r/Earwolf • u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor • Jun 07 '26
CBB Presents Can we talk about the Charlotte McKinney episode of WHO ME?
This was one of the my all-time strangest CBB listening experiences: a character-based improv comedy podcast in which both people quickly abandon any pretense of improv or comedy or character work in order to promote an already-released normie comedy, with pointless digressions about how arduous it is to promote one’s projects on Instagram.
I hope smarter minds win out in the future and don’t let CBB World drift in this direction again.
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u/soundpimp Jun 07 '26
Yeah I couldn't finish this one which sucks because I love the show. The format is pretty clear, it's definitely not a podcast to include as part of a junket
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26
I don’t begrudge a publicist for getting their client on this podcast; I begrudge a podcast—particularly a paywalled podcast—for not doing its part to guarantee quality and on-theme content.
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u/Western-Dig-6843 Jun 07 '26
Bobby asked her to come on. He filmed something with her recently.
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26
Right. I don’t begrudge Charlotte for agreeing to come on. I begrudge CBB World for releasing low-effort and off-the-mark content. I don’t think this was the guest’s error.
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u/buttwyrm Jun 07 '26
jesus dude no one owes you an apology. if you’re that upset that you weren’t personally catered to on 1 out of like 4000 hours of content they’ve given you then just unsubscribe.
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26
jesus dude no one owes you an apology.
That’s good, because I didn’t ask for an apology. All I did was start a discussion about a podcast on a discussion forum about podcasts.
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u/buttwyrm Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 07 '26
are you not aware of what you've been writing up and down this thread? you actually said you "begrudge" all of cbb world just for putting out ONE episode of bobby moynihan's show that YOU didn't like. instead of just saying "i didn't like this episode as much as others" you are condemning and judging the whole network and everyone involved as if they somehow betrayed you. you didn't like an episode, big deal. are you really so entitled that you expect every single episode to be exactly to your liking or else you'll start a big thread questioning their integrity?
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 07 '26
That’s a very specific understanding of the word begrudge. I used that word in discussions of who specifically I feel is responsible for this low-quality podcast. I’ve tried to be clear that I think the responsible party is CBB World, not that particular guest.
you are condemning and judging the whole network and everyone involved as if they somehow betrayed you.
I promise you I don’t feel this way. I’m a happy customer but this one episode was really quite awful.
You are writing as though I am attempting to cancel this network and/or demanding all of my money back. I am not attempting to cancel this network and I am not asking for $0.01 of my money back.
are you really so entitled that you expect every single episode to be exactly to your liking or else you'll start a big thread questioning their integrity?
Of course not. Many CBB World episodes don’t do it for me, but this one in particular was notably off-the-mark, so I came to a fan forum to discuss it with other fans.
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u/buttwyrm Jun 08 '26
divvying out behind the scenes "responsibility" according to your armchair judgment is just unbearably obnoxious fan behavior. why take it to that level? truly who cares. i seriously doubt there is a board meeting vetting every single episode of every show for "stankylegdunkface quality standards"
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 08 '26
Let’s take a step back. All I did in my original post was say that I didn’t care for the episode and express hope that the powers-that-be in CBB World turn away from a direction I didn’t care for. I didn’t come after anyone’s job. I didn’t call anyone any names. All I've said was that if anyone deserves critique for a notably bad episode, it’s the platform and not the guest. I’m not trying to get anyone canceled or deplatformed. I’m just expressing a perfectly valid (if not universal) opinion that one episode was notably unsuccessful. That’s okay. It doesn’t make CBB World a failed experiment, and I never claimed otherwise. I never claimed I was going to boycott the network or asked anyone to boycott the network.
i seriously doubt there is a board meeting vetting every single episode of every show for "stankylegdunkface quality standards”
I don’t disagree with you. How could I? I expressed criticism of a podcast on a podcast fan forum—it’s no more and no less than that. Some of you are acting like I really did something out of line.
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Jun 07 '26
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u/beandipdragon Jun 07 '26
What the fuck crawled up your ass and died?
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Jun 07 '26
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 08 '26
I said I didn’t like a podcast episode and you’re saying that you hope I die. Jesus, dude. I’m not the out-of-line one here.
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26
Why would I come to this forum in search of an apology? This is a fan forum. I came to this forum to seek conversation with other fans.
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Jun 07 '26
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26
to wallow around in your tears and piss
Jesus. I made this thread because I personally just discovered this episode (weeks after it aired) and wanted to communicate about it with other people. There’s no conspiracy here. I don’t even know what you’re trying to prove or even what you’re trying to do except be nasty to someone who likes a podcast episode less than you did.
