The Tony Kornheiser Show

Episode: “What happened at the Publix?”
Date: February 11, 2026
Podcast: This Show Stinks Productions, LLC

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Tony Kornheiser Show, Tony returns from Florida with tales of candy, ice cream, and an infamous Publix toothpaste mishap. Regulars Michael and Nigel join him in the studio as they riff on snack tastes, discuss dental hygiene strategy, and muse about President's Day confusion and personal health annoyances. Special guests include ESPN’s Brian Windhorst with an NBA/All-Star preview and sportswriter Barry Svrluga reporting from Italy on the Winter Olympics—covering the latest American triumphs and heartbreaks.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Opening Banter: The Candy & Ice Cream Stash

(00:35–06:42)

• Candy Bar Dissection:

  • Tony and Michael debate the correct pronunciation ("Kinder" vs. "kinder") and merits of Kinder Bueno as Tony admits a Kit Kat aversion but lauds the gooey Bueno center.
    • Tony: “I’m not a big Kit Kat fan ... This is sort of kind of like Kit Kat, but the center is gooier, and I really like it.” (01:59)

• Jenny’s Ice Cream Review:

  • The team samples various new flavors (including coffee, banana pudding, strawberry buttermilk, dark chocolate, and goat cheese with cherries) gifted from Jenny’s, dispensing high praise for their “darkest chocolate.”
  • Michael assigns the family favorites; Tony admits to devouring an entire pint solo.
    • Tony: “There was one flavor that I thought was sensational. It’s called darkest chocolate ... It was that great.” (05:42–06:06)

2. Toothpaste Troubles at Publix

(06:43–08:54)

• The Shopping Saga:
  • Tony, without glasses, seeks value over brand but accidentally buys “cool mint gel,” which he doesn’t dislike but can’t say he likes either.
    • Tony: “I bring it back and I open it. It’s cool mint gel ... So I am on my own petard.” (08:33)
  • Michael explains nuances in toothpaste pricing, and the two evaluate different purchasing logics.

3. President’s Day, Holiday Confusion & Aging

(09:19–10:54)

• Holiday Musings:
  • Tony reminisces about celebrating Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthdays separately and admits to confusing President’s Day with Valentine’s Day.
    • Tony: “Whenever I have read about this holiday weekend, I assumed it was Valentine’s Day. How stupid am I?” (10:04)

4. Ear Problems After Flying

(11:00–13:20)

• Tony’s Hearing Loss:
  • He’s had no hearing in his right ear since flying home, experiments with dubious remedies (hairdryer, steam room), and expects a deluge of listener advice.
    • Tony: “Somebody at the show the other day said, take a hairdryer and blast a hairdryer into your ear ... Another person said, don’t do that. What are you nuts?” (11:53)

5. Weather, Snowmelt, and the Impending Golf Season

(13:36–14:30)

• Golf Course Lament:
  • Coming (or not) thaw at Columbia golf course prompts Tony’s pessimism about early spring playability.

Guest Segments

6. NBA Roundup with Brian Windhorst

(15:00–26:49)

Olympics Coverage & ESPN’s Dilemma

• ESPN personality Brian Windhorst calls in from LA to lament ESPN’s non-coverage of the Olympics due to lack of broadcast rights:
  • Tony: “They don’t mention the Olympics. Like, this is unbelievable ... It doesn’t exist.” (15:24)
  • Brian: “Some of these events look like they’ve been made up ... They’re like going down a mountain, going over bumps ... what billionaire’s kid made this up?” (16:09)

Olympic Men’s Basketball: The LeBron, Durant, Curry Experience

• Windhorst recounts highlights from the USA men’s gold medal basketball run—describing the electric atmosphere in London, a LeBron comeback, and an emotional final in Paris.
  • Brian: “It’s a top three sports experience of my life." (19:08)

NBA: Detroit-Charlotte Fight & League Discipline

• Tony baits Brian on NBA brawls and the league’s consistency:
  • Tony: “Does Silver have the guts to outlaw fights, really punish the fighters?” (20:31)
  • Brian: “No, he doesn’t. They don’t punish anybody for anything in the NBA ... Frankly, fighting is not that big of an issue. These situations are rare.” (20:38)

