The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - Hour 1: Adnan's Perenniallyal Reheated Turd (feat. Adnan Virk)

Episode Date: March 12, 2026

"I'm allowed to use the n-word." Michael Buble, Stubby Clapp, and Dan Le Batard walk into a bank... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the Dan Levitart show with the Stucats podcast. This episode of the Dan Levitart show is presented by Bombas. Bombs brings the comfort in all your everyday go-toes, socks, underwear, teas, and more. Use code Dan for 20% off your first purchase. B-O-M-B-A-S dot com. Slash Dan. I swear by those, and I would advise you to get bombas in your life, especially if you have any issues with your feet being cold,

because this is something that I have found very helpful. I see the smiling face of Adnan Verk. I am grateful that we gave him more than 11 days' notice on appearing on today's show. He has been sending everyone who has access to computers, him singing with Michael Boubley. So let's go ahead and play that to get him in the right mood here before we start with Adnan Verk. Let's play the sound of Adnan Verk,

singing on air in a way that seemed to annoy Michael Bubla who wanted him to stop, and he simply would not stop singing. Is it really a birthday tomorrow? Call me. Yeah, call me, you do it with me then. Call me irresponsible. Call me,

undeniable. Drawing hands of smooth, too. Happy birthday, yes. Thank you. Irresponsibly Matt. Take that to my grave now. I got to admit, Adnan's singing voice, that's pretty great. To hang with Boubley, I mean, not in the same category,

but to not sound tone deaf around Michael Boubley. Well done, Adnan. You're a good man, Tashay. As soon as we were done, Bublae looked at me and kind of goes, not bad. So take that to bank, Dan, hung with Michael Bublay, but you're right. What would I do with that at the bank? Adnan gave me this. What are you saying with Michael Blaine?

Can you do something? Back of dimes. But to Dan's point, anybody can be a great singer for six or seven seconds. You've got to know when to cut it. After Bill Blay said, happy birthday to my colleague and friend Blake Bold, I kept going. I needed a giant cane to pull me back.

Enough FERC. Get out while you're ahead. Where does that rank in terms of career highlights where you have found yourself just baffled by where it is you've arrived? Yeah, it's a great question, Dan. It's one of those, I'm sure, as you know, in the moment, you're just living it. And then afterwards, you're terrified and petrified by what just happened and shocked that I didn't pee my pants.

So it still feels rather surreal. It's still sinking in. But I hope I need to follow up with this. Like, I need to somehow get a hold of Boublay's manager, backstage passes at the garden. Like, we need to extend this relationship. This can't just be a one-off. It's too special. What are you, Stugat?

Like, you can't just have your one moment with somebody. You have to then marry them so that they can perpetually be giving. you good feeling? I got Adnan as a song and dance man. This guy wants a one-man show so bad. Mike has read about that. When people say, oh, you can sing. No, I can't. I can just do that. To Mike's point, just the crooning. I mean, there's not much differentiation. There's just that one octave. I wish it could be a dance man, but a songman, absolutely, Mike. You're right. Why is the world baseball classic so much more fun than just baseball? It's insane, Dan. I'm watching the Dominican Republic last night, and they are celebrating

as if they're curing cancer. Like Juan Soto's home run is epic. And Fernando Tatis had a bat flip for the ages. It was so incredible to watch that game last night, and it's riveting. And it's funny how this is grown and popular. You know this is Wall's idea. The Latin American countries have always gravies into this tournament because it is truly an expression of the world's best.

It's about patriotism and celebrating a great game. But now everybody else is in. Like before it was okay, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, they love it. Now, no, the USA roster has schemes in Scuba, and we'll get to USA's predicament. The reason I'm wearing a Team Canada hat for the first time Canada advances out of the group stage. We're in the quarterfinals against a big bad Americans

first time in 20 years. How about Ernie Witt, the long-suffering manager, and yes, Canadian icon Stubby Clap, who is the first base coach. It is riveting entertainment. I think Dan, quite honest, is because the guys care. If they're into it, it blows the doors off Cactus League

or Grapefruit League or any league, quite frankly, because they're so passionate about it. Put it on the poll, please, at Levitard show is Stubby Clap, one of the great baseball names you have ever heard in your life? Because I would have assumed that that was a guy who took the trained games in the 1920s. Old Stubby Clap, had a second job as a plumber, and would show up and would throw the ball about 64 miles an hour and had an Ephis pitch. That Stubby Clap from the 1920s. Stubby Clap could absolutely use some bomba socks.

