In short
Spike Lee’s career and sports fandom, plus a segment predicting the NFC North (and earlier NFL power-ranking discussion).
Guests (and backgrounds)
- Spike Lee, Academy Award-winning filmmaker; directed High and Low? (discussed as his latest with Denzel Washington and Jeffrey Wright). Known for Brooklyn roots and frequent sports talk.
- No other named guests appear in this hour’s main content; later segments include hosts and callers predicting divisions.
Key claims (Spike Lee)
- He says Denzel Washington refused to follow the scripted outcome in the He Got Game father-son scene, choosing to compete and “literally tried to win.”
- He says Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson turned down playing Jesus Shuttlesworth.
- He says Prince called him at 1 a.m. asking what water he drank.
- He says he almost didn’t cast Halle Berry in Jungle Fever because he couldn’t imagine her as a crack addict.
- He says Nike asked him to play Mars Blackman in Michael Jordan ads; it wasn’t a prank.
Notable examples
Willie Mays’ signed Giants suitcase/memorabilia in his editing room; subway trips to Yankee Stadium; comparisons to directing Denzel via Phil Jackson/Michael Jordan. NFC North prediction: Lions first, Packers second, Vikings third, Bears fourth.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOWelcome to Hour Two with Rich Eisen
0:04 to 0:27
Rich Eisen welcomes the audience and reflects on the previous hour.
“It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks.”
Welcome to Hour Two with Rich Eisen
1:26 to 2:42
Rich Eisen welcomes the audience and reflects on the previous hour.
“Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles.”
Introducing Spike Lee
2:42 to 2:54
Rich introduces Spike Lee, discussing his credentials and recent work.
Spike Lee Discusses His New Film
2:54 to 4:00
Spike Lee shares insights about his film and collaborations with Denzel Washington.
The Yankees and Baseball Memories
4:00 to 5:56
Spike and Rich discuss baseball memorabilia and the Yankees' performance.
“oh this is down on the wall okay for the radio audience he just took out is that a case oh my goodness what is that by the way that could be anything in there oh my goodness wow that's we Mays' suitcase.”
Subway Rides to Yankee Stadium
5:56 to 6:44
Discussion on favorite subway routes to the Yankee Stadium.
“I just came back from a laborly holidays.”
Spike's Respect for the Red Sox
6:44 to 7:32
Spike talks about being asked to throw the first pitch at Fenway Park.
“And every day, there's a ball, golf ball, and I'll just find this way in my lawn.”
Comparing Legends: Denzel and Sports Greats
7:32 to 10:30
Spike Lee discusses Denzel's career and comparisons to sports legends.
“I'm going to give you something that's really true.”
Celebrity True or False Game Introduction
10:30 to 11:16
Introduction to the Celebrity True or False game featuring Spike Lee.
“And then you guys, you sports guys on TV and sports radio, that'd be going up.”
Celebrity True or False: Denzel Washington
11:16 to 14:00
Spike Lee reveals a true story about Denzel Washington during filming.
“You know, when Jordan was being Jordan and, you know, Spike Lee.”
Show all 19 chapters
Spike Lee's Insights on Denzel Washington
14:00 to 20:58
Discover Spike Lee's behind-the-scenes stories about Denzel Washington's improvisation and talent during film shoots.
“Did you know that Denzel played JV, Ford, and PJ?”
True or False Game with Spike Lee
20:58 to 23:21
Engage in a fun True or False game with Spike Lee sharing anecdotes and surprising facts about his career.
“And look and he said Whatever, you're wearing my shoes It may be redundant I always say this I've had the pleasure and honor being called an MF-er by Spike.”
Power Rankings Discussion
28:00 to 30:00
The hosts discuss their thoughts on power rankings and the Cowboys' predictions.
“Don't wear a jersey at all because you're not playing in the game.”
NFC North Predictions
30:00 to 32:12
The hosts predict the outcomes for the NFC North teams and debate their rankings.
“Let's predict the NFC North while we're here.”
Gus Ramsey's Broncos Schedule Predictions
32:12 to 38:08
Gus Ramsey joins to predict the Denver Broncos' schedule and win-loss record.
“I just need to see what Caleb looks like on this new offense.”
Transition to Next Segment
38:08 to 38:20
The hosts transition to discuss the AFC East predictions and upcoming guests.
“It might have been an overreaction topic.”
Eagles Banner Night Discussion
39:53 to 42:00
The hosts discuss the Philadelphia Eagles' banner night and players' reactions.
“We're talking about the banner raise in Philadelphia.”
Celebrating Championships: A Tough Call
42:00 to 45:32
Discussing the motivations behind championship celebrations and how players perceive them.
“Well, your guy was the best at that, Chris.”
Carl Anthony Towns and the Horn Section
45:32 to 46:44
A light-hearted conversation about Carl Anthony Towns and his plans for a horn section.
“He's already talking about a horn section.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:01This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome? That's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required, compatibility and availability varies 18+. Hey Chicago, class it up with Crocs. You know back to school is coming in fast. So why wait to find your new fave footwear?
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0:55Rich Eisen:This is the Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody. Can't get enough of The Rich Eisen Show? You're in luck. You can find us everywhere. Watch us weekdays on Disney Plus from noon to 3 Eastern. Miss the show? We've got a podcast so you can listen anytime. But here's the best part. Our YouTube channel. Subscribe at youtube.com slash Rich Eisen Show and you'll never miss a moment. Now, on with the show. This is The Rich Eisen Show. Manning pivots to throw. Intercepted by Ohio State. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. The whole arch thing, let's just pump the brakes here. Earlier on the show, comedian Bill Burr.
1:41Still to come, Academy Award winner Spike Lee. ESPN College Game Day analyst Desmond Howard. Actor Dylan O 'Brien. And now, it's Rich Eisen.
1:55Rich Eisen:That is correct. Back to hour number two of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air. Day two of our new relationship with Disney+. The ESPN app everywhere and ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. We say hello to everybody watching us, listening to us. Certainly Sirius XM Channel 80, coast to coast in our new ESPN Radio affiliate network. Just a great first hour in studio chat with Bill Burr. My NFL power rankings that I don't pay too much credence in doing. apparently just got tweeted out by what the NFL ESPN NFL site okay what do they say also in Disney it's a whole new world right no no don't do it we don't have the rights be careful but let's get right to our next guest thrilled to have here on this program an Academy Award winner and also he and I were the only two people that the Knicks didn't ask to take the job before Mike Brown did ladies and gentlemen Spike Lee how you doing it's great to be back on your show thank you spike lee that means a lot great to see you how are you been man great great great we have uh people love the film congrats on that and uh yankees turn it around yes indeed i gotta tell you i'll be honest with you uh highest to lowest being an excellent film with you directing it and denzel and jeffrey wright who's a frequent guest of this program big washington commanders fan i love that guy i love your your filmmaking and obviously denzel uh i you know being in theaters august 15th that was an august story i could see coming the yankees becoming one of the hottest teams in baseball i did not see coming in that respect spike to be honest you know and boot is happy i like it right no doubt about it wherever we found you are you are you in your is that is that the home office is that a a business that's an editing room that you're in right now yeah damn man that is i'll tell you what i got hold on hold on here we go here we go here we go what do we got take something off the wall oh this is down on the wall okay for the radio audience he just took out is that a case oh my goodness what is that by the way that could be anything in there oh my goodness wow that's we Mays' suitcase.
4:15What?
4:16Rich Eisen:Willie Mays' New York Giants suitcase. What? Wow. Is there anything in it? Can you see Willie Mays? Oh my god. There it is. That is cool. What is that bat? That's got to be Willie's bat. What do we got? Oh, he's took something off it. Oh, it's in a case. Jackie Robinson. Okay, what is it? What is it? As Willie Mays' game, you've got signed. Look at that. Geez. Unreal. That is some top-notch memorabilia there, sir. I assume you met Willie, right? I assume you've met him. Oh, yeah. Listen, growing up in Brooklyn, we used to have big fights.
5:05Who's better, Willie Mays or Mickey Mantle? I bet, yeah. I was like, thank you, man. The guy can't even run. Of course, he stepped in. You know, back then, they had, like, the drains in the aisle. Yes, right. Messed them up.
5:20Rich Eisen:That's right. You know, there's a lot of supportive references in highs and lows, too. So especially, you know, in that subway train, the number four train going to Yankee Stadium. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I'm more of a D-train guy. that's the way I get to the stadium I love taking the subway to the stadium I just love doing it it takes 15 minutes and it's so great you know I mean what stop have you been on at? I've been getting on the last two times right around Columbus Circle just hop on there and about five stops you're right there in 10-15 minutes and you know I was having a conversation with my 14 year old son the other day who asked me if Aaron Judge is the greatest player Yankee of his lifetime and I'm like, well, Mariano was playing when you were just a baby.
6:09Rich Eisen:You don't remember that, but I mean, Judge Ty and Yogi just this past week, the last time the Yankees top five list for best home run hitters in the history of the franchise, it's been over 60 years since that list changed. And he just changed it. He's on. I just came back from a laborly holidays. I have a house in Marla's Vineyard. I'm on the 18th hole and on top of my house is a flagpole with the interlocking NY. And Martha's video. You know what's safe? And every day, there's a ball, golf ball, and I'll just find this way in my lawn. And I see scribble, spike, Yankees suck. You gotta respect it.
7:03Even better, when the Knicks beat the Celtics of the players last year, I took down the Yankee flag. Uh-oh. It was a Knicks flag, and the influence said, this is a new state. This is a new flag for the state of Massachusetts.
