The Will Leitch Experience

Because, sometimes, I just don't think people have enough access to my opinions. Because, sometimes, I just don't think people have enough access to my opinions. Weekly Newsletter | YouTube | Books |MLB.com | NY Magazine | Grierson & Leitch | The Will Leitch Show | Deadspin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Email me

[leitch]

We got this, no worries.

Here are this week's stories:

MONDAY The World Cup Is Fun, Try to Enjoy It (New York) This Week's Power Rankings (MLB.com)

TUESDAY NBA Finals Game Three Recap (New York)

WEDNESDAY Ranking the Teams Likely to Return to the Playoffs (MLB.com) Which Cardinals Should You Vote into the All-Star Game? (MLB.com)

THURSDAY Off the Pitch, the USMNT Can't Win (The Washington Post) NBA Finals Game Four Recap (New York)

FRIDAY Expect High Ratings For This World Cup (The Hollywood Reporter) Steven Spielberg Movies, Ranked (Vulture) PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) Grierson and I discuss “Scary Movie," "Masters of the Universe" and "Power Ballad.”

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I did Friday’s show.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie and I talked about the return of Noot.

Seriously, the World Cup is awesome. Have a great week, all, and remember: So many sinners have directed films that it is only fair for a saint to have a chance.

[leitch]

Take your kid to the Arch, it's great.

MONDAY This Week's Power Rankings (MLB.com)

TUESDAY Seven Storylines To Watch in June (MLB.com) A Guide For Bandwagon Knicks Fans (New York)

WEDNESDAY The Cardinals Are Remaining Nimble and Smart (MLB.com)

THURSDAY The World Cup Will Probably End Up Fine (The Washington Post)

PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) Grierson and I discuss "Backrooms," "The Breadwinner" and "Exotica."

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I did Friday’s show.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie and I talked about roster moves.

I can't believe the World Cup is next week. Have a great weekend, all, and remember: This is a sluggish and dutiful film that plays more like a eulogy than an adventure.

[leitch]

One kid is done with middle school now. This is becoming a thing.

Here are this week's stories:

MONDAY This Week's Power Rankings (MLB.com)

TUESDAY The Knicks Did It (New York)

WEDNESDAY Welcome Back, Lars Nootbaar (MLB.com)

THURSDAY Knicks Fans Have Earned This (The Washington Post) FRIDAY Your June Month in Preview (MLB.com)

PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) Grierson is back from Cannes, and we also discussed "The Mandalorian and Grogu" as well as "I Love Boosters."

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I did Friday’s show.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie and I talked more Cardinals.

Off to first trip to St. Louis next week. Took too long. Have a great week, all, and remember: She never worked in Hollywood again. She had a triumph later in 1967, in a series of concerts at the Palace in New York, the Opera House in Chicago, and elsewhere. But she was clearly on some kind of downward spiral, and when news of her death came, it was not a surprise.

[leitch]

If you get a chance to see a game in Sacramento, you should do so!

Here are this week's stories:

MONDAY This Week's Power Rankings (MLB.com)

WEDNESDAY The Excitement of Tarps Off (MLB.com)

THURSDAY What Happened to Star Wars? (The Washington Post)

FRIDAY These Divisional Matchups Told Us a Lot (MLB.com)

PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) I did a solo show on "Is God Is" and "Obsession," and Grierson checked in from camp.

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I did Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's shows.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie and I kept our shirts on to talk about the Cardinals.

The school year is over. We made it. Have a great week, and remember: We are looking out through their eyes, instead of into them, as we would in more serious drama. We are on a quest, on a journey, on a mythological expedition. The story elements in the “Star Wars” trilogy are as deep and universal as storytelling itself. Watching these movies, we’re in a receptive state like that of a child–our eyes and ears are open, we’re paying attention, and we are amazed.

[leitch]

This is where I will be this week, I am looking forward to it.

Here are this week's stories: MONDAY This Week's Power Rankings (MLB.com)

TUESDAY What's With These World Cup Ticket Prices? (New York)

WEDNESDAY Cardinals Piece (MLB.com) THURSDAY I Miss "The Colbert Report" (The Washington Post) Your Guide to Rivalry Weekend (MLB.com)

PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) We talked "The Sheep Detectives" and previewed the Cannes Film Festival.

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I was off this week.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie and I talked the exciting-again Cardinals.

Sacramento! Greta Gerwig country! Have a great week, all, and remember: I have a weakness for actresses like Greta Gerwig. She looks reasonable and approachable. Some actresses are all edges and polish. This one, you could look up and see her walking dreamily through a bookstore, possibly with a Penguin Classic already in her hand.

[leitch]

I missed this show in 1993, but I wrote about Nirvana over the weekend and now close my eyes and pretend I was there.

Here are this week's stories:

MONDAY This Week's Power Rankings (MLB.com)

TUESDAY It's All Setting Up For the Knicks (New York) WEDNESDAY What's Up With These Crazy Divisions? (MLB.com) THURSDAY Wemby Is The Future (The Washington Post) FRIDAY Cardinals Piece (MLB.com)

PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) We talked “The Devil Wears Prada 2," "Hokum" and "Animal Farm."

