The Bill Simmons Podcast - podcast cover

The Bill Simmons Podcast

The Ringerwww.theringer.com
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons hosts the most downloaded sports podcast of all time, with a rotating crew of celebrities, athletes, and media staples, as well as mainstays like Cousin Sal, Joe House, and a slew of other friends and family members who always happen to be suspiciously available.
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Episodes

Ep. 88: Willie Geist and JackO

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons eulogizes “The Process,” then brings on NBC’s Willie Geist to discuss the 2008 election vs. the 2016 election (16:30), how Cruz's campaign seems rational compared to Trump’s (20:15), the lack of late-night political takedowns (27:00), Trump's cable-TV success (30:00), and Geist’s new show, 'Sunday Today With Willie Geist.' Then, JackO calls in to discuss the promise for the Pinstripes (39:00), UConn's dominance (48:00), Trump's difficulty in grabbing the nominat...

Apr 08, 20161 hr 12 min

Ep. 87: Chuck Klosterman and David Shoemaker

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Chuck Klosterman to respond to Monday night's wild NCAA championship game, rank all-time Final Four moments (11:30), discuss the singularity of collegiate success (26:00), break down Celtics-GSW (30:00), go over the NYT’s Joe Lacob story (36:00), and have the pro-chance vs. pro-karma argument (42:00). Then, David Shoemaker joins to announce he's joining The Ringer and break down all things ‘WrestleMania’ (53:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...

Apr 06, 20161 hr 20 min

Ep. 86: 'ShackHouse' Masters Preview and Tiger Talk With Bill Simmons

House and Shackelford are joined by Bill Simmons to break down the state of Tiger Woods's career, favorable Masters odds (16:00), and Mickelson's moment in Augusta. Then, House and Shackelford list their "greenroom guys" to watch this week (31:00), map out the best prop bets (40:00), and wrap up with a Masters-inspired Speed Round. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 05, 20161 hr

Ep. 85: Diana Taurasi

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Diana Taurasi to discuss her WNBA return from Russia, UConn's dominance (6:00), the stupidity of lowering the rims (13:00), GSW's selflessness (16:30), playing pickup with Westbrook and Draymond (21:00), and the struggling Lakers and D'Angelo Russell (30:00). Then, The Ringer's Chris Ryan and Juliet Litman break down the Russell scandal (38:10), NBA coaches/players on the move (53:00), and the 2016 'Sources Say' MVPs (1:06:00). Learn more about your...

Apr 01, 20161 hr 14 min

Ep. 84: Keith Olbermann

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Keith Olbermann to discuss "the never-ending state of stupidity" in politics, learning to compromise in America (19:30), the impact of social media on cable news (25:00), baseball’s future (32:30), Pedro's peak All-Star Game performance (42:40), how to fix 'SportsCenter' (54:15), and modern sports news (1:00:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 31, 20161 hr 12 min

Ep. 83: ‘The Media v. O.J. Simpson’ With Bryan Curtis

Ringer editor-at-large Bryan Curtis hosts a feature podcast examining the media element of the Trial of the Century. Guests include HBO’s Jim Lampley, former New York Times TV writer Bill Carter, and ‘Inside Edition’ correspondent Jim Moret, who covered the trial for CNN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 30, 201640 min

Ep. 82: Joe House, Chris Ryan, and Andy Greenwald

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Joe House to wrap up the Elite Eight weekend, Buddy Hield's rise on draft boards (10:00), Ingram vs. Simmons (15:00), the NHL playoff picture (22:00), Connor McDavid's rookie season (27:00), and GSW's historic season (32:00). Then, Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald join to discuss the Smashing Pumpkins reunion (38:30), greatest 'SNL' performances (52:00), and 'Girls' (1:00:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Mar 28, 20161 hr 7 min

Ep. 81: David Duchovny

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons pays tribute to the life of Garry Shandling. Then, David Duchovny joins to discuss NY vs. Boston, Curry's relatable game (18:00), Starks's dunk near Jordan (23:30), 'White Men Can’t Jump' auditions (26:00), 'The Larry Sanders Show' (33:00), Shandling's "nonchalant talent" (40:00), 'The X-Files' (48:00), the Knicks' future (1:02:00), and Dustin Hoffman's JumboTron behavior (1:10:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Mar 25, 20161 hr 24 min

Ep. 80: Mike Tollin

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes 30 for 30 director and Mandalay Sports Media co-chairman Mike Tollin to discuss Ben Simmons and the state of Philly sports (11:00), 'The White Shadow' (18:00), Bill's idea for 'Varsity Blues 2’ (27:00), GSW's winning culture (32:30), MLB Opening Day (38:00), the Clippers’ chances (48:30), the death of the USFL (59:00), and his greatest meeting ever, with Donald Trump (1:02:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Mar 24, 20161 hr 16 min

Ep. 79: Joe House and Michael McCann

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Joe House to make sense of March Madness, top NBA prospects in the tournament (11:00), Buddy Hield's balls (14:00), the Pelicans shutting down A.D. (18:00), Spurs-GSW (22:00), Kawhi's athleticism (27:00), and House's new podcast with Geoff Shackelford, 'ShackHouse' (33:00). Then, Sports Illustrated's Michael McCann joins to discuss lessons from Deflategate (38:00), Goodell the sheriff (43:00), Gawker vs. Hulk Hogan (47:00), Erin Andrews (56:00), and th...

Mar 21, 20161 hr 2 min

Ep. 78: Jay Glazer

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Fox Sports’s Jay Glazer to discuss the current NFL landscape, the secret to the 2007 Giants (12:00), UFC vs. NFL (17:00), the original NFL Insider (29:00), picking a fight with Peyton Manning (44:00), NFL lockout scoop (50:00), his relationship with Roger Goodell (55:00), interning with Mike and the Mad Dog (1:02:00), and Gronk's new show (1:08:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Mar 18, 20161 hr 18 min

Ep. 77: Jim Lampley

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes fellow HBOer Jim Lampley to discuss his Mount Rushmore of boxing, Mike Tyson's self-awareness (24:00), the current top fighters (30:00), Floyd Mayweather's legacy (35:00), boxing vs. UFC (41:00), concussions in boxing (52:00), the burden of being the first sideline reporter (1:00:00), and all things Howard Cosell (1:06:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Mar 16, 20161 hr 21 min

Ep. 76: Chuck Klosterman and Jonathan Abrams

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes old friend Chuck Klosterman to discuss March Madness, Ben Simmons's ceiling (8:00), capricious LeBron fandom (18:30), Curry's apex (29:00), a GSW–Kevin Love trade (37:00), moving the 3-point line (44:00), and Kobe's farewell (50:00). Then, Jonathan Abrams joins to promote his new book, 'Boys Among Men: How the Prep-to-Pro Generation Redefined the NBA and Sparked a Basketball Revolution' (1:05:20). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.c...

Mar 15, 20161 hr 19 min

Ep. 75: Jon Favreau and Dan Pfeiffer

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Jon Favreau, former director of speechwriting for President Obama, to break down the 2016 primaries, Donald Trump's lack of a speechwriter (10:00), and this season’s WWF-style debate format (21:00). Then, Dan Pfeiffer, former senior adviser to Obama for strategy and communications, joins to discuss Ted Cruz's lack of likability (26:30), advising the Trump campaign (31:00), the Obama-Clinton Cabinet dynamic (39:00), Obama’s post-presidency (45:00), flaws...

Mar 11, 20161 hr 12 min

Ep. 74: Joe House and Greg Cosell

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Joe House to discuss Holy Cross's Patriot League championship, March Madness (12:00), Durant-Celtics (17:00), Cleveland's bad body language (29:00), the Pistons-Cavs mismatch (36:00), and the resurgence of Dougie McBuckets (41:00). Then, NFL Films' Greg Cosell joins to discuss top free-agent signings (47:00), Osweiler bolting the Broncos (52:00), the Panthers' SB50 problems (59:00), Peyton to L.A. (1:08:00), and Brady's non-pass to Gronk (1:10:00). Lear...

Mar 10, 20161 hr 15 min

Ep. 73: Dan Wetzel & Bill's Dad

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports to discuss the desire for a Rousey-Holm rematch, UFC's growth (15:00), a Deflategate update (27:00), Goodell vs. Brady (30:30), the NFL's narrative (34:00), and Peyton Manning's legacy (44:00). Then, Bill's dad joins to pick the Pats' scariest QB matchup (54:00), say goodbye to Peyton Manning (1:00:00), consider Holy Cross's NCAA hopes (1:07:00), and break down the Celtics' stretch run (1:12:00). Learn more about your ad choic...

Mar 07, 20161 hr 23 min

Ep. 72: 'The Watch' Takeover with Chris Ryan & Andy Greenwald

Chris and Andy cohost to discuss the TV Championship Belt, the Netflix model (12:00), the prestige dramas 'Vinyl' and 'Billions' (19:00), and 'Better Call Saul' (28:00), and celebrate the work of Courtney B. Vance on 'The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 04, 201645 min

Ep. 71: Sports Media Watch w/ Bryan Curtis

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Ringer editor-at-large Bryan Curtis to discuss the future of studio shows, the biggest problem with the political media (10:00), the "insider" model (19:00), the importance of scoops (24:00), locker-room access (31:00), underproducing TV and radio (40:00), the return of Rick Reilly (43:00), OKC and the media (50:00), and Steph Curry's magnetic similarities with Magic (54:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Mar 01, 20161 hr 2 min

Ep. 70: NBA w/ Joe House and Kirk Goldsberry

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Joe House to break down Saturday's GSW-OKC matchup and Curry's game winner (6:00), defend LeBron's '09-'15 run (10:30), discuss Curry's defense (16:00), and debate whether Steph entertains on an MJ or Bird level (24:00). Then, friend and former Grantlander Kirk Goldsberry joins to talk about three-point-line possibilities (36:00), Curry's ridiculous range (48:00), Kevin Love's anachronistic game (56:00), and whether the NBA should expand the courts (1:...

Feb 29, 20161 hr 8 min

Ep. 69: Oscars w/ Cousin Sal, Wesley Morris & NFL Combine w/ Robert Mays

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Cousin Sal to talk the Oscars, Sly Stallone's speech and Tony Burton's death (7:00), and land best Oscar bets (22:00). Then, Pulitzer Prize winner Wesley Morris discusses the importance of Chris Rock's Oscar monologue (30:00), Alicia Vikander's ascent (38:00), Damon vs. Leo (49:00), and post-Oscar narratives (53:00). Finally, original Grantlander Robert Mays reports from the NFL combine (57:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co...

Feb 26, 20161 hr 20 min

Ep. 68: Andrew Bogut

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons chats with Golden State's Andrew Bogut about GSW's team-first mentality (8:00), tricks to setting screens (12:00), the murky future of the center position (15:00), GSW's beautiful passing (17:00), Steph Curry's evolution as a superstar/celebrity (24:00), Steve Kerr's coaching style (32:30), the chase for 73 wins (38:00), and whether Bogut's Australian comrade Ben Simmons will change his mind and play in the 2016 Olympics (48:00). Learn more about your ad choices...

Feb 24, 201654 min

Ep. 67: NBA w/ Joe House & TV w/ Alan Sepinwall

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons rolls on another Monday with Joe House to break down Warriors-Clips Saturday night, Curry vs. CP3 (5:00), Celtics-Dubs April Fool's edition (11:30), Lillard's Blazers (17:00), the bad Rockets (19:00), the Wizards' moves (24:30), and the potential dud 2016 NBA draft (35:00). Then, Alan Sepinwall joins to talk Louis C.K.'s 'Horace and Pete' (46:00), Damien Lewis as Bobby Axelrod (56:00), recasting 'O.J.,' (1:02:00) and proclaiming 'The Walking' IS 'Dead' (1:04:00)...

Feb 22, 20161 hr 10 min

Ep. 66: NBA Trade Deadline Winners and Losers w/ Juliet Litman and Chris Ryan

HBO's Bill Simmons leans on Juliet and Chris for help in making sense of the NBA trade deadline. Topics include: Duke-UNC upset (5:00), the Warriors' supremacy (7:00), the savant Sean Marks (10:30), Frank Vogel on 'The Bachelor' (13:30), Cleveland's ability to be beaten (17:15), the Thunder's formula (20:30), problems in Phoenix (30:00), the Grizzles (33:00), the competitive Celtics (37:00), Orlando's odd dynamic (41:30), BK's new outlook (46:00), the pageantry of Kobe (53:00), and overall winne...

