The Tony Kornheiser Show – "Where’s Wilbon?"
Episode Date: September 8, 2025
Overview
In this dense and freewheeling episode, Tony Kornheiser leads his regular team, plus featured guests Michael Wilbon and Dan Graziano, through a lively recap of the weekend in sports. The discussion centers on the U.S. Open tennis tournament, the start of the NFL season, college football blowouts, and notable moments from baseball. The episode blends Tony’s unique wit, sports expertise, and personal stories with the analysis of trusted regulars, making for a nostalgic, entertaining, and insightful recap of a jam-packed sports weekend.
Key Segments & Discussion Points
1. Tribute to Maury Povich’s Podcast & Quick MLB Recap
[02:05–03:27]
- Tony promotes Maury Povich’s podcast episode featuring Mark Mulvoy, ex-SI editor, delving into classic sports journalism and anecdotes from the glory days of Sports Illustrated.
- Quick MLB note: Tony laments missing recent Nationals (Nats) games due to day scheduling but praises their series win over the Cubs. Shout-out to Josh Bell’s pinch-hit homer.
"I didn't watch a single pitch. But the Nats won the last two—and won the series. We'll ask Wilbon about this."
—Tony Kornheiser [03:03]
2. Historic Dodgers Collapse
[03:32–04:27]
- Discussion of a rare baseball feat: Dodgers lose after nearly pitching a no-hitter into the ninth while leading 3–0.
- The shock of relievers blowing the game prompts amazement and sports-historic context.
"They have a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth and they're up three nothing. They end up losing the game. This has never happened."
—Tony Kornheiser [04:10]
3. College Football Blowouts & NIL Era
[04:34–06:16]
- Florida State's major upset and rapid ascendance go under the microscope.
- Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy complains about NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money disparity against Oregon. Dan Lanning’s Oregon responds with a 69–3 blowout, a score Tony and the crew find cathartic.
- Philosophical questions about the fairness of college athletics in the NIL era.
"Eat it. 69, three."
—Tony Kornheiser [06:16]
4. U.S. Open Tennis Analysis
[06:15–08:25]
- In-depth breakdowns of the Sabalenka vs. Anisimova and Alcaraz vs. Sinner matches.
- Emphasis on the dominance of Sabalenka (women’s) and Alcaraz/Sinner (men’s), and the sheer talent level separating them from their peers.
"These two guys now, the last eight majors, one of these two has won. This is what Nadal and Federer did... Now you're wondering who's going to come along."
—Tony Kornheiser [07:33]
5. Personal Anecdotes: Ball Boy at the U.S. Open
[08:37–09:20]
- Michael’s cohost receives an email about a former golf player now serving as a ball boy at the US Open men’s final—a poignant personal connection to elite sports.
6. Golf: Walker Cup and Rory McIlroy’s Comeback
[09:20–12:45]
- Review of the visually stunning Walker Cup at Cypress Point, including Condoleezza Rice's narration of a tournament video.
- Highlights stupefying late-match comebacks and the unique challenge of Cypress’s infamous par-threes.
- Lighthearted take on the celebratory antics of Carlos Alcaraz ("the golf swing pointing to Sergio Garcia").
"There's the famous story as it's going through design process. You have someone who decides to just drop the ball down and she clears the ocean and goes, 'I think we can put the tee right here.' It's not too hard, but famously, it's, you know..."
—Cohost [11:00]
7. Remembering Ken Dryden & Davey Johnson
[12:45–14:39]
- Tony reflects on the impactful legacies of Ken Dryden—NHL Hall-of-Famer and author—and Davey Johnson, legendary player and manager, both of whom passed away recently.
- Argues the Hall of Fame case for Johnson and Dryden’s status as a Canadian national treasure.
- Nostalgic mention of the 1986 Mets and the Miracle on Ice.
"Ken Dryden may be the greatest goalie of all time... He wrote a book called The Game about hockey, which is brilliant."
—Tony Kornheiser [14:11]
8. Interview: Michael Wilbon Deep Dive
[19:16–34:51]
US Open Tennis: Greatness & Parity
[19:53–23:18]
- Wilbon praises Alcaraz and Sinner’s dominant position in men’s tennis, noting generational cycles but wondering if their dominance is healthy for the sport.
"I don't know how well tennis is served... I got tired of the men's because there wasn't going to be anybody else in the ring with them. And I want to see more of a battle royale."
—Michael Wilbon [20:54]
- Prefers women’s side for its suspense and depth; any of a "dozen" women, including early-round exits, could win a major.
MLB: Cubs’ Collapse against Nationals
[23:18–24:59]
- Wilbon is frustrated and angry at the Cubs’ bullpen failing in a crucial series, seeing it as a red flag despite their standing.
College Football & The NIL Blowout
[25:02–27:05]
- Dismisses the week’s one-sided college football games as "a waste of everybody’s time."
- Backs Oregon’s blitz over Oklahoma State, enjoying Mike Gundy’s comeuppance.
