Jagbags

Friend of the podcast Kevin Stern rejoins Jagbags to talk through the music of the Chairman of the Board: Mr. Frank Sinatra. Will his music live on? Did he put out the very first concept album? What is his influence in 2025, and will his legacy connect with the incoming generation? What are his very best songs and albums? We each created a 45-minute playlist (one is "Sinatra Sobs", another "Sinatra Swings", and the final is "Sinatra Simple"), and discuss those in great detail as well. Finally, we make too many jokes about Frank Sinatra Jr.'s collab with Was (Not Was). Tune in for some Ol' Blue Eyes!

Beave and Len continue to argue about the NBA Finals. Marlana May Carlson joins the pod to provide her top 5 U2 songs. Beave continues to review Elvis Costello's autobiography. Len mourns the season-ending injury to Courtney Vandersloot, and discusses where the Chicago Sky go from here. Len's Cubs fever also intensifies. Len reads the Atlantic and listens to Hendrix's "First Rays of the New Rising Sun". Len also reviews the new Wes Anderson movie, "The Phoenician Scheme". Plus Robert Christgau's A+ Albums, the New Yorker, and more!

Beave and Len discuss the career and films of Robert Redford, from his debut in "Barefoot In The Park" to his recent appearances in Marvel movies. We also talk the legacy of the Sundance Film Festival, as well as his directorial accomplishments. Was he actually a good actor, or just a pretty face? What are his best films, both as an actor and director? Tune in for cinema discussion!

In the latest recap, Len discusses how the Cubs are absolutely for real. Beave and Len talk the NBA Finals matchup between the Pacers and Thunder. They make their predictions on who will win (Len says OKC in 5, Beave says OKC in 6). The Chicago Sky get their first wins of the season. The Cleveland Guardians flounder about in the AL Central standings. And the Sox make strides! Beave has more thoughts on Elvis Costello's memoir "Unfaithful Music". Len recommends Roxy Music's live album "Heart Still Beating", and the book "Bear Tooth", by Callan Wink. Beave reviews the new Beach Bunny LP. Len reads the New Yorker, plus a LOT of Babyface! Tune in.

On the new Jagbags, Beave and Len go through their favorite songs that somehow either languished on the Billboard charts, or remained a deep cut stashed away somewhere on an obscure album. If you've ever loved a song, and wondered how the heck it didn't dominate radio and become a #1 hit, this podcast is for you! What are some of your favorite songs that went nowhere commerically? Tell us in the comments!

Len and Beave scratch their heads at Robert Christgau's A+ grade for the 1976 album "Have Moicy". But he is the Dean of American music critics, so he just knows more, right? Plus "I Recommend", Len reads the New Yorker and provides his insights, Beave reviews the new Beach Bunny LP, undiscovered Top 40 hits (it's a bit of a desert right now), and all the Chicago/Cleveland/Knicks mockery sports talk you can handle! Tune in now.

Len and Beave go through the career and films of Demi Moore, who shockingly lost Best Actress earlier this year for her performance in "The Substance". What were her best performances? Is she in fact a good actress? What is the key to her appeal? What movies are among her best? Has anyone seen "Wisdom", "Forsaken", or "Wild Oats"? Is "Striptease" a good movie? (Beave will defend that one to the death) And of course, has St. Elmo's Fire aged for the better or worse since its premiere 40 years ago? Tune in!

On the newest recap episode, Len discusses his plans to marry Pete Crow-Armstrong. We also talk the Cleveland Guardians' relative struggles and the White Sox's relative improvement. The NBA Conference Finals are set and they make their predictions on who will win. Len discusses the Chicago Sky's bad start out of the gate, while Beave obsesses over the Golden State Valkyries. Plus "I Recommend", where Len talks about the Sheepdogs and Beave questions why Elvis Costello seems to have a problem with the Doobie Brothers. Beave disses Frankie Avalon and celebrates Avant. And Len talks New Yorker as well. Tune in!

