Moran-Alytics Podcast

On this milestone episode of the future award-winning Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran has an interview with popular longtime WGR-550 sports talk radio host, Chris “Bulldog” Parker on a wide variety of topics. This episode marks the two-year anniversary since the launch of the Moran-Alytics Podcast and Patrick marks the occasion with a fun and notable guest. They talk Bulldog growing up in West Seneca (suburb of Buffalo), New York a fan of all sports, particularly hockey. While most who end up working in the media are locked in on chasing the profession at a young age, Bulldog was admittedly “directionless” during his younger years. He got into the food service business after high school and moved away from Buffalo for a couple of years before coming back to Buffalo State College in effort to chase broadcasting. Bulldog worked at a pizzeria while securing his first part-time gig at WBEN. As he got better and more popular with the audience it became a full-time role and when Entercom purchased WGR and turned WBEN into an all-news station, Bulldog went to WGR. He originally was on-air in the mornings until slotting into weekday afternoons with Mike Schoop—a partnership formed in 2003 still rolling on today. Bulldog talks about working with Schoop and their chemistry, the bond between several station coworkers, how he handles unruly callers and gives his thoughts on being lumped into a generality when people criticize the radio station. He also discusses his son, Owen, a talented high school goaltender as well as why he lives in North Buffalo and his passion for music. It’s a well-rounded chat with a guy Patrick’s been a fan of for many years. You can follow Chris on Twitter @BulldogWGR and of course check him out along with Mike Schoop on weekday afternoons (starting at 3pm) on WGR-550. Follow Patrick on Twitter @PatMoranTweets. ♦♦♦♦♦ Make sure you subscribe to the Moran-Alytics Podcast YouTube Channel, which includes EXCLUSIVE audio content you won’t find anywhere else as well as highlight clips from current and past podcast episodes. ♦♦♦♦♦ THANKS TO OUR SHOW SUPPORTERS

On this episode of the future award-winning Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran has a chat with WKBW-TV News 7 anchor Ashley Rowe on a variety of topics spanning her life and career. Ashley was technically born in Los Angeles but raised in Ontario, Canada where she lived close enough to Western New York to watch Buffalo television stations. Journalism is in her DNA — her grandfather a journalist and father a well-known Canadian documentary filmmaker. Ashley went to college in Canada and broke into the business via radio before becoming a TV reporter and anchor in Toronto. She had previously been to Buffalo to cover Black Friday shopping events and the Blizzard of 2014. She made Buffalo her permanent home in early 2016 after accepting the job at WKBW-TV. She spends time talking about the entire journey and process. Ashley also discusses how she feels about living in Buffalo, a few sports-related stories she’s done before her and Patrick bone over a favorite pizza place. As always, the interview wraps with the Mini-Lightning Round, where we learn a ton of Ashley Rowe fun facts. You can follow Ashley on Twitter @AshleyRoweWKBW and of course, see her on-air at WKBW-TV. After that Patrick’s joined by Joe (@BuffaloWins) for another segment of “The Run-In With Joe.” Today the guys make a little small talk before digging into the Buffalo Sabres. They at times angrily discuss how poorly the organization has been run and that it’s finally time to make some changes. Patrick and Joe are also blunt if not critical on the methods some fans are going about asking for it. They also talk some local Buffalo sports media stuff and Patrick uncharacteristically goes on a tirade about one local AP sportswriter before they finish with a discussion on what a now former local sports talk show host should do to give his upcoming podcast a better chance to succeed. Far and away the saltiest Run-In With Joe segment ever on this podcast! Follow Patrick on Twitter @PatMoranTweets. ♦♦♦♦♦ Make sure you subscribe to the Moran-Alytics Podcast YouTube Channel, which includes EXCLUSIVE audio content you won’t find anywhere else as well as highlight clips from current and past podcast episodes. ♦♦♦♦♦ THANKS TO OUR SHOW SUPPORTERS

