Chicks in the Office

DWTS Finale Preview, 'Special Forces' BTS w/ Shawn Johnson & Andrew East + ‘All Her Fault' Series Recap

November 24, 2025

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  • The hosts are preparing for Thanksgiving week, announcing new Black Friday merch drops and promoting their upcoming Philly holiday spectacular show. 
  • Fran experienced significant distress following an Eagles loss, leading her to watch the movie 'Frankenstein' alone to cope with her anger. 
  • Fran announced that at 31, she is officially coloring her hair to cover up an increasing number of gray hairs, a milestone she marked as relatable for listeners. 
  • The hosts debated the level of public support Braxton Berrios shows for his partner competing on *Dancing with the Stars*, considering factors like time zone differences and the difference between public and private support. 
  • The Weekly Watch Report segment included varied reviews, with *All Her Fault* receiving a high grade (A) for its gripping nature, while the Jonas Brothers Christmas movie received a mixed reception (C). 
  • The discussion on *All Her Fault* revealed that the hosts were particularly surprised by the final twist involving the husband's role in the accident, despite anticipating deceit throughout the series. 
  • Shawn Johnson and Andrew East detailed the intense physical and psychological challenges of *Special Forces*, noting that the experience ultimately restored Shawn's confidence in her ability to tackle hard things after having children. 
  • The couple emphasized that *Special Forces* is a genuine military challenge filmed with minimal production interference, which fosters raw contestant interactions and makes the abrupt exits of eliminated participants very real. 

Segments

Sponsor Reads Kickoff
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(00:00:10)
  • Key Takeaway: Bombas offers comfortable apparel made from premium materials like merino wool and Sherpa lining, supporting a ‘buy one, donate one’ model.
  • Summary: Bombas products, including socks, slippers, tees, and underwear, are highlighted for their comfort and premium materials suitable for cozy season. Every purchase results in one item being donated to someone experiencing homelessness, totaling over 150 million items donated so far. Listeners can receive 20% off their first purchase using code CHICKS at bombas.com/chicks.
Armani Beauty Product Focus
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(00:01:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Concealer is a new multi-purpose product offering weightless, buildable coverage with a luminous, skin-like finish.
  • Summary: Armani Beauty focuses on enhancing natural beauty with products like the award-winning Luminous Silk foundation. The new Luminous Silk Concealer provides hydration and blurring effects for all-day wear. It is available in 21 shades and can be shopped at Sephora.
Podcast Intro and Merch
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(00:03:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Chicks in the Office is releasing new crew neck and hoodie merch for Black Friday, starting Thursday night after Thanksgiving.
  • Summary: The hosts opened the episode by greeting listeners and noting it was their last episode before the Thanksgiving break. They announced upcoming Black Friday merch, including a new crew neck and hoodie. They also reminded listeners about their Philly holiday spectacular show happening in two weeks.
Eagles Game Disappointment
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(00:03:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Fran was deeply disappointed by the Eagles’ performance, particularly after an initial 21-0 lead crumbled during the game.
  • Summary: Fran expressed her dismay over a tough loss for the Eagles, noting the group chat reaction when the team was up 21-0 before collapsing. She attributed the issues more to the coaching staff and offensive coordinator than the individual players. The host watched ‘Frankenstein’ alone afterward to process the unpleasant game.
Weekend Relaxation Recaps
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(00:07:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Both hosts prioritized rest, with one hosting a last-minute Friendsgiving featuring homemade mac and cheese and the other visiting a contrast therapy center twice.
  • Summary: Rhea successfully committed to doing nothing, enjoying a relaxing weekend that included a long walk with her dog, Olive, when the sun briefly appeared. Fran hosted a spontaneous Friendsgiving, successfully making Tiny’s mac and cheese recipe and enjoying games with friends. Fran also discovered the benefits of contrast therapy, visiting a cold plunge and sauna facility twice over the weekend.
Canker Sore Battle
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(00:13:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Fran endured a severe bout of canker sores, which temporarily subsided after she applied salt directly to them, only to return the next morning before finally disappearing.
  • Summary: Fran detailed her struggle with canker sores, noting they often appear when run down, and shared a painful, non-traditional remedy: applying salt directly to the sores. The intense burning provided temporary relief, but the sores returned briefly before vanishing completely by Sunday morning. She was thrilled to regain the ability to talk and eat normally.
