The BOB & TOM Show – October 13, 2025

Podcast Summary and Highlights

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of The BOB & TOM Show delivers its signature blend of comedy, talk, news, and sports. The crew, in full force, brings together listener stories, personal updates, playful banter, and cultural commentary. Highlights include reflections on recent travels, high school reunion stories, charity events, an in-depth sports roundtable, audience letters, and a major guest: comedian/filmmaker Nick Novicki.

Tone: Conversational, irreverent, playful, and occasionally poignant.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Halloween and Holiday Memories

• The team dives into Halloween nostalgia, evoking memories of over-the-top candy-giving, dwindling Trick or Treat numbers, and a PSA encouraging people to "answer the door" this season.
• [03:08] Tom Griswold, tongue-in-cheek: “This Halloween season when the doorbell rings, answer it. This message brought to you by the National Halloween Foundation... It’s no trick that we treat you right.”
• Light-hearted lamentations about growing older, local traditions, and the “death tree” at reunions.

2. Team Member Updates: Travel, Reunions, and Tournaments

Christy Lee's UK Adventure

• Christy returns from the UK, sharing stories about traveling with Bob & Tom listeners, visiting Beatles landmarks (including a “Bootleg Beatles” concert at Royal Albert Hall), British customs, and local theatre.
• [06:23] “The highlight for us was... a Beatles tribute band playing at Royal Albert Hall...and the London Philharmonic joined them...it was really something.” – Christy Lee
• Discussion of British cultural quirks—no more passport stamps, the use of “comfort break” instead of bathroom, and the popularity of chicken tikka masala as London’s #1 dish.

Pat Godwin's High School Reunion

• Pat recounts attending his 30th (and then 50th) high school reunion.
  • Receives his old championship jacket back from a high school girlfriend.
  • Shared reflection on classmates lost ("death table"), changing appearances, and the practical awkwardness of name tags.
  • Stayed at a suboptimal Airbnb: “Two-story thrown-together piece of crap house… auto detailing in the front… freezing… three chained guard dogs.”
• [09:24] “She kept [the jacket] immaculate in the closet, I guess. Yeah, it’s gorgeous.” — Pat Godwin

Josh Arnold’s Fishing Tournament

• Participates in a fishing tournament to benefit Rett syndrome.
• The crew riffs on tournament rules (catch and release, weight of the winning "bag"), and Tom romanticizes a shore lunch.
• [12:19] “It was slow. The fishing was slow, so we did not place…”

Chick McGee’s Missed Reunion Invite

• Reflects on being late-invited to his 50th football reunion and muses on how Facebook affects invites for such gatherings.

3. Nostalgia and Name-Calling

• The show’s signature banter erupts with playful jabs, bold nicknames, and callbacks (“limey bitch,” “Christy Lay”—the ‘porno version’ of the show, “Big Dumper” for a sports player).
• [05:05] “Blimey!”—Retelling a border official’s incredulity at Chick’s divorced family traveling together.

4. Sports Talk

• NFL and MLB Overviews:

  • Recap and riff on the previous night’s Chiefs-Lions game (including a postgame scuffle), MLB playoff updates (Mariners beating Blue Jays, Brewers vs. Cubs), and the mythology of athletes' nicknames.
  • Commentary on college football coach buyouts (James Franklin’s $50 million).
  • Frequent interruptions for jokes about player names, nicknames, and commercialized culture in sports.

• [41:36] “Patrick Mahomes. He’s Jesus in cleats…” — Chick McGee

• [54:45] “That’s the dream isn’t it?” Josh Arnold on $50M coach buyouts

5. Comedy & Listener Letters

• Mailbag Favorites:

  • Calico cats: 1 in 3,000 are male (“I think all calico cats are female!”—Chick).
  • Halloween candy: Tom’s plans to hand out candy cigarettes, wax soda bottles (“the perfect white trash starter kit”—Mitch in Oregon).
  • Home remedies: Appalachian cures for thrush, “find a man who never knew his parents and have him blow in your mouth.”
  • [33:29] “My mom made me swallow Vicks VapoRub... with whiskey and honey.” — Chick McGee

• Courtroom Dashcam Fails:

  • Listener submits a letter about a dashcam capturing the Bob & Tom Show at an inopportune moment.

6. Food Oddities and Consumer News

• Concession Stand Gags:

  • NHL San Jose Sharks debut “Chum Bucket” (popcorn and strawberry Pop-Tarts).
  • Brainstorming “hockey puck” snacks with Ding Dongs and funnel cake.

