Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: The Big Suey: The Kawhi Laugh-Off
Date: October 31, 2025

Episode Overview

Broadcasting from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and their eclectic cast deliver their signature blend of sports commentary, pop culture riffs, and self-referential humor. This episode moves from a detailed post-mortem on the Miami Dolphins' woes, through raucous Halloween banter, to deeper discussions of media criticism and athlete coverage—culminating, of course, in contagious laughter over a Kawhi Leonard impression.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Miami Dolphins’ Recent Struggles

• Stats & Reactions:

  • Dan leads with a “stat of the day” segment, noting how the Dolphins, now 2-7, lost to the Ravens in depressing fashion.
    • “Both Washington’s who play for the Dolphins fumbled last night…it’s not just that their quarterback leads the league in interceptions…” — Dan Le Batard [02:17]
  • Highlighted overreliance on running back De’Von Achane (Achan), noting his impressive first-half stats and near invisibility in the second.
    • “You want to guess how many from scrimmage yards Achan had in the second half last night? … 1.” — Dan Le Batard [03:29]

• Frustration with Playcalling:

  • Panel bemoans the offense’s simplicity (“bubble screens and quick passes” and “sideways pass, that’s it. That’s all you have to do”) [03:44]
  • Dan jokes with Chris Cody about his “lazy” Halloween horse costume, providing comic relief amid football misery [03:49].

Halloween Costumes & Inside Jokes

• Chris Cody’s horse mask leads to roundtable roasting about lazy costumes.
  • “Through that talking horse’s mask, that is one of the laziest costumes I have ever seen.” — Dan Le Batard [03:49]
• Banter about different figures Chris resembles (the Scarecrow from Batman, a Chicago Bull).
• Dan complains about predictable Halloween segments on local radio [04:34].

The $20,000 Home Robot

• Stugotz and Chris Cote are excited about a new domestic robot that costs $20,000 or $500/month, likening it to futuristic movies like I, Robot.
  • “We’re finally in the future, Dan…some company has made one and it only costs about $20,000 or $500 a month.” — Stugotz [05:57]
  • Chris tempers excitement by noting the robot’s limitations: “It doesn’t really do things that you need it to do… it’s kind of like [a] half-assed robot.” [06:15]
• The group riffs on the robot’s slow, awkward movements while loading the dishwasher, leading to laughter about its “good squat form.”
• Dan pivots into a more serious reflection on the ethics of AI and the use of likenesses of deceased celebrities (Robin Williams, Stephen Hawking):
  • “Robin Williams’ daughter was really upset about how her father’s image is used.” — Dan Le Batard [07:08]

Laugh-Off: Kawhi Leonard Impressions

• Conversation accelerates into a “Kawhi laugh-off,” with various attempts at the famously awkward Kawhi Leonard laugh.
  • “The horse does a better Kawhi laugh than Juju.” — Dan Le Batard [08:40]
• The bit reaches absurdist heights as Stugotz jokes about making someone laugh “the rest of the show and have it haunt him all weekend.” [10:02]

Jimmy Johnson Rapping & University of Miami Mount Rushmore

• The crew reacts to viral footage of Miami Hurricanes coaching legend Jimmy Johnson (now 82) rapping at a tailgate. Discussion turns to his place on the “University of Miami Mount Rushmore.”
  • “I have to say Jimmy Johnson as someone… he’s still always… his feeling him around the program is a spirit, is a soul…” — Dan Le Batard [11:12]
  • The group agrees (with humor) his rapping is “all hype,” not lyrical mastery:
    • “He’s not rapping the words. He’s giving the hype to the crowd.” — Chris Cote [17:57]
    • “Enthusiasm is 90% of the effort. He tried to sell it. He’s 82 years old. He came off as younger than 82.” — Dan Le Batard [17:49]

Fan Events and the Miami Audience

• Reflection on an event at Flanagan’s in Kendall, Miami, and the unique, intimate relationship the show has with its listeners.
  • “Very high on the list of things that I find moving about what happened last night is people flying in to be with us in Kendall or taking these enormously long drives…” — Dan Le Batard [21:04]
  • Jokes about how Miami’s diversity and lack of clothing shock out-of-towners.
  • Multiple shout-outs to fans, staff, and the city of Kendall.

