It’s a week of catchups here at the podcast, with plenty of interesting TV, but only a handful of new series to talk about. Noel and Kate kick things off with Our Week in TV, starting with Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and a disappointingly reunion-light reunion on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Then we head to genre with Book 4 of Infinity Train, another The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and questionable developments over at Black Lightning, and we round out the week with the dramatic finale of Queen Sugar. Afterward, it’s over to the DVD Shelf, where we dive into the wacky legal world of Ally McBeal. Tune in for our thoughts, then reach out with your take on the week’s TV and the specific experience of revisiting late ’90s and early ’00s TV.

DVD Shelf: Ally McBeal (59:44)

Our Week in TV
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (10:00)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (20:51)
Infinity Train Book 4: Duet (26:36)
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (31:28)
Black Lightning (41:28)
Queen Sugar finale (46:35)

Music Featured:  “Tearin’ Up My Heart” performed by John Clarence Stewart, Alex Newell, and Skylar Astin from Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

Allison, Noel, and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls season two, episodes 14 and 15, “The Stanchurian Candidate” and “The Last Mabelcorn.” Local politics, jerkface unicorns, and the return of Bill. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back next week as we talk episodes 16 and 17, “Roadside Attraction” and “Dipper and Mabel vs. the Future.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener, Marcus! Thanks for joining us in the chat and sharing your thoughts on these episodes.

Noel, Allison, and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls season two, episodes 12 and 13, “A Tale of Two Stans” and “Dungeons, Dungeons & More Dungeons.” Stan’s backstory, explained, the return of a Streaming In Place voice acting fav, and the allure of the infinity-sided die. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back Wednesday as we talk episodes 14 and 15, “The Stanchurian Candidate” and “The Last Mabelcorn.”

It’s a fairly breezy week here at the podcast, as more shows approach their finales and Noel and Kate continue their exploration of international TV. First we talk through Our Week in TV. We kick things off with season one of The Way of the Househusband, then check in with Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, the antepenultimate RuPaul’s Drag Race, the penultimate Queen Sugar, and the finale of Wynonna Earp. Then Batwoman finally does a Ryan episode, Black Lightning airs its backdoor pilot for Painkiller, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier continues to underwhelm. Afterward, we head to the season spotlight and dive in with the first season of the French series Call My Agent, which is available to stream on Netflix. Take a listen for our thoughts, then reach out with your take on the week’s TV.

Season Spotlight: Call My Agent Season 1 (50:58)

Our Week in TV
The Way of the Househusband Season 1 (3:39)
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (8:19)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (19:37)
Queen Sugar (28:36)
Wynonna Earp finale (29:59)
Batwoman (34:03)
Black Lightning (39:13)
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (41:42)

Music Featured:  “Rosanna” performed by Alice Lee from Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist; Call My Agent Theme song

Allison, Noel, and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls season two, episodes 10 and 11, “Northwest Mansion Mystery” and “Not what He Seems.” More disturbing horror, family secrets, and the long-awaited reveal of the author. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back next time as we talk episodes 12 and 13, “A Tale of Two Stans” and “Dungeons, Dungeons & More Dungeons.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener, Marcus. Thanks for hanging with us in the chat and sharing your take on the episodes.

Noel, Allison, and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls season two, episodes eight and nine, “Blendin’s Game” and “The Love God.” Infinite pizza slice, love potions, and save Waddles! Tune in for our thoughts, then come back next time as we talk episodes 10 and 11, “Northwest Mansion Mystery” and “Not What He Seems.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener, Marcus. Thanks for joining the fun in the chat and sharing your thoughts.

Spring has officially sprung, bringing a change of weather, tax day on the horizon, and more TV premieres and finales. Noel and Kate kick off the podcast as ever with their Week in TV, including the premiere of Top Chef: Portland, RuPaul’s Drag Race, the finale of Resident Alien, a disappointing The Flash and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, another emotional Queen Sugar, and the long-awaited return of Chris Meloni as Stabler to Law & Order: SVU, as well as the pilot of Law & Order: Organized Crime. Then we head to the spotlight section and catch up with season two of Staged, the BBC lockdown comedy that asks just which 12-letter actor is the lead of the show. Take a listen for our thoughts, then reach out with your take on Staged and the week’s TV.

