The Tony Kornheiser Show

Episode: “Again with the emails?”
Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delivers the classic Tony Kornheiser mix: technical gripes (particularly Tony’s ongoing battle with his email and phone), heartfelt sports commentary, and lively, often comedic conversations with his regular guests. The show centers around high-profile transitions in professional sports—especially the ongoing impact of LIV Golf defections—and lively discussions about NFL playoff races, coaching standouts, and betting picks with James Carville and Jeff Ma. All delivered with Tony’s signature blend of cranky candor, self-deprecation, and affectionate ribbing with and among friends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tony vs. Email: "Again with the emails?"

• 00:00–02:20
  Tony opens the show by lamenting ongoing email issues on his new phone, feeling both "trapped" and "anxious" by modern technology.
  • Memorable quote:
    "I want to slam the phone down and break it into a thousand pieces, but I still need it as a phone." – Tony (00:23)
  • Tony’s frustration highlights generational tension with tech and the dependency on email for even basic things like bills and communication.
  • Nigel and Michael try to intervene with new passwords and tech fixes, to intermittent success.

2. The Tyranny of Big Tech

• 02:20–03:05
  Tony rants about Apple and the inevitability of playing by their rules.
  • Quote:
    “You have to play the game their way. That’s big brother. That’s what people in the 40s and 50s were afraid of. I guess nobody’s afraid anymore. I am.” – Tony (02:20)

3. Unreliable Weather Predictions

• 03:05–03:45
  Tony grumbles about meteorologists and long-range weather forecasts getting it wrong, particularly around the holidays in DC and Delaware.

4. Sports Headlines: NFL vs. NBA & NBA Misjudgments

• 03:45–04:38
  Tony remarks that the NFL dwarfs the NBA’s U.S. “standing,” even as the NBA features exciting games like San Antonio’s upset of Oklahoma City.
  • Memorable:
    “The NFL could put up last year's games and outrate them 10 to 1.” – Tony (03:52)
  • Jokes about Kendrick Perkins and predications for thunder loss totals.

5. Brooks Koepka, LIV Golf, and the PGA Tour

• 04:38–12:47
  A substantive segment breaking down the news that Brooks Koepka, a major winner and controversial figure, is leaving the LIV Golf tour to potentially return to the PGA.
  • Detailed discussion with Michael on whether the PGA Tour should or will welcome LIV defectors back.
  • Discussion of penalties, apologies, and the economic impact of LIV on the broader golf ecosystem.
  • Notable exchange:
    • Tony: "Now, there are three people...the PGA should want—and Brooks Koepka, John Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau." (06:19)
    • Michael: "Getting these players to return...is more of a symbolic victory about the ending of what LIV Golf promised to be." (07:09)
  • General consensus: Returns will not be smooth, resentment will linger among rank-and-file PGA players, and “money talks.”

6. Email Fixes & Tech as Modern Burden

• 12:47–13:59
  Comic dissection of the ways old tech (AOL, physical mail) and new tech both seem designed to confound older users.
  • Tony endures suggestions of burner emails and new phones—none satisfying.

Main Guest Segment: NFL Insight with Jason La Canfora

Segment Start: 15:28

NFL Playoff Landscape & Coach of the Year Debate

• 49ers’ Prospects

  • The crew analyzes the 49ers’ chances for the #1 seed and home-field advantage, highlighting both their offensive prowess and concerning lack of defensive depth (notably with Bosa and Warner out).
  • Jason La Canfora:
    "I still have real concerns about the defense. They generate no pass rush...When they can't run with Christian McCaffrey, something's wrong." (16:17)

• Coach of the Year Candidates

  • Tony and Jason debate whether Kyle Shanahan should top Coach of the Year ballots, weighing comeback stories (Vrabel, Ben Johnson) vs. established, resilient coaches.
  • Jason: “Maybe it's not even close...but I think it’s going to be one of the upstarts or someone like Vrabel who...reversed the torpedoing of the Patriots since Tom Brady left." (18:46–21:25)

• Arizona Cardinals and NFC West Toughness

  • Brief discussion about Arizona's miserable outlook due to a tough division and lackluster coaching/quarterback situation.

