Chicks in the Office

ANTM Doc Exposes Tyra Banks + Mark Ballas Answers Our Burning Traitors Questions

February 18, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The hosts strongly felt that Tyra Banks displayed a lack of genuine remorse while discussing the controversies of *America's Next Top Model* during the recently premiered docuseries. 
  • The hosts and a listener noted a pattern in *The Traitors* where the faithfuls who arrive last to breakfast often correspond to the contestants the traitors were debating murdering the previous night. 
  • The hosts agreed that more books, especially in the mystery/thriller/romance genres, should be adapted into TV series rather than movies to allow for deeper storytelling. 
  • Knowing behind-the-scenes details about actors disliking each other can negatively impact the enjoyment of scripted shows, unlike reality TV where cast friction is often expected. 
  • Mark Ballas found watching *The Traitors* frustrating because the condensed episodes omit much of the actual gameplay and paranoia experienced in the castle. 
  • Mark Ballas's successful game as a Faithful in *The Traitors* was based on his strategy of keeping potential enemies close and avoiding being the one to overtly accuse others early on. 
  • The segment concludes with the hosts promoting their upcoming tour dates and thanking the audience. 
  • A promotional jingle or song is played that praises the 'Chicks in the Office' podcast hosts for their success, charting ability, and relevance in pop culture. 
  • The final portion of the episode features an advertisement for LifeLock, emphasizing identity theft protection and offering a special discount for listeners. 

Segments

Podcast Intro and Sponsorship Read
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Microsoft 365 Copilot is an AI assistant built into Microsoft 365 apps to help cut through work clutter.
  • Summary: The episode begins by directing listeners to platforms where they can find Chicks in the Office. A major sponsor, Microsoft 365 Copilot, is highlighted as an AI assistant integrated into Word, Excel, and PowerPoint designed to summarize and create content quickly. Listeners can learn more at microsoft.com/slash m365 copilot.
Olympic Sweater Banter
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(00:01:15)
  • Key Takeaway: One host wore an official Olympic sweater to celebrate the start of ladies’ figure skating and women’s hockey events.
  • Summary: The hosts engage in light banter about one host’s collection of Olympic merchandise, specifically an official sweater. They discuss the appropriate timing for wearing such apparel before summer arrives. The conversation briefly touches on the preppy nature associated with the Ralph Lauren brand.
Pre-Show Banter and DWTS Wishlist
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(00:02:55)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts joke about their pre-recording chat being ‘comedy gold’ that listeners miss out on.
  • Summary: The hosts joke about their tendency to start recording later than scheduled, often cutting short their pre-show conversations. A listener DM expressed a desire to see Noah on Dancing with the Stars, which annoyed one host who felt overlooked despite her own entertainment skills. When asked about a Dancing with the Stars partner, Noah suggested Whitney Leavitt, while the other host mentioned Mark Ballas or Val.
Sneeze Etiquette Debate
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(00:05:45)
  • Key Takeaway: One host was disgusted by a stranger sneezing openly in public, leading to a debate on sneezing etiquette versus holding in flatulence.
  • Summary: One host recounts being disgusted by a man sneezing openly in public without covering his mouth. This sparked a debate where one host admitted to sneezing openly only when completely alone outside, contrasting this with the other host who always covers up, even when alone. The comparison was humorously drawn to farting in public versus private.
Spring Tour Announcement
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(00:11:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Tickets are on sale for the Chicks in the Office Spring Tour stops in six major US cities.
  • Summary: The hosts remind listeners that the tour is approaching and tickets are currently on sale. They announce the upcoming tour cities: Charlotte, Seattle, San Diego, Dallas, Boston, and Minneapolis. They also encourage attendees to bring signs to the shows.
Game Time App Promotion
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(00:11:54)
  • Key Takeaway: The Game Time app offers authentic tickets with guaranteed on-time delivery and includes all fees in the displayed price.
  • Summary: The Game Time app is promoted as a simple way to unlock tickets for various events, including an upcoming Hilary Duff concert at MSG. The app features the Game Time Guarantee, ensuring authentic tickets at the best price with no hidden fees. Listeners can use code CHIX for $20 off their first purchase.
