

The Bill Simmons Podcast
The Ringer
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons hosts the most downloaded sports podcast of all time, with a rotating crew of celebrities, athletes, and media staples, as well as mainstays like Cousin Sal, Joe House, and a slew of other friends and family members who always happen to be suspiciously available.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 11, 2016 • 1h 12min
Ep. 75: Jon Favreau and Dan Pfeiffer
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Jon Favreau, former director of speechwriting for President Obama, to break down the 2016 primaries, Donald Trump's lack of a speechwriter (10:00), and this season’s WWF-style debate format (21:00). Then, Dan Pfeiffer, former senior adviser to Obama for strategy and communications, joins to discuss Ted Cruz's lack of likability (26:30), advising the Trump campaign (31:00), the Obama-Clinton Cabinet dynamic (39:00), Obama’s post-presidency (45:00), flaws in media coverage (50:00), and the impact of technology on the political landscape (1:05:00).
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Mar 10, 2016 • 1h 15min
Ep. 74: Joe House and Greg Cosell
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Joe House to discuss Holy Cross's Patriot League championship, March Madness (12:00), Durant-Celtics (17:00), Cleveland's bad body language (29:00), the Pistons-Cavs mismatch (36:00), and the resurgence of Dougie McBuckets (41:00). Then, NFL Films' Greg Cosell joins to discuss top free-agent signings (47:00), Osweiler bolting the Broncos (52:00), the Panthers' SB50 problems (59:00), Peyton to L.A. (1:08:00), and Brady's non-pass to Gronk (1:10:00).
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Mar 7, 2016 • 1h 23min
Ep. 73: Dan Wetzel & Bill's Dad
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports to discuss the desire for a Rousey-Holm rematch, UFC's growth (15:00), a Deflategate update (27:00), Goodell vs. Brady (30:30), the NFL's narrative (34:00), and Peyton Manning's legacy (44:00). Then, Bill's dad joins to pick the Pats' scariest QB matchup (54:00), say goodbye to Peyton Manning (1:00:00), consider Holy Cross's NCAA hopes (1:07:00), and break down the Celtics' stretch run (1:12:00).
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Mar 4, 2016 • 45min
Ep. 72: 'The Watch' Takeover with Chris Ryan & Andy Greenwald
Chris and Andy cohost to discuss the TV Championship Belt, the Netflix model (12:00), the prestige dramas 'Vinyl' and 'Billions' (19:00), and 'Better Call Saul' (28:00), and celebrate the work of Courtney B. Vance on 'The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.'
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Mar 1, 2016 • 1h 2min
Ep. 71: Sports Media Watch w/ Bryan Curtis
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Ringer editor-at-large Bryan Curtis to discuss the future of studio shows, the biggest problem with the political media (10:00), the "insider" model (19:00), the importance of scoops (24:00), locker-room access (31:00), underproducing TV and radio (40:00), the return of Rick Reilly (43:00), OKC and the media (50:00), and Steph Curry's magnetic similarities with Magic (54:00).
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Feb 29, 2016 • 1h 8min
Ep. 70: NBA w/ Joe House and Kirk Goldsberry
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Joe House to break down Saturday's GSW-OKC matchup and Curry's game winner (6:00), defend LeBron's '09-'15 run (10:30), discuss Curry's defense (16:00), and debate whether Steph entertains on an MJ or Bird level (24:00). Then, friend and former Grantlander Kirk Goldsberry joins to talk about three-point-line possibilities (36:00), Curry's ridiculous range (48:00), Kevin Love's anachronistic game (56:00), and whether the NBA should expand the courts (1:00:00).
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Feb 26, 2016 • 1h 20min
Ep. 69: Oscars w/ Cousin Sal, Wesley Morris & NFL Combine w/ Robert Mays
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Cousin Sal to talk the Oscars, Sly Stallone's speech and Tony Burton's death (7:00), and land best Oscar bets (22:00). Then, Pulitzer Prize winner Wesley Morris discusses the importance of Chris Rock's Oscar monologue (30:00), Alicia Vikander's ascent (38:00), Damon vs. Leo (49:00), and post-Oscar narratives (53:00). Finally, original Grantlander Robert Mays reports from the NFL combine (57:00).
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Feb 24, 2016 • 54min
Ep. 68: Andrew Bogut
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons chats with Golden State's Andrew Bogut about GSW's team-first mentality (8:00), tricks to setting screens (12:00), the murky future of the center position (15:00), GSW's beautiful passing (17:00), Steph Curry's evolution as a superstar/celebrity (24:00), Steve Kerr's coaching style (32:30), the chase for 73 wins (38:00), and whether Bogut's Australian comrade Ben Simmons will change his mind and play in the 2016 Olympics (48:00).
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Feb 22, 2016 • 1h 10min
Ep. 67: NBA w/ Joe House & TV w/ Alan Sepinwall
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons rolls on another Monday with Joe House to break down Warriors-Clips Saturday night, Curry vs. CP3 (5:00), Celtics-Dubs April Fool's edition (11:30), Lillard's Blazers (17:00), the bad Rockets (19:00), the Wizards' moves (24:30), and the potential dud 2016 NBA draft (35:00). Then, Alan Sepinwall joins to talk Louis C.K.'s 'Horace and Pete' (46:00), Damien Lewis as Bobby Axelrod (56:00), recasting 'O.J.,' (1:02:00) and proclaiming 'The Walking' IS 'Dead' (1:04:00).
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Feb 19, 2016 • 1h 9min
Ep. 66: NBA Trade Deadline Winners and Losers w/ Juliet Litman and Chris Ryan
HBO's Bill Simmons leans on Juliet and Chris for help in making sense of the NBA trade deadline. Topics include: Duke-UNC upset (5:00), the Warriors' supremacy (7:00), the savant Sean Marks (10:30), Frank Vogel on 'The Bachelor' (13:30), Cleveland's ability to be beaten (17:15), the Thunder's formula (20:30), problems in Phoenix (30:00), the Grizzles (33:00), the competitive Celtics (37:00), Orlando's odd dynamic (41:30), BK's new outlook (46:00), the pageantry of Kobe (53:00), and overall winners and losers (56:00).
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