The Read – “When a Red Hat Looks Both Ways” (Jan 22, 2026)

Hosts: Kid Fury & Crissle
Theme: Pop culture, Black excellence, internet drama, and on-air therapy, all with unfiltered humor and signature shade.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Kid Fury and Crissle serve the usual blend of pop culture commentary, internet drama, and candid real talk. They highlight Black historical figures and excellence before diving into the latest celebrity rumors—from Nicki Minaj’s Twitter antics to the ever-spinning saga of viral internet couples. The letters segment offers community and compassionate advice, while "The Read" is as pointed and hilarious as ever, tackling everything from who gets to say “nigga” to TikTok drama and family feuds among the rich and famous.

Black Excellence ([03:00])

• Highlight: Dr. Gladys West
  • Recently passed away at 95.
  • Mathematician whose work laid the foundation for GPS technology.
    • “So this beautiful black goddess...is the reason that you know how to get to trade house. That aircrafts know where they at, that emergency services can get to that burning building or whatever.” — Kid Fury (04:03)
  • Praised for her legacy and impact: “I hope you take your rest and, you know, job well done and all of that. What a legend.” — Crissle (04:40)
• Shoutout: LSU Tigers Dance Team
  • Praised for showstopping performances and almost-winning at UDA Nationals.
  • Kid Fury is obsessed with their choreography and crowd energy.

Pop Culture Roundup (“Hot Tops” Segment) ([06:27])

• Cat Williams vs. Steve Harvey
  • Cat Williams posts petty memes continuing his feud; the hosts are more entertained by the confused child roped into blaming Steve Harvey for MLK’s death.
    • “He hates this...It's unnecessary and petty, but the Cat Williams of it...is not the story. The story is this adorable little boy.” — Kid Fury (07:27)
• Rihanna vs. Rogue Doors
  • Rihanna’s bodyguard fails to hold the door, prompting viral clips of similar incidents and internet riffs on chivalry.
    • “Somebody even made a compilation of a few times that people have let this happen to Rihanna...Internet never rests.” — Kid Fury (10:04)
• Tichina Arnold’s Brian Austin Green Story ([11:03])
  • Explains why she stopped dating Brian: “You are running around with a lot of sisters, but you're not going to marry one.”
    • “Look at what people could get away with before social media and camera phones.” — Crissle (12:40)
• Kevin Gates and Jeleny Tejada ([13:32])
  • Dissects Kevin Gates’ claim he “turned” Jeleny straight, their mutual cringes about sexuality discourse, and references Kevin’s cousin.
    • “But this one fucked his cousin.” — Crissle (15:55)
    • “Of all the men in this club...it would not be Kevin Gates.” — Crissle (17:29)
• Aoki Lee Simmons Moves to Bali ([17:51])
  • Discussion on her desire for peace and backless dresses; sensitivities about family and the pressures of public scrutiny.
    • “I'm steady praying for that young lady’s spirit.” — Kid Fury (18:27)
    • “The adults are just wishing you the very best on whatever journey it is you own, because I'm a little afraid for you to be completely honest.” — Crissle (20:42)
• Nicki Minaj Targets Don Lemon ([21:11])
  • Nicki Minaj’s inflammatory tweets about Don Lemon, echoed by Trump, spark disgust from the hosts.
    • “I completely tossing away your legacy for, you know, for the A journey into licking the Doc Martens of all of these white people who couldn't give two living fucks about you.” — Kid Fury (22:10)
    • “It is preposterous for you to suggest anybody is a thug that should go to jail when you're married to one.” — Kid Fury (23:45)
    • “The random homophobia is just so weird. Have you forgotten? Do you think your fans are straight?” — Crissle (24:06)
    • “Anything that you're outputting right now is worth any value anyway.” — Kid Fury (25:27)

Viral Internet Couples and Influencer Fame ([30:25])

• Neither host cares about the “light-skinned TikTok couple” getting divorced, marveling at how strangers can become millionaire celebrities overnight.
  • “There’s so much space in this world to be famous, that people can be legit millionaires with millions of followers. And I have never once...I have no idea what it is you do.” — Crissle (34:54)
  • “You could put them next to Steph and Aisha Curry and I would have a hard time...picking them light skinned people out.” — Kid Fury (32:49)
  • Analysis of how nosiness and algorithms fuel these stories.
  • Discussion of accidental deep-dives into TikTok conspiracy, the confusion with names and narratives, and how influencer drama is “a fun thing. Everyone's miserable. You're having a good time.” — Kid Fury (37:52)
• Concludes with admiration for Alondra’s recent “hated into greatness” viral moment.
  • “Let me save that. Well, wait...God damn. What an incredible point to make.” — Crissle (45:07)

Listener Letters

1. IShowSpeed Streamer ([48:13])

• Kid Fury recognizes IShowSpeed as a major streamer, comments on his wild, energetic style, but doesn’t closely follow his African travels.

