After a month-long hiatus, podcast hosts Drew Phillips and Enya Umanzor returned on March 28 with a new episode of “Emergency Intercom” titled Episode 185 (Things are changing). However, the comeback was met with disappointment and criticism from listeners.
The episode began in the show’s usual format, with the hosts discussing their personal lives and random topics. But the tone soon shifted. The conversation turned vague and secretive, leaving fans feeling excluded. At one point, Phillips remarked, “So much has happened in my life. This one I specifically can’t talk about.” Moments like this frustrated listeners who had come to expect openness from the show.
While it’s understood that influencers are not obligated to share every detail of their lives, “Emergency Intercom” built its popularity on candid conversations. Fans felt the shift in tone marked a decline in authenticity and quality, further distancing the audience from the hosts.
The backlash didn’t stop at vague storytelling. Phillips and Umanzor also came under fire for controversial remarks about other public figures, including YouTuber Safiya Nygaard and activists Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai.
Without context, the hosts criticized Nygaard’s relationship with her husband, Tyler Williams. Phillips claimed the couple “hate each other” and made baseless comments about their marriage. Fans of Nygaard, who is widely seen as a positive and drama-free creator, found the remarks unnecessary and hurtful.
Listeners were particularly outraged by comments aimed at climate activist Greta Thunberg. Phillips stated that Thunberg had “fallen off” and added, “the b**** is in the gutters.” Umanzor followed up, suggesting Thunberg should “go to school and be normal.” These statements sparked immediate backlash online, with many calling out the hosts for showing blatant disrespect and ignorance toward Thunberg’s advocacy work.
Thunberg rose to international attention in 2018 for her activism against climate change. Although her media presence has decreased, she remains involved in protests and has recently voiced strong support for Palestine. Fans were quick to point out the disconnect between the hosts’ tone-deaf remarks and their recent partnership with Marc Jacobs — a brand that has publicly supported Israel.
Critics argued that while Phillips and Umanzor are not political commentators, they should avoid making light of serious issues and public figures, especially given their large platform.
The backlash led many users to question the podcast’s humor and value. Some said they never found “Emergency Intercom” funny and recommended other shows like cocteau twinks and Upstairs Neighbors as better alternatives.
As the controversy grew, internet users resurfaced old videos and tweets from the hosts. These included clips from Vine where Phillips and Umanzor allegedly used racial slurs, as well as offensive tweets from past accounts.
Fans were especially disappointed with the quality of the long-anticipated return episode. Many speculated that the duo’s move to Los Angeles contributed to the shift in tone and content.
On April 4, amid continued backlash, the hosts issued a written apology. They acknowledged the harm their words caused and pledged to be more thoughtful: “…we do recognize that even offhand comments have weight, especially online, and it’s on us to do better.” Despite this, they did not address the issue directly in Episode 186, released on the same day.
As of now, criticism of “Emergency Intercom” continues. Many fans remain disappointed with the podcast’s recent direction and the hosts’ insensitivity, expressing doubts about whether the show can regain its former authenticity.
