The Tony Kornheiser Show

Episode: “Fully in the Tube”
Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Tony Kornheiser
Guests: Michael Wilbon, Chris Cillizza, Chuck Todd, Mark Feinsand, Sean O’Neill

Episode Overview

In "Fully in the Tube," Tony Kornheiser is his usual sharp and self-deprecating self as he covers a lively array of topics with his crew and guests. The episode is a classic blend of sports talk (NFL and MLB), personal anecdotes, and musings on modern life, including Tony’s MRI misadventure and frustrations with self-checkout. NFL playoff races, aging quarterbacks, baseball hot stove rumors, and the ever-changing world of the Washington Nationals get plenty of time, as does a frank conversation about health care bureaucracy. Alongside spirited picks from Chuck Todd and whimsical “Reginald the Monkey” commentary, the show never strays far from the blend of wit and local color that makes Tony a Washington institution.

Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. Opening & Self-Checkout Rant

[01:05 – 02:18]

• Tony revisits a previous story about the complexities and frustrations of self-checkout systems at grocery stores, highlighting generational disconnects with technology.
  • Quote: “I've aged out. That's what it is. I've aged out. The world is no longer for me.” — Tony Kornheiser [01:41]
• Michael Wilbon jokes about checkout etiquette.
• Conversation captures a universal irritation many listeners can relate to.

2. Cold Weather & Golf

[02:18 – 03:13]

• Tony reflects on a frigid morning ritual of drinking coffee at Columbia golf course, finding it closed and the staff playing cards due to zero golfers.
• Carville bet on the over and lost, humorously illustrating the extreme cold.

3. NFL: Philip Rivers’ Comeback & the Aging Athlete

[03:13 – 07:40]

• The show discusses the Colts signing 44-year-old Philip Rivers to the practice squad.
  • Tony considers the Hall of Fame “reset” if Rivers becomes active, and doubts effectiveness of such an old quarterback.
  • Classic Kornheiser skepticism about old athletes coming back: “Who are the great 44-year-old quarterbacks in the history of the NFL? There are no others.” — Tony [06:12]
• Discussion branches into Hall of Fame timelines (Rivers, Jaromir Jagr) and the Indianapolis Colts’ end-of-season schedule.
• Wilbon speculates Rivers was brought in for stability and mentoring, not for actual game time.

4. Roast Beef & Producer Anecdotes

[07:40 – 09:42]

• Tony delights in rare roast beef from Beekman’s Deli, a nostalgic favorite, gifted by NBC producer Sean Reese during his road trip.
• Wilbon and Tony bond over sons’ food habits and deli hierarchies.
• Insight into the show’s production relationships and local flavor.

5. MRI Saga: Health, Claustrophobia, and Insurance Hell

[09:42 – 15:51]

• Tony shares his odyssey navigating the U.S. health insurance system, mocking Cigna’s bureaucratic hurdles:
  • “‘Calculated indifference Gives No Aid’—That’s what Cigna stands for.” — Tony [10:34]
• Describes the ordeal of a closed MRI, including the sensation of being "fully in the tube," coping mechanisms, and the near-panic of claustrophobia:
  • Quote: "The noise of an MRI is a jackhammer… I'm doing everything I can to avoid screaming." — Tony [13:05]
• Wilbon and Cillizza weigh in with their own MRI experiences, all agree it's anxiety-inducing.
• Tony downgrades the experience from “unpleasant” to “not pleasant” in classic Kornheiser fashion.

6. NFL Picks with Chuck Todd & Game-by-Game Analysis

[18:41 – 34:45]

• Chuck Todd joins to make this week's picks, now at .500 for the season.
• Baltimore at Cincinnati: Both pick Cincinnati, skepticism about the Ravens’ prospects.
• Chargers @ Kansas City: Discussion of Mahomes’ season; both pick the Chargers given the spread and KC’s flaws.
• Buffalo @ New England: Both take Buffalo despite New England’s record ("Do you believe they're the best team in football? I do not." — Tony [25:23])
• Washington at NY Giants: Both agree the game is a mess; lean Giants.
• Green Bay at Denver: Analysis of “most balanced team”—Packers get the nod.
• Detroit at Rams: Both see Detroit as undervalued with 5.5 points.
• Miami at Pittsburgh: Weather, running game, and Tua’s cold-weather woes have them favoring Pittsburgh.

