Beave pronounces the new Cure album as one of their very best, and a surefire "Top 10" ranking for the year. Len eats a delicious peanut butter nutella cupcake while Beave sulks with his green beans. Beave and Len bemoan the latest losses by the Chicago Bears (to the Packers at the end of the game) and the Cleveland Browns (to New Orleans). Beave celebrates the Cleveland Cavaliers' blazing hot start. College basketball is underway and Jagbags star Matthew Nicholson warms up with mashed potatoes and green beans (!!). Plus "I Recommend", Robert Christgau's A+ Albums, and the Top 40 catalog of Air Supply and Akon. Join the witty banter!

On the latest Jagbags we talk the comedy genius of the great Richard Pryor -- a true American original whose comedy sounds as fresh and (sadly) timeless as ever. We talk his comedy albums, his appearances on SNL, the short-lived but incredible "Richard Pryor Show", and movies such as "Silver Streak", "Lady Sings The Blues", and "Richard Pryor: Live In Concert", arguably the greatest stand-up film of all time. Tune in for interesting discussion.

On this darkest of American times, we fearlessly bring you a recap episode for you to hopefully enjoy. Len continues to fall behind in his issues of the New Yorker. The Kansas City Chiefs continue their winning ways. The Browns inquire about just quitting at 2-7. The Chicago Bears take it on the chin from the Cardinals. The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to stay unbeaten and lay the wood to the Golden State Warriors. Plus "I Recommend", Len is forced to listen to yet another jazz LP, Hugh Grant's "The Heretic", the SNL Cold Open, and much more! Tune in.

We talk the growing popularity of the 1997 sci-fi classic "Starship Troopers", starring Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Clancy Brown, Neil Patrick Harris and the great Michael Ironside. Directed by Paul Verhoeven. We talk through the plot, initial critical reaction, and box office performance. We then rate our favorite and least favorite performances, and talk about whether the satire landed or not. What explains its enduring popularity, more than 25 years later? Tune in for cult movie discussion!

We have a great recap episode in store for you! The Bears and Browns both lose while the Chiefs stay as the last unbeaten team in football. The Cavs stay as the last unbeaten team in basketball. Plus "I Recommend", Robert Christgau's A+ albums, Beave's 2024 album review, and undiscovered Top 40 hits! TUNE IN!!

We are talking the music of Beck on the latest episode of Jagbags! We talk our favorite albums, and we each go through our 45-minute playlists as well. It's hard to believe he has been around for almost 30 years. Enjoy!

It's a jam-packed recap episode where Beave reluctantly grills Len on his progress in keeping up with his New Yorker subscription (while Jennifer Beals waits in suspense). The Cavs are off to a white-hot start to the new NBA season. Bears lose a heartbreaker in DC on a Hail Mary. Indiana Fever fire their head coach, and the Yankees go down in the World Series, to America's delight. Plus, "I Recommend", Beave reviews the best jazz album of 2024 while Len naps, Recently Discovered Top 40 Hits, and DONUTS! Tune in now.

Beave and Len discuss the greatest debut albums ever made, and provide their own favorite Top Ten. From the Cars to Pearl Jam to Hendrix to Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and N.W.A., we cover all genres and talk the music acts that absolutely roared out of the gate with an all-time classic! Tune in for ultimate debut record discussion and some tremendous jams!

Beave laments the fallen Guardians but shares his night at the wild Game 3 -- the best baseball game he has ever attended. Plus the WNBA has a new champion in the New York Liberty and Len shows off his new Sloot swag. Beave innocently asks how reading The New Yorker is going, and Len explodes. Plus "I Recommend", Beave's review of the new Ministry album, the Beach Boys' "Wild Honey" -- how good is that LP? And secret Top 40 hits featuring Oleta Adams and the Addrisi Brothers (who?) TUNE IN!

Friend of the Pod Morgan Gire returns to the pod to talk the movies of the great director Robert Zemeckis, who is known best for Back To The Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Forrest Gump, and many more. What are the hallmarks of a Zemeckis movie? We also talk about other great movies that people may not know he directed. What performances in Zemeckis movies are your favorite? What is his most overrated movie? And are you excited for "Here"? We talk all Zemeckis, plus a little movie I like to call "Used Cars". Tune in!

