I'm sure his kid knows the value of a dollar from the many stories Bill has told about his son smashing TVs, iPhones, and video game controllers.What the hell? Isn’t his son like 12?
I'm sure his kid knows the value of a dollar from the many stories Bill has told about his son smashing TVs, iPhones, and video game controllers.What the hell? Isn’t his son like 12?
JFC. I wish I didn’t know that.I'm sure his kid knows the value of a dollar from the many stories Bill has told about his son smashing TVs, iPhones, and video game controllers.
It's bad, seriously. I'm grateful to Bill for all the free entertainment he has given me over the years so always want to defend him and this is the one thing I won't even attempt to defend. Have to hope some of it is embellished and that mom is actually parenting. I'm a hypocrite though because I listen and laugh at his parent corner even though half the time there is something he is doing that is bad parenting.JFC. I wish I didn’t know that.
Seems like a great idea to admit to all the gambling companies that could potentially partner with the Ringer that he helps a minor illegally gamble onlineIn today's Parent Corner, Simmons gleefully admitted that he set up an account with $300 in it for his son to gamble on football this season. Even Cousin Sal thought that was a lunatic idea.
He was upset about his video game performance.Why was the kid smashing a TV? Was it intentional?
it’s been 10+ years with Sal. And— still— every time I see him, I’m surprised he’s not Jeff Greene from Curb Your Enthusiasm.Yes!!! Sal and House only reason i still bother with Simmons. Love Sal
I do relish the 12 banners troll though. I'm very much here for that level of pettiness.Bill's weekly take that:
1. Brady is washed and that he enjoys watching him fail.
2. Jameis Winston should be starting and is better than more than half of the current starters.
has become extremely annoying.
Bill's weekly take that:
1. Brady is washed and that he enjoys watching him fail.
2. Jameis Winston should be starting and is better than more than half of the current starters.
has become extremely annoying.
I envy your lifestyle, and I generally enjoy the shows with Bill, House and Daddo Fatto, but that reoccurring bit where Bill passive-aggressively kind of says he’s pissed at Brady and hopes he loses every game, but doesn’t outright say it, is annoying.The episode with House and Sal was amazing and I can't believe you are complaining about it. Jesus bro, that was gold (granted, I listened after midnight on an edible walking in a light rain on the shore of LI Sound, so maybe I set a better vibe than you).
Simmons' was a little ridiculous on the latest rewatchables.(The Martian) The push back and shock he received from Ryan, Fennessy, and Latham was pretty epic. You know they don't want to pound too hard on the boss but he kept saying outrageous and marginally nonsensical comments and everyone was like, "Bro, what are you doing? That is the stupidest shit I have ever heard."I envy your lifestyle, and I generally enjoy the shows with Bill, House and Daddo Fatto, but that reoccurring bit where Bill passive-aggressively kind of says he’s pissed at Brady and hopes he loses every game, but doesn’t outright say it, is annoying.
I listened to maybe the first 40 minutes of this on a drive today. I didn't notice anything weird. Maybe he is getting pandemic fatigue.Simmons' was a little ridiculous on the latest rewatchables.(The Martian) The push back and shock he received from Ryan, Fennessy, and Latham was pretty epic. You know they don't want to pound too hard on the boss but he kept saying outrageous and marginally nonsensical comments and everyone was like, "Bro, what are you doing? That is the stupidest shit I have ever heard."
Simmons is perilously close to becoming a parody. It happens to everyone eventually, but he's like Brady right now. A few more bad games and people are going to really start talking about the cliff.
And I say that as someone who really enjoys his podcast and I listen to every one.
His Lincoln take was the one that prompted the most push back. That push back lasted the entire episode.I listened to maybe the first 40 minutes of this on a drive today. I didn't notice anything weird. Maybe he is getting pandemic fatigue.
Oh, I didn't like Lincoln so that didn't make me have a second thought.His Lincoln take was the one that prompted the most push back. That push back lasted the entire episode.
