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A
Pablo.
B
Now what? This doesn't qualify. This does not qualify. It's gotta be huge breaking news. It's not just sniffing around Bill Belichick.
C
He's a voyeur at this point. This is getting weird.
A
It's not a big episode unless a means there.
D
That's true. But it is a pretty ridiculous episode.
C
I mean, it's a good find. The lost tapes and whatnot.
D
It's a great find. But you know what it is, Mike? It's a window into how the power dynamics at play. Because I think all this time we've been saying it's Jordan and she's running the stuff or whatever. And according to this episode, it's a Game of Thrones. It's not just her, because Mike Lombardi's in there too, and he's got the ear and he's pulling, but at the same time, him and Jordan don't like each other. And so it's like a competition for the. For the ear of the king. So it's. It's a fast. That's. How long is this thing gonna blow?
C
You know who comes out smelling like roses?
E
Matt.
C
Patricia in all this. He's even had a glow up of sorts.
B
He's skinny. Patricia is skinny.
C
Patricia is actually a Chris Cody thing.
A
Yeah.
B
Are you.
A
Are you regretful that you were there the first day that the Ballmer thing came out? I mean, because now it feels like you're part of this situation and I would imagine this is burning some bridges for you professionally?
B
Absolutely.
D
Nuked any relationship I have with the clip.
C
Yeah.
A
And you did it. You didn't have any sense that that was going to happen when you sat down that day?
D
No, I didn't know what it was about.
A
Picture of me walking into la. To be fair, though, are you really that plugged in with the Clippers?
D
I used to be.
B
He was wearing a Clippers jersey in the episode and it wasn't a costume. He wasn't faking it.
D
Like that was. That was the second episode that was trolling. What?
A
No, you're just supporting.
D
No, I. Giving them the benefit of the doubt.
B
I don't think that that whispering wind qualifies for this episode. I mean, you've heard it. I have not heard the whole episode. I know what it's about. But this, this should only be for big national breaking news. That's going to get everyone talking. The winds shouldn't blow for anything else.
D
It's not yet. It's not a big, big breaking news, but it is incredible context to a situation. That we're familiar of and through Pablo's reporting and also what's happened during the season. But now it's like, oh, now I get what the power dynamics at play are. And that's what makes it really interesting.
B
I am told, Chris, that a lot of people here who don't know necessarily how they want to express their feelings toward Billy want to do so through song that Jeremy says that he wants to say goodbye. He's not supposed to be in today. Nobody asked him to come in. Billy didn't ask him to be.
A
Definitely didn't ask for Jeremy.
C
Jeremy wants to serenade Billy with song on his last day.
B
He's not the only one. Well, this is a good question that you ask. We often ask it about Greg Cody. He too wants to serenade you with song. And I don't know if he's doing that for him or for you. Chris, have you heard Greg Cody's song?
C
Yeah.
A
And it's a tearjerker.
B
Oh, no. We're gonna start.
A
Strap it on, boys.
C
It's a turker strap.
B
What on?
D
Is something happening with Billy?
A
You became the duke as you vaulted higher A useless sound not hard to find and our love for you it was forged fire every time you blew your mind Skeptical at times but nuance always knows how to make us feel without you on the show, you won't be back, Jack, our favorite hypochondriac. So bang those pots and pans into the sky to go where apple pies and eagles fly it's hard to say goodbye an onion won't be the thing to make us cry when it's hard to say goodbye.
B
I got no shot today. I got no shot of being any good today.
D
Billy.
A
It was a tearjerker. That was a tearjerker.
C
And just tap into that emotional repression of yours.
A
This is the forged in fire for me. Think of the bad moments.
B
Well, we've got top five things Billy won't miss. Do you want to just start the show there?
A
No. We can both couple olis.
B
Okay. We also have like, last night was a great night for old guy in sports. Actually three old arms. Three old arms. Because I'm going to throw. Aaron Rodgers throwing a Hail Mary, 70 yards.
A
That's crazy.
B
The biggest one, the biggest story from last night was Scherzer, but we'll get.
A
To all the throw from Aaron Rodgers.
C
What a great incomplete pass.
A
If he had five more yards as.
C
A guy in the back of the end zone, he had five more yards. I think their odds in the AFC went down. After watching that incomplete, dare I say.
D
The greatest incomplete pass ever?
C
Ooh, I don't know. He's had a couple of those.
B
Pretty incredible. I. Watching Flacco go into the wayback machine and have the Bengals make it look easy was legitimately confusing to me. Like, wait a minute. How can Flaco be burrow for a day? Nobody can throw for 350 yards unless they're trying to come from behind. What do you mean he's going to do it all game where it just. Everyone's going to be open whenever Flacco wants him to be open because no one can cover Jamar Chase. Oh, that's right. No one can cover Jamar Chase. How bad is Browning?
C
Chase had like, 23 targets in this game.
B
Insane.
C
My favorite subplot of the NFL season is this war between Joe Flacco and Mike Tomlin that has been right under our noses, but we haven't paid attention to it, really.
