The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Episode: The Big Suey: The All-You-Can-Eat Buffet
Release Date: November 21, 2024

1. Introduction to the Episode

Hosted by Dan Le Batard and Stugotz from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, this episode delves into a variety of topics ranging from culinary preferences to intricate sports business discussions. The hosts engage in lively debates, share personal anecdotes, and provide insightful commentary on recent events in the sports and entertainment industries.

2. All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Debate

The episode kicks off with an engaging discussion about the merits and drawbacks of all-you-can-eat buffets, focusing on hygiene concerns, business models, and personal preferences.

• Hygiene and Practicality:

  • Stugotz [04:58]: "Covid was actually great for the buffets because it mostly got rid of them, though it's beginning to happen again."
  • Chris Cody [04:58]: Expresses skepticism about the sustainability of free refills in buffets, drawing parallels to movie theaters' refill policies.

• Business Perspectives:

  • Jessica [06:19]: Criticizes modern buffets for lacking value and quality, stating, "I'd rather just spend the money on a meal that's going to fill me up rather than have all I can eat of something I don't really like."
  • Stugotz [03:36]: From a business standpoint, he argues, "You just don't make a lot of money off it... when you do those deals inside stadiums, it's the teams that actually pay for it, not the concessionaire."

• Personal Preferences:

  • Amin Elhassan [05:18]: Shares his love for buffets but highlights inefficiencies, especially in sushi buffets, regarding utensil use.
  • Mike Ryan [05:46]: Points out the buildup on utensils from handling various food items, raising hygiene concerns.

3. New York Times Bestseller Controversy

A heated debate ensues regarding the criteria and fairness of the New York Times bestseller list, especially in relation to Dan Le Batard's and Stugotz's book promotions.

• Fairness and Algorithms:

  • Stugotz [07:36]: Criticizes the bestseller list's ranking system, stating, "If this book is in your times bestseller, it is an affront to authors everywhere."
  • Stugotz [08:34]: Questions the simplicity of the bestseller equation: "I thought... that New York Times bestseller was a very simple equation. It was actually based on just sales."

• Host's Defense:

  • Chris Cody [07:59]: Highlights recent achievements, "the author that we had on last week... was at number four. And Stugotz showed me the picture of that at number four and him at number one in the sports category."

4. Sports Business Insights

The hosts delve into recent developments in the sports world, focusing on the New York Jets' management decisions and a significant settlement between Warner Brothers Discovery and the NBA.

• New York Jets' Management Issues:

  • Stugotz [12:56]: Critiques the Jets' ownership, "The Jets are no different than pick your team where there's an owner that just has no idea what he's doing..."
  • Stugotz [12:56]: Expresses sympathy for Stu Gotz while maintaining skepticism about the Jets' future: "I feel terribly for him, but he's going to have a New York Times bestseller."

• Warner Brothers Discovery and NBA Settlement:

  • Jessica [12:56]: Explains the settlement dynamics, "they get to continue producing and making inside the NBA and then they license it to ESPN a broadcast."
  • Stugotz [15:34]: Breaks down the complexity of the settlement, comparing it to a three-team trade and emphasizing its uniqueness in the media landscape.

5. Pirates' Giveaway Offer

A segment focuses on the Pittsburgh Pirates' promotional offer involving a Paul Skeen card, evaluating its value and advising listeners on potential actions.

• Offer Details:

  • Dan Le Batard [36:03]: Describes the giveaway, "they're talking about being given this card from whoever receives it, which has Paul Skeen's patch from his rookie season on there."

• Advisory Against the Offer:

  • Stugotz [36:50]: Strongly advises listeners against trading the card, "Do not do a trade... This is not like a major trade that the Pirates offered."
  • Jessica [38:03]: Questions the value, "Is that good value what they offered, like for... for the car?"

6. Concert Anecdotes and "Irish Goodbye" Debate

The hosts share personal stories from a recent concert experience, sparking a debate on the concept of the "Irish Goodbye" — leaving a social event without saying farewell.

• Concert Experience:

  • Stugotz [23:55]: Recounts attending a concert with Chris Cody and Amin Elhassan, highlighting camaraderie and backstage access.

• Defining "Irish Goodbye":

  • Chris Cody [32:11]: Seeks clarification, "Where are the origins of the Irish goodbye?"
  • Dan Le Batard [34:06]: Suggests renaming the term to avoid stereotypes, "let's now just call it the Cody Goodbye?"

• Hosts' Perspectives:

  • Amin Elhassan [31:21]: Defends his actions, "I was just trying to avoid being the Debbie Downer..."
  • Stugotz [31:53]: Points out the practical implications, "Was forced to stay there looking for you also."

7. Movie Review: "Saturday Night"

The episode transitions to a review of the movie Saturday Night, a portrayal of the early days of Saturday Night Live.

• Movie Overview:

  • Stugotz [38:36]: Describes the film as a detailed account of the 90 minutes prior to the first SNL episode, directed by Jason Reitman.

• Critical Reception:

  • Stugotz [38:42]: Praises the film's pacing and performances, "there is not one minute where you're not enjoying."
  • Dan Le Batard [39:09]: Compares it favorably to other musical performances, emphasizing its engaging nature.

8. Closing Remarks and Promotions

The episode concludes with final thoughts, listener interactions, and brief mentions of upcoming events and promotions.

• Listener Engagement:

  • Chris Cody [40:05]: Promotes David Sampson's podcast, "Nothing Personal," encouraging listeners to tune in daily at 8 am Eastern.

• Holiday Wishes:

  • Katie Nolan [40:34]: Offers holiday greetings and promotes Miller Lite as the perfect addition to holiday gatherings.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Stugotz [03:36]: "You just don't make a lot of money off it... when you do those deals inside stadiums, it's the teams that actually pay for it, not the concessionaire."
• Chris Cody [07:59]: "the author that we had on last week... was at number four. And Stugotz showed me the picture of that at number four and him at number one in the sports category."
• Stugotz [12:56]: "The Jets are no different than pick your team where there's an owner that just has no idea what he's doing..."
• Stugotz [36:50]: "Do not do a trade... This is not like a major trade that the Pirates offered."
• Stugotz [38:36]: "The SNL movie... directed by Jason Reitman..."

Conclusion

This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz offers a rich tapestry of discussions, from the nuanced evaluation of all-you-can-eat buffets to deep dives into sports management controversies and media settlements. Personal anecdotes from concerts add a relatable touch, while critical reviews of contemporary media keep listeners informed and engaged. The hosts maintain a balance between entertainment and insightful commentary, making the episode both enjoyable and thought-provoking for audiences.