On this episode of the future award-winning Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran has a chat with TV host/reporter and owner of his own hugely popular YouTube channel, Chris Van Vliet on a wide variety of topics. In a chat designed to give his legions of fans opportunity to learn more about him, Chris discusses growing up in Canada and what first had him fall in love with professional wrestling and also what peaked his desire to ultimately become a TV person. His journey led him to Cleveland, where in 2011 he won Cosmopolitan Magazine’s Bachelor of the Year. He eventually went to Miami in early 2015 as a host for the popular Deco Drive show. It was there he interviewed many of today’s biggest stars in Hollywood, including chats with Denzell Washington, Ben Affleck, Dwayne Johnson and several A-listers. Chris remembers a few of them and the famous interview he had with actresses Leslie Mann and Dakota Johnson in 2016 that saw them flirt with him and end up going viral on the internet. They also discuss his insanely popular YouTube channel and some of the most memorable interviews he’s had with literally dozens of professional wrestlers over the past few years, including his personal favorites. They end with this podcast’s traditional Mini-Lightning round to find out even more about Chris, including what Neil Diamond song he could rock, what 80’s movie is his most re-watchable flick and what three celebrities he’d most like to have over for dinner. It’s a great interview with one of the most accomplished and nicest people in the business today. You can follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisVanVliet and of course subscribe to his YouTube Channel, which features regular sit down interviews with many of the biggest stars in professional wrestling today as well as clips from past interviews with some of Hollywood’s most famous actors. Follow Patrick on Twitter @PatMoranTweets. ♦♦♦♦♦ Make sure you subscribe to the Moran-Alytics Podcast YouTube Channel, which includes EXCLUSIVE audio content you won’t find anywhere else as well as highlight clips from current and past podcast episodes. ♦♦♦♦♦ THANKS TO OUR SHOW SUPPORTERS

On this episode of the future award-winning Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran has a chat with WKBW-TV Buffalo channel 7 sports reporter Adam Unger about his life and career to this point. Unger’s one of the youngest full-time members of the mainstream Buffalo sports media at just 22 years old. He talks about growing up in Erie, Pennsylvania a fan of a very eclectic combination of professional sports teams. He also remembers realizing before he even became a teenager that sports broadcasting was something he wanted to do with his life. He’d follow in both his parents footsteps by going to Syracuse for college. Adam discusses why he ultimately went there and how it would go onto benefit him as well as an internship in Ohio before the opportunity to work in Buffalo came about. Speaking of, they discuss how the WKBW job came into play and if Adam accepting the role was an easy decision. He also talks about living in the Elmwood Village, his take on Buffalo since moving there in June of last year, his favorite wing spots so far and much more. Of course, they finish with the traditional mini-lightning round and we learn tons of fun facts about Adam, including both guys crushing on an actress and Adam being a pretty accomplished drummer. You can follow Adam on Twitter @AdamUnger_7 and of course check out his work at WKBW-TV. Before the interview Patrick spends a few minutes discussing the unveiling of his latest chicken wing power rankings, that are now also tiered into seven groups. You can read that post here and follow Patrick on Twitter @PatMoranTweets. ♦♦♦♦♦ Make sure you subscribe to the Moran-Alytics Podcast YouTube Channel, which includes EXCLUSIVE audio content you won’t find anywhere else as well as highlight clips from current and past podcast episodes. ♦♦♦♦♦ THANKS TO OUR SHOW SUPPORTERS

On today’s future award-winning Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran has a chat with Buffalo Sabres super fan and extremely talented musician Melody Martin on a variety of topics, including her ability to write and produce amazing Buffalo sports-related song parodies. The chat comes on the heels of her penning and recording “Hey Jason Botterill,” a Plain White T’s parody of “Hey There Delilah.” The catchy tune, which emphasizes the annoyance of fans with the Sabres general manager’s apparent lack of urgency to make more roster moves has resonated with fans, evidenced by the over 72,000 views Martin’s music video got on YouTube less than a week after its release. Patrick talks to Melody about her inspiration for the song and the process that comes with making the parodies. Melody also discusses her love for the team and the sport as well as frustrations as the organization is headed towards its ninth consecutive season sans a playoff appearance. You can follow Melody on Twitter @MelodyNMartin and definitely be sure to subscribe to her YouTube channel, which includes all of her music. After that Patrick is joined by recurring guest Jeff Boyd from the 716 Sports Podcast and Buffalo Twenty. Today the guys are talking about the Super Bowl, Demone Harris’ improbable journey to a ring, where Tom Brady may play in 2020 and plenty of Sabres talk as Jeff echoes Melody’s feelings when it comes to disenchantment with Buffalo’s professional hockey team. Follow Jeff on Twitter @JeffBoyd716, check out the 716 Sports Podcast and also Buffalo Twenty, which focuses on Buffalo sports over the past 20 years. You can follow Patrick on Twitter @PatMoranTweets. ♦♦♦♦♦ Make sure you subscribe to the Moran-Alytics Podcast YouTube Channel, which includes EXCLUSIVE audio content you won’t find anywhere else as well as highlight clips from current and past podcast episodes. ♦♦♦♦♦ THANKS TO OUR SHOW SUPPORTERS

