Skip to main content
Hotline League

Hotline League

By Travis Gafford

Call in show about League of Legends Esports hosted by Travis Gafford, Mark Zimmerman, and sometimes Kelby May.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Castbox Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
PodBean Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
TuneIn Logo
Currently playing episode

Bo1S, Play-ins, And More | HL2

Hotline LeagueOct 13, 2017

00:00
01:37:59
FINALS, FINALLY! Does C9 NEED a rookie? Is 100T just LUCKY? feat. Bwipo | Hotline League 312

FINALS, FINALLY! Does C9 NEED a rookie? Is 100T just LUCKY? feat. Bwipo | Hotline League 312

00:00:00 Intro

00:16:18 Rico Suave's take: there should be definitive leaders in a team to help shape identity

00:28:09 eBraum's take: as a C9 fan, C9 is going to get swept by TL, TL will win over FLY

00:36:10 Bwipo's hot take: The difference between 100T and IMT was pure luck

00:46:30 Is Berserker's gameplay suffering without Zven?

00:51:10 micspam's take: MarkZ being the face of LCS is really dumb

01:03:55 Tzvi's take: C9 needs a rookie to succeed

01:28:44 lymyion's take: Bwipo & APA (and players like them) are the 2 best players to come to the LCS

01:41:19 Azikiel asks Bwipo: how much has NRG's downfall been due to the loss of Ignar

01:49:35 bearusAurelius asks Bwipo why we don't see more roaming top laners

01:55:20 Outro

Mar 26, 202402:01:21
Would ROSTER CHANGES make NRG WORSE? Is BERSERKER a C9 LIABILITY? feat. Zven | Hotline League 311

Would ROSTER CHANGES make NRG WORSE? Is BERSERKER a C9 LIABILITY? feat. Zven | Hotline League 311

00:00:00 Intro

00:16:44 rawnblade's take: NRG will get worse with roster changes, not better

00:30:05 LestForce's take: the LCS is trying too hard to make trash talk a thing

00:44:20 Zven wants to talk about IMT's branding

00:49:30 GreenCervidae's take: LCS needs more former pros on broadcast

01:04:40 Titan's take: TL will make it to LCS Finals against C9

01:19:44 SCared's take: Zven should replace Zeyzal as support and Licorice replace Fakegod

01:31:35 Dragosi's take: Massu has solidified himself in the Rookie of the Year discussion

01:42:50 N1ckster's take: Berserker is C9's biggest liability

01:59:55 Outro

Mar 19, 202402:02:59
SPICIEST PRE-PLAYOFFS TAKES! + TL roster drama feat. PapaSmithy and Andy | Hotline League 310

SPICIEST PRE-PLAYOFFS TAKES! + TL roster drama feat. PapaSmithy and Andy | Hotline League 310

00:00:00 Intro - Playoffs incoming, a sprinkle of drama

00:20:30 Gambirino's take: shifting from a live patch to a fixed patch for Playoffs will test the teams

00:37:40 icebreaker's take: from a product/hype perspective, 100T is the best team to send to MSI

00:51:22 Human Boy YesYes's take: DIG and TL have better shots at MSI than NRG and C9

01:07:40 Skizzle's take: C9 can't beat 100T if they maintain their 0-3 superweek form

01:19:55 deeeep space's take: DL's comments on Dodo are an example of where esports seriously needs to improve in PR and comms

01:43:25 NoReason asks: What does FLY look like without their NACL team?

01:52:51 muzzvein's take: River or Quid MVP, but Inspired and Jojo 1st Team All-Pro

02:06:24 Outro

Mar 12, 202402:10:46
WHY LCS should DROP SPLITS! BEST ADC in NA?! feat. Inero and Kelsey Moser | Hotline League 309

WHY LCS should DROP SPLITS! BEST ADC in NA?! feat. Inero and Kelsey Moser | Hotline League 309

Follow Travis on Twitch: http://twitch.tv/travisgafford Support: https://linktr.ee/tgisupport 00:00:00 Intro 00:24:53 Scatter Catt's take: the LCS should stop doing separate seasonal splits altogether 00:37:10 Miyaour's take: the three-week break could've been used better 00:52:30 mikey's take: bvoy has consistently been the best ADC in the league 01:03:30 bb's take: this is G2 and C9's best chance to win at international tourneys 01:16:24 Tbone's take: LCS should ditch spring split in favor of a tournament of the Americas 01:27:35 Russ's take: TL should seriously think about replacing ADC and Mid next split if they get elim'd in the first round of playoffs. 01:48:20 Thanks, subs and viewers! 01:48:45 Swede's take: the best way to bring Western viewership back is to bring back an in-client player 02:02:55 Outro

Mar 05, 202402:08:22
Can LCS teams INNOVATE on LIVE PATCH? feat. 100T Goldenglue, Spookz + Joseph | Hotline League 308

Can LCS teams INNOVATE on LIVE PATCH? feat. 100T Goldenglue, Spookz + Joseph | Hotline League 308

00:00:00 Intro - triple-guest episode

00:21:50 ezra's take: 100T's success proves how important coaching staff is

00:35:40 Mastergen1's take: there's a lack of innovation on the live patch

00:49:55 Tim wonders about Sniper's skills outside his comfort zone

00:58:46 waka asks 100T how they feel about the state of LCS and the game itself

01:11:05 trasterisk's take: Spawn and Goldenglue are great examples of how T2 works

01:30:30 katmandu asks how 100T staff feels about the 2-week break

01:41:12 ppdoc asks who 100T considers their biggest competition

01:50:20 trespasser's takes: scared for C9 as a fan, + Sven is at LS's bootcamp, which team would benefit most from him?

02:08:55 Outro

Feb 20, 202402:13:31
Revenge's FAREWELL to LCS and HONEST player perspectives feat. Raz | Hotline League 307

Revenge's FAREWELL to LCS and HONEST player perspectives feat. Raz | Hotline League 307

00:00:00 Intro

00:25:53 Stevenator's take: for the first time in his career, Blaber is not a top 3 jungler in LCS

00:40:18 Gambirino's take: Quid has made a strong case to be rookie of the split if eligible

00:54:03 dctheking asks Revenge for a donezo manifesto - best and worst teammates, etc.

01:18:01 sandytoes' take: LCS is stabilizing

01:42:20 Travis asks Revenge if he'd encourage new players to try and go pro

02:00:10 Polowy asks Revenge how important Academy teams are to LCS teams in terms of practice

02:07:23 ZePaladin's take: LCS downsize gives rookies a chance to stand out

02:14:20 tuft REALLY misses the analyst desk

02:24:50 Dr. Nollie asks Revenge how honest players are with one another

02:34:48 Outro

Feb 13, 202402:42:24
Who's to BLAME on C9? Are Bo3s WORTH? feat. Spawn and Yeon | Hotline League 306

Who's to BLAME on C9? Are Bo3s WORTH? feat. Spawn and Yeon | Hotline League 306

00:00:00 Intro

00:10:55 Cubby asks Spawn and Yeon about their reunion

00:15:50 Travis asks Spawn about external factors he's noticed

00:22:00 gengariffith's take: people should blame coaches over players for lack of direction on C9

00:38:35 Muzvein's take: Eyla is finally in a position to succeed

00:47:30 Davis's take: 8 teams has been great for the league in terms of parity and narratives

01:08:00 David's take: How about them Thieves?

01:20:55 twinkletoes asks HLL about the status of NA esports in 2024

01:39:44 GoldenKS's take: People forget how big of a deal Impact is for TL

01:47:34 Ashar asks Yeon and Spawn what feels different about TL and the LCS this year

01:56:26 Outro

Feb 06, 202402:00:05
Why the PROS show is AMAZING! Should LCS teams run TRYOUTS? feat. KangasCasts | Hotline League 305

Why the PROS show is AMAZING! Should LCS teams run TRYOUTS? feat. KangasCasts | Hotline League 305

00:00:00 Intro - LCS and TGI updates

00:15:55 treethan's take: we should do team tryouts in NA like they do in KR

00:30:40 play's take: team owners should be livid about Riot's broadcast shortcomings

00:57:09 franz's take: if TL doesn't start picking up wins, they should drop CoreJJ not APA

01:13:12 brandywine's take: the PROS show is the best thing to happen for the scene in years

01:30:10 skizzle's take: SR's failure to keep Chime and pick up a good top laner is the cause of their poor performance and low placement

01:47:55 aemulator's take: C9 are infodoomed like no other team in the West

01:58:14 Outro

Jan 30, 202402:04:06
LCS SPRING during ESPORTS WINTER! LIVE PATCH, format, and more! feat. Palafox | Hotline League 304

LCS SPRING during ESPORTS WINTER! LIVE PATCH, format, and more! feat. Palafox | Hotline League 304

00:00:00 Intro

00:07:45 Cubby and Palafox chat about Palafox's growth as an NA mid laner and 2024 mentality

00:21:50 Bluejay's take: with LCS being on live patch, innovation should be rewarded

00:32:58 bearusAurelius wants to talk about APA's tweet and wonders if LCS needs more games

00:47:57 nizzy2k11's take: the LCS needs more content like Jatt's 15 minute talk with players

01:00:30 Alienware break!

01:02:40 Emily joins HLL to ask Palafox about Azir

01:16:25 rawnblade asks Palafox how he feels after his first international experience

01:26:35 wokka asks Palafox how he feels about more player-related content on the LCS

01:40:30 junghoon wants to talk game industry layoffs

01:55:30 takeutchi's take: LCS needs to invest in local/regional growth over risky imports

02:13:45 Outro

Jan 23, 202402:18:04
Can LCS HYPE surpass LEC hype levels?! HALL OF LEGENDS + more feat. MARKZ | Hotline League 303

Can LCS HYPE surpass LEC hype levels?! HALL OF LEGENDS + more feat. MARKZ | Hotline League 303

00:00:00 Intro

00:15:04 Franz asks Mark how LCS can match energy of LEC games ie. KC vs. MAD

00:30:30 Farmerginge wants to discuss having pro play take place on the live patch

00:39:50 murderino's take: no NA player should qualify for the new Hall of Legends

00:53:25 Alienware break

00:56:30 Wizery asks Mark for examples of past content that shined or missed the mark

01:12:00 gil asks Mark how his career so far is informing his new role

01:25:40 beans's take: Riot banning live coverage of NACL qualifiers is disrespectful to all parties involved

01:37:00 ezekiel asks Mark about the possibility of LCS vs LEC or other regions

01:41:40 Urdiales's take: LCS fans should focus on healthy ecosystem over international success

01:51:00 Outro

Jan 16, 202401:53:55
LCS 2024 CHANGES? Does JENSEN have something to PROVE?! feat. Svenskeren | Hotline League 302

LCS 2024 CHANGES? Does JENSEN have something to PROVE?! feat. Svenskeren | Hotline League 302

00:00:00 Intro

00:16:20 Tom's take: With the LCS down to 8 slots + a shorter schedule, early wins matter more

00:28:54 Bluejay's take: this is Jensen's biggest "proving" season since his debut

00:43:03 Cloud asks about svenskeren's coaching experience

00:53:45 Alienware break!

00:57:40 treethan's take: teams can't turn down sketchy opportunities in the current esports climate

01:19:35 JamJon's take: FLY has a better roster for growing Massu than 100T have to grow Meech

01:29:41 Davis's take; the winner of MSI getting a free trip to Worlds is good for format but bad for that winning team

01:37:40 Zak Mango is optimistic about Riot's efforts for competitive League scene

01:48:05 Outro

Jan 09, 202401:52:06
NRG's Rise, Changing Game Days, High-Power Players and More: 2023 in Review | Hotline League 301

NRG's Rise, Changing Game Days, High-Power Players and More: 2023 in Review | Hotline League 301

00:00:00 Intro

00:08:22 farmerginge wants to talk about worrying viewership numbers going into 2024

00:20:20 manny is excited to see LCS come back to the weekends and hopes for a bo3 format

00:32:50 mogul's take: props to NRG for exceeding expectations as underdogs

00:39:45 Alienware break!

