Shows
Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 8-3-25 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney Featuring Pascali's Island (1988) and Spirited Away (2001)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabbathia, Billy Wagner, Dick Allen and Dave Parker are all inducted into the Hall of Fame, while we bow our heads with respect to the passing of Ryne Sandburg.In Popcorn, we begin with Leo’s selection from 1988, Pascali’s Island, with Ben Kingsley and Helen Mirren, we then take on Tom’s choice, the Japanese animation classic from 2001, Spirited Away.Next Show's Films:Leo's Pick: Pina (2011)Tom's Pick: The Exterminating Angel (1962) 2025-08-0345 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 7-20-25 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney Featuring After Dark, My Sweet (1990) and Fitzcarraldo (1982)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the All-Star break has come and gone, while the White Sox celebrated the 20th anniversary of their World Series win over the Houston Astros, while mourning the passing of Bobby Jenks. In Popcorn, we have a pair of great films to review this week. We start with Tommy’s choice, a modern film noir effort, After Dark, My Sweet (1990). We then move to Leo's selection, the Werner Herzog epic, Fitzcarraldo (1982).Next Show's Films:Leo's Pick: Pascali's Island (1988)Tom's Pick: Spirited Away (2001)2025-07-2049 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 6-22-25 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney Featuring The Best Years of our Lives (1946) and The Birdcage (1996)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we begin with the peanuts as Pope Leo has a message for White Sox fans, we’ll discuss the Tigers and Cubs and who merit selection as All-stars, then we pivot to the popcorn for a lively discussion on two movies, the 1946 William Wyler classic, The Best Years of Our Lives, and the Mike Nichols "La Cage aux Folles" remake, Birdcage. Next Show's Films:Leo's Pick: Fitzcarraldo (1982)Tom's Pick: After Dark, My Sweet (1990)2025-06-2249 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 6-8-25 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring The Rules of the Game (1939) and Outlaw Josie Wales (1976)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the Detroit Tigers are the best team in baseball and the Chicago Cubs are (one of) the best teams in the National League. They meet in Detroit for a mid-season preview of a possible World Series matchup. We then pivot to Popcorn with critiques of two more moviesthat we think might be worth your time. The first is Tom’s suggestion, The Rules of the Game (1939), directed by Jean Renoir. Leo's choice is a Clint Eastwood project, The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976).Next Show's Films:Leo's Pick: The...2025-06-0843 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 5-25-25 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Super Cop (1992) and Take Shelter (2011)This week on a Memorial Day episode of Peanuts and Popcorn, we review two movies. We begin with Leo's choice, Jackie Chan's Super Cop (1992), and finally, Tom’s selection, Take Shelter (2011). Next Show's Films:Leo's Pick: Outlaw Josie Wales (1976)Tom's Pick: The Rules of the Game (1939)2025-05-2642 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 5-11-25 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Wild Tales (2014) and The Night of the Hunter (1955)This week on a Mother’s Day episode of Peanuts and Popcorn, we’ll review two movies. We’ll begin with Leo's choice, the Argentine (2014) film, Relatos Salvajes (Wild Tales), and finally, Tom’s selection, The Night of the Hunter (1955). Next Show's Films:Leo's Pick: Supercop (1992)Tom's Pick: Take Shelter (2011)2025-05-1145 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 4-27-25 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Crimson Tide (1995) and The Bicycle Thief (1948)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we begin with Leo’s choice-starring Gene Hackman: Crimson Tide (1995). Our second feature is Tom's selection: the Vittorio de Sica classic, the Bicycle Thief (1948).Next Show's Films:Leo's Pick: Wild Tales (2014)Tom's Pick: The Night of the Hunter (1955)2025-04-2753 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 4-13-25 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Mulholland Drive (2001) and Blue Velvet (1986)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we honor the passing of the American director David Lynch---as we review two of his best-known films: Mulholland Drive (2001) and Blue Velvet (1986).Next Show:Leo's Pick: Crimson Tide (1995) Tom's Pick: Bicycle Thieves (1948)2025-04-1347 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 3-30-25 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Come and See (1985) and The Heist of the Century (2020)This week on Peanuts & Popcorn we review Elem Klimov's Come and See (1985) and The Heist of the Century (2020) from Argentina. Next Show will be a celebration of the work of David Lynch with Leo's choice of Blue Velvet (1986) and Tom's selection Mulholland Drive (2001).2025-03-3046 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 3-16-25 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring The Vanishing (1988) and My Old Ass (2024)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we do our post mortem on the recent Oscars and then we review our first two non-Oscar selections for 2025. Tom’s choice is, The Vanishing (1988) directed by George Suizer. We close with Leo's choice, My Old Ass (2024) starring Aubrey Plaza. Next Show:Leo's Pick: The Heist of the Century (2021) Tom's Pick: Come and See (1985) 2025-03-1638 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 3-2-25 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Conclave, The Nickel Boys, The Substance and The Brutalist (2024)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we do double double-feature of reviews ahead of this evening’s 2025 Oscar Awards ceremony. We will start with Conclave and The Nickel Boys, and we finish with The Substance and The Brutalist.Next Show:Leo's Pick: My Old Ass (2024) Tom's Pick: The Vanishing (1988)2025-03-021h 02Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 2-2-25 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Wicked (2024) and Anora (2024)This week, we kick off the 9th season of Peanuts & Popcorn's nationally ranked movie podcast. P&P returns to discuss two of Oscar's Best Picture nominees from last year. We begin with Wicked (2024), directed by John Chu, starring Cynthia Erivo and Arianna Grande. We close out with Anora (2024), directed by Sean Baker, starring Mikey Madison, Paul Wesiman and Yura Borasov.
Next Show:
Leo's Pick: Emelia Perez (2024)
Tom's Pick: A Complete Unknown (2024)
2025-02-0242 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 10-27-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Young Frankenstein (1974) and How to Blowup a Pipeline (2022)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we open a steaming bag of Popcorn, as we start with Mel Brooks’, Young Frankenstein (1974), while pivoting to a newer work, How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2022).
In Peanuts, we mourn the loss of Fernando Valenzuela.
We react to both League Championship Series and the resulting matchup of the Dodgers and Yankees for the World Title. We ask the question, is spending the most the best way to win a title? The Reds hire Terry Francona and the White Sox are for sale.
