“New Year, new you!”

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Tony Kornheiser Show"
Episode: “New Year, New You!”
Release Date: December 31, 2024

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Overview

In the episode titled “New Year, New You!”, host Tony Kornheiser delves into a variety of topics ranging from sports analysis, personal anecdotes, to significant current events influencing the sports world. Joining him are regular contributors Chuck Todd, Michael Wilbon, and guest Paul Feinbaum, who provide expert insights and engaging discussions throughout the show. The episode is structured around timely sports events, personal life updates, and tackling pressing issues within college athletics.

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Sports Analysis

Baseball History and Reflections

The show kicks off with Tony reminiscing about a baseball history discussion, correcting a historical inaccuracy with the help of listener Jared.

Tony Kornheiser [02:01]: "Was the fourth player Ernie Banks. And I said, yes, it was Ernie Banks."

This correction highlights the camaraderie and interactive nature of the show, where listeners actively contribute to refining conversations.

Recent NFL Games and Playoff Implications

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing recent NFL games and their impact on the playoff standings. Tony shares his observations on a game between San Francisco and Detroit, emphasizing its lack of playoff significance.

Tony Kornheiser [03:32]: "San Francisco is not going to be in the playoffs no matter what happens. And Detroit has to play Minnesota to see who's the number one seed, no matter what happens."

He further discusses the behavior and performance of teams like the Bengals, Steelers, and Cowboys, providing betting insights with Paul Feinbaum.

Paul Feinbaum [22:11]: "I'm tempted to take Dallas here because it, you know, it feels like this when this rivalry mattered, there would be something to this..."

This segment offers listeners a deep dive into the strategic aspects of NFL games, player performances, and potential outcomes affecting the playoff landscape.

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Leonard Hamilton Lawsuit Discussion

A critical and timely discussion revolves around five former players from Florida State University suing Coach Leonard Hamilton for breach of promise regarding financial commitments.

Tony Kornheiser [04:41]: "They claim, and they say they have evidentiary stuff to support this, that he promised each of them $250,000."

Tony and Paul explore the implications of such lawsuits on college athletics, NCAA regulations, and the future of player-coach relationships.

Paul Feinbaum [51:56]: "The solution, and it's I think it's going to happen finally, is Congress is going to get involved."

This conversation underscores the growing tensions and potential legal reforms within college sports, emphasizing the need for clearer financial agreements and oversight.

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Personal Anecdotes

Beard Removal Story

Tony shares a humorous and unexpected personal story about deciding to shave off his long-standing beard.

Tony Kornheiser [07:26]: "So I changed my look completely and see how I like it for a while."

He recounts the barber experience, his initial shock at seeing his face without the beard, and the subsequent decision-making process regarding his new appearance.

Tony Kornheiser [11:19]: "It's gone. He shaves the whole mustache. And, like, I could have stopped him in the middle. This is the important thing I want to say."

Health and Vaccination Anecdote

Tony discusses his experience with receiving an RSV shot, blending personal health choices with light-hearted commentary.

Tony Kornheiser [08:35]: "I thought it would be good to get the RSV shot because the boys keep getting RSV."

Through these stories, Tony connects with listeners on a personal level, sharing relatable experiences and injecting humor into everyday situations.

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Listener Emails and Stories

The show features a segment where Tony reads and responds to listener emails, sharing personal stories and interactions that highlight the community aspect of the podcast.

Stan Musial Story by John Pearson

A heartfelt email from John Pearson in Milwaukee recounts his cherished memory of meeting baseball legend Stan Musial.

John Pearson: "He told me good luck on winning, but also to make sure the kids who don't get to play as much have fun too. This is why a man who I never saw play is my favorite player of all time."

This story not only pays homage to a baseball icon but also emphasizes the lasting impact of positive interactions and mentorship.

Award-Winning Kidney Donation by Ralph Bizarro

Ralph shares an inspiring story about Lindy Noel from Columbus, North Carolina, who donated a kidney to Aaron Portsline, a writer battling kidney issues.

John Pearson: "Lindy went through many tests to get confirmed as a donor for Aaron."

This narrative celebrates acts of selflessness and the profound difference one individual can make in another's life.

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Closing Discussions

As the show nears its conclusion, Tony and his guests reflect on various cultural and societal topics, seamlessly blending light-hearted banter with insightful commentary.

College Football Playoffs Insights

Tony revisits the topic of the upcoming college football playoffs, critiquing the current system.

Tony Kornheiser [43:24]: "112 is too many and two, home field is too big a deal. It's too big a deal."

Paul Feinbaum echoes the sentiment, calling the playoff system "completely laughable" and questioning the quality of matchups being presented.

Paul Feinbaum [44:34]: "The system is completely laughable, Tony."

Their discussion advocates for a more streamlined and meaningful playoff structure that genuinely rewards team performance.

Cultural Reflections and Media Consumption

Tony and Paul engage in a conversation about media consumption, authenticity in communication, and the evolving landscape of entertainment.

Tony Kornheiser [42:17]: "You are revealed when you're doing radio or podcasts. The truth of who you are, it's you, a microphone, and often somebody you're talking to."

This segment underscores the value of authenticity in media and the unique connection that audio formats foster between hosts and their audience.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Tony Kornheiser [02:01]: "Was the fourth player Ernie Banks. And I said, yes, it was Ernie Banks."

• Tony Kornheiser [03:32]: "San Francisco is not going to be in the playoffs no matter what happens. And Detroit has to play Minnesota to see who's the number one seed, no matter what happens."

• Paul Feinbaum [04:41]: "They claim, and they say they have evidentiary stuff to support this, that he promised each of them $250,000."

• Tony Kornheiser [07:26]: "So I changed my look completely and see how I like it for a while."

• John Pearson: "He told me good luck on winning, but also to make sure the kids who don't get to play as much have fun too."

• Ralph Bizarro: "Lindy went through many tests to get confirmed as a donor for Aaron."

• Tony Kornheiser [43:24]: "112 is too many and two, home field is too big a deal. It's too big a deal."

• Paul Feinbaum [44:34]: "The system is completely laughable, Tony."

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Conclusions and Insights

The “New Year, New You!” episode of "The Tony Kornheiser Show" offers a comprehensive blend of sports analysis, personal stories, and critical discussions on pressing issues within college athletics. Tony Kornheiser, alongside his guests, provides listeners with engaging content that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The episode emphasizes the importance of authenticity in media, the need for reform in college sports governance, and the value of community stories that resonate on a personal level.

Listeners are left with a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding sports playoffs, the evolving nature of athlete-coach relationships, and the enduring impact of personal experiences and listener interactions on the show's dynamic.

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For those who missed this episode, "The Tony Kornheiser Show" is available on-demand on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and others. Be sure to subscribe for more insightful and entertaining discussions every weekday.

Transcript

[Tony Kornheiser]

Tony. It's Tony. On today's show, Chuck Todd will call in and make his picks against Reginald the Monkey. We'll also talk to Paul Feinbaum, get his thoughts on the next round of the college football playoffs. But first, commerce. It's better over here at&T customers. Switching to T Mobile has never been easier. We'll pay off your existing phone and give you a new one free. All on America's largest 5G network. Visit t mobile.com carrierfreedom to switch today. Pay off up to $650 via virtual prepaid MasterCard in 15 days. Free phone up to $830 via four.

[Michael Wilbon]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

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[Chuck Todd]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

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[Paul Feinbaum]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

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[Paul Feinbaum]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

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[Reginald the Monkey]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Available in stores or see where to [e-mail] previously on the Tony Kornhauser Show. These are things that, when you write the history of baseball, these are included in there. So that was a. That was just a lovely story. You know, five, six minute interview. Crystal introduces them and says, we're both baseball fans. I mean, Billy, Billy played college baseball at Marshall. We're both baseball fans. We're both from Long Island. We're both 62200, which is funny because they're like five, five, you know, this is General George Washington and you're listening to the Tony Kornheiser Show. So an update, a correction courtesy of Jared, who listened to the show yesterday and said, was the fourth player. Remember, I couldn't.

