Tell 'Em Steve-Dave! #668: Shoez n Tamponz
Release Date: March 9, 2026
Episode Overview
In this lively, uncensored episode, the Tell 'Em Steve-Dave crew reunites to dig into topics ranging from awkward shoe and tampon commercials to the art of roasting, Jersey pride, comic book obsessions, and Q’s secret (and controversial) childhood psychiatric files. The episode is packed with their classic banter, unexpected confessions, debate over what people can or can’t talk about publicly, and ends with an earnest (if comedic) intervention to “shower Gidam with love.”
Main Discussion Points and Insights
1. Kicking Off: Rodney Dangerfield Impersonator Mishap
- Bry opens with a story about a Rodney Dangerfield impersonator at Rodney’s Comedy Club who not only failed to impersonate Rodney but also dramatically fell down steep stairs and cracked his head.
- “Gravity ain’t giving him no respect, this guy.” — Bry [03:33]
2. Shoes & Tampon Sizing, and Juvenescent Humor
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Walt observes, prompted by his wife’s stair mishaps, that women “don’t know how to buy shoes” and now face similar sizing dilemmas with tampons. The group riffs on the awkwardness of new tampon sizing ads (notably the Amy Schumer campaign).
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Bry: “Yeah, if you have a heavy flow or a big pussy.” [05:08]
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The team debates whether talking about women’s flows at work could constitute sexual harassment.
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Walt: “A leaking vagina and a runny nose... Neither are sexual though.” [07:38]
3. The Jersey Roast Saga
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Gidam recounts participating in a New Jersey roast where he played the "heel" (bad-guy) from Staten Island—leading to boos but also some admiration for going all in.
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Gidam: “I was actually impressed… when they were booing… it was like, ‘fuck you, dude’ … the boos are the applause, you know?” [13:13, 18:45]
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The group reflects on the challenge of roasting strangers versus friends. Gidam admits feeling bad after roasting a comic he barely knew: “I just don’t like saying mean things.” [15:48]
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Q: “I’m not a fan of the roast format… I think it’s mean-spirited and even Dean Martin’s can get a little below the belt.” [16:03]
4. WWE Side Chat: Danhausen & Ming
- Brief wrestling detour: new WWE character Danhausen, and how Ming (TESD regular) has been featured with him at indie shows and on social media. [19:11-19:38]
5. Should Girl Scouts Sell Cookies Outside Dispensaries?
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Recent NJ controversy: Girl Scouts set up outside a marijuana dispensary, sparking debate in the group.
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Bry: “Is it any different than being outside a liquor store? Should Girl Scouts be outside liquor stores?” [21:08]
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Walt: “I would not think that is something that… kids in that, they should be as far away from that as possible…” [24:14]
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They discuss rules, cultural stigma, and where it's kosher for kids to fundraise.
6. Pop Culture Catch-Up: Comics, Shows, and Film Nostalgia
- Bry has been binging books & comics (Joe Hill, “Why the Last Man”) and rewatching the original “Planet of the Apes.”
- “Somebody took a gender studies class. Holy shit, that is girl powery.” — Bry on "Y: The Last Man" [28:18]
- TV adaptation of “Y: The Last Man” is criticized for clumsy, over-cautious gender politics [29:16]
- Walt admits finishing "Friends" for the first time, and being surprisingly touched by the finale [30:22-31:10]
- Discussion of hard-to-stick TV series endings: "Sopranos," "Game of Thrones," "Breaking Bad," "Deadwood," "Seinfeld," "The Shield" [32:20–34:02]
- Q recommends the German Netflix series “Dark” for time-travel enthusiasts [31:30].
7. Ice Skating Fiasco
- Walt describes a cringey ice rink mix-up—mistaking a teenage skater for his daughter and addressing her in an overly familiar way.
- “I must look like… more freaked out looking than, like, Sandusky or something.” — Walt [45:13]
- Also survives a near-collision and embarrassing fall trying to prove himself to the kids. [47:07]
8. Childhood Psychiatric Files Revealed: “Shower Gidam with Love”
- The teased “big reveal”: Gidam brings in his old psychiatric evals, sparking a deep-dive into his childhood behavioral reports and IQ scores.
Key Findings from the Documents:
- Reported IQ: 144 at age 6½ (not the 148 he’d claimed—much joking ensues) [72:46]
- Diagnoses referenced: mild distractibility, impulsiveness, difficulty with authority, possible (later ruled out) autism and schizophrenia, history of urinating on other kids (“Apparently I convinced kids to hold their hands out and I peed on them.” — Q [69:31])
- Repeated need for affection: doctor's recommendation was "he needs to be showered with love to be productive" [65:19; 88:00]
- “Nothing has changed” — Bry and Walt reflect on how behavior patterns have remained
Group Reaction:
- Extended debate about whether “showering with love” is what’s missing, or if expectations need to be simply lowered.