00:43:33 evies talks about offseason and broadcast

00:52:35 olympius conspiracy: 2023 proved that C9 is content with regional success and resting on NA laurels

01:02:20 max's take: LCS 2023 had the highest average player strength we've seen in a while

01:11:18 LNA wants to shout out NA players and narratives

01:19:33 ren's take: LCS should lean into aging audience

01:35:54 LCS 2023 was a more compelling product that LEC for the first time

01:43:40 Outro

Dec 19, 202301:49:16
From CO-HOST to COMMISSIONER: MarkZ leads the LCS into 2024! What's next? | Hotline League 300

From CO-HOST to COMMISSIONER: MarkZ leads the LCS into 2024! What's next? | Hotline League 300

00:00:00 Intro

00:16:33 outsane asks Mark why he's the man for the job

00:31:31 fearfactor's take: better comms are necessary for the LCS to improve

00:39:12 farmerginge asks Mark what viewers should keep in mind while they wait for implementation

00:50:22 Avajou asks Mark for his favorite HLL moments

01:03:05 Andrew asks if TGI can be unbiased?

01:11:59 DoubleG's take: MarkZ IS the man for the job

01:19:45 Cody's take: the LCS might struggle to fill Mark's shoes on the broadcast at first

01:29:50 praeco asks if there are differences between esports and tsports that can be leaned into

01:45:45 big angry hobo wonders if it's too late for 2024 LCS changes

01:52:30 CaptFlowers calls in to congratulate Mark

01:59:00 Azael and Emily join HLL

02:10:20 rudy asks Mark what he's excited to see evolve about the product moving forward

02:20:07 Outro

Dec 13, 202302:23:59
The BIGGEST moves and HOTTEST takes of the off-season with Croissant and Cubby | NOT-line League
Dec 05, 202302:29:24
TL STEVE'S TAKES on a SMALLER LEAGUE and LCS ACADEMY! Strongest team EVER? | Hotline League 299

TL STEVE'S TAKES on a SMALLER LEAGUE and LCS ACADEMY! Strongest team EVER? | Hotline League 299

Check out Alienware's deals: http://alienware.com/travis https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/deals/pc-gaming-deals Help protect 30% of the ocean by 2030: https://bit.ly/3ucafsV Follow Travis on Twitch: http://twitch.tv/travisgafford Support: https://linktr.ee/tgisupport 00:00:00 Intro 00:20:25 chief's take: the grassroots part of LCS is what made it great 00:33:45 TL Steve calls in to talk 8 teams and offseason 01:01:05 Alienware deals! 01:05:25 hexblast's take: the biggest loss from the two downsized teams is Inero and Kelsey Moser 01:10:05 lazerfruit's take: Riot should've given the two empty slots to top NACL teams 01:17:57 sogeking's take: Free agency is too lax, needs explicit rules to protect players 01:29:33 Only One break! See link in description 01:33:19 shake n bake's take: Needham downplayed how much the loss of 2 teams hurts the LCS 01:48:17 justin's take: the 2022-23 T1 roster is the strongest ever in LoL 02:00:24 treethan's take: jojo should've gone to Liiv SANDBOX 02:05:55 Outro

Nov 21, 202302:07:41
BANGER SEMIS, MOST DOMINANT FINALS EVER?! Playstyles, Patches and more | Hotline League 298

BANGER SEMIS, MOST DOMINANT FINALS EVER?! Playstyles, Patches and more | Hotline League 298

00:00:00 Intro 00:30:45 mr.bojangles' take: It's exciting that Shopify Rebellion is pulling talent from the NACL 00:43:16 leo's take: this is going to be the most one-sided Finals in Worlds history 00:52:52 Alienware break! HUGE DEALS! 00:55:50 bearus' take: WBG has the play style to beat T1 01:05:25 basil's take: Fudge has been receiving undeserved hate 01:18:30 Suta's take: FLY is going to lose all fanbase momentum they had from last season regardless of results 01:37:20 farmerginge's take: remove the Worlds patch and only have two patches per split to increase consistency of deserving winners 01:52:30 Outro

Nov 13, 202301:55:16
BIG OFFSEASON RUMORS! Why NA and EU should compete against each other + more! | Hotline League 297

BIG OFFSEASON RUMORS! Why NA and EU should compete against each other + more! | Hotline League 297

00:00:00 Intro - Welcome Jonathon! Travis reviews BlizzCon 2023, NRG's Worlds experience

00:13:42 Sentiment towards NA on international stage

00:24:30 Jonathon on NRG situation

00:33:10 Offseason trends and narratives

01:04:20 Alienware break!

01:07:40 farmerginge's take: NA roster building is the 'fat loss pill' of the esports world

01:23:50 Spencer's take: the no.1 takeaway from Worlds is that NA and EU need to compete against each other more

01:35:45 mogul's take: TL is going to lose fans and rep if they drop APA

01:53:28 Stormblessed's take: Teams should be looking to pick up EMENES

02:09:05 Outro

Nov 07, 202302:13:02
NRG's Worlds climb-- how far will they go!? G2's scrims vs stage games + more! | Hotline League 296

NRG's Worlds climb-- how far will they go!? G2's scrims vs stage games + more! | Hotline League 296

00:00:00 Intro - Worlds updates, G2 Mark costume

00:27:40 dctheking's take: people are exaggerating the issues with Swiss

00:43:03 t-bone's take: NRG got the best possible matchup for Quarters

00:56:10 Alienware break!

