Overview of Chris & Jason (#1007)
In this episode of How Long Gone, Chris Black and Jason Stewart trade their usual mix of food talk, celebrity gossip, fashion observations, and cultural commentary from two very different places: Charleston and Mexico City. The conversation moves from hurricane weather and travel to tacos, hot dogs, Kelly Clarkson’s viral complaint, Shane Gillis on SNL, and a thoughtful close on a New Yorker piece that captured the appeal of podcasting and the show’s place in that ecosystem.
Main Topics Covered
Travel, weather, and being in different cities
- One host is in Charleston, South Carolina dealing with hurricane-season weather.
- The other is in Mexico City on a work trip, enjoying cooler temperatures, walkable neighborhoods, and the ability to dress in layers.
- They joke about local transportation, bikes, and the cultural awkwardness of being a white tourist abroad.
Food obsessions and regional eating habits
- The episode spends a lot of time on food:
- tacos, tostadas, ceviche, oysters, shrimp cocktail, and octopus
- Mexican street food and the rise of potato chips with salsa
- fries in multiple forms: crinkle-cut, thick-cut, and heavily topped versions
- They discuss how food trends vary by region and how some “upgraded” versions of classic dishes can be too much.
- A long food tangent centers on hot dogs, including:
- Dua Lipa eating one at a Yankees game
- acceptable toppings
- regional differences in hot dog culture
- a positive review of Cream Co. hot dogs with mustard and red onion
Celebrity and internet commentary
- Dua Lipa eating a hot dog at a Yankees game sparks a discussion about what kind of toppings she likely had and whether she had ever eaten a hot dog in America before.
- Kelly Clarkson’s viral tweet about being disrespected at a puzzle store in Brooklyn gets dissected:
- they debate whether she was actually mistreated
- whether she was overreacting
- and how celebrity status changes expectations in public
- They also talk about how the internet loves an old-school, slightly cringe celebrity complaint tweet.
Shane Gillis on Saturday Night Live
- The hosts discuss Shane Gillis’s recent SNL monologue and the online reaction.
- They note that:
- the controversy around his language was overblown
- the real issue seemed to be that he bombs his monologues even though he’s very successful elsewhere
- They speculate that he may even enjoy the challenge or discomfort of bombing live.
Social etiquette, greetings, and “acknowledging” strangers
- A surprisingly long and funny debate develops around whether strangers should acknowledge each other on the street.
- Chris argues strongly for leaving people alone and avoiding unnecessary interaction.
- Jason pushes back a bit, especially on the idea that a simple nod or greeting can be friendly and harmless.
- They use hiking, elevators, and city sidewalks as examples, and the conversation turns into a broader bit about gender, race, and public safety cues.
The New Yorker profile on podcasts and comedy
- Near the end, they discuss a New Yorker story about the comedy-podcast boom and the “good hang economy.”
- They both seem genuinely appreciative of how well the piece captured what How Long Gone does:
- conversational comedy
- cultural observation
- a kind of casual, hangout-based format that doesn’t fit traditional stand-up or sketch structures
- They frame podcasting as a legitimate creative path for funny people who may not fit into older comedy industries.
Notable Takeaways
- Podcasting has created a new comedy lane. They see the medium as a place where funny people can build real audiences without needing traditional comedy credentials.
- Food remains a core lens for the show. Even the celebrity and culture talk often circles back to what people eat and how they eat it.
- Celebrity behavior is increasingly judged through internet irony. Kelly Clarkson’s tweet is treated both as absurd and weirdly relatable.
- They value being “understood.” The New Yorker article mattered to them because it accurately described the show’s tone and place in the culture.
- Their dynamic is still the show’s engine. The banter about married life, taste fusion, and who is influencing whom is part of what makes the episode feel loose and personal.
Closing Notes
The episode ends with a warm acknowledgment of the venue in Charleston, a shoutout to Jason’s Mexico City trip, and a promise to be back the following week. Overall, it’s a classic How Long Gone episode: food-forward, lightly chaotic, self-aware, and surprisingly reflective when it wants to be.