Episode Summary: Tears For The Kingdom

Release Date: March 27, 2025

In this engaging episode of "The Read" hosted by Kid Fury and Crissle, the duo navigates a spectrum of topics ranging from celebrating black excellence in the entertainment industry to dissecting recent pop culture controversies, addressing listener concerns, and offering critiques on popular video games. Their signature blend of humor and candid discussion provides listeners with both entertainment and insightful commentary.

1. Black Excellence: Honoring Influential Figures

a. Tina Knowles – Billboard's 2025 Mother of the Year

The episode kicks off with Kid Fury and Crissle celebrating Tina Knowles, who has been honored as Billboard's 2025 Mother of the Year at the Women in Music event held at the YouTube Theater.

• Kid Fury [03:10]: "We got to meet her and take photographs with her, and she did our hair. It was really great."

Crissle adds personal anecdotes about meeting Tina, highlighting her warmth and maternal energy, and expresses excitement for Tina's upcoming book titled Matriarch.

• Crissle [03:59]: "She is just... big auntie energy. Just pure, authentic warmth."

b. Denzel Washington's Historic Othello on Broadway

Transitioning to theater, the hosts discuss Denzel Washington's portrayal of Othello on Broadway, which has shattered records to become the top-grossing play of all time.

• Kid Fury [07:04]: "This play has broken the record previously held by Harry Potter and the Cursed Child."

They commend the production for its profound impact and historical significance, noting the attendance of notable figures like Joe Biden.

c. Sherri Shepherd and Nia Long Incident

A heated discussion follows about an altercation between Sherri Shepherd and Nia Long at the premiere of Othello. Sherri alleges that Nia confronted her about perceived shade, leading to a public fallout.

• Crissle [12:19]: "Nia Long grabbed her by the arm, turned her around, and confronted her about being shady."

The hosts analyze the implications of celebrity conflicts and the challenges of maintaining professionalism in high-stakes environments.

d. Jonathan Majors' Controversial Career

The conversation shifts to Jonathan Majors, addressing the controversy surrounding allegations of aggression. Kid Fury and Crissle debate the balance between holding public figures accountable and supporting their artistic contributions.

• Crissle [22:14]: "You should be permitted to act. But it doesn't mean you should be in blockbuster films without consequences."

They question the industry's response to misconduct and its impact on career trajectories.

2. Listener Letters: Personal Challenges and Guidance

a. Keisha's Family Struggles and Grief

Keisha, a 30-year-old black woman from Florida, writes about her difficult relationship with her family, particularly her mother's involvement with a sex offender. Amid a custody battle and recent losses of her grandmother and mother, Keisha seeks advice on navigating grief after cutting ties with her mother.

• Crissle [58:23]: "It's time you either gonna break the cycle or continue it. Like, what you gonna do?"

Kid Fury and Crissle offer empathetic support, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing her children's safety, seeking therapy, and leaning on supportive friends.

b. Ginger's Lost Friendship Amidst Tragedy

Ginger shares her experience of losing contact with her best friend Dodie during the simultaneous passing of her grandmother and mother. Years later, Dodie reaches out only to acknowledge her losses without addressing the initial fallout, leaving Ginger conflicted about rekindling the friendship.

• Kid Fury [75:43]: "If she was mad, I would not attempt to rekindle this friendship."

The hosts discuss the complexities of broken friendships, especially during times of personal tragedy, and the necessity of setting boundaries.

c. Hannah's Exploration of AI as Therapy

Hannah explores using Chat GPT as a supplementary tool for therapy, finding it surprisingly therapeutic for sorting through her thoughts between formal sessions. She questions the efficacy and limitations of AI in mental health support.

• Hannah: "It's like having a space to unload with no judgment, which I didn't even realize I needed."

Kid Fury and Crissle delve into the potential and pitfalls of AI in therapeutic contexts, advocating for human connection and traditional therapy's irreplaceable role.

3. Video Game Critiques: Zelda and Assassin's Creed

a. The Legend of Tears of the Kingdom

Kid Fury and Crissle express strong disdain for The Legend of Tears of the Kingdom, criticizing its complex building mechanics that diverge from traditional Zelda gameplay. They argue that the addition of unnecessary construction elements detracts from the franchise's core essence.

• Kid Fury [104:21]: "I hate building things. Especially in this game."

b. Assassin's Creed Shadows and Representation Issues

The hosts turn their critique towards Assassin's Creed Shadows, lamenting the portrayal of a black samurai character and the game's pacing issues. They highlight concerns over representation and the franchise's shift towards monetization strategies.

• Crissle [116:21]: "This is exactly how they failed their way upwards into these positions."

Their discussion underscores the importance of authentic representation and meaningful game design over mere financial gains.

4. Pop Culture and Political Commentary

The episode also features tangential discussions on various pop culture phenomena and political mishaps, including a bewildering segment on a leaked group chat involving national security officials. While these topics are briefly touched upon, they add layers to the hosts' broader commentary on accountability and societal issues.

5. Closing Remarks and Promotions

As the episode wraps up, Kid Fury and Crissle promote upcoming content, such as Kid Fury’s Patreon-exclusive gameplay videos and their continuous efforts to engage with their audience through social media and upcoming shows.

• Kid Fury [135:30]: "You can find me here on this podcast. You can find me on patreon.com/kidfury."

They also provide reminders for listeners to follow them on various platforms and express gratitude for their audience's support.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kid Fury [03:10]: "We got to meet her and take photographs with her, and she did our hair. It was really great."

• Crissle [12:19]: "Nia Long grabbed her by the arm, turned her around, and confronted her about being shady."

• Crissle [58:23]: "It's time you either gonna break the cycle or continue it. Like, what you gonna do?"

• Kid Fury [104:21]: "I hate building things. Especially in this game."

• Crissle [116:21]: "This is exactly how they failed their way upwards into these positions."

Conclusion

In "Tears For The Kingdom," Kid Fury and Crissle adeptly navigate through a mosaic of topics that resonate with their audience. From celebrating achievements in black excellence and dissecting high-profile controversies to addressing personal listener struggles and critiquing beloved video games, the hosts maintain a dynamic and engaging dialogue. Their blend of humor, critical analysis, and heartfelt advice solidifies "The Read" as a compelling podcast that both entertains and enlightens its listeners.