Next Show:
Leo's Pick: Still Crazy (1998) ...2024-10-2753 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 10-13-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Road to Perdition (2002) and The Last Detail (1973)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we open the bag of Popcorn with Leo's selection, Road to Perdition (2002) and we close out with Tom's pick, The Last Detail (1973).
In Peanuts, we say good bye to Pete Rose and Luis Tiant. Detroit's Cinderella story comes to an end in Cleveland. Bob Uecker gets emotional in final Brewer game of the season.
Next Show:
Leo's Pick: How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2022)
Tom's Pick: Young Frankenstein (1975)
2024-10-1359 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 9-29-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001) and Atlantic City (1980)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we begin
with the Popcorn with two excellent selections, perhaps the two best this season, Atlantic City (1980), and Y Tu Mamá También (2001).
In Peanuts, we salute the Detroit Tigers, their excellent fans and their first-rate broadcaster. The Chicago White Sox are now the worst team of the modern era and Shohei Otani has possibly the greatest day of any hitter ever.
Next Show:
Leo's Pick: The Road to Perdition (2002)
Tom's Pick: The Last Detail (1973)
2024-09-2956 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 9-15-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Ghost World (2001) and Time Bandits (1981)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we open the Popcorn bag with Tom's pick, Ghost World (2001). Then we discuss Leo's selection Terry Gilliam's, Time Bandits (2001).
We then pivot to the Peanuts. We mourn the
passing of Ed Kranepool. Shohei Otani may add something to his resume that no one has ever done before. We then turn to Chicago baseball with an eye on how the Cubs can improve for next season and we talk about two things to watch for with the White Sox as they wind down their debacle of a season.
2024-09-151h 00Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 9-1-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Run Lola Run (1998) and A Rainy Day in New York (2019)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we start
with the Popcorn and Tom’s choice from 1998, Run Lola Run. Leo's pick is Woody Allen’s A Rainy Day in New York City. In Peanuts, we discuss the new Greg Maddux documentary on the MLB Network. The Cubs and Tigers dance at the fringes of respectability all the while holding our attention.
Next Show:
Leo's Pick: Time Bandits (2019)
Tom's Pick: Ghost World (2001)
2024-09-011h 01Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 8-18-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Days of Heaven (1978) and Blow Out (1981).This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we start with the big bag of Popcorn with Tom’s selection, Terrence Malick’s Days of Heaven (1978). We then break down Leo's choice, Brian De Palma's Blow Out (1981).
This week in Peanuts we discuss the pending 6 Inning rule which will change MLB Pitching. We look at the future of the Tigers which could spell the end of the Javy Baez Project. Jason Benetti comes back to Chicago and the Tigers and Yankees square of in the Little League Classic.
Next Show:
Leo's Pick: A Rainy Day in New...2024-08-181h 02Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 8-04-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Once Upon A Time in the West (1968) and Miller's Crossing (1990).This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we start with the popcorn with Leo’s selection, Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West (1968). Then we will break down Tom’s choice for this week, the Coen Brothers’ Miller’s Crossing (1990).
In Peanuts, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony is this weekend. Congratulations to Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, Joe Mauer and Jim Leyland. How do new Hall of Famers react when they meet with the older ones?
Next
Show:
Leo's Pick: Blow Out (1981)
Tom's Pick: Days of Heaven (1978)
2024-08-0452 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 7-15-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Breaking Away (1979) and The Outfit (1973).This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we discuss our recent trips to Panama, Ireland and Spain during our summer break. We mourn the passing of the immortal Willie Mays and in Popcorn, we discuss The Outfit (1973) and Breaking Away (1979).
Next Show:
Leo's Pick: Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Tom's Pick: Miller's Crossing (1990)
2024-07-151h 03Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 6-10-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Missing (1982) and Get Shorty (1995).This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we start with this week’s bag of popcorn and Tom’s choice, Missing (1982),
with Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek. We then review Leo’s selection, Get Shorty (1995), with John Travolta, Rene Russo and Gene Hackman.
In Peanuts, we say our farewells to umpire
Angel Hernandez, the most hated umpire since Joe West. Negro League statistics have finally been
integrated into the Major League database, and there are some new leaders in several categories. And Mets reliever, Jorge Lopez will lose his roster spot
after he blows up on the mound and then later off of...2024-06-101h 00Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 5-19-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring the Last of Sheila (1973) and The Whistlers (2019)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we begin
with the Popcorn and Tom’s selection from 1973, The Last of Sheila. Leo’s selection comes to us from Romania, the crime thriller, The Whistlers (2019).
In Peanuts, there are some very interesting
rookies in MLB this season. Who has the inside track on winning ROY? The politics of a number change and the AL Central is no longer the worst division in baseball.
Next Show:
Leo's Pick: Get Shorty (1995)
Tom's Pick: Missing (1982)
2024-05-1959 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 4-28-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988) and Swingers (1996)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we open the popcorn bag to break down the Pedro Almodovar sex comedy, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988). We then discuss a request from a listener, Swingers (1996) with John Favreau and Vince Vaughn.
In Peanuts, we mourn the passing of Whitey Herzog.
We analyze some recent MLB umpire miscues. Max Fried, of the Atlanta Braves, pitches a Maddux. The Chicago Cubs have a successful homestand despite a rash of injuries, while the Detroit Tigers fight for respectability in the American League.
Next Show:
Leo's Pick: The W...2024-04-2859 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 4-14-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring High and Low (1963) and Out of Sight (1998)This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we open the bag of popcorn with an underappreciated gem by Akira Kurosawa, Tom’s choice, High and Low (1963). Steve Soderbergh directed the star-studded project Leo suggested. Based on a novel by Elmore Leonard, Out of Sight (1998).
In Peanuts, we react to the recent developments regarding Shohei Otani. One of them has nothing to do with gambling. The Cubs can hit, but their pitching is thin. The Tigers are the opposite, great pitching, they can’t hit.
Next Show:
Leo's Pick: Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988)
Tom's...2024-04-141h 03Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 3-31-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Rushmore and The Lords of FlatbushThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we open the Popcorn with Tom’s selection for today’s episode, the Wes Anderson film, Rushmore (1998). For Leo, we go back to 1974 for the Lords of Flatbush.
