Very unofficial World Cup awards, and wild tales of Brendan’s and Rebecca’s adventures at the World Cup final

Just to have a laugh at it. Yeah, it's not. I guess. I'm Brendan Hunt.

“And I'm Rebecca Low, and this is off to the whistle from Apollonius.”

It's her season finale Rebecca. Oh, my goodness. 18 out of 18. We both just come from New York, New Jersey Stadium, where we live in the Spain's victory at the World Cup final,

and we're here to talk about it all. Excuse me, including the fact that Brendan was in the half-time show. I don't know, was I? Was all blown?

And that had never told me.

I heard you took a helicopter to the game, so tip for chat. We must be breathe. Reminder, there will be adult language. This podcast is brought to you by Verizon, and an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup, 2026.

No one gets you closer to the FIFA World Cup than Verizon. Hi, Rebecca. Brendan. Thank you for dressing up. Hunt.

No one's one about a suit on a podcast. Has anyone ever want a better suit on a podcast? No, except for that one time that Mariah Carey went straight from winning a Grammy, and is an inventing podcast leader that day. What a gift she is.

Brendan, before we start. Yeah. Two things. Yeah. Number one, I've got a bone to pick with you.

And I know we're going to discuss it later in the podcast. Sure, sure, sure, sure. But you keep in secrets from me and from the podcast you. Half time show secrets. Unbelievable.

It was never relevant. Well, I think it's quite a shame. Okay. We want to discuss that. Very well.

Later on. Okay. Second.

“Do you think we owe the third game the third place game in a apology?”

No. I don't. I'm glad you bring that up. For those who misaligned the episode, we spend a lot of time. I think this is the industry term taking a shit on the third place game.

But not because it's not in of itself and never entertaining him to watch.

But it's just that it's cool. It's cool to make these players play this game after they've been eliminated from a tournament. No, not really. One more. And it's not the Olympics where, you know, a Olympic basketball.

You get to play tomorrow. That's one thing. Making them hang around for four more days is as a night. And also, I don't think we should do the bronze medal situation. And then it becomes more like the Olympics.

And then people who who don't know as much about the World Cup as we would like them to know go. Oh, it is like the Olympics. And then it's gold silver bronze. No, it's not. So when they were lining up to get their bronze medals, it just felt wrong.

Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Well, yeah. But the other thing is like having said that.

And I think we both stand by on that. We're been ashamed to miss yesterday's third place game. Woo. Which I did. I saw death of a salesman instead.

And I think I made the right choice. But with him highlights were delightful. That is a long highlight rail. Way to go. Be kind of sacker.

But that's that's yesterday. Okay. Dustin the wind. Today we had the actual twenty twenty six World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. Can I say, and we'll get through the game a little bit.

Okay. Could I ever get two things here? One is I didn't get to watch the game with as much attention and focus as I usually would like to because I'm in a green room. And like the makeup lady for BTS.

She's doing makeup on BTS doesn't know that she's blogging half the screen. And everyone watching is far too polite and respectful to the work of BTS Interruptor. And then that lady goes away. But then Madonna's wardrobe rack comes through across the TV. And let me tell you.

That thing was dense. She was one costume. Dense wardrobe rack. So I'll be I'll be following. Writing your co-tails for much of this podcast.

Not for the first. No or last time. And but a may I say. Yeah. That Spain.

When Spain win the World Cup.

It's always because they are truly unbeatable and never earned it.

But also when they win the World Cup. Again kind of sucks. Kind of a staker. I know. That was my one disappointment today.

I did have a moment on about 85. And I thought gosh. All the people who go. There's no goals in football. And they're watching the world cup final.

The one game of the every four years they're ever going to watch. And it's nil nil. Then it's an extra time now. Of course the goal came an extra time. Thank goodness.

Because that would be an awful effect on dependencies.

“Especially because I think Argentina might found a way on penalties.”

And it's not that I'm Nancy. Argentina, everybody. It's just that they were not very good. This. I mean.

Is that an understanding? I mean, I think. I don't think you're exaggerating. And like we're going to have a bunch of crazy stats later about this game. But like one of them is.

Argentina didn't have a shot on goal. For the first 90 minutes of the game. Yeah. That's incredible. Yeah.

Actually quite deep into extra time, right? They had they didn't have a shot on goal. Okay. They didn't have a shot at all the first 90 minutes. They didn't have a shot on goal.

All game. Two shots total. Yeah. I know. So football one, which I think is is the easy thing to say.

Football definitely won.

