The Tony Kornheiser Show – "Lathered in Disappointment"

Date: April 8, 2026

Overview

This episode of "The Tony Kornheiser Show" takes listeners on a familiar journey through sports (both on the field and off), media nostalgia, and thoughtful commentary peppered with humor and the unique chemistry between regulars Tony, Michael Wilbon, and Liz. The main themes include the collapse of the Washington Nationals’ bullpen, a preview of the upcoming Masters without Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, NCAA tournament recaps, and broader thoughts on the current state of college and professional sports. Special guests Steve Sands (from Augusta) and Pat Forde bring expert insight on golf and college basketball, respectively.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Weather, Apparel, and a Cold, Disappointing Nats Team

00:41-10:08

• Washington, D.C. Weather: Tony and the crew talk about bundling up in cold, windless D.C., setting a cozy scene for sports banter.
• Nationals Bullpen Woes:
  • Tony details another frustrating Nationals loss; bullpen collapses have become routine.
  • “Whenever they get a lead, they blow the lead. It’s not like this is unusual.” (Tony, 04:24)
  • New manager Blake Butera’s optimistic comments are lampooned as “aspirational,” not real.
  • The bullpen ERA stands at a dismal 6.39.
  • Pitchers like Paul Skenes, Terence Goble, and others are dissected.
  • The crew pokes fun at relievers consistently opening innings with walks, drawing analogies to pouring gasoline on a fire.
  • Attendance at Nats Park is so low that Tony jokes: "There couldn't have been 5,000 people involved." (09:27)
  • Cold weather leads to players wearing ski masks: "They look like bank robbers." (09:53)

Memorable Moment

• Tony coins the show’s title: "If you stay till the end, then you’re lathered in disappointment." (09:54)

2. The Masters Preview, Media Nostalgia, and the Absence of Tiger & Phil

14:03-28:12 – Guest: Steve Sands

• Washington Post Sports Section’s Demise: Steve opens with an homage to the recently gutted Post sports department:
  • “It has robbed me of one of my favorite things all year to do, which is chat with Barry for Luga inside the press building here at Augusta National Golf Club, because he's not here this week for the first time in a long, long time.” (15:36)
• Nationals’ Post-Championship Collapse:
  • Steve: “There’s never been a team in a history of professional sports that I can think of in our lifetime who got less of a bounce after a title than the Nationals.” (16:18)
• A Masters Without Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson:
  • First time since 1994, signaling the full passing of the torch to the next generation (Scheffler, Rory, etc.).
  • Both agree it’s perhaps time for Tiger and Phil to step aside to preserve their legacies.
  • Steve, on legends aging poorly:
    • “I’m not a fan of seeing Joe Namath in a Rams uniform … I just don’t love seeing the greats of all time kind of wither away in sports ... To be a ceremonial golfer after being the greatest … just looks funny.” (17:36)
• Masters History and Anniversaries:
  • 40 years since Jack Nicklaus's 1986 win; 30 years since Norman-Faldo; 50 since Raymond Floyd; “the sixes are great at the Masters.”
  • The event’s pull is built on reverence for history and the venue.
• What Makes a Winner at Augusta National?
  • High-ball hitters and players who can shape shots excel. Confidence with the putter is a must.
  • “You don't find your game at Augusta National Golf Club. You bring your game to Augusta National...” (22:44)
  • Firm & fast conditions could help shorter hitters this year, but distance remains crucial.

Notable Quote

Steve on Tiger’s ‘Tiger Slam’:

• “To win four consecutive majors? Really something is ridiculous. It just doesn’t happen. ... There’s no way you can take away the incredible dominance that he had over that course of time.” (19:10)

• Gary Woodland’s Comeback Story:

  • Steve provides a poignant account of Woodland fighting through a brain lesion and returning to the sport — a reminder of athletes’ humanity.
  • “He wrote personal letters to his three children so that if they grew up one day ... they could hear the words through the written word from their father, who was no longer alive.” (24:23)

• Masters Picks:

  • Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm, and Scottie Scheffler highlighted as favorites.

3. NCAA Tournament Recap & College Sports Landscape with Pat Forde

29:55-43:35 – Guest: Pat Forde

• Michigan’s Title and the Championship Game:

  • Defensive slugfest; Michigan’s defense held an explosive UConn to their worst shooting performance all season.
  • Pat: “Michigan was clearly the best team, not just in the tournament, probably all season. And they were destined to win unless something went really crazy, and Michigan kept it from getting crazy.” (30:12)

• Comparing Champions Across Eras:

  • Wilbon not impressed by Michigan; Forde says the team is legit but cross-era comparisons are tricky.
  • Debates about NBA talent on past Michigan teams vs. current champions.

