Sam Sanders

Right.

Right.

Hey, I'm journalist Sam Sanders.

Hey, I'm journalist Sam Sanders.

On Vibe Check, we talk about everything. News, culture, and entertainment, and how it all feels.

On Vibe Check, we talk about everything. News, culture, and entertainment, and how it all feels.

Right.

Hey, I'm journalist Sam Sanders.

On Vibe Check, we talk about everything. News, culture, and entertainment, and how it all feels.

That is not vacation.

That is not vacation.

I love to be outside. I like to be physically active, hiking, running, all of that.

I love to be outside. I like to be physically active, hiking, running, all of that.

If I'm going to get in the water, it's going to be for about 10, 15 minutes. And then I'm going to sit by the water, preferably with a drink.

If I'm going to get in the water, it's going to be for about 10, 15 minutes. And then I'm going to sit by the water, preferably with a drink.

And if I get on a boat, it needs to have a motor. Someone else needs to be driving it. And I better have a life jacket. And I would love for there to be a bathroom on board.

And if I get on a boat, it needs to have a motor. Someone else needs to be driving it. And I better have a life jacket. And I would love for there to be a bathroom on board.

There you go.

There you go.

See, stop. You got your goddamn mind.

See, stop. You got your goddamn mind.

Is Drew straight or gay?

Is Drew straight or gay?

And I'm going to be quiet.

And I'm going to be quiet.

I get it. But you know what, though? How are you going to run game and mack on someone and be hot when half your body is inserted into a kayak? I can't spit game in a kayak.

I get it. But you know what, though? How are you going to run game and mack on someone and be hot when half your body is inserted into a kayak? I can't spit game in a kayak.

I am wishing we could have given this script to Mike White for season three of The White Lotus.

I am wishing we could have given this script to Mike White for season three of The White Lotus.

Girl, see, anywho.

Girl, see, anywho.

See now.

See now.

Listen, play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Yeah.

Listen, play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Yeah.

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

I mean, at this point, they're still on the island. So they got to get back.

I mean, at this point, they're still on the island. So they got to get back.

Years ago when I was a breaking news reporter, my newsroom at the time sent me out to hostile environment training where you learn what to do if you're like in some shit. And the only thing I remember is tourniquet.

Years ago when I was a breaking news reporter, my newsroom at the time sent me out to hostile environment training where you learn what to do if you're like in some shit. And the only thing I remember is tourniquet.

So maybe he could have like flipped it up and made it hot again if he ripped his shirt off, showed his muscles and then tourniqueted his leg. That might be hot.

So maybe he could have like flipped it up and made it hot again if he ripped his shirt off, showed his muscles and then tourniqueted his leg. That might be hot.

You know what? Maybe I've got it all wrong. Maybe I need to go to a foreign country, get on a kayak, and wait for a hot man to tourniquet me.

You know what? Maybe I've got it all wrong. Maybe I need to go to a foreign country, get on a kayak, and wait for a hot man to tourniquet me.

What are the Danish girls doing in the midst of all this?

What are the Danish girls doing in the midst of all this?

Wait, really?

Wait, really?

Oh, no.

Oh, no.

It is so good to be here. I remember being on an episode in season one and I had so much fun because I remember it being about a straight male bartender who was messy. And I remember saying, aren't all straight male bartenders messy? Yes.

It is so good to be here. I remember being on an episode in season one and I had so much fun because I remember it being about a straight male bartender who was messy. And I remember saying, aren't all straight male bartenders messy? Yes.

No, he probably got an infection.

No, he probably got an infection.

Girl, you can DM on Hostile World?

Girl, you can DM on Hostile World?

Listen, it's like Hipster Tourist Grindr.

Listen, it's like Hipster Tourist Grindr.

Love it.

Love it.

That leg is helping erase... Hundreds of years of historical bad blood between the Brits and the Australians because we know their history.

That leg is helping erase... Hundreds of years of historical bad blood between the Brits and the Australians because we know their history.

No. No. At this point, you max out your credit card and get a hotel room.

No. No. At this point, you max out your credit card and get a hotel room.

Yeah, no, no.

Yeah, no, no.

He does handwritten letters, I bet you.

He does handwritten letters, I bet you.