Still mil mil mil. I was starting to think. I think I said it on air. We've seen this movie before. Yeah.

I was starting to think. I think I said it on air. We've seen this movie before. Yeah. tiny breakaways for a moment, they had a point near the end, you know, they weren't. They were mostly banked. They did have a little tiny glimmer every now and then. I just thought we've how many times have we seen the situation a little bit like an FA Cup game where you have the big team and the small team and then it's just like a quick smash and grab. So I just thought surely not because I don't think that will be good for the game actually and maybe it was just wasn't going to be Spain's day. Although they didn't create loads and loads of chances. I would say either they just dominated the ball and like you said it slightly bored of it.

Any Martinez did have 11 saves. I mean, that was pretty incredible. And again, spoiler on the

crazy stats that we were going to say later, but they've just come up again with the conversation. He had 11 saves today, which is more saves than Simone had the entire turn. I just thought and guess who won the gold and gold for the best gold tournament. In mode. I know. And he had a broken finger and he might see it as. You know, he had a broken finger throughout the whole tournament. So I know. It was even that favoring it a bit. But he also gave up two goals to keep beard. So we're like. We're not. We'll come back

get there later. Both world cups that Spain has won the first and being 2010 again, my love at Holland, but Holland who did not deserve to limit that time. So I really couldn't be mad. But they come in much haunted and then they get to Nill Nill and I was certainly rooting for extra time for two reasons. One is because having not been able to be in my seat for the first 50 minutes of the game is like I felt like I was owed some football. So I was happy to have extra time, but also I thought like okay,

we've seen extra times including less work of final where things explode into life and the only way our detainers can get to do anything is if it happens there. Because at that point it was very,

“I think the worst thing that could have happened maybe would have been in 90 second minute winner for Spain.”

Like that would have been like we did all that for nothing. Oh, you mean 90 second minute as an in

extra time? Yes, 90 plus two minute. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Let me know. I had that freaked in me right before the end of regular time. And I want the really good save from Martinez and I was it was at RN where our studio I know what it's safe to be fair. I mean at well cut finals the guy the guy just comes up trumps every well cut final and it was at RN where our studio was and I just thought you just don't get that lucky to be in a situation to be that close

to witness Laminium R scoring a freaky kick in a well cut final to win it for his country and me to be like 35 yards essentially upwards in a way from him. He just don't and I wasn't that lucky. He didn't do it, but that would have been I know it was right at the end, but that that would have been a a beautiful moment to have passed the mantle directly, you know, from Little Messi to

Laminium R. Because you're my great player. Slatán keeps saying he's the best player in the

world, but did also say he he didn't he didn't do it this tournament in really any game. I mean he was obviously coming in from him. One early goal on the tournament in the

“group stage, I think coming in off the injury, yes, of course, and he's 19 and we don't need to”

be ladling him with expectations, but I did expect more. Did you? Was he ever fully recovered from his injury? That was the other side. He gets a Mulligan, I think, but yeah, that would have maybe been the missing thing that made Spain all the more impressive and fun to watch. The fact they want anyway without a great performance from this guy, they've really come to depend on, speaks to what could be there. I mean, that's actually quite scary. Like you said,

had they had them at full throttle, then they would have probably won it. I feel like, you know, if you possibly can earlier, I mean, the way that they grew into tournament was like this perfect trajectory of like under the radar, under the radar, semi-final, I think told people said, the way they dismantle France that we were talking with London. And then, yeah, and then they're just they're just better than everybody else. They just they have it in their heritage, their

history, their philosophy, their system, how much how great is it that the manager, Delafuente? I mean, most people wouldn't know him if you walked past him in the street. He's come up through the Olympics through the youth ranks and he is in his 60s. Yeah, yeah, getting the rumoured job. He's not going to mancety. He is the epitome of what we all need in our countries. This manager who has come up through a ranks and has learnt the philosophy and learnt what it is that Spain

is a country want to do in football and implement it. And I just, I'm just super envious. Yeah, one of the great things Argentina has had in their pocket have, is it's been, what, six to eight years of of Scaloney. And like continuity goes a long way because it's a fairly rare thing in international football. But Delafuente, who joined Spain, Spain's, you know,

“main team after the previous World Cup, I believe, and then won the Euro Cup.”

