The Ringer

ninjacornelius

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Hayley O'Shaughnessy also announced that she's leaving The Ringer today. It could just be that her and Concepcion's contracts were up a the same time, but I'm curious to know if there's more internal strife over there than what has been previously suggested.

Edit: reading the tea leaves a bit more, Concepcion and O'Shaughnessy were both active in the Ringer union, and apparently the recent contract negotiations with management have been contentious and unresolved. I'm wondering if these are going to be the first of many departures.
 

Cellar-Door

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Hayley O'Shaughnessy also announced that she's leaving The Ringer today. It could just be that her and Concepcion's contracts were up a the same time, but I'm curious to know if there's more internal strife over there than what has been previously suggested.

Edit: reading between the tea leaves a bit more, Concepcion and O'Shaughnessy were both active in the Ringer union, and apparently the recent contract negotiations with management have been contentious and unresolved. I'm wondering if these are going to be the first of many departures.
I doubt it is union related, Jason was a Senior creative and while supportive, not by any means one of the loudest voices (also pretty sure he's one of the highest paid non-editorial staff). O'Shaughnessy looking at the bylines seems to have really fallen off in terms of output. She never had a lot of articles, but she's been phased out of the NBA podcasts as they've added more experienced people, so I wonder if it is just the time when contracts are ending (end of October).
 

johnmd20

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Hayley O'Shaughnessy also announced that she's leaving The Ringer today. It could just be that her and Concepcion's contracts were up a the same time, but I'm curious to know if there's more internal strife over there than what has been previously suggested.

Edit: reading the tea leaves a bit more, Concepcion and O'Shaughnessy were both active in the Ringer union, and apparently the recent contract negotiations with management have been contentious and unresolved. I'm wondering if these are going to be the first of many departures.
Losing Concepcion is like losing Tom Brady. Losing Haley is like losing Hoyer.
 

Kliq

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I do think that The Ringer seems to be going with bringing in established, known personalities and programs to its network and not giving the same kind of opportunities to younger, less-established names that it once did. That probably makes sense from a business perspective; Spotify is paying big money so it makes sense to bring in known podcasters for new shows, as opposed to experimenting with someone new. I do feel bad for The Ringer staff though; it is so, so hard for young people to break into the media bubble. You need to work your ass off, have a really creative vision, and catch a bunch of lucky breaks along the way.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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I do think that The Ringer seems to be going with bringing in established, known personalities and programs to its network and not giving the same kind of opportunities to younger, less-established names that it once did. That probably makes sense from a business perspective; Spotify is paying big money so it makes sense to bring in known podcasters for new shows, as opposed to experimenting with someone new. I do feel bad for The Ringer staff though; it is so, so hard for young people to break into the media bubble. You need to work your ass off, have a really creative vision, and catch a bunch of lucky breaks along the way.
Agree, it seems the reshuffling is reflecting the organizational philosophy changing more than anything. As far as Concepcion, I look back at his diversified resume with going to Berklee, then switching over to journalism, and now a genuine workhorse in video content. From his perspective, the writing could be on the wall that shit is getting more silo'd with these new high-profile hires and he just wants to keep some creative freedom on his output. He'd be a genuinely interesting hire for a lot of places.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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The Ringer has reviewed the top 50 Outkast songs as part of the 20th anniversary of Stankonia. Outkast is near and dear for me, so I followed with interest. They did a pretty damn good job, but one obvious exclusion for me was Xplosion. They represented the Stankonia album well on the list, but Xplosion is the biggest earworm besides the singles from that album: "We just can't be amazed, even if you pulled a pin from your hand grenade..." And B-Real from Cypress Hill drops a verse. C'mon man!
 

Cellar-Door

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Interesting, a pretty big directional change for Jason, unless I guess Crooked Media is moving into areas besides politics to offset the likely downturn in traffic when the election ends.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Interesting, a pretty big directional change for Jason, unless I guess Crooked Media is moving into areas besides politics to offset the likely downturn in traffic when the election ends.
Also interesting since the Crooked Media guys are also technically Ringer alums, they hosted the “Keeping it 1600” podcast before starting Crooked Media after the 2016 election. I think they left on good terms with Bill, I wonder if that connection leaves open the door for additional crossover work between the two sites after Conception is done with the Marvel Binge Mode run.
 

