Unabridged: 2024 Pop Culture Superlatives with Chelsea Devantez & Sam Sanders

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Stacks – Unabridged: 2024 Pop Culture Superlatives with Chelsea Devantez & Sam Sanders

Release Date: December 20, 2024

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Introduction

In this bonus episode of The Stacks titled "Unabridged: 2024 Pop Culture Superlatives," host Traci Thomas invites pop culture aficionados Chelsea Devantez and Sam Sanders to dissect the most notable and contentious moments of 2024. This lively discussion delves into the highs and lows of the year's cultural landscape, offering listeners insightful commentary and spirited debates.

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Main Discussion

1. Announcing the Episode Format and Guests ([04:24] - [06:34])

   • Traci Thomas introduces the episode as a foray into pop culture superlatives, highlighting it as a first-time endeavor for The Stacks on a Bridge.
   • She welcomes Chelsea Devantez, host of the Glamorous Trash Podcast and author, and Sam Sanders, host of the Sam Sanders Show and co-host of the Vibe Check Podcast.
   • The trio sets the stage for discussing their favorite and least favorite aspects of 2024's pop culture, framing the conversation around superlative categories.

2. Jennifer Lopez's Documentary and Divorce Saga ([07:26] - [11:08])

   • Chelsea Devantez identifies Jennifer Lopez's documentary about her love life as the "biggest story of the year" ([07:26]). The documentary chronicles Lopez's personal relationships and musical endeavors.
   • Within two months of the documentary's release, Lopez files for divorce, prompting her to remove her iconic infinity tattoo—symbolizing eternal love—from her wrist ([07:56]).
     • Chelsea: “Jennifer Lopez debuting her documentary about her love life... and within two months, removing the infinity tattoo.”
   • Sam Sanders humorously critiques Lopez's public persona and decisions, questioning her tattoo choices and expressing skepticism about her career direction post-documentary ([08:09] - [09:06]).
     • Sam: “The limit does not exist. The limit does not exist.”
   • The discussion touches on the intersection of personal life and public image, with the trio debating the impact of Lopez's actions on her fanbase and cultural relevance.

3. Tattoo Culture and Relationships ([11:09] - [12:08])

   • The conversation shifts to the broader topic of tattoos in relationships. Sam Sanders expresses caution about matching tattoos, referencing Lopez and her ex-partner's tattoo dynamics ([11:09]).
     • Sam: “Because as much as I love those old J. Lo bops, the new stuff on this album and documentary had no sense of place...”
   • Chelsea Devantez shares her own experiences, mentioning that both she and her husband are "tattoo people" but have resisted the urge to get matching tattoos, viewing them as tempting fate ([11:38]).
     • Chelsea: “We are tattoo people, and we get the urge. We've had the urge multiple times in our relationship. I'm like, oh, my God, we should both get this. And we go, no, no, we cannot.”
   • The duo reflects on how tattoos can symbolize commitment but also potentially signify the fragility of relationships when meanings evolve or partnerships dissolve.

4. General Observations on 2024’s Pop Culture ([06:34] - [07:09])

   • Traci Thomas describes 2024 as a "hodgepodge" year for pop culture, likening it to a disorganized potluck where participants bring unrelated contributions ([07:09]).
     • Traci: “2024 feels like an extremely hodgepodge year to me.”
   • Sam Sanders concurs, labeling the year as "a mess" ([06:53] - [06:54]).
     • Sam: “It was a mess.”
   • Chelsea Devantez humorously compares the year to a chaotic potluck with no central theme, emphasizing the lack of cohesion in cultural outputs ([06:56] - [07:09]).
     • Chelsea: “It feels like a potluck where, like, there was no theme, and no one got the memo.”

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Conclusion

The episode concludes with Traci Thomas encouraging listeners to subscribe to exclusive platforms like Patreon and Substack to access the full episode and additional content. The brief yet engaging discussion offers a snapshot of the dynamic and sometimes tumultuous nature of 2024's pop culture scene, as perceived by three passionate commentators.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Traci Thomas at [07:26]: “Jennifer Lopez debuting her documentary about her love life... and within two months, removing the infinity tattoo.”
• Sam Sanders at [08:09]: “The limit does not exist. The limit does not exist.”
• Chelsea Devantez at [11:38]: “We are tattoo people, and we get the urge. We've had the urge multiple times in our relationship. I'm like, oh, my God, we should both get this. And we go, no, no, we cannot.”

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This episode of The Stacks provides a candid and entertaining analysis of the year's most talked-about pop culture moments, blending personal anecdotes with sharp critiques. Whether you're a pop culture enthusiast or a casual listener, Chelsea Devantez and Sam Sanders offer perspectives that illuminate the complexities and idiosyncrasies of 2024's cultural landscape.