00:58:50 yami's take: G2 posting scrims results was wildly disrespectful

01:19:45 KERNEL PANIC's take: teams are not going to stick to core development despite NRG's success

01:40:06 sling0's take: NRG performance proves that lack of path to pro in NA is detrimental to the region

02:00:00 Outro

Nov 01, 202302:04:37
CaptainFlowers's INSPIRATIONAL SPEECH for NA! Is G2 the DARK HORSE of the West?! | HLL 295

CaptainFlowers's INSPIRATIONAL SPEECH for NA! Is G2 the DARK HORSE of the West?! | HLL 295

00:00:00 Intro

00:07:20 Play-Ins updates

00:26:40 Captain Flowers joins HLL to talk NA at Worlds

00:36:21 Justin's take: C9 is NA's worst team at Worlds

00:46:24 franz's take: G2 will make semifinals and should be a lesson to other orgs to invest in players

00:58:40 Alienware break!

01:01:17 rawnblade's take: Adam, BDS top laner, shows how you can earn fans through unique playstyle

01:09:10 rudy's take: the Bo3 qualifiers and elims are going to be the death of the LPL, only JDG will qualify, so 3 Western teams will get through

01:17:15 Lunabear27's take: For BoX series, teams should be allowed at least one surrender

01:27:48 bella's take: having Worlds every year is the root cause of all LoL's problems

01:35:43 gravity's take: NRG has a decent chance of taking a game off Weibo

01:43:25 rook's take: TL, C9 and NRG all win their first games

01:53:50 Outro

Oct 19, 202301:55:07
What does GRIND and GLORY mean to NA? Prince leaves FLY, Worlds speculation and more | HLL 294

What does GRIND and GLORY mean to NA? Prince leaves FLY, Worlds speculation and more | HLL 294

00:00:00 Intro

00:23:00 reassure's take: keep supporting NA!

00:32:08 Xcelsior's take: The bracket did not select the 4th best team in the LCS to play for Worlds. GG's collapse was basically the worst in history of the LCS

00:43:43 Sammic's take: with Prince potentially leaving LCS, it's time to stop rotating the wheel of imports in LCS. This falls on Riot to fix.

00:54:45 Raz critiques Travis's take on imports

01:07:25 Alienware break!

01:10:15 DirectorDonut's take: GGs performace highlights why Riot has not wanted more than 3 teams per region at Worlds

01:22:54 Michael's take: it's time for NA to lose a seed at Worlds

01:36:00 lotus's take: TL will perform the best of NA's teams

01:46:12 presidente's take: The Grind and The Glory holds a lesson for NA

Oct 10, 202302:02:42
TSM's departure, LEC salary caps, and... NEWJEANS?! Getting ready for Worlds and more! | HLL 293

TSM's departure, LEC salary caps, and... NEWJEANS?! Getting ready for Worlds and more! | HLL 293

00:00:00 Intro 00:12:38 Talking about TSM 00:30:15 josh's take: salary caps are horrible 00:51:50 nickelodeon's take: with TSM/CLG gone it's time for new teams to build legacies 01:01:44 numiii talks NewJeans 01:13:50 Outro

Sep 29, 202301:14:57
WHAT'S UP with LCS GAMECHANGERS? WHO is the BEST NA TEAM at WORLDS? feat. Astrocats Avril | HLL 292

WHAT'S UP with LCS GAMECHANGERS? WHO is the BEST NA TEAM at WORLDS? feat. Astrocats Avril | HLL 292

00:00:00 Intro

00:12:40 rudy asks Avril about her collegiate experience

00:22:22 max's take: Gamechangers feels like a very underdeveloped event

00:45:01 rexFC asks: what can Riot do to get more diversity in the LCS?

00:58:28 On Representation

01:07:00 Worlds Format announcement

01:09:20 Alienware!

01:12:15 fez's take: this year's Worlds is more important than any other for keeping Westerners interested

01:21:55 figment's take: TL is NA's best team at Worlds this year

01:34:50 EMENES response reaction

01:39:49 Simmz wonders what happened to the camaraderie of NA and EU

01:50:30 remixt's take: Swiss format will show the true strength of NA

02:00:00 promiscuous time traveler's asks to what extent Mark and Travis can influence LCS production

02:11:00 Outro

Sep 19, 202302:14:27
VIEWER BURNOUT, an HONEST look at LCS History, Gamechangers and more! | Hotline League 291

VIEWER BURNOUT, an HONEST look at LCS History, Gamechangers and more! | Hotline League 291

00:00:00 Intro - news and Reddit thread on improving the LCS 00:48:04 KAPPY's take: Riot should implement a rule that players can only switch major regions every two years 00:57:28 spencer's take: viewer burnout could be alleviated with more focus on entertainment 01:14:20 BB's take: move to Bo3! 01:28:46 zextrap points out difference between tsports and esports priorities 01:48:25 Invictus's take: Riot should adopt a standard rotation 02:00:10 Lore rant 02:06:00 numiii's take: LCS Gamechangers should get more love

Sep 12, 202302:13:34
TOAST'S TAKE on the SOUL OF ESPORTS! What REALLY drives viewership? feat. Emily Rand | HLL 290

TOAST'S TAKE on the SOUL OF ESPORTS! What REALLY drives viewership? feat. Emily Rand | HLL 290

00:11:47 Iron thinks Toast should help IMT 00:23:50 yami wants to talk creators and NACL 00:42:50 dez's take: the overpolishing of esports has killed a lot of the scene 01:01:45 Alienware break 01:08:00 Emily Rand joins HLL 01:16:10 chadcyberdemon asks about transition from journalism to stage 01:25:54 lazerfruit's take: GG will beat BDS 3-1 and are/will be the second strongest NA team at worlds 01:35:20 fearidan's take: LCS has been super entertaining, but it's not enough 01:51:20 sylveke's take: the best way for the west to win at worlds is by developing creative strategies rather than playing meta. 01:58:55 prongs's take: LCS talent's growth is limited by Riot 02:11:45 Outro

Sep 06, 202302:14:25
LCS LONGEVITY! Can NA keep up?! Team owners' takes, Riot press conference and more | HLL 289

LCS LONGEVITY! Can NA keep up?! Team owners' takes, Riot press conference and more | HLL 289

00:00:00 Intro

00:18:27 Talocy's take: NA LoL needs to change its team practice standards to become competitive internationally

00:30:30 alexbad's take: Riot needs to take their PR much more seriously

00:59:00 Alienware break!

