The Toy Department – Episode 16

In Episode 16, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky open with some follow-up on last week’s homework assignments – namely the Showtime show The Circus and the music of Thao & the Get Down Stay Down (11:15) which leads to a discussion of indie music in the modern zeitgeist. Things take a bit of a morbid turn from there as Madden and Kolsky pay tribute to two titans of culture who passed away in the last week – Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest (24:20) and comedian Garry Shandling (27:50). Neither Madden nor Kolsky has seen Batman v. Superman, but they still get into that (33:55) and then they finish strong with a chat about the crowning achievement of college basketball — One Shining Moment (44:00).

Oh, and if you want to subscribe via iTunes you can just click on the link below the player… Some other links down there as well… And if you want to contact the Toy Department, it’s easy — find us at ToyDepartmentPod (at) gmail.com.

The Toy Department – Episode 13

In Episode 13, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky show up a day late… But doesn’t that just mean their thoughts are that much more well-considered?? The boys start with some Oscars talk, breaking down Chris Rock’s performance and some of the award-winners, then shift to hating on Duke basketball (18:30). Then, once the topic is basketball, it’s only natural to talk about the greatness of Steph Curry (26:50). The show closes with some music talk – breaking down the Foo Fighters’ “Band Announcement” (40:20) and talking a little about putting Dave Grohl’s career into context (45:00).

Oh, and if you want to subscribe via iTunes you can just click on the link below the player… Some other links down there as well… And if you want to contact the Toy Department, it’s easy — find us at ToyDepartmentPod (at) gmail.com.

The Toy Department – Episode 8

In Episode 8, Derek Madden tracks Matt Kolsky down while he’s driving around the Bay Area for a delightful chat that begins with Blake Griffin’s recent mishap (which is another word for punching your friend in the face and breaking your own hand) and then turns to the recent rumors that baseball is considering adding the DH to the National League (16:30). Then they jump OFF of the sports page as they revisit R. Kelly with a quick discussion of the singer’s recent GQ interview (29:30) which of course leads to some big picture questions about cognitive dissonance (around 40:00). Thankfully the conversation takes a lighter turn after that, as Madden and Kolsky get into the Friends-assaince, if you will — the apparent rash of young people binge-watching Friends on Netflix (48:25). Finally, they wrap things up by assigning some homework (58:30) and teasing ahead to next week’s episode…

Oh, and if you want to subscribe via iTunes (and you really should), just CLICK HERE!!  And if you want to contact the Toy Department, it’s easy — find us at ToyDepartmentPod (at) gmail.com.

The Toy Department – Episode 7

In Episode 7, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky open with a discussion of the Eagles in the wake of Glenn Frey’s passing – a conversation wherein Kolsky may have inappropriately slandered a band that just tragically lost a member – before transitioning into a movie conversation that should be significantly less offensive. Specifically, they talk about Room (18:30) and its engaging star Brie Larson, before getting into some specifics on The Hateful Eight (28:20) and its divisive director Quentin Tarantino. Then it’s on to television (37:15) and a discussion about the future of television programming in a world where TBS and TNT are wading into the prestige TV game. And then, FINALLY, they finish things off with the long-awaited All-Time Trash Talk Team discussion (49:45)…

Oh, and if you want to subscribe via iTunes (and you really should), just CLICK HERE!!  And if you want to contact the Toy Department, it’s easy — find us at ToyDepartmentPod (at) gmail.com.

The Toy Department – Episode 6

In Episode 6, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky open with a brief discussion of football’s move to Los Angeles, before transitioning into a discussion of the life of the great David Bowie (6:30). Then transition into a long movie talk based around today’s announcement of Oscar nominations (14:45) that addresses the lack of diversity in nominees, among other things. Then it’s back to sports (32:30) for a discussion of the Bengals’ meltdown (or was it a meltdown??) at the end of their playoff loss to Pittsburgh and other postseason football issues. Then a minute or two on Sean Penn’s El Chapo interview ties things up at the end.

Oh, and if you want to subscribe via iTunes (and you really should), just CLICK HERE!! 

The Toy Department – Episode 4

In Episode 4 of The Toy Department, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky dive back into Star Wars – this time actually having seen the newest installment in the franchise, thereby producing a more substantive conversation 🙂 Then things get a little dark when they move into the not-so-toy department topic of the fact that R. Kelly continues to have a career despite rampant allegations of sexual misconduct (18:05) which leads to some talk about celebrity criminals in general, but levity returns (around 31:45) with a discussion of Steve Harvey’s amazing Miss Universe Pageant gaffe. Then there’s a little bit of general football discussion (41:45) before Madden commits to the project of getting Kolsky committed to watching Premier League soccer (46:05)… Then it’s Happy Holidays and goodbye til next week (or is it next year??)!!

Oh, and if you want to subscribe via iTunes (and you really should), just CLICK HERE!! 

The Toy Department – Episode 3

In Episode 3 of The Toy Department, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky follow a standard intro with a dive into this week’s biggest pop culture phenomenon — STAR WARS!!!! Then they slip in some sports with a discussion of Steph Curry and the Warriors, and their effect on pop culture and basketball (12:00) before turning to broader cultural concerns by discussing Google’s most trending topics from 2015 (28:30). Then Madden gives Kolsky a 2015 Pop Music Lyrics Quiz (39:30) with a brief discussion of Drake afterwards (49:30) that alludes to additional future processing of the Drake phenomenon. Finally it’s a brief discussion of general issues and future plans (51:00) before saying goodbye (possibly for the last time in 2015… POSSIBLY)!

Oh, and if you want to subscribe via iTunes (and you really should), just CLICK HERE!! 

The Toy Department – Episode 1

In Episode 1 of The Toy Department, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky begin by delving into one of the great debates of the last month or so on the internet: is a hot dog a sandwich?? Then there’s some movie talk (around 17:00), mostly about the new film Creed, then a turn into TV (around 22:45) and after a quick Star Wars detour it’s on to music!(around 37:30)! After a bit of discussion surrounding a potential Guns-N-Roses reunion, and band reunions in general, there’s a strong finish with some sports talk – specifically about the apparent demise of cherished athletic superstars (starting around 49:30). And by the way, make sure you stick around ’til the end for some outtake action…

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