Jagbags

In the latest recap episode, Len provides the post-Oscar recap and details all his adventures at the various post-Oscar parties. The Cavs overcome a 22-point deficit to beat the Celtics in Boston, and Beave has officially contracted serious Cavs Fever. Plus Bulls and other NBA news. The Illini lurch to the NCAA tournament, while Northwestern fights to even make the Big Ten tournament. Beave recommends "The Game", by Ken Dryden. Len recommends the documentary "Becoming Led Zeppelin" with strong enthusiasm, plus "Don't Forget Me" by Maggie Rogers, and "Smoke & Fiction", by X. Plus Dylan and the Band's "The Basement Tapes", and Beave discovers the Flamin' Groovies at age 55. Tune in!

On the latest Jagbags, in support of the new Aretha Franklin Facebook bracket, we discuss her career and her musical impact. Was she the greatest cover artist of all time? What songs are your favorite? Does she have a classic album? Did you like her comeback songs in the 80s? Where does she rank on the All-Time Music Pantheon? Tune in for the full discussion of all things Aretha.

In the latest recap episode, Len recounts his day at the five-Best-Picture-Nominee marathon in Woodridge, IL. We also talk NBA and college hoops, including the new Northwestern mini-resurgence. We have our "I Recommend" section, where Beave recommends the baseball book "July 2, 1903", and Len recommends some SNL-related books, including Norm McDonald's "Based On A True Story", Martin Short's "I Must Say", "The Chris Farley Show", and Colin Jost's "A Very Punchable Face". Len shakes his head at the now monumental task of completing the New Yorker's 100th Anniversary Issue. Beave reviews the new album from Matt Berry ("What We Do In The Shadows"). Finally, they review Bob Dylan's "Modern Times", plus Recently Discovered Top 40 Albums. Tune in!

Beave and Len go through their favorite albums and songs of 2024, and also go through their most pleasant surprises and biggest disappointments. We go through new LPs by Dua Lipa, Black Crowes, Blue Oyster Cult (!!), Liam Gallagher and John Squire, Sleater-Kinney, and much more! Tell us your favorite albums as well.

We discuss the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary schedule in detail, and comment on our favorite sketches and cameos. We also talk through various Best Picture nominees, including The Brutalist, Emilia Perez, and Dune Part Two. The NBA All-Star Weekend came and went without much fanfare or fan interest. Plus, "I Recommend", Beave reviews the new Guided By Voices album, Len receives his 100th anniversary issue of the New Yorker, and Newly Discovered Top 40 hits! More Paul Anka than you ever dreamed of! JAGBAGS!

Beave and Len give you their annual Academy Awards preview episode for 2025. They go through nominees for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Director, Best Animated Feature, and Best Documentary (before they grow too depressed). They assess each category and predict who may win and also who they want to win. Can Demi Moore break through and win? Will Kendall get the best of Roman once again in the Best Supporting Actor category? And who will win Best Picture? Tune in for Oscar talk!

In the latest recap episode, Len laments the ascension of George Carlin as winner of the standup comedy bracket. He also laments the Chiefs' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. Beave laments the Northwestern Wildcats, who lost Brooks Barnhizer to injury and whose season is likely over. The guys discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers' trade for DeAndre Hunter. Beave struggles with Gravity's Rainbow, by Thomas Pynchon. Len does not struggle to keep up with issues of The New Yorker. They also discuss top 40 hits by the Animals, Lee Andrews & The Hearts, and others. Tune in!!

The tremendous Amy Seeley is back and this time the subject is right in her wheelhouse: COMEDY. We talk the legendary work of the absurdly brilliant Monty Python, whose "Flying Circus" and subsequent movies dominated the 70s. We talk our favorite performers, favorite sketches, favorite lines, and favorite movies. We also get into a discussion of their influence, and talk a bit about comedy in general. It's a most excellent 90 minutes, so strap in for something completely different! TUNE IN!

Super Bowl LIX is upon us and Jagbags has your ultimate Super Bowl analysis! Len also reveals he will not have a notebook out for Kendrick Lamar's halftime show, nor will he serve any "Chiefs cake". Beave encourages Len to trash talk EVERYONE WITH IMPUNITY should the Chiefs win. We also discuss the Dallas Mavericks' stunning trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. Plus Zach LaVine finally packs his bags out of Chicago, the Cavs improve themselves, college hoops, Oscar controversies, stand-up comedian brackets, and THOMAS PYNCHON!! Tune in now!

