The Toy Department

In Episode 58, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky work through physical and mental illness, respectively, to bring you discussions about: HBO’s Girls (3:20) and the greatness of Lena Dunham… HBO’s new 30-minute comedy Crashing (13:45) and how it feels true-to-life as it tells the story of comic Pete Holmes’ life… … Continue reading →

In Episode 57, Derek Madden allows Matt Kolsky to sneak in a bizarre tribute to Morris Day & the Time before diving in to: General discussion of the Grammy Awards (2:10) and what an awards show is really for in our current popular culture landscape… The new FX show Legion … Continue reading →

Episode 56 finds a struggling Derek Madden trying to soldier through his post-Super Bowl depression, with Matt Kolsky doing his best to talk him off the ledge as they discuss: Super Bowl LI’s dramatic and disappointing twist (right from the jump) and Madden’s continuing attempts to process the soul-crushing result… With the Super Bowl … Continue reading →

Episode 55 is OFFICIALLY the longest Toy Department podcast episode OF ALL TIME!!! (and by OFFICIALLY we mean that it felt super long and we didn’t bother to actually check) It may also be the BEST Toy Department podcast episode of all time, so don’t miss a minute as Derek Madden & … Continue reading →

In Episode 54, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky return after a week off due to Kolsky’s infirmity to discuss MANY pressing issues, including: Brent Musburger’s sudden retirement announcement (1:45) and his legacy as one of our greatest sports broadcasters… Matt Ryan’s place in the NFL’s quarterback pantheon (8:10) and his MVP … Continue reading →

In Episode 53, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky fail to apologize for Kolsky’s degraded audio quality OR the day-late nature of this episode, so please accept this as an apology (sorry, y’all) as you listen to their discussions about: Last week’s homework assignment: Scott Van Pelt’s SportsCenter (2:00)… The guys discuss … Continue reading →

In Episode 52, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky jump right into a music-heavy edition of the podcast, including chats about: Before the music, a few thoughts on the NFL – the playoff situation, particularly the lack of exceptional teams and QB’s (1:40) and the MVP race (7:10)… Madden finally watched the … Continue reading →

In Episode 51, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky flirt with some non-toy-department issues as they open with a few words about the miserable, repulsive, inconsiderate behavior of The Year 2016… but swim safely back to shallow waters for discussions of: The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Christmas Day victory over the Golden State Warriors (5:40), and what … Continue reading →

In Episode 50, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky open with an only moderately upsetting discussion of their respective ailments before getting to the real dope, including: TBS’s binge-ready and binge-worthy show Search Party (4:15) and how it manages to succeed as a mystery despite not caring much about the plot of its own … Continue reading →

In Episode 49, Derek Madden and Matt Kolsky jump right in off the top rope to discuss: NBA basketball – specifically the Warriors’ recent run of impressive offense (2:05) and their head coach Steve Kerr’s take on marijuana in sports (8:00) and how it helps advance the conversation about responsible medication … Continue reading →