9 - Celebrity Letdowns, Golden Globes Buzz, Merry Movies, & Runaway Pups

The Cross Gen Sisters are back with a little family drama, holiday cheer, and a pop culture therapy session of sorts.

In this episode:

• Thanksgiving Recap: Dancing, soul food, Keisha’s dog Ollie going missing and scammers coming out of the woodwork. [0:00]
• Chantal watches Back to the Future for the first time and she's got thoughts!  [05:50] 
• Today I Learned: Chantal breaks down another fascinating (or gross?) fact about the brain, and Keisha celebrates a historic milestone out of Namibia— the US could take notes! [08:49] 
• Pop & Gen: Reactions to The Golden Globe noms —Zendaya, Wicked, and more faves. [14:44]  
• Vanderpump Rules: The end of an era and James Kennedy’s arrest? A mess. [17:26]
• Celebrity Fandom Fatigue: Can celebrities stop being terrible? The sisters unpack why it’s tough being a fan when your faves keep disappointing you. [21:24] 
• Holiday Movie Faves: The sisters each share their top three, including a problematic but beloved classic starring Eddie Murphy and a popular sequel about a kid lost in New York City. [29:08] 
• On Our Screens: 
  • The shocking Ruby Franke story and parenting gone very wrong. [36:56]
  • Abbott Elementary: Chantal celebrates her personal connection to the show and its hilarious latest season. [39:25] 
• In Through Our Earbuds: Kendrick Lamar’s latest album, Sabrina Carpenter’s Christmas special, and fresh music from Kehlani and Glorilla.
  
  

Hope you enjoy. :) Happy Holidays, fam! 🎄✨

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Look for new episodes every other Thursday.

Bye fam!

Transcript

Cross Gen Sisters (00:00)
Hello, and welcome to Cross Gen Sisters. I'm Keisha, the older sister. Hey y'all, I'm Chantal, the younger sister. Hey sis. Hi sister, how are you? Well, it is Friday morning. We are recording early, trying something new. But let's just get right into it because

It's been a month since we last recorded and a lot has happened. Thanksgiving, dogs went missing,CEOs got capped. Mogul, superstar rappers getting accused of assault. It's crazy out here. Yeah. Where do we begin?

Let's start with the holiday, the past holiday. How was your Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving itself was great. Wonderful food. Our sister, what are we calling her, Mary? Mary J. Blige. Moesha? Moesha? Moesha! Moesha! Moesha threw down the kitchen. She sure did. It was a feast. Just all the wonderful soul food you could ask for. She's a gem.

We even danced after dinner. Like it was a Black Family holiday movie. Some of us were really getting into it. Like they had like a choreographed dance going on in their head and...I'm talking about you! I'm just giving the people what they need. Okay? Just giving them a little one, two, one- two step, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, that was impressive. Thank you.

So the day after Thanksgiving,mMy beloved dog, Ollie went missing. He did.

The long and the short of it is— because it was a long, long  ordeal, even though it wasn't. He was missing in Houston because that's where we were for Thanksgiving. He ran away from the BnB where we were staying, and it was devastating. I went through all the emotions that you can imagine.

Yeah, he got spooked.

He was trying to chase after me and he didn't know where he was. And then I didn't know where he was. And I'm grateful to the wonderful family who found him and saw our digital flyer and called us. And it was a great reunion. And not just any family, they were having a party.

Like your little one was at a par-TY! Very on brand for him. It was a literal fiesta because it was a large Hispanic family and they had decorations, they were out in the yard, seated in a circle in lawn chairs and he's underneath this like young girl. Of course he is, he loves women. And they were so kind and so sweet when we actually like reunited.

So I wish nothing but the best for them. And it was a 30-hour ordeal altogether, but in that time, we got scammed. Thankfully nothing more than $200, but I hope those people get the terrible karma that they deserve. And there were like three other attempts to scam because apparently there is just a market of people who go out and prey on people who are desperate and really want to find their beloved pets and...

Shame on those people! Like I did not know that there was a market for people who literally prey on people And it's kind of like we were talking about how I could not imagine losing an actual human child. People who do like ransoms and stuff like that. And not knowing where your child is. I just, cannot fathom. And so my heart was breaking for you. I just went into, we gotta to fix this mode. 'Cause I was like, we're finding this damn dog. We are not leaving the city of Houston without finding this dog.

