Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports is back from the Olympics, where he watched beach volleyball and Simone Biles and wonders whether there’s anything cooler than the Eiffel Tower.

STRAIGHT DOPE
If you’ve ever wondered what Patreon subscribers hear in our bonus episodes, there’s no better time to check them out! We’ve lowered the cost to $5 a month so you can listen in as we go into overtime with Bernie Smilovitz, the legendary WDIV sports anchor who shares some amazing stories that didn’t make it into our regular episode.

ML welcomes Dan with a plan to dive into the latest revelations from Ann Arbor about cheating and lying and, you know, all the other stuff the “leaders and best” are up to these days. SOMEHOW, the conversation turns to Mel Tucker, the disgraced former Spartan coach and whether his lawsuit has merit.

Dan is just back from his 11th Olympics, where the Eiffel Tower made him ponder over the most distinctive structures in the world. The pyramids? The Taj Mahal? The Statue of Liberty? What is your choice? Drop us a line at [email protected]

Mitch Albom wrote that he retired from covering the Olympics and opining that they have changed. Dan explains why while ML wonders what impact stars like Snoop Dogg will have on the quadrennial games.

Dan had one good meal in Paris – at an Italian restaurant! – and one big star sighting while in The City of Light. Can you guess who he peeped? Hint: He was wearing a giant clock and sponsored the women’s water polo team.

Beach volleyball at the Eiffel Tower. Equestrian events at Versailles. Swimming in the Seine. Dan and the boys try to come up with comparable landmarks for when the Olympics come to LA.

One thing that never changes at the Olympics are the epic moments. Dan shares some.

This summer’s Olympics inspired a new debate: Would you rather win gold as a pole vaulter or be known as the vaulter with the golden pole? Listen as the crew considers the merits of each title – and why Shawn is just glad people no longer get a murderer as the top choice when they search for his name.

The best in the world compete in the Olympics, but some Olympians still stand out. Hear why Dan says Usain Bolt and Simone Biles are among the greatest ever – and what it was like to watch them in person.

Marc, Shawn and Dan drive ML crazy with yet another installment of their never-ending debate over whether all the money gushing into college athletics is ruining the game. Dan adds a new wrinkle by discussing the impact college football revenues have on the Olympics.

ML’s latest “On Guard” column uncovers a lawsuit in which two young women accuse their former boss, who is now the Shelby Township treasurer, of sexually harassing them. He says it’s not true. Get the full story here.

ML wraps up by giving Shawn credit for pithy words that were actually written by Rainer Sabin (no wonder ML thought they were so good!): Here’s a link that column.

Please support the show and join the Soul Patrol by becoming a Patreon member. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like ad-free episodes, video of the show and the audio version of our monthly bonus episode. For $15 a month, you can watch the bonus episode. At the $25 and $60 a month levels, you get free swag and exclusive merchandise. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on Patreon.

GEEK OF THE WEEK
A judge who humiliated a homeless girl loses his teaching gig, making it official: He has no class. Read all about it here: Wayne State University ends teaching gig for Detroit judge who detained sleepy teen girl.

ROOM 7609
Listener Todd weighs in on the groove debate by booking Heaven 17 into the New Wave suite to perform “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang.” Send us your favorite deep cut or obscure band – and a story about them or why they mean something to you – by writing to [email protected].

FEEDBACK
Chris loves Bernie – we do, too! Hear all about it here. We welcome all your comments – and constructive criticism – at [email protected]

SAVE WITH THE SOUL
Use promo code SOUL to get 10% off your registration for sports leagues with Come Play Detroit atwww.comeplaydetroit.com and promo code MLSOUL to save $40 off a 15-person pedal pub ride with Michigan Pedaler at www.michiganpedaler.com

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