The Bill Simmons Podcast

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons talks to Chuck Klosterman about Prince as one of the most prolific musicians of his era, and they revisit the film 'Purple Rain.' Wesley Morris comes on to share his memories of the artist, and ponders what other musicians we’ll mourn when they die (36:00). Plus, Joe House calls in to talk about the NBA playoffs (55:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons chats with comedian Louis C.K. about owning his own show ('Horace and Pete'), battling the stigma of "being broke" (18:00), internet headline culture (28:00), the creative decisions behind 'Horace and Pete' (35:00), the 'Golden Globes' with Jessica Lange (45:00), Garry Shandling's silent impact (52:00), the economy of outrage (1:02:00), and the future of his FX hit, 'Louie' (1:10:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons preps for the NBA playoffs with Haralabob, who calls in from an undisclosed location to discuss GSW's historic regular season, the Cavs’ upset potential (8:00), the Thunder's incompetence (15:00), OKC's crunch-time lineup (26:00), Kobe's 60-point finale (32:00), stopping GSW (37:00), a gentler Popovich (45:00), and sixth man Blake Griffin (50:00). Then, The Ringer's Katie Baker joins (57:45) to break down the NHL playoff picture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes world-champion Warriors forward Draymond Green to discuss 73 wins, GSW's management of playing time (8:00), their "lucky" 2015 championship (12:00), Curry's added edge (16:00), the Game 7 loss to LAC (19:00), the proposed Klay Thompson–Kevin Love trade (28:00), Magic’s mentorship (38:30), Curry's confidence (41:00), and defying the Pats’ undefeated curse (44:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons submits his All-NBA 2016 selections, with help from Joe House. Topics include: Karl-Anthony Towns's ROY campaign, Pop vs. Kerr (11:00), Draymond's DPOY credentials (15:00), C.J. McCollum's breakout season (20:00), Bill's All-NBA First Team (25:00), CP3 vs. Isiah Thomas (34:00), LeBron's season by the numbers (39:00), the Gervin-Curry scoring mark (45:00), Bill's All-NBA Second Team (49:00), Harden's drop-off (52:00), Bill's All-NBA Third Team (54:00), Curry's uncontested MVP candidacy (59:30), and an NHL playoff preview (1:03:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons eulogizes “The Process,” then brings on NBC’s Willie Geist to discuss the 2008 election vs. the 2016 election (16:30), how Cruz's campaign seems rational compared to Trump’s (20:15), the lack of late-night political takedowns (27:00), Trump's cable-TV success (30:00), and Geist’s new show, 'Sunday Today With Willie Geist.' Then, JackO calls in to discuss the promise for the Pinstripes (39:00), UConn's dominance (48:00), Trump's difficulty in grabbing the nomination (51:30), and LeBron's bizarre run in Cleveland with the RNC ahead (58:00). Finally, Bill's son stops by to recap the highlights of ‘WrestleMania’ (1:06:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Chuck Klosterman to respond to Monday night's wild NCAA championship game, rank all-time Final Four moments (11:30), discuss the singularity of collegiate success (26:00), break down Celtics-GSW (30:00), go over the NYT’s Joe Lacob story (36:00), and have the pro-chance vs. pro-karma argument (42:00). Then, David Shoemaker joins to announce he's joining The Ringer and break down all things ‘WrestleMania’ (53:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