Apparently there are like drones that you can do that pick up the heat temperature of dogs. So was like: "Get the drones! Call the Congress! Call Wakanda; get them Dora Milaje! Get everyone on the phone.

I would not rest until we found him. So I'm just so happy that he's okay, that you are reunited with your baby boy and that you can have a great rest of 2024. 'Cause omigosh gosh, I just, I hope you know how blessed you are to have gotten him back because the odds were scary.

And what you just said is really important. For all the people out there who are scammers and who are duplicitous, there are people who are kind and put lovely messages on the Facebook posts, tips on how to get him back, tips on how to avoid scams. And so there are also really good people out there.

I did not feel like I was my best self. I apologize to you for snapping at times, but I also am really grateful to you for all that you did to help find him and comfort me and just take the reins because I was fucking losing it. You were. I really felt like I was in the middle of some terrible movie where I'm just like, "I just want my baby!"

I also feel like it helped bring our sisters closer together.

And I'm grateful for that too. Me too. There is a silver lining in it and I'm happy to have a happy ending.

Yeah.

The other thing we did was you finally watched Back to the Future.

I watched Back to the Future and I got to say that movie it holds up.

I gotta say the fashion, the coolness, the fly factor. It was really dope, I liked it. And Also, as a "marketing girlie," I just could not stop realizing how much product placement was in that movie. JCPenney had like 30- minutes of airtime. Reebok, Nikes... Okay! Baby, he was wearing them Nike shoes, honey! The product placement was there.

And I thought it was really, really beautiful that they went back to 1955, because that's our mother's birth year. And so it was very nostalgic for me. I love seeing that. was like, "oh, mom..." I don't think I ever made that connection, wow! Yeah. Interesting I know. And so when they went back to 1955, I was like, my gosh, it's our mom's birth year. And I was like, I wonder what she was doing during this time in 1985. was like, oh, she was getting ready for her 30th birthday.

Also, ew, his mom was hitting, that was the only cringe thing to me, is that his mom was hitting on him. I was like, ehh, gross! Like, imagine going back in time and your mother hits on you, like there's nothing more cringe.

I cannot!

But, other than that, it was a really, really, really good movie. And apparently I have to watch the second one. Apparently that's where it's at. So.

Yeah. But I'm really glad you liked it because it doesn't always go well. when you watch movies that came out 30- plus years ago.

Exactly. That's why I was saying it holds up well, because I was a little worried because I didn't see any like, or maybe I missed it, problematic jokes or sexism, ageism I mean, I'm sure there's nuances of it in there, of course, especially when it comes to like the scene with like the older guy, the bully... Yeah. ...being a jerk, but that's most jerks. So no surprise there, but yeah, I thought it was really, really good.
Were there any like pop culture sayings that you heard in the movie that now makes sense? Like, oh, that's where that came from, or just references...if not,

I'm trying to think. I don't recall. I'm sure there were, But no, unless you have some that you can speak to.

Obviously, like I watched this movie shortly after I came out, but I like, "Why don't you make like a tree and get outta of here?" Because Biff says that.

And "Hello McFly, hello!"

Yeah McFly, that's the coolest last name. McFly, it don't get cooler than that.

Well, I'm glad you liked it and I look forward to you watching part two Me too. Stay tuned.

All right. Well, why don't we get into Today I Learned.

All right, all right. I'm up first for Today I Learned. And my Today I Learned is crazy. Did you know that your brain is constantly eating itself?

I don't understand what that means.

So basically there is this process called phagocytosis where cells envelop and consume smaller cells or molecules to remove them from the system. But not to fret, phagocytosis isn't harmful, but actually helps preserve your gray matter. So your brain is actually cleansing itself and eating itself on a consistent basis.

Hold up. How is this different from what we talked about when you brought up brainwashing? Like you were telling us that the brain washes itself. Is this the same thing and now you just know the word for it?

No, no, I think maybe this isn't washing. This is eating! There's a difference. OK, your brain is eating itself now.

Why do you know this?

