Chai After Dark
by Chai After Dark
Meet Chai After Dark, your go-to podcast for TV and pop culture recaps! This unique show stands apart from traditional recap podcasts by highlighting humorous South Asian-adjacent commentary for stories from all over the world. Sameem and Shabnam, also of South Asian descent, celebrate these stories, but are unafraid to say it as they see it. chaiafterdark.substack.com
Episodes
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Traitors E 7: Victor & The Pardon + Hasan Minhaj + Aneha from LIB
We discuss Traitors ep 7 with Victor, the continuation of Fruitgate and the crazy new power of the pardon! But before we get into it we discuss Hasan Minhaj's latest controversy, South Asian American classism, and Aneha from Love Is Blind. Listen to Chai After Dark anywhere you get your podcasts!...
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You Can See Everything
In this episode Shabnam and Huma discuss the new hit movie You Can See Everything! We delve into it's perspective, Nathan Fielder's choices, Elizabeth and Billy's dynamic, Amanda Seyfried's reactions and more! #YouCanSeeEverything #A24 #NathanFielder #ElizabethHolmes #AmandaSeyfried Follow us…
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Traitors E 6: Fruit-Gate and Ben's Barrel Racing Spotlight
In this episode Shabnam and Huma discuss Traitors New Blood Ep 6. Justice for Victor but also why is his delivery soooo bad! Why are the faithfuls so clueless? Will they ever banish a Traitor? We are spotlighting Ben this episode because.... well we'd never seen him before. Turns out he's a…
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Traitors E 5: Sweaty Farty Boy & Sherry's Bio Spotlight
In this episode Shabnam and Huma discuss Traitors New Blood Ep 5. We dive into the fruit mafia, Joe's walk with a poison apple, Victor's producer-enhanced fart and all the funerial fashion with our regular does of strategic, psychological analysis. Is Joe manipulative, or just a friendly guy!…
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Therapeutic Non-Therapy
Huma and Shabnam are joined by Jessica Vickers, MFT founder of Happiest Healers Club for therapists who love theme parks and therapy. In this episode we discuss how activities that bring us joy outside of therapy, which for Jessica includes visits to Disneyland! #Disneyland #Therapy #joy…
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Traitors Ep 1-4 & Spotlight on Michael Foote
In this episode Shabnam and Huma discuss Traitors New Blood episodes 1-4. We deep dive into the strategic plays, the psychology, the hilarity, and somehow also how eye witness testimony is unreliable. We will be doing a spotlight each week on a Traitors contestant and who they are outside of the...
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Cornell 7: Our Pivot From The Love Hypothesis
Trigger Warning: In this episode we discuss sexual assault. Please skip this episode if you are not in place to hear about it. While watching The Love Hypothesis for this episode, news broke of the Cornell 7 and the alleged rape of Jane Doe. In this episode we discuss some of the social…
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Best of The Best: Controversy, Identity, and Representation
Huma and Shabnam are joined by film and TV content creator Shiv Reddy to discuss Netflix's new movie, Best of The Best, starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, directed by Lena Khan from a screenplay by Hasan Minhaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam. There is a lot to talk about with this film with...
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Pacita Abad: Immigration, Art and the Power of Women
In this episode we are joined by Jac Garrity, husband of the late artist Pacita Abad. Pacita and Jack met in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1970s and traveled the world as Pacita became a prolific artist. Her works capture the beauty of the human experience in cultures all over the world....
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The AI Doc, Hugging Face and Mass AI Hysteria
In this episode Huma and Shabnam delve into the recent AI hysteria. They discuss The AI Doc and How I became and Apocoloptomist released on Netflix on September 15th, BUT SOOO much has happened since then! They discuss the AI hack, Hugging Face, that many industry exports touted as a "warning...
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Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Sn5
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses abuse and DV. In this episode Shabnam is joined by Robyn from Reality Bio with Robyn to talk about the roller coaster that is Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 5. Everything from Taylor's charges, to Chase's DUI, the challenge of being in your 20s, to...
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Teenage Wasteland
In this episode we discuss Netflix's documentary Teenage Wasteland, another example of an inspiring teacher who teaches his class through real world examples. This documentary brings all the 90s nostalgia, toxic waste violations, mob intrigue, and local government corruption in one! And Huma and...
