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“You’re the matchbook guy” - The Tony Kornheiser Show | Wave AI Podcast Notes

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“You’re the matchbook guy”

The Tony Kornheiser Show

Wed Dec 31 2025

Summary

The Tony Kornheiser Show – "You’re the matchbook guy"

Date: December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tony Kornheiser and his regular cast traverse their usual eclectic terrain: from personal anecdotes and local color (including Tony's saga of framing collectible matchbooks and a misadventure with a raisin scone) to spirited debates about NFL team management, playoff fairness, and exhaustive previews of the upcoming college football playoff games. Expert guests Jason La Canfora, James Carville, and Pat Forde join to lend insight and banter, all accompanied by Tony's signature storytelling flair.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Matchbook Framing Saga & Local Bethesda Adventures

[00:00 – 15:30]

Tony’s Framebridge Excursion:
- Tony shares a story about his appointment to frame his cherished collection of restaurant matchbooks at Framebridge in Bethesda.
- Humorous obstacles include parking woes, generational divides over custom framing, and his own indecisiveness in arranging the matchbooks.
- Upon entry, he's recognized as “the matchbook guy,” which delights both him and his co-hosts.
- Quote:
  
  "Oh, you’re the matchbook guy."
  — Framebridge staffer identifies Tony ([07:03])
Moral Debate About Parking:
- Tony parks in a lot designated for shoppers and feels morally obligated to make a purchase. He opts for a baked good.
- His anticipation for a raisin bun dissolves into disappointment with a bland raisin scone; he picks out the raisins and muses about value.
- Quotes:
  
  “It was 3.95. I mean, I thought, wow, that’s a lot. I could have bought a box of raisins.” ([13:01])
  “Are you a scone person?” ([14:19])
Co-host Banter:
- Michael, Craig, and Tony riff on local bakeries, parking stress, and generational divides about custom vs. big-box store framing.

2. NFL & Sports Deep Dives with Jason La Canfora

[17:54 – 29:34]

Falcons’ Front Office Move:
- Tony criticizes Atlanta’s GM for drafting Michael Penix and upsetting Kirk Cousins, arguing that it’s led to the team’s underperformance.
- Quote:
  
  “He ruined the team. He ruined it. I – he should be fired. That’s what I think.” ([20:36])
Baltimore Ravens & Steelers Preview:
- Discussion on whether Lamar Jackson should play if not fully healthy and the team’s limited offense without him.
- Jason breaks down Huntley’s limitations, Derrick Henry’s sustainability, and the challenges of balancing quarterback health and playoff aspirations.
- Quote:
  
  “If Lamar’s remotely ready to play this game, Lamar has to play this game.” ([23:23])
Coaching Futures:
- Both Tony and Jason speculate on whether long-tenured coaches in Baltimore and Pittsburgh will return.
- Jason forecasts significant coaching staff changes, if not full regime changes, possibly opening the door for “door number two.”
- Quote:
  
  “I think there’s a greater chance that neither’s back than both are back.” ([23:58])
Playoff Weather Fairness Debate:
- Tony asks if it’s fair that a warm-weather team like the Rams must go on the road in January.
- Jason places this in context of NFL tradition and the motivations behind dome stadiums and playoff expansion.
- Quote:
  
  “That’s football, man. I mean, they played this schedule forever. They’re only going to extend it deeper into the winter.” ([27:15])

3. Weekly Football Picks with James Carville

[31:40 – 35:04]

Carville discusses his previous week’s record and rolls out his picks:
- Iowa (+5.5)
- Arizona State (+3.5)
- Miami at Ohio State (+10)
- Indiana (-7) against Cincinnati
- A first-half over bet for New England/Miami
Banter with Tony about Carville’s surprisingly pragmatic picks, with nods to tradition ("Never thought I’d take Indiana over Alabama…") and jokes about SEC loyalty.
Quote:

“The summit is in sight.” — James Carville, on reaching .500 in picks ([32:09])

4. College Football Playoff & Industry Trends with Pat Forde

[35:56 – 48:24]

Michigan’s New Coach:
- Tony and Pat agree the hire is as much about resetting the school’s reputation as it is about wins; concern over cultural fit aired.
- Quote:
  
  “This was as much a reputational hire as a competitive hire.” ([36:40])
Playoff Game Previews:
- Ohio State/Miami: Pat favors Ohio State as "clearly the better team."
- Alabama/Indiana: Pat champions Indiana, calling them the best team ("We’ve got to wrap our arms around it and say, that’s the way this is.").
- Oregon/Texas Tech: Calls it close, gives slight edge to Oregon.
- Ole Miss/Georgia: Predicts Georgia wins but expects a good game.
Eligibility & “College as Never-Never Land”:
- Discussion on college athletes seeking endless eligibility and the erosion of “student”-athlete identity.
- Quote:
  
  “...eventually the candy store closes. Like, it has a closing hour...and you have to go do something else. You cannot just eternally eat candy.” ([45:00])
Future of College Playoffs:
- Pat anticipates an inevitable move to a 16-team format, with more at-large berths forecasted.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Tony's self-deprecating philosophy:

“In my case, I’m not lasting that long either. So it’s okay if it [the frame job] doesn’t last that long.” ([09:57])
On scones:

“No, I don’t. I didn’t like it. It was a big ball of dough. I didn’t like it. It had no taste.” — Tony ([13:09])
On NFL January games:

“Is it fair that the January weather can be so determining of who wins and who does not win?” — Tony ([26:40])
“That’s football, man.” — Jason La Canfora ([27:15])
On NCAA sports culture drift:

“It has become like minor league, highly paid, highly watched minor league.” — Pat Forde ([46:32])
“We’ve completely lost the plot to a degree with some of this stuff.” — Pat Forde ([46:11])

Timestamps for Key Segments

Framing Matchbooks and Bethesda Bakery Adventure: 00:00 – 15:30
NFL Talk with Jason La Canfora: 17:54 – 29:34
James Carville’s Football Picks: 31:40 – 35:04
College Football Playoff Talk with Pat Forde: 35:56 – 48:24

Tone & Atmosphere

Tony’s storytelling is warm, self-effacing, and deeply nostalgic, seamlessly transitioning from laugh-out-loud observational comedy to earnest reflection. The interplay among co-hosts and guests maintains both a sharp wit and an accessible, conversational feel—making even deep dives into sports management or college football intrigue feel relatable and engaging. Frequent callbacks, inside jokes, and personal tangents are hallmarks, creating a “hangout” vibe for listeners.

For First-Time Listeners

This episode delivers the full "Tony Kornheiser Show" experience: local color, sports nerdery, personal reminiscence, sharp guest analysis, and a sense of belonging for both sports fans and those who just enjoy great radio storytelling.

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Transcript

Tony Kornheiser (0:00)

Hey, it's Tony. On today's show, we'll go around the NFL with Jason Lock and Fora. James Carville will call in with his weekly football picks and we will preview the next round of college football playoff games with PAT40. But first, Commerce previously on the Tony Kornizer Show. Okay, that's good. And for those of you who are interested in my attempt to frame some matchbooks over the over the course of time, I have an appointment today at 10 o' clock in the morning at Framebridge.

Michael Granberry (0:32)

Are we giving out the location?

Tony Kornheiser (0:33)

No, I'm not going to do that. There's a number of frame digits. I'm going to one.

Craig Simon (0:38)

I'll hold release of the episode till 10:30.

Pat40 (0:41)

Thanks.

Tony Kornheiser (0:45)

The Tony Kornheiser show is on now. If you wait for it, I'll tell you all about it. I got some other things to start with. First, from Brett Hobbs of Lynton, Indiana who emails us a lot. My hometown of Linton, Indiana was hit by an F1 tornado on December 28th. Second tornado to hit our town this year. You have mentioned my town several times in the emails I've sent. We're hurting right now. Please say a prayer for this small Southern Indiana town, which of course we will do. From Dylan Garon in Reston, Virginia. I was driving home from my in laws while listening to Monday's episode Wanda. Thank you for sharing your high school memories, especially the way you quoted the Beatles in my life. That song holds a very special place for me. On my wedding day, I danced with my mom to it. It's a memory I'll always treasure. Hearing about the notes and letters you've received from childhood made me reflect on a message I recently received from my own best friend, someone I've known since I was 6 years old. We grew up in a tiny town in New Hampshire playing Little League together and eventually made a run for high school stake title as Best Friends. As life unfolded, I moved to rest in Virginia. Over time, through distance, misunderstandings and growing up, we drifted apart. Last week he reached out to me unexpectedly writing about our best years but also the lost years and end up being the best Christmas present I could have ever received. Your episode captured that mix of nostalgia, gratitude and quiet healing perfectly reminded me how powerful those early connections can be even years later. Thank you for sharing that. Thank you for writing that to me. Lovely. Two things. These are catch up things. One is about Sherman Oil. Just so we understand each other about Sherman Oil. I got another bill two days ago for like $500 and I'm angry because I had for many, many years subscribed to their budget situation where you lock in a certain rate for a gallon of propane, whatever that rate is, and you pay, you prepay. And then whatever you use, if you go over, you start paying at the regular rate. But you're locked in for the overwhelming majority of your winter needs.

