Hour 2: Greg and Zaslow's Inner Monologues - The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Transcript

A (0:00)

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats podcast. Bonzi Wells is going to join us in a little bit here to talk about that Jailblazers documentary that's about to drop on Netflix either any day now or today. I'm not even sure I've got to look that up. I will look that up before he comes on. But that is a documentary that a lot of people. Thank you. That. That is a documentary that a lot of people have been trying to make, and we've been talking around here. It's been really interesting to watch what's happened to the documentary business as just a handful of entities are in the game now to make documentaries. And how many of them have been very quickly sanitized by. If you give us access, we'll tell your story the way that you want it told. Like, people really should be offended. Should be offended that the Urban Meyer Gator documentary of the Tim Tebow team ended up being some glorified celebration of all positive things with no mention of any of the terrible stuff that was not covered in any meaningful way. Because in order to get Urban Meyer to sit down for that documentary, you had to tell the story exactly the way he wanted it told. I've got questions for Bonzi Wells about that jailblazer story. How interested, Zaslow, are you in this? The untold series has been very up and down. The Lamar Odom thing they did was good. The shooting guards thing that they did on Gilbert Arenas was good, but they've had a couple of fart noises because they've traded access for a less good story. And that Gator documentary was one of them. It was an untold part of the story because no one was telling just that part of all positivity when they've got a murderer in their huddle and the roster was getting more arrested than any in the history of sports because Urban Meyer clearly sold his soul in order to have a football team that was more violent than all the others.

B (2:00)

I'm into this documentary because it's something that I experienced. Like, I remember the team. I remember watching the games. I think I remember how the city felt about them. I remember the way they were covered. And these are players who I watched for many years. So I like those kind of documentaries where I remember my view of it when it was happening. And I like being able to see if, you know, I'm remembering it properly.

C (2:23)

Is it going to follow through on its claim? Untold, like is the doc. That's my hesitation with any documentary. Is. Is it Is it just recycled stuff that's pretty much been reported and known or is it. Is it something that's trailblazing in a way, no pun intended. That's going to really break news and tell us stuff we don't know.

A (2:45)

We'll find out together, I suppose. But I'm going to. As. As we're a company that makes documentaries, our next one is about Chris Everett and Martina Navratilova. I'm very excited about that one.

Summary

Episode Overview

Title & Date:
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz – Hour 2: Greg and Zaslow's Inner Monologues
April 14, 2026

Theme:
Broadcasting from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Dan, Stugotz, Greg Cody, Zaslow, and the gang deliver a lively, irreverent hour diving into the state of modern sports documentaries, aging athletes, catchphrase comedy, and current NBA and NHL storylines. This hour uniquely weaves together nostalgia, skepticism, and playful rivalry among the cast as they dissect cultural trends and poke fun at each other.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Evolving Landscape of Sports Documentaries

[00:00–04:00]
The episode opens with Dan anticipating an interview with Bonzi Wells about the anticipated "Jailblazers" documentary, lamenting the sanitized, access-driven trend in high-profile sports docuseries (e.g., the “Urban Meyer Gators” Untold ep).
- Dan: “People really should be offended that the Urban Meyer Gator documentary...ended up being some glorified celebration of all positive things...Because in order to get Urban Meyer to sit down for that documentary, you had to tell the story exactly the way he wanted it told.” (00:36)
- Discussion of the Untold series’ highs (“Lamar Odom,” “Shooting Guards”) and lows (“a couple of fart noises”).
[02:00] Zaslow explains his interest in nostalgia-focused docs:
- “I like those kind of documentaries where I remember my view of it when it was happening. And I like being able to see if…I'm remembering it properly.” (02:00)
[02:23] Greg Cody expresses skepticism about docuseries’ originality and whether these so-called “untold” stories are truly revelatory:
- “Is it just recycled stuff that’s already been reported and known or is it something...that’s going to really break news and tell us stuff we don’t know?” (02:23)

2. Playful Inner Monologue Skit and Catchphrase Countdown

[04:04–08:35]
The show pivots to meta-comedy with Greg’s “Back in My Day” segment and a playful bit where Zaslow imitates Greg’s inner monologue, riffing on his signature catchphrases.
- Greg compares crafting a Back in My Day segment to “making brownies...when the toothpick comes out with just a little bit of soft crumb on it. Perfect...” (04:16)
- Dan pokes fun: “You will end up feeling really good about the fact that Greg Cody is tickled by nothing more than his own narcissism…At this point in his life, that's something that feels better to him than sex.” (06:10)
Catchphrase Power Ranking:
The crew rapid-fires through Greg’s extensive list, showcasing nostalgic and often inexplicable catchphrases like “I’m fuller than Vern Fuller,” “Ball in the jack,” “Hey hey, we’re the monkeys, baby,” and more—elucidating just how much personal and show lore is embedded in the show’s humor.
Meta-commentary on personal branding:
Greg notes Zaslow’s hat sports his own catchphrase, playing up their friendly rivalry over signature lines.
- “You're one saying is on your hat. I see. He was saying, I've got 50 of them and they fall off of me easily…You’ve got one.” (24:12–24:38)

3. Shingles, the NBA, and Athlete Well-Being

[08:38–13:48]
The show tackles Tyrese Haliburton’s public struggle with shingles:
- Halliburton: “I’ve lost part of my eyebrow...My eye is always swollen from itching it. I have good days and bad days, but for the most part it’s bad days...” (10:30)
- The crew discusses the unpredictability, pain, and stigma surrounding shingles, highlighting the vulnerability and humanity of pro athletes.

