logo
episode-header-image
May 2022
27m 17s

Can Athletes Ever Be Movie Stars?

The New York Times
About this episode

What happens when athletes decide to act? And what doesn’t happen? Wesley Morris and Bill Simmons, sportswriter and founder of The Ringer, break down the history of athletes in movies. They start with Jackie Robinson playing himself in 1950, discuss the Blaxpoitation-era stars and make their way to the ’90s, from “He Got Game” (where Ray Allen turns in a solid performance opposite Denzel Washington, directed by Spike Lee) to “Space Jam” (the less said, the better). They trace this phenomenon all the way to Dwayne Johnson, a.k.a. The Rock, arguably the most successful athlete-turned-actor of all time — who seems to be playing the long game. Then, they imagine a new kind of renaissance for the sports movie.

Up next
Aug 21
Is the New Spike Lee Joint Serving Pound Cake?
“Highest 2 Lowest” is an over-the-top, bougie and unapologetically New York movie. It might also be Spike Lee’s most conservative offering to date. Wesley invites critic Vinson Cunningham to discuss whether the 68-year-old director is picking up an old refrain, and telling young ... Show More
52m 1s
Aug 14
‘And Just Like That …’ Is Over Too Soon
Wesley is joined by another unapologetic fan of the “Sex and the City” reboot, Taffy Brodesser-Akner. Together, they celebrate a show about old friendships and middle age. And blame you for its untimely end.Thoughts? Email us at cannonball@nytimes.comWatch our show on YouTube: yo ... Show More
54m 1s
Aug 7
Beyoncé Isn’t Giving Up on America
Wesley went to the final stop of the Cowboy Carter Tour. He talks through what he saw — the genre of it all, and the quietly powerful politics — with Salamishah Tillet, Times contributing critic and the professor behind an entire class about Beyoncé.Thoughts? Email us at cannonba ... Show More
54 m
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2022
The NBA Forces a Fit Check
October 17, 2005. The NBA is going through massive changes. Michael Jordan is retired (again), and the league is getting younger. Stars like Allen Iverson represent the rise of hip-hop culture, which David Stern blames for the league’s dwindling viewership. His solution? Today, S ... Show More
29m 53s
May 2021
A Big NBA Weekend With Jackie MacMullan, NFL Schedule Chicanery With Warren Sharp, and Andrew McCarthy on '80s-Movies Stardom
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Jackie MacMullan to discuss the end of the NBA regular season, the upcoming NBA Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony, the rudderless Boston Celtics, the “We Believe” Warriors 2.0, NBA awards, and more (3:20). Then Bill talks with Warren Sharp ... Show More
2h 39m
Mar 2021
NBA Chatter With Jackie MacMullan, Plus a 2021 Oscars Breakdown With Wesley Morris
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Jackie MacMullan to discuss the NBA one year removed from the "Rudy Gobert Game" that paused the NBA season, the stress and fatigue from moving up the start date of the 2020-21 season, All-Star Weekend, NBA trade buzz, and more (2:00). Then ... Show More
2h 13m
Jun 2020
NBA in Quarantine With JJ Redick, Plus Cord Jefferson on the Impact of ‘Watchmen’
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by NBA veteran and New Orleans Pelican JJ Redick to discuss some of the challenges of staying NBA-ready during the pandemic, the benefits of regimented training and recovery, thoughts on the “Orlando bubble,” LeBron’s gravitas among NBA players ... Show More
1h 32m
Jul 2018
Dwayne Johnson
This is a special preview of the brand-new podcast, “Oprah’s Master Class: The Podcast.” Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson started his career as a professional wrestler and is now an actor, producer and father. Dwayne shares deeply personal stories about his life, from his humble beginni ... Show More
32m 38s
Jul 2018
Dwayne Johnson
This is a special preview of a brand new podcast, “Oprah’s Master Class: The Podcast.” To subscribe now and listen for free, go to applepodcasts.com/oprahsmasterclass.Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson started his career as a professional wrestler and is now an actor, producer and father. ... Show More
32m 38s
Nov 2022
Jackie Robinson Tries Out for the Majors (History This Week Replay)
April 16, 1945. Jackie Robinson is ready. He’s won a tryout with the Boston Red Sox, and if he makes the team, he will become the first player to break baseball’s long-standing racial divide. Robinson puts his supreme athletic skills on full display… but never hears back from the ... Show More
29m 3s
Nov 2020
The NBA’s Murky Future and Best Streaming TV/Movies With Ryen Russillo and Wesley Morris
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo to discuss the looming start date for the 2020-21 NBA season, the possibility of rewriting the CBA, the upcoming NBA draft, and more (3:00). Then Bill talks with Wesley Morris of The New York Times about some new TV shows and m ... Show More
2h 13m
Jun 2022
The Former UCLA Benchwarmer Turned NBA Twitter King
Back in the early 2000’s, Josiah Johnson was a benchwarmer for one of the most storied college basketball programs in the nation: the UCLA Bruins. It was the closest he came to being a basketball star, and a long way from the heights reached by his dad, five-time NBA All-Star Mar ... Show More
20m 25s
Dec 2019
Bill’s NBA Midseason Tournament Plan. Plus: Jason Concepcion on the Knicks and Kyrie and a Tim Robbins Interview | The Bill Simmons Podcast
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons shares his idea for an NBA midseason tournament that could shorten the NBA regular season (3:05), before he is joined by Jason Concepcion to discuss the Knicks and Kyrie Irving getting booed in Boston (20:00). Then Bill sits down with actor Tim R ... Show More
2h 9m