Matt and Paul are back, checking in after time on opposite coasts. Matt returns from New York, Paul from San Francisco, both coming off directing work they mostly can’t talk about. The guys open with a left turn you didn’t see coming, diving into Broadway with Matt’s review of Dog Day Afternoon starring John Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, plus a quick hit on Death of a Salesman. Not exactly the usual Beat LA beat, but a damn good time.

(10:17) Then it’s back to what we do best. The Warriors rollercoaster. From the unbelievable play-in win over the Los Angeles Clippers, a moment that already feels like one of 2026’s best to the reality of the season ending and what comes next. Is Steve Kerr still the guy? Who replaces him if not? What’s the plan around Steph Curry, Draymond Green and a roster full of questions? Big swings like Giannis Antetokounmpo or go after veteran plays like LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard. Also, is the NBA Lottery fixed? Matt and Paul hope so.

(18:20) The guys shift to the San Francisco Giants, where something… might be happening. Energy is up, the team isn’t boring, and there are legit questions. Is this real or fool’s gold? Names like Drew Gilbert, Heliot Ramos and Bryce Eldridge come up as the future starts to peek through. Plus, Matt declares his appreciation for the chaos of umpire C.B. Bucknor.

(32:30) Then it’s draft time for the San Francisco 49ers. With the NFL Draft this week Matt and Paul break down needs, options, trade scenarios and what the front office might actually do. Omar Cooper, Cassius Howell or move back and stack picks? The guys also build out a Mount Rushmore of all-time draft busts, featuring names like JaMarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf.

(39:20) Then Pet Peeves and and Best Things They Saw, where they hit Love Story, wrapping up the JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette series, the Martin Scorsese doc on Apple TV, and whatever chaos is happening with Zendaya in her new film The Drama and Euphoria Season 3.

Thanks for listening. Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. ✌️🎧 📺 🎙️

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

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Fresh off a trip to Tennis Paradise, Matt and Paul return from the BNP Paribas Open in Palm Springs. Matt was busy scouting talent, keeping a close eye on Emma Raducanu and Anastasia Potapova, while Paul focused on the real talent, catching Novak Djokovic, Jack Draper and Frances Tiafoe. The guys check in, trade stories from the desert and pay a quick tribute to Chuck Norris before getting into it.

(8:28) Then Matt and Paul sit down with broadcasting legend Ted Robinson for a wide-ranging conversation across one of the most versatile careers in sports media. From the voice of the San Francisco Giants, 49ers and Warriors to calling Wimbledon, the Olympics and the NCAA Tournament, Ted has truly done it all. The guys start with his iconic call of “The Catch III”, Alex Smith to Vernon Davis in the 2012 49ers vs. Saints playoff classic. What it was like inside Candlestick Park that day, plus behind-the-scenes stories from Jim Harbaugh’s team.

Ted walks us through his journey from Notre Dame to calling minor league hockey in Oklahoma, to landing his first big break with the Oakland A’s after cold-calling owner Charlie Finley. He shares his “welcome to the big leagues” moment, including a wild story involving Billy Martin, Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio. From there, he takes us through stops with the Warriors in the early ’80s, the Mets, the Twins, along with his time calling Giants baseball in the ’90s, offering stories on personalities like Rod Beck, Willie McGee, Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent and what he learned from managers like Dusty Baker, Tom Kelly and Tony La Russa.

The conversation also dives into his long-running partnership with John McEnroe at Wimbledon, what it’s like sharing the booth with one of tennis’s most iconic figures, and who might emerge as the next contender to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Ted also shares the story behind his unexpected cameo in the Rob Reiner film A Few Good Men with Tom Cruise, making for one of the more surreal moments of his career. It’s a masterclass in broadcasting, storytelling and the moments behind the calls.

(1:09:19) Later, Matt and Paul close things out with a mix of pet peeves and pet pleasures, including a heated debate on if Chipotle and In-and-Out are overrated, a Mount Rushmore of the greatest sports calls of all time from Vin Scully’s Buckner call to Al Michaels’ 1980 Olympics call. In Best Things They Saw, they review Project Hail Mary and Down DTF St. Louis.

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Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

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Fresh off a trip to Deer Valley, Utah, Paul joins Matt to check in on Giants spring training, the NFL Combine and what the 49ers might do in free agency. The guys also break down the Warriors post–Jonathan Kuminga trade vibes and try to make sense of Kristaps Porzingis latest health saga.

