The Bill Simmons Thread

[luckiestman]

Is Malcolm Gladwell really so dumb that he would think the commissioner of a professional sports league would ever tell the owners to not try and get public money for stadium construction?

 
That part was weird to me too. It was like he thought Adam Silver was the boss of the owners instead of it being the other way around. I haven't listened to the whole thing yet, but the Vivek Ranidive discussion was the best part of what I have heard so far. 

 

[bbc23]

https://instagram.com/p/9uCGbArlIB/
Greenwald and Ryan have their pod back inside the BS Network it seems, great news. 

 

[Wingack]

https://instagram.com/p/9uCGbArlIB/
Greenwald and Ryan have their pod back inside the BS Network it seems, great news. 

Yes, very good news. It will air TWICE a week too.
 
I think it is going to be called The Watch. 

 

[ipol]

https://instagram.com/p/9uCGbArlIB/
Greenwald and Ryan have their pod back inside the BS Network it seems, great news. 

 
Yeah, in response to Wingack, The Watch with Chris and Andy.
 
Andy made the joke on the Simmons pod, "Not sure if you guys had heard but I have a lot of free time." I took that as him being one of the writers outright released by ESPN which, obviously, makes sense. What, with them getting out of the pop culture business...
 
HP was a must listen for me so these two pods per week are very good news, indeed. 
 
It seems like Simmons is just going to do the whole damn thing again.

 

[JBill]

Yes, very good news. It will air TWICE a week too.
 
I think it is going to be called The Watch. 

Greenwald posted that it's The Watch twice a week, plus he'll continue his one on one interviews on The Andy Greenwald podcast, like before. Great news.

So sounds like at least part of Simmons new project is a podcast network.

 

[Cellar-Door]

 
Yeah, in response to Wingack, The Watch with Chris and Andy.
 
Andy made the joke on the Simmons pod, "Not sure if you guys had heard but I have a lot of free time." I took that as him being one of the writers outright released by ESPN which, obviously, makes sense. What, with them getting out of the pop culture business...
 
HP was a must listen for me so these two pods per week are very good news, indeed. 
 
It seems like Simmons is just going to do the whole damn thing again.

He was already leaving Grantland as of 11/4 actually.

 

[ipol]

He was already leaving Grantland as of 11/4 actually.

 
Now I remember.    
 
Thanks.

 

[ifmanis5]

Simmons making fun of Nantz in his latest podcast with Cousin Sal was hilarious.

 

[Gunfighter 09]

I was worried that edgier Simmons would be less funny. So far, the opposite is true, I think he is better with the reigns removed, or at least sounds more genuine with the occasional dick joke thrown in.

 

[dynomite]

I was worried that edgier Simmons would be less funny. So far, the opposite is true, I think he is better with the reigns removed, or at least sounds more genuine with the occasional dick joke thrown in.

This week's Cousin Sal podcast is the hardest I've laughed at the two of them in a few years.

I thought they were hilarious at points in this pod -- the uncensored conversation feels like natural BSG, as ripping on announcers and silly stats like QBR was often his strength, and can finally shine again.

 

[johnmd20]

Simmons making fun of Nantz in his latest podcast with Cousin Sal was hilarious.

Yes, that was really funny. Podcast Nantzgasm really delivered.

 

[Harry Hooper]

Any way to get podcast without downloading/installing iTunes?

 

[moondog80]

Any way to get podcast without downloading/installing iTunes?

https://soundcloud.com/the-bill-simmons-podcast

 

[Harry Hooper]

Grazie

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

The podcasts are now also on Stitcher, apparently.

 

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

"Is that a real place? Lativia?"

"It's Latvia. It's in the Russian vortex."

"See. You don't even know where it is. And you're smart. You've have books around here and stuff."

 

[ifmanis5]

Rapaport doing his Stallone imitation and calling Mickey a 'Stickman' was fantastic. Still laughing.

 

[johnmd20]

Any way to get podcast without downloading/installing iTunes?

I use copypod. It works well, and you can manage it with ease without having to deal with iTunes sync garbage.

 

[DLew On Roids]

Similarly, I use Overcast on my iPhone. I never synced with iTunes anyway, but Apple ruined the native Podcasts app in IOS 9 by forcing everyone into the Up Next model they'd rolled out earlier in Music and ditching the On The Go feature.

 

[The Social Chair]

Bill Simmons interviews Obama for GQ. Big story, freelance writer is a move I didn't think of for him but is very smart.


http://www.gq.com/story/president-obama-bill-simmons-interview-gq-men-of-the-year

 

[GBrushTWood]

Great interview. Without degenerating this into V&N territory, I'm not a fan of Obama, but I enjoyed reading this because of Simmons.

Loved the right cross to ESPN and John Skipper to open up the article:

“It’s really aggravating not having you on Grantland,” he said, almost like I betrayed him. “I go to the site and there’s no Simmons. Come on, man, it’s not the same.”

Then I loved the interaction on Goodell:

When you said, “I cannot believe…,” I didn’t know where you were going with that. Have you thought about calling Roger Goodell and being like, “What are you doing? Can I help you?” [Obama laughs.] “Can I give you some advice? Want to have dinner?”

They’re making a profit, and I think that’s what the owners are most concerned with.

So you think the owners like having him there?
You’re not going to drag me into your fights, man. Come on—I’ve got enough fights of my own. [laughs] This is between you and Roger.

Pretty entertaining stuff there. Reading between the lines, even Obama thinks Goodell is a dipshit.

 

[nattysez]

Simmons did a really good job on this. I wouldn't think the freelance route would work for him, as I think freelance pieces are typically more long-form and heavily-researched. But I guess he could go the Drew Magary route of doing long-form interviews with pop culture icons and then doing some basic research/follow-up that's not too time-consuming. Magary's "days with" pieces on Guy Fieri and the Duck Dynasty were both quite good.

 

[Bunt4aTriple]

Magary's "days with" pieces on Guy Fieri and the Duck Dynasty were both quite good.

I agree, and I'm a huge Magary fanboy, but they do seem to all follow a similar theme: here's someone who the cool kids shun but the simpletons love; let me humanize them with a few anecdotes.

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

It was pretty good but I thought Bill was a little out of line when he asked Obama to compare the Syrian refugee crisis to Teen Wolf 2.

 

[Detts]

I think it is the first thing that he has ever written without a Shawshank reference.

 

[tims4wins]

I just wanted to take a step back and say - it is unbelievable that the Boston Sports Guy, from the Digital City days, interviewed the POTUS. I mean, wow. Congrats to Simmons.

 

[allstonite]

I just wanted to take a step back and say - it is unbelievable that the Boston Sports Guy, from the Digital City days, interviewed the POTUS. I mean, wow. Congrats to Simmons.

Twice now. And was the Editor in Chief of a website that got a third. I thought of this reading it today as well and it's incredible that POTUS knew his ESPN and Roger issues. I still think of him as the guy I thought only I knew when I read him on AOL.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Simmons twice at ESPN wanted to interview the potus only to have that interview diverted to someone else at ESPN/abc

The Bill Simmons podcast Network - BSPN. Lol.

 

[DLew On Roids]

I am loving the (not so) subtle FUs to ESPN. Interviews the President four days after his contract expires. Closes every podcast with "Picture Me Rolling."

It's so petty and Massholish and that's a good thing.

 

[allstonite]

Simmons twice at ESPN wanted to interview the potus only to have that interview diverted to someone else at ESPN/abc

The Bill Simmons podcast Network - BSPN. Lol.

He did finally get to interview him finally for a short podcast in 2012.
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/b-s-report-barack-obama/

I didn't realize it was BSPN until I heard Chris Ryan read an ad using it on his podcast. Intentional or not it's pretty funny

 

[Number45forever]

Listened to the first 25 minutes of the latest Klosterman podcast (discussed better in the DFG thread) on the commute in and cannot fucking stand it. Before I keep listening to this, has anyone listened to the whole thing and is it any more bearable once the subject shifts to the Obama interview and whatever else Klosterman wants to ruminate on? Or do they keep circling back to the Brady shit?

 

[TheRooster]

had to fast forward; Klosterman was awful; seems like his definition of "cheating" is different than just about everyone else's

 

[ifmanis5]

had to fast forward; Klosterman was awful; seems like his definition of "cheating" is different than just about everyone else's

His definition turned out to be 'he acted weird, so he's probably guilty.' I like Chuck a lot but he was out at sea on the whole Brady topic.

 

[Number45forever]

His definition turned out to be 'he acted weird, so he's probably guilty.' I like Chuck a lot but he was out at sea on the whole Brady topic.

Yup. Absolutely. And it shows a fundamental lack of knowledge regarding how Brady has interacted with the media (especially during the season) for his entire career. How many times has had said anything even remote controversial or distracting or off-topic to football in his 15 years in NE? Imagine if Brady even gave a quote saying "I did nothing wrong and had no knowledge of this" ... that quote would lead sports news shows for a couple days with articles rehashing every dumbass DFG plot. Add to this that it is ongoing with the NFL still in the appeal process, I mean, come on Klosterman. You act like a smart guy and yet you didn't realize Brady would not be saying ANYTHING? Dumbass.