I think that is no doubt about it. We've got a picture. Everybody. Everybody could use some bomb with socks. All of Team Canada is getting bomb with socks. Can we discuss Italy as well, Dan? I mean, is there ever been a better time to be an Italian of any sort of ancestry? How about noted Italian closer, Greg Weissert. That's spelled W-E-I-S-E-R-T.

That's the guy who struck out Aaron Judge as Italy wins 8 to 6. Ah, there was a N-N-N-A-Long-the-way who's Italian. Great, you could play for Team Italy. They kept laughing. Lorenzen's like, I'm playing against. by home country. Michael Lorenzen's been the story of the world baseball classic. He's an American playing for Italy who's

shoved and threw four and two thirds. This is the wackiest tournament ever if Italy beats Japan and somehow makes it to the final. Vinnie Pasquantino make it the salad. He three times. Three times. He made it the salad. The Pasquatch. What happened here? Let's play this sound

here. Pasquantino saving, bailing out. More than anybody in the world Mark DeRosa. Three espresso shots in. How you feeling? I'm caffeinated. I'm beaned up right now, so yeah, we're in a good spot. So how many more boxes of those espresso pods are now on order?

As many as we need. As many as we need, we'll make it happen. So that was unbelievable, huh? You're welcome, USA. We were thinking of you guys over at your hotel. We were thinking of you guys, so I'm glad you guys could join us in the party. Just spiking at the five-yard line, Dan, an exclusive just for you and your audience. At last year's spring training camp, it's me and the aforementioned Mark DeRosa,

MLB Network colleague and friend, and the manager of Team USA. And we're talking to the Royals. Deerot talked to Bobby Wood. I interviewed Vinnie Pasquantino. At the end of interview, Pastor Deo walked over to Deerone and says, hey, I know I'm Italian, but I'm also American, you know, nudge, nudge, which wink? He walks away. And Deer looks at me.

He's like, come on. Like, hey, am I going to put Vinie Pasquitio on TV, USA? And now here's Vinny Paso. Potato with the first 300 home run game of his life. He was hitless and 12 at bats going in. He's beamed up and he's been the captain of this Italian team. I'm just in shock at what this team has done. It's a remarkable story.

And credit to Vinny, who's one of the game's best personalities, the past watch is bringing it. You said it was an exclusive. I think it's a reheated turd from nothing personal. I believe that that story is recycled. And you said it was an exclusive and you sold me a bag of recycled shit is what you just did. You leaned in immediately. So, wait, a Tiff, perhaps, Pasquantino, DeRosa, where's the story going?

Oh. Nowhere is the answer. That story, nowhere for the second time that story's going nowhere for the second time I've heard it. How dare you say that's an exclusive when it's a reheated turd from nothing personal? I can't wait until Cody tweets this out and says, listen, it's your personal exclusive here to Rosa Pasquantino. You said it's an exclusive. You gave it to someone else earlier. How dare you?

Don't shake your head at me. How dare you reheat that turd and try to pass it off as exclusive? A full 27 hours ago, Addad. It's exclusive to this audience. Put it on the poll at Levitart show. Are you offended that Adnan is a turd reheater? Adnan, hockey question for you. You do a great job covering the sport.

It's been a disastrous season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. They tried a culture change. They got rid of Marner. and they find themselves having a worse season without any injuries than the Florida Panthers. Is everybody on this team going to be shipped out? What's going to happen with the Maple Leafs? Great question, Mike. Dead Man Walking.

I love Craig Bruby. Former Flyer great, eighth ultimate impelling. It's second in majors, but he's done. He was brought in to bring in a culture of intensity and passion. Take this Leafs team, which had been so great in the regular season and actually winning the playoffs. They can even make the playoffs. And now they're hoping to bottom out in the bottom five and just tank. And somehow I've got a chance at Gavin McKenna, which ain't going to have.

