The Tony Kornheiser Show – “Lost without PTI”

Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Tony Kornheiser
Guests: Michael Wilbon, Chuck Todd, Taylor Twellman, Email Reader/Producer
Episode Theme: Navigating Thanksgiving week without PTI, reflections on sports, media, Broadway musicals, politics, and a deep dive into soccer with Taylor Twellman.

Main Theme / Episode Overview

The episode centers around Tony Kornheiser and his regular crew sharing their disorientation during Thanksgiving week, when their usual routines—especially the PTI show—are disrupted. The conversation spans Tony’s feelings of being unmoored without PTI, Michael Wilbon's detailed review of the new "Wicked" movie, commentary on the state of Washington sports, political developments in D.C., and a comprehensive soccer discussion with Taylor Twellman. The episode closes with the charismatic Chuck Todd and “Reginald the Monkey” picking NFL games, plus the ever-popular mailbag segment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Disorientation without PTI ([08:26]–[12:02])

• Theme: Tony and the gang express that the absence of PTI (due to unusual network programming) leaves them feeling lost and out of sync ("I'm disoriented without PTI. I guess they have college basketball for three days.").
• Thanksgiving Work Culture: Tony reminisces about the journalist’s life—always working holidays, covering sports.

2. Local D.C. Scene: Wizards Win & Civic Notes ([02:42]–[04:08])

• Wizards’ Rare Win: Observations about the Washington Wizards' rare home win, notably lacking media enthusiasm and coverage.
  • “It doesn’t appear the Washington Post even staffed the game.” – Tony ([02:42])
• Quincy Wilson’s Achievement: Praise for local athlete Quincy Wilson, Olympic relay gold medalist at 17, and his decision to attend Maryland ([10:34]–[11:21]).

3. Michael Wilbon Reviews "Wicked" the Movie ([04:13]–[07:01])

• In-Depth Analysis: Wilbon provides a thorough breakdown of the split “Wicked” film, comparing it to Broadway and film-making choices, highlighting memorable musical moments, performances, and the nuances lost (and sometimes gained) by shifting from live theater to screen.
  • “They split Wicked into two parts, which was just a clear money grab... It’s all about trying to get to one iconic shot at the end.” – Wilbon ([04:13])
• Cultural Commentary: Reflects on the meaning of shared spaces for kids (like movie theaters) and the significance of third places in adolescent life.

4. D.C. Politics: Muriel Bowser Announcement ([07:45]–[08:23])

• Bowser Steps Down: Tony lauds Mayor Muriel Bowser's tenure and says he’d "vote for her for anything," lamenting her departure and lack of successors that measure up ([07:53]).

5. College Football Rankings & Thanksgiving Traditions ([09:22]–[10:02])

• Quick Update: Tony recaps minor shuffles in college football rankings.
• Golf Talk: Tony and Michael chat about having a rare joint "shotgun start" round ([09:57]).

6. Soccer Deep Dive with Taylor Twellman ([15:04]–[27:00])

Key Segments & Timestamps:

[15:04]–[17:17] – Lionel Messi’s Dominance

• Messi’s impact on MLS and continued world dominance at age 38.
  • “He’s 38 years old. I’ve never seen anything like it.” – Taylor Twellman ([15:44])
  • “He has a goal or an assist in all 12 [playoff] goals. The last 25 goals Miami have scored, he’s contributed to 22 of them.” – Twellman ([18:17])

[17:20]–[19:41] – World Cup Aspirations & Personality

• Messi’s humility and plans to play in the next World Cup if fit.

[19:41]–[21:39] – MLS Scheduling Shift

• Twellman cheers MLS aligning their season with European leagues, explaining this will save money, make transfers smoother, and avoid NFL/college football TV conflicts.

[21:56]–[23:58] – World Cup Expansion Debate

• Kornheiser and Twellman debate whether expansion dilutes the World Cup.
  • “I love World Cup qualifying because it’s four years, this jeopardy all the way to get there... But I think you’re going to make a lot of people, including myself, a believer that 48 teams can work.” – Twellman ([23:14])

[24:18]–[25:32] – USMNT Coaching & Performance

• Twellman is now bullish on the USMNT, crediting strategic tactical changes for recent form.

[25:32]–[26:47] – Soccer Drama: Mourinho’s Antics

• Laughs over Jose Mourinho grabbing another coach’s nose and the “theatrics” of world soccer.

[26:51]–[27:00] – Where to Watch

• Twellman’s broadcast schedule: Messi vs. NYCFC, Saturday night on Apple TV ([26:51]).

