The Tony Kornheiser Show

Episode: Subpar Agricultural Knowledge
Date: October 13, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Tony Kornheiser Show" is marked by a classic blend of witty banter, sports analysis, quirky digressions, and tributes. Tony is joined by regulars Michael Wilbon, Nigel, and Sean (briefly), with special call-ins from Tim Kirkjian for deep-dive baseball playoff talk and, as always, an affectionate community of listeners whose emails help close the show. Running through the episode are discussions about wild weather on the East Coast, shock college football coaching changes, MLB playoff surprises, personal anecdotes (including Tony's agricultural misadventures), and a heartfelt Diane Keaton tribute.

Weather and Weekend Catch-up

[00:51–03:21]

• Nigel’s Delaware Weather Report:
  • Describes the aftermath of a tropical storm that threatened East Coast beaches.
  • Observes well-maintained sand dunes and sand blown across the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk:

    “You could just see it looked almost like a coating of snow as the wind coming off the water had just blanketed the boardwalk with the sand.” (Nigel, 02:02)

  • Minor rain and high winds, but not as severe as predicted.
• Michael’s New Jersey Update:
  • Was near Asbury Park; weather wasn’t too bad, with only a persistent mist.

Sports Headlines & College Football Shocks

[03:21–07:55]

• Baseball Playoffs Begin:
  • Seattle’s surprising win over Toronto in ALCS Game 1, with rookie Bryce Miller rebounding after a tough first inning.

    “The look on his face was, ‘What am I doing out here?’” (Tony, 04:11)

• NFL Surprise:
  • Kansas City’s win over Detroit—a result contrary to Tony’s expectations.
• College Football Firings:
  • Discussion of recent, immediate college football coach firings, notably Penn State dismissing James Franklin after a shocking home loss to Northwestern:

    “It’s unbearable to lose to Northwestern and we have to fire the coach.” (Tony, 06:10)

  • Wilbon predicted Franklin’s firing to Tony and his brother Don, who both doubted it would be so quick.
  • Penn State owes Franklin $50 million, making for a “soft landing.”
  • Key stats: Franklin was 4–21 versus top-10 opponents; Penn State dropped from near the top in preseason rankings to out of relevance.

    “If you can’t get well against Northwestern, what are you doing? It was their homecoming game.” (Tony, 06:13)

  • Wilbon notes:

    “They think it’s their right to win the national championship... Let them wander through the wilderness for the next 20 years like Nebraska did.” (Wilbon, 19:15)

Golf Antics and Family Time

[08:00–10:22]

• Tony & Nigel on Golf:
  • Weekend golf fun and mishaps, including Nigel’s son Bootsy’s improvement and humor about hitting geese on the course.

    “He has the short game of, honestly, like a college golfer coming out of the bunkers and then he just... tries to crank drive and hits it along the ground.” (Nigel, 10:03)

Local Shoutouts

[10:35–10:52]

• Sea Green Bicycles (Delaware):
  • Nigel thanks the bike shop for rescuing the family weekend.

    “Thank you for helping us save the weekend with that.” (Nigel, 10:52)

Diane Keaton Tribute

[10:52–13:08]

• Reflecting on Keaton’s Legacy:
  • Tony praises her comic brilliance, style, and unique presence, noting most remember her from Annie Hall despite dramatic roles like The Godfather.

    “She’s got that aura around her... Brilliant comedic actress and one thing. And in the greatest movie ever made, the Godfather.” (Tony, 12:52)

  • Wilbon fondly observes Keaton’s reputation for loving dogs and approachable persona.

Main Sports Deep-Dives

The Weekend in College Football

[15:09–20:55]

• Wilbon’s Agony (Cubs) & Ecstasy (Northwestern):
  • Cubs ousted by Milwaukee, but Wilbon optimistic about young players.

    “A fight that’s worthy of people in Chicago being proud of the team...” (Wilbon, 16:36)

  • Wilbon recounts Northwestern’s upset win over Penn State, pointedly critiquing coaching egos and college football delusions.

    “There’s no arrogance. There’s no delusion like college football fans, schools, teams, boosters…” (Wilbon, 19:15)

Other College Football Talk

[21:14–22:58]

• Indiana’s Big Win Over Oregon:
  • Sets up Big Ten playoff intrigue.
• Alabama’s Return to Form:
  • Skepticism remains over "signature wins."

MLB Playoff Analysis with Tim Kirkjian

[32:01–45:39]

ALCS Game 1: Seattle vs. Toronto

[32:01–36:55]

• On Bryce Miller Surviving a Brutal Start:

  “My initial reaction... this game is not going to go well for the Mariners. And instead they got one hit the rest of the way after a first pitch home run… Absolutely clobbered... and the exact opposite happened after George Springer hit that home run.” (Tim, 33:47)

• Cal Raleigh’s Leadership:
  • Anchored the team both at bat (home run) and in crucial mound visits.

