The Tony Kornheiser Show – Episode "2020"

Date: November 7, 2025
Host: Tony Kornheiser
Guests: Jason La Canfora, Michael Wilbon, Nigel, Jeff Ma
Theme: Sports Analysis, Gambling, Nostalgia, and Humorous Banter

Episode Overview

Tony Kornheiser leads a characteristically lively episode that blends sharp sports commentary with humorous storytelling and nostalgia. The show covers blowout scores in college basketball, football gambling strategies, key NFL games and trade moves, and closes with a reflective discussion about the golden era of Sports Illustrated. Regulars Jason La Canfora and Jeff Ma provide expert football and gambling insights, while Tony’s signature anecdotes and listener correspondence keep the tone witty and warmly familiar.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lopsided College Basketball Scores & "Buy Games"

[00:52 – 04:59]

• LSU vs. Southeast Louisiana: Tony marvels at LSU’s 115–26 win, raising issues of sportsmanship and the usefulness of such "guarantee games" for smaller schools.
  • Quote: “89 points. 89 points. … I don’t know what educational value that game has.” – Tony, [04:19]
• Personal Anecdote: Tony reminisces about losing 52–0 in a fifth-grade game, connecting personal experience to public blowouts.
• Financial Realities: The panel explains that smaller schools accept these matchups for the critical gate revenue, which funds recruiting and program needs.

2. Alexander Ovechkin’s 900th Goal & The Missing Puck Incident

[04:55 – 09:40]

• Achievement Context: Ovechkin breaks new ground in goal-scoring, but Tony and Wilbon argue Wayne Gretzky remains the greatest overall hockey player.
  • Quote: “Ovechkin is the greatest goal scorer...but he’s not the greatest player.” – Tony, [05:35]
• Goofy Goalie Move: St. Louis’ Jordan Binnington stealthily tries to hide the record-setting puck, leading Tony and crew to lampoon the failed sleight-of-hand.
  • Quote: “How stupid is Jordan Binnington? Everything’s on camera.” – Tony, [07:45]
  • Panel jokes about how pucks (unlike baseballs) can’t be easily authenticated, referencing porch pirates and dye packs in a comedic tangent.

3. Mailbag & Nostalgia: Finding a Lost Letter

[10:07 – 12:03]

• Tony discovers a heartfelt letter from 2020 buried on his desk, prompting a conversation about missed mail and the enduring power of handwritten notes.
  • Quote: “It’s beautifully formatted. It’s written well. … It has pacing to it.” – Wilbon, [12:00]

4. NFL Recap with Jason La Canfora: Primetime Duds, Takeaways, and Trade Moves

[16:41 – 28:23]

• Sunday/Monday Night Game: Jason admits last night’s matchup “was not fun to watch,” affecting his betting and viewers’ entertainment.
  • Quote: “Full disclosure, I fell asleep with eight minutes left… my brain just shut off.” – Jason, [18:43]

A. What Did We Learn?

• Buffalo vs. Kansas City: Buffalo’s pass rush impresses, but expectations remain cautious.
• Carolina Upset: Carolina’s surprising cover streak, the emergence of Dowdle, and Green Bay’s offensive malaise are dissected.
• Minnesota–Detroit: Minnesota’s quirky but intense QB, home field advantage, and Detroit’s tendency to bounce back big after a loss.
  • Quote: “They sort of exercise their demons on your football carcass.” – Jason, [24:44]

B. Kyler Murray’s Future in Arizona

• The move from Murray to Brissette is discussed as a probable end of the road for Kyler in Arizona, with detailed critique of his development.
  • “Kyler has issues seeing over line of scrimmage … bad habits have really seeped in.” – Jason, [26:12]

C. Most Impactful Trade Deadline Move

• The Eagles’ collective moves, especially acquiring Jalen Phillips, are considered possibly season-changing.
  • “I think what the Eagles did collectively has a chance ... perfect timing for a playoff run.” – Jason, [27:21]

5. Listener Gambling Letter & The ‘Ladder’ System

[15:15 – 16:41]

• Tony shares a letter from a listener who credits Jason’s “ladder” betting strategy for potentially funding his kids’ education—humorously, the streak ended abruptly with a last-minute NFL touchdown.
  • “No longer are they bound for the local community college to learn the art of tire retreading.” – Listener’s letter, [16:03]

6. Picks Segment: James Carville & Jeff Ma

[30:13 – 44:44]

• Carville’s College & Pro Picks: Tony expresses skepticism over some of Carville’s big spreads and underdog picks, humorously noting he’d bet against him 4/6 times this week.
• Jeff Ma: Joins for in-depth betting talk and picks. Discusses:
  • The changing nature of “futures” odds and how sportsbook markets react to CFP rankings and losses.
  • Specific college picks (Georgia, TCU, Nebraska) and NFL action (Saints, Seahawks).
  • Value of key numbers in betting and differences between market movement in spreads.
  • Shares a Sports Illustrated nostalgia story, reflecting on how SI covers shaped his childhood fandom.
    • “My room at home…the entire wall was wallpapered with Sports Illustrated covers.” – Jeff Ma, [45:21]

7. Sports Illustrated Nostalgia

[44:48 – 47:30]

• The panel reminisces over the iconic status of SI covers and writers (Frank Deford, Dr. Z, George Plimpton’s Sid Finch story).
  • “That cover was gold...it’s total gold.” – Tony, [47:14]
• Discussion concludes with lamentations on the disappearing greatness of SI and major newspapers.

8. Listener Mailbag & Lighthearted Closer

[47:47 – 59:17]

• Highlights include:
  • Canadian TV viewership stats for the World Series,
  • A listener’s four home-run-in-a-row story from Padres/Nats memory,
  • Potpourri of humorous listener submissions—from "secret" chocolate stashes to AI art renders of Tony,
  • Reflections on Michael Wilbon’s connections and ESPN email neglect,
  • Nostalgic notes on movies and books (Tom Robbins' Even Cowgirls Get the Blues).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “What are you going to ask LSU to do? Not shoot?” – Tony Kornheiser, [01:50]
• “How stupid is Jordan Binnington? Everything’s on camera.” – Tony, [07:45]
• “He was going to steal the puck.” – Tony, [08:25]
• “Full disclosure, I fell asleep with eight minutes left in that game…my brain just shut off.” – Jason, [18:43]
• “They sort of exercise their demons on what's left of your football carcass.” – Jason, on the Lions post-loss performance, [24:44]
• “Kyler has issues seeing over line of scrimmage at times. Bad habits have really seeped in…” – Jason, [26:12]
• “That cover was gold. It’s total gold.” – Tony, on Sports Illustrated, [47:14]
• “My room…was wallpapered with Sports Illustrated covers.” – Jeff Ma, [45:21]
• [To listener who lost out on a big 'ladder' bet:] “No longer are they bound for the local community college to learn the art of tire retreading.” – Listener, [16:03]
• “I am hideous at this point in my life.” – Tony, riffing on AI-generated images of him, [50:20]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:52] – LSU blowout win & "buy games" explained
• [05:35] – Ovechkin’s 900th goal and the puck incident
• [10:07] – Lost letter from 2020, nostalgia for paper correspondence
• [16:41] – Listener letter about gambling "ladders"
• [18:43] – Jason admits to falling asleep during the dull NFL game
• [19:15] – Key NFL game recaps & insights (Buffalo-KC, Carolina-GB, Minnesota-Detroit)
• [26:12] – Kyler Murray’s Arizona future & Brissette’s role
• [27:21] – Eagles’ trade deadline moves analysis
• [30:13] – Carville’s picks, Tony’s skepticism
• [35:24] – Jeff Ma recounts Sports Illustrated stories and picks
• [44:48] – Sports Illustrated nostalgia and reflections on journalism
• [47:47] – Listener mailbag, bagel ad, and closing banter

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode captures the show’s trademark blend of thoughtful sports insight, intergenerational nostalgia, and good-natured banter. Tony’s storytelling and humor remain front-and-center, with regulars offering both analysis and personal color. Even as sports serve as the launching pad, the discussion freely ranges into reflections on media, cooking, and childhood memories, underscoring the show's "everything is on the table" ethos.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode of The Tony Kornheiser Show is a classic sampler of everything the program does best: dissecting sports and culture, riffing on personal tales, and laughing with (and at) each other. Whether you’re here for the sharp NFL breakdowns and gambling advice or for the stories about decades-old letters and magazine covers, Tony and friends offer wit, wisdom, and fellowship—plus plenty that’ll keep you smiling even if you missed the live show.