Jodie Comer – The Toy Department

The Toy Department – Episode 289

In Episode 289, Madden and Kolsky have a somber philosophical rumination about dogs getting old before snapping out of it and getting into:

The film The Last Duel (4:25) and the difference between the hosts’ opinions on whether it’s worth watching…
Apple TV+’s new comedy The Afterparty (17:55) and how the deep roster of comedy talent makes for a great time…
The new Freeform sitcom Single Drunk Female (25:15) and how the first couple episodes really lean on the charm of the lead actress…
Netflix’s new Kristen Bell-led satire The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window (29:15) and whether it is caught in-between parody and satire…
A check-in with The Book of Boba Fett (33:50) and how the Disney+ series seems to be leveling up in its last couple of episodes…
Some NFL talk (43:00) as the league goes through multiple scandals at once…
A few quick thoughts on USMNT soccer (1:12:05) and the decision to play in freezing cold Minnesota…
Homework for next Friday (1:17:25), including: the new Aziz Ansari stand-up special Nightclub Comedian, Hulu’s new show Pam & Tommy, the new Netflix series Murderville and the new Reacher series on Amazon Prime…

In Episode 209, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky break down a couple of coronavirus-related memes before discussing:

This week’s episode of MTV’s The Challenge (4:45) and the heavy hitters who played big roles…
This week’s episode of Bravo’s Top Chef (21:00) and the joys and challenges of having family in your kitchen…
FX/Hulu’s new Cate Blanchett vehicle Mrs. America (36:20) and the appeal of a dislikable central character…
The new HBO series Run (42:15) and what exactly is going on beyond the star-powered charm of the lead actors…
The return of BBC America’s Killing Eve (46:10) and whether the show has maintained its urgency in its third season…
The return of HBO’s Insecure (50:05) and how a bit of same-ness doesn’t hurt it too much…
The new Netflix comedy Brews Brothers (54:20) and whether it stands up to its creators’ previous effort, The League…
Homework for next week (1:00:05), including: new episodes of Top Chef & The Challenge, the new Michael Jordan/Chicago Bulls documentary The Last Dance on ESPN, a listen to the new Steve Kerr/Pete Carroll podcast Flying Coach, the new Netflix show #BlackAF from Black*ish creator Kenya Barris, and the new comedy specials Middleditch & Schwartz…

In Episode 169, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky once again threaten their plans for a short podcast with the broadcaster jinx, before speeding through:

HBO’s Deadwood movie (1:30) and how it ties a nice bow on one of the great under-appreciated TV series of all time, plus some discussion of Vulture’s all-time HBO show rankings…
The Elton John biopic Rocketman (10:20) and how it succeeds in many ways despite apparently fitting into categories neither host particularly enjoys…
The Amazon series Good Omens (21:45) and how it feels like the writers and creators failed to flesh out their elevator pitch…
The Netflix show How To Sell Drugs Online Fast (25:15) and how it turns out to be of German origin but not entirely terrible…
Netflix’s new rom-com Always Be My Maybe (28:45) and how charming it is despite being rather rote…
A wrap on the second season of Killing Eve (37:45) and whether the show still has the promise of its first season…
Some quick NBA thoughts (44:10) in the middle of a compelling, if slow-moving, Finals series…
Homework for next week (50:30), when there may or may not be a podcast, including: the new season of Black Mirror on Netflix, the return of Big Little Lies on HBO, AMC’s new vampire series NOS4A2 and the conclusion of Billions …

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…

In Episode 162, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky talk about Madden’s rough day and Minneapolis’s impending blizzard before making their way through:

The series finalé of FX’s You’re the Worst (3:35) and how it will go down as a personal favorite for one host and a great peak tv comedy for the other…
The premiere of Season 3 of IFC’s Brockmire (16:25) and its incredible hit rate of hilarity…
HBO’s documentary The Inventor (25:25) and the way it tells the bizarre story of Elizabeth Holmes…
The return of BBC America’s Killing Eve (34:55) and how excited both guys are to return to the world that Season 1 established…
Showtime’s The Chi (40:10) establishing itself as a well-executed premium drama as it begins its second season…
The first episode of FX’s Fosse/Verdon (48:35) and whether there’s more here than enthralling acting performances…
Some thoughts on the NBA MVP debate (54:35) between Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden and a quick preview of the playoffs (which begin this weekend)…
Homework for next week (1:14:45), including: GAME OF THRONES IS BACK!!! plus Billie Eilish’s new album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? and watching Schitt’s Creek and Our Planet on Netflix…