The end of 2017 is finally here, so it’s time for Noel and Kate to celebrate the highlights and lowlights of the year in TV and send it on its way. As always, the Best Of Smorgasborgy is a wide-ranging and lengthy affair, with topics ranging from Best Performance to Best Theme Song to Best WTF Moment, and everything in between. Enjoy our look back at 2017 TV, then reach out with your favorite moments.

Thank you to the lovely people who’ve guested on the podcast this year, those who’ve reached out and commented either at the site or through social media, and everyone else out there listening. It’s been a pleasure!

Performance Awards (4:31)
Production Awards (31:11)
Sequence Awards (48:47)
Emma Fraser’s Costume Awards (59:56)
Character Awards (1:04:28)
Writing Awards (1:26:13)
Music Awards (1:49:00)
Moment Awards (2:00:33)
Season and Series Awards (2:30:24)
Misc. Awards (2:52:37)

Music Featured
First break: "I Do Not Like This Man" from Curb Your Enthusiasm, featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda and F. Murray Abraham; "Let Me Your Star" from Girls, featuring Andrew Rannells; "Revenge Is Gonna Be Mine" from Once Upon a Time, featuring Colin O'Donoghue

Second break: "Put a Little Love in your Heart" from The Flash, featuring Darren Criss, Jeremy Jordan, Carlos Valdes, and John Barrowman; "More I Cannot Wish You" from The Flash, featuring Jesse L. Martin, Victor Garber, and John Barrowman; "Let's Generalize About Men" from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, featuring Rachel Bloom, Donna Lynne Champlin, Gabrielle Ruiz, and Vella Lovell; "I Go To The Zoo" from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, featuring Scott Michael Foster; "We'll Never Have Problems Again" from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, featuring Rachel Bloom and Vincent Rodriguez III

Third break: "What's the Use of Feeling (Blue)?" from Steven Universe, featuring Patti LuPone and Deedee Magno-Hall; "Slow Dance With You" from Adventure Time, featuring Olivia Olson; "The Working Dead" from Steven Universe, featuring Kate Micucci

Fourth break: "We Built This" from black-ish, featuring Laurence Fishburne, Jenifer Lewis, Tracee Ellis Ross, Anthony Anderson, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Marsai Martin, and Miles Brown; "You're My Best Friend (And I Know I'm Not Yours)" from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, featuring Pete Gardner; "The Buzzing From The Bathroom" from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, featuring Michael McMillian; "Allison Road" from Psych, featuring Jimmi Simpson, James Roday, Maggie Lawson, and Dulé Hill

Fifth break: "Hold Up" from The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, featuring Tituss Burgess; "Cheater for One" from Insecure, featuring Issa Rae; "Love Is A Drug" from Empire, featuring Jussie Smollett and Terrell Carter

"The End of the Movie" from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, featuring Josh Groban

The end of 2017 is right around the corner (already? And also somehow, finally!), which means it’s time for The List-ening, starting with The Televerse’s picks for the Top 20 TV Series of 2017. Noel and Kate run down their picks, 20 through 11, and have a quick chat about the year in TV, then dive in deeper with their top 10 series of the year. Which series made the list, which just missed the cut, and which are we surprised to see turning up elsewhere? All of this as more as Noel and Kate reflect on an interesting, at times challenging, and compelling year in TV.

Noel and Kate’s Top 20–11
Noel’s picks (9:08)
Kate’s picks (9:58)
General discussion (10:44)

Noel and Kate’s Top 10 (17:35)
Lady Dynamite
The Vietnam War
Sense8
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Queen Sugar
Steven Universe
The Keepers
One Mississippi
Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
One Day at a Time
Danger and Eggs
The Good Place
Halt and Catch Fire
The Leftovers
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Music Featured: “Ring of Keys” as performed by Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne on One Mississippi; One Day at a Time Theme song

As 2017 starts to wind down, we take a moment this week to reflect on holiday episodes of yore, looking back at holiday episodes of M*A*S*H, Seinfeld, Futurama, and Veronica Mars in our latest installment of our Holiday Omnibus segment. Before that, though, we have plenty of TV to discuss, as series head into the holiday season with fall finales galore. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Jane the Virgin bowed out for 2017 with strong episodes, Bob’s Burgers celebrates the season in traditionally entertaining fashion, Outlander closes its third season and begins a new chapter in a new continent, The Exorcist heads towards its second season finale, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine gives Rosa her due and brings Gina back into the fold.

Do our Holiday Omnibus selections live up to our memories of them? Which are better left off the Christmas (and Festivus, and X-Mas) viewing schedules? And will we ever tire of Bob’s Burgers holiday episodes? All of this and more as The Televerse closes out its weekly coverage for 2017, and heads into The 2017 (Best Of) Listening.

