The John Clay Wolfe Show – Episode #81 Summary

Date: February 12, 2026
Host: John Clay Wolfe
Co-hosts/Regulars: J.D. Ryan, Bobbo Turley, Baba, Hannah

Overview of the Episode

This episode of The John Clay Wolfe Show delivers the usual trademark mix of irreverent humor, car talk, wild stories, and live call-ins from listeners hoping to get a fast bid on their vehicles. Against the backdrop of sports news, Super Bowl bets, and cultural riffs, the show explores social boundaries with candid commentary, offbeat skits (including a “Reverend Cleophis” prayer and a Chinese New Year bit), and plenty of jokes that play with the edge of political correctness.

As always, the show’s backbone is car trading: John expertly handles real-time vehicle appraisals for callers, explains how business is evolving, shares insider stories about shady deals and auction hustlers, and notes the importance of adapting in the modern auto market. The episode also features insights into current events (from Trump’s latest TV appearance to the passing of Mary Tyler Moore), and blends in segments about country music, sports betting, and even a debate about the risks and rewards of edgy radio content.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pushing the Boundaries: Race, Satire, and Radio

• The team debates a proposed “White, Black, Latino, or Other” news story guessing game. Turley pushes for it (“Is it black, white, Latino or other that did that?” — Bobbo Turley, 02:22), but J.D. and Baba voice concerns about crossing the line in today’s sensitive environment.
• Memorable Quote:
  “Everybody listens with a different ear.” — John Clay Wolfe (03:12)
• The crew finds humor in the idea but recognizes the risk of misinterpretation and FCC fines, deciding off-air discussion is best. Eventually, they tentatively test out the bit, handling it with self-awareness and tongue-in-cheek restraint (26:03–28:10).

2. Car Talk: The Mechanics and Madness of the Trade

• John details how the business works:
  • They buy about 1000 cars/month.
  • Standard margin is ~$300/car.
  • Efficiency, automation, and honesty with customers are key values.
• Technology in the Industry:
  • Launching a new, highly-automated vehicle valuation system by May. “It’s automated. Like, anybody can get the number on their car immediately…without even talking.” — John Clay Wolfe (10:33)
• Call-In Segments:
  • Dozens of listeners call for on-air appraisals, each handled with characteristic banter, curiosity, and humor. Freewheeling discussions cover everything from the color of a car to life stories.

3. Culture, Sex, and Money: Unfiltered Discussions

• Stripper Economics & Super Bowl:
  • Regular “Hannah” (the in-house exotic dancer) dishes on weekly earnings ($1,740–$3,000/night) and taxes (43:09–43:47 for a hilarious misunderstanding of income taxes).
  • The team discusses Super Bowl week being the “biggest week for strippers,” with some making six figures (49:09).
• Debate over escorting/prostitution vs. dancing (49:41).
• Memorable Laughter:
  • “I wish I had boobs!” — J.D. Ryan, responding to stripper income (42:48).

4. Politics, Satire, and Media Wars

• Trump’s TV Appearance:
  • The show pokes fun at Trump’s obsession with inauguration crowd photos (11:08) and his media feuds.
  • “I’m so tired of him talking about the crowd at this stupid inauguration!” — J.D. Ryan (11:08)
• Talk turns to Trump’s wall plans, tariffs on Mexican imports, and possible end-games (“I think Mexico winds up being part of America next.” — John Clay Wolfe, 136:36).
• Skits with fake Rush Limbaugh, Johnny Cash, and Hannibal Lecter keep the commentary biting and sharp.

5. Classic Comedy & Musical Parody

• “I Killed Myself” Country Song Bit:
  • The hosts improvise a hilariously dark country song about marital misery, with Baba freestyling lyrics like “My wife is too bitchy, I think I’ll just go fishing” (08:05).
• Cheech & Chong Appearance Flashback:
  • Re-airing “Mexican Americans” parody written by John for Cheech & Chong (28:09–28:49).
• Multiple musical interludes: from Vanilla Fudge to Hendrix, with hosts riffing on lyrics and classic rock history.

6. Religion, Race, and Class with a Comic Twist

• Caller requests a song about church exclusion:
  • Leads to the “Reverend Cleophis” skit, blending gospel humor with subtle commentary on judgment and belonging (13:07–15:50).
• “Chinese New Year” Routine:
  • An intentionally over-the-top bit with recurring “William Fory from Kong China,” poking fun at Chinese restaurant tropes and delivering a “rooster” joke (93:15–96:38).

7. Listener Stories & Americana

• Rural Life & “Country People Problems”:
  • Horse and bull stories, grandmothers wielding dog leashes. Giveaway of rodeo tickets turns into an interview about chicken farming and a solemn vow from a listener to use the tickets “even if the cattle get out” (150:49–151:04).
  • Memorable Moment:
    • John telling about his childhood escape attempt (148:04–148:52).

8. End-of-Show Reflections, Callbacks, and Takeaways

• JD’s Sobriety:
  • The group marks JD’s eighth year sober, roasting each other along the way (“I told God to help me or kill me…if you’d asked me to kill you, I’d have shot your ass right in the head.” — John Clay Wolfe, 68:29).
• Car Business Reality Check:
  • The show ends with honest talk about undervalued cars, the pain of buried loans, and the realities of used-car trading in 2026.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Everybody listens with a different ear.” — John Clay Wolfe (03:12)
• “You gotta be drunk to write good country.” — J.D. Ryan (08:29)
• “We are that good. I buy cars, about a thousand a month. I make about $300 a car.” — John Clay Wolfe (19:46)
• “I wish I had boobs!” — J.D. Ryan (42:48)
• “If I can’t beat your CarMax offer, I’ll give you $100.” — John Clay Wolfe (89:24)
• “You’re just too damn slow, Hannibal.” — John Clay Wolfe, during a ‘Silence of the Lambs’ bit (79:03)
• “I think Mexico winds up being part of America next.” — John Clay Wolfe (136:36)
• “I told God to help me or kill me…” — John Clay Wolfe, ribbing JD’s sobriety (68:29)
• “I run a chicken farm. I work seven days a week, eleven months out of the year….” — PBR ticket-winning caller (151:04)

Key Segment Timestamps

• Opening debate on race and satire: 01:14 – 03:43
• Car business innovation/automation: 10:01 – 10:45
• Abortion payment protest & “Fast Times” references: 03:35 – 06:07
• “I Killed Myself” song parody: 07:31 – 09:06
• John’s new system for car bidding: 16:34 – 18:18
• Cheech & Chong “Mexican Americans”: 28:09 – 28:49; 98:35 – 99:35
• Stripper money, Super Bowl: 43:09 – 43:47; 49:09
• Political talk – Trump/crowds/media: 11:03 – 13:07; 132:55 – 134:10
• Chinese New Year bit: 93:13 – 96:38
• Country people problems and rodeo tickets: 144:29 – 151:45

Conclusion

This episode is classic John Clay Wolfe: fast, funny, and unpredictable, juggling cars, cash, and comedy—all while dodging the ever-shifting boundaries of “what you can say on the radio.” Fans of quick wit, off-color banter, and live reality with real people (from strip club employees to chicken farmers to cowboys) will find plenty to love. It’s a wild ride from start to finish and a perfect snapshot of 2026 American morning radio done the “Wolf” way.