Quarterback Carousel: Philip Rivers and Colts Future

• Philip Rivers’ Unexpected Return
  • Tony is baffled (and amused) by Rivers’ strong performances as a late-season Colts QB—speculating if the franchise plans to continue with him, even into next year.
  • Jason: “For him still to be able to do this...that means something off here?” (25:27)

John Harbaugh’s Future

• Tony and Jason examine whether the Ravens are at an inflection point with John Harbaugh amid organizational need for a rebuild, coaching shifts, and financial quandaries surrounding Lamar Jackson.
• Jason: "They’re at such an organizational inflection point...I just think John can go somewhere else, have a fresh start." (26:14–28:57)
• Michigan and Notre Dame possibilities are floated as landing spots.

Picks & Gambling Segment: James Carville and Jeff Ma

Segment Start: 31:34

James Carville’s Picks and Banter (31:34–35:45)

• Carville recaps a break-even week and jokes with Tony, weaving in political humor (“Most famous Jew that ever lived...My birthday’s in November.” – 32:01)
• Picks for the week:
  • San Diego State +3.5 vs. North Texas (NM Bowl)
  • Green Bay -2.5 vs. Ravens
  • Jags/Colts over 47.5
  • Saints/Titans over 38.5
  • College picks promised for next week, with (mock) talk about tweaking his data algorithm for “grits” and “playing surface moisture.”

Jeff Ma’s Metrics & Lines (35:45–45:46)

• Jeff corrects Tony’s recordkeeping in real time: “You wouldn’t do this to a Simian, would you?” (36:33)
• Key CFB futures and NFL parity discussion:
  • Alabama and Ole Miss evaluated as underdogs but possible “best stories”; Indiana and Ohio State at the top of the odds.
  • NFL parity noted as at a high-water mark: “You definitely have a lot of teams right now that are still in it... futures markets will tell you that’s true.” (40:03)
• Picks:
  • Ohio State -8.5
  • Texas Tech +2
  • Indiana -6.5 vs. Alabama
  • Ole Miss +6.5 vs. Georgia
  • NFL: Bills -1 vs. Eagles
• Tony jokes that Jeff is “breaking up” with the show for needing fewer appearances during bowl season.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Tony on tech:
  "They have the ability to go into your phone with their tentacles and change your life. I don't think that's right." (01:38)
• On Brooks Koepka’s return:
  “I don’t think Brooks Koepka is the type of guy who’s going to go out and put his head in his hands and apologize for what he did.” – Michael (10:05)
• On NFL playoff parity:
  “He [Jeff Saturday] believes that eight different teams could win the Super Bowl.” – Tony (39:37)
• On weather forecasting:
  "What good is long range weather predicting when it's wrong?" – Tony (03:05)
• James Carville on statistical tweaks:
  “We tweaked that... part of our input, our high speed computer. We’re using AI.” (35:13)

Music & Local Flavor

• Christmas music by Debonair Music featured early ("Seasons All For You").
• The end-of-show jingle is a playful, meta-Little parody (“Said the orange man…”).
• Bagel ad with talk of Bethesda Bagels’ “minis” is treated with affectionate, off-the-cuff humor.

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• Tony vs Technology & Email – 00:00–02:20
• Tech Rant (“Big Brother”) – 02:20–03:05
• Sports/Metrics (NBA/NFL comparisons) – 03:45–04:38
• Brooks Koepka LIV/PGA Segment – 04:38–12:47
• NFL 49ers/Coach of the Year with Jason La Canfora – 15:28–21:32
• Philip Rivers/Harbaugh/NFL Org issues – 22:33–28:45
• James Carville’s Picks – 31:34–35:45
• Jeff Ma’s Picks & Futures – 35:45–45:46
• Show outro, holiday messages – 47:24–end

Tone & Style

• Warm, witty, and full of the “cranky old man versus the world” flavor that is Tony’s signature.
• Guests are seamlessly folded into the “family,” ribbing each other over picks, stats, and personal foibles.
• The podcast embodies Tony’s classic balance of sharp sports analysis, folksy storytelling, neurotic complaint, and subversive humor.

This episode is a must-listen for long-time Littles and new fans alike, mixing high-level sports conversation with wry observations on technology, generational change, and the joys and frustrations of modern life—delivered with the loveable, unfiltered chemistry that can only come from Tony and his familiar crew.