What The Frock

In this episode of What The Frock?, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod return with their classic mix of sharp political insight, irreverent humor, and a liberal dose of satire. The episode is a rollercoaster ride through the political landscape, pop culture, and random musings, all anchored around the running joke of “32”—the number of days left until the upcoming election. As always, the duo delivers their unique take on current events with a blend of cynicism and wit that keeps the listener both entertained and, at times, shaking their head in disbelief.

The opening of the episode immediately sets the tone. Rabbi Dave kicks things off by noting the election countdown with “32 days left,” quickly descending into a series of quirky side discussions, as both he and Friar Rod riff on everything from teleprompter mishaps to the weather. It’s typical What The Frock?—off-topic rambling with punchy moments of humor—but somehow, the tangents always come back to the key theme of the episode.

Politics takes center stage in this episode, as the hosts deliver their satirical take on the state of American democracy, skewering both sides with equal measure. Rabbi Dave has a field day with the cratering TV ratings for the WNBA playoffs after star player Caitlin Clark was eliminated, offering his tongue-in-cheek “solutions” like rigging outcomes to keep the fans interested. From there, the conversation moves seamlessly (or, more accurately, chaotically) to the more serious issue of Gavin Newsom’s recently overturned free speech law. The hosts don’t hold back in mocking the California governor, with Rabbi Dave’s searing take on how the law lasted “all of 32 seconds” before being struck down in court. The absurdity of the political process and legal blunders are highlighted through biting commentary, and the banter between Dave and Rod adds a layer of humor that keeps the episode from feeling too heavy.

Throughout the episode, the political satire never lets up. It’s all far-fetched, but that’s the point—the humor comes from how closely the satire mirrors the ridiculousness of real-life politics.

The number 32 is a running gag throughout the episode, surfacing in unexpected places. What starts as a casual mention of the 32-day countdown to the election soon turns into a joke about how everything can be linked back to that number. Whether they’re talking about sports, free speech, or FEMA, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod always find a way to loop back to “32” in increasingly ridiculous ways. It gives the episode a sense of continuity and adds to the comedic charm, as listeners are constantly on the lookout for when the hosts will shoehorn “32” into their next off-the-wall topic.

In true What The Frock? fashion, the episode doesn’t shy away from veering off into sports and pop culture. Friar Rod laments the California heat while casually pointing out the disastrous state of the WNBA’s viewership. This leads into a brief but humorous discussion on how leagues like the NFL “put their thumb on the scale” to boost ratings. The segment blends humor with a touch of truth, as the hosts playfully suggest that sports leagues need to manipulate outcomes to stay relevant.

A bizarre but funny prediction from Rabbi Dave about Aaron Rodgers getting hurt during the London game is tossed into the mix, offering another classic What The Frock? moment where offhand humor meets sports commentary. Meanwhile, the conversation about political debates morphs into a conversation about SNL’s latest skits, with the hosts acknowledging that every now and then, the show “gets it right” by mocking both sides of the political spectrum.

A recurring theme in the episode is the question of who’s really running the country. Rabbi Dave, with mock seriousness, asks, “Who’s in charge?”—a question that’s clearly rhetorical but deeply tied to his critique of modern politics. Whether it’s President Biden’s apparent confusion about simple questions or Kamala Harris’s overuse of a teleprompter, the hosts have a field day with the perceived incompetence of current leadership. At one point, Friar Rod muses that the country is being run by “whoever controls the teleprompter,” while Rod humorously laments the rise of the bureaucrats.

Their commentary on Biden’s missteps provides some of the most scathing humor in the episode. Rabbi Dave gleefully recounts Biden’s confusion over a reporter’s question about Israeli airstrikes, with the President launching into an unrelated answer about labor strikes. The duo’s commentary on this moment encapsulates their central message: the people in charge often seem utterly disconnected from reality. It’s biting and funny, even if it does leave you questioning the state of American leadership.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the episode is how it showcases the signature dynamic between Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod. Their banter is sharp, quick, and endlessly entertaining. Whether they’re making fun of political figures, throwing in random trivia (like the burning of Newcastle in 1854), or dropping in references to Yes, Prime Minister, their chemistry is undeniable. The episode has a stream-of-consciousness feel, but it works because of the easy back-and-forth between the two hosts.

Even in moments of absurdity, like their discussion about FEMA confiscating supplies or Elon Musk taking on the federal government, the humor never lets up. They manage to infuse even the most mundane topics with laughs, and by the end of the episode, you feel like you’ve been part of a private, no-holds-barred conversation between old friends who have no qualms about speaking their minds.

“Episode 32” of What The Frock? is a delightful romp through the absurdities of current events, politics, and pop culture. With their signature blend of irreverence and insight, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod manage to make listeners laugh, cringe, and think all at once. The recurring “32” gag keeps the episode feeling cohesive despite its seemingly scattered structure, and the hosts’ fearless commentary on everything from free speech to WNBA ratings gives the episode plenty of bite. If you’re a fan of political satire with a dash of the ridiculous, this episode is not one to miss.