The Televerse

We’re back to our usual crew for Lucifer season one, episode five, “Sweet Kicks.” At the end of week one, how is the show holding up for newbies Allison and Noel, and will Kate be able to wait until Monday for the next episode? Tune in for our thoughts, and come back next week for our discussion of season one, episode six, “Favorite Son.”

Shout-out to our recurring Zoom listeners, Marcus and Scottie, for their thoughts on the show and their patience as we battled Zoombombers.

After yesterday’s uneven episode, Lucifer is back with a bang with “Manly Whatnots,” and Noel, Allison, and Kate are happy to welcome LaToya Ferguson to the podcast to help us break it down. Take a listen, then come back tomorrow for season one, episode five, “Sweet Kicks.” Shout-out to our recurring Zoom listeners, Marcus, Scottie, and Tanya. Always a pleasure having you! We hope to see you tomorrow.

Noel, Allison, and Kate hit their first bobble in their daily binge of Lucifer with “The Would-Be Prince of Darkness.” What has us concerned, and what’s still going strong? Take a listen for our thoughts, then come back tomorrow for season one, episode four, “Manly Whatnots.” Shout-out to the listeners who joined us in-person on Zoom: Marcus, Scottie, and Tanya. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

Noel and Kate continue their journey through Lucifer with season one, episode two, “Lucifer, Stay. Good Devil.” Allison had to bow out today due to construction in her building, but she’ll be back for episode three. Take a listen, then come back tomorrow for season one, episode three, “The Would-Be Prince of Darkness.” Shout-out to the listeners who joined us in-person on Zoom: Marcus, Tanya, SB, and Wujo. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

Allison, Noel, and Kate start their Shelter In Place-inspired daily binge of Lucifer, starting with season one, episode one, "Pilot."

The world is dark and scary, let’s talk about delicious food. This week on the podcast, Noel and Kate dive in with season two of Netflix’s Ugly Delicious, David Chang’s travel and food series exploring under-discussed corners of the food world. Does the truncated season two live up to season one, and what do we hope to see in a potential season three? Before that, though, there’s plenty of TV to discuss. We kick things off with some thoughts on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee’s takes on social distancing, at-home content. Then we talk Top Chef: All-Stars L.A., which is back, and not a moment too soon. Next we talk “World’s Worst” over at RuPaul’s Drag Race and the delightful return of the Judys to Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Steven’s still going through it on Steven Universe Future, and we round out the week with another charming, emotional DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on the week’s TV, and make sure to join Noel, Kate, and friend of the show Allison Shoemaker next week for the start of our Lucifer daily binge.

Season Spotlight: Ugly Delicious Season 2 (1:03:47)

Our Week in TV The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (22:59) Top Chef: All-Stars L.A. premiere (32:50) RuPaul’s Drag Race (39:41) Brooklyn Nine-Nine (46:26) Steven Universe Future (49:01) DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (52:54)

Music Featured:  “Gone Kissin’” by Lunachicks Video Mentioned: Friend of the show Maggie Kulzick is reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone aloud, one chapter a day. Enjoy!

There’s a lot of intense, anxiety-inducing stuff happening right now. While we wait it out, as best we can, let’s talk some TV. This week on the podcast, Noel and Kate spotlight Hulu’s new four-part Hillary Clinton documentary, Hillary, and wonder whether Frontline maybe did it better back in 2016. Before that, though, there’s a full week in TV. First we look at the comedies, including a roundup of how late night shows are handling the transition to audience-free shows and a look at It’s Personal with Amy Hoggart and the finale of The Unicorn. Then we move to reality, with the second premiere of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the McMillion$ finale. Last is genre, with the return of Steven Universe Future, the Black Lightning season finale, a game-changing The Flash, and an absolutely lovely DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on these shows and the rest of your quarantine viewing.

DVD Shelf: Hillary (1:30:43)

Our Week in TV Late Night Roundup (21:09) It’s Personal with Amy Hoggart (33:44) The Unicorn finale (37:53) RuPaul’s Drag Race (42:41) McMillion$ finale (49:46) Steven Universe Future (53:22) Black Lightning finale (1:02:14) The Flash (1:15:26) DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (1:20:14)

Music Featured:  “Believe” by Benjamin Booker

The first of the spring finales and premieres are upon us, giving Noel and Kate plenty of TV to discuss. We kick off the week with a few comedies, including the return of Better Things, an emotional Schitt’s Creek, and the penultimate The Unicorn. Then we check in with the RuPaul’s Drag Race premiere and the penultimate Black Lightning, before rounding out the week with Stumptown. Afterward, we welcome back friend of the show Caroline Siede of The A.V. Club to discuss the eventful season finale of Doctor Who, as well as season 12 as a whole.

Season Spotlight: Doctor Who Season 12 with Caroline Siede (51:28)

Our Week in TV Better Things premiere (16:44) Schitt’s Creek (20:30) The Unicorn (25:28) RuPaul’s Drag Race premiere (28:29) Black Lightning (41:47) Stumptown (44:33)

Music Featured:  “Profiled Asian,” performed by Bowen Yang, from the “Airport Sushi” sketch on the latest John Mulaney-hosted SNL; Vietnam’s coronavirus PSA, “Ghen Cô Vy”

Life is stressful right now; let’s talk about fashion. This week on the podcast, Kate welcomes back friend of the show Emma Fraser of Primetimer, SyFy Fangrrls, Vulture, Collider, and more to discuss the first season of Netflix’s fashion reality competition show, Next in Fashion. Before we focus in on the fashion, though, there’s a full week of TV to discuss. Noel and Kate kick things off with the comedies, including the premiere of It’s Personal with Amy Hoggart, the series finale of Fresh Off the Boat, and a catchup with Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. Then we move to reality for a bit, to talk RuPaul’s Drag Race’s season 12 premiere and catch up with HBO’s McMillion$, and we round out the week with some superhero TV, Black Lightning, The Flash, and Supergirl’s big 100th episode. Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on Next in Fashion, the week’s TV, and what shows you’re using to de-stress in this tense world.

Season Spotlight: Next in Fashion with Emma Fraser (1:10:53)

Our Week in TV It’s Personal with Amy Hoggart premiere (6:34) Fresh Off the Boat finale (13:18) Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (17:26) RuPaul’s Drag Race premiere (21:03) McMillion$ (29:41) Black Lightning (40:37) The Flash (47:49) Supergirl (53:25)

Music Featured:  “Superstar” as performed by the cast of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

Cheer may have dropped back in January, but in the age of Peak TV, what’s a couple months' delay? Netflix’s docuseries is in the spotlight section this episode, with Noel and Kate checking in on the series, which follows an elite junior college cheer team as they prepare for nationals. Before that, though, there’s a full week in TV to discuss. We kick things off with the comedies, including the return of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and a delightful Schitt’s Creek. Then we move over to genre and the return of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, plus a surprising Batwoman, an underwhelming Supergirl, the recent, Mirror Universe-fueled episodes of The Flash, and the antepenultimate Doctor Who, which combines Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, and decades-long Who lore as only that show can. Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on Cheer, the week’s TV, and more.

DVD Shelf: Cheer (1:03:32)

Our Week in TV Last Week Tonight with John Oliver premiere (16:59) Schitt’s Creek (21:43) Star Wars: The Clone Wars premiere (25:48) Batwoman (31:53) Supergirl (37:54) The Flash (44:53) Doctor Who (51:39)

Music Featured:  “Africa” performed by Melissa Benoist and Staz Nair on Supergirl