B
Well, let's get to these sounds in a second, because how does it escape our attention that we found the guy that makes Mike Tomlin blink? Like, clearly, Mike Tomlin is afraid of Flaco and for good reason. Like, he's been trying to warn us. He's been telling us for years, certain things won't allow you to get out of the stadium. One of them's Flaco. And get the sound here. We haven't played much of this sound of him, Tomlin, before this game. Just warning us again and again. I don't want any part of Flaco. Please, you guys, don't injure Anthony Richardson. I don't want Flacco in the game. I'm afraid of the veteran quarterback. You know, to be honest, it was shocking to me. Andrew Barry must be a lot smarter than me or us, because it doesn't make sense to me to trade a quarterback that you think enough of to make your opening day starter to a division opponent that's hurting in that area. But that's just my personal feelings.
A
He's like, hey, Browns, why you trained him to the Bengals? He said it before the game and look what we saw.
B
That's as afraid as we've ever heard. That man, that man who's never had a losing season in our most violent sport, who wins every season, we've never heard of him afraid of anybody except clearly Joe Flacco. Like, make no mistake about it, because weeks before that he told us, yeah, we were trying to keep their other young quarterback healthy because we didn't want to see Flock a year ago. We're Playing in Indianapolis, man. And I commented to the guys that, you know, keep Richardson upright. Don't put Flacco in the game. And, you know, Flacco ended up in the game.
C
Has someone ever won a comeback player of the year because of the comeback within one singular season? Like, he's just coming back from being with the Browns.
B
Do you know how hard it is to be better than the comeback player that you already are, that you won over a guy who died on the field and came back?
A
Talk about breathing life into franchises. That's what Joe Flacco does.
C
A breath of fresh air, breath of.
A
New life for NFL franchises.
B
Tone, you're. You are. The Bengals now are in play.
A
All of a sudden they're back, baby.
B
All of a sudden we're all like three and four. Can he get him to burrow? Can flock? Can Flacco just get him the bridge quarterback we needed?
C
The 40 year old.
D
He is the living embodiment of Marty McFly's parents kissing at the Enchantment under the Sea dance like, oh, like the Bengal season's disappearing. I was like, oh, my God, I.
C
Don'T feel so good, Doc.
D
They kiss like earth angel.
B
Earth angel.
C
I need Pablo to investigate the urban legend surrounding Joe Flacco's comeback player of the year win. Because in league circles, there was chatter that Joe Flacco was supposed to, if he won the award, give it to Damar Hamlin in a nice moment. And as the urban legend goes, like, Flacco's like, get out of here. This is my award. I won it.
B
The only way to do better than win comeback player of the Year over a guy who came back from the dead is to be able to come back from the brown street tried to wreck you at the end, and you wouldn't let it happen. And now you're out there roaming around, and your remains are literally haunting the man that we thought. Mike Tomlin had no fear. Like, he's clearly haunted by the idea you guys are really going to give him the division. I had it right there. It was going to be 5 and 1. We were going to bury the Bengals forever. And I can't because now Flaco's roaming around in the division, and oh, my God, they've got good receivers. Oh, my God, they gave all their money to the receivers. So I thought, I'm. I'm looking forward to talking to Dominique Foxworth about this because the game I watched last night, I thought Jalen Ramsey played well, but T. Higgins is really good. And on that last play, T Higgins is also paid a huge amount of money to make that last play. And I'd like to know, what is your measurement, guys, on the game? Jalen Ramsey played last night because with the running game the Bengals had, their corners were on an island and didn't have a real chance. But the one that had no chance was whoever's guarding Jamar Chase. They decided Ramsey's going to be on Higgins, and he slowed Higgins, but not if Higgins and Chase are going to be what they've been for three seasons. That are the reason the Bengals paid them all that money. Tony, yes or no? Jalen Ramsey played a good game last night.
C
Yeah.
A
Look, it's hard to play a good.
C
Game when you're constantly getting beat by.
A
Two really great receivers, right? Like, as a.
C
As a corner, it's a failure position.
A
It's like almost like hitting.300. You're going to fail 70% of the.
C
Time, but you're still going to hit.300 as a good corner.
A
You fail more than you succeed, but when you do succeed, it's big. It just feels like when you're getting 23 targets, that's usually never happening to somebody you're guarding.
B
I can't believe how easy the Bengals made offense look last night. But I do want to spend today making sure while we celebrate old people, we celebrate as well that Billy Gill has a montage of things here of sounds that we have.
A
It's a connection to old people there.
C
Well, you are getting older.
B
Yeah. That sometimes. That you can't dispute what Tony said. You can't. You are getting older.
C
Am I? Are you getting younger?
B
Some would say we have sound here of Billy's first words on the program as we go, Full nostalgic and biographical. Billy, do you have any recollection whatsoever. Do you have any context for this sound that we're going to play? Do you remember your first words on the program?
A
No.
B
Have you seen this? Do you know anything about what Chris Cody has dug up here that are your first sounds on the program?
A
I don't. I remember starting, though, off with a confidence that was uncommon to most people. The vault. And it is a vault, okay. That's what Strugg and Mary Lou Retton did.
C
Okay.
A
The vault is. The vault. Okay. It's a form of the pommel horse without the handles. The pommel horse is only used in men's gymnastics. Okay.
B
So you can't vault off the pommel horse. You can in female gymnastics, but the horse without the handles.
A
It serves a dual purpose, sort of.
B
We need to get to the bottom of this. I cannot have this leaking into the next segment. Just tell me so that I can get it out of my brain and move on to other topics. Please, Billy. Not sort of. Just tell me. Can you vault off the pommel horse that. Does anybody do this?
A
They used to. Not anymore.
B
Okay. Not an answer.
A
They used to.