Holiday Omnibus 3: Christmas à la M*A*S*H, Seinfeld, Futurama, and Veronica Mars (1:00:54)

Our Week in TV
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend midseason finale (10:44)
Jane the Virgin midseason finale (24:04)
Bob’s Burgers (32:45)
Outlander finale (37:35)
The Exorcist (40:54)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (47:25)

Music Featured: “The Bleaken Is Coming” from Bob’s Burgers; “The First Penis I Saw” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; “Santa Claus is Gunning You Down” from Futurama

We’re heading into the end of the calendar year, and with The 2017 List-ening looming, it’s the perfect time to revisit one of the year’s most fascinating and puzzling entries, the return of Twin Peaks. Joining Kate to break down the alternately confusing and compelling season is friend of the show Emily L. Stephens of The A.V. Club. Before we dive into the strange world of Frost and Lynch, however, there’s a very full week of TV to discuss.

First Noel and Kate look at the comedies, including the holiday returns of Psych and Superstore, the finale of Broad City, and the epic 99th episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. After a brief dip into reality to discuss the premiere of Top Chef, it’s time for the week’s genre episodes. Noel only lasted about 10 minutes into the Happy! premiere, and we chat about why. Then there’s the premiere of Agents of SHIELD, a dramatic return on Outlander, and the fall finales of Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, and Arrow. Which series are getting their silliness quotient right and which could stand to be a bit less precious? Which returns have us the most jazzed, and which show doesn’t seem to realize it’s retreading ground powerfully trod earlier this year in cinemas? Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on the week’s TV.

Season Spotlight: Twin Peaks Season 3 with Emily L. Stephens (1:38:16)

Our Week in Comedy and Reality
Psych: The Movie (16:11)
Broad City finale (23:51)
Superstore (27:04)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (29:17)
Top Chef: Colorado premiere (37:17)

Our Week in Genre
Happy! premiere (46:29)
Agents of SHIELD premiere (56:40)
Outlander (1:04:02)
Supergirl (1:06:27)
Legends of Tomorrow (1:16:24)
The Flash (1:23:52)
Arrow (1:28:40)

Music Featured: “Allison Road” by Gin Blossoms, as performed by the cast of Psych in Psych: The Movie; “This Must Be The Place” by Talking Heads

Despite the holiday last week and the looming holiday season ahead, it’s this week that gives us our lightest TV load in quite a while. We kick things off with our week in TV, including the first season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Drunk History’s Christmas Special, a check-in on The Rundown with Robin Thede, and fun episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Broad City, Outlander, and Marvel’s Runaways. Afterwards, we head over to the spotlight section and welcome back friend of the show Dr. Elizabeth Bridges, co-author and editor of Nazisploitation!: The Nazi Image in Low-Brow Cinema and Culture, to break down the four-part CW crossover extravaganza, Crisis on Earth-X.

Spotlight: Crisis on Earth-X with Dr. Elizabeth Bridges (54:59)

Our Week in TV
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 1 (13:19)
Drunk History Christmas Special (25:47)
The Rundown with Robin Thede (29:06)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (32:09)
Broad City (36:29)
Outlander (39:19)
Marvel’s Runaways (42:58)

Music Featured: “I Enjoy Being a Girl” by Sutton Foster and Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks; “Running Home To You” as sung by Melissa Benoist on Supergirl

With (American) Thanksgiving on the early side this year, TV opted to celebrate with viewers instead of taking the week off. First up this episode, Noel and Kate dive in with the comedies, including Thanksgiving-themed episodes of Bob’s Burgers and Brooklyn Nine-Nine and shake-up-filled episodes of Jane the Virgin and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Then we move on to the drama and genre offerings, including the premieres of She’s Gotta Have It, Godless, The Punisher, and Marvel’s Runaways, a Billy Joel-tastic Arrow, and the long awaited (or dreaded) return of Mon-El to Supergirl. Afterward, it’s time for one more check-in on our 2017 TV resolutions to watch more streaming series (Kate) and anime (Noel). How are our latest explorations of these mediums panning out? Listen in, then reach out with your thoughts on the week’s TV and our latest resolution viewing, Danny the Manny and The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo, and Recovery of an MMO Junkie and TWOCAR!.

2017 TV Resolution Check-in #5 (1:13:06)
Danny the Manny
The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo
Recovery of an MMO Junkie
TWOCAR!

Our Week in Comedy
Bob’s Burgers (11:47)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (15:48)
Jane the Virgin (18:09)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (23:15)

Our Week in Drama and Genre
She’s Gotta Have It Season 1 (35:46)
Godless premiere (39:46)
The Punisher Season 1 (44:54)
Marvel’s Runaways premiere (47:12)
Arrow (56:47)
Supergirl (1:00:16)

Music Featured: “A Diagnosis” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; “Priestess” by Pumarosa; Recovery of an MMO Junkie Theme song

It’s a week of highs and lows this episode, with interesting finales and memorably powerful episodes alongside truly ridiculous ones. First up, Noel and Kate talk through the week’s comedy: a revealing Jane the Virgin, the first of hopefully many wedding-themed Brooklyn Nine-Nines, a classic issue-oriented black-ish, and the intense culmination of Rebecca’s journey so far on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Then we look at the week’s genre and drama offerings: the finales of Star Trek: Discovery and Queen Sugar, another intense The Exorcist and emotional Supergirl, and some of the season’s least thrilling installments of Arrow, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow.

Afterward, we head to the DVD Shelf to dive in with the second season of Lady Dynamite. How does Maria fare in her latest round of adventures? Are season two’s time jumps as engaging and effective as season one’s? And what will happen when Maria is presented the Most Sacred Lady Blazer? All of this and more as Noel and Kate break down the colorful, at times confusing, and always compelling Lady Dynamite.

Season Spotlight: Lady Dynamite Season 2 (1:27:53)

Our Week in Comedy
Jane the Virgin (28:33)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (37:07)
black-ish (38:34)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (44:12)

Our Week in Genre and Drama
Star Trek: Discovery midseason finale (55:33)
The Exorcist (1:00:31)
Arrow (1:03:06)
The Flash (1:05:18)
Legends of Tomorrow (1:09:09)
Supergirl (1:12:49)
Queen Sugar finale (1:15:43)

Music Featured: “I Feel Like This Isn’t About Me” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; “The Sweet Escape” (feat. Akon) by Gwen Stefani

Errata: During the discussion of black-ish, Kate mentions that the series is on its fifth season. This is incorrect; black-ish is currently in its fourth season. The Televerse regrets the error!

With several weighty episodes to break down, we keep the show list manageable this week. First up are the comedies, with looks at a sobriety-focused Mom, Fresh Off the Boat’s charming, Melissa Etheridge-fueled coming out episode, another Adam-heavy Jane the Virgin, and a Swimfan-inspired Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Next up are the drama and genre entries, including the premiere of USA’s Damnation, the penultimate Queen Sugar, the post-baseball return of The Exorcist, and the dreaded Sanvers breakup episode of Supergirl. Afterward, we head over to Netflix and dive in with the latest Margaret Atwood adaptation, the miniseries Alias Grace.

What’s the right amount of ‘90s for a ‘90s-set sitcom? Is there anything Jane can do to get us off the dock and aboard the Goode Shippe Jadam? When will Rose wise up and call in the priests, and is there any way for Supergirl to avoid SuperCorp as endgame without betraying the only-just-barely-sub-text? Tune in for Noel and Kate’s takes on the week’s TV, then reach out with your own.

DVD Shelf: Alias Grace (1:18:13)

Our Week in Comedy
Mom (16:17)
Fresh Off the Boat (21:40)
Jane the Virgin (28:51)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (33:29)

Our Week in Drama and Genre
Damnation premiere (41:11)
Queen Sugar (46:30)
The Exorcist (54:11)
Supergirl (59:22)
Music Featured: “The End of the Movie” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; “All Through the Night” by Cyndi Lauper

Halloween may be over, but we extend the spooky season a little longer to talk Stranger Things season two this week on the podcast. What were the tricks and treats of the new season? Are we #TeamJonathan or #TeamSteve? Which kids got a raw deal this time around, and who got long-overdue development? And does anyone care about the adults?

Before we dive back into the Upside Down, however, we have a full week of TV to discuss. First up are the comedy and reality episodes, including the premiere of Mom, a personal Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, strong installments of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and black-ish, and the midseason finale of The Good Place. Then we follow that up with the drama and genre entries, including another powerful Queen Sugar, potent (and perhaps problematic) developments from Supergirl, The Flash, and Arrow, and Star Trek: Discovery’s big time loop episode.

Where’s the line between writers trusting their casts and actors saving underwritten dialogue? Does it really matter, if the scenes still play? Is comedy required and inherent to time loop episodes? And when don’t you need a pantsuit? All of this and more as Noel and Kate break down the latest in TV.