- Walt: “You just gotta love him harder than you have been.” [78:31]
- Gidam: “What’s the way then?” [76:09]
- A running theme develops—does positive attention breed motivation or just accommodate dysfunction? (
- Jokes about firing him, or sending him to live with Q or Walt for a “week at Chateau Q.”
9. Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
On Roasting:
- “When they were booing… it was like, ‘fuck you, dude’ … the boos are the applause.” — Gidam [18:45]
- “Have you ever felt that way at the Q Roast?” — Bry
“I just don’t want to say certain things. I understand it… But it’s not my type of night out.” — Walt [16:28]
On Girl Scouts at Dispensaries:
- “They see all the potheads going in—the dregs of society, all the zombies…” — Walt [22:01]
- “You know how you shoot up weed.” — Bry, sarcastically [22:27]
On Childhood Reports:
- “He just likes to be by himself and sleep. Yeah, something’s happening. Nothing has changed. Nothing has changed in 40 some years.” — Bry & Walt [74:47–74:58]
- “He needs to be showered with love to be productive.” — Walt, quoting child psychiatrist [65:19, 88:00]
On Gidam’s Infamous History:
- “Apparently, I convinced kids to hold their hands out and I peed on them.” — Q [69:31]
- “How can you explain that?” — Walt
“I have no recollection of this incident.” — Q [99:37]
On Meeting Needs:
- “You need to make him feel like he’s the prince in your fucking kingdom.” — Walt [77:19]
10. Ad Reads and Sponsor Banter
Skipped in summary per instructions except for acknowledging their typical blending into show banter. E.g., joking about Squarespace, Harry’s razors, and Factor Meals, blending in with the show’s characteristic irreverence.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Rodney Dangerfield Story & Shoe Size: 02:10–05:52
- Tampons & Sex Talk at Work: 05:54–08:24
- Jersey Roast Recap: 08:29–15:56, 17:00–19:00
- WWE Segment: 19:11–19:38
- Girl Scouts at Dispensaries Debate: 20:26–27:00
- Pop Culture (Why the Last Man, Friends Decoded, Dark, Planet of the Apes, Hitchcock): 27:34–29:41, 30:03–31:10, 32:20–34:02, 48:51–52:35, 55:10–55:33
- Childhood Reports Reveal (Gidam's Files): 64:12–105:18
Section Summaries
Opening Banter & Mishaps
- Tales of comic clubs, slapstick falls, and shoe/tampon mal-size woes set the tone.
Roasting & Regional Pride
- Q’s experience roasting Jersey as a Staten Islander, the culture of roasts, and what makes for "good" comedy friction.
Modern Culture and Media
- The gang touches on how media adapts (or fails to adapt) to current social issues and the challenge of closing a beloved TV show well.
Vices and Society’s Rules
- Thoughtful/funny debate on marijuana’s place in public life and Girl Scout fundraising, along with broader riffs on American taboos.
Emotional Health & Group Dynamics
- The big story: Gidam’s old psych reports. Vulnerably and humorously, the group tries to figure out how to support a friend who marches to his own drummer (“Nothing has changed in 40 years.” — Bry [74:58])
- The age-old debate of nurture vs. expectation, and whether “showering with love” can change default behaviors.
- Pen-pal suggestions, jokes about buffets and cleaning, and an honest look at group friendship dynamics.
Takeaway
This episode delivers classic TESD: irreverence, nostalgia, personal vulnerability, edgy jokes, and underlying warmth. The central arc about Gidam’s childhood and the group’s bumbling attempts at empathy gives the episode heart, while the sharp observations on comedy, Jersey pride, and social mores keep it snappy.
Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)
- “Gravity ain’t giving him no respect, this guy.” — Bry [03:33]
- “If you have a heavy flow or a big pussy.” — Bry [05:08]
- “A leaking vagina and a runny nose… Neither are sexual though." — Walt [07:38]
- “When they were booing… it was like, ‘fuck you, dude’ … the boos are the applause, you know?” — Gidam [18:45]
- “He just likes to be by himself and sleep. Yeah, something’s happening. Nothing has changed in 40 some years.” — Bry & Walt [74:47–74:58]
- “He needs to be showered with love to be productive.” — Walt (quoting psychiatrist) [65:19, 88:00]
- “Apparently, I convinced kids to hold their hands out and I peed on them.” — Q [69:31]
- “You need to make him feel like he’s the prince in your fucking kingdom.” — Walt [77:19]
Structure
- Brief recap and humor
- In-depth group check-ins and storytelling
- Focus segments on culture, society, and media
- Big reveal: Gidam’s psych documents
- Group’s attempt at positive intervention
- Classic ridiculous outtakes and closing
For listeners and fans: This episode will make you laugh, cringe, and maybe even ponder how you show love in your own circle of misfits.