Super Bowl LIX is all set for February, and we talk through the Kansas City Chiefs' status as Ultimate Villains. We also talk brand new Hall of Famer Billy Wagner (as Len celebrates at Girl & The Goat), NBA and WNBA, and college hoops. They briefly touch on Oscar nominations, plus Beave has book recommendations, and Len talks through "Life of Brian", which he had never seen, and "Splendor in the Grass". Plus Derek and the Dominoes' "Layla" , Ringo Starr's new C&W album, and undiscovered top 40 hits. Tune in!

Friends of the podcast Lizzy Mosher and Ryan Hake join the podcast and the topic is the best books we read last year! This is a popular annual topic and we each go through our ten favorite favorite books we read last year (or in Beave's case, eight). Lots of horror (Lizzy reads her very first Stephen King novel), lots of sports, and a bio of Albert Einstein as well! Tune in for ultimate literature, and tell us your favorite books you read last year!

The AFC and NFC championship games are upon us, and Len and Beave go through the divisional playoff games that got us here. Plus the Cavs hit the inevitable lull in their schedule -- can they get back on track? The Bulls and Zach LaVine trade rumors continue. Beave reviews the Dashiell Hammett novel "The Maltese Falcon". Beave and Len talk about Iris DeMent's 1994 album "My Life". They also talk about the four-part documentary "Beyond Saturday Night". Plus secret top 40 hits! All JAGBAGS!

Len and Beave go through their own separate Top Ten Movies of 2024, and then their own Top Ten TV Series of 2024. Tune in as they count down, argue, agree, insult and make up. You won't want to miss the Siskel & Ebert style banter, and hopefully our lists agree with yours! You see, WE WAIT UNTIL THE ACTUAL END OF THE YEAR TO DO OUR "BEST OF" LISTS.

The world has long wondered what Len and Beave think of the seminal DeBarge classic LP "In A Special Way". Wonder no more! The review comes at last! Plus NFL playoffs, Cavs keep rolling through the regular season, CFP is set with Ohio State and Notre Dame, and the Big Ten basketball season kicks off with the usual chaos. Beave reviews a top movie of 2024, "Do Not Expect Too Much from The End of the World", while preparing for his upcoming darkness retreat with Aaron Rodgers. Len reviews albums by Cage the Elephant and his good friend Ray LaMontagne. Plus Secret Top 40 hits! A JAM-PACKED recap episode, so don't miss it!

Friend of the podcast Jill Oliver is back with an in-depth discussion of the 2000 Best Picture winner "Gladiator", as well as the 2024 sequel, both directed by Ridley Scott. Which movie is better? Did "Gladiator" deserve the Best Picture Academy Award? Who gave the best performance in either film? What happened to Oliver Reed during filming of "Gladiator"? Is "Gladiator 2" a good movie? Tune in!

We get our NFL playoff predictions to you just as the games begin! Plus the CFP semifinals, the unbelievable Cleveland Cavaliers, the Bulls' Zach LaVine saga, and the gauntlet that is the Big Ten basketball standings. Beave turns to Russian literature while Len naps. Len reviews "Shogun", "Nobody Wants This", and "Man On The Inside". And Len keeps up with The New Yorker flawlessly!!!

In the newest Jagbags, we talk the music of both Heart and Pat Benatar. "Barracuda" won the Facebook bracket over "Heartbreaker". Were you happy with the results? Which artist do you prefer and which songs/albums are your favorite? Do you believe they belong in the Rock Hall? We go through our 45-minute playlists, talk favorite albums, and talk about songs we hoped would do well in the bracket. (Beave: "Promises In The Dark" should have won) JAGBAGS!

Beave and Len talk the end of the NFL season, as well as preview potential playoff matchups. They also discuss the white-hot Cleveland Cavaliers, who have won 31 out of their first 35 games. They talk college hoops, Len's forgiveness of Brad Underwood, and the gauntlet that is the Big Ten basketball schedule. Beave reviews "Nosferatu" and Len reviews "A Complete Unknown", "The Penguin", "Fallout", and "Mr .& Mrs. Smith". They discuss Robert Christgau's latest A+ album, "Two Sevens Clash", by Culture. Plus undiscovered Top 40 hits and the Carpenters put out a 2024 Christmas album! JAGBAGS!

Did you know that Grand Funk Railroad sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles themselves? In the latest Jagbags, we delve into the career and music of Grand Funk Railroad, providing you our favorite albums, first memories, 45-minute playlists, and other delights! Tune in for end of year JAMS!

Len and Beave go through the ten main characters on "The Bear", and rank them from 10 to number one. How would you rank them? Plus NFL, NBA, the Guardians and Cubs' latest trades, "I Recommend", and the golden age of Chicago college hoops continues! Finally Beave forgets the secret top 40 hits, and we discuss David Remnick's pickleball habits. Tune in!

