The Tony Kornheiser Show: “How was the coq au vin?” – January 20, 2025

Overview

In the episode titled “How was the coq au vin?”, host Tony Kornheiser delves into a variety of topics spanning personal anecdotes, power outage frustrations, in-depth sports analysis, and listener interactions. The discussion seamlessly transitions from local utility issues to intense sports debates, showcasing Tony's signature blend of humor, insight, and candid conversation with his regular contributors, Pat40 and Jason.

1. Power Outage Frustrations with Pepco

Issue at Hand: Tony opens up about a recent power outage in his neighborhood, hinting at potential mismanagement or targeted service interruptions by Pepco.

Discussion Points:

• Tony’s Experience: Tony describes his power being cut off for three hours, speculating whether it was due to negligence or deliberate targeting. “If your equipment is so sophisticated that you can tell hour by hour what I'm using, tell me where I'm using it” ([02:07]).

• Contributors' Input:

  • Pat40 and Jason speculate about the cause, suggesting possibilities like a neighbor using a generator or technical faults.
  • Tony mentions his efforts to resolve the issue by contacting Pepco and the District hotline, expressing frustration over unresponsive customer service. “[05:43] … she says, who cares about you?”

• Resolution Efforts: Tony discusses mailing a check to Pepco and his ongoing communication attempts, highlighting the challenges consumers face when dealing with utility companies.

Notable Quote: “Those lights are manned by the District of Columbia. So I do what you're supposed to do. I call three one one, which is the District hotline.” – Tony Kornheiser ([05:17])

2. NFL Week-End Game Analysis

Highlighted Games: Tony and his panel dissect several NFL games, focusing on key performances, pivotal moments, and strategic decisions that influenced the outcomes.

Key Discussions:

• Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens:

  • Tony’s Predictions: Initially confident in Baltimore's dominance due to their strong running game, Tony acknowledges the Bills' resilience. “Lamar Jackson was perfect on that drive… and Josh Allen was exquisite” ([09:46]).

  • Turnover Impact: Emphasis on Baltimore’s turnovers as critical factors leading to their loss. “They had two fumbles and one interception. All costly.” ([09:41])

• Detroit Lions vs. Washington Football Team:

  • Washington’s Dominance: Washington's impressive performance, securing five turnovers and scoring 45 points against a strong Detroit team. “They put 45 points on a team that had a 15-2 record.” ([10:55])

  • Coach Dan Campbell’s Reaction: Highlighting Detroit's coach expressing emotional accountability, “He had tears in his eyes. He said, it's my fault.” ([10:55])

• Kansas City Chiefs Performance:

  • Patrick Mahomes & Travis Kelce: Analysis of their gameplay despite Kelce’s otherwise underwhelming season. “Travis Kelce had his worst year in terms of receptions and yards and had a great game.” ([12:22])

Notable Quotes:

• “Josh Allen was exquisite…” – Tony Kornheiser ([09:46])
• “Dan Campbell... he has to be loved for getting up there and saying that you love the sentiment.” – Tony Kornheiser ([10:25])

3. College Football Championship Preview

Teams in Focus: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame

Discussion Points:

• Team Strengths:

  • Ohio State: Praised for their talent, health, and consistent performance throughout the playoffs. “[40:27] I think you have to. They just. They're the more talented team, they're the healthier team…”

  • Notre Dame: Acknowledged for their challenging playoff journey despite injuries and underdog status. “[41:18] ...they had the worst loss that anybody, any national champion would have ever had if they end up winning it.”

• Playoff Structure Critique:

  • Seeding Issues: Criticism of Notre Dame’s seeding despite their performance, suggesting a need for restructuring. “He was the eight and nine… That's insane.” ([44:14])

  • Future Adjustments: Discussions on potential changes for the playoff format, including campus sites and seeding adjustments. “[43:44] … quarterfinals played on campus sites either.” ([43:44])

Notable Quotes:

• “There are few times in my life covering sports… Where winning and losing hits like it hits Detroit right now with this Lions team.” – Unnamed Speaker ([24:37])
• “Notre Dame being here, I guess just especially given the amount of injuries they've endured… it's pretty darn impressive for Marcus Freeman to come here.” – Unnamed Speaker ([35:56])

4. Listener Mail and Personal Stories

Highlights: Tony interacts with various listeners, sharing their stories, questions, and humorous anecdotes, adding a personal touch to the show.

Notable Segments:

• Solar Energy Concerns:

  • Listener Don Ames from Ontario shares his prolonged billing issue with Pepco, sparking a humorous yet relatable discussion on utility mishaps. “[57:33] Don Ames, Kingston, Ontario...”

• Career Aspirations Influenced by Tony:

  • A listener recounts how listening to Tony shifted his career path towards sports journalism, only to face a humorous setback. “[60:08] Clint in Richmond Hill, Ontario...”

• Unique Family Dynamics:

  • A listener with twelve children discusses his experience balancing work and family life, relating it to Tony’s earlier power outage rant. “[59:31] James Moss Kingsbury, Texas...”

Notable Quotes:

• “I just, I find his public comments easy to talk about on television and make fun of. He's a gold mine.” – Unnamed Speaker ([47:54])
• “I feel bad for Mark Andrews.” – Unnamed Speaker ([30:47])

5. Concluding Remarks

Tony wraps up the episode by reflecting on the discussed topics, expressing gratitude to listeners, and hinting at future content. The show maintains its engaging and thoughtful tone, encouraging audience interaction and participation.

Notable Quote: “Let me say time, time, time. See what's become of me.” – Tony Kornheiser ([53:03])

Conclusion

In this episode, Tony Kornheiser masterfully blends personal experiences with comprehensive sports analysis, offering listeners a well-rounded and entertaining session. From the frustrations of dealing with utility companies to dissecting high-stakes NFL and college football games, the show provides both relatable content and expert insights. The inclusion of listener mail further personalizes the experience, fostering a sense of community among the audience.

Highlighted Quotes:

• “If your equipment is so sophisticated that you can tell hour by hour what I'm using, tell me where I'm using it.” – Tony Kornheiser ([02:07])
• “They took a knee and said, okay, we're not fooling around here. That's classy.” – Tony Kornheiser ([25:54])
• “You wear 12 layers of clothing and still feel cold? That's next level.” – Tony Kornheiser ([06:12])
• “I'm on a cusp of being really tired of the Ravens.” – Unnamed Speaker ([29:34])