Tell 'Em Steve-Dave! #628: Keep it Unreal (March 3, 2025)

Overview

In this episode, Walt Flanagan, Bryan Johnson, and Brian "Q" Quinn confront the fallout from listener backlash over recent jokes about Canada and political commentary. The trio debates the show’s direction, listener expectations, their responsibility as podcasters, and how to balance authenticity and sensitivity. The conversation blends heartfelt introspection, typical banter, and plenty of meta-podcast discussion, ultimately leading to a quasi-relaunch of "Tell 'Em Steve-Dave" and a commitment to "keep it unreal."

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Backlash and Apology Segment (00:27 – 17:32)

• Walt’s Apology: Walt addresses the controversy stemming from the last episode’s jokes about Canada and misinformation about UK free speech. He explains he received heartfelt emails from longtime listeners who are stepping away.
  • "Right off the bat, I have to issue an apology to our Canadian brothers and sisters." (01:30, Walt)
• The Pain of Losing Supporters: Walt shares the impact of a particularly supportive listener cutting off the show. The guys discuss how cumulative negativity about their comments led to this.
  • "She just finds herself—she… I just don't like you guys as people anymore." (02:27, Walt)
  • Q and Bryan express frustration that lighthearted joking could have this effect.
• Debating the Duty of a Comedy Podcast: They raise questions about the expectation to “do homework” before commenting on politics, and whether their audience really expects seriousness.
  • "How arrogant is it that I, a fucking failed comic book store manager ... now I can weigh in on all the fucking problems that the world has across the fucking ocean?" (07:40, Walt)
• Creative Course Correction: Walt insists future episodes will focus more on personal stories (Teddy the dog, busting on Get Em) to avoid further alienation.
  • "I'm just going to talk about Teddy, my dog. And I'm going to bitch about Get Em. And I am not going to weigh in on anything that I am not completely versed in." (03:29, Walt)

2. The Role of Listeners & Show Identity (12:11 – 24:54)

• Why Listen if You Hate Us?: Bryan argues listeners who dislike or “hate-listen” are still supporting the show, leading to a recursive debate about negative attention and the show's purpose.
• Losing Patreon Support: Walt references a notable thread about Canadians canceling their Patreon after the scandal, comparing it to sponsor losses for "Impractical Jokers."
• Concerns about Censorship and Fun: Bryan questions whether podcasting is enjoyable when the audience polices every comment.
  • “How the f*** is this fun?” (11:29, Bryan)
  • Walt and Bryan worry about losing the ability to be themselves if “maple syrup jokes” can endanger the show.
• Meta-Reinvention: The group floats "rebranding" the show—considering renumbering like comic books, dialing back defensiveness, and focusing on authenticity.
  • "This is almost like episode one of the new Tell 'Em Steve-Dave." (23:23, Walt)
  • "All new Tell 'Em Steve-Dave. Let’s build bridges, man." (23:44, Bryan)

3. Debate: What Do Listeners Want? (19:11 – 30:00)

• Superfan Feedback: The producer suggests adding "corrections and retractions" segments, akin to news outlets, to mend fences—prompting mixed feelings about correcting mistakes in real time versus maintaining show flow.
• Moving Past Defensiveness: They eventually accept that some audience critiques are valid and agree to focus on lighthearted personal content, anecdotes, and “what listeners can only get from TSD.”
  • "People just don't want to hear our viewpoints on the world's issues."(43:07, Walt)
  • "They want us to bust each on each other's balls. Lovingly. They want us to talk about our lives." (18:36, Walt)
• Satirical Pivot: The group jokes about embellishing their stories or outright making up content—"feelings over facts" becomes a potential new tagline.
  • "It can't be offensive, but it can be untrue." (40:54, Bryan)
  • "I never let the truth get in the way of a good story." (50:53, Bryan)

4. Slice of Life Stories and Lighthearted Banter (30:00 – 69:48)

Proving their own point, the second half is heavy on:

• New Marvel Movie Review: The hosts discuss the new Captain America film, lamenting its focus on old storylines and debating the merits of Sam Wilson vs. Bucky as Cap.
  • "I am shocked that it's a sequel to a 17-year-old Incredible Hulk movie." (29:18, Walt)
• Personal Updates: The crew shares minor life mishaps and milestones—a cortisone shot solves Bryan’s knee troubles (34:40), and Walt’s daughter inadvertently re-enacts a TSD classic by rescuing a neighbor’s dog (59:43).
• Going to Plays and Broadway Prices: Q laments Broadway ticket costs; the others debate theater economics and why big stars do plays (48:01 – 49:39).
• Matlock Recap: Walt’s binge of the new Matlock prompts reminiscences on old TV and deadpan jokes about aging audiences and show formats (36:26 –39:18).

