The Bonfire w/ Big Jay Oakerson & Robert Kelly

Episode: “Dan Montana’s”
Date: November 27, 2025
Host: SiriusXM Faction Talk 103
Main Guests: Christine, Jacob, Bobby Kelly, others

Episode Overview

In this lively, riff-heavy episode, Big Jay Oakerson and Robert Kelly (Bobby) dig deep into their classic chemistry: roasting one another, breaking down everyday annoyances, and dissecting the off-stage rituals of comedians. A recurring topic is “Dan Day”—a tradition of group lunches surrounding their friend Dan Soder, and, specifically, the contentious lunch spot: Ted’s Montana Grill (humorously renamed “Dan’s Montana” and “Ted Nuggets” during the show). The episode takes hilarious detours into topics like intimidating street vendors, the politics of community pickles, the hidden rigging behind “Dancing with the Stars,” and life in cheap New York City housing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Ted’s Montana Grill” Debate

[06:11–25:00]

• Dan Day Lunch Tradition: The crew discusses their tradition of meeting up for lunch with Dan Soder, with Bobby fiercely defending Ted’s Montana Grill as the group’s longtime spot.
• Christine’s Critique: Christine argues that the restaurant is subpar – “The restaurant’s horrible. And also, I didn’t find out about this one until you guys showed up.” ([07:24])
• Health Aftermath: All complain about stomachaches after the meal, linked to “community pickles.”
• Arguments for Change: The group debates switching to fancier nearby options like Del Frisco’s or Brazilian steakhouses.
• Money Jokes: Jabs at Dan’s wealth:
  • “Dan's a multi-millionaire.” (Christine, [08:28])
  • “Do you understand that a dinner there for him is like you going to McDonald's for lunch?” (Christine, [30:49])
• Picklegate: Hot debate over whether pickles are an acceptable communal appetizer and the likely source of their illnesses.

Notable Moments / Quotes:

“Community pickles is the grossest thing I’ve ever heard in my life.” —Christine ([09:29])

“Mr. Turner’s wonderful bison burger?” —Jay, mocking Ted Turner's food chain ([18:31])

“Christine, look up if hepatitis B causes nausea real quick.” —Jay ([18:43])
[Laughter erupts as Jay mock-investigates whether their stomachaches are hepatitis.]

2. Comedy Show Banter & Stand-up Observations

[17:52–19:03]

• Jay proposes the “Sizzling Fajitas” joke and attempts to sell it to Christine for $150, with extravagant delivery suggestions:

  “You gotta do a flourish... like you’re the waiter, act it out, you’re the star of the show.” —Jay ([19:13]) Christine: “But I’m gonna add a little bit at the end... why are they always gonna tell you ‘Watch out, the plate’s hot’?”

3. “Dancing With the Stars” Deep Dive

[37:40–54:16]

• Corey Feldman's Performance Analysis: Jay recaps Feldman’s low-energy, disappointing dance, noting that he received the lowest score (tied with Andy Richter).
• Show Rigging Conspiracy: A detailed breakdown of what Jay and Christine perceive as blatant manipulation of the scorecards, including a judge visibly holding up a “7” but the scoreboard recording it as an “8.”
• Comparisons: Animated praise for the Crocodile Hunter’s son’s unexpectedly spectacular dance.
• Reality TV Observations: Discussion of how “America’s Got Talent” and “Last Comic Standing” manipulate audience sentiment and outcomes.

Notable Quotes:

“He was so stiff and did so bad, and then this Michael Jackson thing kind of bombed. Oh, God.” —Jay on Feldman ([38:59])

“That destroys the integrity of the show. And the show has so much integrity.” —Jay, heavy sarcasm ([52:04])

4. Life in NYC: Cheap Housing and Roommates

[55:12–60:23]

• Paco’s Living Situation: Everyman producer Paco describes renting a room in a crowded house with strangers, most of whom don’t speak English.
• Jay and Christine riff on the stratified living arrangements and contrast it to the experience of living with fellow comedians.
• Jokes about rent, sharing meals, and ill-placed stereotypes:

  “My rent with four Mexicans? $900.” —Paco ([60:22]) “I’ll let you live in my garage for $500.” —Christine ([60:27])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Jay on the Pickle Sickness:
  “Because the same guy who didn’t wash his hands after wiping his ass cooked all your food.” ([18:36])
• Jay’s Sarcastic Restaurant Recap:
  “Christine, Jacob, where’s your self worth? Where do you think you’re... more than a $13 steak?” ([16:04])
• Bobby’s Lament:
  “I will say I’ve been programmed to not ask for much.” ([16:17])
• Christine’s Analysis of Group Dining:
  “An appetizer is the friendly thing you do to share a little bite together.” ([23:30])
• Christine on Del Frisco’s:
  “It’s expensive, but it’s not fancy.” ([25:08])
• Jay on Corey Feldman’s Dance:
  “He was so stiff and did so bad... He got the same exact score as Andy Richter, who went out there... He just was like, ah, you know what, dude? I'm not a great dancer at all.” ([39:47–40:02])
• Bobby on Community Pickles:
  “I’m usually the one that enjoys that condiment that they put on the table. The condiment. Pickles. Pickle condiments.” ([27:39])
• Christine on reality show rigging:
  “What’s the integrity of that? If they’re already cheating, how are they gonna be honest on the text?” ([53:47])
• Jay re: housing:
  "Are they puzzled your name's Paco and you’re not Mexican?" ([58:18])
• Paco on rent:
  “My rent with four Mexicans? $900.” ([60:22])

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |:-----------------------------------|:--------------| | Ted’s Montana Grill Roast/Rivalries| 06:11–25:00 | | “Sizzling Fajita” Stand-up Bit | 17:52–19:13 | | Dancing with the Stars coverage | 37:40–54:16 | | Reality Show Scoring Controversy | 51:17–53:56 | | NYC Roommate Life/Paco’s Story | 55:12–60:23 |

Tone & Language

Throughout the episode, the exchanges are laced with the Bonfire’s signature balance of playful aggression, self-effacing honesty, and inside-baseball comedy nitpicking. The hosts riff with one another, teasing about perceived slights, food poisoning, and reality TV conspiracies, all in a manner that toggles between roast and real affection.

Summary Takeaways

• Community and Tradition: Beneath endless ribbing about lunch location, there’s a genuine longing for ritual and camaraderie.
• Comedic Honesty: The hosts revel in calling out their own and each other’s bullshit—about food, friends, showbiz posturing, and reality TV.
• Reality TV = Reality Flimflam: Jay and Christine convincingly illustrate how “Dancing With the Stars” manipulates scores and storylines, roasting the whole genre.
• Comedy in Shared Struggle: Whether it’s about bad salmon, dodgy roommates, or the indignities of communal pickles, The Bonfire finds humor in the struggles of adulthood, friendship, and entertainment.

If you want to understand why comedians love/hate each other, distrust reality shows, and can turn a lunch debate into an epic saga, this episode is classic Bonfire.