01:01:47 Shorn's take: LCS is fine if longevity is the goal

01:18:50 ben's take: VALORANT is Riot's no.1 priority

01:31:30 LordAudie's take: TL Steve's comments on team priority further confirm why LCS is in its current state

01:48:05 pop pop's take: Steve's take on fanbase growth is out of touch

01:53:35 Outro

Aug 29, 202301:55:53
NRG VICTORY LAP! The value of ENVIRONMENT over SUPERSTARS feat. NRG Palafox and Croissant | HLL 288

NRG VICTORY LAP! The value of ENVIRONMENT over SUPERSTARS feat. NRG Palafox and Croissant | HLL 288

00:00:00 Intro

00:24:26 tuft DEMANDS an apology from Travis and Mark

00:35:00 lazerfruit's take: Palafox is best mid NA and NRG has the best chance of upsetting at Worlds

01:02:08 Dhokla asks Palafox what was going through his head at 24 mins in game 4

01:12:42 dctheking's take: the year of NA mids is fraudulent. NA mids aren't better, imports are just worse. Palafox and APA will get exposed at Worlds

01:26:30 ivzz's take: NRG winning LCS proves that having a well-coached team w good environment is better than investing in an all-star roster with no identity

01:41:40 theblacksheep's take: even though NRG just won LCS finals, critics won't place them as the top seed going into Worlds

01:53:30 Outro

Aug 23, 202302:00:39
UNSUNG HEROES vs. FRAUDS of Summer Split?! The state of NA vs. EU in 2023!? feat. Treatz | HLL 287

UNSUNG HEROES vs. FRAUDS of Summer Split?! The state of NA vs. EU in 2023!? feat. Treatz | HLL 287

00:00:00 Intro

00:20:40 good guy tim has been impressed with FBI

00:33:00 mikey asks treatz if it's fair for costreamers to dump on LCS level of play

00:44:20 Alienware break!

00:47:20 King of Vocal Fry's take: TL series proved Unforgiven was so overrated and did not deserve to be all pro

00:56:15 Dave's take: costreaming negativity comes from spectator perspective

01:04:38 fist's take: TL v GG proved that Summit is a liability

01:14:28 ricky's take: GG is better than every possible EU 4th seed outside of maybe G2

01:28:46 Ligit0r's take: C9 is about to get their third LCS Championship in a row.

01:37:43 Murderino's take: TL has proven themselves this Summer

01:45:40 RubySea's take: there should be 3 LCS teams leaving after this season

01:57:43 Outro

Aug 15, 202302:00:04
100T's Roster Struggles; NRG GREATER than they appear?! DIG to the TOP!? feat. Spica | HLL 286

100T's Roster Struggles; NRG GREATER than they appear?! DIG to the TOP!? feat. Spica | HLL 286

00:00:00 Intro

00:19:52 Munchkin predicts: DIG will beat GG, TL will beat EG, DIG will beat TL

00:35:45 Bluejay's take: Bugi, Insanity and Chime should be treated as valuable free agents

00:45:30 Alienware break!

00:49:26 MagiMick's take: 100T hasn't been able to put together a winning roster yet

01:01:28 Cool asks Spica about how culture and management affect teams

01:11:11 gyro's take: teams like NRG have always been greater than the sum of their parts

01:25:00 Cptn Turtleman's take: C9 is going to continue dominating; 3-0 vs NRG

01:37:00 tomjack asks Spica who he'd buff/nerf

01:48:48 Outro

Aug 08, 202301:52:57
Why EG is NOT a one-trick team! Is Contractz a TOP 3 JUNGLER? Playoffs predictions + more! | HLL 285

Why EG is NOT a one-trick team! Is Contractz a TOP 3 JUNGLER? Playoffs predictions + more! | HLL 285

00:00:00 Intro - Barbenheimer, LCS news and All-Pro voting

00:35:51 Jae shouts out Wildturtle for his longevity and impact

00:44:30 Zemelci's take: EG isn't just an OTP team and Revenge proved it

01:00:00 Alienware break

01:02:55 Cpt Turtleman returns to predict that C9 will have a near-perfect run through Playoffs

01:12:20 Yami's take: GG will overperform C9 at Worlds because their team is more well-rounded

01:24:05 T-Bone's take: FLY should stick together next year, except maybe midlane

01:38:43 MagiMik's take: Contractz is a top 3 jungler in the LCS

01:49:18 Mikey's take: TL not making Worlds would be a disaster for their roster

02:04:15 Outro

Aug 01, 202302:08:09
Who is the BEST NA TRIO?? Which team should be KICKED out of the LCS? feat. Cubby | HLL 284

Who is the BEST NA TRIO?? Which team should be KICKED out of the LCS? feat. Cubby | HLL 284

00:00:00 Intro

00:26:24 warpenguin's take: IMT should be KICKED out of the LCS

00:42:50 aggro's take: River will rob Blaber of MVP this split

00:58:50 Alienware break

01:00:50 Kon's take: we should wait til the split's over to critique viewership count

01:17:55 jnt50's take: NA midlaners outperformed imports for the first time in LCS history

01:32:00 littletree's take: EG not making top 4 nor Worlds

01:42:20 CptTurtleman's take: C9 trio of Blaberfish2, Fudge and Lord Zven will continue to dominate LCS

01:52:00 Outro

Jul 25, 202301:55:07
Could 100T MISS Playoffs?! How can LCS players achieve career longevity? Blaber the GOAT? | HLL 283

Could 100T MISS Playoffs?! How can LCS players achieve career longevity? Blaber the GOAT? | HLL 283

00:00:00 Intro

00:13:30 SydeB's take: NA's 4th seed will soundly beat EU's 4th seed for the Worlds spot this year

00:26:55 Mauricio's take: 100T is gonna finish 9th and miss Playoffs

00:46:00 Vall3y's take: FLY will bounce back

00:53:05 Alienware break!

