Hour 2: EA$Y MONEY TONY (feat. Brian Steinberg)

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz – Hour 2: EA$Y MONEY TONY (feat. Brian Steinberg) Summary

Release Date: July 23, 2025
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz
Guest: Brian Steinberg, Senior TV Editor for Variety CBS

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1. The Cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show

The episode delves deep into the recent cancellation of Stephen Colbert's late-night show on CBS, despite its consistent high viewership over the years. Stugotz initiates the discussion with a pointed question about CBS executives' official statement claiming the cancellation was "purely a financial decision." He references a merger between Paramount and Skydance and hints at possible ulterior motives behind the cancellation.

Stugotz [02:28]: "I was saying that that statement purely a financial decision was a lie because I thought the pending merger between Paramount and Skydance would play a factor."

Brian Steinberg provides his insights, suggesting skepticism toward CBS's financial justification. He posits that while financial strains exist, there may be more nuanced reasons at play, including the shifting landscape of late-night viewership.

Brian Steinberg [01:23]: "People aren't watching late night like they used to... Younger people don't know what it means to tune in at a certain time anymore."

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2. Financial Realities vs. Corporate Influences

Steinberg elaborates on the financial burdens of maintaining a late-night show, highlighting high production costs, salaries, and the challenge of sustaining profitability in an era where traditional TV viewership is waning. He mentions CBS's significant expenditure, estimating a loss of $40 to $50 million annually and maintaining 200 employees.

Brian Steinberg [03:27]: "It doesn't strike me as outlandish that the number would get to that area."

The conversation touches upon the Paramount-Skydance merger, suggesting it might have exerted additional pressure on CBS's finances, indirectly influencing the decision to cancel the show.

Brian Steinberg [05:21]: "They have kept more of their ad dollars though. You look at ad trackers."

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3. Changing Viewership Habits and the Decline of Traditional Late-Night TV

Steinberg identifies a significant shift in how audiences consume late-night content. With the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon, younger demographics are less inclined to adhere to the traditional late-night schedule, preferring on-demand viewing.

Brian Steinberg [01:45]: "You watch what you want whenever you feel like it... It's not easy to get people to show up at a certain loss."

This behavioral change poses a substantial challenge for network-based late-night shows, making it difficult to sustain high advertising revenues.

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4. The Future of Late-Night Television

The hosts and Steinberg discuss the broader implications of Colbert’s show's cancellation on the future of late-night TV. They ponder whether this marks the beginning of the end for traditional network late-night formats or if a new model is emerging.

Jon Stewart [09:12] (Clip): "This is the great question... There's an explosion of late night efforts and talent."

Steinberg suggests that while some legacy shows may struggle, others might adapt by diversifying their offerings beyond traditional formats, incorporating ventures like event hosting or brand partnerships to maintain relevance and financial viability.

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5. Stephen Colbert’s Career Post-Cancellation

The conversation shifts to Stephen Colbert’s prospects following the show's termination. Steinberg is optimistic, comparing Colbert’s potential trajectory to Conan O’Brien’s successful transition into podcasts and independent content creation.

Brian Steinberg [08:18]: "He has nothing to lose and I would argue he's probably headed after this contract over to a very, you know, lucrative career as an independent creator or somewhere else."

Colbert is expected to utilize his unfiltered persona during his farewell period, potentially attracting a dedicated following and new opportunities outside the traditional network framework.

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6. Jon Stewart’s Perspective on Late-Night TV

A poignant clip from Jon Stewart is featured, where he articulates the significance of late-night shows that "speak truth to power" and maintain a provocative edge. Stewart emphasizes the importance of having programs that are unafraid to take a stand, contrasting them with increasingly sanitized corporate-driven content.

Jon Stewart [07:52]: "Shows that say something... We don't speak truth to power. And you are wrong."

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7. Corporate Influence and Potential Shifts in Programming

The hosts debate the role of corporate influence in shaping late-night programming. There's a consensus that corporations may prefer less controversial content to safeguard advertising interests, potentially leading to a homogenization of late-night shows.

Stugotz [15:45]: "The corporations don't stand up... That's what's going to be left of late night television at the end of this."

However, Steinberg counters that while some shows might face such pressures, the dynamic nature of media consumption could also foster innovative models that retain the essence of late-night entertainment.

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8. Transition to "Eats305" – Exploring Miami’s Food Scene

Following the intensive discussion on late-night television, the show transitions to a lighter segment focusing on Miami's vibrant food scene. Stugotz introduces an interview with a local food influencer, Tony, who discusses his journey in the food influencing industry, the challenges of managing social media presence, and the dedication required to maintain a successful platform like Eats305.

This segment provides listeners with an engaging shift from the heavy topic of television industry changes to the dynamic world of local food culture and social media influence in South Florida.

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Key Takeaways

• Financial Struggles: High production costs and shifting advertising revenues are central to the cancellation of high-profile late-night shows like Stephen Colbert's.

• Changing Consumption Patterns: The decline in traditional TV viewership, especially among younger audiences, poses a significant threat to the sustainability of network-based late-night programming.

• Corporate Pressures: Potential corporate interests, including mergers and consolidation, may exert additional pressures leading to programming decisions beyond mere financial considerations.

• Future Adaptations: Late-night hosts may increasingly transition to alternative platforms and diversified roles to sustain their careers outside conventional network environments.

• Cultural Shift: There is an ongoing debate about the balance between maintaining provocative, stand-up content and catering to sanitized corporate interests, influencing the future landscape of late-night television.

• Local Insights: The show's move to discuss Miami's food scene highlights the diverse range of topics covered, appealing to a broad audience beyond just sports and pop culture.