Excuse me. Some people call the Euro Cup. We know we're talking about. He has a different kind of continuity, not just his last four years, but also like those, those youth teams you're talking about, he coached some of these same players. So he has been instilling, you know, the national

them to this incredible culmination. Also, how scarier Spain reminded, last time they had a European Championship World Cup double in 2008 and 2010, you know, they had a lot of one nils, a lot

“of scraping by. And then they won Euro 2012, and I believe the final was four to nothing,”

over Italy, like the possibility that they're just getting warmed up is very much on the table. And then the other thing that's here, he was explaining full time as well, which is very interesting. He was actually saying, you could put any players in that Spain team and they would play, well, they would play the system. And that is so rare. And almost nowhere else do we see that in international football. And again, that's another thing that countries like yours, countries like

mine, could just take a leaf out of that book, you know, and develop an identity that is rooted from the beginning all the way through in the women's team and the men's team at every age level.

That's the dream, right? This is how to play. This is how we've always played. This is how we're always

going to play and get on board. Yeah. Yeah. Well done Spain in the end. Again, deserved winners. A crack research squad has put together some of the crazy stats about Spain in this world cup that really, really helped demonstrate their dominance. Okay. This is more of a fun fact, but Deferent Torres, a second substitute to score a winning goal in a World Cup final, another one being Gertse in 2014, also against Argentina. Spain's defense helped Argentina to zero shots on goal in 120 minutes,

two shots total, 0.17 spectacles and had 65% possession. Good lord. Spain has now gone 38 games without defeat in all competitions, longest ever unbeaten streak by European nation in history. There are five numbers of the same team who have played at least 16 World Cup or Eurogames

and never lost one, including American rapport at 24 appearances. The fewest goals ever

conceded in a World Cup previously was two held by three teams, including Spain 2010. This Spain, who played an extra game, only conceded one, the whole tournament. They kept seven clean sheets. They never trailed for even a moment of a game. The entire tournament that is insane how good they are and even though they don't look as exciting as some other teams, they're that good. And yet they, I feel like they kind of crept up on us. 100%. What

“does they started with that K-verde game? Yeah, that's why. K-verde kept crept up on them and we all”

kind of went like, oh, Spain, it's so hard to do a Euroworld double. Yeah, but we also didn't really talk about them because we were talking so much about K-verde. After that game, they are the epitome of defense wins you, the title. Even though they didn't really need to defend today, by the way, the irony. There was nothing going on. Or the, you know, the, their defense is still good just in terms of positioning and like steering, you know, the team

that playing down blind alleys, you know, on purpose, like that's, that's the kind of defense that stops you from having the same shot. And, and they have the ball all the time. Yeah, so they do both that. Oh, to have the ball all the time. But that'd be nice. Yeah. Well done Spain. And then nothing else happens. So this has been after the wins. I guess we'll take it. We'll come back anyway. So we'll talk about Rebecca's wonderful outfit. And if you haven't started watching

this video yet, today's the day, more after the whistle coming up. We always we could get as close as

possible to the action of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and no one gets you closer than Verizon. In fact, Verizon has given away tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026 for customers coast to coast. And some lucky customers are even getting pitchside access, meaning they'll be able to watch some of the action from up close on the field. If you're not a Verizon customer, it's not too late

“to switch. Bring in your AT&T, T-Mobile, Spectrum, or Exfinity Bill for a better deal. You must”

provide a very recent post-Pay consumer monthly on the name of the person redeeming the deletitial transition to the point. No one gets you closer to the FIFA World Cup than Verizon. Welcome back to, after the whistle. You know, we've been looking forward to this, well, episode for a while. In fact, I had an idea for what we could do in this episode 17 days ago. And I sent Rebecca a voice message. Oh, I will now play it. I thought for our final episode,

some of the first segment is about the final itself and the one prediction came true. Could be, you know, first sort of look back on stuff and it can be some like sort of expected categories, like, you know, a favor goal. Oh, yeah, good. I'm seeing. Oh, sure. I'm attended, but could also be like, okay, I know the way, you know, the one of us, well, she replies, three minutes later, yes, I love all of this with six elves. I can't even tell that it's six or seven. It's just so many vertical lines.

Just, but the enthusiasm is very, very clear. And Rebecca gets here today after hours of just drinking with her European friends. Finally, it decides to condescend to hang out with us and

what, that is so like me, can I just say in my defense, right? I reply to people a lot. I mean,

“really well. Like, I'm a real good reply. And yeah, I'm not fan of people don't reply, right? So I'm”

a really good text reply. And I also am a good person and a good person. I'm also a role follower, right? So if somebody asks me to do something, I will do it or I'll follow the rules or follow the instructions. Just to know how that got lost and fell through cracks. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry. But it's okay because you've done it and I'm going to read it. But you've got some and it works out fine, because again, I, you know, you did the heavy lifting

for the first part, because I didn't get to watch how much of the game Madonna's wardrobe rack, et cetera.

