Jagbags

Friend of the podcast Marlana May Carlson joins Jagbags again and the subject is "Creating A Great Playlist". We talk about themes to consider when constructing a killer playlist, different types of playlists, what kind of occasions call for a playlist, appropriate times to share a playlist, and we even go old school to talk about burning CDs as well as the ancient art of making the perfect mixtape. Then we create a playlist of our own -- ON THE AIR! Tune in right now! And check out our playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/52Weou8VULOVF9itIEmCk9?si=iNqqeq8zSh-YXUFF7qp2mg&pi=u-LvSWGlDvTVm8&nd=1&dlsi=633ccd430f834c59

We talk the NBA All-Star Game on the latest Jagbags, plus the men's college basketball fortunes of Northwestern, University of Illinois and the SURGING Loyola Chicago Ramblers! Plus we talk the Chicago Sky's latest maneuverings, the Oscar-nominated movie "Anatomy of a Fall", the new Bob Marley biopic "One Love", the C&W gem "What, When & Without" by Amanda Fields, and finally Len's Favorite 500 Albums, where we settle the question about the Eagles' Greatest Hits, Vol.1.....once and for all. JAGBAGS!!! A fun listen!

The newest Jagbags deals with the career of the Oscar winner Natalie Portman, and her films. We go through her films, her co-stars, and our favorite performances. Don't miss this episode, even if you don't consider yourself a Portman fan! JAGBAGS!

Len invades LiqrBox for the second consecutive February, chugging Mr. Pibb like there's no tomorrow in celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs' second consecutive Super Bowl victory. Plus we go over the potentially devastating news about Ty Berry's season-ending injury for Northwestern, Loyola's continued ascendance up the A10 standings, and Illinois' holding firm in the Big Ten. Plus Rock Hall nominees! Nikola Jokic in The New Yorker! True Detective! And the new Beyonce country single. JAGBAGS!

JFK assassination expert Daniel Lapke joins the podcast to discuss the various theories advanced over the years over who shot U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1963. We go over all the major players on that day, discuss the events of the assassination, and speculate on the findings of the Warren Commission. We also discuss movies and books that have dealt with the subject. Tune in for an insightful, fascinating discussion!

The Cleveland Cavaliers are absolutely on fire -- have they peaked too soon, or are they legit contenders? We also talk the Super Bowl and who might win. Andre "Jeans" Drummond is a major contributor to the Bulls and we talk his growth (as well as a serious discussion of Coby White). Rough week for Northwestern hoops, but Illinois and Loyola hoops roll on. Plus a Chicago Sky preview from Len! We also talk the new book "Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever", plus the new Netflix documentary "The Greatest Night In Pop". Tune in for recap excellence!

Jagbags regular Kirk Pynchon joins the program to talk about Lionel Richie, who is now back in the public eye with the release of the excellent Netflix documentary on the making of "We Are The World". We do a deep dive into Lionel's career with the Commodores and as a solo artist. What is his best song? What is his very WORST song? Is he an artist who will be remembered 30 years from now? Think about Lionel as you have never have before!

Len and Beave get together once again for ham sandwiches, trying to avoid Meryl Streep's enthusiastic high-fives, and an OUTSTANDING Big Ten basketball game between Illinois and Northwestern! They discuss the night in full. Plus the Super Bowl is set and we provide a preview. NBA is heading toward the All-Star Break and we talk Bulls and Cavs. Plus "I Recommend", Beave's album reviews and Len's Favorite 500 Albums (no Greatest Hits compilations this week)! JAGBAGS!

On the eve of Oscar season, Len and Beave examine the filmography of one of the hottest names in Hollywood: Director Greta Gerwig, whose billion dollar smash film "Barbie" is up for multiple Academy Awards. In light of her obvious snub for Best Director, we go through her three movies (Lady Bird, Little Women and Barbie) in great detail and rank them. We also pick our favorite performances from each movie, dig into her acting career a bit, and finally preview what's around the corner for her going forward. TUNE IN AT ONCE!

In the newest recap episode, Len and Beave preview the upcoming NFL conference championships, and predict the upcoming Super Bowl matchup. They also talk the Cavs' surge up the NBA standings and potential trade scenarios for Zach Lavine. Northwestern, Illinois and Loyola are all having great seasons so far, so we dissect their teams and upcoming games. Plus "I Recommend", Beave's New Albums, and Len's Favorite 500 Albums. Tune in at once!

