Back on the Block

We double down on literary recommendations with discussions of Gillian Flynn and Rachel Kushner, plus theatre reviews of “Girls and Boys,” “Carmen Jones,” “The Closet,” and “The Sound Inside.”

Syd is crazy like a fox…until she’s just crazy again, Amanda’s newest scheme forces Jane and Michael to join forces, Alison sees a therapist, and something is up with the new onsite handyman.

We’re back on Hollywood Boulevard with a very special guest podcaster! Plus, we talk (at length) about Ocean’s 8 and the critical reaction to it, the second season of Westworld, and the theatrical productions of Othello, Fairview, Teenage Dick, Skintight, Cyprus Avenue, and Police Cops in Space.

We are trying out a new show format here on the block, dividing the Melrose recaps with our Hollywood Boulevard musings to make the pod more digestible. Let us know what you think!

Okay, it’s Cheese Soup!

Family events beget very different outcomes for Allison and Jane, who possibly has never been dumber; Jake wears khakis, Jo has a date, and Matt gets in a couple good punches. Plus, a very special guest podcaster!

Will Billy and Allison survive a long-distance relationship? Will Jo catch on to Reed’s misdoings? Will Matt’s boyfriend come out of the closet? Will Michael survive his overdose Most of all, will Doug finish his baked ziti?! Plus: discussion of the “Roseanne” return and theatre reviews of “Angels in America,” “Three Tall Women,” “Edge of Our Bodies,” "Frozen,” and “Mean Girls.”

Matt has a new storyline! Jane and Sydney make up, while Michael starts spiraling out! Jo makes bad decisions! Billy is still dumb! Also: discussion of kd lang, "Here and Now," reviews of "Escape to Margaritaville," "Grand Hotel," "Lobby Hero," and an extended discussion on the art of criticism.

Allison grows a pair, Amanda never makes it to Hawaii, Robert breaks Jane’s heart, Jo’s new man is sketchy, and Matt is nowhere to be found (again). Plus: a “90210” history lesson, a pop quiz about Aaron Spelling shows, discussion of “A Wrinkle in Time,” and theatre reviews of “Admissions,” “Good for Otto,” and “Old Stock.”

It isn’t what you think! Other things aren’t what they appear to be: Allison is not free from Amanda’s wrath, Sydney is not free from Lauren’s web, Jane is not free from Michael, and Matt still has no storyline. Plus: Jake and Jo shipping! Also: we talk about “American Gothic,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” and theatre reviews of “The Amateurs,” “Hello, From the Children of Planet Earth,” and “A Home at the Zoo.”

We get whiplash watching this Christmas episode: Syd stops hooking, Jane forgives Michael, Matt's shame marriage comes to an end, and Billy runs through an airport. Plus: Doug loses his mind trying to describe the current state of Hollywood, and theater reviews of "Amy and the Orphans," "Kings," "Relevance," and "In the Body of the World."

One year in the game and we're just getting warmed up! We have breaking news about La Locklear, and talk about an episode with big ramifications for Billy, Alison, Jake, and Amanda. (Alas, it's kind of dull.) Plus: Talk of "Annihilation," "Altered Carbon," Frightened Rabbit, and theatre reviews of "Jerry Springer" and "An Ordinary Muslim."