B (2:20)

No, it's.

A (2:20)

You have don't have it. You have to play the game their way. You know, that's big brother. That's what people in the 40s and 50s were afraid of. I guess nobody's afraid anymore. I am. I am. I think with good reason. I was going to go to Delaware. The weather and you know, this is for two weeks. The Capital weather gang. Who I like for two weeks. Sammy. We like Sammy. For two weeks. They said warming up Christmas and after Christmas to New Year's. Warming up. Don't worry about all this cold now. Christmas to New Year's freezing and rain and snow. Every single day. Like every single day starting tomorrow for five days. Six days.

B (3:05)

Coming off a very cold start to the month.

A (3:08)

To January. Yes. So what good is this? What good is long range weather predicting when it's wrong and they do the best they can but obviously it's wrong. A couple of things in sports. Big sports day tomorrow. Obviously the NFL, even though they're going on streaming services would just remind the NBA that the NBA has no standing in the United States of America. None. Zero. The NFL will. Will outrate them 10 to 1. It's just the NFL could put up last year's games and outrate them 10 to 1. But in the NBA, San Antonio beat Oklahoma City last night. Soundly. Beat them handily, but mostly in the fourth quarter. Ran away from him in the fourth quarter with the highlights that I saw. Oklahoma city now has four losses. They were like 22 and one or something like that now. Now they have four losses. So Kendrick Perkins, who I like very much, he's on the show all the time. Love him. So that prediction 80 and 2 doesn't seem like it's going to work since they already have four. It seems we're not halfway through.

D (4:15)

No.

A (4:16)

And they have four. They're going to lose 12 to 15 games. They are. It's as simple as that. They're going to lose 12 to 15. And Wilbond's raving about. And he was early on this raving about San Antonio May be correct. May be correct. Wembanyama goes out to 30ft and hits jump shots. Yeah, he loves. That's what he likes to do. He doesn't even like to be inside unless he's dunking it. What is he?

C (4:38)

7 5.

A (4:38)

7 5. He likes to go out to 30ft and he hits him. Yeah, he hits them. You can't yell at him. He's hitting the shots. In the most important sports news to me yesterday we didn't get a chance to talk about this on the PTI show because it happened While the PTI show was going on, Brooks Koepka, a five time major champion, not one, not two, not three, not four, five. He has more majors than any current active player with five. Rory has four. Does Rory have five as well, Michael?

B (5:12)

Oh, he's up to five now, I think.

A (5:15)

Okay, so no one has more than Koepka who's on the tour. It would be accurate to say Koepka does not and has never had that sort of standing of Rory or speeds when he was good, or Dustin Johnson when he was good or, you know, people like that. He has not had that standing, I think, you know, I don't know if his majors are devalued. And nobody seems to like him. Yeah, nobody seems to like the guy.

B (5:40)

Players respect him.

A (5:42)

Yeah, but he can play, and he can play in the big ones, which is really what matters.

B (5:46)

But he could.

A (5:47)

He's leaving the live tour. However much money he put in his pocket on the live tour, it's in his pocket. He got guarantees. These things don't happen on the PGA Tour. There's all sorts of talk about how the PGA will not talk within the last 24 hours, but in the previous months and years, how the PGA will not let these guys back, not let the guys who go to live back without a penalty, maybe a monetary penalty, maybe they have to write a check. There was a lot of talk about that, but it's easy to have that talk. You know, so Mike Tyson says, easy to have a game plan till you get punched in the mouth. It's easy to have that talk before somebody says, I'm off the live tour. I'm off. Now, there are three people. Michael, I think you'll agree with this, and I'll get to you in a second, but there are three people on the live tour that the PGA Tour wants, should want, and Brooks Koepka, John Rom, Bryson DeChambeau. There were multiple major winners. DeChambeau has a large following. He does. I know Wilbon hates him, but he's still got a large following in Rom could be the best player in the world at any time. They would want those people back. Michael, there's. This is the opportunity to set a precedent. I assume you think they want Brooks Koepka back. What is. It's the opportunity for a solution. What do you think the solution is?

B (7:09)

Yeah, I actually feel like getting these players to return in any capacity is more of a symbolic victory about the. The ending of what live tour promised to be, which is this big disruptor over the last couple years. It's gained no traction with an American audience. And it's becoming a international, particularly Asian and Australian tour, which is. Which probably is the. Is the solution to bringing men's professional golf back together. You have Brooks Koepka, who has had a child since he has joined the Tour. He's had some. Some tragedy in his family as well. So the idea that he wants to stay close to family does make sense versus, you know, traveling around the world. But, you know, they really don't need these players back anymore, particularly Koepka. He's getting older. He's still eligible to play in the majors this year. We don't really know how competitive he be in what the PJ Tours now, which is elevated events mixed in with some regular tour events. So I, I think it's more of this symbolic victory of getting him back. It was a poorly kept secret that he was unhappy and wanted back as soon as Freddy Couples was mentioning this on a radio show. So I think the months that have passed have been trying to come with, come up with some friendly solution for him to leave live a year early. And it, it sort of gave the PGA Tour and mostly its player representatives time and space to try and figure out how can we allow the big guys back? Because it's not just, hey, Brooks Kep, you're tapped now playing all these signature tour events. There has to be some way for him to show form and get back into those big events.

A (8:42)

What do you think that way is going to be? They can all play in the majors. Everybody can play in the majors, that's sure.

B (8:48)

And again, this goes back to the start to live four or five years ago. The majors are a separate entity, so he could always play in the majors. And he was the first force who went out and won. He won a major while on live and sort of showed, hey, we can still play. So, you know, that was never really in question.

A (9:04)

Well, do you think that the PGA Tour will sort of quietly let him back in, or do you think there's.

B (9:11)

Going to be huge drama internally because you're going to have a lot of rank and file pros who say, we have been aging out and we're not necessarily qualifying automatically for these, you know, limited field events, and we don't want you to allow these guys to come in and take our spots because there's guaranteed money. You talk about the money that was put into his pocket by going to live. Money has been put into the pockets of every single tour player because of what's happened over these last couple years. The problem and even Freddy Couples in his quotes has mentioned this. The tour has gotten younger. You won't recognize maybe a quarter to a, you know, a quarter of the players as household names. And here's what's always been the problem with men's professional golf. The names that you recognize are not necessarily the names who are climbing the leaderboards, who are creating the drama week in and week out on the PGA Tour. So, no, I don't think these players are going to be happy. I think they're going to want to see, you know, some public apologies, which I don't really.

A (10:04)

Restitution.

B (10:05)

I don't think Brooks Koepka is the type of guy who's going to go out and put his, you know, you know, head in his hands and apologize for what he did. No, no. I think they want to see public apology. I think they're going to want to come up with some money solution, and there really isn't any because then you also have to take. Try and parse out how much money some of these players earned by staying or what the overall value of this, you know, for profit enterprise is now.

