Fox & Fallon

The new season of Almost Shameless with Tanya Ray Fox kicks off with a more optimistic assessment of what we can and should expect from the New England Patriots coming off of a less than impressive preseason (03:47). Then she goes in on critics of Bill Belichick's career without Tom Brady (09:08), and hits on the issue of how sports media continues to deal with sexual assault stories in the NFL and why it's important to leave outdated journalistic values in the past (17:38). Finally, Tanya takes a tour around the AFC to make some broad predictions about what we can expect to see in the conference in 2022 and how it relates to playoff expectations for the Patriots (26:27). 

Almost Shameless is back with guest and Patriots insider Mike D'Abate just in time to break down the major QB moves that are shaking up the NFL, beginning with the blockbuster trade of Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos (03:17). Mike and Tanya continue the conversation by discussing whether Wilson can get the Broncos out of a very competitive AFC West (09:29). Next up they hit on the breaking news that the Indianapolis Colts traded Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders, and what that might spell out for the future of the QB position on a talented Indy roster (14:48). Then Tanya goes through the state of the Patriots in this early part of the offseason, including where Mac Jones goes from here without Josh McDaniels (22:22), what the coaching staff will look like in 2022 (28:10) and whether Bill Belichick is about to blow it by letting JC Jackson hit the open market (32:14). Finally, Tanya and Mike make their way-too-early predictions about whether the Patriots will improve their record next season (40:12).

That's a wrap on the NFL season! (muffled cries) Tanya kicks the show off with few broad takeaways from the Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals, including the difference between a good game and good narratives. Then she dives into the main topic of the show, explaining why Aaron Donald should have been the game's MVP, how broadcasters can better help shape the conversation about players and how Cooper Kupp's MVP win is a perpetuation of the league's insistence on rewarding inconsistent but flashy offense over elite defense (9:03). Then she hits on what the win means for Matthew Stafford and why it proves that upgrades at QB aren't just about the stats (22:32). Tanya also offers her thoughts on where the Bengals go from here and hard decisions they might need to make to prevent Joe Burrow from becoming the next Dan Marino (27:42), and why this Rams Super Bowl may be the peak before the valley after their all-in gamble for a title paid off (33:01). 

We should be talking about the impending showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. However there are bigger things at play this week. Tanya starts the show off with an overview of the allegations in the lawsuit filed by Brian Flores accusing three NFL teams of racism in the hiring process (3:36). She goes into exactly what is at stake for the former Miami Dolphins head coach, how the power structures remain complicit, and she outlines exactly where the league has to start in order to address this problem head on (8:41). Then she talks about the controversy over Tom Brady leaving the New England Patriots completely out of his retirement speech, and explains why Pats fans absolutely deserve a personal finale farewell from their QB of 20 years (25:37). 

This was one of the best NFL divisional rounds that most of us can remember, and Tanya hits on every game and every major storyline from the weekend. First up is the Bengals in over an underwhelming No. 1 seeded Titans, and her concern over what she sees as Cincinnati's greatest liability as they establish themselves as real players in the AFC (3:52). Then it's on to the 49ers edging the Packer in Lambeau and specifically the demystification of Aaron Rodgers whose real character on and off the field is now out there for everyone to see (8:28). Then it's onto Tampa Bay, which kicked off with a terrifying Tom Brady comeback that almost sent the Rams packing. Instead, Matt Stafford helped his team survive and now Brady is mulling retirement. Tanya reveals what she's seen that makes her think the GOAT may actually hang it up (13:56). Finally we come to the main event, where Tanya hits on the marvelous offensive showdown between the Bills and Chiefs (24:53). However she also calls bullshit on the idea that it was the "greatest NFL game ever" (26:32) and then proposes an overtime rule change that no one is talking about (33:50). 

The wild card round is complete and the New England Patriots are just one of several teams to leave the playoffs with more than just hurt pride. Set aside the hysterics, Bill Belichick and the defense will be fine. But there is one major change the team will have to make in the offseason if they want any chance of getting Mac Jones into AFC contending shape. Tanya breaks it all down, from his standing among rookie playoff QBs of the past to what the Patriots will need to see next season if they're going to go all in on a pure pocket passer with a regular arm in this era of the NFL (3:22). Then she quickly recaps where the rest of the league stands, how the divisional matchups are poised to shake out, and she makes her predictions for the final four (23:39). 

