TBTL Episode #4689: “Swinging On A Star”

Date: March 23, 2026
Hosts: Luke Burbank, with guest host John Sklaroff (standing in for Andrew Walsh)

Episode Overview

This episode is a quintessential slice of TBTL life: a Monday filled with playful banter, pop culture tangents, and thoughtful conversation. With Andrew vacationing in Hawaii, the show welcomes John Sklaroff, TBTL's “employee numero uno,” as cohost. Luke and John cover a wide range of topics, from college basketball and the identity of Banksy, to the joys and pitfalls of raising a puppy, family drop-ins, and, most centrally, a deeper look at the current state of the NBA and why Seattle's likely return to the league could rekindle old fan allegiances. The show’s unique blend of goofiness and low-key earnestness is on full display.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Warmup Banter – Relocation & Hotel Chair Count

[01:06]

• Luke reports in from Cocoa Beach, Florida, while Andrew, “off in Hawaii,” is replaced for the day by John, checking in from the Twin Cities.
• Humorous complaint about monotonous departures in historical movies (“Gentlemen to bed, for we leave at daybreak... never 9:30-ish!”)
• Luke is amused by the excess of five different chairs in his hotel room:

  “There are five different types of chairs in this hotel room. What are they all doing in here? This is too many chairs for one room.” – Luke [00:42]

The Mystery of Banksy Unraveled

[01:43]

• Luke refers to recent news (from last week) on Banksy’s purported identity reveal.
• Expresses disappointment at the loss of Banksy’s mystique:

  “It’s not fun to know who Banksy is. I’m learning now that I know who Banksy is.” – Luke [02:05]

Merch Talk and the Business of Podcasting

[03:55]

• The hosts joke about TBTL’s ongoing campaign to discourage merch sales.
• John: the merch isn’t a “revenue driver”—the show’s core financial support comes from the annual “Thon.”
• Playful reference to John as “Business boy,” “the number one business boy on the show.”

March Madness and The “MAGA Coded” Theory

[05:09] – [08:21]

• Luke admits to no longer following March Madness, blaming the decline on UDub’s faded glory and a soul-sapping defeat by UConn’s Richard “Rip” Hamilton.
• He brings up a TikTok that suggests March Madness is “MAGA coded,” arguing that Americans disproportionately cheer for teams that “look like Duke or Gonzaga,” teams with wealthier, whiter rosters.

  “He ripped the veil off the whole thing for me. Now I feel like if I watch March Madness, I’m supporting the wrong political side. He had me fully convinced by the end of the 90 seconds of his TikTok.” – Luke [06:39]

• John notes the shifting nature of the sport; e.g., the decline of the 4-year “white-guy” Duke model in favor of “one-and-done” NBA prospects and more diversity.

The Boozer Twins: Science & Sports

[10:06] – [13:35]

• Luke and John delve into the fascinating backstory of the Boozer twins (Cameron and Caden), who were conceived via IVF to be a genetic match for their older brother in need of a bone marrow transplant.
• Side note on their father Carlos Boozer’s infamous “shoe polish hair” moment in the NBA.
• The twins saved their brother’s life and now play for Duke—one (Cameron) is seen as a future NBA draft star.

  “This is not a story about basketball. This is a story about two guys that exist to save their older brother—like something out of a Marvel comic.” – Luke [10:38]

The Knipple Family Name Saga

[13:35] – [15:54]

• They riff on the Knipple family (more basketball phenoms with a slew of K-names), poking fun at the possible hidden KKK implications of “Con Knipple II.”

• “His initials or tech could be read as KKK—three K’s.” – John [16:39]

Home Life: New Puppy Mayhem

[16:55] – [24:39]

• John and his wife Jess have a new golden retriever puppy, Manon.
• Night-time puppy challenges: frequent accidents in the house, sleep deprivation, dealing with puppy “teething” (biting).

• “She’s also like a vampire where she’ll just bite your legs... with the sharpest teeth ever.” – John [18:12]

• Discusses crate training, vet visits for deworming, and adjusting to life with two dogs (Manon and Benny).
• Explains origins of family dog names (Norse mythology, fantasy books).

Book Talk: Sarah J. Maas

[24:08]

• Manon’s name comes from “Throne of Glass” by Sarah J. Maas.
• Luke wonders if TBTL’s book club should tackle a Maas novel, but John jokes about the books’ raciness:

  “It’s really Tolkien with some sex scenes, really, when you think about it.” – John [24:43]

Awkward Moments and Adult Movie Titles

[25:06] – [27:47]

• Luke tells an awkward story of accidentally referencing an adult film when his dad was within earshot.
• John and Luke reminisce about sexually suggestive pun movie titles (e.g., “Sex Trek: The Next Penetration”) and teenage strategies for sneaking out video rentals.

Hudson Hawk: Loving a Punchline

[28:41] – [29:21]

• Luke and John bond over affection for the much-maligned film “Hudson Hawk.”