2. HIV Status and Immigration to Australia ([53:14])

• Letter from a listener whose HIV-positive result complicates Australian residency.
  • Both are shocked by the discriminatory policy.
  • “You’re really doing a disservice to yourself by beating yourself up for this. All of the, I could have done this, I should have done this... It's not healing, you know? It's just kind of you staring at this wound and being like, well, I shouldn't have fell on that knife or whatever.” — Kid Fury (55:04)
  • They encourage local LGBTQ+ centers and self-compassion, and remind him it’s a setback, not the end.

3. Sober Living with a MAGA-Hatted Roommate ([62:12])

• Listener newly sober, distressed his assigned roommate wears a MAGA hat.
  • “That would have sent me straight to the nips.” — Crissle (65:16)
  • Advice: Try to get a room change, use opposite schedules to minimize contact, set clear boundaries, and advocate for yourself: “A maga hat is a direct threat to my sobriety!” — Crissle (68:51)
  • “I would have absolutely no intention in sharing a space with this Republican cockey.” — Kid Fury (66:00)
  • Ultimately, encouragement to focus on sobriety and lean into support, not let “one asshole” derail his progress.

The Read ([74:01])

Who Gets to Say “Nigga” & "Letting Non-Blacks Say the N-Word"

• Kid Fury is incensed over a white Puerto Rican woman on “Baddies” insisting on saying the N-word and being defended by Black folks.
  • “Y’all got AI explaining every goddamn thing...so I don't understand why you can't just go get them this.” — Kid Fury (76:37)
  • “She has black kids. Okay, well, then they can say nigga if they want to. Sometimes she can’t.” — Kid Fury (77:05)
  • “You want to worry about what Jada Waita’s baby father doing. Okay, I’m wishing you guys the best. Just know you can't say nigga in front of me with your white skin because I will go to jail. I don't care.” — Kid Fury (87:17)
• Crissle and Fury stress it’s about respect, contextual history, and call out the “not bothered” crowd for trying to police others’ boundaries:
  • “You have to know that any white person going around saying nigga anywhere, it will eventually get they ass beat. You know that. If it don't bother you, fine, fine.” — Kid Fury (84:30)
  • "If lesbians say faggot...I'm not gonna say nothing, because he's allowed to feel that way." — Kid Fury (85:16)

Rapid Fire "Reads" from Crissle

NFL Fining Aziz Al Shayer ([88:21])

• Fined for “Stop the Genocide” on his eye black.
  • “Fuck y’all for this. Genuinely and sincerely, I don’t care if it’s your rule. Stop the genocide is a worthy message that needs to be put out there.” — Crissle (89:43)

TikTok “Dick Dyke” Drama ([91:39])

• Recap of Eazy (stud TikToker) mocking activist Samira with a fat suit and subsequent backlash, plus call-outs over bisexuality and label misuse.
  • “Using the label stud is going to be a problem for the real studs, because, number one, stud means something. And that thing is black lesbian.” — Crissle (95:18)
  • Encourages listeners to read the books Samira suggests about body politics and fatphobia.
  • “She’s a dick dyke to the fullest. Just 100%.” — Crissle (100:40)

Brooklyn Beckham’s Family Feud ([100:40])

• Breaks down the public split between Brooklyn and his family, siding with Brooklyn’s narrative of gaining peace away from controlling relatives.
  • “I’m more inclined to believe this kid...because regular Degla parents are that way. But these parents are like image, and we have to give met when we go to buy our biscuit.” — Kid Fury (107:49)
  • “Don’t let the fact that you used to perform Posh Spice songs with your friends...cause you to go invalidate this man.” — Crissle (110:09)
  • “You know who does? Brooklyn Beckham. Their son.” — Kid Fury (110:43)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Rihanna’s Door Bad Luck:
  • “I'm just finished, I guess. I don't really know.” — Kid Fury (10:41)
• On “Couple Content” on Social Media:
  • “As soon as I see couples content, my brain switches off, baby. I do not care.” — Crissle (30:25)
• On Nicki Minaj's Fall:
  • “I don't ever have to listen to a fucking music again. I don’t think that she...I never have to hear you, your voice or anything to do with you again.” — Kid Fury (23:00)
• On Roommates and Boundaries:
  • “And I would guess with it being a sober living space, they’ll do something about it. I would hope.” — Crissle (71:29)
• On "Fat Suit" Comedy:
  • “We hit our comedy pinnacle with the fat suits. That was when we did our best work. Like, nobody says that shit.” — Crissle (93:37)

Tone & Style

• Raw, humorous, and honest.
• No-holds-barred critique; plenty of explicit language.
• Strong sense of community and empathy in advice.
• Hosts’ banter features observations about New York, queer life, and viral black twitter/pop culture.

For more on “The Read,” follow @thisistheread or visit their network pages for new episodes.

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