In Peanuts, the 2024 season is underway. We’ll predict the teams who will qualify for the playoffs as well as the fortunes for the Cubs and Tigers. We’ll react to a guest column in the New York Times by Rafi Kohan. Shohei Otani is in the news, but for all the wrong reasons, and it looks like the Cubs and Dodgers will open the...2024-03-3157 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 3-17-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and The Zone of InterestThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the 2024 Oscars have come and gone, we will examine Tommy’s uncanny ability to select the winners in nearly every category. We then review our respective selections. Leo's choice, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, and Tom’s, The Zone of Interest. In Peanuts, as we near Opening Day, we make our predictions as to how the Cubs and Tigers will fare. Mazel Tov to Shohei Otani and his new bride and Yoshi Yamamoto and his black bag are changing the ways the Dodgers train their players.
Next Show:
Leo's Pick: The Lo...2024-03-1756 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 3-3-24 with Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Anatomy of a Fall, and American Fiction.This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we start with an extra-long Popcorn. First up, two more reviews of the nominees for Best Picture of 2023: Anatomy of a Fall, and American Fiction. We will also reveal our favorites for the major Oscar categories---as well as predict the winners.
In an abbreviated version of peanuts, we’ll talk about another Black Ace, former Twin and Guardian, Mudcat Grant. Cody Bellinger returns to the North Side, we pose the question: are the Cubs at least as good as they were last season? Finally, the Philadelphia Phillies have done away with their $1 hot-dog pr...2024-03-0359 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 2-18-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Maestro and Poor ThingsThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn,
we start with the popcorn with our reviews of two more Best Picture nominees, Leo's pick, Bradley Cooper’s Maestro, and Tom’s pick, Poor Things with Emma Stone.
In Peanuts, we open the bag with great hope and anticipation as Spring Training has begun in Arizona and
Florida. Players in both sites are having difficulties with the Nike’s special Spring Training uniforms. An arrest is made in the vandalization of a Jackie Robinson statue, and we will talk about “The Black Aces”, a handful of
African-American pitchers who have each won 20...2024-02-181h 00Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 2-4-24 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring The Holdovers and Killers of the Flower MoonThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we kick off our 8th season with our Popcorn discussion on the 2023 nominees for Best Picture. We’ll start with Tom’s choice, The Holdovers, then move to Leo’s pick, Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon.
In Peanuts, we react to the 2024 Baseball Hall of Fame
inductees, the Dodgers signing of Shohei Otani and the Cubs firing of David Ross and subsequent hiring of Craig Counsell.
Next Show:
Leo's Pick: Maestro (2023)
Tom's Pick: Poor Things (2023)
2024-02-0459 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 11-5-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Rocky and ZodiacThis week on the final episode of the
2023 season, we open the bag of Popcorn by going back to 1975 for my movie, Rocky, before we break down Tommy’s final pick of the season, Zodiac. Then we will announce the winners our annual Poppy Awards for this year’s best P&P Movies.
In Peanuts, the World Series has come and gone, the Texas
Rangers won in 5 games over the Arizona Diamondbacks and despite some dramatic storylines, hardly anyone watched. We’ll talk about why.
Leo’s 2023 Poppy Award winner: Argentina- 1985
Tom’s 2023 Poppy Awar...2023-11-061h 05Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 10-29-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring The Long Goodbye and Other People's MoneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we begin with Robert
Altman’s, The Long Goodbye (1973) and end with Norman Jewison’s, Other People’s Money (1991).
In Peanuts, we react to recent events in playoff baseball as
the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks face off in the World Series. Dusty Baker announces his retirement after 28 years as a big-league manager. The playoff format has been a source of controversy, we’ll add our two cents to the discussion. Kim Ng and the Miami Marlins part company while the Cubs are
rumored to be interested in acquiring Juan Soto. ...2023-10-291h 05Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 10-15-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Unstoppable and Prizzi's HonorThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn…we open the bag of popcorn with Tommy’s selection from 2010, Tony Scott’s, Unstoppable. Next, we break down Leo’s choice for this week, John Huston’s, Prizzi’s Honor (1985).
In Peanuts, the League Championship Series are set, and some unlikely teams have made their way to Baseball’s Final Four. We’ll answer the question, is the current playoff format fair to the higher-seeded teams? Attendance was up in 2023, did the new rule changes have anything to do with it? It’s been 20 years since the Bartman game, what have we learned.2023-10-1555 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 10-01-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and After HoursThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn…We open a steaming bag of hot-buttered popcorn with a double-feature of excellent features, Ang Lee’s, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. We then break down Tommy’s choice, Martin Scorcese’s After Hours. In Peanuts, with a clear(er) picture of the playoff matchups, we make our picks
for the first round. Finally, the Cubs just miss out on the playoffs, was the season a failure and what can they do to improve for next season?
Next Show:
Leo's Pick: Prizzi’s Honor (1985)
Tom's Pick: Unstoppable (2010)
2023-10-011h 06Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 09-17-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Sleepers and GladiatorThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we start
with the popcorn as we begin with Leo’s selection, the 1996 Barry Levinson effort, Sleepers. Then we discuss the final film of Tom’s pet project of Best Picture winners that he has not seen on the big screen, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator.
Then we chew down the peanuts as the Atlanta
Braves win their sixth straight NL East title. The Boston Red Sox fire Chaim Bloom and the LA Dodgers move on from Jose Urias. Blake Snell or Justin Steele? Who deserves to win the NL Cy Young Award. F...2023-09-171h 02Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 09-04-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Super 8 and Terms of EndearmentThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we start with a fresh batch of popcorn with Leo’s selection, JJ Abrams’ Super 8. Tom’s choice for this episode is the third of four Best Picture winners that he has not seen on the big screen: Terms of Endearment.
In Peanuts, Shohei Otani tore a ligament, but there are questions as to how serious it is. After shots are fired from within, or from outside their home ballpark, the Chicago White Sox fire their President of Baseball Operations AND their General Manager, and their owner is left to explain why he d...2023-09-041h 04Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 08-20-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Ordinary People and Billy ElliotThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we begin with
a big bag of Popcorn with Tom’s choice for this week, Robert Redford’s Ordinary People. Leo’s choice is a favorite from 23 years ago, Billy Elliot.
In Peanuts, we lead off with a discussion on why so many plays that would normally be called errors are ruled as hits. We catch up on Kevin Brown’s return to the airwaves as well as the latest news on Wander Franco. The Dodgers retire Fernando Valenzuela’s number and we’ll react to the final two games of Cubs/Sox Cross...2023-08-211h 00Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 8-6-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring The Greatest Show on Earth and OppenheimerThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we open up the bag of popcorn as we review Tom’s choice, The Greatest Show on Earth. Up next is Leo's choice, Oppenheimer.