  Standout Quotes:

  • “I've never seen someone at age 38 in my game, which is the number one sport around the world, dominate the sport...” – Taylor Twellman ([16:40])
  • “He’s going to be around for a bit.” – Taylor Twellman, on Messi’s long-term ties to Miami ([19:04])

7. NFL Picks with Chuck Todd & "Reginald the Monkey" ([29:25]–[45:18])

• Chuck Todd’s Record: Chuck sits just below .500, striving to get over the hump.

• Game Banter: The trio, joined by “Reginald the Monkey,” offer humorous, lightly insightful NFL game picks for the holiday weekend. Picks are laced with personal anecdotes, family tension, and jokes about Thanksgiving turkeys exploding.

  • “A house comes and goes. Turkey’s only once a year.” – Chuck ([31:55])
  • “You see it all the time—every local news—turkey explodes.” – Tony ([31:41])

• Meta Commentary: On the nature of sports gambling, football picks, and generational differences in sports watching (“At what age did Michael start rolling his eyes at Tony’s football facts?”).

8. Show Traditions, Music, and Community ([14:11]–[14:43], [28:37]–[29:20])

• Ginkgo Balboa’s songs (“On Holiday” and “Jackie McMullen”) are featured as the musical interludes, highlighting the camaraderie with the show’s audience and contributors.
• The ritual of reading fan mail, berating and celebrating the show's running gags and references.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On PTI’s Absence:
  “Early candidate for turkeys of the year is anybody oriented when we don’t have PTI.” – Tony Kornheiser ([08:28])

• On “Wicked” the Movie:
  “They split Wicked into two parts, which was just a clear money grab… But they wanted to get to that one iconic shot.” – Michael Wilbon ([04:13])

• On Messi:
  “He’s contributed to all 12 [Miami playoff goals]. The last 25 goals Miami have scored, he’s contributed to 22 of them.” – Taylor Twellman ([18:17])

• On Thanksgiving Traditions:
  “We worked every Thanksgiving, we worked every Christmas, we worked every Labor Day, we worked every July 4th. That’s what you do. Because sports is on.” – Tony Kornheiser ([08:28])

• On Muriel Bowser:
  “I would vote for her for anything. I think she’s a wonderful mayor.” – Tony Kornheiser ([07:53])

• On Sports Talk:
  “You see it all the time—every local news—turkey explodes.” – Tony Kornheiser ([31:41])

Important Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------|----------------| | Episode Disorientation, No PTI | 08:26–12:02 | | Wizards Win & Washington Sports | 02:42–04:08 | | Michael Wilbon’s Review of “Wicked” Movie | 04:13–07:01 | | Muriel Bowser Not Seeking Fourth Term | 07:45–08:23 | | College Football Playoff/ Rankings | 09:22–10:02 | | Soccer with Taylor Twellman (in-depth) | 15:04–27:00 | | NFL Picks with Chuck Todd & Reginald the Monkey | 29:25–45:18 | | Musical Features from Ginkgo Balboa | 14:11, 28:37 |

Flow, Style, and Tone

The episode blends Tony’s signature blend of wry humor, light grumpiness, and open affection for his guests and topics. The dynamic with Michael Wilbon is as lively as always—Wilbon’s deeply considered opinions (on Wicked and sports culture) contrast with Tony’s pragmatic, sometimes curmudgeonly approach. The addition of Taylor Twellman’s soccer expertise is energetic, vividly painting the scale of Messi’s continued excellence for a mostly U.S. sports audience.

Chuck Todd’s picks segment brings excitable, family-centric holiday banter and comedic asides, while the continued antics of Reginald the Monkey and references from listeners highlight the participatory, in-joke-rich culture of the “Littles” (devoted listeners).

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This Thanksgiving-week episode is equal parts comfort food and a gently chaotic family gathering. There’s plenty for fans of D.C. sports, Broadway, U.S. politics, and especially anyone eager to understand the continuing seismic impact of Lionel Messi in American soccer through Taylor Twellman’s lucid, passionate insights.

Whether you came for Tony’s mailbag, Michael’s theatrical musings, or just a few NFL picks, the show delivers its signature mix: unfiltered conversation, smart analysis, and affectionate laughter throughout.

For More:

• Listen for Taylor Twellman’s memorable Messi breakdown ([16:39])
• Don’t miss Wilbon’s thoughtful “Wicked” review ([04:13])
• The NFL picks with Chuck Todd are both insightful and hilarious ([29:25–45:18])
• Stay tuned to the mailbag for listener stories, laughs, and fox facts ([46:05–end])