

The Watch
The Ringer
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 7, 2023 • 1h
Steven Soderbergh on 'Command Z' and Making Political Films
Chris and Andy talk about 'Full Circle,' one of the latest shows from director Steven Soderbergh and his take on the noir genre (1:00). Then Chris is joined by Soderbergh to talk about the making of another one of his new series, 'Command Z' (21:46), and whether he considers himself to be a political filmmaker (39:25).Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy GreenwaldGuest: Steven SoderberghProducer: Kaya McMullen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 3, 2023 • 1h 5min
What Potential Movement on the Writers Strike Could Mean, Plus the ‘Hijack’ Finale
Chris and Andy talk about the news that the Writers Guild of America will meet with the AMPTP this Friday to discuss potentially restarting negotiations (1:00) and what that could mean for the strike (17:29). Then they talk about the finale of ‘Hijack’ and how the new lane for Apple TV+ is seemingly “mid-busters” (26:44).Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy GreenwaldProducer: Kaya McMullen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 31, 2023 • 49min
‘The Righteous Gemstones’ Season 3 Finale. Plus, the ‘Loki’ Season 2 Trailer and Another Exec Shakeup at Disney
Chris and Andy talk about the trailer for season 2 of ‘Loki’ and how, after a run of poor Marvel television shows, it actually looks promising (1:00). Then, they talk about the news that Bob Iger has brought back former Disney executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs to advise on the future of the company’s TV slate (12:57), before talking about the final two episodes of season 3 of ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ and how it remains the current funniest show on TV (22:25).Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy GreenwaldProducer: Kaya McMullen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 27, 2023 • 1h 12min
What Went Wrong With Marvel Television? Plus, ‘Hijack’ Episode 6
Chris and Andy talk about the lackluster season finale of ‘Secret Invasion’ (1:00) and reflect on how Marvel TV shows and the larger MCU, which started with so much success and excitement, have devolved into a mostly meaningless cinematic landscape (20:36). Then they talk about the penultimate episode of ‘Hijack’ and why this has become the show of the summer (41:20).Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy GreenwaldProducer: Kaya McMullen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19 snips
Jul 24, 2023 • 1h 13min
What the Success of the Barbenheimer Weekend Tells Us About the Movie Industry. Plus, ‘Special Ops: Lioness.’
Chris and Andy talk about the rare success of ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ at the box office this weekend: two movies that are not sequels or comic book movies (1:00). Then, they give their reviews of each movie, talking about how Greta Gerwig brought her own distinct vision and ideas to ‘Barbie’ (9:43) and how they felt about the divisive third hour of Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ (29:01). Finally, they talk about the first two episodes of ‘Special Ops: Lioness,’ a distinctly Taylor Sheridan show (59:55).Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy GreenwaldProducer: Kaya McMullen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 20, 2023 • 59min
‘Justified: City Primeval’ Reminds Us of What TV Used to Be. Plus, Hollywood Strike Updates
Chris and Andy talk about how negotiations with studios seem to be at a standstill and how the SAG-AFTRA strike will begin to affect the promotion of movies like ‘Challengers’ (1:00). They also discuss the 'Barbie'-'Oppenheimer' phenomenon (15:56) before talking about the first two episodes of ‘Justified: City Primeval’ and the nostalgia the reboot gives them for the original show (25:09).Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy GreenwaldProducer: Kaya McMullen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 17, 2023 • 1h 3min
What ‘Mission: Impossible—Dead Reckoning Part One’ Says About the State of Action Movies. Plus, Checking in on ‘Hijack’ and ‘Full Circle.’
Chris and Andy talk about SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher’s impassioned speech during the press conference announcing the impending actors strike, as well as the current status of the picket lines (1:04). They discuss what makes ‘Mission: Impossible—Dead Reckoning Part One’ so impressive, the high-variance state of action movie filmmaking, and whether or not the film’s villain worked (11:35). Then, they talk about why the television series ‘Hijack’ and ‘Full Circle’ are worth your time (44:51).Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy GreenwaldProducer: Kai Grady and Kaya McMullen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 13, 2023 • 1h 10min
SAG-AFTRA Strikes, ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,’ and Emmy Nomination Snubs and Surprises
Chris and Andy talk about the news that SAG-AFTRA, the union representing TV and movie actors, will join the Writers Guild on strike. They discuss how actors going on strike will affect the ongoing writers strike, and when it will start affecting the TV and movies we consume (6:26). Then, they talk about the newest ‘Indiana Jones’ movie and whether it was a fun nostalgia play or just a bad regurgitation of old IP (25:41), before discussing the Emmy nominations that came out today and why ‘Succession’ and ‘White Lotus’ are dominating these awards (39:50).Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy GreenwaldProducer: Kaya McMullen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 snips
Jul 10, 2023 • 1h 27min
‘The Bear’ Creator Christopher Storer on the Making of Season 2. Plus, the Simple Pleasure of ‘Hijack.'
Chris and Andy talk about the news that ‘Reservation Dogs’ will end after Season 3 (1:00), and the first episode of the new Idris Elba show ‘Hijack’ (11:56). Then, they are joined by ‘The Bear’ creator Christopher Storer to talk about casting the show (29:02), and why they wanted to slow down the pace of the story for Season 2 (1:07:04).Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy GreenwaldGuest: Christopher StorerProducer: Kaya McMullen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 snips
Jul 5, 2023 • 1h 4min
Movies Are Stuck in an Endless IP Loop. Plus, 'The Idol' Finale
Chris and Andy talk about a potentially incoming Screen Actors Guild strike and how that would affect the currently ongoing writers strike (1:00), the poor performance of 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' at the box office this past weekend (14:15), Mattel's plans to make movies based on toys beyond the Barbie movie (25:52), and the final episode of 'The Idol' and whether or not the show succeeded just because it wasn't based off of existing IP (40:58).Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy GreenwaldProducer: Kaya McMullen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