ANTM Docuseries Critique
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(00:12:41)
  • Key Takeaway: The America’s Next Top Model docuseries confirmed for the hosts that Tyra Banks and Ken were not genuinely sorry for past actions, often deflecting blame.
  • Summary: The hosts felt Tyra Banks maintained a hosting persona throughout her interviews in the docuseries and failed to offer authentic apologies, instead using ‘buts’ to excuse behavior. The treatment of contestant Shandy, including playing footage she didn’t want aired, was highlighted as particularly heartbreaking. The hosts noted that Ken only admitted the violence-themed shoot was wrong, while Tyra’s alleged lack of contact with former cast members like Danielle and Miss Jay further damaged her image.
Tiffany’s Instagram Response
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(00:22:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Tiffany publicly called out Tyra Banks on Instagram, labeling her a ’lying-ass, tied-ass bitch’ for her behavior on America’s Next Top Model.
  • Summary: Tiffany posted a scathing response to Tyra’s comments in the documentary, asserting that Tyra was a bully who treated her terribly, especially regarding her son. Tiffany challenged Tyra to meet face-to-face, claiming the argument shown was heavily edited to make Tyra look caring. The hosts agreed that the documentary ultimately hurt Tyra’s reputation more than it helped.
Industry Critique and Janice Dickinson
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(00:28:07)
  • Key Takeaway: The show’s production often mirrored the harshness of the modeling industry, exemplified by telling Kenya to lightly address inappropriate touching by a crew member.
  • Summary: The hosts observed that the show often failed to change industry standards, instead preparing young women to fit into a ‘fucked up industry’ by suggesting cosmetic changes. They cited Kenya’s experience where she was told to lightly address a creepy crew member touching her, instead of the set intervening. Janice Dickinson’s comment that a contestant needed to lose 100 pounds, and Tyra’s agreement that losing 30 pounds would be better, was cited as damaging behavior that viewers internalized.
Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special
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(00:33:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Miley Cyrus is releasing a Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special on Disney Plus, hosted by Alex Cooper, featuring archival footage and set recreations.
  • Summary: Miley Cyrus announced a special for Disney Plus on March 24th, which will include an in-depth interview with her hosted by Alex Cooper. The special promises nostalgia, revisiting iconic sets like the living room and closet, and hints at musical performances. The hosts expressed excitement but confusion over why Alex Cooper was chosen as the interviewer over other Hannah Montana cast members.
Truly Hard Seltzer Ad Read
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(00:39:48)
  • Key Takeaway: Truly Hard Seltzer offers a refreshing, light drink at 5% ABV and 100 calories, with fees included in the price shown on the Game Time app.
  • Summary: Truly Hard Seltzer is promoted for its juicy, refreshing fruit flavor, making it perfect for relaxing with friends. It contains only 5% ABV and 100 calories, ensuring it is light and easy to drink. The brand emphasizes its variety and creativity compared to other hard seltzers.
Listener Voicemail: Traitors Breakfast Clues
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(00:40:43)
  • Key Takeaway: A listener suggested that the faithfuls should track which contestants arrive last to breakfast, as these individuals are often the ones the traitors considered murdering the night before.
  • Summary: A listener from Virginia pointed out a potential pattern in The Traitors: the last faithfuls to arrive at breakfast are frequently the ones the traitors debated killing. The hosts acknowledged the observation but speculated that production might film breakfast scenes out of order for editing suspense, though they doubted this for gameplay-critical moments. They regretted not asking Mark Ballas about this theory during his interview.
Listener Voicemail: Chris Harrison’s New Show
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(00:46:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Chris Harrison is hosting a new dating series focused on finding singles interested in ’traditional marriage-minded partnership built on commitment and shared values.'
  • Summary: The hosts confirmed that Chris Harrison’s new dating show, which uses a poorly designed promotional graphic, is real and currently casting. The show seeks singles who believe in ‘clear roles’ and long-term commitment. The hosts expressed low interest due to the show’s emphasis on traditional roles, suggesting it might appeal to an audience looking for a specific, conservative relationship structure.
