Zac Amico's Morning Zoo – Episode 57

Guests: Chloe LaBranche, Derek Drescher
Date: October 31, 2025
Network: GaS Digital
Summary by Podcast Summarizer

Episode Overview

This chaotic, comedic morning show—hosted by Zac Amico—dives into nicotine addiction, mental health, wild drug stories, junk food, serial killers, and the quirks of pets and people in NYC. Joined by comics Chloe LaBranche and Derek Drescher, Zac and company riff with unfiltered candor on bodily misadventures, true crime, and pop culture, blending dark comedy with personal vulnerabilities. The trio’s banter veers between the grotesque, hilarious, and unexpectedly insightful.

1. Nicotine, Pills, and Self-Control

00:48 – 14:04

• Zac enthusiastically welcomes guests, joking about Chloe’s “femininity” and unique voice.

  • “She looks like she would reach in her trench... and it’s just like a roll of quarters, a frog, those chattering teeth.” — Zac (01:46)

• Conversation jumps into quitting nicotine (Zyn, snus, vapes, cigarettes), relapse, and resultant overeating.

• Chloe describes severe lung problems after returning to heavy smoking—urgent care visits and testing reveal early COPD signs.

  • “My lungs were a 79-year-old and they said like I could get early onset COPD.” — Chloe (04:24)

• Derek and Zac riff on the grossness of dipping and disposal habits, with Chloe battling disgust at ex’s table etiquette:

  • “The last guy I dated... he would take his Zyn out and put it on the plate next to his food...” — Chloe (05:41)
  • “He sounds poor, I gotta say.” — Zac (05:54)

• All chime in on sleep struggles, therapy, and the delicate scheduling required to avoid napping (07:30).

• Chloe details challenges with multiple medications: Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Sertraline, epilepsy meds. Zac recalls being sweaty on Zoloft.

Notable Quote

“No, my business. Amico’s on that. I am on Sertraline, which is bootleg Zoloft… I’m committed to a full year of nicotine free…” — Zac (03:02)

2. Addiction, Xanax, and Absurd Drug Stories

10:31 – 14:01

• Chloe opens up about panic attacks, Xanax, temptation as an addict – and sheepishly admits to chewing pills so they hit faster.

• Zac shares having “boofed” (rectally inserted) a Zyn after hearing about kids putting them in their butts or foreskins:

  • “I read an article that said kids are putting Zyns in their ass or in their foreskin… I don’t have foreskin… so I put a Zyn up my butt.” — Zac (11:01, 11:13, 11:18)

• Shannon researches negative effects of “boofing Zyns” (rectal damage, burning, nicotine poisoning). Zac shrugs off the dangers.

• Group reminisces about pill culture (names like “bars,” “footballs,” old painkillers), reflecting on luck of getting sick from opiates and avoiding addiction.

Notable Quote

“Are you going to do it again?” — Chloe
“Maybe in January… when I’m back.” — Zac (11:19-11:23)

3. Food Addictions, Fast Food Scams, and Office Snacks

16:04 – 25:03

• Zac describes Sweden’s strong snus vs US versions and controlled pasteurization. Derek admires European beer strength.
• Shocking revelations about McDonald’s fries—pesticide use so toxic farmers avoid the fields for days.
  • “They have to use a very specific pesticide for the McDonald’s potatoes that’s so toxic… the farmers can’t go out in the field for three days.” — Zac (17:17)
• Everyone confesses to falling for fast food app deals (BOGO deals), massive KFC and McDonald’s meals as “unbeatable” offers.
• Memories of food hoarding at GaS Digital’s office—Slim Jims, cheese, Red Bulls—highlight shared scavenger mentality.
• Commentary on Kratom addiction, dangerous “Feel Free” beverage, and necessity for proper labeling to avoid inadvertent overdose.

4. Bizarre Tastes & International Food

21:27 – 23:13

• Zac recounts receiving Icelandic “treats” from a friend—fish skins and black licorice with chocolate—that stank up his apartment and became office curiosities.
• The odd communal culture of office snacks: they'll get devoured no matter what, even with a warning label.

5. Drugs, Kratom, GHB, and Substance Use

26:16 – 29:32

• Flow into Kratom stories, the rise of “Feel Free” drink, people needing medical detox.
• Reminiscing on liquid GHB being sold at GNC; stories of pro wrestlers (notably William Regal) abusing it.
• Black humor around “date rape drugs” and responsibility: “Wrestlers were fucked up on that… fell asleep on Vince McMahon’s desk during his job interview.” — Zac (28:49)

6. Sexual Safety, Nightlife, and Drag Queen Vigilantes

29:32 – 36:40

• Zac tells of a woman at a bar who repeatedly has the bartender hide her drink for fear of being roofied, even while willingly chatting.

  • “After the fourth time… I was like, Lady, if you really think I’m gonna rape you, go tell me.” — Zac (33:01)

• Chloe admits as an alcoholic, she’d never leave a drink unattended—she'll bring it to the bathroom.

  • Story segues into gay bar safety: young man roofied by an older man, only to be rescued and avenged by a “gang of drag queens.”
  • “A bunch of drag queens... came and beat the fucking shit out of the dude.” — Zac (34:26)

7. The Lawless World of Gay Bars & Relationship Norms

36:40 – 38:10

• Chloe observes (half in jest) that queer spaces seem “lawless”—from U-Haul lesbian relationships to best-friends-with-exes, to casual sex being common.

8. Charlie Sheen, Robert Downey Jr., and Tabloid Stardom

37:14 – 39:11

• Dissection of Charlie Sheen’s wild public career, “born to be a star” despite (or because of) scandal.
  • “He smoked crack, quit the biggest show on TV, and then went after the Jews. I got another TV show.” — Zac (37:43)
• Discussion on Sheen’s sexual exploits, bisexual rumors, and comparison to Downey Jr.

9. Child Star Exploitation Allegations (Content Warning)

39:25 – 42:04

• Serious turn as the group discusses Corey Feldman’s claims that Charlie Sheen molested Corey Haim on the set of Lucas, with details like use of Crisco.

  • “And for people who don’t know, Crisco is who sang the Thong Song.” — Zac (40:00, dark humor)

• The group attempts to clarify which of the “Coreys” are alive and whether Shannon can fact-check the claims.

Notable/Uncomfortable Moment

“He them in the ass using Crisco—that would be the name of the doc—between two trailers.” — Zac (39:46)

• Chloe jokes about the “lookalike” comparisons she’s gotten to Corey Feldman, laughing at persistent podcast gags.

10. Degenerate Eating Habits & Bacon Grease

42:08 – 44:54

• Extended riff on “Bacon Up,” a 3-gallon tub of bacon grease sold in Texas, and the logistical and sanitary horrors of storing/finding room for it.
  • “Who has room in their fridge for a 3-gallon bucket of bacon grease?” — Zac (43:06)
• Derek admits to saving bacon fat in a jar at home until pests got into their kitchen.
• Chloe suggests putting a vat of bacon grease in the office as an “experiment.”

11. NYC Animal Issues & ‘Cat Politics’

46:03 – 51:01

• Curtis Sliwa’s proposal to fight NYC rats with feral cats is discussed—also, Sliwa's reputation for loving cats and Trump’s jab at his “cat obsession.”

• Group debates whether it’s weirder to dislike animals or to like them “too much.”

  • “If you don’t like animals…it’s serial killer something…” — Chloe (49:15)

• Fun debate: are cat people or dog people “better”? Zac compares dogs to “having a retarded brother,” poking fun at the affections of pets.

12. Culture Clashes: Dogs in Religious/Immigrant Communities

51:01 – 54:28

• Zac questions if it’s suspicious not to have a dog as president, referencing Trump; Shannon confirms he was the first president in ages without a dog.