"He's just an aggravating person... As a person, I want him to get drubbed every game."
—Michael Wilbon [26:13]
NFL Week 1: Bears, Aaron Rodgers, and Power Rankings
[27:05–31:35]
- Roots passionately against Aaron Rodgers (now on Steelers), critiques lack of accountability, and shares his lifelong Steelers fan connection.
- Predicts Packers as the class of the NFC, but doubts the Lions post-coordinator losses. Bears' defense expected to stymie rookie JJ McCarthy.
"I think that the packers are the best team in the nfc, and I would take them to be in the super bowl, right?"
—Michael Wilbon [29:49]
NFL Miscellany: Ravens Collapse & Week 1 Chaos
[31:35–34:51]
- Astonishment at Baltimore’s blown lead to Buffalo, calls it a classic but won’s overinterpret: “I don't believe the result means anything” [32:50].
- Revisits wild finishes—Browns/Cincinnati, Giants/Colts—with experienced skepticism about Week 1 overreactions.
9. NFL Week 1 Reaction: Dan Graziano Interview
[37:43–51:51]
Eagles vs. Cowboys, Chiefs’ WR Problems, Chargers’ Rise
[38:42–39:50]
- Eagles’ secondary shows weaknesses; Cowboys might not fall off post-Micah Parsons. As for Chiefs, lack of receivers a problem after Xavier Worthy's injury; Chargers and Broncos look formidable in division.
"Eagles have some questions to answer in their secondary... Chiefs 10 at wide receiver again... Chargers looked good."
—Dan Graziano [38:42–39:50]
Surprises & Underperformers: Giants, Russell Wilson
[40:28–41:42]
- Daniel Jones shines unexpectedly, but Miami’s defense is pointed out as “bad.” Skepticism about Russell Wilson’s viability (“hasn’t been any good since his second to last year in Seattle”).
Steelers’ Issues; Aaron Rodgers Defies Age
[41:42–44:03]
- Steelers’ defense looks old and leaky; doubts about resilience across the NFL stretching beyond one week.
- Rodgers is still outstanding—question shifts from talent to endurance.
Packers’ Statement, Lions’ Disappointments, AFC Heavyweights
[45:35–48:26]
- Declares Packers a "super bowl caliber" threat, especially buoyed by elite defense and "elite play callers."
- Unpacks the epic Ravens-Buffalo finish, with playoff seeding implications already surfacing.
"The Packers I think are ready to Be an elite team, like a Super bowl caliber team."
—Dan Graziano [45:36]
On Losing Coordinators: How Much Does it Hurt?
[49:11–50:13]
- Discusses possible fallout from Lions losing both offensive and defensive coordinators—“We will find that out.”
Big Surprises, Team Watchlist
[50:13–51:51]
- Tampa Bay’s rookie WR emerges; Mayfield is “better than people said three years ago.”
- Quick mentions for Jacksonville and Washington—Washington now “a really good team that can win when it's not at its best.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Dodgers’ historic collapse: "In the history of baseball in the major leagues, this has never happened." —Tony Kornheiser [04:13]
- On college football mismatches: "This week was... a waste of everybody’s time." —Michael Wilbon [25:13]
- On dominant tennis duos: "Even someone who loves tennis like me, I got tired of the men's because there wasn't gonna be anybody else in the ring." —Michael Wilbon [20:54]
- Rivalry, loyalty, and sports passion: “I've never rooted against the Steelers in my life... but now I have to root against them with every fiber of my being because they have that creep [Aaron Rodgers].” —Michael Wilbon [29:25]
- Packers’ ceiling: "The Packers are the best team in the nfc, and I would take them to be in the super bowl, right?" —Michael Wilbon [29:49]
Noteworthy Timestamps
- Maury Povich Podcast Plug: [02:05]
- Nationals’ Series Recap: [03:03]
- Dodgers’ Collapse: [03:32–04:27]
- Florida State & Oregon NIL Blowout: [04:34–06:16]
- Qualities of Tennis Greatness: [06:15–08:25]
- Walker Cup Golf Talk: [09:20–12:45]
- Hall of Fame Tributes (Dryden, Johnson): [12:45–14:39]
- Wilbon Interview (NFL, Tennis, MLB, CFB): [19:16–34:51]
- Dan Graziano NFL Reactions & Surprises: [37:43–51:51]
Tone & Takeaway
The episode distills exactly what fans love about Tony Kornheiser: an old-school, thoughtful yet irreverent voice who loves stories as much as stats. Each guest and cohost brings unique passion and context, from Wilbon’s honest gripes to Graziano’s methodical NFL diagnosis. The exchanges jump from tennis to gridiron without missing a beat, always witty, sometimes melancholy, never forced. For those who missed it, this episode is a rollicking ride across the modern sports landscape, blending nostalgia, analysis, and humor in classic Kornheiser style.
Excludes ad segments, musical interludes, and non-content filler as requested.