00:55:55 Henry's take: GG is the best and maybe only hope for NA at Worlds

01:11:00 munchkin's take: NRG to Worlds

01:21:30 Observer's take: none of the MVP frontrunners have been POTW so far

01:32:44 dixiecup's take: LCS players need to do more to get their face out there more

01:42:30 LS joins HLL

01:50:15 Michael's take: plenty of deserving players will miss All Pro

01:57:42 Ivan's take: Blaber will win his 3rd MVP and become NA GOAT

Jul 17, 202302:08:38
Why NA will NEVER win internationally!? Can TSM rally to top 4?! feat. Cubby + Boostio | HLL 282

Why NA will NEVER win internationally!? Can TSM rally to top 4?! feat. Cubby + Boostio | HLL 282

00:00:00 Intro

00:11:50 Rob predicts FLY is going to finish 9th

00:29:20 zemelci's take: NA talent success this season proves that NA talent exists

00:46:00 Alienware break

00:48:20 boostio's take: NA will never win on international stage due to lack of work ethic

01:11:50 kayokio's take: the Bo1 LCS format is outdated and boring

01:29:50 EzraSmiles's take: TSM will go 3-0 this week and finish top four in summer

01:46:22 Human Boy's take: GG is going to remain a top org

01:56:35 Outro

Jul 11, 202301:58:32
Is SUMMER MVP a two-man race? Can DIG go to Worlds?! Why RIOT wouldn't KILL the LCS | HLL 281

Is SUMMER MVP a two-man race? Can DIG go to Worlds?! Why RIOT wouldn't KILL the LCS | HLL 281

00:00:00 Intro

00:19:40 bluejay was satisfied to see TSM lose 3 games in a row after removing Insanity

00:34:33 yami's take: unfortunate that riot chose now to kill their own game

00:59:12 kon's take: Rich and Jojo should be leading the MVP race right now

01:15:14 brandon's take: FLY will make a miracle comeback to 4th

01:27:05 EzraSmiles's take: C9 isn't as far ahead as people think

01:33:30 T1 ThotSeize's take: DIG will be the third team to go to Worlds from NA

01:42:35 franco's take: casters should be more critical

01:53:05 Outro

Jul 04, 202301:58:11
EG on the RISE while FLY falls short?! Your SPICIEST SUMMER SPLIT takes feat. Cubby | HLL 280

EG on the RISE while FLY falls short?! Your SPICIEST SUMMER SPLIT takes feat. Cubby | HLL 280

00:00:00 Intro

00:18:45 Zemelci's take: TSM subbing out Insanity would be the perfect example of why the league is better without them

00:34:48 treethan's take: EG is revitalizing NA talent development

01:10:40 Alienware BLACK FRIDAY IN JULY DEAL!

01:13:20 rawnblade's take: LCS has a lot of great personalities among players right now

01:25:30 Joestar's take: EG is going to finish regular season in 1st place

01:37:06 kaz's take: this FLY start is the most disappointing in LCS history

01:51:51 Michael's take: Revenge is ready to be the best LCS toplaner

02:03:11 Outro

Jun 27, 202302:05:58
FIRST WEEK OF SUMMER! What's up with FLY? Will C9 fall off? The BEST of TSM?! | HLL 279

FIRST WEEK OF SUMMER! What's up with FLY? Will C9 fall off? The BEST of TSM?! | HLL 279

00:00:00 Intro

00:13:28 wafflefoot's take: Week 1 proved TL did well to keep their roster

00:25:40 Megan's take: FLY is 0-3 because no Winsome buff

00:34:50 River's take: people should care about the Reddit protests

00:53:43 warpenguin's take: TSM should keep Insanity in, he's the best player on the team

01:10:50 ImScrewed's take: Mark was right, 100T bottom team this split

01:22:05 knightsz was more entertained by the casters than the actual games this weekend

01:36:46 Dclang's take: C9 is gonna fall off

01:51:15 Outro

Jun 20, 202301:54:53
SUMMER IS BACK! Who's YOUR LCS MVP prediction? WALKOUT resolution and more! | HLL 278

SUMMER IS BACK! Who's YOUR LCS MVP prediction? WALKOUT resolution and more! | HLL 278

00:00:00 Intro

00:21:00 ev500's take: Riot won the walkout, it was all just PR anyway

00:37:00 Michael's take: TL is winning the Summer Split and Pyosik is getting All-Pro

00:51:00 Alienware break and unboxing!

00:54:02 kath's take: LCS should absorb LatAm to expand talent pool

01:09:00 gottyboy says this is the LEAST excited he's ever been for Summer

01:20:45 gengariffith's take: Jojopyun will be MVP this split

01:28:15 treethan's take: this EG roster is better than people think

01:35:48 kon predicts 100T wins split and GG loses the hardest

01:50:00 Outro

Jun 13, 202301:52:04
Has the WALKOUT been SUCCESSFUL? Is there an END in sight?! WILL SUMMER SPLIT GO ON? | HLL 277

Has the WALKOUT been SUCCESSFUL? Is there an END in sight?! WILL SUMMER SPLIT GO ON? | HLL 277

00:00:00 Intro00:24:33 RogersGalaxy's take: LCSPA Phil needs to be fired00:41:43 Ika's take: Phil's asks were poorly communicated and not reasonable01:09:05 Zemelci's take: it would be in the self interest of LEC players to walkout in solidarity with the LCS because if this walkout fails then it signs a death warrant for the negotiating power for both regions01:26:45 bang's take: LCS should buy back TSMs spot and use it for Valorant Style relegation01:36:22 squizzomatic's take: DL is an embarassment to the LCS and should not be welcome in the league anymore01:59:50 fez's take: letting T2 be its own thing is the best thing that could happen to NA, LCSPA demands are the worst for this02:14:05 Outro

Jun 06, 202302:16:44
LCS PLAYER WALKOUT! What are the DEMANDS and BEST OUTCOME feat. Phillip Aram and Kelby May | HLL 276

LCS PLAYER WALKOUT! What are the DEMANDS and BEST OUTCOME feat. Phillip Aram and Kelby May | HLL 276