Chicago artists Ryan Hake and Lizzy Mosher join Jagbags for an outstanding discussion of the best books we all read in 2023. They are not necessarily books published in 2023, but rather books we discovered and books we loved. We also discuss other book-related topics (such as the authors we would most like to have dinner with) in a stimulating 90 minute podcast. JOIN US for ultimate literature back and forth! Put some Jagbags in your ear!

Beave returns from California, having pitched the Jefferson Airplane biopic script to clandestine movie mogul Jimmy The Acid King. Len handicaps the upcoming NFL playoff games, with Beave too distraught over the Browns to even speak. Cavs are on fire! Beave has the breakdown. Bulls continue to run in place and Len waits patiently. Northwestern and Illinois stay on a collision course in Evanston for Jagbags Night 2. Plus Emmy Awards recap, "I Recommend", Beave reviews a jazz album while Len naps, and Len's Favorite 500 Albums! JAGBAGS!

Len and Beave go through their favorite films and TV series of 2023, and once again they share several favorites. A full investigation has been launched as a result! Tune in to complete your entertainment consumption needs of 2023 through our hosts' EXPERTISE! Put us in your ear.

In the latest recap episode, Beave and Len talk the Cavs and the fast-improving Bulls. Len quietly gloats over a despondent Beave and Illinois' decimation of Northwestern in Champaign. They talk Emmy Award nominations and go over various categories. Len roots for Jury Duty in particular to win, while Beave nods politely. Plus "I Recommend", where Len recommends various new songs and Beave discusses the new reality series "Redefined", which follows J.R. Smith's fledgling golf career. Plus Beave's Album Review and Len's Favorite 500 Albums continues. Put some Jagbags in your ear!

Beave and Len kick off 2024 by picking their favorite albums and songs of 2023! And they agreed on three albums in their top 10! Plus their #1 album was the same! What's going on here? What's next, a Browns-Lions Super Bowl? They also go over some of their favorite songs of 2023 as well. Len picks his top 10 songs, while Beave unveils his 45-minute playlist (partially curated by JagCore guest Jessie Beyer). Tune in for the JAMS!

Len continues to push "The Postman"-related content while celebrating the celebrity-packed New Year's Eve party featuring the surviving Beatles, Don Johnson & Philip Michael Thomas, and Matthew Nicholson and his beard that caught fire. Len anticipates the Bears-Packers shut down, and how Chicago can play spoiler. Beave talks the Cavs and his frustrations with coach JB Bickerstaff. They preview the upcoming Northwestern-Illinois game in Champaign, as well as the upcoming college football national championship. Len reviews the new Dolly Parton album "Rockstar", and Beave reviews the new Oscar bait movie "Maestro". Tune in for expertise!

In a preview of Len's latest Facebook bracket, Jagbags attempts to settle the age-old question head-on. We compare the numerous hits of Barry Manilow and the Carpenters, discuss what made them so popular, and rank them alongside other musical titans in the Easy Listening Pantheon. Tune in for lots of cheese, corn and syrup!

Beave ponders the utter improbability of the Joe Flacco story in Cleveland, while Len hopes for the drafting of another wide receiver for Justin Fields and the Bears. The guys talk trading Zach Lavine and (gasp) Donovan Mitchell? They discuss the fact that Illinois and (gasp) Northwestern may be two of the Big Ten's top men's basketball teams. Plus "I Recommend", Len's Favorite 500 Albums, albums that should have made Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums, and more! Put JAGBAGS in your ear!

Len and Beave work to untangle the complicated life and music of iconoclastic musician Warren Zevon. They go through their favorite albums, compose a 45-minute playlist, and go through some of Zevon's wildest bouts of alcohol and self-destructive excess. Tune in for great music and stranger-than-fiction LA stories.

Len masks his pain over the Bears' heartbreaking loss in Cleveland by decorating his home to reflect the holiday season in the spirit of Leo Sayer and his wedding to his girlfriend Donatella PIccinetti. Beave podcasts from the streets in his new David Njoku-styled hairdo, while Len disapproves. The Bulls go on a post-Zach Lavine winning run, while Len celebrates Coby White, Patrick WIlliams, and Andre Drummond's jeans and comb. Beave describes the U2 concert at Sphere in Las Vegas. Len recommends the Christopher Nolan movie "Interstellar". Put some Jagbags in your ear!