Abercrombie Black Friday Sale
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(00:19:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Abercrombie’s Black Friday sale offers 25% to 50% off everything, including new arrivals, with an extra 15% off for listeners using code AFCHICKS.
  • Summary: The Abercrombie Black Friday sale runs from November 24th to December 1st, covering 25% to 50% off all items, including new drops. Listeners can get an additional 15% off online and in stores by using the code AFCHICKS at checkout. The cozy lounge sets are recommended as perfect attire for the holiday season.
Fran’s Gray Hair Announcement
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(00:21:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Fran, at 31, has reached the age where she must color her hair specifically to cover grays, though she has one she refuses to pluck.
  • Summary: Fran made a personal announcement that her grays are becoming uncontrollable, necessitating hair coloring beyond just maintaining her red shade. Rhea confirmed the presence of grays, which are currently tucked underneath her hair. The hosts discussed the myth that plucking one gray causes three more to grow back, confirming it is scientifically false.
Thanksgiving Plans and Food
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(00:33:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Fran is making an antipasto board and stuffed mushrooms for her in-laws’ Thanksgiving, taking over a traditional dish from an aunt.
  • Summary: Fran is contributing Italian-inspired dishes to her in-laws’ Thanksgiving meal, including an antipasto board she enjoys assembling creatively. She offered to make stuffed shells but noted that her family often fills up on Italian food before the main Thanksgiving meal. The hosts agreed that assembling a board is a relaxing, creative outlet.
SNL Skit Disagreement
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(00:35:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Fran disagreed with her friends’ high praise that a specific Nate Bargatzi George Washington SNL skit was one of the funniest in the last decade.
  • Summary: Fran found the highly-praised Nate Bargatzi George Washington SNL sketch underwhelming, contrasting with her friends’ extreme enthusiasm. She noted that Bargatzi’s humor can be hit or miss for her personally. The sketch was so popular it was repeated for SNL 50 and the Golden Globes.
DWTS Finale Preview
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(00:42:09)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts will not release a new episode the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, meaning the Dancing with the Stars finale discussion is postponed until the following week.
  • Summary: The hosts realized they would miss discussing the Dancing with the Stars finale this week because they pre-planned to take the Wednesday off in December. They speculated that Robert Irwin winning via VPN votes or a split vote between Robert and Alex could lead to a surprise winner like Dylan Efron. The hosts noted that Braxton Berrios’s absence from the audience is being scrutinized by fans.
DWTS Partner Support Debate
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(00:49:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Public perception of Braxton Berrios’s support for his partner on Dancing with the Stars is contrasted with Connor’s visible enthusiasm, prompting speculation about behind-the-scenes involvement.
  • Summary: The hosts compared the visible support levels of different partners, noting Connor dresses up for every theme while Braxton Berrios reportedly does not even post voting reminders. They acknowledged that busy schedules, like those of a football player, might limit public social media engagement. The conversation concluded that support behind the scenes cannot be accurately judged based solely on social media activity.
Weekly Watch Report Kickoff
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(00:51:02)
  • Key Takeaway: The Weekly Watch Report segment is scheduled to cover All Her Fault, Wicked: For Good, The Beast in Me, and Frankenstein.
  • Summary: The hosts transitioned from the Dancing with the Stars discussion to the Weekly Watch Report, which will also feature an interview with Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East about Special Forces. The segment began with a brief advertisement for DraftKings Casino. The first item reviewed was the series Squid Game.
Squid Game & Eddie Murphy Review
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(00:54:12)
  • Key Takeaway: Squid Game received a B- rating due to a less captivating latter half, while the Eddie Murphy documentary earned an A for its insightful look into his early career.
  • Summary: One host finished Squid Game and rated it a B- because the beginning was more captivating than the end, though they still hope for more seasons. The Eddie Murphy documentary was highly praised (A) for sharing personal stories from those who knew him in his early days. The hosts enjoy documentaries about entertainers.
Jonas Brothers Movie Critique
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(00:55:03)
  • Key Takeaway: The Jonas Brothers Christmas movie was rated a C, with one host finding it cute and funny but being put off by the frequent musical numbers.
  • Summary: Expectations for the Jonas Brothers Christmas movie were opposite for the hosts; one found it exceeded low expectations, while the other felt let down by the musical format. They enjoyed the brothers’ rapport and self-aware jokes, but one host preferred the non-singing parts. The conversation devolved into debating the Jonas Brothers’ heights, with online sources suggesting Joe is 5'7" and Nick is 5'6".
Sebastian Maniscalco & Stand-Up Talk
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(01:00:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Sebastian Maniscalco’s new special earned a C, prompting a reflection on relatable stand-up comedy, specifically citing John Mulaney’s post-rehab special as a favorite.
  • Summary: Sebastian Maniscalco’s new special was rated a C, being enjoyable but not his best work, leading to a discussion on stand-up comedy preferences. The hosts reminisced about Kevin Hart’s peak popularity around 2016 and the value of stand-up that relates deeply to one’s own family life. John Mulaney’s baby day special was highlighted as exceptionally funny.
The Beast in Me & Kardashians Recap
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(01:02:49)
  • Key Takeaway: The Beast in Me received a B, but felt less compelling immediately following the intense psychological thriller All Her Fault. The Kardashians earned a C due to Courtney’s perceived rudeness towards Kim’s serious life updates.
  • Summary: The Beast in Me, featuring Claire Danes and Britney Snow, was rated a B, though it suffered in comparison to All Her Fault. The Kardashians segment focused on Courtney suggesting Kim try a buttered date while Kim discussed having a hit out on her life. The hosts questioned the custody situation regarding Scott and Courtney’s older children.
All Her Fault Series Deep Dive
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(01:07:00)
  • Key Takeaway: All Her Fault was rated a solid A for its ability to hook viewers, featuring an unpredictable twist that subverted the expected ‘Nanny Carrie’ trope.
  • Summary: The series All Her Fault was highly praised for keeping viewers up late, featuring incredible acting and an unpredictable twist that was not revealed until the final episode. The hosts noted the narrative initially focused on deceit, but the ultimate reveal was that the husband was responsible for paralyzing his brother. The show effectively explored themes of deceit and the lengths parents will go to protect their children.
Truly Seltzer Holiday Promotion
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(01:19:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Truly released a limited-edition Celebration Pack featuring four holiday flavors: Citrus Spark, Peach Parade, Triseco Style, and Rosé Style.
  • Summary: The hosts promoted the Truly Celebration Pack as the ideal item for holiday gatherings like Friendsgiving. The pack contains four limited-edition flavors designed to add a ‘spark’ to seasonal events. Listeners are encouraged to find the pack locally or visit trulyheartseltz.com.
Selling Sunset & OC Drama
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(01:20:19)
  • Key Takeaway: The Selling Sunset reunion highlighted the falling out between Crochelle and Emma over Emma’s boyfriend, leading to Crochelle’s departure from the show.
  • Summary: The Selling Sunset reunion confirmed Crochelle’s exit, with the drama centering on her disapproval of Emma’s boyfriend, whom the group generally disliked. The hosts felt the drama surrounding Tyler on Selling the OC seemed manufactured for filming, as agents claimed they hadn’t spoken to him in 18 months prior to filming restarting. The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City episode received a B for its coverage of Mary’s church completion.
Special Forces & Grey’s Anatomy Update
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(01:25:51)
  • Key Takeaway: The Special Forces season was rated a B, with the hosts celebrating that the two smallest female contestants, including Shawn Johnson, successfully completed the finale, highlighting female mental toughness.
  • Summary: The hosts gave Special Forces a B, expressing excitement that Shawn Johnson and Gia finished the season, noting the mental fortitude required by the female contestants. Grey’s Anatomy received a C, with the host pleading for Joe and Link to be happy after the fall finale cliffhanger regarding Joe’s pregnancy. The hosts also watched Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein.
Frankenstein Movie Review
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(01:28:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein was rated a B, praised for Jacob Elordi’s performance as the monster and its dual perspective narrative, despite containing unpleasant gore.
  • Summary: The Frankenstein adaptation was noted for being less overtly horrific than expected, leaning more into sci-fi, though it contained unpleasant scenes of body part assembly. The film utilized dual perspectives from Oscar Isaac (Victor Frankenstein) and Jacob Elordi (the monster), making viewers sympathize with the creature’s desire to die. The hosts briefly debated the common misconception that the monster’s name is Frankenstein, clarifying that the doctor holds that name in Mary Shelley’s novel.
