The Televerse (mp3)

The end of summer looms, which means back-to-school shopping for parents and children and another wave of finales and premieres for TV fans. This week, Noel and Kate dive in with season one of Reverie, NBC’s virtual reality procedural and Sarah Shahi vehicle. What came together, what didn’t, and what would we like to see in season two should the series get renewed? Before that, though, we have a full week in TV, starting with the comedies. This week, that means Wrecked and The Venture Bros., which both return firing on all cylinders, a catch-up on Trial & Error: Lady, Killer, an extra-Scottish DuckTales, and a cathartic Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. After that, we move over to the drama, reality, and genre offerings, including the finale of The Bold Type, the frustrating first live episode of SYTYCD, catch-ups with The Sinner and Castle Rock, and the first post-Dolls Wynonna Earp. Take a listen, then chime in with your thoughts on this and the rest of summer television!Season Spotlight: Reverie Sea

We’re two weeks out from Comic-Con, but Kate still hasn’t caught back up. Thankfully, there’s still plenty of TV to discuss! Noel and Kate talk through the week’s viewing, including the finale of The Break with Michelle Wolf, the Making It premiere, another catchup with Terrace House: Opening New Doors, a musical DuckTales, the finales of Pose and Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, and a controversial Wynonna Earp. Then we dive in with the season finale of AMC’s Dietland, as well as the season as a whole, looking at what works and what had us scratching our heads.Season Spotlight: Dietland Season 1 (1:22:46)Our Week in TVThe Break with Michelle Wolf finale (16:42)Making It premiere (20:53)Terrace House: Opening New Doors Part 3 (28:52) DuckTales (36:23)Pose finale (42:44)Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger finale (46:17)Wynonna Earp (1:00:24)Music Featured: “The Fearful Pirate Dewey Duck” from DuckTalesArticle Referenced: “This Heroic Death on Wynonna Earp Left Me Feeling Sad & Frustrated,” by Princess Weekes

Kate’s back from San Diego Comic-Con, but still behind on her viewing, so it’s another more reasonable podcast this week. First up, Noel and Kate talk through their week in TV, including a more in-depth discussion of the Wynonna Earp premiere, Noel’s take on Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger and Elementary, more Magica on DuckTales, a Purge-inspired Drunk History, the student debt-centered game show Paid Off with Michael Torpey, and a dramatic The Great British Baking Show. Then Kate’s sister Maggie returns to the podcast to help run down the highs and lows of San Diego Comic-Con 2018SDCC 2018 TV Wrapup with Maggie Kulzick (55:07)Our Week in TV Wynonna Earp premiere (8:47) Marvel’s Claok & Dagger (14:26) Elementary (19:17) DuckTales (25:07) Drunk History (29:30) Paid Off with Michael Torpey premiere (32:23) The Great British Baking Show (45:51)Music Featured: “That Was the Whiskey” by Antigone Rising; “Always Running” by Wooden Horsemen

Kate’s camped out at San Diego Comic-Con, so despite Noel holding down the fort, it’s a truncated podcast this week. First up, we talk through our week in TV, including the premiere of Trial and Error: Lady, Killer (now with more Kristin Chenoweth), DuckTales (now with more Gizmoduck), The Break with Michelle Wolf, SYTYCD, The Great British Baking Show, SyFy’s preview of the Wynonna Earp premiere, Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, and a frustrating Claws. Then we head over to our season spotlight, welcoming on Crunchyroll’s Thomas Zoth to help us break down the return of FLCL, FLCL Progressive.Season Spotlight: FLCL Progressive (47:07)Our Week in TV Trial and Error: Lady, Killer premiere (3:26) DuckTales (6:06) The Break with Michelle Wolf (9:43) SYTYCD (13:48) The Great British Baking Show (18:06) Wynonna Earp premiere (30:42) Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger (31:58) Claws (36:31)Music Featured: Kristin Chenoweth’s solo from Trial and Error: Lady, Killer’s “The Suitcase”

It’s that glorious time of the year once again, San Diego Comic-Con! Noel and Kate kick things off with their week in TV, starting with comedy and reality, including DuckTales, Younger, SYTYCD, the return of Double Dare, and the latest premiere of The Great British Baking Show. Next up is genre and drama, including Steven Universe, Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, The Handmaid’s Tale finale, Pose, and Claws. Then it’s time for our Comic-Con TV preview! Noel and Kate run down SDCC 2018’s TV panels, giving Con attendees (or those living vicariously) a look TV’s increasing presence at San Diego International Comic-Con. SDCC 2018 TV Preview (1:09:34)Our Week in Comedy and Reality DuckTales (13:05) Younger (20:09) SYTYCD (22:48) Double Dare (23:40) The Great British Baking Show (30:00)Our Week in Genre and Drama Steven Universe (40:01) Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger (56:38) The Handmaid’s Tale finale (59:51) Pose (1:01:47) Claws (1:03:04)Music Featured: “Let’s Only Think About Love,” performed by Zach Callison on S

