Ap Sports Weekly

Emmy-award winning broadcaster Ernie Johnson delivers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the tender story about the friendship between Charles Barkley and a Chinese immigrant named Lin Wang that broke the internet. Then hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg segue to the latest NFL news with AP NFL writer Barry Wilner. On the menu: “Paella es paella,” and why one finicky colleague wound up ordering an omelette instead.

Hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg argue about what sports are worth watching and how to measure the real audience for each. Then they bring on Madrid-based AP soccer writer Talles Azzoni for the story of one game that became too popular and partisan _ the Copa Libertadores _ and how riots in Buenos Aires forced South America’s prestigious soccer championship to flee Argentina for Spain. On the menu: Cooking sous vide, and can you put kids in that bath, too?

Chef Emeril Lagasse schools hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg on career choices, side dishes and the perfect taco. Next AP sports writer Ralph Russo reviews the college football week that was, and FOX lead play-by-play announcer John Strong previews next weekend’s MLS Cup. On the menu: Did you come for the music or the food?

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg are horrified by the headlines, but heartened by the distractions the NFL and an upcoming heavyweight title fight offer. Then AP college football writer Ralph Russo gets the pair up to speed on the playoffs, the Heisman Trophy race and all things gridiron. On the menu: How did you celebrate National Men Make Dinner month?

Chicago Bears great Mike Singletary recalls the tough lessons he learned transitioning from player to coach, then tells hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg about his return to the sideline in the Alliance of American Football spring league. The hosts also recap a wild week _ highlighted by two scandals in curling! _ and preview the upcoming Tiger vs. Phil pay-per-view debacle and Michigan vs. Ohio State. On the menu: Why TD hates Thanksgiving.

ESPN college basketball sage Jay Bilas features in a wide-ranging episode. Hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg rank national-anthem performances at sporting events through the years, turn to AP football writer Barry Wilner for the latest on the NFL and bring on a special guest to preview Saturday’s championship game in the notoriously tough 8-and-under girls’ league in Las Vegas. On the menu: Tacos. Always tacos.

East Stroudsburg coach Denny Douds kicks off an election-week episode with co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg, explaining his sudden stage-left exit _ during a timeout with 0:13 on the clock _ after 43 years in charge of the Warriors’ football program. Then Adam Greenberg recounts his two major-league plate appearances _ seven years apart _ and why he decided to to run for the Connecticut State Senate. Finally, NFL writer Rob Maaddi settles the Brady vs. Rodgers debate and brings the hosts up to speed at the season’s midway point. On the menu: Can man live on Barstow tacos alone (and why would he want to)?

Toronto Raptors rookie head coach Nick Nurse features in a wide-ranging episode, detailing the long journey from a pole-vaulting pit in his Iowa backyard and a detour through Europe’s pro circuits to the top of the NBA’s early-season standings. Then co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg recap the zany NFL weekend, weigh in on the Tiger vs. Phil and MJ vs. the world debates before previewing the upcoming rugby triple-header Saturday at Soldier Field with Team USA women’s captain Kate Zackary. On the menu: Where to find carnitas in St. Louis and why the French dip sandwich was born in LA.

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg get the lowdown on Jeff Hall’s years-long quest to spread some of his brother’s ashes at every one of the major league’s 30 ballparks. Then they preview the World Series, deliver a round-by-round of Rockets-Lakers opening-week NBA brawl, and delve into how the NFL got its mojo back so soon. On the menu: Put down that mayonnaise. Now!

Don’t give the Kansas City Chiefs the AFC crown after only five games, AP NFL writer Rob Maaddi says in the latest episode of "PodcastOne Sports Now." And, the NBA Eastern Conference will finally crown a team that doesn’t have LeBron James on its roster. AP NFL writer Barry Wilner joins Maaddi to discuss the NFL and AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney breaks down the East and West heading into the season.

Desmond Howard, Ndamukong Suh and Brandon Graham join guest host Larry Lage of The Associated Press to talk about football and off-the-field topics. Howard, a Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP winner, previews a handful of games involving ranked teams and explains what he meant by saying Clemson runs with finesse. Suh shares some thoughts on the undefeated Los Angeles Rams and what he has learned from his friend, Warren Buffett. Graham insists the Eagles are not 2-3 because of a Super Bowl hangover and he compares the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

October has arrived, and that means football is rolling, the baseball playoffs are here and the NBA is on the way as well. For Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, this will be his first full season as a dad and he joins AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds to talk about how his first son has changed his perspective on just about everything. Jim Litke and Doug Ferguson wrap up the Ryder Cup debacle for the U.S., and AP Baseball Writer Ben Walker tells us why the Boston Red Sox might not win the World Series.

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg wonder whether a U.S. team short on leadership and facing a historical deficit can thread the needle in singles and match the greatest comebacks in the event’s history. Then, golf writer Doug Ferguson and Steve Douglas review Day 2 action and weigh in on the captains’ final-day lineups. On the menu: Even good whisky can’t salvage a bad tuna fish sandwich.

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg question whether aging stars Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are holding back a U.S. squad that once again seems to be less than the sum of its parts, and investigate why the Europeans play so well together. Then they’re joined by the AP’s Douglas duo _ golf writer Doug Ferguson and Steve Douglas _ for an in-depth preview on Round 2. On the menu: Where did that tuna sandwich come from?

Co-hosts Jim Litke (in Paris) and Tim Dahlberg (at home) take the temperature of the City of Light before the first shot of the Ryder Cup is struck, then bring on AP golf writer Doug Ferguson and all-arounder Steve Douglas to preview the chances of the Americans and their European hosts. On the menu: No French fries in France?

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg are joined by AP golf writer Doug Ferguson from Paris to gauge what Tiger’s ground-shaking win at the Tour Championship  means for the game and preview the upcoming Ryder Cup matches in France. Then NFL writer Rob Maaddi sorts out a zany Week 3, including whether the Patriots have misplaced their mojo. On the menu: from the Baja to the Yucatan, Mexican food is on the march.

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg finally agree on something:  cornerback Vontae Davis made the right call when he retired from the NFL and the Buffalo Bills _ at halftime of a game! _ and their first guest, AP NFL writer Barry Wilner, makes it a unanimous decision. Then AP’s Mitch Stacy joins them from Columbus, Ohio, where Buckeye coach Urban Meyer marks his official return from suspension with a less than air-clearing news conference. On the menu: LA is basically one big drive-in.

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg spar over boxing’s greatest pound-for-pound champions ahead of the upcoming rematch between Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez. Then, sportswriting veteran Jeff Pearlman joins them to discuss his new book about the league that got knocked out: ‘Football for a Buck: The Crazy Rise and Crazier Demise of the USFL.’ On the menu: Is the pepperoni on your pizza trying to tell you something?

Mark Leibovich, author of “Big Game: Dangerous Times in the NFL,” tells co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg how he gained entry to the NFL owners’ inner circle and how unnerved members have become by the spectacle of players protesting during the national anthem. Then London-based AP soccer Writer Rob Harris takes listeners on a whirlwind tour of Europe’s top leagues. On the menu: If it’s Minnesota, I’ll have the walleye, por favor.

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg range far and wide. They take college football’s pulse ahead of its season-opening kickoff with AP’s Ralph Russo, then have legendary fight promoter Bob Arum recall his work with the late John McCain on a boxing safety measure. Next up is a review of the Europe’s top league matches with soccer writer Rob Harris and finally, their U.S. Open tennis preview. On the menu: Sometimes, the simple things in life really are the best.