The Upshot

The word ballet conjures images of dead-eyed aristocrats peering through tiny binoculars at neurotic gymnasts.But behind the velvet curtain, lies a sinister world of hard drugs, poison attacks and cannibal scientists.From vaginal magic shows to Prince Philip’s mistress, welcome to the dark side of the dance…With guest Erica North.Links from the pod:Clip from The Crown when the Queen discover’s Philip’s mistress: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIcpK34jzcU“You had your own ballerina’s for that”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P9Mz1WqqHQ  Prince Philip’s boys club scene: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10930861/prince-philip-thursday-club-the-crown-real-story-inside-sex-secrets-spies/

Referees in sex tapes. Neymar slashing his teammate’s tyres. And Cole Palmer’s naked surprise.It’s been a vintage year for sporting scandal.And today we celebrate it all, as we look back on the funniest stories in sport this year. Links from the pod:Billy Vunipola tasered in Majorca: https://x.com/MailOnline/status/1785230252253302802  Jamie O’Hara dating show: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13443863/jamie-ohara-love-undercover-peacock-soccer.html Neymar slashing Renan Lodi’s tyres: https://x.com/porqueTTarg/status/179586197904892349Neymar playing poker at his daughter’s birthday: https://x.com/kykyszn/status/1778461735663342062Geoff Hurst loves a glass of Budweiser: https://x.com/WeahsCousin/status/1805564686147960989La Liga ref’s interview crashed by his parrot: https://x.com/elchiringuitotv/status/1848150321006342508 

Plus: A top flight ref drugged by an escort, why Wolves can’t trust their new manager and Hamaroaui and Diallo come face to face at last.Join Zach and Jack for another edition of Extra Shot, our weekly pod spilling the funniest stories in sport this week.Get ya pubes in order for grandma and 20% off when you use code UPSHOT at http://www.manscaped.com Subscribe to our newsletter and get a five min rundown of the funniest stories in sport in your inbox every Friday:https://www.upshot.email/subscribe?utm_source=pod Links from the pod:Matheus Cunha stealing glasses: https://x.com/WolvesTalk/status/1868233601248047137 Gary Neville hates Christmas dinner: https://x.com/AMonFootball/status/1560409480390664192 Avram Glazer’s strange haircut: ​​https://images.app.goo.gl/JL6quekmMgU7tKM69

Welcome to part two of our George Best special.At end of part one, both Best and Man United had sunk into a spiral that would drive them apart.The year is 1974. Now more devoted to sex and booze than football, George has walked out on the club. And his insatiable appetite for booze and shagging is about to get him into real trouble…With guest Vittorio Angelone (https://www.instagram.com/vittorioangelone)Vittorio’s podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@guidetoparentingLinks from the pod:Alex Best talking about his ghost: https://youtu.be/RTI8Nsv_jMc?si=q0pn7IzfcIMZpZSJ&t=267 

Plus: Club president gets his secretary pregnant at the Xmas party, Cucurella tanks Puma’s big launch and Jim Ratcliffe cancels Christmas.Join Zach and Jack for another edition of Extra Shot, our weekly pod spilling the funniest stories in sport this week.We’re hiring a video producer, details here: https://www.upshot.email/p/we-re-hiring-a-video-producerGet ya pubes in order for grandma and 20% off when you use code UPSHOT at http://www.manscaped.com Links from the pod:Michail Antonio emerging unscathed from car crash in a snowman outfit: https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/c40708cc924fa7bcb0b8d06f022ed526Get a five min rundown of the funniest stories in sport in your inbox every Friday:https://www.upshot.email/subscribe?utm_source=pod 

George Best once said: “If I had to choose between scoring from 40 yards at Anfield or shagging Miss World, it’d be a hard choice. Thankfully, I’ve done both.”And he did far more than that.The United legend knocked out Michael Caine, bedded Bond girls and partied so hard his wife stabbed him in the arse.From “postal sex” to stints in the slammer, this is the story of Georgie Best…With guest Vittorio Angelone (https://www.instagram.com/vittorioangelone)Vittorio’s podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@guidetoparentingLinks from the pod:David Healy mural: https://www.davidlyonsphotography.com/image/I0000A8sFl96uB8kGeorge Best dancing at Top of the Pops: https://youtu.be/27ouOE4RvUc?si=onvOxflonQBvYg4x&t=84 Wondergoal against Benfica: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoL3m8KF8Y4  Eggs advert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeXlaN8hUZM Push up bra advert: https://www.retrojunk.com/c/90LGxlnzJX/body-language-bra-by-playtex-feat-george-best 1968 cup final highlights:   https://youtu.be/WMZ9EVFJRZk?si=_1KaxdsTaAAuQzYk&t=239 

Plus: The Pogba witch trials begin and the teetotal snooker star KO’d by a pre-match spliffJoin Zach and Jack for another edition of Extra Shot, our weekly pod spilling the funniest stories in sport this week.We’re hiring a video producer, details here: https://www.upshot.email/p/we-re-hiring-a-video-producerGet ya pubes in order for grandma and 20% off when you use code UPSHOT at http://www.manscaped.com Links from the pod:Ozil’s mugger speaks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnTwnz9IG0k&t=951s Get a five min rundown of the funniest stories in sport in your inbox every Friday:https://www.upshot.email/subscribe?utm_source=pod

Laaaaadiiiiiies and gentleman, From Tampa, Florida. Weighing in 302lb. The fiiiiiive time WWF champion. Serial adulterer, steroid addict and sex tape star. Hollywood. Hulk. Hoooooogaaaaaan.You are listening to JR and Zach at ringside. And, wait a minute…By gawd, that’s special guest Roisin Lanigan’s music. Follow her on Twitter: https://x.com/rosielanners Links from the pod:Cameo in Rocky III: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUAXTDjwdVY Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on youuuuuuuuuuu!: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=158438436221521 Putting TV host in a headlock till he passes out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7n_SHrK408&t=18s Thunder in Paradise intro sequence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8BKiigBsa8 Hulkster in Heaven song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9JfhANM9B0 Brooke Hogan music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGt0BbwaMUs On the campaign trail for Trump: https://x.com/yashar/status/1814119261423779924

Plus: Mauro Icardi's bonking his barrister, Nottingham Forest owner charged with a violent crime and the World champ boxer kidnapping nerds to carry out his criminal schemes.Get 20% off + free shipping with the code UPSHOT at http://www.manscaped.comLinks from the pod:Winners get washed: https://x.com/BleacherReport/status/1856402767243358584Leicester players partying in Copenhagen: https://x.com/craiglcfc/status/1860761917209423956 Leicester players fancy dress: https://images.app.goo.gl/ZWErHU1kLbLTDDq98