[Chuck Todd]

Oh, that's right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Was the fourth player Ernie Banks. And I said, yes, it was Ernie Banks. So Jared corrects us correctly and then sends a picture of the four of them together. Ernie Banks, Frank Robinson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays. So that was great to know.

[Chuck Todd]

And Stan Musial says, deal me in.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Deal me in. Which is. So that's the correction that we have to make.

[Michael Wilbon]

Sent by Jared himself. And not just the office.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, Jared. Jared sent it.

[Chuck Todd]

Thank you, Jared.

[Michael Wilbon]

Billable.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I thought that was good. A couple of things to talk about before we talk about the critical piece of the Open. For those of you not watching on News Channel 8, I'll have to tell you about it. But a couple of things first. First of all, the game last night, I stopped in the middle of the second quarter, but it was a very, very entertaining game. San Francisco and Detroit. The reason I stopped was because there's. There's no overarching meaning to that game. San Francisco is not going to be in the playoffs no matter what happens. And Detroit has to play Minnesota to see who's the number one seed, no matter what happens. Had Detroit lost by 50 points, they would still be able to regroup, beat Minnesota next Sunday and. And have the number one seed. So that. So nothing actually mattered in terms of the playoffs. So then you can just sit back and enjoy the game. And the first two times San Francisco got the ball, they went down the field. That was really good. And then one of the two times Minnesota got the ball, they went. Not Minnesota, Detroit. Detroit. They went down the field.

[Chuck Todd]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So it looked to be. I don't even know the final score, but when I left, it was. It was an exciting 40 to 34. Oh, wow. So. So people. So second half. And Aikman got a good game because that's their last game. There's not going to be a Monday night game is coming.

[Chuck Todd]

Last game is the Sunday night one with Detroit, Minnesota.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. That's an NBC game. Yeah. So the Monday night schedule is over. So good for Troy and Joe. Yeah. That they had a good game to talk about. Even though I'm sure they said at some point, let's be fair, this game is meaningless. Okay. That's one thing. The second thing is. And Paul Feinbaum is going to be on the show. If I remember to ask him about this, I will. There's a pretty intriguing story about five former players at Florida State University suing Leonard Hamilton directly their coach at Florida State University for breach of promise. They claim, and they say they have evidentiary stuff to support this, that he promised each of them $250,000. That at one point during the season last year, they threatened not to play against Duke because they wanted their money and they hadn't gotten paid. And they say Leonard Hamilton said, are you going to get it by the end of the week. They never got it. Apparently.

[Chuck Todd]

Checks in the mail.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Apparently. They never got it. It's really smart to sue Leonard Hamilton because they know how much money he makes. Right. And there's five of them. So that's a million two and he makes more than that so he can reach into his own pocket if found guilty. I don't know. I don't know how this is going to be resolved. But if you. If you want to know why most people, most people look at Nil and go, what is going on here? This is a perfect example. If you can prove that these promises were made, you're going to get your money. I think, I mean, if I'm a competent lawyer, I think I can, I can get the money. If you have text evidence. If you have evidence, there's a tax can prove. If again, if you can prove that this was done, I think you're going to get your money. Okay, so that seems like a case.

[Chuck Todd]

For Hot Bench or hot. What's it, what's that show? Three Judges. Yeah, Hot Bench, wasn't it?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Maybe it was Hot Bench. I watched it for two years and.

[Michael Wilbon]

Then it feels like you'd like this to be determined in the court of public opinion before anything gets into discovery. Because you're never sure what other performance indexes you have to use to get that money.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And by the way, $250,000, nothing.

[Chuck Todd]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Compared to quarterback money, nothing. Doesn't mean anything. But I can see, and I'm not acute. Leonard Hamilton, I've known for a long time, it's a very good coach. Coach the Bullets, right before they were the Wizards for a while, maybe. Coach the Wizards, I don't know. Very good coach. But this is the total pitfall here of Nil. If it is not controlled, if it is not codified, if it's wild like this, I don't know. Do I think if Leonard Hamilton made these promises, do I think he's the only one? Are you crazy? No, I don't think he's the only one. I think he's one of hundreds, if not thousands of people have said, just, you know, just come over here, we'll make it right. The kid quit, remember? The kid quit. Quarterback Las Vegas. Yeah. He said, they promised me money and give me any money, I'm out. It's Las Vegas had a good year anyway.

[Chuck Todd]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I think they went to a bowl game for sure.

[Chuck Todd]

But it is Pandora's box that is opening.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes. You know, they're the. The way to do this is not to let these freelancers start paying money. The way to do this is make the school pay the money. Right. And the school is going to say, oh, what? What? We're not paying this money, you know, because that's millions of dollars each year coming out of Their pockets. And not only that, it's millions of dollars in administrative staff they have to hire to oversee it. It's like a really, a lot of money.

[Michael Wilbon]

Just add another advanced graduate program for it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, it's just, it's just, you know.

[Michael Wilbon]

On a one year mba, you go.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So for those of you not looking On News Channel 8 tonight, today, this morning, whenever you hear this, I don't have a beard in a mustache anymore. It's gone. I'll tell you the story about this. And I. And you know, I don't know how I feel about it. I'm upset, but then I'm happy. I don't know, it's, you know, change your face, change your life. Right. Because there are other ways I could have changed my life without changing my face.

[Michael Wilbon]

New year, new you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know. Yeah, yeah. Okay. So yesterday I went to Brookville Pharmacy on Brookville Road in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and I went so that Sean, who is the pharmacist there, could administer the RSV shot to me.

[Chuck Todd]

Oh, right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I thought it would be good to get the RSV shot because the boys keep getting rsv. Right.

[Michael Wilbon]

Well, you've had the worst cough of your life, I don't know, for the last two months. Yeah, Maybe you should have got it in September, but. Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So, yeah, so everybody's got it better now. And so I got, you know, and now. And by the way, at my age, vaccines don't work. They just, they. I don't even know if anything's in the tube that they put in your, in your body. On your left, placebo for you. It doesn't hurt. So, I mean, I. I'm 20 hours later. It doesn't hurt. So I figure I'm the cream of the clear, you know, I think I'm okay. Yeah, right. Me and Barry. Okay, so about two doors down from Brookville Pharmacy, after I get the shot, I'm wandering around and there's a barber shop and I go, you know what?

[Michael Wilbon]

Been there forever.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, it's been there forever. But you know what? I'm gonna go in there and see if I can get a guy or a woman who was ever working. She says, nobody's ever in there. You know, could be a mob joint. I don't have no idea, you know, but they've been there how many years? Like 50 years, 80 years.

[Chuck Todd]

This is one. Does it have the little spiral thing outside?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay. It's got the front barbershop. Maybe I'll get. I hadn't done anything with my beard for a couple of Weeks, because we'd been off from tv. And I said, well, maybe I'll just get it trimmed. And get it trimmed. So there's an empty chair. There's a guy who I assume is a barber.

[Michael Wilbon]

He's just there, wait for his prescription.

[Tony Kornheiser]

To be filled, like a barber. Although then he told me he had asthma and had to go outside and use his inhaler. And anyway, so I say, look, would you trim the beard? Yeah, sure. So he starts to trim the beard, and not much is happening.

[Michael Wilbon]

What number did you start with?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't know. I mean, it's his. It's his tools. I don't know.

[Michael Wilbon]

Straight to a three.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Nothing was happening, you know. And I looked around, and he's shaving the beard, and he's going to the mustache a little bit. And I have to explain this. So I have had this mustache from, you know, since 1970. It's a long time since 1970. Michael, you've never seen me without it.

[Michael Wilbon]

I have never seen you without the mustache.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Elizabeth has never seen me without it. I grew the beard when I went to Korea for the Olympics in 1988. So my children have seen me. They have a sense of me without.

[Michael Wilbon]

It's like I'm looking at your bar mitzvah picture.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, but it's. It's. Yeah, but it's. It's old. These things are old. So, you know, I don't go in there to have this thing taken out that. Can you.

[Michael Wilbon]

This is maintenance.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Can you trim this? So he's trimming it, and it's not. Now, one of the things they do is they don't. You don't sit up, you lie back. It's like all the mob movies where this guy, he's laying down. Shoot him in the head.

[Chuck Todd]

Straight razor.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, no. No equipment. No, no, no, no. I would never do that. But they lay you down so you don't really see anything. Then they give you the handheld. So I look at it, and he goes, take a little bit more off here. And I put my hand on my chin, I lay back down, and the next thing I know, he's.

[Chuck Todd]

It's gone.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's gone. He shaves the whole mustache. And, like, I could have stopped him in the middle. This is the important thing I want to say. Important for me, anyway. I could have stopped him. I didn't. I said, you know what? This is meant to be. This is meant to be. Now let's just get rid of it and see what happens. And everyone says, you can grow it back. I Don't think so. At my age, I don't think things grow back. I really don't maybe, but I don't think so. I'm not counting on that. I'm counting on this face. So I looked at my face, my full face for the first time in a million years and you know, I don't recognize my s. I mean, I don't look. I don't look like who I think I look like.

[Michael Wilbon]

None of us do.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, yeah. So I don't. So I had to come up with an excuse for doing this. So I came up with. I wanted to look more like Larry David. And everybody said to me, no, Melman looks like David. Melman's got a mop on his head. Melman looks like David. You don't look like, you don't look like Larry David. So I can't use that anymore as an excuse. But I just, I felt, here's what I can do. I can just change my life. It doesn't really change your life. I change my look completely and see how I like it for a while. And then if that doesn't work, quit my job because, you know, I've got to go. I have always thought that when I quit my job I would do this so that I would not look like that person on tv so that nobody would say, didn't you used to be that guy? So I thought if I shaved everything off, it's fine. And then I wouldn't, I wouldn't be recognized then I might not be actually recognized for a while. But if I go on television on Thursday and Friday when this show resumes, then, then I've given away the store on that. Cuz then I don't have a look that I can retreat to. The only way to make it work, just quit.

[Chuck Todd]

Today there's that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Just call them up and say, yeah, I'm done. Yeah, I'm done. I don't really want to do that because I don't have anything else to do. I notice, I notice that people when they quit their jobs say, well, what am I going to do now?

[Chuck Todd]

Spend more time with the family.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't want to do that.

[Michael Wilbon]

We don't want them to do that either.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Nobody wants that. They invited us to dinner yesterday. Weren't happy when we left. Great dinner too. Those steaks were great.

[Michael Wilbon]

Australian. I would never tell you how much I spent on those steaks. I think you'd be disappointed in me for Australian Wagyu. Now the question of wagyu.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I would have said $40 a pound at least. Maybe more.

[Michael Wilbon]

Okay, well, we'll leave it at that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, well, don't worry. I got backup for you. If you need money, I can throw you 20 maybe.

[Michael Wilbon]

The last time you brought something to my house, it was spice drops, and he made my kids feel sick.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I made a mistake on spice drops. There's no question.

[Chuck Todd]

What is. What is spice?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Like gumdrops. But they. Oh, I bought them on nuts.com and.

[Michael Wilbon]

I entered his grandfather era.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, it didn't. Yeah, it didn't work for me. I gave him as a present to the kids, Hanukkah Christmas.

[Michael Wilbon]

It was a very nice gesture.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. They didn't like him. The baby just spit it out. The baby took a couple of chews and spit it out, you know, so I. Then I took them home.

[Michael Wilbon]

Did you get into them yourself?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, but they don't, you know, the colors don't.

[Michael Wilbon]

They don't mean anything.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, they don't. They all. They taste exactly the same. They taste exactly the same. And then, you know, then I didn't. You know how I am. I have to go through something completely.

[Michael Wilbon]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Before I open the next thing. So all the other candy I bought may never be.

[Michael Wilbon]

Because I thought the express, the chocolate.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Espresso, those I love, the choc chocolate espresso beans. And I think I like the all sorts, but I haven't opened what is an all sort I bought. It's licorice. It's like square licorice. It's different.

[Michael Wilbon]

You're a good and plenty fan, aren't you?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, I am. I like licorice. I do. I like licorice. All right, well, that's the story. So I look different.

[Michael Wilbon]

This is your confessional. I get the voicemail yesterday describing in exact detail. And what I love is when you're in the chair, we've all been there. You're looking at something being cut off your head, your face, and you just go, this is not working out.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, it's not.

[Chuck Todd]

And you're just sort of in your mind's eye like, this is going to be great.

[Michael Wilbon]

And you just have to grin bear it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Yeah. And I gave him a tip and, you know, I did the right thing. I mean, it's not his fault. I mean, it is his fault.

[Michael Wilbon]

There's always the trick at a barber shop like that is you always have to see what is the available chair. And is it worth my getting into. You always look. You look for a mom who has two to three kids in tow who is locked down the good chair for about 45 minutes. And you wait.

[Chuck Todd]

And it's also.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Don't do that.

[Chuck Todd]

This is. I mean, this has been your. Your facial companion for decades.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

I'm surprised.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Why would you do it in the winter, Tony, now it's so cold. Yeah. Why would you do it in the winter? Because you're stupid.

[Chuck Todd]

And you saw the dreaded polar vortex is coming. It's going to come our way. Another one in the new year. Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, but what, like down into the teens, down into the single.

[Chuck Todd]

It looks like it's all coming down from Canada. Yeah, it's going to be very, very cold.

[Michael Wilbon]

Good night, Canada.

[Chuck Todd]

Should we get a mistake?

[Michael Wilbon]

Should we get a. Daddy's going to.

[Chuck Todd]

Be for you, you know, for the set.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's made a mistake. Cold makeup, you know, I made a mistake.

[Michael Wilbon]

Would have worked a week ago.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right.

[Michael Wilbon]

Looks good, though, on you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Looks good on you. All right, who's next? Chuck Todd or Paul Feinman? Chuck Todd. When we return, I'm Tony Kornheiser.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Wow. What's up? I just bought and financed a car.

[Michael Wilbon]

Through Carvana in minutes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You, the person who agonized four weeks.

