Chicks in the Office

Rob Rausch Has The Traitors Cast Under His Spell, Wuthering Heights Review + Summer House Recap

February 16, 2026

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  • The hosts spent significant time detailing their positive experiences visiting The Friends Experience in New York City and attending the Dancing with the Stars Live tour at Radio City Music Hall, where one host was unexpectedly pulled on stage. 
  • The discussion on *The Traitors* Season 4 Episode 9 heavily focused on Rob Rausch's seemingly flawless gameplay and the mesmerizing effect he has on the other contestants, particularly the female players like Dorinda. 
  • The hosts analyzed the disastrous free skate performance by the 'Quad God' (likely Ilia Malinin) at the Winter Olympics, noting the immense pressure of the individual event despite his prior team gold medal win. 
  • The hosts speculate that Rob's perceived sweetness and good looks are causing the other contestants on *The Traitors* to wildly underestimate his strategic gameplay. 
  • The discussion surrounding the *The Traitors* reunion suggests potential conflict between Lisa Renna and Colton regarding his 'hostage' statement, and the hosts debate whether the show will address it. 
  • The hosts heavily critique the *Tell Me Lies* episode seven for opening too many unresolved storylines, particularly surrounding Oliver, and Evan's move to get Brie's mother drunk is deemed an exceptionally low point. 
  • The movie adaptation of *Wuthering Heights* polarized viewers, with some enjoying it as a heavy romance while book loyalists criticized its deviation from the source material's serious themes. 
  • The hosts provided ratings for several watched shows, including *The Traitors* (A-), *The Pit* (A-), *Knight of Seven Kingdoms* (A/A+), and *Tell Me Lies* (A). 
  • The discussion on the *Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette* documentary highlighted conflicting online rhetoric regarding the ethics of profiting from tragedy versus the quality of the acting and casting. 

Segments

Podcast Intro and Sponsor Read
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Microsoft 365 Copilot is promoted as an AI assistant built into Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to help users quickly write, analyze, create, and summarize work.
  • Summary: The episode opens by directing listeners to various platforms for accessing the podcast and introduces Microsoft Copilot as the presenting sponsor. Copilot is highlighted for its ability to integrate AI assistance across core Microsoft 365 applications. This integration aims to help users cut through clutter and increase efficiency in their workday.
Valentine’s Day Weekend Recap
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(00:01:25)
  • Key Takeaway: One host celebrated Valentine’s Day by visiting The Friends Experience, which exceeded expectations due to its detailed replication of the show’s sets, including Monica’s apartment.
  • Summary: The hosts shared details of their Valentine’s Day weekend, noting pleasant weather that allowed for a long walk. One host detailed a highly positive visit to The Friends Experience, noting the dedication of other fans present. The experience featured detailed sets and memorabilia, earning a 10/10 recommendation.
Lucali Dinner and Celebrity Sighting
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(00:05:48)
  • Key Takeaway: A visit to the Brooklyn pizza restaurant Lucali included enjoying their famous pizza and calzones, alongside a potential sighting of Michael Gandalfini, son of Tony Soprano’s actor.
  • Summary: Following The Friends Experience, the hosts visited Lucali in Brooklyn, a spot they hadn’t been to since their rehearsal dinner. They praised the pizza and calzones, noting one host accidentally changed her profile picture to a photo of a calzone. They also believed they spotted Michael Gandalfini at the restaurant, capping off a ‘Soprano’s weekend’ after seeing Edie Falco previously.
Olympic Figure Skating Disaster
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(00:14:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The ‘Quad God’ experienced a shocking free skate performance at the Olympics, falling off the podium to finish eighth after successfully winning team gold.
  • Summary: The hosts reacted strongly to the figure skater’s performance, suggesting potential issues with the ice surface given multiple skaters struggled. Despite having already secured a team gold medal for the U.S., the pressure of the individual event led to multiple falls. The skater handled the post-event interviews well, though he appeared distraught.
Pepsi Zero Sugar Taste Test Ad
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(00:19:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Pepsi Zero Sugar is promoted as the best-tasting zero-sugar cola, citing a 2025 Pepsi Challenge revival where 66% preferred it over Coke Zero Sugar.