The Winter AMA mailbag has arrived and Tanya is ready for the questions from across sports and pop culture. She kicks things off by laying out the latest with Antonio Brown and his bizarre take on Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady. Then she hits the mailbag, beginning with musings on 'Survivor' as the greatest competitive social experiment of all time (5:12), then discusses the evolution of her dream job (8:50). Tanya gives a quick and uninformed defense of Tuukka Rask (12:32) before moving on to the parity of the AFC playoff field (14:10) and whether the Patriots would be better off heading to the playoffs right now with Cam Newton (16:02). Then she shares her thoughts on the Patriots running more no-huddle with Mac Jones (21:29), and waves away concerns about Bill Belichick's issues with drafting wide receivers (24:30). She also complains about WWE botching the chance to put Brock Lesnar up against a babyface after his title win at Day 1 (30:42), and closes things out with a prediction about Russell Wilson's preferred destination in 2022 (33:45) and which open NFL coaching gig is the most desirable (35:20). 

We've finally made it to the first inaugural WEEK 18 of the NFL season and much like the season itself, things are still very chaotic. First up, Tanya addresses the situation with Antonio Brown that led to his swift release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - and her controversial tweet about Tom Brady's role in bringing him to the team (3:42). Then she breaks down the NFL playoff picture and which matchup she prefers for the New England Patriots in the wild card round (21:32). To wrap up, Tanya offers some big picture thoughts on Bill Belichick and Mac Jones teaming up for a playoff run that is yet another feather in the GOAT's cap (27:06) . 

From Bill Belichick vs Tom Brady to Mac Jones vs Cam Newton to the Red Sox vs the Yankees, Tanya hit on all the best rivalries in Boston sports this year... and did a little ragging on Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers for good measure. Here's some of the best rants from Almost Shameless in 2021. See you in 2022, gang.  (1:23) Enough of the comparing, Brady and Belichick did it together. (4:15) Fox & Fallon reunite to assign each of Brady's 7 Super Bowl rings to a day of the week  (6:16) Aaron Rodgers preseason shit-talking (7:43) Arizona Cardinals one of the most underrated teams heading into the 2021 season  (10:24) Mac is the Patriots starter. Now what?  (13:34) Keys to the Patriots succeeding with a rookie QB in 2021 (18:02) CC Sabathia dunks on the Yankees after they lose again to the Red Sox in the playoffs  (20:29) Steelers fan Jarrett Bailey defends Big Ben's honor (23:31) Jon Gruden's leaked emails tell a story about who people are when they think no one's looking (25:56) Roger Goodell will never give us the answers we're looking for (29:28) This or That with Mike D'Abate: Belichick as Coach of the Year or Mac as Offensive Rookie of the Year?  (33:57) Patriots Mid-season Awards: Best win of the first half 

Tanya followed the New England Patriots' lead and took a bye week for the holidays, but she's back and taking a tour of the NFL's weird Week 15. She kicks things off by checking in with the Buccaneers and Tom Brady after another loss to the Saints (3:03) before delivering a blunt explanation for what we saw from the Patriots in their loss to the Colts on Thursday Night Football (7:41). Then she takes a look around at the rest of the AFC and the NFL overall amidst accusations that some teams are "pretenders" rather than "contenders" (17:12). Tanya closes the show with a rant about John Harbaugh's decision to forgo overtime against the Packers, and rips his unorthodox approach prior to making the game-losing call (27:46).

The Patriots beat the Bills in an unforgettable way on Monday Night Football to take sole possession of the No. 1 seed in the AFC heading into their bye week. The aftermath was fraught with accusations of overreaction and hyperbole, balanced out by the dawning realization from everyone else that the Patriots are back on top. Tanya breaks down exactly what the conditions were like and rips into people who complain about bad weather games outside (3:08). Then she explains that Monday's unique game plan was no fluke, it was the culmination of everything that Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels have been preparing for (8:31). Then Tanya reads a few criticisms of the Bill Belichick praise from prominent media members and she responds by laying out the history of QBs who succeed in their rookie year then go on to win the Super Bowl early in their careers (15:20). Finally, Tanya rips Bills coach Sean McDermott's insulting lack of accountability and deflection after the game (24:48).  

