The Tony Kornheiser Show – “4th and Snow”

Episode Date: January 21, 2026
Duration Covered: ~00:00–58:43

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tony Kornheiser delivers his signature blend of sports, weather, and off-the-cuff commentary, focusing on a looming winter storm set to hit Washington D.C. He’s joined by longtime friends and recurring guests, including weather aficionado Kevin Sheehan (a.k.a "Kip Sheeman"), journalist Michael Wilbon, and political analyst Chuck Todd. The show mixes meteorological anxiety, football playoffs predictions, and a touch of nostalgia—plus a peek at the evolving world of college football, Hall of Fame baseball debates, and some classic, self-deprecating Tony moments. Even Reginald the Monkey makes an appearance for picks, as ever.

Key Discussion Points

1. Massive Winter Storm Incoming for D.C. (00:58–13:02)

Guests: Kevin Sheehan ("Kip Sheeman"), Nigel, and Crew

• Tony opens with a mix of humor and concern about the rare, significant snowstorm due for D.C.

  • Tony on local focus: “When people ask me, what is your show about? I say, it’s about weather in Washington, D.C.—that’s really all it’s about.” (02:00)

• Kevin Sheehan’s Forecast:

  • “We got a big one coming, okay? A really big one and a cold one. … I’ll give you the range right now—3 inches to 24 inches.” (03:42)
  • Explains that models are inconsistent, and local meteorologists (Capital Weather Gang) are cautious: “They do a phenomenal job. But Tony, they’d be at the bottom of the league in going for fourth downs. … They are so conservative.” (07:07)
  • The cold isn’t going anywhere: “We’re looking at essentially a long rest of the winter. … There are others down the road that look possible. Like the actual setup is good for a real period of winter.” (05:44)
  • Predicts D.C. could see “no less than six inches minimum,” with potential for a foot or more, plus ice (06:33).

• Notable Exchanges:

  • Tony reminisces about epic past storms and "snow towers" that lasted to May.
  • Discussion around whether the storm could be a repeat of the Blizzard of '96, “Snowmageddon,” and whether D.C. is the “bullseye” for the highest totals:
    • Tony: “If not, if we are not the center … where would that happen? Binghamton. I always root for Binghamton.” (10:54)
    • Sheehan: “But there’s a chance that we’re the bullseye. We’re the jackpot.” (11:26)

• Weather Channel’s Wild Prediction:

  • “The Weather Channel … this one has a beautiful name. Fern. They’re predicting … 2-3 feet over our area.” (11:38)
  • Nigel: “Has Cantore been sighted anywhere in the area?” (13:13)

• Tony’s Storm Coping Mechanism: “I’m just going to sit in my house and eat chicken, chicken, chicken for two weeks.” (12:31)

2. Hall of Fame Baseball: Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones (14:19–17:13)

Guests: Michael Wilbon

• Wilbon’s Take:

  • “I just think those two guys are deserving.” (14:24)
  • On Beltran’s “cheating” involvement with Astros: “I don’t care about the Astros cheating? Not one bit. Never have. I don’t care.” (15:03)
  • Tony notes Beltran’s key role in the scandal but admits cheating in baseball is not the same as steroids; Wilbon agrees.

• On Andruw Jones:

  • Tony: “I know he’s a great defensive center fielder. … I don’t think that after ... age 30, he really wasn’t much offensively at all.”
  • Wilbon: “It’s okay. I wouldn’t crusade for it. ... My initial reaction ... was, it’s fine if he’s in.” (16:24)

3. The Chicago Bears’ Run and Quarterback Debate (17:14–22:39)

Guests: Michael Wilbon

• Wilbon on Bears’ Impact:

  • “They galvanized the city ... People fell in love with the team. I’m one of them.” (19:10)
  • Caleb Williams’ “magical” rookie season: “He’s got a ways to go. For him to have these games where there’s like eight or ten highlight plays in one season that some great quarterbacks don’t have in a lifetime ...”
  • The heartbreak isn’t as sharp despite the loss (“this isn’t that, we’re not angry ... would you hope that we ... that we rarely have about the Bears right now.”) (21:08)

• Tony asks on going for two: “Would you have gone for two after the touchdown to try to win the game?” (21:24)

  • Wilbon (re: consensus in stadium): “No, I wouldn’t have. ... play for overtime.” (21:33)

4. NFL Playoff Games Preview and Debrief (22:39–27:29)

Guests: Michael Wilbon

• Rams at Seattle:

