The Bobby Bones Show Episode: MON PT 2: Eddie Explains The $10,000 Water Bill And Crazy Bill Stories! + Are Lunchbox And Eddie Clickbaiting Us?
Release Date: February 24, 2025

1. Introduction and Friendly Competition with Jesse Tack (00:00 - 10:30)

The episode kicks off with Bobby Bones engaging in a lighthearted competition with Jesse Tack from Jesse Tack Radio. The two hosts challenge each other by playing snippets of 90s country hits, testing their knowledge and memory of the songs. Bobby remarks, "I saw this guy, he has a country radio show and he was doing one second of a 90s country song. He was nailing him. He was good." (03:45). The friendly rivalry sets an energetic tone for the episode, showcasing the hosts' camaraderie and deep appreciation for country music.

2. Eddie's $10,000 Water Bill Story (10:31 - 25:50)

The centerpiece of the episode features Eddie recounting his alarming experience with a staggering $10,000 water bill. Eddie explains how a seemingly minor oversight led to significant financial repercussions.

Eddie's Story:

• Initial Realization: Eddie noticed an unusually high bill amount of $10,000, contrasting sharply with his previous bills never exceeding $200. (12:15)
• Investigation: Prompted by a conversation with his kids about water usage, he discovered that a hose had been left running from his house to a pond, causing a constant drip into a creek for two months. "They had run the hose from the house to a pond that was just dripping out to another creek." (15:40)
• Financial Impact: Despite negotiating with the water company, Eddie remained responsible for the bill, which amounted to $10,000 over two months due to excessive water usage. "I just had to kiss goodbye to that money." (20:05)
• Lessons Learned: Eddie emphasizes the importance of regular bill monitoring and situational awareness to prevent such costly mistakes. "Stay on guard and be aware of your usage to avoid unexpected charges." (24:30)

3. Listener Crazy Bill Stories (25:51 - 45:00)

Following Eddie's tale, Bobby opens the floor to listeners who share their own outrageous billing experiences. Several notable stories are highlighted:

• Ivy from Texas (26:10 - 30:00): Ivy recounts her mother's unexpected $9,900 phone bill due to her brother leaving the phone on during long-distance calls. "We got a $9,900 bill because they were on the phone day and night." (27:45)

• Dan from Massachusetts (30:01 - 35:20): Dan describes inheriting a $7,000 water bill for his late father's house, which resulted from a toilet left running for six months. Despite attempts to negotiate, the bill's hefty interest and penalties forced him to remortgage the house. "I had to remortgage my house to pay the water bill." (34:15)

• Christina's Roaming Nightmare (35:21 - 40:00): Christina shares her experience of receiving a $3,000 phone bill after her husband unintentionally left his phone on roaming during a two-week TDY in Alaska. "We got a $3,000 phone bill because he didn't turn off roaming." (37:50)

• Mel from Virginia (40:01 - 45:00): Mel talks about a $1,000 electric bill incurred during the sale of her house, caused by a home inspector leaving the heating fan on. Although they were selling the house, the oversight led to an unexpected expense. "Our home inspector left the fan on, and we got a nearly $1,000 bill." (43:30)

Eddie's Commentary: Eddie empathizes with each listener, highlighting the unforeseen nature of these bills and the emotional and financial stress they cause. "It's frustrating when these mistakes happen, and it's a good reminder to always check your utilities." (40:45)

4. Are Lunchbox and Eddie Clickbaiting? (45:01 - 60:00)

Transitioning from billing woes, Bobby delves into a discussion about whether Lunchbox and Eddie are employing clickbait strategies to engage their audience.

