Back on the Block - podcast cover

Back on the Block

Doug Strassler & Karen Grecobackontheblock.libsyn.com
Join hosts Doug and Karen as they dissect the best TV series of the 1990s.
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Episodes

The Fastest Case of Paralysis Ever

Matt’s boyfriend is questionable, Syd makes a disgusting bagel sandwich, Billy files for divorce, Amanda finds herself in hot water, and not only does Jane walk again – she finds love with Jake!

Mar 20, 202039 minEp. 51

Theatre Reviews and Public Service Announcements

Among coronavirus and Doug’s continuing bad Internet service, we review “Emojiland the Musical,” “The Hot Wing King,” “Endlings,” “Coal Country,” and revisit the soon-to-close epic “The Inheritance.” Plus, Karen has all the info you’ll ever need.

Mar 10, 202045 minEp. 50

The Power of Free Tickets

Karen and Doug talk about what exactly critics are entitled to, and when it’s not okay to whine when you don’t get free tickets to a show. Plus, Doug has nice things to say about the new “Emma” movie and Celine Dion in concert.

Mar 03, 202053 minEp. 49

For the Love of Spaghetti

Amanda has made her choice and proves to also have great salon skills; Richard finds out about Jo’s doubts, Syd tires of her caretaker skills, Brooke is crazy again, and Jane goes for an unexpected night swim.

Mar 03, 202051 minEp. 48

It’s All Connected

Talk about a great theatre week! Doug reviews “Hamlet” at St. Ann’s Warehouse, “Dana H” at the Vineyard Theatre, and “Mack and Mabel” at NY City Center Encores! Then they stumble onto the best tangent ever about the great miniseries and after-school specials of yore.

Feb 27, 202038 minEp. 47

I! Hate! Ants!

We find out if Brooke’s suicide attempt was successful, Kimberly finds a new way to make Matt’s life hell, Amanda must choose between Bobby and Peter, and Jane’s situation does not get any easier. But the MVP of this one is Sydney (again)!

Feb 27, 202041 minEp. 46

What’s In a Name?

Apparently a lot. Karen goes into what worked and what didn’t work in “Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey” and why she was rooting for it. And Doug liked “The Gentlemen.”

Feb 20, 202034 minEp. 45

Nice Girl, But Kind if a Mixed-Up Life

We go from one cliffhanger to another here. Did Jane survive? What will happen to Brooke’s trust? What’s the deal with Matt’s new guy? And why do we hate the current Amanda-Peter storyline so much?

Feb 20, 202045 minEp. 44

Good as Gold

Reunited and it feels so good! Doug and Karen met in a hotel room and recorded it. (It’s not what you think. It’s better!) Doug gives his Oscar predictions, discusses “Marriage Story,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Joker,” “1917,” and Renee Zellweger, plus chat about Ronan Farrow, “Catch and Kill” and the Weinstein case.

Feb 09, 202037 minEp. 43

Fruit Loop Farms

Doug and Karen meet in person for a glitch-free podcast! Billy bails Allison out, Brooke gets some bad news, Sydney gets a prescription from Kimberly, and Matt gets more than one scene!

Feb 09, 202042 minEp. 42

A Thorn in the Butt of Medical Progress

You get a lot here. There’s Allison’s first days as a widow, Kimberly counseling Sydney (!), Jake’s money woes, Jane’s new haircut, and Matt’s potential new man! Plus you get to listen to Karen’s near-brush with death. Thanks in advance for dealing with Doug’s ongoing connection problems.

Jan 29, 202038 minEp. 41

"Casablanca” This is Not

Jane’s game seems to be working on both Michael and Richard, something bad happens to Allison (again), Jake learns Shelley’s true motives, and we get a gauzy flashback of Amanda (pardon some of our technical difficulties!)

Jan 29, 202047 minEp. 40

Oscar Veterans and Virgin River

Karen talks about a new show she discovered and then we both ruminate on what we liked and didn’t like about this year’s Oscar nominees. Also, Doug still hates “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” (Bear with us as Doug continues to experience technical difficulties.)

Jan 14, 202032 minEp. 39

The Irish-snooze

We recap highlights from the Golden Globes (Yay “Rocketman!” Yay “Succession!”) and talk about “The Irishman” and “Parasite.” Plus a theatre review of “Jagged Little Pill” on Broadway. (We continue to have some technical glitches with the recording; thank you for bearing with us as we sort this out!)

Jan 09, 202026 minEp. 38

New Decade, Same Block

Props to Thomas Calabro for directing a cliffhanger-filled ep! Jake learns the truth about Shelley, but is it too late? What has Kimberly gotten herself into? Where has Hayley taken Allison? Is Amanda’s life in danger – or just her heart? (We continue to have some technical glitches with the recording; thank you for bearing with us as we sort this out!)

