Tara Lipinski & Johnny Weir Interview, Harry Styles Album Track By Track Review + Weekly Watch Report
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- The hosts are overwhelmingly thrilled with Harry Styles' new album, ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally’, placing it as their second favorite of his career behind ‘Fine Line’.
- The hosts found the transition from the high-energy track “Dance No More” directly into the emotional “Paint By Numbers” to be diabolical but ultimately impactful.
- The conversation touched on the disorientation of Daylight Saving Time and the difficulty of ranking Harry Styles' songs, with “Coming Up Roses” being cited as a potential new favorite due to its emotional depth and musicality.
- Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir intentionally kept their close friendship a secret while competing on *The Traitors* to avoid immediate suspicion from other contestants.
- Both Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir admitted that the emotional intensity of *The Traitors* made the game feel very real, leading to feelings of defeat and loneliness when targeted.
- The 'Weekly Watch Report' segment provided specific letter grades for various shows watched, with *Survivor* earning a B+ and *Paradise* earning an A- from the hosts.
Segments
Podcast Intro and Ad Reads
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(00:00:00)
- Key Takeaway: Bambas Comfort Line offers socks, slippers, tees, and underwear, donating one item for every purchase made using code ‘audio’ for 20% off.
- Summary: The episode opens with sponsor messages for Bambas, which emphasizes comfort, style, and charitable donation. Listeners can receive 20% off their first purchase at bombbas.com using code ‘audio’. The hosts also mention where to find the Chicks in the Office podcast on various platforms.
Microsoft Copilot Promotion
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(00:01:07)
- Key Takeaway: Microsoft 365 Copilot functions as an AI assistant built into Microsoft 365 apps to streamline work tasks like drafting reports and analyzing data.
- Summary: Microsoft 365 Copilot is promoted as an AI assistant designed to help users cut through clutter and improve work efficiency. It is integrated into essential applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. More information is available at microsoft.com/slash m365 Copilot.
Weekend Recaps and Weather Talk
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(00:00:42)
- Key Takeaway: New York City is currently experiencing ‘fake spring,’ characterized by temporary 60-degree weather before returning to colder temperatures.
- Summary: The hosts share brief updates on their weekends, including a birthday celebration and enjoying the unseasonably warm weather. They reference the common New York phenomenon of ‘fake spring,’ where brief periods of sunshine occur before winter returns. The recent time change is noted as disorienting for morning routines.
Daylight Saving Time Discussion
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(00:06:08)
- Key Takeaway: Daylight Saving Time is more impactful on adults than children, and federal action is required to permanently end the practice, despite state-level legislation.
- Summary: The speakers reflect on how the shift in daylight hours affects adults more significantly than it did when they were younger. They recall discussions about ending Daylight Saving Time, noting that while 29 states have introduced legislation, federal action is necessary for permanent change. The potential chaos of neighboring states operating on different time standards is highlighted.
Birkin Bag Commentary
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(00:08:14)
- Key Takeaway: The hosts jokingly agree that Noah owes them a shared Birkin bag, while acknowledging that securing one often involves a difficult sourcing or approval process, regardless of wealth.
- Summary: Following a discussion about repeating phrases, the conversation pivots to the Birkin bag mentioned in the show notes interview. The hosts joke about receiving one as compensation and debate the difficulty of acquiring one, noting that even with money, the process is complex. They also touch upon the high value of exotic Birkin bags.
Nick Jonas Interview Analysis
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(00:12:25)
- Key Takeaway: Nick Jonas maintains a very serious, diplomatic demeanor in interviews, often spinning simple questions into deep, cause-oriented responses, contrasting with the lighthearted nature of shows like ‘Therapist’.
- Summary: The hosts analyze Nick Jonas’s recent appearance on ‘Therapist,’ noting his typical Virgo seriousness. They cite an example where he turned a question about the ‘Send It On’ music video into a discussion about environmental advocacy. This tendency toward seriousness is suggested as a result of years of being asked invasive questions as a young star.
Early 2000s Pop Culture Reflection
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(00:14:38)
- Key Takeaway: Interviews from the late 2000s involving young stars like Nick Jonas, Miley Cyrus, and Selena Gomez often featured highly inappropriate and invasive questions, such as inquiries about virginity.
- Summary: A viral TikTok breakdown of 2008/2009 pop culture brought back memories of the intense media scrutiny on young celebrities. The hosts were shocked by the directness of questions asked by interviewers like Barbara Walters during that era. They note that Miley Cyrus is more likely to openly discuss the ‘crazy’ nature of that time than Nick Jonas.
Harry Styles Album Deep Dive
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(00:18:05)
- Key Takeaway: Harry Styles’ new album, ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally’, is a concise 12-song, 42-minute record that the hosts immediately loved, finding it superior to ‘Harry’s House’.