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Over whether to paint your wall's eggshell or off white, bought and financed a car in minutes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They made it easy. Transparent terms, customizable, down and monthly. Didn't even have to do any paperwork. Wow. Mm. Hey, have you checked out that spreadsheet I sent you for our dinner options. Finance your car with Carvana and experience total control financing subject to credit approval. You're listening to the Tony Kornheiser show. This is Norwegian Soft Kitten, one of our favorite bands. Yes, Glenn and Alan. Norwegian Soft Kitten, the official band of Tony Korneiser show that has Norwegian in its name, but isn't actually from Norway. This is called parody and triplicate. And this is the great letter. We always love it when you share the lyrics for songs from decades ago. And that makes us think it'd be great if you could learn the lyrics to a more contemporary song that you could recall at a moment's notice. Maybe our short western song Crawfordsville Road could be an option for you. Here are the lyrics. Crawfordsville Road. Crawfordsville Road. Crawfordsville Road. Crawfordsville Road. Crawfordsville Road. You're welcome. That great. Love these guys. Wonderful. That's. We love these guys. They play in Chuck Todd. Chuck had a mediocre week. Saved a little of it last night by having Detroit over. San Francisco was 3 and 4. 65, 50 and 3 is still plus 15 is still the leader is the best person we've got. So you should take a certain amount of. Of joy in that. The games this week. If I were a professional gambler. Well, if I were professional gamble I would. I would know enough not to say what I'm going to say now. But so many of these games are meaningless that I don't know that I would go near them. I mean like the Kansas City spread. Kansas City plus nine and a half at Denver. You don't have a spread like that unless you know that Mahomes that none of them are playing. Like they could be trotting out the Kansas city scouts from 40 years ago in the NHL. I mean they're not playing anyway. So let's get to this. And we are all advised that this is. We're asking you to do something that's hard though. The first game. The first game is a legitimate game because it's a Saturday game. It's Cincinnati at Pittsburgh. Cincinnati has to win to maintain whatever small bargaining chip they have to get into the playoffs. And Pittsburgh, although they have no need to win, they're going into the playoffs badly. Yeah, they've lost a bunch in a row. This was a three point game yesterday. Cincinnati minus three. It's down to one and a half. Which makes me think that Mike Tomlin said something publicly. You know that we're going to work so hard in this game. This game's a season or something. Like that Cincinnati. I know I'm going on and on and on, but Joe Burrow has been great, great all year, and Pittsburgh is failing at the moment. What do you do with this game? And if you wouldn't put real money on this one, would you?

[Paul Feinbaum]

It might be the only one. I would because of. I do like the Bengals in the spot and I do think the Steelers are just sort of are hurting badly. And again, when you. When you realize and you go through the difference between teams that need something and teams that don't and that extra edge it. And I know players say that it doesn't matter and that the Steelers, they're in the playoffs.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, they're in.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You know, they're in. There's really no. I guess there's still a home game for them. Right. They can still win the division. I don't know theory what they're playing for.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't know that they can win the division.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah. So. And I know they say they care and all this stuff. And I also think the NFL really wants Joe Burrow in the playoffs. We don't want to see the Denver Broncos in the playoffs, do we?

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, we really don't. We're going to committee.

[Paul Feinbaum]

If Greg Sankey and the SEC were in charge, well, he might not put in a more entertaining team, actually. But they should like the Bengals. We'd much rather see the Bengals in the playoffs.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know who doesn't want to see the Bengals? Kansas City.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right. So we'll get to this.

[Paul Feinbaum]

2, 7. If the Bengals get in, we get Alan Burrow.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's pretty good. Pretty good.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I mean. And what did the Bengals get for winning? Because they'd be the seven.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. They go on the road and they.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Go right on the road to Kansas City and Mahomes. I mean.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

If you're just betting on entertainment and what you want to see, that would be my friend, is what I want to say. Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Carolina. Carolina is at Atlanta. Tampa Bay killed Carolina last week in a division game. Just killed him. Atlanta needs to win.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Words you just uttered. Carolina's in Atlanta. You're putting Carolina. We haven't had Carolina, I don't think all year long.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We haven't in our picks, obviously.

[Paul Feinbaum]

We do make sure we pick games that we think are good.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Games irrelevant. Good teams in. Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Atlanta must win this game because if Tampa Bay loses its game, Atlanta will get into the playoffs. So Atlanta is in a must win. Carolina is getting eight and a half. Carolina until last week had about four or five good games in A row and then got drilled, just drilled by Tampa Bay. So will you take the eight and a half or will you take Atlanta and Michael Penix? And now that there's film on Michael Penix, it's a little less of a threat.

[Paul Feinbaum]

It is. Is Kirk Cousins in the transfer portal yet?

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's never playing for this team again.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, right. Run league. One team has something to play for, one doesn't. And on that I just can't put my money in Carolina. I don't really have a lot of faith in Atlanta here.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Big number eight and a half.

[Paul Feinbaum]

It is. But you know, I, it's probably too much and it probably. I probably should take Carolina here, but I'm not going to.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay. Washington is at Dallas. I don't know that either team has anything important to play for. Washington is in the playoffs. Dallas isn't going to be in the.

[Paul Feinbaum]

It is. There is a six, seven seed.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh, okay.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Between the Commanders and the packers. If they both win or both lose.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It stays as Is.

[Paul Feinbaum]

They're the 6 and then the 7. But if commanders lose and packers win. So it's the difference between who do you want to play and I think if you're the Commanders, you don't want to play the Eagles in the first, first, first round of playoffs, do you?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, depends on their quarterback situation. At the moment. No one is talking about whether Jalen Hurts is ever going to play again. Like I don't know what's going on there.

[Paul Feinbaum]

It has been pretty quiet. Yes, I, I know as a Packer fan, I don't mind playing the Eagles first for, for, for that and a variety of reasons and that 27 game. But I, I don't know if a division rival feels the same way.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I would stay away from it if I could. Washington is giving three and a half. Dallas at home has been dreadful most of the year. What do you do in this one?

[Paul Feinbaum]

I'm tempted to take Dallas here because it, you know, it feels like this when this rivalry mattered, there would be something to this, you know, oh, the one team can prevent the other, but there's not much of a prevention here. Is there any reason that the Commanders would rest players? That's the only thing I'm a little concerned about. Who's. Who would they rest?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, if you rest Jaden Daniels, I don't think he, I think he would.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Say then you're competing with game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, I think he'd say I need to go out there and play. I want to play.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, I would think he would be.

[Michael Wilbon]

More about Lingering injuries. Lingering injuries. Just the last couple weeks.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Well, I don't know.

[Paul Feinbaum]

That hook he could pull. It could just. Could he just play in the first half?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes. Yes.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Pull a cam Ward there. Give me, give me Dallas.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay. Okay. Next game. This is the Kansas City Denver game. Kansas City doesn't want to play. They don't want to play Joe Burrow. No, they're much more comfortable playing Bo Nix and Bo Nix has had a great first year, but they're much more comfortable. The notion that this is Kansas City plus nine and a half is so. It's literally fantastic. It's Kansas City plus nine and a half. Patrick Mahomes on the two games you thought he might actually sit out both. He played both and they won both. They have nothing to play for. Denver by winning gets into the playoffs, divisional rivalry game. 9 and a half is just enormous. It's enormous. Even if Kansas City plays mice. It's just enormous. What would you do?

[Paul Feinbaum]

I would take kids sitting in the points in a heartbeat. I would. I don't trust Denver here a little bit, but I really trust Carson Wentz and Andy Reid to come up with something here. I mean, I don't think Wentz is a downgrade. Is a huge. I mean, yes, it's a huge down. It's Patrick Mahomes. Okay, shut up here a minute. That was almost the dumbest thing. But he's not Darian Thompson. Robin, who's that guy?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes. He's so terrible. He's terrible. That guy's terrible.

[Paul Feinbaum]

This is a guy that you're like, you know, you know, you could see him be a starting quarterback for like 12 different NFL teams, right?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You know, it wouldn't be totally unrealistic. That's just a ton of points.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It is.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And I. And if I were the Chiefs, I'd want Burrow in the playoffs to be playing Josh Allen first round and get.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Rid of one of that.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I know. To get Exactly. I know. So I don't, I don't buy this. That they don't. They want Knicks and all this stuff and it is Denver there. This rivalry used to matter.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, so you'll take the nine and a half in Kansas City.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I'm going to take the points in Kansas City.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Seattle is at the Rams. I believe that's done. I believe the Rams are in. Am I wrong on that?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Are they not weird tie breaking thing? Oh, a bunch.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So Seattle has a chance.

[Chuck Todd]

I think Seattle's actually eliminated.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, I don't know.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Seattle is win last night.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Seattle's the favorite. Seattle's the favorite. They're minus three at the Rams. The only reason I can figure that is because it's over.