Tanya is joined by the host of the Locked on Patriots podcast and writer for SI Patriots Maven, Mike D'Abate to catch up on the NFL season through Week 13. They kick things off by chatting about the players on the offense who are best positioned to help Mac Jones continue his hot streak (4:48). Then they hit on the state of the Patriots defense and if that unit has any weaknesses (10:41), which guys might be the unsung heroes on the season so far (16:54), and how they expect the final five games of the season to play out (22:40). Then Tanya makes Mike play a rousing game of 'This or That' NFL 2021 Edition  where they touch on topics across the league (27:02).

Tanya starts things off this week by taking a look at Cam Newton's triumphant return to the Panthers and to the field in Week 10, and what it could mean for Carolina in a surprisingly open NFC South divisional race (5:08). Then it's a full deep dive into what the Patriots are doing that's working so well, how Bill Belichick turned a rebuild into real playoff contention, the rise of their elite defense and what the next two games could mean for the season-long outlook of the conference (9:35).

The New England Patriots have played nine games in this new 18 week season and so it's time for the Almost Shameless Podcast to hand out some midseason awards!! First, Tanya quickly touches on a few of the biggest stories of the week, including Odell Beckham Jr. signing with the Rams over the Patriots (among others), Cam Newton landing back with the Panthers and the Ravens losing a very bizarre game to the Dolphins (2:45). Then it's time to hand out the awards for the best offensive, defensive, special teams, rookie and comeback players on the Patriots through the first half of the season, as well as some bonus team awards for best loss and best win of the year so far (7:08).

The Patriots secured their biggest win of the season on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers with a classic Bill Belichick defensive performance and some old-school possession offense. Now that people are paying attention to the GOAT and his rookie up in New England, can they deliver on the promise they've shown and make a real playoff run? Tanya addresses that, where they stand in the AFC playoff picture as of now, and what it will take to sustain this momentum (2:40). Then she lays into Aaron Rodgers for being a know-it-all fraud who asserted his dominance all over Green Bay only to now hand his potential replacement the biggest opportunity of his career (18:55).

Tanya is back and kicks things off with examining the harsh realities of Roger Goodell's reign over the NFL, and a critique of the way fans and media respond to the lack of transparency in league culture and investigations (3:00). Then she moves onto Thursday night's wild game between the Cardinals and Packers, and the resulting praise of Aaron Rodgers that took a turn back into the delusional GOAT discussion that won't go away (17:12). 

Tanya welcomes Jarrett Bailey, Fansided NFL contributor and co-host of the Laces Out Podcast, to take a look across the league as we head into Week 6 and the real meat of the NFL season. First though, Tanya and Jarrett breakdown and react to the fallout from Jon Gruden's resignation after the leak of a slew of racist, homophobic and misogynistic emails between he and former Washington Football team President, Bruce Allen (2:06). Then they move into assessing which of the NFL's top-tier teams are for real Super Bowl contenders, and which might be headed for a downturn as the season moves on (25:25). Finally Tanya forces Jarrett to face the real possibility that his Steelers and her Patriots may very well face a battle down the stretch for the final wild card playoff spot in the AFC (55:00). 

Tanya kicks things off by sharing some of her favorite reactions to the Red Sox beating the Yankees in the wild card game, including an absolute masterpiece from a former Yankee himself (5:02). Then it's onto reactions to Patriots Bucs, but specifically analyzing where Mac Jones is at through 4 games of the regular season (10:45). She also breaks down why she's not as worked up about the Stephon Gilmore trade as some others in the media (28:51), then looks ahead at the next six games of the season to assess what the Patriots are dealing with now that the biggest game of the year is out of the way (31:09). Stick around to the end to hear about the epic way Tanya got to watch Tom Brady's homecoming. 

The fall AMA mailbag is here to lighten things up ahead of maybe the most stressful regular season game that Patriots fans will ever watch, so sit back and grab your fall beverage of choice and get to know Tanya a little better while also getting your weekly does of sports hot takes sprinkled in. From Halloween movies and aggressive wrestling fans to preparing your emotions for Patriots v Bucs, there's a little something for everyone. 

This week Tom Brady Sr. spoke with NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran and said he thinks his son has been vindicated by winning in Tampa Bay. But what exactly is Brady's gripe with 20 years of unprecedented success again? (2:51) Plus Tanya proposes a batshit idea for getting the NFL to back off of their taunting rules for on-field celebrations (25:21). 