Wicked & DWTS Finale Grades
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(01:35:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Wicked for Good earned a B+ and is deemed worth seeing again, while the Dancing with the Stars Prince Night semifinal received an A- due to theme night limitations.
  • Summary: The Wicked film was praised, though the hosts acknowledged online debate about splitting the material into two parts. They felt the second act’s pacing was slower, suggesting the movie might have been stretched, but they would still see it again. The DWTS Prince Night was rated A- because theme nights can limit the creative choreography available to the professional dancers.
Acorns Investment Promotion
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(01:39:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Acorns allows users to save and invest spare change by rounding up purchases to the nearest dollar, offering a $20 bonus investment for new sign-ups via acorns.com/slashchicks.
  • Summary: Acorns simplifies money management by automatically investing spare change from everyday purchases. This feature allows users to grow their investments without constant attention. New users receive a $20 bonus investment upon signing up through the promotional link.
Pluribus & Murdoch Mysteries Update
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(01:41:23)
  • Key Takeaway: The Apple TV+ show Pluribus received an A- for its unique concept, while Murdoch Mysteries received a B because the true story behind the case is more compelling than the show’s execution.
  • Summary: One host enjoyed Pluribus (A-), finding its core concept shocking and original, despite the other host not starting it. Murdoch Mysteries was rated a B, with the host admitting the real-life story is what keeps them engaged. The hosts expressed frustration with DWTS contestants Elaine and Dylan potentially receiving pity votes over stronger dancers.
Reviewing Recent Watches
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(01:44:09)
  • Key Takeaway: The movie ‘Oh High’ was categorized as a dark comedy involving a woman locking her love interest to a bed to force a relationship.
  • Summary: One speaker rated a recently watched show a B-minus, comparing a character to one from Homeland. Another re-watched The Town and rated it an A. The film ‘Oh High,’ starring Logan Lerman, was described as a dark comedy where the plot involves a woman locking a man to a bed to secure a relationship, earning a C rating.
Jonas Brothers Movie Reaction
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(01:46:34)
  • Key Takeaway: The Jonas Brothers movie was enjoyable for its backstage moments and cameos, but the extended musical numbers were a deterrent.
  • Summary: The speaker only watched five minutes of the Jonas Brothers movie but enjoyed the backstage segments featuring cameos like Will Ferrell. The extended musical sequences were noted as being too long and not appealing to the listener. Fast-forwarding through the songs was suggested as a way to enjoy the rest of the content.
Task Series Viewing Experience
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(01:47:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Episodes two and three of Task are highly rated but require significant mental commitment due to their heavy, dark subject matter.
  • Summary: Episodes two and three of Task were watched, but the series is described as a heavy lift requiring viewers to ‘buckle up’ for each episode. The show is long and lacks comedic relief, focusing on depressing events, such as the storyline involving Mark Ruffalo’s character. Despite its darkness, the episodes were deemed fantastic and rated a B-plus.
Sponsor Read: Armani Beauty
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(01:49:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Armani Luminous Silk Concealer is praised for being lightweight, hydrating, blurring, and providing weightless, buildable coverage for a luminous finish.
  • Summary: The Armani Luminous Silk Concealer is highlighted for enhancing natural beauty and providing a ’lit from within glow.’ The product is versatile, suitable for both full glam and no-makeup looks, effectively covering blemishes and under-eye areas. Its key attributes include being lightweight, hydrating, blurring, and offering all-day wear with medium-buildable coverage.
Interview Intro & People’s Choice
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(01:49:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East were welcomed to the show, leading to a brief, humorous recollection of losing a People’s Choice Award to Meghan Markle.
  • Summary: Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East joined the hosts in the studio. The conversation immediately referenced their shared experience of losing a People’s Choice Award in a virtual ceremony to Meghan Markle. The hosts joked that the loss did not deter their podcasting efforts, as they are ‘still grinding.’
Special Forces Couple Dynamic
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(01:50:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Shawn and Andrew were the first couple approached to do Special Forces together, and they realized the presence of a spouse added a unique mental warfare dynamic to the competition.
  • Summary: Shawn had been approached for Special Forces previously but was pregnant or postpartum; this season she suggested they both participate. The hosts noted this was the first season featuring couples, which introduced a new dynamic. Andrew admitted the interrogation phase was particularly tough on him due to his kind nature being exploited by the DS staff.
Initial Shock and DS Relationship
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(01:53:51)
  • Key Takeaway: The difficulty of Special Forces was immediate and layered, starting with physical shock, and the relationship with the DS staff evolved from adversarial yelling to encouraging mentorship by the end.
  • Summary: Andrew stated the challenge was hard from day one, involving physical injury and psychological difficulty layered on top of each other. The initial shock upon arrival involved being shoved into mud, quickly turning the initial smirks of the cast into a realization of what they signed up for. The DS staff’s interactions became more encouraging by the end, though they maintained a yelling delivery style.
Motivation to Finish Course
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(01:56:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Shawn initially planned to quit on day one but became committed after learning the personal stories and meaning behind the course created by the DS staff.
  • Summary: Shawn initially planned to bow out early to return to her babies but quickly committed to finishing after hearing the DS staff’s personal stories related to loss. The experience became less about proving herself and more about not letting the DS staff down. Both realized they had to finish the course after the first day.
Filming Reality vs. Scripted TV
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(01:57:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Unlike typical reality TV, Special Forces is filmed like a military challenge with GoPros and no producer interaction, making the footage raw and unscripted.
  • Summary: The relationship with the DS staff was confusing, oscillating between harsh criticism and therapy-like advice, followed by immediate elimination. The show is not scripted reality TV; there are no producers talking to contestants, and cameras operate 24/7 like security cameras. Contestants are essentially in the military for 10 days without production interference, which contributes to the raw footage.
Contestant Stories and Support
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(02:00:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Gia Giudice’s journey showed significant mental maturation and earned audience respect, while Shawn Johnson’s completion was inspiring given her history of using past achievements as an excuse not to try new hard things.
  • Summary: Gia Giudice matured significantly over the 10 days, gaining respect for fighting through her desire to quit, especially after her mother’s situation. Andrew noted that Shawn’s completion was significant because she had previously used her Olympic success as a ‘cop-out’ to avoid pushing herself in other areas. The hosts expressed hope their own daughters would be inspired by Shawn’s demonstration of grit.
Couple Things Podcast Origins
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(02:11:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Andrew and Shawn started their Couple Things podcast to counter the narrative that marriage should be easy and to create intentional time for deep conversation as busy parents.
  • Summary: The Couple Things podcast was started to challenge the idea that finding ’the one’ means marriage should be easy, aiming instead to break down relationships with expert input. For Andrew and Shawn, the podcast serves as an excuse to have intentional conversations they might otherwise miss due to the demands of parenting young children. A key boundary for their podcast is that any topic discussed must already be resolved, avoiding live emotional conflict.
Marriage Advice and Support
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(02:15:04)
  • Key Takeaway: The best marriage advice is to actively fight complacency by continuously working to learn about and improve for your spouse, recognizing that a spouse has the greatest power to help or hurt.
  • Summary: Andrew expressed gratitude for Shawn making space for family despite her ambitions, highlighting their mutual support. Shawn advised newlyweds that complacency can destroy a marriage, emphasizing the need to constantly reflect on how to be better for one’s spouse. They agreed that a strong marriage involves both partners getting better together, like placing the next row on a ladder for mutual ascent.
DWTS Finale Predictions
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(02:19:38)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts were shocked by Whitney’s elimination from Dancing with the Stars and currently favor Robert to win the finale, despite Dylan and Alex also performing strongly.
  • Summary: The hosts were shocked that Whitney was eliminated, calling her a phenomenal dancer. Robert was initially predicted to win, but Dylan and Alex are gaining momentum. Robert is noted for having a unique ‘pizzazz’ and star power, which was highlighted by Prince William zooming in on his rehearsal.
Episode Wrap-up and Promotions
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(02:21:27)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode concluded with reminders about upcoming Barstool Sports Black Friday sales, new merchandise, and ticket sales for the upcoming four-hour holiday spectacular in Philadelphia.
  • Summary: The episode wrapped up by promoting the Barstool Sports Black Friday sale starting Thursday night, which will feature two new classic Chicks in the Office sweatshirts. Listeners were reminded to purchase tickets for the four-hour holiday spectacular in Philadelphia. The hosts signed off wishing everyone a lovely week and a happy Thanksgiving.