Season Spotlight: Staged Season 2 (1:14:23)

Our Week in TV
Top Chef: Portland premiere (13:18)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (24:58)
Resident Alien finale (31:59)
The Flash (36:59)
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (41:50)
Queen Sugar (47:00)
Law & Order: SVU and Organized Crime crossover pilot (58:30)

Music Featured:  “Red Light Blues” by Tony Kinsey

Allison, Noel, and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls season two, episodes five, six, and seven, “Soos and the Real Girl,” “Little Gift Shop of Horrors,” and “Society of the Blind Eye.” These were rough, and we dive in with why. Stereotyping, troubling messaging, and the inaugural installment of F*ck Your Favorites with Allison Shoemaker. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back next week as we attempt to cleanse the palate with season two, episodes eight and nine, “Blendin’s Game” and “The Love God.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener, Marcus. Thanks for powering through these episodes with us and sharing your thoughts in the chat.

Noel, Allison, and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls season two, episodes three and four, “The Golf War” and “Sock Opera.” Musical numbers, tragic Lilliputtian backstories, and welcome back, Bill! Tune in for our thoughts, then come back Wednesday as we talk season two, episodes five, six, and seven, “Soos and the Real Girl,” “Little Gift Shop of Horrors,” and “Society of the Blind Eye.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener, Marcus! Thank you for joining the chat and sharing your thoughts on the episodes.

It’s a normal week of TV here at the podcast, but it’s also our 500th week, so this episode, Noel and Kate take a moment—let’s get real, an hour—to look back. We say thank you to our wonderful guests over the years, remember the shows we’ve since forgotten we ever watched, and share horror stories from behind the curtain. First, though, we talk through our week in TV. We kick things off with the finale of Superstore, then another strong The Amber Ruffin Show, the RuPaul’s Drag Race roast, a few more thoughts on last week’s Queen Sugar, Wyatt Russell’s big introduction on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and the return of Supergirl. Then it’s over to the spotlight section for our retrospective. Thank you to all of our listeners for sharing their perspectives on TV and life over the years, and for making The Televerse an engaging, rewarding experience.

500th Episode Retrospective (1:01:42)

Our Week in TV
Superstore finale (14:20)
The Amber Ruffin Show (25:40)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (29:38)
Queen Sugar (45:25)
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (47:59)
Supergirl premiere (54:32)

Music Featured:  “Let’s Get Loud” by Jennifer Lopez, performed by the cast of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist; “Too Many Cooks” by Shawn Coleman and Michael Kohler

Allison is on assignment, but Noel and Kate journey forward, Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls season two, episodes one and two, “Scary-oke” and “Into the Bunker.” The power of three-part harmony (ish), hard conversations with crushes, and how to spot a doppelganger. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back next week as we talk season two, episodes three and four, “The Golf War” and “Sock Opera.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listeners, Keenan and Marcus! Thanks for joining us and sharing your thoughts on these episodes.

Noel, Allison, and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls, talking season one episodes 19 and 20, “Dreamscaperers” and “Gideon Rises” Deer teeth, Gideon’s plan, and Bill Cipher. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back Wednesday as we move on to season two, talking episodes one and two, “Scary-oke” and “Into the Bunker.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener, Marcus! Thanks for joining us in the chat and on mic and sharing your thoughts on these episodes and the season as a whole.

Spring TV continues to roll on, with finales and premieres giving us plenty to discuss this episode of the podcast. We kick things off as ever with Our Week in TV, starting with another emotional Queen Sugar. Then we talk the finales of The Unicorn and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, followed by a check in with RuPaul’s Drag Race. Next, it’s over to genre, with the premiere of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the midseason finale of Superman & Lois, an overdue The Flash, and a big twist over at Batwoman. Then we head to the season spotlight and dive in with the first season (well, first half season?) of the German neo-noir Babylon Berlin, available to stream on Netflix. Flappers, PTSD, and so many Russians. Tune in for our thoughts, then reach out with your take on the week’s TV.