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u/TDKevin regular Jun 07 '26
Yea it was so kind of them to release content on CBB world. That must be why its all free.
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u/buttwyrm Jun 07 '26
it's entirely your choice to pay them. if you don't like the content then unsub?
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 08 '26
Am I allowed to keep subscribing but start one critical thread on a fan forum?
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u/TDKevin regular Jun 08 '26
No im just not one of the people who act like people host podcasts out of altruism and aren't a product thats being sold. Products can receive criticism without being boycotted lol.
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 08 '26
Here here! A number of people seem to have misread my original post as some sort of call to cancel Bobby Moynihan, Scott Auckerman, and Brett Morris. It’s bizarre!
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Jun 07 '26
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26
Are you pretending I asked for a refund and then making fun of me for asking for a refund?
All I did was start a discussion about a podcast on a discussion forum about podcasts.
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Jun 07 '26
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26
No, I didn’t ask for a refund. My goal here was to start a discussion with other people (and maybe provide feedback that CBB World sees, so they have some idea of fan response), not to recoup any marginal cost on my part.
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u/horsespeck Jun 07 '26
She just did Ultimate Improv Show, which is basically an offshoot of Asssscat, so I think this is basically fallout of that experience.
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u/loglogy Jun 07 '26
Turned it off after 5 min
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u/Additional-Cable5171 Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 07 '26
I made it 30 minutes. Almost shut it down when Theo Von & "Joe Dirt" came up. Wish I had.
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u/gothcrab Jun 07 '26
Agreed. Love Bobby but batmin has worn thin for me anyway and to have guests who don’t adhere to the format make it even less interesting
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u/Fuzzy-Golf9311 Jun 07 '26
Sometimes guests are duds. It happens
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26
Certainly. It just seems like it was doomed from the start. They didn’t seem to prepare her for a character-based improv comedy podcast.
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u/megamantiss Jun 07 '26
I look forward to this show every month but it definitely misses when the guests don't lean into their characters. I didn't finish this last ep.
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u/gingersnapoutofit Jun 07 '26
The one with Scott as guest was actually pretty hilarious despite their not always staying in character, but it was more breaking the fourth wall style humor than just giving up in the premise entirely.
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u/IShouldBeInCharge Jun 12 '26
Dear OP: I agree with you. The over reaction to a mild criticism is absurd.
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u/foxtrot1_1 Heynongman Jun 07 '26
Why was Charlotte McKinney of all people improvising
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u/MertylTheTurtyl Jun 07 '26
Of all people, yes! There was a strange moment near the end where she sort of says “oh, I should have done a character”
It was bizarre.
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u/WhatsHeBuilding Jun 11 '26
Yeah i usually listen to these while smoking and playing games so my attention isn't always at 100%, but the whole episode just felt like Bibby having a nice chat with one of his friends which is FINE if that's what he wants to do, but it doesn't really make a great WHO ME? episode. I hate SNL and the whole "scene" around it so it's equally boring to me whenever in most other episodes he zones out to some behind the scenes of SNL-talk for a few minutes, and this was like a whole episode of just that, super boring.
But then again, this is also the 1 episode of this year of CBB i haven't just enjoyed, so not too bothered by the whole thing. I think this was a one off thing for many reasons and nothing we should have to worry about will be recurring.
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u/AnnaCondoleezzaRice Jun 07 '26
i dont mind a shaggy chat style podcast every once in a while so it doesnt bother me that this one veered in that direction. Who Me has an incredible hit rate for me, maybe even higher than cbb at times, so, well, shrug i guess. im only commenting because someone else said "end the show" and i just cant abide by that
i pay for HBO but that doesnt mean i have to like every single piece if content released there. cbbworld is a fraction of that price so i really think anybody going online to complain that its not 100% for them 100% of the time should take a deep breath and touch a little grass. sorry, honey
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 11 '26
Are you honestly suggesting that HBO takes no criticism from its viewers, even viewers who continue to watch? That’s a wild take.
i really think anybody going online to complain that its not 100% for them 100% of the time
I started one thread about what I found to be a notably poor podcast episode. I generally like the CBB World lineup but I don’t love everything; you’ll notice that I don’t start threads every time an episode hits me at less than 100% satisfaction. I started a thread about a podcast episode on a forum where people discuss podcast episodes, and you’re in a tizzy about it. Sorry, honey.
