Gambling Mad with Norman Chad: Where Sports, Comedy, and Conscience Collide
SLAP Studios LA proudly presents the latest episode of Gambling Mad with Norman Chad, a show that doesn’t just talk sports betting — it holds up a mirror to our culture. Episode 57, “MLB Postseason, Riyadh Comedy Festival, and Jimmy Kimmel”, is a masterclass in combining humor, analysis, and unflinching honesty.
From Playful Heckling to Ugly Sports Culture
Norman opens the show by tackling America’s sports crowds at the Ryder Cup. What used to be spirited support has slipped into vulgarity, harassment, and even drink-throwing at players like Rory McIlroy. Chad uses his trademark sarcasm to illustrate how simple it should be to cheer for your team without demeaning the other side — and how far we’ve drifted from that baseline civility.
The Postseason That Still Delivers
Chad argues passionately that while regular season baseball may feel long, MLB’s postseason creates more iconic moments than any other American sport. From Kirk Gibson’s legendary home run to the Red Sox’s historic comeback against the Yankees, he walks listeners through the urgency and drama that still make October baseball a national treasure.
Betting Blunders & Celebrity Contradictions
As always, Norman brings it back to gambling. He highlights Drake’s eye-watering losses — an estimated $35 million on sports bets this year alone — contrasting it with Gambling Mad’s own mythical wagers (under $1,000 lost). He also skewers Tom Brady’s “moral compass” defense of his dual role as broadcaster and NFL minority owner, calling the statement “the most disingenuous word salad of the week.”
Comedy, Ethics, and “Comedy Washing”
One of the episode’s most powerful segments is Chad’s critique of the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. With top names like Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, and Louis CK reportedly earning six-figure paydays, Chad points out the hypocrisy of freedom-of-speech champions accepting contracts that forbid ridiculing the host country. He coins it “comedy washing” — a searing phrase that calls out the industry’s blind spots about money and morals.
A Personal Story About Jimmy Kimmel
Norman then shares a surprisingly vulnerable anecdote about Jimmy Kimmel — recalling how a throwaway line in one of his old columns caused a rift with Sarah Silverman, who forwarded him an email chain revealing Kimmel’s private frustration. It’s a funny-sad reminder that even the people who dish out jokes nightly can sometimes be thin-skinned about being the punchline themselves.
Why This Matters
What makes Gambling Mad special isn’t just the picks (though they’re there, too). It’s Norman Chad’s ability to weave sports analysis, pop culture, and ethical critique into a single, sharp, and funny narrative. Whether he’s calling for legalized online poker or skewering America’s cultural hypocrisy, Chad delivers what so many shows lack: humor with a backbone.
Watch the Full Episode
This episode of Gambling Mad with Norman Chad is produced at SLAP Studios LA, home to bold voices and original programming. If you’re ready for a sports show that entertains, provokes, and occasionally makes you squirm, this is it.
