The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
The Big Suey: "Lollipops In The Oven" (feat. Dianna, Joey, and Mikey Russini)
Date: November 18, 2025
Episode Overview
In this lively episode from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and company blend their irreverent sports and pop-culture commentary with a heavy dose of family chaos and parenting stories, headlined by NFL insider Dianna Russini (plus, her sons Joey and Mikey's on-air mayhem). The group swings from Miami sports updates (Panthers, Heat) to NFL analysis with Dianna, to wild debates over parent hacks (like hiding lollipops in ovens), all while showcasing their trademark humor and chemistry.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
South Florida Sports Update
- Panthers & Heat Recap
- Noted a record 16 Panthers players scored at least one point in a quick comeback win—five goals in 11 minutes.
"That's five goals in 11 minutes." —Stugotz [03:44]
- Rebounding Issues for the Heat:
- Without Bam Adebayo, the Heat plummet from best to second-worst in defensive rebounding percentage.
"With Bam, they're the best; without him, they're the second worst." —Stugotz [03:25]
- Bam’s skillset is described as “unusual” and not really teachable, drawing comparisons to Andre Drummond and Mitchell Robinson.
- Without Bam Adebayo, the Heat plummet from best to second-worst in defensive rebounding percentage.
- Barkov Injury Discussion and Returning Timeline
- Mario Cristobal cited for hopeful return, but skepticism about timelines ("athletes always think they'll beat medical estimates").
"There’s never been an athlete born who didn’t think he was going to be back from injury quicker than maybe his team doctors did." —Jeremy Fowler [05:05]
- Mario Cristobal cited for hopeful return, but skepticism about timelines ("athletes always think they'll beat medical estimates").
- Noted a record 16 Panthers players scored at least one point in a quick comeback win—five goals in 11 minutes.
Parenting Fiascos: Lollipops in the Oven
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Dianna Russini's Household Chaos:
- Shares a viral audio clip of morning mayhem, with kids yelling about dinosaurs and lollipops, and one (Joey) wrestling with the oven (where lollipops are hidden).
[Clip plays, kids yelling: "Joey, off the oven. What do you want? ... Lollipop. No lollipops."] [07:00]
- Why Lollipops in the Oven?
- Dianna explains the witching hour (“4 to 7, 7:30...they just turn into monsters”) and her tactic of hiding treats in the oven because "otherwise they find ways to get to the candy."
"We don't use that oven...there are lollipops in that oven. That's why he was asking for it." —Dianna Russini [08:24]
- She concedes it's risky if someone turns on the oven, referencing a family mishap where storing birdseed in a grill led to a fire.
"My dad ... puts the birdseed in the grill ... My husband came home, turned it on ... the grill was destroyed." —Dianna Russini [11:18]
- Dianna explains the witching hour (“4 to 7, 7:30...they just turn into monsters”) and her tactic of hiding treats in the oven because "otherwise they find ways to get to the candy."
- Debate: Who’s at fault, the birdseed-hiding dad or the grill-user dad?
- Arguments over the logic (or lack thereof) of hiding things in ovens and grills.
- Dianna: "Who puts birdseed in a grill?" [12:24]
- Shares a viral audio clip of morning mayhem, with kids yelling about dinosaurs and lollipops, and one (Joey) wrestling with the oven (where lollipops are hidden).
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Poll Questions for Listeners
- "Do you know anyone who puts lollipops in the oven?"
- "Have you ever used your oven for storage?"
—Stugotz [13:38]
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Jeremy's Fun Animal Fact
- “Deer know how to open a gas grill..." —Jeremy Fowler [14:00]
- Gets brief derision and laughter from the crew.
NFL Talk with Dianna Rossini
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Eagles and NFC Hierarchy
- Dianna touts the Eagles, saying they could return to the Super Bowl even with offensive issues, due to an elite defense.
"They could win the Super Bowl despite the offense not being that good, if the defense is able to play like they did against the Lions." —Dianna Russini [18:04]
- A.J. Brown is NOT the only frustrated Eagle with the offense.
- Dianna touts the Eagles, saying they could return to the Super Bowl even with offensive issues, due to an elite defense.
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The Buffalo Bills' Roller Coaster
- Hard to explain the team's week-to-week swings.
"We’re back to the same point we’re at every year ... Josh Allen is doing incredible things." —Dianna Russini [19:48]
- This NFL season is unusually open: 10–12 teams could make a Super Bowl argument.
"I think the New England Patriots are a better team than the Buffalo Bills right now." —Dianna Russini [21:19]
- Hard to explain the team's week-to-week swings.
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Belichick's Coaching Future
"The Giants have so much respect for Bill Belichick, but they have never considered him in the past and they're not going to ... I don't know of an NFL team that has Bill Belichick on their list." —Dianna Russini [22:15]
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Surprise Playoff Teams
- Dianna singles out the Houston Texans as a legitimate playoff dark horse, citing their improving offense and stout defense.