JagCore member Christopher Marcum comes back to the podcast and the subject is the WNBA 2025 season preview. What player is set for a breakout year? Can the return of Courtney Vandersloot to Chicago energize the Sky? Will Angel Reese start to make layups? Is this the season Caitlin Clark wins her first MVP? How will Kelsey Plum fare in LA? Who can challenge Paige Bueckers for Rookie of the Year? AND HOW FAR WILL THE GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES RISE this season? Tune in for all these answers.

The newest recap episode is out and Len recommends a John Oliver segment for about the 250th time (this one on minor league baseball teams that rename themselves -- hilarious). We also talk NBA playoffs and Beave tries not to fret over the Cavs. We talk MLB and the Cubs' efforts to fend off the suddenly resurgent Cardinals. We also get on a tangent about MLB uniforms. Plus Chicago Sky, excellent New Yorker articles, the outstanding publication Front Office Sports, Robert Christgau A+ albums, recently discovered Top 40 hits, and more! JAGBAGS!

The legendary Jill Oliver comes back to Jagbags to talk Jim Carrey movies, best characters, and discuss the secret of his appeal and his comedy success. Did he deserve an Oscar nomination for "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective"? (He did.) Plus we talk our favorite Carrey movies and performances, our most underrated as well as the Carrey movies we liked the least. Outside of Ace Ventura, what do you consider his best performance? Also Beave disparages "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" while Len contemplates having Beave removed forcibly from the Jagbags studio. Tune in!

In our latest recap episode, we talk the amazing first round of the NBA playoffs, plus the Cubs' first-place standing and the Guardians' cautious success. (We will also be better about the Sox moving forward, especially now that Vinnie Duber is covering them.) Plus Len recommends "Thunderbolts" and Beave recommends "Sinners". We also talk New Yorker, the new Deafheaven LP, and recently discovered Top 40 hits. Tune in!

Len and Beave discuss the staggering amount of films that feature the incomparable Willem Dafoe. Which ones are your favorite? We talk our top 5 favorite films, list some of our favorite performances, lament the fact he has never won an Oscar, and much more! Tune in for ULTIMATE DAFOE!

In the latest recap, Len and Beave discuss the first round of the NBA playoffs, as well as MLB and the continuing journalism of the celebrated Chicago Sun-Times columnist Vinnie Duber. Plus "I Recommend", PJ Harvey, Jason Isbell, the New Yorker, and undiscovered Top 40 hits! Tune in NOW for recap brilliance!

Len and Beave go through their favorite albums of this first quarter century. From Taylor Swift to Beyonce to D'Angelo, and more, we go through our own personal top ten LPs from 2000 to this year. Tell us yours, and tune in for some great music discussion!

Len and Beave go through their most likable Cubs (Mr. Mickey Morandini, etc.) and their least likable Cubs (Dave Kingman has now entered the chat). Plus they talk the Cubs' continued fast start, and the Guardians' mini-run to second place. The NBA playoffs are underway and the guys talk the Cavs' chances against Miami, Rockets-Warriors, and Clippers-Nuggets. Beave reviews "Salinger" by Paul Alexander, Len recommends the 2024 LP "Million Voices Whisper" by Warren Haynes. Plus Al Green, Rhiannon Giddens, Len's take on the New Yorker, and Undiscovered Top 40 Hits! Tune in!

Now that the dust has settled, and time has passed, Len and Beave examine the career and legacy of Sammy Sosa, who hit 609 home runs and will likely not be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Was he a great player, truly, or just a stat padder who could never come through in the clutch? How much do you care about his steroid use? Do you consider him one of the all-time great Cubs? Len and Beave ponder these questions, and more. (And Len exorcises a few past Cubs demons along the way) Tune in!