Drew, Drew, Drew, Drew, Drew. Drew's one of those guys who was always the mess but never thinks he's the mess. That's Drew. I'm feeling that. I'm starting to feel that. Let me not judge too early, but I'm starting to feel that.

Drew, Drew, Drew, Drew, Drew. Drew's one of those guys who was always the mess but never thinks he's the mess. That's Drew. I'm feeling that. I'm starting to feel that. Let me not judge too early, but I'm starting to feel that.

Okay. Okay. I'm in.

Okay. Okay. I'm in.

Oh, Drew is love bombing. Okay, Drew.

Oh, Drew is love bombing. Okay, Drew.

Exactly.

Exactly.

Show me, like, what kind of green card do you need? You're coming home with me. With me.

Show me, like, what kind of green card do you need? You're coming home with me. With me.

The blink. The blink.

The blink. The blink.

Molly, you in danger, girl.

Molly, you in danger, girl.

Oh, God. See, I almost wanted to be rooting for both of them.

Oh, God. See, I almost wanted to be rooting for both of them.

And now I take it back. They deserve whatever mess befalls them.

And now I take it back. They deserve whatever mess befalls them.

So now Drew is freaked out.

So now Drew is freaked out.

If I'm getting all these pick me vibes, love bomb vibes, what we're going to do is hook up. And then I'm going to like slow walk you for a few days, assess how I feel and then re-engage.

If I'm getting all these pick me vibes, love bomb vibes, what we're going to do is hook up. And then I'm going to like slow walk you for a few days, assess how I feel and then re-engage.

Cause I am, let me try the milk.

Cause I am, let me try the milk.

Let me try the milk, see how it runs through my system and then reassess. But there will be no saying, I think I love you.

Let me try the milk, see how it runs through my system and then reassess. But there will be no saying, I think I love you.

The symbolism there, choking on passion. Wow. Wow.

The symbolism there, choking on passion. Wow. Wow.

I bet you Oliver's like, well, we can do it better this time. I can beat that.

I bet you Oliver's like, well, we can do it better this time. I can beat that.

Okay. Okay. Just shut up and kiss me. Literally.

Okay. Okay. Just shut up and kiss me. Literally.

Listen, what do I feel like knowing that I was an OG?

Listen, what do I feel like knowing that I was an OG?

It feels good. It feels iconic. And I don't want to be one of those gatekeepers. All are welcome in. Just know...

It feels good. It feels iconic. And I don't want to be one of those gatekeepers. All are welcome in. Just know...

Drew, stop meeting people. I think you're good.

Drew, stop meeting people. I think you're good.

You're good on friends.

You're good on friends.

Oh my God.

Oh my God.

You know what? Actually, I fucking love it. It brings the people together.

You know what? Actually, I fucking love it. It brings the people together.

That song is too goddamn long. Don't do it. And you can't hit the notes. No. My go-to karaoke song, Salt-N-Pepa's Push It. It's probably like 18 words long.

That song is too goddamn long. Don't do it. And you can't hit the notes. No. My go-to karaoke song, Salt-N-Pepa's Push It. It's probably like 18 words long.

Honestly, I have done Creed's higher at karaoke. It works.

Honestly, I have done Creed's higher at karaoke. It works.

There you go.

There you go.

I take it back. I love this story now.

I take it back. I love this story now.

Pay respect to your elders.

Pay respect to your elders.

Yeah. Also, gosh, talk about an agent of chaos, the Hostel World app.

Yeah. Also, gosh, talk about an agent of chaos, the Hostel World app.

Oof. Oof.

Oof. Oof.

Messy, messy, mess, mess.

Messy, messy, mess, mess.

Oh, no. No? I'd be like, you know, hitting those notes on that Creed song.

Oh, no. No? I'd be like, you know, hitting those notes on that Creed song.

Vocal rest, baby. Vocal rest.

Vocal rest, baby. Vocal rest.

See? We already know Oliver doesn't make great decisions. Doesn't think before he leaps.

See? We already know Oliver doesn't make great decisions. Doesn't think before he leaps.

Wow. Is that a lot? You know, I know the song and the melody never dug into the lyrics. Let's see. Is it like a love song?

Wow. Is that a lot? You know, I know the song and the melody never dug into the lyrics. Let's see. Is it like a love song?