Len and Beave rewatch two notable 90s film releases, "The Doors" starring Val Kilmer (and Titus Welliver in an unforgettable cameo), and "The Postman", directed by and starring Kevin Costner. We discuss our opinions of each movie, and why it succeeded (or failed). Len discusses his hatred for GIovanni Ribisi, and wonders aloud how many Kevin Costner love scenes remained on the cutting floor. Beave reminisces about how things were so much better in the sixties, while Len sighs.

In an accomplishment that ranks with the building of the Egyptian Pyramids or the Great Wall of China, Beave finishes his review of Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums of all Time. He ranks the last five and then considers retirement, as there are no more mountains left to climb. We also talk the upcoming Bears/Browns game and how that will undoubtedly be a preview of Super Bowl LVIII. The Bulls are a different (and better) team without Zach Lavine. The Cavs go on a upward swing. Illinois takes a tough loss. Plus "I Recommend" and Len's Favorite 500.

Ultimate Spotify maven Marlana May Carlson comes back on Jagbags to talk the career and the music of Athens-based college radio legends R.E.M. What albums are their best? How did you first come to the band and what was your initial take? Did you ever see them in concert? What R.E.M. tunes make the best children's songs? What is their worst album? Most overrated songs? Did you listen to any albums after "Up"? And is "Automatic For The People" their masterpiece or the moment they hit rock bottom? Tune in for all things Stipe, Mills, Berry and Buck!

Beave celebrates Northwestern's incredible triumph over #1 Purdue in Evanston. Len texts Matthew Nicholson furiously, urging him to show a little more on-court intensity and put the restaurant business on hold. Len discusses the Chiefs, NFL refs, and how the 4-8 Bears can make the playoffs. Beave celebrates the return of Joe Flacco to the Browns. Plus the Bulls, Cavs and NBA in-season tournament that no one understands. And "I Recommend" (San Francisco Sounds, Joyride), Rolling Stone Top 500, and Len's Favorite 500 Albums. Tune in for recap mastery!

We talk the career, the commercials, the documentaries and above all the movies of Mr. Spike Lee. We go through our favorite movies of his, as well as the countless careers he helped to launch. We discuss our first memories of his work (Mars Blackmon, Nike commercials with Michael Jordan) to Do The Right Thing, to X, He Got Game, 4 Little Girls, Da 5 Bloods, and many many more. Put some Jagbags in your ear!

Len and Beave discuss the genius of Season Five of "Fargo", and talk Jon Hamm, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Dave Foley (with music by Grand Funk Railroad!!). We also address the Browns' rough afternoon in Denver, the Bulls' efforts to trade Zach Lavine, Meryl Streep's luminous performance in "Only Murders In The Building", the Cavs' up-and-down start to the NBA season, plus Beave approaches the end of Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums of all Time! Soon, he will have no purpose in life. TUNE IN!

Jagbags welcomes Val Kyriakopoulos back to the podcast for an ESSENTIAL DISCUSSION of all things heavy metal. We talk our favorite heavy metal bands and albums, and present our curated 45-minute Table Busting Playlists. We also talk about what got us into heavy metal initially, and how the music has changed over the years. We also talk speed metal, thrash, doom metal (riffs), and jazz metal (to Len's chagrin). Get ready to turn it up ear-bleeding levels and prepare your 2X4 to smash everything in sight!

Due to college basketball constraints, Beave and Len record the shortest Jagbags episode of all time. The guys discuss the current Hall of Fame induction candidates, plus they assess Billy Wagner's chances. You know his credentials! Hear Beave's reviews of Rolling Stone's all-time Top 500 Albums of all Time, plus Len's Favorite 500 Albums. And that's it! Happy holidays! Enjoy the leftovers.

Jag Core Member Bruce Hollett joins the podcast, resplendent in his "Five-Time Guest" purple blazer to discuss the music and the influence of the Who. What is their best album? Their best song? What songs would you put in a tight 45-minute playlist? What was their influence on punk music? How albums are produced and staged? So many questions, and we provide answers to you in less than an hour. Substitute no lies for fact! Put some Jagbags in your ear!

Len goes to see "The Eras Tour" and receives his official Swiftie Card afterwards. Beave celebrates the Browns' unbelievable comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens. Len also celebrates the Bears' win over Carolina while scanning the sidelines for Red Rifle. Beave talks the Cavs' slow start, while Len ponders trade possibilities for Zach Lavine. The Michigan cheating scandal comes under scrutiny, Beave and Len talk NU possibly going back to the NCAA tourney, and Beave recommends "It Ain't Over", on Netflix. Tune In!

Ever get that horrific earwormy song in your head, and it won't go away? Of course you do -- everyone does. But what songs are the single worst? Friend of the podcast Marlana May Carlson joins the podcast to discuss those types of songs. This is a podcast episode where violence is threatened, angst revealed, and impotent nightmarish scenarios are played out and relived over and over -- through the power of song. Join us, if you dare!

In the latest recap episode, Len asks Beave about his favorite moments from the latest Halloween "party" (i.e. unwanted home invasion), particularly hanging out with the cast fro "The Bear". Len talks new Cubs manager Craig Counsell, while Beave wonders about the new Guardians skipper Stephen Vogt. They also talk about the winner of the Steven Spielberg movie bracket, the latest Bears and Browns news, NBA, and "I Recommend"! Put some Jagbags in your ear!

Friend of the podcast Morgan Gire joins Len and Beave for a THOROUGH REVIEW of movies directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg. We go through our very favorites (Morgan has strong feelings on both Hook and The Post), as well as his more underrated features (Duel) and more overrated works (E.T.). What will we say about your favorite Spielberg films? Tune in for a true Spielberg immersion!

In the latest recap episode, Luka Doncic gets the Mavericks off to a hot start and then taunts Beave via fax. Len recommends the greatest hits of Dave Edmunds. Beave recommends "The Saint of Second Chances", on Netflix. Beave and Len cry about their favorite NFL teams' performances. Plus, the World Series, the NBA's first week of games, and we get even closer to the end of Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums of all time! And Len's Favorite 500 Albums! Check us out!

Friend of the podcast Eric Roach rejoins Jagbags to talk the films of the late William Friedkin, who recently passed away at the age of 87. We go through his movies, including "The French Connection", "The Exorcist", "To Live & Die in LA", "Cruising", and especially the unsung MASTERWORK "Sorcerer", starring Roy Scheider. Why did "Sorcerer" come and go without so much as a whimper at the box office? What made Friedkin's best work so compelling? Did the ends justify the means with Friedkin? What is his lasting legacy? We answer these questions, and many more. TUNE IN FOR FRIEDKIN!

In the latest recap episode, the Patriots try to take revenge on Beave for his incendiary comments about their current squad, with Tucker Curtis lurking nearby. We talk the World Series matchup that has all of America breathless with anticipation: Rangers! Diamondbacks! Both the Bears and Browns win, and the guys make Super Bowl plans and talk trash. Len goes to town on the offerings of the Chocolate Shoppe, on Devon, while Beave tries to channel his inner teen girl with a review of boygenius' latest EP. Also, PICK WITHERS!

Halloween is just around the corner, and in the spirit of the season we discuss our favorite horror movies of all time! Our horror movie Fan Supreme Matt Beyer joins us for a discussion of our favorite slasher, vampire, monster, supernatural possession, and zombie movies of all time! We also get into our all-time Top Ten Horror Movies Ever Made, and our Scariest Scenes of all Time. Dim the lights, put on some John Carpenter music, and dig in with some HORROR JAGBAGS!

On the newest Jagbags episode, Beave gives his review of The Darkness at The Vic, on Sheffield and Belmont featuring Salty, The Greatest Roadie Of All Time. Len reads a word from our sponsor. Len talks Tyson Bagent, Eberflus, the shaky Luke Getsy, and the improved Bears defense. Beave celebrates a Top 5 All-Time New Browns Win over the 49ers in Cleveland. They talk the MLB Playoffs, and the failures of the Braves and Dodgers. Plus "I Recommend", the WNBA Finals, Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums, and Len's Favorite 500 albums. Put some Jagbags in your ear!

Beave and Len come at you with their way-too-early 2023 NBA Season Preview Episode! Why did the Bulls stand pat, and what is management's actual vision for the team? Can the Cavs make The Leap to contender status? Is Evan Mobley ready to get MVP votes? Can the Denver Nuggets repeat as NBA champs? Does Damian Lillard now make the Milwaukee Bucks a contender? Does LeBron have more greatness left? Is Victor Wembanyana Next? All these questions and more! Put some Jagbags in your ear.

The guys wish Laura Foote a happy birthday! Former Bulls coach Jim Boylen obtains a new job at the Checkers drive-thru! We break that new job down. Beave and Len review the MLB playoffs and pick their post-season favorites. They talk the Bears' big win over Washington as well, and provide their scouting report on the upcoming opponent Minnesota. They also celebrate the terrible starts for New England and Green Bay. Plus WNBA Finals! I Recommend! Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums! And Len's Favorite 500! Tune in now.