Beave forgets to listen to all of Ashanti's top 40 hits as part of his assigned podcast duties, drawing her ire and scorn. We also go through the NBA playoffs and the start of the MLB season. Len contracts a mild but growing case of Cubs Fever("I'm ordering my World Series tickets"), while calling for Billy Donovan's dismissal. Beave tries not to fret about the #1 seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Plus Len and Beave predict the first round of the NBA playoffs and who they think will advance. Plus "I Recommend", Robert Christgau's A+ albums (Live/Dead is the album this week), and Len goes through highlights of the most recent New Yorker issue he has read. Tune in!

We examine the career and movies of Hollywood legend Warren Beatty on the newest Jagbags.  We go through all his movies and discuss their merits.  We also rank his movies, discuss his more underrated and overrated films, and discuss his abilities as an actor and director.  We also talk his influence over Hollywood.  We take an in-depth look at one of cinema's most interesting luminaries of the last half-century.  Tune in, and tell us your favorite Warren Beatty movies as well!

We talk the NCAA national championship games for men's and women's basketball on the latest Jagbags. Plus we talk the start of the MLB season, NBA playoff preview, Robert Christgau's review of Gogol Bordello's album Super Taranta, and Greil Marcus' latest book on Bob Dylan. Plus Len tears up the dance clubs of Chicagoland with "Mr. Washing Machine", talks a little Rosanne Cash, and Nile Rodgers' latest interview in Spin Magazine. It's a true grab bag of a recap episode -- tune in!

Len's latest Facebook bracket pits the music of two 80s legends: Kool and the Gang vs. The Pointer Sisters. Which songs are your favorite? What song in particular should win this bracket? We talk our own favorite songs, go through our 45-minute playlists, and discuss whether the Pointer Sisters are Hall of Fame worthy. (They are.) We go through some deep cuts, and compare these two bands to some of their contemporaries. Where do they rank on the Pantheon? Tune in for some top 40 jams!

The newest recap episode runs a bit light, but is sports heavy. Len and Beave still talk Final Four, the opening of the MLB season, and the sprint to the finish for the NBA before devolving completely into the pent-up discussion of Immaculate Grid that they have always wanted to have. We also talk "I Recommend", Beave reviews the new album by The Weeknd, and Len visits Exile in Bookville in the Fine Arts Building on Roosevelt Road. Plus we get a New Yorker status update! Tune in.

Beave and Len are back and this time the subject is the best live albums ever recorded. Which ones are your favorite? We submit our top ten favorite live LPs of all time, as well as our toughest omissions. Beave includes way too many jazz albums, to Len's chagrin. They discuss what makes a great live LP, and in some cases contain recordings that are better than anything done in the studio. From the Who to Kiss to Nirvana to Billy Joel, we dig deep into some of the best live music available and bring it straight to you. Tune in now!

Beave and Len talk through the first round of the NCAA Tournament, which soon devolves into several boring stories about their own dominance of the pickup games at Queen of Angels. Len considers renaming his oldest son "Grant Funk". Beave is NOT PANICKING over the Cavs' recent stumbles. Len contracts a mild case of Bulls Fever. They both review Ghostface Killah's "Fishscale". Plus "I Recommend", Len Reads The New Yorker, Beave's review of the album "Glutton for Punishment" by Heartworms, and Recently Discovered Top 40 Albums. Tune in!

The MLB season kicks off today and we have you covered on our annual season preview! Baseball authority Anthony D'Andrea is back (as he is every spring) to help you make sense of the season, and what to look for, particularly from the Chicago Cubs. You can't find these takes anywhere else but here on Jagbags! We also talk the Cleveland Guardians, and kick the hapless White Sox while they're down. Plus our annual division and playoff predictions, along with postseason award predictions. Tune in, as spring has arrived at last and it's time to play ball!

