🎯 TL;DR – Today’s Highlights
Village People’s Victor Willis dies at 74, sparking Bob’s emotional tribute to the disco legend, while Rush postpones shows due to Geddy Lee’s illness—but the real chaos erupts when listener Tesla Dan buys Kanye tickets for Chewy in exchange for stage time at Bob’s birthday show, leading to heated debate about comedy “plugola.” Comedian Daniel Van Kirk misses his 9am interview, turns it into a hilarious ginger trivia showdown against caller Gene (who guesses “Tiny Tim” for Ed Sheeran and “What-a-Burger” for Wendy’s mascot), and shares wild behind-the-scenes stories from filming *The Bear* on 35mm film with real Chicago restaurant food on set. Plus: sparkler bomb horror stories involving the ATF, Joe DeRosa’s epic rant about $24 sandwiches, and the mind-blowing fact that your phone gets *lighter* as you fill it with data.
📻 First Hour Analysis 📻
🌭 Is it a Hot Dog Friday Show?
No, this is not a Hot Dog Friday show. 🚫🌭
🍔 Food Items/Restaurants Discussed
- Spaghetti Warehouse – Bob mentioned eating there for $2.99 back in his advertising days (00:04:19)
- Ojos Locos – Discussed as a venue for watching soccer matches, particularly Mexico games (00:05:25-00:06:33)
- Donata – Tara mentioned being there the day after Ariana Grande visited (00:43:40-00:43:57)
📰 News Stories Discussed
- Rush Tour Postponements – Geddy Lee diagnosed with laryngitis and bronchitis, forcing cancellation of June 29th and July 2nd shows (00:26:11-00:31:06) 🎸
- Victor Willis (Village People) Death – The motorcycle cop/lead singer of Village People passed away at age 74 after a short illness (00:31:24-00:40:30) 💔
- Chris Brown’s Dog Attack – His dog attacked his housekeeper, who was awarded $13 million (00:42:12-00:45:57) 🐕
- A$AP Rocky Concert Behavior – Made controversial statements while married to Rihanna, who was present at the show (00:43:57-00:44:37)
- Ariana Grande – Canceled shows over safety concerns; rumored to be moving to Austin (00:45:20-00:46:30) 🎤
🎸 Bob’s Rock and Roll News Summary
Bob began his Rock and Roll News segment with unfortunate news about Rush’s tour troubles. The legendary Canadian progressive rock trio has been forced to postpone multiple shows after lead singer Geddy Lee was diagnosed with laryngitis and bronchitis. This includes their June 29th show and the July 2nd performance. The band expressed deep apologies via social media, with Lee needing additional recovery time before returning to the stage. Bob noted the particular difficulty for three-piece bands when one member falls ill, as unlike larger acts like the E Street Band or Bon Jovi, they can’t simply fly in a replacement. He emphasized how inconvenient this is for fans who travel from other cities, booking hotels and flights, only to have shows canceled last minute. This is especially problematic since it’s Rush’s first tour in 11 years, making these postponements particularly disappointing for longtime fans who’ve waited over a decade. 🎵
The segment took a somber turn with news of Victor Willis’s passing. Willis, the original lead singer and motorcycle cop/navy officer of the Village People, died at 74 after a short illness. Bob expressed genuine sadness, calling this “the saddest of news that we’ve had so far in 2025.” The Village People brought us iconic hits like “YMCA,” “Macho Man,” and “In the Navy,” becoming disco era legends. The discussion revealed interesting backstory about Willis being straight and actually leaving the band in 1979 because he didn’t want them labeled as a gay band, despite the obvious gay iconography. Bob, who spent nine years as a professional hockey announcer, shared his personal connection to the band through their music being a staple at sporting events. The hosts played several Village People songs during the segment and discussed the cultural impact of the group, which featured members dressed as various “types” including the motorcycle cop, Indian chief, construction worker, and cowboy. 🏍️👷♂️
Bob reminisced about the Village People’s place in disco history, ranking them alongside Diana Ross and Donna Summer as the acts that made disco legitimate and fun. The band’s genius was in not taking themselves too seriously, creating music that celebrated different walks of life while making people smile. The discussion touched on how the Village People were essentially a boy band put together by producers, and how their music transcended its era to become permanent fixtures at weddings, sporting events, and celebrations worldwide. Bob noted that while much of the disco era hasn’t aged well, the Village People’s catalog remains genuinely enjoyable and culturally significant. The segment included demonstrations of their hits and discussion of attempted revivals and tours over the years. 🎭
The Rock and Roll News also covered modern music controversies, including Chris Brown’s legal troubles with his dog attacking his housekeeper, resulting in a $13 million settlement. Tara, the show’s intern serving as “Rock Junior” reporter, brought this story along with news about Ariana Grande canceling shows over safety concerns. There was discussion of Grande potentially moving to Austin, which the crew debated would improve the city. The segment touched on A$AP Rocky’s controversial behavior at concerts while married to Rihanna, throwing bras to audience members and making inappropriate comments despite his wife being present. These modern stories contrasted with the classic rock focus, showing how the music industry continues to generate both tragedy and controversy across generations. 🎤
Bob closed the segment with his trademark style, encouraging listeners to “play some Village People today” in tribute to Willis. The news segment demonstrated Bob’s genuine love for rock and roll history while balancing respect for the artists with honest commentary about their legacies. His 30+ years in radio and induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame showed through his storytelling ability, moving seamlessly between reverence for legends like Rush and the Village People while keeping things entertaining with humor and personal anecdotes. The segment exemplified why Bob is considered “rock’s last great reporter,” combining encyclopedic knowledge with accessibility and genuine passion for music history. 🎸
🎵 Rock and Roll Shoutout/Salute
No rock and roll salute was given during this segment. Bob stated “No, I don’t have any salutes today” when asked (00:47:26), though Matt suggested the Mexican national soccer team for their victory. ⚽
🎵 Bands Mentioned During Bob’s Rock and Roll News
- Rush 🎸
- Village People 👮♂️
- The Police 🎤
- Triumph
- Emerson, Lake & Palmer
- Crosby, Stills & Nash
- TLC (mentioned in relation to Left Eye)
- The Cure (briefly mentioned)
- E Street Band (Bruce Springsteen’s band)
- Silver Bullet Band (Bob Seger’s band)
- Bon Jovi
- Diana Ross (mentioned as disco contemporary)
- Donna Summer (mentioned as disco contemporary)
📝 Three Paragraph Summary (Excluding Rock and Roll News)
The show opened with the hosts introducing themselves in elaborate, humorous fashion. Matt delivered a poetic monologue about Austin’s working class while Bob and Chuy traded playful insults about Johnny Cash comparisons, pill addictions, and vaping. The banter established the show’s irreverent tone as they discussed everything from cold plunges to pipes being “fit and filled” with jokes about drug use. Bob introduced himself as a Texas Radio Hall of Fame member who started in advertising, eating at Spaghetti Warehouse for $2.99, while the crew debated whether Bob would cancel a show if Matt had to go to the hospital, concluding they’d definitely continue and split his money. 😂💰
Soccer dominated much of the discussion, with Mexico’s victory the previous night generating excitement. Chuy desperately wanted someone to join him at Ojos Locos to watch future matches, having invited people repeatedly via group text without success. The crew discussed the USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina match scheduled for that evening (with confusion about whether it started at 5 or 7 pm), debated whether America has a marquee player like Messi or Mbappé (Pulisic was mentioned), and reminisced about watching Mexico play while fans stayed late at local restaurants despite the delayed start time. Bob shared an anecdote about encouraging a restaurant employee to stay open for Mexican fans, predicting they’d stay until the end and tip well, which proved correct when the crowd erupted in applause. ⚽🇲🇽
The conversation shifted to various pop culture topics including karaoke preferences (they’d only do it privately among friends), movie adaptations of TV shows (Beverly Hillbillies, Starsky and Hutch, 21 Jump Street), and nostalgic discussion about Airplane! and its juvenile humor. They debated what a modern Village People would look like (e-sports player, influencer, exhausted worker), discussed the logistics of gas pricing (51% crude oil costs, 20% refining, 18% taxes, 11% distribution), and pondered Bob’s stoner-style questions like “how much gas does it take to deliver gas?” The segment concluded with lengthy discussion about custom hat making, with Bob becoming obsessed with watching hat shapers on social media, particularly Marquez Classico in LA. Matt warned against buying overpriced hats from trendy shops and recommended Double R Hat House in Elgin, while debating the ethics of artificially distressing new hats versus earning authentic wear marks. 🎩✨
