Straight to the Comments

Introducing our Minis! School Stationery, Elon Musk and Etiquette

Introducing "Straight to the Comments Minis," our new series of bite-sized episodes that will drop in between our regular deep-dive episodes.
Join us this week as we go back to 80s and 90s school and talk stationery, school uniforms, and whether Sarah actually was in a school or a secret monastery.
Also, Lisa tries to guess from some comments, which story Sarah is talking about in our “out of context” guessing game and she gets it all wrong. Plus, we make our crazy celebrity predictions.
Want to be featured in our next episode?
We don't want this to be a one-sided conversation. We want to hear from you! DM us on Instagram, and your comment or question could be featured in our next mini-episode, coming your way in two weeks' time.
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If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple.
This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.
 

Trophy Wives: The Case of Kevin Costner and Kanye West

Dive into the world of Trophy Wives with us this week. From the iconic Krystal Carrington in Dynasty to TikTok's latest obsession with #TrophyWifeGoals, we're unpacking the concept and asking the question: Is it ever ok to call someone a Trophy Wife?
We go through lots of reactions to Kevin Costner's divorce drama with his estranged "trophy" second wife, Christine Baumgartner. We'll uncover their intense battles over child support, prenuptial agreements, and jaw-dropping plastic surgery expenses.
Next, we go into Kanye West's recent trip to Italy alongside his rumoured wife, Bianca Censori. Their fashion choices and behaviour have sent shockwaves through the world, sparking speculation about the "Gold Digger" rapper’s history of dressing his partners like "fashion dolls," including Amber Rose, Kim Kardashian, and Julia Fox. We ask, who is using who?
Join us as we go Straight to the Comments.
 
Questions for us or comments you want us to review?
We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/
Click here for the full episode transcript.
If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple.
This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.

The Case of Karen Hunting

The idea of being a “Karen” has become a major phenomenon in the last few years. From viral videos, halloween costumes, a movie, and themed diners it has become a term that is widely used. In this episode we’re trying to untangle - what does it really mean to be called a Karen? And why are so many people fixated on viral videos showcasing Karen behaviour?
 
Since it first emerged, the Karen meme seems to have morphed and taken on a life of its own. So much so that content creators appear to be deliberately going out off their way to find strangers to film and publish on social media to meet the demand for these ‘payback’ videos. But has this Karen Hunting now become a sport? Has Karen started to become a catch-all term thrown at women for any disagreement? And is it ever ok to ask for the manager? Join us as we go Straight to the Comments.
 
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Thank you!
 
Follow us on Instagram for news and behind-the-scenes @s2tcpodcast
Click here for the full episode transcript
If you like the show, please rate or review it and don't forget to share it.
This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.
 

Not a Woman’s Woman? The Case of Ariana Grande and Megan Fox

Ariana Grande was recently called “not a girl’s girl” by Lily Jay, the estranged wife of her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, after finding herself embroiled in the middle of their messy breakup. But what is a girl’s girl or a woman’s woman? What is it about some women that rubs other women up the wrong way? And is it just jealousy?
This week we’re diving into the current backlash towards Ariana, and the ongoing accusations that Megan Fox doesn’t appeal to women. We’re going to be breaking down the terms thrown at women such as homewrecker, man-eater, mean girl, temptress and pick me girl. And looking at why some women are disliked by the sisterhood. Is it because they are too beautiful, too sexy, or because they can’t be trusted? And how does this show up in the workplace?
As usual join as we debate these concepts, reference 90s cinema and go Straight to the Comments. 
Click here for the full episode transcript
Follow us on Instagram for news and behind-the-scenes @s2tcpodcast
If you like the show, please rate or review it and don't forget to share it.
This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.
 

Barbie: The Nostalgia We Need or Another Agenda?

Today, we are undressing the layers of Barbie glitter and hype to explore what is really going on with her monumental comeback. Is this Barbie revival the nostalgic tonic we need, or simply a last-ditch attempt to resuscitate the Barbie brand from a bygone era? Can she ever really be a feminist icon?
We talk about Ryan Gosling's portrayal of Ken, Margot Robbie's casting as Barbie, and the influence of "Legally Blonde," "Sex and the City," and even "Playboy" on the Barbie brand. We'll also be examining the curvy and diverse Barbies, and asking how inclusive they really are?
And finally we’ll be sharing your own Barbie confessions as you reveal your personal stories with the iconic doll - and who could forget Sindy?
 
Click here for the full transcript.
Follow us on Instagram for news and behind-the-scenes @s2tcpodcast
If you like the show, please rate or review it and don't forget to share it.
This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.
 
 

Are Gossip Blinds Dangerous? From Hollywood Secrets to BBC Scandals

Today, we're diving into the world of blind gossip. Rumours that keep you guessing, but never reveal the subject's true identity.
During last week’s anonymous BBC sex pic scandal a frenzy of online speculation included a range of well-known names, including Gary Lineker and Jeremy Vine, until Huw Edwards was publicly named. We’re also going to be looking at other anonymous accusations such as Ulrika Jonsson and John Leslie. 
Plus, we discuss the phenomenal rise of Gossip Blinds on social media, such as Deux Moi and Crazy Days and Nights, and their constant speculation about stars like Henry Cavill and Anna Kendrick.
What we want to know is if blind gossip is just a modern-day tool for exposing corruption and bringing down powerful people? Or has it become a modern form of witch-hunt that possesses the power to ruin lives without accountability or due process?
 
Full transcript here: https://www.straighttothecommentspodcast.com/post/are-gossip-blinds-dangerous-from-hollywood-secrets-to-bbc-scandals
Follow us on Instagram for news and behind-the-scenes @s2tcpodcast
If you like the show, please rate or review it and don't forget to share it.
This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.
 

The Dark Allure of Tragedy: The Case of the Titan Sub Disaster

The world was gripped when OceanGate’s Titan submersible went missing on its descent to visit the Titanic wreck. Fuelled by relentless 24/7 news coverage, the internet went into overdrive with mocking memes and ‘eat the rich’ jokes at the expense of the 5 wealthy passengers, while a full-scale rescue mission was under way. 
With billions of views online, the Titan became the subject of what people were describing as "disaster voyeurism," with even calls for the Titanic film director James Cameron to make the film adaptation.
But why are we so obsessed with these global disaster stories? Are all disasters created equal? And have these tragedies become a form of entertainment?
Join us this week as we discuss the fascination with tragedy and what role dark humour can play in our own life in dealing with profound trauma and grief.
Full transcript here: https://www.straighttothecommentspodcast.com/post/the-dark-allure-of-tragedy-the-case-of-the-titan-disaster
Follow us on Instagram for news and behind-the-scenes @s2tcpodcast
If you like the show, please rate or review it and don't forget to share it.
This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Entertainment or Porn? From HBO’s The Idol to OnlyFans

And we're back! This week, we're exploring the increasingly blurred lines between entertainment and porn, diving into the critical reactions surrounding HBO's show, "The Idol," and the controversial social media app, OnlyFans.
The Idol, featuring Lily Rose Depp and The Weeknd, and directed by Sam Levinson, has been promoted by HBO as a "revelatory take on the cult of the music industry." Yet all the internet is talking about is that the show seems to perpetuate a toxic male fantasy, raising questions about the true motivations of HBO and the creators. Is it genuine artistic expression or blatant sexual exploitation of women?
Meanwhile, the online gossip surrounding models and actresses funding their lifestyles through OnlyFans adds to the ongoing debate: When does entertainment cross the line into porn?
Join us as we navigate erotic thrillers, bad acting, cult classics and the real world impact of screen and digital sex.
P.S. If you love 90s erotic films or are curious about this era, we highly recommend checking out the podcast "You Must Remember This" and specifically the "Erotic 90s" season. It was a brilliant resource during our research for this episode.
http://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com/
 
Full transcript here: https://www.straighttothecommentspodcast.com/post/entertainment-or-porn-from-hbo-s-the-idol-to-onlyfans
Follow us on Instagram for news and behind-the-scenes @s2tcpodcast
If you like the show, please rate or review it and don't forget to share it.
This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.
 

JLo and ’The One’: The Case of Selling the Romantic Ideal

Jennifer Lopez is undeniably a megastar - she sings, she dances, she acts and has multiple product lines. But a big part of her story has been her very public love life. The rekindling of her romance with Ben Affleck has been touted as a perfect example of the long awaited ‘happy ever after’. However, not everyone is buying it, especially as this isn’t the first time the self-confessed ‘love addict’ has been what they call ‘loved up’.
 
This week, as JLo promotes her latest film The Mother at the same time as Affleck promotes Air, we’re looking at the way celebrities and Hollywood itself use the idea of 'soulmates' and 'romantic bliss' to sell us products. And asking is there such a thing as “the one”? Why are we so keen to buy into it? And do the media love to build up Hollywood love stories just to tear them apart later? Let's go Straight to the Comments.
 
This is the last full episode of our first season, and we’ve loved every minute of it! But don’t worry we’ll be back in mid-June with fortnightly episodes! In the meantime look out for some bonus episodes we’ll be dropping during our break.
 
Full transcript here.
 
Follow us on Instagram for news and behind-the-scenes @s2tcpodcast
If you like the show, please rate or review it and don't forget to share it.
This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.
 

Pedro Pascal as the Internet’s ‘Daddy’: Harmless Fun or Going Too Far?

Pedro Pascal is riding a career-high with The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, but it is his newfound status as the "Internet's Daddy" and even “Cool Slutty Daddy” that has everyone talking. From playful memes to increasingly graphic thirst tweets, it seems all that anyone, including the mainstream media, wants to discuss with him - becoming the go-to question on red carpets or in interviews.
In this week’s episode, we are discussing where does appreciating male sexuality end and objectification begin? Actors such as Paul Mescal, Kit Harrington and Brad Pitt have all spoken out about being uncomfortable being labelled a “hunk” or a “sex symbol”. Yet Buzzfeed’s male celebrities read thirst tweets series is massively popular. So is the open sexualisation of male celebrities any different to sexualising women? And is there a double standard? Join us as dive deep into the comments.
Episode transcript here.
Follow us on Instagram for news and behind-the-scenes @s2tcpodcast
If you like the show, please rate or review it and don't forget to share it.
This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.