The Bench with John and Lance

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The biggest sports talk duo to ever hit Houston airwaves is still going strong after 2 decades in the market. John Granato and Lance Zierlein mix insightful sports analysis with irreverent humor and quick wit. You never know what you're going to hear, but it'll be like nothing else you ever have. Listen weekdays 7-11am live on ESPN 97.5 & 92.5 FM or anytime on demand at http://espn975.com.

ESPN Houston


    • Oct 13, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • daily NEW EPISODES
    • 46m AVG DURATION
    • 4,174 EPISODES

    4.9 from 168 ratings Listeners of The Bench with John and Lance that love the show mention: h town, moved away, del, excuse, houston, sports talk, best show, radio, awesome, funny, great, john and lance.


    Ivy Insights

    The Bench with John and Lance podcast is an absolute delight for sports enthusiasts in Houston and beyond. With their witty banter, insightful analysis, and genuine chemistry, John Granato and Lance Zierlein have truly set the platinum standard for sports radio. This dynamic duo knows how to keep their audience engaged with a perfect blend of humor and well-informed discussions. Whether it's Blue Mountains Johnny and Rappin' Dad crushing it or Dale keeping them honest, this show offers the best entertainment on the entire dial.

    One of the best aspects of The Bench podcast is the seamless combination of humor and knowledge that John and Lance bring to the table. Their funny yet informed discussions ensure that listeners are both entertained and educated about the latest happenings in sports. They don't carry anyone's water, meaning they provide unbiased opinions without pandering to any particular team or player. This authenticity is refreshing and keeps fans coming back for more.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is the chemistry between John and Lance. Their camaraderie shines through as they bounce off each other's jokes, insights, and observations. It feels like you're listening to two friends having a casual conversation about sports, which creates a welcoming atmosphere for listeners. This dynamic duo keeps you hooked from start to finish with their engaging rapport.

    However, no podcast is without its flaws, and one potential drawback of The Bench is the presence of Del as the supposed third wheel. Some listeners find his contributions less valuable compared to John and Lance, causing a slight disruption in the otherwise smooth flow of the show. While he may not be everyone's cup of tea, it's important to remember that different perspectives can add depth to discussions. Nonetheless, some fans do find Del's involvement slightly underwhelming.

    In conclusion, The Bench with John and Lance podcast is an outstanding way to stay up-to-date on H-Town sports even if you've moved away from Houston. With their smart and funny commentary, John and Lance provide an enjoyable listening experience that keeps fans hooked. Despite the minor setback of Del's presence, this show remains the go-to for sports talk radio with its blend of humor, knowledge, and engaging chemistry.



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    Latest episodes from The Bench with John and Lance

    10/13 Hour 1- Reactions From the Gridiron

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 55:49


    NFL Week 6 reactions College Football reactions What you learned this weekend

    10/13 Hour 2- A Scuffle at Arrowhead + James Franklin Gets His Bag

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 51:21


    Lions-Chiefs ends with JuJu and Brian Branch going at it What are the Jets doing? After being fired from Penn State, what's next for James Franklin?

    10/13 Hour 3- Dan Pastorini Joins + News of the Weird

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 49:09


    Former Houston Oilers QB Dan Pastorini joins the show MLB Playoffs News of the Weird

    10/10 John and Lance Hour 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 54:38


    10/10 John and Lance Hour 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 58:44


    10/10 John and Lance Hour 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 46:22


    10/09 Hour 1 - Will Alperen Sengun Have A Jokic-Esque Season?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 55:24


    Hour 1 of John and Lance with John Granato and Lance Zierlein! Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun could be one of the best duo's in the league Will missing Fred VanVleet hurt the Rockets as bad as we thought? Are the Jaguars actually better than the Texans? Is Bill Belichick's time over with UNC already?

    10/09 Hour 2 - Kevin Durant Rockets Era Starts Off With Rookie Trash Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 43:16


    Hour 2 of John and Lance with John Granato and Lance Zierlein! The Aggies have a 90% 3PT shooter ... in practice Will Hardy and the Jazz are probably tanking again Are the Las Vegas Aces one of the biggest modern dynasties? Del learns new words from The Sopranos

    10/09 Hour 3 - Josh Pate Discusses College Football and James Franklin's Hotseat

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 52:02


    Hour 3 of John and Lance with John Granato and Lance Zierlein! How will Texas look against John Mateer and Oklahoma? Should Alabama be worried about facing Missouri? How dominant can Miami's offensive line be? Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! TNF: Eagles vs Giants PLUS, News of The Weird!

    10/8 John and Lance Hour 1 - Locker Room Speeches

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 49:51


    NFL O-line play Open the schools

    10/8 John and Lance Hour 2 - Salchichas

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 51:39


    Mike Elko joins the show Texans path to the playoffsĀ 

    10/8 John and Lance Hour 3 - Texans Legit?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 47:30


    CJGJ to the Ravens Tari Eason's futureĀ 

    10/7 John and Lance Hour 1 - Stupid Chiefs

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 55:31


    MNF reactions Willie Fritz previews Oklahoma State

    10/7 John and Lance Hour 2 - Rockets Camp Competition

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 48:45


    10/7 John and Lance Hour 3 - Heisman Candidates

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 44:25


    Too early for Arch Manning overreactions Giannis is a bad teammateĀ Ā 

    10/06 Hour 1- Are the Texans Back in Contention?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 54:07


    Can the Texans get back into playoff contention? NFL Week 5 Reactions College football reactions What did you learned this weekend?

