In the Stacks with Barry & LaToya

Despite the lateness in recording this week’s show, the delay falls on the heels of the passing of Black Panther actor, Chadwick Boseman. The year 2020 continues to be the worst in recent history. And speaking of history, the hosts get very worked up over what they feel could be a sign of the end times. Is it possible that the US will secede from its union? Why do we know so little about our own history? And how can we feel anything other than disappointment and exhaustion?

After their usual 2-week hiatus the show is back. However, it’s not LaToya who’s bringing the initial doom and gloom to the episode. The hosts discuss the passing of the show’s biggest fan and LaToya wonders if the show should go on after the end of this season. Everyone is off-script and given the Zoom snafu, the show is finally a short one. Barry also shares his experience from the first day back at school with students in attendance.

The season comes to an end in a way that is both poignant and hopeful. Wait, what? No, it’s the same show but T’Challa is calling the shots. At least, he thinks he is. He provides the hosts with six surprise topics. LaToya takes no offense and Barry shows why his name is first on the title card. Depression Hurts.

Summer vacation is coming to an end, but there is no finality to the fallout from the coronavirus. Schools are shifting start dates and the plans for the new school year. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp forbids localities to require masks despite the surge in cases. T’Challa is back and doesn’t seem quite so bored by LaToya, and Barry just can’t let Bigfoot or his animal fetishes go.

Barry doesn’t want to do the show, so much so, his audio is terrible (sorry, fans). LaToya, also having a bad day, forces him to do the show because she hopes it improves his mood. As if. Shorter than the show’s typical runtime, they share what they’ve been up to, including insomnia, fatigue, television, and sprinkle in a bit about COVID-19 and Trump vs. Biden vs. Kanye.

Barry has a birds and bees conversation with a very shy and mortified T’Challa. LaToya points out how uncomfortable that convo is for us all. T’Challa keeps it 100 and tells LaToya that he’s bored by her, and Barry points out that her topics for discussion always seem to be steeped in depression. LaToya doesn’t give in to the peer pressure. She can only be her one true and authentic self. Plus, with 2020 being a problematic year, it’s hard for her to find joy.

Is it finally the end of Bigfoot erotica? Is Splash Mountain racist? Has Gone With the Wind returned to HBO Max? Should schools get rid of their resource officers? Is it shrimp or skrimp? Find out the answers to these questions with a healthy dose of Barry and LaToya’s antics. Plus, LaToya takes a break from television, and Barry dines in the hood.

LaToya has hijacked this week’s show by taking Barry’s breadcrumbs in their program guide and making it better. T’Challa isn’t thrilled about this week’s show, and Barry is determined to make what should have been a serious episode and coloring it. From Star Trek to Aunt Jemima, Juneteeth to The Neighborhood, this episode is sufficiently diverse and almost monster erotica-free.

Barry celebrates his BFF on Facebook but is temporarily rebuffed when she doesn’t notice or acknowledge the honor promptly. LaToya isn’t getting enough sleep and has two full-time jobs. T’Challa is luxuriating over the summer and doesn’t want to talk about Mindcraft. HBO says no-go to LaToya’s favorite movie while NASCAR bans the Confederate flag.

The hosts are tired. Is 2020 done yet? From COVID-19 to George Floyd, this week’s episode has an unequal sharing of highs and lows. Both Barry and LaToya are depressed. T’Challa is easing into the summer break. However, the weight of life is truly upon them. No amount of television watching can get them out of the funk. Maybe Barry’s teeth collection will.