TBTL #4648: “Waiting For Brunot”
Date: January 23, 2026
Host(s): Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh
Guests: Lindy West & Megan Hatcher-Mays (Text Me Back podcast)
Episode Overview
This Friday's TBTL is a special crossover episode with Lindy West and Megan Hatcher-Mays from the “Text Me Back” podcast. The show, filled with friendly banter and comedic digressions, focuses on podcasting origins, pop culture rabbit holes, politics in podcasting, sports fandom, personal anecdotes, and an extended “Hat Talk” segment. Listeners are treated to lively discussions on internet memes, public figures’ personas, influencer culture, and a comedic debate about parking garages and podcast collaborations. The original, irreverent tone of both TBTL and Text Me Back is maintained throughout.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Joy of Crossover Episodes
- [01:33] Luke and Andrew celebrate another collaboration with Lindy and Megan, crediting genuine friendship and shared sensibilities for the episode's vibe.
- Andrew: "I just really ... after we recorded this, I just was feeling like, God, what a fun hang ... I think that translates."
- Luke: "There are not a bunch of other shows that we actually think we have that much ... synergy with ... so it is really, it's been really fun to get to do this with them."
- Reflection on the rarity and organic nature of truly successful podcast crossovers.
2. Podcasting, Politics, and Escape
- [15:55] Megan & Lindy talk about the challenge of balancing political content and escapism in “Text Me Back.”
- Megan: "The reason our show exists is to try to, like, keep everybody alive through this crisis and make sure everyone's in the right headspace to fight back—not to ignore that this stuff is going on."
- The plan for a “Swamp Person” vertical to isolate deeper political dives, inspired in part by TBTL’s “No Point Conversion” for sports.
3. Sports Fandom, Rituals & Regrets
- [19:19] Megan laments missing the NFC Championship as a fan, after Lindy, uninterested, passed up a ticket from Luke—who shares the storied guest list and aftermath.
- Megan: "I feel like the decisions I make on game day affect the outcome of the game ... am I paying attention too much? ... That will also potentially negatively impact the game."
- Andrew relates to the emotional complexity of sports fandom, revealing his routine and superstitions.
4. Shoes-Off House Social Dynamics
- [35:02] The crew explores the etiquette of shoes-on vs. shoes-off at parties and the anxiety it induces, especially for Andrew.
- Andrew: "I just feel like, well, listen, it might not make you like me anymore, but ... I’m not really comfortable in that situation."
- Discussion opens up about regional expectations, “Beach Blanket Bingo” scenarios, and strategizing around party invites.
5. Tidings & Curmudgeon Laureates
- [36:20] Megan channels Andy Rooney in a comedic rant about convoluted parking garages and QR code woes.
- Megan: "In what way is that an improvement over the gate and the ticket system? This was the worst of both worlds ... bring back the gate and the tick..."
- Lindy nominates herself as America’s next Willard Scott, championing the missing tradition of celebrating centenarians.
6. Advertising Royalty & Jingles
- [49:29] Lindy reveals her father wrote the famous Bartles and Jaymes commercials and several Seattle jingles.
- Lindy: "My father was an ad copywriter and he wrote ... those Bartles and James commercials ... I believe he came up with the slogan for Washington Mutual, a friend of the family."
7. Internet Memes & Public Persona Redemptions: Rob Lowe & Billy Bob Thornton
A) Rob Lowe’s “NFL Hat”
- [67:28; 71:01; 74:46] The infamous photo of Rob Lowe wearing a generic “NFL” hat is dissected.
- [71:01] Megan: "To me, like, what you described about this NFL hat is like somebody who doesn't really believe in anything, and it kind of gives the vibe of ‘I guess I just hope everyone has a nice time’.”
- The story: Rob Lowe only wore the hat because game organizers gave him odd options, showing more awareness and humor than the internet meme suggested.
- [74:28] Megan: "He’s like, I’ll sign the inside, but I don’t want it to be on the outside. That would ruin the hat."
- Internet redemptions and reconsiderations abound.
B) Billy Bob Thornton’s Pirate Hat
- [76:25; 81:30] A CBS This Morning segment devolves into an analysis of Billy Bob’s layered, eccentric hat look, with both suspicion and admiration for his self-awareness.
- Lindy: "I just feel like this man is, is pickled in showbiz and so he does whatever he wants and he thinks that whatever he does is a great idea." [90:59]
- Andrew: "He is an actor and he knows that he can win us over by acting like somebody who's not an asshole ... I think he was ready to talk about his fit." [85:04]
- Is his self-deprecation genuine or another performance?
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Andrew (on podcast synergy): "It's not just about growing audiences—it's about having a fun time." [09:48]
- Luke (on Lindy & Lindy's father): "My dad wanted to get in the back page of Sign Maker magazine ... I would have been so geeked if I were you." [51:26]
- Megan (Andy Rooney-style): "Seems like we should have just kept the ticket system." [43:38]
- Lindy (on centenarian updates): "I knew every old person in this country when I was a kid, yes, I could name them all like they were Pokemon and now ... I have no clue what they're getting up to." [48:16]
- Luke (on influencer culture): "Lindy, are you filming all of your influencer videos, posts, whatever, either sitting in your car or eating a bag of something?" [62:15]
- Lindy (on Billy Bob Thornton): "If it makes you look pinhead, what do you like about it? Sounds like you don't like it if you immediately have to cover it..." [92:04]
- Megan (on hats): "You don't go onto a morning show wearing a wool scarf as an ascot and ... a durag underneath a red velvet Dave Navarro hat from Ink Master and then ... take yourself too seriously." [89:30]
Important Timestamps
- 03:28 – Introduction of “Text Me Back” and Garfield High connections.
- 09:11 – Reflection on crossover podcast dynamics.
- 15:55 – Discussion on isolating politics in “Swamp Person."
- 19:19 – Megan’s memory of missing NFC ticket and emotional sports watching.
- 35:02 – Shoes-on vs. shoes-off house party debate.
- 36:20 – Megan’s parking garage rant as “Mandy Rooney.”
- 49:29 – Lindy’s advertising royalty & jingles.
- 67:28 – Transition into “Hats Entertainment,” Rob Lowe’s “NFL hat.”
- 74:46 – Rob Lowe meme discussion and redemption.
- 76:25 – Billy Bob Thornton’s hat and persona.
- 81:30 – CBS This Morning segment about Billy Bob’s style.
- 85:04 – Andrew’s skepticism of Billy Bob’s charm as calculated.
- 90:59 – Lindy’s “pickled in showbiz” analysis.
Other Highlights
- Megan exposes the annoying reality of app-based parking systems.
- The origin of “Text Me Back” is chronicled—a friendship that survived slow replies.
- Lindy announces her new book, Adult Braces, discusses influencer pressures, and teases casting choices for a possible adaptation.
- Everyone tries on hats to commemorate the “Hats Entertainment” segment.
- Multiple callbacks to classic ads, regional jingles, and celebrity crossovers.
Episode Tone
Consistently playful, self-deprecating, and irreverent. Spirited tangents and in-jokes abound. The hosts keep a loose structure but return to key themes with well-timed comedic and pop culture references.
Conclusion
A classic, highly referential, crossover hangout episode—perfect for both TBTL and Text Me Back fans. Listeners are left with new perspectives on meme formation and reversal, the intersection of authenticity and performance in media, and the delightfully mundane details of everyday irritations—all filtered through the powerhouse chemistry of four friends who love to riff.