Tag Archives: HBO

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 182

  By toyAdmin | September 11, 2019 - 11:17 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 182, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky share an awkward moment over who loves the podcast most before getting to it with:

  • The new Bill Burr special on Netflix (1:50) and how the guys vary in their reception of his complaints about modern society…
  • The new Amazon Prime comedy Late Night (28:30) and how Mindy Kaling wrote a good, funny movie that was executed well…
  • The premiere of the final season of HBO’s The Deuce (36:25) and David Simon’s particularly incredible TV career…
  • Hulu’s new show Wu-Tang: An American Saga (45:30) and the overwhelming quantity of Wu-Tang content in the world right now…
  • Homework for next week (54:15), including: the Dennis Rodman 30 for 30 documentary, Good Talk with Anthony Jeselnik on Comedy Central, a check-in on MTV’s The Challenge and probably other stuff too…

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The Toy Department – Episode 179

  By toyAdmin | August 21, 2019 - 8:16 pm | Uncategorized
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In Episode 179, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky exchange pleasantries and childcare thoughts before shuffling through:

  • The new film Good Boys (3:15) and how producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg have once again made a delightful film of a very specific type…
  • Another Rogen/Goldberg joint, Amazon’s The Boys (13:05) and how both guys feel after the conclusion of its first season…
  • The premiere of The Righteous Gemstones (26:10), another deeply Danny McBride-ish dark comedy on HBO…
  • The return of Netflix’s Mindhunter (33:45) and some of the things that make it one of the best TV shows going…
  • Homework for next week (50:10), including: the new Showtime series On Becoming a God in Central Florida, Dave Chappelle’s new stand-up special and The Let Down (an Australian dramedy) on Netflix, plus two new albums — Little Brother’s May the Lord Watch and Sleater-Kinney’s The Center Won’t Hold…

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The Toy Department – Episode 178

  By toyAdmin | August 15, 2019 - 9:50 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 178, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky discuss the weather in their respective climates before hustling through:

  • The new show BH90210 (2:55) and how interesting the idea behind it is, even for someone who didn’t watch the original 90210…
  • The return of HBO’s Succession (10:25) and how it picks up right where it left off with high-stakes billionaire family drama…
  • The end of the first season of HBO’s Euphoria (18:05) and what an incredibly unique and well-acted show it was…
  • The return of Netflix’s GLOW (27:25) and how it remains one of the most enjoyable shows to spend time with…
  • AMC’s Lodge 49’s second season premiere (34:50) and what exactly it is that Kolsky finds so charming about this show…
  • A few random thoughts on the Raiders (42:00) and Antonio Brown as Hard Knocks continues…
  • Homework for next week (46:10), including: the new movie Good Boys, the return of Netflix’s Mindhunter and the premiere of The Righteous Gemstones on HBO, plus whatever else they come up with during the week (including hopefully finishing Amazon’s The Boys)…

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The Toy Department – Episode 177

  By toyAdmin | August 7, 2019 - 2:32 pm | Uncategorized
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In Episode 177, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky are trying to get Madden to a baseball game on time, so jump right in to:

  • The first episode of Hard Knocks (2:25), and how much fun this season’s time with the Raiders looks like it will be…
  • Quentin Tarantino’s newest masterpiece, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood (15:25) and all the wonderful things that both guys appreciated about it…
  • The return of Dear White People (36:50) on Netflix, and how even though there’s nothing really new here, it’s still good TV…
  • HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show (41:55) and how it has its moments, but Kolsky still struggles to get down with sketch shows…
  • Kolsky’s first experience with Bachelor in Paradise (46:00) and whether he’s ready to hang in there for the full season…
  • A few thoughts on a funny Netflix stand-up special from Whitney Cummings (56:55) and appreciation for her commitment to a bit…
  • Homework for next week (59:25), including: the new Beverly Hills 90210 reunion BH90210, the conclusion of HBO’s Euphoria, plus the returns of GLOW on Netflix, Succession on HBO and Lodge 49 on AMC…

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The Toy Department – Episode 176

  By toyAdmin | July 31, 2019 - 11:17 am | Uncategorized
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In Episode 176, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky have a quick chat about Madden’s concert-going exploits before delving into:

  • The premiere of the final season of Netflix’s Orange is the New Black (2:10), which Madden enjoyed more than Kolsky but also maybe Kolsky just needs to stick with it a little longer…
  • Amazon’s new Seth Rogen/Evan Goldberg production The Boys (10:15) and how it is different than any superhero show you’ve seen and pretty damn good…
  • The Showtime documentary Shangri-LA (16:20) and its fascinating subject Rick Rubin…
  • Chance the Rapper’s new album The Big Day (31:45) and how it is long but really quite good throughout…
  • Homework for next week (40:50), including: the premiere of Bachelor in Paradise (for real this time), the return of Dear White People on Netflix, the new season of HBO’s Hard Knocks (featuring the Oakland Raiders), a new HBO show – A Black Lady Sketch Show (from Issa Rae), Whitney Cummings’ new comedy special on Netflix and the new Tarantino film Once Upon A Time in Hollywood…

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