Because I'm just very fascinated with the brain, obviously, and I just think it's just so interesting how the brain functions. Like, you could literally be brain dead. You could literally have half your brain... No, you can't. It's just so insane how the brain works and it's just also such a fascinating shaped thing. Like why does the brain look like that? Why does it look like like jumbled up intestines? You know, I'm saying? Like the brain—

Are you just like googling: is my brain eating itself? Like: I feel like there's something going on in there.

No. More so as someone who suffers from mental health disorder, I want to know how the hell every facet of the brain, how is it working? Is this why my brain likes to do this? Because it's eating itself? So as someone who is always in her head, I like to know what's going on in there. That's why. That's fair. Yes. So I'm just like very fascinated with the brain and I come across random facts all the time. It's like haters to me on social.

It's like, did you know the brain eats itself? I was like, what? Is this why I have severe depression? Oh my gosh. Oh my goodness. We love to know fun facts.

So wait, wait, wait, you said it helps preserve the gray matter. So, like, if it didn't do this,

then, it's going to get gunked up. It's giving brain fog. It's giving you can't think. It's giving your mind is literally blank. Like you're just completely like that brain fog is on another level. But the more gray matter that builds up, the more that you could get congestion in your brain. So make sure that you are eating brain food. So, eating your nuts, your fiber, your electrolytes—

Eating your nuts!

Eating your nuts, and—

I'm sorry; I'm 12.

You're 12; you're 12 years old. So eating all kinds of Omega-3 oils. Oh my gosh, make sure that you are feeding your brain. So in order to continue to have healthy brains, make sure you're eating brain healthy food! I am a huge advocate for making sure that your brain is in as optimal shape as possible.

And that has been your "health minute" with Cross Gen Sisters.

Ta-da! What's yours, sis? What's yours?

So, great news out of the continent of Africa, because it is a continent and not a country. The country of Namibia recently elected its first female president. Imagine that. bam, bam! Congrats to Namibia. And her name is—and please forgive me in advance, madam, if I don't say your name properly, I'm doing my best. So their new president is Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

And because I was curious, I was wondering how many countries have elected a female president in history and of the 193 countries recognized by the United Nations, a third have elected a female president.

That's crazy. I mean, I'm not surprised, I think about the way that they view women and the way that they view kind of like independence and leadership and things of that nature. I know it's too fresh and too soon, but look at what we just experienced with our election. So I also want to tip my hat to these countries for just being, aware of the capabilities of women and how they can be dope ass leaders.

We need to take a page out of their book and be like, yeah, women can lead. Okay? Thank you. 

Do you think that a third of 193 countries sounds high, low? Are you surprised? 

I am surprised because I thought it'd be less. 

But that's in history. So 13 out of 193 countries currently have a female leader. 

Yeah, that's wild. That's wild. But hey, they're doing better than we are. 

Yeah. So in case you missed my sweatshirt. 

Oh my gosh. It says "Madam President" for those listening.

Thank you. I really love this segment because it makes me pay attention to things that I learn. And also the random things that you learn, as I would not have known that my brain is eating itself. Thanks for that. You're so welcome. 

All right, Pop & Gen time. 

All right, time for Pop & Gen. So I think we should start off by congratulating those who were just nominated for Golden Globes! Woohooo!

Congratulations, my faves, for sure, I have to tip to my hat to my personal faves, Zendaya and Colman Domingo. She is nominated for best actress for Challengers, Colman Domingo for Sing Sing. I mean, the list is insane. You have Morris Chestnut, Mindy Kaling. 

Well, they announced it. They were the two that were up early in the morning who announced the awards. It was actually really cool. 

I was literally I literally was going to say that and you interrupted me. 

Sorry! 

Yeah. So as I was saying, Morris Chestnut and Mindy Kaling announced it and first of all, I was like, look at these two hot people coming together. Unexpected duo. You know, so having them announce was really, really cute. Also to— 

Wait, hold on, hold on, hold on.

You know what just occurred to me? And maybe this is nothing, just coincidence, Black man, Indian woman, our could-have- been President is a product of a Black man and an Indian woman. I wonder if they chose them on purpose. 

I doubt that was the thinking that went into it for that. Okay, alright, whatever. Yeah, I don't think they were thinking about Kamala Harris with it. But great, great catch there. Then Jamie Foxx's Netflix special. What Had Happened was, which I have yet to see, which I'm going to see soon. And Wicked was nominated for Best Picture.

