The Televerse (mp3)

It’s finally here, the last podcast episode before our hiatus. Noel and Kate do their best to keep it together as they talk through another full week in TV, then head over to the DVD Shelf for one of the quintessential Televerse shows, CBS’s lamentably short-lived Limitless. We kick off Our Week in TV with a little comedy, with Noel checking in on Peacock’s Girls5eva season one and Kate sharing her thoughts on the Tuca & Bertie premiere. Then we luxuriate in another terrific Top Chef: Portland before celebrating a welcome return on Star Wars: The Bad Batch and heading to our superhero roundup. Loki has fun with jet skis and time travel, Batwoman unveils its new Kate Kane, Superman & Lois continues to drop mythology bombs, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow wants a bigger reaction than maybe we’re willing to give it. Afterward, it’s time to revisit Limitless—does it hold up as well as we remember? Tune in for our thoughts, then reach out with your takes on this week’s TV, Limitless, and whatever strikes your fancy over our hiatus. Thank you to our wonderful guests, friends of the pod, and listeners. We hope you’ve enjoyed the show, because we’ve certainly enjoyed making it. Until we’re back!

DVD Shelf: Limitless (50:14)

Our Week in TV

Girls5eva S1 (6:19)

Tuca & Bertie premiere (10:31)

Top Chef: Portland (11:48)

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (18:20)

Loki (22:14)

Batwoman (29:25)

Superman & Lois (37:08)

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (39:25)

Music Featured:  “Living Wage in America” from The Amber Ruffin Show

Allison and Kate close out the podcast by saying hello to one of the great TV detectives, Lieutenant Columbo, talking Columbo’s season one premiere, “Murder By The Book.” The unforgettable Peter Falk, the joys of an overconfident killer, and 1970s pacing. Plus we reflect back on the past 15 months Streaming In Place. Thank you to Noel Kirkpatrick and LaToya Ferguson for making the podcast so much fun, and to the listeners for joining us over the past year!

Allison and Kate finish their journey Streaming In Place with Lucifer, talking the season finale, “A Chance at a Happy Ending.” Michael’s Westerosi wardrobe, the thrilling return of Said Out Bitch, and the power of choice. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back for Kate and Allison’s final podcast, looking back at their experiences Streaming In Place for the past 15 months and saying a hearty hello to Columbo with its pilot, “Murder By The Book.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listeners Marcus and Vince! Thanks for joining us in the chat this season, and on the mic this episode. It was great hearing your takes on the season and the finale in particular. 

Allison and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Lucifer, talking “Is This Really How It’s Going to End?!”. <redacted> is <redacted>, and we are full-on in our feelings about it. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back Wednesday for the season finale, “A Chance at a Happy Ending.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listeners, Marcus and Vince. Thanks for joining us in the chat, listening to us rant, and sharing some of your takes on the episode.

Submitted for the approval of the Televerse listening society, our penultimate episode, pre-hiatus. Noel and Kate kick things off as ever with Our Week in TV, looking at another strong Top Chef: Portland, the final chunk of season two of Legendary, and memorable episodes of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, The Flash, and the premiere of Loki. Then we head over to the DVD Shelf and fill in a significant Millennial gap by checking out the ’90s Nickelodeon kid-horror anthology Are You Afraid of the Dark?. Listen for our thoughts, then reach out with your takes on the week’s TV, the particular charms of Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and whatever other TV you’re enjoying at the moment.

DVD Shelf: Are You Afraid of the Dark? (58:32)

Our Week in TV

Top Chef: Portland (11:57)

Legendary finale (22:25)

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (30:07)

Batwoman (37:23)

The Flash (44:14)

Loki premiere (48:12)

Music Featured:  “Kitten Dance” by Fabrizio Fornaci; Are You Afraid of the Dark? Theme song

Allison and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Lucifer, talking “Nothing Lasts Forever” with friend of the show LaToya Ferguson. A difference of opinions on Mom, a memorable double-Decker date, and Maze and puppies. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back Friday for season five, episode 15, “Is This Really How It’s Going to End?!.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener, Marcus! Thanks for joining us in the chat and sharing your thoughts.

Links: Check out LaToya’s Lucifer reviews at The A.V. Club and her regular podcasts covering The Vampire Diaries and Angel, The AMPire Diaries and Angel On Top. Check out Allison’s Outlander podcast, Podlander Drunkcast, and its spinoff, Sauced In Austen.

Allison and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Lucifer, talking “A Little Harmless Stalking” with friend of the show LaToya Ferguson. Linda’s dubious decision-making, Lucifer and Chloe cry relationship wolf, and the return of Eve. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back Wednesday for season five, episode 14, “Nothing Lasts Forever.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listeners, Vince and Marcus! Thanks for joining us in the chat and sharing your reactions to the episode.

Links: Check out LaToya’s Lucifer reviews at The A.V. Club and her regular podcasts covering The Vampire Diaries and Angel, The AMPire Diaries and Angel On Top. Check out Allison’s Outlander podcast, Podlander Drunkcast, and its spinoff, Sauced In Austen.

It’s a light week in TV this episode, but there’s still plenty of TV talk to go around. First Noel gives his thoughts on the season finale of A Black Lady Sketch Show, then Kate has a few non-spoilery thoughts on Lucifer season 5B. Noel catches Kate up with Star Wars: The Bad Batch and gives his reaction to the latest developments at Superman & Lois, then Kate checks in with Legendary’s first and potentially only money ball of the season. Finally, we wrap up the week with Top Chef: Portland and their latest should-be-signature challenge. Afterward, we head to the DVD Shelf and catch up with Barry Jenkins’ The Underground Railroad. Tune in for our thoughts, then reach out with your take on The Underground Railroad, the week’s TV, and more.

DVD Shelf: The Underground Railroad (33:35)

Our Week in TV

A Black Lady Sketch Show finale (7:02)

Lucifer Season 5B (10:58)

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (13:32)

Superman & Lois (16:01)

Legendary (20:32)

Top Chef: Portland (24:49)

Music Featured:  Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust,” as performed by the cast of Lucifer

Allison and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Lucifer, talking “Daniel Espinoza: Naked and Afraid” with friend of the show LaToya Ferguson. Dan’s catharsis, Amenadiel is not Uber, and callbacks galore. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back next week for season five, episode 13, “A Little Harmless Stalking.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener Marcus! Thanks for joining us again and sharing your two cents on the episode.

Links: Check out LaToya’s Lucifer reviews at The A.V. Club and her regular podcasts covering The Vampire Diaries and Angel, The AMPire Diaries and Angel On Top. Check out Allison’s Outlander podcast, Podlander Drunkcast, and its spinoff, Sauced In Austen.

Allison and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Lucifer, talking “Resting Devil Face.” Trixie showing her influences, Maze and her potential soul?, and poor, poor Dan is going through it. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back Friday for season five, episode 12, “Daniel Espinoza: Naked and Afraid.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listeners, Marcus and Vince! Thanks for joining us in the chat and sharing your takes on this episode and the season so far.

Links: Check out Allison’s Outlander podcast, Podlander Drunkcast, and its spinoff, Sauced In Austen.

Allison and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Lucifer, talking their big musical episode, “Bloody Celestial Karaoke Jam,” with friend of the show LaToya Ferguson. Musical numbers galore, Dan fills in some crucial gaps, and the belated return of the Trixie Fan Club. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back Wednesday for season five, episode 11, “Resting Devil Face.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listeners Marcus and Vince! Thanks for joining in on the fun and sharing your takes on the episode.

Tweet referenced: Lesley-Ann Brandt gets her Chaka on

Check out LaToya’s Lucifer reviews at The A.V. Club and her regular podcasts covering The Vampire Diaries and Angel, The AMPire Diaries and Angel On Top. Check out Allison’s Outlander podcast, Podlander Drunkcast, and its spinoff, Sauced In Austen.

Allison and Kate start Streaming In Place with their final show of the podcast, the second half of season five of Lucifer, joined by returning friend of the show LaToya Ferguson. Family squabbles, projecting onto the case of the week, and that ending. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back next week for season five, episode 10, “Bloody Celestial Karaoke Jam.”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener, Marcus! Thanks for joining us in the chat and sharing your thoughts on the episode.

Check out LaToya’s Lucifer reviews at The A.V. Club and her regular podcasts on The Vampire Diaries and Angel, The AMPire Diaries and Angel On Top. Check out Allison’s Outlander podcast, Podlander Drunkcast, and its spinoff, Sauced In Austen.

As we inch toward our hiatus, Noel and Kate wanted to make time to catch up with at least one show recommended by our listeners, so this week on the podcast, we spotlight the first season (really the first half-season) of Netflix’s K-drama It’s Okay Not To Be Okay. A romance and soap sprinkled with fairy tale elements and a heaping helping of trauma, the series may not be for everyone, but it has a lot to recommend it. Before the season spotlight, though, we have a full week in TV to discuss. We kick things off with a conflicting Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Kate gives a couple thoughts on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, and then we round out the week with plenty of genre, including catching up with Star Wars: The Bad Batch, an underwhelming DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, an overdue end to the forces arc on The Flash, a surprise reveal on Superman & Lois, and the series finale of Black Lightning. Take a listen, then reach out with your takes on It’s Okay Not To Be Okay as well as the rest of the week’s TV.