In Peanuts, we begin with a reaction to MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred, earning a four-year extension. Does he deserve it?
We will tell a tale of two no-hitters, one in the best of times, the other in
the worst. We also examine the state of Chicago baseball after the trading deadline.
Leo's Pick: Billy Elliott (2000)
Tom's Pick: Ordinary People (1980)
2023-08-071h 05Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 7-23-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Prince of the City and Ghost DogThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we begin with Tommy’s choice in honor of the passing of Treat Williams with Prince of the City. Our second feature is the Jim Jarmusch effort, starring Forrest Whitaker, Ghost Dog. In “Peanuts”, we discuss the awful All-Star uniforms. We also find that the Baltimore Orioles have overtaken Tampa Bay for first place in the best division in baseball. Will they trade for Otani to put them over the top? Jen Pawol becomes the first woman to umpire a AAA game. Can the Major Leagues be far away?
Next Show's Films:2023-07-231h 01Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 6-25-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Le Samourai and The Full MontyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… The double-feature film discussion begins with Tom's selection, Le
Samourai. We then move to Leo's choice, The Full Monty. In “Peanuts”,
the Reds, Diamondbacks and Orioles are at or near the top of their respective
divisions. We’ll discuss how they have all taken advantage of the new rule
changes. Commissioner, Rob Manfred, reveals he is having second thoughts on
granting immunity for players involved in the sign-stealing scandal. The Cardinals
and Giants will play a game as a tribute to the Negro Leagues next season,
while the Cubs and Cardinals finally face off in L...2023-06-261h 00Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 6-11-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring To Have and Have Not and the KentuckianThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we kick off our double feature with Bogart and Bacall in
To Have and Have Not, while our second film is the 1955 Burt Lancaster
directorial debut, The Kentuckian. In Peanuts, we discuss the retirement
of friend of the show, Bartolo Colon. We’ll also react to a recent Jayson Stark
column in The Athletic. Stephen Strasburg has another setback. Finally, we
mourn the passing of Ed Stack, the former president of the Baseball Hall of
Fame.
Next Show's Films:
Leo's Pick: The Full Monty (1997)
Tom's Pick: Le Samouraï (1967)
...2023-06-121h 04Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 5-29-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring It's a Gift and RoxanneThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… We open up the bag of
“Popcorn” with Tom’s choice, the W. C. Fields 1934 film,
It’s a Gift. Leo’s choice is a slightly more modern selection, the re-imagining
of the Cyrano de Bergerac classic, Roxanne.
In “Peanuts”, we’ll react to Jayson Stark’s list of active
players who may be headed to the Hall of Fame. We’ll ask
the question, “What has happened to the no-hitter? Christopher Morel is
showing Cubs fans that he is certainly worth the price of admission. We’ll look
at some not so famous “one-hit wond...2023-05-2954 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 5-14-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Night Moves and Argentina 1985This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… our first Popcorn selection
is Tommy’s choice, the 1970’s film-noir classic, Night Moves. Our second film,
chosen by Leo, is the more recent film about the
prosecution of the military dictatorship in Santiago Mitre’s, Argentina 1985. In
Peanuts, it has been two and half years since MLB announced they would
integrate Negro League stats into the historical database. Why is it taking so
long? The Tampa Bay Rays keep rolling, but the AL East is far from won as the
Orioles fight to keep pace. Meanwhile, for the first time since… ever? The
Yankee...2023-05-1559 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 4-30-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Ikiru and TootsieThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we begin with Tom’s
"Popcorn" selection, the Akira Kurosawa film, Ikiru and we pivot to Leo's choice, the
cross-dressing classic, Tootsie. In “Peanuts”, we examine the issue of robot
umpires. We take a look at the YouTube documentary, Last Comiskey. The
Oakland A’s will soon have the dubious distinction of having changed addresses
four times. Cubs’ lefty, Drew Smiley, loses a chance at a perfect game in the
most agonizing way. All this and more on Peanuts and Popcorn.
Next Show's Films:
Tom's Pick: Night Moves (1975)
Leo's Pick...2023-05-011h 00Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 4-16-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Out of the Past and ExcaliburThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… We begin with Tom’s choice, Robert Mitchum in a film noir classic, Out of the Past,
next up in this week’s double feature will be Excalibur, by John Boorman. In “Peanuts”, the Tampa Bay Rays are off and
running. Shades of the ’84 Tigers? AJ Hinch benches Javy Baez after a baserunning blunder. How bad have things gotten in Detroit? The Cubs are
selling beer bats, all the way through the 8th inning now.
2023-04-1757 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 4-2-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring Smoke and Taxi DriverThis week on P&P, our Popcorn talk highlights the strong supporting work of Harvey Keitel. First, we discuss Leo’s choice, Smoke. We then conclude with Tom’s selection, the Martin Scorsese classic, Taxi Driver. Next up: Tom’s pick: Out of the Past (1947) and Leo’s pick: Excalibur (1981).
In “Peanuts”, we go through the highs and lows of the World Baseball Classic as MLB makes some
small changes to the pitch clock rule. Tom and I make our predictions for 2023.
2023-04-0257 min
Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 3-19-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring The King of Comedy and LionThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… We open the bag of Popcorn as the 2023 Oscars have come and gone. We’ll react to the winners and losers as well as
discuss two films, Martin Scorcese’s, The King of Comedy (1982) and Lion (2016), starring Dev Patel. Next up: Tom’s pick: Taxi Driver (1976) and Leo’s pick: Smoke (1995).
In Peanuts, the World Baseball Classic is rolling along. The US defeats Venezuela 9-7 on a grand slam by Trea Turner and advances to the semifinals. The new rule changes seem to be having the desired effect on pace of play in Sp...2023-03-1954 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 3-5-23 With Leo Fontana/Tom Hockney featuring The Fabelmans and Everything Everywhere All at OnceThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… We dish out the Popcorn first---as we review Best Picture nominees, The Fabelmans and Everything Everywhere All at Once. We’ll also announce our choices for next week’s Oscar winners. Next up: Tom’s pick: Lion and Leo’s pick: The King of Comedy.