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Notable Quotes:

• Stugotz [02:28]: "Purely a financial decision seems like it can't be true because you're, you're right when you're saying all of these things."

• Brian Steinberg [05:21]: "They have kept more of their ad dollars though. You look at ad trackers."

• Jon Stewart [07:52]: "Shows that say something... We don't speak truth to power. And you are wrong."

• Stugotz [15:45]: "The corporations don't stand up... That's what's going to be left of late night television at the end of this."

• Brian Steinberg [08:18]: "He has nothing to lose and I would argue he's probably headed after this contract over to a very, you know, lucrative career as an independent creator or somewhere else."

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This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz provides an insightful exploration into the evolving dynamics of late-night television, the multifaceted reasons behind major programming decisions, and the broader implications for hosts and the industry. Additionally, the show's seamless transition to local culture segments underscores its commitment to offering diverse and engaging content to its listeners.

Transcript

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[Dan LeBatard]

This is the Dan Levator show with the Stugats podcast.

[Stugotz]

Let me speak to someone here who has more expertise than I do on the things we've been talking about for the last couple of days involving Stephen Colbert. Brian Steinberg, more than three decades as a reporter and journalist covering the business of advertising, media and television. He's the senior TV editor for Variety cbs. Brian and thank you for joining us. Says the cancellation of the Late show was purely a financial decision even though it was the most watched late night program for years now. When the news broke, CBS executives in a statement said, quote, this is a purely financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or others mat other matters happening at Paramount, end quote. Do you believe this to be true?

[Brian Steinberg]

From what I've talked people I've talked to on all sides of the matter, I think there's something there. I know the optics aren't great with the 60 Minutes lawsuit and Colbert kind of mouthing off about it a few days earlier, but my understanding is that is that, you know, there's some financial issues going on they can't solve.

[Stugotz]

And what would those be exactly?

[Brian Steinberg]

People aren't watching late night like they used to. You know the whole premise of late night. So younger People tune in 11:30, a big crowd and advertisers can put their ads in front of them and go big response. Younger people don't know what it means to tune in at a certain time anymore. They, they watch what they want whenever they feel like it. And if you watch like, like Netflix is a tries doing late night shows or Amazon's or whatever, they haven't done so Sarah Silverman and Kelsey Handler, they haven't done so well. It's not easy to get people to show up at a certain loss. It's a football game to show up at a certain time altogether. And so this is having a bigger effect at CBS and I think NBC, ABC too. It's just the way this stuff works is not working any longer.

[Stugotz]

More facts than I do on Monday I was saying that that statement purely a financial decision was a lie because I thought the pending merger between Paramount and Skydance would play a factor. Combined with him calling it a big fat bribe between those two things. Did either of those two things play a factor?

[Brian Steinberg]

Well, they helped. It helped Colbert in any way. But my understanding is that CBS is concerned about the financial part of the show. Have been going on for a while. It is not new to Colbert and his team that there are these concerns out there. Also, CBS recently just got at 12:30, you know, Taylor Tomlinson, who was doing this after midnight show that Colbert was involved with, decided she wanted to go back to stand up, didn't like the corporate stuff and signed to her own thing. CBS didn't was replacing it with old repeats of a Byron Allen show from years ago. So that tells you what they think about late night these days.

[Stugotz]

How expensive is the show? Are the reports true? Losing 40 to $50 million a year. 200 employees.

[Brian Steinberg]

200 employees is accurate. I can't verify the exact number. There's a profit loss on the show, but it's not, you know, it doesn't sound outrageous that it cost tens of millions of dollars, have a live band every night audience own the only Ed Sullivan theater in New York City and maintain that to pay Colbert a salary, to pay all these guys salaries, it doesn't strike me as outlandish that the number would get to that area. The challenge, I think the challenge is that they've long rely on young people to show up. I do think that Colbert's, you know, Colbert rode to the top when he first started. It was kind of a rocky tenure. He's going to be all things, all people. He had previously been on Comedy Central doing that Colbert Report, this confidence servant of character. He had to be his real, real authentic self at cbs and he was trying to navigate that. The first year was a little rocky. He figured out if I just zoom in on the headlines and my reactions to them, that's going to work. He was right. He started beating Fallon. First time CBS has beaten NBC since Letterman first took the job in 93. But I do think the political humor, the headlines humor probably made some advertisers a little shaky on getting involved. That then it becomes a more polarized environment and not the good night farewell type of stuff that most late night shows are known for.

[Stugotz]

So if I may here, because these things aren't absolute, okay? And I do think I was too loud Monday because I was saying lies. These are lies. How can you possibly say this is purely a financial decision in this particular climate? It's made easier by all of the things Brian saying and I don't want to be stubborn here in order to be right. Purely a financial decision. Purely seems like it can't be true because you're, you're right when you're saying all of these things. But none of the other shows have these kinds of ratings. Are they far less expensive? Is, is Kimmel, are all of the, is the Tonight show far less expensive than this?

[Brian Steinberg]

They have kept more their ad dollars though. You look at ad trackers. Tonight show and Kimmel have kept more of their ad base than Colbert has over the last five years.

[Stugotz]

But they're less political. Not Kimmel. But they're less political. He's the most political one. He's also the highest rated because he's the most political one.

[Brian Steinberg]

I think cbs, I mean I think I have to think that there is some concern about and with a merger lying ahead, they cannot afford not to have this merger. Paramount I would argue is perhaps the least performing of all the big media companies right now. Maybe Warner as well. You know, I can't say it's not a concern having this merger go through. And was there pressure to house Colbert? I don't know. I mean John Stewart seems to be keeping on so far and he's owned by the same company. But also Colbert is going to be out for another 10 months. I mean in most of these companies, if they have a problem with talent, they yank and they say goodbye. They're giving Colbert a ten month farewell.