7:22Rich Eisen:I mean, you have been in some of the most hostile environments wearing your Knick gear or your Yankee gear, and you're about it, Spike. You're definitely about it. But you know what? I'm going to give you something that's really true. Okay. I have respect for the Red Sox. You know why? Why is that? They asked me to throw the first pitch in the Fenway Park. And? I thought they got me mixing with somebody else. I said, no, no, no. We want you. And I was wearing Derek Jeter road jersey number two, Jeter. I said, where? They said, forget it. We won, you throw the pitch. The first pitch. The Yankees never asked me to do that.
8:08Rich Eisen:Were they exploding baseballs? I mean, were they... Oh, I threw it right over the plate, too. There you go. Awesome. The Yankees asked me now, I can't do it because my arm's shot. Spike Lee here on the Rich Eisen Show. I love it. They asked me, dude, I thought they were on crack or something. Highest to lowest in theaters nationwide. right now and available streaming this Friday, starting this Friday on Apple TV. It is your fifth collaboration with Denzel since inside man in 2006. What is it like to direct Denzel Washington? Spike Lee. Well, let me ask you a question. Okay. How did Phil Jackson direct my brother born in Brooklyn, New York?
9:00Michael Jordan How did Coach Jackson Coach He let Mike do what he want to do, right?
9:13Yes That's the closest comparison I can come to Directing And I know I'm getting a lot of flack With saying this, you know, this whole tour But to me Ben Zewash is the greatest flippant actor. You know, I'm not trying to start no LeBron.
9:37Rich Eisen:That's right. I'm tired of that. But it's a blessing to work with Denzel. And here's the thing. Denzel and I both did not know Inside Man was 19 years ago. Amazing. Didn't notice it, huh? He didn't know what I didn't know. Two journalists pointed it out. You know, we never skipped a beat. So, I mean, from Mo' Better Blues, Malcolm X, he got game. Inside, man. And now, high followers. It's blessing after blessing. Another thing is the point is that our families have grown closer to. Our wives, you know, our children. So, I always say the Washington Leagues. The Washington Leagues. I like it. I know you said you don't want to start like a LeBron Jordan thing, but Denzel.
10:29I'm tired of that. I'm tired of it. What's the point?
10:36Rich Eisen:And then you guys, you sports guys on TV and sports radio, that'd be going up. We didn't have that. But sports Raiders really just has helped add our team more to the discussion. Well, I mean, and again, not to go down that road, I was just going to point out again that Denzel was Denzel when Jordan was Jordan, and Denzel is Denzel when LeBron is LeBron. He's in a profession where he's able to span both eras and beat Denzel. You know what I mean? like that's that's where i was going because because we all know you know lebron is i'm not mad about that right exactly thank you you know and because you know uh lebron is you know 40 with 40 000 points and jordan has all those championships and um and and again though there are different times and different eras and things of that nature but spike spike lee here on the rich eyes next question though yes sir what do we get arguing over who's the goat what's the purpose of that now you might say i'm all fuddy-duddy but i don't understand it in terms of right in terms of in terms of i don't know maybe if you if you do want to get into it i mean maybe it's that my era was better this era is not um you know you're born when you're born that's right and you dominate who you can dominate and and unfortunately you know uh Ewing and Drexler and Malone and Barkley were born at the wrong time for being in the position.
12:23Rich Eisen:You know, when Jordan was being Jordan and, you know, Spike Lee. Here's the thing. Yes, sir. When Michael Jordan was born in Cumberland Hospital in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, the same hospital where Mike Tice was born and Bernard and Albert King. You're born when you're born. And they were all born in Brooklyn. That's the most important point. Spike, we have a game here called Celebrity True or False where there are things about your career that we're wondering if are true or not. And we'd love to see if you can. All right, let's go. We've got a great production value to kick it all off. It's the first time we're doing it on our Disney Plus version of the show.
13:02Rich Eisen:Hit it. Go ahead and hit it. All right, my guys. Celebrity True or False. You can't handle the truth. All right, here we go. By the way, that's Jack Nicholson. Did you ever work with Jack? Did you ever get a chance to work with Jack? Try to work with Jack? It's never happened, Spike? It did not happen. One of my favorite actors. This film, if you haven't seen The Last Detail. Oh, gosh. Absolutely. Great, great film. It is great. Randy Quaid was in it, too, back in the day. What an incredible movie. By the way, that's a very under-talked-about Jack Nicholson movie. I agree with you. Great Hal Ashby.
13:45Rich Eisen:First one up for you, Spike Lee. And it is Denzel. True or false, in the father-son one-on-one scene in He Got Game, the script called for Ray Allen to blow out Denzel, but Denzel refused to go along and literally tried to win. True. True story. Did you know that Denzel played JV, Ford, and PJ? Carisma was his coach. I did not know that. PJ Carisma coached Denzel Washington. In JV at Fordham. Okay. And so he refused to go along with the script or you knew he was going to not go along with the script? No one knew. Denzel, he said it many times though. He was like F that. I'm getting at least one basket.