[Michael Wilbon]

Seattle is eliminated.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

Seattle's eliminated division.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This game is completely meaningless. And in fact, if I were Sean McVeigh, I would not play. I would not play Stafford. I would. I mean, Stafford's almost 40 years old. I wouldn't do it. So Seattle minus three at the Rams in a game that the Rams know is not meaningful.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, give me Seattle here.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, I would do that.

[Paul Feinbaum]

For that reason.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I would do that, too. Now Miami is at the Jets. Yesterday this was Miami minus three or minus two and a half rather. Now it's Miami minus one overnight. Like, wait, there's someone that thinks the jets are going to win this game.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Someone, Aaron Rodgers, likely going to change their team. Right? No, sorry. This is. Is this September or December?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let me repeat what I said yesterday. The jets were down 40 to nothing against Buffalo at the beginning of the fourth quarter last week. And then jets for Miami for that spread. Now Miami's eliminated too, right? I mean, nobody cares about this game.

[Paul Feinbaum]

But they're not eliminated.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They're not. Okay.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Miami wins. I believe this is correct. Nigel, you can correct my math here. I believe if Miami wins and Burrow wins and the Bengals win and Denver loses, that Miami gets in, not Cincinnati.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Really? Yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

Let me look at the.

[Michael Wilbon]

Okay, so based on best win percentage in conference games.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So then Miami has something to play for. Yeah. Wins tiebreaker down to minus one from minus two and a half.

[Chuck Todd]

This is the New York jets we're talking about.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What do you think, Chuck?

[Paul Feinbaum]

I mean, it is the New York Jets. Quit, quit, quit, quit. Right. That's what the jets look like to me last week. They are done. Done. I'm no way putting. They could very well win this game. And it wouldn't, you know, it wouldn't matter to me because I wouldn't put money on it. You put on money, it would be Dolphins or nothing.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay. And then the big game. And this is the game that matters. Doesn't really matter because both teams are in the playoffs. But it is the number one seed. It is a buy. Minnesota is at is plus three at Detroit. Last night's game did not matter at all. This one will matter. Minnesota plus three at Detroit.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I. I'm going to be on Detroit. They just seem like they. They do feel like a team, a little bit of a team of destiny. They need to buy week more than Minnesota does. They got so many hurt guys so they could Use this bye week about as well as anybody. And you know, the. Look, losing isn't that bad because losing means you get to face, I believe, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the Atlanta Falcons. Right. Neither of which are going to scare them, but I definitely think they want that weak left. But that the Lions just seem to figure out me. Look what they did last night. Yeah, they just. They didn't need to win it, as you pointed out. But there would have been something about losing that game that would have. That could have, you know, planted a bad seed in their head. So.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And they won. They won.

[Paul Feinbaum]

What Super Bowl? What super bowl do we want? Do you want a team like the Lions versus the Bills? Bills have never won. Or do you want the 0 for 8 Super Bowl?

[Tony Kornheiser]

The Vikings, Minnesota and Buffalo? Yeah, either one. I mean, I. I'm sort of inclined towards Detroit because they have been the worst team since the merger. The worst.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Only one conference. Only one. Only two. Excuse me. Now two.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Two now.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Conference finals ever for them.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes.

[Reginald the Monkey]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

In the super bowl era, the last.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Time they won Something was 1957.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I mean, Bill. Vikings.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, that's. I mean, somebody's. Unless it goes to overtime and nobody wins. Yeah. Unless it ends in a tie, but. All right, this is good.

[Paul Feinbaum]

This is a horrible week. Tough either.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But next week is good. Yeah, next week is good. Next week's the playoffs. Next week's.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Next week is good. You like. You like Ashton Gentee tonight? You're going to be able to stay up for the game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I doubt it.

[Paul Feinbaum]

For New Year's.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I doubt it.

[Paul Feinbaum]

When do you ring in the New Year's? At 7pm London New Year.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, 7. 7 Eastern. London New Year. I celebr that. I. I'll probably look at the, you know, at the Diplomat one more time and that'll be it. Do you watch that show, the Diplomat? Have you ever seen.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I love it. I love it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Have you finished the season two?

[Paul Feinbaum]

We did. We did.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Isn't that. Isn't the last scene in season two? And please don't tell me. Spoiler alert. I don't care. Yeah, I know the last scene when they come running out of the building. Oh, my God. Who thought of that? That was so great. She's a great actress. Alison. Jen. Oh, yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You know the death of Lenny, you know, from Lenny and Squiggy.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Because I still think of him. That.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes, sure. Michael McKean. Yeah, yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

Or David St. Hubbins.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I wanted to. I wanted to see him. Like, the only thing is, like, it just sort of happened they just said over from the news. Like, give me something there.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Really? A FaceTime phone call did this to him.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. And then. And they come running out of the building. Yeah. Wow. It's just. It's. It's a wow. It's a wow.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Wait for season three. They did set it up nicely. I mean, Allison, Janie and your girl fighting for power is gonna be.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, you know. Okay. So you know what's going to happen in the first episode? The first episode, the president says, you're out of here. We're not having you. And she says, really? Because I know this. I think I'll stay.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Right. And then we know the. You know the. The best I don't know about you, our favorite is the husband. We think he's all.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's fabulous. Actually. My favorite character. My favorite character, because he's funny and imperious and a total loon is the prime minister. He's just so fabulous.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I like what they do. They're doing Trump without doing Trump.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Very clever. I really find it clever. And they've made him. You're absolutely right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's so great.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Guy does it really well now. He embraces the role really well. So this season. So I like the first season. This season so much better.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's. I think that too. It's the only show I watch because I. I've said this before. The agency is incomprehensible.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I don't believe you found this on Netflix. What Michael must have to do on a given night.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Carol gets Netflix. I just have to have somebody get me on. I can watch.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yell at the remote. Netflix.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Netflix. Netflix Diplomat.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Netflix.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right, we'll talk. Thanks, Chuck.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Representative. Goodbye.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I should read this. Where's the thing? I have to read this week's picks with Chuck Todd and Reginald the monkey are brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook. Make every moment more. And that is the precursor for introducing the fact that if we gave you Chuck Todd, it would be more than enough. But we give you a monkey. See the monkey. He sees. He's scratching. Watching his iPad. Smoking and laughing. Hanging with ogre. Tap, tap. Patty Marsh purple attacher. Nigel's going to the zoo. Zoo. Nigel cut the bites by two. And San throws poo. Poo. Poo. But he's had too much Johnny Walker Blue. Fantastic.

[Chuck Todd]

Mia Steele.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Fantastic.

[Chuck Todd]

I know there's going to be a lot of blowback in the email, but it's a New Year's Eve present to young Mia Steele. We thank her for that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Reginald three zero. Last week now 23, 24. One big week.

[Chuck Todd]

Staring directly at Mount 500. Would love to get over Mount 500 in the regular season. So he knows this is a big, big week for him. So I went down to the National Zoo and as you might expect, it was a very chaotic scene. Getting ready for his annual New Year's Eve bash that they have at the zoo. It's been described it was the social event of the year. The New Yorker once described it as the apex of human simian parties.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Fantastic. So I assume the socialite and Nancy will be there.

[Chuck Todd]

I'm assuming they will be there, yes. Some of the guests were already there because they're just so eager to be there. Including Ann Margret. Was there. Rick Moranis and Kurt Bovacqua.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Kurt Bevacqua.

[Chuck Todd]

So there you go.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You can have Ann Margret without Kurt Bavaca.

[Chuck Todd]

No, they're a pair. Yeah. And Greg Garcia. They're bartending. Not sure what he was doing there, but seemed to be having fun. So the first star match we gave him was the Panthers at the Falcons getting, what do we say, eight and a half. And Reginald pulled out of his wallet a very old photograph of him in studio with James Taylor playing bass as they recorded Carolina.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Carolina, yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

So that tells me he likes the Panthers with the eight and a half. Now, the next match we gave him was Washington at Dallas. This was a lovely photo he pulled out to show me of him in the Paris to Dakar rally in his car on his team, so to speak. Russ Grimm, Neil Olkowitz, and Monte Coleman. Lots of ties to the Washington area.