A (10:28)

So your position would be that this is not going to be a smooth transition back?

B (10:35)

No, And I think there's going to be. I think there, as you've seen over the last couple years with players like Rory, Rory's going to sit there going like, sure, I want to compete against the best. I know Brooks Koepka is the best for, for our product. Bring him back. Rory's not worried about qualifying. He's not worried about, you know, getting into the limited field events. So I think there will be a huge issue with players who have gone around the monopoly board, maybe have qualified for the next year, maybe think they don't have it in them to play for another couple years and want to try and maximize their earning potential. Right now, I think they're hoping that Brooks Koepka lays low for a little bit of time, which he probably will because I don't know what sort of deal live tour was Liv Golf was able to give him to allow him to leave, likely a year early. They might have said, hey, don't say anything bad about us. We'll quietly let you keep the extra money and the PGA Tour sitting there. Hey, just wait your turn and we'll find you a spot at the table.

A (11:26)

He doesn't have to qualify for the Masters, right? He has qualified. No Masters.

B (11:30)

No, he's. So he won the 2023 PGA Championship. So he is qualified for all these.

A (11:37)

For everything. For five years. Is that how it works?

B (11:40)

Yeah.

A (11:40)

Yeah. And Rahm is certainly qualified and DeChambeau is certainly qualified. They've won majors. Is there anybody else on that tour that is important? If, even if you don't think that Rom and DeChambeau are important, is there anybody that you would say is important to get back?

B (11:54)

I could go for the, the cheap joke of Taylor Gooch and what they, you know, Greg Norman used to say about how he's the best player in the world. You have people like Joaquin Neiman and you, you know, frankly, you're losing players. You have players who are beginning to retire. And for Liv to succeed, you have to see new players, younger players choose to go that route. And you have had some international players who are going that route. I would have said Cam Smith two or three years ago, but he's turned into a very quiet professional. You saw him play well in Australia, where he missed out on that 18th hole. But beyond that, I come back to, you know, if we're playing. What's the word this is, this is all about symbolic victories. I would have said before he really ruined his legacy, Phil would be this grandfather role that you'd love to see him hosting tour events, being just this ambassador of the Tour. And he has totally poured gasoline on that possibility. So really, no, I think they're happy with, with the way that their tour is moved and they, they quietly can let all these guys go.

A (12:47)

Do you think you can help me get my email?

D (12:50)

I change.

B (12:51)

So going back to aol. AOL is like the most trusting service. I, I just go, hey, you know, reset password. They're like, sure, let me log you in automatically to whatever device is randomly located in South Carolina, no questions asked. Here's your recovery text message and the requirements. Normally there's all these strict requirements about, you know, special. Everybody says they're like, don't just choose your. Just choose your pet's name.

A (13:15)

They just, you know, they send bills now.

C (13:18)

Yeah, everything.

A (13:18)

And they don't send them any other way. And, and so they're going to say, well, you didn't. I've gone through this.

B (13:23)

Well, I think the only solution, throw this phone out. Let's get you a new phone. And we'll just create a new burner email account for you. You're just going to be off the grid. They can't find you.

A (13:34)

Well, but I'm still obliged to pay the phone bill.

B (13:38)

Well, we'll pay for that one.

A (13:39)

Obviously, the American Express bill. I don't have anything.

B (13:42)

American Express comes to the house. Right?

C (13:44)

Yeah, that, that comes in an actual letter, doesn't it?

A (13:46)

Yeah. Except that the mail service isn't as good as you think.

B (13:48)

It's not.

A (13:49)

There's two bills a month. I don't get that. You just, you just don't get them. You don't get them because they, they actually don't want to have to. No, they don't. They don't want to have to go door to door.

C (13:59)

I have one service that insists on me sending a check. I was like, tony would really love to work with these guys.

A (14:05)

That's all I care about. I will take a break next week, by the way. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday as well. Yes. So we'll take a break and Jason Lock and for will join us when we return. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

B (14:18)

The holidays mean more travel, more shopping, more time online and more personal info in more places that could expose you more to identity theft. But LifeLock monitors millions of data points per second. If your identity is stolen, our US based restoration specialists will fix it, guaranteed or your money back. Don't face drained accounts, fraudulent loans or financial losses alone. Get more holiday fun and less Holiday worry with LifeLock. Save up to 40% your first year. Visit LifeLock.com SpecialOffer terms apply.

E (14:50)

This is the Tony Kornheiser Show. Tony Kornheiser show.

A (14:58)

This is a group called Debonair Music. This is a song called Seasons all for your. And they write happy holidays to everybody. We're sending over our Christmas song from the official RB boy band of Tony Kornheiser show. Wishing you a happy holidays. We are an R B singing group located in the Washington D.C. area. The group consists of Willie Wood. Yes. The son of the NFL hall of Famer Phil Carroll, Wiley Simons and Nelson Motley. We hope that you enjoy our original Christmas song. Season's all for you. It's lovely. It is. It's lovely.

C (15:28)

Yes.

A (15:29)

Good, good. Debonair music Good, good, good. Plays in Jason Lockenfora. Normally we ask him on Friday about the Thursday game, but today is Wednesday because we're doing three shows quick. So we're not going to ask about that. But I will ask this because the most interesting news I think in the NFL right now is the 49ers and how the 49ers have the ability to get the number one seed. The 49ers, who've been actually under the radar in the toughest division in the league. They've been under the radar behind the Rams and the Seahawks, but if they beat The Bears and the Seahawks, both games at home, they not only get home field all the way to the super bowl, they get it in the super bowl because it's on their home field. What do you think of the 49ers in their chin? That's a very tough double. The Bears and the Seahawks, yeah, look.

E (16:17)

They'Re on quite a run. They have improved as the season has gone along. They've had to do a lot of tap dancing at the quarterback position because of Purdy's availability. The offense is obviously humming right now. I still have real concerns about the defense. They generate no pass rush.

A (16:37)

They have no players. Bosa and Warner. Right. They're out.

E (16:40)

Right. They don't affect quarterback enough and they have not run the ball very consistently at all, which is so counterintuitive for Kyle Sandehan operation. I don't know, Tone. I still have a hard time buying them as the last team standing in the nfc, let alone the NFL. Obviously, circumstances like the one seed and a week off while everybody else works and never having to leave your home stadium again, that's a big deal. And if they're able to secure those creature comforts, then I have to further factor that into my sort of equation and my, my forecast of my handicap. But I just don't buy them in the trenches enough that. I mean, when they can't run the ball with Christian McCaffrey, something's wrong and they cannot generate a pass rush. They don't have interior players or edge players who make you worry. I mean, look what Philip Rivers did to them.

A (17:33)

I mean, yeah, 27 points.

