Skimm This

The hottest show in sports right now has nothing to do with quarterbacks or point guards, but it has everything to do with gay guys who play pro-hockey – and we’re into it. Blake recaps the hockey smut show, Heated Rivalry, while Caroline breaks down the Notre Dame college football playoff drama, à la Regina George and the Plastics. Plus, the WTA’s no. 4 tennis player, Amanda Anisimova, drops by the studio to chat about going pro at 15, what happened when she prioritized her mental health, and more.  In this episode, we also cover: The Chiefs sh*tting the bed in front of the girl gang, aka: Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, and Lena Dunham Alix Earle and Braxton Berrios calling it quits  The effectiveness of the positive vibes bunny in the Eagles locker room  Which game NFL fans dubbed “Pookie Bowl”  SEND ITS:  Tampa Bay Bucs support women in sports: https://www.instagram.com/p/DR-BirwDvCT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==  The auntie who loved up on AJ Brown: https://www.instagram.com/p/DR0Q2khkbId/?img_index=1&igsh=MXJ6OTQzYW9jZG40Yw%3D%3D  Angel Reese x Paige Bueckers collab when??? Right now: https://www.si.com/wnba/sky/news/sky-star-angel-reese-paige-bueckers-unite-marketing-campaign Lando Norris becomes the F1 World Championship with McLaren: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR-J9mYCUU-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==  Follow Blake on IG: @blaaakkkke Follow Caroline on IG: @cghendy Follow theSkimm on IG: @theskimm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Caroline breaks down the soap opera drama of Lane Kiffin’s recent divorce from Ole Miss for the younger, hotter LSU. Who knew a middle-aged white guy would occupy so much of our brain space? It’s also high-season for celeb-watch on the NBA sidelines, from Benny Blanco and Selena Gomez cuddling up to Conrad and Steven giving us an alternate ending for “The Summer I Turned Pretty” on the kiss cam. In this episode, we also cover:  The NWSL’s Sydney Leroux reveals how her silent health struggle is more prevalent in women’s sports than we believe Recapping DWTS season 13, plus Alix Earle shutting down rumors about her boyfriend, Braxton Berrios Why Ben Johnson went shirtless for the city of Chicago  How Post Malone’s Cowboys fandom goes beyond hometown loyalty  Petty Boys of the NFL week 13 edition, ft. Aaron Rodgers, Shelby Harris, and Cam Heyward SEND IT:  “The Summer I Turned Pretty” alternate ending at the Knicks game: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRp7Uq8ASOA/  The Ottawa Charge proposal: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRisb8ejTMp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&utm_medium=email  Bald man finds solution for women athletes (yes, his baldness *is* relevant): https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/47109557/2025-ncaa-volleyball-tournament-players-hair-band-tiy-brand-jerritt-elliott  Megan thee Stallion and Klay Thompson are the gift that keeps on giving: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRm2Y2dD0yf/  Follow Blake on IG: @blaaakkkke Follow Caroline on IG: @cghendy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well Played headed to the West Coast for a LIVE podcast recording at the NWSL Championship weekend. Joined by special guests Sarah Spain, we recapped the NWSL awards, handed out a few of our own (hi, Midge Purce), and set the scene for the title match, including alll the drama the led to the big game. Plus, we mentioned our favorite storylines from a season that proved — yet again — that women’s soccer is operating on another level. theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy Sarah's IG: spain2323 Want more sports? Sign up for theSkimm’s sports newsletter at theskimm.com/sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since at least late 2024, Russell Wilson has left thirsty comments on his wife Ciara’s Instagram posts asking for baby number five – aka, “Cinco.” Blake and Caroline join Ciara in her public plea to give her uterus a break. In other ick-worthy news, Sky Sports addressed the patronizing launch of their women-centric sports TikTok account, “Halo”. Matcha lattes and hot girl walks not included – thank God. In this episode, we also cover:  How LeBron and Bronny body swapped, “Freaky Friday” style The case for why Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green needs therapy  NFL week 12 highlights, including the Bills bouncing back, the return of spitgate, and the Chiefs dynasty…ending? The Knicks ultra fan who used his visit to the Vatican to give Pope Leo a custom jersey  Jordyn Woods’s heartfelt gift for Karl Anthony Towns’ 30th birthday  Why Adam Sandler and Timothée Chalamet were at a high school gym together SEND IT:  Jordyn Woods x KAT’s 30th birthday: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRGb3TiDQut/?img_index=1  Pope Leo gets his Knicks jersey: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRFILiOjIj8/?hl=en  Adam and Timmy ball out: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRLBtYvkS0S/?img_index=1  OTHER STUFF TO KNOW:  We will be at the NWSL Championships this weekend! Join us for a LIVE recording of Well Played at 2 PM on Saturday at the lot at creekside, 140 S. Montgomery Street in San Jose, California. ICYMI, our interview with Gotham FC’s Jaedyn Shaw: https://youtu.be/zriAtGJiXzA?si=sdr015p-ZC0YE--p&t=2066  Follow Blake on IG: @blaaakkkke Follow Caroline on IG: @cghendy Follow the pod on IG: @wellplayedpod    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bengals fans, rejoice. The streets are saying Joe Burrow will return by Thanksgiving after healing his turf toe. Shocked he’s already making a comeback? Us too. Blake and Caroline suspect it’s all thanks to an Etsy witch – with a side of Joe’s crystal collection. Meanwhile, Dua Lipa spends a sporty day off.  