As we all wrap up our Week 1 analysis, Tanya checks in on where the Patriots stand as they prepare to bounce back in Week 2 against the Jets - and dives a little deeper into exactly what Bill Belichick is looking to get from Mac Jones this season and whether it's a formula that can stand up long term against the current powers of the AFC (2:34). Then she expands the conversation to the rest of the NFL to take a look at 3 teams we can expect to look a lot different in Week 2 than they did in Week 1 (20:09), and does the same exercise for 3 QBs whose Week 2 performances may have us second-guessing what we saw from them in their season debuts (27:08).

It's the last podcast of the NFL offseason before the most wonderful time of the year kicks off on Thursday night, and this week's episode is setting some ground rules for the Almost Shameless listeners, watchers and followers. First Tanya addresses the trolls and broader misogynist community that seemingly cannot move themselves into the 21st century to adjust to the new reality of a diversifying sports landscape (3:50). Then she clarifies her stance on Mac Jones, and why she won't be eating any of that humble pie some people keep trying to serve. Happy Week 1 everybody, and welcome to the Almost Shameless NFL season experience (11:05). 

In a twist no one saw coming, Cam Newton didn't just lose the starting Patriots QB job -- he lost his job altogether. Tanya quickly breaks down her thoughts on the mysteries surrounding the surprising cut as well as Bill Belichick's somewhat alarming comments about COVID vaccination in the NFL (4:00). Then she checks in on the recent history of rookie QB success, and explains the three major hurdles the Patriots MUST clear to make a playoff run with the rookie Mac Jones at the helm (13:26). Finally, with his official firing as Executive Producer of Jeopardy, Mike Richards offers us a clear picture of what real accountability looks like amidst the "cancel culture" panic (27:19). 

Tanya cuts to the chase as she launches into a breakdown and critique of Scott Zolak's problematic comments about Cam Newton's on-field demeanor at Patriots practice, and how his viewpoint is a reflection of a much larger issue with the way too many people all around New England speak about Newton in general (2:50). The show wraps up with a quick plea to the listeners to step outside their comfort zones and (gasp!) watch some English soccer -- in the name of Ted Lasso (23:57). 

It's another weekend podcast as Tanya quickly recaps the Patriots second preseason game and dives into the complexities of what is happening for fans and media as the reality of Cam Newton as the starter begins to sink in (3:18). Then it's over to the NBA where LeBron feels disrespected by scouts and execs after being left out of a recent ESPN poll of the best player in the league,, and Tanya wonders whether LeBron really knows what he wants as a competitor (16:28). We head back to the NFL to break down three NFL teams and rosters that you may not be taking as seriously as you should heading into the 2021 season (21:47). And finally... a deep dive behind the scenes has thrown the Jeopardy hosting hire into utter chaos and Tanya is breaking it all down (31:58). 

NFL Nation got it's first glimpse at the re-tooled Patriots, an improved Cam Newton and a composed Mac Jones -- and everyone immediately forgot how to analyze the quarterback position. So Tanya kicks the show off with a breakdown of how the QBs looked and how media and fans reacted (2:32), and gets into some other highlights from the exhibition (15:05). Then she issues an early warning to Patriots Nation to brace themselves for the continued conversation around the Great Brady v Belichick Lie that national media is selling to undermine the greatest team dynasty ever (22:26). And finally, Tanya works through her outrage over Jeopardys choice for the successor(s?) to Alex Trebek (27:26).

There is one topic and one topic only for this week's show, and it's all about Cam Newton and the way the media has handled the reporting and analysis of his journey from last season through the second week of training camp (02:00). First Tanya goes no holds barred in laying out her beef with how the local media has mislead fans about what Cam is capable of as a starter and what is best for a team that has been as intentionally overhauled as the Patriots have over the last six months. Then she welcomes on Sara Marshall from FPC Patriots to continue the conversation and get a little more perspective from someone who's been paying close attention to training camp -- and has also received heat for defending Cam through a tumultuous offseason (14:20). Then Tanya lightens things up by making Sara play a quick game of Give Me More, Go Away: NFL Training Camp Edition (38:08).

It's an all Tanya show straight from her family home in Massachusetts, so she kicks things off with a little recap of where things stand with Cam Newton and Mac Jones as Patriots camp begins (4:20). Then she checks in with the Aaron Rodgers situation with the Packers after a bizarre candid press conference that may not win the fans over the way he thinks it will (11:57). Finally, the biggest news of the Olympics so far has been Simone Biles dropping out of the team and all-around competitions for mental health reasons, and there's a lot of record straightening to be done (23:43).

This is the first seasonal mailbag EVER on the Almost Shameless podcast, so strap in to get to know Tanya a little better while also getting your weekly does of sports hot takes sprinkled in. From the Patriots QB depth chart to the social media importance of The Office, there's a little something for everyone. 

There's no better way to prepare for Patriots training camp than with an old school attack on the Patriot Way! Mike D'Abate of SI Maven and Locked on Patriots joins Tanya to discuss Julian Edelman's thoughts on the fun of winning, and to whom he will pass the leadership baton on offense (5:00). Then Mike shares a few of the more underrated and overlooked storylines for fans and media to watch out for once training camp kicks off, and Tanya makes a case for why Josh McDaniels is the guy to keep an eye on (18:50). Finally, Tanya and Mike play a game of This or That: 2021 Patriots Edition (30:35).

It's been a weird off-season for the Patriots with a QB battle for the first time since January of 2002, but this week the target of national scrutiny is maligned WR N'Keal Harry, who wants a trade from the only team that wanted to draft him in the first round, and Tanya explains why this is a lose-lose for everyone involved (5:09). Then it's a long overdue clapback at Aaron Rodger's eat, pray, love summer of sucking up to Tom Brady and rolling his eyes at the Packers (15:00), and finally a classic Tanya rant about American sports' fans contentious relationship with soccer and why anonymous people on Twitter don't get to have their opinions taken seriously (25:15). 

The Boston Celtics have entered their new era with the hiring of Ime Udoka (01:48), and it wouldn't be a major breaking story in 2021 without someone epically embarrassing themselves on Twitter (04:15). Then Tanya breaks down the importance of Carl Nassib as the first active NFL player to come out and what it's been like to watch the evolution of how the sports world dealt with the news (12:53). Finally, Tanya takes down the negativity and misinformation coming from Patriots media and explains why it's time to let go of Tom Brady and embrace the GOAT that's still in New England (22:44).   John Amaechi soundbite from the Twitter feed of the Dan Le Batard Show with StuGotz. Theme music: Quittin' Time by Patrick Lee

Yet another Twitter debate regarding analytics in the NBA was sparked late last week, culminating in the accusation that people who prefer the study of efficiency are nerds who are ruining sports fandom. So Tanya brought on Bryan Kalbrosky, writer  for HoopsHype and For The Win, to break down the disconnect between the highlight purists and the people paying closer attention to the numbers behind the curtain. (3:25) They also dispel some myths about exactly what analytics are (22:27) and debate whether NBA media is more beholden to the opinions of athletes than media covering other leagues (32:21). 

Tanya reunited with friend and former co-host Courtney Fallon of the Bad Signal Podcast and The Game Day NFL to host a very special reunion episode of Fox & Fallon. After getting the audience reacquainted with their banter they kick things off by ranking on a scale of 1-10 just how much Patrick Mahomes was to blame for the Chiefs' meltdown on Sunday (07:00). Then it's on to the GOAT, and Tanya wonders whether a colleague at FS1 is over-correcting by giving Tom Brady too much credit for the Buccaneers championship season (18:21), and Courtney suggests that perhaps this is the final nail in the coffin for the bizarre brigade of delusional Tom Brady Haters (29:24). And of course there couldn't be a Fox & Fallon reunion without a ridiculous game to cap off the episode, so now that Tom Brady has 7 rings, Tanya and Courtney attempt to assign a week day to each one of his Super Bowl wins (36:51). 

It took until Week 15 when the Patriots were officially mathematically eliminated from the playoffs for the cowards to get up on their soap boxes and declare that we finally have proof that Bill Belichick can't do anything without Tom Brady. This podcast is dedicated to firing that lazy, bad faith, garbage fire take into the sun to burn for eternity (04:54). 