[Stugotz]

But how could it be purely a financial decision?

[Brian Steinberg]

39%. As I said, I don't think political stuff helped Colbert in this current climate. But I do think that this has been a concern CBS for a while. I understand that is is his team was probably aware of the situation going back several weeks. But you know, so I don't think it's. I don't think he was shocked to understand it, but I think there were the actual trigger was was happened happened more recently.

[Ad]

Brian, have you ever seen an example like this though where a, a host of a show or a show like this one even considers like hey, in this political climate we're basically afraid of retribution from the President of the United States. Is that something that you've ever seen an example of before where it's not just simply a financial decision cut and dry because that's the way the organization runs it.

[Brian Steinberg]

I mean I think you'll get over the news space. A lot of things happening right now are out of, you know, obsequiousness in some cases. I mean Both the ABC and CBS paying fines or settling law. Not fines, actual lawsuit settlements for legal matters they probably could have beaten in court. You know, just make, make Trump go away. I think decisions happen all the time in news like, you know, Joy Reid leaving MSNBC or, you know, this kind of things. Tucker Carlson leaving Fox News. These are not purely financial decisions. They are done because of personality conflicts and other concerns about programming.

[Dan LeBatard]

Is it out of the realm of possibility to think that you said that they've known for weeks probably that this was in discussions. They knew that this might be the result. So if we had a filter, we can just remove the filter now and we'll just be more honest and we'll be less careful in what we say because we know inevitably this might be what happens anyways. So let's just, we can go for it now and it doesn't matter because they may cancel this regardless.

[Brian Steinberg]

I do think what you're going to see from Colbert until May is 100% raw, unfiltered Colbert. He has nothing to lose and I would argue he's probably headed after this contract over to a very, you know, lucrative career as an independent creator or somewhere else. I don't think he's his. He is again one of the most. The best watched late night show. There's an audience that will follow him. Look at Conan o' Brien left TBS and NBC after many years of late night. Did a great job with podcasting, sold the podcast to serious for many millions of dollars. You can argue that Conan is the most successful late night host in history because he has these great businesses after he's done with the chair. So I don't think Colbert's career is over by any stretch. And I think we're going to see raw, unfiltered Colbert. Jon Stewart on Monday night who went nuts. I think we're going to see more of that because these guys are kind of like, why should I care? The car may be yanking out from under my feet any moment now. So I'm just gonna do what I do best.

[Stugotz]

It's interesting the way that he's saying that because it's not the end of Colbert. It's the end of late night television and the end of these giants needing to be supported by bigger corporate giants. Colbert does not need any of this anymore. He doesn't. He goes out, he goes out with such fanfare that absolutely he can build the next thing like Conan o'. Brien. He's got that. They just did Colbert a favor and I didn't real.

[Jon Stewart]

This is What I want to ask Brian is the idea that these late night shows cost a lot of money to make because of talent fees because all the other associated costs and as you said, they're geared towards an audience that does not search for its entertainment on a linear television basis. So is this the first salvo in what's going to be the death of all of these late night shows as we know them from the networks? And what's going to happen come up is what Letterman does on Netflix and you know, whatever Stephen Colbert goes on to do from here.

[Brian Steinberg]

Well, this is the great question, right. I mean and we've seen in the last five years we've seen a lot of this slipping away. NBC used to have a show on after seth Meyers at 1:30 in the morning. Carson Dale used to do it. Then it was leasing. They're out of that business. CBS 1230. Taylor Thompson says I don't like doing this. I'm going back to my comedy. They're out of that business. He others like Samantha Bee over at TBS calling it tbs. This has been drip, drip, dripping for a while now. I will it reminds me, I think the next milestone will be Himmel, his deals up at 2026 next year with Disney. And he is you know, intimated several times now that he's, he's done for a long time now he's getting a little tired of it. He doesn't do summers anymore. They have guest hosts all summer long. Maybe that's how the show makes money because they're paying paying out less for the summer either paying Kimmel less. But let's see if Kimmel decides to renew or not. That's a big step. And then I think over at NBC they have a more of a legacy feel of it with Saturday Night Live and late night and Tonight show around for years Letterman started that late night show. It's a landmark. That's my show. 60 years of SNL. 50 years. I think they've they've in recent years done a lot more with these hosts. Are you found? He's doing ice cream flavors and I'm using park rides. He's doing a game show. He's doing a new show in the fall called On Brand like it's not to be like a marketing thing for different products. SNL, great ad support for the 50th anniversary. I do wonder if there's a new financial model. These guys do more stuff than just late night to keep late night.

[Stugotz]

Oh no, that's a good point. He just brought up Kimmel And Kimmel and Fallon do all sorts of stuff for the network that, that, that Colbert doesn't do like they are more Disney characters, you know, where they. They'll do everything. You need me on your game show. Okay, I'll do that too.

[Ad]

Alan does the parade every Thanksgiving, but that's right.

[Stugotz]

Does Colbert do that?