In the latest recap episode, Beave and Len talk the pulse-pounding WNBA Finals between New York and Minnesota. Has there ever been a better one? Plus Len celebrates the suddenly powerful Chicago Bears as they steamroll the Jaguars in London. Yankees go up 2-0 on the Guardians, while Beave frets helplessly. Beave recommends "Monsters: The Menendez Brothers" on Netflix. Len tries to catch up on all the New Yorker articles. Beave and Len review Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible", which received an A+ rating from Robert Christgau. And much much more!

With the NBA season due to kick off soon, Beave and Len don their expert hats and pick the playoff teams, conference winners, and eventual NBA champions. They also debate who could win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. What team will surprise and which team is about to let its fans down hard? Plus we do deep dives on the Bulls and Cavs. Will the return of Lonzo Ball make a difference for Chicago? Is the addition of Josh Giddey a plus or minus? We answer all these questions and more -- ULTIMATE NBA PREVIEW!

Yet another recap episode where cookies stand front and center! Beave makes more shameful cookie consumption confessions. Len introduces Beave to MeTV Mall, whereupon Beave promptly disappears for the next two days. Guardians battle the Tigers in the ALDS playoffs, and Beave has the Game 1 attendance report. The WNBA Finals loom, and Len makes his picks for the eventual league champs. Bears look great in sending Red Rifle crying to Len's backyard. Plus new season of Only Murders in the Building! Beave reviews the Lemon Twigs' concert in Cleveland (amazing, see them in Chicago 10/18). And Secret Top 40 hits by Paula Abdul.....REVIEWED! JAG! BAGS!

We're talking Mel Brooks movies on the newest Jagbags! Which movie is your favorite? What movies would you put in his all-time Top Five? Has he ever made a bad movie? (He has.) Where do you stand on Spaceballs? Or High Anxiety? Who gave the greatest comic performance in a Mel Brooks movie? We take on all these questions FEARLESSLY. Tune in for ultimate comedy discussion! SEDAGIVE?!??

Beave and Len preview the MLB playoffs opening by predicting winners of all the wildcard matchups. Beave has a horrific Javy Baez/Kyle Schwarber 2016 World Series flashback. They also talk the Bears and Chiefs' win and the Browns' awful loss to the Raiders. Len roots for the Minnesota Lynx to make the WNBA Finals. Beave tries to guess the #1 seeds in Len's Facebook cookie brand bracket, which leads to an incredibly in-depth discussion of kinds of cookies, Beave's alarming cookie-eating habits, and a formation of a "Cookie Committee". Plus "I Recommend", new 2024 album review, and hidden Top 40 jams. Tune in now!

We're talking Matthew McConaughey movies on the latest Jagbags! Which performance is his greatest? OK, David Wooderson doesn't exist -- which performance is his greatest? We also talk his book "Greenlights", which has sold six million copies. We talk his Oscar-winning turn in "Dallas Buyers Club", his stunning performance in "True Detective", and much more! Tune in for insightful, expert McConaughey discussion!

On the latest recap episode, Len completes his Favorite 500 Albums review by going five through one. Tune in to see what LP grabs the coveted top spot! Plus NFL (Red Rifle Returns With a Venegeance), MLB (GUARDIANS FEVER), and WNBA playoffs. Beave reviews the new Fontaines DC album, "The Gentlemen" on Netflix and the Pillow Queens concert in Cleveland. Len talks through "little known" Top 40 hits, and reviews the B-52's installment from the movie "The Flintstones". Tune in!

RATINGS GOLD guest Amy Seeley comes back and this time the subject is the New Wave legends the Cars, led by Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr. Beave and Len discover they've been pronouncing "Ocasek" incorrectly all this time. Amy talks about her teenage love of the Cars, and has some outstanding stories as well. We go through our favorite albums, put together a tight 45-minute playlist, and discuss the secret of their appeal. And is the Cars' debut album one of the greatest of all time? (HINT: Yes.) It's a fun discussion, and apologies to Todd Rundgren for all the cheap shots! Tune in!

In the newest recap episode, Beave cautiously celebrates the Guardians' drive to the playoffs, Len lauds Ian Happ's excellent season, and the Sox make a final push for infamy. Plus the Bears fall to Houston, KC wins a tight one over Cincy, and the Browns escape Jacksonville. Beave and Len lament the end of the Chicago Sky's season. Beave struggles with "Einstein", by Walter Issacson. And LEN'S FAVORITE 500 ALBUMS COMES TO A CLOSE! We talk the near misses, then jam out with a little band I like to call Big Country. Enjoy!

Friend of the podcast Chris Marcum joins Jagbags for a CONTENTIOUS discussion of the current state of the WNBA, reasons for its explosion in popularity, and the influx of rookies making an impact on the league. Chris shares his experience of traveling to Indianapolis for a Fever game. We argue Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese vociferously! Who will win the WNBA championship this year? What team could surprise? And what should the league do to maintain and grow its positive momentum? Tune in for all hoops!

Len and Beave do another SPEED RECAP for you. Len is on the cusp of entering the Top Ten of his all-time favorite albums. They go through five more albums, which leads to discussion of the dean of American music critic Robert Christgau's word choices of "fatuous" and "middling". The NFL season kicks off with a Bears and Chiefs win and a terrible Browns loss. MLB winds down as the Guardians sweep the Sox (who have lost 27 of their last 28 home games). Len watches Kyle Hendricks in twilight, as he faces the Dodgers. TUNE IN FOR ELECTRIC DISCUSSION!

NFL Expert Matt Beyer rejoins the podcast to talk through the 2024 NFL season, with particular attention paid to the Browns, Bears and the defending champion Chiefs. Can the Ravens or 49ers break through? Who will be the surprise team of the season? Who will win MVP? Why do the guys make so many Aaron Rodgers/Egypt jokes? And when will Carolina quit messing around and turn over the keys to future Hall of Famer Red Rifle? TUNE IN FOR FOOTBALL EXPERTISE!

Recap action is back and we have sports, music and TV favorites for you! Beave recommends "Dark Winds", available on Netflix. Len recommends "Hum", the new novle by Helen Phillips. Guardians continue to get pushed to the brink, then fight back. Cubs make a bid for the postseason. Sox make a bid for the wrong kind of baseball immortality. The Chicago Sky endure a losing streak at the worst possible time. Beave reviews the new Pearl Jam LP. And Len's Favorite 500 continues the countdown! JAGBAGS!

On the newest Jagbags, Beave and Len go deep into the music of Pink Floyd as the newest Facebook bracket kicks off. Beave correctly guesses all top seeds and then collapses from joy. They talk the tragic tale of band founder Syd Barrett, and how Floyd progressed from his departure to the triumph of "Dark Side of the Moon", one of the best selling albums in music history. They go through their five favorite Floyd albums and then their 45-minute playlists (which you can access on Spotify). Tune in and Breathe! Breathe in the Air!

Although the latest recap episode features MLB, WNBA recaps, plus "I Recommend", Beave's New Album Review, and Len's Favorite 500 Albums, we spend the majority of time arguing The Boys, and ranking the main characters in show from worst to first. Which characters are strongest? The weakest? Who is the moral center? Who has the most interesting arc? And which character is your favorite and least favorite? We talk them all in the latest recap. TUNE IN!

Meryl Streep is widely regarded as the finest living actor, so we go through her movies and rate her performances. She has the most Oscar nominations of all time (23). We go through each nominated performance and rate her films. We also go through her lesser known works, discussing her more underrated roles that perhaps deserve more attention. In particular, we go through her 70s and 80s films. Tune in for some high-fivin' fun!

We talk the new Pete Rose documentary, called "Charlie Hustle", on Max. Should he be in the Hall of Fame? We also talk MLB, as the Guardians wobble on their way to September, while the Cubs look to the future. Grady Sizemore tries to revitalize the White Sox. The WNBA starts back up with a couple of Sky losses. Len reviews hidden top 40 hits, and Beave reviews the new album by Ghost Funk Orchestra. And Len rockets to the #1 spot for his all-time Favorite 500 Albums. Which album would you pick for Len's all-time favorite? JAGBAGS!

JagCore Professor of Jams Scott OKen is back to talk one of the all-time best bands you've never heard of: Badfinger. Known mainly for hits such as "Come and Get It", "No Matter What", and "Baby Blue", the story of this UK-based band is incredibly compelling (and tragic). We talk about Badfinger's deep connection with the Beatles, and how the band is named for the working title of a Beatles song. We dive into their first four albums, which are as good as any classic rock records from the early 70s. And we discuss their place in the Pantheon as well as the history of "power pop". And did you know that Harry Nilsson's "Without You" was written by Badfinger? Tune in for ultimate education!

In the newest episode of "Jagbags" we do a COMPLETE SPEED THROUGH and recap the week that was in MLB and the closing of the 2024 Summer Olympics. We also talk five of Len's all-time favorite 500 albums, and Len continues to chide Beave for his opinion of "Songs in the Key of Life". And that's it! Quickest recap ever! JAGBAGS!