    “There’s nothing not to like about Cal Raleigh. He is a folk hero in the great Northwest…” (Tim, 36:55)

Playoff Landscape and Big Moments

[39:17–43:45]

• National League Favorites:
  • Dodgers: Best roster, surging at the right time; Brewers: Most consistent.
  • Unpredictability reigns in the 2025 postseason.
• Memorable Playoff Moments:
  • Judge hitting a home run off the foul pole:

    “One of the biggest home runs in the history of the New York Yankees.” (Tim, 41:25)

  • Orion Kerkering’s heartbreaking error to end the Phillies’ season:

    “He panicked, which can happen when you’re that young and the game is moving as quickly as it is...” (Tim, 41:25)

    • Tony: “That’s like a top 50 moment in baseball, isn’t it?” (Tony, 42:40)
• Phillies’ Disappointment:
  • Despite a loaded lineup, they fall short again.

Kirkjian’s Podcast Plug

[44:42–45:35]

• “Is This A Great Game Or What?”
  • Fun, anecdotal baseball storytelling with his son.

NFL Reactions

[25:19–29:58]

• Parity Rules:
  • Kansas City, Baltimore, and Detroit: None are “great”—media overreacts week to week.

    “Every time we declare... that somebody is the best, we find out there’s no great team.” (Wilbon, 25:57)

• Specific QB Comments:
  • Baltimore is “done” for 2025, with Lamar looking ordinary.
  • Justin Fields:

    “He’s a backup... This is who he is. He’s not going to be a great player.” (Wilbon, 27:46)

  • Baker Mayfield:

    “Right now, Baker Mayfield is a great player… He’s the MVP right now. He’d get my vote.” (Tony, 28:27)

  • Sam Darnold & Geno Smith: Redemption arcs.

    “Maybe it’s the Jets. Who’s not terrible with the Jets?” (Tony, 30:29)

Listener Email Highlights

[46:55–53:53]

• Subpar Agricultural Knowledge:
  • Listener Adam Blaney, the show’s “official organic vegetable farmer,” corrects Tony about growing squash:

    “They're getting big because you're not doing the one thing you should be doing, which is picking them every other night or so… Squash notoriously grow in size from pencil to Louisville Slugger, seemingly overnight.” (Adam Blaney email)

  • Also gives Tony props for continuing to try gardening despite minimal expertise.
• Miscellaneous:
  • Stories of failed bullpen management, podcast listeners with quirky job titles, and references to past episodes.
  • Jokes about “Midwest World Series” (Cubs vs. Blue Jays).
  • Multiple humorous sign-offs and in-jokes, including reminders to “eat it.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On College Football Delusion:

  “There’s no arrogance. There’s no delusion like college football fans, schools, teams, boosters, industry people, conference people.” (Wilbon, 19:15)

• On Diane Keaton:

  “She’s got that aura around her…It defined her character. It’s one of the great movies ever made, Annie Hall.” (Tony, 12:52)

• On Baker Mayfield’s MVP Candidacy:

  “That was pouring a layer of concrete on it. He was so good.” (Tony, 05:33)

• On Phillies’ Pain:

  “It’s a bit surprising. I thought this was probably their best shot…” (Tim, 43:45)

• On Squash Growing:

  “Don’t stop growing. It’s good for everyone… but pick them every single day.” (Listener email, Adam Blaney)

Memorable Segments & Timestamps

• Wild Weather and Sand on the Boardwalk: 01:07–02:27
• Penn State’s Coaching Fiasco: 06:10–07:55, 17:55–20:55
• Golfing Mishaps and Goose Incident: 08:46–10:22
• Tribute to Diane Keaton: 10:52–13:08
• MLB Analysis with Kirkjian: 32:01–45:39
• NFL Week in Review: 25:19–30:33
• Subpar Gardening Knowledge Read-Aloud: 46:55–51:51

Tone & Style

• Conversational, playful, sometimes bordering on self-deprecating (especially about Tony’s athletic and gardening skills).
• Sharp sports analysis leavened by personal stories, nostalgia, and comedic asides.
• Regular references to emailers’ inside jokes and running gags.

Closing

The podcast closes, as always, with music (John Gorka), acknowledgement of sponsors, and a sense of community among listeners and hosts—anchored by Tony’s signature mix of sports insight, world-weariness, and affection for the weird, wonderful corners of his world.

For Those Who Missed the Episode: Expect plenty of sports talk, a deep dive into the mess at Penn State and baseball surprises, recurring dismay at Tony’s agricultural misadventures, and a warm, very “TK” eulogy for Diane Keaton. All wrapped in the show’s trademark blend of humor, camaraderie, and clear-eyed sports cynicism.