[Brian Steinberg]

Colbert does this. So Colbert did a pickleball special. He does a couple of comedy shows. He's got a producing deal behind the scenes with cbs. We had one. My understanding is talking people. People thought. People felt Colbert like, like Letterman didn't also didn't do a lot of ad deals or live commercials or specials. And CBS thought because the guy had just gone to number one, let the guy do he does best. And they didn't put a lot of pressure on him for, you know, put up, put a funny sign on your show. Now, he did do stuff on live commercials occasionally. He did do some shows, but not to the same extent. I think Corden did or Cole or Fallon. But CBS wasn't that. Whatever CBS asked to do, Colbert did, but they also left him to, you know, this guy's done a great thing. Let him do his job, let him cook. Don't get in the kitchen too much. So there's more of a. A regard and a respect for not making the guys from himself too thin. So I don't know if he refuse anything, but I don't think he, I think also was focused on his show, which is. These are. These are like newspapers. You have to have a new one every day. They're not easy to do. They are marathons. Not, not quick jogs.

[Tony]

Brian, I would assume you're right that you're going to get a more raw and aggressive Colbert in these final 10 months. Do you think he makes the final 10 months?

[Brian Steinberg]

I do. There are people who pay. There are two people who. Who need paychecks. There's a staff there. So unless. And if you look at McAfee, who smacks ESPN every. Every couple of months on air, it's become more accepted for the talent to make fun of the company or to take issues online on air. The company. I guess we were too early. We were too early. Look at Maddie.

[Stugotz]

God damn it. Damn it.

[Brian Steinberg]

They're paying a million.

[Stugotz]

It's unbelievable. Let's play the sound here from Jon Stewart on Monday. Everybody wanted to hear what he had to say. This is part of what it is he had to say.

[Unknown]

I understand the corporate fear. I understand the fear that you and your Advertisers have with $8 billion at stake. But understand this truly the shows that you now seek to cancel, censor and control. A not insignificant portion of that $8 billion value came from those shows. That's what made you that money. Shows that say something. Shows that take a stand. Shows that are unafraid and not to believe. Not a we speak truth to power. We don't. We speak opinions to television cameras but we try. We try every night. And if you believe as corporations or as networks you can make yourselves so innocuous that you can serve a gruel so flavorless that you will never again be on the boy king's radar A why will anyone watch you? And you are wrong.

[Stugotz]

What are your thoughts there Brian?

[Brian Steinberg]

I don't think he's wrong. I think that you know TV used to get interest by being a little provocative and and welcoming to all people. Now there are. Look, you can argue that all late night I think since Letterman left has exploded. They're all kind Samantha be Robin, fe MTV tried for a little while. CMT tried for half a second. There was this explosion of late night efforts and talent. Everyone's going after a different niche. When you go after a niche you're not going after the whole entrel you're not going after all the audience I think found is the one that still goes after everybody tries to and he's not political, he's not controversial. He does play his games. He gets celebrities to come do things they wouldn't normally do and I would argue that that's probably the most welcoming of the late night shows.

[Stugotz]

This is how they run all of the politics in late night television out of the room. And so Greifeld's the only one getting the ratings because all of America like he's, he's not having any issues getting ratings. Like that's what's going to be left of late night television at the end of this because the corporations don't stand up.

[Brian Steinberg]

Now it's short sight. I mean these, this the current climate does not last. Nothing lasts forever. And These shows are 60, 30 years old and you know have some, some longer term thinking might serve some people Well I think 60 Minutes, CBS, you can always tarnish the one of the best known news magazines in the world to satisfy this current issue.

[Stugotz]

But Brian, but that is what is happening now. Like I understand that all of the late night John Oliver, all those guys that are coming out in support. Yes, that's the old guys protecting their beloved industry as the young people have said. Nope, it's dead. It's dead. Guys. But so I watched last night as the old guys put Josh Johnson, the only one who can actually get them young people in a suit on the Daily show even though that guy has purposely been wearing a hoodie and only a hoodie. And he reaches young people in a way that not even the Daily show does because his numbers every Tuesday because of how he, how prolific he is, because he's the best and most prolific young comic in America right now. And he comes out with something every Tuesday that is outside of the brand. But they put him in a suit yesterday and they, they, they did something to him on the Daily show that is palatable. It's not a hoodie anymore. It's please come play with us. But do it the way we, the way old Jon Stewart would do it. You see what's happening, right, Brian? Like there's gonna be a sanitizing of this and they're gonna say that it's just about money. But it's not just about money. The corporations have to stand for something.

[Brian Steinberg]

It's a problem. I think it's, you know, if you can't get it. And I think, but people are getting it somewhere else and I think also the talent is, let me look at Taylor Tomlinson who's off the third season of this 12:30 show and said, you know what? I'm good. I'm gonna do my own thing. I'm good. They wanted to go. He announced it on the, on the stage before telling his producers and senior executives he's going to leave. So there's, there clearly is some, you know what? I'm going to go somewhere else and do my thing. I'm going to be rewarded for it. I won't make money I make here, but I'll make money and I'll see you around.

[Stugotz]

Can you explain the reasons why this decision was announced right now? Because the timing makes it so people jump to conclusions like the one I jumped to.

[Brian Steinberg]

I agree with you. And they, I would argue that if they had done in May with the TV up fronts for the audience doesn't know. This is when all the networks go out and try and get ad dollars. The next season when Carson retired did at the upfront. Letterman retired. They had a celebratory at the upfront. It sets the stage for a year of join us for Letterman's last year. Join us for Carson's last year. And if they're concerned about advertising, this would be the place to get more dollars. But instead of doing at the upfront, they seem to have hemmed and hawed wait until now. My understanding is that what forced their hand is that most of the producers and writers on this show have August to August contracts. And the new deals are coming out to all the agents that were going to have to have eight to 10 months, not 12 months. And it's going to leak because every agent's got with their producer, their producer or their writer says, hey, why am I only on till May? So they had. They had to get in front of it.

