Podcast Summary: Bubba On the Lake – Episode #34
Guest: Steve Doocy (Fox News Channel)
Special Guest: Betty Lou Bussey
Host: Bill Bubba Bussey
Date: October 30, 2025

Episode Overview

This heartfelt and humor-filled episode combines updates on Bubba's ongoing knee replacement journey with a lively, personal interview with Steve Doocy, beloved Fox News figure and cookbook author. Bubba also invites his wife, Betty Lou, into the studio for an honest discussion about their difficult but optimistic recovery process.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bubba’s Knee Replacement Update

[00:48 – 10:44, 34:20 – 44:09]

• Medical Ordeal: Bubba recounts battling a rare post-surgical knee infection, requiring three trips to Chicago, multiple hospital stays, and several surgeries.
  • “I had knee replacement. Then I had an infection in the wound...Had to go back, have another surgery. And then this time my joint, my knee joint, started feeling a little bit warm. I wasn't feeling too good myself, and we had to go back for a third trip to Chicago.” (Bubba, 01:17)
• Statistics and Experience: Infection rates for his procedure are “1 to 2%” and his surgeon boasts less than 1%—Bubba jokes about his luck.
• Treatment Process: Description of living with a PICC line for antibiotics, a wound pump, and using a walker, crutches, and soon a cane.
  • “First time I've ever had a PICC line; I wasn't really excited about it. But I tell you, the number of sticks that it saves you and your arm is incredible.” (Bubba, 03:57)
  • “I've been walking on a walker. We have upgraded to crutches, and hopefully…we will be walking with a cane and then hopefully nothing in the near future.” (Bubba, 06:09)
• Emotional Toll and Community Support: Bubba acknowledges the strain on Betty, the family, and their supporters—but keeps the tone light, referencing past radio honesty and an ongoing effort to stay positive.

2. Interview with Steve Doocy

[10:44 – 32:38]

A. Grandfather Life and Changing Roles

• Steve shares the joy of being called “grandpa” at home:
  • “I am now a grandfather for the last two years and the kids have been calling me grandpa. So I'm no longer Steve Doocy...” (Steve Doocy, 10:55)
  • “The best part is when the kids start squawking... it's like, okay, goodbye. I love—thanks for the little kisses. Now get out.” (Steve Doocy, 11:23)
• Travel perks: getting grandkids “all sugared up, then handing them back.”

B. Current Work & Travel Adventures

• As Fox & Friends cohost, Steve has transitioned into an “ambassador” role, traveling frequently:
  • “It's just a different kind of busy...Now I'm going out to the people. I'm like an ambassador for Fox and Friends.” (Steve Doocy, 12:38)
• Enjoyment of travel and interaction with the public:
  • “Half the flight attendants know me from coast to coast, so it’s great.” (Steve Doocy, 13:46)

C. Being Recognized in Public

• Steve shares anecdotes about recognition in airports/planes and the unique “traveling focus group” that comes from fan interactions:
  • “When you're out and about...people realize who you are, it's like a traveling focus group.” (Steve Doocy, 15:23)
• Discussion on how fan feedback informs his work and what really resonates with audiences.

D. Peter Doocy’s Accidental Rise

• Steve relays the quirky, serendipitous story of his son Peter’s leap from poli sci major to White House correspondent:
  • “It was just by accident, really, that he became a reporter and America's favorite White House correspondent at our house.” (Steve Doocy, 16:30)
  • Steve recounts Peter's viral John McCain soundbite moment in college—leading to a Fox News opportunity. (18:00)
  • Peter’s manner with colleagues and fans in D.C. comes up—praising his kindness.

E. Cookbook Life & Cooking at Home

• The Doocy family’s cookbook legacy: “The Happy Cookbook,” “The Simply Happy Cookbook,” “Happy in a Hurry.”
  • “Having written three New York Times bestsellers in the cookbook department...a lot of those recipes you see online look easy and look fantastic, but they just don't taste very good.” (Steve Doocy, 21:37)
• Discussion of simple internet recipes, the “truth” of baking vs. cooking, and possibly a future “Healthy in a Hurry” book:
  • “Nobody wants to buy a cookbook to be healthy...healthy just doesn't sound good.” (Steve Doocy, 25:04)
• Steve’s birthday, his love for steak, and his surprisingly good cholesterol numbers.