House and Shackelford are joined by Bill Simmons to break down the state of Tiger Woods's career, favorable Masters odds (16:00), and Mickelson's moment in Augusta. Then, House and Shackelford list their "greenroom guys" to watch this week (31:00), map out the best prop bets (40:00), and wrap up with a Masters-inspired Speed Round. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Diana Taurasi to discuss her WNBA return from Russia, UConn's dominance (6:00), the stupidity of lowering the rims (13:00), GSW's selflessness (16:30), playing pickup with Westbrook and Draymond (21:00), and the struggling Lakers and D'Angelo Russell (30:00). Then, The Ringer's Chris Ryan and Juliet Litman break down the Russell scandal (38:10), NBA coaches/players on the move (53:00), and the 2016 'Sources Say' MVPs (1:06:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Keith Olbermann to discuss "the never-ending state of stupidity" in politics, learning to compromise in America (19:30), the impact of social media on cable news (25:00), baseball’s future (32:30), Pedro's peak All-Star Game performance (42:40), how to fix 'SportsCenter' (54:15), and modern sports news (1:00:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer editor-at-large Bryan Curtis hosts a feature podcast examining the media element of the Trial of the Century. Guests include HBO’s Jim Lampley, former New York Times TV writer Bill Carter, and ‘Inside Edition’ correspondent Jim Moret, who covered the trial for CNN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Joe House to wrap up the Elite Eight weekend, Buddy Hield's rise on draft boards (10:00), Ingram vs. Simmons (15:00), the NHL playoff picture (22:00), Connor McDavid's rookie season (27:00), and GSW's historic season (32:00). Then, Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald join to discuss the Smashing Pumpkins reunion (38:30), greatest 'SNL' performances (52:00), and 'Girls' (1:00:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons pays tribute to the life of Garry Shandling. Then, David Duchovny joins to discuss NY vs. Boston, Curry's relatable game (18:00), Starks's dunk near Jordan (23:30), 'White Men Can’t Jump' auditions (26:00), 'The Larry Sanders Show' (33:00), Shandling's "nonchalant talent" (40:00), 'The X-Files' (48:00), the Knicks' future (1:02:00), and Dustin Hoffman's JumboTron behavior (1:10:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes 30 for 30 director and Mandalay Sports Media co-chairman Mike Tollin to discuss Ben Simmons and the state of Philly sports (11:00), 'The White Shadow' (18:00), Bill's idea for 'Varsity Blues 2’ (27:00), GSW's winning culture (32:30), MLB Opening Day (38:00), the Clippers’ chances (48:30), the death of the USFL (59:00), and his greatest meeting ever, with Donald Trump (1:02:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Joe House to make sense of March Madness, top NBA prospects in the tournament (11:00), Buddy Hield's balls (14:00), the Pelicans shutting down A.D. (18:00), Spurs-GSW (22:00), Kawhi's athleticism (27:00), and House's new podcast with Geoff Shackelford, 'ShackHouse' (33:00). Then, Sports Illustrated's Michael McCann joins to discuss lessons from Deflategate (38:00), Goodell the sheriff (43:00), Gawker vs. Hulk Hogan (47:00), Erin Andrews (56:00), and the NCAA paying players (59:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes Fox Sports’s Jay Glazer to discuss the current NFL landscape, the secret to the 2007 Giants (12:00), UFC vs. NFL (17:00), the original NFL Insider (29:00), picking a fight with Peyton Manning (44:00), NFL lockout scoop (50:00), his relationship with Roger Goodell (55:00), interning with Mike and the Mad Dog (1:02:00), and Gronk's new show (1:08:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes fellow HBOer Jim Lampley to discuss his Mount Rushmore of boxing, Mike Tyson's self-awareness (24:00), the current top fighters (30:00), Floyd Mayweather's legacy (35:00), boxing vs. UFC (41:00), concussions in boxing (52:00), the burden of being the first sideline reporter (1:00:00), and all things Howard Cosell (1:06:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons welcomes old friend Chuck Klosterman to discuss March Madness, Ben Simmons's ceiling (8:00), capricious LeBron fandom (18:30), Curry's apex (29:00), a GSW–Kevin Love trade (37:00), moving the 3-point line (44:00), and Kobe's farewell (50:00). Then, Jonathan Abrams joins to promote his new book, 'Boys Among Men: How the Prep-to-Pro Generation Redefined the NBA and Sparked a Basketball Revolution' (1:05:20). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices