Laugh With Me – Smells Like Football SZN

Host: Jeremy Odem
Guest: Eric Larson
Date: September 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, host Jeremy Odem welcomes back recurring guest Eric Larson—a self-proclaimed fantasy football champion and noted veteran of live NFL games. The pair dive full throttle into football season: riffing on Jeremy’s latest jokes, unpacking football fandom, poking fun at generational slang, and delivering a thorough, division-by-division NFL season preview. Expect plenty of laughs, pop culture asides, and sports insight delivered with the duo’s trademark wit.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Fall Arrives… and So Does Football (03:39)

• Jeremy and Eric discuss Eric’s month-long vacation, poking fun at the idea that nobody noticed he was gone since his work now requires less people-management.
• "You just kind of weasel your way... and then nobody thinks to look for you." (Eric, 04:16)

Comedy Side Hustle: The Daytime Stripper Car Wash (04:19)

• Jeremy resurrects Eric’s tongue-in-cheek idea for a themed ‘stripper car wash’ as a daytime gig for exotic dancers.
• Debate over side hustles, tip-based gigs, and the looming ‘tipping culture’ everywhere.
• "Why do the strippers have to work night and day?... do they get to choose one or the other?" (Jeremy, 04:19)
• Eric quips about the growing gig economy and how everyone, from strippers to podcasters, hustles for tips in different ways.
• Discussion expands to recent tax law changes on tips and their impact on service jobs.

Old School vs. New Tipping Culture (08:04)

• Nostalgia about “tip discipline”—when a dollar per drink was standard—and how suggested tip percentages have inflated.
• Jeremy’s anecdote about his friend who insists on custom tipping just $1, “That’s tip discipline right there.” (Jeremy, 08:54)
• Commentary on how even retail and stadium concession workers now expect tips, echoing older complaints with a comedic twist.

Generational Slang Confusion: The ‘6, 7’ Phenomenon (10:08)

• Jeremy recounts feeling out of touch hearing teens, including his daughter’s friends, repeating “6, 7, 6, 7.”
• Research (and interrogation of family) reveals it’s a passing fad, likely borrowed from a rapper’s catchphrase—much like "no cap".
• “I look young, I should at least act young, right?” (Jeremy, 11:23)
• Self-aware dad humor as Jeremy vows to overuse “6, 7” to stay relevant.
• “I'm going to be six seven-ing all over the place.” (Jeremy, 15:15)

Football Returns: Nebraska Huskers and College Football Talk (15:37)

• The hosts riff on Nebraska’s unconventional Thursday opener, how prime-time schedules disrupt traditional ‘game day’ vibes, and the emotional whiplash Husker fans endure.
• “It didn't feel like Husker game... it was a good offseason, feels like the excitement’s there. Maybe Husker fans are getting overwhelmed with success of the offseason and then being let down again.” (Jeremy, 16:18)
• Both recount their dedication staying up for late games, “When it became obvious that we were still in the game... 100% not going to cover the spread, which was 7.” (Jeremy, 18:18)

NFL Preview: Division-by-Division Breakdown

AFC North (24:00–35:19)

• Browns: Written off as a “draft-pick hoarding, tanking team”; jokes about Joe Flacco & Shador Sanders QB battle.
• Steelers: Projected perpetual .500 team; Tomlin’s never-had-losing-season streak continues.
• Bengals: All-in on offense, defense is a question mark. Burrow’s health is the linchpin.
• Ravens: Consensus favorite for the division. "They're going to be a 12-, 13-win team. A lot of that's due to Lamar.” (Eric, 33:36)

AFC South (35:19–45:28)

• Titans: Called “the Mike Trout of the NFL—great, but irrelevant because of surroundings.” (Eric, 36:12)
• Colts: Still in a post-Luck slump, uncertain at QB. “Another thing that's been murdered is Anthony Richardson’s football career.” (Eric, 38:21)
• Jaguars: Flashes of hope, could surprise, but Jeremy and Eric are cautiously pessimistic.
• Texans: Predicted winner, mostly on strength of defense and coaching (Ryann’s influence), but not “flashy.”