(15:48) Then Matt and Paul sit down with film producer, tennis aficionado and SFFILM board president Todd Traina for a wide-ranging conversation at the intersection of tennis and movies. They start with a high-stakes debate: if your life depended on one player in his prime, are you taking Nadal, Djokovic or someone else? That leads to a Mount Rushmore of tennis villains and why tennis has never produced a sports movie on the level of Rocky. The guys also get into Roger Federer’s Uniqlo deal, the criteria for getting into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and which players still deserve a spot. They preview the BNP Paribas Open and debate whether an American man will win a major or if the sport still belongs to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Todd also weighs in on what he’d change if he were tennis commissioner.

(42:45) Todd discusses SFFILM and the San Francisco International Film Festival, the longest-running film festival in the Americas, whether festivals still matter in the streaming era, why this year’s lineup may be the strongest yet. Also the new San Francisco tax incentives he helped usher in with Mayor Daniel Lurie to bring production back to one of the most cinematic cities in the world.

(1:07:30) Later, in Best Things They Saw, the guys discuss the FX hit Love Story, the enduring fascination with JFK Jr., the new Sam Rockwell film Good Night, Good Luck, Don’t Die and Industry on HBO. They wrap things up by welcoming Beat LA’s new producer and editor Tanner Hall, who may already fit in with the show a little too well.

Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

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Matt and Paul are back in the saddle, checking in on life, the Super Bowl hangover, and what the hell has happened since the last pod. Paul gives us a tutorial on Sam Daronld's grandfather, the legendary Dick Hammer. (5:59) Producer Nick Conrad, fresh off working another Super Bowl, gives his report from San Francisco, the halftime show, Bad Bunny and the best parties.

(11:55) The guys dive into an Olympics edition of Pet Peeves, including the wild “Penisgate” scandal involving ski jumpers, whether the Games have become too safe, and why there isn’t enough danger. Matt and Paul pitch brand-new Olympic sports like ice wrestling, ice fencing, Oklahoma drills in the snow, cash grab blizzards, and debate which events should be cut entirely.

Then it's Bay Area Sports. (20:33) They talk Warriors trade deadline sparks Giannis fantasies, Kristaps Porziņģis questions, Steve Kerr chaos, and what the hell the future actually looks like. (30:09) The guys wrap the 49ers season, talk closing windows, cap space, Kyle Shanahan discourse. (38:12) Baseball is back as spring training nears and the Giants offseason gets put under the microscope. Are they stuck in .500 purgatory or something worse?

Later, they run through the most recent TV and Film. (46:02) Including the Oscar Race, Hijack, Frankenstein, and more. The episode closes with a heartfelt goodbye to producer Nick Conrad, who’s moving on to greener pastures. Nick is an essential voice behind the scenes and helped build the Beat LA Podcast from the jump. We will miss you Nick!

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

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In this year-end episode, Matt and Paul close out 2025 the only way they know how: big takes, Bay Area chaos, and a full-blown Best of the Year breakdown.

The guys open with the San Francisco 49ers, asking the only question that matters: are we headed for the #1 seed or Wild Card City? They unpack Jauan Jennings weekly trash talk, whether this season is Kyle Shanahan’s best coaching job of his career, and if Brock Purdy has the juice to make a real playoff run. The fellas give predictions for the Colts matchup and map out the rest of the season and postseason.

Then it’s panic time. What is going on with the Golden State Warriors? Is the season cooked? Is this the end of the Steve Kerr era? Can Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler save this thing, or is it time to blow it up? The guys run through trade targets and uncomfortable truths. Quick hits on the San Francisco Giants, the winter meetings, the trade market, and who Buster Posey might chase before spring training.

(25:18) After that, it’s time for the main event. The annual Best of the Year with Beat LA producer and Sixth Man of the Year, Nick Conrad. The crew debates the best movies of 2025, including F1 and Paul’s undying love of Sinners. They jump to TV, breaking down favorites like Your Friends & Neighbors, MobLand, 1923, Adolescence, and The Pitt. They cap it with the best sports moments of the year, from Patrick Bailey’s walk-off against the Dodgers, to Buddy Hield going nuclear in the playoffs, to Paul witnessing tennis history at the French Open. In Pet Peeves of the Year, the guys unload on the Dodgers’ mentality and Netflix’s quest for global domination. Matt hands out the Beat LA Man of the Year to Daniel Lurie, and the episode wraps with quick reviews of Knives Out 3 and J. Kelly.

It’s been a hell of a year. Thanks for listening, thanks for watching, and thanks to every guest who helped make 2025 our best year yet. Here’s to an even better 2026.

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Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

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In this episode, Matt and Paul open with the state of the Bay. The 49ers are suddenly surging heading into the bye week, Jauan Jennings is talking like a WWE wrestler, and Kyle Shanahan looks like a coach who finally grew up and learned how to adapt. The guys also dive into the Warriors, who are stuck with a stagnant offense, no self-creation and the growing sense that the locker room might be tuning out Steve Kerr. Then it is Giants talk, including the surprising news that the team is not pursuing major free agents, even Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, who openly said he wants to come to MLB specifically to take down the Dodgers.

