Blocked and Reported Episode 274: Cracker Barrel Cracks
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Sep 1, 2025 The hosts dive into the controversy surrounding Cracker Barrel’s new logo and its cultural implications, reflecting the tension between tradition and modern branding. They also unpack the company's checkered history with discrimination and its recent diversity initiatives. In lighter moments, they speculate on the odd absence of Cracker Barrels in NYC and analyze Taylor Swift’s responsibility as a celebrity to address social issues. The duo balances humor with serious discourse on celebrity culture and societal expectations.
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Jesse's Movie Extra Story
- Jesse Singal recounts being an extra in the indie film Lousy Carter and briefly delivering a spoken line in a prison scene.
- He describes makeup, a black eye, and the amusing repetition of saying "yikes" during filming.
Logo Drama Reflects Real Brand Shift
- Cracker Barrel's logo change sparked culture-war outrage but reflects a deeper brand evolution from exclusionary practices to bland corporate inclusivity.
- The chain's modernizing efforts reveal tensions between historical identity and market pressures for diversity and refreshment.
Company History Of Discrimination
- Katie recounts Cracker Barrel's 1990s policy of firing employees suspected of being gay and the decade-long backlash that followed.
- She details protests, shareholder activism, DOJ suits, and an almost $9M settlement forcing policy and training changes.
