The BOB & TOM Show – November 26, 2025

Cumulus Podcast Network
Thanksgiving Eve Special – Comedy, Talk, News, and Sports

Episode Overview

This lively Thanksgiving Eve episode captures the classic BOB & TOM Show blend of comedy, news, light-hearted banter, audience interaction, and practical holiday talk. With Thanksgiving just a day away, the crew tackles everything from odd turkey traditions, holiday meal disasters, the quirks of classic Christmas songs, and a live, on-air haircut transformation, all punctuated with their signature wit and playful roasting of each other. Whether you’re looking for laughs, kitchen wisdom, or advice on getting alone time this holiday, the gang delivers—in full holiday spirit.

Key Hosts & Regulars

• Tom Griswold (main host)
• Josh Arnold (“I Hate Steven Singer” sidekick chair)
• Christy Lee (news desk)
• Pat Godwin (music, jokes)
• Jeff Oskay (sports, special guest for haircut)
• Ace Cosby (contributor)
• Jess Hooker, Jessica Alsman (later segments)

Main Themes and Running Jokes

• Thanksgiving traditions, meal prep anxieties, and food debates.
• Holiday family stress—how to get alone time.
• Live, on-air transformation: Jeff Oskay’s haircut and beard trim.
• Christmas music: old classics vs. new hits.
• Humor around names, language quirks, and “dad” jokes.
• Prize giveaways, NFL picks, and the annual turkey contest.

Detailed Breakdown & Timestamps

I. Thanksgiving Humor & Turkey Talk

• Opening song, “Truck Stop Thanksgiving” (01:27-03:07):
  • A funny musical sketch parodying Thanksgiving on the road, setting a comedic tone.
• Thanksgiving spread & traditions:
  • Crew jokes about odd Thanksgiving foods, “spread the cheer,” and introduces Christy at the news desk.
• Turkey acquisition anxiety: (23:00+)
  • Tom details his last-minute turkey scramble.
    “I had a lot of stuff to do yesterday. The place I ordinarily get my turkeys was out of them.” – Tom (23:17)
  • Sam, his son, saves the day, demonstrating classic Griswold family chaos.

Quote (08:34)

“Today is the day before the tripleheader tomorrow in the NFL. So get your picks in right now...”
— Tom Griswold

II. Family Dynamics, Alone Time, and Comedy Advice

• How to get alone time at Thanksgiving: (10:02, 51:41, 54:44)
  • Tips from Reader’s Digest (mocked and expanded upon)
    • “Take an important call—even if you don’t have a call.” — Crew, riffing on tips (52:20)
    • “Go to the bathroom. Gives you 10 minutes alone; in my house, you get teased.” — Josh Arnold (54:51)
    • “I usually just wave the gun around.” — Josh Arnold (10:17, joking)
• Classic reader letter quotes: (21:31)
  • “Roughing the snapper” mishap from Monday Night Football and its obvious double entendre.
    • “Roughing the snapper does sound nasty.” — Tom (22:43)
• Thanksgiving hooks:
  • Tips for safe holiday cooking (rulers to measure leftovers, color-coded cutting boards) mocked for being over-the-top or “insanely anal-retentive.” (68:48-74:39)

III. Haircut Live on Air: Jeff Oskay’s Makeover

• Set-Up: (03:47, 19:28, 88:58)
  • “Jeff is getting his hair cut on the air today. And his beard.” — Tom (04:05)
• Stylist Christine Hazel arrives; group debates beard/mustache choices.
  • “Are you doing the head first or the beard?” — Tom (91:58)
• Jeff’s reflections: (140:43)
  • “You look younger and you look more adult. Yeah, I feel like I should go to a bank.” — Jeff Oskay (140:58)
  • "Your head may have lost six pounds. ...I feel like my face has gained 20.” — Jeff (132:53)
• Reactions & Jokes:
  • “You look like you were a mad bomber.” — Tom (133:09)
  • “I have a Dennis Miller action figure on my desk; you look like him!” — Josh (140:09)

IV. Food Fights & Holiday Prep

• Deviled eggs debate: (26:23-28:54)
  • Are they appetizers or part of the meal? Listeners write in about duck eggs and the “subtle excellence” of quail eggs.
    • “Once you have quail eggs, you’ll never go back.” — Listener, Sarah (27:54)
• Kitchen gadget mockery: (68:48-74:41)
  • “If you need a ruler in the kitchen, you shouldn’t be allowed in a kitchen.” — Tom (74:27)
• Turkey disasters & safety tips:
  • Tom once ruined a turkey with plastic wrap from a disposable pan.
  • “...a gun—just in case the crowd gets rowdy. Blanks, admittedly.” — Tom (75:51, joking about holiday stress)

V. Music & Language: Debates and Deep Dives

• Christmas music arguments: (32:01, 41:53, 105:04, 130:57)
  • “Are there any true contemporary Christmas classics?” (Mariah Carey is cited as modern; Tom is schooled Mariah’s hit is now 30 years old.)
    • “Most of them are from the 20s and 30s.” — Tom (32:25)
    • “The #1 Christmas song every year now is Mariah Carey...” — Tom
    • “There are no classics being written—no new Jingle Bells!” — Christy (107:01)
• Fun with words: (31:01)
  • “I bawled my eyes out” misheard as “I balled my eyes out.”
    “Unless you just made love to your own head.” — Josh Arnold (31:27)
  • “Language is a living organism.” — Josh (42:13)
  • Mispronunciations: municipal vs. municipal (41:11); giblets vs giblets (66:38)

VI. Contest Winners & Listener Letters

• NFL pigskin picks contest: (08:09, 78:14, 83:21)
  • Interview with winner Richard Manus of Muncie, Indiana.
    • “Are you a married guy, a single guy, what’s happening in your life?” — Tom (82:19)
    • “Been married 37 years, all I gotta do is bring in tables and chairs, and then at 1 o'clock sit down and watch football.” — Richard (82:44)
• Food shopping antics: (23:05, 24:31)
  • Christy: “I got a text from my girlfriend in the middle of shopping: ‘Want to meet for a glass of wine?’ Sure!”