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I did Monday’s and Friday’s shows.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie and I talked the exciting-again Cardinals.

School is almost out. I can't believe it. Have a great week, all, and remember: Nobody went to see “Easy Rider” only once. 

[leitch]

This jacket is, in the words of my kids, "tough."

Here are this week's stories:

MONDAY This Week's Power Rankings (MLB.com)

THURSDAY What It Means to Go See "Michael" (The Washington Post) Previewing MLB's Month of May (MLB.com) FRIDAY Cardinals Piece (MLB.com)

PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) We talked "Michael," "Mother Mary" and "Over Your Dead Body."

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I did Monday's and Friday's shows.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie and I talked the fading Cardinals.

It's almost May 2026, I can't believe it, we have really survived so far. Have a great week, all, and remember: The original John Reed was a dashing young man from Portland who knew a good story when he found one.

[leitch]

I am enjoying the baseball.

Here are this week's stories:

MONDAY MLB Power Rankings (MLB.com)

TUESDAY Jim Dolan Deserves Nothing (New York)

THURSDAY Seeing Bob Dylan in 2026 (The Washington Post)

FRIDAY Cardinals Piece (MLB.com)

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) Fun show, with "The Christophers," "Lee Cronin's The Mummy" and "Normal."

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I did Thursday’s show.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie and I talked the (almost) first place Cardinals.

The Dylan show is tonight. Been 20 years since I saw that guy. Have a great week, all, and remember: What a jerk Bob Dylan was in 1965. What an immature, self-important, inflated, cruel, shallow little creature, lacking in empathy and contemptuous of anyone who was not himself or his lackey. Did we actually once take this twirp as our folk god?

[leitch]

Might put this on my car next time I'm back in Illinois.

Here are this week's stories:

MONDAY This Week's Power Rankings (MLB.com)

TUESDAY Who's Off to a Good MVP Start? (MLB.com)

WEDNESDAY The NBA's Future Is in Fine Hands (The Washington Post) Knicks! (New York) THURSDAY Cardinals Piece (MLB.com)

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) Back! Discussing "The Drama," "Outcome" and "Exit 8."

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I did Thursday's show.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie and I talked Jordan (the great) Walker.

Vacation was well worth it. But back to work now. Have a great week, all, and remember: Maybe the makers of “Airplane II” exhausted their powers of comic invention at that point. Comedy is fairly hard work.

[leitch]

It was nice of William to fly us home from our vacation.

Here are this week's stories:

TUESDAY On Steven Soderbergh, Who Always Does It His Way (The Washington Post)

FRIDAY Keanu Reeves Movies, Ranked (Vulture)

PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) Off this week.

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) Off this week.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Off this week.

Vacations are nice, and nice to come back from. Will return to full speed on Monday. Have a great weekend, all, and remember: You have the odd sensation, watching the movie, that it’s straining to get off the ground but simply doesn’t have the juice.

[leitch]

Illini in the Final Four, Cardinals looking interesting, eight million people in the streets: Things are looking up. (Please do not let me know if this is not correct. Because it probably isn't.)

Here are this week's stories:

TUESDAY Once Again, I Am Begging You to Be Nice to the Umpires (New York) WEDNESDAY Cardinals Piece (MLB.com) Teams Who Have a Big Month Coming Up (MLB.com)

THURSDAY Illini Power Rankings (Illini Board) What This Means For an Illini Fan (The Washington Post)

PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) We discussed “They Will Kill You," "Alpha" and "Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice."

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I did Monday’s and Friday's shows.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie Miklasz and I enjoyed the first Cardinals weekend.

I am about to be in Anguilla, where I will watch the Illini on the beach rather than Indianapolis. There are far, far worse spots. Have a great week, all, and remember: In a droll performance that is perfectly suited to the material, Hudson resembles Clark Gable and, yes, Stewart Granger in his ability to maintain a sardonic detachment and calm courage while (a) being attacked by killer apes while (b) the ground opens up under him during a volcanic earthquake, and (c) rivers of molten lava head in his direction.

[leitch]

I was there to see this in person, and let me tell you: The video does not do it justice. That dunk made me believe in the promise of America again. Go Illini.

Here are this week's stories:

MONDAY My Big MLB Predictions (MLB.com) The MLB Power Rankings Are Back (MLB.com)

TUESDAY Cardinals 2026 Predictions (MLB.com)

WEDNESDAY Your Illini Power Rankings (Illini Board) Your Men's Sweet Sixteen Rootability Rankings (New York) Your Women's Sweet Sixteen Rootability Rankings (New York) Can Baseball Handle Prosperity? (MLB.com)

FRIDAY Opening Day Cardinals Observations (MLB.com)

PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) We discussed "Project Hail Mary," "Ready or Not 2: Here I Come" and "Two Prosecutors."