TV mostly took the week off, to celebrate the 4th of July, but thankfully the shows that did air episodes gave us plenty to discuss. We kick things off with our week in TV, including Hannah Gadsby’s terrific Netflix special, Nanette, the first half of the latest Steven Universe Bomb, “Heart of the Crystal Gems,” a Huey, Dewey, and Louie-centered DuckTales, another entertaining The Bold Type, and a Quiet Ann episode of Claws. Then we dive in with Netflix’s GLOW, looking at what does and doesn’t work for us in the show’s sophomore season.Season Spotlight: GLOW Season 2 (1:03:20)Our Week in TV Hannah Gadsby: Nanette (13:12) Steven Universe (25:05) DuckTales (38:14) The Bold Type (42:01) Claws (48:39)Music Featured: “Mama Mia” as performed by Meghann Fahy, Katie Stevens, and Aisha Dee on The Bold Type; Jennifer and Bryce’s song, performed by Jenn Lyon and Kevin Rankin on Claws

It’s been another challenging week in reality; thankfully TV gave us plenty of compelling and cathartic viewing to help escape and process it, as needed. We start out by talking through our week in TV, including the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race, more captivating episodes of Pose and Dietland, the best episode yet of The Break with Michelle Wolf, a disappointing Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, and the ever-reliable DuckTales. Noel also gives a spoiler-free preview of GLOW season two and reports on The Hollow season one. Then we dive deep on Luke Cage season two, looking at what makes a good season of Netflix’s superhero series, what’s coming next, and the overall amazingness that is Alfre Woodard.Season Spotlight: Luke Cage Season 2 (1:03:51)Our Week in TV RuPaul’s Drag Race finale (10:23) Pose (29:48) Dietland (34:18) The Break with Michelle Wolf (41:08) GLOW Season 2 (45:39) Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger (47:59) The Hollow Season 1 (50:35) DuckTales (55:50)Music Featured: “Nasty” by Janet Jackson

It’s a full week in TV, both episodes and news, giving us our first marathon episode in long time. First up, Noel and Kate talk through their week in TV, starting with comedy and reality, including the finale of Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas, DuckTales, SYTYCD, and RuPaul’s Drag Race. Next up are the genre offerings, including Luke Cage season two, the finale of Supergirl, the midseason finale of Into the Badlands, and a frustrating Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger. We round up the week’s TV with the dramas, including a standout Claws, a Christmas-themed Pose, and interestingly intersecting episodes of Dietland and The Bold Type. Afterwards, it’s time for a return to more kind TV with a deep dive on the second season of Netflix’s Queer Eye.Season Spotlight: Queer Eye Season 2 (2:05:33)Our Week in Comedy and Reality Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas finale (31:51) DuckTales (40:38) SYTYCD (45:17) RuPaul’s Drag Race (48:19)Our Week in Genre Luke Cage Season 2 (1:04:17) Supergirl finale (1:07:40) Into the Badlands midseason

It’s been another challenging week, but this episode we’re focusing on getting to spotlight the much-anticipated, emotional series finale of Sense8. We dive in and talk through its strengths and weaknesses, from the rapturous to the ridiculous. There’s plenty more TV to discuss as well, and with Kate finally (almost) caught up, we talk through a whole slew of new and returning series. First up, we look at the week’s reality, comedy, and genre offerings, including the 72nd Annual Tony Awards, the finales of Archer: Danger Island and Legion, and the latest episodes Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger and Reverie. Then we move over to the week’s drama episodes, including the premieres of Claws and The Bold Type, catchups with Dietland, Pose, and Queen Sugar, and a surprising Elementary. Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on the week’s TV, Sense8, and more. Spotlight: Sense8 Series Finale (1:37:01)Our Week in Reality, Comedy, and Genre 72nd Annual Tony Awards (26:16) Archer: Danger Island finale (31:02) Le

It’s been a tough week for a lot of people. Thankfully, there’s been some interesting TV to distract those looking for a little escapism. This episode, Noel and Kate dive in with the premieres of Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, FLCL Progressive, and Younger, the finale of The Last O.G., give their thoughts on Samantha Bee’s apology on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, and the return of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Afterwards, we check in with the first half of the final season of Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on this and the rest of the week’s TV.Season Spotlight: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 4.0 (59:17)Our Week in TV Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger premiere (17:12) FLCL Progressive premiere (24:42) Younger premiere (30:07) The Last O.G. finale (34:04) Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (39:53) RuPaul’s Drag Race (43:12)Music Featured: “Dead In the Water” by Ellie Goulding; Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Theme song

