Decoding TV

By Decoding TV

David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss everything going on in the world of TV, with recaps and reviews of the most interesting shows on the air.

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· TV & Film

4.4

18361,836 ratings

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FAQs about Decoding TV:

How many episodes does Decoding TV have?

The podcast currently has 319 episodes available.

Decoding TV episodes:

October 17, 2025Ep. 86 - 'The Chair Company' Reveals The Play-Acting We All Do (Plus: A 'Peacemaker' S2 Post-Mortem)
In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the season premiere of The Chair Company.
Does Tim Robinson find hidden comedy gold in the cushions of The Chair Company? Will video podcasts be a big thing on Netflix? Will the Apple TV rebrand make sense by the time you download this week’s podcast? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.
Homework for next week:
Bonus Episode: Task (HBO)
Bonus Episode: Slow Horses (Apple TV)
Bonus Episode: Long Story Short (Netflix)
Shownotes:
03:02 - TV News
Bari Weiss is the main segment on Last Week Tonight
Apple TV+ is now Apple TV
’Stranger Things’ Season 5, Volume 1 Runtimes Revealed
Netflix refuses to put the finale into theaters
M. Night's 8-ball
Tivo exits the hardware business
Splinter Cell Deathwatch Renewed
Netflix to Stream Selection of Spotify Video Podcasts Starting in 2026
52:00 - The Chair Company
Episode 1 - “Life goes by too fucking fast, it really does.”
1:17:56 - Peacemaker Season 2 post-mortem (with spoilers)
Links:
Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
Follow this podcast on Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1h 35min
October 10, 2025Ep. 85 - Did 'Peacemaker' Season 2 Stick the Landing?
In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the season finale of Peacemaker.
Is CBS News doomed or extra-doomed? How on earth are we going to cover the final season of Stranger Things? And does the first trailer for Pluribus get us excited for Vince Gilligan’s newest show or not? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.
Homework for next week:
The Chair Company (HBO)
Bonus Episode: Long Story Short (Netflix)
Shownotes:
02:32 - TV News
Bari Weiss Joins CBS News
The First ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Trailer Teases Our Next Return to Westeros
First Real Pluribus trailer
STRANGER THINGS Season 5 Will Feature 8 Feature-Length Episodes...And Boasts An Insanely High Budget
HRW cannot accept donations
36:00 - Peacemaker Season 2
Episode 8 - Full Nelson
Links:
Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
Follow this podcast on Instagram
Follow this podcast on Tiktok
Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
Follow David on Instagram
Follow David on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1h 41min
October 03, 2025Ep. 84 - 'The Lowdown' Is a Fun Neo-Noir That Goes Down Easy (Plus: What 'Peacemaker' Has to Say about Nature vs. Nurture)
In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the premiere of The Lowdown and the latest episode of Peacemaker.
Where was the balance of power in the Jimmy Kimmel situation? What do we think of how Fallon handled the whole thing? And why is there a conservative campaign to cancel Netflix? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.
Homework for next week:
Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 8 (HBO)
Bonus Episode: Long Story Short (Netflix)
Shownotes:
03:05 - TV News
UPDATE: Sinclair and Nextstar return Kimmel to air
Jimmy Fallon Plans to ‘Keep My Head Down’ and Avoid Politics on ‘The Tonight Show’: ‘We Hit Both Sides Equally’
‘Dead End: Paranormal Park’ Creator Receiving ‘Homophobic and Antisemitic Emails’ After Elon Musk Says ‘Cancel Netflix’ Due to Show’s Trans Character
Dave Chappelle Jokes It’s Easier to Talk in Saudi Arabia Than It Is In America
43:30 - The Lowdown
Episode 1 - Pilot
Episode 2 - The Devil’s Mama
Episode 3 - Dinosaur Memories
1:04:15 - Peacemaker Season 2
Episode 7 - Back to the Suture
1:31:58 - Alien: Earth spoiler feedback
Links:
Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
Follow this podcast on Instagram
Follow this podcast on Tiktok
Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
Follow David on Instagram
Follow David on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1h 40min
September 30, 2025Bonus Ep: Is 'aka Charlie Sheen' a Good Documentary or Just Image Rehab? (with Christie Bosch)
In this bonus episode of Decoding TV, David chats with Christie Bosch (AKA @thatdocumentarygirl) about the new Netflix documentary aka Charlie Sheen.
What were our biggest takeaways from this documentary? Why was the documentarian seemingly averse to experiencing human emotion? And is the documentary actually insightful or is it just a way for Charlie Sheen to rehab his personal image? Listen to hear us discuss these questions and more.
Links:
Follow Christie on Tiktok
Follow Christie on Instagram
Check out Christie’s official website
Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
Follow this podcast on Instagram
Follow this podcast on Tiktok
Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
Follow David on Instagram
Follow David on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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37min
September 27, 2025Ep. 83 - The 'Alien: Earth' Season Finale Was a Disaster (Plus: Peacemaker S2E06 Finally Picks Up the Pace)
In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the season finale of Alien: Earth. Later Dan Gvozden from the Amazing Spider-Talk podcast joins us to talk Peacemaker.
Homework for next week:
Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 7 (HBO)
Bonus Episode: aka Charlie Sheen (Netflix)
Bonus Episode: Long Story Short Season 1 (Netflix)
Shownotes:
02:30 - TV News
Duffer Brothers Explain Why They Left Netflix
Nate Bargatze defends his Emmys hosting
The Savant is postponed and Jessica Chastain responds
Disney/Hulu is hiking prices next month
Kimmel came back unless you live in one of 66 markets
47:30 - Alien: Earth
Episode 8 - The Real Monsters
1:18:00 - Peacemaker Season 2
Episode 6 - Ignorance is Chris
Links:
Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
Follow this podcast on Instagram
Follow this podcast on Tiktok
