Decoding TV

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Jessie Earl run down what’s going on in the world of TV, then discuss the season premiere of Manhunt (Apple TV+) and continue their weekly discussion of Shogun (Hulu/FX).What do we think of Mr. Beast’s new game show? Is TV going to become more like YouTube or is YouTube going to become more like TV? Are we excited for the new Star Wars series The Acolyte? Why do people like waiting for movies to stream instead of seeing them in theaters these days? Listen to hear us discuss all these topics and more!Homework for next week:3 Body Problem (Netflix)Shogun episode 6 (Hulu/FX)Shownotes:00:01:45 - Two thirds of adults would rather wait to watch movies on streaming00:12:00 - Mr. Beast’s deal with Prime Video00:25:30 - The Acolyte trailer00:38:00 - ManhuntEpisode 1 - PilotEpisode 2 - Post-mortem01:03:00 - ShogunEpisode 5 - Broken to the FistLinks:Subscribe to Jessie Gender on YouTubeLearn more about Jessie’s short film, IdentiteazeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek run down what’s going on in the world of TV, then discuss the first two episodes of of The Gentlemen (Netflix) and the fourth episode of Shogun (Apple TV+).What do we think of the Oscars this year? Why would they show us the stars of upcoming films without telling us what the films are, exactly? Does The Gentleman on Netflix capture the magic of Guy Ritchie’s early British gangster pics? And what did we think of that scene in this week’s Shogun? Listen to hear us discuss all these topics and more!Homework for next week:Shogun Ep 5 (Hulu/FX)Manhunt Eps 1-2 (Apple TV+)Shownotes:00:01:45 - The 2024 Oscars00:22:30 - Marvel fires Beau DeMayo00:39:30 - The GentlemenEpisode 1 - Refined AggressionEpisode 2 - Tackle Tommy Woo Woo01:01:00 - ShogunEpisode 4 - The Eightfold FenceLinks:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek run down what’s going on in the world of TV, then discuss the season premiere of The Regime (Max) and the next episode of Shogun (Apple TV+).What do we think of the prospect of more Rings of Power from the same showrunners? Would we buy a Sopranos ice cream booth for $82K? Is Kate Winslet enough to maintain our interest in The Regime? Listen to hear us discuss all these topics and more!Homework for next week:Shogun Ep 4 (Hulu/FX)The Gentlemen (Netlfix)Shownotes:00:08:45 - Shogun is a hit00:12:40 - Brother Sun Canceled, Neuromancer Adaptation at Apple00:18:00 - Rings of Power Showrunners Sign New Deal with Amazon00:24:30 - The Sopranos Finale Booth Sells for $82K00:44:30 - ShogunEpisode 3 - Tomorrow Is Tomorrow01:13:00 - The RegimeEpisode 1 - Victory DayLinks:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Patrick Klepek discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then discuss the season premieres of Shogun (Hulu/FX) and Constellation (Apple TV+).Are we excited about the new Game of Thrones spinoff? Is it really a good idea to try to bring Harry Potter back in TV form? Does Constellation have more to offer beyond a mystery box? Is Shogun really as good as everybody says it is? Listen to hear us discuss all these topics and more!Homework for next week:Shogun Ep 3 (Hulu/FX)The Regime Ep 1 (Max)Shownotes:00:02:11 - True Detective will return!00:12:40 - A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight to launch in late 202500:18:00 - New Harry Potter series to debut in 2026WSJ: Uncancelling JK RowlingJessie Earl: JK Rowling's Anti-Transgender Stance And Hogwarts Legacy00:29:30 - ConstellationEpisode 1 - The Wounded AngelEpisode 2 - Live and Let DieEpisode 3 - Somewhere In Space Hangs My Heart00:52:30 - ShogunEpisode 1 - AnjinEpisode 2 - Servants of Two MastersLinks:Subscribe to Jessie Gender on YouTubeLearn more about Jessie’s short film, IdentiteazeListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Decoding TV bonus episode, Patrick Klepek and David Chen discuss the first season of Lulu Wang’s Expats on Prime Video, including:Episode 1 - The PeakEpisode 2 - MongkokEpisode 3 - Mid-LevelsEpisode 4 - MainlandEpisode 5 - CentralEpisode 6 - HomeThis show has some gorgeous cinematography and great acting, but left both of us feeling a bit cold. What was it about the show that made it inaccessible? Why was episode 5 such an amazing tour-de-force by comparison? How did we feel about the way the show wrapped up all the plots? And do we believe that Nicole Kidman would ever wear a JanSport backpack? Listen to hear us discuss all these topics and more!Links:Email us and let us know what you think at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NOTE: We’re planning to do a mailbag bonus episode soon! Let us