I am very happy for Cynthia Erivo. I think that this is a good list of people and I hope that they wiiin! In the words of Issa Rae "I'm rooting for everybody Black." 

But what about your show? Did you completely? The show that you've been gushing about the past few episodes. On Netflix? Nobody Wants This? Yeah. Nominated for "Best Series?" Because they understand excellence when they see it. So thank you for bringing that up. Nobody Wants This was nominated and I'm so haaappy because it's sooo good. Y'all gotta watch it.

Okay, I still have... So shout-out to Nobody Wants This. That's the reaction I was looking for!

I was like, she just...? I have three episodes left. So, when I finish, we'll talk. Perfect, because they got picked up for a second season, so they're going to come with more HEAT! So yes, shout to them. the Golden Globe- nominated Nobody Wants This. Yeah.

Well, shall we talk about the end of an era? I guess. So for my Vanderpump girlies and boylies out there, I'm sure you've heard by now that the show as we know it is ending. So they're going to be keeping the same show, same name and replacing the cast with all new people. Why?

Who asked for this? Who? Who! They could have done, they had so many options. One, what I would have loved to see, and I know a lot of people would love to see is just drop the fourth wall. This is now a show about people who used to be "SURvers" and are now reality stars and dealing with all that comes with it. Like, I wanna see that show. That show does not currently exist.

And I feel like that's just a missed opportunity for Bravo, but whatever. So they're going to pump out another show for Lisa Vanderpump to prop up this restaurant that from what I hear needs to be like refurbished and probably have the menu revamped. But hey, I'm not the highly paid Bravo executives.

The other thing that came out of

Vanderpump Rules this week is James Kennedy was arrested for domestic violence. And not sure what the update is on that yet, because it literally just happened like two days ago. But I just in the words of Tyra Banks, "I was rooting for you. We were voting for you." Were you voting for him?! Yeah, because he

had an anger problem when he first joined the show. He had a drinking problem and then he got sober and he seemed to calm down. He was with a new woman and she told him like, if you start drinking again, I'm not going to be with you because it makes you a jerk. And he just, I mean, you don't know what goes on behind closed doors, but it just seemed like he had

done the work to become a better person. And you want to, you want to believe that people can change for the better. So yeah, I was rooting for him. I was rooting because I also think his girlfriend seems really sweet. So it's disappointing. also like he has an up-and-coming DJ career. He's getting like really good gigs, residencies in Vegas. And like, you're just gonna

throw this all away so you can get drunk and beat people? I mean, I don't know what happened. So everything is alleged, but ugh, talk about a waste. I'm not really surprised by this because just based off of what I saw on the show from what I did watch whenever I would be forced to watch it because you had it on television, I think that he had all the signs of anger issues, like the way that he can just

explode on the drop of a hat like over the most minor things. It seemed like he could just easily just kind of blow up. And so I'm not surprised to hear this, but it's unfortunate especially at this place where he is in his life and his career, you'd think he'd know better. You just have too much to lose at this point. You're not at season one unknown James Kennedy. You're a highly sought after DJ and reality star on an Emmy-nominated show. So get your shit together!

He knows better; needs to do better; and I just don't have sympathy for him because it's like you talked about Sandoval and the way that he was treating women. How about you take a look in the mirror? And so, he has some growing to do and he needs to get into therapy if he's not already. And I hope that the young lady who was affected by this is okay and she's protected and she's in a safe environment. Yeah. Same thing I said.

Uhhhh, it's hard to segue out of that but, one thing I will say is: another thing that's disappointing is I'm tired of

people.

It's hard to be a fan of anyone! Because, it's like they just want to jump out the closet with their terribleness. Mmhmm. And then you have to reevaluate how you relate to whatever it is that they created or produce or were part of. Do you still listen to their music? Do you still watch the show? Is it going to be hard for you to watch the show because you can't stop thinking about what they did? Can people just stop being

terrible? Like is that too much to ask? And for myself, I'm trying to be better about seeing people more as full humans and not expecting perfection. Yeah. Because we're all going to mess up. And to take them off the perpetual pedestal that you might have them on. Right. Yeah. Because, it shouldn't be a thing where someone says the "wrong word" and all of a sudden it's like,

"Let's kill them!" "Their career needs to be destroyed!" Like, come on! Yeah! Like, would you do that to a friend? Nooo. And I don't think James Kennedy should be canceled or destroyed. I just think he needs to learn from this and be a better person. And I don't mean him in particular. I just mean like, in general. I know that And you mean in general, but I'm using him as an example because we just talked about him. But I think that depends on

the degree of what that person did and their transgression.

