The Toy Department – Episode 181

In Episode 181, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky dive into a short list of topics including:

  • The return of MTV’s The Challenge (2:05) and the incredible prospects for high level entertainment with War of the Worlds II
  • Netflix’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (19:40), a retelling of Jim Henson’s movie from the 80’s, and how it is really for kids…
  • The new Tool album Fear Inoculum (27:35) and how it may not win any new fans but it is definitely a strong late-period effort…
  • The now-imminent kickoff of the NFL season (36:30), the underwhelming season of Hard Knocks and how it looks at the top of the league…
  • A few thoughts on Travis Scott’s Netflix concert film/documentary Look Mom I Can Fly (53:20) and how it’s a decent look at Scott’s behind-the-scenes life…
  • Homework for next week (56:25), including: the return of The Deuce on HBO, the new film Late Night on Amazon, the new Hulu show Wu Tang: An American Saga, Good Talk with Anthony Jeselnik on Comedy Central and ESPN’s new 30 for 30 about Dennis Rodman…

The Toy Department – Episode 168

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…

The Toy Department – Episode 144

In Episode 144, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky jinx the possibility of doing a short show by talking about doing a short show (THE FIRST RULE OF SHORT SHOWS IS— oh, nevermind) and then bring their signature verbosity to bear on:

  • A season wrap-up discussion of MTV’s The Challenge: Final Reckoning (1:35), which the guys agree is a prime specimen of well-executed reality television…
  • Trevor Noah’s new Netflix stand-up special Son of Patricia (21:45) and how it didn’t really connect too well with either of our hosts…
  • Netflix’s Coen Brothers “film” The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (26:35) and how the bro’s still bring it, even if neither Madden nor Kolsky loved everything about it…
  • AMC’s new limited series Little Drummer Girl (36:25) and the disagreement between Kolsky and Madden on its level of quality and charm…
  • Homework for next week (49:40), including: the films The Frontrunner and Creed II, the Netflix drama Narcos: Mexico and Anderson .Paak’s new album Oxnard, plus whatever else the guys come up with during the course of the week…

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.

The Toy Department – Episode 122

In Episode 122, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky dispense with the pleasantries as they get into a shortened episode (due to time constraints) wherein they discuss:

  • Netflix’s show Lost in Space (1:15) and how it’s probably “B” television but both guys still enjoyed it…
  • Kolsky’s reaction to his first experience with MTV’s The Challenge (10:40) and some breakdown of the competition aspect on the show…
  • The opening week of the World Cup (24:00), the Ronaldo v. Messi debate and early impressions of the various competitors…
  • Some thoughts on the new Nas album Nasir (35:55) and KIDS SEE GHOSTS, with a preview of a discussion of the Jay-Z & Beyoncé album…
  • Homework for next week (38:30), including: a thorough listening to Everything Is Love, the Jay&Bey record, the season finalé of Brockmire, the second season of Luke Cage on Netflix and The Affair on Showtime…

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.

The Toy Department – Episode 37

In Episode 37, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky return without the illustrious Kate Scott to talk about:

  • The series finale of HBO’s The Night Of (2:55), and whether it lived up to the high bar set by the series in general… Followed by a little bit of general TV banter…
  • Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest (20:00) and the firestorm of criticism and commentary surrounding him… Veering out of the toy department, but only because the world intruded upon us…
  • The start of the college football season (46:20) and why Madden loves it and Kolsky does not…
  • The MTV Video Music Awards (54:15) and their decreasing relevance in pop culture, and MTV’s decreasing relevance in general…

By the way, if you like this podcast, TELL A FRIEND!! And if you want to subscribe via iTunes you can just click on the link below the player… Some other links down there as well… And if you want to contact the Toy Department, it’s easy — find us at ToyDepartmentPod (at) gmail.com.