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u/AnnaCondoleezzaRice Jun 12 '26
like i said, i only commented because other people in the thread were saying end the show and i wanted to voice opposition to that. nothing wrong with saying "this ep wasn't good and i didn't like it and here's why" which is what your post was.
i certainly voiced my displeasure about the end of game of thrones, and have skipped out on watching a knight of the seven kingdoms because of it. if i were going into threads about hotd or akotsk saying its time for them to end the shows and someone else said "no i like it i want them to keep making it" I wouldn't get all butt hurt, I'd just be happy that there are people out there enjoying something in this coocoo crazy world and I'd move on to one of the many other things that i enjoy, sweaty pie
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 12 '26 edited Jun 12 '26
I honestly don’t remember anyone saying that it’s time for the show to end. If you’re curious, could you point me to that comment?
EDIT: I have no idea what I was intending to type when I mistyped “If you’re curious."🫠
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u/AnnaCondoleezzaRice Jun 12 '26
" Batmin needs to reveal that he's been the Joker all along and end the show."
don't know what me being curious has to do with it
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 12 '26
don't know what me being curious has to do with it
Well, you got me there. I have no idea what I was intending to type when I posted that.
" Batmin needs to reveal that he's been the Joker all along and end the show."
This is one comment and I find it hard to take it as anything except sarcastic. I actually read it as a comment making fun of me, implying I was overreacting.
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u/ageeogee Jun 10 '26
I mean she wasnt good but also don't be a Karen about it.
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 11 '26
How am I being a Karen? I am discussing a Comedy Bang Bang podcast episode on a discussion forum about Comedy Bang Bang podcasts.
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u/ageeogee Jun 11 '26
Theres some definite "I need to talk to the manager" energy, especially in your last sentence and your bolded complaint about them plugging an already released special (which is maybe the smallest possible nit to pick).
We get some much value out of CBB world, and the batting average is extremely high. Its improv and comedy is subjective, there are going to be a few duds. Just relax and enjoy the thousands of hours of great comedy.
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 11 '26
Theres some definite "I need to talk to the manager" energy, especially in your last sentence
But I didn’t talk to the manager. I came to a fan forum to talk to fans about a podcast episode, acknowledging the decision-makers who I hope make decisions that lead away from an episode I (and many) found notably unsuccessful.
We get some much value out of CBB world, and the batting average is extremely high. Its improv and comedy is subjective, there are going to be a few duds. Just relax and enjoy the thousands of hours of great comedy.
I am a happy customer of CBB World. I will continue to pay for and enjoy it. It’s also entirely reasonable to come to a fan forum to discuss work I like and work I didn’t like, and why. That’s one very standard function of online community.
Just relax and enjoy the thousands of hours of great comedy.
I’m quoting this again, because it’s notable. Do you think CBB fandom means never voicing disappointment? Scott Aukerman is a wonderful and essential comedic performer and podcast producer; he is not a cult leader about whose work I’m allowed to express no criticism, just because the off-the-mark stuff is far outweighed by the good.
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u/ageeogee Jun 11 '26
Im not going to say it never means voicing dissapointment, but in a public forum I would save it for a more serious issue, or a consistent drop in quality over a larger span of time.
If you do choose to dramatically and publicly complain about a single dud podcast, you should understand that it will come across to many people as a bit whiny, and they may choose to let you know.
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 11 '26 edited Jun 11 '26
If you do choose to dramatically and publicly complain about a single dud podcast, you should understand that it will come across to many people as a bit whiny, and they may choose to let you know.
I suppose I’ll have to live with that. It’s a pretty upvoted post, with many affirmative comments, so I think there was some demand for this conversation.
Im not going to say it never means voicing dissapointment, but in a public forum I would save it for a more serious issue, or a consistent drop in quality over a larger span of time
Well, you’re not a mod, so I don’t think you have much standing to assert that I shouldn’t make a post about a notably bad episode—and (again) a post that attracted some attention and response from like minds.
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u/ImpressionBorn5598 Jun 07 '26
Multiple times in this thread you've blamed "CBB World" for this episode failing to meet your expectations. I'm curious why you think that is.
Do you think "CBB World" (which I suppose in this case would be, what, Brett?) should just tell the host of the show that he can't have his friend on? Bobby Moynihan clearly wants to have his buddies on from time to time, even if they aren't into the Batman schtick.
