Tag Archives: Toy Department

The Toy Department – Episode 193

  By toyAdmin | December 13, 2019 - 9:32 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 193, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky deliver Toy Department After Dark (and a day late) and get into:

  • The film Brittany Runs A Marathon on Amazon Prime (1:30) and what a surprisingly heartfelt and well-made film it turned out to be…
  • The new film Queen & Slim (9:15) and the importance of diverse and interesting voices in the film world…
  • The reboot of Showtime’s The L Word (22:20) and how it’s just way too far over the top for Kolsky to get into as a newcomer…
  • The return of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (29:00) and how both guys are still enjoying it, but it may be running out of road if it doesn’t grow somewhat…
  • The season (and maybe series) finale of HBO’s Mrs. Fletcher (32:40) and how it hit the guys very differently…
  • The last episode of The Challenge: War of the Worlds 2 (39:05), some favorite moments and all the incredible drama that went down…
  • Homework for next week (1:05:40), including: 2019 year-end favorites, the end of Watchmen on HBO, some thoughts on the Challenge Reunion special and the new Netflix film Marriage Story…
  • Thirty seconds on Mike Birbiglia’s new Netflix stand-up special (1:08:00) which was good…

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The Toy Department – Episode 192

  By toyAdmin | December 5, 2019 - 12:33 pm | Uncategorized
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In Episode 192, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky suffer through various ailments to deliver an abbreviated episode focusing on:

  • Martin Scorsese’s new Netflix film The Irishman (5:00) and the infuriatingly pretentious reaction from film critics and twitter cinephiles…
  • Homework for next week (25:40), including: making up for this week by getting to the film Brittany Runs A Marathon on Amazon Prime and Mike Birbiglia’s new Netflix stand-up special, plus check-ins on Watchmen and Mrs. Fletcher, and adding in the new film Queen & Slim as well as the reboot of the L Word on Showtime and the new season of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon…
  • A quick (and glowing) reaction to the new film Knives Out (27:15) and how much fun can be had in a movie theater…

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The Toy Department – Episode 191

  By toyAdmin | November 21, 2019 - 11:41 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 191, Derek Madden teases a non-existent show drama before exposing the rather dull truth, then he and Matt Kolsky basically agree on:

  • The new film Ford vs. Ferrari (2:10) and how it was somewhat unexceptional but the sort of film the guys would like to see more of…
  • The debut of The Mandalorian on Disney+ (14:45) and how the first two episodes were great, but the guys are ready for some plot…
  • The new Hulu show Dollface (24:40) and how it is utterly watchable but not especially deep or thoughtful…
  • The Netflix film Earthquake Bird (33:30) and how neither host much enjoyed it or understood the point of it…
  • A brief detour out of the Toy Department (39:15) because Madden wants to discuss the impeachment hearings, but Kolsky is not watching or interested…
  • More thoughts on The Challenge (43:50) which saw another excellent episode filled with perfect twists in the War of the Worlds II season, plus Kolsky’s analysis of old seasons as he learns some history…
  • Homework for TWO weeks from now (59:00), including: the new film Knives Out in theaters, the new film The Irishman on Netflix, the new film Brittany Runs A Marathon on Amazon Prime and Mike Birbiglia’s new Netflix stand-up special, plus check-ins on Watchmen and Mrs. Fletcher…

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The Toy Department – Episode 190

  By toyAdmin | November 14, 2019 - 11:39 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 190, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky are off to a late start, so waste no time getting into:

  • Kolsky’s investment in Disney+ (1:00) and how he feels about it, with plans to get Madden involved for next week…
  • The new Taika Waititi film Jojo Rabbit (5:35), how incredible the cast was and what an interesting, thoughtful movie it turned out to be…
  • The new cycle of Hasan Minhaj’s Patriot Act on Netflix (17:20) and the fundamental struggle for comedy/news programs in our bizarre and confusing times…
  • A deep dive on MTV’s The Challenge (25:55), the remarkable twists and turns of the War of the Worlds 2 season and some specific strategy points and player analysis…
  • Homework for next week (53:15), including: watching the first couple episodes of The Mandalorian on Disney+, back to the theaters for the movie Ford vs. Ferrari, the new Hulu show Dollface and the new Netflix film Earthquake Bird…

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The Toy Department – Episode 189

  By toyAdmin | November 7, 2019 - 11:53 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 189, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky briefly discuss Tiffany Haddish’s Netflix offering They Ready before settling in for:

  • The new Edward Norton film Motherless Brooklyn (3:00) and whether it is too complicated for its own good…
  • The return of The End of the Fucking World on Netflix (11:30) and how it continues to be oddly and undeniably charming…
  • HBO’s new show His Dark Materials (17:45) and whether it is too fantastical for Madden to seriously entertain…
  • The end of HBO’s The Deuce (32:40) and how David Simon has crafted another deep and powerful piece of television entertainment…
  • A check-in on MTV’s The Challenge (53:45) and all the madness that makes it the best reality show running (and swimming, and hammering)…
  • Homework for next week (1:07:05), including: probably some more discussion of The Challenge, hopefully the premiere of the Star Wars show The Mandalorian on Disney+, the new cycle of Patriot Act on Netflix and the film Jojo Rabbit…

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The Toy Department – Episode 188

  By toyAdmin | October 31, 2019 - 11:26 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 188, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky dive directly into:

