The Nightly – "The Cat in The Hat & Other Jilted Lovers"
Date: December 2, 2025
Hosts: Kristen (B), Josh (A)
Episode Overview
Tonight's episode of The Nightly transports listeners to a cozy, imaginary pillow fort for soothing, bookish banter and whimsical games. Kristen and Josh play "The Guest List," inviting literary characters—ranging from chaotic cats to jilted lovers—to their fictional slumber party. Their playful debate explores what makes certain fictional figures such alluring (or disastrous) party guests, revealing both the intrigue of classic characters and the joy of lighthearted pop-culture conversation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Opening: Spa Days & Self-Care (00:30–05:30)
- Relaxation Rituals: Kristen shares her henna hair routine as an act of self-care, treating it as a personal "spa day."
- Memorable quote:
“Why not make those silvers a little bit more vibrant?” – Kristen (01:12)
- Memorable quote:
- Barber Experiences: Josh recounts his own experience with hair, describing visits to an Eastern European barber for head shaves, including the hot towel treatment.
- Notable moment:
Josh jokes about not wanting to "look like a frazzled inventor" (01:31).
- Notable moment:
- Attitudes Towards Massages: Both hosts discuss their (sometimes awkward) relationships with massages—Kristen likes firmness, Josh admits to never speaking up about pressure.
- Memorable exchange:
“I want to be kneaded like a loaf of bread. I don't want to be patted like a baby. I want to be squished.” – Kristen (04:20) - Josh: "If they're not squishing you, you're not getting your money's worth." (04:25)
- Memorable exchange:
GAME: The Guest List – Book Characters Slumber Party (05:36–21:36)
The Rules:
Each host picks three book characters to invite to their hypothetical slumber party—personalities that would make the night fun, unpredictable, or cathartic.
Josh's Guests
-
The Cat in the Hat ("The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss) [06:28]
- Chosen for being a "chaos element" and encouraging fun.
- Quote:
"He’s a good time. He cuts loose...I like the idea of bringing in a little chaos element into this slumber party and in the form of the Cat in the Hat." – Josh (07:04) - Noted for always cleaning up (unlike real party guests!)
-
Jordan Baker ("The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald) [11:11]
- Chosen as a "kind of a jerk," with sarcasm, scandal (cheating at golf), and "light intrigue."
- Josh enjoys befriending "eccentric bordering on problematic" women at parties, jokingly called "the Kook Whisperer" by his wife. (12:47)
- Quote:
"A mean person who is also, like, kind of lightly unethical is a fun person to hang out with for a little while." – Josh (12:13)
-
Ray Carney ("Harlem Shuffle" by Colson Whitehead) [15:49]
- Chosen as a relatable "wholesome family man" with a hidden, exciting criminal-adjacent life.
- Quote:
"I bet he’s a real raconteur. Not that he would divulge any secrets. I don’t think he’s a snitch. But I just feel like he knows a lot of good secrets and gossip." – Josh (17:39)
Kristen's Guests
-
Miss Havisham ("Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens) [08:14]
- Represents "spurned lovers" theme—bitter, mysterious, and holds impressive grudges.
- Would be fun for one night of airing grievances.
- Quote:
"She might be very fascinating to talk with...she would be a lot of fun to hang out with." – Kristen (09:13)
-
Jay Gatsby ("The Great Gatsby") [11:25]
- Chosen for his mystery: lavish parties, hidden backstory, and unattainable persona.
- Kristen wants to probe: "How’d you make this money, dude?" (14:20)
- Insights on how most of what we know about Gatsby is "in Nick's head."
- Quote:
"We don’t actually ever really get to know Jay Gatsby...And I want to talk to him." – Kristen (14:21)
-
Bertha Mason ("Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë) [18:42]
- The infamous "wife in the attic." Kristen sees her as deeply wronged and is interested in hearing her story and secrets about Mr. Rochester.
- Quote:
"Surely she must have had some lovely milestones in their relationship...Bertha, you must know some real dark things about Mr. Rochester, too. We want to hear those secrets. Tell us everything." – Kristen (19:44)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Kristen on Miss Havisham:
"People who are bitter, you don't necessarily want to hang out with them every day, all the time. But one night in the pillow fort, I think would be really fun." (09:32) - Josh on peculiar party guest dynamics:
"Like a friendship one night stand." (10:05) - Both mocking the usual party themes:
Kristen: "I guess I'll bring Anne of Green Gables. Cause she's nice. No." (15:14)
Josh: "This is gonna be a rip roaring bad time is really fun to me." (15:17) - Kristen on her theme:
"All three of them are spurned lovers...they’re all very fascinating to me." (08:18) - Late-episode banter about the Cat in the Hat's potential romantic woes:
Josh: "I wonder what the Cat in the Hat’s romantic history is..." (21:03)
Kristen: "Yeah, because every time he loves, the cat he’s in love with is like, you’re just too irritating for me." (21:15)
Episode Highlights by Timestamp
- Spa & Self-Care Talk: 00:30–05:36
- Game Introduction & Rules: 05:36–06:19
- Josh - Cat in the Hat Pick: 06:28–08:03
- Kristen - Miss Havisham Pick: 08:14–10:46
- Discussion of Party Dynamics: 10:46–11:11
- Josh - Jordan Baker, Kristen - Gatsby Double Pick: 11:11–15:46
- Josh - Ray Carney Pick: 15:49–18:31
- Kristen - Bertha Mason Pick: 18:38–20:49
- Party Recap & Wild Dynamics: 20:49–21:53
Episode Tone & Style
Casual, drowsy, and playful, with plenty of witty asides, affectionate ribbing, and pop culture references. Both hosts are candid about their quirks, bringing humor and humanity to both the character picks and their own lives.
For Listeners Who Missed It
The Nightly’s book character slumber party is half cozy bedtime banter, half wildly entertaining fantasy draft. Kristen leans into wounded, mysterious "jilted lovers;" Josh seeks out chaos agents and secret gossips. The fun isn't in consensus—it's in the clash, the odd combinations, and the "messy" (their word) party that results.
Takeaway: If you could invite any book character to your dream slumber party, would you go for old grudges and mysterious secrets—or a bit of gleeful anarchy? This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered what would happen if Dr. Seuss’s troublemaker shared a pillow fort with Dickensian bitterness and Jazz Age drama queens.