The Tony Kornheiser Show: Episode “Go to the Safe Room!”
Release Date: January 24, 2025
Hosts and Guests:
- Tony Kornheiser – Host
- Jason Lock – NFL Insider from Odyssey
- James Carville – Political Commentator and Betting Enthusiast
- Jeff Ma – Sports Analyst and Betting Expert
1. Personal Anecdotes and Life Updates
Jury Duty and Unwanted House Guests [02:04 - 05:37] Tony kicks off the episode with a humorous yet relatable story about his experiences with jury duty and an unexpected mouse infestation at home. He recounts being selected for jury duty multiple times, expressing both surprise and reluctance:
Tony Kornheiser [02:04]: "I have to say, I was amazed they chose me for a jury. ... I'VE gone two or three other times where I was not picked."
Transitioning from jury duty woes, Tony shares an amusing yet frustrating encounter with a persistent mouse that eludes his attempts to catch. His wife, Carol, reports seeing a mouse entering a “safe room” — a compacted garbage area. Despite his efforts, the mouse remains elusive, leading to discussions about the adaptability of rodents:
Tony Kornheiser [03:09]: "So I'd never had a mouse on the main floor before. ... I don't know where the mouse is."
High Energy Bills and PEPCO Troubles [05:12 - 08:59] Tony shifts gears to discuss his unexpectedly high electricity bill of $787, a significant jump from his usual $410. He delves into conversations with PEPCO representatives who attributed the increase to deregulated delivery charges, despite Tony’s unchanged energy usage patterns. He speculates on the impact of space heaters used in his studio room to combat the freezing temperatures, questioning the rationale behind PEPCO’s billing practices:
Tony Kornheiser [06:13]: "But I didn't see it. I have no idea where it is. ... I don't think they live alone."
He expresses frustration over PEPCO's stance and wonders about the billing practices in colder states like New Hampshire, where prolonged cold weather might justify higher energy consumption:
Tony Kornheiser [08:59]: "How do they double? How do they go up so high? Higher than ever."
2. Sports Discussions
Australian Open Semifinal Recap [10:03 - 13:18] Tony provides a detailed recap of the Australian Open semifinal match between Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys. He highlights Madison Keys’ remarkable comeback in a tiebreaker, which he considers the match of her life:
Tony Kornheiser [10:28]: "But Keys breaks back. They go to a tiebreaker. ... She wins 10-8."
He reflects on Madison Keys’ career trajectory and the emotional significance of this victory as she prepares to face Irina Sabalenka in the final:
Tony Kornheiser [12:44]: "What an opportunity to beat the two in the one back to back, and you win a major."
Novak Djokovic’s Injury and Career Longevity [13:00 - 14:44] The conversation shifts to Novak Djokovic’s early retirement from a semifinal match due to a muscle tear. Tony questions the frequency of Djokovic calling for medical assistance and discusses his ongoing debates about Djokovic's standing among tennis greats:
Tony Kornheiser [13:07]: "Doesn't he call for the medic a lot?"
He touches upon the opinions of former players like McEnroe, who regard Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer as superior to previous legends, while also acknowledging his personal reservations about Djokovic’s style and relatability:
Tony Kornheiser [14:44]: "My friend David ... says you have to stop this. You're just an idiot."
3. NFL Insights with Jason Lock
Coaching Changes and Team Strategies [20:36 - 32:27] Tony welcomes Jason Lock, an NFL insider from Odyssey, to discuss recent and potential coaching changes in the NFL. The conversation primarily focuses on the Chicago Bears hiring Ben Johnson and the New York Jets bringing on Aaron Glenn. Jason provides an in-depth analysis of Ben Johnson's career trajectory, highlighting his interactions with NFL executives and expressing skepticism about his readiness:
Jason Lock [22:07]: "He changed representation... weeks ago that this was going to be different."
Regarding the Jets’ hiring of Aaron Glenn, Jason questions the decision, pointing out Glenn’s inconsistent playoff performances and the potential risks involved:
Jason Lock [26:05]: "They blow the big lead in San Francisco... and Jared Halbesberger was on the sidelines."
Jacksonville’s Potential Hire: Liam Cohn [29:23 - 32:27] The discussion turns to Jacksonville possibly hiring Liam Cohn from Tampa Bay. Jason criticizes the Jaguars' decision, emphasizing the volatility of coaching positions in Jacksonville and the challenges Cohn might face:
Jason Lock [30:35]: "And this place, coaches go there, get fired, they never coach again, man."
He further elaborates on the Jaguars' front office dynamics, expressing doubt about the team's ability to turnaround under current leadership:
Jason Lock [31:50]: "I can't cosign it... takes more than just hiring the right coordinator to get your organization turned around."