So now, you know, we'll split the burden. That's wise again. So, what was your favorite goal of the tournament? I thought we had the same one. My favorite goal was the second Kate Voli, God, I guess. I shouldn't hear it. Cobra, I'm sending you a biscuit bra. I have to be Sidney, Flip in Lopez, Cobra out. Still, I mean, for every reason, for every reason, for the goal itself, beauty, absolute cracker, for the celebration, into the crowd to find the family,

just didn't care, just climbing up, you know, rungs of fencing. And for it being against Argentina and for it being so late and for it being to make it too, too, just the whole thing.

“Every part of that was like, yep, that's why I like the world cup. That's why I love the world cup.”

Well, you're best game. I think England, Mexico. Yeah. So, tough, tough, tough, tough, tough, tough.

I'm still the obvious of you being there. It's tough to be. England, there's so many good ones, but England, Mexico, tough to be. Sure. Okay, what about you? Okay, I have here best anthem contrast. Yeah, let me just walk on out. Yeah, best anthem contrast runner up is England, Argentina. England's anthem ends with May he defend our laws and ever give us cause to sing with hard and voice. God save the king. Meanwhile, Argentina ends with let's live crowned in glory. Or let's

swear to die in glory. Go figure the song. I got you haven't got you, tell us favorite, go on, no, favorite goals are same. And favorite game is the same. Um, yeah. Oh, okay, match and match is okay. But that was only the runner up in that category. The actual best contrast is Brazil and Japan. I did some research on Japan's anthem, which is written in like 750, uh, Brazil is clearly 20th century or late 19th, but Brazil is like a very enthusiasm and

patriotic and and Japan's national anthem appears to be an ode to a forest. Um, and so the literal last word of Brazil anthem is Brazil and the last word of Japan's is moss. Brazil. Yeah, 100%. Okay. Next cast agree. Um, okay, worst travel moment. Um, because there's a lot of travel here, but there was one that still six in my car had like a tough, uh, flying day, get to, uh, the car rental place, the one, like one time I went to the car in this trip, uh, it's like

one 30 in the morning in Dallas and, um, and like there's a, there's like 20 people in line here at one 30 in the morning because like flights are coming in late. And, um, I won't say the name of the car rental company, but it rhymes with Davis. And in this instance, customer service was not a Davis staple. It's American musical reference. Um, and, uh, a guy behind the counter is looking at a saw and like, like, we're assholes, um, uh, goes, it says something about like, hey,

oh, we got right now is, uh, is a bunch of 15 seed vans. And I was like, oh, and I don't run curds very often. Um, I went rents cars all the time. I, I don't really run curds. I was like, this may have been a dumb question. So I just, like, not yet. Like, even if we have a reservation and he was, everybody's got a reservation and like, oh, okay. Oh, hey, fast. But then he adds unnecessarily to the whole to the whole group. He goes, and a reservation is not a guarantee of a

car. And that was the wrong thing to say. And then like, it was fucking last chopper out of Saigon and they're like, people, it's just fucking like, screaming this guy like, oh, no, it was a riot about to start. And then I caused it. Oh, I thought I would have felt bad except this guy is not a gentleman. A different employee of Davis than stepped up like a hero and uh, it was awesome. But uh, did you get a great day for me? Did get a car, did get a car, eventually, eventually.

Best sponsor validation, uh, because, um, we've talked, you know, our sponsor on the show is a, is a Verizon. Verizon. Thanks for not giving me any free stuff. Verizon, uh, and we've been touting their contest where there's a gate where the winner, one of their subscribers gets to be like, you know, a pitchside and all this stuff. And whenever I hear about like a big contest from a company,

I'm always like, well, shit, you know, I know what it meant to be. A shocking thing for Verizon to

lie about that. But I know this one is true because it was won by my buddies, girlfriends, sisters. I'm not even sure that's a loud. It is because I'm not a Verizon employee and I didn't give it away,

“and also I've never met her. So I think it's all fine and good. Um, but yeah, my buddy, I was like,”

you're not gonna believe it. Oh, I know where it is. Kathy's just the wonders. She met Beckham.

Everyone. Uh, yeah. I'm even mad. Um, I feel like saying though, can I just say something? Please. I'm really glad I didn't do any homework because none of mine would have been any good

“competitors. I think you go next. Um, most begrudging admission of the World Cup numbers one and two,”

I suspect you'll have response to these one. Can I just say these categories are incredible.

Oh, okay. Thank you. Thank you for noticing. Number one, uh, 48 teams was fine. Uh, it was fine. Uh, as an extra week of our lives. But like, fine. It's fine. With the hydration breaks. Okay. Uh, number two, the hydration break might have made the game better because of the ability to adjust their at halftime and to, um, you know, like, if you're having a shit game, like, you get to break it off a little bit earlier because I think in a vacuum,

input from good coaches helps improve a game. But I also don't like 45 minutes being broken. I know. Neither do I. That's right. I don't hate them in the moment. I don't hate them in the moment. But I also really hate them in the moment. I'm stuck. Do you think they're going to bring them

“in to regular domestic football? I hope not. I think it was a much like the the halftime show itself”

and the championship rings are giving out today. I think they kind of decided like, let's just

win a mag. Let's talk about American things. But I don't think, uh, and we'll come to this, uh, later, if if it by chance on a different network for a year from now, I don't think that network will go for it. But I don't know. I don't know. We'll come. Most confusing and hypothetical post game meeting for a World Cup winner at the after party. Now we've talked about, uh, Manchester City at Merrick LePorek in 24 will cup and your European championship games without losing one. Um,

but what is he, hypothetically tonight celebrating out with the team at, you know, 54 below or the box or the house of yes, and he encounters a guy whose name is Eric LePore. I think it would sound a little something like this. Nice trophy. What's your name? I'm Eric LePore. You may even find me? What do you mean? I'm Eric LePore. Yes. So who are you? I'm Eric LePore. For the last time, I'm Eric LePore. I see the problem. You think I said I'm Eric LePore. But actually, I'm

I'm Eric LePore. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. That would have been confusing for I'm Eric LePore. Oh, two-parter. Thing I'm most looking forward to. This is a two-parer. So hear me out. Okay. Thing I'm most looking forward to. What have had time if I've had the four world cup 2030? Okay. Uh, a new network. No, we're going to spend three goes for Fox. There have been some highlights, but I'm more than ready for ESPN or NBC to have a go. But the other

thing I'm most looking forward to for 2030 is more Rebecca Low because it doesn't matter what network it is. We've broken the seal on that. You're just going to get to come do it. All right?

“Mom, man. Um, but now you have to endure like a compliment. Um, because the smartest thing Fox”

ever did, Fox television. Um, and for the Fox philosophy was to make their first ever original drama in 1987, um, on their new network, uh, 21 Jump Street star in Johnny Depp because that taught a whole new generation that if you want to be cool and are beautiful, be a knock. But the

second smartest thing they did was reaching out to you because Fox has never been better than this

world cup. And that is down to you and what you uniquely bring to the desk. Only you have the combination of knowledge and charm and respect of your peers and respect for and from your audience and respect for and from the game itself and humor and intelligence and improv skills and most interviewably. Poor. Why? Uh, work ethic. That was by far the most enjoyable Fox has been in the last nine years of us having to watch that. But I'm ready for them to move on and I'm ready for you

to be there no matter who's doing it. So thank you for elevating the experience for all of us in our living rooms and on our phones this whole summer. Brendan, that is too much. Thank you so much. My gosh. Favorite Butthole. No, I don't have anything else. I have nothing else to talk about. It's been a great season. I'm looking back. It's some other year. We have one more segment. Oh, we have another segment. We'll see you. I've had multiple Celsiuses. We'll be back on more after the whistle.

No, I don't think I've laughed this much in flipping ages. This fetal world compromise in the turning dreams into reality. They're giving away free tickets and pitchside access. Some lucky fans are getting the chance of a lifetime to watch the game up close on the field during gameplay just for being a Verizon customer. If you're not with Verizon yet, now's the time to make the switch. This fee for World Cup 2026 no one gets you closer than Verizon. Welcome back everybody to the final

segment of the final episode of after the whistle three. What do we go on this segment, Brendan? Well, you know how a lot of the punk has when they get to their final episode, they end by going through

an anticlimactic way to end it. So we're not gonna end it that way. We're gonna read them now and then there's more stuff. So don't, we're not done. We would like to thank the following people. It was produced in-house by Apple News and many thanks to our producers, Ruby Edmonton and Colin Campbell, our video and social team, Richie Bozick, Jackson Saffin, Jason Galler, Alex Tyson, and Sirekhan, our crack, research squad, much referred to, rarely named Christian Menukin, and Adam Doris in

Anne to Casey Means for the audio oversight and mix. Special thanks also to our project manager, Katie Nelson, the entire Apple News editorial team, all the staff and the crew at the hedgeros,

“as our studio and L.A., our adopted home at the Apple News Studios in Culver City. That's what it was.”

Our hair and makeup squad in both L.A. and New York, our legal team, often needed, and the Apple content design team for us, Nasdae New logo and branding, and also let me just add in the hours for this podcast to be produced, have not been sociable. No, and that was your fault.

Correct. Whilst we have just swamden here, recording it, whatever, how we please, the amazing

production staff have been usually pulling all nighters to get it out so that you guys can listen to on your way to work, or on your dog walk, or wherever it is, and we really appreciate that. Yeah, and also thanks to you again for listening. Besties. Um, Rebecca, we've all had a slightly different than normal day today, and I would like to hear about yours, and I'd like to know if you knew that it was going to be that kind of day, the moment you

put on a magic, vaguely Gandalfian suit. Well, did you know where you didn't because you were with Madonna, and so you didn't see the first off with Madonna's. I liked Madonna, had a costume

“change today. Yeah, I decided to get all Jennifer Lopez about the World Cup, and I started”

in a pink dress this morning, which we've felt about three years ago, but at Brooklyn Bridge Park, was where we started the show, and I was in a pink dress, and then we had to get from Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is by Brooklyn Bridge all the way to MetLife, right? So we started with a boat from the ferry stop, not sure it's what they are called, but from the place by the bridge, over the East River to another pier into a car. This was all fine. This was five minutes.

It was a little rocky, but we're fine. Into a car waiting car to take us a couple of peers down

to the heliport. Now, I've been on a helicopter once, and I saw I'd never gone one again,

but then Fox Sports employed me for the World Cup, and I said, "Sure, that sounds great." So we get on a helicopter, this is myself, Slatán, Teary, and Alexi, a producer, cameraman, because we're filming hits as we go, right, to go into the show that was continuing to go on with Rob Stone and Jules Breach back at MetLife Stadium. We get on a helicopter, it's supposed to be seven minutes. What was it seven minutes? It was 30 minutes, and let's just say Slatán got blessings in

says single word. For 30 minutes, quite unlike him. I was pretty close to that as well, pretty scared, not going to lie. We were circling. I kept seeing the Yankees Stadium again, and again, and again, and I think it might have been something to do with the president,

“and the social security and the security and all of the things. But that's why I want to”

eliminate social security. It's really down to helicopter traffic. Sorry, go on. And so we were circling and terrifying. Terrifying. Terrifying. And it's very bumpy up there. And it was horrible. Alexi Lads, I've never seen him happy. Out the window, pointing out all the

like amazing sights and sounds. I was like, this guy, anyway, we have never watched a podcast now.

I know, seriously. Right, certainly on that, right? We eventually land at the wrong helipad. So now we are a random, yes. By the way, we had to be back on air at 1-15. How do you land at the wrong helipad? Because the other one was shot or something. So we're out of us, we get out, but we're also trying to film. We can't get out until the camera mount's ready for us to get out. We're losing air in there. I'm getting a little bit

patty. We eventually get out. We film on a little link, and then we were, as we're not out. Teach a bra. I think it's called Teach a bra. No, not Teach a bra. We're in Carny, New Jersey. Nobody knows. We didn't know where we were. We were supposed to meet a police escort couple of cars to take us then to met life. Well, they weren't Teach a bra. So now... Suppose that's not something that just is at every airport waiting to be activated.

So now we're calling them. They come to get us. That's another 15 minutes. We're filming another piece just saying, we don't know where we are. And at this point, I'm thinking, are we going to make it? Because police escort are wonderful. Don't get me wrong. But sometimes they don't work, right? Because there is so much traffic. And at this point, we're about an hour and a half. We'll kick off of the World Cup final. I've done this World Cup for