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Adults Season 2
Huma and Shabnam sit down to discuss the smart hilarity that ensues in FX's Adults Season 2, also available on Hulu. How does it compared to the recently canceled Not Suitable For Work, produced by Mindy Kaling? Spoiler... we like Adults better with all its updated friends nostalgia! We also…
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The Unnamed w/ M.S. Masood & The End Goal Pod
The Unnamed is the first in M.S. Masood's duology. In this episode we are privileged to discuss the book with her in collaboration with The End Goal Podcast! Listen in as we delve deep into the world of fantasy, culture, and new perspectives. #Fasntasy #duology #anticolonial #SouthAsian #Books...
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Mustache w/ Imran J. Khan
We are joined by the Director of Mustache, a coming of age story of a Pakistani Muslim American boy in Silicon Valley in the 90s! It follows Ilyas, a 13-year-old boy during his transition from Islamic School to a public school. This story has so much teen angst that we all can relate to it, but…
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Appropriation Or Appreciation, Sari Not Sorry
Join us for a deep dive into cultural appropriation vs. appreciation in fashion! In this episode, we discuss the recent controversy surrounding JW PEI, how similar appropriation effected us growing up and its impact on society overall. #AmbaniWedding #Kardashians #JWPei #CulturalAppropriation...
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The Valley S 3 w/ The Reality Is Pod
It’s a Chai After Dark × Reality Is Podcast crossover, and we’re heading straight into the chaotic mess that is The Valley Season 3. We’re talking toxic relationships, mental health, motional unavailability, manipulation, and the patriarchal dynamics hiding underneath all that reality-TV drama....
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House of Stassi Pt 2 w/ Reality Bio
Did you miss Stassi and the old Vanderpump nostalgia?? Well we are back with Reality Bio with Robyn to discuss all things House of Stassi! If you haven't listened to Pt 1, go listen to that one first! We are very excited to see Katie back too... no matter what Kristina Kelly says. Team Beau or…
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House of Stassi Pt 1 w/ Reality Bio
Did you miss Stassi and the old Vanderpump nostalgia?? Well we are back with Reality Bio with Robyn to discuss all things House of Stassi! We are very excited to see Katie back too... no matter what Kristina Kelly says. Team Beau or Team Stass?? Does it matter? Isn't everyone on her payroll…
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Murder 101
This week on Chai After Dark, we're breaking down Prime Video's Murder 101. We unpack the twists, the investigation, and the shocking revelations that turned an ordinary classroom into the center of a decades-old murder case. But that's only the beginning. We debate whether amateur investigators...
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The Odyssey
Odysseus: hero, liar, survivor... or walking red flag? This week on Chai After Dark, we discuss the Christopher Nolan film The Odyssey. We debate the epic's biggest controversies, from gender and power to colonialism, morality, and whether its legendary hero deserves all the hype. Along the way…
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Parwarish E16-18: Pakistani Drama on ARY Digital/YouTube
Sameem and Shabnam continue their watch of the 2025 hit Pakistani drama, “Parwarish”, found on ARY Digital and YouTube! Watch it now here. Today’s episode gets a little too serious with JB propositioning his mom to talk to his brother so he can LOCK IN his brother’s daughter for his son, Wali.…
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Parwarish E13-15: Pakistani Drama on ARY Digital/YouTube
Sameem and Shabnam continue their watch of the 2025 hit Pakistani drama, “Parwarish”, found on ARY Digital and YouTube! Watch it now here. Today’s episode covers Episodes 13-15 and stars Samar Abbas Jafri as “Wali” (without the D) and Aina Asif as “Maya”. The drama escalates into Maya two timing...
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Parwarish E10-12: Pakistani Drama on ARY Digital/YouTube
We are joined by Dr. Huma Qureshi, MD, Psychiatrist Extraordinaire! She is a graduate of King Edward Medical University in Lahore so she definitely knows what a “center” is. Come listen as we discuss Wali’s aura, how being a doctor actually is in Pakistan and we learn even more new Urdu words. Dr...
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Parwarish E7-9: Pakistani Drama on ARY Digital/YouTube
Shabnam and Sameem continue their watch of the 2025 hit Pakistani drama, “Parwarish”, found on ARY Digital and YouTube! Watch it now here. This episode covers Episodes 7-9 and stars Samar Abbas Jafri as “Wali” and Aina Asif as “Maya”. Ok, anger issues aside; Wali is now charged with thieving and...
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Parwarish E4-6: Pakistani Drama on ARY Digital/YouTube
Shabnam and Sameem continue their watch of the 2025 hit Pakistani drama, “Parwarish”, found on ARY Digital and YouTube! Watch it now here. This episode covers Episodes 4-6 and stars Samar Abbas Jafri as “Wali” and Aina Asif as “Maya”. This sh!t is escalating and the drama is revolving around...