If we're talking about some Diddy-type stuff? Oh, we're going to have to have conversations. However—

Oh, it's, fuck him forever! It's lights out. So I just, think is this person redeemable? It just depends on what they did. I was just watching Wicked and seeing how people were.

getting on Cynthia and Ariana for crying in every single interview. They're like, what's wrong with them? What's wrong with them? I was like, guys, let's focus on the thing at hand. Let's focus on the fact that these two talented people are promoting this beautiful film. And so people are just like, are they okay? They're so emotional. It's like not correlating exactly with what we're talking about, but how people can just like at the drop of a hat change the groupthink and be like, okay, I'm gonna think of this person this way.

That's another factor of it: groupthink.

That's one of the things that I think about is how collectively people can turn on someone so quickly without having the proper information, without having the proper context.

It's like

do your own research and education before you just jump to conclusions, especially when it comes to someone's literal livelihood and who they are, because you can

have the incorrect information. And learn to do actual research. Research isn't just googling: "did such and such beat their kids?" And then choosing the first result and saying, Okay! I've done my research. No, learn to actually use the internet properly. Because the first link is just what Google says most people want to see. That doesn't mean that's right. Anyway, let me get off my soapbox.

Onto other topics, The Talk is ending. I know that's not like your show, you say you watched it because I watched it or mom watched it. But this last iteration of host or this last group of hosts, it's been really enjoyable. It's refreshing to have a mixed gender

panel,

they're sharing their opinions; they're having fun. And it doesn't get too much into the "men do this" and "women do that," and it's just, ugh I can't stand that. They'll do it in good-natured teasing, but it really just is about having a good time and entertaining people who are working from home and need a break or are homemakers, whatever.

But in particular, I want to give a shout out to Jerry O'Connell, because he is one of the hosts for the past few years. And I've been a fan of Jerry O'Connell's since I was probably in junior high, and he was in My Secret Identity. And it was a science fiction show that I think was on like one of those random channels where, and it's so fitting that you have this old school TV.

Because, I think I was literally watching on that kind of TV and I had to like turn to the dial and we had like five channel options. But anyway, it was a good show. And then I watched him through Sliders and watched his career evolve and he was in Jerry Maguire and now he's done Broadway. And what I love is he seems so humble—Yeah. And appreciative for what he has.

And is careful not to lose it, not to take it for granted. I don't want to say too many good things about him. And then next week it turns out that he is hurting babies. I know!! But it seems like he's a standup guy and I just appreciate the work that he's done.

I thank him for his contribution to entertainment and my, my, cultural entertainment history, and kudos to Jerry O'Connell.

Kudos to Jerry O'Connell. He is a great guy. Don't know him personally, but I've heard nothing but great things about him. Yeah, I think it's gonna be an end of an era. I watched it when mom watched it, because I really, really— no shade to the hosts now, but that moderation era of Julie Chen! Ohh my gosh; that was a time! I don't know. I just thought she was fantastic as a moderator. And I loved when it was her.

Aisha Tyler, Sheryl Underwood. Aisha was great. When it was just like those people— Aisha was fantastic. So that's how I was introduced to it. I, as someone who's been to the show three times to go to a live taping, it's fun. It's a lot of fun. I enjoyed it. I will say The View has a better-

audience experience, but that's neither here nor there. But yes, I wish them well. I'm happy for all of them. And my favorite is Jerry O'Connell. Same. Because, he just, he makes the show enjoyable. He's just always a fun time. I like if you're having a shitty day, what a great person to tune in and watch. But, also like as a coworker, as a team member, he seems like he just is a delight. So I wish him nothing but the best and wish the rest of them nothing but the best, especially Sheryl Underwood. She's been there since day one. Yeah

I definitely want to give Sheryl her props for being a day one-r and holding it down for the show through all the changes. All of the changes. I'm sure she's tired. She's like, let me go take a nap because what? But I do hope she's able to land on her feet and get another long stable job because she deserves it. I think she's going to be fine because, she's been, I've given this some thought about what's next for all the hosts.