Listener Voicemail: Books to TV Shows
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(00:49:57)
  • Key Takeaway: More books should be adapted into TV series rather than movies to allow for the full story, background, and character tension to be developed.
  • Summary: A listener argued that TV series provide necessary space to tell a book’s complete story, unlike movies which require significant cuts. The hosts agreed, citing Game of Thrones as an example where a movie adaptation would have failed. They noted that genres like mystery and romance benefit greatly from the extended format of television.
Listener Voicemail: Cast Chemistry Impact
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(00:54:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Knowing that actors dislike each other ruins the believability of scripted shows, unlike reality TV where cast conflict is expected.
  • Summary: A listener shared that knowing cast members of scripted shows (like The Summer I Turned Pretty or Outer Banks) do not get along ruins their viewing experience. They contrast this with shows like Friends or Modern Family, where cast camaraderie enhances the viewing experience. This highlights how modern behind-the-scenes knowledge impacts audience perception of fictional performances.
Scripted vs. Reality Cast Dynamics
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(00:54:49)
  • Key Takeaway: Knowing cast members dislike each other ruins the believability of scripted shows, but enhances the enjoyment of reality TV.
  • Summary: Knowing actors like those from Summer I Turned Pretty or Outer Banks do not get along detracts from believing their performances in scripted roles. Conversely, knowing reality TV contestants dislike each other can make the viewing experience more enjoyable. Casts that genuinely get along, like those from Friends or Modern Family, provide a comforting viewing experience.
Mark Ballas on Watching The Traitors
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(01:02:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Mark Ballas finds watching The Traitors frustrating because the condensed episodes omit crucial gameplay that explains contestant decisions.
  • Summary: Contestants spend ten hours a day in the castle, but episodes are only an hour long, leading to significant missing context. Mark Ballas notes that the game is one of paranoia, and watching at home is easier because viewers know the Traitors from the start. He suggests a season where the audience also does not know the Traitors might be more engaging.
Mark Ballas’s Game Strategy
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(01:04:18)
  • Key Takeaway: Mark Ballas intentionally avoided making accusations at the roundtable, resulting in him never being nominated for banishment up to the semi-finals.
  • Summary: Mark Ballas was open to being either a Faithful or a Traitor during casting but now believes he should have pushed harder to be a Traitor. His successful Faithful game involved keeping friends close and enemies closer, avoiding being the one to immediately point fingers. This strategy kept his name out of the roundtable discussions entirely.
Analysis of Rob’s Gameplay
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(01:05:55)
  • Key Takeaway: Rob’s strategic gameplay, admired by Boston Rob, involves being a quiet, cat-like player who avoids overt emotional reactions during roundtable grilling.
  • Summary: Mark Ballas highlights that Rob’s game has flown under the radar, noting that Boston Rob admires his strategy. He details a complex situation involving Johnny, Lisa, and Candace where Rob navigated the crossfire without reacting strongly when questioned. This calm demeanor, similar to Harry’s in the UK version, is key to his success.
Candace’s Vote Against Rob
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(01:09:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Candace’s immediate shift from a ’throwaway vote’ against Rob to aggressively targeting him was perceived as an attempt to eliminate a strong Faithful rather than a Traitor-on-Traitor move.
  • Summary: Mark Ballas explains that in the moment, Candace’s inconsistent voting pattern made it seem like she was trying to remove a good Faithful, especially since others were not heavily focused on Rob. He believes that, following Survivor rules, Rob should have been the next vote due to his advantage, but the players failed to act decisively.
Natalie’s Survivor Mentality
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(01:11:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Natalie displayed a classic Survivor mentality by quickly shifting her vote away from Rob after being put under pressure at the banquet.
  • Summary: Mark Ballas found Natalie’s move to target someone else after being pressured concerning, especially after she had previously been in the Dagger pact. He notes that when under pressure, she reverted to a survival tactic of voting for the person who suspected her. This contrasts with the strong loyalty shown by other players like Dorinda towards Rob.
