The Tony Kornheiser Show: “Please Press Zero for the Operator”
Release Date: January 17, 2025
Host: This Show Stinks Productions, LLC
Introduction
In the episode titled “Please Press Zero for the Operator,” Tony Kornheiser delves into a range of topics that span from sports coaching rumors to personal grievances with service providers. The show features insightful discussions with NFL insider Jason Lock and Fora, as well as commentary from political strategist James Carville and Jeff Ma, who provide their weekly game picks.
Personal Frustrations: AT&T and PEPCO
Timestamp: [02:25] – [15:02]
Tony opens the conversation by addressing two personal issues: his dissatisfaction with AT&T's billing practices and alarming increases in his electricity bills from PEPCO (Potomac Electric Power Company).
AT&T Billing Woes: Tony expresses his frustration with AT&T's push towards automatic deductions for bill payments, preferring traditional check payments instead.
- Tony Kornheiser ([03:05]): "Once you start making everything available, it can just be deducted. That simply. That's not good."
He recounts a recent incident where a delayed mail delivery due to a snow event resulted in an unexpected $8 late fee. Attempts to resolve the issue through AT&T's automated systems proved futile.
- Tony Kornheiser ([06:08]): "It's entrapment."
PEPCO's Rising Bills: Shifting focus to PEPCO, Tony highlights a dramatic increase in his electricity bills, nearly doubling from the previous month. Despite maintaining consistent energy usage, PEPCO insists the charges are accurate, leaving Tony skeptical of their claims.
- Tony Kornheiser ([10:31]): "It's an unbelievable. What's some of money?"
The discussion also touches on potential solutions like switching providers or installing solar panels, although Tony remains skeptical about the feasibility given the high costs involved.
- Jason Lock and Fora ([15:21]): "That's a lot. That's more than a $780 bill. A little bit."
NFL Insights: Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys
Timestamp: [18:07] – [30:22]
Guest Segment: Jason Lock and Fora
Tony welcomes NFL insider Jason Lock and Fora to discuss the tantalizing possibility of Deion Sanders becoming the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. The conversation explores Deion's coaching capabilities, his fit with Jerry Jones’ vision, and the broader implications for the Cowboys' future.
Deion Sanders’ Viability as Coach: Jason assesses Deion's past coaching experience in Colorado, acknowledging his ability to assemble a competent staff but questioning his potential as a masterclass NFL head coach.
- Jason Lock and Fora ([18:50]): "Do I think Deion Sanders would be a masterclass NFL head coach? Probably not."
Jerry Jones’ Strategy: The discussion highlights Jerry Jones’ focus on entertainment and maintaining the Cowboys' vibrant presence in public discourse rather than solely building the best roster. Deion’s personality and history with Dallas could align well with Jones' objectives.
- Jason Lock and Fora ([22:01]): "He wants all those shots of him in primetime in his suite... Like him and Deion Sanders can sell some cars."
Tony concurs, emphasizing the potential for increased visibility and the dynamic that Deion and Jerry Jones could bring to the team.
- Tony Kornheiser ([21:19]): "This would be bigger than they already are, and they're already so big."
Other Coaching Candidates: Jason explores alternative coaching candidates like Mike McCarthy, Aaron Glenn, and Todd Monken, weighing their fit within the league and potential success with various teams. The conversation underscores the complexities of coaching hires in the NFL.
- Jason Lock and Fora ([24:10]): "I do think Tom Brady's going to have a lot to do with it."
Playoff Predictions and Game Analysis
Timestamp: [27:13] – [43:26]
Guest Segment: Jason Lock and Fora
Jason and Fora provide in-depth analysis and predictions for the upcoming playoff games, focusing on key matchups and player performances.
Key Game: Ravens vs. Bills Jason predicts a dominant performance by the Baltimore Ravens against the Buffalo Bills, attributing it to the Ravens' robust ground game and the Bills' lighter defensive build.
- Jason Lock and Fora ([27:44]): "If the Buffalo Bills cannot withstand that amount of just pure human poundage and power... they're going to win this football game."
