Podcast Summary: The John Clay Wolfe Show – Episode #49 (6-4-16)
Date: February 12, 2026
Host: John Clay Wolfe
Main Contributors: J.D. Ryan, Bobo, Turley
Podcast Description:
The John Clay Wolfe Show is a fast-paced, irreverent talk radio program with a focus on cars, sports, and everything in between—broadcast with a let-it-fly Texas attitude. The show revolves around car valuations, wild stories, pop culture, and biting humor, all while wrangling the ever-present threat of FCC fines.
Main Theme / Episode Purpose
This episode blends the show’s signature real-time car bidding with lively banter about regional news, pop culture moments, anecdotes from the team, and listener call-ins. Noteworthy topics this week include:
- Recent expansion into Arkansas and new affiliate stations
- Listener outrage and controversies (raccoon stories, gorilla incident)
- The challenges of political correctness in radio
- Nostalgic and humorous stories from “back in the day”
- Reminiscence about music, sports (esp. Muhammad Ali), and celebrity bits
- Reflection on the future of radio slang and troubles with management
- A wealth of classic John Clay Wolfe-style car deals
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Station Expansion and the Challenge of Regional Humor
(02:04-02:33)
- John shares excitement about joining new affiliates in Arkansas, joking about swapping out old Oklahoma jokes for “Arkansas” as the show grows.
- Expresses some uncertainty as to who’s left to poke fun at now, hinting at the fine line between edgy humor and station politics.
Notable Quote:
"So I got... I don’t know who I’m gonna bag on. That’s why I’ve got nothing." — John Clay Wolfe [02:24]
2. The Target Bathroom & Gorilla Zoo Controversy
(04:27–06:08, 104:03–106:53)
- The team riffs on the then-newsworthy issues about Target’s bathrooms and transitions quickly to the Cincinnati zoo gorilla shooting.
- John reveals that even program directors are policing their stance on "the gorilla," with hilarious jabs at the absurdity of the situation.
- They openly satirize “outraged” listener emails, lampooning how anything can turn into a controversy.
Notable Quote:
"You haven't heard nothing until you heard the raccoon problem from last week." — John Clay Wolfe [06:08]
3. Raccoon Saga & Small Town Texas Stories
(06:18–13:14)
- The recurring “raccoon problem” story from Wichita Falls returns, sparking listener engagement and internal debates on pest control.
- Storytime includes:
- Listener calls about how to handle the animal (shoot/save)
- Local humor about rural living and chicken raids by raccoons
- Bobo’s embarrassing tale of accidentally eating raccoon barbecue at a remote radio event.
Notable Moment:
“He said, ‘Ask Bobbo if Bobbo’s ever had any of Larry Sanders barbecue raccoon.’” [09:40]
4. “Butthurt” Culture & Struggles with Political Correctness
(13:36, 117:06)
- Extended riffs on how audiences (and station management) have become too sensitive, restricting the show’s free-wheeling style.
- John and J.D. vent frustrations about balancing humor, honesty, and “staying out of trouble.”
Notable Quote:
“When is the pendulum gonna swing back and we’re gonna stop getting butthurt about everything?” — J.D. Ryan [13:36]
5. Live Car Valuations & Listener Calls
(16:57–126:40, scattered throughout episode)
- Listeners call in looking to sell cars; John provides fast, often humorous offers, outbids CarMax, and explains his “no crack money, no dreamers” policy.
- Standout valuations:
- 2013 Ford F-150: $23,000 beats CarMax’s offer [17:10]
- 2013 Camaro Z01: $36,000 final offer [25:21]
- 2013 Audi A4: $20,000 impressive bid [101:03]
- Many interactions feature John’s trademark back-and-forth, playing hardball and cracking wise.
Notable Quote:
“If I don’t beat a CarMax offer, I’ll overnight you a check for $100!” — John Clay Wolfe [35:42]
6. Ride of the Week: Toyota 4Runner TRD Review
(38:29–40:13)
- Praised for its rugged looks, performance, and value.