Podcaster, movie critic and friend of Jagbags Morgan Gire comes back to talk the films of the eccentric Tim Burton. Which films are his very best? Which ones are most overrated? Underrated? Is Planet of the Apes in fact his worst film, or is another movie more deserving of the title? We talk all this, plus we compare him to other directors and talk about the diverse array of A-list stars that have appeared in his movies over the years. Put some Jagbags in your ear!

You know what? It's our podcast, and so we get to do whatever we want. That means as a result of one of the worst weeks in Chicago/Cleveland sports history, we will NOT be talking the Guardians, Cubs, Browns, Bears, or ANY OF IT! So instead we flip the script and talk "I Recommend" ("The Creator", Studs Terkel's "Division Street"), Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums, Len's Favorite 500 Albums, and Len's successful tour of dramatic readings of top 80s song lyrics. EAT IT, LARRY FROM SCHAUMBURG! Put some Jagbags in your ear!

With the remastered version of "Stop Making Sense" currently playing in Chicago and other cities, plus Len's newest Talking Heads bracket, the time is right to discuss their music, their impact and the chances for a reunion. What was their best album? (They had no bad albums.) What would go on your 45-minute Ultimate Playlist? Where do they rank in the Musical Pantheon Rating System? First Pantheon, or lower? We also discuss whether "Stop Making Sense" is in fact the greatest concert movie of all time, and its worthy rivals. Put some Jagbags in your ear!

On a very personal recap episode of Jagbags, Len and Beave re-examine their relationship, all while talking the Cubs' fight for a wild card spot, the Chicago Bears' rough week, the burgeoning romance between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, Terry Francona's final days in Cleveland, the dominant Browns defense, "Still", nominated for seven Emmy Awards and starring Michael J. Fox, and much more! Tune in for the soul-baring.

Friend of the Jagbags Bruce Hollett joins us to discuss the music and career of the British power pop/punk pioneer the Kinks. Where do they rank in the all-time Rock Pantheon? What is their beat album? Their best song? Are they underrated or properly rated? Why were they destined to live in the shadow of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones? We go through our 45-minute all-time Kinks Playlist (an impossible task), and try to remember the exact word-for-word titles of the Kinks' most successful LPs.

In the latest recap episode, Len spells out the Cubs' exact path to the playoffs, and whether he thinks they can do it. We close the chapter on the Chicago Sky's season, and Len provides his postmortem for the team, and areas they need to improve in the off-season. (He also officially announces his candidacy for the Sky head coaching job.) We talk Bears' and Browns' bad Week 2 losses, plus Len previews the upcoming Chiefs/Bears matchup. Plus "I Recommend", where Beave reviews "Shrinking" and Len reviews our inferior competitors "Smartless". Plus Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums and Len's Favorite 500 Albums. Put some Jagbags in your ear!

The L.A. band the Doors continue to inspire strong opinions, even in 2023, and Beave and Len talk through the band's music in detail. Will their popularity come roaring back yet again, or has their time passed at last? Was Jim Morrison the first art rock poet, or was he a drunken fraud? Does the music hold up 50 years later? What was the secret of the band's appeal (make no mistake, at their zenith they were as big as anyone)? Tune in for some strange days.

Beave and Len both attend the Printers Row Lit Fest downtown (unbeknownst to each other) and report back on their experiences. The Bears lose to Green Bay at home while the Browns beat Cincinnati definitively. The Cubs continue their postseason push, and the Chicago Sky make the WNBA playoffs. Plus "I Recommend", Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums, and Len's All-Time Favorite 500 Albums. Tune in for podcasting DELIGHTS!

Beave and Len discuss some of the most terrifying "villains" in cinema history. From Darth Vader to Annie Wilkes to Bellatrix and everyone in between, we go through an hour's worth of despicable behavior by the people film goers love to hate. Who was the scariest? The most devious? Most overrated? And which villains had a point to their behavior? We cover it all (while forgetting so many along the way). Put some Jagbags in your ear!

In the latest recap episode of Jagbags, the guys talk the BBC episode "Dalgliesh", and its superiority to "Bosch" (but not "Shetland"). Len reviews the book "Welcome to the Surface of Baseball", and takes in a Chicago Dogs game in Rosemont. Plus, the Cubs slide into the playoff driver's seat! The Guardians lose by a couple of touchdowns to officially exit the playoff race! The Sox haven't found their stadium shooter! The Chicago Sky fight hard for the final remaining playoff spot. And album reviews galore! Put a little Jagbags in your ear.