Kliq

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Also interesting since the Crooked Media guys are also technically Ringer alums, they hosted the “Keeping it 1600” podcast before starting Crooked Media after the 2016 election. I think they left on good terms with Bill, I wonder if that connection leaves open the door for additional crossover work between the two sites after Conception is done with the Marvel Binge Mode run.
My thought initially with Conception is that perhaps he is leaving The Ringer because he has some other avenues he wants to explore and did not want to be tied down with a full-time commitment with The Ringer to explore them. Perhaps he wanted to do more political stuff which is why he is working with Crooked Media. I would not be surprised if he still does Binge Mode even after the MCU series.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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Crooked Media actually has a whimsical sports podcast, "Hall of Shame", about scandals and boners in sports history. Rachel Bonnetta, who is one of the 2 hosts, works with Cousin Sal on the "Lock it In" TV show. If you expect hard-hitting analysis it is not for you, but Rachel and Rachna Fruchbom (comedy writer on "Parks and Recreation" amongst her credits) have a great rapport. An easy listen to shoot through several episodes at a time.

Edit: I found a special "petty" episode of Hall of Shame was posted especially for election day, regarding Trump's golf exploits: https://crooked.com/podcast/liar-liar-donald-trump-golf-stories/
 
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Mugsy's Jock

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I enjoy Danny Heifetz, who I think is a talented young guy. I think he’s really curious, not just about both the analytics and non-analytics way to look at football, but also about other things in the world. You can tell he studied natural history and psychology, for two — not so much as to pretend he’s an expert but to acknowledge there’s a lot of interesting stuff going on in those disciplines. He does a good job distributing the ball as the lead host of a three-man crew. Plus he still writes.

All in, I enjoy listening to the Fantasy podcast, even though I have to admit the information it has provided me this season has been generally terrible. Kelly is knowledgeable and has humility in his nerddom, and Horlbeck is really funny too with with his relentless pop culture analogies, although clearly he is a Simmons wannabe and wears that role a little too obviously.

Which brings me to my point — I’ve heard Simmons refer to Horlbeck a few times on his podcast — even referring to the Fantasy podcast as “Craig’s podcast” this week — but never seems to acknowledge Heifetz, or bring him on as a guest on his pod even though he talks fantasy all the time. My Spidey-sense tells me Heifetz may be on the move next year.
 

JimD

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Interesting, a pretty big directional change for Jason, unless I guess Crooked Media is moving into areas besides politics to offset the likely downturn in traffic when the election ends.
In my opinion, politics is like football now - like the NFL, there is no more 'offseason' between elections, especially if Trump goes through with plans to run again in 2024.
 

shlincoln

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i dunno, I'm just an ordinary salaried bum, but saying you have to work fifty hours a week before you get OT is messed up.
 

gammoseditor

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And the 50 hour week lowers your hourly pay and in turn the amount per hour of OT you do get paid. Seems shitty unless the base pay makes up for it.
 

ManicCompression

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This pay structure is extremely common in entertainment. If you work in TV/Film/Commercial production, your days are standard 12 hours, so crews are paid a rate with that overtime baked in (and higher OT rates when you go over those 12). The average PA is probably taking home $600 a week pre-tax and expected to work 12 hour days 4-5 days a week. Of course it's shitty, but it's how all of the visual media we consume is able to stay within a decent budget (and why budgets can balloon so quickly when directors aren't getting the shots they need). I'm not totally surprised to see the model layered over a similarly demanding content producer.

The problem that production unions face, and it's the same one that The Ringer union faces, is that there are many, many people who would take about $48K a year to work a prestige job in entertainment/sports media in Los Angeles, particularly at the entry level. Rightly or wrongly, it's the reality of the situation.
 

Spelunker

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As always, I enjoy The Rewatchables a heck of a lot less when it's the Simmons show. Him doing Wall St and talking about people having *real* money is...a look.

But jesus, I can't believe Koppleman- who obviously thinks extremely highly of Terrence Stamp- didn't call him on the repeated attempts to declare that he's really mainly known from Game of Thrones.
 
But jesus, I can't believe Koppleman- who obviously thinks extremely highly of Terrence Stamp- didn't call him on the repeated attempts to declare that he's really mainly known from Game of Thrones.
I thought Simmons was suggesting that more people would know Stamp from GoT than anywhere else, not that that's the only place he'd be know from. Heck, Stamp was Zod in the first two Superman movies, not exactly an unknown character in unknown movies...but that was 40 years ago.

37011
 

Spelunker

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He was suggesting that. But Stamp was not in Game of Thrones
Bingo. It would be another Simmons headshaker if he were in GoT, but it's almost parody given that he's not.

I assume he's mixing him up with Jonathan Pryce, which is rough.
 

johnmd20

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Bingo. It would be another Simmons headshaker if he were in GoT, but it's almost parody given that he's not.

I assume he's mixing him up with Jonathan Pryce, which is rough.
He also said Stone directed Scarface. On a Wall Street podcast, Simmons didn't even have Stone's movies down. That is a much much much MUCH worse mistake.

