Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Booger McFarland & The List

Date: September 10, 2025
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, (Don La Greca not present in the segment)
Guest: Booger McFarland
Network: ESPN New York

Episode Overview

In this lively second hour, Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg are joined by NFL analyst Booger McFarland for a thorough discussion of New York’s two football teams after Week 1, including the promise of the Jets and the ongoing quarterback dilemma for the Giants. The second half of the hour features "The List," the show’s much-loved, debate-driven segment—in this case, ranking movie megastars who started as TV actors. From serious football analysis to offbeat banter about mispronunciations and classic theme songs, this episode highlights the blend of insight and entertainment that defines the show.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Jets & Giants: Week 1 Reactions (00:43–14:20)

With Booger McFarland

Jets Optimism & Sustainability

• Jets’ Strong Start: Jets’ 32-point opener sparks hope; McFarland credits Aaron Glenn’s staff and the acquisition of Justin Fields for a revitalized offense.
• Justin Fields’ Growth: Booger notes improvement in Fields’ poise compared to stints in Chicago and Pittsburgh.
• Offensive Line Impact: Jets’ run game (Breece Hall/Braylon Allen) and dominance at the line of scrimmage—both sides—are highlighted.
  • “When you can hit [the Steelers] in the mouth and rush for a buck 80, like, that gives you a lot of confidence…” (02:28)

Cleaning Up Culture & Penalties

• Transforming team discipline is a process, especially after a regime change:
  • “You become what you repeatedly do, and so you gotta do it over and over and over again.” (04:02, Booger)
• Importance of internal conversations and how building a winning culture compares to starting a fresh crew in a radio team.

Giants’ Quarterback Quandary

• Quarterback Debate: After a lackluster opener, the debate is whether to bench Russell Wilson and start rookie Jackson Dart.
• Booger’s Perspective:
  • Coaches’ decisions are personal—job security and family considerations trump public pressure.
    • “If I’m Brian Daboll…I would play Russell Wilson because I think he gives us the best chance to win or I would play Jameis.” (05:58)
• Suggests Giants’ leadership should set clear expectations (“give you two years…play the kid when you want”), emphasizing fairness for coaches.

Long-Term QB Evaluation vs. Short-Term Wins

• Ownership’s Dilemma: Is it better, even in a losing season, to develop Dart and show progress by season’s end?
  • “If we’re three and fourteen and he’s kind of showing some problems, but kind of not, how are we feeling?” (09:23, Booger)
• Booger’s Moves: Would have chosen Jameis Winston as bridge QB—known upside/downside—and let Dart wait until ready.

QB Depth Chart Logic

• It’s strategic to have Dart as backup for practice reps, even if it’s risky (“you’re one play away”):
  • “It’s tough to serve two Masters…because as soon as I think [Dart’s] ready…I gotta put him in.” (11:05)

2. NFL Broader Topics: Trades & Contenders (12:25–19:43)

Packers Acquire Micah Parsons

• Major defensive upgrade; McFarland relates his own experience joining the 2006 Colts
  • “[Micah Parsons is] essentially like the bodyguard...the biggest dude, the baddest dude on the block...” (13:02)
• Comparing Parsons’s impact to Reggie White’s legendary arrival in Green Bay.

Preview: Packers vs. Commanders

• Rosenberg, a Commanders fan, refuses to believe Jaden Daniels will get “shut down.”
• Booger breaks down team “paths to victory”—Packers have more ways to win, while Washington needs everything to go right (15:18–17:28).

Chiefs Early Season Vulnerability

• Chargers’ unexpected victory over Chiefs a sign of changing dynamics.
• Booger points to “attention to detail” slipping with long-term winners:
  • “...When you’ve been so successful…the little things start to creep in.” (17:49–19:43)

3. “The List”: TV Stars Who Became Movie Megastars (24:48–37:33+)

Choosing the List and Debating the Ranks

• Inspired by the debut of Welcome Back, Kotter (which launched John Travolta), the guys tackle the Top 5 Movie Stars who got their start as TV stars (excluding SNL/variety/in-living-color types, focusing on scripted shows where they were regulars).

Top 5 List (in rank order)

1. Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies → film superstar)
   • “Tom Hanks, number one always.” (34:00, Rosenberg)
2. Will Smith (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air → box office giant)
   • “Will Smith, if it’s stardom, he’s two. Hanks, then Smith in stardom.” (34:54, Rosenberg)
3. Robin Williams (Mork & Mindy → movie legend)
   • “Robin Williams stayed…a huge, famous, beloved guy. But he wasn’t…a summer blockbuster [star].” (35:22, Rosenberg)
4. John Travolta (Welcome Back, Kotter → film icon, comeback with Pulp Fiction)
5. George Clooney (ER → leading man fame)

Honorable Mentions

• Bruce Willis (Moonlighting)
• Jennifer Aniston (Friends, “but not a blockbuster movie star at the same level”)
• Denzel Washington (St. Elsewhere, but TV fame less pronounced than others; debate over whether he belongs in top 5)
• Michael J. Fox (Family Ties, Back to the Future, but “missed playoffs by a game” due to depth of others’ movie careers)

Listener Contributions & Further Debates

• Woody Harrelson (Cheers); Steve Carell (The Office); John Krasinski (The Office)
• Comparing show impact: Mork & Mindy #3 show in the nation at peak, Fresh Prince highest was #16 (“Mork & Mindy was a monster.” – 48:22)
• The challenge of removing anyone from the list for honorable mentions: “Who are you taking out?” (various moments)

Notable Quotes

• “Are you okay now with Michael J. Fox not being [on the list]?” (29:59, Host)
• “You could do another one—came from variety shows: biggest stars.” (32:50, Rosenberg)
• “This is one of the great lists ever.” (36:41, Rosenberg on the final selection)

Meta-fun:

• The guys consider spinning the list into its own podcast/book.
• “The List as a podcast—a spin-off from the show!” (37:17, Don Hahn)

4. TV Nostalgia, Mispronunciations, and Personal Stories (39:18–51:12)

• Theme songs: Reminiscing about Welcome Back, Kotter and its unforgettable theme.
  • “...Give me somebody that doesn’t know this song or can’t even sing at least the beginning…” (39:19)
• Childhood misunderstandings: Fun exchanges about thinking Welcome Back, Kotter was a spinoff, or mispronouncing “spatula” as “spatuler” and “wheelbarrow” as “wheelbarrel.”
  • “I was saying wheelbarrel until two weeks ago.” (42:03, Rosenberg)
• Hip-hop lyrics realization: Rosenberg, embarrassingly late to the meaning of a classic Phife Dawg line:
  • “‘I never let a statue tell me how nice I am’—I did not process what that meant until this week.” (41:52)
• Correcting English: The hazards of “irregardless,” “supposably” etc. (“Irregardless actually means the opposite of regardless.” – 45:19)
• Classic sitcoms: Alice, Mel’s Diner, and what makes a TV show linger in culture (and in reruns).

5. More Audience List Additions

• Calls and texts suggest Woody Harrelson, John Krasinski, Steve Carell. Honorable awareness but not enough to crack the top-5 due to blockbuster status.
• Listener input drives home generational differences in TV and movie stardom.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On making hard coaching choices in the NFL:
  • “If I’m Brian Daboll, and I’m trying to protect my wife and six kids...why am I going to sabotage my own self?” (05:58, Booger McFarland)
• On big defensive additions in football:
  • “If I walk on the field and I walk next to my bodyguard, I feel a lot better than when I walk alone. So Micah [Parsons] is essentially like the bodyguard…” (13:02, Booger McFarland)
• On childhood TV confusion:
  • “I asked my father what was the original show? Was there a show called Cotter, and now he’s back?” (39:47, Don Hahn)
• On everyday mispronunciations:
  • “I was saying wheelbarrel until two weeks ago.” (42:03, Rosenberg)
• On “The List”
  • “This is one of the great lists ever.” (36:41, Rosenberg)
  • “Michael J. Fox…missed the playoffs by a game.” (30:16, Don Hahn)
  • “You could do an hour on this easy.” (37:12, Host)

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• [00:43–14:20]: Booger McFarland on Jets & Giants Week 1, NFL culture shifts, and QB decision-making
• [12:25–19:43]: Booger weighs in on Packers/Parsons, Commanders/Packers preview, the Chiefs/Chargers dynamic
• [24:48–37:33]: “The List”: Top 5 movie stars from TV, debates, honorable mentions, and listener input
• [39:18–51:12]: Banter on TV themes, mispronunciations, classic shows, funny childhood misunderstandings
• Several segments include quick pivots or cross-talk between topics, maintaining the signature playful tone.

Tone & Style

• Knowledgeable but conversational, equal parts sports radio and barbershop banter.
• Rosenberg plays the part of impassioned fan and pop-culture jokester. Hahn offers structure, historical context, and dry humor.
• Booger McFarland brings honest, player/coach-level insight—often connecting football principles with real life (“You become what you repeatedly do”).

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode delivers deep-dive New York football talk (with fresh, behind-the-scenes perspectives from Booger McFarland) and a classic, culture-rich “List” segment loaded with debate, pop-culture nostalgia, and the kind of sidebars and personal stories that make Don, Hahn, & Rosenberg a fun, relatable break from the day. Even non-sports fans will appreciate the passionate movie/TV list and stories about misheard words and childhood confusion.

Best for:

• NY sports fans (especially Jets/Giants faithful seeking smart, candid commentary)
• NFL fans interested in larger league trends
• Pop culture buffs who love “best of” debates
• Anyone who enjoys radio where hosts bring both knowledge and personality

Skip to ~24:45 for “The List” if you’re here for pop culture, or start at the beginning for the full football breakdown and banter with Booger McFarland.