Because I think that most of them are set up for success. Like Sheryl's been developing a comedy lineup. So she has stand-ups and she travels across the country with a group of other comics that she's been putting on. And it's like a comic review. And I see that being more of her thing going forward is doing more stand-up because she clearly enjoys it. And

supporting and elevating other comics. And maybe some acting. I see Natalie Morales is gonna be doing her 48 Hours, CBS News contributor stuff and just living her best life. Akbar has hosting for what's that's show? Ninja Warriors? Yeah. And then he does NFL stuff. He's good.

Amanda is probably going to do acting, fitness, influencing, and maybe she'll dance again. We're going to see her in all the Hallmark movies! Exactly. Amanda's going to be in all the Hallmark movies, honey. All of 'em. And I feel like the sky's the limit for Jerry. He still already has Pictionary. I think he has another job. Like, the man will be fine.

Yeah, Good for them. Good for them! So farewell to The Talk. Why don't we get into deep dives? We have a special winter holiday themed topic.

All right, welcome back! It's time for Deep Dives. So,

that time of the year.

I think it's appropriate that we share our favorite holiday films... or films, we happily watch every holiday season. So, first up, I would like to give special shout out to The Preacher's Wife.

The Preacher's Wife is a holiday film that has forever moved me. Mom introduced it to me when I was young and growing up in the church it was very fitting. It was very familiar. It was very relatable. The performance of Whitney Houston in Denzel Washington in this movie is unmatched. The soundtrack is fantastic. I listened to the soundtrack on a random June day in the summer. it. It's timeless. It is the epitome of Christmas to me.

There is a scene where Denzel Washington is buying hot cocoa with Whitney Houston and their chemistry is just so palpable. It's just such a beautiful film. Courtney B. Vance stars in it. Jennifer Lewis plays the mom. One thing about Jennifer Lewis, she's gonna play somebody's mother, okay? It's just so profound. It just is the perfect, perfect holiday movie. "Help is on the way!" I love it. And then when she goes:

Joy, joy, joy, joy to the world. Like that soundtrack is unmatched. I love it so much! Fun fact, Cissy Houston, rest her soul, has a cameo in the movie where she is critiquing Whitney Houston's conducting of the choir and she has notes. And Whitney Houston goes, "okay, well, I'm gonna do it my way." So, she redoes it. She goes, "is that okay with you?" And Ms. Cissy Houston goes, "Yes,

that works." And so it was this really cute mother daughter moment to see in the film. It's like a little fun little Easter eggs in there, that film. So that's my first and favorite all time Christmas movie, The Preacher's Wife. Up next, taking a little bit of a pivot. Have to give a shout out to The Santa Clause. You have this like super dope, fun movie,

Tim Allen.

It screams, Christmastime is here, whenever I watch that movie. And and just, just the plot, the elves wanting some hot chocolate. I just, like whenever I drink hot chocolate, I think of that movie. It's just so nostalgic. I love it! I wanted to be one of Santa's little helpers so bad. It came out when I was young, so it was just very fitting. I love that movie. Then last but not least, I have to give it to

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, because come on, one thing about Calvin, he was gonna be mischievous, okay? Who?! He was gonna be up for mischief. Is this the Black Home Alone? You said Calvin. Kevin! Oh my goodness, I said his name wrong. His name wasn't Calvin? Caaaalvin. Calviiiiin! Who's Calvin?

Regina King's boyfriend in 227? I don't know what... Calvin, where am I getting... Kevin! My bad, Kevin.  I done called... I done make you Black. Kevin was so good. I love the scene with the pigeons in the park. So iconic. Running around New York. The iconic eating the pizza in the limo. I'm like, I want to do that before I leave this earth. I want to eat a large pizza in a limo in honor of Kevin... Callister?

McCallister! Kevin McCallister, right? Yes. Yes!! I got it right. I didn't even Google it y'all. Kevin McCallister. Okay, yeah, I literally love that movie. Like there's just certain songs and sounds that correlate to that movie.

It's [undecipherable]

It's a classic! It's a classic.

I have to give an honorable mention to a movie that you are creeped out by.

It

is one of my favorites. It is The Polar Express.

