of The Friend Zone dissect the Season 16 premiere of The Real Housewives of Atlanta and the shifting reality TV landscape, specifically focusing on Phaedra Parks’ return. The conversation branches into discussions about other reality and scripted shows, and thoughtful, personal explorations of Blackness, queerness, and cultural identity. This episode is full of sharp humor, media insight, and candid perspectives on both television and real-life representation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Phaedra Parks’ Return to RHOA (Real Housewives of Atlanta)

• [01:20–07:39]
  • Context: Phaedra’s "return" after time on Married to Medicine and a six-year hiatus forced by fallout with Kandi Burruss.
  • Dustin’s Take: Calls out Phaedra for hypocrisy and opportunism. He unpacks her prior statements calling RHOA a "sinking ship" (when she was on the outs) versus her enthusiasm now that she's been asked back.
    • “She’s lying. She ain’t happy to be back on the Housewives. She happy to be back anywhere.” – Dustin (07:17)
  • Phaedra’s press tour remarks are cited as insubstantial and contradictory. Hosts predict disappointment from fans expecting substance from her return.
  • The "rent-a-man" phrase refers to Phaedra showing up at the premiere with a man, seen as a staged move rather than authentic relationship development.

2. RHOA Season 16: New Era Reflections

• [08:34–15:06]
  • Cast Changes: Notable departures (Candy, Kenya) and elevation of new and existing cast (Shamia at the center).
  • Aspirational Black Wealth: Hosts love seeing Black success—Shamia’s family/lifestyle praised as restoring the show’s “aspirational” roots.
  • Shamia as Central Figure: Viewers are surprised and pleased at her natural leadership and the network being mapped around her.
    • “She is the perfect anchor...seeing her, like, fall right naturally into that leadership role amongst the cast was really cool to see.” – Dustin (11:10)

3. Housewives “OGs,” “Vets,” and New Dynamics

• [12:31–15:48]
  • OGs vs. Vets (OGs = original cast; Vets = long-running impactful members).
  • Current season described as a successful reboot—no forced tension between cast generations.

4. Housewives & Reality TV Production

• [15:06–16:51]
  • Subtle changes: New music, updated transitions, fresh aesthetic.
  • General nostalgia for early Housewives seasons and appreciation for innovative touches in editing.

5. Kenya Moore’s Removal and Cast Chemistry

• [20:18–27:08]
  • Kenya’s on-screen negativity stands in contrast to the “refreshed” energy of the cast.
    • “Her energy felt archaic...she was on that old school, let me find something to attach myself to, let me find an issue to discuss and make a thing.” – Dustin (21:10)
  • Viewers divided on missing her presence following her mid-season exit.

6. Drew’s Storyline and Marital Drama

• [23:21–24:59]
  • Drew’s husband Ralph living in the basement as part of their divorce agreement provides on-screen drama and commentary on boundaries amid reality TV exposure.

7. Housewives Deep Cuts: Fan Moments & Franchise History

• [25:26–27:08]
  • Desire for more significant relationships on the show (e.g., Kenya and Portia’s possible alliance).
  • Reflections on long-term cast growth, specifically Portia’s journey from immaturity to empowered entrepreneur.

8. Other TV & Streaming Gems

• [33:19–44:31]: Pop Culture TV Roundup
  • Beauty in Black (Tyler Perry): Hosts roast the writing but love the spectacle. Notable for its “so bad you have to keep watching” quality.
    • “Everything was just bad. The acting, the writing, the storyline… it was the train wreck.” – Francesca (33:52)
  • White Lotus S3: Slower pacing noted, but trust in eventual payoff. Parker Posey's character and subtle social chaos praised.
  • Larissa (Netflix doc on Anitta): Fran highly recommends for its honest look at duality, mental health, and pressure of stardom.
    • “This character has been my superhero…it saved me…but I kind of hate that I have to be a character.” – Direct quote from Anitta via Francesca (43:51)

9. Artistic Risks & Cultural Gaps in Film

• [45:55–51:17]: "Emilia Perez" Discussion
  • Confusion upon discovering acclaimed film is an experimental musical.
  • Hosts note cultural backlash, representation issues, and artistic “misses” despite accolades.
    • “Some artsy [films]... sometimes it’s just, you know, not your world or your taste.” – Francesca (50:32)

10. Conversations on Blackness, Colorism, and Identity

• [52:52–67:18]
  • Deep dive into anti-Blackness in Latinx and Caribbean cultures, based on Fran’s family stories.
    • “My grandfather was Black… but it was very them versus us all the time.” – Francesca (55:08)
  • Dustin and Asante reflect on unwavering pride in Blackness and queerness despite external pressures and internal family biases.
    • “I never felt like I wanted to abandon my blackness… ever.” – Dustin (64:11)
  • Importance of disrupting generational biases called out, especially via parental/maternal support.
    • “You stopped that from moving forward in your family. That’s the service piece.” – Dustin (59:27)