On this episode of the future award-winning Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran has a lengthy chat with college and high school sports enterprise reporter Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News on a variety of topics spanning her life and career. Growing up in Maryland the daughter of parents who were both educators, Lenzi knew at an early age journalism and more specifically sports journalism was a field she wanted to pursue as a career. It’s a journey that beginning with college has taken her to Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado, Maine and Ohio. Rachel talks about how these stops not only just helped her hone her craft but gain life experiences in a variety of different cultures. Rachel also reveals how the opportunity came about to join The Buffalo News in the summer of 2018 and if it was initially an easy decision. She discusses how several colleagues helped make the transition easier and the gratification she gets her from work doing stories that go beyond the playing field. The two also spend time reacting comments a NBA player made that were highly offensive to women, her stance on social media, how she feels about living in Buffalo and of course, a handful of her favorite spots for chicken wings before finishing up with the traditional Moran-Alytics mini-lightning round, where among other things we learn a city in Italy Rachel’s a big fan of, a rewatchable movie discovery, a Queen song she thinks would dominate karaoke and a family affair for her dream dinner date. You can follow Rachel on Twitter @rachelmlenzi and of course be sure the subscribe to the Buffalo News and support local journalism! Also, courtesy of Sean Chandler and his very popular (over 146,000 subscribers) YouTube channel we have a movie review of “Bad Boys For Life,” the latest blockbuster movie starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as they ring in the third installment of the franchise and first in over 17 years. Be sure to subscribe to the Sean Chandler Talks About channel on YouTube and you can also follow Sean on Twitter @KirkNeverDied. You can follow Patrick on Twitter @PatMoranTweets. ♦♦♦♦♦ Make sure you subscribe to the Moran-Alytics Podcast YouTube Channel, which includes EXCLUSIVE audio content you won’t find anywhere else as well as highlight clips from current and past podcast episodes. ♦♦♦♦♦ THANKS TO OUR SHOW SUPPORTERS

On this episode of the future award-winning Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran has a chat with Nick Bat, co-host of the popular Nick & Nolan Show. This past Sunday was a historically tragic day in sports and life as former Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant along with his 13-year old daughter and seven other victims perished in a helicopter crash in California. Like many others watching around the world Moran was visibly upset over the news on Sunday and that carried well into Monday evening when the two got together to tape this episode. The guys reflect on the impact Kobe made both in basketball and society, how fragile human life can be, react to comments from an ESPN analyst and discuss the significance of irresponsible reporting. They eventually transition into happier topics, more specifically Buffalo Bills football. The guys both rank the Buffalo Bills pending free agents in order they’d prefer the organization re-signs guys, agreeing on some but not all of each other’s list. They also each run down a few under-the-radar veterans they’d like to see the Bills target in free agency, among them Nick having his eyes on a Pittsburgh pass rusher and Patrick desiring a division rival receiver. They finish with a discussion about the Nick & Nolan show, a rapidly growing popular Bills podcast. Nick talks about the roles he and co-host Bruce Nolan play and how they feed off each other’s strengths as well as the process/grind of production and the gratification of putting out a product more and more Bills fans are consuming each week. Lastly, Nick offers his Super Bowl prediction. Follow Nick Bat on Twitter @NickBat and make sure to check out the Nick & Nolan Show, available on Wednesdays. You can follow Patrick on Twitter @PatMoranTweets. ♦♦♦♦♦ Make sure you subscribe to the Moran-Alytics Podcast YouTube Channel, which includes EXCLUSIVE audio content you won’t find anywhere else as well as highlight clips from current and past podcast episodes. ♦♦♦♦♦ THANKS TO OUR SHOW SUPPORTERS