AFC West (45:40–59:58)

• Raiders: Written off despite Pete Carroll’s arrival. Neither host is buying a renaissance.
• Broncos: Major improvement in defense but skepticism whether Bo Nix's development is enough. “I don't buy it. None of his teammates have gone to his birthday party.” (Jeremy, 50:28)
• Chargers: Lot of optimism, deeper offense, new running back O’Marian Hampton, “alien” Keenan Allen returning.
• Chiefs: Still top until proven otherwise. “I still think that Patrick Mahomes is a top three QB and Andy Reid is a top five play-caller.” (Eric, 58:37)

AFC East (61:57–69:55)

• Jets: Perennial disappointment. “What an awful ride to be a Jets fan.” (Eric, 61:57)
• Dolphins: Fun team, but McDaniel and Tua could both be gone if no playoff run; praised for creativity and vibe, but durability is a worry.
• Patriots: Defense will keep them competitive, but feels very “AFC South,” good-not-great. "I buy into Drake May..." (Eric, 67:15)
• Bills: Josh Allen is “field tilting.” Team is in its prime Super Bowl window.

Who Will Represent the AFC? (70:33)

• Ravens called the “safe pick” for the Super Bowl; Bills chosen by Jeremy as “due to get over that hump.”
• “As long as [Allen’s] in your offense, your offense probably going to be pretty good.” (Eric, 69:13)
• Both dismiss Texans/Jaguars as real threats; neither truly sees the Chiefs returning.
• “If the Chiefs keep getting bounces, we're going to riot...” (Jeremy, 58:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tipping:
  “Now the beer is $18, and the suggested tip line is $3.50… I have a friend, he will punch in the custom amount and give them $1. That’s tip discipline right there.” (Jeremy, 08:18)
• On Generational Slang:
  “I look young, I should at least act young, right?” (Jeremy, 11:23)
  “I'm going to be six seven-ing all over the place.” (Jeremy, 15:15)
• On the Broncos Hype:
  “I don't know if it's true or not, but I heard none of his teammates have gone to Bo Nix’s birthday party.” (Jeremy, 50:28)
• On Charger Optimism:
  “I couldn’t be more excited to have the guy back. First down, first down, first down. I don’t even know if we’ll get to second down.” (Jeremy, 54:12)
• On the Chiefs’ Dynasty:
  “I still think Patrick Mahomes is a top three quarterback and Andy Reid is a top five play-caller.” (Eric, 58:37)
• On NFL Parity:
  “There's always like six, seven teams that switch—playoff team, non-playoff team. That just always happens.” (Jeremy, 44:36)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:39 – Eric’s month-long vacation and side hustle jokes
• 04:19 – Stripper car wash social commentary and tipping economics
• 08:04 – Tipping inflation and “tip discipline” nostalgia
• 10:08 – “6, 7, 6, 7” slang and generational gap
• 15:37 – Husker football, laborious game day stories
• 24:00 – AFC North breakdown begins
• 35:19 – AFC South breakdown, Titans/Colts shade
• 45:40 – AFC West: Raiders, Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs deep dive
• 61:57 – AFC East rundown, Bills as “the Joshes”
• 70:33 – Super Bowl pick debate (Bills vs. Ravens)
• 73:45 – Teasers: Laugh With Me Animated Series & Fantasy Football Draft

Tone & Style

Jeremy and Eric’s interplay is fast, irreverent, and rooted in a blend of sports insight and real-life comedy. Their exchanges range from observational dad humor (“I’m going to be six seven-ing all over the place”) to sharp sports analysis, all with a friendly ribbing that makes listeners feel like part of their group chat.

For New Listeners

If you love football banter, nostalgia for “the way things used to be,” and the chaotic brilliance of sports fandom intersecting with dad jokes and pop culture, this episode is a must-listen—and you’re never more than five minutes from a laugh or an unexpected insight.

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