The Yak - January 19, 2026

Episode: "MikeyBets Has Completed Another Science Experiment For Us"
Hosts: Big Cat, KBNoSwag (Kyle), Brandon Walker, Rone, Lil Sas, Kate, Steven Cheah, Nick, Mackenzie, Danny, TJ, Tate, MikeyBets

Episode Overview

This episode of The Yak is a classic free-flowing Barstool roundtable, with the crew riffing on sports heartbreak (namely the Bears’ tough playoff exit), quirky fan encounters, behind-the-scenes tailgate tales, and signature Barstool hijinks — culminating in MikeyBets’ latest "science experiment" (ahem). The team also discusses TV personalities, local media legacies, infamous food and beverage disasters, unique punishment challenges, and upcoming plans for both sports and personal adventures.

Main Discussion Points and Highlights

1. The Bears Heartbreak and Cold-Weather Fandom

• Big Cat relives attending the Bears’ crushing playoff loss, describing the "stadium air just getting sucked out after the field goal."
• Notable Fan Encounter: "Sign Guy" from Hawaii comes in, hyped to get on TV, but is utterly destroyed by the Chicago cold.
  • Big Cat [05:06]: “He didn’t make a noise the second half, he was so cold. There’s never been a human being more cold.”
• Everyone reflects on the pain of seeing miraculous moments overshadowed by losses, like the Caleb Williams throw.
• Comparison to other infamous sports heartbreaks—e.g., Marcus Paige’s Final Four shot, Rajai Davis’ World Series home run.

Memorable Quote

"He was vibrating the entire second half. He couldn’t... He didn’t bring the sign back out after halftime because he was so cold." —Big Cat [05:16]

2. Tailgate Reunions and Hot Guy Sightings

• The YAK crew mingled with the “tailgate Knicks,” making for a fun, seamless pregame atmosphere.
• Big Cat confesses to a new hobby: identifying “the hottest guy” at events, with wife’s approval.
  • Big Cat [10:08]: “That’s a good sign of a marriage where both sides can be like, ‘that’s a hot guy.’”

3. Betting Stories – Heartbreak and Humor

• Steven Cheah and TJ recount their now-infamous “fun bet” that hit during playoff overtime, awkwardly celebrating amid Bears fans immediately following a back-breaking interception.
• The concept of “unit shaming” comes up—everyone agrees to respect bet sizes.

Notable Moment

(Big Cat to Steven Cheah, after the controversial $100 bet hit in overtime)
“That’s a pretty big bet for Steven.” —Big Cat [15:55]

4. MikeyBets' "Science Experiment": A VERY Honest Review

• Mikey details his experience using a cold water tube as a Yak punishment (with help from his wife), turning an awkward assignment into an unexpectedly positive review.
• Describes the sensation as “like getting into an ice bath,” requiring some warming up but ultimately enjoyable.
• Big Cat [27:11]: “This makes me, like, saying guys are hot seem like nothing within my marriage.”

Quotes/Moments

• MikeyBets [27:22]: “It was awesome… I hate to admit that it was awesome, but it was.”
• “She basically, like, I had to get hard, and then she rubbed it down and then kept moving it up and down, and then... it was awesome.” —MikeyBets [27:27]
• Debate on whether this should remain a punishment—consensus shifts to “maybe it should be a prize.”

5. Yak Wheel: The Great Wet vs. Dry Debate

• Brandon laments “wheel” punishment fatigue, describing online abuse from fans.
• The crew spits ideas to spice up the punishment, such as “sweat instead of wet,” “nobody likes getting wet,” or “last one dry.”
• Group agrees to work together to revamp the wheel dynamic over the next two weeks.

6. Forthcoming Adventures and Surgery Updates

• Kyle (KBNoSwag) announces he’s having throat surgery for a rare condition preventing him from burping—vows to save his long-overdue first burp for the Yak post-op.
• Excitement permeates the room regarding how this change will impact his life—and his home’s smell.
  • Brandon [48:05]: “It’s going to feel good. You might get hooked because you’re such a fart guy.”

7. Local Media, Helicopter News & Weather Nostalgia

• Extended riff on "local legends": Chicago radio/TV personalities, small-town meteorologists, and traffic choppers.
• Hosts wax sentimental about the era when being local TV/radio "famous" was the ultimate—while side-eyeing its waning influence in the digital age.

8. Drug Tier List YouTube Channels & Internet Deep Dives

• Crew discovers the “Goblin” channel, who academically “tiers” all drugs.
  • Stephen: “I feel like Vice had a show like this, but Goblin’s more fun.”
• They talk about favorite odd YouTube algorithms, viral magicians, and surreal content rabbit holes.

9. San Francisco Super Bowl / Travel Plans

• Gearing up for a group trip—enthusiasm for tourist essentials (Golden Gate, Redwoods, Chinatown, burgers)
• Kate and Stephen planning “date-like excursions.”
• Full Yak dinner tradition to be continued, families welcome.

10. Barf Bag Stories and Airplane Disasters

• After a group chat update that Sass projectile-vomited on a plane, crew recounts their own worst air travel mishaps—wine puke, weed cookie mishaps, and the shame of barfing in a barf bag.
• Brandon [74:39]: “I felt like such an asshole. They had to close the bathroom down.”

11. Odds & Ends: Rapid-Fire Segments

• The show ends with banter about:
  • The joy (or not) of broccoli, mushrooms, string beans, and “shitty hot dogs at the microbrewery.”
  • Rucker’s odd naming history, local weather paywalls, and the demise of iconic local car dealership personalities.
  • Yak’s own dating show for Connor Griffin (applications open!).
  • Button fly jeans vs. zipper fly—passionate debate.
  • The "Doubtfire for a day" proposal: coming soon, everyone must fully dress as Mrs. Doubtfire for a show.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cold Stadium/Sign Guy Story: [04:00]–[08:00]
• Hot Guy Hobby: [09:44]–[10:22]
• Steven Cheah Overtime Bet: [12:00]–[16:10]
• MikeyBets Water Tube Science Experiment: [25:53]–[30:53]
• Wet/Dry Wheel Revamp: [18:34]–[21:03]
• Kyle’s No-Burp Surgery Discussion: [46:55]–[55:40]
• YouTube Drug Tier Channel Goblin: [58:41]–[61:43]
• Barf Bag/Plane Puke Stories: [72:53]–[74:59]
• San Francisco Trip Plans: [65:49]–[68:15]
• Yak Dating Show Announcement: [101:26]

Notable Quotes

• Big Cat [05:06]: "He didn’t make a noise the second half, he was so cold. There’s never been a human being more cold."
• Big Cat [10:08]: “That’s a good sign of a marriage where both sides can be like, ‘that’s a hot guy.’”
• Big Cat [15:55]: “That’s a pretty big bet for Steven.”
• MikeyBets [27:22]: “It was awesome… I hate to admit that it was awesome, but it was.”
• Brandon [74:39]: “I felt like such an asshole. They had to close the bathroom down.”
• Brandon [48:05]: “It’s going to feel good. You might get hooked because you’re such a fart guy.”

Closing Thoughts

This episode of The Yak is both quintessential and eclectic: a blend of genuine sports angst, absurdly vivid anecdotes, classic Barstool roasting, and heartfelt team camaraderie. Whether reviewing a novelty sex toy, arguing the merits of broccoli, or plotting elaborate group costumes, the Yak crew proves their ability to turn the mundane and the bizarre alike into premium entertainment.