  “That was my first experience of loving a movie that was also a punchline of how bad it was.” – Luke [29:14]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [01:43] – Banksy’s identity reveal
• [05:09] – March Madness: nostalgia, shifting fan allegiances, and a TikTok conspiracy analysis
• [10:06-13:35] – The Boozer twins’ incredible life-saving story and basketball pedigree
• [13:35-15:54] – Knipple family’s remarkable basketball output and “KKK” name jokes
• [16:55-24:39] – New puppy tales, dog names, Norse mythology, and fantasy
• [24:43] – Book talk: Sarah J. Maas and the “Tolkien with some sex” comparison
• [25:06] – Embarrassing parental walk-in and adult film titles

Dazzling Donors & Listener Acknowledgements

[29:41 – 46:01]

• Donor 1: Kevin Zentarski, Omaha, NE

  • Kevin offers an earnest appreciation for the TBTL community, highlighting the comfort, laughter, and connection fostered by the show since 2010.
  • Shares proto-philosophical musings on “new listener” status as a lifelong state for TBTL fans.

    “Maybe it’s better if we all stay ‘new,’ showing... there’s always more to learn and do together.” – Kevin (read by Luke) [38:50]

  • Reveals that the Reuben sandwich was invented in Omaha—a fun, local fact.

• Donor 2: Zach Hofstad, Tumwater, WA

  • Zach plugs his estate law practice aimed at helping folks with home, property, and family asset planning in Washington State, offering a special for TBTL fans.
  • Luke jokes about his parents’ penchant for “squatter’s rights” at his house, making the estate planning topic especially relevant.

Main Topic: The NBA, Tanking, & Seattle's Return

[47:24 – 62:05]

The NBA’s Changing Game

[47:27 – 55:32]

• Luke confesses to feeling disconnected from the NBA due to Seattle losing the Sonics and general changes in gameplay (more three-pointers, less mid-range game, legal “Euro step”).
• John makes a spirited argument for the modern NBA’s skill level, strategy, and entertainment value:

  “What that does is it actually opens up the game for more dynamic gameplay... you have a lot more strategy, more highlight plays, more fun plays.” – John [49:32]

• Discuss “load management,” where NBA stars rest more, frustrating fans but potentially prolonging careers:

  “Older superstars are playing longer than they ever have before because of load management.” – John [54:49]

Tanking and League Expansion

• The realities of “tanking” (losing for better draft prospects) and how the NBA’s draft lottery only partially curbs it.
• Luke expresses annoyance at Vegas getting a team alongside Seattle, feeling Seattle deserved it more after losing the Sonics.

NBA Culture: The Politics & Progressivism Angle

[60:07]

• John argues the NBA remains the most progressive major U.S. sports league:

  “The NBA is by far the most progressive league... the Oklahoma City Thunder turned down a White House invitation.” – John [60:48] “Famously, in 2017, LeBron James tweeted at Trump and called him a bum.” – John [61:16]

• Luke finds this “literally probably the most compelling argument.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On March Madness’s whiteness and fan dynamics:

  “In a sport that’s predominantly black... it’s interesting that a team so often associated with rich white kids is the team so many Americans are for.” – John [08:21]

• On “dog regrets” after getting a new puppy:

  “For like two or three weeks afterward, you regret getting a new puppy… We absolutely love her, we’re so happy she’s here. We are running on fumes and constantly in a state of ‘What are we doing?’” – John [17:19]

• On the “Hudson Hawk” phenomenon:

  “That was my first experience with loving a movie that was also a punchline of how bad it was.” – Luke [29:14]

• On Banksy’s unmasking:

  “It’s not fun to know who Banksy is. I’m learning now that I know who Banksy is.” – Luke [02:05]

Closing Thoughts

This episode embodies the TBTL spirit: irreverent yet substantive, curious, welcoming, and full of in-jokes and relatably goofy digressions. John brings both sports knowledge and warm vulnerability to the table, while Luke keeps the banter lively and the pace moving, never far from a playful jab or a story about family shenanigans. The discussion on the NBA is a highlight, offering both nostalgia and a forward-looking appreciation for the game's evolution—crystallized by a hope for the Sonics’ return, and perhaps, the rekindling of a Seattle sports love affair.

For New & Longtime Listeners

TBTL remains a show about nearly everything—and nothing—that matters, making space for laughter, commiseration, and the strangely meaningful trivia of everyday life.

Key Timestamps Recap:

• [01:43] Banksy segment
• [05:09] March Madness “MAGA coded” theory
• [10:06] Boozer twins' story
• [16:55] New puppy struggles
• [29:41] Dazzling Donors
• [47:24] NBA state & Seattle Sonics discussion

Hosts’ Tone:
Warm, self-deprecating, irreverent, and insightful—a perfect encapsulation of TBTL’s enduring appeal.