Come on. Come on. This is us. This is us.

Come on. Come on. This is us. This is us.

Oh, no. I follow the lyrics now. There's another line that says, I set out to get you with a fine-tooth comb. What? I can't live without you if the love was gone. Oh, but that won't happen to us. And we got no doubt too deep in love and we got no way out.

Oh, no. I follow the lyrics now. There's another line that says, I set out to get you with a fine-tooth comb. What? I can't live without you if the love was gone. Oh, but that won't happen to us. And we got no doubt too deep in love and we got no way out.

Drew, Drew, Drew, Drew. How are you already that lost in the sauce?

Drew, Drew, Drew, Drew. How are you already that lost in the sauce?

I love that. I love that.

I love that. I love that.

I love that code switch. Yes.

I love that code switch. Yes.

From the bathroom break, I sneak out.

From the bathroom break, I sneak out.

Maybe I'll even go back to the same hostel because he knows where it is. Yeah. No. No, girl.

Maybe I'll even go back to the same hostel because he knows where it is. Yeah. No. No, girl.

Drew. Drew, what is your trauma? Drew.

Drew. Drew, what is your trauma? Drew.

No, Drew.

No, Drew.

A car that I had years ago got broken into. But what I had was so raggedy, they literally just dropped the bag next to the parking lot. I kid you not.

A car that I had years ago got broken into. But what I had was so raggedy, they literally just dropped the bag next to the parking lot. I kid you not.

They were like, we don't want this shit.

They were like, we don't want this shit.

Literally. Literally. Yeah. Yeah.

Literally. Literally. Yeah. Yeah.

It has. And I'll tell you how. It's going to get a little deep, but trust me, it's not too deep. Your team reached out. And they were like, we want to talk to you about what kind of gossip you're experiencing now. And I have been having a lot of moments gossiping about the dead. Oh, yeah. And I never considered talking about the dead to be gossip.

It has. And I'll tell you how. It's going to get a little deep, but trust me, it's not too deep. Your team reached out. And they were like, we want to talk to you about what kind of gossip you're experiencing now. And I have been having a lot of moments gossiping about the dead. Oh, yeah. And I never considered talking about the dead to be gossip.

Listen, when in doubt, call a Canadian.

Listen, when in doubt, call a Canadian.

He don't count no more.

He don't count no more.

Girl. You might need to call it, Drew. No. No. No.

Girl. You might need to call it, Drew. No. No. No.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Wait, but you got to say it in Drew's love bombing British accent. Bullocks, we ball. I don't know. That was bad.

Wait, but you got to say it in Drew's love bombing British accent. Bullocks, we ball. I don't know. That was bad.

We're keeping that. Keep it.

We're keeping that. Keep it.

He's working through. He's working through.

He's working through. He's working through.

He's stalking him. The Australian is doing something suspect. The town ain't that small.

He's stalking him. The Australian is doing something suspect. The town ain't that small.

Listen, listen. Is it coincidence or is it stalking? Is it anxiety or is it intuition? I say yet again, Molly, you in danger, girl.

Listen, listen. Is it coincidence or is it stalking? Is it anxiety or is it intuition? I say yet again, Molly, you in danger, girl.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

I bet you when I'm going to call it right now, Australian has a fanny pack. See, now I'm going full White Lotus.

I bet you when I'm going to call it right now, Australian has a fanny pack. See, now I'm going full White Lotus.

Okay. Okay.

Okay. Okay.

Because he's been walking on it all night and singing karaoke. Like, come on, dude.

Because he's been walking on it all night and singing karaoke. Like, come on, dude.

Every time I think I like Drew. Every time I think I like Drew. He does some funk ass shit like this.

Every time I think I like Drew. Every time I think I like Drew. He does some funk ass shit like this.

The ocean at night.

The ocean at night.

All nights are beautiful. I'm not always. I mean, come on.

All nights are beautiful. I'm not always. I mean, come on.

Girl, it better not be.

Girl, it better not be.

You better stop.

You better stop.

This is an erotic thriller. Was this a film released in the early to mid 90s starring Mickey Rourke?

This is an erotic thriller. Was this a film released in the early to mid 90s starring Mickey Rourke?