Season Spotlight: Stranger Things Season 2 (1:42:52)

Our Week in Comedy and Reality
Mom premiere (18:47)
Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath (23:57)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (29:32)
black-ish (44:00)
The Good Place (49:58) 

Our Week in Reality, Drama, and Genre
Queen Sugar (59:52)
Supergirl (1:13:51)
The Flash (1:22:53)
Arrow (1:26:53)
Star Trek: Discovery (1:30:11)

Music Featured: “I Go to the Zoo” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; “The Little Horses (Lullaby)” by Aaron Copland (arranged from an American folk song likely of African American origin), as performed by Bruce Hubbard and Saint Luke’s Chamber Ensemble

Video Discussed: “Let’s Have Intercourse,” performed live by Scott Michael Foster at a Crazy Ex-Girlfriend For Your Consideration event

It’s reunion time this week on the podcast, as Noel checks back in with Outlander for the first time in years just as Claire and Jamie reunite in the much-anticipated “A. Malcolm.” Has time made the heart grow fonder? Does the episode work as well for Noel as regular viewer Kate? How does this episode speak to the traditions of melodrama and romance, and just how prevalent are these genres on TV right now?

Before we dive in with Outlander, though, we talk through another fun week in TV. As ever, we kick things off with the comedies, including a particularly strong Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, a somewhat mixed Jane the Virgin, Halloween-themed episodes of Fresh Off the Boat and Broad City, and another excellent The Good Place. Then we move over to the rest of the week’s TV, including a check-in with Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, a brief look at Queen Sugar and follow-up on Mindhunter season one, a loose discussion of The CW’s superhero shows (Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, and Arrow), and a more in-depth chat about the strong pre-World Series hiatus cliffhanger episode of The Exorcist. 

Which musical-inspired Crazy Ex-Girlfriend song was our favorite this week? Which Huang best embodied their Seinfeld counterpart? How are The Flash and Arrow handling their overly large casts, and was that a flirt session between (former) Father Marcus and (Fish and Wildlife) Agent Morrow? (Spoiler alert: Yes, and more please!) Tune in for our thoughts on all of this and more on the latest episode of The Televerse.

Spotlight: Outlander’s “A. Malcolm” (1:23:20)

Our Week in Comedy
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (20:55)
Jane the Virgin (35:06)
Fresh Off the Boat (42:21)
Broad City (44:31)
The Good Place (48:13)

Our Week in Reality, Drama, and Genre
Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath (56:24)
Queen Sugar (58:27)
Mindhunter Season 1 (1:00:12)
The CW’s Superhero TV Roundup (1:04:14)
The Exorcist (1:15:36)

Music Featured: “I’ve Got My Head in the Clouds” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; “…Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears; Excerpts from Bear McCreary’s score to Outlander, “A. Malcolm”

After four terrific seasons, this week we bid farewell to little-show-that-could (thank you, Peak TV!) Halt and Catch Fire. Friend of the show and The A.V. Club contributor Dennis Perkins returns to the DVD Shelf to help us break down the finale and celebrate the ups and downs of a show that started as Mad Men meets the 1980s computer tech race and grew into much, much more. Which shots stick in our minds? Which costumes? And how do we feel about the show’s full-circle ending?

Before we dive in with Halt and Catch Fire, though, Noel and Kate have a full week in TV to discuss. We start with the comedies, including the triumphant returns of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Jane the Virgin, season one of American Vandal, the finale of Survivor’s Remorse, and strong installments of Broad City and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Then we move on to the genre and drama offerings, including season one of Mindhunter, the finale of Room 104, another spooky Exorcist, and The CW’s superhero series, Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl.

Who’s out of line, WhiJo or Darryl? Can Adam contend in the pantheon of Jane’s beaus? Is John Cho still our only reason for watching The Exorcist, and what’s up with that beeping in Arrow’s score? And of course, #WhoDrewTheD-cks? Tune in for this and more, then leave your thoughts on Halt and Catch Fire and the rest of the week’s TV at TheTeleverse.org.

DVD Shelf: Halt and Catch Fire with Dennis Perkins (1:27:53)

Our Week in Comedy
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend premiere (10:41)
Jane the Virgin premiere (19:20)
American Vandal Season 1 (26:15)
Survivor’s Remorse finale (28:27)
Broad City (30:52)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (36:29)

Our Week in Genre and Drama
Mindhunter Season 1 (46:44)
Room 104 finale (57:27)
The Exorcist (1:01:18)
Arrow (1:07:37)
The Flash (1:11:45)
Legends of Tomorrow (1:16:22)
Supergirl (1:19:12)

Music Featured: “Let’s Generalize About Men” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads; Halt and Catch Fire Theme song

Articles Referenced: Mo Ryan’s piece at Variety about her assault by a TV executive; Lupita Nyong’o’s piece at The New York Times about Harvey Weinstein’s harassment of her; USA Today piece on the open letter to studio heads about sexual harassment in animation written and co-signed by 217 animators

Another week, another set of premieres. This week, Noel and Kate dive deep with The CW’s superhero premieres, spotlighting the returns of Supergirl, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Arrow. Which are off to a good start, which have us hiding behind our hands and dreading the next few episodes, and which should we really, truly break up with (even if we know we won’t)?