Our peanuts are salty this week as the Sox are having issues with local media. We cover off on the new rule changes and our early impressions.2023-03-0553 min
Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 10-02-22 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, Aaron Judge ties the AL single-season home run record while Roger Maris Jr. proclaims he will be the “clean” record holder. The playoff picture is nearly set. The new pitch clock may cut the average length of an MLB game by as much as 20 minutes. We’ll also analyze why the Astros’ starting pitching is so good. Tony La Russa will not be back next season on the South Side, while Seiya Suzuki rejoins the Cubs with a shock of blonde hair. Oh, and Jayson Heyward explores an ownership role on the North Side. Fi...2022-10-0355 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 09-18-22 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros clinch their respective divisions. We get the inside dirt, on the infield dirt. We talk about the evolving art of informing a young player he’s made it to the Bigs. Big Albert is gunning for #700, will we ever see his like again? We’ll react to an open letter by Ken Rosenthal to Tony La Russa as well as three players the Cubs can build around for next season. In our Popcorn discussion at the 47:07 mark, we’ll review Tom’s choice of the Barry Levinson...2022-09-1956 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 09-05-22 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the MLB season has less than a month to go. Which teams will find themselves vying for the World Series? Austin Meadows of the Tigers takes some time off to improve his mental health, while the Cincinnati Reds debut a promising star as well as an unlikely one. John Morosi sends Cubs Nation into hysterics, while the White Sox show signs of life. Finally, our Popcorn discussion is at the 36:46 mark, we talk about one of Tom’s favorite movies, the Richard Benjamin directed, My Favorite Year. Next Week: Leon the Professional2022-09-0547 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 08-14-22 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, Baseball says goodbye to Vin Scully as Tom goes to Comerica Park to see the Tigers honor Lou Whitaker. Pete Rose visits Philadelphia and it does not go well. Shohei Otani passes Ichiro and ties Babe Ruth. Verlander continues to shine. The Chicago White Sox are hanging on by their fingernails while the Cubs play the Reds in the corn in Iowa. Finally, in our “Popcorn” discussion begins at the 49:02 mark as we break down Amy Heckerling's, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Next Week: The Conversation2022-08-1459 min
Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 05-15-22 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the Mets and the Guardians come back from 6-run deficits to stun the Phillies and the White Sox. Reid Detmer of the Angels throws an unlikely no-hitter. We discuss the King of Throws: Tom House. We’ll talk about the Cubs and the White Sox and the weight of expectations. Our Popcorn segment at the 36:42 mark, our Movie of the Week is David Lean's Doctor Zhivago. Next week: The Thin Red Line
2022-05-1545 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 03-13-22 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on the Spring Training edition of Peanuts and Popcorn, the lockout is over. The owners and the player’s association have FINALLY agreed to a deal that will allow for the 2022 season to begin. With the new labor deal comes new free-agent signings. Tom and I will break down what you can expect this season including some of the new rule changes. The Baseball Writers Association elects David Ortiz to the Hall of Fame, but Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens fail to win induction. We’ll talk about the Cubs and the Sox . Our Popcorn discussion begins at 46...2022-03-1358 min
Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 10-24-21 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, after a week-long sabbatical, Tom and Leo are back to break down the playoffs. We’ll discuss the demise of the Brewers, Giants, Rays, Red Sox and the Dodgers. We lament the passing of Ray Fosse and the Cardinals fire Mike Schildt. We’ll talk about the Cubs and the Sox and our Popcorn discussion is at the 50:25 mark, on Robert Redford's The Milagro Beanfield War. Next Week: It Happened One Night2021-10-241h 01Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 10-10-21 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we give our reactions to the playoffs so far. Freddy Freeman likes to treat first base as his own front porch while Luis Rojas and Jayce Tingler pay the price for their teams failures. Two players from the permanently ineligible list are in the news this week, one dead, one alive. We’ll talk about the Cubs and the Sox and our Popcorn discussion is at the 54:28 mark, and we talk about the movie that made Albert Finney a star, Tom Jones. Next Week: The Milagro Beanfield War2021-10-101h 09Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 10-03-21 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, post-season chaos is the rule as four teams vie for two playoff spots. We’ll talk about who deserves post-season hardware and we’ll answer burning questions for playoff contending teams. Marcus Semien is setting records while Devin Williams finds himself sitting out of the playoffs. We’ll talk about how the Cubs might try to improve for next season and how the Sox are getting ready to play the Astr(*cks). Our Popcorn discussion is at the 52:49 mark, as we discuss the Paul Mazursky film, Enemies a Love Story. Next Week: Tom Jones.2021-10-031h 01Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 09-19-21 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, MLB now requires all non-playing personnel to get the COVID-19 vaccine for the playoffs. We’ll talk about a whether or not a 15-second pitch clock can work at the Major League level. Leo has not taken his family to a game this season, part of the reason is that it costs too much money. The St. Louis Cardinals are in the hunt for a wild card berth and Vladimir Guerrero has a chance to win the triple crown. Ryan Braun retires. We’ll have the Cubs and the Sox and our Popcorn disc...2021-09-191h 01Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 07-18-21 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the All-Star Break has come and gone, we’ll break down the highlights. Ichiro Suzuki is remembered by the men who played with him. Commissioner, Rob Manfred, says the league will do away with some of the COVID rule changes in 2022 and he keeping mum on the possible new voting laws in Texas. Trevor Bauer and Starlin Castro are placed on administrative leave, Tom and I will talk about why. Ronald Acuña Jr. blows out his knee forcing the Braves to trade for Joc Pederson and the Baltimore Orioles will be the fir...2021-07-181h 04Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 04-18-21 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, MLB is using the Southern League for some experimental rule changes, and Leo suggests a reform that may merit testing. An Atlanta-area public school honors the late Hank Aaron and a former Negro-League stadium will undergo a restoration. We look back on the phenomenon that was “Fernandomania”. We talk about how Bernie Madoff with a lot of Mets Money that they may need for upcoming sexual harassment lawsuits. We'll have the latest on a rather dull week in Chicago baseball apart from one amazing Sox story. Our Popcorn discussion begins at the 49:31 mark we revi...2021-04-1858 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 03-14-21 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts & Popcorn, we kickoff the 5th season of the podcast with Ernie Harwell reciting the Voice of the