• Big Ten Validation:

  • Multiple Big Ten teams had strong tournament performances, bolstering the conference’s reputation.

• On the Transfer Portal Era:

  • Michigan won with five starting transfers; the nature of “mercenary” teams is debated but seen as a reality of 2026 college sports.
  • “Welcome to college sports — 2026.” (36:49)

• Tennessee Women’s Coaching Disaster:

  • Pat is blunt:
    • “One of the great programs of all time is just falling into disrepair ... It’s ugly.” (37:21)
    • Player exodus signals a “massive rebuild.”

• Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley Statement-after-incident:

  • Recent tension is resolved with “dual statements” but Forde is critical of Auriemma’s initial, dismissive apology.
  • “The first statement was atrocious ... There was still that pettiness involved.” (39:38)

• UCLA Women’s Basketball Domination:

  • UCLA demolished Texas and South Carolina, holding them to half their normal offensive output.

• Michael Malone's Surprise Hire at UNC:

  • Tony and Pat express shock at the NBA coach’s college jump.
  • “I might have believed Karl Malone or Post Malone before Michael Malone being the guy.” (41:18)

Memorable Interchange

• On transfers winning titles:
  • Pat: “Twin narratives are, this is a bunch of mercenaries ... Well, welcome to college sports — 2026.” (36:49)

4. Listener Mailbag & Community Notes

44:21–57:00

• Fun, wide-ranging listener email segment: from sports insights to Binghamton Bearcat pride to stories of fans at Augusta and medical advice.
• Highlights:
  • Tony’s influence (or lack thereof) on current generations, a Binghamton student’s journey, and a doctor’s advice for Tony’s longstanding ear issues.
  • Stories and inside jokes from loyal listeners, ranging from pimento cheese at the Masters to playful digs at show regulars.
  • Anecdotes about sports coaches’ humanity and character, e.g., Danny Hurley’s behind-the-scenes kindness after a player’s family loss.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "If you stay till the end, then you're lathered in disappointment."
  – Tony Kornheiser, summarizing the Nats’ dispiriting bullpen and the episode's title. (09:54)

• "I'm not a fan of seeing Joe Namath in a Rams uniform … I just don’t love seeing the greats of all time kind of wither away in sports ... To be a ceremonial golfer after being the greatest … just looks funny."
  – Steve Sands on aging sports icons. (17:36)

• "You don't find your game at Augusta National. You bring your game to Augusta National..."
  – Steve Sands (quoting Jack Nicklaus). (22:44)

• "His personality truly runs all over the place ... There are times I think that he's just insufferable. And there are times I think this guy's really cool. So, like, my opinion about him vacillates as much as his moods do."
  – Pat Forde on Danny Hurley. (34:51)

• "Welcome to college sports — 2026." – Pat Forde, on transfer-driven rosters and new realities. (36:49)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:41–10:08: Nationals’ bullpen blow-up; cold weather; attendance woes
• 14:03–28:12: Steve Sands live from Augusta: Masters without Tiger/Phil; Gary Woodland story; historical context; favorites for the week
• 29:55–43:35: Pat Forde on NCAA tournament, transfer portal, Big Ten validation, Michigan’s run, Tennessee women’s program, women’s basketball drama, Michael Malone’s new job
• 44:21–57:00: Listener mailbag; music features; anecdotes from the show’s community

Tone & Style

• Conversational, candid, and self-effacing; a mix of sharp sports criticism and genuine warmth for guests and listeners.
• Humor comes from long-running bits and banter, especially on the inadequacy of D.C. sports and aging (both teams and panelists).
• Occasional thoughtful, emotional moments (e.g., Gary Woodland’s recovery, the loss of the great Washington Post sports section).

For New Listeners

If you’re new to "The Tony Kornheiser Show," this episode is a rich mix of:

• Insightful yet irreverent sports talk,
• Reminiscing about the best (and worst) of media and fandom,
• Thoughtful guest experts,
• and a strong listener community spirit. You’ll get both the laughs (lathered in disappointment) and the feels (legends aging, personal comebacks, and community support).

End of summary.