Tanking and League Integrity

• A deep dive on orchestrated losing, NBA regulatory loopholes, and Adam Silver’s policing:
  • Brian: “Tanking is done on the inactive list ... The Jazz are now tanking inside the four lines ... up by 17, benched starters, lost the lead.” (22:58–24:36)

Jayson Tatum’s Achilles Comeback

• Windhorst offers insight on Tatum’s G League workouts and timeline for return:
  • Brian: “With Achilles injuries ... they always take longer than the players think ... they’re going to protect him ... but unless he has a setback, he’s headed towards playing.” (25:07–26:23)

7. Winter Olympics with Barry Svrluga from Italy

(27:28–43:13)

Lindsey Vonn: Comeback & Crash

• Svrluga details Vonn’s remarkable return at 41, after years away and significant injury.
  • Barry: “She was the best downhiller on the circuit this season ... She crashed because she’s Lindsey Vonn, and the only way she knows to do things is at full bore.” (28:20–31:19)

Mikaela Shiffrin: Olympic Pressure

• Analyzing Shiffrin’s continued Olympic struggles despite being "the greatest of all time," with context about her World Cup dominance and Olympic underperformance.
  • Barry: “Yesterday was a really troubling start ... She finished 15th out of 18. The last time she finished 15th or worse ... was 2012. So you tell me whether the Olympics are having an impact on her psyche.” (33:48–35:55)

The “Quad God” Phenomenon

• Tony and Barry discuss rising skate star dubbed “Quad God,” and whether he’s the sport’s Michael Jordan or Usain Bolt.
  • Barry: “In watching him ... it was like watching Simone Biles ... You have no idea if it’s a quad or a triple, but it’s better than the other guy ... The hype is worth it.” (39:26–40:25)

“What Next” for Laid-Off Sportswriters

• Barry reflects on uncertainty at the Washington Post and the value of covering one last Olympics:
  • Barry: “I come home to incredible gratitude ... It’s a bit of musical chairs ... I was never owed the next [Olympics], but if the choice was to go or stay home ... I’m thrilled to be here.” (41:34–43:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ice Cream Reality:
  • “There was one flavor that I thought was sensational. It’s called darkest chocolate ... I loved it that much.” – Tony (05:42–06:17)
• On Aging & Holidays:
  • “Whenever I have read about this holiday weekend, I assumed it was Valentine’s Day. How stupid am I?” – Tony (10:04)
• On Figure Skating’s New Era:
  • “It was like watching Simone Biles ... He jumps off the screen at you.” – Barry Svrluga, on the “Quad God” (39:49–40:25)
• On NBA Tanking:
  • “Taking is done on the inactive list. Taking is done when players miss seven games due to the flu ... That’s where [the Jazz] have crossed the line.” – Brian Windhorst (22:58–24:36)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jenny’s Ice Cream & Candy Reviews: 00:35–06:42
• Publix Toothpaste Story: 06:43–08:54
• President’s Day/Valentine’s Mixup: 09:19–10:54
• Tony’s Ear Troubles: 11:00–13:20
• Golf Snow/Ice Update: 13:36–14:30
• Brian Windhorst NBA & Olympics: 15:00–26:49
  • On NBA Fights and Discipline: 19:57–21:43
  • On Tanking and League Response: 22:20–24:52
• Barry Svrluga Winter Olympics Recap: 27:28–43:13
  • Lindsey Vonn Segment: 28:20–32:13
  • Mikaela Shiffrin Analysis: 33:01–37:25
  • Quad God Discussion: 38:52–41:14
  • Barry on his Job & Future: 41:34–43:05

Tone & Style

Relaxed camaraderie, quick-witted cultural asides, and confessional storytelling are punctuated by classic Kornheiser sarcasm and laughter. Guests mirror Tony’s reflective and playful style, alternating between reverence for sports moments and exasperation at their absurdities.

For New Listeners

This episode showcases The Tony Kornheiser Show’s signature blend of sports talk, family banter, and unfiltered life commentary. The show’s effortless shifts from NBA scuffles and Olympic heartbreaks to grocery mishaps and “dad problems” ensure everyone finds something to smile—and think—about.