Podcast Summary: The Read – Episode "The Nigrohs"
Release Date: March 7, 2025
Host: Loud Speakers Network (Kid Fury and Crissle)
1. Celebrating Black Excellence
a. Paul Tazewell’s Historic Oscar Win
The episode kicks off with Kid Fury (00:24) celebrating Paul Tazewell's groundbreaking achievement as the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Costume Design for his work in Wicked Part 1. Crissle (Crystal) (01:57) echoes this sentiment, highlighting the intricate details of the film's costumes, from Ariana and Cynthia’s wardrobes to the students at Shiz and Madame Morrible’s looks.
Kid Fury (00:43): “Wicked was nominated for a ton of stuff. I'm very glad that they won costume because, wow, the outfits and costumes in the Wicked film were incredible.”
b. Kimora Freeland’s Pilot Achievement
Crissle brings attention to 17-year-old Kimora Freeland (02:36), who became the youngest licensed pilot in New York and one of the youngest in U.S. history. Despite aviation not being her initial dream, Kimora excelled through the United Youth Aviators program and plans to study economics at Spelman on a full presidential scholarship.
Kid Fury (02:36): “She learned to fly a plane before she even had a driver's license. She earned her private pilot license on February 26th... She plans to study economics.”
c. Bri Clark’s Gymnastics Milestone
Crissle (03:30) mentions Bri Clark, the first Black college gymnast to perform the "Biles" move, celebrating her as another example of emerging Black talent making significant strides.
Crissle (03:30): “Bri Clark... first college gymnast to do the Biles... my heart, because I need all of that.”
2. Addressing the Current Political Climate
a. Critique of Trump’s Presidential Address
The hosts delve into their disdain for President Trump’s recent joint address (04:01). They express frustration over his incoherent remarks, such as the $8 million spent on transgender mice, and his confrontational demeanor in the Oval Office with President Zelensky. Crissle (05:06) vehemently criticizes Trump’s inability to communicate effectively.
Crissle (05:16): “He stops doing stand-up, and I was like, yeah, I hate it. I'm actually cutting this off.”
b. Local Politics: Eric Adams’ Controversial Speech
Later in the episode, Kid Fury and Crissle turn their attention to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. They condemn his use of the term "Negroes" in a press conference (72:30 – 75:22), criticizing his arrogance and the dismissive tone towards critics. Crissle emphasizes the inappropriate language and Adams' inability to take accountability.
Crissle (74:11): “Eric Adams is really feeling himself. He is smelling his dick...”
3. Notable Deaths and Passings
The hosts take a moment to memorialize several influential figures who recently passed away:
- Angie Stone: Tragically died in a car accident at 63 (09:50).
- Chris Jasper of the Isley Brothers: Passed away at 73 after battling cancer (10:14).
- Michelle Trachtenberg: Known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, she was found unresponsive at 39, likely due to complications from a liver transplant (10:19).
- Roy Ayers: The legendary vibraphonist and soul musician died a few days prior to the episode (11:35).
Kid Fury (10:14): “Chris Jasper of Isley Brothers also passed away at the age of 73. Cancer. Great.”
4. Oscars Breakdown
a. Performances by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
Kid Fury and Crissle discuss the memorable performances at the Oscars (12:37 – 19:56), particularly highlighting Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's collaboration. They praised the emotional depth and artistic execution of their medley, blending Wicked with Defying Gravity.
Crissle (13:05): “Ariana in a red gown with the red on the back. Okay, so you did. Okay, good.”
b. Doja Cat’s Performance and Critique of Other Acts
The hosts express disappointment with Doja Cat’s performance, describing it as lacking authenticity despite her hard work. They also critique other performances that didn’t resonate as well, such as those by Ray and conflicting musical choices related to films like James Bond and Quincy Jones’ tribute.
Kid Fury (14:31): “Home got me. Home got me... honored both versions of that story to me in that way was so clever.”
5. Legal Issues
a. Karen Huger’s DUI Case
Crissle and Kid Fury discuss the sentencing of Karen Huger (26:06), who received a two-year jail sentence for multiple DUI-related offenses. They criticize the judicial system for not enforcing stricter penalties despite her repeated offenses.
Crissle (26:27): “I don't understand why she insisted on taking this to court. Why didn't you take the plea?”
b. Tory Lanez’s Ongoing Legal Disputes
The conversation shifts to Tory Lanez’s legal issues, including his interactions with other artists and ongoing lawsuits (33:25 – 36:08).
Kid Fury (34:07): “I'm gonna be on the other person's side anyway, so there. You know how I feel about it.”
6. Listener Letters
a. Frederick’s Friendship Dilemma
Frederick writes about a strained friendship over minor social media actions, questioning whether an unfollow and accidental location sharing warrant ending a friendship. Crissle and Kid Fury advise him to recognize overthinking and consider whether the friendship is truly worth saving.
Kid Fury (43:21): “I think both of y'all overthink a lot.”
b. Clark’s Concerns About Son’s School Project
Clark seeks advice on his 7-year-old son's project portraying York, an enslaved person from the Lewis and Clark expedition, feeling uneasy about York being the sole enslaved figure represented in a predominantly white, liberal school. The hosts suggest evaluating the school’s handling of the portrayal and considering alternative projects if necessary.
Crissle (55:11): “I might try to get my kid to play somebody else.”
c. Allison’s Problematic Therapist Experience
Allison shares her negative experience with a Black therapist who oversteps professional boundaries by sharing personal information and failing to provide therapeutic support. The hosts strongly advise ending the therapeutic relationship and seeking a more professional therapist.
Crissle (62:38): “She has completely abandoned her professional responsibilities here.”
7. Light-Hearted Segments: Disney+ and Hulu Confusion
Towards the end of the episode, Kid Fury humorously vents (70:13 – 72:18) about the confusing integration of Hulu content within Disney+, expressing frustration over the platform's user interface and content organization.
Kid Fury (71:07): “Why is all this Hulu in my Disney? I don't understand why I'm logging into my Disney plus and I see how to get away with murder and I see...”
8. Final Thoughts and Rants
In the closing segments, Kid Fury and Crissle engage in spirited rants about various topics, including Eric Adams’ conduct and Sherri Shepherd’s role-model rhetoric. They emphasize the importance of holding individuals accountable and rejecting harmful narratives that place blame on victims of assault.
Crissle (80:32): “Nobody said because I am famous, I am now going to be responsible to the children of the world.”
Notable Quotes
- Kid Fury (00:43): “Wicked was nominated for a ton of stuff. I'm very glad that they won costume because, wow, the outfits and costumes in the Wicked film were incredible.”
- Crissle (05:16): “He stops doing stand-up, and I was like, yeah, I hate it. I'm actually cutting this off.”
- Crissle (26:27): “I don't understand why she insisted on taking this to court.”
- Crissle (62:38): “She has completely abandoned her professional responsibilities here.”
- Kid Fury (71:07): “Why is all this Hulu in my Disney? I don't understand why I'm logging into my Disney plus and I see how to get away with murder...”
Conclusion
In this episode of The Read, Kid Fury and Crissle navigate through a mix of celebrating Black excellence, critiquing political figures, mourning the loss of notable personalities, dissecting Oscar performances, addressing legal controversies, and providing heartfelt responses to listener letters. Their blend of humor, sharp commentary, and candid conversation offers listeners both entertainment and insightful perspectives on contemporary issues.
For more insights and discussions, tune into The Read available on iTunes, iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
Note: This summary captures the essence of the episode while maintaining the hosts' dynamic and engaging style. Quotes are attributed with approximate timestamps to highlight key moments.