Sunday Papers – ReRun Episode from May 2024 | Greg Fitzsimmons
Release Date: May 10, 2026
Hosts: Greg Fitzsimmons and Mike Gibbons
Episode Overview
In this rerun episode, Greg Fitzsimmons and Mike Gibbons deliver their trademark satirical news roundup, riffing on the week’s headlines, pop culture, and their own misadventures. This episode is especially roast-heavy, as Mike shares behind-the-scenes stories from the recent Tom Brady roast, for which he was part of the writing team. The hosts also tackle stories about the Boy Scouts rebranding, quirky animal news, and feature their usual roast of the Sunday Funnies.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Tom Brady Roast: Writer’s Room Confidential
Timestamps: 01:55 – 21:00
- Mike Gibbons’ Involvement
- Mike shares his experience working on the Tom Brady roast, discussing the writing process, celebrity participation, and challenges (02:24).
- “I was standing next to Belichick in the dressing room watching the first three quarters. There were far too many homophobic jokes, but, you know, that’s football culture — locker room. I would have cut down.” – Mike (02:24)
- Gronkowski’s wild antics highlighted, including his insistence on performing his own joke and turning up after partying in the Bahamas (03:20, 07:12).
- "Can you do something about my shoes? ... Maybe blow-dry them or something. I was drinking out of them all night." – Gronkowski story via Mike (08:02)
- Writing Standouts
- Mike reveals involvement in crafting Tom Brady and Kim Kardashian jokes (04:32–05:08).
- Favorite self-penned line: “Tom's Kim Kardashian joke about how she's terrified to be there because her kids are with their dad.”
- Insights on Netflix’s edit decisions, specifically cutting audience booing of Kardashian and the behind-the-scenes PR about it (05:15–05:41).
- Mike describes Brady’s methodical approach, down to voice direction in the script: “He would put in parentheses the type of voice he should use... It really helped him.” (12:16)
- Notable Unused Jokes and Celebrity Writer Interactions
- The panel wrote for big names (e.g., Schwarzenegger, Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy). Many jokes were unused, but highlights are shared later in the show (49:53–51:46).
- Mike's admiration for Tom Brady’s literalism and commitment: “The greatest quarterback ever is asking me how to say ‘game time?’” (12:53)
- Footnotes on Gronkowski’s legendary energy and comedic timing, and Ben Affleck’s participation.
2. Roasts, Comedy, and Celebrity Encounters
Timestamps: 16:21 – 19:51
- Will Ferrell, Post-Roast Golf & Hollywood Mingling
- Greg recounts being tongue-tied when meeting Will Ferrell at a golf tournament, leading to an awkward but memorable follow-up (“I want you to take really good care of yourself.” – Will Ferrell, 18:21).
- Dinner with Bill Burr, Charlie Day, and Nate Bargatze, plus Hollywood anecdotes.
3. Race Day: Celebrity 5K Run
Timestamps: 19:13 – 20:37
- Greg runs a Netflix-promoted 5K, which is mostly a promotional event for Tom and Bert’s vodka.
- “Bert actually ran it twice… his film crew ran him over in a golf cart… ripped his shoe off and he fell down.” (19:25)
4. The Boy Scouts Rebrand & “Woke” Culture
Timestamps: 33:11 – 35:26
- News recapped: Boy Scouts changing name to Scouting America to indicate inclusivity.
- Greg and Mike riff on cultural backlash and offer sharp, irreverent commentary on the organization's troubled past:
- “It’s not woke. They’re rebranding because it’s a pedophile ring.” – Mike (34:01)
- “Girls are not scouts. They’re cookie salesmen… Boy Scouts are soldiers. Rwanda, Somalia, Yemen. They got boy soldiers. They’re beasts.” – Greg (34:08)
5. Quirky News Stories
Timestamps: 37:58 – 46:39
Amazon Cat Stowaway
- Family cat accidentally shipped in an Amazon return box, survives 6 days and is found in California.
- “The cat immediately walked across the room and ignored them.” – Greg (39:19)
- “If you have cats and you just heard this story and you’re leaving for a weekend, you don’t have to do anything… just put it in a box.” – Mike (39:33)
Michigan Mom Wakes from Five-Year Coma
- Reflections on waking up in a changed world, with quips about pronouns and missed events (41:46–44:58).
- “Imagine catching her up to AI: ‘Wait, what? That was a movie by Spielberg!’” – Mike (42:24)
- “My pronouns are here and present.” – Greg (45:09)
Teens Win Lawsuit for Being Falsely Accused of Blackface
- True story: acne mask mistaken for blackface; students awarded $1M.