But like it is the definition of gossip is talking about someone who isn't there making them the third person. Yeah, I've been doing that a lot with my mother. She passed away maybe two years ago. She'd been sick for a while. It was time. We're glad she's at rest. But as soon as she died, people began to tell me stories about her that I'd never heard before.

But like it is the definition of gossip is talking about someone who isn't there making them the third person. Yeah, I've been doing that a lot with my mother. She passed away maybe two years ago. She'd been sick for a while. It was time. We're glad she's at rest. But as soon as she died, people began to tell me stories about her that I'd never heard before.

See now, one, I would not put myself in this situation.

See now, one, I would not put myself in this situation.

Every second of this story, they are straying further from God's light.

Every second of this story, they are straying further from God's light.

Tell him off.

Tell him off.

Yeah.

Yeah.

That could have been a disaster.

That could have been a disaster.

Yeah, something's going on. Something's going on. And of course, Drew walks closer, I bet you. Oh, my God.

Yeah, something's going on. Something's going on. And of course, Drew walks closer, I bet you. Oh, my God.

Literally.

Literally.

Oh, main character energy.

Oh, main character energy.

I mean, what if it's just the guy on the bench's back?

I mean, what if it's just the guy on the bench's back?

Thank you. Because, I mean, it seems like all the kids in this town do. I'm going to tell you what I would have done, which has never gotten into this situation. But I'm going to predict what Drew is going to do, and that is confront this stranger with his Canadians who deserve better.

Thank you. Because, I mean, it seems like all the kids in this town do. I'm going to tell you what I would have done, which has never gotten into this situation. But I'm going to predict what Drew is going to do, and that is confront this stranger with his Canadians who deserve better.

Yeah, they ain't do nothing wrong.

Yeah, they ain't do nothing wrong.

He goes to this man on the bench who he does not know.

He goes to this man on the bench who he does not know.

Is there a crime syndicate off the hostel app?

Is there a crime syndicate off the hostel app?

I need to know so many things. And I'm feeling like we might end this conversation with still some unanswered questions.

I need to know so many things. And I'm feeling like we might end this conversation with still some unanswered questions.

Most of it good. A little bit messy. But I was like, oh, this is gossip. And it's like... I believe once someone close to us dies, we have this special ability to imagine them in many ways after they're gone and make versions of them that help us and speak to us throughout our lives. And the gossip about my mother is helping me do that.

Most of it good. A little bit messy. But I was like, oh, this is gossip. And it's like... I believe once someone close to us dies, we have this special ability to imagine them in many ways after they're gone and make versions of them that help us and speak to us throughout our lives. And the gossip about my mother is helping me do that.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

I was Australian. Baby, I can't live without you. Come back. We'll live in Perth.

I was Australian. Baby, I can't live without you. Come back. We'll live in Perth.

Beach tonight? Yeah.

Beach tonight? Yeah.

I mean, none of them feel like miracles right now. This is wild.

I mean, none of them feel like miracles right now. This is wild.

Drew, you're lucky to be alive. What does Drew end up doing with all these DMs from the Australian?

Drew, you're lucky to be alive. What does Drew end up doing with all these DMs from the Australian?

Girl.

Girl.

No, you cannot talk to him under any circumstance. No.

No, you cannot talk to him under any circumstance. No.

Well, and Oliver's definitely like, oh, I'm in now.

Well, and Oliver's definitely like, oh, I'm in now.

Girl.

Girl.

I know Drew didn't. I know Drew didn't. So many red flags and so many people waving them with joy.

I know Drew didn't. I know Drew didn't. So many red flags and so many people waving them with joy.

Come on. So Drew made it okay?

Come on. So Drew made it okay?

He got his legs seen too.

He got his legs seen too.

I gotta go have a cigarette. I gotta bring myself down. Y'all got me riled up. Drew, we're here to help.

I gotta go have a cigarette. I gotta bring myself down. Y'all got me riled up. Drew, we're here to help.

I'm going to send you a note to send to Drew. Okay. It's about self-care. It's about boundaries. It's about a lot.

I'm going to send you a note to send to Drew. Okay. It's about self-care. It's about boundaries. It's about a lot.