[Tony Kornheiser]

With that, he picks Washington every week.

[Chuck Todd]

And he's done well by that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's done well. He's done well by that.

[Chuck Todd]

Yes. Now, the last one, I thought he was going to take the Denver game, but then he pushed off of that one and he says, no, I want to take the Vikings in the Detroit match. So this one, this is not surprising. Anyone showed me a photograph of him hang gliding with Bud Grant, Keith Millard, and Chris Dolman in January in a blizzard, all of them wearing T shirts.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That means now you know he's taking all road teams. Yes. All road teams.

[Chuck Todd]

Road warrior.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay. Yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

Vikes plus 30 at Detroit.

[Tony Kornheiser]

There you go. This week's picks with Chuck Todd and Reginald the Monkey have been brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook. Make every moment more Paul Feinbaum. When we return, I'm Tony Corner.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

This episode is brought to you by Bleacher Report. How do you follow sports from college football to the NBA? Bleacher Report brings you the latest news, live scores and epic highlights from your favorite leagues, teams and athletes all in one app. Dive into exclusive shows hosted by your favorite athletes and original Bleacher Report series with breaking news, rumors and predictions all season long. Download Bleacher Report to personalize your coverage. You are listening to the Tony Kornheiser show. The Tony Kornheiser Show. Once again, this is Norwegian Soft Kitten. This is a song called the Thousandth Ship. Michael if bands like Norwegian Soft Kitten want to send in their original music to us to get it played in the podcast, how they do it.

[Michael Wilbon]

Send us your music by emailing it to jinglesonycornizershow.com and Norwegian soft Kitten plays.

[Tony Kornheiser]

In Paul Finebaum who has become a cult hero who is on the early Sports center often. Who is on get up often. They have this thing, Paul in, Paul out. Makes me very happy. Do you like this? Do you like being a cult hero?

[Reginald the Monkey]

Tony I don't know. I mean, to me, I never expected any of this. I know you didn't either, but you've been doing it. But I'll take it. Listen, at my age, at your age, I'll take anything I can get.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I tell people about you, about your radio show, about how important the radio show was. And you know, and then I get into this conversation which always goes like this. Television is nice. It's nice. But you have to worry about how you look. You have to worry if you come in too soon if you step on the other person's like, you have to wear radio in all forms and the podcast form. Now, audio, that's who you know, that's what reveals who you really are. That's the most, you know, the most honest form of communication. It's not television. And that's where your fans come from. It's because they. They get you every single day or whenever you want, whenever you're on. And they're loyal. Right? I mean, you know that that's. You feel that way, don't you, about audio and radio and podcasts?

[Reginald the Monkey]

I do. Because, Tony, there's nothing more personal than back in the day sitting there behind a microphone, talking to somebody on the freeway or even now the same way, whether they're working out where tv, let's be honest. I mean, you're one of the few who have perfected an authentic show, but most of it's fake.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know that.

[Reginald the Monkey]

You know the questions, the answers. It's smile. I mean, you have to frown when you hear something tragic. But I think what separates people is the ability to communicate. And we both started at newspapers and there is a difference in being able to write, have a lexicon in your head versus just use a bunch of active verbs.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So. And I would say. And I don't begrudge people who are really good on TV. I don't begrudge athletes who go on TV. I don't begnudge writers who go on TV. I did the same thing myself. But I will say that you are revealed when you're doing radio or podcasts. The truth of who you are, it's you, a microphone, and often somebody you're talking to, and it reveals who you really are. And that's why people have loyalty to those shows more than other shows. I'm sure you agree with that.

[Reginald the Monkey]

I do. One thing, television helps that, though, once you make the switch like you did, it is because people have TVs on. They're not. I don't think half the people that I run into have ever heard a word I say, but they see me somewhere. And they obviously see you every afternoon. And that helps everything else you do. And nowadays, if you're not on television, you don't exist to a great deal of the world.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's true, it's true. It's a dilemma. But I still. I love the talking part. Let me get to the college football playoffs because that's coming up today and tomorrow. And I will tell you. And it's it. I'm going back a week, week And a half, whatever it is. When I watched the first set of games, two things occurred to me immediately. 112 is too many and two, home field is too big a deal. It's too big a deal. If you're going to give home field, give it to the champions who've qualified. Don't. Don't put them in a neutral site, but don't give it in the first round. Now, I said this to Booger McFarlane, and he said, no, I disagree with you, so I'm willing to be disagreed with. But how do you feel about it?

[Reginald the Monkey]

The system is completely laughable, Tony. And something you said, I agreed with even more was the idea of going up against the NFL on the first Saturday. I mean, that was absurd. That was one of the better. That was the best point I heard from anyone with all the bitching and moaning on the first weekend. But yeah, I mean, the games were awful because they were never really expected to be good. And quite frankly, the idea, speaking about tonight and tomorrow, that Boise State and Arizona State have buys is one of the most laughable things I've ever seen. I understand the NFL where Tampa Bay or Atlanta can sit there and play maybe the second or third best team in the NFL with a 7 and 9 or. I mean, we've been down that road and that's something that's probably not going to change. But that's only. That. That only happens once usually. I mean, this is. This is happening a couple of times. And I mean, James Franklin essentially has to beat SMU and Boise State to. To get to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, yeah, that. It seems. I don't. Again, if you're going to give home field, you give it to the people in the second week. You don't. You don't give it to the people in the first week. And those games were bad. Let me get. I'll get to the games and I'll ask you who you think is going to win, because you pay more attention to it than I do. Let's start with Boise State and Penn State, which is the game tonight, I guess.

[Reginald the Monkey]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know, I would love to see Boise State win. I'd love to see this guy genti run for 600 yards. But I think Penn State's going to win pretty easily. What do you think?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, I do, too.

[Reginald the Monkey]

And remember, you know, 20 years ago, whatever it was, when Boise beat Oklahoma, I mean, that was one of the biggest wins in really, college football history. And it's. But it's not happening tonight. And he is a great player, but this feels like a mismatch. Boise. I was with a former NFL player the other day after the Boise game when they played for the conference championship and he said that team can't compete. And what he meant by that is the size. Yeah, they have talented players and Genti could play anywhere, but the rest of them can't. And I know that sounds like I'm just whitewashing it, but I'm not. I mean, you put them up against a Big Ten team which they're playing, or top notch SEC team and they're going to get destroyed.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Even though they went to Oregon very early in the season and only lost by three. But I would emphasize very early in the season and things that Oregon team.

[Reginald the Monkey]

Had not found itself yet. They took. Dan Lannington took about six weeks before they finally started coming together. That happens, by the way, now with the Portal. I had Elaine Kiffin told me this the other day that he said you don't, you don't realize with free agency you just can't walk out there the first day and have, and have everybody cohesive. It takes weeks and weeks and weeks and then sometimes it doesn't come together at all.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Makes sense. All right. Oregon, Ohio State. A rematch of a game earlier in the season, which Oregon won at home by one. Why is this in the first round and who's going to win the second round?

[Reginald the Monkey]

Well, because of the convoluted conference, highest ranked conference champion. Get the buys because Ohio State's probably third or fourth best, maybe the third best team in the country. You've heard this, so stop me. They're the most talented. They are the most talented, but they're also chaotic and they're inconsistent. That's why they ended up losing to a 6 and 6 team in Michigan. I like Oregon because I just trust them more. I don't trust a team that can lose to Michigan on its home field and play as poorly as they did. So Oregon, Dan Lanning is a coach we've been talking about for years, ever since he was Kirby Smart's defensive coordinator. He's elite. And Ryan Day will give you a headache every time you watch him coach a big game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Do you think if they lose this game, Ryan Day will be dismissed by Ohio State?