14:28And so here's the thing though. This is Ray's first film. And so Denzel started throwing up some lucky stuff that was going in. And Ray turns to me and says, time out, time out, time out.
14:45Rich Eisen:So he called Cut. Cut, Cut. He's like, time out, time out. And Ray's looking at me like, Spike, what's up? I'm like, what can I tell you?
14:59And after that, Ray was like, Ray said, all right. Then it was over. But Denzel was like I cannot be a donut I can't go back to Money In Mount Vernon Not score it Here's the thing though This is just no BS This is Denzel's genius It made that scene It made the movie better If we had done what had been scripted And Jesus beats his father 11-0 it will not have been the same and that's an example of the genius of Denzel Washington that was not the way I wrote it and he even tells he told nobody his competitive juices kicked in he was gonna no one knew he was going rogue
16:02Rich Eisen:and then Ray Allen said screw it But it was genius, though. It was genius. Right. And then Ray Allen tried hard. And then Denzel did get bageled after that? Or did Denzel... When Ray saw what's happening, he shut it down. He shut it down. Next one for you. True or false. Both Kobe and Allen Iverson turned down the role of Jesus Shuttlesworth. Is that true? Yes. Why did they do that? well colby he he said you know i work out in the summer and and i just couldn't get a meeting with uh my brother ai so you know it worked out it worked oh of course it did but but colby colby so colby basically said that's my training part i'm not gonna i can't i'm not gonna be acting he would have been great obviously Ray was phenomenal we just couldn't get to we just couldn't get it together but I love both of them so it was the practicing part you know where I'm going with that one you're not kidding audition my brother I had my coffee I had my coffee this morning oh my gosh Next question.
17:27Next question. You didn't get me on that.
17:30Rich Eisen:Okay, I got three more for you. Spike Lee, true or false? This is crazy. You once got a 1 a.m. phone call from Prince, and he wanted to know what kind of water you were drinking. Is that true?
17:46Yeah.
17:49Rich Eisen:Please walk me through this. Your phone rings, it's 1 in the morning, and it's Prince to see what water you drink? That happened?
17:59you have my number hey well here's the thing musicians they go to bed that's just musicians they go to bed five six in the morning
18:13Rich Eisen:right and that's but that was the extent of the conversation and then hang up yeah I was asleep
18:25i got another thing like that i marlon brando called me like that time that time in the night okay and what did he want to know he had a script he wanted me to look at about native americans and i never heard from him after that oh well i mean i guess then
18:47Rich Eisen:And the follow-up question is, what kind of water were you drinking at the time? Just flat? Still? What do we got? Sparkling? Anything? Tap. I was drinking. New York City is world of knowledge, having the best tap. By the way, I grew up in Staten Island. I can attest to that, too. Oh, you're from Sholin? Wu-Tang. The Wu. That's it. You're down with the Wu. We've had Method Man here before. No question about it. Two more for you. Spike Lee, true or false, you almost did not cast Halle Berry in Jungle Fever because you could not imagine her as a crack addict. The character's name is Vivian Etuiola Crackhole.
19:34That's the character's name. And Robbie Reed, my great, great casting director, she brought a The fourth time Robbie pulled aside Said look Do you want this part Spike Just thinks that You don't have the look of it Put it mildly Yes it's right Here's the thing though The next time The next audition came in I didn't even recognize her And I'd like to say That Miss Hallie Is still fine AF Still today But the hit performance Together One of my favorite scenes ever done Is in Jungle Fever where he used the great song By Stevie Wonder Living for the City as when Wesley Snipes' character Goes to the The crack den To find his crack brother gator played by the great samuel jackson should have won ask for that role nominated it was it was my morehouse brother samuel jackson but that's that's a true story
20:53Rich Eisen:about howdy true last one for you um and then i'll let you go on with your day i really appreciate the this fun chat with spike lee here on the rich eyes and show true or false when nike asked you to play mars blackman in the michael jordan ads you thought it was a prank at first is that true The late
21:15I mean I got a call From the late great Jim Riswell And Bill Davenport Who Bill's still there but And they had seen She's gonna have it And they said We want you to play The character Mars Blackman TV commercial Air Jordan You're directed And there's one thing You know Mike We've not gotten the mic To get your permission The later they said we went to Mike He doesn't know who you are He's never seen your film So it wasn't until Remember that All Star Weekend It was Toronto where people were freezing to death Remember that? So I finally got enough courage That commercial came out in 88 So I finally got the whole thing Blue Nike and the Stratosphere It wasn't until that All-Star Weekend front I finally got enough courage to ask Mike Why did you choose me?
22:25And look and he said Whatever, you're wearing my shoes
22:32It may be redundant I always say this I've had the pleasure and honor being called an MF-er by Spike. Especially courtside at Mass Grand Garden.
22:46Rich Eisen:Look at that picture right there, man. Spike, you MF-er, sit your black ass down. I'm like, okay, Michael. That's what he would say to you? You're on the sideline? More than once. More than once. Sit your MF-er, sit your black ass down. I'm like, okay, Michael.
