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The Televerse

Kate Kulzick and Noel Kirkpatrick discuss the week's notable television, covering comedy, genre, drama, and everything in-between, before breaking down a favorite series no longer on the air that listeners may want to pull down off the DVD Shelf.
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Now displaying: 2016
Dec 31, 2016

Noel and Kate continue their celebration of the best of TV in 2016 with The Televerse’s yearly Smorgasborgy, a Best Of bonanza covering every category we can think of (and a few we probably shouldn’t have). There is so much to discuss and celebrate this year, in fact, that for the first time, The Televerse will be presenting our Best Of Smorgasborgy over two weeks, starting with our awards for the best performances, production elements, writing, and music on TV in 2016. Post your thoughts on the year’s TV, and your picks for any or all of our categories, in the comments below, and come back next week for our favorite characters, sequences, moments, seasons, and more!

Performance Awards (7:52)
Best Lead Performance
Best Supporting Performance
Most/Least Acting
Best Voice Acting
Best Reality Personality
Most Novel Casting
Best Use of Ensemble
Most Underrated Ensemble
Best Cameo
Best Guest Appearance
6th Wo/Man Award

Production Awards (33:40)
Notable Direction
Best Cinematography
Best Costuming
Best Set Design
Best Hair and Makeup
Best Editing
Most Inventive Animation

Writing Awards (45:05)
Writing for a Comedy Series
Writing for a Drama Series
Best Sketch
Most Memorable Line/Delivery
Best Monologue
Best Single Episode
Best Crafting of a Season

Music Awards (1:16:46)
Best New Theme Song/Credits Sequence
Catchiest New Theme Song
Best Score
Best Soundtrack
Best Original Song
Best Musical Moment
Best Dance Sequence
Best Deployment of a Pre-Existing Song
Best Montage

Music Featured: The Get Down Brothers battle Notorious 3, The Get Down; “My Name Is Jake” and “Rather Be Anything” from Adventure Time; “Bad Stuff Happens in the Bathroom” from Bob’s Burgers;  “It’s Over, Isn’t It?” and “Here Comes a Thought” from Steven Universe; “It Was a Shit Show” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Dec 25, 2016

As 2016 winds down (and not a moment too soon), the List-ening begins! This episode, Noel and Kate count down their Top 20 TV Series (or TV Movies) of 2016. While plenty of other aspects of life have let many of us down recently, there’s been a plethora of terrific TV, so join us as we celebrate the 30+ shows we most enjoyed this calendar year.

Top 20–11 Series (10:41)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Supergirl
Jane the Virgin
Atlanta
Survivor’s Remorse
People of Earth
American Crime
Adventure Time
black-ish
Looking: The Movie
RuPaul’s Drag Race and Drag Race All Stars 2
Yuri On Ice
Limitless
The Nightly Show
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

Top 10–6 Series (51:04)
Orange is the New Black
OJ: Made in America
Halt and Catch Fire
Rectify
The Great British Baking Show
The Good Place
Stranger Things
Lady Dynamite

Top 5–3 Series (1:28:24)
iZombie
Veep
Underground
Queen Sugar
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Top 2–1 Series (1:56:23)
The Americans
American Crime Story: The People vs O.J. Simpson
Steven Universe

Music Featured: “This is as Good as it Gets” from Galavant; “Lullaby of Takeda” and “Ordinary” from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt; “Puppies are the Answer” from Lady Dynamite; “Maybe This Dream,” “Getting Bi,” and “You Stupid Bitch” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; “Love Like You,” “Peace and Love (On the Planet Earth),” and “Still Not Giving Up” from Steven Universe

Dec 18, 2016

It’s our final regular episode of the year, and helping us send out the year in style is former cohost and friend of the show Sean Colletti, currently of TV Roundtable, who returns to the podcast to help us discuss HBO’s introspective and optimistic, and cancelled-too-soon, Enlightened. Before that, however, we talk through a rather truncated week in TV, including Noel’s roundup of the ABC comedies’ midseason finales, People of Earth, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, a long-awaited turn for Shinwell on Elementary, and a lengthy discussion of the series finale, and final season in general, of Televerse favorite Rectify.

DVD Shelf: Enlightened with Sean Colletti (1:22:37)

Our Week in TV

ABC Comedies Roundup: The Middle, black-ish, Speechless, Fresh Off the Boat (10:19)
People of Earth (19:42)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (22:10)
Elementary (36:37)
Rectify finale (46:50)

Music Featured: “Research Me Obsessively” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Dec 11, 2016

It’s been a difficult week in our personal lives, so we’re keeping the podcast simple this episode, focusing on our week in TV without a DVD Shelf or special segment. There’s still plenty of TV to discuss, however, as we catch up with finales from this week and last. First up is drama, with Kate giving her spoiler-free thoughts on the Pitch finale, followed by comedy, as Kate catches up with the Insecure finale and Noel and Kate talk through last week’s standout episode of black-ish and another fun Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Then we head over to reality, with Kate’s thoughts on Hairspray Live! and a baking and cooking showdown courtesy of the premieres of The Great American Baking Show and Top Chef. Last, we round out our week in TV are the genre offerings, the midseason finales of The Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow.

Our Week in Drama and Comedy
Pitch finale (7:45)
Insecure finale (14:27)
black-ish (17:29)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (21:42)

Our Week in Reality and Genre
Hairspray Live! (30:42)
The Great American Baking Show premiere (36:58)
Top Chef
premiere (52:09)
The Flash (59:38)
Arrow (1:06:42)
Legends of Tomorrow (1:11:44)

Music Featured: “Friendtopia” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray Live!

Dec 4, 2016

We’re still in our post-Thanksgiving food comas here at The Televerse (or we would be, if we weren’t both traveling). Fortunately, there’s plenty of interesting and entertaining TV this week to re-energize us as we recover from one holiday and prepare for the next. First up, Noel gives his thoughts on Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life and Noel and Kate break down Bob’s Burgers’ latest holiday episode and the midseason finale of Jane the Virgin. After the comedies, it’s a miniscule week in drama, but the finale of Queen Sugar gives us plenty to discuss. Then we head over to genre, with Kate talking Steven Universe, Noel looking at the premiere of Incorporated, and both of us diving in with the big CW DC crossover, first Supergirl’s mostly standalone episode, and then the “Invasion!” on The Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow. Afterward, friend of the show Caroline Siede of The A.V. Club returns to help us round out our Star Trek DVD Shelf cycle with the final, and canonically first, series in the franchise, Enterprise.

DVD Shelf: Enterprise with Caroline Siede (1:40:26)

Our Week in Comedy and Drama
Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (8:48)
Bob’s Burgers (30:46)
Jane the Virgin (35:15)
Queen Sugar finale (47:05)

Our Week in Genre
Steven Universe (1:08:50)
Incorporated premiere (1:13:04)
Supergirl
(1:19:09)
The Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow (1:24:05)

Music Featured: “Working on Building Stars Hollow” from Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life; “Ready for This” from Steven Universe

Nov 27, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving, Televerse listeners! This week, Noel and Kate take it easy, with just a handful of TV episodes to discuss. First up, we look at the comedies, including the premiere of Search Party, the finale of You’re the Worst, and new episodes of Televerse staples Jane the Virgin and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Next up are the drama and genre offerings, including the much anticipated return (for its season finale) of Adventure Time, as well as Supergirl, The Flash, and Elementary. Afterward, former Televerse cohost—and current TV Roundtable cohost—Simon Howell returns to the podcast to introduce Noel and Kate to the sunnier side of Black Mirror’s Charlie Brooker, with a DVD Shelf on the British police drama spoof A Touch of Cloth.

DVD Shelf: A Touch of Cloth with Simon Howell (1:50:30)

Our Week in Comedy
Search Party premiere (17:00)
You’re the Worst finale (26:52)
Jane the Virgin (34:33)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (44:58)

Our Week in Drama and Genre
Adventure Time finale (1:04:53)
Supergirl (1:15:43)
The Flash (1:27:57)
Elementary
(1:41:24)

Music Featured: “Thought Bubbles” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; “A Natural Process” from Adventure Time

Nov 19, 2016

It’s another difficult week here at The Televerse, but fortunately, TV showed up this week, with a number of interesting and entertaining episodes to discuss. First up, we look at the comedies, including the premiere of MTV’s rape revenge comedy, Sweet/Vicious, the season finale of Last Week Tonight, a race-bent Drunk History, musical Jane the Virgin, and tap-tastic Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Then we move on to the genre and drama offerings, including a Thanksgiving-themed Steven Universe, disappointing Elementary, well-crafted Queen Sugar, and affecting Supergirl. Afterwards, Jessica Ritchey of RogerEbert.com joins us at the DVD Shelf to introduce us to—and help us break down—an entry of ABC’s “Movie of the Week” series, 1970’s Night Slaves.

Note: We’re still trying something new with the episode posting today, using a chaptered mp3 instead of the usual m4a. Please let us know right away if you experience any trouble listening to the podcast, either at the website or via iTunes, Stitcher, or your podcatching app.

DVD Shelf: Night Slaves with Jessica Ritchey (1:40:22)

Our Week in Comedy
Sweet/Vicious premiere (19:09)
Last Week Tonight finale (32:15)
Drunk History (41:54)
Jane the Virgin (45:10)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (57:11)

Our Week in Drama and Genre
Steven Universe (1:14:27)
Elementary (1:21:38)
Queen Sugar (1:25:48)
Supergirl
(1:29:30)

Music Featured: “Open a Dance School” from Jane the Virgin; “Tapped That Ass” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Nov 13, 2016

Deep breaths, everyone. It’s not going to be okay, not for a long time. But the podcast, while it will be morphing in format and length a bit in the near future, isn’t going anywhere. This week, we start with about 40 minutes of processing and discussing how we’ve been interacting with media since the election, so if you’re looking for a break from this, skip ahead to our week in TV.

We kick off the week’s TV talk with the comedies, including the Better Things finale, Kate’s catch-up with You’re the Worst, People of Earth, black-ish, Superstore’s midseason finale, and as ever, Jane the Virgin and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Then we move on to the drama and genre offerings, including Noel’s thoughts on The Crown season one, Kate’s break-up with Lethal Weapon and thoughts on the surprising catharsis of this week’s Rectify and Queen Sugar, and both Noel and Kate’s thoughts on the welcome dose of sunshiney optimism that was this week’s Supergirl.

Afterwards, Zack Handlen of The A.V. Club joins us at the DVD Shelf to do a little comfort TV viewing with British hangout comedy Black Books. Hang in there everyone, and feel free to reach out. We’re listening.

Note: We’re trying something new with the episode posting today, using a chaptered mp3 instead of the usual m4a. Please let us know right away if you experience any trouble listening to the podcast, either at the website or via iTunes, Stitcher, or your podcatching app.

DVD Shelf: Black Books with Zack Handlen (2:15:54)

Our Week in Comedy
Better Things finale (38:04)
You’re the Worst (49:19)
People of Earth (56:02)
black-ish (1:01:03)
Superstore (1:10:29)
Jane the Virgin (1:16:23)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (1:24:35)

Our Week in Drama and Genre
The Crown Season 1 (1:42:56)
Lethal Weapon (1:50:21)
Rectify and Queen Sugar (1:54:33)
Supergirl
(1:57:53)

Music Featured: “The Math of Love Triangles” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; “Work” by Charlotte Day Wilson; Black Books Theme song

Nov 5, 2016

You know that crazy long episode we’ve been teasing for a while? It’s here this week, as Noel and Kate talk through a frankly ridiculous amount of interesting and memorable TV. First up, we dive in with a very full week in comedy, including the finales of Atlanta and Documentary Now! and mid-season finale of The Good Place, the premieres of People of Earth and Stan Against Evil, check-ins on Younger and Insecure, the election-themed Superstore and Fresh Off the Boat, and eventful episodes of Jane the Virgin and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Then, we move over to the drama and genre offerings, including the premieres of The Crown and Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, disappointing installments of Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow, a check-in on Elementary, and compelling entries from Queen Sugar and Rectify. Afterwards, Angelica Bastién of Vulture, The Atlantic, RogerEbert.com, and many other places joins us at the DVD Shelf to dive in with the at times frustrating, at times wonderful The Good Wife.

DVD Shelf: The Good Wife with Angelica Bastién (2:44:28)

Our Week in Comedy
Atlanta finale (14:01)
People of Earth premiere (27:30)
Stan Against Evil premiere (34:50)
Documentary Now! finale (38:42)
Younger (41:24)
Insecure (42:42)
Superstore and Fresh Off the Boat (50:28)
Jane the Virgin (1:04:36)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (1:15:26)
The Good Place (1:24:44)

Our Week in Drama and Genre
The Crown premiere (1:34:58)
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency premiere (1:40:30)
Arrow (1:49:45)
Legends of Tomorrow (1:56:38)
Elementary
(2:12:28)
Queen Sugar
(2:18:52)
Rectify (2:27:13)

Music Featured: “Maybe This Dream,” performed by Donna Lynne Champlin on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; “Daddy Lessons,” as performed by Beyoncé and the Dixie Chicks at the Country Music Awards; The Good Wife Theme song

Oct 29, 2016

We’re back to regular podcast operating procedure here at The Televerse, just in time for Halloween and another batch of premieres. First up, we look at a full week in comedy, including the premieres of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Man with a Plan, and The Great Indoors, a slue of holiday-themed sitcom episodes, another compelling The Good Place, and a powerful Jane the Virgin. Then we look at the rest of the week’s offerings, including the much anticipated Rectify premiere, the less anticipated Pure Genius premiere, a stormy Queen Sugar, Hamilton-centered Great Performances, Harrison Wells-happy The Flash, and Lynda Carter-fueled Supergirl. Afterward, Samantha Nelson of The A.V. Club and the Critical Hit podcast joins us at the DVD Shelf to look at one of the DCAU’s few teen-centered entries, Young Justice.

DVD Shelf: Young Justice with Samantha Nelson (1:50:02)

Our Week in Comedy
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend premiere (12:59)
Man with a Plan premiere (26:43)
The Great Indoors premiere (28:44)
Halloween sitcom roundup (32:16): Bob’s Burgers, Fresh Off the Boat, black-ish, Speechless, Superstore
The Good Place (41:28)
Jane the Virgin (49:17)

Our Week in Drama, Reality, and Genre
Rectify premiere (1:00:50)
Pure Genius premiere (1:17:04)
Queen Sugar (1:23:59)
Great Performances (1:28:06)
The Flash (1:37:05)
Supergirl (1:39:51)

Music Featured: The music from SNL’s “Haunted Elevator” sketch; “Love Kernels” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; “Alexander Hamilton” as performed by Lin-Manuel Miranda at the 2009 White House Poetry Jam; Young Justice Theme song

Oct 23, 2016

With Noel still under the weather and Kate taking a rare vacation, it’s another short episode this week on the podcast. That being said, there’s still plenty of entertaining TV to discuss, including the season premiere of our beloved Jane the Virgin, another Halloween installment of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and fun episodes of Fresh Off the Boat and Saturday Night Live. Noel also checks in on This is Us and Pitch, and we both heap more love for Supergirl. Afterward, Associate Prof. Chris Becker from Notre Dame, creator of News for TV Majors and host of Aca-Media, joins us at the DVD Shelf to discuss the criminally underseen female-driven Vietnam medical drama China Beach.

DVD Shelf: China Beach with Chris Becker (56:14)

Our Week in TV
Jane the Virgin premiere (4:58)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (15:55)
Fresh Off the Boat (21:16)
Saturday Night Live (25:55)
This is Us (33:59)
Pitch (37:57)
Supergirl (42:10)

Music Featured: “Melanianade,” performed by cast members of Saturday Night Live in this past week’s Emily Blunt-hosted episode; China Beach Theme song

Oct 15, 2016

Life has arisen in an unfortunate way this week, prompting a somewhat abridged version of the podcast. Despite that, however, there’s plenty of interesting TV for Noel and Kate to discuss, starting with a preview of FOX’s Laverne Cox-led new take on The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again, before some premiere (Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Fresh Off the Boat) and finale (RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Halt and Catch Fire) talk. Then we welcome back friend of the show LaToya Ferguson, of The A.V. Club, Inverse, and Mic, who joins us at the DVD Shelf to discuss ultimate ‘90s series, Beverly Hills, 90210.

DVD Shelf: Beverly Hills, 90210 with LaToya Ferguson (1:02:28)

Our Week in TV
Preview The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again (4:43)
Supergirl premiere (12:04)
Legends of Tomorrow premiere (20:11)
The Flash (25:23)
Steven Universe Season 4 Shorts (33:00)
Fresh Off the Boat premiere (36:16)
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars finale (43:10)
Halt and Catch Fire
finale (52:17)

Music Featured: “Haven’t You Noticed (I’m a Star)” as performed by the Steven Universe cast in the season four short “Gem Karaoke”; Beverly Hills, 90210 Theme song

Oct 9, 2016

Fall premieres strike again, and between another slew of premieres and a mega-dive with Luke Cage season one, Noel and Kate are back to marathon-length podcasting this episode. First up, we look at a full week in comedy, including the Insecure and Divorce premieres, check-ins on Atlanta, Better Things, High Maintenance, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and more strong installments of black-ish and The Good Place. Then we head over for some genre and reality TV, including the premieres of Westworld, The Flash, Arrow, and Frequency, a lengthy chat about the merits of Luke Cage versus Jessica Jones, an underwhelming Independent Lens, and another controversial RuPaul’s Drag Race. Lastly, we talk drama, including the premieres of Elementary and No Tomorrow and two more affecting entries from Queen Sugar and Halt and Catch Fire. Then Noel taps out as Kate welcomes back former Televerse cohost and current cohost of TV Roundtable Sean Colletti to spend some time with the Pfeffermans and Transparent season three.

Season Spotlight: Transparent Season 3 with Sean Colletti (2:37:10)

Our Week in Comedy
Insecure premiere (5:26)
Divorce premiere (9:32)
Atlanta (15:24)
Better Things (19:54)
High Maintenance (25:43)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (31:30)
black-ish (35:09)
The Good Place
(42:08)

Our Week in Genre and Reality
Westworld premiere (49:47)
The Flash premiere (1:02:26)
Arrow premiere (1:11:29)
Frequency premiere (1:18:31)
Luke Cage Season 1 (1:20:01)
Independent Lens (1:47:23)
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (1:55:27)

Our Week in Drama
Elementary premiere (2:07:13)
No Tomorrow premiere (2:10:33)
Queen Sugar (2:14:14)
Halt and Catch Fire (2:24:02)

Music Featured: “Boom” by P.O.D.; “Plain Gold Ring” by Nina Simone; “Let’s Work Together” by Wilbert Harrison

Oct 1, 2016

Fall TV premieres continue this week, but amidst the new show craziness, Kate and Noel take a moment once again to reflect and evaluate how they’re doing on their 2016 TV resolutions, both Noel’s vow to watch more non-fiction and documentary television and Kate’s to broaden her TV horizons and make sure she’s watching programming featuring voices that are underrepresented on television. Before we dive in with that, however, it’s another exciting premiere week. First we look at a full week in television, including the premieres of Bob’s Burgers, Drunk History, and Younger, the finale of Survivor’s Remorse, and notable episodes of You’re the Worst, black-ish, and The Good Place. Then we head over to the genre, reality, and drama entries, discussing the much-anticipated Luke Cage premiere, the less-anticipated Van Helsing and Secrets and Lies premieres, and the eagerly anticipated (at least among Aidan Turner stans) Poldark premiere, as well as engaging installments from Frontline, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Halt and Catch Fire, and Star Wars Rebels.

Please chime in below, or via email (theteleverse@gmail.com), or on social media with your thoughts on the non-fiction and representational TV you think we should be seeking out!

2016 TV Resolutions Check-in #2 (1:49:09)

Our Week in Comedy
Bob’s Burgers premiere (13:28)
Drunk History premiere (21:22)
Younger premiere (22:18)
Survivor’s Remorse finale (25:27)
You’re the Worst (27:20)
black-ish (32:19)
The Good Place
(38:22)

Our Week in Genre, Reality, and Drama
Luke Cage premiere (50:58)
Van Helsing premiere (1:00:30)
Secrets and Lies premiere (1:06:20)
Poldark premiere (1:11:53)
Frontline (1:17:47)
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (1:29:45)
Halt and Catch Fire (1:34:51)
Star Wars Rebels premiere (1:45:10)

Music Featured: “Flu-ouise”, the closing credits song from Bob’s Burgers’ “Flu-ouise”; “Quiet Place” by Choir Invisible; “Smoky Quartz” by aivi & surasshu, from Steven Universe

Sep 25, 2016

Fall network premiere week is here! Or at least, the first of several waves of fall premieres has hit, making for a marathon session of the podcast. First up, Noel and Kate talk through a full week in TV, including looks at the premieres of Kevin Can Wait, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, black-ish, The Good Place, Superstore, Easy, and Graves, and a discussion of the role of comedians and entertainers in the current election cycle, prompted by Full Frontal with Samantha Bee’s segment on NBC and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon’s treatment of Donald Trump. Next up are the genre and reality offerings, including a preview of Westworld, the Agents of SHIELD and The Exorcist premieres, the Emmy Awards, and a contentious RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Then we move over to the dramas, including a rant from Kate on the Bull premiere and looks at the MacGyver premiere, a stylish Halt and Catch Fire, another strong Queen Sugar, and the much-anticipated Mr. Robot finale. Afterward, friend of the show and The A.V. Club contributor Les Chappell returns to the DVD Shelf to discuss the popular animated superhero continuation, Justice League Unlimited.

DVD Shelf: Justice League Unlimited with Les Chappell (2:24:07)

Our Week in Comedy
Kevin Can Wait premiere (9:18)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine premiere (14:47)
black-ish premiere (16:51)
The Good Place premiere (21:19)
Superstore premiere (25:21)
Documentary Now! (33:02)
Easy
premiere (33:02)
Graves premiere (36:23)
Survivor’s Remorse (43:22)
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (44:53)

Our Week in Genre and Reality
Preview Westworld (1:00:28)
Agents of SHIELD premiere (1:07:12)
The Exorcist premiere (1:11:31)
68th Primetime Emmy Awards (1:16:29)
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (1:24:00)

Our Week in Drama
Bull premiere (1:36:13)
MacGyver premiere (1:47:49)
Halt and Catch Fire (1:54:54)
Queen Sugar (2:07:31)
Mr. Robot finale (2:11:06)

Music Featured: “It’s a Small World (After All)”, written by the Sherman Brothers; “Shut Up and Drive” by Rihanna; “Quanto è bello, quanto è cara” from Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, performed by Luciano Pavarotti and the Metropolitan Opera; Justice League Unlimited Theme song

Sep 17, 2016

The network premieres may not quite be here (for the most part), but there are still plenty of new shows to discuss on this week’s podcast. First, Noel and Kate dive in with the comedies, including the premieres of High Maintenance, Fleabag, Son of Zorn, and Documentary Now!. Then we talk a little reality, namely RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, before heading over to the genre and drama entries, including the premiere of Quarry and the occasionally operatic finale of BrainDead, as well as an emotional Halt and Catch Fire. Afterward, we head to the DVD Shelf and welcome on author SB Swartz to discuss the infectiously fun Canadian genre gem, Lost Girl.  

DVD Shelf: Lost Girl with SB Swartz (2:04:28)

Our Week in Comedy and Reality
High Maintenance premiere (13:29)
Fleabag premiere (19:41)
Son of Zorn premiere (23:37)
Documentary Now! premiere (27:07)
You’re the Worst (28:52)
Atlanta (30:15)
Better Things (35:34)
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars
(44:12)

Our Week in Genre and Drama
Quarry premiere (56:29)
BrainDead finale (1:06:32)
Steven Universe
(1:20:48)
Halt and Catch Fire (1:26:53)
Queen Sugar (1:40:17)
Mr. Robot
(1:49:52)

Music Featured: "De Camptown Races" by Stephen Foster, performed by Dick Byron and The Sandpipers, with Mitch Miller and his Orchestra; "Voi che sapete" from Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, performed by Marie-Ange Todorovitch with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Bernard Haitink; Lost Girl Theme song

Sep 10, 2016

Having survived last week’s 2016 Fall TV Preview, Noel and Kate are back to their usual schedule for this week’s podcast. First up, we look at a premiere-filled week in TV, starting with comedy and reality, including the Atlanta, Better Things, and One Mississippi premieres, the Difficult People finale, and of course, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Then we head over to our week in genre and drama, including the Queen Sugar premiere, another fun BrainDead, and another delightful Pearl-centric Steven Universe. Afterward, professor and writer Dr. Elizabeth Bridges joins us on the podcast to look at the promising first season of SyFy’s genre Western Wynonna Earp.

Season Spotlight: Wynonna Earp Season 1 with Dr. Elizabeth Bridges (1:29:20)

Our Week in Comedy and Reality
Atlanta premiere (10:43)
Better Things premiere (15:53)
One Mississippi premiere (20:07)
Difficult People finale (25:47)
You’re the Worst (29:13)
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (31:26)

Our Week in Genre and Drama
Queen Sugar premiere (44:20)
Mr. Robot (58:39)
Halt and Catch Fire (1:09:46)
BrainDead (1:16:39)
Steven Universe
(1:20:13)

Music Featured: “Don’t Disturb This Groove” by The System; “Faithful” by Me’Shell N’degeocello; Wynonna Earp Theme song

Sep 4, 2016

With the network premieres right around the corner, it’s time for our fall TV preview. First, however, Noel and Kate talk through a lighter week in TV, including the premiere of You’re the Worst, catchups with Survivor’s Remorse and The A Word, new installments of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars and Steven Universe, and the finales of The Night Of and Greenleaf. Afterward, it’s fall preview time, and Kate and Noel dive in with the rest of the calendar year’s currently scheduled TV offerings. Going day by day, the duo list off the current return dates for shows premiering in the next three months and dive in more fully with the new series debuting this fall that they’ve already been able to get a look at. Take a listen, then let us know the shows you’re most interested in this fall, both new and returning favorites.

2016 Fall TV Preview (42:10)

Our Week in TV
You’re the Worst premiere (3:16)
Survivor’s Remorse (5:35)
The A Word finale (8:30)
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (9:29)
Steven Universe (18:50)
The Night Of finale (21:26)
Greenleaf finale (32:28)

Music Featured: “Le Freak” by Chic; “The Time Warp” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Aug 27, 2016

It’s our five year anniversary here at The Televerse, so it’s time for yet another Make-You-Watch-athon! This year, two under-represented genres on The Televerse are in the spotlight: Kate makes Noel catch up with reality competition series RuPaul’s Drag Race and Noel broadens Kate’s anime horizons, making her watch the sports/game-themed Chihayafuru. Before the Make-You-Watch-athon, however, we dive in with a full week in TV, including the premieres of Fear The Walking Dead, The Great British Bake Off, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, and Halt and Catch Fire, as well as a much-anticipated Steven Universe, penultimate episodes of Greenleaf and The Night Of, and an Elliot-less Mr. Robot.

It’s hard to believe it’s been five years already. Thank you, listeners, for your support and your conversation over the years, and here’s to five more!

Make-You-Watch-athon 5
Kate’s pick: RuPaul’s Drag Race (1:13:03)
Noel’s pick: Chihayafuru (1:47:48)

Our Week in Genre and Reality
Fear The Walking Dead midseason premiere (6:43)
The Great British Bake Off premiere (14:23)
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars premiere (16:00)
Steven Universe
(26:23)

Our Week in Drama
Halt and Catch Fire premiere (43:11)
Greenleaf (51:28)
The Night Of (58:44)
Mr. Robot (1:04:54)

Music Featured: “Here Comes a Thought” as performed by Estelle and AJ Michalka on Steven Universe; “They All Laughed” as performed by Toby Huss on Halt and Catch Fire; Chihayafuru 2 Theme song

Aug 20, 2016

It’s been a tough week for representation on TV, and Kate and Noel kick off this episode venting some frustration over the cancellation of The Nightly Show, as well as the recent Inside Amy Schumer Twitter drama. Then we head into our week in TV, starting with a roundup of Kate’s recent streaming viewing, including the pilots of The Tick and Jean-Claude Van Johnson, the first half of season one of The Get Down, and Difficult People. Then Noel and Kate wrap up the first segment with looks at the finale of The Great British Baking Show and some lighter episodes of Steven Universe. Then we head into the dramas, including a check in on BrainDead and more The Night Of, Greenleaf, and Mr. Robot talk. Afterward, Nick Campbell of TVGuide.com and Super Cereal joins us at the DVD Shelf to talk MTV’s ‘90s sketch comedy series The State.

DVD Shelf: The State with Nick Campbell (1:37:24)

Our Week in Comedy and Reality
Kate’s Streaming Roundup:
     The Tick pilot (28:02)
     Jean-Claude Van Johnson
pilot (34:25)
     The Get Down Season 1.0 (37:52)
     Difficult People
(41:14)
The Great British Baking Show
finale (42:35)
Steven Universe (48:42)

Our Week in Drama and Genre
BrainDead (59:52)
The Night Of (1:08:08)
Greenleaf (1:18:17)
Mr. Robot (1:23:45)

Music Featured: “Turn the Beat Around,” performed by Herizen F. Guardiola, Stefanée Martin, and Shyrley Rodriguez on The Get Down; “Let Love Find a Way,” performed by Deborah Joy Winans and Parnell Damone Marcano on Greenleaf; The State Theme song

Aug 13, 2016

The Steven Nuke has finally come to a close, with a final full week of Steven Universe giving Noel and Kate plenty to dive in with in this truncated week in TV. Joining Steven Universe in this episode’s week in TV are the finales of Angie Tribeca and UnREAL, the penultimate episode of The Great British Baking Show, The Night Of, and a stylistically distinct Mr. Robot. Then Allison Shoemaker of Consequence of Sound, The A.V. Club, and of course, Podlander Drunkcast: An Outlander Podcast, joins us at the DVD Shelf to talk through HBO’s challenging, yet intriguing Carnivàle.

DVD Shelf: Carnivàle with Allison Shoemaker (1:22:42)

Our Week in TV
Angie Tribeca finale (5:51)
Steven Universe
(10:39)
The Great British Baking Show (46:35)
UnREAL
finale (57:17)
The Night Of
(1:03:52)
Mr. Robot (1:05:52)

Music Featured: “Love Like You” by Rebecca Sugar and Aivi & Surasshu; Carnivale Theme song

Aug 6, 2016

With our SDCC 2016 coverage officially done and dusted (though check out Kate’s guest appearance on Hey, Watch This! if you want even more ComicCon talk), we’re back to our regular format this week. First, Kate and Noel break down a full week in comedy, reality, and genre, including looks at the start of BoJack Horseman season three and Survivor’s Remorse season three, the finales of Wrecked and Preacher, and more fantastic episodes of The Great British Baking Show and Steven Universe. Then we tackle the dramas, including a check-in on The A Word, Greenleaf, and underwhelming episodes of Mr. Robot, The Night Of, and UnREAL. Afterward, Jon Clarke of Caffeinated Comics returns to the podcast to discuss the ‘90s animated gem Pinky and the Brain (and of course, Mrs. Buckley’s farm).

DVD Shelf: Pinky and the Brain with Jon Clarke (1:53:17)

Our Week in Comedy, Reality, and Genre
BoJack Horseman Season 3 (6:45)
Survivor’s Remorse premiere (11:04)
Wrecked
finale (14:59)
Preacher
finale (26:21)
The Great British Baking Show (31:47)
Steven Universe (41:39)

Our Week in Drama
The A Word (1:09:16)
Mr. Robot (1:13:03)
The Night Of (1:21:19)
Greenleaf
(1:29:07)
UnREAL (1:37:23)

Music Featured: “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” by Linda Ronstadt; “God Bless the Broken Road” as sung by Deborah Joy Winans and Parnell Damone Marcano on Greenleaf; Pinky and the Brain Theme song

Jul 31, 2016

San Diego ComicCon 2016 has come and gone, leaving Kate with a Steven Universe high and a massive backlog of TV to catch up on. Because of this, we keep the TV this week to one large segment, rather than splitting it up by genre. A few of the highlights in this week’s conversation: Kate loses her mind for Stranger Things and Looking; Kate and Noel lose their minds for Steven Universe; we debate when to jump ship on the formerly compelling, but now struggling UnREAL and Mr. Robot; and Greenleaf’s exciting new gear. After Our Week in TV, friend of the show Maggie Kulzick returns to the podcast to talk SDCC 2016 with Kate and Noel, including rocking out with Rebecca Sugar and her band, geeking out over the potential of American Gods, and reactions to a couple of fall pilots.

SDCC 2016 TV Wrapup (1:14:28)

Our Week in TV
Vice Principals (5:30)
Wrecked (11:59)
Stranger Things
Season 1 (14:22)
Steven Universe (20:20)
The Great British Baking Show
(34:37)
Looking: The Movie (41:38)
UnREAL (46:07)
Mr. Robot (49:00)
Greenleaf
(53:06)
The Night Of (1:01:24)
Girl Meets World (1:11:55)

Music Featured: “I’ll Be Your Shelter (Just Like a Shelter)” by The Housemartins; “Love Like You,” the closing credits theme for Steven Universe; “It’s Over, Isn’t It” from Steven Universe, sung live by Deedee Magno Hall at San Diego ComicCon 2016

Jul 23, 2016

Kate is on assignment (read: geeking out mightily) at San Diego ComicCon this week, but what we lack in sound quality this episode we’ll make up for in TV nerdery over the next week or so. Spoiler alert: Expect lots more Steven Universe talk. We kick things off this week with comedy and reality, including HBO’s new comedy Vice Principals, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee’s RNC coverage, Angie Tribeca, and a double helping of The Great British Baking Show. Next, it’s over to the genre and drama offerings, including a surprise Steven [Universe] Bomb, The Night Of, Greenleaf, and UnREAL. Afterward, Kate welcomes composer David Schwartz to the podcast to discuss his work on Lady Dynamite, Arrested Development, Northern Exposure and more.

Interview with David Schwartz (1:10:59)

Our Week in Comedy and Reality
Vice Principals premiere (6:41)
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (14:14)
Angie Tribeca
(18:10)
The Great British Baking Show (23:35)

Our Week in Genre and Drama
Steven Universe (36:35)
The Night Of (48:35)
Greenleaf (54:48)
UnREAL (57:22)

Music Featured: “Mr. Greg” and “It’s Over, Isn’t It” from Steven Universe, “Sassy Sassafras Lady” from Lady Dynamite, the themes from Northern Exposure, Deadwood, Arrested Development, and Lady Dynamite, and the saxophone theme from Lady Dynamite

Jul 16, 2016

It’s that time of year once again! San Diego ComicCon is right around the corner, and Noel and Kate have your ComicCon TV needs covered, looking through the SDCC 2016 television offerings and discussing the most interesting and exciting new and returning TV-related panels at this year’s convention. First, however, we look at a premiere-heavy (for the summer) week in TV, starting with the return of Hulu’s Difficult People, as well as new episodes of Angie Tribeca, Wrecked, and The Great British Baking Show. Next up are the drama and genre episodes, including Netflix’s new ‘80s horror series Stranger Things, the premieres of Mr. Robot and The A Word, the Outlander finale, and another uneven UnREAL. Then it’s over to our SDCC 2016 TV Preview, for a discussion of what Kate’s looking forward to, and what Noel might consider braving the crowds to check out, were he attending. 

Con Coverage: SDCC 2016 TV Preview (1:11:16)

Our Week in Comedy and Reality
Difficult People premiere (8:58)
Angie Tribeca (14:22)
Wrecked (16:29)
The Great British Baking Show (18:51)

Our Week in Genre and Drama
Stranger Things Season 1 (26:22)
Mr. Robot premiere (33:10)
The A Word premiere (49:41)
Outlander finale (52:51)
UnREAL (57:15)

Music Featured: “Call Your Girlfriend” by Robyn, as performed by Emma Stone and Maya Rudolph on Maya and Marty; “Daydreamin’” by Lupe Fiasco, featuring Jill Scott; “The Jam Song” from Steven Universe

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