Other Notable Predictions:
- Tony Dorn Predictions:
- Ohio State vs. Notre Dame:
- James Carville ([34:15]): "Notre Dame plus the eight and a half."
- Washington vs. Detroit:
- James Carville ([39:44]): "Washington plus the nine and a half and over 23 and a half points."
- Chiefs vs. Houston:
- James Carville ([41:25]): "Chiefs minus eight."
- Ohio State vs. Notre Dame:
The segment includes strategic betting advice and highlights the significance of team dynamics and game states on the outcomes.
- James Carville ([43:15]): "I think the Baltimore Ravens have a couple of road-based, ground-based game plans that could let them road grade the Bills."
Weekly Picks with James Carville and Jeff Ma
Timestamp: [33:38] – [46:22]
Guest Segment: James Carville and Jeff Ma
James Carville shares his own game picks alongside Jeff Ma, offering viewers diversified perspectives on the upcoming matches.
James Carville's Picks:
- Notre Dame (+8.5)
- Washington (+9.5)
- Chiefs (-8)
- Rams (+6.5)
Carville connects his personal experiences, such as a recent eulogy for his father, to his enthusiasm for supporting Notre Dame.
- James Carville ([36:58]): "I'm glad I did it. I feel really good about it."
Jeff Ma's Commentary: Jeff reflects on the emotional aspects of sharing personal stories and appreciates the platform Tony provides to honor his father’s memory.
- Jeff Ma ([38:48]): "We can't be emotional."
The duo discusses their strategies, emphasizing statistical analysis and team form as key factors in their predictions.
- James Carville ([41:25]): "This is a game that's going to have a lot of variance packed into it."
Listener Mailbag: Traffic Troubles and Miscellaneous Topics
Timestamp: [44:00] – [55:27]
Tony engages with listener emails, addressing a variety of topics from traffic congestion in Virginia to curiosity about the Moon landing and solar system alignments.
Traffic Congestion in Virginia: Listeners share grievances about severe traffic jams in areas like Fredericksburg and Golden Glades interchange. Tony analyzes the causes, attributing them to limited river crossings and high traffic volumes.
- Listener Bill Matfield ([51:03]): "Why don't you build a bridge?"
Astronomical Alignments: A listener named David in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, discusses upcoming planetary alignments observable from Earth. Tony humorously interjects with NASA trivia about Mercury 7 astronauts.
- Tony Kornheiser ([47:31]): "We know. These are heroes. Yes, these are heroes."
Miscellaneous Comments: Other listener emails touch on topics like the Moon landing’s portrayal in media and personal anecdotes, adding a lighthearted and relatable touch to the episode.
Closing Remarks and Musical Segments
Timestamp: [55:27] – [46:22]
Tony wraps up the show with acknowledgments to guests, sponsors, and listeners. He shares humorous observations about lunar golf shots from the Apollo missions and encourages listeners to engage with the show on various platforms. The episode concludes with renditions of Lauren Daigle's songs, providing a mellower end to the lively discussions.
Notable Quotes
- Tony Kornheiser ([03:05]): "Once you start making everything available, it can just be deducted. That simply. That's not good."
- Jason Lock and Fora ([18:50]): "Do I think Deion Sanders would be a masterclass NFL head coach? Probably not."
- James Carville ([36:58]): "I'm glad I did it. I feel really good about it."
- Tony Kornheiser ([27:44]): "If the Buffalo Bills cannot withstand that amount of just pure human poundage and power... they're going to win this football game."
Conclusion
This episode of "The Tony Kornheiser Show" offers a blend of personal anecdotes, in-depth sports analysis, and interactive listener engagement. From critiquing service providers to evaluating high-stakes NFL coaching possibilities and game predictions, Tony Kornheiser ensures a comprehensive and engaging listening experience for both devoted fans and newcomers alike.
Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or the Odyssey App. Don't forget to leave a review and follow the show for more insightful discussions and expert analyses.