Before that, however, we talk through another full week in TV. We kick things off, as ever, with the comedies, including the much-anticipated premiere of The Rundown with Robin Thede, strong installments of Better Things, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and black-ish, and a creative and animated, if somewhat disappointing Broad City. Then we move over to the genre and drama entries, including DuckTales, Outlander, Star Trek: Discovery, Queen Sugar, and another moving Halt and Catch Fire.

What’s appropriate cookie etiquette? What makes Trek Trek? Which shows have us cracking up, getting misty, and waiting with bated breath? And who buys a media empire for their best bud? (C’mon now.) Tune in to hear our thoughts on all this and more, then leave your thoughts below in the comments!

Spotlight: The CW’s Superhero Premieres
Supergirl premiere (1:33:03)
The Flash premiere (1:47:39)
Legends of Tomorrow premiere (1:55:00)
Arrow premiere (2:01:49)

Our Week in Comedy
The Rundown with Robin Thede premiere (22:58)
Better Things (29:22)
Curb Your Enthusiasm (30:46)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (37:00)
black-ish (42:00)
Broad City (47:08)

Our Week in Genre and Drama
DuckTales (53:48)
Outlander (59:55)
Star Trek: Discovery (1:03:39)
Queen Sugar (1:15:40)
Halt and Catch Fire (1:20:33)

Music Featured: “MICHUUL” by Duckwrth; “Fish Heads” by Barnes & Barnes; “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga

Fall premieres and returns continue this week, giving us plenty to discuss on the podcast. First, we dive in with the comedies, including the premieres of Bob’s Burgers, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Ghosted, black-ish, Fresh Off the Boat, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, and The Mayor, as well as another delightful DuckTales and a table-setting The Good Place. Next, we look at the genre and drama offerings, including the premieres of Marvel’s Inhumans, The Exorcist, The Gifted, and Queen Sugar, Outlander, and another moving Halt and Catch Fire.

Afterward, writer and The A.V. Club contributor Zack Handlen returns to the podcast to help Kate break down Rick and Morty season three. We look at the show’s structure and morality, how it fits into the show’s overall progression, and what the season three finale means for season four.

Season Spotlight: Rick and Morty Season 3 with Zack Handlen (1:24:48) 

Our Week in Comedy
Bob’s Burgers premiere (11:15)
Curb Your Enthusiasm premiere (15:58)
Ghosted premiere (20:11)
black-ish premiere (23:24)
Fresh Off the Boat premiere (30:13)
Kevin (Probably) Saves the World premiere (34:43)
The Mayor premiere (38:24)
DuckTales (41:02)
The Good Place (43:29)

Our Week in Genre and Drama
Marvel’s Inhumans premiere (50:06)
The Exorcist premiere (55:30)
The Gifted premiere (1:00:49)
Queen Sugar midseason premiere (1:05:33)
Outlander (1:10:59)
Halt and Catch Fire (1:14:21)

Music Featured: “We Built That,” sung by the cast of black-ish in the season premiere; “Baby Mine” by Bette Midler; Rick and Morty Theme song

The first week of network premieres is upon us, prompting another lengthy episode of the podcast. We kick things off with the comedies, including the premieres of Speechless, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Superstore, and Will & Grace, the finales of Difficult People and People of Earth, and more delightful episodes of The  Good Place and DuckTales. Next up are the reality and drama offerings, including the premiere of Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders, a beautiful Halt & Catch Fire, and the conclusion of Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s The Vietnam War. Finally, we wrap up the episode with our spotlight segment, diving deep with the two-episode premiere of Star Trek: Discovery.

Spotlight: Star Trek: Discovery premiere (1:50:03)

Our Week in Comedy
Speechless premiere (11:24)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine premiere (18:29)
Superstore premiere (22:36)
Will & Grace premiere (25:07)
The Opposition with Jordan Klepper premiere (31:59)
Difficult People finale (38:30)
People of Earth finale (42:02)
The Good Place (47:34)
DuckTales (56:36)

Our Week in Reality and Drama
Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders premiere (1:04:37)
Halt and Catch Fire (1:11:59)
The Vietnam War (1:23:10)

Music Featured: Kenneth’s cover of “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)”, from Speechless, sung by Cedric Yarbrough and John Ross Bowie; “We Belong” by Pat Benatar

With the full sweep of fall network premieres headed our way next week, Noel and Kate take advantage of a lighter show list to check in once again with our 2017 TV resolutions. First, however, we look at the week’s TV, starting with the comedies, including the returns of The Good Place, Nathan For You, and Adventure Time, as well as Better Things and Broad City. Next up are the reality and drama offerings, including the 2017 Emmy awards, PBS’s The Vietnam War, the finale of The Sinner, and another moving Halt and Catch Fire. Afterward, it’s resolution time, with Noel continuing his exploration of current anime series, including new additions Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju and All Out!, and Kate diving in with her most potentially wheelhouse YouTube series yet, Edgar Allan Poe’s Murder Mystery Dinner Party.