11. Modern Intersectionality: Race, Gender, and Sexuality

• [67:18–73:37]
  • Navigating Black and queer identities, both within and outside Black communities.
  • Hosts critique “I don’t see color” statements and stress the necessity of understanding racial realities in America.
    • “You have a responsibility to understand what it means to be exactly who you are, you know what I’m saying?” – Dustin (69:20)

12. Reality TV Ethics and Social Values

• [73:56–86:42]: Love Is Blind Recap
  • Women this season refused at the altar after partners failed questions on BLM, LGBTQ rights, and abortion.
    • “She was so turned off that he had no curiosity, he had no perspective, no position.” – Francesca (75:02)
  • Praise for women prioritizing values over compromise, even when suitors ticked other boxes.
  • The season’s dominant theme: “The women was not with it. Was breaking up with these men left and right.” – Francesca (85:29)

13. Streaming Recommendations & Pop Culture News

• [86:46–106:35]
  • Hosts share opinions on new shows (Gross Point Garden Society, Paradise Lost), documentaries (Ruby Frank on Hulu—trigger/content warning for abuse), and the overexposed saga of Natalia Grace.
  • Short tributes to recently deceased Black artists: Angie Stone, Roy Ayers, Roberta Flack, Dwayne Wiggins.

14. Personal Growth and Family Reflection

• [56:35–66:29]
  • Fran and Dustin detail their journeys breaking family cycles of colorism, homophobia, and self-doubt; the importance of living authentically and being successful “out loud” as an act of service to their lineage.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Dustin on Phaedra Parks’ rebranding:
  “All she’s gonna do is just go hmm, that’s it. She ain’t gonna tell you nothing about her life. She brought that same rent-a-man to the premiere… Smoke and mirrors.” (07:39)

• Fran on natural hair and family:
  “You literally built an empire because you have beautiful hair.” (57:17)

• Dustin on breaking the cycle:
  “I have completely redefined… what they know a homosexual’s life to be… They have to see that.” (58:00–59:00)

• Fran on Black/Caribbean family dynamics:
  “My grandmother… was very much of the, like, ‘oh, you can make our family ugly’ vibes. Other things I didn’t pick up on as a kid either… Now as an adult, I can look back, realize what it was like rooted in.” (55:22–56:32)

• Asante on pride in identity:
  “I’ve always thought that, like, you know, stay Black and protect your magic. I’ve always thought that Black people are the business.” (67:18)

• Dustin on housewives legacy:
  “Shamia is literally the nucleus of the cast. Bravo released a graph… Shamia is the center. She’s connected to everybody on the show.” (11:11)

• Fran on “Love is Blind” values:
  “She was so turned off that he had no curiosity, he had no perspective, no position.” (75:02)

• Dustin on allyship and values in relationships:
  “It goes a lot deeper than that… This directly impacts the way he sees you as his partner, as a woman, as an equal or non-equal.” (79:19)

Additional Recommendations & Pop Culture Hit List

• TV Shows:

  • Beauty in Black (Tyler Perry drama) (33:19–36:47)
  • White Lotus S3 (39:13–41:49)
  • Paradise Lost (88:25–89:46)
  • Gross Point Garden Society (86:47–88:21)
  • Ruby Frank docuseries (92:23–94:46)
  • New Natalia Grace scripted drama with Ellen Pompeo (101:02–102:01)

• Documentaries

  • Larissa (Anitta on Netflix) (42:22–45:20)

• Music & Tributes

  • Buy, don’t just stream, the music of Angie Stone, Roy Ayers, Roberta Flack, and Dwayne Wiggins (107:11–107:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Reality TV / Phaedra Parks Return: 01:20 – 07:39
• Housewives Season 16 Reboot & Review: 08:34 – 15:06
• Kenya Moore & Cast Chemistry: 20:18 – 27:08
• Fran on “Love is Blind” and Social Values: 73:56 – 86:42
• Artistic, Identity & Family Stories: 52:52 – 67:18
• Blackness & Intersectionality Reflections: 67:18 – 73:37
• Pop Culture & Streaming TV Recap: 33:19 – 44:31; 86:46 – 106:35
• Legacy Tributes: 105:54 – 107:46

Tone & Style

This episode is conversational, comedic, but grounded with sharp media critique and honest personal storytelling. The hosts balance lighthearted pop culture banter with deep, insightful conversations about identity, social progress, and representation in both television and real life.

Useful for Listeners

Whether you’re tuning in for reality TV recaps, looking for your next binge-worthy show, or seeking relatable conversation about cultural dynamics, this episode delivers a thorough and entertaining breakdown of current pop culture and persistent issues surrounding Black, queer, and multicultural identity.