4. Animal Debate: Walrus Vs. Wildebeest

[13:40–15:20]
A typical Le Batard Show tangent, leading to lively debate and googling about which animal is larger, exemplifying the show’s offbeat humor and immersive banter.

5. The NBA Superstar Carousel and “GOAT” Debates

[15:40–21:30]
- Dan introduces rumors from Mark Stein: LeBron, Kawhi, and Giannis are likely to be on different teams next year.
  - “...growing anticipation from Mark Stein that Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James and Giannis are probably going to be on different teams next season.” (15:40)
- Kendrick Perkins’ hot takes about LeBron’s legacy, prompting laughs and eyerolls.
  - “If LeBron wins this series against the Rockets, the goat conversation is over. That if he wins this series against the Houston Rockets, he’s better than Michael Jordan.” (16:42)
- Inconsistency and absurdity in how legacy arguments are made in sports media are lampooned, with Dan clarifying his own stance wasn’t as hyperbolic.

6. NFL Draft Banter: Exacto vs. Zigacto

[21:30–24:00]
- Greg is asked about his annual accuracy in NFL draft predictions, using invented categories like “exacto” and “zagacto,” furthering the show’s trademark blend of stat-geekery and self-aware absurdity.

7. Aging Athletes: Science vs. “Lie-ability”

[25:25–34:02]
- The crew marvels at the likes of Ovechkin, LeBron, and Tom Brady performing at elite levels past age 40, oscillating between respect, suspicion, and jokes about pharmaceutical aids.
  - “How is it possible that these people are playing into their 40s successfully?...They’ve changed the pharmacy and the science of this…” (25:25)
  - The conversation touches on Serena Williams, Messi, Ronaldo, tennis greats, and others pushing the aging curve.
  - Stugotz pushes Dan: “All these athletes doing unprecedented things at older ages. Say it.” (26:17)
  - Dan deadpans: “Ovechkin is on steroid—Oh, yeah. No, wait, wait, wait...Let’s do this responsibly…But if he’s doing stuff in hockey that you haven’t seen…is it fair to question that an unprecedented athlete might be doing things that are unnatural?” (26:41–26:52)
- “Pliability or Lie-ability?” Poll: Dan proposes another classic listener poll about whether 40-something athletes’ success is science...or something “shadier.” (34:02)

8. Hockey/Rangers Farewell & Jonathan Quick Appreciation

[37:01–38:00]
- The Rangers’ post-playoff handshake line with veteran Jonathan Quick sparks discussion of appreciation moments for retiring/aging stars, and why such moments can resonate even in highly competitive contexts.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Dan on sanitized documentaries:

“Should be offended that the Urban Meyer Gator documentary...was a glorified celebration...with no mention of any of the terrible stuff...because Urban Meyer clearly sold his soul…” (00:36)
Greg Cody on nostalgia driven docs:

“That's my wheelhouse right there. So I'm all over Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova big time. I'll be lining up to see it.” (03:42)
Greg’s comedic wisdom:

“It's like making brownies. You gotta have that toothpick ready. When the toothpick comes out clean, you’ve over baked it. When the toothpick comes out wet, it needs more time. When the toothpick comes out with just a little bit of soft crumb on it—perfect. Same with the back of my day.” (04:16)
Dan on Greg’s self-amusement:

“Greg Cody is tickled by nothing more than his own narcissism. So when you're sitting there celebrating him by uttering his catchphrases, I'd argue that at this point in his life, that's something that feels better to him than sex.” (06:10)
Halliburton’s candor:

“I’ve lost part of my eyebrow...My eye is always swollen from itching it. I have good days and bad days, but for the most part it's bad days...I've been taking, you know, unbelievable amounts of medication to try to get rid of it. It hasn't worked...” (10:30)
Dan, challenging sports legacies:

“It doesn't make sense that LeBron James is the oldest player in the league and that body isn’t broken. It’s got a ton of miles on it. Like…it’s not a normal human body.” (29:17)
Greg Cody, the philosopher:

“Back in the day, you just smoke cigarettes in the locker room.” (33:29)
Dan, re athlete longevity:

“Put it on the poll at Lebatard Show: more athletes in their 40s—pliability or lie-ability? Because I’m just asking the question.” (34:02)

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:00–04:00 – Documentary industry/Untold series critique
04:16–08:35 – "Back in My Day," catchphrases & comedic rivalry
08:38–13:48 – Tyrese Haliburton’s shingles, pain, public discussion
13:40–15:20 – Walrus vs. wildebeest size debate
15:40–21:30 – NBA rumors, LeBron/GOAT debate, legacy media critique
21:30–24:00 – NFL Draft prediction banter (“exacto” vs. “zagacto”)
25:25–34:02 – Aging athletes, steroids/all-time greats, “pliability or lie-ability”
37:01–38:00 – Hockey respect/retirement rituals (Jonathan Quick)

Tone and Language

The tone is fast, playful, layered with inside jokes, gentle ribbing, and satiric skepticism. The hosts mix genuine sports insight with a willingness to break format, go off-topic, and poke fun at each other. Panelists frequently slip into self-deprecation, and the show is punctuated by quick shifts from earnest debate to absurdist banter.

This summary covers the essential topics and comedic highlights, providing a roadmap to the episode’s sports commentary, media critique, and cast chemistry. Perfect for those who missed the live broadcast—or who simply want to relive the most memorable monologues, catchphrases, and existential sports questions.