The John Clay Wolfe Show

Episode #518 - August 23, 2025

Overview

Episode #518 of The John Clay Wolfe Show is an energetic, irreverent blend of car sales talk, pop culture commentary, sports banter, and listener call-ins, all delivered through the show’s signature quick-witted, freewheeling style. Broadcasting from the Wolf Radio studios and powered by GiveMeTheVIN.com, John and his crew riff on everything from classic cars and college football to reality TV icons, the latest viral news from Florida, and the sometimes absurd realities of American life. Special guest appearances, unscripted anecdotes, and the show’s loyal (and quirky) audience ensure that, as always, virtually nothing is off limits—as long as it won’t get them fined by the FCC.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Studio Banter & Crew Dynamics

• The episode opens with the crew poking fun at each other for minor things—dented studio doors ("the wind grabs the door and it whips it in the barbecue pit" – John Clay Wolfe, 01:17), and leaving the porch light on.
• Longstanding jokes about JD Ryan no longer spending the night at the studio due to traffic woes (01:55).
• Polar Bear, a frequent caller with a unique personality, makes another memorable, meandering appearance (02:18–04:02).
  • "Call me Polar Bear because I'm bipolar" – Polar Bear (02:30)
• The crew debates whether a recurring caller with a speech impediment is actually the "real" one or an imposter because “his speech is different… it just sounds crazy gibberish.” (07:02–07:28)

2. Listener Call-ins & Car Deals

• Car Selling Experiences:

  • Callers praise the GiveMeTheVIN.com experience, highlighting its hassle-free, professional process. (05:01–06:52)
    • "It was the easiest experience… in and out in 10 minutes. No negotiations, no hassles." – Mike in Dallas (05:01)
    • "I hate car dealers… they change the deal on you constantly… so the little bit of money I'm going to lose on people getting over on me, I'm gonna make more because of happy people like Mike." – John (06:03)
  • Tech complaints are acknowledged transparently, with John promising improvements.

• Classic Car Bids & Education:

  • Detailed negotiations on vehicles like the 1970 Chevelle SS (12:00–15:00), with John explaining that documentation and restoration age are pivotal in classic car valuation.
    • “On an old car… if the paint’s five years old, it’s just brand ass new… but the age of restoration really matters.” – John (13:11)
  • On air, John offers $25K–$30K for a Chevelle, explaining the logic.
  • Lightning Round segments feature a rapid-fire series of bids and blunt price realism.
    • (Lightning Round: 48:22–54:11, 126:09–129:44)

• Exotic & Unique Vehicles:

  • Sellers attempt to get top dollar for trucks and rare vehicles, sometimes with unrealistic expectations, met by John’s humorous incredulity.
    • "Are we gonna have to get your sister on the phone and see if she's going 12-5?" – John (85:03)
    • "You won’t take 48 and you won’t take 51?" (51:14)
  • Outlandish offers like a 1953 hand glider pop up ("spare wing, deployable underwear chute" – 48:28).

3. Sports, Pop Culture, and Event Announcements

• Discussion of the Cowboys Netflix documentary and nostalgia for Jerry Jones’ glory years. (07:48–09:29)
  • “It’s gonna make you just mad as a Cowboy fan. It’s really gonna do that.” – Michael Turley (08:09)
• Preview of the Gas Monkey Ice House live show for the Texas vs. Ohio State college football kickoff, with beer giveaways for early arrivals and encouragement to bring cars. (16:41–18:29)
  • “First 10 people that show up on the early bird get free beer on Richard. Richard doesn’t know this yet, but he’ll be fine.” – John (17:08)
• Sports banter extends into Aggie jokes and the bizarre traditions of college football fandom, including male cheerleaders and viral social media moments. (19:02–22:45)

4. Florida News & Viral Oddities

• Recurring “Florida News” introduces wild stories with comedic flair:
  • Fisherman bitten by a shark while posing for selfies, including actual 911 audio:
    • “We were taking the hook out… going to go release him, and the shark just turned and bit me. I’d go back today if I could leave the hospital.” – Sean Muse, victim (25:29–26:10)
  • Drunk Florida woman accuses photographers of “pimping” a model (26:47–29:52):
    • “Maybe in Missouri you been carrying on as you do, but not in Florida.” – Drunk Neighbor (27:24)
  • Crew shares their distaste for drunk behavior and stories of quitting drinking, including Bob Floyd’s rehab journey after years in radio. (29:52–32:03)

5. Car World & Industry News

• GM V8 recall discussion: The team addresses how recalls on the 6.2 V8 affect resale values.
  • "We’re not bidding them any differently… GM is doing a pretty good job of getting them fixed." – John (33:06)
• C8 Corvette and ZR1 exploding due to fuel vapor issues, resulting in a stop-sale and GM canceling warranties for flippers. (34:11–36:27)
  • “If you sell them before 12 months… they’re canceling your warranty and your place in line for specialty units.” – John (35:56)
• The car “scalping” term leads to an on-air tangent about the racial insensitivity of certain automotive slang. (36:31–37:17)