[Reginald the Monkey]

No, I think that would have happened after the first game. But for whatever reason, narratives change and I think that calmed down and everybody wants to blast the Ohio State fans. I defend fans because they're all the same, Tony. I mean, I saw where Nick Saban. Nick Saban said The other day on McAfee that they're psychotic and their reaction. Hey, Nick, I got news for you. You had a fan who called me about 15 years ago and admitted poisoning a tree because Aubrey came from 24 behind, under, behind Cam Newton to be your team at your place.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I remember that. I remember that. All right, Texas, Arizona State, who you got?

[Reginald the Monkey]

I like Texas. I mean, Arizona State is a, they're a fun team. They have, you know, Cam Scatterboo has been sensational. But Texas, Texas is hard to watch sometimes because Quinn Ewers, for about a six or seven minute period, is the best quarterback in football. He's at rhythm, he makes every play and then he goes cold. But ultimately, this feels like a mismatch, too.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I am interested in Notre Dame, Georgia. I'm interested because I'm not quite certain that Georgia is as good as it usually is. And Notre Dame had the worst loss, just the worst loss ever and hasn't lost since, but hasn't played anybody good. Who do you like in this game?

[Reginald the Monkey]

I like Georgia for that reason, Tony. And no, this is a tough one to call because Notre Dame is well coached. They have a really good team. But I really care about who you've beaten. And Georgia has beaten Texas twice. Georgia has some, some blots on the resume, too. I mean, they had an ugly loss to Ole Miss. They, they lost at Alabama, which is no current, no crime, by the way, but I just trust them a little more. The quarterback situation is real, though. And for all the hype, I mean, I heard Kirby Smart say yesterday, oh, yeah, these guys, they play so hard, like they don't play hard for the other, the starting quarterback who's been, who's taken them two years to two losses or three losses overall. I mean, that's absurd. But the running game for Georgia is going to win it for them. Etn, whose brother plays in the NFL, is healthy for the first time in a while and he will be the difference in the game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right, I can't let you go without asking about this. The Leonard Hamilton story is fascinating. It's fascinating. I don't know if this is provable in a court of law. I don't know. But this has to send shivers in every single program in the country. What do you make of this?

[Reginald the Monkey]

I think you're right about it being provable, but we are slowly moving toward this tipping point where the whole thing blows up, Tony. And until, by the way, it wouldn't be a bad thing because then we might actually settle down and quit listening to all this hyperbole from NCAA leaders and conference commissioners. But it is troublesome when you juxtapose that with what we saw downstate with Miami. I mean, we've seen the Miami and Virginia basketball coach in the last three months. Three months, two months, but both walk out. I mean, just like I'm done. And these are respected people who have been to the Final Four and one national championship that don't let anybody tell you college, college athletics is healthy.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's not. It's not. There's there's got to be a solution here that everyone can embrace that and keeps getting players some money. But players are getting outrageous. My God, quarterbacks are getting unbelievable sums of money. Maybe they're not true, but they're being recorded.

[Reginald the Monkey]

The solution, and it's I think it's going to happen finally, is Congress is going to get is going to get involved. And I know that scares everybody listening right now, but commissioners and leaders say it's the only solution because then you could put some restrictions. I don't like restrictions once you open Pandora's box. But I think we're going to go there. And the key to it is what is the election. Congress and the president are all part of our one party, and that's what's going to happen probably once they solve the rest of the world, which may.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Take a few days, it may take at least to the weekend. Thank you, Paul. Thank you.

[Reginald the Monkey]

Thank you, Tony.

[Tony Kornheiser]

PAUL Fine bound, boys and girls. We'll take a break. We'll come back with email and jingle. I'm Tony Cornhole. When it comes to towing, seeing is believing. That's why Chevy Truck's advanced camera technology offers up to eight available cameras for 14 unique views. So you can focus on the view that really matters. Chevrolet together, let's drive. Learn more about chevy [e-mail] safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver's responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Read the vehicle owner's manual for important feature limitations and information. You're listening to the Tony Kornheiser Show.

[Narrator]

The old Orange man will now convey your emails and your notes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

HOST it's time for Tony's mailbag. It's the closing of the show. The closing of the show, My friends.

[Narrator]

Let'S toast him with our trial.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He smashed another year away and the.

[Narrator]

Shore we love still stinks.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Biff Gaunt, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Who writes thanks for another year of the show. I've lost count of how many years it's been because I'M not Cindy Boren. It's funny. Good luck to you and the other bigs in 2025. Hopefully, hopefully you'll have an opportunity to play the New Year's themed mailbag jingle. Yeah, it's lovely. It's absolutely lovely.

[Chuck Todd]

That was great. And that's going to be there every New Year's.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, it's the old Lang Syne. That's what we do. Do you want to do the Bethesda bagel ad, please? Yes.

[Chuck Todd]

Bethesda Bagels, we love them. You will as well just go to BethesdaBaggles.com Ford, a location in the D.C. area nearest you. Then pop it in, my friend, and you will be thrilled. And yes, they will be open on New Year's Day.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Of course they will. Before we get to the mailbag, let me just say the night we met I. I needed you so and if I had the chance I'd never let you go so once you say you love me I'll make you so proud of me we'll make them turn their heads every place we go. That's Be My Baby. That's the Ronettes. That's one of the 10 greatest songs of all time. Yes. Don't you think that's one of them? Our thanks to Chuck Todd and Paul Feinbaum. Our thanks to today's sponsors. Remember, you can listen to us on Apple podcast, Spotify and Odyssey if get show through Apple. Please leave us a review. We have a note from Tom Masser who is working on a masterpiece, and he writes, the masterpiece is coming along. Franco is a bit befuddled by it, as you can see. Franco is his dog. I think Tony looks ruggedly handsome in it. You guys will need to see it in person. It's the Flush the Mouse photo. And I am. I'm in a toilet wearing a Mouseketeer hat.

[Chuck Todd]

With the beard.

[Tony Kornheiser]

With the beard. And I'm about to be flushed. And we'll get that down the road. John Pearson in Milwaukee. Normally, I go for the wacky side of the TK experience. But listening to Tony talk about Stan Musial and how he belongs even higher in the pantheon of baseball, I wanted to relay a story of why he stayed special in St. Louis for the rest of his life. When I was 11 years old, my family makes a pilgrimage to St. Louis for the one St. Louis Cardinals game we could afford. Every two years, my brother saw that Stan Musial was having an event that included an autograph signing. We went and stood in line and luckily for me, my little league team was also the Cardinals, sponsored by Ken's Skelly Gas in Geneseo, Illinois. So I had my baseball cap on. I got to the front of the line. He saw this somewhat goofy looking kid and he asked me if I played Little League and I mentioned that I pitched and played shortstop and he asked me how the season went. I said we were 8 and 6 but figured we had a chance of championship next year because we're all coming back. He smiled the electric Musial smile but noticed a rumbling from the crowd that was getting impatient because he was taking so much time with me. He stared down the Grumblers as if he was facing Warren Spahn, whom he hit 15 home runs off, and they went silent. He told me good luck on winning, but also to make sure the kids who don't get to play as much have fun too. This is why a man who I never saw play is my favorite player of all time, Mike Todd. Not that Mike Todd Columbus, Ohio as you were watching the Stan Musial Awards, I'm not sure if you saw the award given to Lindy Noel. Lindy works in public relations for the Columbus Blue Jackets. She received the award because she donated one of her kidneys to Aaron Portsline, who is a writer for the Athletic and covers the Blue Jackets. Aaron had posted on social media last year that he was battling kidney issues and was looking for a donor out of the kindness of her heart. Lindy went through many tests to get confirmed as a donor for Aaron. I have enclosed a link to the awards website which tells their story. I'm very lucky to know both Lindy and Aaron. That's amazing. That is. That's amazing. From Ralph Bizarro. Is that his last name? Ralph Bizarro? Wow. Yes. In Holly Springs, North Carolina. He gets a lot of comments about that, I'm sure. Listening to you talk about Stan Musial, I felt behooved to relate my Stan Musial story. In the late 1990s, I was talking to one of my co workers about baseball. She asked who I thought was the best hitter of all time. Responded, most people would say Ted Williams, but I thought it was Stan Musial. Her eyes lit up and she said, stan is my great uncle. We talked some more about Stan and I thought nothing more of it. About two weeks later, she walks up to me with a baseball and picture card, both signed by Stan the Man. She said she was talking to her great aunt and mentioned our conversation. Lillian was relaying the story over the phone to Stan and said she was happy that anyone my age, 2728 at the time knew who he was. So she sent along the two signed items. Of all the collectibles I have bought or received over the years, these two items are my most cherished and did not go on ebay with the other crap I bought and lost thousands of dollars on. So I guess this is not a Stan Musial story as much as the story about me. Anyway, I thought it was a good story. Maybe not. I don't know. I'm so confused. It comes with age. I guess it's a good story.