B
You can if you're an idiot. All right, moving on.
A
No, no, no, no.
C
You want to keep it right here?
B
No, I don't want to. That's the first time he ever spoke. How many?
A
And then there was a texter. The next segment, people were not happy with Billy Texture.
B
Right then I believe we can all agree with this. Billy is the worst. Billy just uttered a couple of syllables there, but already you have turned on him. His radio debut, I'm pretty sure his radio debut on our program, he uttered about four syllables total.
A
I thought he was efficient and funny.
B
People don't want to hear from anybody who isn't us. They have turned on Billy for using the same microphone that they complain that Mike Ryan sometimes turns on. Boy, things have gotten out of control around here in terms of how much the people speak. Billy, how many shows did you go without speaking? How many shows did this week did you work here?
A
Two years. Like you have to earn. Yeah. Show for two plus years before I said anything. Sitting in the corner with Stevie, who could barely log the show, just answering the phone. Even that I'd have to type in the description.
C
That was quite the producer battle. Stevie King of the mountain. Who wants it, boys? You were Stevie.
A
And you guys just all you and Stu guys just wanted to be Stevie's friend the whole time. Man, Stevie's so hot. What's wrong with you guys?
C
I invited Stevie to my wedding.
B
I don't feel like it's fair to group. Me and you and Stugats thought that Stevie was so hot.
C
It was so bad. But we just love the vibes. He's like, oh, hey, man, I forgot to log the show today. You do you, Stevie.
A
You're doing great. You guys treated him also like Joe is like, how the lady's treating you. Stevie live this weekend. Like, ah, Stevie.
C
His dad was like friends with Stu Gods.
A
Stevie vibes.
C
He works hard.
E
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A
Boom.
E
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A
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B
That's true.
A
That is absolutely not. I feel like it's true. Special trees.
B
Let me break. This is nonsense.
A
This is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats.
B
Let's get some video here of Beepo. And also more recently, right, Because I. Billy and Zaz had a moment. The other that I want to replay, because I'm pretty sure it was the introduction of the mouthpieces.
C
The Dentech bucket mouthpiece. Yeah, yeah.
B
But let's play some of that back. Going back to the Clevelander. Let's celebrate Beo for a second. Something that we can make happen, right? This is.
A
Bro. You take a turnover chain, you put on the Cuban flag beanie, and that's it. You walk out with Jorge, and that's it. Bing bong Bo.
B
You gotta give him a Cuban flag.
A
He's gonna quit before the fight even start because he's gonna see what's up. As soon as you walk to the ring with him. You take a Goswela, you start making. Let me fight it. Hold on.
B
Lots of bands.
C
Yes.
B
Yes.
A
That's how you need to go to the ring the day of the fight. You don't have this, Sugat. You don't have this in you. You just broke something. Yeah, that's right. And guess what else is gonna get broken? Nate's face is sitting in front of my heart. I don't know. All right, so I'm gonna trade with Guillerm.
B
I mean, how do I handle today? Weaving between sports and celebrating what is obviously an emotional last day for all of us without allowing the emotion to get in the way of an emotional last day for all of us.
D
Wait, whose last day is it?
A
Eve's.
D
I know. I saw that email. I was crushed.
A
Shout out to Eve Wolf. Thank you for your service.
C
We should have made this a Stevie Coltune tribute chat.
D
Oh, my God. I want to learn more about the Stevie cat.
A
I've never heard of him.
C
Recently got married.
B
Ah, Congratulations.
A
They tied him down, huh? You didn't get the invite back, man.
D
Wow.
C
I was a little raw about that, to be honest. By the way, Kevin Ngandi says, congratulations. Billy ran into him last night. The great Kevin Nagandi.
A
Wow. Didn't we accuse him of putting a mirror over his bed? Yeah, look at me. I think that was me.
D
I don't even want to look.
C
Kevin Ngandi.
A
We were saying, who at ESPN most looks like they have a mirror over their bed.
D
But he looks at himself. He's just looking at his face.
A
No one's ever been more excited to see us in Bristol than Kevin Ngandi. It was awesome. So nice with Victor Cruz. Who could not. Yeah. Less about it at all. Crystal's so weird.
B
I loved it.
A
It's so weird. Just walk around the corner like, oh, there's Linda Cohn. I went down a Billy Rabbit hole last night on YouTube. Anyone else do that? Why now? I did stumble into a Best of montage myself, but I got.
B
I got a good.
A
Stay on that one. I got a good 10 minutes into, like, Billy montage. You thought about quitting?
D
How long was that? 30 seconds?
A
No, it was like 19 minutes. Actually.
D
19 minutes.
A
When I got fired. Someone made it. Oh, wow.
D
Oh, so this is all pre. Got it.
B
Can you tell me, Mike Ryan, if during your dinner with Kevin Nagandi, anything presented itself that made it more accurate?
D
What?
B
We've just alleged that not only is Kevin Negandi the person at ESPN most likely to have a mirror on their roof in their bedroom, but Amin's contention that it's not to have sex, it's just so that he can see himself in the mirror because.
A
Good morning, Kevin.
B
Because television is the vanity business. That's right. Looking good, Kevin. If you weren't up there, I'd love to have sex with you.
A
I don't know why I made him couple.
C
You look great. A couple things popped up from that interaction with Kevin Ngandi. I was. As a goof, we were at Joe's and I was wearing a bib. And you know, that's not cool when a guy. It's like that scene in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Like, I wish I wasn't wearing this effing shirt. I was wearing a bib the entire time. And also, Dan, congratulations. You're at the point now where people ask, how's Dan?
A
With that face?
C
Yeah, is Dan okay?
E
Like, sucking teeth?
C
How's Dan?
B
The way people ask me about Poppy.
A
Yeah.
C
How'S Dan?
B
While you were wearing a bib?
C
While I was wearing a bib.
A
I'm like, just living high.
D
Yeah.
C
I'm like, vibes are good. We got another deal.
A
Can you believe.
C
Dawned on me that I used to work at the same company as Kevin Ngandi, I'm like, what a weird time. I don't feel like I was a member of ESPN all that much because we were working in the Clevelander. But like, yeah, it's my old co worker Kevin Ngandi. It was weird.
B
Well, you've heard Billy, Billy walking around Bristol and walking around a corner and seeing Linda Cohn, I'm guessing, is like Billy's children walking around Disney World and seeing Mickey Mouse at the breakfast.
A
No, they're terrified of the characters. Kids are scared of the kids.
B
Weird.
A
It really is. They talk about Mickey, Mickey, Minnie, Minnie. Then they go see Mickey, Minnie and start crying.
D
It's like my earliest. Literally. Well, one of my earliest memories went to Disney World, saw Goofy, was. Wouldn't shake his hand because I thought he was gonna bite it. I was 2 years old and I like, I was 37 years old.
A
I got the ball.
D
I know, I know.
B
I was in the Sun's front office at the time.
D
This was last week.
B
Billy, I'd like to hear more stories about you as the person who didn't speak on air here for two years. Walking around Bristol for the first feeling disoriented because you didn't actually feel that we were a part of anything that ESPN was. Because we didn't feel like we belonged up there in the big leagues, I guess.
A
Well, those are different eras. We ended up at ESPN after. Had already been talking. Bristol, though, was. I mean, I remember we. I remember some Bristol memories that we had. We went on a trip that we had a meeting. Me and Roy showed up at the meeting. Chris was nowhere to be found. We then found him in the. The commissary. The eating air with the cat with Tony Collins. And he's like, I found Tony Collins. We're doing a tour. We're recording some tent. And I was like, that's a good idea. You should do that. And then he went after I missed the meeting. Yeah, I forgot. Who is this sales guy? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I wasn't invited that one. I remember that. And then I remember scurrying about our last day. It ended up being our last day ever in Bristol, but scurrying about our last day in Bristol to find a studio to do the Music Dome. Because that was when we were. We did get in trouble for that. So the original idea was to do it at the sports center desk. And they.
B
The real one, yo.
A
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they were.
C
Can't get in there.
A
They were very much like, you will not be doing that. And then we found like another studio and they're like, you will not be doing that. And then we just kept walking around and someone's like, hey, I work in the control room of a studio. You want to use our studio? And we're like, like, absolutely. And it was Matthew Barry's fantasy studio. That was the puppet show. And then we started playing with the puppets and we started playing with all of the knobs. Daniel do isn't he not to ruin our sources. I think he may have been the.
D
One that he's not there anymore. Is he still in there?
C
He's like, what a great job on Fantasy Focus.
A
One of their main fantasy talents now going to be there.
D
How about that man?
A
Way to keep up.
D
My guy, man.
A
You met Daniel. It seemed like he is your guy. Great guy.
D
Oh, do's my guy man.
A
You never met do you would have.
D
Loved.
A
Such a nice.
C
He engineered the live.
A
Yeah, he was there. He loved working with us.
B
You got in trouble your first day on the campus.
A
No, our last day ever. Yeah, it was, it was. And. And we got some strongly worded emails after the fact for just crashing a set and not going through the proper protocol and furthermore playing with puppets that we should not have been playing with.
B
But there, there is. It's like the sports center set is like a vault. I haven't been there enough to actually know these things.
D
So the, the. The real sports center set, the one they've had for the last like six or seven years. So when you guys went, it have been brand new. It's massive, it's very expensive, and you can't just walk in there.
B
But even if you work there, even.
D
If you work there, man, that's a crown jewel.
B
But Billy was an employee.
A
So is everyone else. You have to be an employee to be in the building.
B
I know, but why wouldn't employees be like if somebody in our building, not that we're espn, but if you needed to walk into one of our studios, people would walk in and out of our studios. And. And is it because it's this precious heirloom that that set is a recognizable set and so no employee is allowed on it without like a frisking and you got to go through an X ray and you got to go through bureaucracy and security.
A
Now you get it. I mean, you could like stumble onto the set, but you had to keep walking. But we definitely were not going to be using the set to tell people. The thingamajig was Victor Oladipo.
B
I have now seen over the course of this week a Couple of times. And I did not know it before seeing it a couple of times, though, I could have suspected it. But I did believe in you. And I can be naive this way. You clearly pulled that ladder over during your Dancing with the Stars update.
A
No, false Dancing with the Stars absolutely pulled up, Stevie. It almost killed you, by the way. Singer.
D
Oh, Stevie's on FaceTime.
A
He's on FaceTime. Dan. Stevie. Stevie. Amin says what's up? Up.
B
Come back, Stevie.
A
Stevie, the seat's open for you. Oh, he's got a beard now.
B
Ah.
A
Steve's gonna be here on Monday, Dan. Just you wait and see. Hopefully you don't need the show to be live.
