The Read — “Bird-In-Law” (November 20, 2025)

Hosts: Kid Fury & Crissle
Network: Loud Speakers Network

Episode Overview

In this vibrant, shade-filled episode of The Read, Kid Fury and Crissle tackle pop culture’s latest messes — from Nicki Minaj’s erratic UN speech to a messy mother-in-law situation and the shenanigans of Boosie and Offset. They dish on Black excellence, the perils of being a new mom with a boundary-stomping MIL, and the continual drama in hip hop. Expect the duo's signature comedic therapy session flavor, heartfelt advice, and a heavy dash of no-holds-barred commentary.

Black Excellence

[02:21 – 10:05]

• Kid Fury spotlights Dr. Valencia Robertson Wells, the first Black woman president of the 120-year-old Alabama Optometric Association.
  • “As someone who comes from a long line of niggas who can’t see... I appreciate Black optometrists.” — Kid Fury [03:14]
  • Discussion about the importance of Black healthcare professionals, maternal mortality, and medical racism, especially for Black women.
  • Crissle and Kid Fury swap horror stories about Black women being mistreated in medical settings.
  • Side banter about movie recommendations, “One Battle After Another,” and a detour about “Wicked” and Cynthia Erivo.
  • “Black women, so strong — we’ll always make a way. But now, should we have to?” — Kid Fury [05:08]
  • Congratulations to Dr. Wells for her leadership and inspiration.

Hot Tops: Pop Culture Shade

[10:13 – 61:25]

On the Labubu Movie

• The duo discusses rumors of a Labubu (collectible toy) film — horror or not?
• Crissle: “Them little demons coming to life and killing children in their sleep, that’s what makes sense.” [10:36]
• Lively tangent on fakes vs. real Labubus and “Lefoufu,” the knockoff.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Honored at Black Film Festival

• [17:19] Kid Fury is both confused and amused:
  • “He’s Black. And it’s not a secret… But has he ever made a Black film?”
  • Both hosts grapple with what makes a “Black film,” sponsorships, and what it means for representation.
  • Crissle: “And until you set foot on that (Tyler Perry) compound, you won’t be getting shit else.” [20:19]
  • Light roast of The Rock’s acting ambitions.

Stephen A. Smith Leaves NBA Countdown

• Crissle rejoices: “Stephen A. Smith is the worst part of ESPN to me. So him not being on Countdown is probably going to make it more tolerable.” [24:45]
• Recap of sports TV rotations and why she prefers others like Colin Cowherd.

Nicki Minaj’s UN Speech & Alignment with Trump

• [27:56 – 38:34]
  • Kid Fury details Nicki’s erratic keynote at the UN on Christian persecution in Nigeria.
  • “The thing about it isn’t just the Trump of it all, but the fact that I have struggled to understand what this person has been saying in general lately.” — Kid Fury [27:56]
  • Crissle fact-checks (with receipts) Trump and Nicki’s “persecution” narrative.
    • “I decided, what does Trump really want with Nigeria?” — Crissle [31:48]
    • Explores the real sources (poverty, resource conflict, not just religion).
  • Crissle speculates on why Nicki would stump for Trump:
    • “There’s a very good chance she’s looking for a pardon for one or both those niggas from this man.” [34:19]
  • Both ridicule Nicki for double-shouting out the Barbs at the UN.
    • “Barbs, I know you’re listening, I love you so much. You’re the light of my life.” — Crissle mocking Nicki [35:43]
  • Discussion about the backlash in Nicki's fandom.
  • “Aligning yourself with Trump is crazy. She’s really out of her fuckin’ mind.” — Crissle [36:12]

Cardi B’s Baby & Tour (and Offset Drama)

• [46:12 – 59:18]
  • Cardi confirms her new baby and new tour. Crissle gives congrats, Kid Fury praises the creative rollout.
  • Sharp take on Offset’s rumored bid for half her money in divorce.
    • “If culture decides to share.” — Kid Fury [53:16]
    • Crissle: “Imagine a nigga playing you your whole marriage... and then he like, actually, you owe me half. Nah, I would lose my mind.” [53:32]
  • Debates Cardi’s potential as a performer, high bar set by Beyoncé.

Other Quick Reads

• Tory Lanez fined $20k for contempt in Milagro Grams defamation case.
  • “You either gonna answer these questions or it’s gonna get worser.” — Kid Fury [64:31]
• Boosie’s messy Breakfast Club appearance mocking Diddy and — once again — making everything about d*cks.
  • “Why does it always come back to dicks for you?!” — Crissle [67:28]
• Hosts believe “everyone is a little gay,” make jokes about celebrity sexual fluidity [72:29].

Advice Segment — Listener Letters

[78:20 – 96:21]

Notable Letter — Bird-In-Law Trouble

[80:31 – 96:21]
Letter from Jayla:

• Jayla’s pregnant with her first child. Her mother-in-law has repeatedly overstepped:
  • Announcing the pregnancy before they could, revealing gender, making everything about herself (“glad we weren’t having a girl because ‘I would have had a hard time with her’”).
• Jayla expresses fears MIL will continue to disregard boundaries once the baby’s born.
• Asks: Should I keep her at bay or keep the peace?