  • Summary: This segment served as an advertisement for Pepsi Zero Sugar, encouraging listeners to try it blind against competitors. The ad references the Pepsi Paradox, where bias disappears, leading consumers to prefer Pepsi’s taste. The challenge results showed Pepsi Zero Sugar winning in 100% of markets tested, including Atlanta.
Dancing with the Stars Live Show
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(00:20:39)
  • Key Takeaway: One host was unexpectedly selected from the audience to go on stage at the Dancing with the Stars Live tour stop at Radio City Music Hall, where she crumbled under the pressure of being quizzed and asked to dance.
  • Summary: The hosts attended the Dancing with the Stars Live tour, which this year included two shows at Radio City Music Hall. The experience was emotional, bringing one host to tears due to the dancers’ talent and visible love. During the show, one host was pulled on stage, where she panicked when asked about dance rules and was ultimately saved by a lift from professional dancer Alan.
The Traitors S4 E9 Recap
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(00:42:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Johnny and Tara’s decision to openly declare their real-life friendship during the game is viewed as a major strategic error that jeopardizes their standing with the faithfuls.
  • Summary: The recap highlighted Rob Rausch’s continued success, noting that the other players are under his spell and failing to challenge him, allowing him to play a flawless game. Johnny and Tara’s admission of being best friends was seen as ‘glamorously dumb’ gameplay, as it undermines the core premise of the game. The hosts predict that if the faithfuls eliminate Eric next, they will become overly confident and potentially miss the remaining traitor, Rob.
Rob’s Traitor Strategy Analysis
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(00:52:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts predict Rob will reveal himself as the winner of The Traitors by claiming he succeeded alone, surprising those who view him as ’too dumb and pretty.'
  • Summary: The hosts anticipate Rob might declare he won The Traitors by himself at the finale, shocking players who underestimated him. They believe the faithfuls might target Eric next, leading to overconfidence that all remaining players are faithful. If Johnny or Tara are wrongly banished next, it confirms another traitor remains, likely Eric.
Murder Target Speculation
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(00:54:02)
  • Key Takeaway: The consensus among the hosts is that Kristen is Rob and Eric’s optimal murder target to deflect suspicion onto Tara.
  • Summary: The traitors must choose between murdering Natalie, Kristen, Johnny, or Tara, as keeping Johnny and Tara is strategically sound due to the ‘scent’ on them. Rob’s best move is allegedly murdering Kristen, as the blame could be shifted to Tara, or murdering Natalie, which would not be traced back to Rob or Eric due to her closeness with them.
Natalie’s Panic and Dagger Reveal
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(00:55:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Natalie’s panicked request for Rob to reveal he held the dagger during a high-pressure moment exposed her weakness under stress.
  • Summary: Natalie is considered a good murder choice because she crumbles under pressure, evidenced by her panic when asking Rob to reveal the dagger. This moment of panic was not discussed again at the roundtable, suggesting the faithfuls either missed it or it was edited out.
Colton and Lisa Renna Reunion Drama
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(00:57:15)
  • Key Takeaway: Reports indicate Lisa Renna confronted Colton about his ‘hostage’ statement at The Traitors reunion, leading to Colton storming off or a planned break.
  • Summary: Sources claim Lisa confronted Colton about his use of the term ‘hostage,’ alluding to stalking allegations, during the reunion taping. Colton reportedly reacted strongly, either storming off or leaving during a planned break to avoid the line of questioning. Lisa later posted cryptically about doing what she needed to do, suggesting the confrontation occurred.
Candace’s Strategy and Rob’s Win
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(01:00:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Candace potentially sunk her chances on The Traitors by aligning too closely with Lisa Renna, whereas Rob is positioned to win.
  • Summary: The hosts believe Candace performed well but damaged her game by tying herself too closely to Lisa Renna, which might have cost her a win. They feel Rob is likely to win the game, and they would be disappointed if the faithfuls won after his strong performance.
Rob/Colton Rumors and Contract Rules
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(01:00:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Rumors suggest Rob tipped off Colton, but the hosts believe strict contracts prevent contestants from revealing traitor status or swearing on family members’ lives.