- Summary: The hosts express immense relief and joy over the new Harry Styles album, which they listened to extensively over the weekend. They praise its concise structure, noting that they enjoy every track, which is rare for them. The album successfully blends the expected disco elements with deeper, slower, and beautiful tracks.
Harry Styles Track-by-Track Review
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(00:22:17)
- Key Takeaway: While “Aperture” is the lead single, the hosts rank it lower than tracks like “Are You Listening Yet?” and “American Girls,” which they immediately identified as catchy hits.
- Summary: The track-by-track review begins, revealing differing opinions on the lead single, “Aperture.” “American Girls” is deemed an instant banger with music video parallels to One Direction’s early work. “Are You Listening Yet?” is highlighted as a top-three track for its fast pace and repetitive, engaging chorus.
Album Mid-Section Analysis
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(00:25:37)
- Key Takeaway: The middle tracks, “Ready, Steady, Go” and “The Waiting Game,” are less favored by one host due to distracting production elements like background beeps, despite “Ready, Steady, Go” evoking middle school nostalgia.
- Summary: The hosts note that “Ready, Steady, Go” is surprisingly ranked low by some fans but is enjoyed by the hosts for its nostalgic Abercrombie/Hollister vibe. “The Waiting Game” is identified as one of the least-listened-to tracks by one host due to distracting background ‘beeps’ in the production.
Emotional High Points of the Album
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(00:29:28)
- Key Takeaway: “Coming Up Roses” is considered one of Harry Styles’ best songs ever by one host, delivering immediate chills through its gorgeous orchestral arrangement and deeply emotional lyrics.
- Summary: The latter half of the album is praised as fantastic, particularly “Coming Up Roses,” which evokes the feeling of falling in love. The song’s string section is described as breathtaking, causing one host to take deep breaths while listening. The lyrics about ‘hangover chasing’ and resting one’s head on a chest are singled out as beautiful.
Album Structure and Top Songs
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(00:34:25)
- Key Takeaway: The album flows through distinct sections, moving from electronic production in the first half to disco/pop vibes in the latter half, concluding with the eclectic “Carla’s Song” as a perfect closer.
- Summary: Tracks like “Pop” and “Dance No More” are celebrated for their fun, disco-infused energy, contrasting with the more introspective tracks. The hosts finalize their top five, placing “Coming Up Roses” and “Dance No More” at the top. “Carla’s Song” is lauded for successfully blending the album’s various musical elements to close the record.
Weekly Watch Report Kickoff
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(00:50:06)
- Key Takeaway: Pepsi Prebiotic Cola, available in Cherry Vanilla and Classic Cola, contains no artificial sweeteners, only five grams of sugar, 30 calories, and 3 grams of prebiotic fiber.
- Summary: The hosts transition to the Weekly Watch Report segment while enjoying the Cherry Vanilla flavor of Pepsi Prebiotic Cola. They emphasize the drink’s health-conscious profile, noting its low sugar and calorie count alongside the inclusion of prebiotic fiber. The drink is recommended for any time of day.
TV Show Reviews
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(00:52:03)
- Key Takeaway: The rewatch of ‘What I Like About You’ Season 4 was rated a B, as the season felt abruptly canceled with fewer episodes than previous runs.
- Summary: The hosts gave a B rating to the rewatch of ‘What I Like About You’ Season 4, noting its abrupt ending suggested cancellation. The Netflix show ‘Boo, Bitch’ received a C+ for being fine but uneventful, focusing heavily on characters being ‘horny.’ ‘Southern Charm’ took a dip this episode, earning a C-.
Reality Show Ratings Review
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(00:52:44)
- Key Takeaway: The unnamed show reviewed received a C/C+ grade due to a lack of plot beyond characters being ‘horny,’ while Southern Charm dipped to a C- due to storyline fatigue.
- Summary: One show was rated C/C+ because the primary action involved characters being overly sexual, and the main plot point only occurred at the very end. The Southern Charm episode took a dip to a C- because the reviewer grew tired of the current storyline, which was wrapping up with the finale. Craig from Southern Charm delivered the line, ‘I’m perfectly imperfect,’ which immediately reminded the host of a Camp Rock song.
Summer House Newbie Impressions
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(00:56:01)
- Key Takeaway: Bailey is praised as a funny and cute newbie on Summer House who brings fresh air to the show by speaking her mind and flirting.
- Summary: The hosts are enjoying the new additions to Summer House, specifically noting Bailey for being funny, cute, and bringing fresh air. Bailey’s bold move of bringing up Ben wanting to ‘fuck Amanda’ at the dinner table was appreciated for shaking things up. Jesse’s handling of Ciara’s feelings—specifically her feeling that everyone just wants to ’experience’ her—was deemed poor.