Len and Beave examine the music of the mercurial and prolific Van Morrison, who continues to churn out records even in the 2020s. We discuss our first memories of his music, rank our favorite albums, compose our signature 45-minute playlists, and discuss his work with Them. Tune in!

Beave visits the home studios in Woodridge, IL for a jam-packed recap episode, eats 3,029 Hershey Kisses in the process, explains Mr. Pibb's pulling sponsorship because of his "Shawshank Redemption" review, and then slips into a diabetic coma under the holiday tree. The Bears and Browns are both forgettable, but we still talk NFL and the charmed Chiefs. Who can challenge them for NFL supremacy? Plus NBA, college hoops (Northwestern beats Illinois in Evanston), college football playoffs, "I Recommend", CCR's "Willy & The Poorboys", unknown Top 40 hits, and Beave and Len forget to rank the characters in "The Bear".

In the latest literary episode, Beave and Len sit down in their comfy chairs in front of a roaring fire, light their pipes, and educate you on fine literature. Specifically, they talk the New York Times' recent list of the Top 100 Books of the 21st Century. How many have you read? We go through the ones we actually have read, the ones we have on our shelves but have not yet gotten to, and ones that may have been snubbed but are still fantastic. Tune in for some good book recommendations!

Beave and Len go through the anonymous NFL players who appear on the league's all-time sack leaders. You can't believe how many players we never heard of. The Bears fire Matt Eberflus after another last second loss. The Cavs keep it rolling with a huge win over the Boston Celtics. Beave reviews the movie Wicked. Beave and Len reminisce about Bakers Square and Len discusses his love of rice pilaf. They discuss the album "Strong Persuader" by Robert Cray. Beave reviews the new Tyler The Creator album. Plus Unknown Top 40 hits! Tune in!

The new Facebook bracket is here and the subject is Morgan Freeman movies! He has appeared in several classics, including "Glory", "Unforgiven", "The Shawshank Redemption", "The Dark Knight", and countless others. (And who can forget Easy Reader on The Electric Company?) His work ethic is without peer, and he can be seen in the new Paramount+ series "Lionness". Which Morgan Freeman performance is your favorite, and which Freeman film has sailed under the radar unfairly? Tune in for ultimate Freeman!

In the latest recap episode, we talk through the week that was in the NFL, NBA and COLLEGE HOOPS!!! We go through Ilinois, Northwestern, Loyola and DePaul and offer outlooks for the men's team seasons. Plus Beave reviews "The Penguin" and Len reviews "Wicked". Plus Beave talks the new album from Elvis Costello, and they both talk "London Calling" by the Clash. TUNE IN!

The subject is one of the most successful and controversial bands of all time: KISS. We talk their songs, albums, and impact. Where do they rank in the All-Time Rock Pantheon? Where does their live LP "Alive!" rank in the all-time Live Album Pantheon? What songs would you include in your 45-minute KISS playlist? Why is "KISS Meets The Phantom" better than "Citizen Kane"? Tune in for ultimate jams!

Beave pronounces the new Cure album as one of their very best, and a surefire "Top 10" ranking for the year. Len eats a delicious peanut butter nutella cupcake while Beave sulks with his green beans. Beave and Len bemoan the latest losses by the Chicago Bears (to the Packers at the end of the game) and the Cleveland Browns (to New Orleans). Beave celebrates the Cleveland Cavaliers' blazing hot start. College basketball is underway and Jagbags star Matthew Nicholson warms up with mashed potatoes and green beans (!!). Plus "I Recommend", Robert Christgau's A+ Albums, and the Top 40 catalog of Air Supply and Akon. Join the witty banter!

On the latest Jagbags we talk the comedy genius of the great Richard Pryor -- a true American original whose comedy sounds as fresh and (sadly) timeless as ever. We talk his comedy albums, his appearances on SNL, the short-lived but incredible "Richard Pryor Show", and movies such as "Silver Streak", "Lady Sings The Blues", and "Richard Pryor: Live In Concert", arguably the greatest stand-up film of all time. Tune in for interesting discussion.

On this darkest of American times, we fearlessly bring you a recap episode for you to hopefully enjoy. Len continues to fall behind in his issues of the New Yorker. The Kansas City Chiefs continue their winning ways. The Browns inquire about just quitting at 2-7. The Chicago Bears take it on the chin from the Cardinals. The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to stay unbeaten and lay the wood to the Golden State Warriors. Plus "I Recommend", Len is forced to listen to yet another jazz LP, Hugh Grant's "The Heretic", the SNL Cold Open, and much more! Tune in.

We talk the growing popularity of the 1997 sci-fi classic "Starship Troopers", starring Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Clancy Brown, Neil Patrick Harris and the great Michael Ironside. Directed by Paul Verhoeven. We talk through the plot, initial critical reaction, and box office performance. We then rate our favorite and least favorite performances, and talk about whether the satire landed or not. What explains its enduring popularity, more than 25 years later? Tune in for cult movie discussion!

We have a great recap episode in store for you! The Bears and Browns both lose while the Chiefs stay as the last unbeaten team in football. The Cavs stay as the last unbeaten team in basketball. Plus "I Recommend", Robert Christgau's A+ albums, Beave's 2024 album review, and undiscovered Top 40 hits! TUNE IN!!

We are talking the music of Beck on the latest episode of Jagbags! We talk our favorite albums, and we each go through our 45-minute playlists as well. It's hard to believe he has been around for almost 30 years. Enjoy!

It's a jam-packed recap episode where Beave reluctantly grills Len on his progress in keeping up with his New Yorker subscription (while Jennifer Beals waits in suspense). The Cavs are off to a white-hot start to the new NBA season. Bears lose a heartbreaker in DC on a Hail Mary. Indiana Fever fire their head coach, and the Yankees go down in the World Series, to America's delight. Plus, "I Recommend", Beave reviews the best jazz album of 2024 while Len naps, Recently Discovered Top 40 Hits, and DONUTS! Tune in now.

Beave and Len discuss the greatest debut albums ever made, and provide their own favorite Top Ten. From the Cars to Pearl Jam to Hendrix to Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and N.W.A., we cover all genres and talk the music acts that absolutely roared out of the gate with an all-time classic! Tune in for ultimate debut record discussion and some tremendous jams!

Beave laments the fallen Guardians but shares his night at the wild Game 3 -- the best baseball game he has ever attended. Plus the WNBA has a new champion in the New York Liberty and Len shows off his new Sloot swag. Beave innocently asks how reading The New Yorker is going, and Len explodes. Plus "I Recommend", Beave's review of the new Ministry album, the Beach Boys' "Wild Honey" -- how good is that LP? And secret Top 40 hits featuring Oleta Adams and the Addrisi Brothers (who?) TUNE IN!

Friend of the Pod Morgan Gire returns to the pod to talk the movies of the great director Robert Zemeckis, who is known best for Back To The Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Forrest Gump, and many more. What are the hallmarks of a Zemeckis movie? We also talk about other great movies that people may not know he directed. What performances in Zemeckis movies are your favorite? What is his most overrated movie? And are you excited for "Here"? We talk all Zemeckis, plus a little movie I like to call "Used Cars". Tune in!

In the latest recap episode, Beave and Len talk the pulse-pounding WNBA Finals between New York and Minnesota. Has there ever been a better one? Plus Len celebrates the suddenly powerful Chicago Bears as they steamroll the Jaguars in London. Yankees go up 2-0 on the Guardians, while Beave frets helplessly. Beave recommends "Monsters: The Menendez Brothers" on Netflix. Len tries to catch up on all the New Yorker articles. Beave and Len review Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible", which received an A+ rating from Robert Christgau. And much much more!

With the NBA season due to kick off soon, Beave and Len don their expert hats and pick the playoff teams, conference winners, and eventual NBA champions. They also debate who could win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. What team will surprise and which team is about to let its fans down hard? Plus we do deep dives on the Bulls and Cavs. Will the return of Lonzo Ball make a difference for Chicago? Is the addition of Josh Giddey a plus or minus? We answer all these questions and more -- ULTIMATE NBA PREVIEW!

Yet another recap episode where cookies stand front and center! Beave makes more shameful cookie consumption confessions. Len introduces Beave to MeTV Mall, whereupon Beave promptly disappears for the next two days. Guardians battle the Tigers in the ALDS playoffs, and Beave has the Game 1 attendance report. The WNBA Finals loom, and Len makes his picks for the eventual league champs. Bears look great in sending Red Rifle crying to Len's backyard. Plus new season of Only Murders in the Building! Beave reviews the Lemon Twigs' concert in Cleveland (amazing, see them in Chicago 10/18). And Secret Top 40 hits by Paula Abdul.....REVIEWED! JAG! BAGS!

We're talking Mel Brooks movies on the newest Jagbags! Which movie is your favorite? What movies would you put in his all-time Top Five? Has he ever made a bad movie? (He has.) Where do you stand on Spaceballs? Or High Anxiety? Who gave the greatest comic performance in a Mel Brooks movie? We take on all these questions FEARLESSLY. Tune in for ultimate comedy discussion! SEDAGIVE?!??

Beave and Len preview the MLB playoffs opening by predicting winners of all the wildcard matchups. Beave has a horrific Javy Baez/Kyle Schwarber 2016 World Series flashback. They also talk the Bears and Chiefs' win and the Browns' awful loss to the Raiders. Len roots for the Minnesota Lynx to make the WNBA Finals. Beave tries to guess the #1 seeds in Len's Facebook cookie brand bracket, which leads to an incredibly in-depth discussion of kinds of cookies, Beave's alarming cookie-eating habits, and a formation of a "Cookie Committee". Plus "I Recommend", new 2024 album review, and hidden Top 40 jams. Tune in now!

We're talking Matthew McConaughey movies on the latest Jagbags! Which performance is his greatest? OK, David Wooderson doesn't exist -- which performance is his greatest? We also talk his book "Greenlights", which has sold six million copies. We talk his Oscar-winning turn in "Dallas Buyers Club", his stunning performance in "True Detective", and much more! Tune in for insightful, expert McConaughey discussion!

On the latest recap episode, Len completes his Favorite 500 Albums review by going five through one. Tune in to see what LP grabs the coveted top spot! Plus NFL (Red Rifle Returns With a Venegeance), MLB (GUARDIANS FEVER), and WNBA playoffs. Beave reviews the new Fontaines DC album, "The Gentlemen" on Netflix and the Pillow Queens concert in Cleveland. Len talks through "little known" Top 40 hits, and reviews the B-52's installment from the movie "The Flintstones". Tune in!

RATINGS GOLD guest Amy Seeley comes back and this time the subject is the New Wave legends the Cars, led by Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr. Beave and Len discover they've been pronouncing "Ocasek" incorrectly all this time. Amy talks about her teenage love of the Cars, and has some outstanding stories as well. We go through our favorite albums, put together a tight 45-minute playlist, and discuss the secret of their appeal. And is the Cars' debut album one of the greatest of all time? (HINT: Yes.) It's a fun discussion, and apologies to Todd Rundgren for all the cheap shots! Tune in!

In the newest recap episode, Beave cautiously celebrates the Guardians' drive to the playoffs, Len lauds Ian Happ's excellent season, and the Sox make a final push for infamy. Plus the Bears fall to Houston, KC wins a tight one over Cincy, and the Browns escape Jacksonville. Beave and Len lament the end of the Chicago Sky's season. Beave struggles with "Einstein", by Walter Issacson. And LEN'S FAVORITE 500 ALBUMS COMES TO A CLOSE! We talk the near misses, then jam out with a little band I like to call Big Country. Enjoy!

Friend of the podcast Chris Marcum joins Jagbags for a CONTENTIOUS discussion of the current state of the WNBA, reasons for its explosion in popularity, and the influx of rookies making an impact on the league. Chris shares his experience of traveling to Indianapolis for a Fever game. We argue Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese vociferously! Who will win the WNBA championship this year? What team could surprise? And what should the league do to maintain and grow its positive momentum? Tune in for all hoops!

Len and Beave do another SPEED RECAP for you. Len is on the cusp of entering the Top Ten of his all-time favorite albums. They go through five more albums, which leads to discussion of the dean of American music critic Robert Christgau's word choices of "fatuous" and "middling". The NFL season kicks off with a Bears and Chiefs win and a terrible Browns loss. MLB winds down as the Guardians sweep the Sox (who have lost 27 of their last 28 home games). Len watches Kyle Hendricks in twilight, as he faces the Dodgers. TUNE IN FOR ELECTRIC DISCUSSION!

NFL Expert Matt Beyer rejoins the podcast to talk through the 2024 NFL season, with particular attention paid to the Browns, Bears and the defending champion Chiefs. Can the Ravens or 49ers break through? Who will be the surprise team of the season? Who will win MVP? Why do the guys make so many Aaron Rodgers/Egypt jokes? And when will Carolina quit messing around and turn over the keys to future Hall of Famer Red Rifle? TUNE IN FOR FOOTBALL EXPERTISE!

Recap action is back and we have sports, music and TV favorites for you! Beave recommends "Dark Winds", available on Netflix. Len recommends "Hum", the new novle by Helen Phillips. Guardians continue to get pushed to the brink, then fight back. Cubs make a bid for the postseason. Sox make a bid for the wrong kind of baseball immortality. The Chicago Sky endure a losing streak at the worst possible time. Beave reviews the new Pearl Jam LP. And Len's Favorite 500 continues the countdown! JAGBAGS!