JagCore member Marlana May Carlson returns with authority, and this time the subject is UK rock/goth legends The Cure. We go through their music in the usual painstaking detail, ranking all their albums with each of us providing a 45-minute playlist. What are their best albums? Best songs? Did they go downhill after the release of "Wish", or are there more treasures to find? We also talk their latest LP, "Songs of a Lost World". Tune in for a gigantic podcast of jams!

We talk March Madness and go through our thoughts on who will win this year's tournament. "THE STORIES ARE HERE ALREADY!!" Len cries with glee. In particular, we focus on Illinois (and its new lease on life coach Brad Underwood), who has a chance to advance to at least the Sweet Sixteen. Plus NBA, "I Recommend", Robert Christgau's A+ Albums, Beave's 2025 Album Review, Len's progress on reading the New Yorker, and Recently Discovered Top 40 Hits, where we talk a little April Wine. Tune in!

Join treasured guest Christopher Marcum as we set sail on a mellow smooth sea of sound and explore the greatness of yacht rock. We attempt to define the genre, talk the Web series that started it all, and discuss the recent (excellent) documentary on the genre (found on Max). We argue "yacht or nyacht", and submit our 45-minute playlists for discussion, acceptance or complete rejection. It's lively and full of quick hitting banter! So grab your Bacardi Breezer and join us portside for refined, tasteful rock-type jams with hints of R&B and jazz!

In the latest recap episode, Beave reviews Chick Corea's "Trilogy 3", while Len takes a well-deserved nap. The Bulls embark on their longest winning streak of the season. Conference tournament time is on us at last, and Len and Beave plot the path for Northwestern to WIN THE WHOLE ENCHILADA. Plus a little NFL talk, as Myles Garrett resigns with the Browns and the Bears stockpile offensive linemen. Beave recommends "Detroiters", on Netflix. Len recommends the soundtrack to the 2005 movie "Elizabethtown". Plus they take on Brian Eno's "Another Green World". Tune in!

We discuss the late great Gene Hackman on the new Jagbags. From Bonnie & Clyde to The Royal Tenenbaums, we go through nearly all of his movies and discuss our favorites, our least favorites, and ones we still haven't seen. We also talk through his impact, his ultimate legacy, and what made him such an outstanding actor. Tune in for all the Hackman!

In the latest recap episode, Len provides the post-Oscar recap and details all his adventures at the various post-Oscar parties. The Cavs overcome a 22-point deficit to beat the Celtics in Boston, and Beave has officially contracted serious Cavs Fever. Plus Bulls and other NBA news. The Illini lurch to the NCAA tournament, while Northwestern fights to even make the Big Ten tournament. Beave recommends "The Game", by Ken Dryden. Len recommends the documentary "Becoming Led Zeppelin" with strong enthusiasm, plus "Don't Forget Me" by Maggie Rogers, and "Smoke & Fiction", by X. Plus Dylan and the Band's "The Basement Tapes", and Beave discovers the Flamin' Groovies at age 55. Tune in!

On the latest Jagbags, in support of the new Aretha Franklin Facebook bracket, we discuss her career and her musical impact. Was she the greatest cover artist of all time? What songs are your favorite? Does she have a classic album? Did you like her comeback songs in the 80s? Where does she rank on the All-Time Music Pantheon? Tune in for the full discussion of all things Aretha.

In the latest recap episode, Len recounts his day at the five-Best-Picture-Nominee marathon in Woodridge, IL. We also talk NBA and college hoops, including the new Northwestern mini-resurgence. We have our "I Recommend" section, where Beave recommends the baseball book "July 2, 1903", and Len recommends some SNL-related books, including Norm McDonald's "Based On A True Story", Martin Short's "I Must Say", "The Chris Farley Show", and Colin Jost's "A Very Punchable Face". Len shakes his head at the now monumental task of completing the New Yorker's 100th Anniversary Issue. Beave reviews the new album from Matt Berry ("What We Do In The Shadows"). Finally, they review Bob Dylan's "Modern Times", plus Recently Discovered Top 40 Albums. Tune in!

Beave and Len go through their favorite albums and songs of 2024, and also go through their most pleasant surprises and biggest disappointments. We go through new LPs by Dua Lipa, Black Crowes, Blue Oyster Cult (!!), Liam Gallagher and John Squire, Sleater-Kinney, and much more! Tell us your favorite albums as well.

We discuss the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary schedule in detail, and comment on our favorite sketches and cameos. We also talk through various Best Picture nominees, including The Brutalist, Emilia Perez, and Dune Part Two. The NBA All-Star Weekend came and went without much fanfare or fan interest. Plus, "I Recommend", Beave reviews the new Guided By Voices album, Len receives his 100th anniversary issue of the New Yorker, and Newly Discovered Top 40 hits! More Paul Anka than you ever dreamed of! JAGBAGS!

Beave and Len give you their annual Academy Awards preview episode for 2025. They go through nominees for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Director, Best Animated Feature, and Best Documentary (before they grow too depressed). They assess each category and predict who may win and also who they want to win. Can Demi Moore break through and win? Will Kendall get the best of Roman once again in the Best Supporting Actor category? And who will win Best Picture? Tune in for Oscar talk!

In the latest recap episode, Len laments the ascension of George Carlin as winner of the standup comedy bracket. He also laments the Chiefs' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. Beave laments the Northwestern Wildcats, who lost Brooks Barnhizer to injury and whose season is likely over. The guys discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers' trade for DeAndre Hunter. Beave struggles with Gravity's Rainbow, by Thomas Pynchon. Len does not struggle to keep up with issues of The New Yorker. They also discuss top 40 hits by the Animals, Lee Andrews & The Hearts, and others. Tune in!!

The tremendous Amy Seeley is back and this time the subject is right in her wheelhouse: COMEDY. We talk the legendary work of the absurdly brilliant Monty Python, whose "Flying Circus" and subsequent movies dominated the 70s. We talk our favorite performers, favorite sketches, favorite lines, and favorite movies. We also get into a discussion of their influence, and talk a bit about comedy in general. It's a most excellent 90 minutes, so strap in for something completely different! TUNE IN!

Super Bowl LIX is upon us and Jagbags has your ultimate Super Bowl analysis! Len also reveals he will not have a notebook out for Kendrick Lamar's halftime show, nor will he serve any "Chiefs cake". Beave encourages Len to trash talk EVERYONE WITH IMPUNITY should the Chiefs win. We also discuss the Dallas Mavericks' stunning trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. Plus Zach LaVine finally packs his bags out of Chicago, the Cavs improve themselves, college hoops, Oscar controversies, stand-up comedian brackets, and THOMAS PYNCHON!! Tune in now!

Beave and Len talk through their top ten albums of 2024, and also talk through the biggest surprises and disappointments of the year. Plus favorite concerts in 2024, and surprising agreement on many LPs for the year. It's a tight 55 minutes of musical KNOWLEDGE -- tune in!

Super Bowl LIX is all set for February, and we talk through the Kansas City Chiefs' status as Ultimate Villains. We also talk brand new Hall of Famer Billy Wagner (as Len celebrates at Girl & The Goat), NBA and WNBA, and college hoops. They briefly touch on Oscar nominations, plus Beave has book recommendations, and Len talks through "Life of Brian", which he had never seen, and "Splendor in the Grass". Plus Derek and the Dominoes' "Layla" , Ringo Starr's new C&W album, and undiscovered top 40 hits. Tune in!

Friends of the podcast Lizzy Mosher and Ryan Hake join the podcast and the topic is the best books we read last year! This is a popular annual topic and we each go through our ten favorite favorite books we read last year (or in Beave's case, eight). Lots of horror (Lizzy reads her very first Stephen King novel), lots of sports, and a bio of Albert Einstein as well! Tune in for ultimate literature, and tell us your favorite books you read last year!