Key Insights/Quotes:

• Kid Fury: “I’m setting the boundary with no sugar on top. Ten swollen toes down.” [84:38]
• Crissle: "You already took my experience from me... My child, my family, my household — I’m calling the shots." [85:29]
• Advice:
  • "Set clear, firm boundaries now. The real issue is making sure your husband is 100% on your side before the birth." — Crissle [90:06]
  • “If she don’t like it, your husband needs to be the one to check her.” — Crissle [91:58]
• Jokes about overprotective parents, post-COVID, and being petty with a boundary-pushing MIL.

Other Letters

• Danny’s Struggle with Sister and Dad [96:38 – 107:42]
  • Danny’s sister snitches to their dad (a controlling narcissist) about taking his dog, disregards boundaries.
  • Kid Fury: “How do you deal with a family member who disrespects you and denies your pain? You don’t.” [99:20]
  • Crissle: “Help your therapist unpack that guilt... Why would you feel bad about that?” [102:45]
  • Guidance: Put distance between yourself and family who repeatedly harm you, and mourn what you thought the relationship was.

The Read (Final Shade)

[111:15 – 133:18]

Kid Fury’s Read: Lazy Transphobia in Rap

• “If you cannot come up with a bar that references trans people without a punchline about genitals: write about something else.” [111:15]
• “It’s not just offensive, it’s boring. Shut the fuck up.”

Crissle’s Read:

• Pharrell’s out-of-touch remarks at Black Ambition, minimizing Black/brown-specific opportunity work, pretending politics is just “division,” and his fundraising for controversial causes.
  • “You too damn old to act like you don’t understand that Black and brown people are oppressed in this country.” [114:31]
  • “We don’t align, period. And I honestly can’t think of one thing [Trump and I] agree on.” [117:24]
• Donald Trump calling a reporter “Piggy.”
  • “You look like a boar they gave blonde eyebrows and brought to life.” — Crissle [120:07]
  • Both hosts drag Trump for fatphobia while being… Trump.

Bonus: Patrick Beverly Assault & Sexist Commentary

• Patrick Beverly lets a white colleague denigrate Megan Thee Stallion, only to get arrested for violently assaulting his own sister the same week.
  • Crissle: "Maybe focus less on Klay [Thompson] aging and more on why you put your hands on your sister.” [131:01]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Nicki at the UN:

  • “I'm like, Heavenly father, call on him. If ever there were a time for you to take the wheel...” — Kid Fury [27:56]
  • “Aligning yourself with Trump is crazy. She's really out of her fuck.” — Crissle [36:12]

• On Boundaries with MIL:

  • "If I say you can't drink milk in this house cause I don't like it, guess what? You're dairy free until your feet hit that mat again." — Kid Fury [85:31]
  • "Make sure you and your husband are on the same page... He is for sure gonna be the problem." — Crissle [90:03]

• On Boosie:

  • "Why does it always come back to dicks for you? Even when there’s no reason to be thinking of a penis, you find a way." — Crissle [67:28]

• On Cardi’s Tour Drama:

  • "Why are you on this lady's pot? You want half that net worth, half that fortune." — Crissle [50:10]

Structure & Flow

The episode moves fluidly between topics, with cultural commentary, personal stories, and listener advice. Kid Fury and Crissle blend wit and wisdom, seamlessly interweaving pop culture shade (“Hot Tops”) and heartfelt, tough love in the letters segment. Tangents and asides are as sharp and relevant as ever, with the show’s tone remaining unfiltered, laugh-out-loud funny, and biting.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Black Excellence: 02:21 – 10:05
• Labubu Movie/Pop Culture: 10:13 – 19:55
• The Rock at Black Film Fest: 17:19 – 20:53
• Stephen A. Smith: 23:25 – 27:20
• Nicki Minaj UN drama: 27:56 – 38:34
• Cardi B/Offset: 46:12 – 59:18
• Tory Lanez, Boosie: 62:14 – 72:51
• Listener Letters (MIL drama): 80:31 – 96:21
• Listener Letters (Sister/Dad Issues): 96:38 – 107:42
• The Read (Final Shade): 111:15 – 133:18

Overall Vibe

• Tone: Hilarious, incisive, honest, — and frequently petty (in the best way).
• Theme: How to maintain boundaries and self-respect — whether dealing with celebrity antics, toxic family, or being a Black person in hostile systems. No pretense, no mercy for the foolish.
• Takeaway: Speak up for yourself, laugh at the mess, and don’t let anybody — not celebrities, mothers-in-law, or rappers — get you off balance.

For more episodes or to send in your own letter, follow The Read (@ThisIsTheRead) and visit thisistheread.com.