Soder Podcast - Episode 120: No Rings with Shaun Murphy
Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Dan Soder
Guest: Shaun Murphy
Episode Overview
In this vibrant episode, comedian Dan Soder welcomes fellow comic and Buffalo native Shaun Murphy for a lively, comedic deep-dive into the emotional rituals, tribal insanity, and dark humor of underdog sports fandom—especially as it relates to their shared experiences as long-suffering fans of teams like the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers. Their conversation ranges from the psychology of rooting for perennial losers, resentment toward dynasties, and how sports mirror politics, to the pitfalls of modern stand-up and the ways AI creeps into daily life. They digress into fast food, regional rivalries, stand-up shop talk, and what makes a "real" comedy nerd. The episode is a blend of personal anecdotes, social commentary, and gleeful trash-talking.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Sports Fandom, Resentment, and Trauma
[02:32-09:16]
- Sports Fandom as a Locus for Negativity:
Soder and Murphy joke about how rooting for sports teams becomes a safe outlet for their "mental illness," allowing them to vent hatred and disappointment in socially acceptable ways. - Buffalo vs. Boston Hate:
- Murphy explains his irrational hatred for Boston sports:
“The amount of hate I have for Boston sports makes me mentally ill.” — Shaun Murphy [04:18] - Murphy recounts an Instagram reel showing how Boston has disproportionately beaten Buffalo, fueling generations of resentment.
- Murphy explains his irrational hatred for Boston sports:
- Generational Jealousy in Fandom:
They note that older fans, who "suffered through the lean years," resent younger fans who only know winning dynasties. - Buffalo’s Heartbreak:
Murphy explains why he can't even watch recent Super Bowls because "Buffalo never wins" and his preference that “first-timer” fan bases get to experience championships.
2. Sports Economics and Society
[09:16-10:14]
- Dodgers and Billionaires:
The guys argue that teams like the Dodgers "buy" their titles, relating the lack of a baseball salary cap to broader economic inequality.
“If you're arguing for billionaires, you're a bootlicker.” — Dan Soder [09:28] - Sports as a Mirror of Society:
Soder draws parallels between sports economics and the "1%" problem in America.
3. Friendships and Talking Sports in Comedy
[10:46-12:12 | 23:33-28:30]
- Text Chains & Friendly Trash Talk:
Soder fondly describes the nitty-gritty of sports banter among his comic friends and how it enhances their relationships. - The Haunted Sadness of Buffalo Fans:
Soder, as an outsider, notes that Bills fans are "not just sad, they're haunted" by decades of failure.
“It's not sadness. Motherfuckers are haunted.” — Dan Soder [24:39]
4. The Commodification of Comedy & The Internet
[59:09-62:33]
- Changing Comedy Culture:
They mourn the shift from craft-focused stand-up camaraderie to follower counts, social media strategy, and the hustle for ticket sales.
“A lot of comedians right now aren't fans of comedy—they're fans of money.” — Dan Soder [59:26] - 3D Printer Comics:
Soder compares “hacky” comics to poorly constructed, 3D-printed guns—cheap and easy, but lacking the artistry and durability of the real thing.
5. AI, Technology, and the Trouble with Deepfakes
[49:31-58:03]
- AI in Everyday Life:
The comics express alarm at how easily AI can produce convincing (if fake) images and videos, making it harder to trust reality.- “Dude, I'm glad my dad and sister died before there were recordings of them around, because I couldn't handle seeing AI-generated images.” — Dan Soder [52:07]
- The Dark Side of Tech:
They joke about the perverse and disturbing ways AI tech is/is being used, lamenting the loss of genuine experience and artistry.
6. Regional Foods, Fast Food Debates, and Dad Jokes
[15:00-17:03 | 20:16-22:00 | 43:45-47:44]
- Garbage Plates and Buffalo Wings:
A loving, rambling examination of upstate New York comfort food culture—garbage plates, blue cheese vs. ranch, wing preferences.- Soder marvels: “A garbage plate is the opposite of a Mediterranean diet.” [17:01]
- Papa John’s, Pizza Orders & Cheesy Dips:
Soder and Murphy bicker over what belongs on pizza ("pineapple is coming out of the closet in Buffalo") and swap stories about greasy favorites and regional snobbery.
7. The Documentarization (and Sanitization) of Sports and Comedy
[29:48-36:53]
- Discontent with Modern Sports Docs:
Both find that contemporary docs are increasingly sanitized, acting as puff pieces for the subjects due to excessive control, rather than revealing new truths.- “They're just 90 minutes of PR for you.” — Shaun Murphy [36:07]
- Murphy's Thoughts:
Murphy wishes documentaries would include the “bad” and messy details, not just triumphant narratives.