Turtle. The Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2021 will be…the Class of 2020, as the writers failed to elect a single player. Curt Schilling, in his penultimate year of eligibility, asks to be removed from the ballot. The New York Mets need to make changes in HR while rule changes will be tested throughout the minor leagues. Johnny Damon catches a DUI, in spite of his political leanings. We’ll have all that plus the latest developments in the Wh...2021-03-1457 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 09-06-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, an unexpected flurry of trades took place before Monday’s deadline. We’ll name the winner and the losers. Tom Seaver passes away and America remembers one of the all-time greats. Erk Kratz sheds tears during a Zoom interview, and Mike Trout becomes the Angels franchise leader in home runs. The Cubs are still in first place, did they improve themselves enough to make a playoff run? This week on Popcorn, our movie discussion begins at 54:17 and we’ll be discussing Guillermo Del Toro’s, Pan's Labyrinth. Next Week: Jackie Brown.2020-09-061h 03Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 08-30-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, Jackie Robinson Day was Friday amidst terrible violence in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The Chicago White Sox are rising to the top of the AL Central, Mets GM, Brodie Van Wagenen is in hot water. The Chicago Cubs are struggling. This week on Popcorn, our movie discussion begins at 50:10. It's Fernando Trueba’s Belle Époque. Next Week: El Laberinto Del Fauno (Pan’s Labryrinth)2020-08-3057 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 08-23-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, Fernando Tatis violates an unwritten rule; C.C. Sabathia and Tony Clark discuss their efforts to increase African American representation in MLB. Reds announcer Thom Brennaman is in hot, hot water. The Cubs have lost 2 in a row to the Sox. Has the tide finally changed in the Sox favor? The Cubs claim that they are destitute. This week on Popcorn our movie discussion begins at 54:39. It's Philip Kaufman's early 60's gang film, the Wanderers. Next Week: La Belle Époque.2020-08-231h 07Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 08-16-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… We are back on the air after two weeks of reflection and meditation. The Houston Astros clearly have issues when working and playing with others. We’ll discuss some of the surprises and disappointments of the first three weeks of the season as well as whether or not the St. Louis Cardinals will be able to play the full sixty games. A playoff bubble has been proposed for the post-season and we will examine as whether or not the Chicago White Sox have lived up to the hype. We’ll talk about three wonderful...2020-08-161h 03Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 07-26-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn…Major League Baseball announces a new playoff format for 2020 where 16 of the 30 teams qualify for the postseason. The 2020 season begins and Black Lives Matter is a central focus of the pre-game ceremonies. The Dodgers make Mookie Betts a very rich man and the Toronto Blue Jays will be playing their home games in Buffalo. This week, Lucas Smith joins us to talk about the St. Louis Cardinals. We react to the Cubs first two games of the season and at the 50:40 mark our “Popcorn” segment is on the 1961 classic, West Side Story. Next Week: The...2020-07-261h 02Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 07-19-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, it looks like the Washington Redskins will not be the only sports team changing it's name. It was 10 years ago that Benjy Molena improbably hit for the cycle. The Blue Jays can't play in Canada as more players are testing positive for Covid. We cover the curious case of Yasiel Puig. We also ask the question: Is every small baseball town racist? The Cubs and Sox square off at Wrigley tonight. Our film discussion begins at 51:40 and it's the Woody Allen 2013 film: Blue Jasmine. Next Week: West SIde Story-2020-07-191h 04Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 07-12-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, not content to just practice, MLB teams are now playing actual inter-squad games. We’ll react to what has been seen to this point. MLB announces the official schedule for… 2021. We ask the question, why? Joe Posnanski looks back on the career of David Freese. We examine if the Chicago White Sox are ready to compete. Buster Posey opts out, Joe West opts in and Emma Humplink puts out… an amazing batting practice display. We’ll have the latest on the Chicago Cubs and at 53:25 our “Popcorn” segment begins with our movie of the week: Tombston...2020-07-111h 04Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 07-05-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, don’t call it Spring Training 2.0, call it Summer Camp, and it's underway as some players are ready play while other opt out, while others still are injured. Rob Manfred walks back an embarrassing admission; while the White Sox will be playing a different opponent in Iowa. The 2020 Koshien Tournament in Japan has been cancelled and Bobby Bonilla Day came and went this week. We’ll have the latest on the Chicago Cubs. For the movie buffs, the Popcorn discussion begins at 42:25 and our feature is the second of a Billy Wilder double-bill, The Ap...2020-07-0551 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 06-28-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, a second Spring Training begins and a 60 game regular season should begin later next month. We’ll talk about how this whole thing is supposed to happen. There are unsigned free agents out there who might still help a team. Jayson Stark writes about the impending universal DH. We'll try to predict the impact of the new extra-inning rule and we review the MLB Network’s documentary on Ken Griffey Jr. David Ortiz and Curt Schilling are in the news again. We’ll have the latest info on the Chicago Cubs. For the movie buffs, t...2020-06-2856 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 06-21-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, either a deal is in place to start the season, or we are looking at waiting until 2021, but as five Phillies test for COVID-19, is this all a waste of time? Pitchers hitting may soon be a thing of the past,. The Minnesota Twins are in the news of late, we’ll tell you why and we'll give our thoughts on the ESPN documentary on the 1998 Home Run Chase; in the “Popcorn” segment of the show, our movie of the week is The Motorcycle Diaries Next Next Week: Sunset Boulevard.2020-06-2150 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 06-14-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, there is still no final word as to whether we will see baseball in 2020, and yet MLB pushed ahead with a five-round amateur draft. We’ll examine the picks made by the Tigers, Cubs and White Sox as well as recall players who went straight from the draft to the Majors. 50 years ago this week, Dock Ellis pitched a no-hitter on LSD. In our Cubs discussion, we prepare for the new ESPN documentary on the 1998 home run chase between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire. Our classic movie of the week : Amelie. Next Week : The M...2020-06-141h 04Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 06-07-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn as protests sweep the nation, we learn what it's like to be a black man in the Major Leagues. The Bears and Cubs each release statements in the wake of the George Floyd murder. The owners and the players are still unable to come to an agreement as over 1,000 minor league players are given their release. The Governor of Nebraska brings shame to the Chicago Cubs and this week’s movie discussion is The Color of Money.2020-06-0759 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 05-31-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, protests and riots visit America’s metro areas while baseball’s millionaires and billionaires fight it out over how much everyone will get paid. David Price will give a portion of his sizable earnings to Dodger minor leaguers. We’ll talk about the legacy of Eddie Collins. Estaban Loaiza takes a wrong turn. We’ll get into Trevor Bauer, Kyle Lohse, Jaden Agassi, Roy Halliday. Our film discusssion this week is the Coen Brothers classic, Fargo.2020-05-3158 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 05-24-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, Major League Baseball and the Players Union try to figure out how to begin the 2020 season. Joe Posnanski reminds us of when Buck O’Neil “heard the sound again”. Alex Bregman fires his agent, Big Sexy wants to make a comeback. Joe Maddon is set to discuss the 2016 World Series with Bob Costas and our movie chat this week is on Michael Mann's Heat. Next Week: Fargo2020-05-2458 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 05-17-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, Blake Snell refuses to play baseball in 2020 which begs the question: What happens to players who opt out this year? We talk about how Michael Jordan helped a young man from the Dominican Republic learn English. Bob Watson passes away, and ESPN tells America Trevor Bauer’s phone number. We’ll remember Jackie Robinson stealing home in the '55 World Series and the oddities of playing ball at the Polo Grounds. This week’s movie discussion is Martin Scorcese’s Raging Bull. Next Week: Michael Mann's Heat.2020-05-171h 00Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 05-10-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn… Will there be Major League Baseball in 2020? Leagues in Taiwan and Korea may show us the way. Many changes are being considered, will the universal DH be one of them. Joe Posnanki teaches us about Walter Johnson and Minnie Miñoso. We’ll talk about the day Ichiro Suzuki met Michael Jordan, and whether or not Pete Rose corked his bats. I also have a trivia question for Tom. We’ll talk about the latest with the Chicago Cubs and our classic movie discussion is on The Big Lebowski. Next week: Raging Bull2020-05-101h 01Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 05-03-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we announce the creation of the annual Peanuts and Popcorn PAR Excellence award in Baseball Writing. Jayson Stark reminds us of why we watch baseball. Bartolo Colon homers and Manny Ramirez is attempting a comeback at the age of 48. This week's Top 100 is the legendary Lou Gehrig. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is postponed and the Little League World Series is canceled. It’s the anniversary of Cub's manager Lee Elia 1983 rant and we also discuss how the COVID pandemic is affecting Andre Dawson’s funeral home business. Our movie this week is the A...2020-05-031h 01Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 04-26-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we react to the first episodes of The Last Dance on ESPN. The results of the investigation into the Boston Red Sox sign-stealing activities has been released. There will be pro baseball played in 2020… in Taiwan and South Korea. We look at the career of Steve Carlton . The Tigers and the Rockies show that it isn’t always about the bottom line, JLO and AROD are trying to buy the New York Mets. We each share a Wrigley Field memory and our classic movie discussion in on Mel Brooks, Blazing Saddles. Next Week: Rear Wind2020-04-261h 02Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 04-19-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn will begin with a prelude to the airing of The Last Dance, Doug Glanville outlines how baseball players will have to come together to police cheating in baseball; Barry Bonds checks in a #3 on Joe Posnanski’s Baseball 100; 73 years ago this week Jackie Robinson made his debut and we will talk about the man who scouted him; Damaso Garcia, Glenn Beckert, Jim Frey and Brian Dennehy all passed away this week; we’ll look back on the careers of John Tudor and Mario Mendoza and we examine how missing time for strikes and pande...2020-04-191h 01Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 04-12-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, MLB tries to find creative ways to get the season started. We talk about Hammerin’ Hank and we remember Fernandomania. We mourn the loss of Tiger great Al Kaline., a former St. Louis Cardinal is stepping up to the plate to fight the Coronavirus. We reveal our favorite Chicago food joints and we find out where the Cubs rank in terms of overall value. Our movie discussion this week is on the Robert Altman classic film, Gosford Park. Next week: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.2020-04-121h 01Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 04-05-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the two peas in a podcast will talk about Evan Gattis, the first Houston Asterisk to come clean about stealing signs. Meanwhile, his former manager and general manager wonder if they will ever work in baseball again. We’ll delve into Tom’s memory banks as we look back on the career of former Detroit Tiger, Dave Rozema. White Sox broadcaster and former reliever, Ed Farmer passes. Tom will review some of the video baseball games he used to play and Jim Edmonds tests positive for COVID-19. We’ll cover the latest on the Ch...2020-04-0558 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 03-29-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts & Popcorn, the two peas in the podcast watches Opening Day come and go without real baseball. We discuss Satchel Paige, maybe baseball's greatest pitcher as covered by Joe Posnanski's great Athletic series. The Red Sox will soon learn their fate as Manfred wraps up his sign-stealing investigation. Does Ken Boyer belong in the HOF? We discuss the Cubs pitchers 2020 outlook. All this and our Classic Movie is the Great Race.2020-03-291h 01Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 03-22-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts & Popcorn, the two peas in the podcast talk about life in Illinois as we hold in place. As we always do, we remain dutifully socially distant as we talk about Chris Sale’s upcoming Tommy John surgery as well as some of the other problems the Red Sox face. You too can steal the opposition’s signs and The Athletic shows you how. Would you have Rogers Hornsby on your baseball team? We talk about the Cubs and the White Sox, and our classic movie discussion is on Sidney Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon.2020-03-221h 07Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 03-15-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts & Popcorn, we talk about the COVID-19 outbreak and very little else at this point. We ask what happened to the digital strike zone? Barry Bonds says he’s in baseball limbo and it looks like Trevor Bauer is learning to be a good teammate. All this and our classic movie discussion is on John Huston's Key Largo.2020-03-1559 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 03-08-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts & Popcorn, we discuss the Christian Yelich extension as well as dish on an excellent series in The Athletic by Jo Posnanski on the top 100 players of all time. We recall Luke Apling’s home run in an old-timers game, at the ripe age of 75. Chris Sale is hurt and Trevor Bauer is intentionally tipping his pitches. The White Sox lock up their third baseman for the next seven years and they make Dallas Keuchel trim his beard. Then Keuchel takes everyone to dinner. We chat about the latest at the Chicago Cubs camp and our grea...2020-03-081h 02Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 03-01-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts & Popcorn, we discuss baseball’s moral compass while the Houston Astros are STILL stealing signs; Madison Bumgarner has an unusual side gig. The New York Yankees lose Luis Severino for the year; the Mets have a new manager, and at least one of us will be rooting for them. We congratulate Kerwin Danely on being named the first African-American crew chief…in 2020. We talk about the Chicago Cubs and the White Sox, and warming up in the bullpen is our classic movie discussion on the movie, 12 Years a Slave. 