But he is definitely getting pandemic fatigue. His Laker and Lebron takes are nearing Skip Bayless levels.
Adam Sandler would have been great in the part didn't do anything for you? The martian as the most entertaining sci fi movie ever (from a list that didn't appear to include any star wars films?)Oh, I didn't like Lincoln so that didn't make me have a second thought.
I don’t really think of Star Wars as Sci Fi either, it’s more like Space Cowboys.Adam Sandler would have been great in the part didn't do anything for you? The martian as the most entertaining sci fi movie ever (from a list that didn't appear to include any star wars films?)
You think Sandler would have been good in the Martian?I don’t really think of Star Wars as Sci Fi either, it’s more like Space Cowboys.
Adam Sandler is a good actor.
I can’t wait for the Van Lathan/Bill Simmons 8mm rewatch. That was one of the first movies my now wife and I went to see with each other and she actually screamed in the theatre. I, until that point, thought people that screamed out like that during movies were messing around but she was legitimately terrified.
You* think Sandler is a good actor?You think Sandler would have been good in the Martian?
Sandler’s decent in uncut gems but I’m not quite seeing him as a resolute astronaut.You* think Sandler is a good actor?
(*you = he. I just like the repetition of the phrasing)
Star Wars is a specific genre of Sci-Fi called a Space Opera. They were incredibly popular as film serials when George Lucas was a kid, and almost non-existent in film by the mid 70's.I don’t really think of Star Wars as Sci Fi either, it’s more like Space Cowboys.
Adam Sandler is a good actor.
I can’t wait for the Van Lathan/Bill Simmons 8mm rewatch. That was one of the first movies my now wife and I went to see with each other and she actually screamed in the theatre. I, until that point, thought people that screamed out like that during movies were messing around but she was legitimately terrified.
Sandler is fine in roles that require the character to have some form of intense desperation; a feeling that below the surface there's something ready to pop. That's also what most of his most well-loved comedy is based on ("Happy Gilmore"), even his musical numbers ("Somebody Kill Me Please", "Lunch Lady Land", "Chanukah Song") have a quiet...quiet...LOUD! build-and-release tension.Sandler’s decent in uncut gems but I’m not quite seeing him as a resolute astronaut.
Thank you for the heads up. It was, indeed, a great episode and his view on the Celtics needs was fascinating too, if obvious. Frankly, a person with his experience and wisdom would be great addition to Boston's or any bench. Unlike some Celtics fans, he clearly thinks Stevens knows what he is doing as a coach. He cited him as a very good coach several times during the pod.Jared Dudley was a great guest. His Dwight Howard stories were hilarious and his disclosing that the Lakers stole the Celtics big man plays was interesting to say the least. Jared should have his pick of broadcast or maybe even coaching jobs when he retires.
That Lincoln take was incredible. Shades of the Godfather Rewatchable when Simmons questioned what Michael was doing after he returned from WWII.His Lincoln take was the one that prompted the most push back. That push back lasted the entire episode.
But he is definitely getting pandemic fatigue. His Laker and Lebron takes are nearing Skip Bayless levels.
I'm (like most of the rest of the board I guess) from a pretty similar background to Bill's--I'm five years younger so fairly close in age and also from a New England suburb--and it's shocking to me how much what he likes or doesn't like is based on what an teenager in Newton would have thought was cool. So Eddie Murphy, 48 Hours, Miami Vice, Rocky -- cool -- but anything reeking of sci fi, fantasy, comic books, indiana jones-- is little too nerdy, or even moderately challenging works are for the drama club or something (e.g. only a "certain type of person" likes Coen brothers movies, calling widely distributed oscar nominated films art fartsy or English major movies, rarely mentioning music more obscure than pearl jam).I think you're on to something, but "dork" doesn't seem an apt descriptor. "Dorks" are generally people who do what they like and lack the knowledge to realize, or simply don't care, that what they do is "uncool." Dorks play D&D with their buddies; dorks are also dads who blast The Who when they pick up their teenage daughter and her friends.
