The Billy and Bryan Show

Episode 36: Down the Home Stretch!

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 19:27:00 -0700

One more lap with Coach John Honerkamp! Many thanks again to John for sitting down with us for so long. In this third hour we got to our Top 5 Races, answered some questions from John's many Facebook fans/friends, and a whole lot more!

[Bryan says: Thanks to everybody from November Project NYC for finding me at the NYC Half Marathon Expo! I just might brave the rain on Friday for NPNYC in Battery Park...]

Episode 35: John Honerkamp Redux!

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 19:08:00 -0700

It's Part 2 of 3 of our chat with John Honerkamp. This time we go deep into the subject of running, including John's New York Road Runners Virtual Trainer, tips for runners of all skill levels, and stories of John's experiences racing and pacing celebrities in the marathon. There might even be some talk of a certain exercise cult that is totally not a cult?

See you next week for the thrilling conclusion of the Honerkamp Trilogy, when we talk our Top 5 Races and John answers your Facebook questions!

PS: You really should watch the Italian Spiderman mentioned last week.

Episode 34: Running and Superheroes with John Honerkamp!

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Wed, 9 Mar 2016 19:25:00 -0800

New York Road Runners Coach and November Project NYC Co-Leader John Honerkamp joins us to talk about running and much, much more on this marathon of an episode. We even fit our Top 5 Superheroes into this first hour -- that's right, this is only the first hour; John was kind enough to stick around for so long that we had to break up the episode into two (or maybe even three?) parts. So come back next week for answers to your Facebook questions, running advice, and more!

[In the meantime, John would love it if you'd come work out with November Project every Wednesday at Gracie Mansion - 5:30am or 6:30am...or both!]

Episode 33: The Best of 2015, Part 2

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Fri, 5 Feb 2016 12:21:00 -0800

The Best of 2015: In the thrilling conclusion of our two-part recap, we discuss the Top 5 Podcasts, Record Albums, and Word Books of the past year. Who knows when we'll record another podcast? You'd better treasure this one!

Best of 2015! Part 1

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 16:37:00 -0800

It's been a while! But we're finally back with our recap of 2015 -- this week, Movies and TV Shows. Next week, Books, Podcasts, and Music!

Your New Favorite Podcast alert: Mystery Show!

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 18:53:00 -0700

While the Billy and Bryan Show is on
~~the run from the law, not to mention our creditors who seem to believe we cashed their sponsorship check and spent it all on beer and cookies~~hiatus, we know that your ears are definitely looking for some new podcasts to listen to until we put out another "classic ep" [classic episode]. You're in luck!

Mystery Show is the brand new offering from Gimlet Media, producers of StartUp and Reply All. It's like Serial, but without the due diligence, each mystery lasts for one episode rather than a whole season, and -- at least so far -- each case gives you some measure of closure. It's hosted by Starlee Kine, who you should know from This American Life.

So far, Starlee has investigated a video store that went out of business overnight, with no warning; an obscure book sighted in the possession of a major pop star; and a belt buckle. Each episode has thrilled and delighted me, thanks to Starlee's quirky investigative style that follows any lead -- no matter how tangential -- and knack for interviewing persons of interest. I can't believe the sudden surges of surprise, pathos, and delight that spring up with each plot twist -- this is truly a must-listen. And once you've started listening, add to your experience with my Mystery Show magazine on Flipboard, which is full of extra links to content about and inspired by the show.

And in true BABS fashion, the Top 5 Reasons You Must Listen to Mystery Show:
5. So that once everyone starts talking about it, a la Serial, you'll know exactly what they're talking about.
4. To get context for this video.
3. To find out just how long someone can talk to customer service at a bookstore while checking on the status of a book.
2. Mystery Show host Starlee Kine was responsible for perhaps the greatest story in the history of This American Life: "Break-Up", featuring Phil Collins!
1. You really need the experience of being delighted by the story of a belt buckle.

So find it on iTunes, or read more at Flipboard!

Episode 31: Best of 2014 Part 2

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Sun, 8 Feb 2015 16:55:00 -0800

We are forever finished with 2014 after this recap of those things that we appreciated with our eyes: Top 5 movies, TV shows, and books!

