Jagbags

NFL insider Matt Beyer joins Jagbags for the annual 2023 NFL season preview! We go through every division and predict the division winners. We pick playoff teams and predict the Super Bowl matchups. We take a deep dive into both the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns and their prospects for the season. We predict the MVP winners for 2023 as well. We also preview the upcoming Andy Dalton/Baker...

The newest recap episode is here with an IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION of Len's newest Facebook bracket, on pop (the drink, not music). They discuss the different brands of soft drinks, and speculate as to what drink may win. (Len and Beave are both rooting for Green River.) Len officially contracts Cubs Fever, and dares to dream of the postseason and a division title. Beave expresses cautious hope over the...

Jamaal Johnson, host of the 950 Club Anime Podcast, joins Len and Beave for an in-depth discussion of the series many regard as the finest of all time: "The Wire". Join us for an in-depth discussion of each season, which characters are our favorite, the best lines from the series, the best episodes, which actors have gone on to have the most successful careers, and much more! Tune in for an outsta...

Len and Beave talk through the return of Baker Mayfield to a starting job in the NFL, and if he can succeed with the Buccaneers. The Cubs continue to roll on through the National League, and they talk through the impact of Swanson and Bellinger on this team (and Happ!!). Beave talks whether Terry Francona's time in Cleveland is coming to an end. And they discuss whether the Sox will move to Dubuqu...

Jagbags favorite guests Scott OKen and Morgan Gire join Beave and Len to talk the hugely successful "Planet of the Apes" movie franchise, which began in 1968 and is still going strong today. From the original movie starring Charlton Heston to next year's highly anticipated "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes", we talk pretty much all the movies, all the TV shows, all the cartoons, and all the comic...

Len and Beave go through the results of the fast food bracket on Facebook. Beave is inspired to eat a BK chicken sandwich as a result, and immediately regrets it. Beave and Len discuss the Cubs' signing of Cody Bellinger, and where it ranks on the franchise's all-time list of free agent signings. Beave bemoans the Guardians' horrific loss to Tampa while expressing hope for Tanner Bibee and Gavin W...

Len and Beave go through the entire filmography of Kevin Costner, who is riding high yet again after the massive success of "Yellowstone". From "The Untouchables" to "No Way Out" to "Bull Durham" to "A Perfect World", we trace Costner's massive hot streak until the twin debacles of "Waterworld" and "The Postman". We rank our Top 5 favorite Costner movies, talk favorite Costner performances, discus...

In a recap mini-episode, Len and Beave talk Jagbags Night at the Earth, Wind & Fire/Lionel Richie concert at the United Center. They discuss both performances, as well as the multiple honors lavished upon us at ceremonies throughout the night. (The Q&A after the show was ELECTRIC!) Plus, the Cubs are now within striking distance of the playoffs, Jose Ramirez flattens Tim Anderson with one punch, a...

Beave and Len discuss Len's newest bracket, which asks Facebook users to vote on their very favorite fast food items of all time. Culver's or Popeye's? Big Mac or Whopper? McDonald's Fries or Arby's Curly Fries? Chik-Fil-A or not? The controversy and interest is already brimming over the latest bracket and we break it down in great detail. What would be your top seeds? What is your dark horse to w...

We talk the Cubs' incredible rise, the Guardians' puzzling moves, and the White Sox's sell-off on the latest Jagbags! Plus Jagbags Night at the upcoming Earth, Wind & Fire/Lionel Richie concert, the latest Stone Temple Pilots album, Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums, and Len's Favorite 500 Albums. Tune in NOW for podcasting wonderment!

Ultimate Jams Expert Scott OKen comes back on the podcast to talk the music of Queen. We go through their discography and talk favorite Queen albums and songs. We each talk about our Ultimate 45-minute Playlist and go into some deep Queen cuts. We discuss Freddie Mercury and Brian May's place in music history. And then, we talk the Ultimate Rock Pantheon and its many levels. What bands are charter...

The "Barbenheimer" opening weekend has come and gone -- and Jagbags has you covered! We talk both movies on the latest recap episode, and provide our reviews. Also, Red Rifle loses his grip on the Carolina Panthers starting job, while Len petitions the Supreme Court to overturn the decision. Plus, Cubs resurgent! Guardians floundering! Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums.....almost finished! And Len's Fa...

Beave and Len walk through the band originally known as Jefferson Airplane, and trace it through its evolution to Jefferson Starship and then eventually Starship. Are they an underrated band? Was Grace Slick in fact the most badass rock star of them all? What are their best songs? Is Starship even worthy of discussion? What is their all-time best album? Did you know they also did a rooftop concert...