• Potato Chip Revelation:

  • Lays rebrands because 40% of consumers didn’t know chips were made from potatoes.
  • Pringles debate: Are they “potato” or not?

• Most Expensive Burger:

  • $11,000 secret-recipe burger in Spain — speculation and much riffing about what’s in it.

• [80:25] “The value meal is STILL an extra thousand if you want fries.”—Tom Griswold

7. Guest Segment: Nick Novicki

(Starts ~[86:53])

• Introduced as a comedian, actor, filmmaker, and founder of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.
• Discusses his mission: five-day filmmaking competition requiring people with disabilities in front of or behind the camera, now streamed via Heartland Film Festival.
• Stories of his career (Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, Lego Spider-Man), touring with Nate Bargatze, and his work expanding opportunities and representation for disabled performers.
• Inside look at Little People of America conventions—culture, dating, stepstools, shared experiences.
• [103:54] “In my country, you bring good luck.” —A fan to Nick
• Candid Q&A about height, dating, driving (“pedal extensions”), and wardrobe.
• [159:53] Praised for the Film Challenge’s success: “Such a cool thing.” —Josh Arnold

8. Science, Culture, and Odd News

• Hair Loss and Stevia:

  • Scientists find a compound in stevia boosts the absorption of Minoxidil (Rogaine).
  • Cue Pat Godwin’s jingle: “Stevia… may give you bouncy curls!”

• “Pudding Party” Trend in Germany:

  • Youth gather in parks to eat pudding with a fork—a viral, unexplained phenomenon.

• Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome:

  • Rare disorder causing post-ejaculatory malaise, mostly in men.

• Strange Food Competitions:

  • Philadelphia scrapple-sculpture contest (“mush push”).

• Hollywood News:

  • (Satirical) “sad news” announcement about Diane Keaton, then pop culture updates (No Doubt reuniting for Las Vegas Sphere, California bans loud streaming ads).

9. Commercials, Sponsorships, Tech, and Show Business References

• Scattered throughout are live-read style ads for Progressive Insurance, Raycon earbuds, Rakuten, Home Depot, Omaha Steaks, Steven Singer Jewelers, Prize Picks, Tito’s Vodka, SimpliSafe, and more.
• Podcast regularly interrupts itself to roast, dissect, or ironically riff on the sponsors’ pitches.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [08:52] Christy Lee: “Our bus, Sean with an E. I kept calling him Shane 'cause he spells it funny…our bus driver Steve—just incredible. They made the trip, all the fans made the trip. Hope we get to do it again.”
• [14:07] Chick McGee (on reunions): “If you don’t find out about a gathering until two days before, do they want you there?”
• [41:36] Chick McGee: “Patrick Mahomes. He’s Jesus in cleats.”
• [80:35] Tom Griswold (on the $11,000 burger): “I bet it comes with two little boys…”
• [103:54] Nick Novicki: “In my country, you bring good luck.”
• [125:44] Chick McGee (on 'petting parties'): “There are no lights at a petting party.”
• [153:48] Tom Griswold (on loud TV alerts): “You don’t want people getting yelled at by toothpaste.”
• [161:02] Tom Griswold: “Have you ever, have you ever been asked to be part of a magic trick that was based on your small stature?”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:08 – Halloween nostalgia and PSA
• 06:23-07:10 – Christy’s Beatles story/Royal Albert Hall
• 08:45-09:58 – Pat’s reunion/career reminiscence
• 12:00-13:16 – Josh’s Rett Syndrome fishing tournament
• 33:29-33:38 – Folk/home remedies segment
• 41:36 – NFL/MLB/“Big Dumper” discussion
• 54:45 – College football buyouts discussed
• 86:53 – Nick Novicki guest segment begins
• 99:06 - Stevia and hair growth (Pat’s jingle)
• 125:44 – “Petting party” explained
• 161:02 – Nick on being part of magic tricks
• 163:06 – Lenny Bruce remembered

Conclusion

This BOB & TOM Show delivers a rich, witty, and meandering journey through pop culture, sports, nostalgic reminiscence, and comedic insight. Session highlights include Christy Lee’s UK trip, Pat’s jacket reunion, food and candy follies, off-the-wall listener mail, and a star guest spotlight with Nick Novicki. The mixture of affectionate ribbing, shared memories, and open conversation—especially surrounding disability and representation—offers a humor-focused but deeply human experience.

For Further Listening

• HeartlandFilm.org: Stream the winning Easterseals Disability Film Challenge movies.
• Listeners can always email the show or follow up to join in the banter: bobandtom@bobandtom.com

This summary skips ads, intros, and outros for clarity and conciseness.