Quote highlight [24:35, Tony]: “At what point do you stand up and say, okay, I see it. They’re done.”

College Football Playoff Snub & Notre Dame

[32:13 – 34:45]

• Chuck vents about the playoff committee favoring Alabama over Notre Dame/Miami: “The villain is the morons that run the ACC that came up with a tiebreaker… didn’t account for the actual best record.” — Chuck Todd [34:09]
• Tony opines that Notre Dame’s independence is hurting their chances.

7. Reginald the Monkey’s Picks

[35:03 – 37:40]

• Chris Cillizza shares Reginald’s whimsical picks, tied to anecdotes about Kansas City, New England, and New York Giants pop culture icons.
• Tony and crew poke fun at the monkey’s “passion project” not being nominated for a Golden Globe.

8. MLB Winter Meetings: Hot Stove Updates with Mark Feinsand

[41:33 – 54:16]

• Feinsand returns from Orlando to dissect the latest moves:
  • Edwin Díaz to Dodgers: “Diaz to the Dodgers just makes the rich richer…” — Mark Feinsand [43:37]
  • Kyle Schwarber re-signs with Phillies: “He likes it there. They love him. The owner wanted him back, …he wanted to be back.” — Mark Feinsand [44:48]
  • Possible big names still in play: Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker.
  • Washington Nationals: New GM Paul Toboni is “listening to everybody,” including offers for Mackenzie Gore and CJ Abrams. Discussion of rebuilding and fan patience.
  • Quote: “If you get rid of them, whoever else you bring in, it feels like you have made the same reset and you’re selling them to us as the future. But what happened to the recent past?” — Tony [51:35]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Self-Checkout Grievance:
  “I've aged out. That's what it is. I've aged out. The world is no longer for me.” — Tony Kornheiser [01:41]

• On MRIs:
  “The noise of an MRI is a jackhammer… I'm doing everything I can to avoid screaming.” — Tony Kornheiser [13:05]
  “I don't want to say it was unpleasant. I want to say it was not pleasant.” — Tony Kornheiser [15:39]

• On Philip Rivers:
  “He's a grandfather. Last time he played was five years ago when he was 39. When he was old. Old for football.” — Tony Kornheiser [03:32]
  “Who are the great 44-year-old quarterbacks in the history of the NFL? There are no others.” — Tony Kornheiser [06:12]

• On NFL Logic:
  “They look done to me, Washington. They look done to me…you cannot bet the Commanders.” — Tony Kornheiser [27:38]
  “I think Green Bay is the most balanced team in the league.” — Chuck Todd [28:49]

• Baseball Rebuild Cynicism:
  “If you get rid of Mackenzie Gore, if you get rid of C.J. Abrams…it feels like you have made the same reset and you’re selling them to us as the future. But what happened to the recent past?” — Tony Kornheiser [51:35]

• Chuck Todd on Playoff Snubs:
  “The villain is the morons that run the ACC that came up with a tiebreaker… didn’t account for the actual best record.” — Chuck Todd [34:09]

Memorable Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |-------------------|-----------------------------------------|-------------| | Opening Talk | Self-checkouts, technology gap | [01:05] | | MRI Story | MRI ordeal, health care headaches | [09:42] | | NFL: Rivers saga | Old QBs, HOF timelines | [03:13] | | Roast Beef Story | Nostalgic food, show friendship | [07:40] | | Chuck Todd Picks | Week’s NFL games breakdown | [18:41] | | Playoff Rant | Notre Dame, college football politics | [32:13] | | Monkey's Picks | Reginald the Monkey segment | [35:03] | | MLB Hot Stove | Dodgers/Phillies signings, Nats rebuild | [41:33] |

Show Tone & Style

Tony Kornheiser’s wry, self-effacing humor defines the episode, as does the camaraderie among his regular guests. The show oscillates between insightful sports analysis and whimsical personal asides—never shying away from a good gripe about technology, health care, or the state of DC sports. The tone stays light even when serious topics are broached, courtesy of Tony’s quick wit and the easy banter with Wilbon, Cillizza, and company.

For New Listeners

This episode is emblematic of why “The Tony Kornheiser Show” occupies a unique niche in the sports talk and entertainment landscape. With its blend of sports insight, local sensibility, and digressive charm—plus plenty of laughs—“Fully in the Tube” is a perfect way to get on board.