Ultimate JagCore member Marlana May Carlson joins the pod to talk all things Depeche Mode, one of the most successful bands of all time. We go through their entire discography, talk our earliest memories of the band, submit 45-minute playlists, and compare them to their peers such as New Order, the Cure and the Smiths. What album is their most underrated? And where do they rank all-time? Tune in for ultimate EMT jams!

We reverse the order a bit for the latest recap episode. Len starts off the podcast with five of his favorite 500 albums of all time. Chappell Roan sets a Lollapalooza attendance record, and Beave delivers his long-awaited review of her album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess". We talk MLB and focus on the White Sox's historic 21-game losing streak. We talk Olympics before devolving into a discussion of the 3-on-3 hoops trend. Tune in for a quick and wacky recap!

We're talking the newest Facebook bracket, which goes through the storied career of the great Robert DeNiro. From Godfather, Part II, to Raging Bull to Goodfellas to Meet The Parents to Killers of the Flower Moon, we go through all his great roles, and pick our favorites, most underrated, and most overrated films. What is the key to DeNiro's appeal, and how has he been able to stay successful for so long? Hear more about "Falling In Love" and "The Intern" than you ever thought possible! JAGBAGS!

Beave and Len talk the 2024 Olympics, which just kicked off in Paris. We talk swimming, basketball, table tennis, gymnastics and then beach volleyball (which leads to an IN-DEPTH discussion on Len and Beave's past horrific volleyball experiences). Plus the White Sox sink toward baseball infamy. The Guardians now have the best record in all of baseball. And the Cubs get All-Star Issac Paredes. Plus I Recomend, Beave's latest album review, and Len's 400-hour playlist of his favorite 500 albums. TUNE IN AT ONCE!

Friend of the podcast Iva-Marie Palmer returns once again to discuss her Edgar Awards nomination for her book The Jules Verne Prophecy, and shares her thoughts on the award ceremony in New York. She also talks about her new children's book coming out in August, called "Oh My Dog". We also talk bookstores, and Iva-Marie talks about some of her favorite books she's read so far in 2024. Tell us some of your favorites as well! If you love books, you will love this episode. Tune in now!

In the latest recap episode, Len and Beave talk MLB and its start-up post All-Star Break. Len wears his Kyle Hendricks jersey to the Cubs game and gets heckled by a complete stranger. They also talk about the Angel Reese effect on Chennedy Carter, Chicago's terrific win over the Las Vegas Aces, and what the Olympic break will mean for the team. Len reviews Audioslave's second album, the movie "Nacho Libre", and the hits of Average White Band! Tune in now for the most definitive content on Average White Band!

Len and Beave talk the legendary run of SCTV, which launched the careers of comic luminaries such as John Candy, Rick Moranis, Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, and a host of others. Which sketches were your favorite? Why does the comedy endure today? Which SCTV alum has had the most successful career? What characters were your favorite and why? Talk to us, after you listen to this entertaining segment about some of the most influential comedy of all time. TUNE IN!

Beave shows up for this recap podcast dressed EXACTLY like Steven Kwan, and along with Len he predicts the Guardians', Cubs' and Sox's season ending records. Len talks the improving Chicago Sky and their up-and-down offense. They also discuss whether the Bulls' off-season moves has made them a better team. Beave reviews "Shogun" and "Baby Reindeer", as well as Jason Isbell's 2023 album "Weathervanes". And Len gets closer to the top spot in his all-time Favorite 500 Albums. Tune in NOW!

Len and Beave discuss the newest Facebook bracket, featuring the music of Chicago! Did you know that only the Beach Boys are the only American band that have sold more records than Chicago? We talk their incredible success, what songs we hope will win the bracket, and Beave tries to guess the #1 seeds but winds up guessing the #2 seeds instead. We also discuss where Chicago IX ranks among the all-time "greatest hits" albums ever released. We also talk solo Cetera (grudgingly). Tune in for some ultimate hits!

Len and Beave's recap episode is a complete overview of the Chicago Sky and their current position in the WNBA standings. We dissect much of the roster, and where the team currently stands as they seek to make a playoff push. Plus the Guardians have the best record in the American League, Beave reviews the ridiculous show "Banshee", Len reads the New Yorker and tracks down "unknown" Billboard Top 40 hits, plus new album reviews and Len's top 500 albums of all time. Tune in!

Friend of the podcast Tim Amos rejoins Jagbags to tell about his visit to the famed Brickyard for the running of the Indianapolis 500, considered the "greatest spectacle in racing". Tim talks all about what he saw at the race, from the crowds, the smells, the EDM concert in the middle of the infield WHILE THE RACE IS HAPPENING, the nearby museum, the differences between Indy cars and NASCAR stock cars, and the history of the Indy 500 itself. He also compares the Indy 500 to the NSCAR race held last year in Chicago. This episode is the next best thing to being there!

Both Len AND Beave picked season four of "The Boys" for the "I Recommend" section, so you know this recap episode is going to be white hot! Plus the Chicago Sky beat Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, the Guardians claim the best record in the American League, the White Sox remain on track for its worst season ever, and Len is fast running out of patience with the Chicago Cubs. Plus Len's favorite 500 albums of all time, and he also talks about Celeb Night at the Factory Theater in Chicago to see the new play "Die 4 Your Luv". TUNE IN!

Friend of the podcast Morgan Gire returns triumphantly to talk James Cameron movies on the latest episode of Jagbags! We talk the Terminator movies, the Avatar movies, and spend a LOT of time on "The Abyss". We also talk a good deal of "Aliens", and of course "Titanic". We discuss why Cameron's movies were so wildly successful, talk about our favorite movies of his, discuss his treatment of female characters, his many marriages (Kathryn Bigelow, Linda Hamilton, Gale Anne Hurd) and explore why he was considered for a time "the scariest man in Hollywood". Oh -- and a TON of Michael Biehn. It's another great Jagbags n' Morgan! TUNE IN!

The NBA season has officially ended and the Boston Celtics are the new NBA champions. We talk through Boston's easy Finals victory, and whether Jaylen Brown should have won Finals MVP. We also talk the Cubs' struggles, and Beave continues to celebrate Steven Kwan while fretting over the Guardians' playoff chances. We also talk the Chicago Sky's relatively slow start and argue over Angel Reese's value to the team. Beave recommends "Remembering Gene Wilder", on Netflix. Len recommends songs by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros, as well as the Libertines. Plus Beave's new album review and Len's Favorite 500 Albums. Tune in!

The great Amy Seeley comes back to Jagbags to talk the music of the legendary Akron-based band Devo. We go through their discography, discuss their enduring influence, what made them more than just a rock band, and offer reasons why they may now be even more popular than ever. Hear about Amy's Mark Mothersbaugh sighting in LA! We also construct our respective "Best of Devo" 45-minute playlists, and talk all-time favorite Devo albums. Remember -- we can have no serious discussions about Rock Hall nominees while Devo remain unenshrined. JAGBAGS!

In the latest recap episode, "Die Hard 4 Your Luv" opens to a Jeff recommendation at the Factory Theater, and Beave provides a shameless plug. Triumph's "Allied Forces" completely hijacks Len's latest selections from his Favorite 500 Albums of All Time. NOTHING BUT JAMS! Len reviews "The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane" by The Ames Brothers, and it rules. We also talk MLB, NBA Finals, and the Chicago Sky's up-and-down season start. Tune in for EXPERTISE!

With the NBA Finals in full swing, and on the day of Jerry West's passing, we talk the ten most influential players in NBA history. Not necessarily the best of all time, but the most influential -- the ones who had the greatest impact on and off the basketball court. Len picks Shaquille O'Neal, and Beave faints from the surprise. Some changes are for the better, while others, not necessarily, but Beave and Len each go through their own Top Ten. Who are yours? Tune in for a lively discussion!

In a detailed recap episode, Beave and Len preview the NBA FInals, while Beave provides the Dallas Mavericks and Luks Doncic tons of motivation. Len challenges the Cubs to use the Sox series at Wrigley Field to launch themselves back into playoff contention. Len finally sees "Alien", with Sigourney Weaver, and recommends the movie enthusiastically. Beave re-reviews all the new albums he has listened to this year, and ranks them again. Beave and Len discuss the Chennedy Carter/Caitlin Clark incident in Indianapolis. Tune in!

Beave and Len discuss the latest Facebook bracket featuring the movies of Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman. Which movies are his best, and which have not aged well? Which movie contains his very best performance? What movie is criminally underrated? (Answer: Straw Dogs or Finding Neverland) We also talk his turns in Death of a Salesman and the Kung Fu Panda franchise. Tune in for yet another actor profile!