23:08Rich Eisen:that's where it's not good it's not about the shoes man it's got to be the wrong guys spike uh this was awesome uh thank you very much congrats on highest to lowest everybody needs to go see it if not in the theaters right now then certainly on apple tv apple tv september 5th thanks for sharing your time your your willie mays gear and of course your stories thanks Thanks again, Spike. This is awesome. This is the next year. I'll leave it at that. Well, let's talk. Let's talk in the fall. I'll be back on. I would love it. Let's talk soon. Thanks again, Spike. Yes, sir. That's ladies and gentlemen.
Read the full transcript
23:45Rich Eisen:Spike. That was awesome. That was awesome. We finally got one that was false. It was not a prank. Mike didn't know he was. I mean, the Mars Blackman Jordan is iconic. Oh, please. It made no money. It's got to be the shoes. Oh, please. So I aired Jordan 3 as my favorite Jordan to this day because of that picture. I was a kid and saw it. That picture. Look at those two young guys on the screen right there. That's right. Spike Lee, that was awesome. Does that make this a Rich Eisen Show joint? It does. Please believe it. Look at you. Rich Eisen Production. You're from Shaolin, bro. I just found out.
24:19Rich Eisen:I forget. Come on. Reminded me. I know where I'm from. Although he's from the North Shore. I'm from the middle of the night. Holler at your boy. I thought you were going to pop that in. We've got to get Method Man back on here, man. That's my man right there. 844-204-RICH. That's my man right there. Spike Lee, man. Come on. Spike Lee, I was just watching Do the Right Thing two days ago. Let's take a break here on The Rich Eisen Show. We come back, your phone calls, and we predict the NFC North and AFC East. Ooh.
24:52Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show Podcast.
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25:37Rich Eisen:The service is free and provides a report with solutions verified by ASE certified master technicians. Ask for an O 'Reilly Veriscan today. While the world watches the stars at the FIFA World Cup this summer, Hyundai has its eyes on the next generation of talent. Future stars who are already turning heads at age 14. Because next doesn't wait for an invitation and neither do we. Hyundai has always moved the future within reach. We did it when we made advanced safety standard on every vehicle and engineered EVs with ultra-fast charging capability. Because the future isn't some far-off concept, it's already here.
26:11Rich Eisen:Next starts now. Hyundai, an official partner of FIFA.
26:17Rich Eisen:Back on the Rich Eisen Show radio network, sitting here on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. and ESPN Radio is presented by Progressive Insurance, insurance for motorcycles, boats, and RVs for protection on the road and on the water. See how much you can save at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE and Progressive.com. Jimmy in San Antonio, one of our regulars. How are you, Jimmy? What happened, hermanos? Hold on a minute. Let me try to show it out. A local mail. Mail. Mail. Okay, this is the worst idea. youth for trying to figure out how to say something of Latin origin. Yes, Jimmy. Rich is only going to have limited security in Sao Paulo.
27:02That's right. No bueno.
27:05Rich Eisen:I've been told it's more than limited. It's going to be a lot. Okay, yeah. Good. All right. Well, Rich, first congratulations to you. Thank you, Jimmy. And Susie on the expansion of the media empire. That's right. I think that's how it was phrased a year ago. That's right. we're we're we're we're empire builders i love it yeah suzy yours truly in heisenberg i'm sorry i have i'm trying to speak who's interrupting me is it del tufo no it's me that's the host my bad jimmy stop jimmy no bueno oh oh boy i have a question about the power rankings but first that was was that the best appearance from bill burr oh he was on fire and I do love Bill.
27:51Rich Eisen:Yeah, multiple times here. And he thinks deep down I'm a total charlatan who's putting on an act of being a good dad. A fraud, right? I'm a fraud. Yeah. But it's okay. I'll take it from Bill Burr. What's on your mind, Jimmy? I don't buy that from Bill. What about the power rankings? You got a problem? Don't wear a jersey at all because you're not playing in the game. That's right. I was at the 2017 ALCS in Houston sitting behind Aaron Judge. And Brock, and you might be able to find this picture. There was a dude who was an Astros fan that was putting on a batting helmet and batting gloves every time the Astros went up to bat during the entire game.
28:34And we're just looking at him like, and he had to be in his 40s. And they're like, what are you doing, dude?
28:39Rich Eisen:Was he banging on a trash can, Jimmy? No, no, no. He did not have a trash can in 2017. Okay, just want to make sure. 2019, he might have. Okay, very good. Okay, so my question about your power rankings, you did a mulligan, kind of, didn't you? Well, the previous ones mean nothing, okay? That was just to help pass the time during the spring and summer doldrums. These are now rubber meets road week one power rankings that will absolutely be a prism into how good teams are because I'm accurate. I agree. I agree with you. And with that being said, I think TJ and I might want to mulligan on our Cowboys win-loss game.
