Meryl Streep is widely regarded as the finest living actor, so we go through her movies and rate her performances. She has the most Oscar nominations of all time (23). We go through each nominated performance and rate her films. We also go through her lesser known works, discussing her more underrated roles that perhaps deserve more attention. In particular, we go through her 70s and 80s films. Tune in for some high-fivin' fun!

We talk the new Pete Rose documentary, called "Charlie Hustle", on Max. Should he be in the Hall of Fame? We also talk MLB, as the Guardians wobble on their way to September, while the Cubs look to the future. Grady Sizemore tries to revitalize the White Sox. The WNBA starts back up with a couple of Sky losses. Len reviews hidden top 40 hits, and Beave reviews the new album by Ghost Funk Orchestra. And Len rockets to the #1 spot for his all-time Favorite 500 Albums. Which album would...

JagCore Professor of Jams Scott OKen is back to talk one of the all-time best bands you've never heard of: Badfinger. Known mainly for hits such as "Come and Get It", "No Matter What", and "Baby Blue", the story of this UK-based band is incredibly compelling (and tragic). We talk about Badfinger's deep connection with the Beatles, and how the band is named for the working title of a Beatles song. We dive into their first four albums, which are as good as any classic rock records from the...

In the newest episode of "Jagbags" we do a COMPLETE SPEED THROUGH and recap the week that was in MLB and the closing of the 2024 Summer Olympics. We also talk five of Len's all-time favorite 500 albums, and Len continues to chide Beave for his opinion of "Songs in the Key of Life". And that's it! Quickest recap ever! JAGBAGS!

Ultimate JagCore member Marlana May Carlson joins the pod to talk all things Depeche Mode, one of the most successful bands of all time. We go through their entire discography, talk our earliest memories of the band, submit 45-minute playlists, and compare them to their peers such as New Order, the Cure and the Smiths. What album is their most underrated? And where do they rank all-time? Tune in for ultimate EMT jams!

We reverse the order a bit for the latest recap episode. Len starts off the podcast with five of his favorite 500 albums of all time. Chappell Roan sets a Lollapalooza attendance record, and Beave delivers his long-awaited review of her album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess". We talk MLB and focus on the White Sox's historic 21-game losing streak. We talk Olympics before devolving into a discussion of the 3-on-3 hoops trend. Tune in for a quick and wacky recap!

We're talking the newest Facebook bracket, which goes through the storied career of the great Robert DeNiro. From Godfather, Part II, to Raging Bull to Goodfellas to Meet The Parents to Killers of the Flower Moon, we go through all his great roles, and pick our favorites, most underrated, and most overrated films. What is the key to DeNiro's appeal, and how has he been able to stay successful for so long? Hear more about "Falling In Love" and "The Intern" than you ever thought possible! ...

Beave and Len talk the 2024 Olympics, which just kicked off in Paris. We talk swimming, basketball, table tennis, gymnastics and then beach volleyball (which leads to an IN-DEPTH discussion on Len and Beave's past horrific volleyball experiences). Plus the White Sox sink toward baseball infamy. The Guardians now have the best record in all of baseball. And the Cubs get All-Star Issac Paredes. Plus I Recomend, Beave's latest album review, and Len's 400-hour playlist of his favorite 500...

Friend of the podcast Iva-Marie Palmer returns once again to discuss her Edgar Awards nomination for her book The Jules Verne Prophecy, and shares her thoughts on the award ceremony in New York. She also talks about her new children's book coming out in August, called "Oh My Dog". We also talk bookstores, and Iva-Marie talks about some of her favorite books she's read so far in 2024. Tell us some of your favorites as well! If you love books, you will love this episode. Tune in now!

In the latest recap episode, Len and Beave talk MLB and its start-up post All-Star Break. Len wears his Kyle Hendricks jersey to the Cubs game and gets heckled by a complete stranger. They also talk about the Angel Reese effect on Chennedy Carter, Chicago's terrific win over the Las Vegas Aces, and what the Olympic break will mean for the team. Len reviews Audioslave's second album, the movie "Nacho Libre", and the hits of Average White Band! Tune in now for the most definitive content on...

Len and Beave talk the legendary run of SCTV, which launched the careers of comic luminaries such as John Candy, Rick Moranis, Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, and a host of others. Which sketches were your favorite? Why does the comedy endure today? Which SCTV alum has had the most successful career? What characters were your favorite and why? Talk to us, after you listen to this entertaining segment about some of the most influential comedy of all time. TUNE IN!

Beave shows up for this recap podcast dressed EXACTLY like Steven Kwan, and along with Len he predicts the Guardians', Cubs' and Sox's season ending records. Len talks the improving Chicago Sky and their up-and-down offense. They also discuss whether the Bulls' off-season moves has made them a better team. Beave reviews "Shogun" and "Baby Reindeer", as well as Jason Isbell's 2023 album "Weathervanes". And Len gets closer to the top spot in his all-time Favorite 500 Albums. Tune in NOW!

Len and Beave discuss the newest Facebook bracket, featuring the music of Chicago! Did you know that only the Beach Boys are the only American band that have sold more records than Chicago? We talk their incredible success, what songs we hope will win the bracket, and Beave tries to guess the #1 seeds but winds up guessing the #2 seeds instead. We also discuss where Chicago IX ranks among the all-time "greatest hits" albums ever released. We also talk solo Cetera (grudgingly). Tune in...

