The 2018 fall TV season is officially underway, bringing more summer finales and fall premieres and plenty to discuss. Noel and Kate kick things off with the week’s TV, including the double-episode premiere of The Good Place, a MeToo-themed It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, a much-needed self-care catchup with The Great British Bake-Off season eight, the season premiere of Lethal Weapon, and the finale of PBS’ The Miniaturist. Then we dive in with a special DVD Shelf/Spotlight section, looking at the premiere of the Murphy Brown revival, as well as the original ten-season run of the show. Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on Murphy Brown, music rights, reboots, and super-secret cameos.
DVD Shelf/Spotlight: Murphy Brown (1:08:21)
Our Week in TV
The Good Place premiere (21:35)
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (31:57)
The Great British Bake-Off Season 8/Collection 5 (33:52)
Lethal Weapon premiere (52:33)
The Miniaturist finale (58:42)
Music Featured: “Combination Pizza Hut And Taco Bell” by Das Racist
It’s our last (projected) 90-minute podcast for a while, and Noel and Kate take advantage of one more week of a light TV load to dive in for in-depth looks at several of the week’s more notable episodes. This week, that means the premiere sneak-peek of I Feel Bad, a Very Special Rob Cordry Episode of Wrecked, the premiere and second episode of FLCL Alternative, and the finales of The Sinner and Elementary. Afterward, we return to a world of teenage drama and intrigue, spotlighting the second season of Netflix’s American Vandal. Did the Turd Burglar manage to step outside of the wide shadow of season one’s “Who did the dicks?” How meta is too meta, and what, if anything, can the writers do in season three to recapture the personal element of season one? Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on American Vandal, the various Sherlock Holmes adaptations, and any other TV worth talking about.
Season Spotlight: American Vandal Season 2 (1:03:43)
Our Week in TV
I Feel Bad premiere sneak peek (14:33)
Wrecked (27:26)
FLCL Alternative premiere (31:31)
The Sinner finale (34:47)
Elementary finale (41:13)
Music Featured: “This Is the One” by The Stone Roses
Article Discussed: Elementary’s showrunner Rob Doherty discusses the finale with TVLine
We’re in the final weeks of respite before the barrage of fall TV, so Noel and Kate take advantage of the week’s light viewing schedule to catch up with the BBC’s recent miniseries adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Ordeal by Innocence. Before that, however, we catch up with the past week’s memorable episodes, including Iron Fist season two, the finale of SYTYCD, the premiere of Rel, the long-awaited beginning of the hunt on Wrecked, the return of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, and the premiere of PBS’ The Miniaturist miniseries. Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on this latest Christie adaptation, what the Matthew Goode role is currently (and has been), and anything else these last few relaxing weeks of summer TV has to offer.
Spotlight: Ordeal by Innocence (55:06)
Our Week in TV
Marvel’s Iron Fist Season 2 (13:14)
SYTYCD finale (23:48)
Rel premiere (27:14)
Wrecked (33:24)
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (36:11)
The Miniaturist premiere (40:43)
Music Featured: “Wonderful” by Isaac Hayes
The Televerse is entering its eighth year, which means it’s time once again for the yearly Televerse Make-You-Watch-athon, wherein your two gracious hosts force each other to fill in a gap in their viewing history and watch a show they’ve missed (intentionally or otherwise). This year, Noel subjects Kate to yet another animated series, the much-loved Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and Kate subjects Noel to the glacially-paced and oh-so-intense The Leftovers. How very on-brand. Before that, however, there’s another interesting week in TV to discuss. We kick things off with a brief look from Kate at Jack Ryan season one, some love for the Making It finale, Kate’s thoughts on the season 13 premiere of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, another fun Wrecked, an answer-filled Castle Rock, and the emotional series finale of Adventure Time. Take a listen, then reach out with your take on the week’s TV and our latest Make-You-Watch-athon picks.
Make-You-Watch-athon 7
Noel’s pick: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (47:45)
Kate’s pick: The Leftovers (1:10:41)
Our Week in TV
Jack Ryan Season 1 (4:32)
Making It finale (11:39)
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia premiere (18:33)
Wrecked (21:20)
Castle Rock (24:38)
Adventure Time finale (26:51)
Music Featured: “Come Along With Me”, from the Adventure Time finale; Star Wars: The Clone Wars Theme song; The Leftovers Theme song
Article Referenced: Mo Ryan’s reflection on The Leftovers’ finale for Variety, ‘The Leftovers’, Life, Death, Einstein and Time Travel
Fall TV may be kicking off a bit later than usual this year, but with summer TV winding down, it’s time for our yearly look at the networks’ upcoming new series. First, however, Noel and Kate talk through a rather light week in TV, looking at the finale of Younger, another fun Wrecked, a frustrating So You Think You Can Dance, catching up with The Sinner, a delightfully Conan Doyle-y Elementary, and a Christmas-themed Wynonna Earp. Then we look at the new series ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, and The CW will be offering this fall, giving plot synopses, brief reactions (where we can), and premiere dates for the coming network season. Take a listen, then let us know which fall premieres you’re most excited for.
Fall 2018 Network TV Preview (53:37)
Our Week in TV
Younger finale (13:48)
Wrecked (21:49)
So You Think You Can Dance (25:10)
The Sinner (31:45)
Elementary (34:22)
Wynonna Earp (40:08)
Music Featured: “Kiss from a Rose” as performed by the cast of Wrecked; “Comeback Kid” by Lindi Ortega