- Comparison: “Like BMW had sex with a Japanese dude.” [39:53]
7. Muhammad Ali Tribute & Top 10 Quotes
(76:42–78:39)
- Team honors Ali following his passing, sharing famous braggadocious, inspiring, and humorous quotes.
- Discussion on the impact of Ali and how public mourning sometimes feels over-the-top.
8. Facebook, Spam, and Social Media Satire
(52:49–57:34, 79:27–80:09)
- Rants about fake friend requests, Oakley sunglasses spam, and comparing Facebook to a telephone party line.
- J.D. proposes a new “Strangle Icon” for Facebook [53:32].
9. Music & Celebrities: Toadies, Axl Rose Gospel Parody, Beatles History
Toadies & Beer (21:05–22:06): Reminiscing about local Texas band’s early days. Axl Rose Gospel Album Bit (81:18–83:47): Outrageous send-up of Guns N' Roses classics reimagined as Christian hymns—“Take me down to Jerusalem City…” Beatles PCP Corn Dog Legend (146:27–150:28): Wallace Edwards tells a farcical “rest of the story” about the Beatles tripping at the Texas State Fair, explaining their change in DNA.
10. Rider with Uncle Roy & “Back in the Day”
(88:18–92:07)
- Uncle Roy and friends swap stories about government cheese, cheap gas, and “beer theft revenge” from 1960s Fort Worth living.
- Captures the show’s love for intergenerational storytelling and blue-collar humor.
11. Reflection on Censorship and Growing the Show
(110:10–119:10)
- The “cuffs are off!” for the extra hour, where the team admits how censorship is hurting radio creativity—and their show’s natural, uncensored tone.
- Honest discussion about working under nervous, conservative program directors.
Notable Quote:
“We talk the way that you talk to your friends… They want to control our thoughts and they want to control your thoughts because they’re afraid.” — John Clay Wolfe [117:15]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On gorilla outrage:
"I want to get you on these conference calls where they beat me, like with a sledgehammer." — John Clay Wolfe [106:11] -
On eating raccoon:
“I expelled what was in my mouth from my mouth and I made the rest of that sandwich disappear.” — Bobbo [12:00] -
Political incorrectness:
“Radio is not television... We have to be more colored in and paint bigger pictures than you do on TV.” — John Clay Wolfe [117:39] -
On Facebook spam:
“It’s about Oakley sunglasses.” — John Clay Wolfe [55:52] -
On modern car sales:
"If I don't beat CarMax, I'll overnight you a check for $100." — John Clay Wolfe [35:42]
Important Timestamps by Segment
| Timestamp | Segment | |--------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:04 | Announcement of expansion into Arkansas | | 04:27 | Target/gorilla zoo controversy riff begins | | 06:18 | Raccoon saga and audience outrage | | 13:36 | “Butthurt” culture and PC radio struggles | | 17:00–54:00 | Live car valuations & deals (multiple call-in segments) | | 38:29 | “Ride of the Week” Toyota 4Runner review | | 52:49 | Facebook spam and “strangle icon” | | 76:42 | Tribute: Muhammad Ali’s Top 10 quotes | | 79:27 | When will Facebook finally die? | | 81:18 | Parody: Axl Rose Gospel album | | 88:18 | Uncle Roy’s “back in the day” tales | | 104:03 | Gorilla incident—public and management backlash | | 110:10 | Start of “uncuffed” extra hour; candid talk about censorship | | 117:06 | John’s critique: “We talk the way you talk to your friends…” |
Language and Tone
The show maintains a colloquial, sometimes edgy, deeply Texan tone: irreverent, sarcastic, frequently self-deprecating, with a “locker room” camaraderie. Humor is brisk and biting; sentimentality is often undercut with a joke. Occasional detours into classic radio parodies and musings on modern social issues lend the show an energetic, unpredictable rhythm.
Conclusion
This episode of The John Clay Wolfe Show is a quintessential ride through the host’s unique world, blending listeners’ car deals with madcap humor, social satire, music parodies, and blunt commentary on the constraints of modern radio. Whether reflecting on news-of-the-weird headlines, lost radio freedom, or the value of a 2013 Camaro, JCW and crew keep it raucous, relatable, and reliably off-script.