Jan 08, 202048 minEp. 37

"I'm not just a jock. I went to college for a year."

We continue to have technical difficulties but still managed to record a killer recap of the episode that originally brought Doug back to the block. Allison's marriage gets off to a rocky start, Syd throws a 60s party for Michael, Kimberly loses her bracelet, and Jane throws a mean punch. Happy New Year!

Dec 31, 20191 hr 7 minEp. 36

Bring Back Amnesia

We’re back, though still with some technical difficulties. Hang in there as Syd becomes our favorite geisha and Allison makes a crucial decision. And stay tuned because we even sneak in some Hollywood Boulevard chat at the end. Happy holidays!

Dec 24, 201957 minEp. 35

Only (Dis)Connect

Doug and Karen start by talking about Elizabeth Banks’ comments on the performance of the new “Charlie’s Angels” and wind up talking about the way we currently live (spoiler alert: we’re doing it wrong). Plus, a review of “The Inheritance,” a show that does it very, very right.

Nov 19, 201942 minEp. 34

Bad-side Manner

Will Jack wake up and blow Amanda’s cover, or will he take her lies to the grave? Plus, Allison learns more about Hayley, Matt takes a big test, Jane tries to sweep Richard away to Hawaii, and Kimberly gets the craziest new job yet.

Nov 19, 20191 hr 15 minEp. 33

Hollywood Boulevard: Happy Endings

Now that Karen’s seen all of “Breaking Bad,” we reflect again on the show and its series finale, talking about others that nailed it and failed it – with a call to action for any “Carnivale” stans out there. Plus, theatre reviews of “Fear,” “The Wrong Man,” and “Bella Bella.”

Nov 05, 201939 minEp. 32

Dr. Joyce Brothers Is Back on the Block

Jack puts Amanda in an uncomfortable position, but she’s able to return the favor – an event that forces her to lean on Peter and open up to Michael. Brooke’s scheming continues, Jake and Jo go to the Rose Bowl, Kimberly learns news both good and bad, and no one cares about Matt’s dead dad.

Nov 05, 201957 minEp. 31

The Worst Thing She’s Ever Seen on Broadway?!

Do Doug and Special Guest Alyssa Maher like the new show “Evil?” Then listen to their reviews of “Scotland, PA,” “Soft Power,” “Heroes of the Fourth Turning,” and “The Little Thief,” and find out the worst thing Alyssa has ever seen on Broadway. Also, we’re still experiencing Skype problems, so we apologize for any glitches.

Oct 31, 201939 minEp. 30

The Matt Who Wasn’t There

Amanda throws a party to celebrate surviving the bombing, and Kimberly shows up! And so does Jack! And Hayley comes to Melrose Place too! But Matt is scarcely there, dealing with another sad storyline. Also, can I blame my computer problems on Kimberly? Oy.

Oct 31, 201956 minEp. 29

We’ll Be Your Bitch

Karen poses a very interesting question about why we watch – and why we don’t stop watching – when we don’t like something. We include talk about “Carnival Row,” “Mayans MC,” and “American Horror Story.” Plus theatre reviews of “The Rose Tattoo,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” and “The White Chip.”

Oct 23, 201942 minEp. 28

Smart Men (For a Day)

Too much Brooke and not enough Syd make Karen and Doug a pair of gloomy Gusses. Jane continues to act of character, but she does get in one great line!

Oct 23, 201935 minEp. 27

“You Call him Brian? He’s still Brian Cox to us.”

We’re back! Sort of. With the help of Special Guest Alyssa Maher, we tried to soldier through a fun discussion of “Succession” as it concludes its second season, and talked about the plays “The Great Society,” “Linda Vista,” “Mothers,” and “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord.” But technical problems abounded, so our conversation might go in and out. Try your best to give a listen, and we apologize for anything the Internet connection gobbled up!

Oct 15, 201950 minEp. 26

Hollywood Boulevard: Succession Obsession

Doug dishes on the new “BH90210” curiosity and then he and Karen rave about HBO’s “Succession.” Are you watching? You should be!

Aug 20, 201936 minEp. 25

Jo, Jo, So Much Jo

Richard and Jane’s rocky relationship continues while Jo gets fed up with Jake. Kimberly makes a huge discovery about her past, and Amanda makes a run for it.

Aug 20, 201945 minEp. 24

A Midsummer Night’s Scream

Special guest Alyssa Maher and Doug rave about the Netflix series “Derry Girls” and review the shows “Broadway Bounty Hunter,” “Coriolanus” (Shakespeare in the Park), and “Moulin Rouge!”

Aug 07, 201936 minEp. 23

What’s a Gissler?

We’ve got some major chess pieces moving around in this episode, which includes a surprise reunion, an engagement, a trip to Miami, and Antonio Sabato Jr. Plus, Drunk Matt!

Aug 07, 20191 hr 4 minEp. 22
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