happen. So unfortunately, Chief, as he's affectionately known, will be out of a job. And Bradshaw Living's in trouble. The GM of this team was thought, listen, they had Brendan Shanahan for years. Kyle Dubus, that was the brain trust. Those guys made a perennial regular season powerhouse that couldn't win the big one. But now they've taken a big step back. And to your point,

the main defection was Mitch Marner, who's a sensational player. There's no question about a hundred point guy, Selky nominee. Now having a very good season with Vegas. Hasn't been exceptional. But you've got Austin Matthews. You've got William Nealander. Sure, there's been some injuries, but nothing major of substance. You don't have any good, great young core. Morgan Raleigh's been a terrible disappointment. Micelli hasn't been

great. Easton Cowan's expected to have some promise was a healthy scratch for a handful of games. My prediction is Brube is that have a job. I think Trill Living could join him. A complete overhaul this leaves team. Nine straight years of making the playoffs, Mike, but this is truly bottoming out for the team that has the deepest pockets of any in the sport. Adnan Verk is an exceptional broadcaster, really, really clean at almost all times. How do you feel and how much will you wear the way that you just said, It will haught me for days. It will haught me for days, Dan. You know what it's like? When you make a mistake, we're also neurotic in this business. And as Mike just asked me a hockey question, of course, my passion is also covering baseball. While on Amazon Prime, I called Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens Kurt Suzuki, who is, of course, the manager of the LA Angels and a former catcher of Summerdown with the Washington Nationals. And immediately the producer got my ear and said, Nick, Nick, not Kurt. And I thought, God, I'm an idiot.

I felt like a Tim Kirchin-type moment. God of an idiot. God of a big dope. Great deflection from Mamba mentality. Adnan won the Stanley Cup playoff start. Buffalo is going to be America's team, right? Yeah. Zaz, it's a great story, man.

In the Eastern Conference, there's one great team. There's Tampa Bay Lightning. I hate to say to the Panthers fans, I know you guys are. Carolina Hurricanes are a really good team, but only they're quite great. I think they're really good. And they're well of those teams watched like the Leafs for years, terrific in the regular season yet to ascend.

The third best team is the Buffalo Sabres. This is the same Sabres team that went 14 years without making the playoffs. 14 years, counselor, to invoke Robert De Niro's Max Katie in Scorsese's Cape Fear. 14 years counselor. And now they're going nuts on Chipwatch Street. They can't get enough of these chicken wings.

Tage Thompson's wearing a red hat like mine, except it's not Team Canada. It's a MAGA hat when he's at the White House. And Tate Thompson, the Sabres right now, are celebrating. This has been a team, which is a juggernaut. That 8-7 win the other day against the lightning was absolutely unbelievable. Their defensive core is remarkable.

Raspistelli and Bo Byer and Michael Samuelson, even if Colton Pereko turned down a trade to go to them, America's team without questions as, if you want an underdog that's been long-suffering, Bill still haven't won a Super Bowl. Sabers is everyone's team to cheer. Mike, you know I have one rule to live by, right? Don't place parlayers on multiple long shots.

Don't say a game is won when it hasn't hit triple zero. Always drink your Yeagermeister ice cold. That's the rule. Everything else is merely a suggestion. Everything else? Everything else. wearing clean underwear every day? Well, that's just a personal decision.

Brushing your teeth. Obviously smart, but not a rule. Never pee-p. on an electric fence. Okay, maybe there are two rules. But the one that is 100% that I insist on completely, Yeagermeister must be drank ice cold. Or don't drink it at all. Damn, that's cold.

Exactly. You're finally starting to get it. Drink responsibly. Jaeger Meister liqueur 35% alcohol by volume imported by mass Yeagermeister U.S. White Plains, New York. Hey Roy, buddy. You know that energy shift when the game gets good and everybody altogether in unison knows to stand up on their feet? Oh, absolutely, Mike.

Yeah, you've been at many big time sporting events. You know that moment quite well. That's what it's like when you take your first sip of Cuervo. Oh, delicious. It's the signal that says, we're not checking the time anymore, pal. It's when small talk turns into stories. Quervo, man, it's at high five a random stranger effect.

That's right. The game is popping. You're hugging people you never met before. That's the kind of energy that Cuervo brings. It's so smooth, so delicious. That's the Cuervo effect. Keep it, Cuervo. Where are my gloves?

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some may vary. Don Lebatard. During one long evening at the Burtons, Robert sent their guest, Tennessee Williams, and director Joseph Losey running for the door, but in Burton's words, she insulted Rex, she said about Rex Harrison, Rex sexually, morally, physically, lay on the floor in the bar and barked like a dog,

started to masturbate her basket hound. Oh, Jesus Christ. What's happening? No. This is the book and I'm like, how do I, you know, because to Mike's point, he says to no, I read the book. Well, okay, listen, I highlighted this part, so you know I read it. Spoo-Gats.

Have you ever met Mike before today? No. No. First meeting. So your thing is in the first five minutes, let's talk about dog masturbation and giraffe. Because I knew he would be able to relate to the subject matter. He would know what it's like. How so?