You want to explain why you don't like that movie? I just, the animation creeps me out. I can't do it. I love Tom Hanks as an actor, but, ooughhh! Okay. Yeah.

So that's my list.

We had this discussion about the Home Alones and which one was better. And I had advocated for the first one and you were like, "no, the second one's better. And I had only seen it maybe twice since it came out. So we watched it last year and it really was good. I forgot about it. I, I enjoyed it. Although I did see someone on Threads say that it was messed up that Kevin went all the way back to

the woman in the park with the birds, and instead of giving her food, he gave her this stupid little trinket. I agree. He was like, who cares if you're in the malnourished? Here's a trinket! I said, wow, he could have got her that box of pizza. It's like, yeah, I guess that kind of ruins that sweet moment.

Damn. So... But, it's still a good movie. It's so good. Caaalvin McCallister. Calvin

Yeah. What are your faves, sis? What are your favorite Christmas flicks? My first one is Scrooged with Bill Murray. And it's another take on, A Christmas Carol with the ghosts of Christmas'

Past, Present, and Future, and Bill Murray just plays the best curmudgeonly, jerky guy who you want to seek get redemption. So I love that one. I will happily watch it anytime of year, honestly. And also, Alfre Woodard is in it. She's wonderful. Carol Kane is in it. She plays a fantastic ghost of Christmas past. So I love that one.

I also love Trading Places with Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd.

It is so inappropriate, but hilarious. You want to tell us about your experience watching this with me for the first time? Keisha made me watch this. Was it last year or the year before? I don't know. One of these years. It's one of the past two years. I don't remember. Anyway, you kept talking about this movie. I'd never seen it.

And that movie does not age well. The problematic stuff that they talk about, oh my gosh, I was shook! I could not believe that you would consider that a Christmas movie. It literally takes place during the holidays. There are Christmas trees and twinkly lights everywhere. So...

Well, you know what? To each their own. I was just shocked with all of the, problematic script that was bestowed upon us. I was like, oh my gosh. So that was a wild ride. Do you remember your response when one of the older white brothers said the "n-word" and you said, "he said the— it with the hard -ER?!"

It's like, yeah, it's the '80s. I also realized I hadn't watched the movie lately when it wasn't censored. So I forgot about that. Yeah. Yeah, that was that was something. That was something for sure. Then my last one is The Family Stone, because you know I— Ohhhh. —love a good white family drama. And Sarah Jessica Parker is

the lead along with the beautiful Luke Wilson and that family is dysfunctional AF and I love EVERY minute of it. I might watch that movie this weekend. That's a good choice. I like that movie a lot. Really good. Yeah. Yeah. Good choices, sister. Woo! That was really a deep dive. Well, let's switch it up with

On Our Screens & Through Our Earbuds.

For this week, I just wanted to talk about the Ruby Franke Story. That is the Mormon mom influencer who was eventually convicted of abusing her children. Oh my goodness, that woman! I didn't pay attention to this story when it was unfolding. I just watched the Lifetime movie and the documentary recently and what in the craziness?!

I know you've you're aware of the story. What do you think? I listened to the Ruby Franke podcast that does like the in-depth analysis of it. And this woman is sick. This one is sick! I highly recommend you guys listen to that. I think it's by Dateline? It's either Dateline or 20/20. I actually think it's 20/20. They talk about how

she would literally deprive them of food, deprive them of clothes, deprive them of just basic human needs. And this blame on the other woman? Of course this other woman is at fault. I forgot her name, don't care. The other woman who's complicit. Yeah, the therapist. Yeah, the therapist. They're actually trying to put the blame on her. No, you need to be held accountable. She is disgusting! The things that she did to her children.

are reprehensible, and I'm sorry, the dad does not get a pass to me. How are you not aware of this? How are you not fighting for your children? How are you not doing a better job? Like the fact that he had no idea, he claims. I don't know. Something's fishy about that. I don't buy it either because what we saw happen once they separated seemed like an escalation of previous behavior. Exactly. They were together when she didn't

bring her daughter's school lunch to school because her daughter forgot her lunch, her six year old daughter, and she wanted to teach her a lesson. Was she even six? I think she was even younger than that. She was like four, yeah. Yeah, she wanted to teach her a lesson. So, ugh. They were together when that was happening, I'm pretty sure. And when they had their older son sleeping on the floor or in a beanbag for several months because he

said something... like he teased his younger brother? Like, who does that?! Who does that? Yeah, it's disgusting. It's despicable. She should not have any rights to her children. She should not. They should never, ever be in her custody again. So I pray for the children and I hope they're OK. Yeah. Me too.