Season Spotlight: It’s Okay Not To Be Okay (51:31)

Our Week in TV

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (9:53)

RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under (18:00)

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (20:23)

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (24:28)

The Flash (30:08)

Superman & Lois (35:23)

Black Lightning finale (38:43)

Music Featured:  “Move On Up” by Curtis Mayfield; Theme song to It’s Okay Not To Be Okay

Allison, Noel, and Kate finish their journey Streaming In Place with Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, talking about the final two episodes, “Each Other’s Existence!” and “Shibahama UFO Wars!” Kappas, rivers that are roads, and comradeship. Plus our Zoom listener Marcus hops on the mic to give his thoughts about the series and we reflect back on our experience Streaming In Place over the past 201 episodes. Unfortunately, Noel needs to step away from the podcast, but Allison and Kate will be back on Friday to kick off our final show, season 5B of Lucifer. 

Spring finales keep rolling as we head into the start of summer TV. Noel and Kate kick things off as usual with Our Week in TV, starting with the finales of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and Mom. Then we talk a little reality, Top Chef: Portland and Legendary, and we round out the week with the genre offerings, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and the return of Superman & Lois. Afterward, we head to the DVD Shelf and dive in with the ’90s sitcom The Nanny. Tune in for our thoughts, then reach out with your take on the week’s TV, The Nanny, and more.

DVD Shelf: The Nanny (55:34)

Our Week in TV

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist finale (15:30)

Mom finale (23:42)

Top Chef: Portland (28:40)

Legendary (41:38)

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (43:45)

Superman & Lois (47:04)

Music Featured:  Modern English’s “I Melt with You” as performed by Jane Levy on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist; Theme song to The Nanny

Allison is on assignment, but Noel and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, talking episodes nine and 10, “Aim for Comet A!” and “Against Our Independent World!” Minimori or Kanamoney?, more student council drama, and the joys of underground fruit ramen. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back next week for episodes 11 and 12, “Each Other’s Existence!” and “Shibahama UFO Wars!”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener, Marcus! Thanks for joining us in the chat and sharing your thoughts on these episodes.

Allison, Noel, and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, talking episodes seven and eight, “I Have To Do It For Myself!” and “The Grand Shibahama Festival!” Mizusaki and motion, Domeki and sound, and the positives of obsession. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back Wednesday for episodes nine and 10, “Aim for Comet A!” and “Against Our Independent World!”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener, Marcus! Thanks for joining us and sharing your reactions to these episodes.

A full six months late, we continue our catch up with Steve McQueen’s Small Axe, diving in with the third installment, Red, White and Blue. Before the DVD Shelf, though, we have a full week in TV to discuss. We kick things off with comedy, which this week means Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and another look at Rutherford Falls season one. Then we move to reality, with the return of Legendary for season two, the Snatch Game episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, and another entertaining Top Chef: Portland. We round out the week with genre, including Batwoman, The Flash, and the midseason finale of Supergirl. Tune in for our thoughts, then reach out with your takes on the week’s TV, Small Axe, and any final requests for shows you’d like us to revisit before our upcoming hiatus.

DVD Shelf: Small Axe: Red, White and Blue (1:03:08)

Our Week in TV

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (10:34)

Rutherford Falls S1 (14:47)

Legendary premiere (21:49)

RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under (29:03)

Top Chef: Portland (35:08)

Batwoman (38:58)

The Flash (42:46)

Supergirl midseason finale (49:26)

Music Featured:  Rihanna’s “Shut Up and Drive” as performed by Alex Newell on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

Article Referenced: Mo Ryan’s piece for Salon on Greg Spottiswood

Twitter Thread Referenced: Mo Ryan’s thread on studios’ approach to toxic leadership and the media

Noel, Allison, and Kate continue Streaming In Place with Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, talking episodes five and six, “An Iron Giant Appears!” and “Let’s Do Better Than Last Time!” Robots, ramen, and the utter relatability of needing a nap. Tune in for our thoughts, then come back next week for episodes seven and eight, “I Have To Do It For Myself!” and “The Grand Shibahama Festival!”

Shout-out to our Zoom listener, Marcus! Thanks for joining us in the chat and sharing your thoughts of these episodes.

For this episode of the podcast, we’re continuing our adventures with staples of ’90s television. This time, it’s the beloved animated series Gargoyles, which one of our hosts loves from their childhood and one has never seen. Does it hold up? Before that, though, there’s a full week in TV to break down. Noel and Kate kick things off with Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, and an episode full of zags instead of zigs. Then we move to genre with the return of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, eventful episodes of The Flash and Batwoman, and the premiere of Star Wars: The Bad Batch. Then we round things out with another delightful, loosey-goosey episode of Top Chef: Portland. Tune in for our thoughts, then reach out with your takes on Gargoyles and the week’s TV.

DVD Shelf: Gargoyles (49:23)

Our Week in TV

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (8:49)

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow premiere (18:43)

The Flash (26:27)

Batwoman (31:29)

Star Wars: The Bad Batch premiere (33:40)

Top Chef: Portland (37:45)

Music Featured:  Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” as performed by Skylar Astin on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist