Tag Archives: NBA

The Toy Department – Episode 168

  By toyAdmin | May 29, 2019 - 11:37 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 168, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky briefly discuss Madden’s tummy-ache before soldiering through and into:

  • The season finale of The Challenge (2:15) and why this is the absolute peak of reality TV entertainment…
  • The second season of Spike Lee’s Netflix show She’s Gotta Have It (15:45) and the undeniable charm of the film-making and lead actress…
  • The action thrill-ride of John Wick 3 (25:30) and how Derek probably should have just skipped it…
  • Derek’s experience watching Netflix’s horror-thriller The Perfection (46:45) and Kolsky’s decision to spend his time elsewhere…
  • The second season of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag on Amazon (49:40) and how nobody is better at being Phoebe Waller-Bridge than Phoebe Waller-Bridge…
  • The new reports detailing the rampant dysfunction in the LA Lakers organization (54:10) and just where the blame for the mess lies, plus some thoughts on Kevin Durant and people’s odd refusal to listen to what he actually says…
  • Homework for next week (1:16:30), including: wrapping up Season 2 of Killing Eve, heading to the theater to see Rocketman, the premiere of Good Omens on Amazon, the new Netflix show How To Sell Drugs Online Fast, the Netflix rom-com Always Be My Maybe, HBO’s new Deadwood movie and the NBA Finals…

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The Toy Department – Episode 166

  By toyAdmin | May 8, 2019 - 12:48 pm | Uncategorized
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In Episode 166, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky discuss the advantages of listening to podcasts at 1.5x speed before honing in on:

  • The third-to-last episode of Game of Thrones (4:40) and how its many critics are our surest sign of social decay…
  • The Netflix film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (32:05) and how its treatment of the Ted Bundy story makes for an odd and ultimately unsuccessful ride…
  • The new Netflix show Dead to Me (37:55) and how the charm of its lead actresses and some pitch perfect camp make it an extremely enjoyable experience…
  • A check-in on three show favorites: Billions on Showtime (42:05), Barry on HBO (49:00), and AMC/BBC America’s Killing Eve (55:05)…
  • A few thoughts on the NBA Playoffs (59:00), specifically the Warriors-Rockets series…
  • Homework for next week (1:03:50), including: HBO’s Chernobyl, the return of Sneaky Pete on Amazon, the return of Easy on Netflix, another episode of Game of Thrones and LOTS MORE NBA playoff action…

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The Toy Department – Episode 165

  By toyAdmin | May 1, 2019 - 11:36 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 165, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky waste little time with pleasantries (or unpleasantries) before covering:

  • Yet another return to Westeros (0:55), this time for the Battle of Winterfell, which delivered on the expectations of both hosts, leaving them perplexed at some of the negative response…
  • The Netflix film Someone Great (38:40) and how it is every bit as charming and enjoyable as the performance of lead actress Gina Rodriguez…
  • The new Lizzo album Cuz I Love You (51:25) and the promising future of a young pop artist…
  • The Baron Vaugh/Open Mike Eagle show The New Negroes (56:25) and how both guys were a little surprised by the format…
  • The sketch comedy disaster I Think You Should Leave (58:10) and Kolsky’s view that Tim Robinson represents the decay of society…
  • NBA Playoff talk (1:01:15) with special focus on the Warriors-Rockets battle in the Western Conference second round…
  • Homework for next week (1:14:30), including: the new HBO show Chernobyl, the Netflix movie Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile — starring Zac Efron as Ted Bundy, check-ins on pod favorites like Barry, Billions and Killing Eve, another episode of Game of Thrones and EVEN MORE NBA playoff action…

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The Toy Department – Episode 164

  By toyAdmin | April 24, 2019 - 12:00 pm | Uncategorized
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In Episode 164, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky obnoxiously reference their off-pod golf debate before getting back to business with:

  • The second episode of the final season of HBO’s Game of Thrones (1:50) and why Madden preferred the style of this week’s set-up to the premiere episode, plus an extended breakdown of who is likely to die this weekend…
  • Netflix’s animated anthology Love, Death & Robots (37:15) and how its short run time and ultra-realistic animation make for an interesting watch…
  • Amazon’s show Hanna (40:50) — based on the Saoirsie Ronan/Eric Bana movie of the same name — and what could make it stand out from the average action series or movie…
  • The Gad Elmaleh-starring Netflix series Huge in France (46:55) and whether its charm is enough to carry it without a lot of huge laughs…
  • The ongoing drama of the NBA Playoffs (50:50) with special focus on the greatness of Damian Lillard…
  • Homework for next week (1:06:15), including: Derek getting his act together and watching The New Negroes on BET/Comedy Central, another episode of Game of Thrones and EVEN MORE NBA playoff action…

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The Toy Department – Episode 155

  By toyAdmin | February 20, 2019 - 9:25 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 155, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky briefly discuss their irregular recording time before spreading out over:

  • The question of Netflix programming v. Hulu programming (1:30) and what that even means…
  • Hulu’s new middle school comedy/drama PEN15 (5:10) and how it has some appeal but falls flat in comparison to other shows covering similar territory…
  • Netflix’s new sci-fi/fantasy drama The Umbrella Academy (12:40), which Kolsky talks himself even more into as he attempts to convince Derek it’s worthwhile…
  • Hugo Blick’s Black Earth Rising (20:05), also available on Netflix, and how the high level of execution on all parts does little to make it easier to watch…
  • A check-in on Top Chef (27:45) after the fried chicken and Muhammad Ali episode…
  • Some NBA chatter (42:00) as the league heads out of the All-Star Break and into the home stretch, including whether or not the league has a player empowerment problem…
  • Homework for next week (56:55), including: actually seeing Fighting With My Family in theaters, the end of True Detective’s third season, an episode of Documentary Now (allegedly mocking Wild Wild Country), the premiere of Desus and Mero on Showtime and the new HBO Film O.G…

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The Toy Department – Episode 142

  By toyAdmin | November 14, 2018 - 12:22 pm | Uncategorized
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In Episode 142, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky briefly discuss sick days and nap time and puppies before jumping into:

  • A little check-in on the NBA (2:30) covering the recent spat between Warriors’ stars Kevin Durant and Draymond Green, plus some discussion of the Wolves’ Jimmy Butler trade…
  • Amazon’s new series Homecoming (12:40), with focus on director Sam Esmail and a very impressive cast…
  • John Leguizamo’s Netflix special Latin History for Morons (20:00), and how it hit Madden and Kolsky differently…
  • Season 2 of Room 104 (27:30), HBO’s Duplass-produced anthology series, and whether it has anything to offer…
  • Vince Staples’ new album FM! (34:10), and how it is a success as an ode to radio, though it may not have many bangers…
  • Homework for next week (40:15), including: seeing the new movies Widows and Green Book (for real this time), Netflix’s The Kominsky Method, and the new Showtime series Escape at Dannemora (with an all-star cast directed by Ben Stiller)…

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.

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The Toy Department – Episode 140

  By toyAdmin | October 31, 2018 - 11:02 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 140, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky briefly address the HOWLiday before hustling into a long list of topics, including:

  • Three new albums: Esperanza Spaulding’s 12 Little Spells (2:35); Open Mike Eagle’s What Happens When I Try To Relax (7:10); and Robyn’s Honey (9:55)…
  • The new film Mid 90’s (17:15), Jonah Hill’s directorial debut, and an impressive one at that in the opinion of both Madden and Kolsky…
  • Adam Sandler’s Netflix stand-up special 100% Fresh (27:45) and the guys’ wildly diverging opinions on it…
  • Hasan Minhaj’s new Netflix show Patriot Act (33:55) and how it’s another high-quality entry in an admittedly crowded late-night genre…
  • Bodyguard (41:20), a new British action drama available on Netflix, which has its ups and downs but proves an exciting watch…
  • A quick dip into the sports world (46:25) to discuss the most tortured fan bases across the big American leagues…
  • Homework for next week (52:50), including: a couple episodes of Samantha Bee’s Full Frontal on TBS, the new Queen/Freddy Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody and the Neil Armstrong film First Man… Plus, PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE!!!
  • A discussion of LeBron James’ The Shop on HBO (54:10), which the guys almost forgot to discuss, but enjoyed very much…

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.

