Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2 Podcast Summary

Date: January 29, 2026
Hosts: Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Shannon, Mario
Main Theme:
A lively, wide-ranging hour covering Kentucky sports radio’s ratings success, Hallmark movies filmed in Kentucky, local events, UK memorabilia, and UK sports news. The episode delivers heartfelt, humorous, and insightful takes on Kentucky culture and the ever-entertaining world of UK fandom.

Episode Overview

Hour 2 of KSR finds Matt Jones and crew at KS Bar and Grill on a cold, happy Kentucky day. Largely focused on Kentucky’s place in pop culture—from Hallmark movies and local events to sports traditions and team legacy—the conversation is sprinkled with ratings-driven pride, lighthearted banter about memorabilia, and a dash of sports updates, all flavored with classic KSR humor and audience interaction.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. KSR Ratings & The Power of "Hate-Listening"

• KSR achieves massive ratings ("a 40 in a ratings demographic")
  • Matt attributes part of their success to “hate listeners” from rival fans (Louisville, Arkansas, Tennessee) and people frustrated by off-topic discussions:
    • "Oh, I would say a good 15 to 20% of the audience of this show hate listens." (03:05)
    • "No haters are part of it. That's the old Howard Stern line, you know? If they like you, they listen. But if they hate you, they listen twice as much." (03:41)
• The crew laughs about how demands to “stick to sports” don’t hurt ratings.

2. Kentucky Emerges as a Hallmark Movie Capital

• Discussion about Hallmark movies being filmed in Kentucky:
  • Newest: "Derby Love” (or “Kentucky Roses”) filmed around Oldham, Bullet, and Jefferson counties.
  • Matt shares an amusing anecdote about a friend who appears in every Kentucky Hallmark production (04:46).
  • Reasons for the movie influx:
    • Tax breaks
    • Experienced local crews
    • Residents renting out homes for shoots
  • _"Apparently, like, half of all the [Hallmark] movies that are on the Hallmark channel are shot here." (Matt, 06:07)
  • Notable reference to DJ from Full House (Candace Cameron) being a Hallmark mainstay (07:15).
  • Upcoming productions: "Happy Holly Day" (about Holly Day and her neighbor Carol) and mentions of filming in Henderson and Owensboro (13:01 & 13:30).
• Quote:
  • "Kentucky is the center of the movie universe." (Matt, 13:33)

3. Lexington’s "Hot Dog Hop"

• First annual hot dog bar crawl for college students:
  • 11 participating restaurants, participants wear hot dog costumes and attempt to eat 11 hot dogs (07:45–09:02).
  • Crew jokes about Ryan Lemond's perfect fit for the event and costume insulation for the cold:
    • “Put a hot dog costume on and I’m in!" (Ryan, 08:41)
    • "Maybe it’s an insulated costume.” (Ryan, 08:51)

4. Breaking College Sports News: Alabama Case Recusal

• A judge, donor to Alabama, recuses himself from a case involving an Alabama basketball player after being questioned for impartiality (09:02–10:28).
  • Matt admits surprise, Ryan praises the decision:
    • “That’s the right move. I didn’t know he was gonna be able to do this, but… you have to do the right thing and recuse yourself.” (Ryan, 09:30)
  • The team speculates the player will likely play in the NCAA tournament regardless.

5. Kentucky Collectibles & Sports Memorabilia

• Listeners call in to share their weird UK collectibles:
  • Notable item: A “very blessed” anatomically correct stuffed blue UK frog (14:00–15:36, 25:40–26:31)
  • Reaction:
    • "I had an idea in my mind. It is much worse…Who made this?” (Matt, 26:31–26:39)
  • The crew exchanges stories about other memorabilia including UK chili, coloring books, RC and Coke bottles, and nostalgic pillowcases.
    • "If you want to make some money, put the UK logo on random weird things. Underwear. The weirder the better." (Matt and crew, 15:07–15:18, 15:41)
  • Fans and the show revel in the unique, sometimes bizarre, culture of Kentucky sports keepsakes.