39 days. And I'm not going to get to do the final, because I'm going to be in a car on the new Jersey Turnpike. And are you still wearing the pink dress at this point? At this point, it's still the pink dress. I've got a costume change to do it. I've got to get there. I've got so at this point, when I've right, we've got to be on air for 154. Okay? So we're getting to the police escort. And we feel a little piece in there. And Alexa, you know, I'm going to say it on

miles an hour. 105, 105 miles an hour. And it was very scary. So that was the helicopter that was

scary. Then we had the police escort, scary. Then we finally get there. We circle, say it in a

couple of times, because no one knows how to get into this place. Okay? We're there. We pull up. We go under. We go up the elevator. It's now 151. And I'm thinking, I've got time to change about three minutes to get the suit on. No, I go on the set at 152. We are on air at 154. And it was absolute madness. And so we then had one hour to build up to the biggest game, you know, it's only in my career, while slightly sweating and feeling all quite sick and a little

bit scared for our lives. And then the game kicked off, then I went to the costume change. But yeah, that was the day in the little of the biggest day of my career. What was Fox showing? It was just wrapped up a lot of the tools. Rob had a crew, so he had like Peter's Michael. And then jewels had a crew and had like Harvey Hernandez. So they picked up a bit of the slack that we were supposed to win the future with the shallow maze, but we didn't make it in time. So I know such a shame.

Oh boy, where are you going to catch a break? Oh, gosh. But it was very, very stressful. Now you go back to the top of the show. I do have that very large bone to pick because there I am at half time. Can I just quickly put you in the picture? Half time. And we done a little chat. We've thrown to the half time show. Now this is the only moment of the whole day. I can actually relax,

“because I think it's 11 minutes long. And I know we haven't got much time in the back end for any”

more highlights or chat about the game. And I'm like, oh, okay, a little breather. I had a chicken nugget and some fries. And I was sitting down. I was watching the show. I was like,

Rebecca, so can because you're not going to. May never get to do this again, right? So can

I'm enjoying the donor and I'm enjoying the chicken and I'm enjoying it. And then I'm like, Brendan! He didn't tell. I'm straight on the text chain. I'm getting my firm straight. I'm like, Brendan, hard not telling us these in the half time bloody show. Okay, everything go now. A few months ago, Brendan Carlale comes to the forum. Jason and I, Carlale fans, she did a song for us in season three of our show. She's a sweetheart. She's very generous.

And I'm basking in that Brandy Carlale energy. For the show, Jason says, hey, I got a phone call. I got a phone call today from Chris Martin. And like Jason gets phone calls all the time from big names and a little job in those names. And Chris Martin said, hey, I'm, I'm in charge of the halftime show. Specifically Chris said, I want, I wonder if you would, would play Ted Lasso in this halftime show because I want aliens to land or in this show

and see, wow, this is the best of earth. And Jason says, yeah, of course, but if Ted Lasso's there, kind of feels like Coach Beard should be there too. Yeah, it does. And apparently Chris might have had a bit of like a little pause. Might have had a little pause. Might not have been in his plans. But eventually it goes like, that's exactly the right idea. So then waiting for this been sitting on

“this, not telling you, we remember I was last week, I was like, oh and then after the game on Sunday,”

I got a flight in New York for his on lasso PR stuff. That was a reversal. No, they're first

rehearsal. We went at to the New York Jets training facility, which one of those like, you know, domes, they had that whole tarp that was laid on the field, it was all the way around. And also, hold on, let me also say like the fact that I was in this halftime show, an honor to be in it, probably does not mean I suddenly think there should be halftime shows the world cup final. All things being equal, I don't think that. Having said that, this one was for global

citizen, which, so that was a pretty big ad in front of billions of eyes for a pretty great charity. So like, I got no problem with this one in particular. At this rehearsal, there were hers and all little bits separately. Meet Beaver. Beaver is is like so game. Like he knows Jason from SNL. So they are to kind of like have a bit of a rapport. I was like, what do we have beliefs and I'm going to say believe and Jason, which goes like, yeah. So they would that up for us,

meanwhile, like we see Shakira doing her thing. BTS were not there. Did not see Madonna. Met Gustava Duda Mel, thus well-est, sweetest cat in the world. Chris Martin also super nice. And like Ben Winston, himish Hamilton, and Guy Carrington, who are some of the producers of it, who I'm again. So like, grateful that they had us. We do rehearsal at the stadium on Friday in like 100 degree heat. I would say caught glimpse of Madonna. Didn't actually meet her. Still no BTS.

Oh Shakira met his wife by the way. Shakira forgot this. Shakira's team, like we met her like tour manager, and they call her Shak. And so at some point, I heard somebody saying like, okay, Shak's up next. Let's get ready. And I thought to myself, like, wow, this fucking hat time show. It's got everybody. It's got Shakira. It's got a coal play.

“It's got us. Shakira Neil. I'm going to be on this thing. What's he going to do?”

