Jagbags

Friend of the podcast Marlana May Carlson joins Jagbags again and the subject is "Creating A Great Playlist". We talk about themes to consider when constructing a killer playlist, different types of playlists, what kind of occasions call for a playlist, appropriate times to share a playlist, and we even go old school to talk about burning CDs as well as the ancient art of making the perfect mixtap...

We talk the NBA All-Star Game on the latest Jagbags, plus the men's college basketball fortunes of Northwestern, University of Illinois and the SURGING Loyola Chicago Ramblers! Plus we talk the Chicago Sky's latest maneuverings, the Oscar-nominated movie "Anatomy of a Fall", the new Bob Marley biopic "One Love", the C&W gem "What, When & Without" by Amanda Fields, and finally Len's Favorite 500 Al...

The newest Jagbags deals with the career of the Oscar winner Natalie Portman, and her films. We go through her films, her co-stars, and our favorite performances. Don't miss this episode, even if you don't consider yourself a Portman fan! JAGBAGS!

Len invades LiqrBox for the second consecutive February, chugging Mr. Pibb like there's no tomorrow in celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs' second consecutive Super Bowl victory. Plus we go over the potentially devastating news about Ty Berry's season-ending injury for Northwestern, Loyola's continued ascendance up the A10 standings, and Illinois' holding firm in the Big Ten. Plus Rock Hall nomi...

JFK assassination expert Daniel Lapke joins the podcast to discuss the various theories advanced over the years over who shot U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1963. We go over all the major players on that day, discuss the events of the assassination, and speculate on the findings of the Warren Commission. We also discuss movies and books that have dealt with the subject. Tune in for an insightfu...

The Cleveland Cavaliers are absolutely on fire -- have they peaked too soon, or are they legit contenders? We also talk the Super Bowl and who might win. Andre "Jeans" Drummond is a major contributor to the Bulls and we talk his growth (as well as a serious discussion of Coby White). Rough week for Northwestern hoops, but Illinois and Loyola hoops roll on. Plus a Chicago Sky preview from Len! We a...

Jagbags regular Kirk Pynchon joins the program to talk about Lionel Richie, who is now back in the public eye with the release of the excellent Netflix documentary on the making of "We Are The World". We do a deep dive into Lionel's career with the Commodores and as a solo artist. What is his best song? What is his very WORST song? Is he an artist who will be remembered 30 years from now? Think ab...

Len and Beave get together once again for ham sandwiches, trying to avoid Meryl Streep's enthusiastic high-fives, and an OUTSTANDING Big Ten basketball game between Illinois and Northwestern! They discuss the night in full. Plus the Super Bowl is set and we provide a preview. NBA is heading toward the All-Star Break and we talk Bulls and Cavs. Plus "I Recommend", Beave's album reviews and Len's Fa...

On the eve of Oscar season, Len and Beave examine the filmography of one of the hottest names in Hollywood: Director Greta Gerwig, whose billion dollar smash film "Barbie" is up for multiple Academy Awards. In light of her obvious snub for Best Director, we go through her three movies (Lady Bird, Little Women and Barbie) in great detail and rank them. We also pick our favorite performances from ea...

In the newest recap episode, Len and Beave preview the upcoming NFL conference championships, and predict the upcoming Super Bowl matchup. They also talk the Cavs' surge up the NBA standings and potential trade scenarios for Zach Lavine. Northwestern, Illinois and Loyola are all having great seasons so far, so we dissect their teams and upcoming games. Plus "I Recommend", Beave's New Albums, and L...

Chicago artists Ryan Hake and Lizzy Mosher join Jagbags for an outstanding discussion of the best books we all read in 2023. They are not necessarily books published in 2023, but rather books we discovered and books we loved. We also discuss other book-related topics (such as the authors we would most like to have dinner with) in a stimulating 90 minute podcast. JOIN US for ultimate literature bac...

Beave returns from California, having pitched the Jefferson Airplane biopic script to clandestine movie mogul Jimmy The Acid King. Len handicaps the upcoming NFL playoff games, with Beave too distraught over the Browns to even speak. Cavs are on fire! Beave has the breakdown. Bulls continue to run in place and Len waits patiently. Northwestern and Illinois stay on a collision course in Evanston fo...

Len and Beave go through their favorite films and TV series of 2023, and once again they share several favorites. A full investigation has been launched as a result! Tune in to complete your entertainment consumption needs of 2023 through our hosts' EXPERTISE! Put us in your ear.