Season Spotlight: Babylon Berlin Season 1 (52:38)

Our Week in TV
Queen Sugar (7:44)
The Unicorn finale (12:19)
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK finale (16:55)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (18:23)
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier premiere (31:29)
Superman & Lois (38:20)
The Flash (40:23)
Batwoman (43:05)

Music Featured:  “L.O.V.E” by Paigey Cakey

Allison, Noel, and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls, talking season one episodes 17 and 18, “Boyz Crazy” and “Land Before Swine.” Boy bands, the power of music, and the pure love of pet ownership. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back Wednesday for the season one finale, episodes 19 and 20, “Dreamscaperers” and “Gideon Rises.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener, Marcus! Thanks for joining in and sharing your thoughts on these episodes.

It’s another very full episode here at the podcast, with catch-ups on several series and plenty of new TV to discuss. First Noel and Kate dive in with their week in TV, starting with Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Then we check in with RuPaul’s Drag Race before a roundup from Kate of the other series she’s been catching up on: Allen v. Farrow, Queen Sugar, A Discovery of Witches season two, and Resident Alien. Then it’s superhero talk with Black Lightning and The Flash, and we round out the week with the series finale of DuckTales. Afterward, we head to the DVD Shelf and give our thoughts on the second installment of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe, Lovers Rock. Tune in for our thoughts, then reach out with your take on the week’s TV.

DVD Shelf: Small Axe: Lovers Rock (1:12:29)

Our Week in TV
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (9:42)
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (16:10)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (19:29)
Allen v. Farrow (34:07)
Queen Sugar (39:44)
A Discovery of Witches Season 2 (43:23)
Resident Alien (44:43)
Black Lightning (47:15)
The Flash (57:23)
DuckTales finale (1:04:13)

Music Featured:  “Best Self” by Lady Bri

Noel is on assignment, but Allison and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls, talking season one episodes 15 and 16, “The Deep End” and “Carpet Diem”. Meeting shows where they’re at, Soos and Waddles, and summers without AC. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back next week for season one, episodes 17 and 18, “Boyz Crazy” and “Land Before Swine.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listeners Keenan and Marcus! Thanks for joining us in the chat and sharing your thoughts on these episodes.

We continue our journey through the TV of decades past this week on the podcast, heading down to Atlanta to spend some time with Designing Women. The hair, the shoulder pads, and of course, those Julia Sugarbaker rants! Before the DVD Shelf, though, we have a full week in TV to discuss. First we look at the comedies, including the worst called it ever on The Amber Ruffin Show, a relatable Last Week Tonight, and a surprising The Unicorn. Then Kate teases RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and we go long on season 13’s Snatch Game. Over in drama and genre, Kate catches up with Queen Sugar and Wynonna Earp before we talk The Flash and Barry’s new speed-thinking, Kate spoils Noel on the latest developments on Black Lightning, and we round out the week with the finale of WandaVision. Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on Designing Women, WandaVision, and the rest of the week’s TV!

DVD Shelf: Designing Women (1:04:04)

Our Week in Comedy and Reality
The Amber Ruffin Show (8:54)
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (11:55)
The Unicorn (18:52)
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (21:50)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (22:30)

Our Week in Drama and Genre
Queen Sugar (39:38)
Wynonna Earp (41:00)
The Flash (42:01)
Black Lightning (47:11)
WandaVision finale (52:15)

Music Featured:  “Fascinated” by Company B; “Working Man’s Blues” by Johnny Copeland

Allison, Noel, and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls, talking season one episodes 13 and 14, “Boss Mabel” and “Bottomless Pit!” Shoulder pads, management styles, and the joy of bottle episodes. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back next week for season one, episodes 15 and 16, “The Deep End” and “Carpet Diem.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listeners, Keenan and Marcus! Thanks for joining the chat and sharing your thoughts on these episodes.

Noel, Allison, and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls, talking season one episodes 11 and 12, “Little Dipper” and “Summerween.” Sibling rivalries, supervillain incompetence, and trash candy. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back Wednesday for season one, episodes 13 and 14, “Boss Mabel” and “Bottomless Pit!”.

Shout-out to our Zoom listener, Marcus! Thanks for joining the chat and sharing your thoughts.

Join Allison on Twitch on Monday, March 8th, 2021 at 8pm CST for Redacted: Bridget Jones’ Diary!

There’s plenty to be stressed about in the real world, so this week on the podcast, Noel and Kate present the best de-stresser they’ve found yet: The Muppet Show! That’s right, we play the music, light the lights, and in Kate’s case at least, meet the Muppets as we dive in with The Muppet Show, now streaming on Disney+, for our DVD Shelf. Before that, though, there’s plenty to discuss for Our Week in TV. We kick things off with the return of The Flash and the penultimate WandaVision, then move to comedy for Superstore and DuckTales. Kate checks in with RuPaul’s Drag Race, and then we round out the week with Queen Sugar. Listen for our takes, then reach out with your thoughts on the Muppets and The Muppet Show as well as the rest of the TV you’ve been watching this week.

DVD Shelf: The Muppet Show (53:48)

Our Week in TV
The Flash premiere (9:39)
WandaVision (14:25)
Superstore (26:36)
DuckTales (28:44)
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (32:02)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (34:02)
Queen Sugar (43:08)

Music Featured:  “One Year In, I’m Still Scared of COVID” from The Amber Ruffin Show; The Muppet Show Theme song

Allison, Noel, and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls, talking season one episodes nine and 10, “The Time Traveler’s Pig” and “Fight Fighters.” Waddles! Also stupid teen boys, fate, and a giant time baby. But mostly, Waddles. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back next week for season one, episodes 11 and 12, “Little Dipper” and “Summerween.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener, Marcus! Thanks for joining the chat and sharing your thoughts.

Join Allison on Twitch on Monday, March 8th, 2021 at 8pm CST for Redacted: Bridget Jones’ Diary!

It’s Allison’s turn on assignment, so Noel and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls, talking season one episodes seven and eight, “Double Dipper” and “Irrational Treasure.” Tyrone, Pioneer Days, and Mabel’s crew. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back Wednesday for season one, episode nine and 10, “The Time Traveler’s Pig” and “Fight Fighters.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listeners, Keenan and Marcus. Thanks for joining the chat and sharing your thoughts!

It’s a busy, but pleasant week here at the podcast, with plenty of charming and compelling TV to discuss. After a little TV news, we kick things off with Our Week in TV, starting with genre, including the premiere of Superman & Lois, a few thoughts on Batwoman and Resident Alien, and another much buzzed-about WandaVision. Then we move to drama for Queen Sugar and Miss Scarlet and the Duke season one, check in with The Unicorn, and round out the week with RuPaul’s Drag Race. Afterward, we head to the DVD Shelf and catch up with the classic ’70s sitcom The Bob Newhart Show. Listen for our thoughts, then reach out with your take on Agatha, the many patients of Bob Hartley, and the rest of the week’s TV.

DVD Shelf: The Bob Newhart Show (1:11:04)

Our Week in TV
Superman & Lois premiere (12:17)
Batwoman (28:45)
Resident Alien (30:04)
WandaVision (31:48)
Queen Sugar (36:14)
Miss Scarlet and the Duke S1 (46:14)
The Unicorn (47:41)
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (55:18)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (56:04)

Music Featured:  “Agatha All Along” from [redacted] by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez; The Bob Newhart Show Theme song

Noel is on assignment this week, so Allison and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls, talking season one episodes five and six, “The Inconveniencing” and “Dipper vs. Manliness.” Technical teenager-dom, possession, and entirely too much chest hair. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back next week for season one, episode seven and eight, “Double Dipper” and “Irrational Treasure.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener Marcus! Thanks for joining us in the chat.

Allison, Noel, and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Gravity Falls, talking season one episodes three and four, “Headhunters” and “The Hand That Rocks the Mabel.” Glitter bombs, appropriately high stakes, and Lil’ Gideon. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back next week for season one, episode five and six, “The Inconveniencing” and “Dipper vs. Manliness.”