VII. News of the Weird

• Guy dresses as his dead mom to collect her pension: (121:20)
  • “...put on makeup, a wig as well as her clothes and posed as his mom to renew her card.” — Christy Lee
  • “On the left, that’s the real mama; on the right, that’s him.” — Tom (122:57)
• 10-year-old drives home from school after fighting with mom: (124:46)
  • “He told officers he had a disagreement with his mom and just drove home.” — Christy (125:11)
• Thanksgiving turkey pardons mocked: (95:32)
  • “This is the Eddie Haskell of turkeys.” — Tom (97:26)

VIII. Listener Advice & Audience Interaction

• Sexy Time with Allie Breen (Relationship Q&A): (141:09-155:25)
  • Advice on Thanksgiving + family drama.
    • “My mom hates my girlfriend and has asked me not to bring her to Thanksgiving dinner...” (148:22)
    • “Why would she want to go if she’s not wanted?” — Tom (148:45)
    • “Never give ultimatums, especially at the holidays!” — Christy (149:12)
  • Cheating, Hinge dating, and awkward one-night stands after weddings, with the crew chiming in with playful, real-world (and often cheeky) advice.

IX. Notable, Memorable Quotes

• “Bring up Epstein, if you want to be left alone (at Thanksgiving).” — Tom (55:02)
• “My girlfriend, every year, I cook the turkey. Every year I freak out about the time.” — Josh (65:21)
• “My family will love it for Thanksgiving. Perfect.” — Jeff after his haircut (20:11)
• “I eat eggs for dinner probably four or five nights a week.” — Tom (29:12)
• “Why are there no new Christmas songs that stick?” — Christy (32:11)
• “Roughing the snapper does sound nasty.” — Tom (22:43)
• “Language is a living organism.” — Josh (42:13)
• “If you need a ruler in a kitchen, you shouldn’t be allowed in a kitchen.” — Tom (74:27)

X. Timestamps for Major Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|--------------| | Truck Stop Thanksgiving song/sketch | 01:27–03:07 | | Turkey acquisition/meal disaster stories | 23:05+ | | Alone time at Thanksgiving (Reader's Digest)| 10:02, 51:41 | | Jeff Oskay’s on-air haircut transformation | 19:28, 88:58, 140:43 | | NFL Picks Winner Richard Manus interview | 78:14–84:26 | | Deviled eggs/chicken vs. duck/quail eggs | 26:23–28:54 | | Christmas music debate | 32:01, 107:04, 130:57 | | Words/language (goatee vs. Van Dyke, giblets)| 31:01, 41:11, 66:38 | | News: Italian man dresses as dead mom | 121:20+ | | News: 10-year-old steals family car | 124:46+ | | Sexy Time (relationship Q&A) | 141:09–155:25|

Episode Flow & Tone

The episode zips along with the show’s trademark chaotic but joyful energy. Jokes and mock-revelations collide with earnest advice and nostalgic reminiscing. Thanksgiving is alternately celebrated, roasted, and survived, while the comedy never lets up—even during segments that start with “here's some sad news.” The show is accessible and relatable for anyone heading into family gatherings with a mix of anticipation and dread.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Holiday Survival: Get creative if you need alone time during big family gatherings. A phone call (real or fake), “walking the dog,” or even finding an excuse for a grocery run can help—just be prepared for your family to catch on.
• Kitchen Tips: Don’t trust the built-in turkey pop-up, stick to a real thermometer, and maybe embrace a bit of food tradition snobbery (duck and quail eggs?)—but don’t get so anal that you pull out a ruler for leftovers.
• Turkey Crisis Plan: Secure your bird early; if not, call in the family reinforcements.
• Pop-Culture: Holiday music is as divisive as politics. Don’t expect agreement on what qualifies as a “classic.”
• Relationship Real Talk: If Mom doesn’t want your girlfriend at Thanksgiving, skip the drama… and maybe the dinner.
• Comedy Reigns: Amidst the family and food chaos, there’s still room for puns, wordplay, playful mockery—and one seriously impressive live makeover.

For Next Steps

• Check or join the NFL Picks contest at bobandtom.com/contest before triple-header day.
• Tune in for upcoming episodes or find the show on YouTube for visual highlights like Jeff’s big haircut reveal.
• Use promo codes and holiday tips for Omaha Steaks, Raycon earbuds, and more as mentioned by the hosts.

HIGHLIGHTED MOMENT
“Bring up Epstein, if you want to be left alone (at Thanksgiving).”

• Tom Griswold (55:02)

End of Episode Summary. Happy Thanksgiving from the BOB & TOM Show!