It's the first THANKSGIVING episode of Almost Shameless, which is appropriate because almost shameless is how most of us feel about the amount of food we're about to consume. First up, it's asterisk szn!! Time to start being honest with ourselves about the realities of what COVID has done to affect the fairness of the game, and what it will mean for the eventual winners and losers this year (3:56). Then, we dive into the eeriness of Tom Brady's time with the Buccaneers so far -- what is going wrong and why does it feel like the GOAT isn't all there? (15:28). And of course, we couldn't close out this holiday episode without a scorching takedown of the most wretched of the Thanksgiving side dishes (24:55).

NBA draft analyst Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype and USA Today SMG joins Tanya with some fun tidbits to help the casual NBA fan prepare for the 2020 NBA Draft. 

Before all the ranting, Tanya takes some time to reflect on and remember the lives and impact of Alex Trebek and Tommy Heinsohn, the media grandfathers that many of us shared and lost this week (01:22). Then it's back to sports, with an optimistic take on a wild Patriots win over the winless Jets and Cam Newton's success in the wake of Tom Brady's failure (8:04). Then, league commissioners and team owners can't stop reminding an economically suffering general public that COVID-19 is very inconvenient for their bottom line (19:15). And finally, a classic rant about the kind of person on Twitter that every media person hates but is too afraid to say it (22:00).

This week Tanya is detouring from the insanity of the NFL to chat with USA Today Sports Media Group NBA managing editor Bryan Kalbrosky about the league's plans for the final two months of 2020. They discuss the report that the NBA is looking to begin camp by Dec. 1st with the season starting before Christmas (5:49), and whether LeBron will be back on the court that soon (14:04). Bryan also give his diagnosis for the Celtics, and whether they need to make any major changes to succeed in 2021 (20:39), and they debate whether the Clippers are better off with Ty Lue and if Doc Rivers can really make a difference for the 76ers (32:00).

The Patriots lost a closer-than-the-score-would-have-you-believe contest against the Chiefs on Monday night, but the story actually began early in the weekend prior. Tanya breaks down Cam Newton's COVID timeline and the inconsistencies in how the NFL handled the Patriots game and the rescheduled Titans-Steelers game (03:47). Then it's on to the juicy stuff, and boy was it sour. Patriots fan (and a lot of hot take media) learned a hard lesson 20 years in the making on Monday night that began long before Cam Newton came to town. In short: the quarterback IS the system, and always has been (13:45). And finally, a re-run of Tanya's inaugural Trash Take Hall of Fame Induction -- because as bad as this take was before, it has only become more moldy and stinky in light of the Brian Hoyer/Jarrett Stidham disaster on Monday night (20:54). 

Russell Wilson is the MVP of the NFL and probably has been for longer than we've realized (4:00). Plus, the Patriots are the best team in the AFC East despite preseason expectations -- and their 1-1 record (10:50). And finally, re-assessing how we talk about athletes and their adversity during the pandemic (15:30).

Things come and go, especially in 2020... but the NFL remains. Week 1 has passed and many things happened that we expected, including Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs looking like Super Bowl contenders yet again (06:14). However not everything went according to the offseason script. Cam Newton and the Patriots surprised with their dominant if not always tidy win over the Dolphins, and Tanya has some thoughts about how it all went down - and the reactions to Newton's post-game skirmish (11:13). Then it's time to celebrate the annual Tom Brady Is Washed For Sure This Time: Buccaneers Edition! Is it possible that Brady and the Bucs lost a game they were supposed to lose?! We may never know (21:10). And finally, the debut of the Trash Take Hall of Fame. The inaugural inductee gets an unceremonious fleecing, as shall be the tradition henceforth (26:30).

BASEBALL'S UNWRITTEN RULES HAVE GONE TOO FAR THIS TIME, FOLKS. Tanya breaks down exactly what happened between the Padres and Rangers to cause the latest BS meltdown over baseball players doing their jobs well, and why the unwritten rules are more than just antiquated ... they're a sign of resistance to diversity and social change. (3:30) Then it's on to college sports again, where it's time to address the hypocrisy of adults asking kids and young adults to self-police during a pandemic that none of us know how to handle. (14:46) And finally, an FYI for other baseball fans who try to wrangle their way into the sacred Red Sox-Yankees rivalry. (21:35)

Tanya is back and kicking things off loudly with a condemnation of one BIG10 football coach who is the perfect example of dealing with COVID-19 in sports the wrong way. Then she breaks down Brett Favre's comments regarding kneeling in the NFL, and the journey of learning to have difficult conversations with people who are approaching highly emotional topics with ignorance but also in good faith. Things lighten up a bit with a good old roasting of Bucs fans, and finally, Tanya returns with her rant of the week -- in defense of goalies. 

Almost Shameless is back at it now that everyone has settled into life in quarantine, and while there may be no sports happening at the moment, there is never a bad time to have a Bill Belichick, Tom Brady debate. Or is there? Tanya rips apart a rant by ESPN's Mike Greenberg, who believes the GOAT coach has to prove that he's still the GOAT without Brady. Then it's time to investigate what worked and what didn't with ESPN's 64-person bracket of All-Time College Basketball Players. Let's just say that it appears the kids have never heard of Lew Alcindor. And finally, Tanya welcomes fiance Chris Armendariz to the pod. He is a longtime ESPN video editor, but these days, their greatest mutual interest is binge-watching TV shows - and so they review everything they've watched start to finish since the start of quarantine. 

We start out with a breakdown of the world in sports and at large as the United States comes to terms with the coronavirus outbreak, thanks in large part to Adam Silver and his leadership with the NBA (01:50). Tom Brady has officially left New England, it appears that everyone is sad about it and no one could do anything about it - and so Patriots Nation is left with a lot of questions and very few answers (08:52). Meanwhile, news broke that Brady plans to sign with the Buccaneers and Tanya reacts live (13:50). Plus, Bill O'Brien is still the worst GM in all of the NFL, much to the delight of the Arizona Cardinals, and Stefon Diggs just made the Bills potentially the best team in the AFC East (16:54).

Tanya opens things up in episode 5 with a loving, nerdy ode to voting before hitting on the big topic of the last 10 years -- WHAT THE F**K IS GOING ON WITH TOM BRADY AND WHY/HOW HAS HE BROKEN ALL THE REPORTERS?! (5:33). Then she breaks down the inherent flaws in choosing regular season NBA MVPs when legacies are created in the playoffs, and why what LeBron does this season will probably end up mattering more than what Giannis does (16:26). Finally, most definitely the weirdest rant to date. If you ever wanted to know how Tanya feels about sticking an earring on an ear of corn and calling it art -- today's your lucky day (25:15).

This week Tanya got herself in a weird Twitter beef with the "lunch pail mentality" establishment, so she explains her issue with the use of the phrase in relation to NFL players - and specifically, the decidedly-not-blue-collar New England Patriots (3:14). Then she goes over what it was like to watch the public memorial service for Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant, and how their deaths have reshaped her interpretation of his legacy and his destiny (11:20). Finally, what is the right thing to do when your waiter is very bad at their job and the service sucks?

It's mid February which means it's time for a ROUND UP of all the hottest stories so far this winter. We kick things off with Justin Turner and a whole host of baseball superstars getting very mad at their commissioner, so Tanya offers a little advice to the MLB (3:40). Then she breaks down what AP got right and wrong with their Male and Female Athletes of the Decade (12:30), rediscovers the joy of basketball thanks to 2020 NBA All-Star weekend (22:45) and gives the latest on the Tom Brady free agency saga that might never end (27:13). And finally... reality TV can be better, and here's how (31:12).

Everyone wants to know where Tom Brady might go but no one has a single good answer or any real insight so Tanya is controlling what she can ... which is figuring out who could *actually* be the quarterback of the New England Patriots in 2020 if the GOAT goes out to pasture. (04:13). Then she attempts her most daring feat to date .... fixing the MLB -- and the purists are not going to like it. You just might, though (19:24). And of course, what would the week after the Oscars be without a little complaining about Joaquin Phoenix and his aggressive, terrifying veganism rants? (29:21) That, and more, in the second episode of the revamped ASP with TRF. 

The all new, rebranded, relaunched Almost Shameless podcast is finally here! Same Fox, just more of her. And new theme music! What better way to kick things off than with a full PUMPING of the breaks on the Chiefs dynasty talk. Mahomes is the real deal, but didn't we just do this a decade ago a QB in the NFC? ... Plus there are murmurings that Tom Brady might want to build a Super Team with all of his discarded offense buddies somewhere, but not so fast. Brady has it better with the Patriots than he seems to think? Finally, Tanya grapples with the life and legacy of Kobe Bryant.  . . . Follow @shamelesstrf on Twitter and Instagram. Email almostshamelesspod@gmail.com