It’s yet another week of finales this episode of the podcast, but more importantly, it’s time to bid a sad farewell to one of Kate’s favorite recent series, The Americans. Joining Kate to say goodbye and to spotlight the series finale are Alex McLevy of The A.V. Club and Allison Shoemaker of TV Party, Podlander Drunkcast, Debating Doctor Who, and so many other places. Before that, however, there’s plenty of TV to discuss, and Noel and Kate dive in with the premieres of The Break with Michelle Wolf, Queen Sugar, and Reverie, and the finales of iZombie, The Good Fight, and Killing Eve. Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on the week’s premieres and finales, and any other TV worth exploring!Spotlight: The Americans’ Series Finale with Alex McLevy and Allison Shoemaker (1:08:09)Our Week in TV The Break with Michelle Wolf premiere (16:22) Queen Sugar premiere (22:05) Reverie premiere (26:32) iZombie finale (34:02) The Good Fight finale (42:52) Killing Eve finale (50:15)Music Featured: Allegro from Vi

Another week, another set of finales. With so many shows wrapping up, and more to come next week, Noel and Kate focus on TV movies and finales this episode, bidding a fond farewell (at least for the summer) to at least one returning favorite and a not-so-fond see-ya-later to at least one other. We kick things off with the week in TV, including the season finale of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the series finale of The Middle, Tig Notaro’s new Netflix special, Tig Notaro: Happy to Be Here, the concluding chapters of PBS’ Little Women, and the season finales of Agents of SHIELD and The Flash. Afterwards, we dive into the chilly depths of the Arctic with the first season of AMC’s newly-revealed-as-an-anthology series The Terror. Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on The Terror, the continuing finale-palooza, and any picks for TV we aren’t talking about, but should be.Season Spotlight: The Terror Season 1 (1:11:05)Our Week in TV Brooklyn Nine-Nine finale (17:19) The Middle finale (23:40) Tig Notaro: Happy to

The wave of season finales continues, as fall and midseason TV wrap up their seasons and head into the summer hiatus. First up this episode, Noel and Kate talk through the week’s comedy and reality, including the finales of black-ish and Silicon Valley, DuckTales, Kate’s The Last O.G. catch-up, and RuPaul’s Drag Race. Next up are drama and genre, including the premiere of the new Little Women minseries, Killing Eve, the finales of Timeless and Arrow, and Supergirl. After our week in TV, it’s time for another season spotlight. We dive in with the first season of Barry, looking at the finale and what its seeming finality means for the announced season two, as well as the season as a whole.Season Spotlight: Barry Season 1 (1:22:59)Our Week in Comedy and Realityblack-ish finale (4:00)Silicon Valley finale (15:25)DuckTales (19:37) The Last O.G. (25:18)RuPaul’s Drag Race (31:31)Our Week in Drama and GenreLittle Women premiere (41:27)Killing Eve (50:52)Timeless finale (59:20)Arrow finale (1:02:55)Supergirl (1:09:03)

The TV Gods give and the TV Gods taketh away. That’s right, it’s time for upfronts, which means the networks are in the midst of announcing their renewals and cancelations for the coming year. Fortunately, after we recorded, they reconsidered one of the hardest hits of the recent announcements, with NBC picking up Brooklyn Nine-Nine for a sixth season. However, that’s only the start of the conversation this week, with lots of shows delivering compelling, emotional, and fun episodes. First up, Noel and Kate dive in with the comedies and reality, including the (series?) finale of Atlanta, the finale of Mom, The Last OG, a dramatic Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and RuPaul’s Drag Race. Then we move over to drama and genre, including the premieres of Vida and Sweetbitter, super tense episodes of The Americans and Killing Eve, character-redefining episodes of Timeless and Agents of SHIELD, and an alternatingly beautiful, sad, and shocking Steven Universe two-parter. Afterward, we round out the podcast by spotlighting the int

Grab your giant hats and fabulous button-lined coats, we’re heading down to Howards End. Starz and BBC One have collaborated on a new miniseries adaptation of E. M. Forster’s novel and this week on The Televerse, Noel and Kate spotlight the miniseries, which concluded this Sunday. Before diving in with Hayley Atwell and her gorgeous wardrobe, though, there’s a full week in TV to discuss. First up is comedy and reality, including Michelle Wolf’s set at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, season one of Netflix’s Aggretsuko, another intense black-ish, the Superstore finale, and the latest Snatch Game episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Next up are the drama and genre offerings, including the Elementary premiere, another stellar Killing Eve, Arrow’s big trial episode, and a Marlize-centric The Flash. Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on the ending of Howards End, Marlize’s heel-turn, and more.Season Spotlight: Howards End (1:48:47)Our Week in Comedy and RealityThe White House Correspondents’ Dinner

