Back on the Block

Which TV series know how to stick the landing, and which go on for seasons too long? We have answers here, plus reviews of “Fire Island,” “The Lost City,” and the new musical “The Bedwetter.”

Kyle’s frustration reaches a fever pitch and so does our frustration with Rob Estes. Meanwhile, Jane and Michael have money problems, Megan and Ryan have lots of sex, and Lexi still sucks.

Karen’s got some fun news! Plus we discuss “Stranger Things,” ”The Lincoln Lawyer,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “POTUS” on Broadway, and “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.”

Despite a novel beginning to this Christmas episode, we’re pretty quickly back to basics, with Kyle brooding over his bad news, Lexi going hard after Eve, Jane and Michael’s divorce continuing, and the show doing Guy dirty. But we’ve also got Hanson! (That Hanson!)

Alyssa Maher joins us again to talk about “The Northman,” the new “Hamlet” opera, “Chip & Dale: Rescue Rangers,” “Those You’ve Known,” “The Way Down,” and “The Staircase.”

Kyle gets some bad news, Amanda and Lexi team up, Megan and Ryan carry no money on them, and we learn Jane and Michael’s favorite movie. Plus, we talk about why character matters so much.

Special guest star Alyssa Maher joins Doug and Karen for a special theatre conversation, including reviews of “Romeo and Bernadette,” “Mr. Saturday Night,” the “Funny Girl” revival, and “Paradise Square,” as well as talk about the Tony Awards and how theatre can rebuild new audiences. Also, happy five-year anniversary to Alyssa and Doug!

Dark days call for some dark conversation, so we discuss “The Batman,” “Broadway’s “The Skin of Our Teeth,” “A Strange Loop,” and this year’s Met Gala.

We discuss “Abbott Elementary,” “Mayans,” and the plays “The Minutes,” ”How I Learned to Drive,” and “A Case for the Existence of God."

Studley Do Right, folks.