Len and Beave's recap episode is a complete overview of the Chicago Sky and their current position in the WNBA standings. We dissect much of the roster, and where the team currently stands as they seek to make a playoff push. Plus the Guardians have the best record in the American League, Beave reviews the ridiculous show "Banshee", Len reads the New Yorker and tracks down "unknown" Billboard Top 40 hits, plus new album reviews and Len's top 500 albums of all time. Tune in!

Friend of the podcast Tim Amos rejoins Jagbags to tell about his visit to the famed Brickyard for the running of the Indianapolis 500, considered the "greatest spectacle in racing". Tim talks all about what he saw at the race, from the crowds, the smells, the EDM concert in the middle of the infield WHILE THE RACE IS HAPPENING, the nearby museum, the differences between Indy cars and NASCAR stock cars, and the history of the Indy 500 itself. He also compares the Indy 500 to the NSCAR race...

Both Len AND Beave picked season four of "The Boys" for the "I Recommend" section, so you know this recap episode is going to be white hot! Plus the Chicago Sky beat Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, the Guardians claim the best record in the American League, the White Sox remain on track for its worst season ever, and Len is fast running out of patience with the Chicago Cubs. Plus Len's favorite 500 albums of all time, and he also talks about Celeb Night at the Factory Theater in...

Friend of the podcast Morgan Gire returns triumphantly to talk James Cameron movies on the latest episode of Jagbags! We talk the Terminator movies, the Avatar movies, and spend a LOT of time on "The Abyss". We also talk a good deal of "Aliens", and of course "Titanic". We discuss why Cameron's movies were so wildly successful, talk about our favorite movies of his, discuss his treatment of female characters, his many marriages (Kathryn Bigelow, Linda Hamilton, Gale Anne Hurd) and explore...

The NBA season has officially ended and the Boston Celtics are the new NBA champions. We talk through Boston's easy Finals victory, and whether Jaylen Brown should have won Finals MVP. We also talk the Cubs' struggles, and Beave continues to celebrate Steven Kwan while fretting over the Guardians' playoff chances. We also talk the Chicago Sky's relatively slow start and argue over Angel Reese's value to the team. Beave recommends "Remembering Gene Wilder", on Netflix. Len recommends...

The great Amy Seeley comes back to Jagbags to talk the music of the legendary Akron-based band Devo. We go through their discography, discuss their enduring influence, what made them more than just a rock band, and offer reasons why they may now be even more popular than ever. Hear about Amy's Mark Mothersbaugh sighting in LA! We also construct our respective "Best of Devo" 45-minute playlists, and talk all-time favorite Devo albums. Remember -- we can have no serious discussions about...

In the latest recap episode, "Die Hard 4 Your Luv" opens to a Jeff recommendation at the Factory Theater, and Beave provides a shameless plug. Triumph's "Allied Forces" completely hijacks Len's latest selections from his Favorite 500 Albums of All Time. NOTHING BUT JAMS! Len reviews "The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane" by The Ames Brothers, and it rules. We also talk MLB, NBA Finals, and the Chicago Sky's up-and-down season start. Tune in for EXPERTISE!

With the NBA Finals in full swing, and on the day of Jerry West's passing, we talk the ten most influential players in NBA history. Not necessarily the best of all time, but the most influential -- the ones who had the greatest impact on and off the basketball court. Len picks Shaquille O'Neal, and Beave faints from the surprise. Some changes are for the better, while others, not necessarily, but Beave and Len each go through their own Top Ten. Who are yours? Tune in for a lively...

In a detailed recap episode, Beave and Len preview the NBA FInals, while Beave provides the Dallas Mavericks and Luks Doncic tons of motivation. Len challenges the Cubs to use the Sox series at Wrigley Field to launch themselves back into playoff contention. Len finally sees "Alien", with Sigourney Weaver, and recommends the movie enthusiastically. Beave re-reviews all the new albums he has listened to this year, and ranks them again. Beave and Len discuss the Chennedy Carter/Caitlin...

Beave and Len discuss the latest Facebook bracket featuring the movies of Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman. Which movies are his best, and which have not aged well? Which movie contains his very best performance? What movie is criminally underrated? (Answer: Straw Dogs or Finding Neverland) We also talk his turns in Death of a Salesman and the Kung Fu Panda franchise. Tune in for yet another actor profile!

In the newest recap episode, Len introduces the world to the JAMS of "Jon Savage's 1969-71 Rock Dreams on 45". Beave and Len talk through the week that was in the NBA playoffs, where the Finals are all but assured between Boston and Dallas. Beave eats crow for his past Luka Doncic taunts. Beave consoles himself by celebrating the continued excellent play of the Cleveland Guardians. Len would like the Cubs to start hitting. Beave reviews "Franklin" and "Sugar", as well as the John Huston...

In the latest episode of Jagbags, Len and Beave try to discuss the music of Paul Simon (and his music for Simon & Garfunkel), but instead wind up devoting at least a quarter of the episode to the 1980 Art Garfunkel stone classic film "Bad Timing". Tune in for 45-minute playlists, discussions of our favorite Simon and Garfunkel LPs and songs, favorite Paul Simon albums, a discussion of various books and documentaries on Paul Simon's storied career -- and all the "Bad Timing" you can...