- “Green face sounds like an Irish slur.” – Mike (43:27)
- Extended riffing on solidarity, acne, and overreactions.
Mannequins & Carpool Lanes
- LA man busted for using mannequin as an HOV passenger—Mike self-identifies as a repeat offender (45:14–47:16).
- “Pretended to be in an animated argument with my mannequin…” – Mike (46:38)
6. Entertainment Industry Chatter & Joke Readings
Timestamps: 47:28–53:03
Tom Brady Roast – Unused Jokes Rundown
- Mike shares some un-aired roast material for Schwarzenegger and Ron Burgundy (49:53, 58:26).
- “We have a nickname for guys like you at the gym: Receptionist.”
- “Your dynasty was not without scandal… Not talking about that one [Aaron Hernandez], I’m talking about when Gronk pet those rabbits to death.” (50:35)
- Banter about writing for celebrities and who delivers/edits jokes best (Kim Kardashian, Randy Moss, Nikki Glaser, Gronkowski).
7. Classic Sports Fan Trauma
Timestamps: 51:57–54:45
- Both hosts wax nostalgic about being lifelong (but suffering) New York sports fans: Knicks, Rangers, Jets, Yankees, including periods of bandwagon abandonment (52:27–54:26).
- “That was the last time I watched the Knicks.” – Greg (52:27)
- “One win since 1940.” – Mike on the Rangers (53:22)
8. This Day in History Quiz
Timestamps: 54:49–58:10
- Greg and Mike play a historical guessing game, riffing on the first North Pole flight, Carlin’s birthday, the release year for Exile on Main Street, the Donner Party’s journey, and more.
9. The Sunday Funnies:
Timestamps: 61:19–68:13
- Passionate, irreverent critique and reading aloud of that week’s Family Circus, Lockhorns, Hagar the Horrible, and Calvin & Hobbes panels.
- Discussion on whether they can “write a better Family Circus on the fly.”
- Launching a fan caption contest for a single-panel comic, prize promised (koozie giveaway).
- Greg reads Calvin & Hobbes #11: “I have no idea what’s going on.” – Mike, lost in cartoon logic.
- “Blondie’s wearing her classic black and whites. … This hot piece of ass, this ten, is lying to you and saying you’re handsome.” – Greg, critiquing Dagwood’s life choices (68:39)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Gronkowski's wild pre-roast:
“He comes in with big bombastic white Crocs and his dress shoes in his hand… ‘Can you do something about my shoes? Maybe blow-dry them or something. I was drinking out of them all night.’” – Mike (08:02)
- Mike on the Tom Brady roast:
“I was mostly managing and stuff like that… My favorite that I wrote was Tom’s Kim Kardashian joke…” (04:32)
- Greg on inclusive Boy Scouts:
“We don’t need half the army to be selling cookies and getting their first period. We need fucking savages.” (34:40)
- On writing for celebrities:
“We wrote for Schwarzenegger: ‘We have a nickname for guys like you at the gym: Receptionist.’” – Mike (49:53)
- Greg’s (suggested) explanation for Blondie:
“Maybe that’s what’s going on… this could be Dagwood, he fantasized about having this wife, and even in his dream, couldn’t step up…” (69:56)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Tom Brady Roast – Behind the Scenes: 01:55–21:00
- Will Ferrell & Golf Anecdotes: 16:21–19:51
- Netflix 5K Run Story: 19:13–20:37
- Boy Scouts News: 33:11–35:26
- Amazon Cat in Box: 37:58–39:38
- Teens/Acne Mask Lawsuit: 44:58–45:14
- Mannequin as HOV Passenger: 45:14–47:16
- Unused Roast Jokes Read-along: 47:28–53:03
- Sports Fan Misery: 51:57–54:45
- This Day in History Game: 54:49–58:10
- Sunday Funnies Segment: 61:19–68:13
Tone & Style
The episode is rapid-fire, irreverent, and peppered with off-color humor. The hosts trade fast, personal banter, satirizing news, pop culture, and themselves. Listener corrections are welcomed (and roasted); the funnies get extra snark; no topic is too taboo.
Summary
This Sunday Papers rerun delivers the show’s signature blend: a blend of genuine industry insight (Tom Brady roast) and go-for-broke, tongue-in-cheek humor on the week’s news and comics. Mike and Greg’s engaging chemistry keeps the pace lively, with plenty of behind-the-scenes nuggets about comedy writing, sports fandom, and what really happens at a Hollywood roast. Long-time listeners will appreciate callbacks and running jokes; newcomers get a whirlwind, community-driven tour of modern absurdity with plenty of big laughs.