D
Zoom in on that. There you go. That's a handsome guy. No wonder.
A
Looks like Mike Fuentes. He looks all mature.
C
Stevie, you're on the air, pal.
D
Had some Mike.
A
What's up, boys?
C
Yeah, Stevie, your vibes as always.
A
Old home week, old crew. The old crew is back. I love it. How the girls treating you, Stevie? You know, you guys need. You guys missing that much I love.
C
Yeah. Hey, congrats on being married. Where was my invite, dog?
A
Yeah, that is true. That is true. We missed the invite for invite, man.
B
For real.
A
But the next DJ gig, man, you know that. Yeah, yeah.
C
Do you agree that Kevin Nandi who.
B
The mad singer was the Mad Singer.
A
Dancing with the Star.
B
How could I get that wrong? We should do Billy's top five times we got in trouble at espn. Given that we we how I didn't.
A
Get us in trouble.
B
We know number one, starting with the masked singer. The day after the super bowl is one of the times you told me we got in trouble and I didn't know we got in trouble. And we started with the mass singer after the super bowl because you're so good at doing the mass Singer. I believe that's when the ladder came down on close to me. Is it not? Or was that a no?
C
No, that was the time.
A
That was like season three or season four, I think. Yeah, yeah. Ladder. The ladder thing was when we were kind of for running of things to do. And then we saw a ladder in there and actual people was in there. And I was like, I want to make this guy laugh. We pulled down that ladder.
D
I remember.
A
I mean, no ladder fell.
D
So I could say this now. Billy reached the point where he didn't want to do it anymore. He hated the bit, so he just tried to sabotage it.
A
And that was common thread.
C
Yeah. Tends to happen usually by his own design or by Joaquin Gonzalez's.
A
That guy.
B
It's a bit passive aggressive because it. That skit was not my idea. I still don't know what the difference is between Dancing with the Stars and the Masked Singer. We were only doing that because you like the Masked Singer. You got tired of it and didn't tell me.
A
Just we were doing it because you didn't like them.
C
I mean, very clearly, it's a mask.
A
No, hold on a second. We were doing the Masked Singer because it was a pop culture moment, and that was us connecting with what was going on in pop culture culture at the time. However, you know, pop culture continued to move on, and we did not. We just continued doing the Masked Singer over and over again. And I will say that when. When Covid came, while it was horrible and we lost all of those people and it was a, you know, terrible situation, all those lives lost, we also lost the ability to do the Masked Singer updates the music dome. And I could not have been happier for the situation working from so many notes.
C
Notes.
A
Like, I'm telling you, there would be pages of notes. Look at the legal pad. It was so unpleasant. That wasn't a bit. There were pages of notes. Yeah. Too many. You guys didn't even want all the information, but I had to give you all the clues so that we could guess along to figure out who the masking that actually was thingamajig that you.
B
Clearly grabbed that ladder. It's obvious. Now. The investigation, Pablo Torre finds out, has learned that ladder was purposely. I didn't know at the time because it happened behind me. I thought it was a mistake. I really did. I believed it was a mistake. Great.
D
It's like when an offensive player, like, pulls his defender, like, oh, I want.
A
To relive it with audio here. Let's listen to the ladder fall. The tree. The tree. All right, the tree.
C
Was the tree. The key.
A
All right, the tree.
B
So expertly done. Only because I was not. Not looking at you. Did I not recognize that you were doing that on purpose. Now, upon further listening, if you only have audio, see if you see and can hear where it is that Billy is fiddling around and grabbing for a ladder that was already supposed to fall because he missed it the first time he purposely grabbed it.
A
The tree. The tree.
D
All right.
A
The tree.
B
All right.
A
The tree. The ladder missed its cue. Total Eclipse of the heart.
B
The tree. The tree. The tree.
D
Can we describe it?
C
Howdy, folks. It's Mike Ryan. Super excited to talk to you about the official ticketing partner of the Dan LeBatard Show. They've been a good Partner, Partner of ours. And I couldn't be prouder of it because, folks, you know, I really use GameTime. I practice what I preach here, people. Because the GameTime app gives the advantage back to fans. It's a hack for unlocking amazing tickets, especially when it comes to the National Football League. It is hard to get some really prime NFL tickets. And game time makes it so incredibly easy because the interface is beautiful and easy to understand. And the gametime guarantee. Guarantee means that you can trust that you'll be getting 100% authentic tickets on time and at the best price. Plus, fees are always included. So what you see is what you pay. You get zone deals, favorites, panoramic seat views, a low price guarantee, and GameTime's unparalleled ticket coverage. Take the guesswork out of buying NFL tickets with GameTime. Download the GameTime app, create an account and use code DAN for $20 off your first purchase terms. Apply. Again, create an account and redeem code dan for $20 off swipe tap ticket. Go download the Gametime app today. Hey, audience, I got a special treat for you because I want to talk to you about Miller Lite. But I want to talk to you about Miller Lite with my good friend, Rose. Hey, Rose.
B
Hi, everybody.
C
When we hang out, and we hang out often, we're friends. I consider us friends.
A
Yeah, me too.
C
We're often toasting the good times. And what am I toasting with?
B
With Miller Lite.