5. Embracing Embellishment & Speculative History (50:00 – 59:01)

Mixing humor and tongue-in-cheek speculation, the hosts riff on:

• Presidential Sexuality: Q details internet theories about past presidents' supposed gay relationships.
  • "I'm just gonna assume all presidents are half gay." (56:50, Bryan)
  • "But the president just sucked 37 dicks in a row." (55:09, Walt, riffing on a running joke)

6. Closing: Feel-Good and Future Directions (59:03–70:42)

• Rescuing Dogs Legacy: Walt recounts the heartwarming story of his daughter saving a neighbor's dog just as he had years earlier, suggesting fate (59:43).
  • "That neighbor moved ... a new neighbor moved in with a dog. And the other day my daughter Alicia rescued the dog ... Fulfilling her almost destiny." (59:43, Walt)
• Teddy becomes a running bit: Walt accidentally kills a millionaire’s dream by revealing Teddy the rare dog has been fixed, not realizing the value. Comic dramatizing ensues, highlighting the unpredictability of real-life stories (61:45–67:50).
  • "He starts dancing and going and gyrating... 'Me and you, we're gonna be rich. I breed French bulldogs. I have never come across a long-haired Frenchie.' ... 'Well, I got him fixed.' And the dancing stops immediately." (64:20–64:39, Walt)
• Looking Ahead: The group discusses whether to renumber or otherwise formalize the relaunch of TSD, vowing to bring more approachable, real (or maybe just funny-unreal) content in future episodes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:30] Walt Flanagan: “Right off the bat, I have to issue an apology to our Canadian brothers and sisters.”
• [07:40] Walt Flanagan: “How arrogant is it that I, a fucking failed comic book store manager, defrocked. Defrocked by Kevin Smith, that I have enough knowledge to… now I can weigh in on all the fucking problems that the world has across the fucking ocean?”
• [14:34–15:08] Bryan Johnson: “The maple syrup joke is not even a pimple on what these people say and truly believe... But if we're trying to keep it like a maple syrup joke is a thing that's all over the line. I'm just saying, at a certain point, you got to ask yourself, like, what is the point?”
• [24:54] Bryan Johnson: “I like the challenge of it. I think you're right, Walt. I think, like, if you drop the defensiveness, there's some... good points made.”
• [40:54] Bryan Johnson (joking): “It can't be offensive, but it can be untrue. I think that's our new tagline.”
• [59:43] Walt Flanagan: “That neighbor moved... a new neighbor moved in with a dog... my daughter Alicia rescued the dog... Fulfilling her almost like, like destiny.”
• [64:20–64:39] Walt Flanagan: “He starts dancing and this is real. He starts dancing and going and gyrating... ‘Me and you, we’re gonna be rich. I breed French bulldogs…’ ‘Well, I got him fixed.’ And the dancing stops immediately.”
• [56:50] Bryan Johnson: “I’m just gonna assume all presidents are half gay.”
• [50:53] Bryan Johnson: “I never let the truth get in the way of a good story.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:27 – Opening banter; Walt apologizes to Canadians.
• 01:56–04:20 – Listener feedback, apology, concern over show's direction.
• 04:45–06:35 – Debating what topics are safe/fun to discuss.
• 11:11–16:03 – Should they keep going if podcasting isn’t fun? "Should we quit?" debate.
• 17:00–23:23 – Should they reinvent/rebrand after backlash?
• 29:08–30:42 – Marvel movie review (Captain America, Bucky vs. Sam).
• 34:40–36:39 – Johnson’s cortisone recovery and Matlock recaps.
• 48:01–49:39 – Broadway ticket prices and discussion about theater.
• 55:09 – Lyndon B. Johnson “37 dicks in a row” bit.
• 59:43–66:30 – Walt’s family dog hero legacy & the Teddy mini-saga.
• 69:11–end – Closing thoughts; considering a relaunch and renumber.

Tone & Style

The tone veers between self-deprecating, exasperated, sincere, and gleefully irreverent. The guys acknowledge the seriousness of hurting longtime fans, but ultimately double down on their need to enjoy what they do—even if it means risking more “unreal” storytelling in the future. Some “cancel culture” exhaustion peeks through, but their affection for each other and for the show wins out.

Closing Thoughts

This episode turns controversy into catharsis. TSD’s hosts deliver a blend of apology, introspection, and classic ball-breaking, all in their trademark no-filter style. By the end, they settle on a new (half-joking) mission: stories that might not always be true, but hopefully always entertaining.

Most important takeaway: The next era of Tell 'Em Steve-Dave promises less politics, more personal shenanigans—fact or fiction be damned.