Tony Kornheiser (2:43)

Half the time, but not by much. You know, a couple hundred, something like that. You know, it just depends on the weather for the winter. This is a colder winter so far. I got a gas bill yesterday for $750. She's. And that's not even. We haven't entered the cold months. So, I mean, so, you know, if I'm getting it, other people are getting it. Yes, they're getting it, too. So anyway, so I'm very upset at the customer service of Sherman because I feel that if I. My position is very clear. I feel that if I have subscribed to this for 15 to 20 years and I don't subscribe good customer services, you call me. You have my number. You say, hey, you didn't subscribe. You always subscribe. You just call me. That's good customer service. Yeah, I didn't get anything like that. I've written notes, the last two bills I've paid. I've written notes expressing my disappointment at not being able to go back to that budgeted plan, that prepaid plan, which happens around Labor Day. Prepaid. I called yesterday and I asked to speak to the president of the company, and I didn't get the president company. I got the same person who I've talked to before who said to me, I've explained this to you. I've explained why we don't do it. There are lots of people who just don't sign up, even though they've signed up for years. We don't. We just accept that. We don't go after it. And I said, well, you should. That's good customer service. And you haven't answered my notes. I want to speak to the president of the company, who's the president of the company as well. I'm the manager. And I said, yeah, but who's above you? How about the owner? Can I speak to the owner? Who's the owner? Says, Mr. Sherman. I said, I want to speak to Mr. Sherman now. There's no chance Richard Sherman. I don't know. It could be Richard Sherman. Then we got to wait for him to be off the air. There's no chance. Could be William Tecumseh Sherman also. There's no chance it's ever going to happen. There's no chance? No. I'm stuck on this level of this manager who just. I'm not saying that she does anything untoward. I'm saying we have a fundamental disagreement as to what good customer service is. I don't believe I've had good customer service. So I wanted to talk to the owner just to say, look, I can afford this. It's okay. That's not the point. I'm paying you what you're asking for, but I'm talking to you about good customer service. That's all I want to be able to do. Is that wrong, Michael, to be able.

Tony Kornheiser (7:16)

Okay. So I go inside a match. I go inside, I dump all the matches out and begin to not so much arrange them, but turn them over so that that. That which I want to be displayed will be displayed. I say, you know, you can take the matches out. No, it's better when we don't take the matches out yet because your house burns down at that point. It's much better. And, you know, we kind of sort of arrange them, but we don't really kind of sort of arrange them. We just. We just put them out there. And I keep. You know, I knew I had one from 21. 21 is a great restaurant in New York. I don't even know if it's still there, but it was, I think, 21 East 44th Street. It was just called 21. And I knew it just had 21 on the front and I would know what that was. And I couldn't find it and I had to flip over one. So I'm flipping over three or four or five or ten, and then she is saying to me, this is. We can fit them here and we can do this and we can do that, and it's fine. But as we arrange them, I'm cognizant of the fact that we're not arranging them by color. You know, like, it's not as beautiful as I want it to be. It's not as varied as I want it to be. And she's taking pictures of it because this is the way it's going to be. I go, I say to myself in my own mind, okay, it's all right. She gives me a price for how much this will cost with a black frame. She says, either get a black frame or a white frame. I said, black frame is fine. It's fine. She gives me a price which is considerably lower than I would have thought. Considerably lower, I mean, that they talk about. And Framebridge is owned by Don Graham's company. I worked for Don Graham. For many, many years. Graham holdings is part of that, you know, And. And I was so. You know, because I've. I've done framing before with people who are artists. It's much more expensive where I used to go. So I thought to myself, you know what? You know what? If it doesn't work out the way. Exactly the way I want, I'll open it up, I'll rearrange it all myself, and I'll give it back to them, and they can do it again.