Johnny and Tara’s Close Bond
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(01:17:53)
  • Key Takeaway: The revelation that Johnny and Tara are ‘ride or die’ best friends who are in each other’s weddings surprised Mark Ballas and highlights a potential strategic risk for the Traitors.
  • Summary: Mark Ballas compared the relationship to his own professional partnerships, noting that while he knew they knew each other, he didn’t realize the depth of their bond. He suggests producers likely separated them to prevent an immediate Traitor-on-Traitor dynamic, similar to how Survivor separates couples.
Challenges vs. Game Stress
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(01:19:48)
  • Key Takeaway: The mental stress and paranoia of The Traitors gameplay are significantly more exhausting than the physical demands of the challenges, which Mark Ballas rates as easier than Dancing with the Stars.
  • Summary: Mark Ballas confirmed that the physical challenges, while sometimes cardio-intensive like the mountain climb, are less taxing than the psychological strain of the game. He noted the anxiety caused by the Skittles incident, where he feared poisoning, leading him to document everything in his journal.
The Importance of Alliances and Trust
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(01:22:35)
  • Key Takeaway: In the late stages of The Traitors, players must commit to an alliance and push their chips in on someone, as maintaining total distrust becomes detrimental.
  • Summary: Mark Ballas stated that while initial distrust is necessary, players must eventually establish trust with someone as the numbers dwindle. He reveals his core alliance was with Kristen, Eric, and Steven, and he felt compelled to vote for Tara as a ’throwaway’ to maintain loyalty to his core group.
The Nature of Traitors and Reality TV
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(01:26:20)
  • Key Takeaway: The core concept of The Traitors requires Traitors to turn on each other, which contrasts sharply with the loyalty expectations of reality stars from shows like The Real Housewives.
  • Summary: Mark Ballas emphasizes that the game’s definition requires betrayal, which confuses reality stars accustomed to drama based on personal loyalty breakdowns. He notes that contestants who are used to making ‘good TV’ might overplay, whereas the game itself provides sufficient drama.
Maura’s Role in the Castle
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(01:29:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Maura Higgins was more outspoken and opinionated in the castle than shown on screen, often becoming defensive when challenged.
  • Summary: Mark Ballas confirms that Maura had more conversations and opinions that were cut from the final edit, noting her tendency to be explosive when attacked. He suggests that while her outspokenness could deter some players, it could also be perceived as overly defensive.
Mark Ballas on Reunion Dynamics
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(01:39:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Mark Ballas realized the reunion quickly shifted away from discussing game strategy into personal drama, causing him to disengage.
  • Summary: As a newcomer to the reunion format, Mark Ballas observed that the discussions moved away from the strategic elements of The Traitors. This shift led him to sit back, recognizing the environment was moving into territory more familiar to established reality stars.
Closing Remarks and Tour Reminder
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(01:44:42)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts concluded the episode by reminding listeners about the availability of tickets for the Chicks in the Office tour.
  • Summary: The hosts expressed affection for their audience before reminding them that tickets for the tour are currently on sale. They encouraged listeners to attend the upcoming shows. The segment ended with a sign-off, promising to speak to the audience again on Friday.
Podcast Theme Song/Jingle
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(01:44:49)
  • Key Takeaway: A promotional jingle was played highlighting the ‘Chicks in the Office’ podcast’s success, chart performance, and influence in pop culture.
  • Summary: The jingle positions the podcast as a top performer, noting that the hosts ’look at the charts’ and are highly sought after. It references their ability to generate income (‘made a bag’) and their consistent presence in media (‘always on your screen’). The song emphasizes their status as influential figures whom others want to meet.
LifeLock Advertisement Read
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(01:46:07)
  • Key Takeaway: LifeLock offers identity theft protection guaranteed to fix fraud and return money, backed by up to $3 million in coverage.
  • Summary: The advertisement addresses listener concerns about identity fraud, noting that one in four tax-paying Americans has experienced it. LifeLock guarantees to fix identity theft and recover funds, providing up to $3 million in coverage for victims. Listeners can save up to 40% on their first year by visiting lifelock.com/slash special offer.