29:24Rich Eisen:We can do that at another time. Why don't we get one? Well, let's see. We have two more. Well, we have another day. There's tomorrow. Let me see. Jimmy, you're both 11 and 6. I know. I think TJ and I are wrong. I might bump it up to 12 and 13. I think you should flip those numbers. 6 and 11. I'll go down to 7 and 10. Okay, there you go. Thanks for the call, Jimmy. 7 and 10. He's 7 and 10 now. And TJ's now 12 and 5. Okay, good to know. Noted. Did I say that? B.J. Novak, Jif. Let's predict the NFC North while we're here. We were going to do this yesterday, but Sean Payton was telling too many great stories.
30:13Rich Eisen:We bumped this to today. T.J. Jefferson, who wins the NFC North and finishes second, third, and fourth? Win, play, show, and show pony? That's a great question. What do I have? He doesn't have it in front of him. NFC North, I think right off the bat, I think I got the Bears. Winning it? No. I got them finishing fourth. Uh-oh. Yeah. Ashton on line one. They're fourth. No disrespect to Ashton Kutcher or Seth Rollins. You have to say that first. Otherwise, it doesn't count. Okay, let's do that. Rewind. Okay. No disrespect to Seth Rollins or Ashton Kutcher or my godson Bear, but I got the Bears fourth.
30:50Okay. I got the Vikings finishing third. With all due respect to me and Brockman's guy, J.J. McCarthy. You like McCarthy. This one was tough, man. And I went back and forth on this one, but until I know that his back is not an issue, I'm going to put the Packers in it, too. And then, you know, despite the fact that I do believe losing coordinators is going to hurt, I just don't see any reason not to believe that the Lions are going to take this.
31:17Rich Eisen:Christopher, what do you say for the National Football League's NFC? TJ and I are right there. Three and four. I got Vikings three, Bears four. I think the overall talent on the Vikings is better, and that's going to kind of make up for J.G. McCarthy's inexperience, although I could see them both kind of going 8-9. 8-9? I'm going Packers, man. I had these guys in the Super Bowl last year, so maybe I was just a year early. But obviously, hitting on Matthew Golden in the draft and the massive Micah Parsons trade, I just think it's their year. I really like Matt LaFleur, great coach. Jordan Love, you mentioned the 27-age thing.
31:53Rich Eisen:I think he makes a big leap this year. I'm going Packers winning the North. And I like the Bears as well to finish fourth. And I think they're improved. I just think this division is so tough. And I think that, you know, you can have a team that has double-digit wins in third place. And that's where I'm putting the Vikings. I do believe they make the playoffs. I do believe J.J. McCarthy is going to look good. I just need to see what Caleb looks like on this new offense. And I'm already seeing these all 22. too, like, Kurt scares me about Caleb. He's like, he's got talent, but once his first read is shot, the play's shot.
32:33Rich Eisen:And it's going to take some time for that not to be the case. I'm not saying it's never going to be the case. I just don't know if this year is going to be the case. And I have the Packers, too, and I have the Lions, one. And as a matter of fact, I'll say it here because I said it on NFL Network last night, and I'm going to say it when we do our Super Bowl predictions here tomorrow. I have the Lions winning the conference. Oh, I have. I am way higher on the Lions than everyone else. Everyone else thinks that the secret sauce was Ben Johnson with Jared Goff. And we're going to find out if that's the case or not.
33:07Rich Eisen:And then I'm assuming the Lions are just not going to have a million people hurt this year. And I got the Lions finishing first. And that's our NFC North breakdown right here on the Rich Eisen show. Gus in Florida. Are you there, Gus? Gus. You there, Gus? Hello, Rich. How are you, buddy? Ladies and gentlemen, here on Disney +, back on ESPN, I guess. Hey! Welcome back. Gus, have you been... I figured if you could go back, then they'll take anybody. Ladies and gentlemen. My triumphant return. One of the most talented producers out there. And what is your title in the Dan Patrick School of Broadcasting, Gus?
33:42Rich Eisen:What is it? I am the program director, Dean, but that sounds like something I do with the Y. So, program director. So, I try to make the kids call me Dean Ramsey. Dean Ramsey. Everybody is here. and everyone else is full Blutarski. All right, Gus, you have the floor. What's on your mind here, Gus? I've been watching your callers go through team schedules for weeks and weeks now, so I would like a shot at the Broncos' schedule. Win-loss game for diehard Bronco fan Gus Ramsey. Here we go. Gussie playing a win-loss game. Fantastic. What happens in the opener against the Titans, Gus? That's a W. you.
34:21I think rookie quarterback on the road against our defense, you've got to give that a win.
34:25Rich Eisen:Alright, now you're at the Indianapolis Colts. We'll be dropping dandy dimes all over the field. Ladies and gentlemen, Gus Ramsey, already turning phrases. It's his area of expertise. 2-0 at the Chargers. What happens? They kind of owned us last year, even though the games end up looking close. I think that's a loss. They still have our number. Okay, 2-1 now. Home for the Bengals on a Monday night. Over-under on Bengals games in which they score 30 points and still lose, I think, is like four and a half, and this is one of them. Okay, three and one at the world champion Philadelphia Eagles. Well, as a Mets fan, I have disdain for Philly in my heart, but they're going to win that game.