Jason Lockett (21:22)

If he's healthy enough to protect himself, that if the medical people don't think he's at, you know, an extreme risk here from a health standpoint, then he will play. And I believe, barring some odd step back through the week, that that's where this is heading. And if he's remotely close to being able to play, then he has to play. And Huntley can do some things. He's improved as a game manager. I think he's learned his limitations and this version of him, which is a version, by the way, they didn't want back in their building, like, he got here only because Cleveland caught him and Cooper Rush was terrible and there was familiarity. So they took a flyer because they badly needed a third quarterback in case their second quarterback really wasn't a fit. And it turns out Cooper Rush really wasn't fit. So, like, I think all that, though, got Huntley to a point where he knows his arm is not that good, he knows his accuracy is not that good. He's going to play within himself, he's going to lean even more into his legs and he's not going to try to make throws that for him are lower percentage throws. Now that's also going to really severely limit the scope of your offense. But if you have a 30 year old, 260 pound hammer of a running back to be ageless, then that can work for you here or there. But you can't run Derek Henry 40 times every week. Like that's not sustainable. It's not really sustainable in the playoffs. And you know, Tone, they average four air yards per attempt in that game. I'm going to repeat that. The average 4 air yards per tip. Their leader in target yak, which means yards beyond the sticks. When you're targeted on a pass, you don't even have to catch it, you have to be targeted. Their leader in that entire football game in that category was mark Andrews with 21 yards. Like that's, that's not, that's not going to work. So now if Lamar doesn't look great and he's playing this game and they get into some situations where you really want to run the quarterback and you're not sure about him there and you want to bring Snoop in for a mesh point player too, I mean, you got to win the game. And I wouldn't be sitting here saying, oh no, my God, how dare you do that. But if Lamar is remotely ready to play this game, Lamar has to play this game and I think he will.

Jason Lockett (23:58)

I think there's a greater chance that neither's back and both are back. This is, I mean we're talking 20 years here for these two. Basically like, right, that's forever years in the NFL. And both have been dealing with sort of varying degrees of their fan base, their supporters kind of really wanting something else. I think both have grown frustrated with the fact that the fingers always, they've been there so long, the finger is always on them. Even if the issue truly in this instance might be personnel or that instance might be personnel or that instance might be ownership or that instance might be, well, gee, are we ever going to sign somebody from anybody else's roster who makes real money? That's part of the case of the Ravens because the Steelers have Changed their spots there a little bit. Like, yeah, I think both to some degree are open to see what's behind door number two or door number three. To be wooed, to have people come in and tell them, you're the greatest thing ever. We've never had a coach nearly as good as you, man, we trade this pick in, that pick for you. We really want you. Or, you know, or it could be a college program as well. You just don't see 10 years that last this long in the NFL for a multitude of reasons. And most of it is, yeah, the team doesn't want to get back after a while or the team made a terrible hire or whatever. But I think both, if they stay. Tony, you're talking about sweeping changes. Like, who's going to sit there and say, Arthur Smith's done a great job running that offensive boy, whoever the quarterback is, next year, we want Arthur Smith back. No, I think everybody's going to be like, yeah, that was a brutal watch. Like, what the hell? Defensively, Carol Austin, the way they've been eviscerated at times, I don't think he can come back. And I don't think we're just talking coordinators. I think we're talking about multiple position coaches, almost like a reboot. And then in Baltimore, there's no way Zach or you can bring him back. And I don't think you can bring back most of those defensive coaches. And then on offense, you know, I don't. I'm not sure Todd Monkin really wants to stay. Like after some of the play calling debacles, like what's going on there. I just think when you're dealing with all that, you're answering all those questions and ownership is probing you like that, at some point you're going to say, hey, you know what, I could go make the same money somewhere else and it won't cost you a damn thing and you won't have to pay me to leave. But I, I want to, I want to get a look, see, I know I just did this extension of that extension. I know you have my rights for another year, but do you really want me here if I don't really want to be here, if I don't really feel like rebooting my coaching staff again? So I think there's major. No matter who wins this game, I still think there's a better chance. Both are gone, both are bad.