know your questions and TV recommendations by emailing us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)com.In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss Jon Stewart's return to The Daily Show and the season finale of True Detective: Night Country. Is Jon Stewart still the voice we need right now? Did True Detective: Night Country stick the landing? Are people out of control for going after Alan Sepinwall for liking it? Is Nic Pizzolatto acting like a cringe-y asshole online (again)? Listen to hear us discuss all these topics and more!Shownotes:00:03:11 - Jon Stewart’s return to The Daily Show00:26:56 - The discourse around True Detective: Night Country00:42:30 - True Detective: Night Country Part 6 (season finale)Homework for next week:Constellation Eps 1-3 (Apple TV+)Shogun Eps 1-2 (Hulu/FX)Links:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, David and Patrick discuss the why/how the ads of the Super Bowl kinda stink these days, Warner/Fox/Disney’s new streaming venture, whether or not Mr. and Mrs. Smith on Prime Video is about anything (and whether or not it needs to be), and how we anticipate True Detective: Night Country wrapping up.Let us know what you think of all of the above by emailing us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)com!Shownotes:00:03:15 - Warner, Fox and Disney Launch Joint Sports Streaming Venture00:17:30 - The Ads of Super Bowl LVIII00:37:45 - Mr and Mrs. SmithEpisode 5 - Do You Want KidsEpisode 6 - Couples TherapyEpisode 7 - InfidelityEpisode 8 - A Breakup01:02:04 - True Detective: Night Country Part 5Homework for next week:True Detective: Night Country Part 6 (Max)The Daily Show (Comedy Central)Links:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, David and Patrick discuss Evan Rachel Wood’s comments about the end (or lack thereof) of Westworld, Netflix and Apple TV+’s upcoming show slate, and why Nic Pizzolatto should probably stay off Instagram for a few more weeks.Let us know what you think of all of the above by emailing us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)com!Shownotes:3:48 - Evan Rachel Wood on Westworld’s Ending17:00 - Apple TV+’s upcoming slate and Netflix’s upcoming slate45:00 - Nic Pizzolatto and Issa Lopez’s comments on Night Country53:00 - Mr and Mrs. SmithEpisode 1 - First DateEpisode 2 - Second DateEpisode 3 - First VacationEpisode 4 - Double Date1:19:30 - True Detective: Night Country Part 4Homework for next week:True Detective: Night Country Part 5 (Max)Mr. and Mrs. Smith Eps 5-8 (Prime Video)Links:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, David and Patrick discuss the upcoming season of Squid Game and the return of Jon Stewart to The Daily Show. Then it’s time to dive into Masters of the Air, Expats, and True Detective: Night Country.Is Jon Stewart’s return a good thing, or the sign of a network running on fumes? Can Squid Game seize the popular imagination again? Does Masters of the Air capture the same magic as Band of Brothers? Does Expats show Nicole Kidman and Lulu Wang at the top of their game? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Let us know what you think of all of the above by emailing us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)com!Shownotes:4:00 - Squid Game 2 will premiere in 202423:00 - Jon Stewart is returning to The Daily Show31:30 - Masters of the Air Eps Part 1 and Part 252:00 - Expats episodes 1 and 2 (“The Peak” and “Mongkok”)1:22:00 - True Detective: Night Country Part 3Homework for next week:True Detective: Night Country Part 4 (Max)Mr. and Mrs. Smith Eps 1-4 (Prime Video)Links:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, David and Patrick discuss David’s recent trip to Sundance, react to news of the Emmy’s record low ratings, ponder the potential of a She-Hulk season 2, reflect on what happens when creators get too close to the material they put out, and continue their coverage of Echo and True Detective.Let us know what you think of all of the above by emailing us at decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)com!Shownotes (Times may be off by 1-2 mins due to dynamically inserted ads. When in doubt, listen for the trailer/clip of the show).4:00 - David’s trip to Sundance23:00 - Emmy ratings hit a new low33:09 - She-Hulk season 2 is not looking good42:10 - Issa Lopez asks for help with Rottentomatoes scores56:15 - Echo Episodes 3-5 (“Tuklo” “Toloa” and “Maya”)1:18:00 - True Detective: Night Country Part 2Homework for next week:True Detective: Night Country Part 3 (Max)Masters of the Air episodes 1-2 (Apple TV+)Expats episodes 1-2 (Prime Video)Links:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.