8. Comedy Shop Talk: Influence, Joke Theft, and Taking Accountability
[71:42-75:11]
- Influence vs. Stealing:
The comics agree it's normal and healthy to be influenced by older comedians ("It's like growing up listening to the Stones") but stress the line between that and outright theft. - On Being Accused:
Soder and Murphy discuss their approaches to overlap in material and how comics tend to self-regulate. - The Need for Accountability:
Soder: “Everything we’re talking about now is just people not accepting accountability.” [73:10]
9. Comedy as Personal Growth
[64:49-66:29]
- Connection with Audiences:
Both express gratitude for audiences ("I love these people who come out") and encourage others to mature past taking offense to indifference or dislike toward their acts.
10. The Sportification of Politics
[27:38-30:25]
- The hosts reflect on how politics have adopted the tribal, us-vs-them mentality of sports, to the detriment of reasoned discourse.
- “We've sportified politics—our side is right, your side is wrong.” — Dan Soder [27:49]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Boston vs. Buffalo (Sports Hate):
"The amount of hate I have for Boston sports is like, makes me mentally ill... I'm trying to work on it because I think I have a problem."
— Shaun Murphy [04:18] -
On Buying Championships (Dodgers/MLB):
“They paid more to their sixth batter in the lineup than the star of the Mets.”
— Dan Soder [07:00s] -
On Sports Providing an Emotional Outlet:
“That's where you're supposed to get out the mental illness. Not to your neighbor.”
— Sean Murphy [04:08] -
On Fan Bases That Never Win:
“I only care about fan bases winning for the first time... It's too heartbreaking.”
— Shaun Murphy [07:04] -
On Political Tribalism:
“We've sportified politics… It's not sports.”
— Dan Soder [27:38] -
On Modern Comedians:
“There's a lot of people doing comedy right now who aren't fans of comedy—they're fans of money, they're fans of selling tickets…”
— Dan Soder [59:26] -
On Influences in Comedy:
"It's okay to be influenced by somebody... That's a great, great compliment."
— Dan Soder [72:59] -
On Accepting Audience Reactions:
“No one's 100 on anything... They just don't like your act and that's fine.”
— Dan Soder [66:27] -
On AI and Deepfakes:
"I'm glad my dad and sister died before there were recordings of them around, because I couldn't handle seeing AI-generated images."
— Dan Soder [52:07]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [02:32] – The power and pain of sports fandom; wearing team merchandise; old rivalries.
- [04:18] – Murphy’s mental illness-level hatred of Boston.
- [07:04] – On why Murphy roots for fan bases who’ve never won.
- [09:16] – Discussion on MLB, the economics of sports, and billionaire teams.
- [23:44] – The joys and pitfalls of trash-talking with comic friends.
- [24:39] – Soder on the doomed psyche of Bills fans.
- [27:38] – The dangerous sportification of American politics.
- [29:48] – Frustration with sanitized, PR-heavy sports documentaries.
- [36:07] – Murphy hates docs that are “just 90 minutes of PR.”
- [49:31] – The terrifying realism of AI fake videos.
- [59:26] – On the rise of “3D printer” comics and social media over craft.
- [64:49] – Why Soder doesn’t do paid meet-and-greets.
- [66:27] – Accepting that not every audience will like your act.
- [71:42] – Influence versus theft in stand-up comedy.
Episode Links & Recommendations
-
Shaun Murphy’s New Special:
Long Story Thin — available free on YouTube.
[Direct Link beneath podcast video] -
Tour Dates:
Dan Soder and Shaun Murphy’s upcoming gigs (Buffalo, Orlando, Tampa, etc.) — check dansoder.com for details.
Tone & Style
- The conversation is loose, irreverent, rapid-fire, and warm. Both hosts are self-deprecating and don’t shy away from vulnerability.
- Blunt language and playful roasting are plentiful.
- There's an undercurrent of affection for fandom, comedy as a craft, and the camaraderie they share.
For Non-Listeners: What You’ll Get
This episode is a must for anyone who geeks out over comedy, sports heartbreak, or the intersection of culture, media, and personal identity. Soder and Murphy deliver an audio hang-out that meanders warmly through insults, insights, and nostalgia, constantly looping back to what it means to care too much about things that (maybe) shouldn’t matter—while finding meaning and belonging there anyway.
Skip if you want: Technical analysis, interviews with sports personalities, or detailed social critique—the episode is about the feeling and culture of fandom and comedy, not hard stats or policy.
Final Note:
For fans of honest, inside-baseball comedy conversations infused with just the right amount of sports and existential dread, Episode 120 is the platonic ideal. And yes, you’ll laugh, probably a lot.