The Toy Department – Episode 282

In Episode 282, Madden and Kolsky pushed through the technical difficulties common to olds of their age in order to bring you their thoughts on…

  • The newly Disney+-watchable Marvel film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2:35) and how it hits all its marks and ends up a highly enjoyable experience…
  • A brief NFL detour (7:55) to discuss some rookie quarterback play…
  • Paramount+’s big prestige TV swing Mayor of Kingstown (11:50) and whether it delivers on the promise of its cast…
  • The thrilling new HBO Max show Yellowjackets (20:55) and the incredible cast of women executing it…
  • Deep analysis of a top-shelf episode of The Challenge: Spies, Lies and Allies (27:20) and who controls the game as it speeds towards the surely imminent final…
  • Episode 2 of this season of The Challenge All-Stars (57:05), the gamut of emotions it runs and how the game is shaping up for the old fogies…
  • Homework for next Thursday (1:15:55), including: more of The Challenge: Spies, Lies and Allies, AND more Challenge All-Stars, HBO’s Music Box documentary Jagged (about Alanis Morrisette), the new Netflix film Red Notice, the new season of The Great on Hulu and The Sex Lives of College Girls on HBO Max…

The Toy Department – Episode 249

In Episode 249, Madden and Kolsky address Kolsky’s improving health and Madden’s old-man-moment with SNL before getting into:

  • Netflix’s new Rosamund Pike film I Care a Lot (5:10) and why, despite being generally an enjoyable watch, it just doesn’t quite work…
  • The new Hulu movie Nomadland (16:30), the community it features and the consistently incredible Frances McDormand…
  • HBO Max’s AIDS crisis miniseries It’s a Sin (31:50) and the rich tapestry of humanity painted by a tremendous show…
  • The new NBC sitcom Young Rock (39:55) and how Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson remains essentially undefeated…
  • Homework for next Tuesday (45:20), including: Netflix’s new Pelé documentary, the new Hulu film US vs. Billie Holiday, the Patrice O’Neal documentary Killin’ Is Easy on Comedy Central and the new release movie Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar… and DON’T MISS our coverage of The Challenge: Double Agents on Thursday!!!

The Toy Department – Episode 239

In Episode 239, Madden berates Kolsky for prioritizing a mediocre baba ghanoush over the podcast recording time before jumping into:

  • HBO’s first special episode of Euphoria (5:55) and the tremendous performances by Colman Domingo and Zendaya…
  • The Steven Soderbergh/HBO Max film Let Them All Talk (12:15) and what it has to say about life and relationships…
  • The highly acclaimed new film The Sound of Metal (25:50) and how the strength of Riz Ahmed’s performance carries it…
  • The Rachel Brosnahan film I’m Your Woman (34:30) and how it subverted both hosts’ expectations to great effect…
  • Homework for of next Tuesday (52:10), including: our 2020 BEST OF lists — a breathtaking thrill ride, even this year — and the show Wayne on Amazon Prime (recommended by an intrepid listener)… and DON’T MISS our coverage of The Challenge: Double Agents on Thursday!!!

The Toy Department – Episode 88

In Episode 88, Matt Kolsky and Derek Madden get right into it with:

  • The passing of Tom Petty (1:25) and his place in the pantheon of American rock music, leading to…
  • A breakdown of the Mount Rushmore (7:15) of American rock artists…
  • The new Fox show Ghosted (20:05) starring Adam Scott and Craig Robinson…
  • Another Fox comedy, The Mick (24:35) as it begins its second season…
  • The newest entry into the Law & Order canon – True Crime (28:55), focusing on the Menendez brothers murders…
  • The definitive debate about the all-time Law & Order fantasy cast team (39:00) – starring Lennie Briscoe, obviously, but WHO ELSE?!?!
  • Homework for next week (1:01:30) including: new albums from the bands Alvvays and Death From Above 1979, the USA v. Panama soccer game coming up on Friday, Episode 5 of Bojack Horseman and the new Netflix cartoon Big Mouth (from the mind of Nick Kroll) and revisiting The Deuce on HBO…
  • A few words on the NFL’s continued blackball of Colin Kaepernick (1:07:00)…

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