6. Social Satire, Sketches, and Memorable Moments

• Frequent comedic sketches and voice bits, from “Mail from Jail” to pseudo-interviews:
  • A federally incarcerated listener writes in about wanting to join the show post-release. (60:06–64:16)
  • Michael McDonald “calls in” to sell his RV (“I’ll come with you!” – 108:12).
  • “Cracker Barrel” and logo change is discussed, sparking both serious and silly debate about cultural branding, non-scandal, and DEI initiatives. (102:07–106:14)
• Sydney Sweeney’s “boob power” and pop culture’s fixation on her. (144:10–146:41)
• The team revisits the infamous "breast milk ice cream" call and actually RECEIVES the product in the mail from a listener. On-air tastings ensue (“It tastes like pralines and cream!” – Bob Floyd, 99:58).
• Riffing on race, regional differences, and heritage, but always with equal-opportunity ribbing.

7. Joe Exotic Prison Update

• A regular, Joe Exotic, calls in with an update on his possible clemency and muses about his future plans:
  • “Officially got a letter from the US Pardon attorney at the White House… that my clemency is under investigation.” (76:02)
  • “Are you gonna do drugs when you get out?” – John; “I am not touching nothing!” – Joe Exotic (77:24)
  • “It’s just too flamboyant in your face… do your own thing in your own bedroom and keep it there.” – Joe’s take on the Minnesota Vikings male cheerleader (79:11)

8. Event Teasers, Scheduling, and Local Lore

• Announcements for future remotes and live shows, including potential car shows and reasons for possible postponements (66:14–66:39).
• Ongoing saga of trying to buy a massive 80-car collection, complete with all the real-world frustrations and shifting deals entailed in such business. (41:34–44:57)
• Rants about the over-hyping of food chains like White Castle and In-N-Out as they come to Texas (57:18–59:37).
• Listeners bring stories about their own family’s “Oklahoma incest” (54:31–54:56, 124:20–124:53) and racing Hyundai Elantras on the tollway (71:59–73:53).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "I’m not trying to be a jerk, but it’s just all about the facts. I don’t care what the guy told you, I care what we can prove." – John (12:36)
• “Deployable underwear chute. And this is located? No.” – Mike pitching the hand glider (48:55)
• “If you have questions about business… eat a bunch of cocaine. Not really.” – Baba, riffing business advice (66:45, 67:12)
• "I hate car dealers because they change the deal on you constantly." – John (06:03)
• "Crappy golfers never miss an opportunity to pick up a range ball, and syphilis is curable." – John (71:41)
• "That's why it triggers me. You too? … Nobody goes to rehab sober." – John & Bob Floyd on drinking and sobriety (29:52–32:03)
• "Every month, we pull one person that sold us their car… and we give away 25 grand. It’s the dumbest promotion I’ve ever done." – John (91:29)
• "Sydney Sweeney could fix Cracker Barrel." – John (144:31)

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• Car Seller Experiences: 05:01–06:52
• Classic Car Bids: 12:00–15:00, 83:23–85:43, 126:09–129:44
• Cowboys Documentary Recap: 07:48–09:29
• Gas Monkey Ice House Live Show Teaser: 16:41–18:29
• Florida News (Shark Attack): 25:00–26:28
• Cracker Barrel Debate: 102:07–106:14
• Joe Exotic Prison Call: 75:53–80:01
• Mail from Jail: 60:06–64:16
• Breast Milk Ice Cream: 97:23–100:12
• White Castle in Texas: 57:18–59:37
• Oklahoma Incest Stories: 54:31–54:56, 124:20–124:53
• Aggie Cheerleading & Traditions: 19:02–22:45

Tone, Style & Language

The show's language is candid, edgy, and irreverent, sprinkled with regionalisms and unfiltered humor. The crew regularly teases each other and their callers, using everyday vernacular and salty punchlines. While the subject matter ranges widely, the tone is consistently relaxed, cheeky, and unscripted—the banter quick, the jokes often self-deprecating, and the storytelling as unvarnished as it gets on terrestrial radio.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Even if you don’t care about cars, the JCW Show entertains with sharp wit, offbeat news, and a slice of American life.
• Car dealers should be more transparent, as John’s “no-nonsense” model wins converts.
• Florida’s news never disappoints.
• Sometimes the weirdest things that are sent to a radio show are actually eaten on-air—yes, even breast milk ice cream.
• If you want a quick car bid, be honest and realistic—or prepare to get roasted.
• John and his crew have no intention of following radio’s “rules”—and are always ready to turn even the most mundane callers into comedy gold.

Next Week: Catch the crew live at the Gas Monkey Ice House for the college football kickoff and another round of live car bids, wild call-ins, and whatever else comes through the studio doors. Be ready—doors open at 9, but the jokes start at 8!