Back in 2011, when Shaquille O’Neal first joined the TNT team, he not only brought his towering presence but also a hilarious new segment—Shaqtin’ a Fool. With its quirky graphics and Shaq’s unmistakable voiceovers, it quickly became a fan favorite. Now, as TNT’s Inside the NBA’s final season has commenced, fans are left heartbroken, especially with the announcement of the show’s probable discontinuation.

Over the years, Shaqtin’ has highlighted the funniest, most foolish moments from NBA games, shedding light on the plays we couldn’t help but laugh at. As Shaq once said, “The show was created to get rid of the word ‘bloopers.'” It’s this unique angle that kept fans coming back for more. Even though Shaq faced some tough times in his broadcasting career, his ability to keep viewers entertained ensured the show’s success. The most recent Shaqtin’ a Fool episode sparked an emotional response online, with fans expressing their sadness over its end.

Among the many fun elements of the show was the prestigious “Shaqtin Golden Ticket,” a lifetime pass from ever being featured in the blooper reel again. Since 2015, only four players have received this hilarious yet rare honor, including Larry Nance Jr., P. J. Tucker, JaVale McGee, and Joel Embiid. Of course, Shaq’s humor didn’t always sit well with everyone—particularly with McGee, who had a public spat with Shaq over repeated appearances on the show.

Now, in its likely final stretch, Shaquille O’Neal has taken a step back, letting fans vote for the Shaqtin MVP online. He’s more of a narrator, with Kenny Smith providing comedic relief. Shaqtin’ became a special bond between Shaq and the fans, which makes its end all the more heartbreaking.

Fans react to Shaquille O’Neal’s new Shaqtin’ a Fool episode

As the latest Shaqtin’ A Fool episode dropped, fans wasted no time sharing their reactions. One viewer had a big suggestion for how the final show should go, saying, “Farewell guys, I’m gonna miss you all, please invite MJ in your last show and bury it with Chuck, that’s how an EPIC ending must be.” The potential for a Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley reunion is particularly intriguing. Barkley once disclosed that his friendship with MJ came to an end due to his remarks on MJ’s owned Charlotte Hornets, stating, “He took great offense to it, and we haven’t spoken since.” If TNT pulls this off, it would be an unexpected but interesting reunion between two former “best friends”.

Meanwhile, another fan voiced their sadness with, “I’m gonna miss Shaqtin’ a Fool, soak it up lads.” Yet, some are still looking forward to more, with one excited fan saying, “Lol we get another season of this 😂😂😂.” But it’s no secret that this could be the end. With the 35th season of Inside the NBA possibly being its last, Shaqtin’ A Fool would also fade into TV history.

The uncertainty surrounding the future of Shaqtin’ stems from the NBA’s recent deal to partner with Amazon, Disney, and NBC Universal from the 2025-26 season onwards. Unfortunately, this move left Warner Bros. Discovery (formerly Turner Sports) without the NBA broadcast rights. While Warner Bros. Discovery is currently in a legal battle to retain the broadcasting rights, many anticipate that this will mark the final season of NBA basketball on TNT, including the beloved Inside the NBA studio show.

Even in the final moments, the fans haven’t lost their sense of humor. “I miss you alls, ❤😂” one fan wrote, while another hilariously noted, “No, man. Shaq says Rudy Gobert’s name with JaVale McGee’s tone😅.” Of course, this brings up Shaquille O’Neal’s ongoing feud with Gobert, with Shaq once calling him the “worst player of all time.” McGee has been there, and it clearly impacted him. As he said on the Above the Rim podcast, “It messed me up.” For many players, the fun of Shaqtin’ sometimes stung a bit too much.