"It’s the Texans ... they’re finding themselves at the right time." —Dianna Russini [23:16]
- Trend of defenses carrying lesser offenses (e.g., Broncos, Eagles, Steelers).
- Dianna singles out the Houston Texans as a legitimate playoff dark horse, citing their improving offense and stout defense.
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Rookie QBs and Patience Debate
- Discussion on whether Shadour Sanders should be starting for the Browns; Dianna says patience is warranted.
Rapid-Fire Sports and Randomness
- Jalen Hurts and ‘Quarterbacks Get the Credit’
- Stugotz lists big names Hurts has beaten.
"Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott ... Patrick Mahomes twice. That’s crazy." —Stugotz [30:56]
- Dianna: "This is why you can’t count them [the Eagles] out." [31:09]
- Stugotz lists big names Hurts has beaten.
- Chiefs Outlook
- Dianna: "I actually think this Chiefs team is slightly better than last year." [32:19]
- Justin Herbert and Justin Fields Takes
- Dianna defends Herbert, blaming O-line injuries, and says Fields is unlikely to be an NFL starter again.
"His offensive line is essentially Joey and Mikey right now." —Dianna Russini [33:08] "You very rarely get this many chances ... I don't think Justin Fields will be in New York." [33:35]
- Dianna defends Herbert, blaming O-line injuries, and says Fields is unlikely to be an NFL starter again.
- Death of the U.S. Penny?!
- The team riffs on the end of penny production.
- Dianna: "So now ... the value of the penny is worth a lot more." [34:34]
- Jeremy: "It costs 3.7 cents to make a penny." [34:49]
- Sam Darnold's Perpetual Pumpkin Status
"[With Darnold] it’s not the throws he makes, it’s the ones he doesn’t in these situations ... I think he’s just got to keep proving himself." —Dianna Russini [35:02]
Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot Banter
- Greg Cody Explains The Paper Voting Process
- "You have to return that envelope in the mail by a certain date. I look forward to it every year." —Greg Cody [37:09]
- Newcomers Debated: Anyone Worthy?
- Names like Cole Hamels and Matt Kemp come up ("should be in"), but most are seen as just “happy to be nominated.”
- Ryan Braun’s Infamous Lie
- Group recounts Braun’s steroid denial—one of the boldest lies in sports.
"He made me believe him ... nobody would lie that way." —Dan Le Batard [45:45]
- Calls back other big sports lies, e.g. Rafael Palmeiro, Lance Armstrong ("Lance Armstrong would like a word." —Greg Cody [42:42])
- Group recounts Braun’s steroid denial—one of the boldest lies in sports.
- Recommendation
- Film: Screwball, Billy Corben’s documentary on South Florida’s steroid scandal.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Parenting & Lollipop Hiding:
"Every parent is sweating right now. Every parent has been there." —Dianna Russini [08:48]
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On Family Problem-Solving:
"Who puts birdseed in a grill?" —Dianna Russini [12:24]
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On Defense's NFL Importance:
"If your defense can help carry you, you can win some of these games." —Dianna Russini [23:58]
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On Football Narratives:
"This is why the Eagles narrative is ... peculiar. They keep winning, they keep beating good teams." —Dianna Russini [31:09]
Important Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:44 | Panthers' 5-goal rally, Heat rebounding woes | | 07:00 | Dianna Rossini's viral audio clip: chaos with Joey & Mikey | | 08:24 | Dianna explains hiding lollipops in the oven | | 11:18 | Birdseed-in-the-grill household fire story | | 18:04 | Eagles’ playoff odds & defensive prowess discussion | | 19:48 | Bills inconsistency and Josh Allen analysis | | 22:15 | Belichick and the Giants job rumors debunked | | 23:16 | Texans as dark-horse playoff team | | 30:56 | Jalen Hurts, list of star QBs he’s beaten | | 33:08 | Justin Herbert’s struggles linked to O-line issues | | 33:35 | Justin Fields’ NFL starting future in doubt | | 34:34 | Death of the U.S. penny, economic jokes | | 35:02 | Sam Darnold’s repeated letdowns discussed | | 37:09 | Greg Cody on the Hall of Fame ballot process | | 45:45 | Dan's reflection on Ryan Braun's landmark lie |
Episode Vibe & Tone
- The episode is a vibrant, offbeat mix of deep NFL takes, Miami sports analysis, and hilarious, relatable family chaos.
- The hosts and guests riff with playful sarcasm and good-natured ribbing, especially when it comes to parenting and sports media cliches.
- The recurring theme: chaos is "normal" in both sports and family life.
Summary for New Listeners
You’ll get:
- A deep dive into the sports stories that matter (to the Dan Le Batard universe), NFL and Miami sports included.
- Laugh-out-loud parenting stories (including “oven as lollipop safehouse” wisdom).
- Spirited, unsparing critiques of NFL quarterbacks, coaches, and Hall of Fame balloting.
- Witty banter, playful polls, and a readiness to turn everyday mishaps into sports metaphors.
- Insights from Dianna Rossini that balance humor and reporting savvy.
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