Pardon My Take — March 4, 2026

Episode: "Matthew And Brady Tkachuk, Seth MacFarlane, Duke Is Going To Win The Natty, NFL Free Agency Looms + AWL’s Remember 10 Years"

Brief Overview

In this jam-packed episode, Big Cat and PFT Commenter celebrate 10 years of Pardon My Take with their signature sports banter, sharp-witted debates, and plenty of laughs. The show features in-depth interviews with gold medal–winning hockey brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, and Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane. The hosts dive into the state of college basketball—especially the dominance of Duke—upcoming NFL free agency rumors, recent retirements, memorable sports moments, and fond reflections on the podcast’s decade-long journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Duke's College Basketball Dominance & Tournament Hype

[02:21–10:46]

• The hosts open with bold claims: "We should cancel the NCAA tournament" because Duke is so dominant.
• Big Cat piles on stats: Duke hit a “plus 40” rating in KenPom—”first time since 1999” (03:09).
• Emphasis on Duke’s defense: “Their defense is ferocious... number one nationally... this team has it all.” — Big Cat [04:00]
• Hank and PFT push back, citing stats about Duke teams choking in previous years, but Big Cat doubles down, calling this the “biggest sports story of all time” if Duke loses.

  “Duke not winning it all this year would be the most consequential sports story of all time... Not our lifetimes—of all time.” — Big Cat [07:09]

• Side debates: PFT backs Purdue or Nebraska as possible bracket busters.

College Basketball Trends & Technology

[12:03–15:54]

• Discussion on the new Big 12 “glass court,” which can change home designs at the press of a button.
• Jokes about hackers potentially displaying porn on the court, concerns about injury risks on glass floors, and intrigue over the novel technology.

NFL Free Agency, Trades, and Retirements

[17:12–34:36]

• Franchise tags: Breece Hall tagged by Jets; debate over RB value and strategy.
• David Montgomery traded to Houston for what’s essentially a fifth-rounder; Texan’s O-line strategy baffles the room.
• Bears’ shock: Center Drew Dalman retires at 27; team’s offensive line suddenly looks shaky.

  “He was about to make a shitload of money… the Bears go into the draft, and it’s like, fuck.” — Big Cat [30:08]

• Chiefs, Eagles, and others speculated to draft new QBs—Max defends backup quarterback value: “Backup quarterbacks are a very valuable position.” [23:06]
• Trade rumors: Max Crosby to Bears odds spike, triggering a conversation about the fragility and manipulation of betting markets.

  “It’s really easy for one shithead to manipulate these markets.” — PFT Commenter [24:39]

Hot Seat/Cool Throne: Highlights

[29:28–47:00]

• Hank’s Hot Seat: All golf courses not named Inverness Club, which won the 2045 US Open. The crew jokes about prime-time golf and who might be playing then (“This might be Charlie Woods’s last major.”).
• Hank’s Cool Throne: Respecting women—discusses the Atlanta Hawks honoring Magic City strip club; Luke Kornet’s critical blog post and the morality of the event spark laughs and fake banter about wings, strippers, and bachelor parties.

  “You’re officially not invited to Max’s bachelor party.” — Big Cat to Luke Kornet [42:35]

• Max details Philly’s legendary—and defunct—Wing Bowl: wings, strippers, and wild fan culture.

10 Years of PMT: AWL Memories & Reflections

[136:33–147:48]

• Listener voicemails and written memories highlight the show’s cultural footprint: from helping with depression, to relationship-breakup solace, to classic bits like “ListerQuil,” “Car Stick,” and “BarbaCuffalo.”
• The hosts wax poetic about inside jokes, legendary interviews (Joe Buck, Bill Walton, Jim Harbaugh), and the pandemic-era pivot to pop culture coverage.

  “I want someday the goal for this podcast to be a detailed article—why are grown adults screaming ‘shoot the puck’ at games?… It’s kids who listened to us when they were 12.” — Big Cat [138:18]

• Favorite episode reminiscences: cheese color arguments, Mount Rushmore debates, and Beer Olympics’ infamous deleted scenes.

Notable Interviews

The Tkachuk Brothers: Gold Medal Memories & Olympic Glory

[67:19–102:05]

• The “glow” of Olympic gold: Both brothers describe daily feelings of pride.

  “Every time I hear the national anthem, it brings me back to... standing with my brothers, seeing our flag above Canada.” — Matthew [68:12]

• Team chemistry: Compared to a bachelor party or summer camp.