Simmons doesn't prepare anymore. It would be good if he got the basic facts down, tho.
 

luckiestman

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He also said Stone directed Scarface. On a Wall Street podcast, Simmons didn't even have Stone's movies down. That is a much much much MUCH worse mistake.

Simmons doesn't prepare anymore. It would be good if he got the basic facts down, tho.

Stone wrote Scarface. That’s not that big of a miss. I don’t watch rapey dungeons and dragons so I missed the Stamp thing which has me laughing hearing about it now.
 
I haven't watched a single second of GoT, but I apologize for missing your point and not knowing Stamp wasn't in it.

Re: Scarface, IIRC Simmons referred to Stone as its director first but then got it right thereafter and called him its writer. So that might just have been Simmons misspeaking in the first instance, rather than a lack of knowledge. (Not that I *really* want to be the guy defending Simmons here, mind you.)
 

8slim

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As always, I enjoy The Rewatchables a heck of a lot less when it's the Simmons show. Him doing Wall St and talking about people having *real* money is...a look.

But jesus, I can't believe Koppleman- who obviously thinks extremely highly of Terrence Stamp- didn't call him on the repeated attempts to declare that he's really mainly known from Game of Thrones.
Two person Rewatchables just aren't as good as a 3 person crew, no matter who's involved, in my opinion. Something about the format calls for a third voice in the conversation. I found the Wall St. episode enjoyable, just lacking that additional perspective.

Unrelated, I found it telling that Bill didn't appear on the Toy Story and Home Alone episodes. I'm sure it's because he doesn't like those "kids movies". I'm suspicious of adult males who don't like Pixar movies.
 

Spelunker

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Two person Rewatchables just aren't as good as a 3 person crew, no matter who's involved, in my opinion. Something about the format calls for a third voice in the conversation. I found the Wall St. episode enjoyable, just lacking that additional perspective.

Unrelated, I found it telling that Bill didn't appear on the Toy Story and Home Alone episodes. I'm sure it's because he doesn't like those "kids movies". I'm suspicious of adult males who don't like Pixar movies.
I agree with that last point in general, but Chris Ryan is the best and he doesn't really like anything animated.
 

luckiestman

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Two person Rewatchables just aren't as good as a 3 person crew, no matter who's involved, in my opinion. Something about the format calls for a third voice in the conversation. I found the Wall St. episode enjoyable, just lacking that additional perspective.

Unrelated, I found it telling that Bill didn't appear on the Toy Story and Home Alone episodes. I'm sure it's because he doesn't like those "kids movies". I'm suspicious of adult males who don't like Pixar movies.

I agree about 3 and I also think Koppleman is not a fun guy. I’ll save my other critiques of him as a guest host but the most important one is that he isn’t a fun hang. With three or 4, the decent information he brings can come out and the others can cover for him.
 

The Social Chair

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Unrelated, I found it telling that Bill didn't appear on the Toy Story and Home Alone episodes. I'm sure it's because he doesn't like those "kids movies". I'm suspicious of adult males who don't like Pixar movies.
Fennessey and Ryan prevented Simmons from being on that podcast because he doesn't think Home Alone is a Christmas movie. It is of Bill's wackiest takes.
 

Cellar-Door

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So the Rewatchables did Country Strong (not a good movie, but hey half of the Rewatchables movies are bad) and MAN are the bros in the listenership furious. It's really amazing the gap between the Simmons/Rusillo fans and the rest of the Ringer's fans
 

8slim

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So the Rewatchables did Country Strong (not a good movie, but hey half of the Rewatchables movies are bad) and MAN are the bros in the listenership furious. It's really amazing the gap between the Simmons/Rusillo fans and the rest of the Ringer's fans
Care to elaborate? I couldn't tell you what Country Strong is, and I'd like to know why bros are furious.
 

Spelunker

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Care to elaborate? I couldn't tell you what Country Strong is, and I'd like to know why bros are furious.
They did a "chick flick".

Which isn't the first time: they've done a few rom coms previously. But life is a zero sum to a lot of awful people, so any episode that isn't geared to their personal tastes and interests is an assault on them personally.
 

8slim

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They did a "chick flick".