On today’s future award-winning Moran-Alytics Podcast presented by 26 Shirts, Patrick Moran has a chat with recurring guest Jeff Boyd from the 716 Sports Podcast on a variety of topics. After spending time talking about a new sports media venture Jeff’s involved in called Buffalo Twenty the guys embark on a smorgasbord of sports chat, including what teams could be in play for potential New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady as well as a list of quarterbacks the Pats could be interested in should Brady depart for another organization. They also spend a few minutes discussing Eli Manning retiring and if the two-time Super Bowl MVP will and/or should end up in Canton. They then transition into Buffalo Bills talk and Patrick asks Jeff to lay out what he thinks the team’s course of action should be this offseason, ranging from player cuts to re-signings, potential new free agent additions and a few spots Jeff feels should be targeted in the NFL draft this April. There’s also talk plenty of Buffalo Sabres talk fluctuating between positive and negative tones, ranging from Jack Eichel’s MVP caliber season being wasted to Rasmus Ristolainen re-emerging as a fantastic defenseman, Linus Ullmark pulling away as the team’s top goaltender, the pleasant surprise Henri Jokiharju has been and the equally disappointing Marcus Johansson. All that and much more in Jeff’s first appearance on the podcast in over a month. You can follow Jeff on Twitter @JeffBoyd716 and of course be sure to check out the 716 Sports Podcast, as well as Buffalo Twenty. You can follow Patrick on Twitter @PatMoranTweets. ♦♦♦♦♦ Make sure you subscribe to the Moran-Alytics Podcast YouTube Channel, which includes EXCLUSIVE audio content you won’t find anywhere else as well as highlight clips from current and past podcast episodes. ♦♦♦♦♦ THANKS TO OUR SHOW SUPPORTERS

On this episode of the future-award winning Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran hooks up with his buddy/recurring guest Joe for the first time in three months to chat over a variety of topics. Never one to mince words, Joe sounds off on the Buffalo Bills passing up a chance to draft Patrick Mahomes in 2017, a hot button topic that resurfaced on social media after Mahomes dominated the AFC playoffs and has led the Kanas City Chiefs to the Super Bowl. It’s a topic that even elicited a response from Tre White, the Bills All-Pro cornerback who ultimately landed in Buffalo after the Bills traded down. The guys also run down a list of veteran players the Bills could potentially part with despite entering the offseason with the third-most cap room in the NFL. Also in a shocker, noted Patriots hater Patrick actually heaps praises on Tom Brady while blasting the spoiled Boston fan base. That along with Patrick and Joe spending time talking about a a few movies, television shows and much more. You can follow Joe on Twitter @BuffaloWins. You can follow Patrick on Twitter @PatMoranTweets. ♦♦♦♦♦ Make sure you subscribe to the Moran-Alytics Podcast YouTube Channel, which includes EXCLUSIVE audio content you won’t find anywhere else as well as highlight clips from current and past podcast episodes. ♦♦♦♦♦ THANKS TO OUR SHOW SUPPORTERS

On this episode of the future award-winning Moran-Alytics Podcast presented by Sounds Assured, Patrick Moran does something he hasn’t done in the previous 186 episodes—- do an episode entirely by himself. Sans a guest for the first time ever and covering a variety of topics solo, Patrick discusses the voting results of some polls on Twitter earlier this week, including Buffalo Bills related categories such as Most Pleasant Surprise, Rookie of the Year and which pending free agent Buffalo should put the biggest emphasis on re-signing, as well as a take on another poll asking if fans preferred Josh Allen or Cam Newton starting for the Bills in 2020. Patrick also has thoughts on Brian Dabol remaining the Bills offensive coordinator and who his big rooting interest is for the remainder of the NFL playoffs. The episode doesn’t end with football talk. Patrick answers several questions listeners submitted, including why he doesn’t have more Sabres talk and coverage, if he likes living in Florida more than Buffalo along with the biggest differences besides weather, Notorious B.I.G. gaining induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and of course some talk about chicken wings. He wraps by answering questions related to podcasting such as his favorite local and national pods, what is his favorite and least favorite things are about doing the podcast and some of the biggest benefits he’s gained since launching this podcast. You can follow Patrick on Twitter @PatMoranTweets. ♦♦♦♦♦ Make sure you subscribe to the Moran-Alytics Podcast YouTube Channel, which includes EXCLUSIVE audio content you won’t find anywhere else as well as highlight clips from current and past podcast episodes. ♦♦♦♦♦ THANKS TO OUR SHOW SUPPORTERS