The Bill Simmons Thread

johnmd20

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Far be it from me to question the promotional genius of HBO, but this style of promotion doesn't make sense to me for a weekly talk show. The show debuts in five weeks. Are casual listeners who hear him promote it today going to remember to tune in five weeks from now? Why wouldn't you do this push during (at the earliest) the first week of June? I'm sure there's a method to the madness, but it strikes me as strange.
Maybe it was a scheduling issue for Simmons because that is really weird. But they did the same thing for John Oliver. His promos were coming on hard for a few months before his show started. So maybe that is their MO.
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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Far be it from me to question the promotional genius of HBO, but this style of promotion doesn't make sense to me for a weekly talk show. The show debuts in five weeks. Are casual listeners who hear him promote it today going to remember to tune in five weeks from now? Why wouldn't you do this push during (at the earliest) the first week of June? I'm sure there's a method to the madness, but it strikes me as strange.
That's called "rolling thunder" where you start promoting stuff weeks out and keep that promotions going after launch (not sure if HBO will do the latter).
 

coremiller

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To me the promo reads (except for the billionaire/stadiums line) like a parody of traditional hot-take sports shows. It's all way too silly and tongue in cheek to be taken very seriously (NBA championship belts? Soup as the perfect food? -- now there's a "hot" take!). How self-aware the parody is I'm not sure, but I don't think the show is going to be a Cowherd/Bayless style take-a-thon.
 

Mooch

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To me the promo reads (except for the billionaire/stadiums line) like a parody of traditional hot-take sports shows. It's all way too silly and tongue in cheek to be taken very seriously (NBA championship belts? Soup as the perfect food? -- now there's a "hot" take!). How self-aware the parody is I'm not sure, but I don't think the show is going to be a Cowherd/Bayless style take-a-thon.
Well, given that Simmons has talked about Championship belts in various column ideas over the years, I think you are giving him too much credit by considering that promo as parody unless he's parodying himself.
 

Bozo Texino

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To me the promo reads (except for the billionaire/stadiums line) like a parody of traditional hot-take sports shows. It's all way too silly and tongue in cheek to be taken very seriously (NBA championship belts? Soup as the perfect food? -- now there's a "hot" take!). How self-aware the parody is I'm not sure, but I don't think the show is going to be a Cowherd/Bayless style take-a-thon.
I'm not picking up on any satire here. He's not poking fun at HOT TAKEZ - he's dispensing them.

I've really enjoyed the Ringer podcasts thus far - Keepin' it 1600 has been especially great. That said, this promo has me worried.
 

Marciano490

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To me the promo reads (except for the billionaire/stadiums line) like a parody of traditional hot-take sports shows. It's all way too silly and tongue in cheek to be taken very seriously (NBA championship belts? Soup as the perfect food? -- now there's a "hot" take!). How self-aware the parody is I'm not sure, but I don't think the show is going to be a Cowherd/Bayless style take-a-thon.
It's not parody. Simmons is big in the sports world but he's not a household name. That was him trying to endear himself to a bunch of people watching tits and dragons by coming off as quirky and novel. It almost seemed something that would've been cute coming from a Katie Nolan, but from an older guy with a nasally voice and wavering charisma it just seemed like dopey random humor like you'd find in a college newspaper.
 

JBill

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Simmons says with Mike that the show is going to be two interviews and some other stuff. If the focus is on the interviews then I don't think the show is going to be a disaster. I'd be less concerned about the format and content because I think Simmons is smart and surrounds himself with smart people and it won't be a hot take fest. The problem is his TV presence. He just always looks uncomfortable to me when he's looking straight on into a camera. I don't know if there's really a way to work around that.

I've enjoyed the Ringer's podcasts so far and the newsletter and for the site's survival I hope the show does well enough to keep all that going.
 

DourDoerr

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Wow, that Kilborn podcast was brutal. It was fascinating but ultimately unlistenable. CK kept saying he had tons of stories and would then start one, then immediately derail himself with a tangent followed by a tangent on that tangent into infinity. Listened for about 10 minutes and didn't hear one complete story. There has to be some medical condition involved, I'd think, as the guy can't deliver a coherent thought. A few times before starting a story, he would sigh and then start - as if it was a heavy chore. And it appears it is. I gave up when he had to ask Simmons what the original premise to one of the tangents to one of the stories was. I was shocked that Simmons could actually recall.
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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Simmons says with Mike that the show is going to be two interviews and some other stuff.
Simmons is actually pretty terrible when it comes to interviews. I don't listen to his podcast nearly as much as a lot of you guys do, so I may be wrong, but when I do he's really terrible at follow up questions. Like I've heard guests leave a softball right over the middle of the plate and he's so interested in getting his take out there, that he whiffs on it completely. He may have gotten better, but this may not be that good.

On my phone so no link but Drew Magary sure enjoyed that promo.
I like Magary a lot, but him bitching about Simmons (and using the same fucking jokes over and over and over again) is getting old. At some point you need something other than "He's from FACKING BAHSTON" to make a legitimate gripe. I mean I get it, he was picked on when he went to Bates by a bunch of Massholes, get over it.
 

ifmanis5

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Wow, that Kilborn podcast was brutal. It was fascinating but ultimately unlistenable. CK kept saying he had tons of stories and would then start one, then immediately derail himself with a tangent followed by a tangent on that tangent into infinity. Listened for about 10 minutes and didn't hear one complete story. There has to be some medical condition involved, I'd think, as the guy can't deliver a coherent thought. A few times before starting a story, he would sigh and then start - as if it was a heavy chore. And it appears it is. I gave up when he had to ask Simmons what the original premise to one of the tangents to one of the stories was. I was shocked that Simmons could actually recall.
 

JBill

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Simmons is actually pretty terrible when it comes to interviews. I don't listen to his podcast nearly as much as a lot of you guys do, so I may be wrong, but when I do he's really terrible at follow up questions. Like I've heard guests leave a softball right over the middle of the plate and he's so interested in getting his take out there, that he whiffs on it completely. He may have gotten better, but this may not be that good.
He's good with the easy breezy convo, and for a half hour show with a couple ten minute conversational type interviews edited down I think it will work fine. I don't know if that makes it must watch or anything, but I think the direction and breakdown of the show is less worrisome than just Simmons not having a very good TV presence.
 

ifmanis5

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Mike telling stories about Parcells; bragging that he was in the room with Parcells, Kraft and McDonough when Bill and Bob's relationship fell apart. Of course he then punts on giving any specifics. Thanks, Mike!
 

allstonite

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Mike telling stories about Parcells; bragging that he was in the room with Parcells, Kraft and McDonough when Bill and Bob's relationship fell apart. Of course he then punts on giving any specifics. Thanks, Mike!
I don't listen to Francesa very much at all but is he like the Forrest Gump of the sports world? He's tangentially involved in everything big story they've talked about. Also, there's a lot of stuff "people don't realize". Either way I find this pretty entertaining.
 

ifmanis5

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Mike admits he had money on the Pats in the SB against the Packers and was devastated after the loss. Also says at the game he sat between Payne Stewart and agent t Robert Fraley. Mike dropping names like a champ today. I think he's showing off for Bill.
 

Foxy42

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Bill was on Stern today (Kimmel was on and pulled him in). I only caught the last few minutes, but it seemed like Howard enjoyed having him on. It seemed like it must have been Bill basically playing fanboy (can't blame him), but Howard was very nice to him (helps that Kimmel is Howards best bro).
 

Auger34

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Simmons is actually pretty terrible when it comes to interviews. I don't listen to his podcast nearly as much as a lot of you guys do, so I may be wrong, but when I do he's really terrible at follow up questions. Like I've heard guests leave a softball right over the middle of the plate and he's so interested in getting his take out there, that he whiffs on it completely. He may have gotten better, but this may not be that good.



