The Read Podcast Episode Summary: "Green & Black"
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Read
- Hosts: Kid Fury and Crissle
- Network: Loud Speakers Network
- Release Date: December 5, 2024
- Description: A weekly podcast where Kid Fury and Crissle dissect hip-hop and pop culture with humor and sharp commentary, while also navigating life in New York City.
1. "Roundtable" Game Show Craze
Timestamp: [01:44] - [02:37]
Kid Fury kicks off the episode by expressing his enthusiasm for the "Roundtable" game show hosted by Chase and Mellow Studios. He describes it as an "on-air therapy session" that provides him with "peace and tranquility."
- Kid Fury: "This is the best thing that's ever happened to me. It is like everything that I need right now." ([01:48])
Crissle reacts with her trademark humor, calling Fury's excitement "cringe" but acknowledges the show's hilarity.
2. Personal Lives: Crissle's Baby and Dog Expenses
Timestamp: [04:04] - [07:06]
Crissle shares her joy about her growing baby girl and the unique advent calendar filled with treats, contrasting it with the more traditional adult-filled versions.
- Crissle: "She's just getting so big and so smart. She has an advent calendar, so every morning we open her advent calendar for the day and see what new treats she has." ([04:04])
The conversation shifts to their pets, with Kid Fury humorously lamenting the high cost of his dog’s bed compared to his own mattress.
- Kid Fury: "Link's dog bed costs more than my mattress, and that is a shame." ([04:48])
3. Mental Health and Coping with Depression
Timestamp: [07:06] - [09:43]
Both hosts delve into their personal struggles with mental health, discussing feelings of exhaustion, depletion, and seasonal depression. Kid Fury reflects on his desire to rest and escape through anime and video games.
- Kid Fury: "I just want to sit in this bed and I just want to watch anime and play my PlayStation for, like, two days." ([08:09])
Crissle emphasizes the importance of seeking healthier coping mechanisms, such as exercising and getting adequate sleep.
- Crissle: "Get your sleep and all that." ([09:34])
4. Celebrating Black Excellence and Hollywood Honors
Timestamp: [11:03] - [13:42]
The hosts congratulate actress Kerry Washington on receiving a Hollywood star on the Walk of Fame, praising her contributions and the cultural significance of such honors.
- Kid Fury: "Kerry Washington will be honored with a Hollywood star on the Walk of Fame. Yay." ([11:03])
They discuss the representation of Black excellence in Hollywood, highlighting Issa Rae's new restaurant lounge as a celebration of community and progress.
- Crissle: "Ms. Issa Rae, who's opened a brand new restaurant lounge... It's a lovely community." ([12:25])
5. Pop Culture Segment: Deep Dive into "Wicked" Musical
Timestamp: [17:22] - [58:08]
A. Overview of the "Wicked" Musical Adaptation
Kid Fury and Crissle engage in an extensive analysis of the "Wicked" musical and its recent movie adaptation. They explore themes of racism, classism, and the portrayal of marginalized characters.
- Kid Fury: "It's about racism, classism. It's about political propaganda, censorship." ([26:32])
B. Character Analysis: Elphaba and Glinda
The hosts discuss the casting choices, particularly the decision to present Elphaba as a Black character, adding depth to her struggle and experiences.
- Crissle: "Ms. Pau... He was like, I see you... A dope way to give back to his community." ([13:42] - [15:17])
They critique Glinda's portrayal by Ariana Grande, noting her focus on popularity and superficial charm, contrasting it with Elphaba's deeper emotional journey.
- Kid Fury: "Ariana's Glinda was kind of like she took like a smidgen of the kookiness back and added like frustration and agitation." ([36:49])
C. Emotional and Thematic Impact
The conversation highlights pivotal scenes that emphasize Elphaba's internal struggles and Glinda's redemption, appreciating Cynthia Erivo's emotional performance.
- Crissle: "Cynthia Erivo's ability to invoke emotion and humanity within acting and singing is unheard of." ([28:46])
6. Kendrick Lamar’s New Album and Controversies
Timestamp: [71:52] - [107:32]
A. Album Release and Initial Reactions
Kid Fury and Crissle discuss the surprise release of Kendrick Lamar's latest album, noting its brevity and profound impact.
- Crissle: "Kendrick put an album out and I said, I'm already played it. I've already listened to the whole thing." ([71:52])
B. Analysis of Specific Tracks and Music Videos
They delve into specific tracks like "Man at the Garden," "Defying Gravity," and "GNX," praising the lyrical depth and production quality.
- Kid Fury: "Defying Gravity is absolutely... I love the melody and the production are very pretty." ([49:55])
C. Legal Issues and Industry Impact
The hosts touch upon the controversies surrounding Kendrick Lamar, including lawsuits from UMG over alleged streaming manipulations.
- Crissle: "UMG says it is offensive and untrue that they did not actually falsely pump up the popularity of this song on Spotify and other streaming sites." ([75:16])
7. Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
Timestamp: [107:32] - [117:25]
As the episode concludes, Kid Fury and Crissle reflect on their discussions about "Wicked" and Kendrick Lamar's album. They express excitement for future episodes and upcoming projects, including the "Roundtable" game show and endorsing various sponsors.
- Kid Fury: "I'm proud of myself." ([116:33])
- Crissle: "We have Wicked and GNX." ([117:17])
They thank their listeners and encourage engagement through social media and merchandise, signing off with their characteristic blend of humor and camaraderie.
Notable Quotes:
- Kid Fury: "This is the best thing that's ever happened to me. It is like everything that I need right now." ([01:48])
- Crissle: "She's just getting so big and so smart. She has an advent calendar..." ([04:04])
- Kid Fury: "Link's dog bed costs more than my mattress, and that is a shame." ([04:48])
- Crissle: "Get your sleep and all that." ([09:34])
- Kid Fury: "It's about racism, classism. It's about political propaganda, censorship." ([26:32])
- Crissle: "Cynthia Erivo's ability to invoke emotion and humanity within acting and singing is unheard of." ([28:46])
Conclusion: In this episode of "The Read," Kid Fury and Crissle blend their sharp cultural critiques with personal anecdotes, offering listeners a mix of humor, insightful commentary on media representations, and candid discussions about mental health. Their deep dive into "Wicked" and Kendrick Lamar's new album showcases their ability to analyze complex themes while maintaining an engaging and entertaining dialogue.