Episode 30: Best of 2014 Part 1

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 19:16:00 -0800

We begin our year-end two-parter by looking back at the best Songs, Albums, and Podcasts to hit our earballs in 2014. Check back next week for Part 2 when we focus on eyeballs! (That's moving pictures, televisual stories, and word books!)

Top 5 New Podcasts from 2014

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Tue, 2 Dec 2014 20:43:00 -0800

We like to end each year with an episode counting down all of our pop culture Top 5's: books, television, film, music, and -- naturally -- podcasts. But with so many great new podcasts popping up recently, I started to fear that our new favorites might not fit into a Top 5 list competing against the classics of the medium, so we decided to share this blog-only (no podcast this time -- is that meta? or ironic? I just don't know anymore if Alanis isn't singing about it) list. We don't have time to listen to everything (slackers!) so let us know in the comments what we're missing!

And before you jump in with any of these that are new to you, don't forget to listen to our latest episode, our discussion of the Serial podcast and the Top 5 questions we still have (or subscribe to The Billy and Bryan Show on iTunes).

Top 5 New Podcasts from 2014

First, an honorable mention; we'll have to recuse ourselves from officially ranking the new Tuesday Night Movies podcast, for reasons that should become clear once you hear the familiar voices. But Billy and Dave, with occasional special guests, have been talking about the new comics coming out each week -- check it out every Tuesday. [itunes]

5. The Gist: Slate brings you this daily dose of news and culture with host Mike Pesca. [itunes]

4. Home Dunk: John Moe, host of the hilarious Wits podcast from Minnesota Public Radio, shares a unique look at sports from the perspective of the conflicted fan: the guy who wants to keep watching football, but doesn't feel good about supporting a league shadowed by concussions and domestic violence. Always something to make you think, but mixed in with great interviews and plenty of laughs. [itunes]

3. U Talkin' U2 To Me?: Adam Scott's (NBC's Parks and Recreation) and Scott Aukerman's (Comedy Bang! Bang!) wives were sick of them talking about U2 at home, so they decided to get together in the Earwolf studios to talk about each album with this "comprehensive and encyclopedic compedium of all things U2". I fully admit that this is not for everyone (not even for all U2 fans), as it's basically just two dopes being silly and occasionally steering the conversation back to music. This definitely fits in with the Comedy Bang Bang aesthetic. [itunes]

2. Startup: Planet Money's Alex Blumberg decided to give up his comfy public radio job to strike out on his own and launch a new, well, startup company: Gimlet Media, a network of high-quality storytelling podcasts. Startup is Alex's firsthand look at pitching investors, finding a business partner, naming the company, and everything else related to getting the company off the ground. [itunes]

1. Serial: Of course. Everyone's talking about it. More than a few people (*ahem*) are responding with their own podcasts about it. This look into whether a man may have been wrongly convicted of a 15-year-old murder has brought podcasts into the forefront of the public consciousness. If you're not listening to it yet...well, why not? (And if you are listening but want even more, check out my Serial magazine on Flipboard, which has almost a hundred articles about the show for you to comb through.) [itunes]

We love these new shows, and hope that you'll get into some of them too. Happy listening!

Episode 29: Serial

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:08:00 -0800

Thanks to Thanksgiving, Serial is taking this week off -- but have no fear, The Billy and Bryan Show is here to fill that turkey-sized hole in your listening schedule with our take on the first nine episodes of Serial, as well as our Top 5 Questions from the show that are gnawing at us like a giant drumstick. What other questions or theories do you have? Share them on the blog comments, in my Serial magazine on Flipboard, or at our Facebook page.

Happy Thanksgiving!

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 09:39:00 -0800

To ease the sting of having to wait TWO WHOLE WEEKS for a new episode of Serial, we'll be casting a pod this Thursday look back at the first nine episodes, and ahead at what may be to come. Until then, let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page: What do YOU think? Whodunnit? How? Why? Mail...kimp?

We'll be running down our Top Five Questions about Serial so far: what are your biggest questions, and what do you think the biggest mysteries are?

See you Thursday with the full episode! If you need something to tide you over for the next four days, you can check out my Serial magazine on Flipboard for a bunch of articles about the show.

Episode 28: Game of Thrones

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 20:32:00 -0700

Who are the Top 5 Characters on Game of Thrones? And which 5 are #TheWorst? Listen here and find out!