Simmons has a different preoccupation: he's hyperaware of what is cool, and cares very much what people think about him, despite how rich and successful he is. Deep down, he's a pretty insecure guy.
EDIT: And before anybody accuses me of ripping Simmons, I think insecurity is probably the primary motivator for a large percentage of successful (or quasi successful, see the current President) people.
His taste are the movies that were on TBS in the middle of the day when he was 12-25.I'm (like most of the rest of the board I guess) from a pretty similar background to Bill's--I'm five years younger so fairly close in age and also from a New England suburb--and it's shocking to me how much what he likes or doesn't like is based on what an teenager in Newton would have thought was cool. So Eddie Murphy, 48 Hours, Miami Vice, Rocky -- cool -- but anything reeking of sci fi, fantasy, comic books, indiana jones-- is little too nerdy, or even moderately challenging works are for the drama club or something (e.g. only a "certain type of person" likes Coen brothers movies, calling widely distributed oscar nominated films art fartsy or English major movies, rarely mentioning music more obscure than pearl jam).
But rewatchables on some popular 80s/90s movie is pretty fucking hilarious when I'm doing the dishes and it's not my problem that he has narrow tastes, so vive la difference.
Meltzer forgot to list one important producer:WWE.Simmons and Netflix are going to be producing a multi-part documentary series on Vince McMahon, which is supposedly one of the most expensive documentary projects Netflix has ever done. Sounds like a delight.
I mean, I heard it on WWE’s investors call so I knew WWE was going to be involved. My guess is they added Simmons as the Executive Producer because they’ve worked with him in the past for the Andre doc and know he will treat them fairly, from their perspective, which probably different than what a normal person would consider fair.Meltzer forgot to list one important producer:WWE.
I wonder why Netflix and not HBO. Simmons signed a new production deal with them two years ago.
That does make sense. They are also producing the Hogan biopic with Thor; but WWE isn’t listed as a producer (However, Eric Bischoff and Bradley Cooper made the cut).I mean, I heard it on WWE’s investors call so I knew WWE was going to be involved. My guess is they added Simmons as the Executive Producer because they’ve worked with him in the past for the Andre doc and know he will treat them fairly, from their perspective, which probably different than what a normal person would consider fair.
To be honest, it’s a great opportunity for WWE. A big documentary series on Netflix can get a lot of attention and it looks like Netflix is going to push it really hard. My guess is WWE has been trying to get this done for a while and has been working on a deal with Netflix; and they finally reached an agreement. Then Simmons was brought in because like him or not, he brings a lot of credibility to any sports documentary and he has already produced a successful wrestling doc.That does make sense. They are also producing the Hogan biopic with Thor; but WWE isn’t listed as a producer (However, Eric Bischoff and Bradley Cooper made the cut).
I was going to say that Simmons was putting his reputation at risk if this thing is a hagiography that papers over McMahon's many, many blemishes, but I suspect that:To be honest, it’s a great opportunity for WWE. A big documentary series on Netflix can get a lot of attention and it looks like Netflix is going to push it really hard. My guess is WWE has been trying to get this done for a while and has been working on a deal with Netflix; and they finally reached an agreement. Then Simmons was brought in because like him or not, he brings a lot of credibility to any sports documentary and he has already produced a successful wrestling doc.
I think the general public could find Vince fascinating; I personally don’t have high hopes for the doc and probably won’t watch it unless it’s absolutely recommended to me, but I think pretty much no matter what way they tell the story, non-wrestling fans can be entertained by it.
If Donald Trump said this at one of his rallies where people were passing out due to the heat, it would sound no less insane.I kinda had a mini-epiphany last night: Simmons is Paul Scheer's character, Andre, from The League. Professionally successful, surrounds himself with cool people, but is ultimately the butt of jokes in his friend group. Everyone has a friend like that that takes more shit than anyone else, is irrationally self-confident, but then will either explode or ultimately will get worn down to the point that the rest of the friend group will ultimately relent/feel bad (admittedly, I have been that guy in the friend group). House, Sal and Russillo, who were friends before employees, shit on him endlessly. His employees want to do the same, but have to rein it in a bit.
