Mike Rhyner, Grubes, and Big Rob (the last Day-One OG) pull back the curtain on the Dallas Mavericks Maniacs—how a “beefy guys” audition turned into 24 seasons of pure arena joy, a thousand-game milestone, and a community machine logging hundreds of events a year. From lightning-strike cold opens and a nod to the Edmund Fitzgerald anniversary to boy-dazzled shirts, human-bicycle routines, player chants, and even Big Rob’s side quest as a Cowboys “Chow Boy,” this episode is a love letter to game-night hype done right—genuine, goofy, and crafted with real care. Chapters 00:00:01 - Cold Open: Lightning, Baseball, and “Big Mic” Banter00:00:56 - Welcome to Your Dark Companion00:01:38 - 50 Years Since the Edmund Fitzgerald00:02:30 - Then vs. Now: What Going to a Game Means00:04:18 - The Hype Crews: From DCC to Ice Girls00:05:03 - Meet Big Rob: The Mavericks Maniacs OG00:06:01 - 24 Seasons Deep: Pre-LeBron Origins00:07:29 - The Audition That Changed Everything00:09:48 - “To Dance?!”—From Prank Call to Call-Up00:11:37 - 40 Guys, 13 Spots: The Birth of the Maniacs00:12:54 - First Routine Jitters… and a Crowd Explosion00:15:04 - From One Bit to “Do It Again”00:16:25 - Make Them Miss You: Crystals, Beads & Brand00:18:43 - Staying Late, Hugging Fans: Becoming Ambassadors00:19:28 - Choreography for 300-Pound Athletes00:21:13 - Other Teams Copy the Vibe (Hi, Matadors)00:22:40 - Free Throws & Micro-Routines: Always On00:23:36 - Why It Works: Fun, Craft, and Effort00:27:29 - Mid-Show Read: CBD House of Healing00:31:23 - Maniacs Today: 15 Strong & Evolving00:32:17 - Tricks, Tables, and Human Bicycles00:33:42 - Winning Over the Skeptics00:34:45 - The Section That Chooses Chaos00:35:50 - Smiles Over Follows: In-Arena First00:39:18 - New Tradition: Pre-Game Player Chants00:40:32 - Did We Start a Trend? (Short Answer: Yes)00:41:56 - Double Duty: Cowboys “Chow Boys” & Stadium Fame00:44:29 - Big Elves at Christmas: The Star Shows00:46:02 - Off to the Game We Go (and Tell a Friend!)