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Parwarish E1-3 : Pakistani Drama on ARY Digital/YouTube
Yes, Shabnam and Sameem are jetting off to Pakistan to start our watch of the 2025 hit drama, “Parwarish”, found on ARY Digital and YouTube! Watch it now here. This episode covers the first 3 episodes and stars Samar Abbas Jafri as “Wali” and Aina Asif as “Maya”. Have you ever wondered about the...
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The Case Against Adnan Syed: Part Five – The Tree Grew - HBO Max
As a follow up to our previous The Steep: Adnan Syed episodes from 2024; Shabnam and Sameem watch and discuss the latest and fifth episode of the true crime documentary series “The Case Against Adnan Syed”, titled “The Tree Grew” which was released Sept 18, 2025 on HBO Max. This episode covers...
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"Succession" Rewatch S2:E3 "Hunting" - HBO Max
Shabnam and Sameem are going to Ireland to re-create the Waystar management all male off-site as told in Succession, Season 2, Episode 3 called “Hunting” on HBO Max. Logan is desperate for a huge acquisition to swallow the competition and makes up a new game taking over toy stores called “Boar on...
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"Succession" Rewatch S2:E2 "Vaulter" - HBO Max
Shabnam and Sameem follow Roman and Kendall as they “job their love” and physical health check their newly acquired media company Vaulter; in this 2nd episode of Season 2 of “Succession” on HBO Max. The Waystar succession saga gets new updates as Shiv is promised by Logan a lofty new future; Tom…
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"Succession" Rewatch S2:E1 "The Summer Palace" - HBO Max
Shabnam and Sameem keep the privileged rewatch motorcycle ride rolling with “Succession” SEASON 2 EPISODE 1 titled “The Summer Palace” on HBO Max. Kendall is looking terrified in every scene he’s in as he attempts to mold himself into Logan’s #1 boy and Shiv keeps some big news to herself while…
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"American Desi" - YouTube: FREE TO WATCH
We have rediscovered a treasure trove of cringey Desi movies on YouTube. Shabnam and Sameem rewatch “American Desi” 25 years later; starring Kal Penn and others. Zohran Mamdani’s mom, Mira Nair, did NOT direct this movie. If you want a real life (yea right!) look into Desi’s going to college in…
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"Succession" Rewatch S1:E10 "Nobody Is Ever Missing" - HBO Max
We did it!! Sameem and Shabnam conclude their initial watch of Season 1 of “Succession” with the finale, Episode 10, “Nobody is Ever Missing”. Logan Roy might be out of the loop at Waystar if Kendall can get his sh!t together with the help of Stu. Tom gets manly AF while getting rid of Nate and...
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"Succession" Rewatch S1:E9 "Pre-Nuptial" - HBO Max
Shabnam and Sameem are transported back to Fremont, CA; the land of weddings and nuptials. That’s where “Succession” Episode 9 of Season 1 should’ve been filmed. HBO just doesn’t know. Logan Roy goes full desi auntie and plays games with his own family the day of his only daughter’s wedding; Tom...
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"The Namesake" - Disney+, Hulu w/Noureen from Muslim Matchmaker
We are joined by a special guest today, Noureen, from “Muslim Matchmaker” on Hulu. We discuss “The Namesake” today, a film directed by Zohran Mamdani’s mom, Mira Nair. Starring Kal Penn, it tells the story of an American born desi boy coming to terms with his culture, family, place in life all...
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"Succession" Rewatch S1:E8 "Prague" - HBO Max
Closed loop system ….. I’m in shock so I am going to copy the IMDB page description for us: Tom has a bachelor party to remember; Kendall eyes a new business opportunity with a pair of idealistic entrepreneurs; Roman looks to land a deal for local TV stations with his father's longtime nemesis;...
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"Succession" Rewatch S1:E7 "Austerlitz" - HBO Max
Sameem and Shabnam discuss why wealthy elite people love ranches so much in their continued rewatch of Succession in S1 E7, “Austerlitz” on HBO Max. We’re lucky we’re not in the public eye; but if we were; we wouldn’t turn a family therapy session at a New Mexico ranch into a photo session like...