Transcript

[Tracy Thomas]

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[Sam Sanders]

It's so good to be here.

[Chelsea Devontez]

Honored to be here. Honored to be nominated. If I don't win, delete this episode and don't release it.

[Tracy Thomas]

If you don't win, I will cancel the podcast.

[Sam Sanders]

Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. On the other hand, I'm a Leo. A nomination is not an honor. A win is. And second place is a first loser. I want to win whatever this competition is.

[Tracy Thomas]

Well, you didn't write a book this year, so gotta. Gotta get started to get entered.

[Sam Sanders]

No, I'm saying the competition for this episode. Are you gonna award a winner? Oh.

[Chelsea Devontez]

Oh, yeah. Between your two. Battle between. I think this emotionally will Go well.

[Tracy Thomas]

Yeah, Well, I feel like Sam wants to win more, but I feel like Chelsea will be more upset if she loses.

[Chelsea Devontez]

Wow. That was such a personality diagnosis. And the fact that it was hitting me hard and soft is painful.

[Sam Sanders]

Damn, that really?

[Chelsea Devontez]

Yeah. That was so true. I won't care if I don't win, but the losing will hurt.

[Tracy Thomas]

Yeah, well, I'm sorry that I know my friends so well.

[Sam Sanders]

Chelsea, you win.

[Chelsea Devontez]

Scathing.

[Sam Sanders]

You win. Chelsea, you win.

[Chelsea Devontez]

Thank you, Sam. I feel like I just, like, went to my psychiatrist and they finally diagnosed me for the first time.

[Tracy Thomas]

Woo.

[Chelsea Devontez]

Woo. Like, oh, this is who you are.

[Sam Sanders]

Meanwhile, I am literally eating pizza and drinking beer as I'm talking to y'all. It's been a long week, A long month. It's Friday evening, and I am just. Mom is tired. I've been ripping and running through these podcast streets for a lot.

[Tracy Thomas]

That's how I feel. Is that how we all feel?

[Chelsea Devontez]

I mean, yeah. I have an email sitting in my inbox on when to book Sam Sanders on my podcast and when I'm coming on his. Like, that I haven't got to. And then we got on the Zoom, and I was like, sam, I owe your team in email because we'll be podcasting in 2025. No, it has been a hard, hard week. Yeah, it's been.

[Sam Sanders]

We're also waiting to watch it because we know that you have been on the other side of the country. We know when you're getting back. We're going to reach out. We're going to find you. We're going to find you. Ready or not, here we come.

[Chelsea Devontez]

Yeah.

[Tracy Thomas]

Okay. Lauryn Hill, ready? Well, with all that being said, everybody listening at home, we're still going to have a great time, I promise.

[Chelsea Devontez]

Or if we don't just chalk it.

[Tracy Thomas]

Up to the fact that we're fudgeing tired. Haven't we given you enough?

[Chelsea Devontez]

No, we're having a great time. I also have a beer. My worst weeks are my. Let me. Let's get fucking crazy on this one.

[Tracy Thomas]

I'll set it up. I was going to have you guys just tell me your most and least favorite pop culture things, but then I was like, wouldn't it be fun to do superlatives? So we're going to do a sort of superlative. Best and worst faves and least faves. Hodgepodge, 2024. Which feels right because 2024 feels like an extremely hodgepodge year to me.

[Sam Sanders]

It was a mess.

[Tracy Thomas]

A mess.

[Chelsea Devontez]

Yeah. It feels like a potluck where, like, there was no theme, and no one got the memo. So someone was like, I thought we were supposed to bring, like, old tires to sell. Another lady's like, I'm giving away clothes. Another man is like, I have sugar. Like, it's just like, yes, that's exactly right.

[Tracy Thomas]

So I guess we'll start. Let's start with, like, the. The biggest overarching thing. If you had to pick sort of the biggest story of the year for you, what would you. What would you say? Like, what pops to mind? Biggest story.

[Chelsea Devontez]

Jennifer Lopez debuting her documentary about her love life, about her music movie about her love life. And within two months, getting a divorce. And within two months, removing the infinity tattoo, which is forever removing the infinity tattoo from her body. Yeah. And showing up to an event with a dress that had the full side cut out so you could see that was the only way you could see that that was gone because it was, like, below her wrist.

[Sam Sanders]

Sidebar. Why would JLO play any tattoo games with a man who has a full phoenix tattooed on his back? He'll match your freak and beat it. J. Lo. Don't even play the tattoo game with this man.

[Tracy Thomas]

Go there.

[Chelsea Devontez]

This man don't care. He will put a parrot up his neck at this next breakup.

[Sam Sanders]

Like, he's probably gonna tattoo a Dunkin Donut cup on his cheek before it's all said and done. This man is.

