Chris and Andy break open the mailbag to answer questions like whether they were more drawn to travel shows in 2020 (3:40), their ideal episode length for a show (8:34), the single best TV episode they watched this year (41:42), and what the television industry might look like in 2021 (51:23).

Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald
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The Watch's Year in Review Mailbag

Every week, The Ringer's Andy Greenwald and Chris Ryan -- longtime friends and pop culture addicts -- break down the latest in TV, movies, and music.

TV & Film

Chris and Andy do a quick culture catch-up, featuring Sunday’s surprise ‘Bluey’ episode, "Surprise!," and Taylor Swift’s new double album, before getting into their unfiltered thoughts on the ‘Shogun’ finale (9:30). Then, they speak with ‘Shogun’ creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks about how they approached writing the show, casting Cosmo Jarvis, the finale, and more (25:40).
Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald
Guests: Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks
Producers: Sasha Ashall and Kaya McMullen
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‘Shogun’ Finale With Creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks

Chris and Andy talk about the news that Apple TV will be making a ‘For All Mankind’ spinoff called ‘Star City,’ and adapting another one of Mick Herron’s novels (author of ‘Slow Horses’) for a show starring Emma Thompson (1:00). Then, they talk about an article in Harper’s that looks at the role private equity firms have played in the TV industry over the past decade (13:38), before discussing the penultimate episode of ‘Shogun’ (29:07) and episodes 4 and 5 of ‘Ripley’ (59:09).

Read the Harper’s piece here.

Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald
Producer: Kaya McMullen
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Apple Gets Into the Franchise Business, the Penultimate Episode of ‘Shogun,’ and ‘Ripley’ Episodes 4 and 5

Chris and Andy talk about some of the things they watched over the weekend, including a supersized episode of ‘Bluey’ (1:00) and 'Saturday Night Live' hosted by Ryan Gosling (15:51). Then, they talk about the first episode of ‘The Sympathizer’ and whether shows are helped or hurt by having a famous director like Park Chan-wook direct the first few episodes (22:16). Finally, they discuss ‘Fallout’ and where it ranks among other video game adaptations, such as ‘The Last of Us’ (42:12).

Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald
Producer: Kaya McMullen
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Weekend Watches, ‘The Sympathizer,’ and ‘Fallout’

Chris and Andy talk about some news from the week, including the trailer for ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ and the announcement that the John le Carré adaptation ‘The Night Manager’ will be returning for two more seasons (1:00). Then they talk about the latest episode of ‘Shogun’ (16:49) and Episode 3 of ‘Ripley’ (41:14) before discussing how they are liking this season of ‘Top Chef’ so far (53:04).

Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald
Producer: Kaya McMullen
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‘Shogun’ Episode 8, ‘Ripley’ Episode 3, and ‘Top Chef’ Episode 4

Chris and Andy talk about the series finale of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and how the show has evolved over its 12-season run (1:00). Then, they talk about the first two episodes of ‘Ripley’ and how it may be the best thing on Netflix since ‘Mindhunter’ (15:06). Finally, they get into the first two episodes of the Colin Farrell show ‘Sugar’ and how it’s hard to judge the show when they know an extreme twist is coming (41:53).

Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald
Producer: Kaya McMullen 
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The Watch's Year in Review Mailbag

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