  • Summary: The video of Colton reacting to Rob’s traitor reveal was underwhelming, fueling rumors that Rob tipped him off beforehand. The hosts cite information suggesting The Traitors contracts strictly forbid contestants from revealing their role or swearing on family members’ lives to prove faithfulness.
Skims Product Endorsement
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(01:09:21)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts highly recommend Skims’ ‘Fits Everybody’ boy shorts for comfort and the Triangle Bralette for supportive, non-suffocating wear.
  • Summary: The ‘Fits Everybody’ boy shorts are praised for their comfortable fabric that ‘melts on the skin,’ making them ideal for lounging or sleeping. The Triangle Bralette is a go-to for support without feeling suffocating, especially when wearing casual tops. Listeners are encouraged to shop at skims.com and mention the podcast in the survey.
Tell Me Lies Episode 7 Review
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(01:10:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Episode seven of Tell Me Lies created narrative limbo by suggesting the show could end after season three while opening too many complex storylines.
  • Summary: The hosts are concerned that the show might conclude after season three, which conflicts with the massive amount of unresolved drama presented in episode seven. Oliver’s character is deemed the most pointless evil figure, having created turmoil without facing consequences, leaving too many plot threads open for the finale.
Evan’s Psycho Move Against Brie’s Mom
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(01:13:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Evan executed an extremely manipulative move by getting Brie’s mother drunk before the art gallery event to make Brie need him more.
  • Summary: Evan interpreted Oliver’s advice to make Brie need him by actively sabotaging her fragile relationship progress with her mother. This involved getting her mother drunk, which the hosts found to be an ‘insane’ and ‘desperate’ move, potentially the worst seen yet. Brie’s subsequent reaction suggests she will retaliate against Lucy, who is in her wedding party.
Pippa and Wrigley’s Awkward Relationship
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(01:15:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Pippa’s behavior after being dumped by Diana—coercing Wrigley into sex and playing the victim—was deemed awful and uncomfortable to watch.
  • Summary: Pippa, who was cheating on Wrigley with Diana, acted as the victim when Wrigley broke up with her, despite her own infidelity. She then coerced Wrigley into sex, which he clearly did not want, making the scene very uncomfortable. The hosts root for Wrigley and Brie to end up together instead.
Lucy’s Mental State and Steven’s Tape Return
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(01:17:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Lucy’s memory lapses raise questions about her narrative reliability, while Steven returning the tape suggests he found her breakdown ’not fun anymore.'
  • Summary: Lucy’s forgetting previous conversations makes her reliability questionable, even as she crumbles under the pressure of Steven holding the tape. Steven returning the tape suggests he felt the torture went too far and was no longer entertaining for him. Brie later sees photos suggesting Lucy and Evan were cozy, which could be a major plot point for the finale.
Show Ratings and Love Is Blind Update
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(01:22:35)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts rated The Traitors and Tell Me Lies highly (A and A- respectively), while Love Is Blind received a B due to repetitive drama.
  • Summary: The Traitors earned an A, and Tell Me Lies earned an A-, despite the latter’s unresolved storylines. Love Is Blind received a B, with the hosts finding the initial mixing and mingling entertaining but noting a problematic contestant facing defamation allegations. The Love Is Blind drama involving Belle and Lucinda has become repetitive and nasty.
JFK Jr. & Carolyn Bessette Series Review
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(01:23:54)
  • Key Takeaway: The Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette series is enjoyable due to the leads’ chemistry, but viewers must separate it from reality as much of it is dramatized.
  • Summary: The hosts gave the series a B, noting that the actors playing JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette have fantastic chemistry, though the actor playing JFK Jr. initially struggled. Many events are fabricated, such as their first meeting, requiring viewers to watch it as fiction despite the real subjects. Naomi Watts’ performance as Jackie Kennedy was considered particularly poor.
House of the Dragon & Ponies Review
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(01:43:06)
  • Key Takeaway: The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms mini-series is an excellent, gory HBO product based on George R.R. Martin’s novellas, earning an A.