00:00:00 Intro

00:24:50 artichoke's take: LCSPA is being unreasonable with their demands

00:43:20 halfzippedjacket's take: it's the viewers' responsibility to boycott the LCS product too

00:52:45 Kelby May joins HLL to weigh in on sponsors' POV

01:01:20 sakowitz's take: someone at Riot is making actively harmful decisions for the LCS

01:10:35 micspam asks Kelby for his take on creator involvement in esports

01:19:57 tomshoe asks if there's been an increased push for transparency from Riot by LCSPA

01:32:10 bluestork's take: now more than ever, the LCSPA needs to become a formal union

01:46:53 lord nick's take: LCSPA should organize some for-fun games to be streamed during walkout

01:55:50 Kelby wonders why Riot's pushing for the show to go on this week

02:08:00 Outro

May 30, 202302:12:28
NACL's DRASTIC changes! Does NA REALLY value native talent?! feat. Vulcan | HLL 275

NACL's DRASTIC changes! Does NA REALLY value native talent?! feat. Vulcan | HLL 275

00:00:00 Intro - Vulcan's updates, NACL discussion

00:37:20 TSM discussion

00:48:30 gordo's take: Riot needs to restrict imports

01:04:20 knightsz predicts Vulcan gets a title on FLY

01:11:30 micspam asks Vulcan what he'd say to disappointed LCS fans

01:24:06 brakthir asks why legacy NA fans should care

01:33:00 yami's take: creator orgs will make NA the worst region

01:47:49 Outro

May 25, 202301:51:30
NA at MSI! Did MSI format succeed? NACL implications for the LCS and more | HLL 274

NA at MSI! Did MSI format succeed? NACL implications for the LCS and more | HLL 274

00:00:00 Intro - NACL, MSI format, and more

00:30:05 tomato's take: teams that choose not to support NACL should lose an import slot

00:46:00 Alienware break

00:47:45 Cubby calls in to talk NACL

01:11:35 Luctus's take: the people that voted on NACL decision should be getting more heat

01:33:10 OnePlus break

01:35:25 excelsior's take: GG had as good a showing as we could've hoped

01:43:37 mr. cool's take: GG and C9 looked better than expected

01:51:09 zemelci's take: this MSI format mostly succeeded

May 16, 202302:04:30
The NEW Western Narrative! Is 2023 Finally Our Year? feat. DonJake | HLL 273

The NEW Western Narrative! Is 2023 Finally Our Year? feat. DonJake | HLL 273

00:00:00 Intro

00:19:20 laserfruit's rant on EU sentiment towards NA

00:33:07 kimmer's take: GG is going to run it back to LCS Summer Finals after MSI exp gain

00:41:45 Alienware break

00:43:00 Monjhall addresses reddit concerns around bracket

00:59:53 Gabe's take: C9 and G2 have the best chance of beating Eastern teams

01:12:55 OnePlus 11 break!

01:15:30 mockra's take: western analysts are ruining viewership for int'l fans

01:35:40 Izzdaer's take: the MSI broadcast has done a better job of creating team storylines than the LCS

01:52:20 Outro

May 09, 202301:53:44
Is GG making Semifinals?! Are minor regions set up for international success? feat. Drakos | HLL 272

Is GG making Semifinals?! Are minor regions set up for international success? feat. Drakos | HLL 272

00:00:00 Intro

00:33:35 treethan's take: GG losing the way they did to BLG was great, they will still make it to semifinals

00:43:15 OnePlus break!

00:46:30 Zemelci's take: LOUD should be the favorite to make it out of Group B, but lose to GG on Sunday

00:49:20 random discourse about London vs LA

00:59:00 back to the LOUD take

01:05:10 Zemelci's 2nd take: if G2 and GG had swapped Groups, it would've gone the exact same

01:08:40 jnt's take: with news of Rekkles role-swapping, we're going to see more role-swaps from other players

01:20:18 shibby wants to talk about the minor region narrative

01:35:20 Alienware break

01:37:30 dean's take: Vulcan to FLY might have language barrier issues off the bat

01:50:45 ayohae's take: minor regions are just here to get stomped and that's not fair to them

01:57:40 knights's take: drakos is the greatest NA caster outside of NA

02:01:40 Outro


May 05, 202302:05:53
Import rule rumor: is it GOOD or BAD? Should LCS players jump ship to LEC?! feat. Cubby | HLL 271

Import rule rumor: is it GOOD or BAD? Should LCS players jump ship to LEC?! feat. Cubby | HLL 271

00:00:00 Intro 00:26:52 Nicole's take: Instead of required challenger teams, teams should be encouraged to run 7-9 man rosters 00:47:36 Bluejay's take: Needham's take on the showtimes shows how disconnected he is 00:59:50 raimi's take: if three-import rumor is real, it's a half-measure 01:10:24 goose's take: if Vulcan ends up in LEC, more LCS players should follow suit 01:15:35 Peter Dun joins to argue with Travis 01:30:30 knightsz's take: there should be a third slot in the import rule because it raises our chances of winning internationally 01:41:48 numiii asks Cubby what fans can do to support T2 league 01:49:02 vimstrike's take: EG dropping 4/5 of their roster isn't a bad omen for LCS 02:04:55 Outro

Apr 25, 202302:05:38
Can CLOUD 9 bring home an MSI trophy?! TSM isn't going anywhere! | HLL 270

Can CLOUD 9 bring home an MSI trophy?! TSM isn't going anywhere! | HLL 270

00:00:00 Intro

00:20:30 fox's take: LEC format isn't sustainable for LCS

00:29:02 silyas's take: TSM isn't going anywhere

00:39:55 TomShoe on the Berserker 3 imports leak: Riot should scrap the import rule

00:52:40 Alienware break!