In the latest recap episode, Beave and Len talk the Cavs and the fast-improving Bulls. Len quietly gloats over a despondent Beave and Illinois' decimation of Northwestern in Champaign. They talk Emmy Award nominations and go over various categories. Len roots for Jury Duty in particular to win, while Beave nods politely. Plus "I Recommend", where Len recommends various new songs and Beave discusse...

Beave and Len kick off 2024 by picking their favorite albums and songs of 2023! And they agreed on three albums in their top 10! Plus their #1 album was the same! What's going on here? What's next, a Browns-Lions Super Bowl? They also go over some of their favorite songs of 2023 as well. Len picks his top 10 songs, while Beave unveils his 45-minute playlist (partially curated by JagCore guest Jess...

Len continues to push "The Postman"-related content while celebrating the celebrity-packed New Year's Eve party featuring the surviving Beatles, Don Johnson & Philip Michael Thomas, and Matthew Nicholson and his beard that caught fire. Len anticipates the Bears-Packers shut down, and how Chicago can play spoiler. Beave talks the Cavs and his frustrations with coach JB Bickerstaff. They preview the...

In a preview of Len's latest Facebook bracket, Jagbags attempts to settle the age-old question head-on. We compare the numerous hits of Barry Manilow and the Carpenters, discuss what made them so popular, and rank them alongside other musical titans in the Easy Listening Pantheon. Tune in for lots of cheese, corn and syrup!

Beave ponders the utter improbability of the Joe Flacco story in Cleveland, while Len hopes for the drafting of another wide receiver for Justin Fields and the Bears. The guys talk trading Zach Lavine and (gasp) Donovan Mitchell? They discuss the fact that Illinois and (gasp) Northwestern may be two of the Big Ten's top men's basketball teams. Plus "I Recommend", Len's Favorite 500 Albums, albums...

Len and Beave work to untangle the complicated life and music of iconoclastic musician Warren Zevon. They go through their favorite albums, compose a 45-minute playlist, and go through some of Zevon's wildest bouts of alcohol and self-destructive excess. Tune in for great music and stranger-than-fiction LA stories.

Len masks his pain over the Bears' heartbreaking loss in Cleveland by decorating his home to reflect the holiday season in the spirit of Leo Sayer and his wedding to his girlfriend Donatella PIccinetti. Beave podcasts from the streets in his new David Njoku-styled hairdo, while Len disapproves. The Bulls go on a post-Zach Lavine winning run, while Len celebrates Coby White, Patrick WIlliams, and A...

Len and Beave rewatch two notable 90s film releases, "The Doors" starring Val Kilmer (and Titus Welliver in an unforgettable cameo), and "The Postman", directed by and starring Kevin Costner. We discuss our opinions of each movie, and why it succeeded (or failed). Len discusses his hatred for GIovanni Ribisi, and wonders aloud how many Kevin Costner love scenes remained on the cutting floor. Beave...

In an accomplishment that ranks with the building of the Egyptian Pyramids or the Great Wall of China, Beave finishes his review of Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums of all Time. He ranks the last five and then considers retirement, as there are no more mountains left to climb. We also talk the upcoming Bears/Browns game and how that will undoubtedly be a preview of Super Bowl LVIII. The Bulls are a...

Ultimate Spotify maven Marlana May Carlson comes back on Jagbags to talk the career and the music of Athens-based college radio legends R.E.M. What albums are their best? How did you first come to the band and what was your initial take? Did you ever see them in concert? What R.E.M. tunes make the best children's songs? What is their worst album? Most overrated songs? Did you listen to any albums...

Beave celebrates Northwestern's incredible triumph over #1 Purdue in Evanston. Len texts Matthew Nicholson furiously, urging him to show a little more on-court intensity and put the restaurant business on hold. Len discusses the Chiefs, NFL refs, and how the 4-8 Bears can make the playoffs. Beave celebrates the return of Joe Flacco to the Browns. Plus the Bulls, Cavs and NBA in-season tournament t...

We talk the career, the commercials, the documentaries and above all the movies of Mr. Spike Lee. We go through our favorite movies of his, as well as the countless careers he helped to launch. We discuss our first memories of his work (Mars Blackmon, Nike commercials with Michael Jordan) to Do The Right Thing, to X, He Got Game, 4 Little Girls, Da 5 Bloods, and many many more. Put some Jagbags in...