  • Tony: “The Rams don’t have a question at quarterback, Seattle does.”
  • Wilbon: “Just saw a defense that is not good at all play an entire game [referring to Rams]. … I just think Seattle’s team. Now the injury to Charbonnet … are they going to have enough offense? …I’m going to take Seattle at home." (24:28)

• Patriots vs. Broncos:

  • With Denver’s backup (Stidham): “It’s hard to see it. I can’t see Denver winning the game now.” (24:36)

• College Football Playoffs Chat:

  • Indiana vs. Miami — Wilbon: “Indiana is a great story...Miami acquitted themselves well. ... It’s a one-possession game, it’s a one-throw game.” (26:16)

5. College Football Parity and NIL Impact (27:29–30:12)

Guests: Michael Wilbon

• Changing Landscape:
  • Wilbon: “College football is so different. … You can walk into a home and say, ‘Son, why would you play for Ohio State when we can pay you more?’ ... There’s money.” (28:13)
  • Tony: “I think what Indiana did ... proves anyone else can do possible.” (29:10)

6. Picks Segment with Chuck Todd (31:21–44:34)

NFL Playoff Gambling Recap

• Chuck Todd laments a rough week: “I’ve attended five national title games that Miami’s been involved in. ... My record is three and two. The last two they’ve lost ...” (32:13)

Miami vs. Indiana Championship Talk:

• “Miami had every chance. ... The problem for Carson Beck is Fernando Mendoza played better.” (33:16)
• Tony and Chuck heap praise on Indiana’s Mendoza: “He’s got a pretty big brain on that shoulder of his ... I’m all in.” (35:19)

Game Summaries and Picks:

• Patriots at Broncos: “Give me ... the Patriots. He’ll figure it out. The more interesting bet ... is just betting on a low scoring game, doing the under.” (39:22)

• Rams at Seattle: “I have been doubters on Seattle ... If you think two teams are even in the playoffs, who’s got the better defense? Give me Seattle.” (42:13)

• On Seattle’s defense: “Kyle Shanahan has coached 163 games for the San Francisco 49ers. In only four ... was his team held under seven points—twice in three weeks by Seattle.” (42:59)

7. Reginald the Monkey’s Picks (44:34–47:15)

• Segment oozes classic Tony show absurdity and charm.
• Patriots at Denver: Reginald “wants New England” (46:37)
• Rams at Seattle: Reginald is “all for Seattle” (47:07)
• Bonus: Reginald’s snow-removal company “Plowchimp” gets a shout-out for its city contract to clear streets ahead of the storm.

8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On conservative D.C. meteorology:

  • Kevin Sheehan: “They do a phenomenal job. But Tony, they’d be at the bottom of the league in going for fourth downs ... They are so conservative.” (07:07)

• The Weather Channel vs. Capital Weather Gang:

  • Sheehan: “The Weather Channel ... is the opposite … They’re ready to go—going on 4th and 13th from their own 20!” (11:58)

• Tony’s storm plan: “I’m just going to sit in my house and eat chicken, chicken, chicken for two weeks.” (12:31)

• Wilbon on Astros cheating: “I don’t care about the Astros cheating? Not one bit. Never have. I don’t care.” (15:03)

• Wilbon on Chicago:

  • “They galvanized the city ... people fell in love with the team. I’m one of them.” (19:10)

• Chuck Todd on Miami/Indiana quarterbacks:

  • “Fernando Mendoza justified everything that was said about him. He did.” (33:30)
  • “He’s got a pretty big brain on that shoulder of his.” (35:19)

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|--------------| | Opening, Weather setup | 00:58–02:49 | | Winter storm deep dive w/ Kevin Sheehan | 03:05–13:02 | | Michael Wilbon on Hall of Fame, Bears | 14:19–22:39 | | NFL playoff analysis w/ Wilbon | 22:39–27:29 | | College football/NIL talk | 27:29–30:12 | | Chuck Todd’s championship debrief & picks | 31:21–44:34 | | Reginald the Monkey’s picks | 44:34–47:15 | | Notable mailbag moments | Post-49:33 |

Tone & Style

The episode balances Tony’s anxious, humorous approach to imminent weather disaster with spirited sports debate and warm, anecdotal exchanges. There’s camaraderie and nostalgia—a comforting vibe for longtime listeners, reinforced by references to past storms and friends dropping in like regulars at a favorite café.

For New Listeners

“4th and Snow” encapsulates what’s beloved about The Tony Kornheiser Show: D.C. weather dread, football heartbreak (and hope), friends ribbing each other mercilessly, plus the joyful unpredictability of segments like Reginald the Monkey’s picks. With equal parts insight and silliness, it’s as much about the personalities and inside jokes as the topics themselves.

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