🕙 Second Hour Analysis 🕙
🍕 Food Items/Restaurants Discussed
- Bob’s Steak and Chop House 🥩 – Mentioned in a news story about a server who stabbed a customer (01:05:59)
- Leander Union – A new 155,000 square foot retail and dining complex opening September 23rd, developed by Daryl Kunick (Uchi, Uchi Co., Loro partner) off Crystal Falls Parkway (01:02:52)
- Layne’s Chicken Fingers 🍗 – Mentioned as already having a location at the new development (01:04:02)
- Steak Master seasoning by Jess Pryles 🧂 – Matt discussed using it on a steak he cooked for lunch, Bob mentioned putting it on popcorn with butter, bread, and chowl beans (01:06:47)
- Dinosaur nuggets/chicken nuggets 🦖 – Matt talked about having frozen ones to throw in an air fryer (01:04:32)
- HEB – Matt mentioned shopping there and questioning if they’re really saving money (01:02:36)
- New Orleans/Cajun food references – Discussion sparked by a caller’s accent from the Shalmat area (01:35:12)
📰 News Stories Discussed
- West Nile Virus Alert 🦟 – Austin Public Health confirmed the first West Nile positive mosquito pool of the year in the 78733 zip code (Southwest Austin). They’re pushing the “four Ds”: drain standing water, dodge outdoors at dusk and dawn, dress in light loose clothing, and douse with DEET or picaridin (00:59:46)
- Austin Airport Heat Issues ✈️ – Officials confirmed the AC is working but jet bridge doors keep letting in blasts of hot Texas air, aggravated by jets during busy periods. The fix includes oversized ceiling fans and portable AC units (01:01:11)
- Bob’s Steak and Chop House Stabbing 🔪 – A server was arrested Saturday after stabbing a customer he recognized from church. Matt noted it seemed to involve mental illness (01:05:59)
- Leander Development 🏘️ – Leander ranked #8 in best places to live in the US for the second straight year. New Leander Union complex opening with architect Michael Hsu design (01:02:52)
- Cap Metro Free Rides 🚌 – After 5pm Saturday, buses around Auditorium Shores will be free for the 4th of July fireworks show (routes 1, 3, 7, 10, 20, 30, rapid routes 801 and 803) (01:08:00)
🎯 Predictions Made
- Matt predicted that if their live show doesn’t sell out this weekend, he’s canceling it (01:09:34)
- Chewy suggested Tesla Dan might get dementia and forget about doing standup at their show before August 6th (01:43:14)
💡 Interesting Facts Shared
- Hat talk 🤠 – Discussion about custom hat maker Nick Fouquet in LA, with detailed conversation about brim sizes (Matt does 3.75 inch brims) and hat styles including Taylor Sheridan vs. Dwight Yoakam styles (00:54:21-00:57:37)
- Texas Heat Wave Event 🏎️ – Returns to Travis County Expo Center July 17-19, featuring burnout wars, custom cars, sound-off audio competition, drifting, hydraulics, live entertainment, and tattoo expo. Sponsored by Monster Energy, Mother’s Window Tint, Red Dogs Custom Paint, and Sky High Car Audio (00:57:37)
- Fireworks on East Side Austin 🎆 – Matt shared that the East Side has a completely different fireworks culture, cops don’t do anything about it, and newcomers who complain need to accept the neighborhood tradition (01:18:12)
- Mexico vs. Whites Fireworks Wars – Matt described childhood bottle rocket wars in Brownsville’s Riverside neighborhood divided by ethnicity, shooting fireworks at each other across Riverside Drive (01:23:12)
- Sparkler Bombs Are Illegal 💣 – Extended discussion about homemade sparkler bombs, culminating in caller Kevin’s story about how one burned his house and resulted in ATF involvement (01:28:19-01:35:41)
📞 Phone Callers
- Adam Fool ☎️ – Called about illegal fireworks, mentioned a Metropolis location on Riverside with “use at your discretion only” items behind glass, confirmed East Side fireworks culture, mentioned family members who break apart and rebuild fireworks (01:10:19)
- Lupe – Called about Mexican fireworks called “palomas” (star-shaped, hand-folded newspaper), described combining five to make bigger explosions that knocked his cousin’s garage off the rails and set off all car alarms (01:24:13)
- Kevin from Shalmat area (New Orleans) – Detailed story about sparkler bomb that went through his bedroom window, started a fire, brought ATF investigation, and resulted in permanent bomb-making record for his friend who lit it (01:30:00-01:35:41)
- Cookie Greg – Called to point out the “plugola and payola” situation with Tesla Dan buying Chewy Kanye tickets in exchange for stage time (01:43:00)
- Taylor – Asked about doing a CD compilation like Bob did “back in the day,” mentioned his dad’s 89th birthday (01:44:46)
🎤 Did They Eat Hot Dogs?
