Digest

The podcast begins with a discussion about the Philadelphia Eagles' inconsistent performance in week 3, with Shilka Paddy questioning Nick Sirianni's coaching decisions and the team's reliance on Saquon Barkley. The conversation then shifts to the Washington Commanders, where Dave Chang expresses his excitement about their new quarterback, Jayden Daniels, and how his arrival has brought joy to the fan base. Dave Chang then talks about his Netflix show, "Ugly Delicious," and the physical challenges it presented, leading to back surgery. He discusses the show's success and its role in testing Netflix's live streaming capabilities. Bill Simmons shares his controversial opinion on pizza, arguing that the focus on gourmet ingredients and dough has taken away from the simplicity and enjoyment of a classic slice. He criticizes the trend of overly complex pizzas and expresses his preference for a basic cheese and pepperoni pie. Dave Chang and Bill Simmons then engage in a lively debate about the changing landscape of pizza, arguing whether the "classic" New York slice is being overshadowed by more artisanal, ingredient-focused pies. They discuss the merits of both styles and whether the "pizza 2.0" trend is pushing out the traditional pizza 1.0. The conversation then turns to clam chowder, with Dave Chang passionately arguing that it is often made incorrectly, advocating for a thinner, less clam-heavy version with a perfect balance of ingredients. He criticizes the over-use of cream and the prevalence of clam chowder in bread bowls. Dave Chang introduces the concept of Rhode Island clam chowder, a clear broth-based version that he believes surpasses the traditional New England style. He emphasizes its lightness and the importance of fresh ingredients. Bill Simmons challenges Dave Chang's analogy of field charcuterie being hit or miss, suggesting that ordering fish at a restaurant is a more accurate comparison due to its inherent variability in quality. Dave Chang declares scallops as the most underrated food, highlighting their sweetness and the superior quality of those found in New England. He argues that scallops are often overcooked or served in small portions, and proposes the creation of a scallop chowder. Dave Chang playfully challenges Bill Simmons to create a scallop pizza, suggesting that it's a culinary abomination that should never be attempted. The podcast concludes with Bill Simmons interviewing David Shoemaker, a producer on the upcoming Netflix documentary "Mr. McMahon," about the challenges and complexities of filming the project. They discuss Vince McMahon's personality, the documentary's scope, and the impact of recent events on the project.

Outlines

00:01:29

Eagles' Inconsistent Performance and Coaching Decisions

Shilka Paddy discusses the Eagles' performance in week 3, highlighting their inconsistent play and Nick Sirianni's questionable coaching decisions. They debate whether the Eagles are a good team or not, and discuss the impact of Saquon Barkley's performance.

00:36:11

Commanders' New QB Jayden Daniels and Fan Excitement

Dave Chang expresses his excitement about the Commanders' new quarterback, Jayden Daniels, and how his performance has brought joy to the fan base. They discuss the team's history and the impact of Dan Snyder's ownership.

00:49:55

Dave Chang's Netflix Show "Ugly Delicious"

Dave Chang talks about his Netflix show, "Ugly Delicious," and how it pushed him physically and led to back surgery. He discusses the show's success and how it was a test for Netflix's live streaming capabilities.

00:57:48

Bill Simmons' Controversial Pizza Opinions

Bill Simmons shares his controversial opinion on pizza, arguing that the focus on gourmet ingredients and dough has taken away from the simplicity and enjoyment of a classic slice. He criticizes the trend of overly complex pizzas and expresses his preference for a basic cheese and pepperoni pie.

00:59:34

The Evolution of Pizza: Classic vs. Artisanal

Dave Chang and Bill Simmons discuss the changing landscape of pizza, arguing whether the "classic" New York slice is being overshadowed by more artisanal, ingredient-focused pies. They debate the merits of both styles and whether the "pizza 2.0" trend is pushing out the traditional pizza 1.0.

01:07:32

Clam Chowder: A Passionate Debate

Dave Chang passionately argues that clam chowder is often made incorrectly, advocating for a thinner, less clam-heavy version with a perfect balance of ingredients. He criticizes the over-use of cream and the prevalence of clam chowder in bread bowls.

01:12:40

Rhode Island Clam Chowder: A Hidden Gem

Dave Chang introduces the concept of Rhode Island clam chowder, a clear broth-based version that he believes surpasses the traditional New England style. He emphasizes its lightness and the importance of fresh ingredients.

01:14:01

Ordering Fish: A Hit or Miss Analogy

Bill Simmons challenges Dave Chang's analogy of field charcuterie being hit or miss, suggesting that ordering fish at a restaurant is a more accurate comparison due to its inherent variability in quality.

01:14:53

Scallops: The Underrated Food

Dave Chang declares scallops as the most underrated food, highlighting their sweetness and the superior quality of those found in New England. He argues that scallops are often overcooked or served in small portions, and proposes the creation of a scallop chowder.

01:20:28

The Scallop Pizza Challenge

Dave Chang playfully challenges Bill Simmons to create a scallop pizza, suggesting that it's a culinary abomination that should never be attempted.

01:21:17

The Making of "Mr. McMahon" Documentary

Bill Simmons interviews David Shoemaker, a producer on the upcoming Netflix documentary "Mr. McMahon," about the challenges and complexities of filming the project. They discuss Vince McMahon's personality, the documentary's scope, and the impact of recent events on the project.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the key factors that have contributed to the Eagles' inconsistent performance this season?

  The Eagles' inconsistency can be attributed to Nick Sirianni's questionable coaching decisions, the team's reliance on Saquon Barkley, and the overall uncertainty surrounding their offensive identity.

• How has Jayden Daniels' arrival impacted the Commanders' fan base?

  Jayden Daniels has brought a renewed sense of excitement and hope to the Commanders' fan base, who have endured years of disappointment under Dan Snyder's ownership. His performance has reignited the team's potential and given fans a reason to believe in the future.

• What are some of the challenges and rewards of producing a live cooking show on Netflix?

  Producing a live cooking show on Netflix presents unique challenges, such as ensuring technical stability and managing the unpredictable nature of live events. However, it also offers the opportunity to create a more engaging and interactive viewing experience for audiences.

• What are Bill Simmons' main criticisms of the current trend in pizza?

  Bill Simmons believes that the focus on gourmet ingredients and dough has taken away from the simplicity and enjoyment of a classic pizza. He argues that the trend of overly complex pizzas has resulted in a loss of the core elements that make pizza so appealing.

• What are the key differences between "pizza 1.0" and "pizza 2.0"?

  Pizza 1.0 represents the classic, simple style of pizza, often found in New York City, with basic toppings and a focus on the crust. Pizza 2.0 is a more artisanal approach, emphasizing high-quality ingredients, unique toppings, and a focus on flavor.

• What are Dave Chang's main criticisms of how clam chowder is typically made?

  Dave Chang believes that clam chowder is often too thick, too clam-heavy, and over-reliant on cream. He advocates for a thinner, more balanced version with a perfect ratio of ingredients.

• Why does Dave Chang believe that scallops are the most underrated food?

  Dave Chang praises the sweetness and delicate texture of scallops, particularly those found in New England. He believes that scallops are often overcooked or served in small portions, and that their true potential is often overlooked.

• What were some of the challenges faced by the filmmakers during the production of "Mr. McMahon"?

  The filmmakers faced challenges in gaining access to Vince McMahon, who was initially eager to participate but later became more elusive. They also had to navigate the complexities of his personality and the controversies surrounding him.

Show Notes