The Bill Simmons Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Kenny Smith and Will Ferrell Jul 01, 2020

Show notes

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by two-time NBA champion and sports commentator Kenny "The Jet" Smith to discuss what makes 'Inside the NBA' so authentic, stories from the 1994 and 1995 Finals runs, Hakeem Olajuwon, ESPN's 'The Last Dance,' and more (3:10). Next, Bill talks with actor, producer, and writer Will Ferrell about quarantine family time; youth soccer; HBO's 'Succession'; LAFC; his new Netflix film, 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga'; and more (48:05)!

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Cam to the Pats, 'The Decision,' and the 2010 Redraftables With Ryen Russillo Jun 29, 2020

Show notes

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the Patriots signing QB Cam Newton to a one-year deal (2:09) before revisiting a defining moment in 2010: LeBron James and ‘The Decision’ (50:56). Finally they look at the 2010 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks (1:16:09).

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Talking Movies With Don Cheadle and Rob Lowe Jun 26, 2020

Show notes

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by actor Don Cheadle to discuss some of his iconic films, including 'Boogie Nights,' 'Out of Sight,' 'Crash,' and 'Hotel Rwanda,' playing Sammy Davis Jr. in HBO's 'The Rat Pack,' Black actors and storytellers in Hollywood, working on TV and films during the pandemic, his Showtime series 'Black Monday,' and more (6:00). Then Bill talks with actor Rob Lowe about joining the podcast world with his new podcast, ‘Literally! With Rob Lowe,’ Hollywood in the 1980s, the Brat Pack, some of his films including 'The Outsiders,' 'St. Elmo's Fire,' 'About Last Night,' 'Tommy Boy,' and more. Rob also shares stories from his time following the Showtime Lakers (59:35).

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A Genius Westbrook Pick, Rose vs. Love, and the 2008 Redraftables With Ryen Russillo Jun 22, 2020

Show notes

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to talk about their early years in podcasts and radio, respectively (3:10). Then they revisit the 2008 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks (40:33).

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NBA in Quarantine With JJ Redick, Plus Cord Jefferson on the Impact of ‘Watchmen’ Jun 19, 2020

Show notes

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by NBA veteran and New Orleans Pelican JJ Redick to discuss some of the challenges of staying NBA-ready during the pandemic, the benefits of regimented training and recovery, thoughts on the “Orlando bubble,” LeBron’s gravitas among NBA players, the playoffs format, and more (1:44). Then Bill talks with screenwriter and former entertainment journalist Cord Jefferson about the social significance of HBO’s ‘Watchmen’ and its "second impact," his time at Gawker, the grind of late-night TV, working with television titans like Damon Lindelof (‘Watchmen’) and Mike Schur (‘The Good Place’), elevating the superhero genre, and more (42:35).

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An MLB Funeral With JackO, Plus LL Cool J on Kobe vs. Magic, Rap History, and Creating the GOAT Jun 17, 2020

Show notes

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by his old friend JackO to discuss the grim outlook for the 2020 MLB season and the ESPN 30-for-30 'Long Gone Summer' (2:45). Then Bill is joined by Grammy-winning rapper, actor, and entrepreneur LL Cool J to discuss historical hip-hop, the Rock the Bells brand, Kobe Bryant, Lakers greats, the original GOAT, set stories from 'Any Given Sunday,' and more (44:13). Finally, in an excerpt from the 'Flying Coach' podcast, Steve Kerr and Pete Carroll talk with NBA champion and coach Doc Rivers about growing up in Chicago, dealing with racism, and sharing stories with the Clippers team during the Donald Sterling scandal (1:30:24).

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The NBA Takes a Beat, Plus the 2007 ReDraftables and Oden-Durant With Ryen Russillo Jun 15, 2020

Show notes

The Ringer's Bill Simmons talks about the concerns some players are having about the return of the NBA, and some of the parallels to 1968 (1:55). Then Bill and Ryen Russillo revisit the 2007 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, draft comedy, and NBA legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks (18:52).

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Jalen Rose, Judd Apatow, and the 2006 NBA Redraftables Jun 12, 2020

Show notes

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by sports analyst and former NBA player Jalen Rose to discuss More Than a Vote, a nonprofit organization championing voting rights created by LeBron James, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Jalen, and other current and former pro basketball players (2:10). Then Bill, Chris Ryan, and Joe House revisit the 2006 NBA draft and discuss some of its subplots, comedy, and legends before redrafting the top 14 lottery picks (33:55). Finally, Bill talks to writer-director Judd Apatow to discuss family life in quarantine; directing his daughter in his new film, ‘The King of Staten Island’; working with Pete Davidson and Steve Buscemi; early-2000s comedies; casting movies; and more (1:56:20).

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Goodell’s 180, Biden’s VP, Old-School Football, and the Hockey "Code" With Bakari Sellers and Bill Burr Jun 09, 2020

Show notes

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by attorney, author, and political commentator Bakari Sellers to discuss the "perfect storm" that mobilized the current Black Lives Matter movement; people and organizations making statements, including Roger Goodell, LeBron James, and Patrick Mahomes; some history behind the civil rights movement; the political climate leading up to the 2020 presidential election; Bakari's book, 'My Vanishing Country'; and more (1:55). Then Bill talks with stand-up comedian, writer, and actor Bill Burr to discuss the pre–Super Bowl football era, the unwritten rule book in hockey known as "the code," taking a break from stand-up during the pandemic, his new movie 'The King of Staten Island,' working with Judd Apatow and Pete Davidson, and more (49:19).

'My Vanishing Country' by Bakari Sellers

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CC Sabathia on Protesting, Drew Brees, Baseball’s Return, LeBron, Rivera, and the National Moment Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by World Series champion CC Sabathia to discuss his experience at the protests in Brooklyn, the moment he realized the nation was ignited by the killing of George Floyd, and the platforms today's athletes have and their ability to speak out against injustice. They also discuss CC's time with the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians, including the 2007 ALCS, watching LeBron James play high school sports in Cleveland, the incomparable Mariano Rivera, the 2009 World Series, bench-clearing brawls, how athletes may be affected by moving the start date of their season, and more.

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