The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Hour 1: The Great Cioppino

Date: February 4, 2026
Location: The Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami

Overview

In this episode, Dan, Stugotz, and the crew broadcast from the Elser Hotel, bouncing through uniquely “Le Batard Show” territory—Super Bowl culture and media night, hilarious food debates, the crisis in sports journalism, and the ever-important pursuit of credit for cooking. The first hour is a fast-moving, sharp-tongued, and at times sentimental look at sports, food, media, and the personalities anchoring American pop culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Super Bowl Media Night: Dave Dameshek’s Wild Interviews

• [00:56 – 04:19]

  • Dave Dameshek’s offbeat questions spark confusion and laughter among players and coaches, poking fun at traditions (e.g., “Is the Patriots’ red coat ceremony ironic?”) and mustache trends.
  • Players respond with bemusement, some rolling with the jokes and others clearly perplexed.
  • Dameshek hilariously demands attention, asking, “Is this a must-win game?” repeatedly—lampooning the typical, hackneyed Super Bowl interview questions.
  • Memorable moment: The show gleefully mocks the deadpan awkwardness and visible discomfort players like Stefon Diggs show dealing with Dameshek.

  “Some people here are going to answer questions. Other people are going to ask questions. Which one am I? Let’s find out.”
  — Dave Dameshek (01:00)

  “He’s wonderful. Football America. Yammering knob, but wonderful.”
  — Dan Le Batard on Dameshek (04:20)

2. Stat of the Day: Tony Gwynn vs. Legendary Pitchers

• [05:55 – 09:37]

  • Discussion of legendary hitter Tony Gwynn and a remarkable stat presented by John Smoltz.
  • Maddox, Glavine, Pedro Martinez, and Smoltz—a combined 12,000+ strikeouts—only struck Gwynn out three times in over 330 at-bats.

  “Pedro and Greg Maddux zero. Glavin got him twice. I don't even remember getting him once.”
  — John Smoltz (08:32)

  “He struck out less in one year than guys strike out in a week.”
  — Smoltz continues on Gwynn (08:45)

  • The crew marvels at how modern analytics would undervalue a singular talent like Gwynn, and riff on the changing standards in baseball.

3. Super Bowl Food: The Great Cioppino Debate

• [09:37 – 14:11; 31:23 – 36:36]

  • Greg Cody announces he’s serving cioppino for his Super Bowl party, leading to a heated debate about appropriate game day food.
  • Others argue you only need chicken wings, nachos, and dips; anything more is “doing too much.”
  • Greg defends cioppino as a nod to San Francisco, the host city, and stands by making it despite the crew’s skepticism and confusion.

  “I'm making cioppino, the San Francisco favorite, the seafood stew… and I'm going to grace my guests with such a dish.”
  — Greg Cody (10:14)

  “Super Bowl Sunday is not about look-at-me-Louie dishes. It's about—let the game, let the commercials do the work.”
  — Stugotz (12:51)

  • Greg admits part of his motivation is wanting people to recognize and compliment his effort, launching a running joke about seeking validation.
  • The crew teases Greg for needing vocal appreciation, revealing family traditions involving menu readings and the tension when no one praises his work.

  “If I make a Sunday meal and we’re two thirds through the meal and nobody has said anything… you say something out loud. Seething.”
  — Greg Cody (33:31)

  “He’s spending the whole first quarter… assessing everyone eating his dish.”
  — Stugotz (32:25)

4. Journalism in Crisis: Washington Post Cuts & Media Ownership

• [17:19 – 27:05; 37:20 – 39:14]

  • Dan raises alarms about the Washington Post disbanding its sports section and the dangers of billionaires, like Jeff Bezos, controlling newsrooms.
  • The loss of newsroom independence, shrinking newsrooms, media layoffs, and existential threats to the press are passionately discussed.

  "There has been a clean and noble separation of the money and the people making editorial decisions... what is presently happening at the Washington Post... is legitimately brutal to watch.”
  — Dan Le Batard (18:28)

  “Bezos can afford not only to keep the Washington Post staff intact, but to increase it and make the Washington Post stronger than it's ever been … he chooses not.”
  — Greg Cody (23:48)

  • The panel explores the declining public trust in media, political polarization, and the tragic lack of concern for the survival of reputable, credible journalism.

5. “Bet the Castle”: Zaslow’s White Castle Segment

• [29:05 – 31:23]
  • Zaslow returns with his “Bet the Castle” gambling pick, now tied to White Castle burgers as a running gag. He gives a pick for the Cavaliers over the Clippers.
  • The crew roasts Zaslow’s poor record, referencing his infamous losing prediction, but enjoy the spectacle (and the burgers).

6. Family Dynamics & The Need for Compliments

• [33:13 – 36:36]

  • Extended riff on Greg Cody’s psychology—his desire for praise and compliments after cooking elaborate meals.
  • Family traditions, minor resentments, and the generational need for validation are examined with classic show irreverence.

  “I need the credit… Kindness and charitable—thank you. Thank me. Seriously. I’m the only one honest enough to say it.”
  — Greg Cody (33:13–33:19)

7. Streaming Services Hot Takes

• [39:14 – 40:26]
  • Lighter segment on Amazon Prime, with the crew trashing most of its offerings except for show standouts like “Fallout” and “Jack Ryan,” and joking about Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista’s shows.

Notable Quotes

• Dave Dameshek (01:00): “Some people here are going to answer questions. Other people are going to ask questions. Which one am I? Let’s find out.”
• John Smoltz (08:32): “Pedro and Greg Maddux zero [strikeouts]. Glavin got him twice. I don't even remember getting him once.”
• Dan Le Batard (18:28): "There has been a clean and noble separation of the money and the people making editorial decisions... what is presently happening at the Washington Post... is legitimately brutal to watch.”
• Greg Cody (10:14): "I'm making cioppino, the San Francisco favorite, the seafood stew… and I'm going to grace my guests with such a dish.”
• Stugotz (12:51): “Super Bowl Sunday is not about look-at-me-Louie dishes. It's about—let the game, let the commercials do the work.”
• Greg Cody (33:13): “I need the credit.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:56–04:19 — Dave Dameshek’s Super Bowl media night hijinks
• 05:55–09:37 — Tony Gwynn, the impossible-to-strike-out hitter
• 09:37–14:11 — Greg Cody’s cioppino plans spark food debates
• 17:19–27:05 — Journalism, the Washington Post, and the media crisis
• 29:05–31:23 — Zaslow's "Bet the Castle" gambling/burger segment
• 31:23–36:36 — The psychology of Greg Cody’s family dinners and his hunger for compliments
• 39:14–40:26 — Amazon Prime streaming content roasted

Tone & Style

The episode’s tone is a blend of irreverence, wit, sentimentality, and group therapy, with Dan’s passion for media and justice threading together the jokes and jabs. The food debate and media critique exemplify the show's ability to leap between social commentary and pure, joyous nonsense.

This hour delivers both laughs and serious reflection—a testament to The Dan Le Batard Show's signature blend of the insightful and the absurd.