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The Toy Department – Episode 139

  By toyAdmin | October 24, 2018 - 11:01 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 139, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky briefly check in on Kolsky’s new radio show before dissecting:

  • Season 2 of Netflix’s Making a Murderer (2:15) and whether the story bears further investigation or is simply a source of anger and sadness…
  • The debut of Matthew Weiner’s The Romanoffs on Amazon (12:40) and how it is a good hang and somewhat less high-concept than expected…
  • Greta Van Fleet’s debut album Anthem of the Peaceful Army (24:45) and how it’s unnecessarily pretentious and judgmental to reduce them to nothing more than a cover band…
  • The new 21 Pilots album Trench (35:00) and the guys’ diverging opinions on the quality and originality of the band in general…
  • A tiny taste of basketball (51:05) with a discussion of the Rajon Rondo/Chris Paul fight…
  • A run-down of albums Kolsky is planning to listen to (54:10) just to check if Madden is willing to give any of them a try…
  • Homework for next week (59:40), including: a whole lot of Netflix — the British series Bodyguard, Adam Sandler’s new special 100% Fresh and Hassan Minaj’s new show Patriot Act — plus LeBron James’ new HBO show The Shop and new albums from Open Mike Eagle (What Happens When I Try To Relax) and Esperanza Spalding (12 Little Spells)…

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.

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The Toy Department – Episode 137

  By toyAdmin | October 11, 2018 - 10:48 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 137, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky are either one or two days late, depending on your perspective, and Madden is miserable in the Minnesota weather, but they still manage to squeeze in chats about:

  • The Jimmy Butler drama (2:55) with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and just who is at fault in this situation…
  • A wrap-up discussion on Amazon’s Forever (14:30), which sparks a significant disagreement between the two hosts…
  • A wrap-up discussion on Netflix’s Maniac (29:30), which sparks a less significant disagreement between the two hosts…
  • A sad breakdown of The Cool Kids (39:10) on Fox, and what a typically bad network sitcom looks like, despite having a star-studded, hope-inspiring cast…
  • The start of Season 2 of Netflix’s Big Mouth (47:20) and the standout star power of Maya Rudolph as the Female Hormone Monster…
  • The season finale of AMC’s Better Call Saul (56:30) and how it was the best show on television all summer, thanks in large part to the incredible performance by Rhea Seehorn…
  • Homework for next week (1:06:55), including: heading to the movie theaters to see A Star is Born and Bad Times at the El Royale, checking out a couple episodes of the new NBC drama Manifest and watching the series premiere of Camping on HBO, plus possibly a check-in on The Deuce…

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.

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The Toy Department – Episode 136

  By toyAdmin | October 2, 2018 - 10:40 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 136, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky briefly banter about their inability to execute a short version of the podcast before long-winded discussions centering on:

  • The world of baseball (1:30) as the playoffs begin, which — in a bad sign for baseball — devolves into a brief discussion of the Atlanta Hawks…
  • An attempt to find new network television worth watching (16:00) which ends with the selection of one new drama and one new comedy that Kolsky and Madden will try out for at least two episodes…
  • The return of NBC’s The Good Place (30:25) and how incredible a job it does of playing to all audiences while also remaining incredibly smart and original in today’s network climate…
  • FX’s new Australian offering Mr. In-Between (37:10) which both guys find intriguing after an episode or two…
  • Lil Wayne’s new album (42:20) and how its highlights show off Wayne’s skills but aren’t enough to prop up 23 tracks…
  • The season finale of HBO’s Insecure (48:05) and the unique lack of particular excitement or cliffhangers…
  • Homework for next week (53:40), including: finishing Forever on Amazon, starting The Cool Kids on Fox, the return of Big Mouth on Netflix and the season finale of AMC’s 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.

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