We break down the 2020 Emmy nominations, including some very obvious snubs (8:01) and what they tell us about our current TV landscape (18:14). ‘I May Destroy You’ gives us a type of intimacy rarely seen on TV (33:11), and it’s clear that HBO spent a lot of money on ‘Perry Mason’ (45:00). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 30, 2020•52 min
Some thoughts on Taylor Swift’s surprise album ‘Folklore’ and the art of a quarantine album release (9:01). ‘Tenet’ perfectly encapsulates the dilemma much of pop culture is currently facing (24:31). Plus, rediscovering the simple pleasure of sitcoms (34:21) and discussing how ‘Palm Springs’ is a high-quality hangout movie (52:49). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 27, 2020•1 hr
Chris and Andy explore the phenomenon that is ‘Yellowstone’ (6:28) before having a broader conversation about the state of cable television (15:27). Then, they talk about the final episodes of ‘Dark’ Season 3 and reflect on the season as a whole (25:20). Finally, they are joined by Mark Duplass to talk about ‘Room 104’ and the current state of the TV industry (47:16). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Mark Duplass Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 23, 2020•1 hr 35 min
Andy shares a bit of news about ‘Briarpatch’ (7:27). Then, the guys talk about the ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel news and the never-ending search for hit TV IP (18:58). Plus, ‘Perry Mason’ is actually good (36:29) and breaking down episodes 3 to 5 of ‘Dark’ Season 3 (43:17). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 21, 2020•55 min
With Netflix adding ‘Supermarket Sweep’ to its catalog and Peacock debuting a large library of old TV shows, are TV shows from the '90s the most valuable thing for a streaming service to have right now (19:51)? Plus, we break down the latest episode of ‘I May Destroy You’ (31:36) and the first two episodes of ‘Dark’ Season 3 (38:48). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 16, 2020•53 min
Though it’s dense and complicated, ‘Dark’ is still an enticing show (3:25). NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, will be here soon, along with a large back catalog of shows and the sneaky-popular ‘Yellowstone’ (13:04). Plus, an interview with Roy Wood Jr. (25:34). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Roy Wood Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 14, 2020•1 hr 9 min
Before we jump into Season 3 of 'Dark,' we need to mentally prepare ourselves for how twisted this show is (10:23). 'I May Destroy You' continues to capture the moment in an incisive and elegant way (17:03). Plus, Chris talks with 'Ramy' creator and star Ramy Youssef about the show's second season (35:16). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Ramy Youssef Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 10, 2020•51 min
Netflix announced this week that both ‘Dead to Me’ and ‘Ozark’ will be airing their final seasons. It begs the question of how streaming services make the decision of when to end TV shows that could seemingly go on forever (11:06). Plus, ‘Hamilton’ is finally widely available on Disney+ (26:23) and Andy talks to the director of ‘Betty,’ Crystal Moselle (35:24). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Crystal Moselle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 07, 2020•55 min
As The Ringer discusses their top shows of the year, Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald follow suit and break down their top five shows thus far (2:00). Then, Sarah Snook joins the show to talk about her role as Shiv Roy in 'Succession' and the potential plans for a third season (36:12). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Sarah Snook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 30, 2020•1 hr
‘Betty,’ a show on HBO about a pack of skateboarding teen girls, is joyous and depicts being young in New York as a real adventure (3:18). Plus, Peacock is hoping that ‘Brave New World’ can be it’s ‘Game of Thrones’ (26:42) and ‘I May Destroy You,’ just keeps getting better (41:30). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 26, 2020•52 min
‘Perry Mason,’ the HBO reboot starring Matthew Rhys, is very expensive and very dark. Will either of those aspects make for a popular TV show (1:50)? Plus, we welcome the winner of ‘Top Chef,’ Melissa King, to the show to talk about her strategy for the finale (24:55) and what she learned about her cooking this season (37:59). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Melissa King Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 23, 2020•52 min
Is ‘The King of Staten Island’ a good movie? Or is it just that there have been no new movies in a really long time (3:10)? Plus, Padma Lakshmi joins the show to talk about her new show on Hulu, ‘Taste the Nation,’ and her experiences while judging ‘Top Chef’ for 16 seasons (12:06). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Padma Lakshmi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 18, 2020•47 min
On top of your various streaming services, you’re probably going to want to pay for straight-to-video releases as well. Just how big can your streaming budget get (3:15)? Chris and Andy break down the second episode of ‘I May Destroy You’ and the penultimate episode of ‘Top Chef’ (28:07). Then, Andy interviews Tom Russo and Fran Keany from Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever about their second album, ‘Sideways to New Italy’ (43:08). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guests: Tom Russo and Fran Kea...
