The Yak
The Yak
June 18, 2026

Kate Surprises Us With A Performance From An Old Friend | The Yak 6-18-26

YouTube · 8J3erhfn7_E

Quick Read

The Yak hosts navigate a chaotic show featuring persistent technical glitches, a harrowing storm-chasing rescue, a backyard cleanup project, and an unexpected musical performance by the Phantom AD.
Barstool's new 'Dante' audio system caused severe, recurring technical issues, frustrating hosts and impacting the live show.
White Sox Dave and Deutsch experienced a harrowing tornado encounter, transitioning from storm chasers to first responders, saving people and animals.
The Chicago office is undergoing a significant backyard renovation, aiming to create a new functional space for content and activities.

Summary

This episode of The Yak is marked by significant technical difficulties, with hosts frequently interrupted by audio issues and system crashes, leading to frustration and discussions about Barstool's new 'Dante' audio system. A major segment features White Sox Dave and Deutsch recounting their intense storm-chasing experience, where they witnessed a tornado destroy a house from 100 yards away and then helped rescue people and animals from the rubble, including Dave humanely dispatching injured chickens. Separately, Dante provides an update on a massive backyard cleanup project at the Chicago office, revealing a hidden fountain and plans for a new 'Stella Blue Backyard.' The show also includes lighthearted moments like Jack G's comically bad celebrity impressions, discussions about the chaotic Knicks parade, and a surprise musical performance by the Phantom AD, who shares updates on his national tour and new album.
This episode offers a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of live production, highlighting the resilience of content creators when faced with technical failures. It also showcases the unexpected heroism of Barstool personalities in a real-world disaster, contrasting with the usual lighthearted content. The various segments collectively paint a vivid picture of the diverse, often unpredictable, and community-driven nature of Barstool Sports' content and operations.

Takeaways

  • The Yak experienced persistent audio and system failures, attributed to a new 'Dante' audio network, causing significant host frustration.
  • White Sox Dave and Deutsch recounted their storm-chasing trip, where they were 100 yards from a tornado hitting a house and subsequently assisted in rescuing residents and pets.
  • Dave performed a mercy killing on injured chickens at the tornado site, using a dull knife, a detail that shocked and amused the other hosts.
  • Dante is leading a major backyard cleanup at the Chicago office, uncovering a hidden fountain and planning for sod, gravel, and a garden.
  • Jack G's attempts at Deion Sanders, 'Timmy,' and David Beckham impressions were universally panned by the hosts as exceptionally bad.
  • The Phantom AD made a surprise in-person appearance, performing his 'ghoulish rock and roll' and promoting his tour and new album, 'Revenge of the Phantom.'
  • Discussions covered the chaotic Knicks parade, including a 'booty fight' on a stoplight and Chick-fil-A delivery drivers navigating massive crowds.

Insights

1Recurring Technical Glitches Plague Live Show

The episode was repeatedly interrupted by severe audio buzzing and system crashes, attributed to Barstool's new 'Dante' audio network. Hosts expressed significant frustration over the lack of testing and backup plans, noting it was the third time in five shows the system had failed.

Hosts repeatedly complain about buzzing audio and system crashes. Pete, the technical lead, explains it's a new 'wonky' system and they are implementing backups. The hosts lament the lack of testing before live shows.

2Storm Chasers Become First Responders in Tornado Aftermath

White Sox Dave and Deutsch detailed their storm-chasing experience, which quickly turned into a rescue mission. They witnessed a tornado destroy a house from a close distance, then immediately got out of their vehicle to help the injured residents and search for their missing dogs, eventually finding all three alive.

Dave states they were '100 yards' from the tornado. He recounts seeing a 'guy's arm sticking out' and helping people. He later confirms all three dogs were found alive and people sustained injuries like a broken leg/hip.

3Dante Spearheads Chicago Office Backyard Transformation

Dante provided an update on the extensive cleanup and renovation of the Chicago office's backyard. The project involves clearing years of debris, exposing a hidden fountain, and planning for sod, gravel, and a garden, with a budget of approximately $7,500.

Dante explains they are 'cleaning up years and years worth of shit,' uncovered a fountain, filled '60 something contractor bags,' and plans to add 'sod, top soil, and gravel.' He confirms a budget of '7,500' and mentions a contractor helping.

4Jack G's Impressions Fail to Impress

Jack G, a Barstool producer, attempted several celebrity impressions (Deion Sanders, 'Timmy,' David Beckham) at the hosts' request. All were met with laughter and criticism for their lack of accuracy and distinctiveness, highlighting his comedic inability in this area.

Jack G's Deion Sanders impression is described as 'so bad,' 'zero change in his voice.' His 'Timmy' impression is of a boy from 2013. His David Beckham impression is also deemed 'dog shit.'

5Phantom AD Makes Surprise Musical Appearance

The Phantom AD, a recurring guest, made an unexpected in-person appearance, performing his 'ghoulish rock and roll' and promoting his national tour and new album, 'Revenge of the Phantom.' He showcased his custom cape and belt, made by an Elvis tribute artist.

The Phantom AD appears, plays guitar, and announces he's 'back on The Yak.' He mentions his new cape, belt, national tour dates, and new album 'Revenge of the Phantom,' explaining it's his 'revenge against the music industry.'

Lessons

  • Prioritize robust testing and backup systems for critical live productions to mitigate technical failures and maintain audience engagement.
  • Cultivate a culture of readiness for unexpected events, as demonstrated by the storm chasers who transitioned to first responders.
  • Leverage community and internal talent for large-scale projects, like Dante utilizing a 'Stoolie contractor' for the backyard renovation.

Notable Moments

White Sox Dave recounts humanely dispatching injured chickens with a dull knife after the tornado, a detail that elicits shock and laughter from the hosts.

This moment highlights the grim realities of disaster aftermath mixed with unexpected, dark humor, showcasing Dave's pragmatic response in a crisis and the hosts' reactions to the macabre detail.

Jack G's series of universally panned celebrity impressions, including Deion Sanders, a childhood friend 'Timmy,' and David Beckham.

This provides comedic relief and a memorable segment of intentional failure, contrasting with the more serious discussions and reinforcing the show's entertainment value.

The surprise, in-person musical performance by the Phantom AD, complete with a new cape and guitar, promoting his tour and album.

This unexpected guest appearance adds a unique, theatrical element to the show, demonstrating the hosts' willingness to embrace quirky characters and live entertainment.

Discussion of the chaotic Knicks parade, including a 'booty fight' on a stoplight and Chick-fil-A delivery drivers navigating massive crowds.

These anecdotes vividly illustrate the extreme and often absurd nature of large public celebrations, providing relatable and entertaining observations about urban events.

Quotes

"

"I'm pissed because the fans are the most loyal fans in the world and I want them to have a good product and I take pride in that."

Host
"

"The best way I could describe it... it's an unbelievably absurd adrenaline rush. Like a euphoric high almost."

White Sox Dave
"

"I walked around the corner of the car and you were like on a knee just sawing one of the heads off."

Deutsch
"

"I don't have a manager, booking agent, or record label, but I play ghoulish rock and roll all over the country."

Phantom AD

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