No hot dogs were eaten in the studio during this segment.
💬 Funny or Memorable Quotes
- “We don’t talk about shootings. We don’t talk about car wrecks and deaths. But this story, I don’t know why. It’s not funny.” – Matt before discussing the Bob’s Steak and Chop House stabbing (01:05:42)
- “Poor Chewy deserves one of these hats so badly. And I want to buy him one.” – Matt about getting Chewy a custom hat from Nick Fouquet (00:54:41)
- “You need to get rid of the open road. Get rid of it… The open road was destroyed by tourism.” – Matt to Bob about his Stetson hat (00:57:12)
- “If I got one of these hats, my entire wardrobe and who I was would change. My whole life is different.” – Chewy about getting a custom cowboy hat (00:55:57)
- “Dude, December 29th.” – What a neighbor said to explain why he was setting off fireworks at 3am (01:18:40)
- “I can eat chicken nuggets in my underwear.” – Matt explaining the benefits of eating at home (01:04:50)
- “Don’t embarrass me.” about the live show potentially not selling out – Bob (01:09:28)
- “Maybe five minutes at the Bob show” about Tesla Dan’s potential comedy time – Chewy revealing his deal (01:39:05)
- “That’s $100 a minute.” – Chewy calculating Tesla Dan’s payment (01:41:13)
- “Odds are, he could get dementia and forget that we even did that by then.” – Chewy about Tesla Dan remembering the stage time deal (01:43:09)
- “I hope everybody’s enjoying this very well thought out bit that we’re doing. We rehearsed this.” – Matt sarcastically after multiple failed attempts to reach comedians (01:52:33)
🎉 Special Visitors/Guests
No guests appeared in studio during this segment, though they attempted unsuccessfully to reach Daniel Van Kirk by phone for a scheduled 9am interview that never happened (01:45:41-01:52:00).
🔁 Recurring Jokes or Gags
- The Comedy Mafia 🕴️ – Recurring bit about how Joe Rogan allegedly tells comedians they can’t do the show or play the Mothership if they associate with Matt and Bob (01:46:20)
- Bob’s Paranoia About Comedians – Running theme that once comedians “go national” they stop calling or appearing on the show (01:46:11)
- Chewy Making Side Deals 💰 – The revelation that Tesla Dan bought Kanye tickets for Chewy and Spencer in exchange for 5 minutes of stage time at Bob’s birthday show became a major running bit (01:36:56-01:44:00)
- Spencer Being Sad 😢 – References to Spencer as “the Sad Squatch, the world’s biggest, saddest man” (01:46:39)
- Tesla Dan as Problematic Caller – Ongoing references to Tesla Dan as a “gross old sex pervert” who has been surprisingly generous but controversial (01:37:52)
📝 Five Paragraph Summary
This middle segment of the show kicked off with an extended discussion about custom cowboy hats, specifically focusing on LA-based hatmaker Nick Fouquet. The hosts debated brim sizes, hat styles, and the merits of getting custom-fitted hats versus off-the-rack options. Chewy expressed intense desire for a high-end custom hat, while Matt shared his preference for Taylor Sheridan-style practical hats over showboat styles. The conversation revealed their different approaches to Western wear, with Bob advocating for larger brims and Matt defending his 3.75-inch choice. 🤠
The show then transitioned into promoting the Texas Heat Wave event at Travis County Expo Center (July 17-19), featuring burnout wars, custom cars, and various automotive competitions. This led into “Thick Headlines” covering local news including the first West Nile virus-positive mosquito pool in Southwest Austin, airport heat issues, and a disturbing story about a Bob’s Steak and Chop House server who stabbed a customer. Matt also covered the new Leander Union development and free Cap Metro rides for the 4th of July celebration, painting a picture of summer challenges and opportunities in the Austin area. 📰
The conversation took an unexpectedly dangerous turn when callers began sharing information about illegal fireworks and homemade explosives. What started as innocent discussion about wanting bigger fireworks for America’s 250th birthday celebration spiraled into detailed instructions about sparkler bombs and Mexican fireworks modifications. The segment culminated in caller Kevin’s harrowing story about a sparkler bomb that went through his bedroom window, started a house fire, and resulted in ATF involvement and permanent criminal records. The hosts quickly pivoted to warn listeners about the serious legal and safety consequences of such devices. 💣
A major bombshell dropped when Chewy casually revealed that listener Tesla Dan had purchased Kanye West concert tickets (valued around $500) for him and Spencer in exchange for approximately five minutes of stage time at Bob’s upcoming 70th birthday show on August 6th. This deal was made without consulting Matt or Bob, leading to extended discussion about the problematic nature of giving Tesla Dan—known for controversial comedy and previous knife-play incidents—a platform at their sold-out event. Cookie Greg called in to point out this was essentially “plugola and payola,” while the hosts debated whether they could back out of the arrangement. 🎫
The segment ended with an awkward failed attempt to interview comedian Daniel Van Kirk, who had apparently scheduled a 9am appearance but never answered his phone. This led to paranoid speculation about a “comedy mafia” headed by Joe Rogan that prevents successful comedians from associating with the show. The hosts attempted to call multiple comedian contacts including Joe DeRosa with no success, ultimately realizing they had “no friends” in the comedy world anymore. Bob blamed it on playing the Mothership, while they joked about their isolation from the national comedy scene despite their local success. The attempted interview became an unintentional commentary on their perceived blackballing from bigger comedy circles. 📞
🕛 Third Hour Analysis 🕛
📞☎️ Phone Callers
Joe DeRosa (starting around 02:00:00) 📞
- Matt and Bob had been complaining that comedians were “shunning” them and not doing their show anymore
- They attempted to call multiple comedians but initially couldn’t reach anyone
- Joe DeRosa called back after they left him a voicemail
- Joe explained that comics aren’t avoiding them personally – the landscape has changed. Comics don’t need to wake up early for radio anymore when they can do podcasts later in the day 🎤