Beave and Len channel their inner Siskel & Ebert as they argue about the new Wes Anderson movie "Asteroid City". They also talk about the new Indiana Jones movie as well. They also talk through the latest Emmy nominations, and discuss shows like "White Lotus", "The Bear", "Abbott Elementary", and of course "Succession". They also talk about the WNBA All-Star Game, the Northwestern hazing scandal,...

Acclaimed author Iva-Marie Palmer returns to the podcast to discuss her newest young adult book, "The Jules Verne Prophecy", written with Larry Schwartz. Iva discusses her writing process with Len and Beave, and reveals how she got the idea for the new book. They talk about the role an editor plays in the writing of a book, how to best write for ages 9-12, her favorite LA indie bookstores, and als...

Summer Len and Punchy Beave return to the podcast with an ELECTRIC recap! Beave tells about his productive journey to Hollywood to pitch various projects related to his iconic character Ron, from the hit Factory show "Lane Call" (Everyone responded by going on strike). James Wade leaves the Chicago Sky for an assistant coaching job with the Raptors, and Len puts in his name for consideration as a...

Len and Beave gather together past and present members of the Chicago improv troup Hippohorsey Donkeymonkey for a recap of their past performances, their favorite memories and shows, and hilarious stories. Tune in to hear all the hilarity, and the group will also be playing a special 20th Anniversary Performance at the Greenhouse Theater in Chicago, July 29 at 7:30 pm! Put some #Jagbags in your ea...

Beave officially recommends "Lane Call" at the Factory Theater on Howard Street. You'll absolutely love this play that is simultaneously nostalgic and timeless. You don't need to have lived in the Chicagoland area to enjoy this terrific show. Tickets on sale now! Also, Len celebrates the Cubs' latest hot streak. Beave bemoans the Guardians' pitch woes. With the 2023 NBA Finals in the books, Len an...

Beave and Len debate the music and the impact of the Beach Boys. Beave argues the band's significant impact, rivalry with the Beatles, and the greatness of their album Pet Sounds, while Len sniffs in disdain. Beave tries to educate Len on the cultural impact of the song "Chug-A-Lug". They compare 45-minute playlists (which can be found on Spotify), talk their favorite albums, and the subsequent so...

Beave and Len talk through the results of the 90s bracket, and critique the final choices left in the bracket. The Denver Nuggets win the 2023 NBA Finals, while Len and Beave follow along with delight. The Cubs and Guardians continue to yo-yo through the season while their fans go along for the ride. Also, f*ck the Yankees and Cardinals. Beave recommends "The Maltese Falcon", while Len thanks Ron-...

Factory Theater legend Jenny Kirkland Laffey joins the podcast to talk through the greatest rom-coms of all time! Hear Jenny disparage Julia Roberts while Len looks sadly at "My Best Friend's Wedding" atop his all-time list. Hear Jenny and Len disparage pretty much every last one of Beave's rom-com choices! And hear Jenny and Beave reminisce about the Factory classic rom-com "The Barbara Walters I...

Len and Beave talk the new Sony Marvel movie, "Spider-Man: Across The Spider Verse", and give it a collective thumbs-up. The Factory Theater's Lane Call begins previews tonight and we talk through the latest Chicago premier in great detail. Beave analyzes the play of Cody Zeller and Christian Braun in the NBA Finals, while Len disapproves. They also talk the Sox and Cubs, and discuss what would ne...

Beave and Len go through Len's latest Facebook bracket, asking people to vote for the best musical act of the 90s. What bands would you rate as #1 seeds? Beave lobbies for Sugar Ray's and Pantera's inclusion. They talk the dearth of metal bands in the bracket. They also talk about the ten best selling albums of the 90s (Beave was about 50%) and the ten best selling songs of the 90s (Beave complete...

Beave and Len plug their upcoming Factory Theater shows. They also talk through the season finale of Succession, and who deserves an Emmy the most. They talk the NBA Conference Finals, and the Celtics' miraculous near-comeback. Beave makes fun of Cody Zeller again and Len defends him vigorously. The Cubs are in Len's doghouse, and the Guardians are very close to Beave's. And the Chicago Sky are te...

Beave and Len talk about the genre of Western movies. Beave does not include "Tombstone" in his all-time Top Ten, and prepares to get yelled at. They talk "Lone Star", which devolves into a discussion of the movies of John Sayles. Plus "Stagecoach", "Unforgiven", "The Searchers", "The Wild Bunch", "Rio Bravo", "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly", "Shane", "High Noon", and much more. They talk "Hud", wh...