[Stugotz]

Now, any chance they change their mind, Any chance that there's an outpouring of money here for the last 10 months of Colbert where it explodes because it's a new Colbert and it's not a final decision?

[Brian Steinberg]

I wonder about that. Could there be such a rallying around COLBERT the next 10 months? And CBS is like, what are we doing? You know, and because all those ads are going to go over to Found and Kimmel for the time being or somewhere or just digital stuff. So I do wonder if there's like some, you know, can we make the show less glitzy, more retrofit? We get some cost out of the show and keep it on. I would say keep your eye open for it, but right now it seems like no.

[Stugotz]

Brian, thank you for being on with us. Appreciate the fact, sir.

[Brian Steinberg]

Thanks for having me. I appreciate it. Don LeBatard.

[Tony]

Jon, can you rate my Al Pacino from that billiard scene in Carlito's Way? If I do it for you? I think it's pretty good.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Stugotz]

Stugats.

[Tony]

You think you're big time when you're.

[Stugotz]

Gonna die big time.

[Brian Steinberg]

That is on my infamous scale of 1 to 10.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's a.

[Brian Steinberg]

That's a 7.6 solid.

[Unknown]

That's a suey nominee right there.

[Dan LeBatard]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats.

[Stugotz]

There were so many things that I wasn't able to get to today on a Wild Willie Wednesday that I'm embarrassed. I'm legitimately. That's one thing. But Billy, theater, you know, there's a, you know.

[Dan LeBatard]

You know, Brian, if you drink soda.

[Ad]

Yeah, that's what I wanted to get to do.

[Stugotz]

You. Do you know that there's a Tony I. There are a couple of pictures here that video has now found. A couple of. A couple of hours late.

[Jon Stewart]

Nice.

[Stugotz]

There's a picture of Tony with me at Sandbar in 2014. A very young Tony and very young Dan, too. I don't remember this, but Tony was telling this story earlier and video will get it up as soon as they find it. And there's also a picture of Billy that they have found that is famous around here. The most athletic Billy. When you beat Amin and Paolo in that foot race.

[Jon Stewart]

In that foot race, that thing is bookmark. What are we talking about?

[Stugotz]

Cleveland. No. Look at that.

[Jon Stewart]

We found the picture.

[Stugotz]

That is not that. You cannot tell me as that that is a soda body.

[Tony]

That's. That's an athlete right there.

[Stugotz]

That is not a Billy. That is not a.

[Brian Steinberg]

So, like no life.

[Stugotz]

No one would look at that person and say a soda drinker's body.

[Unknown]

What year is that? Just so we have a reference point for that body.

[Ad]

And then this has to be 1828.

[Unknown]

Different worlds pre pandemic.

[Dan LeBatard]

I remember four had kids.

[Jon Stewart]

I was coming off a red eye flight.

[Brian Steinberg]

People.

[Dan LeBatard]

People don't talk enough.

[Unknown]

Jordan Fives, too.

[Jon Stewart]

Jordan Fives not a running shoe.

[Dan LeBatard]

There's this big thing about what having children does to a mother's body, but no one talks enough about what it does to a father's body.

[Jon Stewart]

Finally, someone speaks up about that. By the way, truth to power. That's what we do on the show. Even if Jon Stewart.

[Stugotz]

Jeremy, why are you wincing?

[Ad]

I'm laughing, I'm smiling. I love our show. Everyone in here and everything we say, Billy, I thought.

[Stugotz]

I thought that your pizza. When you said earlier in the show I have pizza once a week, I simply assum.

[Dan LeBatard]

More than once a week. Once a week is. If things are not going ideal for me, I would have pizza every day. If you come in with a samurai sword, pizzas and hamburgers are coming out of me, not blood.

[Stugotz]

I would assume that that wasn't the case before kids, but the having of kids makes pizza. I just simply assumed. Oh, God. That's so easy for parents.

[Dan LeBatard]

Are you saying my wife's lazy and doesn't cook?

[Stugotz]

No, it's just. You don't have to wash. My wife.

[Dan LeBatard]

You be careful.

[Stugotz]

You don't have to wash as much.

[Dan LeBatard]

Don't say that.

[Stugotz]

If you're. If you're buying pizza, you don't. There's just you. You eat it quick. You can do it on paper plates if you want. You throw everything away.

[Dan LeBatard]

And saying she doesn't do dishes either. I mean, Dan, that's. At certain point, I'm gonna have to put a stop to this.

[Unknown]

You threaten to fight him.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm not, but something's gonna happen.

[Ad]

All right.

[Dan LeBatard]

I put Stewart or something.

[Stugotz]

Well, let's. Let's finalize this. I am officially stating it. Tony now reports to Billy. We're gonna change the org Chart. However it is that we change the org chart.

[Unknown]

By the way, you're gonna approve now. You're gonna approve all my PTO going forward. So I have.

[Dan LeBatard]

No, that's not my department. That's.

[Unknown]

No, no, you're my boss now.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's unlimited. That's.

[Unknown]

Oh, excellent.

[Stugotz]

All right, we're gonna figure out what we do about buying a. Are we playing Tony tonight? Like, are we going to do that? Have you made a ruling on whether or not we've got 10 minutes of Tony? Are we going to do that?

[Dan LeBatard]

It's a lot of Tony.

[Unknown]

It's more so George than me. It's mreats305, who's got 300,000 followers on Instagram. He does an incredible job here locally as probably the number one food Instagram blogger here in the market.

[Ad]

Who would have thought when they took this picture? How many years ago was this?

[Unknown]

This picture was 2014. Me and Dan at a sandbar with my buddy Kevin, who's a daily listener. Shout out to Devin.