Criticism in Sports Broadcasting: The Case of Kendrick Perkins

• Extended discussion about the nuances of former NBA player Kendrick Perkins’ media role—especially his comments suggesting he helped make Ja Morant a star via ESPN advocacy.
  • “It seemed like Kendrick Perkins was saying… the reason for Ja Morant’s fame… is Perk saying, ‘I brought ESPN to Memphis, got… [them] to support what Ja Morant is in Memphis’…” — Dan Le Batard [25:13]
  • Debate over whether Perkins’ claims are valid, with analysis of how such high-profile TV opportunities actually come together.
    • “Sometimes individuals behind the scenes… are emphasizing and saying, ‘No, you have to do this.’” — Dave Damashek [26:35]
    • “It’s important to have a diversity of thought and a diversity of people in these production rooms…” — Chris Cote [29:16]
  • The group reflects on the lines between on-air persona, legitimate criticism, and “black-on-black crime” accusations within sports media.
    • “You have to make choices every time you’re being critical of… do I want to be somebody who is a critic of my own culture?” — Dan Le Batard [32:55]
    • “I think the cultural stuff involves just keeping it respectful. Like, keeping it about the basketball.” — Tony Kornheiser [39:13]
    • “If your perception of media is just debate culture, then you’re part of the problem.” — Dave Damashek [40:51]
  • The conversation broadens to how media and podcasting fill different roles, criticizing the lack of nuance in mainstream debate shows and advocating for shows like Mina Kimes’ and Pablo Torre’s podcasts.

The Origin Story of Pablo Torre

• The crew riffs on how Pablo developed his “more thorough information” brand.
  • “I was inspired to become an investigative journalist because I didn’t see it coming [in The Sixth Sense]. And I vowed to never feel that embarrassment ever again.” — Dan Le Batard (re-telling Pablo’s story) [42:38]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Dolphins’ Struggles:
  “Do you want to guess how many Achan had in the second half while Derrick Henry was grinding the Dolphins to dust?” — Dan Le Batard [03:09]
• On AI & Robots:
  “Robin Williams’ daughter was really upset about how her father’s image is used.” — Dan Le Batard [07:08]
• On Halloween Costumes:
  “Chris Cody, through that talking horse’s mask, that is one of the laziest costumes I have ever seen.” — Dan Le Batard [03:49]
• On the Kawhi Laugh-Off:
  “The horse does a better Kawhi laugh than Juju.” — Dan Le Batard [08:40]
• On Jimmy Johnson Rapping:
  “He’s not rapping the words. He’s giving the hype to the crowd.” — Chris Cote [17:57]
  “Enthusiasm is 90% of the effort.” — Dan Le Batard [17:49]
• On the Power of Podcasts:
  “If your perception of media is just debate culture, then you’re part of the problem.” — Dave Damashek [40:51]
• On Miami’s Diversity:
  “This crap’s crazy. The diversity you guys have, not in Kansas, is crazy. And why are none of the people wearing very much clothes?” — Dan Le Batard [22:18]
• On Nuance in Criticism:
  “You have to be nuanced when you’re making decisions between… do I separate… my cultural responsibilities from my job responsibilities?” — Dan Le Batard [38:08]
• On Role Models in Sports Analysis:
  “I recommend strongly the Mina Kimes Podcast with Lenny… the amount of information that you are getting that explains to you how it is and why it is…” — Dan Le Batard [40:52]

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Dolphins postgame & stats: [01:14] – [04:10]
• Halloween costume banter: [03:49] – [04:34], [20:08] – [23:09]
• $20,000 home robot discussion & AI ethics: [05:44] – [08:20]
• Kawhi Leonard laugh-off: [08:34] – [10:07]
• Jimmy Johnson rapping & Miami Mount Rushmore: [10:24] – [12:06], [16:16] – [18:44]
• Flanagan’s event, Miami fan relationship: [18:44] – [21:04], [21:04] – [23:09]
• Kendrick Perkins, media criticism, Ja Morant: [24:27] – [29:59], [32:47] – [40:51]
• Origin story of Pablo Torre & investigative journalism: [42:15] – [43:10]

Tone & Language

True to its reputation, the show is irreverent, self-deprecating, and quick-witted, veering between deeply sincere and thematically silly within minutes. The dynamic blend of genuine sports analysis, pop culture references, and inside-joke camaraderie keeps the episode lively and accessible.

Listen If…

You want insights on NFL drama, sports media self-awareness, and plenty of wild laughter—all colored by Miami flavor, Halloween hijinks, and meta reflections on the ethics of modern sports coverage.