Episode 27: Baseball Eats (repost)

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Wed, 21 May 2014 18:24:00 -0700

The Painter of the National Pastime, Graig Kreindler, joins us to talk about the new baseball season and count down our Top 5 Ballpark Foods! Yum!

[reposted thanks to issues with iTunes]

Episode 27: Talking (and eating!) Baseball

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Wed, 2 Apr 2014 18:42:00 -0700

The Painter of the National Pastime, Graig Kreindler, joins us to talk about the new baseball season and count down our Top 5 Ballpark Foods! Yum!

Episode 26: Oscars of Future Past

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Thu, 6 Mar 2014 18:26:00 -0800

We look back at the Oscar ceremony and awards, then look forward to our Top 5 Most Hotly Anticipated Movies of 2014. And talk about popcorn too!

Episode 25: Winter Olympics

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 05:29:00 -0800

Crystal and Amanda join us to rank every event in the Winter Olympics before getting down to our Top 5 Events.

Episode 24: Best of 2013 Part 2

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:09:00 -0800

We keep on looking back at 2013 with our Top 5's in Books, Television, and Movies, with a few contributions from listeners like you! (Follow our Facebook page if you want to share your opinions next time.)

Next on the docket: we'll preview the Oscars around the end of February...what Top 5 List would you like to hear?

Episode 23: Best of 2013 Part 1

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 09:35:00 -0800

We look back at 2013 with our Top 5's in Podcasts, Songs, and Albums, along with a few contributions from listeners like you! (Follow our Facebook page if you want to share your opinions next time.)

Keep reading for more information on the podcasts we talked about (spoilers?), and for a special bonus list from past and future guest Nicholas Doyle!

Nick's Top 5 Albums of 2013:
Elvis Costello & The Roots: Wise Up Ghost & Other Songs
Haim: Days Are Gone
The National: Trouble Will Find Me
Frank Turner: Tape Deck Heart
Superchunk: I Hate Music

Doug Loves Movies (or subscribe through iTunes)
Fantasy Focus Baseball (iTunes)
Freakonomics Radio (iTunes)
Nerdist (iTunes)
Planet Money (iTunes)
This American Life (iTunes)
The Thrilling Adventure Hour (iTunes)
Welcome to Night Vale (iTunes)
Wits (iTunes)

Episode 22: New York Comic Con 2013!

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 21:46:00 -0700

We're joined by all of your favorite guests for a look back at NYCC. Graig Kreindler, Sarvenaz Tash, Dave Tomko, and Nicholas Doyle all share their Top 5 Comic Con Memories with us -- even Bryan went this year!

What was your favorite part of NYCC? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page.

Summer's Over, Back to School

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Sun, 6 Oct 2013 17:05:00 -0700

As the seasons change, we share our Top 5 Songs of the Summer gone by, and get into fall with our Top 5 School Movies; that's right, TWO lists this month!

Let us know what songs and movies we missed in the comments -- or if you like our picks, you can find them all through our Amazon store.

Coming Soon: New York Comic Con 2013, with loads of special guests!

Episode 20: SuperMan of Steel

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 18:33:00 -0700

Dave Tomko joins us as we decide which DC characters should find their way into the next Superman movie, share our takes on Man of Steel, and discuss all the news from San Diego Comic Con.

Episode 19: Pittsburgh!

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Thu, 30 May 2013 19:42:00 -0700

In which We tell yinz all about our favorite parts of Pittsburgh's favorite amusement park, Kennywood!

Episode 18: Baseball is Back!

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:43:00 -0700

Graig Kreindler -- and baseball -- are back! Thanks to our new sponsor, Lozenger's Lozenges, We talk about the Top 5 Baseball Moments We Wish We Had Witnessed. We also talk our predictions for the upcoming season...most of which are pretty dire for the hometeam nines. So many injuries!

Episode 17: Oscar? I Hardly Know Her!

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:53:00 -0800

We share our Top 5 Oscar Moments from last night's ceremony and talk about all the Speeches, Surprises, and Red Carpet mayhem. And now that Awards Season is over, we have nothing left to make lists about -- what do you think should be our Top 5 for the March episode?

Episode 16: Oscar Pre-Show!

thebillyandbryanshow@gmail.com (Bryan Hall) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 14:05:00 -0800

We preview the 85th Annual Academy Awards, walk through our predicted ballots, and discuss our Top 5 Snubs among this year's nominees.