Because he's a guest. the show and the guy's trying to impress him. Because, okay, what's going to go with? So I figured masturbating a basset hound was definitely something he could at least appreciate. Weird assumption to make. Was he right or wrong? I'm going to say he was wrong. This is the Dan Levitar show with the Stucats.

I've got four things here for you, Adnan. You give me a bronze, silver, and gold medalist of things you love the most from among these four things, which means you have to exclude one of these four things. Tennis, baseball, hockey, and movies are your choices there. And is there anything I'm missing that would make this even harder? Is there your kids? Let's throw your kids in there as well. Your four kids as well as there.

Tennis, movies, your kids, baseball, and hockey. I'm hoping you do this correctly. Yes, I am hoping you do this correctly and you exclude you. your kids from your list. The bronze medalist on things that Adnan loves the most from among tennis, movies, baseball, hockey, and his kids. Bronze medalist.

Okay, well, it's the only sport that I play, and of course, you know my adoration of Federer, so tennis has to be a bronze. I mean, I love tennis like no other. It's the ones where I've never been able to cover somehow, some way. Tennis is the bronze. The silver medalist is the national pastime. It's baseball.

And your gold medalist. on things that you love the most. Do it correctly here, Edna, and do not choose your kids. Make sure you buy my books in a file now. It's a film. Wherever books are sold, number one is indeed movies. So he will be a part of what it is

that we're doing this Sunday, the weirdness of Selection Sunday and the Oscars. I'm looking forward to that. What are you looking forward to finding out on Sunday? What I think is going to be great theater, Dan, is what's happening

best actor. Timitay Chalmay is self-immolating before our very eyes. I thought he was going to win the best actor, Oscar. I thought he was deserving to be so. He's been a terrific young actor. Call me by your name for the Art House audiences, Dune and its sequel for the more populist audiences.

He makes the Bob Dylan film a complete of known, which I had some issues with, but I thought his performance was excellent. He makes Marty Supreme, exhilarating thrill ride, two and a half hours of the realuteur and Josh Safty. Everything is aligning. He wins the Golden Globe. Then he goes up there and craps on ballet and opera. Jessica Spatanna takes him to task,

and his star has fallen. Michael B. Jordan won at the actor awards, and Chalemy didn't win at the Basta's, the British Oscars. So I am fascinated to see if indeed Tim and Taze Chalmy has gone from being a frontrunner to an also-ran. It would be an epic swan dive for a guy who wouldn't care for a movie like Black Swan, which is about ballet.

Let me hear Adnan trying to say perennial. Those guys made it perennial. Those guys made it perennial. Oh, this is unfair. Those guys made a perennial. I did have for perennial. guys made a perennial. Okay.

Let's play again. Let's play again. Let's have a in the high-dress. Yes. Those guys made a perennial. Brerial. I can't swallow the waper.

I can't believe he gave us a recycled turd of a story. A recycled turd. It wasn't an exclusive. How can you say it was exclusive after you already said it 27 hours earlier? And I bet you said it before that. that. I'm guessing that. I'm guessing that thing was, I'm guessing it was reheated three times, four times. You're just given leftovers all over two countries, Canada and the United States. People are going to be riveted to this story. Pasquitino DeRosa Tiff, question mark, exclusive.

Adnick, when I heard you start talking now, I was like, oh, wow, how interesting. There's going to be another story from that interaction because surely he won't say the exact same thing. By the way, like word for word. I bet if we went and clipped it. It was so recycled. Yes, it was. I would bet word for word sentence by sentence. Word word.

It was exactly the same the way you told the story. It just tasted the same as the recycled turd from the day before when it wasn't any fresher. It would, disgusting.

I'm disgusted by Adnan and Verk. It will not keep me from inviting him to be a part of what it is that we are doing on Sunday. We have to give him more notice next year. 11 days is not enough

when you have four kids. That's what he says. So, that is what you said. I was a private conference. Recession. Now you're outing me once. I left you a candid voicemail. Now you're out of it.

Don't recycle turds around here. And I won't put your business in public. Zaslow brought up something yesterday from the Quentin Tarantino file. Quentin Tarantino continues to double down no matter where the criticism comes from. I'm allowed to use the N-word on in my voice, in my movies, in my writing. I'm allowed to do this and he will not back off from it. In fact, he aggressively comes after anyone who will criticize. So Chris and I'll put that in the club.

Your thoughts are what on Quinn Tarantino? We love his movies on him taking this criticism from, is it Rosanna? Rosanna Arquette. I've always been a fan of his movies, Dan. There's no question about it. He's a supremely talented guy. He also has an incredibly high opinion of himself. And as you said, he pushes back in any sort of criticism.

you know, when you watch his movies, it is jarring how much he uses the N-word. I mean, there's certain movies where you go, this does feel gratuitous. I don't think that's an unfair criticism. And I don't think Rosanna-Arquette is unfair in criticizing it all these years later. Like Tarantino's point is like, well, you took the check. I'm like, yeah, but you can make decisions in years back be reflective and say, you know what? I had some issues with that. Or in retrospect, that wasn't a right decision.

That's what life is, having regrets, living with those, et cetera. So I think Rosanna-Arquette's perfectly in itself to give her opinion. I guess QT is fine to lash back and say, well, you took the check and they have an issue with it. But it's definitely been a blemish of some of his films. And this is not the first to me heard that criticism. Spike Lee said this years ago. Like, does this guy want to be black? Like, stop using the world at time.

But then you have Jamie Foxes and Samuel Jackson's, you know, notable black actors who defended Tarantino, has used to the word in that vein. You know, if you're making a film called Django and Change, it's about slave owners, I'm allowed to use that word. I personally find it a little gratuitous at times. But he is a hell of a filmmaker and I have loved his movies. I have to admit that. Why do you think it is?

I mean, I love Quentin Tarantino's movies. They are my favorite. He's my favorite director, Paul. fiction is my favorite movie. But you know, you have that right there, the criticism about the N-word. You also have what was likely a pretty close relationship to Harvey Weinstein. It does kind of feel like Quentin Tarantino skates a little bit, no? I completely agree, Zaz. The Weinstein one's a great point. I mean, when you look back at some of those movies in the 90s, and it's a personal decade for me, I loved a lot of those films. But there's no doubt that Weinstein's

imprint was all over it. And specifically to Tarantino, you're absolutely right. Reservoir dogs was born at Sundance, but once Meramax put that stamp on it, they gave it that push and that boost. and him and Harvey were thick as thieves at the Palm Door at the Cannes Film Festival, 94 and Pulp Fiction 1. All those films always have the Weinstein imprint on it. How many other people will be supporting Jackie Brown, which is a film that I liked, but wasn't a commercial success. So Tarantino definitely gets a pass.

Sometimes it happens for certain filmmakers. Maybe eventually people will be more critical of his work. But again, I guess it's a weird thing, Zaz, when your movies are so beloved people are willing to give you a pass. But you're right. Connection to Weinstein plus the N-Worth. Not everything about QT is golden. And who knows, his career will be overshoot anyways.

He has said himself. He wants to only make one more movie. Apparently he's been writing a play. That's going to be premiering in the West End in London. One more film in the tank for QT anyways. I'm allowed to use the N-word. Put it on the poll, please. Are thieves really that thick?

And look up for me, Jeremy, why the saying is thick as thieves. I think thieves shouldn't trust each other when they get into business together. I don't understand quite that expression on thick as thieves. I think because if you're working together, as a thief, you have to really trust your thief partner. Well, but I've always thought that thieves tend to not trust

other thieves and also think that everyone else is a thief and know that thieves can't be trusted. Tarantino said this as well. There's supposed to be a spree the core between our... I love that. I did. That was my favorite part of the statement. Can I finish the quote? I just wanted to say, the usage

of espree decor was unbelievable. Because he wants to be a relatable guy and he throws in his high-ballooten statement. It was so great. Go ahead. Esprit decor. How good is that? Who else is using that? That's why he gets a pass.

Say what it would be like. You use your spree decor? You have my vote. I'm sorry. I'll shut up now. I'll see you Sunday. Say something. I'm trying to give the audience the whole quote.

I was so excited. The quote from Tarantino. is quote, there's supposed to be a spriticore between artistic colleagues, but it would appear the objective was accomplished in response to Arquette, which totally ignores what he did to Paul Dano. Like he called Paul Dano a weak sister, weak sauce.

He said he's the weakest male actor in SAG. And now he's like, no, no, no, spriticore on me using the N-word. It's like, what? Sprina core is such a great term of feeling of pride, fellowship, and common loyalty shared by the members of a particular group. I mean, A plus usage of it. But you're right. Paul Dano, who is incredible in the Robley Blood, which is a film that I adore, I think many of us do.

And Tarantino, I remember there's a commentary track to the Ruby Blood on the DVD in which he says his one issue with it. And this is before he really committed character assassination on Paul Dano. This was years ago. He said, listen, I adore the film. But I do think Daniel Day Lewis against Paul Dano is kind of like Ali Quarry, which is a great. boxing reference for people of a certain vintage it's a little dated. It's so super dated. It's so dated.

A Sherry-Corrie reference. I burst out laughing when he said that. That's pretty good. Ali-Corri. Take that to the bank. Again, we're taking that to the bank too. I got Ali-Corey. I'm going to show up, just to be clear. I'm going to a bank. What bank is this that I'm going to? I'm like, hey, I got Tarantino over here using the N-word,

and I've got Ali-Quary. and can I get, please, a roll of pennies. No, they're going to say to me, get out of here, sir. You're a lunatic, and they're going to have security arrest me. What on Sunday else do you want to see because you are very excited about the Oscars? And I'm hoping that you join us wearing a tuxedo and applying the appropriate formality

to what it is that we're attempting to do on Sunday. I'm thrilled to always be a part of the shenanigan, Dan, you know that. I've seen all the nominees in 17. categories and I'm missing one nomination in a total of 19 categories. So to say I'm well-versed and prep will be an understatement. But I'm glad you're asking if there's one award I could see. And it's not going to happen. If there's one award, there's always what I'm stumping for. It's Ethan Hawke for a film called Blue Moon. Ethan Hawk has been one of the best actors around for a long time. This is his first ever best actor Oscar nominations. He's been nominated twice before

for supporting actor, Boyhood and Training Day. He's been nominated twice before for original screenplay with Richard Link later and Julie Delpy, probably before Midnight franchise. But his first ever best actor nomination, he's got a horrible comb over. He plays 5'2 Lorenz Hart, who was a Broadway composer, and the film is about his relationship, and what happened with Rogers and Hammerstein. It's a beautifully calibed performance. He's incredible in it. He's not going to win, and then Michael B. Jordan will.

But God, if Ethan Hawkins' best actor, you'll see a man leaping up and down out of his tuxedo. I am looking forward to Sunday, Adnan. Thank you for everything you do for us, and joining us on Sunday. A Cinephile is the name of the podcast and the book. The podcast, you can look at, and you should, at old episodes because he does a lot of stuff that is worth reviewing there. His expert knowledge of movies is second to none, film, he would call it, because he's ostentatious. But it is second to none. And the book is called Cinephile as well.

It is available wherever it is you get your books. Do the best, Dan. Appreciate you guys always. Canada, USA, WBC. Let's go Canada. brothers get it done. Adnan, before you go, you said that he played five foot two, Roger, whatever the guy's name was. Lorenz Hart. How does that work? Is he just like kind of crouch a little bit? Does he like go on his knees and use shoes on his knees? Like,

why'd you say that? It's a great question, Tony, because Ethan Hawksman answering that. He said, they built tunnels. Like the whole movie takes place in a bar, so they actually built tunnels and then the tracking shots of Ethan Ak would be much shorter than Bobby Kahnavali, who is much taller than him in real life. He also times shrunk a little bit. He said, Listen, if we can make Charlie Chapin look taller, we can make me look smaller. Ethan Hawks 5'10 in the movie's 5'4 foot 2. Excellent question. He said Dilt Tunnels.

Get them. Those guys made it perennial. No, no, no, no, no. Those guys made a perennial. Those guys made a perennial. Thank you, Adnan. We appreciate it. I enjoyed that awkward silence more than John Schneider.

enjoyed the awkward silence around. Me rally. When West Jet first took flight in 1996, the vibes were a bit different. People thought denim on denim was peak fashion. Inline skates were everywhere, and two out of three women rocked, the Rachel. While those things stayed in the 90s,

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What is the worst part of the life? Stugats. The worst part of the life of what? This is the Dan Lebatar show with the Stugats. I've been wanting to ask Chris Cody a question for three days to stump him, because he's been on vacation and I don't think he's considered at any point what I'm about to ask him.

You're not going to believe what BAM on a bio did. Can your dad tell you what BAM had a Bia did? Like one of the least likely players ever. Chris Cody is somebody who has become right around here and very recently our OG, original ginger on deciding

whether others are allowed to be gingers or not because he didn't not allow Sam Darnold to be a ginger even after he won the Super Bowl. So my question to you is this. Bill Burr, is he a ginger? I can't picture him with a full head of hair, but for me, he's always fit the mold. Well, he's bald now, though, and so you were saying that the Sam Darnold beard made him a fake ginger, even though it is a full and resplendent red beard.