[Dan LeBatard]

Looks like a dipshit.

[Unknown]

Nah, he is a little bit of a shithead. He's a little bit of a shithead. He's been better as of recent. Yeah. And. And this was actually a Thursday night for a Dolphins Bills watch party at a sandbox.

[Ad]

You're wearing a Marlins hat.

[Brian Steinberg]

There's a lot going on.

[Jon Stewart]

Number one, Dan has a shirt that says Blessed.

[Ad]

That's a Lebo shirt.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. Careful, tread lightly. Tony has one that looks like it says cash with a dollar.

[Unknown]

No, it says easy money.

[Jon Stewart]

Easy Money Tony shirt ever.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Ad]

Dan is super excited to be taking the picture.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah.

[Jon Stewart]

Look at. Look at all the joy.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jon Stewart]

Like, that is a literal snarl.

[Dan LeBatard]

He's mid sentence.

[Brian Steinberg]

While this picture was like, get away.

[Dan LeBatard]

Clearly.

[Ad]

What was your saddest moment? I know he's asking right there.

[Tony]

Miss those days, those appearances at the bars.

[Stugotz]

Put it on the poll, please. Juju. Is Kevin a bit of a dipshit?

[Unknown]

He absolutely.

[Jon Stewart]

He looks like Duncan Robinson.

[Brian Steinberg]

He does.

[Stugotz]

What is the caption that was on Instagram for?

[Unknown]

That caption says, I think I talked to Dan Lebbertard. He says, we got next.

[Jon Stewart]

Oh, wow.

[Unknown]

Yeah. And prophetic. Here we are, 11 years later, we got.

[Dan LeBatard]

Now, were you always like this?

[Unknown]

Yeah, of course.

[Brian Steinberg]

Did you walk up to him here and you're like, I'm gonna host.

[Ad]

I'm gonna be one on your show one day?

[Unknown]

I think I told Dan one time this. In this exact moment, I was like, dan, I do radio at fiu. And like, I. I do a Lot of my stuff resembling the things that you do.

[Ad]

He's like, there's no future in this.

[Unknown]

You obviously don't remember what you told me. You said one. No future in this. No future in this business. A B. You said, have fun, and I said, I will have fun.

[Tony]

Do you have any recollection of this as you look at the picture?

[Stugotz]

No.

[Unknown]

No.

[Jon Stewart]

Come on.

[Unknown]

You also don't have recollection of throwing trash at me.

[Brian Steinberg]

There's no way that happened.

[Tony]

What are you talking about?

[Unknown]

Miami Heat pre game and post game.

[Tony]

You don't remember when you threw trash?

[Unknown]

Threw trash as the door open, almost hit me in the head.

[Dan LeBatard]

Tommy Tyke did not, though.

[Unknown]

You threw it over Tommy Ty. Imagine that.

[Tony]

You're saying that we were doing the studio show for a road game. You popped into the studio and I threw. Threw garbage at you.

[Unknown]

Threw garbage at a garbage can next to the door close to my head.

[Dan LeBatard]

What kind was it?

[Unknown]

Paper of some sort.

[Tony]

How do you feel about being a liar?

[Brian Steinberg]

Wow. Wow.

[Jon Stewart]

No, you say, how do you feel about exhibiting the behaviors of a liar?

[Tony]

I mean, I'm gonna defend myself. You back me into a corner of me and I'm gonna defend myself.

[Unknown]

The damn part is true, though. He. He said those.

[Dan LeBatard]

Wait, so that other thing wasn't true? He didn't?

[Unknown]

No, no, it is true, but I'm saying I have actual, like, evidence of. Have a picture of that day. I don't have a picture of Zaz or video of Z.

[Stugotz]

That's ballsy to come up and just say, we got next, though.

[Brian Steinberg]

You.

[Stugotz]

I should remember that. That would be something that should be memorable.

[Ad]

If it's no future in this business.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, but when someone that looks like Kevin comes up and says that to you.

[Unknown]

Well, no, Kevin didn't say it.

[Dan LeBatard]

A lot of Kevin's were saying that, you know. Okay, whatever.

[Stugotz]

Wait, wait, wait a minute, though. You. You do understand when I said I wasn't saying Tony doesn't have any future in this business. I was saying there is no future in this business.

[Ad]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

I wasn't wrong in radio, right? No, you're right.

[Dan LeBatard]

You're right about both.

[Unknown]

Yeah, you're right. But then, alas, here we are.

[Stugotz]

Are we playing Tony's tonight? Tonight, or are we.

[Dan LeBatard]

Not really, I suppose.

[Brian Steinberg]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Brought to you by Cuervo, by the way.

[Dan LeBatard]

Thank you.

[Stugotz]

Are we buying a little vaquita? Are we?

[Dan LeBatard]

Stuart is not.

[Brian Steinberg]

Are we having a job?

[Ad]

One listed for $139,000.

[Unknown]

Don LeBatard to US residents.

[Brian Steinberg]

Oh, wow.

[Stugotz]

It's in there.

[Brian Steinberg]

It's better.

[Unknown]

Think I haven't been practicing stugats?

[Stugotz]

I didn't realize we had a substitute.

[Unknown]

Complicated legacy Projected by Headquarters Toyot 441 Power Line Road 2nd down to 9.

[Dan LeBatard]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugach Familiatoni.