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1h 54min
September 20, 2025Ep. 82 - The Test of a Free Society (Plus: Entering the Endgame of 'Alien: Earth' and 'Peacemaker')
In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the latest episodes of Alien: Earth and Peacemaker.
What do we make of the (probable) cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel? Is Peacemaker just spinning its wheels these days? Will Alien: Earth end up being the show that was promised at the beginning? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.
Homework for next week:
Alien: Earth Episode 8 (Hulu/FX)
Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 6 (HBO)
Bonus Episode: Gen V Season 2 premiere (Prime Video)
Shownotes:
06:05 - TV News
Casey Bloys Talks ‘The Pitt’s Emmy Breakthrough & Putting HBO Doubts To Rest, Confirms ‘White Lotus’ S4 Location, Gives ‘HoD’ & ‘Rehearsal’ Updates
'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Pulled From ABC / FCC Chair Threatens Jimmy Kimmel Over Charlie Kirk Monologue Comments
41:30 - Alien: Earth
Episode 7 - Emergence
1:02:15 - Peacemaker Season 2
Episode 5 - Back to the Suture
Links:
Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
Follow this podcast on Instagram
Follow this podcast on Tiktok
Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
Follow David on Instagram
Follow David on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1h 27min
September 15, 2025Bonus Ep: Reacting to the 2025 Emmy Awards
In this bonus episode, David and Myles McNutt from the Episodic Medium newsletter discuss the 2025 Emmy Awards (you can watch our live broadcast on YouTube here).
Which shows came away with some of the biggest wins? What were some of the night’s biggest upsets? And did the winners deserve their awards? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.
Links:
Subscribe to Episodic Medium
Follow Myles on Bluesky
Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
Follow this podcast on Instagram
Follow this podcast on Tiktok
Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
Follow David on Instagram
Follow David on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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47min
September 13, 2025Ep. 81 - The Future Where Movies Are Just Disneys (Plus: Breaking Down The Latest 'Alien: Earth' and 'Peacemaker')
In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the latest episodes of Alien: Earth and Peacemaker.
In the future where all media is consolidated, will movies just be called disneys like they were in Cloud Atlas? Why do we think David Zaslav hasn’t begun his war against password-sharing yet? And are we looking forward to another season of Big Little Lies? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.
Homework for next week:
Alien: Earth Episode 7 (Hulu/FX)
Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 5 (HBO)
Bonus Episode: The Paper Season 1 (Peacock)
Shownotes:
04:05 - TV News
Paramount Skydance Prepares Ellison-Backed Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav on Why HBO Max Isn’t ‘Pushing’ Password-Sharing Crackdown Yet
Neil Druckmann on Leaving ‘The Last of Us,’ His New Game ‘Intergalactic’ and How Involved He’ll Be on Season 3: ‘My Job Is to Stay Very High Level’ (EXCLUSIVE)
‘Big Little Lies’ Season 3 Officially in the Works, Sets Francesca Sloane to Write
‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ Season 2 Delayed at Amazon
35:30 - Alien: Earth
Episode 4 - The Fly
1:02:15 - Peacemaker Season 2
Episode 4 - Need I Say Door
1:21:20 - Patrick’s reaction to Unknown Number: The High School Catfish (WITH SPOILERS)
Links:
Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
Follow this podcast on Instagram
Follow this podcast on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 32min
September 09, 2025Bonus Ep: Unpacking the Shocking Revelations of 'Unknown Number: The High School Catfish' (feat. Christie Bosch)
Watch this conversation on YouTube.
In this bonus episode of Decoding TV, David chats with Christie Bosch (AKA @thatdocumentarygirl) about the new Netflix documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish.
What was our overall reaction to the movie? How did we feel the film handle its subjects? And what details did the documentary leave out? Listen to hear us discuss these questions and more.
Links:
Read The Cut’s article about these events
Read Variety’s interview with the director
Follow Christie on Tiktok
Follow Christie on Instagram
Check out Christie’s official website
Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
Follow this podcast on Instagram
Follow this podcast on Tiktok
Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
Follow David on Instagram
Follow David on Tiktok
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
41min
September 06, 2025Ep. 80 - 'Alien: Earth' Ep 5 Is Wildly Entertaining (Plus: What's going On in Peacemaker's Alternate Dimension?)
In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the latest episodes of Alien: Earth and Peacemaker.
Did The Rehearsal actually make a difference in airline safety? Is it possible to make sense of HBO’s rebranding? And why is Tom Rothman the last person who should be talking about studio execs? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.
Homework for next week:
Alien: Earth Episode 6 (Hulu/FX)
Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 4 (HBO)
Bonus Episode: The Paper Season 1 (Peacock)
Bonus Episode: Unknown Number: The High School Catfish (Netflix)
Shownotes:
03:05 - TV News
The Rehearsal may make our airlines safer after all
The Paper renewed in advance of premiere
White Lotus S3 will be set in France
HBO is rebranding everything
Tom Rothman says The Studio is not realistic
33:00 - Alien: Earth
Episode 3 - In Space, No One…
1:05:15 - Peacemaker Season 2
Episode 3 - Another Rick Up My Sleeve
Links:
Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
Follow this podcast on Instagram
Follow this podcast on Tiktok
Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
Follow David on Instagram
Follow David on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 32min

FAQs about Decoding TV:

How many episodes does Decoding TV have?

The podcast currently has 319 episodes available.

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