Pardon My Book
A rowdy, ridiculous romp of internet-era comedy, sports takes, and shameless bits from the Pardon My Take crew, perfect for a night of easy laughter with friends who never take themselves too seriously.
Come cozy up for nachos, warm mugs, and easy laughs as we talk about Pardon My Book. No hot takes required, just show up in your comfiest sweatpants.
Best for: a laid-back crew who loves comedy, podcasts, and not overthinking the reading assignment
Discussion
Warm-up
- 1.Which bit made you actually laugh out loud, and where were you (couch, kitchen, hiding from your family) when it happened?
- 2.The Pardon My Take crew thrives on inside jokes and running gags. What is a running joke from your own friend group that outsiders would never understand?
Digging in
- 1.This book leans hard into not taking sports (or anything) too seriously. What is something you love that you are happy to be a little ridiculous about?
- 2.Big Cat and PFT play off each other like an old comedy duo. Which friendship in your own life has that same easy, give-and-take rhythm, and what makes it feel comfortable?
- 3.The humor here is often warm rather than mean. Which moment felt more like being let in on the joke than laughed at, and why did that land well for you?
- 4.So much of this book is about the comfort of shared fandom. What team, hobby, or obsession has given you that cozy sense of belonging?
Going deep
- 1.Under all the jokes there is real affection for sports, friends, and being a fan. What part of the book quietly reminded you why you care about the silly things you care about?
- 2.By the time you closed the book, did it leave you feeling nostalgic, energized, or just cozy and entertained, and what do you think earned that feeling for you?
On the table & to sip
To eat
To sip
Run of show
Host tips
- Keep the pressure low: reassure anyone who did not finish that the bits stand alone
- Have the book handy so people can read favorite passages aloud when the mood strikes
- Lean into the buddy-comedy energy and let tangents happen, that is the point
Playlist
Feel-good, tailgate-turned-living-room warmth: nostalgic hype songs played at cozy volume
- 01 All Star - Smash Mouth
- 02 Centerfield - John Fogerty
- 03 Tubthumping - Chumbawamba
- 04 Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind
- 05 Mr. Brightside - The Killers
- 06 Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
- 07 Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Trivia
- 1.Big Cat and PFT Commenter host which wildly popular comedy and sports podcast? (Pardon My Take)
- 2.Which sports and media company is the home of Pardon My Take? (Barstool Sports)
- 3.PFT Commenter's persona is a satirical take on fans and commentary about which American sport? (Football (the NFL))
- 4.The podcast's title is a play on which common sports-broadcast phrase? (Pardon the Interruption (PTI))
- 5.Is Pardon My Book best described as a work of literary fiction or comedy and humor? (Comedy and humor)
- 6.Big Cat's on-air name is a nickname rather than his given name, true or false? (True)
- 7.The book's humor draws heavily from which two overlapping worlds? (Sports and internet culture)
Bookmarks
Print, cut, and tuck one at every seat, a small keepsake from the night.
“Sweatpants on, hot take off, snacks within reach.”
“Best read with cocoa and a laughing friend.”
“No game today, just good company and jokes.”
Rate the book
We hope the company was good and the conversation even better. Until the next chapter.