Ep. 160: Friday Rollin' Wild-Card Weekend With Mike Lombardi, Mallory Rubin, and Joe House

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons reacts to the Lakers and Mavericks' first meeting since the massive Luka Doncic trade (0:00), before talking with Sheil Kapadia about next season's Super Bowl contenders, Matt Stafford’s future, teams desperate for a QB, free agent buzz, top-10 draft projections, and much more (10:25). Finally, Bill sits down with ‘White Lotus’ EP Dave Bernad to discuss the ambiguous responsibilities of an executive producer, the unlikely origins of HBO’s ‘White Lotus’, stories from making the show, and more (01:11:48). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Sheil Kapadia and Dave Bernad Producers: Kyle Crichton and Chia Hao Tat The all-new, fully electric Audi Q6 e-tron is a new way to experience driving. Learn more at audiusa.com. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

26 Feb 2h 27min

NBA Sundays are back! The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the Celtics' 118-105 win over the Knicks (3:45), before hitting the biggest NBA subplots for the remaining regular season, including: the massively intriguing Lakers, the late-bloomer Warriors (27:49), the perplexing Timberwolves, the despondent Suns, and the outwardly miserable 76ers (0:00). Then, they close the show with some rapid-fire topics, including searching for Ja Morant, the wild-card Pistons, All-NBA battles, "Tank-a-Palooza" starting to heat up, and more (1:31:46)! Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Ryen Russillo Producers: Kyle Crichton and Chia Hao Tat This episode is sponsored by State Farm®. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 Feb 2h 9min

It's a Grantland reunion! The Ringer's Bill Simmons is LIVE in Austin, Texas, and he is joined by Shea Serrano, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey to hit a myriad of topics before drafting a basketball team of movie characters. Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Shea Serrano, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey Producers: Kyle Crichton, Chia Hao Tat, and Steve Ceruti The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Order Michelob ULTRA today, available on Doordash! ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2025 ANHEUSER-BUSCH, MICHELOB ULTRA® LIGHT BEER, ST. LOUIS, MO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Feb 1h 40min

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Van Lathan to discuss another disappointing NBA All-Star Weekend, Bill's plan to completely fix the All-Star Game, a new dunk contest idea, restructuring the weekend, the electric USA-Canada hockey game, and more (3:23) before discussing the state of the Kendrick Lamar–Drake rap beef after the Super Bowl (40:29). Then Bill talks with James Andrew Miller about the three-and-a-half-hour 'SNL' 50th anniversary special episode, what they loved, who they thought was missing, stories from 'SNL' Season 1, the future of 'SNL,' and more (01:05:34). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Feb 1h 48min

The Ringer's Bill Simmons and Rob Mahoney take a long look at the NBA's Western Conference before the All-Star break, including the new-look Warriors, likely WCF teams, the curious Mavericks, and more. Then, they open an NBA six-pack of topics, including the disappointing 76ers, first-round draft pick chaos, the confounding Bulls, and a potentially dim future for the Suns (3:50). Finally, in honor of 'SNL50', Bill reads an essay about his love for 'Saturday Night Live', his fantasy 'SNL' cast, all-time hosts, episodes, sketches, musical acts, and more (01:01:27). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Rob Mahoney Producers: Kyle Crichton and Chia Hao Tat Order Michelob ULTRA today, available on Doordash! ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2025 ANHEUSER-BUSCH, MICHELOB ULTRA® LIGHT BEER, ST. LOUIS, MO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

15 Feb 1h 34min

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Bryan Curtis to discuss lingering Super Bowl LIX thoughts (2:58), as well as the Luka Doncic trade from the POV of a longtime Mavericks fan (22:07). Then Bill talks with Matt Belloni about the highly anticipated 'SNL 50' show (59:00), Oscars predictions, Justin Baldoni vs. Blake Lively, Hollywood's relationship with President Trump the second time around, and much more (01:20:45). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Feb 2h 2min

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss the Eagles trouncing the Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX, the Fox broadcast, gambling blunders, legacy watch, stories from New Orleans, NFL futures, Parent Corner, and more! Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Cousin Sal Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Feb 1h 25min

In Part 2 of our NBA trade deadline special, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre share some lingering thoughts right after the deadline, plus more on the Luka Doncic trade, including two appearances from "Conspiracy Bill." They also talk about who the odd teams out in the Western Conference playoff race will be, grade the teams who made trades, and more (1:52). Finally Bill reveals his Million-Dollar Picks for Super Bowl LIX (1:10:45). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Rob Mahoney and Wosny Lambre Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 Feb 1h 28min