F. Travel in the Post-Covid Era & Ubers Over Rental Cars

• Changes in travel: more Ubers, fewer cars at rental counters, and the travel boom since Covid lockdowns.
  • “That is such a difference between traveling today and traveling like 10, 15 years ago…” (Steve Doocy, 27:26)
• Observations on tourism in NYC; citing the impact of local politics, economic incentives in southern states, and the rise of Huntsville, Alabama as a tech hub:
  • “I had no idea...what a busy aeronautical hub Huntsville is...I actually got to drop a bomb on a tank in their parking lot. And it was a lot of fun.” (Steve Doocy, 31:09)

G. Lighthearted Memories

• Bubba asks if his old show is the only one ever to get Steve a “flyover”—it is!
  • “That’s right. How much fun was that? I think you also got the—didn’t you bring the governor out? It was awesome.” (Steve Doocy, 32:05)

3. At Home With Betty Lou: Living Through Recovery

[34:20 – 44:09]

• Comedic Take on Ordeal: Betty Lou opens up about managing Bubba’s recovery:

  • “I felt like a circus clown at times going through the airport with a walker and crutches and you in a wheelchair and a suitcase. It was…challenging. But hey, we made it through.” (Betty Lou, 35:00)

• Daily Life Adjustments: From walking for health, to washing Bubba’s hair in the kitchen sink, to the “ordeal” of sponge baths and joking about boundaries:

  • “I’ll be glad when we don’t have to wash your hair in the kitchen sink so much.” (Betty Lou, 35:54)
  • “You’ve milked that for all it’s worth, I tell you that...I looked at you one time, said I draw the line there.” (Betty Lou, 36:12)

• Infection and Recovery Perspective: Discussing the randomness and rarity of their experience and finding patience, persistence, and faith within the struggle:

  • “It has nothing to do [with] 1 or 2%. Yeah. So it's just our dumb luck, I guess.” (Betty Lou, 37:53)
  • “I've tried to look for God's teaching in this...Definitely got to catch up on our prayer time, patience...” (Bubba, 38:11)

• Community Appreciation: Gratefulness for neighbors bringing food and moral support:

  • “Our neighbors have all been so sweet to bring food. I mean, showed out...Thank you...We’ve truly been blessed everywhere we’ve lived to have great neighbors.” (Betty Lou, 41:48)

• Food and Tailgate Plans: Mention of Betty’s tailgate recipes, future podcast segments, and Bubba’s strict eating schedule.

  • “You cook a pretty mean buffalo dip.” (Bubba, 42:40)
  • “Well, you're not. Your patience level, as far as the food goes, is not there.” (Betty Lou, 43:08)

Memorable Quotes

• “The best part is when the kids start squawking...it’s like, okay, goodbye. I love—thanks for the little kisses. Now get out.”
  — Steve Doocy (11:23)
• "I've tried to look for God's teaching in this. Not crystal clear. Got some ideas. We've definitely got to catch up on our prayer time."
  — Bubba (38:11)
• "It was just by accident, really, that [Peter] became a reporter and America's favorite White House correspondent at our house."
  — Steve Doocy (16:30)
• "When you cook, you put stuff together, and if it doesn't taste good, you can doctor it...but with baking, it's kind of got to be an exact science."
  — Steve Doocy (22:23)
• "I felt like a circus clown at times going through the airport with a walker and crutches and you in a wheelchair and a suitcase. It was…challenging. But hey, we made it through."
  — Betty Lou (35:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Bubba’s Medical Update: 00:48 – 10:44
• Steve Doocy Interview Begins: 10:44
• Steve on Grandparent Life: 10:55 – 11:47
• Steve Doocy Career/Travel: 12:26 – 15:20
• Peter Doocy Story: 16:30 – 20:13
• Fox Cookbook Talk: 20:14 – 26:27
• Travel Changes, Huntsville Story: 26:58 – 32:29
• Steve Doocy Farewell: 32:34 – 32:38
• Betty Lou Segment Begins: 34:20
• Comedic Recovery Stories: 35:00 – 36:12
• Reflections on Faith & Recovery: 38:05 – 39:03
• Neighborhood Appreciation/Tailgate: 41:48 – 44:09

Episode Tone and Feel

The episode balances the humor Bubba is known for with sincere, vulnerable moments about health, aging, and family. Steve Doocy brings warmth and relatable anecdotes, echoing the values of perseverance and gratitude that carry through Betty Lou and Bubba’s banter.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

Expect a blend of upbeat storytelling, inside looks at TV news life, and unvarnished talk about health struggles and marriage—plus a few laughs at Bubba’s expense. Betty Lou’s grounded, good-natured commentary rounds out an episode that’s as much about resilience and relationships as it is about entertainment and the lighter side of recovery.