  • The new Netflix film Dolemite Is My Name (1:35) starring Eddie Murphy, and how it’s nice to have Eddie back in our lives…
  • The other new Netflix film The Laundromat (10:55) from the mind of Steven Soderbergh, and how it finds focus and a pointed message in a last-minute twist…
  • The return of The Kominsky Method (22:10) and why the guys still enjoy Chuck Lorre’s Netflix comedy…
  • The return of HBO’s Silicon Valley for its final season (24:30) and how it feels as it heads for the finish…
  • HBO’s new show Mrs. Fletcher (33:00) and the enduring appeal of Kathryn Hahn despite the show’s overly pilot-y opening episode…
  • Some thoughts on why and how the Golden State Warriors should tank their season (37:05) following the unfortunate injury to Steph Curry and some other NBA considerations…
  • Homework for next week (54:25), including: His Dark Materials on HBO, Season 2 of End of the Fucking World on Netflix, the Ed Norton film Motherless Brooklyn, a re-up on MTV’s The Challenge and a discussion about the end of HBO’s The Deuce…

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The Toy Department – Episode 187

  By toyAdmin | October 23, 2019 - 11:52 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 187, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky waste no time getting down to their many topics, specifically:

  • HBO’s new series Watchmen (1:20) and how an interesting premise, Damon Lindelof’s writing and Regina King’s ass-kicking are more than enough to hold your attention…
  • Netflix’s Living With Yourself (14:40) and its lead Paul Rudd, plus the enjoyable sports-related cameo…
  • The new Amazon series Modern Love (25:05) and how it succeeds at being both delightful and heart-yanking…
  • Jenny Slate’s stand-up special on Netflix (29:50) and how it delivers a uniquely Jenny Slate experience more than a set of jokes…
  • Some thoughts on the tip-off of NBA season (39:10) including some talk about the first two games, the favorites and the overall theme…
  • Homework for next week (1:04:20), including: the return of the Kominsky Method on Netflix, the return of Silicon Valley on HBO, the debut of Mrs. Fletcher on HBO, and two Netflix films — The Laundromat and Dolemite is My Name…

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The Toy Department – Episode 186

  By toyAdmin | October 17, 2019 - 1:00 pm | Uncategorized
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In Episode 186, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky apologize for any audio quality issues as Kolsky is en route from Sacramento to San Francisco, and then get into:

  • The new film Joker (2:30) and how both guys ended up confused and disappointed after watching it…
  • A much more enjoyable film, Netflix’s El Camino (20:45), the story of Jesse Pinkman and the delightful fan service of Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan…
  • The season finalé of HBO’s Succession (27:30) and how it is functioning at a tremendously high level, particularly given how difficult it is to describe…
  • Season 4 of USA’s Mr. Robot (45:10) and whether there’s anything new or interesting to see there…
  • A new album from a new band — the self-titled Black Pumas (48:40) — and whether they are worth following into the future…
  • A new album from an older band — Sturgill Simpson’s Sound & Fury (52:15) — and whether the guys are into his southern rock turn, plus some pretty unnecessary shots at country music…
  • Homework for next week (1:02:10), including: HBO’s new series Watchmen (from Damon Lindelof), Amazon Prime’s new series Modern Love, Jenny Slate’s stand-up special on Netflix and probably a check-in on MTV’s The Challenge, plus (not mentioned) a BIG NBA PREVIEW…

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The Toy Department – Episode 185

  By toyAdmin | October 9, 2019 - 10:30 pm | Uncategorized
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In Episode 185, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky address the many miseries of Madden’s Minnesota existence before talking through:

  • The return of Big Mouth on Netflix (5:15), which means more hilarious puberty jokes and horny hormone monsters…
  • HBO’s Diego Maradona documentary (9:10) and how it fell flatter than both hosts expected…
  • Netflix’s Between Two Ferns movie (15:05) and whether there’s enough to Zach Galifianakis’ sarcastic interview bit to last 90 minutes…
  • Ryan Murphy’s new Netflix show The Politician (22:30) and whether the Ryan Murphy of it all just becomes too much at some point…
  • Netflix’s Sacha Baron-Cohen drama The Spy (29:15) and how a great performance and some high stakes make for an enthralling viewing experience…
  • The new season of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (36:05) and how impressive its continued quality is…
  • Some thoughts on the NBA’s current debacle (38:15) involving Daryl Morey and the Chinese government…
  • Homework for next week (56:55), including: the Jesse Pinkman (of Breaking Bad) movie El Camino, an attempt to get to the theater for The Joker and the start of the fourth season of Mr. Robot…

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The Toy Department – Episode 184 (a mini)

  By toyAdmin | October 2, 2019 - 11:23 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 184, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky are on the clock for a quickie so they dive right into:

  • The first network TV show of the week, as The Good Place (2:40) returns for it’s fourth and final season…
  • Network TV show 2 — Stumptown (8:30) starring the charismatic and convincing Cobie Smulders…
  • Wrapping up network TV with Mixed-ish (16:50), a thoughtful comedy about race in America…
  • The new film Hustlers (23:20) and how it does a phenomenal job of exactly what it sets out to do (and also DAAAAAAMN J-Lo!!)…
  • Homework for next week (30:35), including: Netflix’s Sacha Baron-Cohen drama The Spy (seriously, we’re really gonna watch it this time), the new season of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the return of Big Mouth on Netflix, the new Diego Maradona documentary on HBO, plus the show The Politician and the Between Two Ferns movie (both on Netflix)…

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