 

[Vinho Tinto]

How many times has had said anything even remote controversial or distracting or off-topic to football in his 15 years in NE?

I get your point, but we're about a month removed from him labeling some of the NFL's corporate sponsors as selling poison to children.

I don't see any heroes or villains to this. Brady's handlers arranged for him to be in GQ, while Klostertman was open to a interview with Brady without restrictions. The way it blew up is more interesting than anything we would have gotten out of the interview.

 

[Koufax]

Pretty entertaining stuff there. Reading between the lines, even Obama thinks Goodell is a dipshit.

Or regardless of what he thinks, he's followed it closely enough to know what's going on. Which is pretty cool.

 

[Number45forever]

I get your point, but we're about a month removed from him labeling some of the NFL's corporate sponsors as selling poison to children.

I don't see any heroes or villains to this. Brady's handlers arranged for him to be in GQ, while Klosertman was open to a interview with Brady without restrictions. The way it blew up is more interesting than anything we would have gotten out of the interview.

Good point on the poison to children interview from a month ago. Honestly I had forgotten about that one when I was typing my reply.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Was really disappointing the way Simmons caved to Klosterman's innuendo-based trashing of Brady.

Makes me wonder if Bill is worried about being seen nationally as just a Boston guy, and letting Klosterman trash Brady on his podcast (and even agreeing with him on some of it!) is an easy way to do that. Disappointing.

 

[Yossarian]

I suspect it's more that Simmons is a fan of Klosterman, and turtles when presented with an opportunity to really challenge him.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

I really don't get the love on Klosterman. I pretty much think every time he opens his mouth its to try to impress some freshman girl at Wellesley who's never had sex before. Liberal intellectual type lacking real world experience

 

[Remagellan]

So in other words, he's like the real life version of the dude from The Tao of Steve.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Did that guy ever score? Or is he still trying to hook up with the movie version of Molly Lambert?

 

[RG33]

I really don't get the love on Klosterman. I pretty much think every time he opens his mouth its to try to impress some freshman girl at Wellesley who's never had sex before. Liberal intellectual type lacking real world experience

I totally agree and this nails it. I hated agreeing with D&C's rant about Klosterman, but they were right. He is awful and so self-indulgent.

 

[Nick Kaufman]

Can I observe how remarkably different the podcasts Simmons is doing now are as opposed to the ones he used to do for ESPN? And the difference is mainly due to the fact that Simmons, unmuzzled by ESPN, is able to make fun of media personalities, swear, and just shoot the breeze with his pals in a way that he couldn't before. The effect of all of this is creating a pretty intimate experience in which the listener connects to Simmons as if he's part of a close friend's group and this I believe what really made him as a writer when he was writing for Digital city.

So far, I ve enjoyed the Nantzgasm. Bill jerking off to Stephen Curry, House's heavy breathing and Bill offering Cousin Sal a loan in order to repay his gambling debts.

May be it's not only the unshackling of the ESPN reigns. May be he just has more free time and he's less stressed out about all the other things he needs to do.

 

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

It's WAY better. The biggest difference for me is how at-ease Simmons sounds. A ton of nervous-energy or something has dropped away and the fun he's having comes through in the product.

I would have to love the guest previously to listen, but now I'm listening to every one.

 

[luckiestman]

It's better but the podcast was always good. I miss the podcasts with Jalen

 

[nattysez]

HBO seems to be prepared to let Simmons build something pretty significant:

HBO announced Monday that NFL Network alum Weinberger has joined the newly formed Bill Simmons Media Group. As part of the job, he will also serve as one of the executive producers on Simmons' upcoming HBO talk show and be charged with building a new content website and podcast network, as well as developing scripted and nonscripted projects, shortform, digital content and other projects as part of Simmons' first-look deal for HBO and HBO Now.

 

[ifmanis5]

I used to work with Eric at ESPN when it was a good place to be. He's a nice guy and a good choice.

 

[Joe D Reid]

"Content website" might be the vaguest descriptor I've ever seen. At least they aren't pigeonholing themselves too early.

 

[Cellar-Door]

"Content website" might be the vaguest descriptor I've ever seen. At least they aren't pigeonholing themselves too early.

Going off their tweets maybe Dave Schilling and Molly Lambert will be doing porn reviews.