The BOB & TOM Show Extra: Tom's Surprises, Cheetles, & Letters

Date: December 17, 2025
Length: ~19 minutes

Episode Overview

This BOB & TOM Show “Extra” episode is a fast-paced, comedic roundtable focusing on quirky cultural habits, snack food nostalgia, and the dynamics of the show's on-air team. Highlights include debates about surprises, an ode to “Cheetle” (the cheesy dust found on Cheetos), listeners’ letters, and humorous riffs on daily life—delivered with the familiar, good-natured banter that defines BOB & TOM. Skip the ads—this summary covers all the content that fans come for.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Tom’s Surprises and Show Memories

[02:13-05:48]

• Tom sets up the segment by recalling various surprise guests and segments on the show (Hugh Jackman’s visit, Joe Theismann, grocery store cakes, and odd-talented guests).
• The team good-naturedly roasts Tom about his mixed record with surprises and memories, with Tom forgetting Hugh Jackman's name:
  • “I guess he’s my new favorite human being.” — Tom [03:36]
  • “You forgot it. Okay, it’s fine.” — Tom Welling [04:04]
• Debate on whether Tom ever actually orchestrates surprises, or just takes the credit:
  • “You had nothing to do with that surprise. Just admit that you had zero.” — Christopher [04:12]
• Shared appreciation for unique live performances, like the legendary Bassoon Quartet:
  • “One of the things that you did ... was the Bassoon quartet. I enjoyed that very much.” — Tom Welling [05:48]

Car Culture: The Waving Phenomenon

[06:39-09:17]

• Listener letter sparks discussion about waving at fellow drivers of the same vehicle type.
• Jeep versus other car owners: The “wave” is exclusive to Jeep Wranglers, not Jeep Cherokees or others.
  • “The Jeep is a thing. ... But again, it’s just the Wrangler people.” — Tom [07:13]
• The group pokes fun at the idea of Chevy Silverado drivers establishing their own “wave.”
• Humor around “Jeep ducking” (decorating other Jeeps with rubber ducks):
  • “I don’t want to be found slammed up against the telephone pole with my corpse surrounded by a bunch of bloody rubber ducks.” — Christopher [09:22]
• Lighthearted critique of Tom’s reputation for being unfriendly, remedied through “waving tips.”

The Phlebotomist Chronicles

[09:39-12:17]

• Tom prepares for his annual physical, obsessing over finding a skilled phlebotomist.
  • “Let’s face it, I’ve got better veins than your average heroin addict.” — Tom [10:00]
• Panel shares personal blood draw horror stories mixed with bravado and squeamishness:
  • “You ever had a vein quit on you?” — Christopher [11:21]
  • “Because I’m an adult baby. I can’t look.” — Tom [11:44]
  • “I like to watch it going in.” — Tom Welling [12:05]
• Mutual understanding on the anxiety and unpredictability of blood draws.

The Great Cheetle (Cheetos Dust) Debate

[13:05-19:23]

• “Cheetle” is revealed as the official name for the famous orange powder on Cheetos.
  • “Cheeto fingers is a slang term for the bright orange powder ... called Cheetle.” — Kevin [13:24]
• Panel debates the etiquette around cleaning (licking or wiping) Cheetle from fingers.
• PepsiCo’s announcement: New Cheetos and Doritos will be released without artificial colors or flavors, and minus the trademark orange dust.
  • “The reformulated snacks will taste the same, but without the bright telltale orange dust ...” — Kevin [14:22]
  • General skepticism about the wisdom or desirability of “clean” Cheetos and Doritos:
    • “I don’t want my Cheetos to be clean.” — Kevin [15:42]
    • “Chemically, I am suspicious of. If they’re doing that.” — Christopher [15:48]
• Tangential riff on albino animals and Chester Cheetah (“Is that a negative term?” — Tom Welling [14:59])
• Big laughs about the statue in Cheadle, Alberta: a 17-foot orange-stained hand holding a giant Cheeto puff.
  • “...a statue dedicated to cheetos in Canada. ... a massive Cheeto puff.” — Tom [18:24]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Between all of us in here, we’ve got one pretty good brain. And you’re not going to pull anything over.” — Tom Welling [04:37]
• “You forget you’re not in your Jeep and you wave anyway.” — Kevin [08:52]
• “I’m not a pincushion, madam.” — Tom [10:19]
• “Don’t you just lick it off?” — Tom [13:41]
• “If you try to wipe it off on a white shirt, it looks like you’re wearing a traffic cone.” — Tom [13:56]
• “I do not trust your homework.” — Christopher [19:28]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:13] – Chaz gives throat drum solo of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"
• [03:36] – Tom recounts (and forgets) past surprise guests
• [06:39] – Listener letter: Waving at drivers of the same car
• [09:39] – Phlebotomist and blood draw stories
• [13:05] – The "Cheetle" segment: Cheetos dust origin & etiquette
• [14:22] – PepsiCo’s artificial color removal announcement
• [18:24] – The 17-foot Cheetle statue in Alberta

Overall Tone and Style

The episode maintains light, fast-paced, and self-deprecating banter. The panel cheerfully rib each other, riff on everyday topics, and mix genuine curiosity with over-the-top reactions, all in a manner that feels like hanging out with longtime friends.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This BOB & TOM Extra is a snapshot of the show’s strengths: irreverent group dynamics, American pop culture oddities, and playful debates over everything from car etiquette to junk food branding. There are no serious “takeaways”—just a reminder to enjoy the small, strange pleasures of daily life (and to always check which car you’re in before waving at fellow Jeepers).