C
That's right. Miller Lite. Whether you're hanging out with your dear friend Ro or at game day, it just hits different when you got a Miller Lite in your hand. From jaw dropping touchdowns to fantasy heartbreaks, it's a beer that has been there for every moment. 50 years of great taste, simple ingredients, and that iconic golden color that you can spot across the room. And it's just not the color of the beer, which is brilliant. That beautiful white can. How beautiful is that? Is that you doing the sound of a can opening? Is that your favorite sound?
A
No, it is a horsey.
C
A horsey. All right, well, stop doing that. And here's a kicker. Miller light is just 96 calories, 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. The original light beer since 1960.
A
1975.
C
That's right. And still hitting different five decades later. You're so good at this, Rose.
A
I know.
C
So whatever your game day looks like, remember, Miller time is always a good time. Look at us. We're a great tag team. High five again. Can you do that? That beer sound one more time? And the horse sound one more time. I regret asking you about that one, but the Miller Lite sound is good. Miller Lite, great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com Shane to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell bar beer. It's Miller time. Celebrate. Responsive Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wiscon. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounce.
A
Ounces.
C
No, it says. Oh, says.
A
Folks, feel your game day with the unbeatable crunch of Hampton Farms, the official peanut of bowl season. Perfect for sharing with friends, tailgating outside the stadium or cheering from the couch. Grab a bag from the produce aisle of your local grocery store and savor the game one peanut at a time.
D
Time.
A
Let's get nutty. Don LeBatard. That was a long story.
B
Yeah, it's the only kind he tells.
A
It's a short one for me. I tried to speed it up for you guys.
C
You forgot about the league's cup stugats.
A
Yeah.
B
La Carreta is a place where the best of the celebrations has to be the 97 Marlin celebration. Because it was Levon.
A
Well, when Fidel died the first time. This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugach.
B
Play, play. The sound of Zaz and Billy arguing.
C
This is an all time clip right here. I, I honestly, when you had the swap helmet and he was in in the studio, I was hoping you guys could recreate.
A
The magic helmet is supposed to be a good thing. Not the team. It's level with a person. Listen, you squabble with me, you wanna do business with me, you wanna squabble with me? Maybe I have the Broncos. You wanna squat?
B
No, I wanna swap the team. I don't swap with you.
A
Who you got? It's not how I do business. Well, you don't make the rules. Maybe I got the commanders. You want the commanders? Your microphone's off.
B
Yes. If you're the commanders, then I want to swap.
A
Say you want to do business with me. If you are the commanders, say I want to swap with Billy.
B
I want to swap with Billy if he has the commander.
A
No. No contingencies. Pick a person to swap with. This is what you got for not keeping up.
B
Yo, Chris, who you got?
A
I have the Jags. Mike has the Cardinals. They're the biggest favorite. You son of a. But Mike and I don't like to use that word. But you, I might have the commanders might use in his hand. Right here.
B
You have the commander.
A
Maybe it's right Here, take a look. It's in his hand. Let me see your hand. You're seeing it. You blind?
B
You are the commanders.
A
I got my team in this hand right here. You want him?
B
If that team is the commander, I'll want them. I think Chris Cody gave you a clue.
A
Want this team or not? I don't want that team. I'm declining.
B
I don't want that team.
A
Wow. Your funeral.
B
It's as strong as you've ever been. Gangster with gangster with a lisp.
A
It sounds like Jonah. Jonah Hill from Wolf of Wall street with the fake teeth.
B
Like, Jeremy wants to say goodbye to you. Emotionally syrupy. He wants to serenade you. He's jealous of Greg Cody's song. Jeremy's in the other room. He also badly wants to talk about Scherzer putting on the best performance there was from an old guy yesterday. We're not going to let him do that. But Jeremy, what do you have? What? How do you want to say goodbye to Billy?
E
Thanks, Dan. Yeah, I. I really wasn't sure how to say goodbye. You know, I dressed as Billy today as. As tribute. He's always been one of my favorite characters. He welcomed me in with. With so much love and so much grace to the show and, and I, I didn't know how to put it into words. And speaking to him in person, I didn't know how to even write it in a card. So I decided, decided, like Greg, like yeti, I would try to put my words into a song. So Chris, I think you have that available.
A
Goodbye, Billy. Goodbye, Billy. Goodbye, Billy. Gill.
E
See you later, man. And I mean it from the heart, Billy.
D
While Jeremy was setting that up.
A
That's the one.
D
The camera didn't show it. Billy was hitting him with the rapid up.
B
Yeah. Billy was trying to speed him up. Jeremy is vying for the position left open by Billy by trying to yammer more than Billy.
A
Stevie wants it though.
B
Yeah.
A
Stevie think is the front runner right now.
B
Country the vibes him or Udonis Aslam or James Franklin. We're going to have an open tryout for Billy's seat. Do you know how difficult it is, Jeremy to yammer so much that Billy tries to wrap you up?
E
Well, you know, I learned from Billy that things like words can be, you know, because it's like Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. Well, you know, sometimes and when. And when you think about photography, like really all you have to do is just kind of point and go. There's nothing that complicated about it.
A
And really, ultimately I vote for Stevie Clay Travis.
C
Contract's up really saw that or to.
B
Go free agent shit stain. We refer to him as shit stain.
A
A little more balance.
C
Get yourself on a list.
B
I do want to talk in this local hour we will spend the show celebrating Billy and Dominique Foxworth will be around here a little bit later. Matthew Barry will be here as well.
D
Ask him about that.
B
But great dude Louisville and Miami played tonight.