Baltimore Ravens’ Performance Issues [32:27 - 35:45] Tony and Jason analyze the Baltimore Ravens' surprising underperformance despite their historical success and strong roster led by Lamar Jackson. Jason attributes the Ravens' struggles to critical turnovers, penalties, and inconsistent offensive strategies:
Jason Lock [33:35]: "They have Lamar Jackson, ... average 7.3 yards per play."
He highlights specific game issues, such as ineffective run support and defensive lapses, questioning the team's ability to maintain their winning streak:
Jason Lock [35:45]: "If they're that silly and that soft mark, then they really do just want to win the back pages."
4. Sports Betting Picks with James Carville and Jeff Ma
James Carville’s Betting Picks [41:33 - 43:30] James Carville joins Tony to share his betting picks for the week. His selections include:
- Kansas City Chiefs minus a half-point.
- Khalil Shakar over 54.5 receiving yards for Buffalo.
- Curtis Samuel plus 1.5 catches for Buffalo.
Tony questions some of the choices, noticing the emphasis on Buffalo despite backing the Chiefs:
Tony Kornheiser [41:57]: "Plus 1.5 catches. Even though you're taking Kansas City, you're making two prop bets on Buffalo."
James defends his picks by emphasizing the Chiefs' strong lineup and Buffalo's potential for high-variance gameplay:
James Carville [42:13]: "This game opened lower and it's kind of been climbing up... the Chiefs have got playoff Mahomes."
Jeff Ma’s Betting Picks [43:23 - 50:31] Jeff Ma shares his predictions, focusing on:
- Commanders plus six points.
- Kansas City Chiefs minus one and a half points.
He discusses the dynamics of point spreads and the implications of in-game events, such as missed extra points influencing the final outcome. Jeff also touches on his reluctance to bet on the over/under for this week due to uncertainties surrounding player health and coaching strategies:
Jeff Ma [43:55]: "Take Garrett Nussmeier to win the Heisman... reach more financial goals."
Tony encourages Jeff to share more about his strategies, while Jeff explains the complexities of betting on tight games and the impact of strategic plays like safeties:
Jeff Ma [47:34]: "He's doing what is the most optimal thing for his team... taking opportunities to maximize advantage."
5. Listener Emails and Stories
Jury Duty Anecdote [57:06 - 57:24] Tony reads a listener’s humorous story about being excused from jury duty due to his relationship with a defendant’s attorney, leading to an amusing courtroom scene:
Tony Kornheiser [57:06]: "He was my divorce attorney. ... telling me, 'this is not a common club.'"
Squirrel Deterrent Fiasco [65:22 - 65:22] A listener shares his unsuccessful attempt to deter squirrels from his flower pots using a store-bought solution. Tony humorously narrates the failed effort and the listener’s ultimate surrender to artificial flowers:
Tony Kornheiser [65:22]: "They jumped back in and did the same with the other cotton ball... wearing you down."
College Campus Confusion [66:20 - 66:21] Tony recounts a personal childhood story about misnavigating to Wake Forest University, leading to an unintended three-hour drive to Winston Salem instead:
Tony Kornheiser [66:20]: "My dad plotted the course on a map... directions to Winston Salem."
6. Closing Remarks and Future Teasers [54:08 - 68:03]
Tony wraps up the episode by thanking guests Jason Lock, James Carville, and Jeff Ma. He highlights upcoming segments and encourages listeners to engage with the show on various platforms. Tony shares snippets from listener emails, intertwining them with personal anecdotes and maintaining the show's signature blend of humor and insight.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Tony Kornheiser [02:04]: "I have to say, I was amazed they chose me for a jury."
- Tony Kornheiser [03:09]: "We have mice. I don't know where the mouse is."
- Tony Kornheiser [06:13]: "But I didn't see it. I have no idea where it is."
- Jason Lock [26:05]: "They blow the big lead in San Francisco... and Jared Halbesberger was on the sidelines."
- Tony Kornheiser [10:28]: "She wins 10-8. This, apparently, to Madison Keys, is the match of her life."
- Jeff Ma [47:34]: "He's doing what is the most optimal thing for his team."
Conclusion
In this episode of "The Tony Kornheiser Show," listeners are treated to a blend of personal anecdotes, in-depth sports analysis, and engaging discussions on current events. Tony's humorous take on everyday mishaps like jury duty and battling a mouse infestation sets the stage for more serious conversations about energy challenges and the evolving landscape of the NFL. With insightful contributions from NFL insider Jason Lock and betting experts James Carville and Jeff Ma, the show offers valuable perspectives for sports enthusiasts and casual listeners alike. The episode concludes with entertaining listener stories, maintaining the show's charm and relatability.