Don, Hahn & Rosenberg - Hour 2: Monica McNutt & The List (March 4, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg centers on two core themes: a spirited discussion with basketball analyst Monica McNutt mainly about the meaning (or lack thereof) of NBA regular season games and a deep-dive, lighthearted tribute to the comedic legend John Candy on the anniversary of his passing. Sprinkled throughout are lively debates, friendly banter, sports nostalgia, and prominent New York sports talk—the show’s signature DNA.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. NBA Regular Season: Does It Still Matter?

w/ Monica McNutt (starts 02:03)

• The Setup:

  • Hosts debate the current apathy both from fans and even NBA coaches (e.g., Mike Brown's recent quote) about the regular season, especially for marquee matchups.
  • Don laments: "The regular season can't be this meaningless, Monica...everywhere you turn, you're being told [by players] that it doesn't matter. And it frustrates me." (02:09)

• Monica’s Perspective:

  • Defends the importance: "I do understand this...but we know [that 'regular season doesn't matter'] is not entirely true, right? You gotta get your seed, like, duh...It matters to fans, it matters to the city. I think it matters to the Knicks players." (02:50)
  • Calls out strategic preempting: "I think that's crap, though...the one thing I do enjoy about Victor Wembuyama is he's not ducking no smoke...he wants to win every game." (04:19)
  • Fans want players and coaches to care: "Y'all make a whole lot of money. Fans in the entire city want to know you care." (05:01)

• Don & Alan’s Frustrations:

  • Don and Alan share the letdown of fans tuning in for big games, only to see stars resting, coaches not prioritizing wins, and the overall sense the regular season has become just a ramp for the playoffs.
  • Alan: "From a Knick perspective...it just is really a ramp up to 'Judgment Day.' ...None of it matters until we see the results in the spring." (06:00)

• Monica Adds Nuance:

  • "Along the way, I don’t want to hear a coach say 'it doesn't matter'...this feels like a moment that, if we don’t get to a [WNBA] season, it'll be a loss on all sides." (06:26, 12:33)

• Tangible Knicks Improvements:

  • "There is a defensive identity emerging...I’d like to see more big nights from [Karl] Anthony Towns...if you give me good three-point shooting, this defense that's rated in the top-10, and [Jalen Brunson] plays well, you've got a shot." (07:42)

• Celtics Concerns:

  • "The intangibles concern me...because they’ve been there...they have a very clear hierarchy...clarity is love and communication, and that’s what they got going on." (08:31)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Monica (on Victor Wembuyama): "He's not ducking no smoke in no press conference. He wants to win every game he goes out and it matters to him." (04:19)
• Alan: “The championship is not going to be won tonight at the Garden. But every game is an opportunity to get better or get worse.” (06:26)
• Monica: “I'd like to see more big nights from Karl Anthony Towns...But after that, like if you give me good three-point shooting, this defense that's rated in the top 10 and Jay, the plays well, like you got a shot. That's. That has been the formula.” (07:42)

II. Pop Culture Sidebar: Monica's Movie Homework

(09:14 – 11:17)

• The guys quiz Monica on whether she watched "Wayne's World" as assigned; she apologizes, explaining her “reading era” and travel commitments.

  • Monica: "When I get an opportunity to sleep, I don’t deny myself that. So I slept, then I worked out, then I ran into some friends, and I looked up and, like, the day was gone." (09:34)

• Playful banter about prioritizing leisure on road trips and the ongoing “guest disrespect” bit (“You’re the new Woody!” – after Damian Woody was similarly unresponsive to show assignments).

III. NBA Scheduling, Tanking, & Solutions

(18:22 – 20:39)

• Caller 'Dietz' from Colorado proposes radical schedule changes to revive NBA regular season interest (e.g., “West Week,” “East Week,” focusing on rookie showcase doubleheaders and marquee matchups with historical themes).

  • Alan gently shoots down the idea due to real-world arena and logistics constraints: “It should only be able to exist in a world where there’s one arena and everybody plays in it.” (19:39)
  • Don: “The problem isn’t the presentation. The problem is getting the players to care. Getting the players to play. That’s the problem.” (20:04)

• Alan points to the issue of tanking: “The bottom teams in the lottery right now are on a combined 40-game losing streak...they aren’t even trying...” (20:15)

• Discussion around incentives, secret sneaker deal bonuses for playing Madison Square Garden games, and the reality that networks only really care about ratings in the playoffs.

IV. Rapid Fire Banter: Accents, TV/Film Gaps, and Food

(22:06 – 23:57)

• Tangents on Alan’s old Long Island accent; the team teases his “Argo” reference (“High-level disgust with you for the Argo.” – Don, 23:49).
• Roasting one another for gaps in iconic movies seen (Office Space, Boys in the Hood, Cool Runnings, etc.)

V. The List: John Candy’s Top 5 Roles

(28:03 – 40:25)

Tribute Context

• March 4th marks the 32nd anniversary of John Candy’s death. The hosts offer a heartfelt, anecdote-filled ranking of their favorite John Candy performances (Don’s personal list).

