Upon Further Review

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From Mike Pesca, host of the popular Slate podcast The Gist, comes the greatest sports minds imagining how the world would change if a play, trade, injury, or referee's call had just gone the other way. Upon Further Review is a limited edition Slate podcast based on the book of the same name. Over the course of five episodes Mike and a roster of podcast All-Stars will explore counterfactual sporting scenarios through a combination of speculative fiction, investigative journalism and sound-rich narrative. From turning points that every sports fan rues or celebrates, to the forgotten would-be inflection points that defined sports, Upon Further Review answers age old questions, and settles the score, even if the score bounced off the crossbar.

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Recent Reviews
  • DumbforDownloading
    Yes more please!
    I binged them and want more, bring it back!
  • sue in st paul
    We want more!
    Great pod, we ate them up. Where are the new ones??
  • BeeeejNY
    Highly Entertaining
    I'm a big fan of the "what if," but I was also pleasantly surprised that this podcast wasn't the same format every single time. They used different storytelling devices to achieve different ends in each instance, to excellent and often comedic effect. I hope there's a second season on the way!
  • SlotPlayer6973
    If you’ve been a sports fan for a while...
    The chances are you’ve lived through many/all of the events chronicled so far. You have your own memories of the time. This podcast supplements your memories with an alternate look at what if. I’ve found it makes me think about my own memories. Ultimately each episode engrosses & entertains. They allow you to compare your view the game from another fan’s perspective.
  • phillyweather
    Very clever, funny
    Really enjoy the series, particularly the Brady episode. As we have seen (really heard) with Pesca’s work, he creatively stretches the use of the audio medium. In the Brady episode, he takes an ordinary premise (what if Tom Brady did not become the Patriot’s quarterback) and turns it into extraordinary entertainment by using a faux sports talk radio delivery mechanism. Very clever allusions to Brady’s eating habits and Belichick’s natty attire and media friendliness. I also loved the subtle humor, such as the caller not turning off his radio. Well done, Mike.
  • Land of Lincoln Listener
    Great listening!
    Hello Mike Pesca! This has got to be the best podcast! Love it! More, more, more!
  • ninerepeating
    A lesson from his friend, Mike?
    This is up there with the entertainment-setting-standard excellence of Revisionist History. I’d tweet it but I don’t have the tweet means: Mike- does Jesse Eisenberg’s [ab]use of ‘surreal’ warrant further review? Maybe just an elbow jab? -Craig Mack
  • AggieSuperman
    A HUGE let down
    This podcast has so much potential, but it is too much fantasy and not enough fact supporting the proposed “what if’s”. I’m extremely disappointed.
  • Titangh
    Mike Pesca is amazing
    I first heard Pesca on NPR give sports analysis which his enthusiastic personality made compelling even on sports I didn't care about. Then came his move to Slate and the Gist. Funny, confounding at times, but with a POV that makes you question your assumptions. Now his "What ifs" in sports history carry us into alternate universes. Thank you Mike, you are a wonder!
  • cbearg
    Going, going...
    A home run! OK, I'm not a big sports fan. But I am a fan of stories that are funny and well-told, and Upon Further Review is both.
  • Al from Alsip
    Sadly Disappointing
    I am very disappointed with this podcast. Two fifths through its limited run, it violated its own premise by telling the story of an event which actually occurred, Chicago’s sixth game win over the Suns. At least the “bonus” episode demonstrated how bad sports talk is in smaller markets.
  • brizzlyadams
    Great even if you're not a huge sports fan
    I love Mike Pesca, his style of speaking and incisive commentary. That's pretty much the only reason I subscribed to this podcast. He's great. And even if, like me, you're only an occasional casual sports fan, it's definitely still worth a listen.
  • Yud In Lala-land
    Thought experiment success
    Great. The Jesse Eisenberg episode perfectly captures the anxiety of a young boy’s fandom
  • HangzhouHarry
    Audio movies, a great new form!
    Even knowing Mike’s other great work, it’s still surprising just how much he has accomplished with this project + book. Fantastic!
  • Only listen for Feits
    Not about sports
    Only tangentially about sports and doesn’t take its “what if” concept seriously. Episode 2 with Jesse eisenberg was terrible-a bizarre fantasy about Charles Barkley reading his childhood fan letter told with false self deprication that comes off as smarmy self indulgence. Maybe I misunderstood “sports what if’s”, but if this is just using sports as a jumping off point for short fiction pieces, it should be described that way
  • jpgillam
    Obligatory review
    Always happy to hang out with Mike Pesca.
  • avidpodcastlistener
    Awful
    Just a horrible premise and annoying host.
  • zzyzx in CA
    Another great podcast from Slate
    Already hooked after the first episode!
  • Hank Sage
    Such a good idea
    Listening to Mike (if you haven't heard his podcast the Gist, fix that asap) is always a pleasure -- like sitting next to the most interesting guy at the bar. Here, he takes what will be a familiar idea to any sports fan and runs with it further than you thought possible. It's great. Can't wait to read the book too.
  • dentyne_ice3
    Interesting and smart
    Such a great concept!
  • DSB 427
    Great show.
    Narrative story telling at its best. Pesca always delivers, and this is no exception.
  • Kathy Doyle
    It’s early but...
    The first episode was fantastic!
  • Bleebs77
    What if...
    Great episode on Nixon. Looking forward to the rest! Well done, tighly told, compelling...
  • nursissistic1
    I’m hooked....
    When I heard it would be a “sports” themed thing I thought, I am nowhere near an expert on it and it will be boring. I should’ve known better. After the first episode, I am hooked. Mike Pesca never disappoints!
  • d00kee
    Pesca is good
    He’s good. But his supporting cast in this is better. I’d like if these were a bit longer but only because I want more of this podcast.
  • Queens_Girl
    Love the show
    I wish it were more than 5 episodes!!
  • mhunterdesign
    Genius idea!
    Can’t wait to listen to this show!
  • Dg1097930163
    Fantastic!
    A must listen for any sports fan.
  • Melba's friend
    Of course it's great, it's by Mike Pesca.
    What if you had never heard of this show? You'd be poorer for it. Tell your friends. Confiscate loved ones' phones and subscribe them to this show. Let's start a movement.
  • RobsRobsRobsRobsRobs
    What an incredible idea!
    I’m sold after hearing the trailer! A great what if... Podcast.
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