Welcome to Episode #129! We bring back Gracie (#121) to discuss an entertaining variety of r/BS Pod topics. First, we assess how NBC & Amazon are doing so far covering the NBA. We break down their studio shows, presentation and announcers, and contrast it with ESPN, who has been putting out a terrible NBA product for decades now. Plus, how is Inside the NBA doing on ESPN, and are they finally improving their own NBA coverage? (0:00-40:45)

Next, we hit on the latest in Russillo world. What do we make of Russillo potentially pairing up with SVP for the 5pm Around the Horn slot - did he make the right call going to Barstool? We also break down his first podcast episode; can we expect more funny shots at Bill like his 2026 NBA Re-Draft comment? Plus, is the Rich Paul & Max Kellerman pod really the replacement for Ryen. We aren't enthused. (40:45-57:45)

We then hit on Bill's weak reaction to the NBA Gambling Scandal - while we're not asking for a return to fiery mid-2000s Bill railing against the establishment, he certainly could've done more than essentially brushing it off as nothing. (57:45-1:03:00)

We finish up with Gracie telling us about her experience attending the recent Big Picture live show, before getting into Bill's One Battle After Another takes and The Big Picture's coverage of the movie, including their episode with Van. (1:03:00-end) Enjoy!

Welcome to Episode 128! We bring on Evan to discuss a wide variety of Bill Simmons topics, starting with the shocking news of the day - Sir Rudy & Nephew Kyle are joining Russillo's new venture. We then hit on why we think Bill's pod has declined significantly, including the guest list, Guess the Lines issues and too much gambling talk. We next compare and contrast Bill's career with Russillo's and Cowherd's, and preview how Russillo will do at Barstool. We then hit on the bizarre and sad decline of ESPN, before highlighting The Ringer's hits and misses. Enjoy!

Welcome to Episode #127! We bring back recurring guest Imperial Twilight (#115 & #117) for a deep analysis into The Rewatchables podcast. Imperial's been on a Rewatchables kick over the last few months and shares his thoughts on a variety of topics, including:

• How Rewatchables Bill is the old, Page 2-esque Bill we all loved
• The negatives of 2025 Bill on sports don't show up on Rewatchables
• Assessing what CR & Sean, Mallory, and Van & Wes bring to the show
• The comedy of how Bill acts/talks differently when he has on non-CR & Sean guests
• What movies they should do, and why Bill hasn't done them yet
• Laughing at an outrageous mid-2000s Heat take by Bill

Then, at 1:10:25 we unveil a Ryen Russillo Fake Movie Pitch that should go down as a Top 7 Top 3, Pantheon-level r/BS Pod moment. Enjoy!

Welcome to Episode 126! We bring on Andy (@adplacksports) for a classic r/BS Pod show. We start off talking Guess the Lines - why has it dropped off so much, and is it redeemable? We assess what made the show great and how it lost its luster.

We then hit on Bill as Ringer GM and discuss the current Ringer roster including strengths and weaknesses.

We finish up the show predicting what Bill will (or won't!) say about the recent Jimmy Kimmel news. Enjoy!

Ryen Russillo is leaving The Ringer to form an independent digital media company which will sign a multi-year partnership with Barstool and receive investments from Barstool and Dave Portnoy. We break down this sports media news of the century - enjoy!

Welcome to Episode #124! We bring on recurring guest and sports media specialist JF for a highly informative show on the r/BS Pod topic of the day (Russillo's free agency) and the hottest non-Russillo sports media story (ESPN's Direct to Consumer app launching).

To start off the pod, JF makes the case that Barstool should be even odds with The Ringer to nab Russillo, a contrast to some of our recent r/BS Pod discussions. JF argues that Russillo is both a better cultural and financial fit at Barstool. We explore some content Russillo could generate at Barstool while also discussing why Barstool's financial model and less stringent IP demands could be of interest to Ryen. We also hit on why The Volume, and their ability to offer Russillo equity, may be more in play than some are thinking. Plus, we get into podcasteconomics, contrasting The Ringer vs. Barstool, and JF questions a few moves Bill is making with some Ringer shows.

After we finish up with Russillo, we talk ESPN's new streaming app. For $30, you can now buy all of ESPN standalone, instead of only being able to access the network via a cable TV bundle like YouTube TV. Will this be a success? We don't think so. And, we admonish ESPN for squandering a decade where they've developed no talent and continued putting together weak studio shows - there's no creative vision at the network. We finish up the pod going more in-depth on cable TV andESPN economics, and why the network developed such hubris while diminishing their brand.

We bring on Russillo expert Mason for a highly detailed look at everything Ryen Russillo: his time at ESPN, the art of a Russillo take, the beauty of Life Advice, whether his contract being up is causing tension with Bill, and, of course, where he'll land next. We finish up talking future of sports media. Enjoy!

Welcome to the latest r/BS Pod! We bring on two returning guests for a 3-man weave covering every angle of Ryen Russillo's looming free agency. Enjoy!

Welcome to Episode #121! We bring on Gracie from Twitter for a classic r/BS Pod ep, starting off with the Perk-Simmons beef. Bill launched some aggressive takes against Big Perk, who came firing back with a long monologue of his own including going into Bill's WNBA archives - we assess who won the feud.

Next we hit on ESPN's horrific NBA coverage - Perk included - and wonder why they've struggled so much to create a good NBA product. We discuss why the RJ/Doris/Breen booth isn't working and predict that the Amazon and NBA broadcasts will easily surpass ESPN's. Plus, will ESPN ruin Inside the NBA?

We celebrate Zach Lowe's return to podcasting, and discuss which we prefer between Lowe and Russillo. With Russillo's contract up soon, we break down where he might go - and if he stays with The Ringer, is there anything he could be doing differently to improve his content? We also agree Rob Mahoney has been stepping up lately.

We then hit on some Ringer pop culture pods including The Big Picture, which is a favorite of Gracie's. We compare that pod to The Rewatchables; each have their own strengths. And we again contemplate why they don't release the Rewatchables movie ahead of time. We also give some love to The Town and Belloni's appearances on Bill's pod.

We finish up talking Gracie's evolution from being a major Barstool listener to now consuming much more Ringer content, and also discuss how she got blocked by Buster Olney.

If you liked the episode leave a 5-star review on Apple Pods and we'll read it next show!

Welcome to episode #120! We bring back the Chanch brothers from Episode #98 for another 3-man weave breaking down the recent Big 3 Simmons/Russillo/Lowe pod. Then we dive into Chuck Klosterman's latest appearance on the BS Pod and discus his wonky AI takes. Enjoy!

Check out Kyle's fantasy league idea here: https://clubhousefantasysports.io