  • Summary: The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a highly praised, short HBO series based on Sir Dunk and Egg, featuring intense, old-school Game of Thrones gore. Episode five was captivating, though some viewers knew the book spoilers regarding character deaths. The hosts also enjoyed Ponies, giving it a B, despite a major cliffhanger suggesting a second season is needed.
Wuthering Heights Movie Review
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(01:46:06)
  • Key Takeaway: The Wuthering Heights film adaptation is heavily romance-focused, leading to backlash from book loyalists, but the hosts enjoyed it as a standalone movie.
  • Summary: The hosts enjoyed the movie, noting that the young actors and the leads (Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi) gave great performances, despite the film deviating significantly from the book’s serious themes. The movie is criticized for being too romance-heavy compared to the novel’s focus on deeper issues. The extreme polarization of audience reaction—from sobbing to calling it a joke—is noted.
Summer House Episode Two Recap
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(01:38:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Kyle’s complaints about Amanda smoking weed and the couple’s lack of communication are central to the Summer House episode, with the hosts siding against Kyle.
  • Summary: Kyle complained to the men about Amanda’s weed use, leading to a confrontation where Amanda referenced Euphoria. The hosts feel no sympathy for Kyle, noting he is rarely home, and view his excuse that they don’t have sex because she smokes weed as a cop-out. The couple’s overall lack of communication is highlighted as a major issue.
Wuthering Heights Movie Review
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(01:48:05)
  • Key Takeaway: The Wuthering Heights movie is heavily romance-focused, leading to criticism from those loyal to the book’s more serious themes.
  • Summary: Performances by Margo and Jacob were praised, but the film was criticized for turning the story into a ‘Watt-pad version’ emphasizing romance over the book’s serious issues. The speaker, not being deeply familiar with the book, enjoyed the movie and rated it a B. Jacob Elordi’s frequent scenes being drenched in rain were noted as a highlight for many female viewers.
Wuthering Heights Adaptation Critique
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(01:51:30)
  • Key Takeaway: The biggest mistake for the Wuthering Heights adaptation may have been using the original title, as it took significant liberties, including adding explicit romance scenes absent in the 1847 source material.
  • Summary: The book was written in 1847, and the movie adaptation significantly changed the narrative by including explicit hookups, which many viewers disliked. The speaker suggested the film could have avoided backlash by simply being inspired by the characters rather than using the established title. The difference between leaving content out and fundamentally changing the story was highlighted.
Weekly Watch Report Ratings
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(01:54:29)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts assigned grades to recent viewings, rating Tell Me Lies an A- (with Wrigley as the only redeeming character) and Knight of Seven Kingdoms an A or A+.
  • Summary: Industry received a B- due to excessive shock value content, while The Beauty earned a B+. The Traitors received an A-, contingent on Rob losing to avoid a predictable win. The Pit was rated an A- due to its sadness and overall quality.
JFK Jr. Documentary Review
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(01:57:58)
  • Key Takeaway: The Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette documentary received mixed reactions, with one host rating it a B- while noting conflicting online rhetoric about its quality.
  • Summary: The main criticism of the documentary centered on Ryan Murphy profiting off real-life trauma. One host felt the actor portraying JFK Jr. was not convincing, preferring a better actor over a perfect lookalike. The New York setting was appreciated, and the show was deemed watchable despite corny writing.
Other Watched Content Ratings
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(02:00:50)
  • Key Takeaway: The Will Arnett/Bradley Cooper directed movie received a B, and the HBO show Neighbors, about real-life neighbor disputes, was rated B-.
  • Summary: The Will Arnett movie required suspending disbelief due to its ridiculous premise of a divorced man stumbling into stand-up comedy. Neighbors is a documentary-style show featuring real people fighting over typical neighbor issues like leaves and fences. Landman received a B- for its dramatic portrayal of the oil industry, and Song Sung Blue was rated a B- despite its wholesome moments and great singing.
Episode Wrap-up and Tour Announcement
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(02:07:32)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts concluded the episode by reminding listeners about upcoming Spring Tour dates and promising announcements regarding guests soon.
  • Summary: The episode officially wrapped up all segments discussed. Listeners were encouraged to check barstoolsports.com/events/bestshowonearthtour for Spring Tour tickets. Guests for the upcoming tour dates will be announced shortly.