Jake Gyllenhaal on Picking Roles, Filming in Boston, and Creating Characters (Ep. 265)

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss Dak Prescott's disappointing Sunday night (5:00), Kansas City's chances of losing the AFC West (14:00), Wentz vs. Brady MVP odds (18:00), the NFC playoff picture (22:00), Tony Romo's lack of luck (29:00), the three Thanksgiving Day games (37:30), the Rams-Saints marquee matchup (44:00), Blaine Gabbert vs. Blake Bortles (51:30), Panthers-Giants (1:01:00), and another edition of "Parent Corner" (1:07:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Nov 20171h 20min

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House to construct a top-20 list of the best current NBA players through one month of the 2017-18 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Nov 20171h 13min

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by one of the most influential authors of the 21st century, Ta-Nehisi Coates, to discuss the importance of reading (6:00), LeBron's impressive run managing his celebrity status (18:00), the decision to challenge President Obama (28:00), the role of athletes in political protest (34:00), the Colin Kaepernick situation (48:00), the O.J. doc (1:01:00), and the best season of 'The Wire' (1:08:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

15 Nov 20171h 25min

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss the loaded NFC wild-card race (5:00), another week of bad beats in the NFL (11:00), Jerry Jones vs. Roger Goodell (20:15), Martellus Bennett's return to New England (28:00), Rams-Vikings (33:00), Ravens-Packers (37:00), Bengals-Broncos (44:00), Bills-Chargers (48:30), Saints-Redskins (54:00), and another edition of "Parent Corner" (1:00:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 Nov 20171h 11min

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by The Ringer's Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker to discuss the glaring problems with 'Thursday Night Football' (7:00), the rise of breaking investigative Hollywood stories (28:00), the JFK conspiracy world (34:00), the much-maligned ESPN layoffs (48:00), and announcer shelf lives (1:04:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Nov 20171h 23min

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons offers up his thoughts on the Celtics' win streak (5:00) and Kyrie Irving's newfound love of facilitating his teammates (10:00). Then Dan Patrick of 'The Dan Patrick Show' joins to discuss his role in BS's dismissal from ESPN (27:30), the problems with today's sports coverage (36:00), and Westbrook's situation in OKC (49:30). Then Hillsong pastor and NBA confidant Pastor Carl Lentz joins to lay out how secret NBA scrimmages come about in the summertime (1:08:20). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

8 Nov 20171h 27min

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss the lowlights of the NFL weekend (6:00), Sal's fantasy mishaps (14:00), Eagles-Chiefs (24:00), the Cardinals' playoff chances (28:00), the end of Eli Manning (35:00), Steelers-Colts (40:00), Chargers-Jaguars (45:00), Dolphins-Panthers (54:00), and another rousing edition of "Parent Corner" (57:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 Nov 20171h 7min

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey and New York Times critic-at-large Wesley Morris to discuss Oscar noms (7:00), Clooney's struggles (23:00), Jennifer Lawrence's missed chances (32:00), the state of Tom Cruise (41:00), and reasons to watch 'The Deuce' (58:30). Then, recently departed ESPNer Tom Haberstroh joins to give his thoughts on the Cavs' lacking defense (112:00) and potential Boogie Cousins trades (1:24:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 Nov 20171h 43min