Survivor Season 50 Hype
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(00:58:02)
- Key Takeaway: The current season of Survivor (Season 50) is highly engaging, featuring great plot elements like fake idol planting and a strong early showing from contestant Christian.
- Summary: The first two episodes of Survivor have hooked the host, earning a B+ rating, with the second episode being even more engaging than the first. The episode featured classic elements like sneaking around and planting fake clues/idols. The host is rooting for Christian, despite his large personality making him a potential threat, and also supports Sari’s alliance with Ozzy.
House of Villains & Ted Lasso
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(00:58:53)
- Key Takeaway: House of Villains host Joe McHale leans too heavily into making fun of the show itself, while Ted Lasso Season 2 is enjoyable due to the comedic effect of the bear’s facial expressions.
- Summary: House of Villains received a B, but the host noted that host Joe McHale almost overdoes the self-mockery, making it unclear if the show should be taken seriously. Ted Lasso Season 2 is rated B+, described as very funny, with the bear’s ability to make facial expressions or do ‘dirty things’ being a major source of humor. The host has only watched the first two episodes of Ted Lasso.
Love Is Blind & 56 Days Review
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(00:59:56)
- Key Takeaway: The recent Love Is Blind episodes warrant a B rating, with the reunion expected to be very good, and 56 Days on Prime is intriguing due to the secrets Dove Cameron and Avon Jogia’s characters are hiding.
- Summary: The Love Is Blind episodes watched earned a B, with anticipation high for the reunion, despite the host having seen spoilers. 56 Days, starring Dove Cameron and Avon Jogia, is rated B+ early on because the two main characters are clearly hiding secrets, suggesting many twists are coming. One host was hesitant to start 56 Days after a lukewarm reaction to the first episode.
Chicago Crossover Event
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(01:02:18)
- Key Takeaway: The Chicago crossover event was a legitimate A-grade, scary episode centered on a plane landing with all passengers dead from a toxin, featuring the welcome return of Hilly and Jay.
- Summary: The three-hour Chicago crossover event was locked in for and rated an A, featuring the return of beloved characters Hilly and Jay. The plot involved a plane landing at the Chicago airport with all occupants dead due to a released toxin, causing them to bleed from the eyes. The episode successfully blended Fire, Med, and P.D. storylines to solve the mystery.
Tournament of Champions & Paradise
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(01:03:42)
- Key Takeaway: Tournament of Champions is the best Food Network show, featuring culinary legends as unrevealed One Seeds who have previously served as judges, while Paradise is rated an A- for its compelling individual stories and heartbreaking fourth episode.
- Summary: Tournament of Champions is back, and this year the One Seeds are culinary legends who have never competed but have often served as judges, keeping their identities hidden until the match. Paradise is fantastic, with the fourth episode being brutally sad and prompting sobbing, raising larger conversations about modern medicine and childbirth. The host was surprised by the emotional impact of the fourth episode, which ruined their Friday night.
Love Story Fictionalization Debate
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(01:08:30)
- Key Takeaway: The Love Story wedding episode was better than the last, but the host noted the ongoing public debate where viewers fail to respect the show’s disclaimer that much of it is fictionalized, leading to real-life attacks on figures like Daryl Hannah.
- Summary: The Love Story wedding episode was rated B, with Calvin Klein being the star, and it featured intense moments like Dana Gordon calling out JFK at the rehearsal dinner. The host expressed frustration that viewers believe every detail is real, forcing Daryl Hannah to issue a statement clarifying that much of her portrayal was fictionalized. The episode heavily foreshadowed the ocean plane disaster that is expected to occur in future episodes.
Industry Finale & Young Sherlock
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(01:13:57)
- Key Takeaway: The Industry Season 4 finale was a strong B, with Kit Harington’s performance being a highlight, while the new Young Sherlock show captures the classic Guy Ritchie style.
- Summary: The Industry finale was rated a B, and the host praised Kit Harington’s performance, noting the wrapping up of the season felt very well done. The host started Young Sherlock on Prime, noting Hero Fiennes Tiffin is good and Colin Firth is involved, confirming the show has a classic Guy Ritchie style. Joe, a West Ham fan, was excited by clips of Hero Fiennes Tiffin discussing his love for the soccer team and chess.
The Pit & JFK Ratings
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(01:19:09)
- Key Takeaway: The Pit is an A-tier show with 15 episodes planned, and the host suspects Robbie is hinting at suicide, while JFK remains a C-minus due to the host’s inability to buy the portrayal of JFK Jr. as whiny.
- Summary: The Pit is rated A, and the host noted there are 15 episodes, with Robbie hinting at not returning from his sabbatical. The host rates JFK a C-minus because they cannot believe the fictionalized portrayal of JFK Jr. as whiny, despite acknowledging the show’s intense moments. The JFK episode featuring the wedding was visually stunning, but the host felt there were too many foreshadowing moments about an ocean plane disaster.
Tara & Johnny Traitors Debrief
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(01:27:01)
- Key Takeaway: Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir were both faithfuls on The Traitors, and they deliberately played down their existing friendship to avoid immediate suspicion from the cast.
- Summary: Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir were both faithfuls on The Traitors, and they successfully kept their close friendship a secret until later in the game, using different backstories to explain their connection. They agreed that if one had been a traitor, they would have protected the other until the end, which would have disadvantaged the game for the production. Johnny found the experience emotionally taxing, especially when the castle turned on him after Candace was revealed as a traitor.
Athlete Mindset and Reality TV
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(01:43:51)
- Key Takeaway: The athlete mindset, emphasizing dedication and teamwork (like Team USA), heavily influenced how Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir approached the competitive reality show.
- Summary: The speakers contrasted the dedication required of Olympians, who train through holidays, with typical ‘school games.’ They felt pressure to perform well for their ’team’ (the faithfuls) on the reality show, similar to representing Team USA. Tara noted this was her first reality experience, while Johnny had prior reality show exposure.
BetterHelp Sponsorship Read
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(01:45:26)
- Key Takeaway: BetterHelp offers online therapy sessions via phone, video, or chat, featuring over 30,000 therapists globally.
- Summary: Therapy can help manage overwhelming tasks and stress when things pile up. BetterHelp facilitates scheduling and attending weekly sessions entirely online for convenience. Listeners can receive 10% off their first month by visiting betterhelp.com/slash office.
Hesitation Joining Reality Show
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(01:46:36)
- Key Takeaway: Tara Lipinski was initially asked to join the reality show solo but declined due to prior commitments, only agreeing when the offer included Johnny Weir.
- Summary: Johnny was excited about the offer, but Tara had reservations due to her young daughter and never expecting to do reality television. Doing the show with Johnny made it a ‘once-in-a-lifetime experience’ because the show’s campy nature made it manageable. They acknowledged the risk of playing a game with someone they know well, especially concerning the possibility of one being a traitor.
The Traitors Winner and Rob
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(01:47:57)
- Key Takeaway: Rob being the sole winner of the reality competition was not a shock, as he was considered masterful and strategic, yet also possessed genuine heart.
- Summary: The speakers viewed Rob as masterful and felt he deserved to win alone if it wasn’t them, noting he excelled in every mission. They believed his ability to be friendly and talk to everyone was a mix of strategy and genuine kindness. Tara felt focused on winning for Johnny after he left, despite initially believing she, Johnny, and Maura had won based on Maura’s assurances.
Matching Birkin Bags Story
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(01:49:44)
- Key Takeaway: Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir acquired matching Hermès Birkin bags in the rare, seasonal color Nata during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
- Summary: Johnny, a collector who views the bags as investments, was picking up a bag in Tokyo when Tara decided she wanted a matching one, despite initially finding the purchase overwhelming. Their contact sourced two of only six bags available in that specific color nationwide at the time. They noted that Rob’s promise of a Birkin to Maura contrasted with their own matching moment, which they find very on-brand.
Reflections on Team USA Skating
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(01:53:01)
- Key Takeaway: The recent Olympic figure skating coverage showcased a beautiful resurgence in the sport, characterized by authentic athletes winning by being true to themselves.
- Summary: The public engaged strongly with Team USA skaters like Alyssa Liu, Amber Glenn, and Ilya Malinin, whose unique personalities made the event feel larger than life. Ilya Malinin demonstrated incredible sportsmanship by congratulating the gold medalist despite his own shocking loss, showcasing his character off the ice. Alyssa Liu’s wisdom and authenticity reminded viewers that one does not need to fit the traditional mold of a figure skater to succeed.
Commentating Figure Skating Challenges
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(01:56:20)
- Key Takeaway: Commentating figure skating requires balancing the duty to inform the audience about technical scores with the need to honor the skater’s moment and avoid tearing down their performance.
- Summary: The commentators’ primary duty is to their audience, explaining the technical and artistic scores while respecting the judges’ opinions. Because they have both experienced competitive losses, they strive to lift skaters up rather than criticize small errors, leading with love. Figure skating remains dramatic due to its subjective artistic score, even with a number-based technical system.
Podcast Outro and Tour Dates
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(02:00:19)
- Key Takeaway: The Chicks in the Office are currently touring, with upcoming stops in Seattle and San Diego.
- Summary: The episode concludes with thanks to the guests and listeners, followed by promotion for the Chicks in the Office Spring Tour. Tickets are still available for the Seattle and San Diego shows this week. The hosts promise to talk to listeners again on Wednesday.