    10/06 Hour 2- Do You Believe in Houston Miracles?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 55:05


    How much faith should we put in the Texans the rest of the season? More college football reactions

    10/06 Hour 3- Fallout from Texas Tech vs Houston + News of the Weird

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 46:56


    What's next for the Cougars after getting hammered by Texas Tech? News of the Weird

    10/3 John and Lance Hour 1 - Should The Texans Tank?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 51:21


    Rams - 49ers TNF Reactions Ime Udoka undecided on fifth starter

    10/3 John and Lance Hour 2 - What Did You Learn?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 46:18


    NFL Sunday slate Disconnect between Texans staff and playersĀ 

    10/3 John and Lance Hour 3 - Brian McTaggart Joins The Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 48:53


    Beat the Warehouse Live guy News of The WeirdĀ 

    10/02 Hour 1 - Are We Rooting for Bregman and Red Sox vs Yankees Tonight?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 57:18


    Hour 1 of John and Lance with John Granato and Lance Zierlein! Could Aaron Boone could get fired if the Yankees lose series to Red Sox? Do the Astros have a weak home crowd compared to other teams? How many threes will Amen Thompson shoot this season? Could the Texans be overlooking Cooper Rush and the Ravens this weekend?

    10/02 Hour 2 - How Much Does DeMeco Ryans Trust The Texans Rookies?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 38:48


    Hour 2 of John and Lance with John Granato and Lance Zierlein! Are Rex Ryan and the media overblowing the Shedeur Sanders mime interview? How much did the Indiana Fever miss Caitlin Clark in their playoff loss? Will the Texans rookies continue to gain a larger role in the offense? Did Puka Nacua make Xavien Howard retire?

    10/02 Hour 3 - Is Penn State Done With James Franklin with Josh Pate

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 49:31


    Hour 3 of John and Lance with John Granato and Lance Zierlein! Recapping and looking forward to College Football games this weekend Draft Kings betting previews with John Chill PLUS, News of The Weird!

    10/1 John and Lance Hour 1 - What's Next For The Astros?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 51:58


    Texans - Ravens rematch

    10/1 John and Lance Hour 2 - WNBA Allegations

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 50:33


    10/1 John and Lance Hour 3 - Bubble Championships

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 44:27


    J.J. Watt vs. Aaron DonaldĀ 

    9/30 John and Lance Hour 1 - Hope For Astros Future?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 47:39


    Cam Robinson trade Willie Fritz previews Texas Tech

    9/30 John and Lance Hour 2 - Kevin Durant Extension

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 59:57


    Ben Johnson exchange with sideline reporter Rockets media day

    9/30 John and Lance Hour 3 - Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Headline

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 47:24


    09/25 Hour 1- Texans Finally Win a Football Game

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 55:18


    Can the Texans keep up the momentum after beating the Titans? What did you learn this weekend?

    09/25 Hour 2- Texans on the Right Track?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 42:32


    What do the Texans need to imporve on the offense? College football recap Out of the playoffs, what's next for the Astros?

    09/25 Hour 3- MLB Postseason is Set + New of the Weird

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 59:12


    MLB Playoffs More NFL Week 4 reactions News of the Weird

    09/26 John and Lance Hour 1 - Framber's Extensions

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 55:58


    09/26 John and Lance Hour 2 - Ryder Cup Reactions

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 48:05


    09/26 John and Lance Hour 3 - NFL Sunday Predictions

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 55:07


    What did you learn this week Are the Chiefs done?

    09/25 Hour 1 - The Astros Summer Vacation Cant Be Stopped

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 54:24


    Hour 1 of John and Lance with John Granato and Lance Zierlein! Do we even want the Astros to make it to the playoffs at this rate? How would you grade the Texans offseason based off 3 games? Can Reed Sheppard be a reliable starting point guard without Fred VanVleet this season? Should the Astros have made more offseason trades?

    09/25 Hour 2 - Why is CJ Stroud Immune to National Media Criticism?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 42:51


    Hour 2 of John and Lance with John Granato and Lance Zierlein! Luis Garcia's career is most likely done after another season ending surgery for 2026 The Texans are desperate for a win vs the Titans with their brutal upcoming schedule How good do you think the leadership chemistry is between CJ Stroud and DeMeco Ryans? How responsible is Joe Espada for the Astros struggles?

    09/25 Hour 3 - Josh Pate's Big Dream Proposal for College Football Networks

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 53:15


    Hour 3 of John and Lance with John Granato and Lance Zierlein! Josh Pate previews stacked CFB weekend games including Georgia vs Bama, LSU vs Ole Miss, and A&M vs Auburn Which College Football team makes the best transfer portal moves? John Chill from The Golden Nugget previews lines for the upcoming NFL slate PLUS, News of The Weird!

    09/24 Hour 1- Tough Late Night Astros Loss

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 50:30


    09/24 Hour 2- DJ Bien-Aime on CJ Gardner-Johnson's release

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 56:47


    09/24 Hour 3- Ryder Cup Thoughts + News of the Weird

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 48:52


    09/23 John and Lance Hour 1 - C.J. Stroud's Regression

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 55:59


    Willie Fritz Current landscape of Houston pro sports Texans are "close"

    9/23 John and Lance Hour 2 - Fred VanVleet Injury

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 49:51


    Evaluating potential point guard options for the RocketsĀ 

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