I like Magary a lot, but him bitching about Simmons (and using the same fucking jokes over and over and over again) is getting old. At some point you need something other than "He's from FACKING BAHSTON" to make a legitimate gripe. I mean I get it, he was picked on when he went to Bates by a bunch of Massholes, get over it.
I listen to all of his podcasts but you are right, Simmons is a pretty bad interviewer. He's way more interested in getting what he thinks about something out and having the other person listen than having an actual conversation where you listen to someone then go from there.
There have been numerous podcasts where he seemingly ignores what the person just said and then goes off on a jag and asks them a question they have already answered. That's why, IMO, his best podcasts are with his friends (because he can just give his takes and not worry about what they say since their only credential is being his friend) and guests like Carolla/Michael Rapaport (where he says something then they interrupt BS and go on their own tangent)
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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I listen to all of his podcasts but you are right, Simmons is a pretty bad interviewer. He's way more interested in getting what he thinks about something out and having the other person listen than having an actual conversation where you listen to someone then go from there.
There have been numerous podcasts where he seemingly ignores what the person just said and then goes off on a jag and asks them a question they have already answered. That's why, IMO, his best podcasts are with his friends (because he can just give his takes and not worry about what they say since their only credential is being his friend) and guests like Carolla/Michael Rapaport (where he says something then they interrupt BS and go on their own tangent)
Okay. That's what I was getting at. As a podcast listener, that type of interviewing rarely works (YMMV of course) mostly because I'm yelling at the podcaster to ask the obvious question. But like you said, if a podcaster has buddies on or repeat interviews, it's not that big of a deal because they'll eventually get back to it sooner or later. But as a TV watcher, that's definitely not going work. You have ten minutes, I already have a really good idea what you think, you have 20 minutes (or whatever) to pontificate on whatever topic you're discussing that night. I want to hear what your guest has to say and not you high jacking the interview because you thought of a great bon mot to wedge in there.

I have a feeling Simmons is going to do the latter. A lot. Two different guests for 2/3's of his show is not playing to his strengths. At all.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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I listen to all of his podcasts but you are right, Simmons is a pretty bad interviewer. He's way more interested in getting what he thinks about something out and having the other person listen than having an actual conversation where you listen to someone then go from there.
This shouldn't surprise anyone. Simmons always thinks he's the most interesting person in the room.

That promo video was cringe-inducing. You hate the DH but think the 2004 ALCS was an act of God? Who the eff won the MVP for that series, you nasally-voiced chucklehead?
 

Auger34

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Okay. That's what I was getting at. As a podcast listener, that type of interviewing rarely works (YMMV of course) mostly because I'm yelling at the podcaster to ask the obvious question. But like you said, if a podcaster has buddies on or repeat interviews, it's not that big of a deal because they'll eventually get back to it sooner or later. But as a TV watcher, that's definitely not going work. You have ten minutes, I already have a really good idea what you think, you have 20 minutes (or whatever) to pontificate on whatever topic you're discussing that night. I want to hear what your guest has to say and not you high jacking the interview because you thought of a great bon mot to wedge in there.

I have a feeling Simmons is going to do the latter. A lot. Two different guests for 2/3's of his show is not playing to his strengths. At all.
Completely agree. He misses the most fundamental aspect of interviewing someone..being interested in what they are saying. He pretty clearly just wants someone to be there to listen to him and say "yeah" (I mean, I tihnk this is pretty much confirmed. He always talks about how he couldn't do what Colin Cowherd does and he's having NBA podcasts with his fucking engineer for chrissakes). As you mentioned, that's fine with JackO, House, and the people you are comfortable with.
However, if you are going to interview Al Michaels, Judd Apatow, people of that ilk you need to at least pay attention to what the fuck they are saying and not shoe horn in whatever you think at every possible moment. (I remember in the Michaels podcast he was about to get him to say what he thought Goodell would have done if deflategate then got distracted by some BS and went way off topic). The Draymond Green interview is another great example. The last 5 minutes is him continually bringing up the almost undefeated Patriots to a pretty clearly disinterested Green (especially after the 2nd time he brought it up).

