The Sebastian Maniscalco Show
Episode: A New Office & Ghosting A Group Chat
Date: May 5, 2026
Host: Sebastian Maniscalco
Guest/Co-host: Pete Correale
Special Appearances: Lana (Sebastian’s wife), Andrew (Producer), Kim (Producer), Sebastian’s Sister
EPISODE OVERVIEW
Sebastian Maniscalco kicks off the debut episode of his new SiriusXM show from the heart of Los Angeles. Joined by longtime friend and fellow comedian Pete Correale (broadcasting from Rochester), the two dive into classic riffing on daily life, changes with the new studio environment, family dynamics, group chat etiquette, driving technology, and timeless issues of modern etiquette. Listeners get an inside look at Sebastian’s new radio home, his ambition to blend classic radio and podcasting, and the show's promise to be a platform for rising comics and candid conversations.
1. WELCOME TO SIRIUSXM & NEW SHOW FORMAT
00:49–06:35
- Sebastian’s New Office and Badge Rituals:
- Sebastian describes navigating elaborate security at SiriusXM and the experience of being assigned a “floating” office adorned with celebrity photos.
- Notable Moment: “There’s a Chewbacca office…I don’t know why these people are on the wall, but today I was in Chadwick [Boseman]'s office." (02:33)
- Show Vision:
- More guests, including comedians, actors, and friends they've long wanted on-air.
- DJ Maranara teased as a future bit (Sebastian jokes he is the DJ).
- Plan to host live events and promote up-and-coming comedians.
- Notable Quote: “This is one of the things I wanna do now that I have this unbelievable platform...introduce our large audience to some of the comedians…that are worthy of, you know, getting some exposure.” (06:02)
- Welcome to Old & New Fans:
- Shoutout to long-standing listeners of Pete & Sebastian’s original podcast, now part of SiriusXM family.
2. CLASSIC SEBASTIAN & PETE: SOCIAL & FAMILY DYNAMICS
06:35–13:43
The Social Dilemma: Emotional Goodbyes
- Sebastian recounts an awkward party exit when a host tears up during farewells.
- Key Question: “When you’re ready to leave an event and someone starts crying, how long do you gotta stay?” (08:19)
- Pete’s Take: “I leave faster. I mean, you start to cry, I’m gonna let you and your wife cry this out, I’m out…” (08:28)
- Both riff on male friendship, emotional sharing, and crying in front of others.
- Kids’ Reaction to Parental Emotions:
- Sebastian and Pete swap stories about crying in front of their kids—who mostly react with confusion or mild amusement.
- Quote: “When I’m crying, I would expect my kids to go, ‘What’s wrong, dad?’ But they’re looking at me going, ‘Why are you crying?’” (09:58)
Childhood Then vs. Now: “Make Your Own Fun”
- Nostalgia for unstructured, outdoor play, boredom, and “catching lightning bugs.”
- Today’s children, in their view, have little patience for boredom or independent play.
3. BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE NEW STUDIO
13:43–19:00
- Sebastian marvels at the new perks—break room, windows to a hallway where big names might walk by.
- “I envision maybe Bon Jovi walking in…Can’t do that when I was in the house and Luigi pissed on the rug.” (12:53)
- Pete touts the show as a possible “lucky charm” for guest careers (Andy Garcia, Andy Frasco, etc.).
- “I can’t help thinking...you come on the Sebastian Maniscalco radio show, and you walk away with luck following right behind you.” (14:43)
- More technical banter about radio school, segment breaks, and their “hybrid” of old-school show and podcast.
4. GROUP CHATS & MODERN FAMILY COMMUNICATION
21:32–30:41
The Group Chat Dilemma
- Sebastian admits to ghosting his family group chat, never contributing but always noticing who does.
- “For whatever the reason, I’m not participating in the group chat.” (24:14)
- Pete diagnoses: “You’re cooler than that.” (24:58)
- They debate etiquette: Is it rude to “leave” the chat? Should you mute, privately text, or ghost entirely? Is “coolness” incompatible with group chat participation?
- Lana Joins the Show:
- Sebastian’s wife unexpectedly pipes up from the booth, sparking a playful exchange about being observed (and gently mocked) by family on-air.
- “My heart's beating quickly…It’s like a first date.” –Lana (30:07)
5. DRIVING ETIQUETTE, CARS, AND THE FUTURE
31:13–40:30
New Car, Classic Arguments
- Family Debate: Who’s the Better Driver?
- Lana claims Sebastian drives “like a grandpa”—too slow and cautious.
- “He drives like a grandpa. So I get anxiety because I’m like, speed up.” –Lana (35:05)
- Sebastian: “When I have precious cargo… I drive really responsible.”
- Waymo & Self-Driving Cars:
- Discussion about autonomous Waymo cars proliferating in LA; Lana has already tried them.
- Pete is baffled: “Have you been in one of those yet?” (34:33)
- Sebastian’s etiquette query: “Can you honk at a Waymo? If you do, does it generate a report?” (37:56)
- Producer Andrew confirms Waymo cars can honk and are monitored/remotely assisted by humans if stuck.
- “I just found it odd that I’m honking at a car with nobody in it.” (38:29)
- Memorable Moment: Pete likens it to “cheering for your kid’s swim meet… They can’t hear anything.”
6. TABLE MANNERS & BILL ETIQUETTE
41:48–49:17
- Leftovers, Paying, and Restaurant Etiquette:
- Sebastian asks if it’s okay for someone to take home leftovers when another pays, especially with shared appetizers.
- Pete brings up the anxiety of splitting the check with new friends; his wife proposes “let’s split,” but Sebastian is adamant:
- “At this age, you just pick it up, man. What are we doing? You know, counting dimes.” (44:12)
- They riff on the classic “bathroom move” to avoid paying.
- “I’ve done the bathroom move…That’s a classic, bro.” – Sebastian (48:26)
- Proper number of “thank you’s” when someone treats, and Pete’s relief at guests not pulling the “I’ll get the tip” maneuver.
- Key Quote: “You do two [thank you’s], but in two different locations…A lot of people remember the last thank you.” (46:15)
7. FAMILY CAMEOS & REFLECTIONS ON AGING
49:19–53:57
- Sebastian’s Sister & Mother On-Air:
- Sister drops by (“She edits all my videos”), will be chauffeuring their mom after a dentist visit.
- Debate on inviting parents to work and involving the whole family on future episodes.
- Parents Aging:
- Discussion about realizing their parents are “not indestructible,” the quirks of parents as they age, and the acceptance that comes with it.
8. SHOW WRAP-UP
53:57–54:40
- First Episode Joy & Gratitude:
- Marking the “historical” moment of the show’s first episode.
- Light razzing of Kim (producer) for being distracted on her phone.
- Host sign-offs and reminders for listeners to tune in weekly.
MEMORABLE QUOTES
- “There’s a Chewbacca office…I was in Chadwick’s office today.” – Sebastian (02:33)
- “You start to cry, I’m gonna let you and your wife cry this out. I’m out.” – Pete (08:28)
- “You’re cooler than that…This is like a little suburban.” – Pete (24:58)
- “Give me the Cliff Notes…give me what I need to know. I don’t want to read the whole book. Just give me the highlights.” – Sebastian (28:07)
- “Cheering for your kid’s swimming. I don’t even know why I do it. They can’t hear anything. They’re underwater.” – Pete (38:44)
- “At this age, you just pick it up…What are we doing, counting dimes?” – Sebastian (44:12)
- “You do two [thank you’s], but in two different locations. The last one is what people remember.” – Sebastian (46:15)
- “When I have precious cargo in the car, I drive really responsible. Now, if it’s just me, I’m whipping around corners.” – Sebastian (35:25)
- “[Lana, on Sebastian’s driving] He drives like a grandpa. So I get anxiety because I’m like, speed up…He doesn’t really break the rules at all. So it’s kind of annoying.” (35:05)
- “I think Lana thinks she’s a third host on the show.” – Sebastian (35:56)
- “This is historical.” – Pete (53:57)
TIMESTAMPS FOR MAJOR SEGMENTS
- 00:49: Show launch and new office life
- 05:26: DJ Maranara revealed
- 06:35: Plans to promote new comic talent
- 08:19: The etiquette of emotional goodbyes
- 09:10: Crying in front of your kids
- 11:36: “Making your own fun” in childhood
- 13:43: Studio perks and hallway celebrity dreams
- 14:43: Guest appearances = career luck
- 21:32: The group chat existential crisis
- 24:58: Pete declares: “You’re cooler than that”
- 30:41: Lana jumps in live, first-date nerves
- 32:45: Family driving arguments
- 34:22: Waymo and self-driving cars in LA
- 37:56: Honking at a driverless car
- 41:48: Leftover etiquette and splitting checks
- 44:12: “At this age, you just pick it up.”
- 48:26: The bathroom move to dodge the bill
- 49:19: Sebastian’s sister and bringing mom to the show
- 52:30: Aging parents, changing family roles
- 53:57: Emotional first episode send-off
TONE & STYLE
Sebastian and Pete maintain their signature banter—honest, observational, occasionally self-deprecating, always rooted in real-world everyday comedy. The show deftly mixes classic Italian-American family vibes, modern etiquette conundrums, and an eagerness to blend old-school radio showmanship with the loose authenticity of podcasting.
FINAL TAKEAWAY
The debut of The Sebastian Maniscalco Show is a warm, funny, and relatable tour through the realities of growing up, growing older, navigating new tech (and showbiz perks), and managing the daily etiquette of modern life—with plenty of room for family cameos, stories from the heart, and classic Sebastian-and-Pete comedic observations.