Feb 19, 20161 hr 9 min

Ep. 65: 'The Ringer' Announcement, Robert Smigel, and JackO

HBO's Bill Simmons discusses the launch of his digital venture, 'The Ringer'; brings on Robert Smigel to talk about his Hulu special, 'Triumph's Election Special 2016' (18:00); and consoles JackO about the state of the Republican Party and the country in general (50:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 17, 20161 hr 9 min

Ep. 64: All-Star Weekend & NBA Trade Deadline w/Joe House

HBO’s Bill Simmons talks to Joe House about a great All-Star weekend/dunk contest, the loaded West team (11:30), best All-Star games (14:30), and then they consider how the trade deadline could affect Miami (21:15), Houston (28:30), Blake and the Clippers (39:00), Boston (49:30), and Jabari Parker (54:30). Plus, House on the Super Bowl, and Bill’s daughter reviews Adele’s surprise Friday concert in L.A. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Feb 15, 20161 hr 12 min

Ep. 63: Al Michaels

HBO's Bill Simmons brings on Hall of Fame broadcaster Al Michaels to discuss his "rivalry" with Bob Costas, 'Sunday Night Football' vs. 'Monday Night Football' (11:00), Dick Ebersol's role with NBC (29:00), L.A.'s new football stadium (34:00), the Olympics in L.A. (37:00), Brentwood's most infamous moments (44:00), and a moderately fast speed round with two stellar Pete Rose stories (58:00)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Feb 11, 20161 hr 20 min

Ep. 62: NBA Deep Dive w/ Haralabos Voulgaris

HBO's Bill Simmons and NBA gambler extraordinaire Haralabos Voulgaris break down the 2015-16 NBA season. Topics include: canned NBA coaches, the Spurs' innovation (9:00), SVG's and Brad Stevens's stellar seasons (13:00), Suns-Lakers '06 (25:00), Kyrie comparisons (28:00), Kevin Love's ceiling (34:00), Kawhi vs. Durant (38:00), best shooters in NBA history (42:00), the Warriors' home record vs. the '86 Celtics' home record (49:00), the best NBA owners (59:00), the 2015 NBA draft class (1:09:00), ...

Feb 09, 20161 hr 18 min

Ep. 61: Super Bowl 50 Hangover Edition w/ Cousin Sal

HBO's Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal break down all the triumphs and tribulations of SB 50 prop betting, and then discuss Denver's all-time defense (7:00), Cam's unraveling on the big stage (11:00), Simms and Nantz's new show (30:00), Von Miller's urine specialist (43:00), and whether Peyton Manning would be safe on the rides at Disney World (52:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 08, 201656 min

Ep. 60: Friday Rollin' w/ Joe House & Michael Rapaport

HBO's Bill Simmons welcomes Joe House to discuss Curry's electric performance in D.C., the ceiling for Curry's highest scoring game (14:00), the farfetched KD/GSW story (18:25), Cam & the Panthers (24:30) and a SB 50 pick (31:00). Then, Michael Rapaport explains why he's not on FX's new OJ show (42:00), then talks OJ & CTE (48:00), Cam Newton & race & media (55:00), Straight Outta Compton (1:04:00), his only Hollywood boner (1:07:00) and the Knicks & Warriors (1:14:00). Learn...

Feb 05, 20161 hr 33 min

Ep. 59: SB 50 Prop Bets w/ Cousin Sal

HBO's Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal scour the Internet for their favorite SB 50 prop bets, talk best- and worst-case Peyton Manning scenarios, find the best Thomas Davis prop bet, learn where a forearm is, talk Ted Ginn's MVP/goat chances, figure out a way to bet on Mike Carey AND Phil Simms, and unveil Sal's Gary Russell Memorial obscure Super Bowl prop bet lock of the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Feb 03, 20161 hr 11 min
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