Exactly. I will give you an example that's really funny. Well, first, for starters, after my dad died many years ago, I'll never forget, the gossip started then. In the limo to the cemetery after my dad died, a member of my family told me, Oh, that person you think that is this kind of relative? They're actually that kind of relative. Their mama wasn't their mama. Like, literally.

Exactly. I will give you an example that's really funny. Well, first, for starters, after my dad died many years ago, I'll never forget, the gossip started then. In the limo to the cemetery after my dad died, a member of my family told me, Oh, that person you think that is this kind of relative? They're actually that kind of relative. Their mama wasn't their mama. Like, literally.

So this gossip from my mother, my favorite bit of dead mom gossip recently, I was out with some friends at a mall in L.A. And a lot of malls in L.A. are really cute, really she she, but like indoor outdoor. So it's kind of open air. There are water fountains and fixtures and you can walk in the sun, which also means that like kids can just run and be a mess.

So this gossip from my mother, my favorite bit of dead mom gossip recently, I was out with some friends at a mall in L.A. And a lot of malls in L.A. are really cute, really she she, but like indoor outdoor. So it's kind of open air. There are water fountains and fixtures and you can walk in the sun, which also means that like kids can just run and be a mess.

even more so than they could in, like, a normal mall. And I remember seeing this young boy acting a fool. And I called my Aunt Betty later that day, and I said, you know, Betty, they don't make them like they used to. These kids are a mess. They're not raising them right. No home training. Oh, my God. And I said, I guarantee you, I know for sure, my mama, your sister, didn't raise me that way.

even more so than they could in, like, a normal mall. And I remember seeing this young boy acting a fool. And I called my Aunt Betty later that day, and I said, you know, Betty, they don't make them like they used to. These kids are a mess. They're not raising them right. No home training. Oh, my God. And I said, I guarantee you, I know for sure, my mama, your sister, didn't raise me that way.

She didn't raise me and my brother that way. And my Aunt Betty pauses. She starts laughing and she says, that is so not true. Y'all were Bebe's kids. And I was like, excuse me, miss? And she goes, y'all were Bebe's kids. And I said, what makes you say that? And she says, I'll never forget, Sam. You and your brother were maybe like six or seven.

She didn't raise me and my brother that way. And my Aunt Betty pauses. She starts laughing and she says, that is so not true. Y'all were Bebe's kids. And I was like, excuse me, miss? And she goes, y'all were Bebe's kids. And I said, what makes you say that? And she says, I'll never forget, Sam. You and your brother were maybe like six or seven.

My Aunt Betty had come to visit her sister, my mother, and all of us. And we all were out shopping. My mother was in a store that she likes. My Aunt Betty was with her. And my brother and I, who were little banshees, were running around like crazy, my aunt tells me. And she's like, y'all were playing hide and go seek in the racks of the clothes. I can see it.

My Aunt Betty had come to visit her sister, my mother, and all of us. And we all were out shopping. My mother was in a store that she likes. My Aunt Betty was with her. And my brother and I, who were little banshees, were running around like crazy, my aunt tells me. And she's like, y'all were playing hide and go seek in the racks of the clothes. I can see it.

Up and down the escalators, just being a fool. And so my aunt Betty says, she goes, I'll go to your mother, my sister. And I say, Regina, catch your kids. What are they doing? This is bad. Sit them down. And then Betty says, my mother puts down the dress she's looking at.

Up and down the escalators, just being a fool. And so my aunt Betty says, she goes, I'll go to your mother, my sister. And I say, Regina, catch your kids. What are they doing? This is bad. Sit them down. And then Betty says, my mother puts down the dress she's looking at.

Looks at my Aunt Betty and she says, as much money as I'm about to spend in this store, my little black boys can cut up as much as the white kids. And then my Aunt Betty sat her ass down and that was that. But it revealed to me that like this version of my mother that I had created, this strict disciplinarian version.

Looks at my Aunt Betty and she says, as much money as I'm about to spend in this store, my little black boys can cut up as much as the white kids. And then my Aunt Betty sat her ass down and that was that. But it revealed to me that like this version of my mother that I had created, this strict disciplinarian version.

And like, you know, a lot of times gossip amongst the living can be combative. It can be reductive. It can be messy. Gossip about the dead is usually expansive. And in my case, it's been mostly joyful.