35:08Rich Eisen:Three and two, home for the Jets. They're playing the Jets in London. I'm calling this game, Gus. All right, this is a Ted Lasso revenge game because, you know, he kind of made fun of the Broncos in one of the episodes, so we're going to go into Hotspur Stadium and beat up on the Jets. Who are the Jets would be the ones having to hold the bag for Ted Lasso? I didn't see that coming, Gus. Home for the Giants. This game, Rich, they're honoring the 2015 Super Bowl team. They're putting Demarius Thomas in the ring of fame and I will be in attendance. So that is a W. That's a big game. Five and two.
35:41Rich Eisen:Home for the Cowboys. You know, TJ and I have never met but we are kindred spirits. We're both Mets fans. We both love Dr. J. We're both WWE fans. I feel like TJ might stand for tribal jefe, so I will acknowledge him. But he has to acknowledge the Broncos are winning this game. No! That should be best. Gus? You should be best friends. That's next level. That was awesome. 6-2 at the Texans. That's a tough one. That's a loss. 6-3 Thursday night football against the Raiders at home. You like the short week at home against a division rival. That's a W. 7-3. home for the Chiefs. This is a statement game, Rich.
36:22This is a double-bold prediction here. Nick Benito will break the single-season sack record in large part because he's going to tie Derek Thomas' single-game record with seven sacks against Derek's old team in this game in a Broncos win.
36:36Rich Eisen:Someone's a writer. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and three right now coming out of the bye at the Commanders. That's a loss. Eight and four at the Raiders. I will roll the dice and say we win in Vegas. Nine wins now. Home for the Packers. I think we're going to lose one game at home, and I don't feel good about this one. So I'm going to call this one a loss. Okay, so you're now, that's now nine and one, two, three, four, five. Home for the Jaguars. Travis Hunter returns to Colorado, and it does wait for the lock. Colorado lose. Wow. Wow. 10-5 at the Chiefs on a Thursday night.
37:19Oh, this game is primed to ruin my Christmas.
37:24Rich Eisen:That's right. That is Christmas Day. All right. And then home for the Chargers. This game could be for the division, you know? And so I don't think we're just going to have Bo Nix this year. I think we're going to get Tecmo Super Bo. Nice. And the Broncos are going to win this game. All right. 11-6, Gus. You know, a year ago this time, someone on your show whose initials are CB suggested that maybe the Broncos would be better off if they had just kept Russell. So the mere fact that we're talking about 11-6 and maybe being a sleeper Super Bowl team, it's a far cry from where we were a year ago.
38:00Rich Eisen:Dean Ramsey's taking notes and schooling Chris Brockman. Keeping receipts, Rich. Keeping receipts. That's right. Keeping receipts. All right, Gussie. Great to chat with you. Enjoy Brazil. Point. I shall. Zero. Gus Ramsey, everybody. Dean Ramsey, everybody. Dan Patrick. Let's go next. We're broadcasting. It might have been an overreaction topic. Okay. Let's take a break. We've got the AFC East to predict. Then Desmond Howard will join us. Then Dylan O 'Brien, the actor and Jet fan in studio. That's how we're rolling here at the halfway point of this second show and our tenure here at Disney Plus, ESPN Rap, and ESPN Radio.
38:43Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
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39:32Rich Eisen:they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. and because Granger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner and protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRANGER, click granger.com, or just stop by. We're talking about the banner raise in Philadelphia. You know they're raising the banner, right? I've read a story or two. Now, I think you might think I'm trolling on you as a cowboy fan. I'm waiting for it, sure. I'm not. because listen to Nick Sirianni's reaction when asked about how the team was going to handle a banner-raised night on Thursday night in Philadelphia.
40:16The last banner night in 2018, it's famous that the fans booed the Eagles at halftime because they weren't happy with the way things were going, albeit it was banner night. How do you feel about the fact that even though it is banner night for you guys, the fans will still have the standard of performing and winning at a high level?
40:34Rich Eisen:yeah i don't i didn't know it was banner night uh we won't be out for that that's that's insane no it was banner night well he's clearly lying like that's that's unreal to say something like that you don't know it's banner night have you never watched football he knows it's banner night of course he does but what are we doing we won't be out for that the whole like oh we're moved on just celebrate your team like a normal person in a normal situation that everyone does. Come on, man. I kind of dig it. What is there to dig about that? I kind of dig it. That's yesterday's news. It's for the fans.