Tony Kornheiser (49:59)

Before we get to the Mailbag, on the last day of 2025, let me just say we were born before the wind Also younger than the sun air the bonnie boat was won as we sailed into the mystic Hark now here the sailors cry. Smell the sea, feel the sky Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic. That's the greatest Van Morrison song there is. Just the greatest. Thanks to our guests today, Jason Lock and ford. James Carville, Pat 40. Thanks as well to today's sponsors. Remember, you can listen to us on Apple podcasts, Spotify and ought to see if get show through Apple. Please leave us a review from Ken Letzler. You tell us your accountant says the IRS will no longer accept checks for estimated taxes. Sounds fishy to me. I just sent the IRS a check for my fourth quarter estimate and they cashed it. Second, if you go to the website. I'm not going to the website. Ww.irs.gov payments by check or money. It says you can send a check. I thought your accountant was just making this up until I read further and found the problem. The IRS says they, quote, can't accept single check or money order amounts of $100 million or more. Thanks for flagging that for all the Littles who have the same problems. You. I don't have any problem like that and I don't understand why this is happening. You send your fourth quarter in? I was going to send it in around, you know, January 5th, January 6th, something like that. I don't know. John Tagliarini, in your rant on the irs, you mentioned anyone can mail a check. While that's probably true of those over 30, I would argue teenagers have no idea. My 18 year old had to mail thank you cards this summer and watching her try and address them and where to put stamps was one of the most painful experiences as a parent. And I taught her how to drive. Tell Dr. Peter continuing to eat it From Mark Corriere, Ellicott City, Maryland I had no idea about the new rule in 2026 that the federal government will not accept a good old fashioned check for your tax payment. Thank you for information for life. Do you think Reginald could go over the new SALT laws and senior bonus deductions for 2026 from Chris in Apex, North Carolina? Last week you mentioned how US mail has become unreliable. Well, the Danes have a solution to that end. The Postal Service. That's right. After 400 years of delivering mail, the Danish Postal Service will deliver its last piece of mail on December 30th. That's yesterday, 2025. To focus on the E commerce and package delivery, a private company will still deliver some mail. So how will bills get paid? You ask an app on your phone? That's right. All business with the government. Utilities will be handled through an app. We are doomed. Yes, we are doomed. This is a terrible idea. Alan Orlang in Oakland, California the so the cool birthday numerology is a thing. This week finally beat this. My wife has three children, all born on the 22nd of the month, June 22nd, September 22nd and December 22nd, when our youngest was due. And my wife called me on the afternoon of September 21st saying she's going to the hospital with contractions. I screamed at her, don't let them birth that baby until after midnight. And the capper? My wife's birthday February 22nd. Boom.

Tony Kornheiser (54:38)

Sort of when you're in Australia. Craig Simon, Silver Spring Happy New Year. That's it. That's the wish. Thank you. Adam, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The discussion with Bob Ryan on Athletes Born on 1230 made me curious. That said, rather than waiting for you to find an astrologist, I chose to reach out to your favorite AI platform. Why 12:30 screams elite athlete in astrology terms number one sun in Capricorn. Discipline as a superpower. It's a cardinal earth sign. It wants to win, but in a long game way. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn the coach, the clock. The standard Saturn symbolism is literally pressure, responsibility, standards, resilience, endurance. 3. Mars is exalted in Capricorn. This is one of the most athlete coded placements in traditional astrology. Mars drive, aggression, competitive Fire does really well in Capricorn because it becomes strategic, efficient effort, relentless pacing. Feel free to share with Mr. Ryan. I also took the liberty of looking up what cancers are about I mine sinus cancer. I'll skip to the shadow traits to any of these resonate with you. Moody, sensitive feelings run deep can withdraw when hurt guarded slow to trust protective shell holds on to memories, grudges or the past Indirect when upset can be passive aggressive instead of upfront. Yeah, sure, until Michael Norwood to you, Bob in Burlington, North Carolina Just heard your conversation with Bob Ryan about the possible proliferation of statues outside sports stadiums and I found myself shouting what about Wrigley Field in Chicago? The lovable losers on the north side have been on a statue spree the last 10 plus years. I grew up in Chicago and while I see the possible logic of Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ron Sano, Fergie Jenkins and Ryan Sandberg as part of their statue row, these Cub grades seem somewhat diminished by the statue of Harry Carey near the bleachers. As far as I can tell, Mr. Carey's career statistics lean towards taking the number of beers he consumed every game before it would slur his way to take me out to the ballgame while waving his microphone at the fans in a seventh inning stretch. You know Harry Carey deserves a statue. Yeah, and Wilbourne loves Harry Carey beyond anything.