[Unknown]

Tonight is brought to you by Cuervo, the tequila that invented tequila. Did you know the very first margarita was made with Cuervo? There's nothing like the original. It's mark season, so keep it Cuervo all summer long. All right, we're back at La Sala with the boy, Mr. Eats305, who's in the building with us. We're gonna be tasting food from La Carreta. We got a couple beers here, plus we have Martha Miami, a cafe. I want to see who's bringing the. The good stuff. The jet fuel for us.

[Stugotz]

I made it with lots of.

[Brian Steinberg]

Of love. Wow.

[Ad]

Thank you.

[Stugotz]

Enjoy.

[Ad]

Thank you.

[Unknown]

Thank you.

[Ad]

Cheers, brother. Now we can start.

[Unknown]

Now we can start. And I'm going to put this in frame right here so you can see the little Cuban flag. We got Patri Avida. We have La Carreta. We have beer. Like, what else do we need? He's speechless. That's it. He's ready. Dude. I remember, like, seeing the page because I was obviously, I knew you from, from back in the day at FIU, so it was like you had started the DJing stuff, and then it kind of transitioned into food. And then I was like, oh, wait, he's starting to get a little traction. Like he's got 2k, 5k, 7k, 10k. It's crazy. And what are you at right now?

[Ad]

Quarter of a million on Instagram.

[Unknown]

Okay, we'll start with how did you get into food influencing, if that's what we call it these days, DJing.

[Ad]

Then after DJing went to law school, then from law school worthless or what? No, I use what I've learned in law school basically every day. Really a lot goes into the whole food influencer world than one may see. We were talking about how seamless it looked. But you wear a lot of hats.

[Unknown]

And what people don't see is we've got 1, 2, 3. We have eight people back here. And then when you go out and shoot, it's either you or your wife. You guys go together. But realistically, it's just you editing concept strategies, like you said, marketing, posting, like, like all those different things. It's so much more than meets the eye when it just comes to, oh, this guy is at Our betters, you know, taking a picture of a hot dog.

[Ad]

I basically have the idea for the video prior to even going there. And sometimes just me and the tripod, we're on a date.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Ad]

And it's just I genuinely love sharing the stories of these businesses and the food, and that's what's allowed me to grow and be in the position that I am today.

[Unknown]

What was the impetus? What was the start of the whole process?

[Ad]

Yeah. And it doesn't happen overnight. My wife and I were first started dating. So, you know, when you're dating people from the beginning, all you're doing is going out to eat. This is back 2016. Instagram didn't have stories. It didn't have. Nah, very primitive. Primitive. You got 10 likes, the names disappeared and you were like, yo, I am the next thing.

[Brian Steinberg]

That's it.

[Ad]

So it was stars aligning, consistency and hard work. What I do, as simple as it may seem, you're just posting boeriya videos. No, you're helping small businesses, helping people break bread, have good conversations. Doing what we're doing now at home, whether it's takeout or at a beautiful restaurant or just a dive, being your own boss is the best thing. Whether it's an influencer or you create an incredible brand clothing line like, and La Sala is incredible. This place is stunning. And I was actually telling her, I'm like, I can think of so many events in this spot.

[Unknown]

I think people want to be their own boss until they find out the work that it takes to be your own boss. Because when somebody's sitting over you being like, hey, make sure that this paperwork gets done or this gets done, it's a lot easier to be like, okay, fine, boss, I'll do it.

[Brian Steinberg]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Have you gotten to a point where you're tired of eating?

[Ad]

No, I love food.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Ad]

I love food too much. And I love the stories behind everything.

[Unknown]

How many times a week do you go out and film? If you go ballparking, I try to.

[Ad]

Do Monday, Tuesdays, kind of in house editing, trying to eat clean. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, going out at least once. Once, once a day. You know, Friday, Saturday, I'll probably do dinner too.

[Unknown]

Right. So you're looking at taking seven meals, give or take a week. A week that you're eating. Not at home, not with your media. How do you, how do you stay trim and fit and like, able to do those things?

[Ad]

It's part of the job. Like how I see it is work. It's all about balance, staying consistent every day of the Week I'm working out, even on weekends. Legacy hit training. Keeping the good stuff, you know, things that you need to do that I'm not also on my phone. So it's not only a physical workout, but a mental, like, break, because I'm always on my phone. And I think it's very important to kind of log off as much as I can. Even though I'm always on, even mentally, when I'm at the gym, I'm still thinking of things, but it's refreshing when I'm not looking at the screen. So going to the gym is very important for me, mentally, physically.

[Unknown]

Who's the person that, when you started this, you met and you're like, I can't believe that. Now I'm here with this person. Who would that person be that comes to mind?

[Ad]

Gordon Ramsay. That's up there.

[Unknown]

Huge.

[Ad]

Huge in the food and beverage. Everybody knows Guy Fieri.

[Unknown]

Yeah, the goat.

[Ad]

Love him or hate him, that guy's the man.

[Unknown]

I love him. You know, we love him here on the show.

[Ad]

Built a brand that is bigger than food and beverage. Like, it's cool.

[Unknown]

It's bigger than the Food Network.

[Brian Steinberg]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Like, his brain is like, Guy Fieri's bigger than the Food Network.

[Ad]

And then third would have to be. I have to throw an athlete in there because, you know, we love our sports. So probably Derek Jeter. Really, as much as I wanted to say Dwyane Wade growing up playing baseball.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Ad]

He was the guy. You know, I'm still waiting for Ken Griffey to hit me up. So if you're watching this, he's probably watching.

[Unknown]

So people that you've created bonds with that you would never have expected to have created a bond with because of food, because of your storytelling, because of what you created out of your hands, you were able to meet and actually have a relationship with this person.

