Did Pardon My Take deliver one of the best KSR episodes of all time? People are saying it.

Thursday morning’s KSR show, hosted by Pardon My Take, has many people talking throughout the Bluegrass and beyond; some listeners even call it one of the best shows ever. I have been a co-host on KSR since the show began nearly 14 years ago, and you won’t find me arguing against Thursday’s place in KSR history, especially among the guest-hosted summer shows.

Big Cat and PFT Commenter, filling in for the regular KSR cast, teased a surprise guest in the show’s opening but wouldn’t give any hints as to who would be joining them on the program. They made fun of Arkansas for this tweet for a moment, which many listeners enjoyed, and shared their thoughts on John Calipari since Calipari’s exit in April. Then, a familiar voice called in halfway through the show’s first hour.

On the line was none other than Rick Pitino, speaking on Kentucky Sports Radio’s airwaves for the very first time. A friend of Pardon My Take, Pitino agreed to talk to KSR’s listeners through Big Cat and PFT. The conversation made for a compelling 20 minutes of radio as UK Basketball‘s former head coach-turned-rival talked his way back into many listeners’ good graces.

Pardon My Take wasn’t done there. After sending BBN into a frenzy with Pitino, the show took a call from a “Jack from Oakland,” who called in to discuss how Oakland’s Jack Gohlke picked the Wildcats apart in the NCAA Tournament. Jack from Oakland second-guessed Kentucky’s defense in Kentucky’s early-exit loss, saying, “You would think that a guy like me, I mean him, who is just stroking it like that, they would pick him up in full (court).”

Oddly, though it hurt to hear, we needed to hear it. It was closure and further confirmation of last season’s malpractice.

Pardon My Takeaways

— If you had told us in around, say, 2020 that Rick Pitino would be on KSR before John Calipari, we’d have you committed. I couldn’t even imagine that being possible, yet it happened.

— Rick Pitino saying he donated to Kentucky Football’s NIL efforts was another mind-blowing moment in the show. He was also supportive of Kentucky Baseball’s run, too. What is happening?

— Pitino was really sucking up to Kentucky fans, even excusing some of the flack he received as the head coach at Louisville. “I didn’t get treated great when I was at Louisville, but sitting back on it and examining it today, I totally understand why.”

— I needed to go outside for oxygen during the top-of-the-hour break. It was all too much to process before 11 a.m.

— Here’s the shelf-stocking listener they referenced in the show, and the other listener passing by in the grocery.

The @PardonMyTake-over is so big here in Lexington that this guy is just rocking his cellphone on speaker while he works.
Cc: @BarstoolBigCat @PFTCommenter pic.twitter.com/bKCJ5o4lJJ

— Sean Widmer ✌🏼🏞🏀 (@SeanTWidmer) June 27, 2024

— Jack Gohlke was a troll move by PMT. Still, his comments were therapeutic. Kentucky’s game plan and in-game adjustments (or lack thereof) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament opened the door for Gohlke to send the Wildcats home. I need to go outside for oxygen again.

— These guys know ball.

— Big Cat confirmed PMT will be back next year.

Thanks to everyone who tuned in to Kentucky Sports Radio today. Felt like we did some healing together. Cant wait to do it again next year @KySportsRadio @ShannonTheDude @ryanlemond @DrewFranklinKSR

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) June 27, 2024

Listen to Pardon My Take on KSR