The Tony Kornheiser Show – “Sit back and go WOW!”

Episode Summary – Dec 3, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode, Tony Kornheiser and his regular crew tackle a lively slate of topics spanning sports, college football coaching drama, and current events. With signature irreverence and wit, Tony and guests Chuck Todd and Paul Finebaum analyze the Patriots' resurgent NFL season, the fallout from Lane Kiffin's jaw-dropping departure from Ole Miss to LSU, the intrigue around the College Football Playoff rankings, and more. The episode is punctuated by classic banter, memorable rants, and both heartfelt and humorous moments.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. NBA Chatter: Wizards Fan Loyalty & Clippers’ Troubles

• Tony bemoans the state of the Washington Wizards, lamenting both poor team leadership and the team’s lack of star power and effort. The low attendance at a recent game is praised as fan discernment.
  • “I applaud this. This is the discernment of the Washington basketball fan finally saying, you know what? I’m not coming out for this junk.” (03:04)
• The Clippers are called out for scapegoating Chris Paul and the issue of Kawhi Leonard sitting out frequently.
  • “He just gets a lot of money, doesn’t actually play. Sort of like Joel Embiid. Gets a lot of money, doesn’t actually play.” (04:23)

2. NFL: The Rise of the Patriots & Strength of Schedule

• Tony and crew dissect the New England Patriots’ turn-around, emphasizing how their high record may be deceiving due to an easy schedule.
  • “They have beaten the dregs of the league...And they are in a division with, you know, with two terrible teams, the Jets and Miami.” (05:35)
• Drake May and Mike Vrabel are praised but with caveats; skepticism remains about the team’s actual strength.
  • “Right now, Drake May has the best completion percentage in the league...But still, I have no idea. I have no idea how good they are.” (07:51)
• Lack of a dominant NFL team this year sparks debate.
  • “Is there a team that you think is a great team this year?...No. Because every time you think that they lose.” (08:39)

3. Must-Read: Olivia Nuzzi Book & Political Journalism

• Tony briefly recommends reading new political stories, remarking on how fascinating but overwhelming American politics has become.
  • “You sit back and you go, wow.” (09:31)
  • “There's no other word. It's just wow. Really. Wow.” (09:42, Chuck Todd/Tony)

4. NFL Week 14 Picks with Chuck Todd & Reginald the Monkey

• Picks segment features signature banter on the unpredictability of the season and spreads that seem off.
• Chuck Todd and Tony talk through several marquee games, with both expressing skepticism about trusting either the Cowboys or Lions as they clash in a crucial matchup.
  • “I just don’t trust Dallas. I mean, I would take the three also, but I don't trust.” (17:05)
• Humorous aside: Reginald the monkey, in character, delivers his own picks alongside absurd backstory banter (book signings, wine theft, ties to Al Capone).
• Notable running joke: The idea of playoff “elimination games” in Week 14 because of league parity.
• Chuck Todd:
  • “Which, neither team has done anything to make you trust them.” (17:10)
  • “I never trust Jacksonville. I mean, this is two teams. I'd really prefer to fade, but I will. I will take Jacksonville.” (19:44)
• Tony laments so many teams being ‘just okay’ or unpredictable week to week.

5. CFB Chaos: Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss, and LSU (w/ Paul Finebaum)

• The drama of Lane Kiffin’s sudden exit from Ole Miss to coach LSU takes center stage.
• Paul Finebaum explains why Kiffin is the “villain” of college football: his habit of burning bridges and never staying put.
  • “Every house he builds as he leaves, to go to another house, he incinerates the house.” (34:30)
  • “He just, he has the attention span of a 17 year old high school boy.” (36:24)
• Debate: Should Ole Miss have let Kiffin coach the playoffs? Tony suggests they’ll regret the decision if they lose early.
  • “If they lose in their first game, Mississippi, I think the people at Mississippi will have terrible regret because they will never know if they would have won with Lane Kiffin.” (38:14)
• Why LSU? Finebaum cites easier recruiting, LSU’s singular focus in Louisiana, and Kiffin’s own personality and alliances with Saban.
  • “LSU, in spite of the governor... It’s an easier job to recruit. It’s a standalone.” (39:26)
• College football’s lack of central governance allows for chaotic coaching changes mid-season.
  • “College football is tribal...and all they care about is their own league and their own TV contracts.” (41:09)

6. College Football Playoff Rankings Intrigue

• Tony and Paul Finebaum dissect the penultimate playoff rankings; find fault in how Notre Dame dropped and Alabama rose, questioning the committee’s reasoning.
  • “They always screw themselves up because they try to be cute setting up the last one—it never works.” (42:19, Finebaum)
  • “How is Miami not in the ACC championship game?” (44:44)
• The head-to-head debate (“Miami over Notre Dame?”) and the consequences of ACC and Group of Five results are discussed.
• The two predict that college football’s playoff will inevitably expand to 16 teams soon because current systems are too arbitrary and committee-driven.
  • “It is not decided on the field here. It’s decided in a boardroom, which is ridiculous.” (48:08, Tony)
• Paul: “We are going to 16 [teams] very soon.” (47:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tony Kornheiser, on Wizards attendance:
  • “I applaud this. This is the discernment of the Washington basketball fan finally saying, you know what? I’m not coming out for this junk.” (03:04)
• Chuck Todd, on NFL unpredictability:
  • “Which, neither team has done anything to make you trust them.” (17:10)
• Paul Finebaum, on Lane Kiffin:
  • “Every house he builds as he leaves, to go to another house, he incinerates the house.” (34:30)
  • “He just, he has the attention span of a 17 year old high school boy.” (36:24)
• Tony Kornheiser:
  • “You sit back and you go, wow. That’s really it. You sit back and you go, wow.” (09:31)
• Paul Finebaum, playoff selection committee:
  • “They act like they have just solved a cure for cancer.” (48:23)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Content | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:03 | Start of real content: Prison meal joke & Wizards rant | | 04:30 | NBA and college basketball discussion | | 05:10 | Patriots: Are they really good? Strength of schedule breakdown | | 07:51 | Tony’s skepticism of Patriots' real strength | | 08:43 | No great NFL teams debate | | 09:09 | Political journalism: Olivia Nuzzi reference | | 09:31 | “You sit back and you go, wow.” – recurring theme | | 15:06 | Chuck Todd picks segment begins | | 26:44 | Eagles vs. Chargers and Philly's lukewarm momentum | | 33:56 | Paul Finebaum segment begins: Lane Kiffin & CFB playoff rankings | | 38:14 | Regret for Ole Miss if they lose without Kiffin | | 41:09 | Why college football’s mid-season chaos won’t stop | | 42:03 | Dissection of playoff rankings: Notre Dame, Alabama, Miami | | 48:08 | “It is not decided on the field here.” |

Overall Vibe & Tone

• Tony’s signature blend of curmudgeonly humor and genuine sports fandom drives the episode; the interplay with Michael Wilbon, Chuck Todd, Chris, and Sean provides rich counterpoint and comic relief.
• The banter around Reginald the Monkey’s picks offers playful absurdity amid sports analysis.
• The Lane Kiffin coaching saga is treated with bemused skepticism and a sense of amazement at ongoing college football chaos.
• The show ends with a sense of unresolved anticipation around the ongoing college football drama and the parade of weekly NFL surprises.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode captures Tony’s blend of sports analysis, media savvy, and character-driven conversation. If you enjoy sharp takes, running inside jokes, and sports talk that’s as much about the absurdity as the outcome, “Sit back and go WOW!” is a peak entry in the TK canon.