6. Upcoming Events & Sports Talk

• Discussion of CBS Classic basketball scheduling:
  • St. John’s replaced by Kansas—UK will face Kansas twice in three years (22:24–23:17)
    • “Do you like that? Kansas almost becoming an annual opponent.” (Matt, 22:50)
    • General preference for more home and home games, not neutral sites.
  • Wishful suggestions to swap Ohio State out for other programs.

7. Audience Calls & Community

• Several listeners call in with congratulations, memorabilia stories, and questions about attending games or UK team loyalty (13:40–14:31, 27:14–28:10, 38:08–39:41).
  • One fan describes taking his 90s UK pillowcase around the world as a treasured keepsake.
  • Another asks, “If you could pick one—UK, Reds, or Hurricanes championship?" Matt: “I’d still choose a Kentucky national title. It brings me more personal joy.” (27:48)

8. Interviews & Super Bowl Coverage Gimmick

• Upcoming Super Bowl guest lineup: Terrell Davis, Mike Golic Sr., Sean Alexander, Christian McCaffrey, and Bustin’ With the Boys hosts (32:18–36:32)
• Matt plans a recurring joke—telling each celebrity: “Ryan Lemond says hello” and recording the reactions:
  • "You’ve just given me the best gimmick for the show. You just made my Super Bowl coverage—Ryan Lemond says hello." (Matt, 37:42)

9. Stoops’ Legacy and Return?

• Debating if former coach Mark Stoops would get a standing ovation if honored at Kroger Field next season:
  • Matt: “I honestly think he would get a standing ovation at Kroger Field next year. I don’t think they’ll do it, but I bet he would.” (40:00)
    • Consensus: Some fans may still be bitter, but time will heal most wounds.

10. Kentucky Weather Marketing

• “Bomb cyclone” is the new weather buzzword, alongside “frost quake” (29:13–29:46)
  • Matt: “Bomb cyclone, though. Sounds scary. Those are two words I don’t want to be near.” (29:46)

Notable Quotes & Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• On hate-listening:
  “If they like you, they listen. But if they hate you, they listen twice as much.” (Matt Jones, 03:41)
• On Kentucky’s film industry:
  "Apparently, like half of all the movies that are on the Hallmark channel are shot here." (Matt Jones, 06:07)
• On Kentucky memorabilia:
  "We have our winner. Nothing is going to beat this. Would you agree? I had an idea in my mind. It is much worse." (Matt Jones on the UK frog, 26:31)
• On Stoops’ legacy:
  “I think he would get a standing ovation at Kroger Field next year. I don’t think they’ll do it, but I bet he would.” (Matt Jones, 40:00)
• On upcoming Super Bowl interviews:
  "You’ve just given me the best gimmick for the show…Ryan Lemond says hello." (Matt Jones, 37:42)

Highlighted Segments by Timestamp

• 03:05–03:53: Ratings fun and “hate-listening” rationale
• 04:03–06:17: Deep dive into Hallmark movies shot in Kentucky
• 07:45–09:02: Lexington’s Hot Dog Hop event breakdown
• 14:00–16:06; 25:40–27:04: UK memorabilia hotline; the infamous “blessed frog”
• 22:24–24:28: CBS Classic and basketball scheduling shakeup
• 32:18–37:49: Preview of guest interviews and “Ryan Lemond says hello” gimmick
• 39:45–41:37: On Stoops’ possible return ovation
• 29:13–29:52: “Bomb cyclone” enters Kentucky weather lingo

Tone & Style

KSR delivers on its reputation: fast-moving, self-aware, and loaded with Kentucky-specific inside jokes. The show flows with genuine camaraderie, wit, and plenty of off-beat cultural observations—making it as much about the larger Kentucky community as it is about sports.

In Summary

This episode is a microcosm of KSR’s winning formula—equal parts irreverent fun, unique local insight, and an open phone line connecting Kentucky’s passionate (and creative) fanbase. Whether discussing movies, sports, or memorabilia oddities, the hosts keep things engaging and personal, offering plenty for the UK faithful, casual fans, and even the “hate listeners.”