The Toy Department – Episode 132

In Episode 132, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky are at it early thanks to Kolsky’s new radio schedule, covering:

  • Amazon’s new show Jack Ryan (2:15) and how terribly flat it falls for both guys…
  • The return of Netflix’s Ozark (10:15), the engaging and exciting nature of the characters and the great acting performances it creates space for…
  • The new film To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (16:35) and how Netflix has a huge hit on its hands in the delightful romantic comedy…
  • Drew Michael’s new standup special on HBO (25:30), the ways it is original and interesting, and where it fails to stand out…
  • Nearer My God (36:50), the new album from the indie rock band Foxing, and how both guys think it is one of the year’s best…
  • The return of the NFL (44:15), Derek’s decreasing interest in the league and some thoughts on how the season will turn out…
  • Homework for next week (1:10:05), including: Showtime’s new Jim Carrey/Michel Gondry collab Kidding, the return of The Deuce on HBO, a wrap-up of Orange is the New Black (Season 6) and a check-in on Better Call Saul…

By the way, if you like this podcast, TELL A FRIEND!! And if you want to subscribe via iTunes/Stitcher/Google Play/etc. you can just click on the link below the player (and don’t forget to leave us a review!!)… And if you want to contact the Toy Department, it’s easy — find us at ToyDepartmentPod (at) gmail.com… or tweet us: @MaddenOnAir & @thekolsky.

The Toy Department – Episode 82

In Episode 82, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky revisit Madden’s diet before chopping it up about:

  • Madden’s trip to San Francisco for the Outside Lands festival (5:50), some highlights and whether the lineup was worth seeing overall…
  • Season 7, Episode 5 of Game of Thrones (17:15), rejecting the binary distinction of “action episode = good, exposition episode = meh…” and the joy of the week-to-week pop culture discussion around the show…
  • HBO’s Insecure (29:20), what a joy it has been throughout Season 2 so far and how it sets itself apart from lighter Sunday night fare like Ballers…
  • Netflix’s Ozark (36:20) and how a show that was initially panned by critics has developed a massive following…
  • Homework for next week (43:10): Kolsky is heading to Borneo (google it) so next pod is two weeks away, and the guys will be taking in a ton of media, including the last two episodes of Game of Thrones, the podcast Road Trippin’ with Richard Jefferson, the end of the clone-crazy series Orphan Black and Louis CK’s Horace & Pete…
  • A quick discussion on HBO’s Hard Knocks (50:40) which both Madden and Kolsky heartily recommend and will revisit on the next pod…

By the way, if you like this podcast, TELL A FRIEND!! And if you want to subscribe via iTunes/Stitcher/Google Play/etc. you can just click on the link below the player (and don’t forget to leave us a review!!)… And if you want to contact the Toy Department, it’s easy — find us at ToyDepartmentPod (at) gmail.com… or tweet us: @MaddenOnAir & @thekolsky.