A
Louisville.
B
And if people want to pounce on Miami quickly because very little annoys the national audience more than anything that resembles the U is back talk. But there will be people nationally tonight rooting for the whole Miami thing to not be real for Louisville to win, create more chaos in college football and produce one of the great things that I missed since Saban lost left. Where are the teams that you root to lose that you don't want them to get back on top? Because Miami looks more formidable than they have looked in in 20 years. 20, maybe 25. It looks like the most balanced, physical, fast, violent, beat you in more ways team that there is. As I mentioned all week. There just aren't a lot of teams good enough that the money will tell you. Yeah, they're two touchdowns better than an offense that is scary. Like a team, a Louisville team that offensively has been scary for a while and can put up 40 at a time. If that defense is real and if Miami is real, what the moment commands is they do not allow the nation on a Friday night stage to laugh at Miami because none of it was real.
C
Normally I'd be super nervous about this game and I think I respect Jeff Brahm. He's like Miami, they're coming off a bye. Jeff Brahm is an incredible play caller, NFL love level, level play caller. They have a really talented, outstanding wide receiver that's going to be a first rounder and Chris Bell. But you know, typically these Friday ACC games, they're a little spooky. Miami historically has actually randomly been really good on these Friday nights. I think 10 and three overall since they joined the the ACC. But Louisville really struggles at what Miami excels at. That is a bad offensive line. This is a game where Reuben Bain can get after it and pad those stats. Everybody, everyone understands while watching the game that he is dominating the game. But he's not racking up the sack totals the way that you would like. They're bad at pass protection with their running backs. The Skinner was here in Miami and he hasn't improved whatsoever. His frame is the same and he can't block worth a damn. So this is a game where Ruben Bane can really with a TV window all to himself, can further entrench himself in that conversation as well as Carson Beck, who has good numbers and should be in that conversation as well.
B
Well, Louisville, historically, and you're going to have to help me here because not just with the pronunciation, I can't tell you how good statistically Louisville's defense is, but in my lifetime, they've never had a good one in my entire lifetime. Louisville, Louisville, Louisville.
C
It's not that hard.
B
Not with Schnellenberger, not with anybody. Has Louisville ever had a good defense.
C
This is probably. They've played each other since Mario Cristobal has been here. Year the battle for the boots, the bronze boots, the last three years. I would say this is probably their strongest defense of that era. Remember, like these two teams combined for like 90 something points last season. That was actually a game that I was surprised Miami won. They were kind of in control of that game, but it was like I think 52, 45 at the end. This is probably in terms of talent and effectiveness, the weakest offense that Jeff Brahm has had going up against Mario Cristobal. Quarterback Miller Moss, a former USC guy, you know, he's all, he's all right. Brown's a really good running back, but he seems a little hobbled. But he can break away and be a game breaker. It should be. You know, this is talent wise, though. This is the toughest test on Miami schedule to date. Did Billy check out?
B
You think it's talent wise? You think you wait. I don't think I agree with you.
C
Talent wise on Miami's remaining schedule. I think that this is the toughest test remaining on their schedule. I think that at pit, maybe I have PTSD from like ending a season against a freshman quarterback at Pitt. With the playoffs.
B
No, that's just ACC fear on the road.
C
But Pitt's playing better. SMU's got. That'll be an interesting road test too. But I think in terms of overall talent, Louisville is probably the most talented team remaining on Miami schedule.
B
But not more talented than the three teams they've already beaten.
C
No, but you know, the season's a war of attrition and I keep holding on to. And this is not an emotional hedge. I just don't think this is the kind of year that you see a team go undefeated.
B
You keep doing that though, and you know what's coming your way. If they lose this one, like, you know.
C
Yeah, yeah. Embarrassment, shame. The rest of the nation reveling in it. And those are the stakes now, which is great. Like We. We had the conversation that if, you know, they lost this game.
B
Oh, my God.
E
Uh.
B
Oh, he's back.
C
There's no way.
B
Oh, my God, what is this shit.
A
That you guys are talking about? And Louisville this. And they're not gonna beat the K. The kids are gonna beat the shit out of scene today. I'm telling you that right now. And you guys have been saying all of this time, where has people been? Where is he? What's going on? Let me tell you a little story.
B
I can't believe this.
A
Four years ago, a company was started, and there was this man with an axe, and his name was Gilligan something. And he said, we are going to reinvent the wheel and we are going to make all of these movies, and the first movie that we're gonna make is about you people. And I said, that sounds dope as hell. How many are we gonna make? And he said, four parts. And I said, that's sick. Four documentaries about people. I can't wait for the world to hear my story. And he said, I'm gonna make you a very wealthy man, people. And I said, that's great. What are we talking here, Million billions? He said, millions. I said, great, how are you gonna pay me, bro? And he said, I'm gonna pay you in stock options. And I said, what the hell does that mean? And then he was like, well, Mr. People, this is how it's gonna work. We're gonna give it. And I said, great, you're gonna give it to me now. He said, well, four years. Something about a vest. Four years. Something happens with a vest. And it says on four years I get all of that money. And he's like, well, not exactly Mr. Peepo. I was like, well, what are you talking about? He said, well, in four years, you're gonna get the opportunity to give me money for those stock options that I'm giving you. And I said, you high? He said, no, no, I stopped that. But. And I said, hey, enough of that. Get out of here with that shenanigans. And you thought that I wasn't gonna come, and I wasn't gonna come. And the reason that I came is because I heard that someone said yesterday that I was an embarrassment to our people. Someone insinuated that I disappeared because I was an embarrassment to our people. This cara chiwa over there with that great shit on his face. And if you go back and you look, Mike, if you. It happens to know, and Pablo Torre can maybe find out, we look at the old videos from the Cleveland Cylinder. That beer that he had before that was blacker than a means beer. So someone needs to look into that situation. Me, an embarrassment to our people. You know, it's an embarrassment to our people. This guy can't even say reggaeton. That's an embarrassment to our people's right about that. I, sir, am no embarrassment to our people. People. I am our people.