And I may, if Sam Darnold was bald outside of his beard, maybe I would have have thought he was a ginger. But for me, it's just a yes or no. It's one of those like porn. I've said this before. Bill Burr, yes. Full ginger. That's it. Okay. I'm surprised by that because I'm guessing many people don't even know, right, that Bill Burr, because he's, I think of Bill Burr is almost famously bald. He's got the freckles on the forehead. That's always big. Put it on the poll at Lebitard show. Can a bald guy be a ginger? Yes or no? And is Bill Burr a ginger? Yes or know. Last night, the Clippers won by a lot and are now over 500. They're the first team ever, I believe, to go from 15 games under 500 in an NBA season to over 500. And many of you have

said around here that Kauai Leonard is having his best season, which is a shocking thing to hear. But he scored 45 last night and he's putting up efficiency numbers that. look like Steph Curry when he won the MVP in 2015. What Kauai Leonard is doing without his two running mates, who they traded at the deadline, is crazy. He's literally having the best season of his career almost 15 years into said career, right? Like, you look at the way that people age, and it's like the jumper's gone, you're not good on defense,

you have no sideways mobility, and it's like he's got all of those things, and we thought he had no knees, and like now he's just back and playing, Michael Jordan basketball? It's insane. Remember, he said at like the first game availability after they traded away Hardin and

Zubots, like he literally said as far as them being a contest, like, that ship has sailed. You know, they're playing great now. He is over 25 points per game. He is over 50% from the field. He's over 90% from the free throw line and he's got more than two steals

a game. And only Steph Curry in NBA history has done that and it was when he was unanimously the MVP of the league. And I will say it again, I don't think it's happened before in the history of the sport where in a regular season, an NBA team is 15 games under 500, and then it stops being under 500 and stops being under 500 after they traded his second and third best player. And that's why basketball is in such a cool space, because you have Kauai who's having the best season of his career. You have Yogi

who's having the best season of his career, averaging a triple double, leading the NBA in assists and rebounds as a 7-foot-2 guy, and then they're not even close to winning the MVP because SGA is going to win the MVP for what he's done. Kauai's had an unbelievable season, worthy of MVP consideration. I'm going to take it to a Miami hurricane here. Jordan Miller is really important to this team. There is a direct correlation with him being on the floor more and them playing better. He's doing exactly what he did for the Miami Hurricanes, which is be an unsung hero.

Like the fourth guy you might talk about, but he's a versatile defender. You'll never catch him flat-footed on a switch. He can guard basically one through, he can guard one through five. Like he can put an elbow, like one through four and a half. But he is a really important player for what they do. Is SGA going to qualify? Is he going to have enough games to qualify for the MVP for sure? Yeah, he's got, I think, like, eight games to spare.

Yeah, two handful of games, yeah. Yeah, he... Yokich is the one that's in trouble. I think he has one more game if he misses a. then he's completely out. It's why SGA is such a huge favorite to win the award. Also with Yokic, he hasn't quite been the same since his knee injury. There is some stuff happening there where his range from distance has been less good.

And look, we're grading on a curve, right? And it's a curve that has very little precedent in the history of the league when you say Yokic is playing less well. But he has been less efficient since the knee injury. I wanted to circle back around on something that. we were talking about and we just sort of glossed over and I understand why we glossed over it, but I want to bring it back up. Kenneth Walker was the Super Bowl MVP and you guys are shrugging at him getting a three-year $45 million contract that is what Bradley Chubb got and you're shrugging and saying, yeah, Dan, that's what's happened to the running back position and it has

in terms of value. But man, that was quick. It happened pretty quick. It's over the last five years where we've decided Super Bowl MVP at Running Back, who is somebody who gets more than 10 yards of carry, the running back becoming disposable is something that's happened over the last seven years, I'm going to say? Are we back on it, like, an upswing? Salaries, I feel like they went down, and now they're almost back up.

Yeah, maybe it's felt like a quick thing for you, but I think it's been like 15 years where the league's been like, we can get other people to do this. It feels like Walker's actually getting more money nowadays than he would have maybe just, years ago. 100%. And James Cook signed

for a similar deal 4 for 48. So it was like, that's kind of what the range is for a top tier running back these days. I mean, I get what you're saying.