Jun 16, 2020•1 hr 10 min
‘I May Destroy You,’ written by and starring Michaela Coel, may be the one of the best new shows of 2020 (5:16). The show feels like Coel announcing herself as a new voice in television (12:16). Plus, an interview with Sam Boyd, the creator of ‘Love Life’ (20:39). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Sam Boyd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 12, 2020•38 min
We recap last week’s episode of ‘Top Chef’ in which the contestants head to Italy to hunt some truffles (4:32). Netflix’s new splashy comedy ‘Space Force' isn’t sure if it wants to be mean like ‘Veep’ (23:26) or comforting like ‘The Office’ (32:15). Plus, author Elwood Reid joins the show to talk about his new TV series, ‘Barkskins’ (47:36). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Elwood Reid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 09, 2020•1 hr 28 min
Revisiting a beloved TV show that you haven’t seen in a long time can almost feel like traveling back in time (1:54). Plus, once you figure exactly what HBO Max is and how to get into it (21:05), there’s a bounty of streaming options. We craft our prime-time grids of what we’re watching from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. (36:12). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 29, 2020•1 hr 10 min
Some musings on getting older (3:44) and then ‘The Great,’ a show you may have skipped over because it looks just fine, but is worth your time (16:07). Plus, Kristen Bell joins the show to talk about her new show ‘Central Park,’ as well as her iconic roles in ‘Veronica Mars’ and ‘Frozen’ (32:44). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Kristen Bell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 22, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 458
We take a moment to remember Lynn Shelton, a brilliant director of movies and TV (1:00). Then, Dan Pfeiffer joins the show to talk about his love for ‘Top Chef’ (15:52) and break down the most recent episode of ‘Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.’ (34:07). Finally, Chris talks with James Badge Dale about his new show ‘Hightown’ (57:22). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guests: Dan Pfeiffer and James Badge Dale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 19, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 457
HBO Max is set to launch on May 27 with an impressive streaming library (5:29). The streaming service from WarnerMedia Entertainment is a complete break from what HBO has been in the past (12:55). Plus, an interview with Paul Mescal, who plays Connell on ‘Normal People’ (26:15). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Read the Variety article on HBO Max here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 15, 2020•53 min•Ep. 456
Unsurprisingly, Quibi is not doing well while everyone is stuck at home. We explain why we have some sympathy for the nascent streaming service (10:53). Plus, breaking down the restaurant wars from last week’s episode of ‘Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.’ (31:41) and an interview with Kathryn Hahn about her new show ‘I Know This Much is True’ (45:33). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Kathryn Hahn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 12, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 455
The trailer for ‘Space Force,’ Netflix’s flashy comedy created by Greg Daniels and Steve Carrell, was released this week, and we talk about what it takes to make a good streaming comedy (13:06). Plus, how ‘Normal People’ the show differed from ‘Normal People’ the book (28:37) and a conversation with the director of ‘Arkansas,’ Clark Duke (57:22). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Clark Duke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 08, 2020•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 454
It now looks like there’s not one, but two ‘Tiger King’ adaptations in the works, and this reveals a funny thing about the TV industry and trying to get ahead of an adaptation (1:05). For May the Fourth, Disney gifted us with two bits of interesting Star Wars news (18:14). Plus: last week’s episode of ‘Top Chef,’ ‘Normal People’ episodes 1 through 6 (32:19), and an interview with Tom Pelphrey, who plays Ben on ‘Ozark’ (1:05:31). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Tom Pelphrey Learn more...
