Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: Best of DLS: The George Harrison Prank Fails
Release Date: December 30, 2025
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Chris Cody, Greg Cody, Mike Ryan, and others
Overview:
This “Best Of” episode revisits one of the show’s infamous prank episodes, centering on the doomed attempt to convince Greg Cody that Jeremy Taché’s brother—dressed as George Harrison of The Beatles—was, in fact, Jeremy himself. Amidst this high-concept chaos, the crew weaves through discussions of sports (especially football), Miami Heat talk, pop culture, and the perennial dysfunction that defines the Le Batard universe. Signature segments, musical moments, and Greg Cody’s ever-unique reactions fuel an episode about elaborate inside jokes flaming out spectacularly and the joy in watching everything spiral in real time.
Main Discussion Points & Key Moments
1. Setting Up the George Harrison Prank
- [03:23] Dan introduces the episode by teasing the infamous “George Harrison” prank and a beloved “all-time drop” moment.
- The prank: Jeremy Taché’s brother posed as George Harrison (with full costume and accent) to confuse Greg Cody, who failed to react as expected, inadvertently derailing the joke.
Quote – Dan Le Batard [03:23]:
“Do you guys remember that day where I wasn’t actually there? It was my brother dressed as George Harrison... If you ask Mike Ryan, this episode, no joke, influenced the College Football Playoff committee.”
2. Greg Cody and the Song Tribute
- [05:32] Brief musical interlude: Kirsten performs a song for Greg, surprising the crew with her vocal ability.
- Greg is characteristically self-absorbed, more interested in hearing his name than complimenting Kirsten.
Quote – Chris Cody [06:38]:
“That is a singing voice revelation not seen around here since Rose. I was moved by that song.”
3. Cody’s Nostalgia and ‘Back in My Day’
- [09:03] The aftermath of Jimmy Cliff’s death prompts Greg Cody to reminisce about the reggae legend and his own formative experiences with music.
- A running theme is the tension between Greg wanting to eulogize Jimmy Cliff and the crew mocking his meandering, sometimes inconsistent, nostalgia.
Notable Exchange:
-
Chris: “You reacted by laughing or by... appearing pleased?” [10:21]
-
Greg: “I might have had an inadvertent smile on my face.” [10:24]
-
The crew riffs on why Greg doesn't do written ‘Back in My Day’ segments anymore—Chris accusing Greg of “not doing hard things anymore.” [11:00]
4. Pop Culture and Sports Cross-Talk
- [13:08] The crew discusses the NFL’s increasing embrace of pop music, jokingly confusing Jack Black for Jack White and riffing on artists’ political stances.
Quote – Dan Le Batard [14:23]:
“They have a halftime show executive produced by Marshall Mathers and his first hiring was Jack White, who has been outspoken. Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t like politics with my music, which is why I think it should be Jason Aldean... Jason Aldean doesn’t think. Not a single original thought has crossed through that man’s mind.”
5. The Groundhog Day Prank Failure—The Prankfall Segment
- [28:45] The long-awaited “reveal” of the George Harrison prank, which falls hilariously flat.
- Greg shows no reaction, insisting he always knew it wasn’t Jeremy, and refusing to feign surprise.
Notable Quotes:
-
Chris Cody [31:03]: “Now at the big payoff moment you’re the only one who knew that that was Jeremy’s brother, not Jeremy?”
-
Greg Cody: “I thought it was George. Still do.” [29:02]
-
Dan: “You just won’t give up... You’re playing defense right now. Great defense.” [31:16]
-
Dan: “All we want you to say is, look over and be like, ‘Holy—’” [32:08]
-
Greg: “So it’s a Jeremy impersonator. It’s a big deal.” [32:21]
-
The crew’s growing exasperation leads Chris Cody to note, “I believe Chris is going to have a stroke... He’s still just sitting there, still acting like, ‘I don’t understand.’” [35:24]
6. Miami Heat and Norman Powell Discussion
- [26:06] The conversation shifts to Miami Heat’s roster, with focused assessment on Norman Powell and how Tyler Herro might fit back into the lineup.
Key Takeaway:
- The style has changed so much that asserting “whose team” it is makes less sense; any player could go off for 30 on a given night.
- The exasperation with sports narratives—“Whose team is it?”—is meta-commentary for how Le Batard and his crew approach debate coverage.
Quote – Dan [27:22]:
“Anyone can score 30, so why not take a guy we know can score 30 every single night?”
7. NFL “Shoulda Coulda” and Analysis
[37:06] JuJu Gotti delivers a top five “shoulda coulda” moments from the latest NFL Sunday, providing quick hits on questionable team decisions and situational strategy.
Highlights:
- Arizona’s kicker missing a 33-yard field goal
- Giants opting not to kick a field goal (and missing out on OT)
- Colts punting to Mahomes instead of going for it
- Vikings’ QB woes and draft regrets
8. Classic DLS Banter and Chaos
- Throughout the episode:
- Penalties are handed out for “verbal diarrhea,” “murdering the show,” and “tripping the entire show.”
- Bits about Greg’s trick knee, bike in the Barbie room, and general malaise about rehab and aging.
- Chris Cody desperate for validation and proper reaction from his father, Greg.
- Musical interludes (“Start of the Day” song and Beatles parodies).
Quote – Chris Cody [43:53]:
“Can you give me the stat of the day music, please?... This music will make you happier, won’t it?”
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- Dan Le Batard [03:23]: “I hope you enjoyed Zaslow day yesterday. Speaking of Faye, how about fake and gay Faye? That’s what Mike Ryan was saying all day.”
- Chris Cody [06:38]: “That is a singing voice revelation not seen around here since Rose. I was moved by that song.”
- Greg Cody [10:21]: “I might have had an inadvertent smile on my face.”
- Chris Cody [11:00]: “The reason you don’t do them anymore is because they’re hard. And you don’t do hard things anymore.”
- Dan [14:23]: “Now, I don't know about you, but I don't like politics with my music, which is why I think it should be Jason Aldean… Jason Aldean doesn’t think.”
- Chris Cody [31:03]: “Now at the big payoff moment you’re the only one who knew that was Jeremy’s brother, not Jeremy?”
- Greg Cody [29:02]: “I thought it was George. Still do.”
- Dan [31:16]: “You just won’t give up… You’re playing defense right now. Great defense.”
- Chris Cody [35:24]: “I believe Chris is going to have a stroke... He's still just sitting there, still acting like, 'I don't understand.'”
- Dan [27:22]: “Anyone can score 30, so why not take a guy we know can score 30 every single night?”
- Chris Cody [43:53]: “Can you give me the stat of the day music, please?... This music will make you happier, won’t it?”
Important Segments & Timestamps
- [03:23] – Episode theme and prank setup
- [05:32] – Kirsten’s musical tribute
- [09:03] – Remembering Jimmy Cliff, ‘Back in My Day’ riffing
- [13:08] – Discussing NFL halftime shows, music/pop culture confusion
- [28:45] – The failed “George Harrison” prank climax and aftermath
- [26:06] – Miami Heat/Norman Powell roundtable
- [37:06] – NFL top five “shoulda coulda” segment
- [43:53] – “Start of the Day” music and closing stats
Tone & Takeaways
- Tone: Playful, chaotic, self-referential, and dripping with inside jokes and meta-commentary about the show itself.
- Takeaways: The prank’s collapse is as integral to the humor as any successful surprise. The crew’s frustration with Greg Cody (and his with them) captures the bizarre magic of DLS. No topic—sports, music, family, or self-deprecation—is off-limits if it can fuel the show’s signature blend of comedy, bewilderment, and soulful Miami oddness.
Final Thoughts
For old fans, the episode is a highlight reel of everything that makes DLS special: failed bits that become running jokes, Greg Cody’s obliviousness, Chris’s desperation, and Dan’s ringleader energy. For new listeners, it’s dense with in-references but typifies the irreverent, improvisational approach that’s garnered the show its cult following.
In Dan’s words:
“All of this is… it’s stupid, it’s wrong. At least my dad gave us this payoff.” [32:40]
The attempted prank may have failed—but it became an instant-classic moment in DLS lore.