(22:08) After that, Matt and Paul sit down with writer and producer Kirk Rudell, whose credits span Will & Grace, Spin City and American Dad. Kirk talks about growing up a long-suffering Jets fan in New York City, attending Princeton with Paul, and whether Paul has lied for years about being a campus legend. Then the guys dig into the sitcom years, the Michael J. Fox era of Spin City and what it was like writing on huge network shows when sitcoms ruled TV. Kirk breaks down how he fell in love with soccer, the true ceiling of the USMNT under coach Mauricio Pochettino, his predictions for the 2026 World Cup, the sleeper nation he believes could win it all and how far the United States can realistically go on home soil. They also get into Messi in Miami, LAFC culture, the Oakland Roots and Kirk’s new podcast An American Game with co-host Tom McCabe, which explores the wild, forgotten origin story of soccer in America.

(1:13:17) Later in Pet Peeves, Matt rips Avatar, Trent Williams, Ja Morant and Kenyon Martin, while confessing his deep and shameless love for The Grove and Nordstrom. In Best Things We Saw, Paul reviews the Eddie Murphy documentary Being Eddie, and Matt recommends Family Rental and Train Dreams.

Thanks for listening. Do not forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

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In this episode, Matt and Paul open with the San Francisco Giants hiring Tony Vitello. Is this the bold reset the franchise needed or a beautiful disaster waiting to happen? The guys dive into what this means for the Giants future and why Paul believes Buster Posey is about to transform into the official free agent whisperer. Then the guys move to the state of the 49ers. Is this team still in the playoff hunt or are we staring straight into doom and gloom? They break down the Brock Purdy vs. Mac Jones simmering quarterback controversy and give their prediction for this week’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

(20:07) After that, Matt and Paul sit down with actor Jack Atkins, the youngest guest in Beat LA history and easily one of the funniest. Jack talks about growing up in New Haven, Connecticut as a Jacksonville Jaguars fan, leaving the University of Chicago to star on the Netflix hit reality show The Circle, and what it was like catfishing America as a character named Emily. Jack breaks down how to spot a real life catfish on the dating apps and the fellas start building their own unhinged reality shows. Matt pitches a real life version of The Running Man. Paul creates a killer concept called “The Will,” a show where younger guys try to charm their way into wealthy older women’s wills. Jack then gives Matt and Paul the full Gen Z report on Los Angeles nightlife. Are people still going out or is the city just full of run clubs now? They talk what it’s like trying to break in as an actor today in a social media world, Jack getting 11 million views playing the character Lil Brick in a film about a fictional SoundCloud rapper and his upcoming starring role in the comedy Chet Bond: License To Chill.

(1:14:41) Later in Pet Peeves the guys hit Gavin Newsom for rooting for the Dodgers and the petition to get Bad Bunny off the Super Bowl halftime show. They discuss Landon Donovan’s hair transplant, Gabe Kapler running the Marlins and Barry Bonds returning to the Hall of Fame ballot. In Best Things, Matt recommends House of Dynamite, The Diplomat and Death by Lightning.

Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

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Matt returns from New York empty-handed and Paul is furious, but there’s no time for gifts because the 49ers rollercoaster is officially back in freefall. The guys break down the emotional trauma of being a Niners fan: losing Fred Warner for the season, the weekly “who dies next” anxiety, and whether John Lynch should make a desperation trade or ride it out. They debate Statue of Liberty Mac Jones, the return of George Kittle and Brock Purdy’s swagger, Jennings vs. Shanahan sideline beef, and give their prediction for this week’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Has the luck officially run out?

(17:15) Then they sit down with Peter Scalettar, director, producer and showrunner of the Netflix series Starting 5, which premieres October 16th. Peter takes us behind the curtain on what it’s really like following LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum for a full season. He previews Season 2, explains how he accidentally predicted the future by casting Tyrese Haliburton before his NBA Finals run and SGA before his MVP season, and tells us what KD, James Harden and Jaylen Brown are actually like when the cameras stop. He even gives his NBA Finals prediction and one surprise team in his Final Four.

(1:04:01) After that, Matt and Paul pivot to the San Francisco Giants’ manager search. Is it Nick Hundley’s job to lose, or is there a dark horse name waiting in the weeds? Matt breaks down the Warriors preseason and makes an early prediction. In Pet Peeves, Paul unleashes on the Los Angeles Dodgers, while Matt vents about TSA, government shutdowns, and the hell of American airports. They close on Best Things, discussing HBO’s Task, the Charlie Sheen documentary, and saluting D’Angelo and Diane Keaton.

Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

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Website: https://www.beatlapodcast.com/