I was a huge fan of the old Simmons but I am not expecting this HBO show to be great. I will tune in and support but I am not expecting much honestly
 

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I turned it off after 1 hour, found it so booooring. Now, with them talking about Patriots, NFL, Red Sox, Yankees, it has gotten much better :) SO ODD to hear Mike speaking to someone else and not being pompous or condescending, wow, does this show miss Dog. Mike alone is obnoxious and played out.
 

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Unless I am misunderstanding Selig he is simultaneously claiming that he wanted to implement PED testing and that he didn't know it was widely being abused because he asked the players and they told him nobody on their team was using.
 

ifmanis5

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When Mike was busy calling Big Papi a cheater that was Bill's cue to go full ARod. Never brought it up. 7/10 radio with too much Mike blowhard.
 

bankshot1

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I thought the chemistry was pretty good. Simmons was a little deferential at first and Mike carried the first half of the show, but the last two or so hours there was a pretty good back and forth.I thought it was very good radio.
 

Gene Conleys Plane Ticket

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It's not parody. Simmons is big in the sports world but he's not a household name. That was him trying to endear himself to a bunch of people watching tits and dragons by coming off as quirky and novel. It almost seemed something that would've been cute coming from a Katie Nolan, but from an older guy with a nasally voice and wavering charisma it just seemed like dopey random humor like you'd find in a college newspaper.
I'm a longtime Simmons fan going back to his 25,000-word "Boston Sports Guy" columns on AOL. But I found that HBO promo just cringeworthy. He can be a funny writer. But he's not a comedian.
 

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I'm a longtime Simmons fan going back to his 25,000-word "Boston Sports Guy" columns on AOL. But I found that HBO promo just cringeworthy. He can be a funny writer. But he's not a comedian.
And he's got a face made for radio and a voice made for the printed word. Fat Mike might not be pretty but he can dominate the radio because of his voice and the size of his personality.

I realize full well I live in a huge glass house on this issue, but then again I don't make my living in the public eye. Simmons is not strong TV presence for a number of reasons.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Simmons gets a lot of grief in these parts and in many cases its deserved. Furthermore, he seems fairly thin skinned which makes him an even bigger target (hell, the straw that broke the Sprtsguy33's back was essentially some mild ribbing about him going to Starbucks during the baseball playoffs). Add that tire fire of a promo and its easy to see why people are down on him.

That said, he is clearly talented in terms generating popular content and executing concepts (30 For 30). Furthermore, he proved that he is very good at identifying and fostering other talented writers and analysts as evidenced by Grantland. As such, he deserves the benefit of the doubt with his new site and show. I will tune in and hope its not all hot takes and target rich material for gunners like Magary.
 

Spelunker

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Simmons gets a lot of grief in these parts and in many cases its deserved. Furthermore, he seems fairly thin skinned which makes him an even bigger target (hell, the straw that broke the Sprtsguy33's back was essentially some mild ribbing about him going to Starbucks during the baseball playoffs). Add that tire fire of a promo and its easy to see why people are down on him.

That said, he is clearly talented in terms generating popular content and executing concepts (30 For 30). Furthermore, he proved that he is very good at identifying and fostering other talented writers and analysts as evidenced by Grantland. As such, he deserves the benefit of the doubt with his new site and show. I will tune in and hope its not all hot takes and target rich material for gunners like Magary.
Totally: he does great stuff... off-camera.

If HBO's big plan is him being an on-camera personality- the next John Oliver- well, them God love 'em. That'll be a short lived, much maligned experiment.
 

Leather

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I suspect he gets too much credit for "30 for 30" around here. And as for identifying other talented writers; it's not so difficult to lure talent when you're backed by ESPN and its liquid cash. And at the end of the day, Grantland failed, in no small part because he couldn't make it work with ESPN.