E (17:35)

Yeah, I. Boy, I think just gives me a lot of pause when we start talking about the best of the best. Four, four straight weeks, or I guess three straight weeks for them if they get the buy to get to the, you know, to do the job, I doubt that I will favor them. You obviously have to see the matchups and what the bracket's going to look like. I, to me, if you had to have me ranked the teams in that division, I'd still put them third, but they might win it. So, I mean, what really matters and what doesn't? I don't know.

A (18:08)

Well, if they, if they beat the Seahawks, they will have swept them because they beat them once already in Seattle. So that would. Here we had Jeff Saturday on the PTI show yesterday, and I'm a sports writer, so I have limited understanding of football. I'm from the outside in and Jeff's from the inside out. And so if you ask me about coach of the year I immediately go to three guys. I go to Ben Johnson at Chicago, I go to Mike Vrabe. I'm not ranking them in order. Mike Vrabel in New England and Liam Cohen in Jacksonville, that's who I go to. And Jeff Saturday suggests that Kyle Shanahan has done the best job of his life and should be coach of the year. What do you think of that?

E (18:46)

I mean, I think he's done a really good job. I don't think he's coach of the year. Yeah, I mean it's all subjective obviously, whether it's someone who's never done it before and that kind of blows you away, or someone who got to a new program, like a program where all they do is losing 13 times a year and he's going to have them win 13 or 14 times a year with a 22 year old quarterback. I don't know, like, I'm kind of with you. I, I would kind of, I would kind of go that way. I mean, I've established coaches who, you know, have maybe been overlooked or maybe haven't gotten their flowers enough this season. You know, Kyle probably stands out most from, from that group. And maybe it's. It's not even close, right, because look at the Ravens and look at the Chiefs and you know, even look at the Bills and sort of how rough a road that's been. And so I think, yeah, if you were going to put these guys in different sort of pods or bins based on their experience and resume, I think he would rise to the four as a candidate from, you know, guys who were doing this a long time who've had to do more with less because of injury and circumstance. But like what's Mike McMack? Look what Mike McDonald thought in that division. I don't know that I think toss an better Mike McDonald in his second year. The quarterback just got there. Yeah, it's Seattle's real good in large part. Guys he sort of handpicked or the guys he felt like were worthy of sticking around from what he inherited from Pete Carroll, which wasn't a whole lot. I don't know man, like they never lose on the road. Like again, this is. There's no formula, right? This is all brings their own biases and sort of which teams we've seen maybe more than others or whatever. But Kyle's got a lot of people who love Kyle and the media and Kyle's got no shortage of people who will always bang the drum for Kyle. And at the end of the day, this is a human thing. And that might resonate. And if that drumbeat grows, grows louder, these voters do a lot of interesting things. I think it's going to be one of the upstarts or someone like Vrabel who, you know, set out for a year and just got to a place where, you know, everything prior to him arriving had been the torpedoing of the Patriots since Tom Brady left. And he reversed that. And he reversed it immediately. Well, maybe not immediately because they lost to the Raiders in week one and then they lost to the Steelers when they turned the ball over in like week three. But pretty much since then, he's erased it.

A (21:25)

Yeah, I think he's. He would be my choice. But, you know. Yeah, they're also. Schedule is easy. I mean, they have played a fourth place schedule.

D (21:32)

Yeah.

E (21:32)

But that's what happens when you get somewhere where they've lost 27 times in two years.

A (21:37)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. They were 8 and 8 and 26. 8 and 26 in two years. And now they're. They've won 12 or 13 games that division. By the way, the, the NFC west is so strong. Yeah. If you're Arizona, you're looking at, oh, and six. You have to petition the league to put you in another division, don't you?

E (21:56)

I mean, well, you've got to get the quarterback thing right. And Brissette's the leading passer in the NFL since Week 6. But like no. 1, they don't win. No, it's not. That's where the franchise would be. Should be. Can be Johnson's guns defense falling apart. It's a complete and utter bleep show. You know, his defense is hemorrhaging like 30 points a game over the second half of the season. And they can't, they can't beat anybody. And yes, they've had some injuries and whatever, but I don't know how you run that thing back with your Cody Brissette and Jonathan Gannon. I know there's people out there in the media saying he'll be fine. It's not what I hear.

A (22:33)

I don't think they're going to be fine at all. Philip Rivers has now played two games. He's played remarkably well.

E (22:41)

Yes.

A (22:42)

Are they going to keep playing him or are they going to say thanks, but go home now because we're done?

E (22:47)

I hate it. Sounds like they are riding with him, which I, I find odd and interesting, like on so many levels. It also has my wheels turning. Like, you know, Daniel Jones suffered a catastrophic injury. It's clear that Anthony Richardson doesn't have A future there?

A (23:10)

No, he's not. He's not there anymore.

E (23:11)

Like. Like, I'm wondering, are they looking at this extended even when, you know, the playoffs are pretty much done? Because they might want this guy back next year. I mean, next year.

A (23:23)

Would you do it next year? Really? You think that, right?

E (23:27)

I mean, why else are you playing him like he tried to save your season, he did his part. Your defense was an abject failure. Like, so that's pretty much done. Like, what more is. You know what I mean? Like, what more utility are you gaining from this situation? Unless you're gathering data points that might lead you to try to have this guy hold you up next year until Daniel Jones comes back? I. I don't know. Like, otherwise, I don't know what, what we're doing. But I, I will say I'm. I watch a lot of football. Well, like. Like just right there. Josh Johnson has been with the Commanders on a daily basis since the off season. What Philip Rivers did coming in off the farm versus Josh Johnson, just putting down the clipboard and walking onto a field that he's been on all year to me is night and day.

A (24:15)

Like, yes, Philip Rivers performance.

E (24:22)

In March or whatever he hear the whole time when he has to play, it's an abject failure. Then I look at literally Philip Rivers coming out of years of retirement doing that, and I'm like, holy moly. What? That. That means something off here?

A (24:37)

I would say they have, you know, because he played, they're delaying his eligibility into the hall of Fame. I'd say he gets in first ballot whenever he's available. Now, just because of this, this is, this is helping. This is amazing.

D (24:50)

I mean, yeah, you thought he was.

E (24:51)

Hall of Very Good or Hall of Great, but not hall of Fame. Yeah, this, this. I mean, again, now look, what are these games ultimately going on now too? And whatever. I. I don't know. But he's playing it on the count in the standings, and I've been. Twice now he's knocked me on my ass. I've been like, I, I didn't think that. Like, I didn't think that could happen. Like, I didn't think that's how the big leagues worked, you know, like. And again, it makes me look at some of these other quarterbacks and I'm like, geez, like, they're the ones who've got to be like, what am I doing wrong here, man?

A (25:24)

Yeah, because guys, 44 years old, the.

E (25:27)

Ball down the field, there's physical limitations at this stage of his career, and he's clearly not in the greatest shape of his life. But for him still to be able to do this, it's.

A (25:35)

He's upright. Yeah, he's upright. Everybody thought he would have bones broken. He's upright. John Harbaugh. Yeah. John Harbaugh. Hot seat. Is this a Mike Tomlin situation where there's.

E (25:52)

That actually happens. Like you remember all the talk two weeks ago about Routerberg and everybody else. Maybe he wants to move on.

D (25:57)

Maybe it's time.

E (25:57)

Yeah, maybe these people will never truly appreciate him and, you know, nothing lasts forever. I think that's actually what's going to come to pass here. I don't. He's not getting fired. I don't think Steve Bishadi is going to call him in his office and say, hey, bud, thanks for, you know, thanks for your service.

A (26:14)

But I think I'm 30 seconds.

E (26:16)

So, yes, there'll be conversations and I think there's going to have what they're at such an organizational inflection point, like the office of coordinator has done a tremendous job except for two or three games when everything mattered, when you literally no showed the D coordinator should not have been hired in the first place. So there's no way they can bring him back. Most of those staffs are going to need to be replaced, the quarterbacks, because they refuse to really get ahead of his contract situation. The quarterback now has them completely by the cojones because he counts $80 million against the cap. He's got a full no trade and he's got a no franchise designation, which means they need him. And you can't just do a simple contract restructuring because he hasn't have enough years left on his deal where you could just pad it out another five years, prorate it and take it down 75%. That option does not exist. Neither do a brand new contract with Lamar Jackson. And he's going to have your ear like never before. Because if you're not catering to him now, who are you catering to? Because you can't move forward as an organization and have room, cap space and money to sign anybody else until you get this done. And unlike the Buffalo Bills, who addressed it last offseason, your GM told his fan base, I don't have that much to do this off season. Okay? That showed in your product. So you've got all that going on. Plus you need to rebuild your offensive line. You need to rebuild your defensive line. Like they have holes all over the roster. It's, it's not, it's not pretty.

A (27:49)

Do you think on A scale.

E (27:51)

And I just think John, John can go somewhere else, have a fresh start. And he's not going to have Lamar Jackson, but he might have Cam Ward, you know, who was a one one, you know, just a year ago. And you know, his former defensive coordinator Denard Wilson is already there. I mean, the New York Football Giants wouldn't be all over John Harbaugh. He'd have Jack.

D (28:09)

Sure they would.

A (28:10)

You know who else would be? The University of Michigan. They'd say, let's get the same. Let's get him. Let's get the same one.

E (28:18)

And look, if the guy from Notre Dame were to go to the NFL, as a lot of people think he will have, including me, numerous options, right? You know, John's daughter played lacrosse at Notre Dame. They're Midwest kids. They've always had a bit of a mid, you know, a bit of a Notre Dame fixation. I mean him and his, his brother playing football in the backyard, you know, with his dad coaching in Miami, Ohio or whatever, like listening to Notre Dame games on the radio. I think Notre Dame would have a very special appeal to him also.

A (28:45)

Wow. Okay.

E (28:47)

I don't know that we want to go where his brother's already been. All of his assistants have already been. The Michigan thing might be a little, I don't know, I don't know, weird, but fun.

A (28:57)

Be a fun column to write. Plug. Wanna bet for us? Plug your plug your outlet one a bit.

E (29:02)

Thank you. As always, Tone, if you are going to be wagering on any sports and we've got a lot going on this time of year from the premiership in England to obviously the NFL. We've got NBA on Christmas day, college hoops on hiatus till the weekend, but then conference play starts. We're handicapping. My partner and I beltway bend this stuff. Honestly, scarily close to 24 7, probably, I don't know, 18 hours a day while we're awake, checking lines, running numbers, watching film and then giving you guys about 30 minutes of content every day on our YouTube, on our Twitter, you can get it all at one event with us. It's our favorite plays of the day. You know what we think are pretty smart short leg parlays, opportunities to get plus money bets, not, not laying $3 to get one like a lot of these people selling BS props. So anyway, check us out www.wannabetwithus.com. you can get our audio, our video, everything that we do around noon, seven days a week. Seven days a week, probably 350 days a year and you got no other.

A (30:07)

Job at the moment, so you may as well do this.

E (30:09)

Well, I have the radio thing and I got. So, yeah, I don't have enough jobs.

D (30:12)

So. Yeah, if you're an editor out there.

E (30:15)

You'Re a producer, you're looking for.

A (30:16)

Yeah, Come on.

E (30:18)

Your NFL coverage. I have a, I think what is a fairly, you know, detailed, unique resume. I've pretty much done everything in this business and I'm eager to continue writing and analyzing NFL football. So you can find me on the LinkedIn or you can email me.

A (30:35)

So good. It's like he's counting us on this show. Yeah. All right. Talk to you next week. Jason Lock. And for just wonderful. Just wonderful. Just wonderful. We will come back with James Carville and Jeff Ma. We know about Jeff Ma.

D (30:52)

We know.

A (30:52)

We never really know about James Car, but we'll see. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

E (30:58)

This is the Tony Kornheiser show. Tony Kornheiser show. Well, you wake up in the morning.

B (31:05)

Boy.

E (31:07)

You hear the ding dong ring. Then you look upon the table bar you see the same darn thing. You find no food upon the table.

D (31:19)

Bar.

E (31:22)

There'S no fork up in the pan. But you better not complain, boy.

A (31:29)

You.

E (31:29)

Get in trouble with the man. Such a great beginning.

A (31:34)

Midnight special. It's James Carville's walk in music. This week's picks with James Carville and Jeff Maher. Brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook. Make every moment more. I was watching the bowl game last night and I and southern miss was great for the first half. You were going to win and then nothing. Nothing after that.

D (31:52)

Yeah.

E (31:53)

Yeah. It was a bad second half.

A (31:55)

Yeah. So you finished three and three.

E (31:58)

So yesterday I texted Rahm Emanuel yesterday, day after tomorrow, it's the birthday. The most famous Jew that ever lived. He said, what do you mean? My birthday's in November.

A (32:11)

That's funny. That's funny. That's funny. I like that. Okay. 3 and it's funny. It just went out over Every. To the 11 people that listened to the podcast. 3 and 3 last week. 43, 45 and 2. Mount 500. Insight. Insight. And you won on the over. I didn't think you would win on the over, but you did. You won on. I watched it when Jacksonville scored that touch and I went. Carville just won the over.

E (32:41)

So 17. He could money. I'm. I remember the moment.

D (32:46)

Yeah.

A (32:46)

What do you got?

E (32:48)

What I got? What I got?

D (32:49)

Let's.

E (32:50)

What do you got? I got San Diego State plus 3.5 against North Texas.

A (32:57)

Okay. Is that A bowl. That's the New Mexico Bowl, I think. Yeah.

C (33:01)

The Isletta.

A (33:03)

Yeah. One of these stupid bowls. Okay.

