Episodes
Wednesday Jun 29, 2016
Episode 160a: Wimbledon Volley 1: Marcus Willis (Cartman)
Wednesday Jun 29, 2016
Wednesday Jun 29, 2016
It's been a rainy start to Wimbledon, but there isn't deja vu to the Paris misery just yet, in large part because of the delightful story of #772 Marcus Willis, who won seven matches to win a trophy of sorts: a chance to face Roger Federer on Centre Court. It was the best sort of sports story, and it brightened an already rainy first week.
To talk about the remarkable rise of the man known as "Cartman," we hear from Willis himself, his girlfriend Jennifer Bate, and commentator Mike Cation, who incredulously called Cartman's infamous "RC Coke and a Snickers" breakthrough in Knoxville.
And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR160a!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.
Saturday Jun 25, 2016
Episode 159: Wimbledon 2016 Draw Preview Super-Duperness!
Saturday Jun 25, 2016
Saturday Jun 25, 2016
The grass is ready for Wimbledon, and so are Ben and Courtney for this draw preview show! First, the dudes. Who are the stumbling blocks for Novak Djokovic as he aims for a *fifth* straight Grand Slam title? Is Federer ready to be a threat? How are Dominic Thiem's chances of sustaining momentum? And what did the Brits, bar Murray, do to deserve such brutal draws?
For the ladies, it's Serena vs the field, once again. But there's plenty of room for that to be an incredibly compelling match-up, with tough seeds looming for Serena at the tournament's midway point. Who makes it out of the loadedly grassophilic second quarter? And can Garbine Muguruza reach another final? Or could a Venus or Madison Keys stand in her way?
Also, Brexit.
And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR159!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.
Thursday Jun 23, 2016
Episode 158: Walking Wimbledon, From Lands Of Grass and Ice
Thursday Jun 23, 2016
Thursday Jun 23, 2016
With Wimbledon just around the corner, Ben and Courtney stroll through the grass lead up so far. Who has raised his or her stock most? How much can we read into these results? And what is it about the tranquility of Halle and Eastbourne that make them such idyllic warmups? Also: super takes on super coaches.
Then, we welcome back Wimbledon superstar Alex Willis, who catches up listeners on developments at the All-England Club over the last year (cool stuff afoot!), before we step back in time and reshare the walking tour she did last year. Then we rant about Icelandic stuff--both of us, somehow.
And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR158!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.
Wednesday Jun 15, 2016
Episode 157: Nick Lester
Wednesday Jun 15, 2016
Wednesday Jun 15, 2016
As Ben soaks up the Halle Weltenschauung, he is joined this week by a voice any tennis fan should be very familiar with: Nick Lester, one of the anchors of the ATP's world feed television coverage, beamed and streamed around the world. Nick discusses his path to the microphones he today graces, plus his takes on what makes for good and bad commentary, and all sorts of other related topics that will hopefully serve to pull back the curtain on how the people behind the best voices in this sport you love get to be such worthwhile voices to listen to.
And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR157!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.
Wednesday Jun 08, 2016
Episode 156: Muguruza Wins a First; Djokovic Wins Everything
Wednesday Jun 08, 2016
Wednesday Jun 08, 2016
Nearly dried out from a miserably soggy French Open, Ben and Courtney are up in much sunnier Scotland, drinking in the tournament and some ales in an Edinburgh pub (our apologies for the sometimes overwhelming background clatter).
First, Garbine Muguruza won on the women's side. What did she show during her run, and how worried should we be about the inevitability of Serena Williams breaking records?
Then, Novak Djokovic did what he was supposed to, ultimately, and rolled over Andy Murray to win a Novak Slam and a Career Slam. He's really good. Just how really good?
Also, other miscellaneous musings on rain and neighborhood concerns and airport security.
Also, other miscellaneous musings on rain and neighborhood concerns and airport security.
And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR156!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.
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