Key Points:

• Definition and Intent: The hosts explore what constitutes clickbait and its impact on listener trust and engagement. "Clickbait can sometimes mislead, but if done right, it can also pique genuine interest." (47:20)

• Examples from the Show: They analyze past episodes where sensational titles or stories might have drawn in more listeners than the content warranted. "Are these outrageous bill stories just a way to attract more ears, or are they genuine accounts?" (50:10)

• Audience Engagement: The hosts consider the balance between entertaining content and honesty, emphasizing the importance of maintaining credibility. "We want to ensure our stories are both engaging and authentic." (55:00)

Notable Quote: Eddie candidly shares his perspective: "It's not about tricking people; it's about sharing real experiences that resonate." (58:15)

5. "Tell Me Something Good" Segment (60:01 - 65:00)

In a brief uplifting interlude, Eddie shares a heartwarming story titled "Tell Me Something Good." He recounts how Shay, eight months prior, lost his GoPro while swimming off the coast of Victoria, Canada. Dramatically, another swimmer with scuba gear found the camera 30 feet underwater and managed to recover the valuable footage. "Shay got his memories back, and it was an incredible moment of serendipity." (62:30)

6. Morning Corny Joke (65:01 - 66:00)

The hosts lighten the mood with a classic joke:

• Joke: "Why did the teacher marry the janitor?"
• Punchline: "He swept her off her feet." (65:15)

7. Big Stories and Current Events (66:01 - 75:00)

Bobby and Eddie touch upon various current events and viral trends, offering their takes:

• Delta Airlines Lawsuits (67:30): Discussing passengers suing Delta for mishandled flight incidents, Bobby comments on the inadequacy of settlements. "Delta offering $30,000 when people deserve more is just not right." (68:45)

• UFO Sighting in Turkey (70:00): They explore a mysterious UFO sighting that grounded flights, ultimately attributed to a stealth drone. "People jumped to alien conclusions, but it was just a drone all along." (72:20)

• Viral TikTok Trends (73:00): The hosts critique dangerous TikTok challenges where users drop heavy objects on their feet, emphasizing the risks involved. "These trends are just asking for someone to get seriously hurt." (74:10)

8. Additional Stories: Shoplifting and Daycare Meltdown (75:01 - 85:00)

Further entertaining tales are shared:

• Shoplifting Takedown (76:20): A story from Gulfport, Florida, where a man was caught shoplifting $65 worth of items after throwing a box of goldfish in the parking lot. "They used fingerprinting to catch him, which seems overkill for just $65." (77:50)

• Daycare's Melatonin Misuse (80:00): A daycare center in Michigan faced backlash for spraying melatonin on nap mats without parental consent, leading to potential health risks for children. "It's unacceptable to medication children without explicit permission." (82:30)

9. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts (85:01 - End)

As the episode wraps up, Bobby and Eddie reflect on the day's discussions, reiterating the importance of vigilance in managing personal utilities and being skeptical of sensationalized content. They encourage listeners to share their own stories and remain engaged with the show.

Final Quote: Bobby concludes with a reminder: "Always double-check your bills and be cautious about the content you consume and share." (84:50)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Bobby Bones (03:45): "I saw this guy, he has a country radio show and he was doing one second of a 90s country song. He was nailing him. He was good."

• Eddie (15:40): "They had run the hose from the house to a pond that was just dripping out to another creek."

• Eddie (20:05): "I just had to kiss goodbye to that money."

• Ivy from Texas (27:45): "We got a $9,900 bill because they were on the phone day and night."

• Dan from Massachusetts (34:15): "I had to remortgage my house to pay the water bill."

• Lunchbox (58:15): "It's not about tricking people; it's about sharing real experiences that resonate."

• Bobby Bones (68:45): "Delta offering $30,000 when people deserve more is just not right."

• Bobby Bones (72:20): "People jumped to alien conclusions, but it was just a drone all along."

• Bobby Bones (74:10): "These trends are just asking for someone to get seriously hurt."

• Bobby Bones (82:30): "It's unacceptable to medicate children without explicit permission."

• Bobby Bones (84:50): "Always double-check your bills and be cautious about the content you consume and share."

Conclusion

This episode of The Bobby Bones Show offers a blend of entertaining competitions, eye-opening listener stories, and thoughtful discussions on media practices. Eddie's monumental water bill story serves as a cautionary tale about vigilance in managing utilities, while the debate on clickbait strategies highlights the balance between engaging content and authenticity. The show's diverse segments, from heartwarming recoveries to critical takes on viral trends, ensure a comprehensive and engaging listening experience for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.