[Ad]

I love the 305, and especially in the food and beverage scene, so it's cool to see people that are athletes that are not necessarily from Miami, that want to come in and tap into the 305 and understand the culture and all that. So I think Christian Wilkins, I know he's in the Raiders now, but, man, that guy was tapped into the food. And best Jimmy Butler is. Is very tapped into.

[Unknown]

If you're riding a horse in the middle of the streets of Miami, like, I feel like you're tapped.

[Ad]

No, you have a. You start a coffee. You know, you start a coffee company in Miami. Olenek, back when he was in the heat, he. He really. He's A big time foodie. That guy can take seven feet worth of sushi down like every day, man. That guy was really into it. Duncan Robinson, another. Another guy, friend of the show. Yeah, he loves his food.

[Unknown]

Dunk is awesome.

[Ad]

This is the mystery eats exclusive, by the way. Come on, take a look. Look, ud.

[Unknown]

I don't know why I missed out. Sorry.

[Ad]

My bad, man.

[Unknown]

I can't believe I should have been the first guy. What's your go to pastelito right now?

[Ad]

I'm going to go waa.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Ad]

But that doesn't mean it's every time I do like the queso.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Ad]

Every now and then I think it's an underrated pastelito.

[Unknown]

The thing is, with a guayaba one, I can have like 10 of them. Especially if you go to a Cuban party.

[Ad]

Which one are you picking?

[Unknown]

I'm going to grab this one here.

[Ad]

All right.

[Unknown]

Especially if you go to a Cuban party and they have like the mini bite size ones.

[Ad]

No, done, dude.

[Unknown]

I have like an. An insane amount.

[Ad]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Ones of the way. Iowa ones.

[Ad]

I'll have inhaling. Inhaling.

[Unknown]

Let's see here.

[Ad]

Where's your go to spot for it? Let's see how I turn the tables on you.

[Unknown]

Right when I took a bite too.

[Ad]

I'm like a waiter. You know when they ask you how everything is at the table, you're good.

[Brian Steinberg]

I'm fine.

[Unknown]

Amazing.

[Brian Steinberg]

It's the best I ever had.

[Ad]

It's like you were waiting until I took a bite.

[Unknown]

No, I think patalito poppy. Right now that's top one in his bag.

[Ad]

Yeah, but it's not for every day.

[Unknown]

Not for every day.

[Ad]

Not for every day.

[Unknown]

For my every day. So I play hoops on Saturday mornings and then I'll go to Pinecrest Bakery.

[Ad]

Solid.

[Unknown]

Pine Crest Bakery is just my every Saturday. My wife wants pastelito de guaya viquezo and empanada and doc rogeta. That's what she wants every Saturday morning now that she's pregnant, I have to get it. If not, if I come home empty handed, I got problems. Right. One time I came home empty handed, she's like, go back. Go get it and then come back.

[Ad]

So you know better.

[Unknown]

Now your favorite bite right now. In the Latin community food scene, what's. What's the one thing that you look at and be like, damn, that's it?

[Ad]

I think right now. And like I said earlier, Miami is popping off with food from all over the world. Different cuisines, different neighborhoods. But Caracas Bakery.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Ad]

When I first think Plato Fuerte and traditional food. I'm thinking Havana Harry's, because, wow, bro, classic spot. So, like, you're going to get good food and a portion to feed your entire family. Seriously. So when you think of that and you think you're in Miami, it's hard not to mention them. Another place, La Casita, on a street, and the average age there is 75.

[Unknown]

So you know the food is good. You know the place is going to be good. It's funny because when I start thinking of like, platos like that, where the bitem paran sal comes out and it's like six feet long, and you're like, how am I supposed to eat this? It's like. But you do. It's because you think of your grandma in the back of your head like, noy comida. And I'm like, damn, Okay. I didn't know they didn't have food in Cuba. Like, let me keep eating.

[Ad]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

And that was the affliction of growing up as a big kid in a Cuban household that I had to continue to eat.

[Ad]

That's why we have work to do. We're in La Sala now.

[Unknown]

And I'm like, bro, taking a scope out from Miami. Big picture, what is the place that you've gone to that you were like, damn, this is in contention for some of the best food that I've ever eaten.

[Ad]

Japan's a whole world, man. Japan being a lover of hospitality, food and beverage, Japan takes the cake, really. I'm just saying how hospitable people are. Opening doors, talking, but also respectful of other people's spaces. Not talking, knowing when to talk, when not to talk, when to serve, when not to serve. They are just very aware of everything. But the food is next level. The, you know, Sando's to their tuna fire. This tuna, believe it or not, their pizza, more Neapolitan, but they have their own, you know, twist on everything.

[Unknown]

Still good.

[Ad]

Still very good. Cocktail bars, coffee. They're just doing everything really right. They're perfectionists, man.

[Unknown]

Plug your stuff.

[Ad]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Let everybody know what you're cooking.

[Ad]

So on socials, tick tock, Instagram, Mr. Eats 305. But if you're looking and you're in a pinch for something to eat, I've.

[Unknown]

Used this site, by the way.

[Ad]

Where is it?

[Unknown]

Where is it, Mr. E? 305.com that's it.

[Ad]

Mystery 305.com you'll find an interactive map broken down by neighborhood cuisine. Date night Y. You can also message me. And I'm very good at messages and trying to respond.

[Unknown]

So this guy messaged back. Just because he's got a blue check mark does not mean he's not going to answer you.

[Ad]

That's it.

[Unknown]

He's going to answer you. George. Appreciate you, brother. Thank you so much.

[Ad]

Thank you, man. Cheers, guys.

[Unknown]

Mihante, thank you for watching Tony tonight.