Ep. 171: The Ballad of Nimrod Workman | Study Break

In this edition of Study Break, we discuss the coiffed Californian camp of Ryan Murphy’s The Shards, KATSEYE’s continued reign as the queens of sensory overload brainrot pop, and a new cast of nominatively absurd figures including Igby Rigney, Stella Lefty, Chanty Beluga, and Nimrod Workman. We also ponder Ella Langley as the new poster girl of American alt-lite, and we consider the uncomfortable indignity of life after fleeting virality as illustrated by Jools Lebron and the Love Island USA cast. Perhaps most importantly, we pause to mourn the loss of American Founding Mother and universal aphorist Dolly Parton :( Links: Dolly Parton and her parents sing “In the Pines” (1976)“Evening Shade” by Dolly PartonDolly Parton last health update vide on InstagramTikTok #searchfordolly audition videos (exhibit A, exhibit B)“How ‘The Shards’ Blew Up at HBO — and Ended Up in Ryan Murphy’s Hands” by Benjamin Svetkey in The Hollywood ReporterKaia Gerber and Homer Gere shot by Steven Meisel for Vogue September 2026 Cover Story Kaia Gerber prompts BBL accusations in Alaïa F/W 2026Kaia Gerber says she had an exorcism performed on her with a didgeridooNymphet Alumni Ep. 6: The Milf-ification of Billie Eilish (Emergency Roundtable)First look of Billie Eilish as Esther Greenwood on the set of The Bell Jar dir. Sarah PolleyHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Official Teaser from HBO Max“Happee Birthdae Harry” merch in the Harry Potter Japan StorePoppi x RushTok x Love Island USA (exhibit A, exhibit B)Jools Lebron original GoFundMe video and her Jeffree Star readKATSEYE (캣츠아이) – “Hootie Frutti” (Official Music Video)KATSEYE choreographer Grant Gilmore on TikTokGUI GUI on InstagramElla Langley –“Be Her” (Official Music Video)Ella Langley’s Shiner beer collab party trickElla Langley feat. “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees“The Untold Story of Sierra Ferrell: Train-Hopping to Stardom” on YouTubeStella Lefty – “Boston” Review in Pitchfork (“Stick Season” obsession evidence)Coal miner, union activist, and singer Nimrod Workman performs the traditional Appalachian folk song “Oh Death”A woman named “Chanty Beluga” introduces herself at a pool partyEvan Lazarus in defense of Chanty BelugaBodacious Humphrey WilliamsCristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s wedding shot by Juergen Teller for Vogue This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nymphetalumni.com/subscribe