[Chuck Todd]

Yes, it is.

[Tony Kornheiser]

From Kevin in Silver Spring Please tell Michael to get himself an EZ Pass Flex. It has a switch to indicate you are hov.

[Michael Wilbon]

I need this.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Kids were in the car. The Kiss Cam wrestling should have been free. Not smart or funny, but hopefully useful.

[Michael Wilbon]

Definitely useful.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Hand this to Michael so he learns how to do it. From Brandon Borzelli in Lebanon, New Jersey it seems to me for the traffic video to get reviews reviewed, you don't plead not guilty, nor do you appeal at the court date. No, these are not how you operate in the 21st century. You drive around with a little red handkerchief. Whenever you go through an intersection where you might be speeding or running a red light, you put your window down. You toss out the red flag in the intersection. This triggers the challenge process. After the refs review the footage, they'll walk out in the middle of the intersection, turn on their mic and announce a decision. Worst case scenario is you lose the challenge and pay the fine. From Wyatt Toole in Omaha, Nebraska. So for Christmas, the person to whom I'm related to by marriage got me a set of car ramps. Basically, the ramps take the place of a carjack, makes changing my oil easier and can be safer than a carjack. Even so, I told my wife to issue the red alert if she sees Keri Russell strolling by with groceries while I'm under there. Because I'm pretty sure the other guy under the car didn't survive. Cold Blooded Killer that's in the Americans. That's early on.

[Reginald the Monkey]

Yep.

[Tony Kornheiser]

From Adam Benson in St. John's Newfoundland Dear Mr. Tony Team Summer the other Way welcome to the from Mike R. From Acton, Massachusetts. Do you know where Acton?

[Chuck Todd]

I'm not sure where Acton is.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Long time listener, first time emailer. I went to Maine over the holidays and while there visited my aunt and uncle. I noticed a random box outside in the freezing cold. Curious why they left a box outside, I asked my aunt what was in it. To my surprise she said it was full of my cousin's sweaters. She also has a moth problem and has always killed moth eggs by freezing sweaters. Is it sad that I spend the rest of my holiday thinking I must tell Tony that he can use Mother Nature to kill those pesky moth eggs? It may not be cold enough in the DMV to leave your sweaters outside. Well, it will be if we're getting the the Arctic.

[Michael Wilbon]

Sounds like a family project, right?

[Tony Kornheiser]

And I'm sure you don't want to drive to Maine to take advantage of the rise cold temperatures. Perhaps the Palm has an industrial walk in freezer you could store your sweaters in for a few days. Absolutely. Love the show. Thanks for all the laughs. So by the way, when it says perhaps the Palm has a freezer you can store your sweaters. Leslie Visser stored her sweaters in the stove. Leslie never cooked sort of sweaters in the stove.

[Chuck Todd]

By the way, Acton, just west of Lowell. So just outside of Boston.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay. Mark Lynch, North Camby, Indiana Sorry I haven't emailed in a while. I got a new job and I'm just now caught up. Okay, well, that's nice to know. Jason Thompson, Lexington, South Carolina by now I'm sure you have a plethora of emails explaining Riz is short for charisma. But let's not leave out the following Skibidi Sigma mewing this is my future giant.

[Michael Wilbon]

Don't don't say these words.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Sus. Why slay? Bad words? No Cap D, Lulu Phantom tax. And the list goes on. Believe me, I'm just as lost as you are, and I can't begin to explain what those mean. But thanks to my teenage kids, I was able to send this email. Maybe this can be the new game. Let the explanation emails begin. Do you know any of these words?

[Michael Wilbon]

I know about half of them. And this is I. I feel old for the first time. Yeah, well, I'm Normally I'm with the changing tides with language, and I'm at a loss.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Skibidi from MO in Wethersfield, Connecticut Apropos of nothing, I went into a Wikipedia tunnel about the 14th and current Dalai Lama. He's 89, presumably no longer a big hitter, but he's pretty good out of the sand. If Uncle Tony played him in a Nassau, the llama would get strokes. Even if he loses, he won't pay you, but on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness. So you got that going for you, which is nice. If you're out on your bike tonight, everyone, as always, do wear White. What does this song mean? My whole life I don't know what this song means. I mean, should old acquaintances be forgotten? Does that mean that we should forget old acquaintances? It doesn't mean that if we happen to forget them, we should remember them, which is not possible because we already forgot them. It's Billy.

[Chuck Todd]

Billy.

[Narrator]

I feel the opposite of how I feel I feel the opposite of how I feel I know the opposite of how I thought before I know I thought I said the opposite of what I say I say the opposite of what I say and now the opposite of what I said before I said that I dream the opposite of what I dream I dream the opposite of what I dream about the opposite of what I dreamt before I dreamt like that I take the opposite of what I dream I take the opposite of what I dream I know the opposite of what I took before I took that Stand out Stand out Stand back and watch it Become a parody of itself Become a parody of yourself Become a parody I did the opposite of what I think I did the opposite of what I think and now the opposite of what I thought before I thought like that I know the opposite of what I know I know the opposite of what I know and now the opposite of what I knew before I knew that I did the opposite of how I say I said the opposite of how I shave and now the opposite of how I should Before I talk like that I mean the opposite of what I mean I mean the opposite of what I mean and now the opposite of what I meant before I meant that Stand out Stand down Stand back and watch it Become the enemy of itself Become the enemy of yourself Become the enemy.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It.

[Narrator]

Sa I see the opposite of what I see I see the opposite of what I see and now the opposite of what I saw before I saw like that I choose the opposite of what I choose I choose the opposite of what I choose and now the opposite of what I chose before I chose that I quit the opposite of what I bleed I quit the opposite of what I bleed and now the opposite of what I planned before I blend my fact I am the opposite of what I am I am the opposite of what I am and I'm the opposite of what I was before I was fat Stand out Stand out Stand back and watch it Become a memory of itself Become a memory of yourself Become a memory Pam.

[Michael Wilbon]

In curious times.

[Tony Kornheiser]

A lingering way in curious times A.

[Narrator]

Shallow way.

[Michael Wilbon]

In stillness lie under the.

[Narrator]

World.

[Tony Kornheiser]

An honest life goes its own.

[Narrator]

Way.

[Tony Kornheiser]

In silent air the sound of a doom.

[Narrator]

World's apart Embers collide.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Lie awake Colors of dawn We've been here before.

[Narrator]

Fire's taking the shore sa.