- Joe compared it to moving out of your parents’ house – you get your own place (podcast) and forget to visit home (radio)
- Joe mentioned he still loves doing only 2-3 radio shows: theirs, Sam Roberts, and Preston and Steve in Philly
- They discussed Joe’s new podcast “Violent Horrendous” (part of Your Mom’s House Studios with Tom Segura and Christina Pazitsky)
- Joe’s famous for his sandwich reviews where he calls out overpriced, low-quality sandwiches (especially in airports) – a bit Matt loves 🥪
- They praised Jersey Mike’s as a place that actually gives you value for your money
- The call lasted approximately 15 minutes and was very entertaining
Gene (contest participant) 🎰
- Married to Jessica for 7 years, together 14 years total
- Works as a “heavy machinery operator” (deliberately vague) 🚜
- His wife pays for his phone bill
- Competed against Daniel Van Kirk in a trivia contest about famous gingers
- Gene hilariously gave terrible answers including “Tiny Tim,” “Arby’s,” and “What-a-Burger” 😂
- Despite his confusion, Gene won the Guns N’ Roses tickets for the Alamo Dome in San Antonio
Daniel Van Kirk (comedian/guest) 🎭
- Called in after missing his scheduled 9am interview
- Currently performing at Cap City Comedy Club (tomorrow night in the transcript)
- Recently appeared in The Bear on FX – had a brief but meaningful role 📺
- Lives in a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe (showing the financial reality of comedy)
- Former jobs include grave digger and federal agent
- Competed in the ginger trivia contest and intentionally let Gene win
- Very gracious about missing the interview – it was the first interview he’s ever missed in his career
🧠💡 Interesting Facts Shared
The Bear Production Details (from DVK interview):
- They shot on 35mm film 🎬
- Did 8.5 pages in single takes (normally 2-3 pages is a full day of shooting)
- All the food on set is real and edible, prepared by culinary consultant Justin Selk
- The production constantly has food from the best Chicago restaurants
- Jeremy Allen White got to keep the 400-pound butcher block from the kitchen set
- Every cast member rolled through during DVK’s four days of shooting
- Creator Christopher Storer encouraged improvisation with Evan Mock
DeRosa’s Sandwich Rant 🥪💰:
- Airport sandwiches now cost $17-20 for terrible quality
- He found a place on DoorDash charging $24 for a 12-inch Italian sub
- He records videos reviewing these ripoff sandwiches when angry
- The problem has expanded beyond airports – “we’re all living in an airport now”
Radio Industry Comments:
- Bob mentioned Tom from Bob and Tom died a couple months ago 😢
- Comics no longer need radio for promotion when they have their own podcasts
- The “morning radio grind” is outdated in the podcast era
🎪 Memorable Moments
The Comedian Callback Bit 📱:
- Matt and Bob tried calling multiple comedians to see if anyone would answer
- They left voicemails for people like Ali Khan, Randy Sklar, and even considered Alex Jones
- Matt has random celebrity numbers including Van Jones (415 area code – San Francisco), Michael Keaton, Shane Gillis, and even Ralphie May (deceased) 😢
- The bit evolved into a running joke about Bob’s insecurity that comics don’t like them anymore
Gene’s Contest Performance 🤦:
- When asked about Ed Sheeran, Gene guessed “Tiny Tim” and “Lucille Ball”
- For Prince Harry: complete silence until time ran out
- For Wendy’s mascot: guessed “Arby’s” then “What-a-Burger”
- Matt jokingly questioned if Gene should be operating heavy machinery 🚜
- Everyone agreed Gene should win because he’d appreciate the concert more, having never experienced Guns N’ Roses
Daniel Van Kirk’s Missed Interview ⏰:
- DVK was supposed to be on at 9am but there was a scheduling mixup
- He called in apologetically – turns out he’s usually up by 6:30am
- They turned it into comedy by having him compete for tickets instead
- DVK deliberately threw the contest to let Gene win
- Made jokes about being in The Bear for “a few blinks”
Joe DeRosa’s Honest Radio Discussion 🎙️:
- Perfectly articulated why comics don’t do morning radio anymore
- Compared podcasting to getting your own apartment and forgetting to visit your parents
- Admitted he still treasures the few radio shows he loves doing
- Discussed the economics of comedy and sandwich prices with genuine passion
📊 Facts of the Day (segment around 02:16:00)
🕷️ Goliath Bird Eater Spider:
- Largest spider to ever exist and still alive today
- Found in northern South America
- Body length up to 5.1 inches (not including legs)
- Actually eats birds