[Tracy Thomas]

He probably has one on his other cheek. Lower cheeks.

[Sam Sanders]

The limit does not exist. The limit does not exist.

[Chelsea Devontez]

Well, I also just think, like, an infinity tattoo is doomsday.

[Sam Sanders]

Begging for a crisis, begging for disaster.

[Chelsea Devontez]

You. Yeah, you cursed yourself with divorce with that tattoo. There was a chance it would go okay if you just didn't Instagram post it on Valentine's Day to the world. No, listen. Getting that tattoo, your curse. But you could have helped the hex if you didn't share it on Valentine's Day with everybody. It's like, he also posted his tattoo. She was like, here's my tattoo. He got a matching one. Happy Valentine's Day. The world should know.

[Sam Sanders]

Yeah, I just.

[Chelsea Devontez]

It's tough.

[Sam Sanders]

I don't have any trust in either their sense of career or personhood anymore. Because as much as I love those old J. Lo bops, the new stuff on this album and documentary had no sense of place, no sense of time, no sense of logic musically or spiritually. So, like. Like, of course, every other part of your life is kind of haywire right now because, like, come on, did you. You watched it.

[Tracy Thomas]

It's even.

[Sam Sanders]

It's hard to Overstate how?

[Chelsea Devontez]

Viewing party for it.

[Sam Sanders]

Oh, it's not just that it's bad. It's that it's, like, clinically absurd. Absurd.

[Chelsea Devontez]

It is absurd. That is correct. And it. It is like, if I, you know, as a teenager, got broken up with and made a movie about that breakup and the lessons and the takeaways, that was the movie. While on Quaaludes of like. Yeah, well, on Quail, it's just like you just got to kind of got, like, you just got to kind of love. Be self better. Astrology. Yay. Like, that's the plot.

[Sam Sanders]

Yeah.

[Tracy Thomas]

I'm just obsessed with. With both of you having watched it and basically having the exact same takeaway. Because I watched it through you, Chelsea, through your social media, and I could not tell you what's in it. All I know is that something to do with the zodiac and maybe, like, a gown with zodiac signs.

[Sam Sanders]

And the zodiac signs are portrayed by Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Actors, Jane Fonda.

[Chelsea Devontez]

Who else was Jay Shetty?

[Sam Sanders]

Jay Shetty.

[Tracy Thomas]

Jay Shetty.

[Sam Sanders]

That's the. The faux therapist to the stars. I don't know.

[Chelsea Devontez]

He's Jay Shetty. Yeah, he's the faux therapist of the stars.

[Tracy Thomas]

Who.

[Chelsea Devontez]

And he was the official wedding of the wedding. Ben and jlo's wedding. Another sign that it's doom.

[Tracy Thomas]

And all of that happened this year, right? Yeah. Was the wedding this year, too? Or Was the wedding 2020?

[Chelsea Devontez]

No, no, no, no. They were married for almost. For two years. Exactly.

[Tracy Thomas]

Two years.

[Sam Sanders]

Damn.

[Chelsea Devontez]

Oh, yeah. She filed for divorce on their anniversary, but she had.

[Tracy Thomas]

But they had already split up, like, months before, and she waited to do it.

[Sam Sanders]

Also, this is why I just.

[Tracy Thomas]

Things I learned from your Instagram.

[Sam Sanders]

This is why I just don't get the logic of love and marriage. Because should I ever get married and then get divorced, I'm never getting married again. I'm never getting married again because you risk a second divorce.

[Chelsea Devontez]

Well, you. You say that.

[Sam Sanders]

I sure do.

[Chelsea Devontez]

But I've just seen so many people do it that it's like something must change within your brain, because I. I feel the same. I'm married, and someone was like, oh, my God.

[Sam Sanders]

Do you have an affinity tattoo for your husband?

[Chelsea Devontez]

No. No. And here's the thing. He and I. He is covered. Covered in tattoos. I have half a dozen. We are tattoo people, and we get the urge. We've had the urge multiple times in our relationship. I'm like, oh, my God, we should both get this. And we go, no, no, we cannot. Like, you cannot tempt. You cannot tempt the gods.

[Sam Sanders]

Don't do it. Don't do it.

[Tracy Thomas]

All right, that is the end of this bonus teaser. If you were liking what you were hearing, you can listen to the entire episode by going to either patreon.com and joining the Stacks Pack, getting access to the Discord, being able to participate in our virtual book club, and or you can go to Tracy thomas.substack.com and subscribe to Unstacked, where you're going to get my writing about books, pop culture, you're going to get other exclusive author interviews, and, of course, these bonus episodes. So go to one of those two places, join us, get to hear the rest of this episode, and support the work that I do by being a part of these wonderful communities. Thank you so much, and I'll see you in the stack.