Back on the Block

We pick up after Thanksgiving, which means Syd has to pay rent, Allison must face Billy, Jake must face Amanda, Jane has to make a dumb decision, and Matt takes on new responsibilities. Plus: Discussion of "Black Panther" and theatre reviews of "Cardinal" in New York and "Chess" and "Hamlet" in Washington, DC.

It’s Thanksgiving on the block, and Syd makes new friends, Michael meets Mrs. Shaw, Jake faces the Feds, and Billy gives Alison an ultimatum. Doug and Karen examine the right way to write a super couple, and you’ll learn their feelings about baths and rice pudding. Also: “Murder on the Orient Express,” “The Post,” “The Greatest Showman,” Richard Kadrey, theatre reviews of “X: or, Betty Shabazz vs. the Nation,” “Hangmen,” “A Kind Shot." Tributes to John Mahoney, Jan Maxwell, Reg E.

We finally reach one of the most crucial episodes in the series! It has engagement rings, prostitutes, car crashes! Karen also knows a thing or two about champagne. Also: talk about buying fake social media followers, “The Disaster Artist,” “One Mississippi,” and reviews of the shows “Balls,” “Party Face,” “ The Homecoming Queen,” and “Miles For Mary.”

An odd ep deserves an odd pod! This one’s all about the Alison-Billy-Jo-Steve quadrangle, with some cray-cray Amanda dramatic backstory thrown in. Plus: “In the Fade,” “grown-ish,” “Alone Together,” the play “Until the Flood,” more talk on #metoo, and a special tribute to Bob Smith.

Michael and Syd get caught redhanded in the red bed, Matt finds dating men while being fake-married to a woman is tricky, and Alison envies Jo for dating Steve. Plus: more on self-help, film reviews of “Phantom Thread” and “Saturday Church,” and theatre reviews of “The Girl Who Jumped Off the Hollywood Sign,” “John Lithgow: Stories By Heart,” “Mankind,” “Disco Pigs,” and “Ballyturk.”

Amanda and Jake finally (finally!) do it, Alison turns out to be good at her job, Michael flirts with -- and sleeps with -- disaster, and Matt is nowhere to be found. Plus: we discuss "Black Mirror" and do a deep dive into the Golden Globes ceremony, including commentary on the #metoo movement and why people continue to overlook "Lady Bird."

Michael throws a party following his divorce from Jane, Matt receives an intriguing proposal, Amanda sends mixed signals, and Billy pours a glass of orange juice. Plus: discussion of "The Last Jedi," "I, Tonya," "Mad Dogs," and the shows "A Regular Little Houdini" and "Today Is My Birthday." And gratuitous use of the word "chubby." Happy new year!!

The men of Melrose Place blindside the women in different ways -- even Matt! Also, Billy's worst line delivery yet. Plus: see what Doug and Karen's favorite holiday movies are!!!! And a review of "Who's Holiday."

Has Allison kicked her vodka habit? Is Jane on to Syd's mischievous ways? What has Matt gotten himself into? And is this the end for Jake and Jo? Plus: We talk about "Search Party" and "She's Gotta Have It" and mourn "Longmire" on TV, and discuss the shows "Meteor Shower" and "So Long Boulder City."