41:10Rich Eisen:It's not for us. So we get nominated for an Emmy and we win. We're just not going to accept our trophy and celebrate it or have a thing here for it? We have to be there to know that we win. It's that night. We're just not going to go up on stage and accept it? What are we talking about? We will go up on stage and accept it but the question is is hold on a minute what if it was we we knew we've won it and then for the new season of the rich eisen show so that happens in may so the next september don't even talk about it that's when we receive it and then we no we just do nothing we just because that's gone it's over height of stupidity yeah i'm i'm with chris you're basically you're basically peeing on your fans and telling them it's raining plus i i won't if we win uh i won't be here because i'll be so blackout drunk from uh climbing a greased up telephone pole and punching horses but i i get it i understand it i just love that he's just like yeah was it is it banner night is it really because i didn't know that when you win a championship and you start the the season in your spot i didn't know you raised a banner who is that for like who is that act for that act is for his team it's for his team that's the way he's choosing to handle it there's no way anyone on his team is motivated by that performance i bet you don't think he's cleared it would or you don't think that's it's it's a collective that jalen jalen's not on board they're not there like who wants to stand out there i don't understand this hardo thing that these guys pull off like oh man we're not to talk celebrating the power we're going to focus on 2025.
42:49Well, your guy was the best at that, Chris. I'll offer a little pushback. Belichick was the best at that, right? I got off for a little pushback.
42:56Rich Eisen:Come on. Do they really sound like that? I don't think they sound like that. Yeah, I mean, they do. I don't know. I mean, what? Bro, your guy was kind of... Yeah, Belichick was the best one at that. You had the best guy doing that. And we had to put up with that for 20 years. Yeah. Like, come on. Excuse me. Really? Look at the parades and all that fun stuff. If you want to see back all the players, we're having a good time. How about, let's not forget, if you think this is bad, where does Brady, at the farewell to New England, we're going off to the Super Bowl rally saying that nobody believes in us?
43:32Rich Eisen:Yeah, right. But that was true at the time. Where does that rank? Do you want me to play back all the clips of falling off cliffs and he should be benched? Do you want me to play back all those? I remember everyone was saying when they were down 28 to three, Twitter was like, it's Jimmy G time. Finally in New England. So yeah, he's, he's fair to say all that. Excuse me. That year. You think Saquon's going to run for 3000 yards this year? I don't think so. I think he's going to have the best season follow-up season in the history of a 2k runner to say like, Whoa, I didn't know it was better night.
44:03Rich Eisen:That's just like, no, that's true. But, but I'm just pointing out that there's, there's been some, there's been some rain being sold as something, something that's been sold as rain in new England many times. And it was all BS then just like it's all BS. Works for the team. And this is a guy that clearly has his pulse of a team. Do you know what's going to be out there though? Are the Dallas Cowboys. Oh yeah. Do you hear this from CD lamb? I did not hit it. It's surreal. They're going to be celebrating their title. You know, I don't know if you have to watch this ceremony. I'm going to watch it.
44:34I'm going to watch it.
44:36Rich Eisen:Shout out them for that. Shout out Jay. Cause I still got brothers over there. You know what I'm saying? It's not, It's not really anything personal, but it's something that I'm chasing. So what do you want to watch?
44:48Rich Eisen:Motivation. Motivation. I like it. I like all of it. I like all of it. Whatever works, man. I'm going to sit there and watch that. I'm going to watch that entire thing. I'm going to watch the celebration, watch the banner go up. I hope they give out the rings. I want the whole team to watch that. You know who's going to watch it with you? Carl Anthony Towns. Oh, boy. Joining us right now. No, I'm just kidding. I was looking. Where is he? I thought he was going to come walking. No, no, no. All I know is that he has told me that there may be a horn section Friday.
45:28Okay, there's two things at that point. I will not be here. You have to win the game. He's already talking about a horn section.
45:38Rich Eisen:and so i don't know what that means he has sent a mariachi band here as you all know he just wants to waste his money by the way it's not wasting money i think for him it's well spent and by the way i think there's more where that came from the money yes yeah sure but i'm saying like i'm not going to be as uh welcoming of this crap this year okay them playing fly eagles fly that is just it's mariachi band is so good from carl anthony towns yeah so i think i think it's a whole i think he wants a horn section to come we don't have to let them in some no yes we do the rich eisen show podcast close your eyes exhale feel your body relax and let go of whatever you're carrying today well i'm letting go of the worry that i wouldn't get my new contacts in time for this class.
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From the publisher
Academy Award winner Spike Lee and Rich discuss his new ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Denzel Washington movie on Apple TV+ and explains what the acclaimed actor has in common with Michael Jordan, says why he, a die-hard Yankees fan, respects the Boston Red Sox, and shares some great stories about Prince, Kobe Bryant, Halle Berry and more in a round of ‘Celebrity True or False.’
Rich and the guys reveal their predictions for how the NFC North will shake out this season, former ESPN SportsCenter producer Gus Ramsey plays the ‘NFL Win-Loss Game’ for the Denver Broncos, and the guys discuss the Philadelphia Eagles’ no-nonsense mindset heading into the new season despite being the reigning Super Bowl champions.
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