Just Not Sports

SB Nation's CHARLOTTE WILDER freely admits she's obsessed with baking shows. Just don't ask her to bake and expect to get more than a "half cake" back. We go deep (27:00 mark) on the joys of British baking competitions, Baking Instagram, and even the best musical key changes from 1980s pop songs. Plus, the gang breaks down Shaq's newish oldish video game, awkward bathroom encounters from Super Bowl XLII, and some 5-hour postmodern piano song Gareth found. No, seriously.

With our ENTIRE crew working Super Bowl in some capacity (and Gareth stranded on a frozen truck in Minneapolis) we break the "Just Not Sports" 4th wall by talking about ... ya know, what we talk about during Super Bowl Week. First, The Ringer's media critic BRYAN CURTIS explains the insanity of Radio Row, then ADWEEK's KRISTINA MONLLOS talks about the strategies behind Super Bowl commercials.

They asked JOE POSNANSKI to write a book about Babe Ruth ... he came back with one about Harry Houdini. Which, ya know, makes The Pos a "Just Not Sports" legend. Joe joins us (20:45 mark) to go deep on Houdini's most death-defying tricks, how he got so jacked, his controversial death, and why his legend persists today. Plus, the guys "slam some hammers" for 2018 by inviting guests onto the show ... including the missing-in-action Joe Reed!

Some sports anchors crack jokes on air. But beloved Chicago sportscaster PAT TOMASULO takes it to another level. A successful stand-up comic on the side, Pat's now launching a new weekly late-night comedy show, "Man of the People." We break down (22:50 mark) his comedy style, announcing his show via horseback, interning for Craig Kilborn's "Daily Show" and more. Plus, the guys break down the Sean Payton rap song and Gronk's new PSA on kids eating Tide pods.

Wall Street Journal national baseball writer JARED DIAMOND is a longtime fan of all things Disney. (Well, maybe not the "Cars" franchise, but still.) We discuss (22:00 mark) how to enjoy the theme parks as an adult, power rank the Pixar films, and tell you which "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride short-changes visitors. Plus, Brad and Gareth talk Gronk's stand-up special, Carson Palmer's career goals and more.

NBA scribe HOWARD BECK is one of the best sportswriters on the planet ... just don't make him cover the Red Sox imploding while R.E.M. breaks up, dammit! (Trust us.) We go deep on Howard's R.E.M. fandom, including the band's college rock roots, Michael Stipe's "universally private" lyrics, Howard's Top 4 (OK, more like 8) albums, the wonderful art of Mike Mills-fronted songs, the perks of being in a fan club, and the best R.E.M. deep cuts. It's the end of podcasting as we know it ... and we feel fine.

Beloved former MLB and Chicago Cubs flame-thrower KERRY WOOD has picked up a new racket these days ... paddle tennis! Yes, the game that's like ping-pong on steroids. Kerry goes deep (40:00 mark) on how this sport became his latest obsession, despite getting schooled by old dudes who run him ragged. Plus, with bowl season here we break down the many, many, many problems with the 1990s college football cult classic, "The Program." It's the movie that accidentally predicted major conference realignment! Also, don't forget to check out Kerry Wood's upcoming fund-raiser event Jan. 12 in Chicago. For details: http://www.wffpitchin.org/woodys-winter-warm-up/

Admit it ... you didn't think we'd make it to 100 episodes. Neither did we! But here we are, celebrating with NFL and Green Bay Packers legend BRETT FAVRE (41:00 mark). We break down his love of the outdoors, tracking mountain lions and rattlesnakes, why he quit fantasy football - oh, and talking "sacks" with John Madden. And the gang looks back on our most memorable Not Sports moments, from Ed Reed taking ALL sides on "Game of Thrones" to Verne Lundquist's shocking "Happy Gilmore" experience, and much, much more!

MAURICE AGER made a name for himself as a standout on the Michigan State 2005 Final Four team, and went on to the NBA. But these days he's reinventing himself through music. "Moe House" just dropped a dance-inspired hip-hop album, so we go deep on making beats, avoiding scammers and misspelling song names (on purpose). Plus, the gang busts out a "kinda-sorta-not-sports" holiday gift guide. Hear/buy Moe's music here: https://moehouse.bandcamp.com/album/moe-house-vol-1

ESPN's SAM ALIPOUR loves adventures, with athletes or without. The guy who once took a "red wine bath" with Amar'e and tipped Jimmy Butler out of a canoe breaks down his gig showing off the personalities of athletes, plus his own thrill-seeking tendencies. Plus, the guys break down Starbury's electronics line, the "Justice League" disaster, why JJ Watt isn't creating a "Bad Moms" expanded universe and more.

If you want to learn something about jazz, NATALIE WEINER is a great place to start. The sports and culture reporter for Bleacher Report talks (24:30 mark) about playing bass guitar, her ultimate playlists, why she prefers live jazz records, and sexism she's encountered within the jazz community. Plus, Adam and Brad break down our biggest non-sports turkeys of 2017. (Huge spoiler: LaVar made Adam's list.)

NBA veteran KENNY ANDERSON has lived a colorful, complicated life, and if you want to hear about it, you better bring a damn stogie! Kenny opens up (30:30 mark) about his passion for cigars, his preferred brands, and how he's starting My Guy Cigar Club. And he goes deep on his new documentary, "Mr. Chibbs," which chronicles his ups and downs after suffering sexual abuse as a youth. Plus ... the gang breaks down the R&B stylings of Pacers standout Victor Oladipo!

NBA analyst KELLY DWYER likes Steely Dan so much, he named his new site "The Second Arrangement" after the band! We go deep about the group's defiance of genres, its legendary albums and songs, and explaining the music to your kids. Plus, the gang breaks down the new movie about the life and times of Starbury. No, really, we do ... and it is glorious!

STEPHEN WHITE is a longtime NFL veteran who now writes for SB Nation ... and he loves him some "Scrubs." Ya know, "Scrubs," the early 2000s NBC (um, and later ABC, we think?) comedy that brought us flash-sideways jokes, the return of Eddie Murphy's "Raw" costume, and a "very special(ish) episode" rebirth, of sorts. We break it all down, then talk Dame's album, fantasy sports, "Halloween" reboots and more.

SEAN McINDOE is a longtime NHL writer and analyst who was born standing up. Meaning, from childhood he's been a huge fan of stand-up comedy. We break down his favorite comics, the genius of George Carlin, funniest players in hockey, and more. Plus, Adam and Brad go DEEP on the new Damian Lillard (aka, Dame DOLLA) rap album, and rejoiced in the fact that, in Dame's words, we're gonna turn your funeral into a trap party.

When USA Water Polo star and two-time Olympic gold medalist MAGGIE STEFFENS heard about the destruction from Hurricane Maria, her Puerto Rican roots prompted her to act. We talk about her family connection to Puerto Rico, how her family weathered the storm and stood tall, and why she launched an online campaign to raise money for the rebuild. Plus, Gareth and Brad break down how athletes talked (or didn't) about gun control, and whether everyone agrees on Tom Petty's legacy.

MLB veteran turned journalist DOUG GLANVILLE will make you the best damn Hall & Oates mix-tape ever. Seriously, just ask JOHN OATES, half of the legendary music group. We bring on Doug to talk about his insanely devoted passion for Hall & Oates, then get joined by Oates himself to talk about how Doug's love and knowledge of H&0 led to a lasting friendship. Plus, the gang breaks down #StickToSports, protests, MLB players watching "Friends" and more.

You may not consider CHUCK KLOSTERMAN a "sportswriter," but the famed cultural critic has produced a ton of intriguing sports writing. His new book "X" (uh, Ten) opens with a story called "Three Man Weave," an amazing tale of the craziest junior college basketball game ever played. We pin down Chuck on the backstory of that piece, the pressure of it kicking off Grantland's launch, his relationship with Bill Simmons, and the best American band ever (natch). Plus, Gareth and Brad talk the "It" movie. Because, we all float down here ...

2x NBA champion SHAUN LIVINGSTON of the Golden State Warriors is one of the best comeback stories in the NBA. But every offseason he heads back to Peoria, Illinois. It's his hometown ... and our adopted one. Brad and Shaun talking about their overlapping time there together, sneaking into bars under-age, Shaun's experience as a bi-racial kid, and the special pressure athletes feel to build a lasting legacy in the communities they grew up in. Also, the gang breaks down the latest LaVar Ball disaster, 9/11 remembrances and more.

EUGENE MONROE just ended his successful NFL career -- but he still feels the effects of playing every damn day. Like many retirees, Monroe is now grappling with chronic pain, and he opens up about the NFL's opioid crisis, the role cannabis plays in pain management, and his lack of faith in Roger Goodell. Plus, the gang breaks down the new single from Martellus Bennett and Snoop Dogg!