🦩 Madison, Wisconsin’s Official Bird:
- The plastic pink flamingo (yard ornament) is the official bird
- Matt advised people to replace faded ones – they become an eyesore
📱 Phone/USB Storage Weight:
- The MORE storage you use, the LIGHTER it gets ⚖️
- Storing data involves charging/removing electrons
- An empty USB drive (mostly zeros) weighs more than a full one (ones and zeros)
- This contradicted Bob’s long-held belief that more content = heavier device
🎤🎸 This or That / Trivia Contest
Ginger Trivia Contest Questions & Answers:
1️⃣ British singer/songwriter with red hair
– Answer: Ed Sheeran ✅
– Gene’s guess: Tiny Tim ❌
– Additional clues: “Shape of You,” appeared in Game of Thrones
2️⃣ Redhead in the royal family
– Answer: Prince Harry ✅
– Gene: No answer (silence) ❌
– DVK: Jokingly said “Ed Sheeran” ❌
3️⃣ Disney princess who wishes to be “part of your world”
– Answer: Ariel ✅
– Gene initially said Lucille Ball ❌, then correctly answered Ariel
– DVK sang the entire opening of “Part of Your World” 🎵
4️⃣ Harry Potter character with freckles, Harry’s best friend
– Answer: Ron Weasley ✅
– Gene: Said Ariel ❌
– DVK: Correctly answered Ron Weasley
5️⃣ Fast food mascot asking “Where’s the beef?” (Tiebreaker)
– Answer: Wendy’s ✅
– Gene initially said: Arby’s ❌, then What-a-Burger ❌, finally Wendy’s ✅
– Gene won and gets tickets to Guns N’ Roses at the Alamo Dome
🍔🌭 Food Items/Restaurants Discussed
- Jersey Mike’s – praised for actually giving value for money, expanding rapidly 🥖
- Wendy’s – subject of trivia question about their red-headed mascot
- Subway – criticized for cheap quality despite advertising showing overflowing sandwiches
- Kasama (Chicago) – amazing breakfast sandwiches, brought to The Bear set
- Italian beef sandwiches – constantly on The Bear set (on the nose given the show’s theme)
- Airport sandwiches – DeRosa’s rant about $17-20 sandwiches with 2 pieces of meat 💸
- DoorDash Italian sub – $24 for 12-inch sub (DeRosa’s example of price gouging)
- Overpriced sandwiches in general – lack of love in preparation, insulting customers
🎬 Guests on the Show
Daniel Van Kirk 🎭:
- Comedian performing at Cap City Comedy Club
- Recently appeared in The Bear Season 3 on FX/Hulu
- Discussed his audition process (originally auditioned for Richie role in pilot)
- Got a callback for a different role years later
- Shot for 4 days on the production
- Met entire cast including Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Matty Matheson, Jeremy Allen White
- Previously did movie “Wine Club” (now streaming free)
- Known for winning meat raffles in Minnesota/Wisconsin 🥩
- Lives modestly (2013 Hyundai Santa Fe)
Joe DeRosa 🎙️:
- Comedian based in Austin
- Has new podcast “Violent Horrendous” (Your Mom’s House Studios)
- Previously did “Taste Buds” podcast
- Famous for angry sandwich review videos
- Known for being perpetually annoyed/griping (it’s his brand)
- Strong Philly connection
- Still values radio despite industry changes
🎵 Summary
The final hour of the show became an unexpected comedy goldmine when scheduled guest Daniel Van Kirk missed his 9am interview due to a scheduling mixup. Rather than scrambling, Matt and Bob turned it into an hilarious bit where they called random celebrities in their phones to see if anyone would actually answer a radio show anymore. This evolved into a running commentary about how comedians have abandoned morning radio in favor of podcasts they can record at more convenient times. 📞🎤
Joe DeRosa became the hero of the hour when he actually called back, providing both comedy and genuine insight into why the radio landscape has changed. He perfectly articulated that it’s not personal – comics simply have their own platforms now (podcasts) and don’t need to wake up at 6am for promotional appearances. His analogy about moving out of your parents’ house was spot-on: you get your own place and sometimes forget to visit home. Joe also treated listeners to passionate rants about overpriced airport sandwiches charging $17-20 for terrible quality, a recurring bit of his that Matt absolutely loves. 🥪💰
When Daniel Van Kirk finally called in, the hosts decided to make him compete for Guns N’ Roses tickets rather than do a traditional interview. This led to an epic trivia battle between DVK (a successful comedian who appeared on The Bear) and Gene (a heavy machinery operator with questionable knowledge of pop culture). Gene’s hilariously wrong answers – guessing “Tiny Tim” for Ed Sheeran and “What-a-Burger” for Wendy’s – made everyone root for him to win. DVK graciously threw the contest, and Gene secured tickets to see Guns N’ Roses at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio. 🎸🎟️
The show also featured their regular “Facts of the Day” segment, where intern Tara taught everyone about the Goliath bird eater spider, Madison Wisconsin’s official bird (the plastic pink flamingo), and the mind-bending fact that phones actually get LIGHTER as you fill them with data due to how electrons work in storage. Bob, who had insisted for years that phones get heavier with more content, was proven scientifically wrong. The segment showcased how the hosts embrace being “morons” about technical subjects while still being curious. 🧠💡
Throughout the hour, Daniel Van Kirk provided fascinating behind-the-scenes details about his experience on The Bear, including how they shot 8.5 pages in single takes on 35mm film, how all the food was real and prepared by top Chicago chefs, and how every cast member was incredibly professional and kind. His story about creator Christopher Storer encouraging improvisation while doing massive uncut scenes illustrated both the show’s ambition and DVK’s comedy chops. The conversation reminded listeners that even successful comedians drive 2013 Hyundais and genuinely appreciate opportunities like being on a show they love. 📺🎬
🕛 Third Hour Analysis 🕛
📞☎️ Phone Callers
Joe DeRosa (starting around 02:00:00) 📞
- Matt and Bob had been complaining that comedians were “shunning” them and not doing their show anymore
- They attempted to call multiple comedians but initially couldn’t reach anyone
- Joe DeRosa called back after they left him a voicemail
- Joe explained that comics aren’t avoiding them personally – the landscape has changed. Comics don’t need to wake up early for radio anymore when they can do podcasts later in the day 🎤
- Joe compared it to moving out of your parents’ house – you get your own place (podcast) and forget to visit home (radio)
- Joe mentioned he still loves doing only 2-3 radio shows: theirs, Sam Roberts, and Preston and Steve in Philly
- They discussed Joe’s new podcast “Violent Horrendous” (part of Your Mom’s House Studios with Tom Segura and Christina Pazitsky)
- Joe’s famous for his sandwich reviews where he calls out overpriced, low-quality sandwiches (especially in airports) – a bit Matt loves 🥪
- They praised Jersey Mike’s as a place that actually gives you value for your money
- The call lasted approximately 15 minutes and was very entertaining
Gene (contest participant) 🎰
- Married to Jessica for 7 years, together 14 years total
- Works as a “heavy machinery operator” (deliberately vague) 🚜
- His wife pays for his phone bill
- Competed against Daniel Van Kirk in a trivia contest about famous gingers
- Gene hilariously gave terrible answers including “Tiny Tim,” “Arby’s,” and “What-a-Burger” 😂
- Despite his confusion, Gene won the Guns N’ Roses tickets for the Alamo Dome in San Antonio
Daniel Van Kirk (comedian/guest) 🎭
- Called in after missing his scheduled 9am interview
- Currently performing at Cap City Comedy Club (tomorrow night in the transcript)
- Recently appeared in The Bear on FX – had a brief but meaningful role 📺
- Lives in a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe (showing the financial reality of comedy)
- Former jobs include grave digger and federal agent
- Competed in the ginger trivia contest and intentionally let Gene win
- Very gracious about missing the interview – it was the first interview he’s ever missed in his career
🧠💡 Interesting Facts Shared
The Bear Production Details (from DVK interview):
- They shot on 35mm film 🎬
- Did 8.5 pages in single takes (normally 2-3 pages is a full day of shooting)
- All the food on set is real and edible, prepared by culinary consultant Justin Selk
- The production constantly has food from the best Chicago restaurants
- Jeremy Allen White got to keep the 400-pound butcher block from the kitchen set
- Every cast member rolled through during DVK’s four days of shooting
- Creator Christopher Storer encouraged improvisation with Evan Mock
DeRosa’s Sandwich Rant 🥪💰:
- Airport sandwiches now cost $17-20 for terrible quality
- He found a place on DoorDash charging $24 for a 12-inch Italian sub
- He records videos reviewing these ripoff sandwiches when angry
- The problem has expanded beyond airports – “we’re all living in an airport now”
Radio Industry Comments:
- Bob mentioned Tom from Bob and Tom died a couple months ago 😢
- Comics no longer need radio for promotion when they have their own podcasts
- The “morning radio grind” is outdated in the podcast era