May 05, 2020•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 453
The cult of Sally Rooney and stellar performances from the two young actors (4:06) are what makes ‘Normal People’ an instant must-watch and a masterclass on how to make a TV show that’s just about feelings (19:38). Plus, a conversation with one of the show’s directors, Lenny Abrahamson, about how he adapted the show from the best-selling book (36:27). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Lenny Abrahamson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 01, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 452
Chris and Andy go deep on their love for ‘Top Chef’ (6:31) and talk about why you form unique relationships with the contestants on the show (20:35). And even though ‘Run,’ starring Merritt Wever and Domhnall Gleeson, has all the makings of a good show, there’s something slightly off about it (36:00). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 28, 2020•46 min•Ep. 451
Netflix added 15.8 million subscribers in the first quarter of 2020, showing in no small way that it is still the dominant streaming service (2:07). We wonder whether services like HBO Max and NBC's Peacock even stand a chance of catching up (20:09). Plus, we break down the ‘Devs’ season finale and reflect on the season as a whole (37:35). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 24, 2020•55 min•Ep. 450
Chris and Andy hone in on the season finale of their favorite show of the year: 'Better Call Saul.' They discuss the tonal differences between the world established here and in 'Breaking Bad,' the specific performances of Bob Odenkirk and Tony Dalton, and the way the cast and crew have perfected the craft of the 'Breaking Bad'/'Better Call Saul' extended universe (1:02). Then, Dalton joins the show to discuss his role as Lalo Salamanca, what he takes from the page and makes his own, and the most...
Apr 21, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 449
Andy reflects on his time making ‘Briarpatch’ after the season finale aired this week (1:06). Production on most TV shows has ground to a halt due to COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean that Hollywood dealmaking is slowing down (15:42). We talk about that electric scene in the penultimate episode of ‘Better Call Saul’ (28:00) and give some immediate reactions to the first episode of ‘Mrs. America’ (38:33). Finally, Chris and Andy are joined by some of the cast from ‘Briarpatch’ (50:59). Hosts: Chris...
Apr 17, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 448
On Saturday night DJ Premier and RZA faced off on Instagram Live for a two-hour beats battle. It might be the most fun we’ve had in a long time and shows how content has evolved during this time of social distancing (1:59). HBO’s newest show ‘Run’ is a Merritt Wever showcase (26:03), and we’ve finally figured out the key to enjoying ‘Devs’ (35:35). Plus, a conversation with Scott Teems, whose Western-thriller movie ‘The Quarry’ comes to VOD this Friday (52:12). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwa...
Apr 14, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 447
There was not one, but two shows with desert-wandering scenes this week. Chris and Andy talk about ‘Better Call Saul’ S5E8 (4:50) and the penultimate episode of ‘Briarpatch’ and what goes into creating a scene like that (11:49). Then, they get on the line with Josh Phelps, who works at José Andrés’s World Central Kitchen, to talk about the organization's relief work (39:02). Finally Chris is joined by Laura Linney to talk about her electrifying role as Wendy on ‘Ozark’ (57:19). Hosts: Chris Ryan...
Apr 10, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 446
Quibi, the streaming service that features shows that are just seven to nine minutes long, launched today. The “quick bites” represent a new format besides traditional TV (1:26). The latest episode of ‘Devs’ did more telling than showing (27:50). ‘ZeroZeroZero’ is a feat in tv making (41:27) and Andrea Riseborough joins the show to give us some insight into how the show is made (1:08:56). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Andrea Riseborough Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...
Apr 07, 2020•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 445
