Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: Hour 2: Greg Cote's Equine Nostrils (feat. Iliza Shlesinger)
Release Date: March 19, 2025

1. NCAA Tournament Insights

The episode kicks off with an in-depth discussion about the NCAA Tournament, focusing on the hosts' top teams to watch. Mike Ryan introduces his selection process, emphasizing his interest in specific teams for unique reasons.

• Top Five Teams:

  • Number 5: American University, highlighted for Greg Jones' performance.
    Mike Ryan (01:38): "Number five from the first four play-in round they played tonight, American University, led by third leading scorer Greg Jones."

  • Number 4: The Patriots, a strong contender in the East.
    Mike Ryan (02:00): "Number four, the Patriots, number three seed in the East, Wisconsin, coached by the incomparable Greg Guard."

  • Number 3: Creighton, noted for their strategic gameplay.
    Mike Ryan (02:12): "Number three, nine seed in the South, Creighton, coached by Greg McDermott."

  • Number 2: Gonzaga, led by Ben Greg.
    Mike Ryan (02:21): "Number two, eight seed in the Midwest, Gonzaga, led by sixth leading scorer Ben Greg."

  • Number 1: New Mexico Lobos, bolstered by coach Richard Pitino.
    Mike Ryan (02:34): "And number One ten seed in the south region, the New Mexico Lobos. Cause Bo's back bows."

2. Women's vs. Men's NCAA Basketball

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the comparative appeal and viewership of women's versus men's NCAA basketball. Jessica and Mike Ryan express their growing interest and support for the women's tournament, highlighting its compelling storylines and rising stars.

• Key Points:

  • Sustained Momentum: Jessica notes that despite concerns about viewership declining post-Caitlin Clark's WNBA transition, ratings remain strong. Jessica (05:10): "I'm not a father, but I can attest to that. I, I read that ESPN women's basketball ratings were up this season..."

  • Star Players: Discussion of emerging talents like Juju Watkins, Paige Beckers, Hannah Hidalgo, Olivia Miles, and Lauren Bets. Jessica (05:40): "Look. Juju Watkins. Yes. Is a star. Paige Beckers is a star..."

  • Mike Ryan's Shift: Mike shares his personal shift in attention from the men's to the women's tournament, appreciating the enhanced competitiveness. Mike Ryan (06:44): "You are finding comics who are able to find their niche audience and do really well and they're not even household names. So that's good and that's bad."

3. "Don't Look Now" Game Segment

The hosts engage in a playful segment titled "Don't Look Now," where they challenge each other to avoid looking at certain topics or visuals, leading to humorous interactions and light-hearted moments.

• Highlights:

  • Interactive Banter: The hosts attempt to maintain the premise, resulting in laughter and camaraderie. Greg Cody (07:36): "Can't hear you."

  • Audience Engagement: The segment encourages listeners to join in the fun, creating an engaging atmosphere.

4. Greg Cote's Equine Nostrils

A standout moment in the episode is Greg Cote's humorous bit about his "Equine Nostrils," blending comedy with sports commentary.

• Notable Interaction:

  • Visual Gag: Greg playfully rubs a giant nostril across Mike Ryan's face, leading to exaggerated reactions. Billy Gill (15:19): "I didn't see it because it was out of the corner of my eye, but I'm pretty sure that Greg Cody just rubbed one of those giant nostrils across the face of Mike Ryan..."

  • Photo Segment: A humorous portrayal of the moment is shared, adding a visual element to the podcast.

5. Guest Interview: Iliza Shlesinger

The latter half of the episode features an interview with comedian Iliza Shlesinger, delving into her comedy career, tour experiences, and upcoming projects.

• Tour Experiences:

  • Family Moments: Iliza shares touching anecdotes about touring with her daughter, highlighting the balance between professional and personal life. Iliza Shlesinger (25:26): "Eliza.com is where you go, A different animal. A different animal is streaming on Amazon Prime..."

  • Comedy Special: Discussion about her latest special, "A Different Animal," focusing on its inclusive and family-friendly approach. Iliza Shlesinger (26:23): "You have an audience that's 60% men, so I think they get the memoir."

• Challenges in Comedy:

  • Navigating Social Media: Iliza discusses her approach to managing social media, emphasizing the importance of focusing on content rather than feedback. Iliza Shlesinger (26:23): "I took Instagram off my phone and my social media team looks at it."

6. Savannah Bananas and Entertainment in Sports

The hosts critique the Savannah Bananas, a minor league baseball team known for its unconventional and entertaining approach to the sport. They debate the balance between maintaining traditional sports integrity and embracing entertainment elements to attract larger audiences.

• Discussion Points:

  • Cultural Impact: Mike Ryan labels the Savannah Bananas as a "circus" and questions their legitimacy in the sports category. Mike Ryan (18:19): "It's a clown show disguised as sports. It's not baseball. You know, it's family entertainment."

  • Comparisons to Harlem Globetrotters: Greg draws parallels between the Bananas and the Harlem Globetrotters, suggesting that the latter have phased out similar entertainment elements. Greg Cody (19:10): "It's rare to have an unwarranted phenomenon. In fact, I'm scanning my brain. I think the only unwarranted phenomenon was that one U2 album..."

7. Comedy Industry Dynamics

The conversation ventures into the dynamics of the modern comedy scene, addressing topics like the influence of platforms like Joe Rogan's network, the accessibility of comedians to their audiences, and the challenges faced by female comedians.

• Key Insights:

  • Meritocracy in Comedy: Dan Le Batard emphasizes that the internet has democratized comedy, allowing comedians to find their niche without traditional gatekeepers. Dan Le Batard (33:14): "Comedy is a meritocracy and you don't have to like who's successful, but you can't knock the fact that it happens."

  • Challenges for Female Comedians: The hosts discuss the struggles female comedians face, including sexism and the pressure to perform without backlash. Dan Le Batard (35:59): "As a woman, you just get called a bitch. And even when you go on some of these podcasts and you agree with the host, you know, you're still subjected to the comment section..."

8. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Content

The episode wraps up with final thoughts from the hosts, shout-outs to Iliza Shlesinger's upcoming tour dates, and playful exchanges maintaining the show's signature humor.

• Upcoming Tour Dates for Iliza Shlesinger:
  • March 28: Hard Rock in Hollywood
  • March 29: Hard Rock Orlando
  • March 30: Hard Rock Tampa

Billy Gill (25:54): "March 28th at Hard Rock in Hollywood. March 29th at Hard Rock Orlando, and March 30th Hard Rock in, in Tampa. If you want dates and tickets, Eliza.com..."

Notable Quotes

• Mike Ryan on Women's NCAA Basketball:

  "I was thinking it would fall off the table because Caitlin was gone. This year, I think the momentum of the women's game has sustained."

• Dan Le Batard on Comedy's Role:

  "People still need to laugh... comedy always is good business."

• Iliza Shlesinger on Inclusivity in Comedy:

  "I genuinely want to include everyone in my standup. So if you leave feeling offended, maybe you shouldn't be watching standup at all."

• Greg Cody on the Savannah Bananas:

  "It's a clown show disguised as sports. It's not baseball."

Conclusion

This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz offers a blend of sports analysis, comedic segments, and insightful interviews. From dissecting the intricacies of the NCAA Tournament to exploring the evolving landscape of comedy and entertainment in sports, the hosts provide engaging content enriched with humor and candid discussions. The inclusion of guest Iliza Shlesinger adds depth, offering listeners an inside look into the world of professional comedy touring and the challenges faced by female comedians today.