Oh boy. That guy. I mean, I'm a watch. Love me some Shak. No. Turns out the little opposite human of her Shakira Neil. Shakira. Very small. Very small. Yeah, their rehearsal was super fun. And then today, BTS were there for the first time. And like, so they just don't need to rehearse these guys. Well, no, they like, someone did all their choreography. So like, the cameras all rehearse and everything. But yeah, BTS didn't see them until in the green room watching

the first half of the game. And like, they're all getting like constantly done up. You know,

me and Jason just being like very respectful of like, you know, what they've got it, you know,

“deal with here in the whole time. And now I regret it. I wish I was like more chummy with the BTS.”

Anyway, Bieber was great. But the highlight of it all, um, because they had us, like, all the, like, like, pre-game show people. And a half time show people in this, like, compound just outside the stadium. And, um, across from our little curtain-off, little area, not quite a judgment. Just curtain off area was rally Williams. Oh, my God. curtain drop off area. And like, America, I get it. You still understand the Robbie Williams thing. Well, you're wrong. You're wrong, wrong. So wrong.

Uh, better man. What a movie. What a movie. I don't want to hear that you didn't, you know, the songs. Like, every time you see a new musical, you don't know the songs. And you're like,

anyway, so watch the monkey movie. It's great. Um, finally got to meet Robbie Williams after

having a lot of new missions. Like, we, we referred to him in season one of the show. We tried to get him for the Christmas episode season two, but it was like COVID lockdown and he was in Switzerland.

“And he was like, I had to go out at the quarantine. I can't be bothered. And we respect that.”

You got to meet. There's great little back and forth. I randomly said, because I have a like dumb thing. I'm like, I want every British personally meet to like me. Um, and so I made a random British reference. I was like, uh, something something, uh, the two runnies and he had the tattoo on his neck because this is the two runnies. What? Wow. And then I was about to like, well, I need another reference. Okay, I'll go more come and wise. But before I could say more

come and wise, stop, which is another comedy duo that known America is sort of, um, and don't let Robbie Williams suffer their fate. Um, he points to another tattoo on his, on his, on his, on this I'm like, oh, and this one's more come and wise. I'm just saying more come and wise. I'm believable. And he goes, uh, we'll just do a pop culture reference is back and forth. Yeah. Okay. Great. And then later he passes by addressing him and he's heading, he's dick cavit. He doesn't know. Yeah. And, um,

I pass him later on like John Perth, we. Oh, that's good. That's good. They live later. He comes. I see him again. I'm like Dixie Dean and fly. When I say Dixie Dean, he goes, oh, fuck you. I got a fuck

you for Robbie Williams. This is the best. And then finally he comes into our addressing him a

little few minutes later and goes, I've got one and it's the best one because it's also a disease, Lou Gehrig. And he has a pen in his hand. He goes. And he leaves like Robbie Williams. You had the, is that it? Is that the end of this story? Cause that's the Robin Williams part of this story. You're the part that America will care the least about. And you're wrong. But then to show itself just like so surreal to do and like run on and around and like we're on stage at the end,

like we're surrounded by, you know, the muppets and cold play and the Philharmonic wearing Adidas Tuxes and the thousands of happiness kids you've ever seen. Probably the first half time show ever to have a dude holding an acoustic guitar walking across the field as opposed to something electric. Um, but there's a favorite like Bieber was delightful. Um, yeah. And what if you have any questions I'm happy to answer them? But like it was, it was absolutely bizarre. But it was

wonderful to watch. And I was just so proud. Oh, sorry. I was just going to trick on your water.

“I was so, honestly, I was so, and I had a few messages from friends. Your friend is in,”

I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't. He's my friend. That's just magic. That might be the best end to an episode a season we've ever had that story. So that's, that's, that's incredible. Well, played, you've bloody deserve that. Shout out to Ruby because I had to tell Ruby, but she kept it safe. She told me on the way. So I had a co-conspirator. Well played you, but also great press for the new season. So it was fantastic. Come out. I was it. How many

four billion would have seen five, I mean all the billions? Yeah. When you're getting the millions. Well, well, exactly. I mean, well played you. I'm so happy for you. That is delightful.

It was, yes. Okay. But also let's never do it again.

Oh, friends and I'm a little bit emotional. Me too. I have a little bit, you know. Me too. Yeah. I mean, we, we had to say goodbye before. We've never had to say goodbye in person. Oh, because we didn't really know each other. It's about all those years. This would be, this would be a great time to thank everyone, but we've already fucking done it. So we're going to pull a chain hard and fast. This is, we'll get emotional off camera and you'll like it.

This has been after the weather season three. Oh, oh. [Music]