00:54:46 david's take: we should give up on caring about online viewership and focus on live event attendance

01:21:43 Burt Machine's take: salary cap is needed to support the ecosystem

01:35:15 littletree's take: C9 will finish in 2nd at MSI, losing to JDG

Apr 18, 202301:46:52
MSI Incoming! Is NA ready?! LCS Commissioner departs! Blaber the NA GOAT!? feat. C9 Fudge | HLL 269

MSI Incoming! Is NA ready?! LCS Commissioner departs! Blaber the NA GOAT!? feat. C9 Fudge | HLL 269

00:00:00 Intro - LCS dead? Empty stage? What REALLY happened at Finals

00:24:20 Dean's take: C9 will be the best western team at MSI, positional coaches good

00:39:32 Matt's take: Blaber will end his career as the undisputed NA GOAT someday

00:53:18 dixiecup asks Fudge if he can take on international toplaners

01:05:15 MrMoeJoe's take: the new MSI format is going to give NA more chances to win

01:15:19 Dblg's take: Jackie did a great job of shifting the LCS to a players-first league

01:28:37 Rishith's take: 100T should get Diplex to replace Bjerg in the midlane

01:36:47 knightsz's take: Fudge should've been MVP

01:46:48 gyro's take: GG is still a better international rep than FLY

01:55:23 Outro

Apr 12, 202301:58:10
A Chapter of LCS History Closes; What Happens Next? feat. Raz, TL Steve, Emily Rand | HLL 268

A Chapter of LCS History Closes; What Happens Next? feat. Raz, TL Steve, Emily Rand | HLL 268

00:00:00 Intro

00:20:29 Zareken's take: let the old orgs die

00:35:27 ATS Tilted's take: only creators can save esports

00:51:35 TL STEVE joins HLL to talk business

01:13:05 Alienware break

01:15:33 Sentry1117's take: it's time for an apology to Bigby (last week's EG take)

01:29:01 Mapusaurus's take: GG will beat FLY but fail internationally

01:38:18 Wizard Bufo's take: C9 has the best chance at int'l success EVER

01:46:42 Wojo's take: the LCS should stray away from franchising format

01:48:20 Emily Rand joins HLL

02:09:00 Outro

Apr 04, 202302:11:31
Is EG FRAUDULENT? What makes a WORTHY MVP? feat. Revenge and Special Announcement w/Ovilee | HLL 267

Is EG FRAUDULENT? What makes a WORTHY MVP? feat. Revenge and Special Announcement w/Ovilee | HLL 267

00:00:00 Intro: Welcome back, Revenge! Social media for pros, Brandon Sanderson article, and other news 00:23:02 Bigby's take: EG are frauds 00:35:48 Datapig's take: Emenes is a liability 00:45:32 Dr. Ducky's take: LCS Spring Split MVP should come from GG 00:59:00 Lord Audie's take: TL should keep their roster to make Summer Playoffs 01:10:00 littletree predicts CLG will finish bottom 2 in Summer 01:19:25 OVILEE joins HLL to ask about HLL LIVE 01:26:20 TJSSlayer's take: 100T should be happy with the Spring results with 2 rookies 01:37:34 King Monchie's take: Berserker is clearly the best ADC of Spring and should get MVP 01:48:54 Stealthm3lon's take: LEC is weaker than LCS top to bottom 01:55:34 knightsz says Revenge is the most underrated Top in LCS 02:00:35 Outro

Mar 28, 202302:02:27
Should PALAFOX be in ALL-PRO? Will BLABER become THE NA GOAT? feat. Kelby May | HLL 266

Should PALAFOX be in ALL-PRO? Will BLABER become THE NA GOAT? feat. Kelby May | HLL 266

00:00:00 Intro 00:15:05 tuft's take: Palafox should be a lock for at LEAST 3rd team all pro, but... 00:34:05 dixiecup's take: 100T's rocket won't stop 00:46:15 Alienware break 00:47:54 papaburgendy's take: narratives matter too much in all pro voting 01:06:45 Ithsmus asks Kelby: what is the most sustainable way for top esports to be profitable for orgs? 01:22:44 seanatonin's take: this is the BEST LCS season EVER 01:39:47 trespasser's take: in a few years, Blaber will be the NA GOAT 01:50:00 brenzei's take: TL could win Summer if they stay together 01:59:05 Outro

Mar 21, 202302:01:23
Why FUDGE is the TOP candidate for Spring MVP! All-Pro and Playoffs Predictions & more | HLL 265

Why FUDGE is the TOP candidate for Spring MVP! All-Pro and Playoffs Predictions & more | HLL 265

00:00:00 Intro

00:14:20 omar predicts FLY won't make Finals this split

00:28:50 SyphroDaJake's take: Fudge is by far the strongest candidate for MVP

00:41:05 Alienware break

00:42:37 Redhood's All-Pro lineup: Fudge River Gori Prince Vulcan

00:54:11 Manimal's take: C9 Porti is wrong

01:10:21 Datapig's take: TSM and CLG are not going to make Playoffs; TL and 100T will take their place

01:19:34 King Monchie's take: C9 is about to finish Spring on an 8-0 winstreak

01:29:45 wafflefoot's take: Regardless of whether TL makes Playoffs, they should not make any changes for Summer

01:38:30 Outro

Mar 14, 202301:39:32
Which MIDLANERS deserve All-Pro? Can 100T RALLY? Is FLY's success META-DEPENDENT? | HLL 264

Which MIDLANERS deserve All-Pro? Can 100T RALLY? Is FLY's success META-DEPENDENT? | HLL 264

00:00:00 Intro: Travis and Mark dive deeper on their sides of the EG/Danny situation

00:30:17 thedixiecup's take: 100T will win out remainder of split

00:40:40 warpenguin's take: 100T being bad is amazing for LCS, gameplay wise

00:49:05 ezrasmiles's take: VicLa doesn't deserve an All-Pro spot

00:56:30 TheGreatClockwyrm's take: FLY's success looks very meta-dependent 

01:08:03 thumper's take: Travis should do a followup interview with John and Naz

01:16:43 mogul's take: teams need to implement legit mental health staff

01:26:13 themaster's take: EG management don't get to make this mistake twice

01:37:13 munchkin's take: C9 deserves some more love from community at large

01:46:50 Outro


Mar 07, 202301:50:29