He was suitable MVP, but it's been like four years. He's had 2,000-yard seasons and the high was in his rookie year where he had 1,050. I don't know. He's battled injuries too

on top of that. Yeah, and they've had some committees. But this year he played all 17 games. He had 1,027 yards rushing. Like, this isn't Walter Pace. He wasn't even considered the Sorter at the start of the season. He was not getting Sorter's reps at the start of the season. They favored other guys on their roster.

Sharbon A was the guy that they loved and then he tore his ACL, but Sharpenae and him were splitting time basically 1A1B for the last couple of years. So when you look at 1,000 yards here, if he had 1,100 yards a year prior, it's like he's splitting time. Anyway. Yeah, this isn't a big thing to me. Like this is not someone that I would have broken the bank to keep if I were Seattle.

I'd imagine Seattle didn't even give. this much thought. They'll go with Charbonnet next year and they'll draft a running back in the fourth or fifth round. From the video that we saw from the parade, I had to agree. They didn't give him much. That is the evidence I'm using in my favor. The point that I made earlier, though, about the

alterations in Worth, Jalen Phillips, older than Kenneth Walker, body more broken than Kenneth Walker, getting more than $100 million from Carolina,

again, older than Kenneth Walker. And you guys are saying, eh, big deal, four years in the league in Seattle. Jalen Phillips got a hundred million? 120. That one I missed. That's insane. He's broken.

They got Devin Lloyd, too. Holy. Although Zaz said, as you know him? Not a big move. I don't know that fool. Jalen Phillips, with his body in that condition at 26,

being older than Kenneth Walker, and getting three times the contract that the Super Bowl MVP was, I understand that you guys are now immune to how much the running back position has been devalued. I'm making my assessments on Kenneth Walker, not as the Super Bowl MVP. It's how good he was at Michigan State. He got Mel Tucker more millions than he just got from Kansas City because Michigan State was carried by Kenneth Walker. and his rugged running style, and I'm still a little startled by how quickly we make these guys disposable.

And I tell you this as someone who was wrong for several years on highly questionable, because I was willing to pay Todd Gurley. I was willing to pay Ezekiel Elliott. I was willing to pay Delvin Cook. I got left behind by how that sport changed all of its salaries. I was making bad arguments on behalf of running backs while the least. league totally adjusted how we pay the running backs. Who can forget the A-Block's of DeMarco Murray?

Pour one out. How much time did we spend talking about Levi-on-Bell? How much time did I spend talking about you got to pay Levy on Bell? He sat for like 15 games. He was pretty awesome. Yeah, but almost every example that Dan brought up was immediate regret for paying that. Which is why the market has been what it is for that position. for most of this century.

But the money with a player like Kenneth Walker compared to the money that Jail and Phillips got, the reward is so much greater than the risk from that position to the other. Like if you have an incredible pass rusher, incredible pass rusher is more valuable than incredible running back. It's why there's a school of thought that positionally there needs to be something collectively bargained for running backs. Actually, Kenneth Walker, in his fourth year, being able to get to that. next contract. That is a job extremely well done. Running backs don't often get that opportunity to cash

in for a second contract. Look at what happened to Isaiah Pacheco and his running style. You look, it took a toll on his body and Kansas City moved on from him and got the next durable back. Zaslow, this is what I would say, though, in disagreement to how it is that you just frame that. Because you're generally right on pass rusher, but Kansas City's defense, is going to be good no matter what because of how they do things. I think that's an extraordinary signing for just that team. Just that team saying, you know what? We're going to do, Mahomes.

We're going to actually get you a running back who does break 10-yard runs. You haven't had one of those the last couple of years. We're going to make all of this easier by getting you a running back. I think that particular team needs pass rush less than it needs what they're presently getting. They getting that at 45 million to me is more valid. you than Carolina getting Jalen Phillips for $120 million. And I will say it again, Kenneth Walker is younger than Jalen Phillips. You would argue that Derek Henry probably the best running back of this generation.

His best contract was four for 50. So Kenny Walker's is better from an average annual perspective. And he's one of the outliers, as he's always been his entire career, just nuts what he's done, both on the field and in his bank account, where paying the man actually worked out for you. You're also judging it with context. Like if you just look at it in a vacuum, what I'm saying makes more sense. But in the context where it's like on that team, he's worth that. Yeah, of course that makes sense.

They've also had a young defense and their defensive coordinator, Spagnola, does things, Spagnolo does things with them that very few deep coordinators able to do. Let's just play again the awkwardness, though, between John Snyder and Kenny Walker and, as I like to call him, just Stugats. to Ken Walker being the MVP, let's go! He tried negotiating with me five minutes ago. It was really weird.

Anyway.