C
Yeah, you are.
A
Yeah.
B
People.
C
Your cardio is definitely taking a hit over the years. You still have the coveted lung.
A
Congrats to people.
B
I thought you were vax.
A
Congrats to people. He is this week's nuttiest fan. Get nutty with Hampton Farms, the official peanut of bol. I get money, stock options. Keep an eye out for Lucy. For if you think you are your team's nuttiest fan.
C
Hey, audience, I got a special treat for you because I want to talk to you about Miller Lite. But I want to talk to you about Miller Lite with my good friend Rose. Hey, Rose.
B
Hi, everybody.
C
When we hang out, and we hang out often, we're friends. I consider us friends.
A
Yeah, me too.
C
We're often toasting the good times. And what am I toasting with?
B
With Miller Lite.
C
That's right. Miller Lite. Whether you're hanging out with your dear friend Rose or at game day, it just hits different when you got a Miller light in. From jaw dropping touchdowns to fantasy heartbreaks, it's a beer that has been there for every moment. 50 years of great taste, simple ingredients, and that iconic golden color that you can spot across the room. And it's just not the color of the beer, which is brilliant. That beautiful white can. How beautiful is that? Is that you doing the sound of a can opening? Is that your favorite sound?
A
No, it is a horsey.
C
A horsey. All right, well, stop doing that. And here's a kicker. Miller lite is just 96 calories, 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. The original light beer since 1970. 75. That's right. And still hitting different five decades later. You're so good at this, Rose.
E
I know.
C
So whatever your game day looks like, remember, Miller time is always a good time. Look at us. We're a great tag team. High five again. Can you do that? That beer sound one more time? And the horse sound one more time. Regret asking you about that one, but the Miller Light sound is good. Miller Lite, great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com in to find delivery options near you or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere. They sell pretty beer. It's Miller Time. Celebrate responsive Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wiscon. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounce ounces. No, it says oh, says.
Episode: Local Hour: Goodbye Billy, Hello Stevie (feat. Some Hot Guy Who Used To Work Here)
Date: October 17, 2025
This “Local Hour” episode is a lively, heartfelt, and nostalgic tribute to longtime contributor Billy Gill, whose last day is marked by a blend of sports talk, classic show banter, and inside jokes. Broadcasting from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and the crew reminisce about Billy's years on the show, play memorable audio moments, and debate who could possibly fill Billy’s unique role. The episode weaves in recent sports news—particularly about “old guys” making headlines—and features a surprise appearance by former behind-the-scenes favorite Stevie, along with plenty of signature chaos and Miami-centric conversation.
“You became the duke as you vaulted higher... our favorite hypochondriac. So bang those pots and pans into the sky to go where apple pies and eagles fly, it’s hard to say goodbye…”
— Greg Cody ([03:29])
“I got no shot today. I got no shot of being any good today.” — Dan ([04:41])
“That man who’s never had a losing season… we’ve never heard of him afraid of anybody except clearly Joe Flacco.” — Dan
“The vault. And it is a vault… It’s a form of the pommel horse without the handles…” — Billy
“Two years. Like you have to earn. Yeah. Show for two plus years before I said anything. Sitting in the corner with Stevie, who could barely log the show, just answering the phone…” — Billy
| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:25 | Power dynamics in sports (Clippers) | | 03:13 | Greg Cody’s emotional farewell song | | 04:41 | Dan admits he’s too emotional to host | | 05:08 | Celebrating ‘old guys’ in sports | | 06:12 | Flacco vs. Tomlin subplot | | 11:22 | Billy’s on-air debut - historic audio | | 13:29 | Billy recalls early years, Stevie memories | | 27:06 | Stevie FaceTimes on his return | | 26:50 | Ladder sabotage revelation | | 38:07 | Competition for Billy’s seat | | 40:00 | Miami vs. Louisville football preview | | 44:00 | Beepo returns, “stock option” rant |
The language is warm, irreverent, and filled with affectionate teasing, Miami sports pride, meta-humor, and genuine nostalgia. The banter is quick, often overlapping, and alternates between raucous laughter and heartfelt farewells. Regular inside jokes and callbacks abound, catering to longtime fans.
This “Local Hour” is a masterclass in balancing sports and personality, blending in-depth football talk with deep nostalgia for Billy’s long run and trademark quirks. On Billy’s last day, the show spotlights his evolution from silent producer to irreplaceable on-air character through tribute songs, comedic stories, and audio flashbacks. The episode also features sports debates, a look back at ESPN hijinks, surprise guest Stevie, and the ever-present search for the next “Billy” amidst the show’s singular brand of chaos and affection. It’s both a heartfelt goodbye and a perfect encapsulation of why the Le Batard Show remains such a beloved constant in sports radio.