Remote Control

EDITOR'S NOTE: Audio was out of sync at the time of the recording. This was Before we straightened the issue out, Sorry listeners!Tonight TFG1Mike launches a new segment and format for Remote Control here on The GCRN. We are calling it TAKE 5!!! What is TAKE 5 you might ask.... well it's where we take a look at the first 5 episodes of any TV series, and after reviewing these 5 episodes we'll make a decision on whether we'll be watching the show further or not. In this first episode DJ Valentine from Simplistic Reviews joins TFG1Mike to GET LETHAL, about Fox's NEW Lethal Weapon series! So stop channel surfin' because you are now tuned into Remote Control!!!TheTelevixen.comQuestion #1:  What was your opinion of FOX's Lethal Weapon AFTER watching the first 5 episodes?Question #2: Will you be watching FOX's Lethal Weapon through the rest of it's season 1?Channel Surfers:Mike "TFG1" BlanchardD.J. ValentineSubscribe to us using iTunes or use any other podcatching client by using:http://feeds.feedburner.com/GCRN-RemoteControl

The Remote Control crew dives into ABC's The Goldbergs season one, the 1980s-set family sitcom that premiered in 2013. Hosts discuss the show's authentic portrayal of family dynamics, its core cast including Wendy McLendon-Covey as overbearing mom Beverly and Jeff Garland as gruff dad Murray, and the creative decision to incorporate actual home videos shot by showrunner Adam F. Goldberg. They highlight standout episodes like the scrambled cable channel adventure, the President's Physical Fitness Test, and the hockey episode, while exploring how the show balances character development in its first half with heavier 80s pop culture nostalgia as the season progresses. Both hosts land on a 3.5-star rating, praising the ensemble cast and acknowledging the show finds its footing once it fully embraces its nostalgic premise.

In the finale of their top 100 TV shows countdown, the hosts break down the overall statistics—the 1990s dominated with 24 shows, NBC led networks with 23 entries, and seven seasons was the most common show length, with Sesame Street topping the list at 46 seasons. They discuss how different ranking metrics would dramatically change the list: using average score instead of total points would put Breaking Bad at number one and eliminate many modern comedies and superhero shows entirely. The hosts reveal their personal top 10 ballots and explain their voting philosophies, from Dan's quality-focused approach to Mike's nostalgic picks to Amanda's mix of personal favorites and critically acclaimed shows. They debate which shows deserve spots they didn't get—Kevin argues for classic mysteries that didn't make it, and notes gaps in sketch comedy representation. The conversation touches on potential gender bias in the voting, redundancy among similar shows, and how the voting-based system creates unexpected rankings that wouldn't emerge from a traditional ranked debate.

The Remote Control team counts down TV's top 25 shows, from #25 through #1. Hosts Mike and Steve are joined by Kevin and Amanda from Cinema Geeks, plus DJ Valentine from Simplistic Reviews, as they reveal which series made the elite rankings based on votes from 29 contributors. Each entry includes discussion of rankings, cultural impact, critical acclaim, and why certain shows landed where they did in an unusually close countdown where the top five shows were separated by just 27 points.

The hosts continue their top 100 TV shows countdown with entries 50-26. Each ranking is debated by the panel—TFG1Mike, Steve Megatron, Movie Revolt Dan, Kevin, Amanda, and special guest DJ Valentine—with particular attention to how shows rank relative to personal lists, cultural impact, and longevity. The group weighs nostalgia against critical writing quality, discusses why some beloved 80s shows landed lower than expected, and explores what made comedies like Parks and Rec stand apart from their peers.

The hosts continue their countdown of the top 100 TV series of all time, covering entries 75 through 51. The episode features discussions of cultural respect over time, controversial ranking despite its creator's, standout one-season series, acclaimed first seasons, cultural impact, and mainstream popularity and geek-culture references. The hosts debate whether the list skews too heavily toward recent shows and discuss how recency bias, accessibility through platforms like YouTube, and quality craftsmanship all factor into how these modern series rank against classic television.

The Remote Control panel kicks off their massive Top 100 Television Shows Countdown, covering entries 100-76. Dan, who orchestrated the project, explains how the list was built from 29 aggregated rankings submitted across 20+ podcasts, resulting in over 600 shows receiving at least one vote. The hosts discuss the methodology behind such a sprawling countdown, the impact of nostalgia and accessibility on rankings, and the challenges of comparing shows across different eras and genres. Featured discussions include The Flintstones' primetime significance, Supernatural, How I Met Your Mother, Knight Rider, Home Improvement, The Golden Girls, and Homeland, with panelists Steve, Mike, Kevin, and Amanda weighing in on placement and cultural impact.

The GCRN crew launches Remote Control, a new TV podcast focused on pilot episodes and season finales. Host TFG1Mike and guest Jennifer Rag dive into the pilot of Mr. Robot, USA Network's summer 2015 hacking thriller starring Rami Malek as Elliot, a cybersecurity engineer who narrates directly to an imaginary person in his head. They discuss the show's innovative use of narration, the hacking details that mostly go over their heads but draw them in anyway, Christian Slater's casting as a mysterious figure, the irony of product placement in a show critiquing consumerism, and the creative episode titling (formatted like computer file names). Both hosts praise the strong character work and mystery setup in the pilot, with Jennifer rating it four stars and TF2 enthusiastic about the full ten-episode season.

TFG1Mike and Doug Abel wrap up Red Band Society with a discussion of the show's two-hour series finale and full 13-episode run. They explore what made the medical drama work—its blend of comedy and drama, its focus on pediatric patients at Ocean Park Hospital, and Charlie's narration from his coma—while debating whether it maintained that balance throughout. The conversation covers standout character arcs like Kara's heart transplant and her mysterious loss of feeling afterward, Bella Thorne's guest appearance as the darker character Darby Shaw, Octavia Spencer's nuanced performance as Nurse Jackson, and the significance of the coma-zone sequences. They also discuss why the show struggled with ratings despite its quality, what a potential second season would have needed, and whether it deserved to be revived.

The guys finish their coverage of Scorpion's first season after the pilot premiere episode. Doug watched about four to five episodes before losing interest, citing plot implausibility and a poor portrayal of people with autism spectrum characteristics, though he appreciated the cast including Eddie K Thomas and Katherine McPhee. Steve watched all 22 episodes and gave the season higher marks, appreciating the character dynamics—particularly the Sylvester and Megan relationship, and the Toby and Happy flirtation—and praising how the show handles genius-level people disconnected from the real world. Both discuss standout episodes like the Valentine's Day-themed "Love Boat" and the two-part season finale, debate the show's tone compared to classic procedurals, and address casting choices and the love triangle subplot. T