The John Clay Wolfe Show

Episode #535 | December 20, 2025

Overview

This lively pre-Christmas episode of The John Clay Wolfe Show, powered by GiveMeTheVIN.com, delivers the show’s signature blend of cars, celebrity gossip, classic TV nostalgia, sports banter, candid addiction discussion, offbeat humor, and a strong dose of Texan rock ‘n’ roll spirit. The big themes: holiday vibes, stories from the car world, reflections on public figures, the growing culture of online trolling, lots of laughs about drinking, and a visit from none other than Ted Nugent himself.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Remembering Rob Reiner: Legacy & Family Drama

• Discussion ([01:07]-[09:40], [20:24]-[26:32])
  • The hosts react to news of Rob Reiner’s passing, with immediate confusion and tongue-in-cheek banter, mixing up Rob Reiner with other personalities for comedic effect.
  • The conversation expands to Reiner’s impact on TV and film, including his pivotal role in saving Seinfeld (“His production company, Castle Rock, produced Seinfeld. They had to fight like crazy to keep it on the air.” – John Clay Wolfe, [03:05]).
  • They dissect the tragedy involving Reiner’s troubled adult son, touching on addiction, mental health, and public meltdowns (“He trashed the guest house... that would’ve been the last day for me.” – Michael Turley, [03:44]).
  • The team riffs on the shifting landscape of political discourse and “preaching hate” through celebrity platforms.
• Notable Moment: “You never know anything’s gonna be a hit. We knew it was good, but we didn’t know it was going to be a hit.” – Michael Turley ([02:39])

2. Car Calls & Gearhead Chatter

• Signature Car Bidding Segments ([13:13]-[19:25], [50:19]-[51:12], [87:26]-[90:20], throughout)
  • Listeners call in to price and sell their unique and classic rides, from souped-up Porsches and restored Novas to well-worn Suburbans and million-dollar RVs. JCW and his team deliver off-the-cuff appraisals and insider advice.
  • Fascination with quirky repairs (e.g., sticky Ferrari/Aston buttons), auction insights, and why “deleting” emissions tech drops truck values by $5K.
• Quote: "Are you mad you deleted it? You wish you hadn't? ...It does change the value." – John Clay Wolfe to caller about truck emissions mods ([16:16])

3. Ted Nugent: Rock, Residencies & Small-Town Texas

• Guest Segment ([113:04]-[123:10])
  • Ted Nugent calls in, electrifying the show with vivid, energetic stories about his concerts at the newly-christened Walnut Springs Roadhouse and his vision for continuing residencies there.
  • He dishes on the unique energy of the venue, local Texas flavor, and the possibility of bringing friends (like Steven Tyler or Sammy Hagar) to future jam sessions.
  • Nugent’s passionate, fast-talking, sometimes evangelical delivery is unmistakable. (“I’m locked and ready to rock the Glock around the clock, Dr. Spock!” – Ted Nugent, [115:54])
• Memorable Moment: “Every gig is the most important gig of my life… I had to levitate, and you're right—my feet never touched the ground.” – Ted Nugent ([114:19])

4. Holiday & Drinking Talk: Sobriety, Getting Older, Relapse & Humor

• Roundtable Banter ([34:06]-[45:50], [40:02]-[47:45], scattered)
  • Honest stories about quitting drinking (“The best way to keep from getting a hangover: don’t drink at all. I’m 28 years sober.” – Scott Wolf, [40:02])
  • Anecdotes of past wild nights, home remedies (charcoal, electrolytes, pig urine—joking, of course), and how aging changes the party.
  • Candid listener calls about addiction, detox, and the “ready when you’re ready” philosophy regarding sobriety.
  • Lighthearted ribbing about hangover cures and “grandma’s pre-drinking prescription.”
• Quote: “Joe Rogan quit drinking… It steals your energy, it steals your—when we get to our age, we’re just not good at it anymore.” – John Clay Wolfe ([33:59])

5. Classic TV & Pop Culture: All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Three’s Company

• Nostalgia Dive ([23:03]-[26:40])
  • The hosts relive the irreverence of All in the Family, discuss Rob Reiner’s “Meathead” legacy, and reflect on how language and humor have changed.
  • Trivia about Norman Lear, The Jeffersons, and the revelation that Roxy Roker (Lenny Kravitz’s mom) played Helen Willis.
  • Good-natured debate about who was hottest on Three’s Company (“Chrissy, hands down. …But there was a lot to like about Janet.” – Bob O., [25:20])
  • Dad jokes abound; childhood memories clash with modern FCC standards.

6. Sports & Betting: High School Recruiting, College Football Contracts & NFL Picks

• Sports Banter ([65:48]-[86:40], [103:31]-[107:01])
  • Updates on John’s son’s high school football prospects, the shift in athlete recruitment and school contracts (“Football is no longer football, it is football business.” – John Clay Wolfe, [66:00])
  • Playful (and sometimes contentious) gambling lines on NCAA and NFL games, with on-air live bets.
  • Wry commentary on NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money, transfer portals—“It’s like free agency. You can get online and find a new wife. …After your marriage, after a year, you can find a new wife with no penalty.” ([79:17])
• Quote: “SMU beat Miami, Louisville beat Miami, someone else beat Miami. Didn’t they have three losses? Alabama had three losses and they beat OU last night...” – J.D. Ryan ([82:12])

7. Trolls, Online Comments & “Feed the Trolls” Segment

• Interactive Segment ([132:03]-[136:26])
  • The crew reads and reacts to snarky, mean, and just odd YouTube comments about their videos.
  • JCW muses about deleting the worst offenders but reading out the best (or worst) live for laughs.
  • “Is it just my dad, or did your dad also call Janet a dyke at dinner?” (Referencing ‘Three’s Company’)
  • Verdict: most feedback is fun, some is just out of line—but the show’s audience is enjoying the back-and-forth.
• Quote: “Sometimes the hate’s so bad I delete it, because it’s almost pornographic.” – John Clay Wolfe ([132:29])

8. Walnut Springs Roadhouse: Transformation & Community Building

• Behind the Scenes ([56:09]-[64:22], [58:39]-[61:25])
  • JCW details changes at the “Rattlesnake” (now Walnut Springs Roadhouse): new management, new mega TV screens, revised menus, and the shift away from old branding and partners.
  • Roadhouse is becoming a Texas music and food destination, echoing Luckenbach or Green Hall ambitions, with big plans for 2026 (“I’m finally getting to do this the right way,” JCW enthuses).
  • Ted Nugent’s mini-residency and his love for the vibe: “I can come here and I can drive home. This is it. I’m bringing Steven Tyler, I’m bringing Sammy…” ([120:28])

9. Odd News & Listener Fun: Florida Follies, Hangover Cures, Santa at $165

• Quirky News Bits ([30:15]-[33:10], [91:35]-[91:48])
  • Lifesaving story of an 86-year-old who didn’t listen to his wife, climbing on the roof (“Maybe take Sharon’s advice next year…”)
  • Listener calls on the best (and worst) hangover cures.
  • News of shopping mall Santas charging $165 a visit.
  • Florida Man classic: truck searched by police revealed “dirty bomb” equipment and THC gummies ([31:52])

10. Motorhead & Gas Monkey Segments: Lamborghini Stunt & The Ferrari Fiasco

• Guest: Richard Rollins (Gas Monkey Garage) ([92:34]-[103:10])
  • Discussion of Gas Monkey’s viral Lamborghini helicopter stunt and accompanying giveaway.
  • Candid frustrations with a persistently problematic Ferrari custom build: “We cut 18 inches off the ass end, moved the motor, redid everything… Might have been easier if we’d done it ourselves.” ([99:22])
  • Partnership and mutual ribbing between Rollins and JCW continue as a highlight.

Notable Quotes

“Every gig is the most important gig of my life… I had to levitate, and you're right—my feet never touched the ground.” – Ted Nugent ([114:19])

“You never know anything’s gonna be a hit. We knew it was good, but we didn’t know it was going to be a hit.” – Michael Turley ([02:39])

“The best way to keep from getting a hangover: don’t drink at all. I’m 28 years sober.” – Scott Wolf, caller ([40:02])

“Football is no longer football, it is football business.” – John Clay Wolfe ([66:00])

“Sometimes the hate’s so bad I delete it, because it’s almost pornographic.” – John Clay Wolfe ([132:29])

Important Segment Timestamps (MM:SS)

• [01:07] – Rob Reiner tribute and Seinfeld backstory
• [03:44] – Rob Reiner’s son: addiction and family turmoil
• [13:13] – First round of car call-ins (marijuana, sticky buttons, custom Porsche)
• [23:03] – All in the Family, The Jeffersons, ‘Three’s Company’ nostalgia banter
• [34:06] – Alcohol, aging, and hangovers roundtable
• [50:19] – Another rapid-fire car appraisal segment
• [56:09] – Community building & fame in small-town Texas
• [113:04] – Ted Nugent extended guest appearance
• [132:03] – ‘Feed the Trolls’: Reading listener YouTube commentary
• [139:42] – Rants about car companies pulling back on electric vehicles

Tone & Style

The episode stays true to the JCW Show’s irreverent, conversational Texas radio style: a little wild, a little crass, a lot of fun, and unapologetically open about the ragged edges of life and business. Guests, hosts, and listeners alike are treated as members of a quirky extended family—where teasing, debate, dark humor, and deep-cut car talk coexist.

Final Thoughts

This pre-holiday show is a rollercoaster: part car marketplace, part therapy session, part small-town Texas revival, part classic radio variety show. John Clay Wolfe, his crew, his celebrity friends, and his loyal callers collectively create a unique collision of American pop culture, gearhead hustle, and plainspoken candor—plus some big music and small-town dreams for the new year.