It’s been a week, but we still can’t get over that Jane the Virgin finale! This week on the podcast, Noel and Kate dive in with that fun and shocking finale, as well as the rest of season four. Before that, however, we have a full week in TV. First up is comedy and reality, including the premiere of Archer: Danger Island, catchups with Bob’s Burgers, Barry, and Atlanta, and a very wheelhouse RuPaul’s Drag Race. Next we talk genre, including the premiere of Into the Badlands, Legion, Steven Universe, and Supergirl, and we round out the week with the drama offerings, including the premiere of The Handmaid’s Tale, Killing Eve, The Americans, The Good Fight, and The Terror. It’s a marathon session this episode—reach out with your thoughts on that Jane twist and the rest of this very full week in TV!Season Spotlight: Jane the Virgin Season 4 (1:43:28)Our Week in Comedy and Reality Archer: Danger Island premiere (22:50) Bob’s Burgers (28:58) Barry (30:45) Atlanta (35:13) RuPaul’s Drag Race (37:07)Our Week in Genre

The snark level is high this week on the podcast, with several series prompting side-eyes from Noel and Kate. First up, we look at the week’s comedy and reality TV, including a dramatic black-ish, the season finale of The Rundown with Robin Thede, another baby-centric Superstore, and of course, RuPaul’s Drag Race. Then we head over to drama and genre, including the satisfying season finale of Black Lightning, questionable character choice-filled episodes of The Flash, iZombie, and The Good Fight, musical eps of Supergirl (alas, only karaoke) and Riverdale, and a catchup with the still spooky The Terror. Afterward, it’s time for our season spotlight, as we dive in with the highs and lows of the at times charming, at times insufferable Chef’s Table: Pastry. Season Spotlight: Chef’s Table: Pastry (1:14:53)Our Week in Comedy and Reality black-ish (8:16) The Rundown with Robin Thede finale (18:07) Superstore (21:15) RuPaul’s Drag Race (26:10)Our Week in Genre and Drama Black Lightning finale (41:36) The Flash (50:

TV may not have quite reached last week’s tremendous highs, but there was still plenty of interesting and fun programming to dig into. First up this episode, we look at some of the week’s comedy and reality, including HBO’s Andre the Giant documentary, fun episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Superstore, and a memorable ball on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Then we head over to drama and genre, looking at the premieres of Killing Eve, Lost in Space, and The Expanse, the return of Steven Universe, and the climactic, cuddly finale of Legends of Tomorrow. Afterwards, we dive in with a season spotlight on the second season of Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, which more than lives up to its title.Season Spotlight: A Series of Unfortunate Events Season 2 (1:07:00)Our Week in Comedy and Reality Andre the Giant (11:29) Brooklyn Nine-Nine (15:46) Superstore (17:41) RuPaul’s Drag Race (20:20)Our Week in Genre and Drama Killing Eve premiere (34:03) Lost in Space Season 1 (39:46) The Expanse premiere (45:38) Steven Universe

TV showed. up. this week, with terrific episodes that ran the gamut from laugh out loud funny to terrifying to awe-inspiring. First, Noel and Kate talk through the week’s TV, starting with comedy and reality, including the premiere of The Last O.G., a Homicide-inspired Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a chilling standalone Atlanta, and a thoughtful and fun RuPaul’s Drag Race. Then we move over to genre and drama, including the premieres and returns of The Crossing, Legion, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and The Americans, a hilariously (and aptly) titled Legends of Tomorrow, and a compelling Black Lightning. Afterward, friend of the show Allison Shoemaker of The A.V. Club, Consequence of Sound, RogerEbert.com, and more podcasts than you can shake a stick at, joins us to dive deep with NBC’s latest, and definitely greatest, live musical, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.Spotlight: Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert with Allison Shoemaker (59:18)Our Week in Comedy and Reality The Last O.G. premiere (14:26) Brookl

The turn of seasons has brought with it another batch of TV premieres and finales, giving us plenty to discuss this week on the podcast. First up, we look at a very full week in comedy, including the premieres of Roseanne, Splitting Up Together, Alex, Inc., Barry, and Silicon Valley, the finales of The Detour and grown-ish, and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee’s much-hyped hour-long Puerto Rico special. Next we move over to the genre and drama offerings, including the premiere of The Terror, an intense Agents of SHIELD, the long-awaited Scooby Doo-Supernatural crossover, a big farewell on Arrow, and another interesting The Good Fight. Afterward, we head to the spotlight section and dive in with the hit Japanese reality show Terrace House: Opening New Doors, the first eight episodes of which are available on Netflix.Spotlight: Terrace House: Opening New Doors Part 1 (1:46:46)Our Week in Comedy Roseanne premiere (15:47) Splitting Up Together premiere (34:30) Alex, Inc. premiere (36:57) Barry premiere (41:01) Sil