  “That was the greatest three-week bachelor party of my life.” — Matthew, quoting Jack Eichel [76:27]

• Goalie Hellebuyck’s heroics: Team group chat still buzzing, ongoing reunions planned.
• Dealing with Canadian media post-win: Brady endured tough questions; the boys joke about PR strategies.
• Camaraderie: “Golden Brothers” group chat with the Hughes brothers, nightly “hot stoves” in the Olympic Village.
• On winning with 3-on-3 overtime: “They [Canada] won 4-on-4 in 2010. Nobody was complaining.” — Matthew [100:41]
• Song rotation and American swagger: “Free Bird, Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue, Dream On… all night, every time.” — Brady [93:22]
• Laugh-out-loud tale: Brady’s sleep paralysis night — “If it’s my time, it’s my time.”
• Future planning: “Hopefully we have a chance to compete in a few more [Olympics] and win a few more.” — Matthew [100:17]

Notable Quote

“We were America’s team there for a bit… whether they liked hockey or not, they were tuning in.” — Matthew Tkachuk [81:35]

Seth MacFarlane: Animation, Music, & Behind-the-Scenes Stories

[104:43–134:45]

• The grind of junket life and podcasting: “You’re like, like, 39.5” interview of the day. [105:09]
• Family Guy origins: “It just seemed normal to me… shows get canceled, go away, and then come back. I guess this happens all the time.” [108:31]
• The “rules” of animated worlds:

  “I tend to subscribe to the Muppets philosophy… It’s a frog, it’s a pig—everyone can understand them.” — Seth [107:55]

• The technical grind: Animated episodes take 10–12 months to produce.
• Frank Sinatra’s music legacy: Seth acquired unreleased arrangements to record “Lush Life”; balancing reverence and creative pressure.

  “For me, self-criticism comes with Connecticut birthright, but it pushes you harder.” [113:40]

• Managing a creative career: Family Guy as the “mothership” enabling side projects.
• Favorite influences: The Far Side’s Gary Larson—pitched him on animating single-panel comics into stories.
• Hilarious diversions: Spontaneous penis song ringtone (Monty Python), and jokes about angry letters over old Family Guy gags.
• On handling internet outrage:

  “We shouldn’t be talking to each other as much as we do... Our species is equipped for 300 people, not a million.” [130:25]

• Closing in-character: Peter Griffin on Super Bowl halftime: “Why don’t they start with the halftime show? ... I’m unconscious by the time they hit the stage.” [132:01]
• Comic moment: Seth’s advice to horny Lois fans—“Picture me, guys, if you’re hot for Lois, picture me sitting there drawing her. That’s who you’re jerking off to.” [134:24]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Duke’s Potential Loss:
  “Duke not winning it all this year would be the most consequential sports story of all time... Not our lifetimes—of all time.” — Big Cat [07:09]

• On Back-to-Back Choking:
  “They’d be a dynasty of chokers… back-to-back all-time choking losses.” — PFT Commenter [05:35]

• On the "Glass" Basketball Court:
  “Is someone gonna hack into this? Because that would be very funny... Arizona State’s playing and it’s just porn.” — Big Cat [15:00]

• On Drew Dalman’s Retirement:
  “He was about to make a shitload of money… the Bears go into the draft, and it’s like, fuck.” — Big Cat [30:08]

• On the Hot Seat:
  “You’re officially not invited to Max’s bachelor party, Luke Kornet.” — Big Cat [42:35]

• On Podcast Memories:
  “Favorite episode? The next one.” — Big Cat [147:53]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [02:21] — Opening, Duke dominance/inflated KenPom stats
• [12:03] — New Big 12 "glass court" debate & jokes
• [17:12] — NFL free agency, trades, teams' O-line woes
• [29:28] — Hot Seat/Cool Throne kicks off (golf, strippers, Magic City)
• [47:51] — PFT’s Hot Seat: Stolen Valor (Kentucky Colonel bits)
• [67:19–102:05] — Interview: Matthew & Brady Tkachuk
• [104:43–134:45] — Interview: Seth MacFarlane
• [136:33] — "AWL's Remember 10 Years" and listener memories
• [147:53] — Favorite episode reflections & wrap-up

Original Tone

• Sarcastic, high-energy, and irreverent.
• Self-deprecating humor; frequent playful jabs among hosts and guests.
• Banter segues quickly from stats to pop culture to completely absurd tangents.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode is a quintessential Pardon My Take experience—mixing genuine sports analysis, off-the-wall humor, inside jokes, and insightful interviews. You’ll get a pulse on college hoops’ biggest storyline, a primer on what’s next in the NFL, two of hockey’s finest riding their Olympic high, and a rare open interview with one of TV’s most creative minds. Plus, ten years’ worth of podcast memories and plenty of moments you’ll want to quote to your friends.

In Conclusion

• Don’t miss: The candid and hilarious insights from the Tkachuk brothers (67:19–102:05), and Seth MacFarlane’s behind-the-curtain look at animation, Family Guy, and the creative process (104:43–134:45).
• This episode stands as both a raucous celebration of sports and a heartfelt milestone for one of podcasting’s most influential shows.