Well, what are you watching? Well, I'm watching my tried and true Abbott Elementary. I love Abbott Elementary as someone who has had two background appearances on the show. Actually three. Three background appearances on the show. I just love the set. I love the crew. I love Quinta. I love everything about the show. It's hilarious. The cast is fantastic. And it's just a comfort show for me.

And this season just... every season gets better and better. This season is just so good. There was an episode where Janine got her boo a matching Christmas PJ set. And I was like, I can't wait to wear that with my boo, a matching Christmas PJ set. I don't know. It's just like, it's just levity in a world that has stuff coming at you all the time. Turn on Abbott Elementary. You know, you're going to get a laugh. know, you're going to

be zoned out for that 30 minutes and focus on it and just be plugged in. Sheryl Lee Ralph plays a fantastic Mrs. Howard.

The entire cast is just so good. They were nominated for Golden Globes as well. Shout out to them. Forgot to mention them earlier. Quinta was nominated for Best Actress. The show was nominated for Best Comedy Series.

It is just brilliant.

Hope they win. Kudos to Abbott Elementary, the show that keeps on giving and making us smile.

And shout out to Zack Fox's fine ass! I know he just got married, but he is quite the looker. Is he the...? He plays Janine's ex-boyfriend Tariq.

Ohhh. Right. The rapper. The rapper. Yep. That's funny. All righty. Now for Through our Earbuds.

What have you been listening to, sis? I've been listening to Kendrick Lamar because that album. Yeah, it's as good as everyone says it is. I love.

the song with SZA, Luther. Mmhmm. I could listen to it all day. I was listening to it before a meeting and I was like mad that the meeting was going to start and cut into my listening and dancing time. Like how rude. How rude! How disrespectful. Yeah, that song is fantastic. I looove that song. It's so good. say SZA was the perfect addition for that song.

Yeah. I saw a thread last night from, I guess she identifies as a lesbian. She said that basically she found herself having an intimate dream about Kendrick the night before. And she said something like, what kind of voodoo is this that he put on me? This is unacceptable. I haven't slept with a man in 10 years and I'm not going to start now.

Not gonna start now! That's hilarious. It was funny. I love that. What about you? I too have been listening to GNX. Luther is a favorite of mine, as well as, 'Squabble up. Squabble up. Squabble up. Hey, squabble up." Hits the two step one time.

But I am still in my Sabrina Carpenter bag.

Girl, that album has me in a chokehold. It still does. Love it. Can't get enough of it. And her new Christmas special that she has on Netflix? So good. A Nonsense Christmas. It's really, really good. And Quinta's in that. So highly recommend that. Quinta is also in that. Yes. Miss Hollywood superstar herself. What else? I'm also listening to the new Kehlani and Glorilla song, Christmas Time, well, Xmas Time. Ohhh. It just came out.

So highly recommend it. It's a cute little bop. And also listening to this new artist I just discovered named— sorry for messing up your name, Sasha Keable, K-E-A-B-L-E. She's this British-Colombian, R&B singer. She is fantastic! Highly recommend listening to her. Wait, British as in British Columbia, Canada?

Or... No. she's She is Colombian. She is a Colombian who is from the UK. Wow. Yeah. Mmhmm. She is very, very talented. So that is what I have been listening to. Every time I hear a really, I think, "Let her cook." Yessss! Let it cook! Yeah. Or, "uhh uhh, uhh uhh. Love her. Yes.

Well, y'all, it's that time again. Time to say so long. Farewell. We'll be back in two weeks. If you want to be notified about new episodes, see our recommendations and other fun stuff, follow us on Instagram at crossgensisters.

You can also email us at crossgensisters@gmail.com. And if you like the podcast, please help us grow it by following, rating, and reviewing us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also tell your sisters, your teachers, brothers, friends, cousins, your work besties, your mailman, and other loved ones about us. Thanks for listening. Bye y'all. Love you, sis!

Love you sis.