Awful Announcing Podcast

Host Brandon Contes interviews Fox Sports MLB field reporter/The Athletic MLB insider Ken Rosenthal. With Opening Day upon us, Brandon and Ken discuss a wide range of topics including not liking the idea of the golden at-bat rule, not being retained at MLB Network and Ken's relationship with Rob Manfred, Shohei Ohtani being a star, and more.-:43: Excitement for Opening Day-1:17: First full-time season-2:11: What Ken likes about covering baseball today-3:17: Favorite rule change while covering baseball-4:01: Golden at-bat rule-6:02: Going from local to national-8:59: Being comfortable on TV?-10:00: Bowtie origins-12:08: Interviewing someone in dugout during game-13:21: Fan feedback from in-game interviews-15:06: Does MLB do a good job promoting their stars?-16:34: Does Shohei Ohtani embrace being the “Face of MLB?”-18:22: Do the Dodgers want Ohtani to be more available to the media?-18:50: Working with Joe Buck-20:52: Importance of an MLB and ESPN relationship-21:48: Working at MLB Network-23:12: Fear that criticism about MLB or Rob Manfred would cost Ken his MLB Network job?-24:13: Relationship with Rob Manfred-24:52: Work on Astros cheating scandal-26:06: Not realizing how big story would be at first-27:01: Anyone tried to get story quashed?-27:47: Story that had biggest impact to Ken’s career?-28:46: Odds there will be a lockout in 2026?-30:15: Is MLB headed for realignment?-31:34: Potential 2025 MLB storyline that Ken is most excited forDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube

Host Brandon Contes interviews NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Brandon and Ian discuss a wide range of topics including Aaron Rodgers seeking a new team, Mike Mularkey's admission of feeding Ian false information, Jordan Schultz confronting Ian at Starbucks, and more.-:42: Knowing where Aaron Rodgers will go?-1:53: Who’s holding it up?-2:45: The fun of chasing a story like Rodgers’ free agency-4:20: Reaching out to Rodgers directly?-6:29: Is Rodgers’ inner circle tighter lipped than others?-7:56: Tips coming from unexpected sources-9:25: Hearing from Mike Mularkey?-10:59: Navigating first day of free agency without X-14:30: Relationship with Pat McAfee-15:52: Adam Schefter and McAfee-16:28: Paying attention to the reports of ESPN maybe buying NFL Network-17:38: Could Ian do his job better as an independent than working for a large media company?-19:23: Starbucks confrontation with Jordan Schultz-23:03: Being “part of the story”-26:07: Is the insider profession tough to break in?-27:20: Is there frustration seeing outsiders occasionally breaking stories?-29:21: Importance of giving appropriate credit-32:57: Is there an expiration date as an insider?-34:39: Juan Soto to the MetsDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube

Host Brandon Contes interviews CBS Sports college basketball analyst and Hoops HQ co-founder Seth Davis. As March Madness approaches, Brandon and Seth discuss a wide range of topics including how expanding the tournament is a good thing, Charles Barkley's generosity, Caitlin Clark's TIME Magazine interview, and more.-:50: What would today’s NCAA Tournament be like without X?-2:09: Hoops HQ-4:10: Motive behind launching Hoops HQ-5:09: Welcoming added coverage in March-6:38: Is NIL good for college basketball?-8:30: Asking Charles Barkley if he would pay Auburn players pre-NIL-11:13: Working with Barkley-12:23: What does Barkley bring to the NCAA Tournament?-14:16: Excitement level for the First Round-16:44: Going from writing to TV-20:04: Preferring TV or writing-21:47: Most fulfilling book to write-23:49: Working on any books now?-24:19: Would Seth ever consider a career in politics?-26:46: Following politics-27:17: Caitlin Clark discourse-30:05: College basketball continuing to benefit from Caitlin Clark-31:23: Will a woman get a DI men’s basketball head coaching opportunity?-33:57: Doug Gottlieb becoming a college basketball coach-36:21: Rick Pitino at St. John’s-37:45: Has Cooper Flagg lived up to the hype?-38:52: Will and should the NCAA Tournament expand?Download the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube

Host Brandon Contes interviews CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein. As March Madness approaches, Brandon and Jon discuss a wide range of topics including how the First Four could be tweaked, Doug Gottlieb being a good friend, Cooper Flagg living up to the hype, and more.-:46: Getting through March without coffee-3:18: Best Italian restaurants in every college basketball town?-4:28: Catchphrases-12:00: Improving work-life balance-14:35: Growing up a college basketball fan-15:55: Breaking into radio-20:59: Eventual career goal?-24:13: Gaining respect of college basketball coaches-25:42: Interviewing coaches-27:52: Role Jon enjoys most?-30:00: Growing confidence in giving opinions-31:06: Breaking news story Jon had that most helped his career-32:55: Getting scooped-33:56: Strangest place Jon broke a story?-36:08: Attending a wedding in March?-37:40: Posting college basketball news during big political events-38:53: What does Jon do in May?-40:11: Finding out when NCAA Tournament was canceled due to COVID-41:31: Doug Gottlieb being a head coach-41:59: Will Gottlieb get a second season at Green Bay?-45:00: Has John Calipari been hurt by NIL?-46:54: NIL not ruining college basketball-48:02: Cooper Flagg living up to the hype-48:43: How far can St. John’s go?-50:22: Will Rick Pitino retire at St. John’s?-51:04: What’s a better Final Four? All No. 1 seeds or all low seeds?-51:58: Right number of teams in the NCAA Tournament?-52:58: What determines the quality of an Italian restaurant?Download the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube

Host Brandon Contes interviews co-host of the "Throwbacks" podcast and the man who played Turtle in "Entourage," Jerry Ferrara. Brandon and Jerry discuss a wide range of topics including how the New York Knicks might fare this season, how Jerry and Matt Leinart got to hosting a podcast, Jerry's willingness to reboot "Entourage," and more.-:43: What makes Jerry more nervous? Opening night of a movie premiere or Knicks-Pacers Game 7?-1:52: First Knicks memory-3:27: Expectations for this Knicks team-10:51: What should the Giants do at quarterback?-12:18: What should the Jets do at quarterback?-14:24: Working with Matt Leinart-17:07: Is chemistry instant or can it develop?-18:16: Evolution of podcasting-21:09: Format of “Throwbacks”-22:10: WFAN-23:25: Working with Evan Roberts-24:40: How close did Jerry get to working at WFAN full-time?-25:57: Was Jerry serious about taking the job?-28:06: Giving up acting for WFAN?-30:05: Chris Russo on “First Take”-30:35: Jerry on “First Take”-32:40: Sitting next to Aaron Rodgers in Celebrity Row at Knicks game-33:50: How does Celebrity Row work?-35:45: Being bumped off of Celebrity Row?-36:36: Filming “Entourage” courtside-38:22: Why did “Entourage” resonate with athletes?-39:49: Getting into acting-41:30: How Turtle developed on “Entourage”-42:52: Weight loss-47:02: Having a say in the Turtle character?-47:56: “Entourage” cast remaining close-48:50: “Entourage” reboot?-51:11: Which actor or athlete cameo was most fun to work with?-52:49: Star that was disappointing to work with?-54:02: What’s most important when it comes to selecting an acting role?-56:36: Role Jerry would most want to play?Download the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube

Host Brandon Contes interviews host of "The Sports Reporters," "Outside the Lines," and "E:60," Jeremy Schaap. Brandon and Jeremy discuss a wide range of topics including the evolution of "The Sports Reporters," Pat McAfee's interview approach when it comes to Aaron Rodgers, an in-depth discussion on Jeremy's 2000 live interview with Bob Knight, and more.-:44: Stephen A. Smith’s presidential talk-1:57: Sports media personality who would make a good president?-5:17: Presidents Jeremy has interviewed-7:42: Sports story that hasn’t been investigated enough?-9:30: Time spent on an average “E:60” story-13:38: Evolution of “E:60”-15:54: “The Sports Reporters” revival-18:58: Virtual dynamic-21:36: Being on the old version of “The Sports Reporters”-24:12: Did ESPN ever tell Jeremy not to cover a certain story due to the subject?-28:51: Does sports media prioritize journalism enough?-30:58: What sports content does Jeremy consume?-33:03: How Pat McAfee/Aaron Rodgers discussions fit ESPN-40:06: Stories Jeremy would have liked to do over?-42:32: Being skeptical at the time-43:25: Learning experiences-45:47: Covering non-sports-50:16: Thoughts of going back to news?-51:45: Mourning father’s death while in public eye-56:13: Bob Knight interview-59:20: Jeremy’s internal reaction to the interview-1:01:54: Surprise Knight would do the interview-1:04:22: Preparing for a combative interview-1:07:51: Interactions with Knight after-1:10:00: Reaction to Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight-1:11:54: Toughest interview in careerDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube

Host Brandon Contes interviews two-time Daytona 500 winning crew chief and NASCAR on Fox analyst, Larry McReynolds. In the lead up to the Daytona 500 (Sunday, February 16 at 1:30 PM ET on Fox), Brandon and Larry discuss a wide range of topics including how Larry became a crew chief, winning the Daytona 500 with Dale Earnhardt, remembering Earnhardt's death and the way Mike Joy led the broadcast, and more.-:49: Jalen Hurts winning Super Bowl-1:32: Chiefs fatigue-1:57: Kendrick Lamar Halftime Show reaction-4:17: Super Bowl and Daytona 500-6:25: 25 years at NASCAR on Fox-7:09: Larry’s current position on broadcast-8:41: Studio role compared to booth role-10:51: Instant chemistry with Mike Joy and Darrell Waltrip-12:15: Media aspirations?-14:55: Workload between being a crew chief and being a broadcaster-16:20: Comfort of speaking to camera-17:50: Being “America’s Crew Chief”-18:35: Larry’s racing origin story-25:12: Becoming a crew chief-30:53: Was Larry’s career trending to be a crew chief?-31:29: Qualities needed to be a successful crew chief?-32:43: Most meaningful win of Larry’s career as a crew chief?-34:18: Becoming Dale Earnhardt’s crew chief-37:24: Were changes made to get Dale over the hump to get 1998 Daytona 500 win?-39:25: How much did Daytona 500 win mean to Earnhardt?-40:36: Entering that 1998 race knowing Earnhardt had a great chance to win?-42:16: How much can you celebrate winning Daytona with a race next week?-43:38: Calling 2001 Daytona 500/Dale Earnhardt’s death-47:48: Finding out Earnhardt died-49:32: Kevin Harvick winning weeks after-50:24: Dale Earnhardt Jr. winning at Daytona the first time back-52:28: Best driver in NASCAR right now?-53:48: Hélio Castroneves making his NASCAR debut in the Daytona 500-54:47: NASCAR going international with a Cup points race in Mexico-57:00: Relationship between Michael Jordan and NASCAR amid lawsuit-59:54: Is NASCAR “missing out” on embracing Jordan due to the lawsuit?-1:01:12: Larry’s Daytona 500 pickDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube

Host Brandon Contes interviews Super Bowl XXI MVP and analyst on eight Super Bowl broadcasts, Phil Simms. Brandon and Phil discuss a wide range of topics including Phil's advice for Tom Brady in his first Super Bowl as a broadcaster, Greg Olsen being vocal about being demoted at Fox, remembering Greg Gumbel, and more.-:40: Being Super Bowl XXI MVP-1:28: Super Bowl completion record-2:00: Calling eight Super Bowls-2:40: Calling a Super Bowl vs. regular season game-3:22: Nerves starting out as a broadcaster-4:32: Importance of having Paul Maguire in the booth starting out-4:56: Advice for Tom Brady for his first Super Bowl as broadcaster-7:19: Brady on commentary-8:40: Preparation for calling a game as a broadcaster vs. as a quarterback-9:29: Importance of production meetings-11:11: Doing media as a player-12:56: Teams as willing to talk to broadcasters during Super Bowl week?-13:51: Brady doing broadcasting and ownership/conflict of interest-15:00: Best Super Bowl Phil called-16:07: Making mistakes while on commentary-18:55: Quarterbacks too concerned about making mistakes-20:30: Cam Newton not wanting to trade an MVP for a Super Bowl-21:44: Reaction to Super Bowl XLVII power outage-27:02: Greg Gumbel-29:11: Favorite broadcast partner-30:02: Jim Nantz-30:37: Calling games vs. working in studio-31:53: Talking time-32:37: Chemistry in “The NFL Today” studio-35:21: Moving from booth to studio-35:56: Tony Romo/Greg Olsen-38:51: Interest in going to another network?-40:15: Broadcaster salaries-40:59: Comfort level in booth on ref criticism-42:24: Does the NFL have an officiating issue?-43:12: Instant replay-45:48: Patrick Mahomes’ legacy if the Chiefs three-peat?-47:58: Aaron Glenn and the Jets-48:55: Should Glenn keep Aaron Rodgers?-52:29: Saquon Barkley on the Eagles-54:29: John Mara as an owner-56:15: What should Giants do at quarterback?-58:33: Hosting “Simms Complete”Download the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube

Host Brandon Contes interviews former "Dan Patrick Show" Danette and current co-host of "Maggie and Perloff," Andrew Perloff. Brandon and Andrew discuss a wide range of topics including working for Dan Patrick, his Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, NFL fans being fatigued by the Chiefs talk, and more.-:43: Feeling of seeing Eagles going to a Super Bowl after winning one-1:40: When Andrew believed this Eagles team could go to the Super Bowl-2:32: Eagles fans feelings on Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni-3:38: Is Hurts underrated or overrated?-5:04: Eagles fans feelings about Andy Reid-6:00: Are people “Chiefed out?”-8:07: Chiefs conspiracy theories-9:15: Reaction to Colin Cowherd’s take as an Eagles fan and as a radio host-10:41: Crafting a good take-12:29: Most important part of a take-14:33: Take Andrew is most proud of-15:25: Being a “Bizarro World Stugotz”-16:18: Spike Eskin-17:15: Leaving “The Dan Patrick Show”-20:11: Getting on the air at “The Dan Patrick Show”-21:11: Developing "The Danettes"-23:42: Howard Stern-24:18: Adam Sandler-26:54: Dan supportive of Andrew leaving the show-27:45: Dan as a boss-30:26: Dan getting rattled on the show-32:18: Dan retiring-34:03: Dealing with bosses as a radio host compared to being a producer-35:34: Super Bowl Radio Row-37:51: Getting a Radio Row guest to say something unique-39:50: Drew Brees-41:24: Dan and Radio Row-42:30: “Maggie and Perloff” production-44:05: Finding things to disagree with Maggie Gray about-45:11: Measuring success of a national radio show-46:42: Being based in NYC but not broadcast in NYC-47:43: Interest in doing local NYC/WFAN show?-49:24: Leaving Philly-50:44: Listening to Dan Patrick before joining the show-52:01: Super Bowl prediction/favorite sports takeDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube