Noodle the Pug has jumped the shark. The 13-year-old dog has become known globally as a bellwether for the national mood, thanks to his owner Jonathan Graziano making TikToks determining whether it will be a “Bones Day” — i.e., if Noodle stands up on his mat — or a No Bones Day (if he falls down).
Noodle’s TikTok account has gone massively viral, spawning parody songs (including a sea shanty) and tweets from various brand accounts; Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards even posted a video inspired by Noodle urging people to get vaccinated. Many have argued that Noodle serves as a welcome distraction from the general feelings of malaise and burnout currently plaguing the nation post-pandemic.
But it’s Noodle’s appearance with Graziano on The Today Show that has really cemented his status as pop culture icon — and also indicates that we may be reaching a Noodle saturation point. “It’s definitely getting into the cheugy side of the internet, the more basic part of it,” says Don’t Let This Flop cohost Brittany Spanos on this week’s episode. “We’re gaslighting, girlbossing, gatekeeping too close to the sun with Noodle. You can tell there’s gonna be Etsy shops that say ‘Bones Day’ or ‘No Bones Day’ on mugs.”
@malindamusic I just…I’m so sorry. Ft. @jacobsutherland @jongraz #noodle #nobones #bonesday #noodletok #noodlethepug #pug #seashanty #wellerman
On this week’s episode of Don’t Let This Flop, cohosts Spanos and Ej Dickson also discuss a viral 38-step (!!!) skincare routine that’s infuriating thousands of millennial women across the internet, Anna Marie Tendler’s triumphant debut on TikTok (teaching us how to put on a duvet cover, no less!), and a Himbo of the Week who believes the correct way to eat guacamole and chips is with a knife.
@annamtendler HashtagImportantContent
@wtfpauldreher How to eat salsa & guacamole with chips properly! #papajuansbajagrill #pjbg #fyupage #foryou #foryoupage #foodtiktok #breadtok #BreadRecipes #tortillatrend #salsa #chips #recipe #tiktokfoodie #series #foodie #whatthefork #mexicanfood #etiquette #manners #baking #foodtiktok #squidgame #wtfwhatthefork
DLTF is released Wednesdays on all audio streaming platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Stitcher and more.