The AFC and NFC championship games are upon us, and Len and Beave go through the divisional playoff games that got us here. Plus the Cavs hit the inevitable lull in their schedule -- can they get back on track? The Bulls and Zach LaVine trade rumors continue. Beave reviews the Dashiell Hammett novel "The Maltese Falcon". Beave and Len talk about Iris DeMent's 1994 album "My Life". They also talk about the four-part documentary "Beyond Saturday Night". Plus secret top 40 hits! All JAGBAGS!

Len and Beave go through their own separate Top Ten Movies of 2024, and then their own Top Ten TV Series of 2024. Tune in as they count down, argue, agree, insult and make up. You won't want to miss the Siskel & Ebert style banter, and hopefully our lists agree with yours! You see, WE WAIT UNTIL THE ACTUAL END OF THE YEAR TO DO OUR "BEST OF" LISTS.

The world has long wondered what Len and Beave think of the seminal DeBarge classic LP "In A Special Way". Wonder no more! The review comes at last! Plus NFL playoffs, Cavs keep rolling through the regular season, CFP is set with Ohio State and Notre Dame, and the Big Ten basketball season kicks off with the usual chaos. Beave reviews a top movie of 2024, "Do Not Expect Too Much from The End of the World", while preparing for his upcoming darkness retreat with Aaron Rodgers. Len reviews albums by Cage the Elephant and his good friend Ray LaMontagne. Plus Secret Top 40 hits! A JAM-PACKED recap episode, so don't miss it!

Friend of the podcast Jill Oliver is back with an in-depth discussion of the 2000 Best Picture winner "Gladiator", as well as the 2024 sequel, both directed by Ridley Scott. Which movie is better? Did "Gladiator" deserve the Best Picture Academy Award? Who gave the best performance in either film? What happened to Oliver Reed during filming of "Gladiator"? Is "Gladiator 2" a good movie? Tune in!

We get our NFL playoff predictions to you just as the games begin! Plus the CFP semifinals, the unbelievable Cleveland Cavaliers, the Bulls' Zach LaVine saga, and the gauntlet that is the Big Ten basketball standings. Beave turns to Russian literature while Len naps. Len reviews "Shogun", "Nobody Wants This", and "Man On The Inside". And Len keeps up with The New Yorker flawlessly!!!

In the newest Jagbags, we talk the music of both Heart and Pat Benatar. "Barracuda" won the Facebook bracket over "Heartbreaker". Were you happy with the results? Which artist do you prefer and which songs/albums are your favorite? Do you believe they belong in the Rock Hall? We go through our 45-minute playlists, talk favorite albums, and talk about songs we hoped would do well in the bracket. (Beave: "Promises In The Dark" should have won) JAGBAGS!

Beave and Len talk the end of the NFL season, as well as preview potential playoff matchups. They also discuss the white-hot Cleveland Cavaliers, who have won 31 out of their first 35 games. They talk college hoops, Len's forgiveness of Brad Underwood, and the gauntlet that is the Big Ten basketball schedule. Beave reviews "Nosferatu" and Len reviews "A Complete Unknown", "The Penguin", "Fallout", and "Mr .& Mrs. Smith". They discuss Robert Christgau's latest A+ album, "Two Sevens Clash", by Culture. Plus undiscovered Top 40 hits and the Carpenters put out a 2024 Christmas album! JAGBAGS!

Did you know that Grand Funk Railroad sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles themselves? In the latest Jagbags, we delve into the career and music of Grand Funk Railroad, providing you our favorite albums, first memories, 45-minute playlists, and other delights! Tune in for end of year JAMS!

Len and Beave go through the ten main characters on "The Bear", and rank them from 10 to number one. How would you rank them? Plus NFL, NBA, the Guardians and Cubs' latest trades, "I Recommend", and the golden age of Chicago college hoops continues! Finally Beave forgets the secret top 40 hits, and we discuss David Remnick's pickleball habits. Tune in!