Which isn't the first time: they've done a few rom coms previously. But life is a zero sum to a lot of awful people, so any episode that isn't geared to their personal tastes and interests is an assault on them personally.
Ah. That's weird. They did an episode on 'When Harry Met Sally' that was a blast. I continue to feel good about my decision three years ago to abandon Twitter, I presume that's where the bro-back is occurring.
 

bbc23

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So the Rewatchables did Country Strong (not a good movie, but hey half of the Rewatchables movies are bad) and MAN are the bros in the listenership furious. It's really amazing the gap between the Simmons/Rusillo fans and the rest of the Ringer's fans
Honestly been hilarious to see them freak out over this and Simmons dedicating 30 mins at the end of a pod to plug that he's doing a weekly Challenge thing that won't even be on his main feed. Feels like they think Bill was a sport savant that had awesome takes up till Grantland and that that all went away with the Ringer.
 

johnmd20

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Ah. That's weird. They did an episode on 'When Harry Met Sally' that was a blast. I continue to feel good about my decision three years ago to abandon Twitter, I presume that's where the bro-back is occurring.
Reddit. It's happening on Reddit. The Simmons sub is about 85% haters, it gets a TON of traffic, and people just mock him and shit on him and everyone else.

I don't get it. If you don't care about the movie, don't listen to the episode. (I have never seen the movie but the podcast was still enjoyable to listen to) The discourse on the internet really is brutalizing and exhausting.
 

Cellar-Door

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Care to elaborate? I couldn't tell you what Country Strong is, and I'd like to know why bros are furious.
It's a not particularly great female fronted music industry movie, the 3rd person is TeaTime's Liz Kelly. They are furious because they are doing a "girly movie" and ignoring "movies that deserve this" because they are trash people.

Reddit. It's happening on Reddit. The Simmons sub is about 85% haters, it gets a TON of traffic, and people just mock him and shit on him and everyone else.

I don't get it. If you don't care about the movie, don't listen to the episode. (I have never seen the movie but the podcast was still enjoyable to listen to) The discourse on the internet really is brutalizing and exhausting.
Twitter and Facebook apparently too, because I saw on twitter that they were booting people on the Rewatchables Facebook group for being overtly misogynistic and awful.
 

8slim

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Reddit. It's happening on Reddit. The Simmons sub is about 85% haters, it gets a TON of traffic, and people just mock him and shit on him and everyone else.

I don't get it. If you don't care about the movie, don't listen to the episode. (I have never seen the movie but the podcast was still enjoyable to listen to) The discourse on the internet really is brutalizing and exhausting.
I've never spent a minute on Reddit, aside from the occasional quick glance when a stray Google search on a topic turns up a page. Like Twitter, sounds like I'm not missing out.

I'm with you though, anything social media or all 'open discussion' communities are a net negative to society. I'd say that about the entire Internet, but I do like SoSH, Google Maps and Amazon.
 

Kliq

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I check in on The Ringer every few days to see if there is anything worth reading; but I make a point to check in every Monday during the NFL season to read Rodger Sherman's "NFL Winners and Losers" piece. Always very enjoyable, mixes in a lot of whimsy and bloopers with real analysis and is a satisfying wrap up of everything that happened on Sunday.
 

Leather

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I've never spent a minute on Reddit, aside from the occasional quick glance when a stray Google search on a topic turns up a page. Like Twitter, sounds like I'm not missing out.

I'm with you though, anything social media or all 'open discussion' communities are a net negative to society. I'd say that about the entire Internet, but I do like SoSH, Google Maps and Amazon.
People like to feel a part of a community, even if the basis of the community is negativity. And since it's a lot easier to be negative than positive (because our society regards vulnerability as weakness, and saying you like something makes you vulnerable), most internet comment boards are just exercises in negative takes. On a side note, I have found some discussions on Reddit to be useful, like if you're looking for advice on specific things that have a modded community devoted to them (camping gear, for instance).

I, for one, like it when Rewatchables does less-than-great movies because A) it's typically pretty funny; and B) they are movies I probably haven't seen so the absurdities are news to me and more interesting. Like the discussion of Draft Day, which I've never seen and never will see, was engaging.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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I check in on The Ringer every few days to see if there is anything worth reading; but I make a point to check in every Monday during the NFL season to read Rodger Sherman's "NFL Winners and Losers" piece. Always very enjoyable, mixes in a lot of whimsy and bloopers with real analysis and is a satisfying wrap up of everything that happened on Sunday.
I like Rodger Sherman's work, he feels like a less nihilistic (former) Deadspin writer who cares a little more about sports.
 

johnmd20

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Simmons get Obama on his podcast and fucks up his recording. . . .again. What a boob, how hard is it to check to see if things are plugged in? I don't get it. Especially for a big get like Obama.
 

Vinho Tinto

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Once the Ringer gets big money investment, from companies like HBO or Spotify, Simmons will be able to allocate resources towards professional producers.
 

johnmd20

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Meh, didn't impact the enjoyment IMO. And it was only for like the first 5 minutes of an hour interview.
You're right across the board. But it's still weird. It is not like checking your mic and levels is difficult. And it wasn't a chat with JackO. It was Obama.

But the podcast was an A+, I loved it and it was interesting and illuminating. Obama is really an incredible dude.