E (33:06)

One of these bows. Yeah. All right, Ravens at Green Bay as. What do y' all got? Green Bay minus two and a half.

A (33:14)

Two and a half is fine. Now, you know their quarterback is in concussion protocol, right? Jordan Law.

E (33:21)

You think they're only two and a half at home?

A (33:22)

Yeah, yeah. Or else it'll be six.

E (33:24)

I'll still go with Green Bay.

A (33:27)

Okay. All right.

E (33:28)

All right. The Jags coats over. Under 48 and a half.

A (33:37)

I thought it was 47 and a half. You're going over. I think 47.

E (33:41)

Okay. Take the. Oh, 47 and a half. Take the over. I'm not arguing with you.

A (33:45)

Okay. You're not worried about Indianapolis. Okay, go ahead. What else?

E (33:50)

And the Saints visit the Titans over 39 and a half.

A (34:00)

38 and a half.

E (34:01)

That same quarterback has got some confidence now.

A (34:04)

Shuck. Right? That's his name.

E (34:06)

Same guy that started the season.

A (34:08)

Right. He's. He's. He is. Now, I read about this the other day. In his first six games, he became the leading rookie quarterback passer in the history of the Saints. In just six games. Yeah. He seems. Kellen Moore seems to like him. And they know what they're doing. I don't know that, that, you know, was a high scoring game, you know, because the Titans aren't any good.

E (34:31)

I watch them. They have one of the maybe seven best defenses in the league. The defense is good. But. But. And I'm taking over against.

A (34:38)

You're going over. That's counterintuitive. What are you doing? Okay.

E (34:42)

You know, just say that's not a lot of points for an NFL game.

A (34:46)

No, it's not.

E (34:46)

I mean.

A (34:47)

Well, they've got five wins between them.

D (34:50)

Yeah.

A (34:50)

The standards will tell you, right? Yeah. All right, so you're gonna. You'll pick. You'll pick college games next week for us early, right?

E (34:58)

Yeah, I'm sure. Oh, yeah.

A (35:00)

Oh, okay, good.

C (35:01)

Yeah.

A (35:02)

Next Wednesday.

D (35:03)

Tweaked algorithm yet?

E (35:04)

That.

A (35:05)

Yeah. Are you down?

E (35:07)

But we fix that.

A (35:08)

Do you still have 6 million data points? Are you down to like 4.3 million?

E (35:13)

T bar. Noticed that we had a grits in the way you wrote the code and algorithm and it was on the moisture content of the content of the playing surface. But we tweaked. We tweaked that. We. That's part of our input in. Into our data point, our high speed computer. We're using AI.

A (35:30)

So this is. This is fantastic. This is just.

E (35:34)

We Got everything content of the playing service.

A (35:38)

It's just great. That's great. All right, we'll talk to you next week. Happy holidays, James.

D (35:43)

Happy holidays at home.

E (35:45)

Okay.

A (35:45)

Okay. Bye, James Carville boys and girls, we've got Jeff Ma with us now. Jeff had a 2, 2 and 1 week. He is 46, 34 and 2. That is the best. Wait, wait, wait.

D (35:59)

I had a 2, 2 and 1. I thought I had a 3 and 2. How did I have a 2, 2 and 1?

A (36:03)

You had a. Wait a second. I'll go backwards. You had Carolina plus three at Tampa Bay, and they won by three.

D (36:12)

Plus three. Are we. Are we familiar with these concepts? Oh, plus three. If they win by three, then I won.

A (36:18)

Oh, yeah, you won. You're right. I'm wrong. So you're. So you're three and two.

D (36:25)

I was three and two. I.

A (36:26)

And now you're 47, 34 and one, right?

E (36:32)

Yeah.

D (36:33)

You wouldn't do this to a Simeon, would you?

A (36:35)

Well, he never wins. He never even comes close.

C (36:37)

Yeah, it's terrible.

A (36:38)

Wait, I did this. Wait, did I have Chuck Todd wrong, too? No, Chuck Todd had Tampa Bay minus three. No, he picked Carolina. It was Tampa Bay minus three, and for some reason, I thought that was a tie. But Jeff. But. But Chuck Todd won as well, right?

E (36:52)

Yes, he did.

A (36:53)

All right.

D (36:54)

Boy, am I. Charvo might have had them plus 13. So he probably won.

A (36:58)

Also won the over, which he never wins, but he immediately lost the first bowl game by 10,000.

C (37:05)

Oh, it was the Memphis game. Yeah. He did not do well enough.

A (37:07)

So. So Chuck Todd is now 59, 57 and 1, right?

D (37:13)

Yeah, yeah.

A (37:14)

59, 57 and. Oh, there's no one. There's no tie. 59. Okay, good. So good. Let me get into a couple of things here. The college games, we are now at the semifinals or the quarterfinals. I guess the last eight is. There is. I guess I want to ask this. The fact that Alabama won and came back on the road like they did, did that give Alabama a big boost? What is Indiana, Alabama right now, in terms of points, I think.

D (37:45)

I think that's six and a half. But if you look at the futures odds, that's even more telling. Indiana is plus 340, meaning they are the second favorite. The first favorite is Ohio State plus 185. Alabama's plus 1800. So they are the third worst odds. You'd have to go Ole Miss, Miami of Florida, who's about plus 2000, and then Alabama's plus 1800. I don't think people have A lot of faith in Alabama. Now it's interesting, obviously, because going into the season, Alabama was one of the favorites. So it is interesting to see this much movement in a situation now when there's only eight teams left for Indiana to be this. And it's just, I guess it just comes down to how much you really believe in Indiana. But Indiana is the number one seed and they're the second favorite behind Ohio State.

A (38:38)

And they beat Ohio State. They beat them in a game, but.

D (38:42)

Obviously Ohio State, that was a weird game because Ohio State had two possessions inside the 10 yard line in the second half and didn't score on either. And if they just kick a field goal, one of them, that at least goes to overtime.

A (38:54)

So Ole Miss is the, is the longest shot on the board.

D (38:57)

They are. And obviously it's because they have a very tough route. They have to play Georgia first, and then they have to play Ohio State and they have to play Indiana. So they have to beat three of those. All three of those teams to win it all. And, you know, I think that going in, they were not thought of to be the, you know, the highest talent team.

A (39:14)

I think they'd be the best story. I actually think Alabama and Ole Miss would be the two best, best stories if either of them won, don't you?

D (39:21)

I think Ole Miss would be for sure. I mean, I'm not holding any futures. I mean, I have Ole Miss futures. So hopefully, hopefully they. But like, you know, it's, it's a long shot, but it would certainly be a good story. It'd be a good, like, it'd be a good middle finger to LANE Kiffin.

A (39:37)

Absolutely 100% true. Let me move to the NFL. We had Jeff Saturday on and he said it's the greatest year he ever remembers as a player or in the media. He says there's more parody than ever. He said he believed that eight different teams could win the Super Bowl. And he said when he was a player, there was never more than three or four. And he's, you know, he's really impressed by this. What are your thoughts on all of that?

D (40:03)

I mean, the odds would tell say that he's correct, right? Because there's, at this point of the year, there's usually a team that's, you know, less than three to one to win the super bowl and that the Rams are the favorites at, you know, a little over four to one. And then you have the Bills, who are about seven to one, and then you have the Broncos and the Patriots and the Seahawks. The Seahawks are about 6 to 1. The Patriots are just under 10 to 1 and the Broncos are just under 10 to 1. So, yeah, I mean, you definitely have a lot of teams that right now are still in it. The Eagles are less than 10 to 1. It's, it's. It's a very, very interesting season with a lot of parity. And the futures markets will tell you that's true.

A (40:45)

You live where I'm going to talk about now. If San Francisco can win these two home games, their home games. Now, they're good teams, the Bears and the Seahawks, but their home games, they've already beaten the Seahawks. If San Francisco wins these, they're home all the way through the super bowl. Because the Super Bowls in where they play. Right. That would be something.

D (41:06)

It would be something. I mean, I think the challenge with the 49ers is that they just don't. Their defense is, is not good. They don't have enough talent on defense. Although there's talk that if they advance far enough that Fred Warner could come back. But they have really just got decimated by injuries on defense. And I think when pushed, I mean, just look at last night's game. I mean, how, you know, how are you going to allow someone that old to, to be able to score that many points on you? Right? Yeah, it's, it's interesting because I think when it comes down to it, when they play against good offenses and now, I mean, Shanahan has done an incredible job. We have to give him credit for that. And so is Salah, and they're young on defense, but I feel like when it comes to push, push comes to shove, they're going to have trouble stopping other teams.

A (41:49)

Okay. All right. Tell us what you want this week. What are your picks?

D (41:52)

Okay. I'm going to do a bunch of the college games just because they're out there and we're not going to talk before. I don't think we'll talk before I can. I can I do the playoff games? Is that allowed you.

A (42:02)

Yes, you can do whatever you want. I mean, it just means that, you know, if they're still out there when we talk next, just don't pick them again, that's all. Sure.

D (42:11)

Okay. I'm going to take Ohio state minus the eight and a half. That line opened at 10 and it's gone down to eight and a half. I like Ohio State to win that game comfortably.

A (42:23)

Okay.

D (42:24)

I'm going to take Texas Tech plus the two again. This is the line. That's that. It is what it is because Texas Tech was a much lower rated team than Oregon was and everyone still thinks Oregon is that elite theme. But I like Texas Tech to win that game out right. Okay, I'm going to take Indiana minus the six and a half in a blowout against Alabama. I think Alabama struggled and somehow managed to turn that game around from 17. Nothing. When they look dead. I think Indiana is the real deal and I think they win that game easily. And I'm actually going to take Ole Miss plus the six and a half against Georgia. I like Georgia as a team. They've gotten better all year, but it's a lot of points to a team that really played them very, very tough in the regular season already.

A (43:10)

Can I go back to the Ohio State Miami game for a second?

E (43:13)

Sure.

A (43:14)

The Miami A and M game was awful. It was torture. It was brutal. Yes, the last three minutes were great. But if you see a game like that, it's very hard to believe that they can do anything against Ohio State, isn't it?

D (43:28)

Yeah. I mean, I think. I think Ohio. This is the question, like now my Ohio State's stepping up in competition, but are they, you know, is this really the competition that's going to bother them? And my guess is no.

A (43:39)

Yeah, that's. That's how I feel too. You're going to pick any pro games or just college games?

D (43:44)

I'll take a pro game. Okay, let me see. Hold on.

E (43:48)

I have.

A (43:49)

I thought you were 2, 2 and 1. I really feel stupid. Stupid. I really. Somehow.

C (43:53)

It's probably my fault.

A (43:54)

No, it's my fault. I thought he was 2, 2 and 1. You know, I was. Just had that wrong. Yeah. Carolina.

D (44:01)

Yeah, it's all good. And the NFL I'm actually gonna take.

E (44:06)

Oh, God.

D (44:06)

It's like a funny slate.

E (44:08)

It's.

D (44:08)

I. I'm actually going to take the.

E (44:11)

Let's see here.

D (44:12)

I'm gonna go through this again. What. What were some of the ones that Chuck Todd took? I'm curious. I'm always.

A (44:17)

Okay. But you got to understand, we give Chuck games.

C (44:20)

Yeah. We gave him Cowboys commanders, Houston, Texans.

A (44:23)

Chargers, Baltimore, Green Bay, Jacksonville, Indy, Seattle Carolina, Seattle giving seven a half on the road. Philadelphia, Buffalo and Chicago San Francisco. We. I mean, it's harder because he doesn't get to pick games. It is. To be fair.

D (44:39)

Yeah. I'm going to take the Bills minus one against the Eagles. At home. Against the Eagles.

A (44:45)

He had it at one and a half, Right? Yeah. But you. It's now down to one.

D (44:49)

Okay, that's what I'm seeing.

A (44:51)

Okay. That's Fine. That's fine.

D (44:54)

Those are my picks.

A (44:55)

Okay, wonderful. So we'll talk to. When are these games?

D (45:00)

New Year's Day 1st and December 31st. So they're about a week away. Yeah.

C (45:05)

I think Ohio State's on New Year's Eve and the other three are on New Year's Day.

A (45:08)

Okay, so were we going to. Were we going to talk before?

D (45:12)

This is my way of saying I don't need to talk to you guys all next week.

A (45:14)

Yeah, that's what. Yeah, we're going to just wait for you.

C (45:17)

Feels like you're breaking up with us, Jeff.

A (45:19)

Yeah. What did we do wrong? Who's on bet? The process this week.

D (45:23)

We're dark this week. It's the holiday week. We're not as dedicated to the craft as you are.

A (45:27)

Oh, yeah. Well, you make more money doing the other stuff you do, so it's okay. All right, we'll talk to you.

D (45:33)

Have a great holiday holidays, guys.

A (45:35)

Okay, bye.

D (45:36)

Bye.

A (45:36)

This week's picks by James Carville and Jeff Mobb and brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook. Make every moment more. We will come back with email and jingle. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

E (45:46)

You're listening to the Tony Kornheiser show. The Tony Kornheiser show.

F (45:55)

Said the orange man. Two littles everywhere. Listen to what I say. Listen to what I say. There must be free food and parking there. Listen to what I Listen to what I say. A box, a box and a box of that and leave two robes hanging on the rack and leave two robes hanging on the rack said the orange man to the underling do you know who I I am? Do you know who I am? Invite me but I won't go to your thing. Do you know who I am? Do you know who I am?

B (46:49)

A star.

F (46:50)

A star. That's who the I am.

A (46:56)

It's Kirsten Olmstead. It's just great.

C (46:58)

It really is.

A (46:59)

It's brilliant. She's a great singer.

C (47:01)

She's got such great voice.

A (47:02)

Just so great. You want to do the Bethesda bagel ad? Yes.

C (47:05)

Got hot bagels and small bagels.

A (47:08)

Got minis.

B (47:08)

Minis today.

A (47:09)

Never saw them before.

C (47:10)

No, it's very exciting.

A (47:11)

See how those work in a couple of days. They look good.

C (47:14)

They do look good, don't they?

A (47:15)

They sell those. They do. They're small bagels.

C (47:18)

Would you like to switch our order to get the small bagels? Yes, it's right. Exactly. For Party platter.

A (47:24)

Yeah. Yeah.

C (47:24)

All your holiday needs. Just go to Bethesda Bagels.com for the location in the DC Air and Air.

A (47:28)

Stew and pop on it and you'll be thrilled. Before we get to the mailbag, let me just say so this is Christmas and what have you done? Another year over, a new one just begun. And so this is Christmas. I hope you had fun. The near and the dear ones, the old and the young. That's John Lennon. Yeah, it's from 50 years ago.

C (47:43)

It's the best.

A (47:44)

John Lennon's the Best Christmas song out there. It is thanks to our guests today. Jason Lochinfour, James Carville, Jeff Ma. Thanks as well to today's sponsors. Remember, you can listen to us on Apple podcasts Spot, Spotify and Odyssey. Get show through Apple. Please leave us a review from our friend Ed Butt in Frankfurt, Michigan. Many of the oddities concerning Kansas City, Missouri versus Kansas City, Kansas can be explained by one fact for many years excuse me, Kansas City, Missouri was dry and Kansas City, Kansas was not. So country clubs located themselves on the Kansas side of the state line. I believe there even is one where the course is in Missouri, but the course clubhouses in Kansas. Information for life. That's really good to hear from Father Aaron in Kansas City, Kansas. In your discussion of the Chiefs leaving Missouri, I thought, hey, I know that greater metropolitan area. I'm from that greater metropolitan area. Quick thought and then a quick timeline. The Kansas City area is just that, the Kansas City area in general, leaving room for local rivalries, etc. This is, broadly speaking, one big city with multiple different governments. To say you're driving downtown using only one word on the Kansas side, where I live means driving over to Kansas City, Missouri. In some places, crossing over is as simple as crossing State Line Road and not giving it a second thought very fast. July 2023 the Chiefs announced three possible renovate Arrowhead, demolish Arrowhead and build a new stadium on site or build elsewhere. January 2024 Chiefs announced they are staying in Missouri in Jackson county if voters approved a 3, 8 sales tax extension in April. Executive Frank White yes, that Frank White, the former Royal second baseman, vetoed the sales tax. Jackson County Legislature overrides the veto, sending it to a public vote on the ballot. March 2024 Chiefs and Royals renew lease at current site if April vote succeeds. April 2024 the ballot measure fails. Jackson county voters rejected the sales tax. Kansas City begins wooing the chiefs in earnest. June 24 April 25 Some small potatoes like Kornheiser's potatoes. July 2025 Governor Kehoe of Missouri tries to keep the team signs a new law to try to keep them September 2025 Frank White removed from office on an 85% to 15% recall December 2025 Most recent news Chiefs announced move to Kansas on the same top From Larry Schumacher, who writes season's greetings from Kansas City, Missouri. I just listened to Tuesday's show and I'm here to satisfy your curiosity about how people are feeling about the Chiefs moving to Godforsaken Kansas after 70 years in Missouri. Are we bitter? Of course not. Why would we be bitter? Just because the Kansas Legislature outbid the Missouri Legislature by agreeing to subsidize 70% of the 3 to 4 billion dollar price tag to build a new stadium, office complex and practice facility? Why would anybody be bitter about the Hunt family creating a bidding war and selling out to the highest bidder? Most of the most maybe the most telling thing in this story is that the new stadium will have 10,000 fewer seats than Arrowhead. I guess fans don't really matter. I guess the bond between a city and a team doesn't really matter. At least not as much as TV and gambling revenue. I've always loved the line you borrowed from Don Almayer that the answer to all your questions is money. Here's my two part corollary. Part one Money runs every everything. Part two Money ruins everything. But why would we be bitter? Sarcastic voice Aaron in Milwaukee on the Chiefs leaving Missouri for a new Dome stadium in Kansas. The reasoning is revealed by Chiefs owner Clark Hunt. Quote it will give Kansas City the opportunity to bid on events that we can't host right now, like the super bowl, the College Football Playoff and the NCAA Final Fours, not to mention unquote, not to mention concerts, etc. As a venue usable year round. It's a reason I understand, but still of bitter pill to swallow. I couldn't even fathom my packers effectively killing the frozen tundra for this reason why I share your dismay that a team is so easily leaving their historic home, tradition be damned. I guess I've come to realize that we all live in a time where all decisions are made to honor the greatest tradition of all making money. Although it's been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you. But I suppose the same can be said for the answer to all of your questions is money from Howard Turoff in New Orleans, Louisiana. I don't know if this personal remembrance was will be pod worthy, but I thought to share it with you anyway. From 1975 through 1989, my best friend and I attended at least one game of every World Series we're in our early 20s in a World Series road trip was our annual fall adventure. We go to cities often without tickets or a place to stay and figure it out when we get there. For the i70 World Series between the Royals and Cardinals in 1985, we were lucky. In the pre Internet days we had mailed away for tickets and miraculously got them. Not only that, we were invited to stay with the parents of a girl who I knew was from Kansas City. When we arrived, the parents, whom I'd never met before, informed us they were Kansas City Chiefs ticket holders. They had a skybox and they could bring us to the Rams Chiefs game that Sunday at 1. I wasn't making much money back then and had never been in a luxury box before, so this was a real treat. Then following the game we were invited down to the season ticket holder lounge to eat and drink like kings while watching the late games on tv and then we walked across the path to the Royal Stadium for Game two of the World Series. This is by far one of the greatest weekends and sports experience I'd ever enjoyed. I've never been back, but I'm nonetheless saddened to learn the Chiefs are moving out of Arrowhead. What a loss for the fans of the Chiefs and the Royals really is. Brandon Borzelli Lebanon, New Jersey maybe Chiefs fans can access the new stadium across state lines via the Purple line. Should be completed by 2031. It's funny.

B (52:59)

Perfect.

A (53:00)

Brandon's always funny. Yes, from Captain O' Neill in St. John's Newfoundland in Canada. I too am a loyal little here in St. John's Newfoundland. I've been living here for 18 years and I think the population of Littles here seem to have exploded lately. I can't make it to the farmer's market on December 27, but please tell Newfoundland Newfoundlander Dave Giovann that if he sees me around town in a Binghamton University sweatshirt, it's me and he should give the salute and introduce himself. I bought the sweatshirt a few years ago at a local thrift store. Based solely on your affiliation with the place, I wear it proudly. Isn't that nice? That is great. Catherine From Ben Sandler, dds, Dentist Doctor of Dental Surgery I received a text from my very long time dental supply rep and friend saying when you go to Pinehurst, I would recommend the Ironwood Cafe. I immediately replied, thanks. A few minutes later I realized I hadn't seen him since I planned that trip. Then I remembered my email to you asking about the Pinehurst restaurants. I replied to Bob Tony, connect the tissue. Please tell Bob Ross of Atlanta Dental Supply to eat it. Isn't that nice? That is from Adam Blaney in Athens, Ohio. Before it was the official Organic Vegetable Farmer the show, I spent my professional and academic life in church ministry and in Biblical studies and history of Christianity. Recently a friend sent me some Instagram contact content in which he thought I would take an interest. I was listening to the person speaking. I happen to look down and see his name, Tim Wilsmith. I thought of Mailbag Jingle fame. Surely not, but sure enough it was him. Connective Tissue and worlds Collide. Turns out Tim is not just a writer of songs for stupid podcast, but an actual author of real books and does great work with his online content content. It was great to connect find another little in the real world world. Happy holidays from the other side of the street and best to you and all of yours.

B (54:35)

That's great.

A (54:36)

Keith McConnell finally, my David Aldridge moment, albeit regarding a place and not a person. Griffith, Indiana. My hometown. Although I appreciate the lengths that ice cream thief Christopher Stewart went to to get Griffith some publicity this time of year, we're already flush. Listen for our mention in the early scenes of the Christmas story in which some clodhopper swallowing a yo yo earns Griffith some real prestige. And once the Bears finish their stadium in Griffith, there's no looking back. Carl and us, we go Chuck and Roxy397 that's three less than Chuck Todd Yes, I've made up a new game where I try to guess who will show up in the pictures that Reginald shows Nigel during his weekly NFL Picks segment. I'm happy to report that at least four times this year I've successfully guessed one of the people in the pictures. I wonder if any other Littles can top that. Now that I say this out loud, I'm realizing I need to take a break and reevaluate some of my life choices on it. Happy holiday to you and everyone on the staff. Brian Nemo, Ann Arbor, Michigan from the Tuesday show, Nigel tried to get Chuck Todd to pick the Game Above Sports Bowl, Right? Is that what it's called? I thought to myself, hey, I know that bowl game. I'm going to be at that bowl game on Friday. I figured I could be the official Game Above Sports bowl correspondent of the TK show, or at least send you a big box of Game Above. Then I realized there is no show on Friday and there appears to be no actual entity called Game Above. They sell no products, have no employees, have no Wikipedia page Maybe the whole thing is a scam and all 2000 fans will be actually subjected to hours long sales pitch for the Revolution Toaster. After all, our tickets were free. It's brilliant. From Chip Robinson in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Dear Dr. Tony I've been thinking about buying a new phone. I'm not sure which to buy. Do you like yours? Love it, love it. Going to love it more when I slam it into the ground. Justin Johnson, Arlington, Virginia I would welcome a phone update that stopped me from emails. How do I find that update? Aaron Alexander As a former from Tulsa, Oklahoma As a former TV news producer, I enjoy hearing about outlandish news stories. Most of the time I hear them on your show Research Monkeys that escaped. I'm sure if there are any still on the loose, they're hiding with Reginald, Indiana man stole $6,200 worth of ice cream. The allure of Haagen Dazs coffee ice cream will make folks do some crazy things. And of course, who can forget the great DC Wine heist suspect from last month. But I think I found the best obscure news story yet. After severe flooding in Washington state, King county officials are warning residents that floodwaters could sweep rats into the sewer system and up into their toilets. It turns out that folks in that part of the country have engineered a toilet and sewer system that can handle most rodents, because here are the steps they say you should take if you do in fact find a rat in your toilet. First, remain calm. Second, keep the lid down so the rat can't jump out. Third, squirt some liquid dish soap into the toilet. The soap degreases the oils in the rat's fur so it can't float in the water. Fourth, flush the toilet. Apparently, toilets in Washington State are designed to accommodate flushing the mouse, or in this case, the rat. Officials say the rat will usually go down the same way it came up, but it could take multiple flushes. Fifth, if that doesn't work, you can call pest control or in your case, Michael. Thanks for all the laughs throughout the years along with the expert sports analysis and and insights. Isn't that nice? Get the tongs out From Larry Sanders Larry Sanders can't be. Can't be Larry Sanders. Same Listening to the various matchbook emails on the podcast pushed me to send this picture. My dad had a wonderful sense of humor and had a set of matchbooks printed up that had read Stolen from Harris Sanders, picture included, and he'd hand them out at parties to friends and clients. He passed away seven years ago. I was lucky Enough to have found one framed. It hangs in our home and I quietly laugh each time I pass by. Isn't that very nice? That is David Andrews from Adelaide, Australia. In the I hate this phone episode, you asked why people in Australia would listen to your podcast. Well, I'm here to tell you I have absolutely no idea. You're welcome.

C (58:19)

Thanks for clearing that up.

A (58:21)

Yeah. Josh Peterson in Houston, Texas. So the new game is kids birthdays. My oldest, a non masculine child, Maggie was born on July 8, 2009. 070809 Easy to remember even for you grandpa. That's a good thanks for the 789 connective tissue. Yeah, that's really Greg from only Canada. I know there was an only Canada.

B (58:43)

Well I think.

A (58:44)

Oh, if I say I email from Canada will I get my email read? That's it. That's the email. Oh, so it's probably only Maryland. Okay. And Mark lynch, of course friend in Camby, Indiana. On Tuesday's show you read an email from Mark in North Bethesda. First of all, great name. Second of all, is there and there's a North Bethesda. Is there a North Bethesda bagels? If there is, I assume they are superior. Yeah, it's Rockville. Yeah, it's Rockville. It's Rockville.

E (59:07)

Yeah.

A (59:07)

If you're out on your bike tonight, everyone as always do wear white. Have a wonderful holiday.

G (59:15)

Happy Christmas. Happy Christmas. Oh season all for you it's Christmas let's play a little bit let's do something intimate Put your heels in your dress on let's stay out all night long as a bottle drink or three we can decorate the tree we deserve a little fun we can both become a different love. That special time of year. Let's kiss beneath the Christmas tree Like a couple love romantic te Turn these cell phones on together let's get lost let's spend this year's holidays like we got something to celebrate the day ain't long enough Christmas type of love. Just you and de all about you. Christmas time.

A (61:15)

Merry Christmas to all the lovers and happy holidays.

G (61:19)

Hey grown folks. Holidays oh, I can't wait it's cold down till the sun comes up Put this behind me Create joyous memories. Merry christmas.