And like, you know, a lot of times gossip amongst the living can be combative. It can be reductive. It can be messy. Gossip about the dead is usually expansive. And in my case, it's been mostly joyful.

And I am at the age now where like, These words pop up on the Internet and I'm not quite sure what they mean. And I'm past the point of like going to UrbanDictionary.com to find out. But I keep seeing the word lore manifest online.

And I am at the age now where like, These words pop up on the Internet and I'm not quite sure what they mean. And I'm past the point of like going to UrbanDictionary.com to find out. But I keep seeing the word lore manifest online.

And I was thinking to myself, I was like, you know what? When they're alive and you're talking about them, it's gossip. But when they're dead, it's lore.

And I was thinking to myself, I was like, you know what? When they're alive and you're talking about them, it's gossip. But when they're dead, it's lore.

Listen, Regina Sanders.

Listen, Regina Sanders.

Dead mom gossip. Let's write it.

Dead mom gossip. Let's write it.

I love it. Let's dedicate this telling of gossip to my messy mama, Regina Sanders.

I love it. Let's dedicate this telling of gossip to my messy mama, Regina Sanders.

Brits pretend to be drama-free, but they're messy. The accent fools you.

Brits pretend to be drama-free, but they're messy. The accent fools you.

You hear the accent, you're like, oh, they got their shit together.

You hear the accent, you're like, oh, they got their shit together.

Yeah. And you never know how they get all that damn money. You never know. Always a mystery.

Yeah. And you never know how they get all that damn money. You never know. Always a mystery.

Yeah.

Yeah.

There you go.

There you go.

I will not have an itinerary.

I will not have an itinerary.

I'm gonna wake up, see how I feel.

I'm gonna wake up, see how I feel.

There's no like laundry list of things to get to. We're not climbing mountains. We're not. No, no. Yeah. Yeah.

There's no like laundry list of things to get to. We're not climbing mountains. We're not. No, no. Yeah. Yeah.

Three months? Three months. Okay.

Three months? Three months. Okay.

Let me tell you something.

Let me tell you something.

I wasn't always making decent money. I was broke a large portion of my 20s. And one thing I never let myself do was stay at a hostel. I will say the one time I went into a hostel.

I wasn't always making decent money. I was broke a large portion of my 20s. And one thing I never let myself do was stay at a hostel. I will say the one time I went into a hostel.

I don't need to meet any more new people.

I don't need to meet any more new people.

Drew is in it.

Drew is in it.

Okay. That's a lot.

Okay. That's a lot.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I don't like that.

I don't like that.

None of this appeals to me.

None of this appeals to me.

Oh, Drew's a mess. He's an agent of chaos.

Oh, Drew's a mess. He's an agent of chaos.

You know what the plot is? The plot is my bills and my job.

You know what the plot is? The plot is my bills and my job.

Define that for me.

Define that for me.

Do you know who he sounds like? Who? Bill Clinton. I remember they used to say back in the day, whenever Bill Clinton was talking to you, it was like no one else existed. And we know what happened there.

Do you know who he sounds like? Who? Bill Clinton. I remember they used to say back in the day, whenever Bill Clinton was talking to you, it was like no one else existed. And we know what happened there.

Never met Bill. Never met Bill.

Never met Bill. Never met Bill.

I think there was a phase in my youth where I probably attempted that kind of energy. And then I realized I'm a little bit too neurotic and self-centered. So it's not going to work. Now I just mind my business.

I think there was a phase in my youth where I probably attempted that kind of energy. And then I realized I'm a little bit too neurotic and self-centered. So it's not going to work. Now I just mind my business.

Hey, Sam Sanders here with KCRW, personally inviting you to check out my new podcast. It's an entertainment show that tries to figure out what makes the culture tick and tell the stories behind creators we love. New episodes are out every Friday, wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey, Sam Sanders here with KCRW, personally inviting you to check out my new podcast. It's an entertainment show that tries to figure out what makes the culture tick and tell the stories behind creators we love. New episodes are out every Friday, wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey, Sam Sanders here with KCRW, personally inviting you to check out my new podcast. It's an entertainment show that tries to figure out what makes the culture tick and tell the stories behind creators we love. New episodes are out every Friday, wherever you get your podcasts.