In this episode, we also cover: Why Prince Harry issued an apology to Canadians post-World Series  Dak Prescott’s heartfelt speech surrounding the death of Cowboys defensive end, Marshawn Kneeland Which swatch of red lipstick Daniel Jones wore during the Colts game  Why Jaedyn Shaw shut down the “underdog” comments surrounding Gotham FC  Serena Williams and Ciara break it down – and which one of them couldn’t get back up SEND IT: Klay Thompson is the greenest flag: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQw_i1qEsvK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==  Jonas Brothers + Jason Kelce – aka girl dads – unite: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ4N2THCvud/?igsh=MTNuc3Q2MzZ5NWszMQ==  Origins of Dua LaPeep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jar6nzgmm4 Dua Lipa’s book club: https://tertulia.com/editorial-list/dua-lipa-complete-book-club-picks?srsltid=AfmBOoryU4Vl7KA_lYJvoyJ3_21MKtbkGI78xO-NB33wz-brVyLWOdo3 Ciara, Serena, and Venus: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQzWxmCiUEW/  Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm Want more sports? Sign up for theSkimm’s sports newsletter at theskimm.com/sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David and Victoria Beckham graduated from “Mr. and Mrs.” to “Sir and Lady” after the soccer legend was knighted for his service in sport and charity. It was a decade-long process – and apparently included some expletive-filled emails when he got passed over years ago. The family gathered to celebrate, but we couldn’t help but notice one noticeably absent Beckham. Meanwhile, Simone Biles shared a “get unready with me” TikTok we didn’t know we needed full of cultural confessions. Simone, if you’re reading this: it would be our honor to show you how to use a dishwasher.  In this week’s episode, we also discuss:  Caroline’s crash out over the Jets trade of Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams Hellen Obiri breaking the NYC Marathon course record – and her parents adorable reaction Clayton Kershaw’s dad bod on full display, plus whether Shohei Ohtani is secretly fluent in English  What we want out of the next Cardi B and Robert Kraft sighting Joe Burrow’s Halloween costume that had us asking…why so serious?  Send Its:  Cardi B and Kraft are suite-side besties: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQkokwUgEBU/?igsh=MThyaHZyY3F6bmNzbA==  Simone Biles’ “get unready with me” confessions: https://www.tiktok.com/@simonebilesowens/video/7566672113323560222?lang=en  Chappell Roan at the National Horse Show: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQf0kTcDv_t/  Miley Stewart isn’t Hannah Montana…Cam Dicker is: https://www.tiktok.com/@chargers/video/7567119748417195295?lang=en  Ms. Terry (aka Nick Saban’s wife)  is all of us: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQnRrDjDrxA/  Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm Want more sports? Sign up for theSkimm’s sports newsletter at theskimm.com/sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a big week in basketball news. Justin Bieber played in a rec league designed for “CEOs, VIPs, and people from all walks of life” (you may raise your eyebrows) while the NBA faces two scandals of its own. One deals with illegal sports betting and rigged poker games. The other? Jaylen Brown’s hairline. Also: Blake and Caroline surprise each other with sporty Halloween costumes for the pod, so watching on YouTube or Spotify is a must this week. In this week’s episode, we also discuss:  The moment we became Justin Fields stans A World Series game so crazy, Blake and Caroline are even intrigued  U.S. Soccer’s work to support pregnant and post-partum players on the USWNT  Why getting fired as a college football coach is almost as lucrative as being an active one  How to watch the NWSL Decision Day games this coming Sunday Send Its:  The Lions fan who welcomed a new member into the fandom: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQPezPlgcIC/?img_index=2&igsh=NHU0NWI4ajRuYW14 Panthers players got us feeling old: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQKT1fSkRJC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link  The A’ja Wilson effect on Bam Adebayo’s game: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQO_avMga6L/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==  Travis Kelce hits the “The Fate of Ophelia” touchdown celly: https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneymarycrain/video/7566093931478273335  Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm Want more sports? Sign up for theSkimm’s sports newsletter at theskimm.com/sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shohei Ohtani showed us why he’s Him while the uncs of the NFL faced off in Thursday Night Football. Vintage Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers game to play, which left fans with a 2010s sense of whimsy. Simpler times. Meanwhile, Simone Biles flipped for the first time since getting her new cherries (IYKYK) and NFL WAGs Kylie Kelce and Olivia Culpo got clear on two things: 1) men need to stop saying “we’re pregnant” when expecting a baby and 2) that becoming a mom will probably give you an identity crisis – and that’s OK.  