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I did Monday's and Thursday's shows.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie Miklasz and I did our big season preview.

This is the busiest time of the year, a great time for the world to be a little bit more on fire each day. Have a great week, all, and remember: We humans should remain centered in our traditional storytelling skills, and not allow technology to dictate the way we communicate and dream.

[leitch]

It's that time of year. Join my pool:

Men's. Women's.

Here are this week's stories:

MONDAY Bruce Pearl, New Face of College Basketball, Somehow (The Athletic) Best Picture Winners, Ranked (Vulture)

TUESDAY My MLB Predictions (MLB.com)

WEDNESDAY College Basketball Is the Most Democratic Sport (The Washington Post) This Is As Good As College Basketball Has Ever Been (The Athletic)

THURSDAY My Annual World Series Draft With Mike Petriello (MLB.com)

FRIDAY Whither Jordan Walker? (MLB.com)

PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) We discussed the Oscar show as well as "undertone" and "Casino."

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I did Friday’s show.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie Miklasz and I got close to the season.

Waitin' Since Last Saturday (subscribe in iTunes) Tony and I broke down some Georgia basketball.

Seriously, this is such a fun week. Have a great one, all, and remember: “Love & Basketball” is about how you can either be in love or play basketball, but it’s tricky to do both at the same time.

[leitch]

I always like having a rooting interest at the Oscars.

Here are this week's pieces:

SUNDAY Trump Is Trying to Ruin Sports (New York)

MONDAY Most Likely Award Winner in Each Division (MLB.com)

TUESDAY Ranking Cardinals Starting Pitching Candidates (MLB.com)

WEDNESDAY This May Be the Last Great Warner Bros Oscars (The Washington Post)

THURSDAY The Oldest Players in Baseball (MLB.com)

PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) We discussed “The Bride!" and "Hoppers," as well as made our Oscar predictions.

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I did Tuesday's, Thursday's and Friday’s shows.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie Miklasz and I broke down the Cardinals rotation.

I am ready for March Madness, the Oscars and any distraction I can get. Have a great week, all, and remember: It is flawlessly crafted, intelligently constructed, strongly acted and spellbinding. If its story stays well within the traditional formulas for such pictures, well, you don’t choose the most expensive film ever made as your opportunity to reinvent the wheel.

[leitch]

The overlap between Illinois basketball and youth baseball is a fun overlap.

Here are this week's stories:

MONDAY Your WBC Power Rankings (MLB.com)

WEDNESDAY Revisiting Poor Rudy Gobert (The Washington Post) Your MLB.tv Can't-Miss Teams (MLB.com)

THURSDAY Trump Is Going to Keep Making Sports Worse (New York)

FRIDAY Cardinals Piece (MLB.com)

PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) We discussed "Scream 7," "In the Blink of an Eye" and "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert."

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I did Monday's and Friday's shows.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie Miklasz and I dug into the Oliver Marmol extension.

The tournament is so close now, very exciting. Have a great week, all, and remember: See this film. Then shut up about it.

[leitch]

This is me talking on CNN, and this picture was taken way too early in the morning.

Here are this week's stories:

MONDAY It's OK to Be Happy About the USA Men Winning the Gold (New York) The Best Soon-to-Be Free Agent From Each Division (MLB.com)

WEDNESDAY Picking This Year's Bandwagon MLB Team (MLB.com)

THURSDAY Illini Power Rankings: Heading into Michigan (Illini Board)

FRIDAY Cardinals Roster Predictions (MLB.com)

PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) We did an in-person show and talked about "How to Make a Killing," as well as reboots of "Get Shorty" and "The Taking of Pelham 123."

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I was off this week.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie Miklasz and I were positive last week, and negative this week.

It sure feels like February was longer this year. Have a great week, all, and remember: There are moments so unpredictable and yet so natural they feel just like the spontaneity of life itself. And the movie’s conclusion is the same way: sentimental without being corny, a tearjerker with dignity.

[leitch]

Pretty nice of this guy to come out and cheer us on, I'd have thought him too busy.

Here are this week's stories:

MONDAY Biggest Offseason Addition in Each Division (MLB.com)

TUESDAY The Olympic Curling Scandal Is a Sign It's All Falling Apart (New York)

WEDNESDAY The Drone Cameras at the Olympics Are Changing Everything (The Washington Post) Big Spring Storylines for the Cardinals (MLB.com)

THURSDAY Michael Clair and I Drafted WBC Teams (MLB.com)

PODCASTS

Grierson & Leitch (subscribe in iTunes) We discussed "Wuthering Heights," "Crime 101" and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall."

Morning Lineup (subscribe in iTunes) I did Monday's show.

Seeing Red (subscribe in iTunes) Bernie Miklasz and I are weekly throughout the season now.

I'm off to LA to have some meetings, see some movies, eat some food and watch some Illinois basketball. Have a great week, all, and remember: To the degree that I do understand, I don’t care.