The thing that really turned the light on for me is that he's referenced "power walking" around LA in a few ad spots and during his conversation with Rembert recently. I'm sure that in his mind, he just can't say he's walking around town for exercise. He has to let everyone know he's POWER walking, the preferred exercise of grandmothers. So he takes something that no one would give a second talk to and tries to beef it up into something everyone can tool on him over. I'm sure Rembert cringed a bit when he mentioned their power walk. Why not just say you went for a long walk or a hike dude?
I think that's why I never get too bent out of shape over him. He's a rich, successful dork. He's gonna do dorky stuff and say stupid shit.
Tell me you couldn't see a cold open where Andre walks into the bar and Ruxin, Pete and Kevin roast him over his Ramones t-shirt that he bought at some boutique for $70. That's exactly what happened with a Sal/Kimmel pod a while back.If Donald Trump said this at one of his rallies where people were passing out due to the heat, it would sound no less insane.
Simmons might not be "cool". And he might be a poser, evidenced by his power walking talk. But he is not Andre. Jesus.
So "I'm not ripping Simmons, but let me compare him to....Trump?"I think you're on to something, but "dork" doesn't seem an apt descriptor. "Dorks" are generally people who do what they like and lack the knowledge to realize, or simply don't care, that what they do is "uncool." Dorks play D&D with their buddies; dorks are also dads who blast The Who when they pick up their teenage daughter and her friends.
Simmons has a different preoccupation: he's hyperaware of what is cool, and cares very much what people think about him, despite how rich and successful he is. Deep down, he's a pretty insecure guy.
EDIT: And before anybody accuses me of ripping Simmons, I think insecurity is probably the primary motivator for a large percentage of successful (or quasi successful, see the current President) people.
I will say that I've heard Bill be critical several times for documentaries, particularly Netflix documentaries, that are basically just commercials for something. I know one of them was a Taylor Swift documentary that come out and Simmons said it was basically just a commercial for her upcoming album and never said or showed anything critical of Swift, and he called it a "documercial." If WWE has complete creative control over the documentary that is probably what they would want to do as well. Vince is great and a genius, the end.I was going to say that Simmons was putting his reputation at risk if this thing is a hagiography that papers over McMahon's many, many blemishes, but I suspect that:
(1) anything wrestling-related will be pretty popular, so Simmons is not going to care if a few people whine about it being too easy on McMahon; and
(2) as an exec producer, Simmons likely just wants it to be entertaining, and will react to any negative reactions by saying "we wanted to make a piece people would enjoy -- sometimes that's a hard-hitting documentary and sometimes it's a reminiscence about something people have enjoyed for a long time. Both things have their place."
Pretty much right.When Simmons briefly joined SoSH, it was like a local hoops star who made the NBA and the came back to then old playground for some pickup. Some SoSHers came hard at him for what were fairly innocuous posts. They wanted to dunk on the guy who made it big. And indeed, Simmons was a passionate but unsophisticated Red Sox fan (as was I). His takes were better than, say, those of Shaughnessy, but the Main Board was fanatically analytical, and at that time he who didn't show his math was likely to be hammered. This was the era when a poster (like 2002 Bernie Carbohydrate) who naively thought the lineup needed "another RBI guy" would be subject to a flurry of acidic posts about why the RBI was a worthless stat. Simmons was a Bob Ryan disciple and SoSH was a Bill Jamesean cathedral. Why was Simmons making bank at ESPN when he used batting average instead of OPS when discussing hitters?
It was SJH who drove him away over Edgar Renteria. Real tough guy stuff.Pretty much right.
But it was basketball where Simmons caught the most heat. He was the reason for the formation of the Port Cellar and was driven away by IIRC Rudy Pemberton