The Top 5 (w/ Quotes & Discussion)

• 1. Planes, Trains & Automobiles – Del Griffith

  • “He always left an impression.” (28:43)
  • Don: “It’s a funny movie, but it’s also very pointy (poignant).” (29:56)
  • Peter: “I was blown away by the ending and had to be number one for that reason.” (29:59)

• 2. Uncle Buck – Buck Russell

  • Peter recites: “Take this quarter, go downtown and have a rat gnaw that thing off your face.” (30:47)
  • Don: “That’s his movie. He doesn’t have a lot of movies where it’s his movie. That certainly is his movie.” (30:55)

• 3. Stripes – Ox

  • Alan: “My friends call me Ox. You might have noticed I’ve got a slight weight problem...” (32:24)
  • Don: “Ox is my favorite of all his characters.” (40:25)

• 4. Spaceballs – Barf

  • “Half man, half dog. I’m my own best friend.” (35:09)
  • Alan: “He sells it so well.” (35:20)

• 5. Splash – Freddie

  • “Freddy, give your older brother a kiss...” (36:26)
  • Debate over cameos and bit roles (e.g., Home Alone, Vacation, JFK).

Honorable Mentions & Audience Feedback

• Summer Rental, The Great Outdoors, Cool Runnings (“I didn’t care for the movie,” Don, 37:49), Blues Brothers, Canadian Bacon.
• Chat outrage over omitting Cool Runnings, but Don stands by his list.
• Alan notes the “serious” but still funny role in Cool Runnings.
• Discussion of generational attachment to different Candy films.

VI. More Sports Banter and Rapid-Fire Segments

• Lou Holtz Tribute & Philosophy (47:20 – 48:50):

  • Hosts share memories from a “Lunch with a Legend” interview with Lou Holtz and discuss his maxim: “Listen to your body...If I’m tired, I go to bed. If I’m hungry, I eat.”
  • Peter pushes back: “He’s not listening to his body. He’s listening to his brain...if you’re a food addict, [that’s] not your body you’re listening to.” (48:39)

• Notre Dame Memories – Lou Holtz Era Players (50:34):

  • Don: Tim Brown. Peter: Rocket Ishmael (“His nickname was Rocket for a reason,” 51:19)
  • Discussion of Rocket’s trajectory: eschewing the NFL for the CFL due to a lucrative Argonauts offer—which connects back to John Candy, who was a team owner (54:04).

• Banter About Food Choices/App Ratings (45:49):

  • Bit about Don’s junk food chips failing health apps, played for laughs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Monica McNutt: "Y’all make a whole lot of money. Fans in the entire city want to know you care." (05:01)
• Don (on NBA apathy): "The problem is not the presentation... The problem is getting the players to care." (20:04)
• Peter (on John Candy): “He was so lovable.” (28:33)
• Alan (on Ox from Stripes): "I could watch a movie as Ox as the main character." (40:25)
• Don (on Stripes): "When they go to Germany and it dies. Just shut it off." (40:54)
• Peter (on Rocket Ishmael): "If you're a younger person and you've only heard the name, or just, just look up Rocket. Ishmael. His nickname was Rocket for a reason." (51:19)
• Alan (on generational sports nostalgia): “College football, man. Guys, I didn't always...There was a time it was dope.” (52:27, paraphrased)

Timestamps: Important Segments

• 02:03 — Monica McNutt joins & NBA regular season debate begins
• 04:19 — Monica calls out “crap” player/coach apathy quotes
• 07:42 — Monica breaks down Knicks improvements
• 09:14 — Monica’s “Wayne’s World” homework & playful guest hazing
• 18:22 — Caller Dietz's NBA schedule-revival idea
• 20:04 — Don on the real problem: player engagement
• 28:03 — John Candy tribute/list kicks off
• 37:41 — Chat outrage: No Cool Runnings on the list!
• 40:25 — Alan proclaims Ox as favorite John Candy character
• 47:20 — Lou Holtz, “listen to your body,” and the body vs. mind debate
• 50:34 — Rocket Ishmael & Notre Dame nostalgia; John Candy as Argos owner (54:04)

Tone & Style

The episode is lively, tongue-in-cheek, deep with New York and sports culture references, and refreshingly candid. There’s an ongoing friendly antagonism among the hosts—especially when discussing old movies and generational tastes. Monica McNutt brings analytical depth and energy, especially when calling out sports industry nonsense. The show fluidly mixes sports journalism, nostalgia, and humor, making it engaging whether you’re a diehard fan or a casual listener.

For New Listeners

• Expect a healthy mix: NBA analysis, pop culture silliness, deep-dives into sports history, and offbeat debates.
• You’ll leave both informed and entertained, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and authentic opinions.
• If you’re in the Venn diagram of Knicks basketball, classic sports movies, and New York sports radio culture, this hour is pure gold.