2017 TV Resolution Check-in #4 (1:16:39): Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju, All Out!, Edgar Allan Poe’s Murder Mystery Dinner Party

Our Week in Comedy
The Good Place premiere (11:11)
Nathan For You: A Celebration (19:15)
Better Things (21:15)
Broad City (22:57)
Adventure Time (27:21)

Our Week in Reality and Drama
2017 Emmy awards (34:53)
The Vietnam War (48:09)
The Sinner finale (1:02:23)
Halt and Catch Fire (1:05:02)

Music Featured: “Still the One” by Shania  Twain; “Everything Is Better On TV” as sung by Stephen Colbert, Chance the Rapper, and more at the Emmy Awards; Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju Theme song

Fall premiere season is already upon us, giving us plenty of TV to discuss this week on the podcast. First we look at the comedies, including the premieres of Broad City and Better Things, fun installments of You’re the Worst and Rick and Morty, and the finales of Insecure and Younger. Then we move on to the drama and genre offerings, including the premieres of The Orville, Outlander, Top of the Lake: China Girl, and The Deuce, as well as Room 104 and Halt and Catch Fire. Afterwards, we dive deep with the funny and moving second season of Tig Notaro’s One Mississippi, currently available on Amazon Prime.

Season Spotlight: One Mississippi Season 2 (1:52:35)

Our Week in Comedy
Broad City premiere (12:05)
Better Things premiere (17:09)
You’re the Worst (20:48)
Rick and Morty (22:49)
Insecure finale (26:11)
Younger finale (47:22)

Our Week in Genre and Drama
The Orville premiere (1:00:54)
Outlander premiere (1:10:06)
Top of the Lake: China Girl premiere (1:13:25)
The Deuce premiere (1:29:36)
Room 104 (1:38:31)
Halt and Catch Fire (1:43:33)

Music Featured: “Go Outside” by Cults; “Rebel Girl” by Bikini Kill

This week on the podcast, it’s The Televerse’s 6th anniversary! To celebrate, we dive in with our much-teased discussion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Noel and Kate ranking the MCU films and hashing out The Avengers vs. The Avengers: Age of Ultron. Then we head over to our week in TV, with a slue of premieres and finales, including I’m Sorry, Final Fantasy XIV: Dad of Light, You’re the Worst, American Horror Story: Cult, Twin Peaks, and The Bold Type, as well as a handful of other check-ins. Last up is the sixth installment of our yearly Make-You-Watch-athon, where each host picks one series that the other has to watch. This year, Noel’s pick is season one of the anime classic Sailor Moon, and Kate’s pick is the underseen Amazon series Catastrophe.  

Between our MCU discussion, week in TV, and Make-You-Watch-athon, it’s a mega-installment of the podcast this week. A big thank you to all of our listeners, those who’ve been with the podcast for six years, and those who’ve tuned in in the last six weeks.

Make-You-Watch-athon 6
Noel’s pick: Sailor Moon (1:51:15)
Kate’s pick: Catastrophe (2:16:35)

MCU Rankings (6:41)

Our Week in TV
I’m Sorry finale (50:28)
Final Fantasy XIV: Dad of Light Season 1 (54:05)
You’re the Worst premiere (58:42)
Younger (1:02:53)
Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath (1:09:45)
American Horror Story: Cult premiere (1:16:48)
Twin Peaks finale (1:23:39)
Room 104 (1:34:01)
The Bold Type finale (1:37:43)

Music Featured: “Quiet” by MILCK; Sailor Moon Theme song

Noel’s on location this week, so we keep the podcast on the short side (for us). First we talk through our week in TV, including the midseason finale of Game of Thrones, another look at The Tick season 1.0, a catch-up with Room 104, the penultimate episode of The Bold Type, and a kid-centric Halt and Catch Fire, among others. Then we take a look at the upcoming new fall network TV series, previewing what’s in store for premiere season at the end of September and beginning of November.

2017 Fall Network TV Preview (53:53)

Our Week in TV
Game of Thrones midseason finale (8:43)
The Tick Season 1 (15:36)
People of Earth (20:56)
Rick and Morty (24:08)
Difficult People (26:16)
Twin Peaks (27:27)
Room 104 (29:40)
The Bold Type (36:09)
Halt and Catch Fire (43:12)

Music Featured: “Audrey’s Dance” by Angelo Badalamenti from Twin Peaks

After a solid month with reasonable runtimes, this week’s episode heads back towards the 3 hour mark, as Noel and Kate dive deep on several topics and shows. We kick off the podcast with some talk about TV news, including our thoughts on the James Cameron and Joss Whedon controversies from the past week. Then we move into our week in TV, starting with the comedies. After looking at The Tick season one, the finale of Wrecked, the premiere of Survivor’s Remorse, and more, we move over to the drama and genre offerings, including a lengthy look at the premiere of Halt and Catch Fire and spoiler-filled break down of The Defenders season one, among others. Then, friend of the show Dr. Elizabeth Bridges returns to the podcast to discuss the emotional season finale of Wynonna Earp, along with our takes on the rest of the season.

Season Spotlight: Wynonna Earp with Dr. Elizabeth Bridges (2:02:43)

Our Week in Comedy
The Tick Season 1 (39:41)
Wrecked finale (49:02)
Survivor’s Remorse premiere (54:53)
People of Earth (59:52)
Younger (1:02:43)

Our Week in Drama and Genre
Halt and Catch Fire premiere (1:08:15)
Game of Thrones (1:24:41)
Twin Peaks (1:33:26)
The Sinner (1:35:46)
Wynonna Earp (1:37:37)
The Defenders Season 1 (1:43:00)

Music Featured: “Cherish” by The Association; “Happy Birthday” by Altered Images; Wynonna Earp Theme song

It has been a week here in the US, but fortunately several TV shows (none more so than the new DuckTales) helped us get through it. We kick off the episode this week with the comedies, including looks at the aforementioned DuckTales series premiere, Atypical’s premiere, People of Earth, and Younger. Then we move over to the more serious fare, including the powerful VICE-produced documentary “Charlottesville: Race and Terror,” the middling first season of The Defenders, more charming installments of Wynonna Earp and The Bold Type, and the dramatic season finale of Claws. Afterward, Noel signs off and friend of the show Emma Fraser of TV Ate My Wardrobe, The Observer, and more returns to help Kate break down the series finale, final season, and entire run of the warm and wonderfully human Orphan Black.

DVD Shelf: Orphan Black with Emma Fraser (1:21:26)

Our Week in Comedy
DuckTales premiere (13:12)
Atypical Season 1 (22:06)
People of Earth (27:28)
Younger (32:16)

Our Week in Reality, Genre, and Drama
VICE: “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” (35:59)
The Defenders Season 1 (46:21)
Wynonna Earp (56:29)
The Bold Type (1:01:36)
Claws finale (1:10:03)

Music Featured: “North Korea Polka” by Weird Al Yankovich, as performed on Last Week Tonight; “Tomorrow,” as performed by Nasim Pedrad on People of Earth; Orphan Black Theme song

Photo Referenced: Tatiana Maslany, Kathryn Alexandre, Bailey Corneal, and Heidi Malley filming the Orphan Black series finale

The waves of premieres continue, giving us lots to discuss once again on the podcast. First up are the comedies and reality episodes, including the premieres of Swedish Dicks, Comrade Detective, and Difficult People and the finale of The Great British Baking Show. Next up are the genre and drama offerings, including a quick check in on Orphan Black, before its finale, and lengthier looks at Game of Thrones, Wynonna Earp, Claws, The Bold Type, and more. Then Noel and Kate dive in with the series finale of The Carmichael Show and celebrate its thoughtful, creative, and entertaining three season run.

DVD Shelf: The Carmichael Show (1:37:01)

Our Week in Comedy and Reality
Swedish Dicks premiere (11:02)
Comrade Detective premiere (18:02)
Difficult People premiere (26:05)
Insecure (32:11)
The Guest Book (34:29)
Younger (38:43)
The Great British Baking Show (46:00)

Our Week in Genre and Drama
Orphan Black (56:28)
Game of Thrones (57:58)
The Sinner (1:10:19)
Wynonna Earp (1:14:18)
Claws (1:22:06)
The Bold Type (1:27:56)

Music Featured: “Tired of Talking” by Léon; “Poisonous Moves” by Young Rival; The Carmichael Show Theme song

Anticipating a slower TV week (which then did not materialize), Noel and Kate try something new this week on the podcast: our first summer catch-up, where we sample series our listeners have been buzzing about. For our inaugural summer catch-up, we dive in with the first seasons of BBC Four’s Detectorists and SyFy’s Killjoys. First up, though, is that supposedly slow week in TV. We kick things off with looks at a handful of the comedies and reality series we tuned in for, including the premieres of The Lowe Files and The Guest Book, the return of Rick and Morty, and a squee-inducing Younger. Afterward, we head over to the genre and drama offerings, including the premieres of Sinner and Room 104, Game of Thrones, Wynonna Earp, The Bold Type, and the emotional midseason finale of Queen Sugar. What surprised and delighted us this week, and where did we fall on listener favorites Detectorists and Killjoys? Tune in to find out, then leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Summer Catch-up: Detectorists Series 1 (1:42:59) and Killjoys Season 1 (1:52:17)