In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:  Drake Maye putting up Tom Brady-esque numbers Which WNBA star is Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb’s good luck charm Why Mike Vrabel always addresses women first in press conferences  Whether Joe Burrow is emo or dressing up as Conrad Fischer from “The Summer I Turned Pretty” for Halloween Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Beats! Visit beatsbydre.com to learn more. Send Its:  Bridget Condon of NFL Network shows us moms really can do it all: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPym4v0jlJj/?igsh=YmdkNzFkaW9yNjM4 Simone Biles debuts her first flip in a year: https://people.com/simone-biles-alludes-to-new-boob-job-11830995 80-year-old Natalie Grabow makes us feel like we can do anything: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/J-S3Hd9frrw  Maya Rudolph shares hot take on athletes on SNL: https://www.tiktok.com/@nglwithkylie/video/7561980555223436575  Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm Want more sports? Sign up for theSkimm’s sports newsletter at theskimm.com/sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thursday night was tough for the city of Brotherly love. The Eagles, Phillies, and Flyers fell to their foes. Giants rookies Cam Skattebo and Jaxson Dart – aka the frat bros running the Giants – showed Jalen Hurts and friends who’s boss. Meanwhile, we learned the solution to the so-called male loneliness epidemic: gather hundreds of male sports fans, let them take their shirts off, and swing in unison. Turns out camaraderie might just be the secret sauce. In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:  Which Olympian recognized us at ATHLOS, the women’s only track-and-field invitational (yes, this is a brag) Whether Baker Mayfield is Him, aka: MVP Why Phoenix Mercury fans actually stayed after the WNBA Finals (hint: it has nothing to do with good sportsmanship Our favorite Send Its of the week, including the Colts cheerleaders winning our hearts, the Parent Trap nostalgia on DWTS, and the star-studded Lakers pre-season hype video Send Its:  Lakers pre-season hype video: ⁠https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46533657/los-angeles-lakers-natalia-bryant-preseason-hype-video⁠ Colts cheerleaders win us over: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/p/DPuHdh4ARBU/⁠ / ⁠https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPlw-b8jZje/⁠  Timmy takes Kylie to the ball game: ⁠https://people.com/timothee-chalamet-kylie-jenner-step-out-at-yankees-game-day-after-revealed-new-shaved-head-11827077⁠ Elaine Hendrix and Lisa Ann Walter reenact our favorite Parent Trap scene: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/p/DPrNR41ke8Q/⁠  Caroline’s IG: ⁠@cghendy⁠ Blake’s IG: ⁠@blaaakkkke⁠ theSkimm’s IG: ⁠@theskimm⁠ Want more sports? Sign up for theSkimm’s sports newsletter at ⁠theskimm.com/sports⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heads up — this episode may contain references to Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl.” Actually – it definitely will. You’re welcome, Swifties (Caroline). Sorry skeptics (Blake). The NFL’s week 5 delivered on upsets, which has some analysts saying that Drake Maye has arrived, Trevor Lawrence can’t fumble, and Jalen Hurts’ offense needs help. It’s us. We’re analysts.  In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:  A Caroline-approved haiku about week 5, written by Blake  AJ Brown not beating the wide-receiver diva allegations How Cathy Engelbert responded to Napheesa Collier’s scorched-Earth presser  Dissecting the hate Ayesha Curry received for her Call Her Daddy interview How Gisele Thompson really feels about playing without her sister + former teammate, Alyssa Thompson Send Its:  Reese Witherspoon gives advice to highdiver Molly Carlson: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPUGhmvDdKW/  CeeDee Lamb is…daddy?: https://www.tiktok.com/@flockcarter/video/7557773703849823518  Jerry Jones apparently flips the bird at Jets fans: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPcthGgjP_3/?img_index=1&igsh=d3N0amcyMTdnOGQ  Isaac Rochelle references (almost) every track from “The Life of a Show Girl”: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPckmk8kQL5/?igsh=Y3Zveng1d2ZpcDRo  Gisele’s IG: @giselethomp  Caroline’s IG: @cghendy Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm Want more sports? Sign up for theSkimm’s sports newsletter at theskimm.com/sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices