The Traitors Official Podcast

Episode: Black Banquet & the Dagger
Hosts: Bob the Drag Queen & Boston Rob
Release Date: January 30, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into one of the most dramatic episodes yet of The Traitors US, centered on the infamous "Black Banquet" murder, the shocking twists delivered by Alan Cumming, and the intense fallout at the roundtable. Hosts Bob the Drag Queen and Boston Rob dissect strategic gameplay, alliances under strain, fashion highlights, and feature extended interviews with both Jam Jam Orocho (freshly murdered at the banquet) and the episode’s banished traitor, Lisa Rinna. Their analysis blends humor, insider knowledge, and a love for both treachery and killer style.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Fashion and Banquet Open (00:08 – 01:16)

• Bob the Drag Queen rocks a rhinestone-studded backwards hat, kicking off the show in style.
  • Bob: “Had to make it Bob the Drag Queen style, obviously. This is my peace offering.” (00:36)
  • Rob: “I am honored and completely gagged.” (00:44)
• The hosts joke about fashion, setting the tone for their signature blend of gameplay critique and style commentary.

2. The Black Banquet—Murder in Style (01:16 – 06:15)

• Lisa Rinna’s Grand Entrance: Commented on her over-the-top look.
  • Bob: “Watching her come down those stairs, her big grand entrance, I was like, what a diva. What an icon. What a legend. What a traitor.” (01:24)
• Discussion of Murder Mechanics:
  • The hosts break down Lisa’s strategic thinking on who to murder and how suspicion shifted because of her choice of brooch (the murder device) and her interaction with Jam Jam.
  • Alan Cumming introduces the antidote twist at the banquet—two people can potentially save themselves, ratcheting up tension and paranoia.
    • Bob: “This is more dramatic than the soap operas I used to work on.” (03:56)
  • Chaotic scramble to claim the antidote, highlighting Natalie’s aggressive social play.

3. Jam Jam’s Murder and Aftermath (06:15 – 13:45)

• Jam Jam’s Over-the-Top Exit:
  • Bob: “Jam Jam is being dragged out of the banquet hall by minions, literally kicking and swinging, screaming, Alan, you’re going to prison for that.” (05:36)
  • Jam Jam (Guest): “I became too close to her after that round table... I see like stars in your eyes. Like it’s an energy.” (08:23)
• Behind the Murder:
  • Jam Jam believed he was killed through a kiss on the cheek from Lisa, but it was actually contact with her brooch/amulet.
  • Jam Jam: “In the interactions in this castle, everybody was air kissing... but Lisa gave me a kiss on the cheek, like a smooch.” (10:44)
  • Bob: “The cause of death was actually her tricking you into touching the amulet… How does that feel?” (11:57)
  • Jam Jam: “Makes me feel like a fool because I was screaming like a kid.” (12:05)
• Game Reflections: Jam Jam shares how playing The Traitors was tougher than Survivor due to its deception.
  • Jam Jam: “Here, the castle has many rooms, everybody’s everywhere, you don’t know what’s really going on. In comparison to Survivor, this was very hard for my skills.” (13:06)

4. Breakfast Fallout & Alliance Fractures (14:09 – 16:23)

• Rob, Candace, Lisa Tension: Post-banquet, the surviving traitors finally convene but realize fractures in their alliance.
  • Bob: “He wants to see her (Lisa) burn. He’s not saying he’s breaking up the band, but his actions are.” (14:54)
• Natalie Misspeaks: Sparks suspicion by using “we murdered one” during a conversation in the library.
  • Lisa (internal): “Did she just say we murdered? Oh, praise Jesus. I’m gonna use that.” (15:46)
• Commentary on how hasty speech can make anyone look suspicious, but “misspeaking” isn’t proof someone’s a traitor.

5. Challenge & The Power of the Dagger (17:27 – 21:28)

• Physical and Strategic Challenge: Contestants collect gold up the mountain, with a mid-way “aim” game affecting outcomes.
  • Rob (on Natalie): “She is strong. She is smart. She is made for this game.” (18:07)
• Rob Wins the Dagger: Empowers him with a double vote; Rob organizes a secretive pact to keep this fact concealed.
  • Bob: “How does it help them?… It doesn’t hide the fact that he has the power of two votes.” (20:59)
  • The hosts critique both the logic and game theory behind Rob’s decision.

6. Strategic Roundtable & Lisa’s Downfall (21:33 – 25:24)

• Roundtable Fireworks: Early pressure on Natalie gives way to a Colton-led pivot against Lisa, citing Jam Jam’s dying accusation.
  • Bob: “If Lisa would have presented it like that, I think she actually could have swayed some more votes.” (22:02)
• Colton’s Influence and Candace’s Emotional Vote:
  • Rob: “If Colton goes all the way to the end… it’s one of the boldest games I’ve ever seen.” (24:10)
  • Bob: “Once you find out that there’s traitor on traitor violence, it’s a wrap for the rest of you.” (24:58)
• Lisa Banished: Seeds planted by both gameplay and Jam Jam’s parting shot finally take root.

7. Interview with Lisa Rinna (26:23 – 34:10)

• Lisa on Being a Traitor:
  • Lisa: “You’re a traitor, but you’re playing a faithful… That’s what was challenging for me. The deceit wasn’t really that difficult.” (26:45)
• Emotional Banquet Moves:
  • Lisa recounts her bold face-to-face murders and particularly the Black Banquet moment.
    • Lisa: “I knew that that amulet would look so fierce on that outfit. I had to do it. Even though I had heat on me... It was my moment. And so, you know what? I took the risk.” (29:38)
• Roundtable Reflections:
  • Lisa admits that getting too defensive can be fatal at the roundtable.
  • Lisa: “When you get too defensive, that’s the worst thing I think you can do.” (30:30)
• Iconic Exit:
  • Her pride in her game and showmanship.
    • Lisa: “I loved every second of it. I got the most attention. I love attention more than anybody. I think it was brilliant.” (33:59)

8. The Black Banquet Fashion Review (34:44 – 38:51)

• Hosts on the Best & Worst Looks:
  • Bob praises Kristen’s red turtleneck as “beautiful,” lauds Maura’s “Mugler” metallic look, dubbing her both “model” and “fashionista of the week.”
  • Maura’s look compared to Star Wars’ C3PO.
  • Lisa Rinna’s black and white ensemble hailed as “dramatic” and “epic.”
  • Bob: “Lisa fucking Rinna… This is so epic. She looks so good. It’s kind of giving Anything Goes meets My Fair Lady.” (37:09)
  • Some misses called out: Candace’s headpiece “looks like it’s trying to kill her” (38:03), Johnny’s look “bold but not a favorite.”
• Traitors’ Fashionista of the Week: Maura is celebrated by both hosts.

9. Final Analysis & Next Moves (39:01 – 40:38)

• Hosts' Predictions:
  • If traitors don’t take out Eric, Mark, or Steven next, “they’re fools.”
  • Both reflect on Colton’s inability to slow down and predict that the Rob-Candace relationship is fractured beyond repair.
  • Emotional decisions, like Candace’s, can be dangerous as the endgame approaches:
    • Rob: “There was an emotional vote tonight, and whenever people are emotional, their decisions are skewed. She’s going to have to get past that if they’re going to work together.” (40:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Lisa’s Banquet Entrance:
  Bob: “What a diva. What an icon. What a legend. What a traitor.” (01:24)
• On Jam Jam’s Elimination:
  Jam Jam: “She kissed me. Lisa kissed me with a chick. He was so fresh because housewife don’t give chick.” (09:45)
• On the Amulet Trick:
  Bob: “The cause of death was actually her tricking you into touching the amulet…” (11:57)
• On Lisa Being Named a Traitor:
  Lisa: “In my head, I go, oh, my fucking God, I’m a traitor. Oh, my fucking God, I’m a traitor. Oh, my fucking God, I’m a traitor.” (27:18)
• On the Dagger Pact:
  Bob: “I don’t get how it makes him look faithful. I don’t get how I would. I wouldn’t trust him… I would not trust this man.” (21:00)
• On Fashionista of the Week:
  Bob: “Maura, you are the traitor’s Fashionista of the Week. Congratulations. It’s honestly a better honor than winning the whole season.” (38:43)
• On What’s Next:
  Rob: “If they don’t kill Eric, Mark, or Steven next, I think they’re fools.” (39:12) Bob: “Colton needs to chill out… You got one good win. Let it go now.” (39:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |----------------------------------------|---------|---------| | Fashion Cold Open | 00:08 | 01:16 | | Black Banquet Breakdown | 01:16 | 06:15 | | Jam Jam Interview | 06:15 | 13:45 | | Breakfast Fallout | 14:09 | 16:23 | | Challenge – Dagger Strategy | 17:27 | 21:28 | | Roundtable Fireworks | 21:33 | 25:24 | | Lisa Rinna Interview | 26:23 | 34:10 | | Black Banquet Fashion Review | 34:44 | 38:51 | | Final Thoughts & Predictions | 39:01 | 40:38 |

Conclusion

This episode brings together treachery, style, and high-stakes strategy in a packed analysis that doesn’t miss a detail—whether it's Lisa Rinna’s iconic showmanship or the shifting sands of trust and betrayal. The candid interviews serve as both post-mortem and masterclass in social manipulation, while the hosts’ humor and mutual jabs make it a must-listen for fans hungry for both gameplay and runway critique.

Next week promises even more mayhem in the castle. Stay tuned!