• Dive into Muslim/Hindu taboos around dogs, with Zac admitting his “algorithm” showed him possibly racist content of reactions to dogs in Muslim neighborhoods.

  • “I guess I just watched a racist thing. So it was my algorithm.” — Zac (53:12)

• Playful argument about the adage, “Never trust a man who doesn’t like dogs or doesn’t drink”—debating its accuracy.

13. True Crime: Staten Island Teen & Criminal Infamy

55:20 – 64:40

• News segment: Staten Island teen beheads his mom’s boyfriend and puts his brains in the blender. Details reveal deep mental illness, medication mismanagement, and a gruesome scene.

• Discussion swings into true crime fandom, Netflix’s tendency to glamorize serial killers, and which murderers became the templates for pop culture:

  • Ed Gein (Psycho, Texas Chainsaw, Buffalo Bill from Silence of the Lambs)
  • Ed Kemper (Mindhunter, infamous for talking his way out of asylums)
  • The perverse “sexification” of real monsters in modern adaptations.

• Memorable Rant:

  • “Having Ted Bundy—a little fucking creepy Peanut man—be played by that hunk. It’s just fucking sensationalism.” — Zac (60:39)

• They agree old movies were better because heroes and villains were clear; now, villainous characters are given too much empathy by writers.

• Funny conclusion: Fat girls who love true crime tend to be the most excited and often host murder podcasts.

  • “Sometimes you tune into a podcast and you can hear how fat the girl is based on how excited she is to talk about murder.” — Zac (64:39)

14. Wrap-Up & Plugs

65:03 – End

• Quick plugs from all guests (e.g., Chloe’s upcoming live News for Women, Derek’s On the Gate Podcast, Zac’s tour with Insane Clown Posse).
  • Zac thanks everyone for engaging in Morning Zoo’s ridiculous ride.

The Episode in Notable Quotes

• “Every time you go to the doctor, there's gonna be another thing… You're like a foster cat.” — Zac to Chloe (09:40)
• “You could put a Ziplock bag of shit in a cabinet here, someone will eat it…” — Zac (23:12)
• “I feel like here it's like the pesticides and all that… is what gets us.” — Derek (16:45)
• “Things literally fall into his lap.”— Chloe, on Charlie Sheen (38:36)
• “He was grave robbing. The two ladies he did kill, yes, he did dress them like deer and then use the parts for stuff in the house. My favorite Ed Gein thing is that he had a shoebox full of vaginas under his bed.” — Zac (62:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic/Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Nicotine, Zyn, and quitting | 00:48–04:53 | | Pills, mental health, medication humor | 03:00–09:00 | | Xanax/Pill chewing & “boofing” | 10:31–14:04 | | Food, Fast Food, Office snack stories | 16:04–26:15 | | Drug culture: GHB, Kratom | 26:16–29:32 | | Sexual safety/nightlife, drag queen justice | 29:32–36:40 | | Gay bars “lawlessness”; relationships | 36:40–38:10 | | Charlie Sheen & pop culture | 37:14–39:11 | | Child star abuse allegations | 39:25–42:04 | | Bacon fat, degenerate eating | 42:08–44:54 | | NYC animals, Sliwa’s cats, pet culture | 46:03–51:01 | | Culture clash: dogs & religion | 51:01–54:28 | | Staten Island beheading; true crime glamorization| 55:20–64:40 | | Plugs, round-up, closing | 65:03–End |

Tone & Style

True to the “Morning Zoo” spirit, the roundtable is a mix of dark comedy, gross-out humor, addict wisdom, and New York attitude. Zac leads with irreverence, Chloe brings undiluted confession, and Derek deadpans through madness. Underneath, there’s real vulnerability about addiction, health, and how comedy becomes catharsis.

For New Listeners

This Morning Zoo episode captures the show’s essence: unfiltered camaraderie, taboo-smashing honesty, and stark but hilarious observations about life’s messiest corners. Expect nothing safe for work, but plenty of unexpected empathy and insight between the raucous laughter.