Our Week in Comedy and Reality
The Lowe Files premiere (10:28)
The Guest Book premiere (18:43)
Rick and Morty (23:15)
Younger (27:26)

Our Week in Genre and Drama
Sinner premiere (40:51)
Room 104 premiere (50:06)
Game of Thrones (58:18)
Wynonna Earp (1:02:45)
The Bold Type (1:11:17)
Queen Sugar midseason finale (1:16:55)

Music Featured: “Kris Kobach’s Racist Music Man” from this week’s episode of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee; “Ticking Bomb” by Aloe Blacc

After a whirlwind week, Kate is back from San Diego Comic-Con International, with only the mildest of sunburns (a dramatic improvement over last year). Noel and Kate kick off the podcast this week with a quick discussion of the Jeremy Jordan/Supergirl and SuperCorp dustup from ComicCon, then head into our week in TV. First up are the comedies, including the returns of Insecure and People of Earth, along with entertaining episodes of I’m Sorry and Younger. Then it’s over to the drama and genre offerings, including the premieres of Midnight, Texas and Somewhere Between, an intense Adventure Time, a mixed Wynonna Earp, and much more (including a potentially controversial take from Kate on The Bold Type’s newest romance). Then to finish out the podcast, as well as our coverage of SDCC 2017, friend of the show Maggie Kulzick returns to share the high- and low-lights of this year’s Con, from panels and cosplay to signings and food.

SDCC 2017 TV Wrapup with Maggie Kulzick (1:40:10)

Our Week in Comedy
Insecure premiere (16:20)
People of Earth premiere (22:00)
I’m Sorry (25:42)
Younger (30:56)

Our Week in Genre and Drama
Midnight, Texas premiere (40:12)
Somewhere Between premiere (47:46)
Adventure Time (54:48)
Twin Peaks (1:00:14)
Game of Thrones (1:05:06)
Claws (1:09:18)
Wynonna Earp (1:14:19)
The Bold Type (1:23:19)

Music Featured: “Attitude” by Leikeli47; “Voodoo Boogie” by Vibrolux; “It’s Over, Isn’t It?” from Steven Universe

Kate’s off at San Diego Comic-Con, so Noel is carrying the podcast this week, as Noel leads Kate through the week’s comedies, including the premieres of Friends from College and Loaded, as well as genre and drama offerings, including the premieres of Game of Thrones and Remember Me. After talking through a few more episodes, it’s time for our third check-in on our 2017 TV resolutions. Kate discusses The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, a vlog-inspired adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice, while Noel gives his thoughts on the latest anime offerings, including Fastest Finger First, Clean Freak, and Classroom of the Elite.

2017 TV Resolution Check-in #3 (1:10:09): The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Fastest Finger First, Clean Freak, Classroom of the Elite

Our Week in Comedy and Reality
Friends from College Season 1 (11:32)
Loaded premiere (17:05)
The Carmichael Show (22:22)
I’m Sorry (26:09)
The Great British Baking Show (29:57)

Our Week in Genre and Drama
Game of Thrones premiere (37:02)
Remember Me premiere (44:23)
Claws (48:30)
Wynonna Earp (51:35)
Adventure Time (1:00:46)

Music Featured: “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” by Rose Royce; “Hands of Gold” by Ed Sheeran; “Turning Heads” by The Streak

Kate’s off at San Diego Comic-Con, so Noel is carrying the podcast this week, as Noel leads Kate through the week’s comedies, including the premieres of Friends from College and Loaded, as well as genre and drama offerings, including the premieres of Game of Thrones and Remember Me. After talking through a few more episodes, it’s time for our third check-in on our 2017 TV resolutions. Kate discusses The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, a vlog-inspired adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice, while Noel gives his thoughts on the latest anime offerings, including Fastest Finger First, Clean Freak, and Classroom of the Elite.

2017 TV Resolution Check-in #3 (1:10:09): The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Fastest Finger First, Clean Freak, Classroom of the Elite

Our Week in Comedy and Reality
Friends from College Season 1 (11:32)
Loaded premiere (17:05)
The Carmichael Show (22:22)
I’m Sorry (26:09)
The Great British Baking Show (29:57)

Our Week in Genre and Drama
Game of Thrones premiere (37:02)
Remember Me premiere (44:23)
Claws (48:30)
Wynonna Earp (51:35)
Adventure Time (1:00:46)

Music Featured: “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” by Rose Royce; “Hands of Gold” by Ed Sheeran; “Turning Heads” by The Streak