2020-03-0159 minPeanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 02-23-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts & Popcorn, the self-righteous tour continues as the Houston Asterisks aren’t getting a whole lot of sympathy. Rob Manfred sticks a hunk of metal in his mouth, as David Ortiz finds a way to ruin his credibility. Still no punishments announced for the Boston Red Sox, can we please get on with our lives? A Rod Serling revival in Cincinnati has a connection to the Cincinnati Reds. We’ll have a chat about the Chicago Cubs and our great movie discussion is on another Kubrick classic, Dr. Strangelove.2020-02-231h 02Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 02-16-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts &Popcorn, the Houston Astros meet the press and the results are less than satisfactory. A former Major League pitcher files a lawsuit against the Astros, we can expect more of the same. A new playoff format has been proposed and Trevor Bauer hates it. Friend of the show, Bartolo Colón is back in the news and a Tigers minor league invitee has some odd housing this spring. The Cubs open their camp and they talk about… the Houston Astros! We’ll have all that and our film discussion is on the Stanley Kubrick classic, Paths...2020-02-161h 02Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 02-09-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts & Popcorn (P&P), disgraced former Astros manager, AJ Hinch gives a one-on-one interview with MLB Network, the Red Sox may have arrived on a replacement for Alex Cora, we’ll also have the latest on the Mookie Betts trade. Jessica Mendoza resigns from the New York Mets, and Pete Rose applies for reinstatement. We’ll discuss the passing of Roger Kahn as well as speculate as to the impact of the three-hitter minimum rule for relievers. The Cubs add yet another reliever and our movie discussion will be on our favorite and least favorite Best-Picture winn...2020-02-091h 01Peanuts & PopcornPeanuts & Popcorn (P&P) 02-02-20 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on Peanuts & Popcorn (P&P), the two P’s in a podcast will talk about the Houston Astros choice to replace AJ Hinch, Jayson Stark and Eno Harris explain to what extent the Astros improved due to sign-stealing. The Reds keep getting better, but are they a playoff team? The New York Mets replace Carlos Beltran with Luis Rojas. Aubrey Huff shoots his mouth off again. One of baseball's nicest guys, Curtis Granderson retires. We discuss the Cubs offseason progress and we cover off on the Best Picture Nominees for next week's Oscars.2020-02-021h 02Peanuts & PopcornIn the Wheelhouse (ITW) 10-6-19 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on ITW, a clearer picture emerges in the Big Papi shooting. We say goodbye to 3 MLB managers. It’s the playoffs and we have up to the minute analysis. Tom and Leo role play Joe Maddon’s next move, while MLB attendance slips. All this and all the Cubs news and the Milos Forman classic film Amadeus.2019-10-061h 02Peanuts & PopcornIn the Wheelhouse (ITW) 07-28-19 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on In the WheelHouse, we talk to Leo's father, Ernest Fontana and his love of the Cleveland Indians. Leo takes a trip to see the Cubs in San Francisco. Our favorite movie topic is musicals. We’ll have all that and the Chicago Cubs.2019-07-2841 minPeanuts & PopcornIn the Wheelhouse (ITW) 07-14-19 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on In the Wheel House, the US Women’s Soccer Team rolls to their second straight World Cup, Rip Torn and Jim Bouton pass away. Tom and I will react to the events surrounding the Major League All-Star Game. Are we hearing the death knell of the intentional walk? All that and the week that was for the Chicago Cubs. 2019-07-1459 minPeanuts & PopcornIn the Wheelhouse (ITW) 06-16-19 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on ITW, David Ortiz nearly dies in the Dominican Republic, Tom and Leo fill out All-Star ballots, and Babe Ruth's jersey sells for $5.6M. All that and this week with the Chicago Cubs. 2019-06-1654 minPeanuts & PopcornIn the Wheelhouse (ITW) 06-09-19 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on ITW, Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel find homes. Pete Rose refuses to go quietly into the night. White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito is in rarified company. Tom eats crow. All that and the week that was for the Chicago Cubs.2019-06-0954 minPeanuts & PopcornIn the Wheelhouse (ITW) 03-31-19 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on ITW: The 2019 Championship Season is underway and we talk about what happened in the games that count. We will react to The Athletic’s poll of MLB players. Leo goes looking for Henry Aaron. All that and this week with the Chicago Cubs. 2019-03-3148 minPeanuts & PopcornIn the Wheelhouse (ITW) 10-28-18 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week In this season's penultimate episode of In the Wheelhouse, the Red Sox and the Dodgers are still battling it out in the World Series. Jayson Stark explains why the Red Sox are so good. https://theathletic.com/611933/2018/10/25/stark-the-red-sox-are-two-out-wonders/ The Twins, Reds and Angels all get new managers and Leo has a proposal to help stem the tide of the True Outcome impacting offense in MLB.2018-10-2851 minPeanuts & PopcornIn the Wheelhouse (ITW) 8-26-18 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on ITW Tom goes to Wrigley Field to see Pearl Jam, White Sox rookie, Michael Kopech, makes his Major League debut. Players weekend is here. There are some interesting names appearing on the back of the Little League-style uniforms. https://www.mlb.com/news/2018-players-weekend-details/c-289570882 • Fangraphs’, Cheryl Ring, suggests the Orioles might as well sign Rafael Palmeiro. https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/would-the-orioles-be-better-with-rafael-palmeiro/ and the Cubs make a major waiver trade while the Brewers fail to do so.2018-08-2644 minPeanuts & PopcornIn the Wheelhouse (ITW) 8-12-18 With Leo Fontana/Tom HockneyThis week on ITW, Leo reviews the St. Louis Cardinals Museum, a very interesting minor leaguer pulls off the hidden ball trick, Bartolo Colón make the headlines, $21M man Chris Davis is terrible, and always, we talk about this week with our favorite team, the Chicago Cubs. https://www.milb.com/milb/news/abracadabra-astudillo-pulls-off-hidden-ball-trick-for-rochester-red-wings/c-289520148 Article by Josh Horton
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2789903-record-low-161-average-for-21m-gives-chris-davis-worst-season-in-mlb-history Article by Jacob Shafer2018-08-1240 minPeanuts & PopcornIn the Wheelhouse (ITW)3-25-18 With Leo Fontana /Tom HockneyThis week on ITW, we will touch on Fangraph’s 2018 Positional Ratings, examine new legislation pertaining to wages for minor league players and Leo and I will be making our predictions for the upcoming season. Finally, we discuss the improbable run by the Loyola Ramblers in the NCAA basketball tournament .2018-03-2537 min