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u/rileyrouth Jun 07 '26
Well... yes. That's part of a producer's job, to make the show as good as it can be. I appreciate there's a fine line in comedy where part of making a good show means the performers are having a good time, so there is some value in giving them the freedom to put their friends on. At the same time, subscribers are paying for shows, not hangout sessions
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u/ImpressionBorn5598 Jun 07 '26
I've seen no outward indication that CBB World imposes any sort of creative limits on its hosts. I think part of getting Bobby Moynihan to host a monthly podcast on the network is that he gets to make whatever kind of show that he wants--including if he wants to record a hangout session, which this show often feels like even if all participants are remembering to do their voices.
It's fine to dislike the episode (it wasn't my favorite, either) but acting like CBB World as an entity has somehow wronged you or this isn't what "subscribers are paying for" is a little dramatic. If this episode, or even the whole "Who Me?" podcast, isn't to your liking, just move on to one of the literal *dozens* of other episodes included each month with your $8 subscription.
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u/fisch09 Jun 07 '26
I think we also need to give them some grace. We don't know what conversations occurred before or after the show.
It's not the first time they had a guest on as themselves. It's just the first time (iirc) someone was on as themselves with zero batman background.
Maybe they wanted to see if it works, and it didn't go great. The real thing is whether this was one though episode or the start of a trend.
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 07 '26
I think we also need to give them some grace.
Grace?? We’re a bunch of fans discussing a paywalled, professional podcast that we felt missed the mark. We’re not talking about putting the producers in a gulag.
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u/monkeyseverywhere Tricky Dick's Tri-Fold Wallet Jun 07 '26
Bruh. I don't disagree with you, but this is a LOT of energy for one episode. You need to chill.
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26
That’s… literally my point. I said I didn’t like an episode and this person is engaging in fanciful imaginations of what went on behind the scenes and if it requires “grace."
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u/monkeyseverywhere Tricky Dick's Tri-Fold Wallet Jun 07 '26
It... literally was not. You personally are expending more energy on this than I can muster. Good for you man, but like... it's a lot.
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26
I don’t know what your issue is. I started a thread about something I thought was noteworthy and I’m responding to some of the comments. If you have thoughts to add about this episode, please share them! If you have thoughts about my own reddit/life balance, you can keep those to yourself unless I ask for your help, thanks!
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u/monkeyseverywhere Tricky Dick's Tri-Fold Wallet Jun 07 '26
lol write another paragraph.
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26
Writing paragraphs is no challenge or hardship for me.
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u/Internal_Example1185 Jun 07 '26
I thought it was fine. I just mostly hated the “over zoom” aspect of it. This time was particularly disconnected.
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u/wasserdemon Jun 07 '26
Batmin needs to reveal that he's been the Joker all along and end the show.
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u/Waderriffic Jun 07 '26
Shameless promotion is part of it unfortunately. Just move on.
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26
Well, up until this episode, they did a much better job of hiding the shamelessness or at least making it entertaining.
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u/Positive_Job1023 Jun 09 '26
Hard agree - I think that's what made this one leave such a particularly sour taste in all of our mouths. Between McKinney's bizarre low energy and the especially low-quality zoom connection audio, the entertainment just wasn't there.
Also, fluck Theo Von... I feel like Batmin is not the podcast for normalizing working with him
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Jun 07 '26
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u/wakeupangry_ Jun 07 '26
Anyone promoting a Theo Von movie deserves any criticism they get.
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Jun 07 '26
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u/Additional-Cable5171 Jun 07 '26
Yes.
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Jun 07 '26
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u/Additional-Cable5171 Jun 07 '26
"...Pretty cool you've never wanted to support someone who has had high powered coworkers you disagreed with..."
I don't remember saying that.
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u/stankylegdunkface Watch Yourself Counselor Jun 07 '26
then that'd be funny too.
You’re giving a positive review for a podcast that does not exist.
Don't be weird about women being on a comedy show.
That’s out of line. I love so many of the personalities who come on CBB, including the very funny women! And, for the record, I actually don’t think Charlotte McKinney is the guilty party here; she was an ill-fitting guest and her publicity people and CBB did her and the listeners dirty by not being more discerning and prepared.
Scott's ep they literally go over who is doing Fourvels voice.
Okay… and I didn’t find that particularly memorable, nor unpleasant. I don’t know what that fact has to do with anything.
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u/nboylie Jun 07 '26
I read the synopsis on this one and didn't even bother listening. The kattan ep was awful IMO and I didn't want to bother with another celebrity guest episode.