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"A Nice Indian Boy" - Disney +, Hulu (It has a good ending, watch it)
Shabnam and Sameem are back with retro movie Thursdays; all the way back to 2024 when gay marriage was still in its infancy. Head over to Disney + or Hulu to watch '‘A Nice Indian Boy” starring Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff from Hamilton fame. Watch this movie with the whole khandan (family); it…
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"Succession" Rewatch S1:E6 "Which Side Are You On?" - HBO Max
Sameem and Shabnam discuss performance issues in the workplace as we continue our rewatch of “Succession” on HBO Max; we’re on S1 E6 titled “Which Side Are You On”? Kendall tries to take over Waystar by calling a vote of no confidence on his OWN DADDY, Logan Roy. Shenanigans arise as the votes…
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"Succession" Rewatch S1:E5 "I Went to Market" - HBO Max
Sameem and Shabnam are starting to settle into “Succession” Season 1 as they watch Episode 5; found on HBO Max. Kendall starts to plot the takeover of Waystar with a vote of no confidence against his father and thinks Greg’s grandfather, Ewen, might vote with him. The siblings start their wild...
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"Outsourced" - Tubi, Amazon Prime (a film you should watch today)
Have you ever been confused on how visitors go to the toilet in India? Well, Shabnam and Sameem will guide you on a path to righteous cleanliness if you happen to find yourself peering over a hole on your trip to South Asia. “Outsourced” from 2006 tells the story of how Todd Anderson was forced…
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"Succession" Rewatch S1:E4 "Sad Sack Wasp Trap" - HBO Max
Shabnam and Sameem discuss Season 1 Episode 4 of their Succession rewatch called “Sad Sack Wasp Trap” found on HBO Max. The worst people on Earth of course have a “charity” gala and Connor can’t wait to get his hands on it. Meanwhile, Kendall and Daddy Logan aren’t seeing eye to eye on the...
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"Succession" Rewatch S1:E3 "Lifeboats" - HBO Max
Shabnam and Sameem continue their recap of Succession Season 1 as Waystar stock tumbles and the kids try desperately to cling to their power. I would be long gone if I had a $3 billion debt obligation; but Kendall sees Stu as a path of enrichment. Let’s see how this goes. Follow us below and…
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Mississippi Masala - HBO Max (a film by Mira Nair)
Today, Shabnam and Sameem go into complete obscurity (kidding) to review Zohran Mamdani’s mom’s movie, Mississippi Masala, found on HBO Max. Oh and Zohran is running for mayor of New York City and his mom’s name is Mira Nair. If that isn’t enough for you to watch the movie and listen to our…
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"Succession" Rewatch S1:E2 "Sh*t Show at the F**k Factory" - HBO Max
Shabnam and Sameem detail Episode 2 while being relieved we weren’t set to inherit a major corporation and billions of dollars. We chat sibling rivalries, how fake corporate demeanor is and Tom/Greg are just too cute not to discuss. Watch along as we rewatch Season 1 of Succession on HBO Max!...
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Succession Rewatch S1:E1 "Celebration" - HBO Max
Sameem and Shabnam were in shock when we found out people in power; let alone media magnate Logan Roy, do not retire by 80. When I’m 80; I hope I’m doing 2 things: this podcast and going to the bathroom unassisted. Logan has the 2nd one down cold; just in the closet. You’ll find people cleaning…
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Mountainhead - HBO Max (Steve Carell and Ramy Youssef)
Sameem and Shabnam watch Mountainhead on HBO/Max; now we’re super into billionaires. We should protect them at all costs. Riiiiight. Even if these 4 characters weren’t billionaires, the repellant is HIGH. Get us away from anyone f*cking with AI generated content created to control the masses. We...
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Rant (Government and Scandal) #1
Shabnam and Sameem rant for 8.5 minutes after covering billionaires for 3 straight weeks. Oh and I (Sameem) used ChatGPT to write a random mission statement for a company upholding anti corruption; read it below. We’re officially cooked if corporations can ChatGPT their ethics and HR seminars....
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Bad Boy Billionaires: India E3, "The World's Biggest Family"(Netflix)
A familiar theme has emerged and is here to stay; Sameem and Shabnam are reliable when it comes to railing on billionaires. In Bad Boy Billionaires, India E3, on Netflix, Subrata Roy starts Sahara India Pariwar from meager beginnings and turns it into a multi billion dollar business while...
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San Diego Weekend Stories - Part 1
In today’s minisode; Shabnam visits Sameem in San Diego and we discuss hot yoga, ICE raids in South Park and my daughter sneaking out to go to the beach! Follow us below and please like, share and subscribe! Instagram: ChaiAfterDark Tiktok: Chai_After_Dark Facebook: Chai After Dark Podcast Or...
About this show
Meet Chai After Dark, your go-to podcast for TV and pop culture recaps! This unique show stands apart from traditional recap podcasts by highlighting humorous South Asian-adjacent commentary for stories from all over the world. Sameem and Shabnam, also of South Asian descent, celebrate these stories, but are unafraid to say it as they see it.
chaiafterdark.substack.com
Hosted by
Chai After Dark