Decoding TV

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the latest episodes of The Bear and continue their Dark Matter season 1 rewatch.Why aren’t as many people watching this season of House of the Dragon? What’s going to happen after Comcast splits off its NBCUniversal wing? And should Netflix use the re-animated voice of Gene Wilder to promote its latest show? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:Show of the Week: Silo Season 3 (Apple TV)Dark Matter Rewatch: Season 1 Episode 3 (Apple TV)Shownotes (All timestamps are approximate):04:13 - Show of the WeekThe Bear Season 546:08 - TV NewsComcast splits NBC Universal and Cable Operations into two companiesHOTD ratings: 21.5 million viewers, down slightly from season 2AI in the News:Wonka commercial1000 people sign a letter against studiosJack Quaid joins Invincible as Prime Video reveals early season 6 renewal1:04:48 - Dark MatterEpisode 2 - Trip of a LifetimeLinks:Thanks to Michael J Johnson for our Show of the Week and Patrick Finishes the Damn Show audio bumpersListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the latest episodes of House of the Dragon and begin their Dark Matter season 1 rewatch.Are we the only people who are kinda lost with who’s who in this season’s House of the Dragon? Was The Boroughs cancelled because the Duffer Brothers are personas non grata at Netflix? And what did we think of the series premiere of Dark Matter? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:Show of the Week: The Bear (Hulu)Dark Matter Rewatch: Dark Matter Season 1 Episode 2 (Apple TV)Shownotes (All timestamps are approximate):04:13 - Show of the WeekHouse of the Dragon Season 3 premiere32:30 - TV NewsThe Buroughs has been canceled48:40 - Dark MatterEpisode 1 - Are You Happy In Your LifeLinks:Thanks to Michael J Johnson for our Show of the Week and Patrick Finishes the Damn Show audio bumpersListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok

In this Decoding TV bonus episode, David and @joyofnapping discuss the first season of Spider-Noir on Prime Video. What made the show work? What were its strongest elements? And did Nicolas Cage make for a convincing Spider-Man? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Links:Follow @joyofnapping on ThreadsSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok

In this bonus Decoding TV episode, David and Patrick discuss their thoughts on the season 1 finale of Widow’s Bay. What were some of the biggest surprises from the episode? Where does this show leave us as we start thinking about season 2? And was this a worthy ending to one of the best shows on TV this year? Listen to hear us discuss these questions and more.Links:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok

NOTE: Next week’s episode will come out later than usual, although we will try to have some bonus episodes fill the void. Stay tuned!In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the latest episodes of Cape Fear on Apple TV.Are we excited for another season of Widow’s Bay? What was it like to watch a UFC fight in front of the White House? And is society too woke for The Office? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:Show of the Week: House of the Dragon (Prime Video)Dark Matter Rewatch: Dark Matter Season 1 Episode 1 (Apple TV)Bonus Eps (hopefully!):Maternal Instinct (Netflix)Spider-Noir (Prime Video)Shownotes (All timestamps are approximate):05:13 - TV NewsWidow’s Bay renewed for season 2Fox is buying Roku for $22 billionJustice Department approves Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros.UFC fightScott Pelley goes scorched earthBari Weiss poised to oversee CNNSociety is too woke for the Office54:00 - Show of the WeekApple TV’s Cape FearLinks:Thanks to Michael J Johnson for our Show of the Week and Patrick Finishes the Damn Show audio bumpersListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok

In this bonus episode of Decoding TV, David chats with Christie Boschman (AKA @thatdocumentarygirl) and Alex Biron about the new Netflix documentary Michael Jackson: The Verdict. How did we feel about the manner in which this documentary approached its subject matter? What has been the online reaction to the film? And why is it so hard to talk about Michael Jackson right now? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Check out Christie and Alex’s podcast, Bonus Features. Follow Decoding TV on Instagram and Tiktok to get highlights of our episodes.

Note: There won’t be a normal podcast episode this week. Instead, please enjoy this spoiler-filled breakdown of the Half Man ending. We’ll still do a Widow’s Bay bonus episode later in the week for paid subscribers.In this bonus episode, BJ Colangelo joins Decoding TV to discuss the ending of Half Man. Was the journey of this show worth it? How did the show play with the viewer’s loyalties? And what did we make of the enigmatic ending? Listen to hear all our answers to these questions and more.Be sure to listen to BJ’s podcast This Ends at Prom and follow her on Threads.

NOTE: We’re considering doing a weekly (re)watch of Dark Matter season 1 in the lead-up to the season 2 premiere at the end of August. Would you support this? If so, let us know at decodingtv(at)gmail(dot)com.In this episode of Decoding TV, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the latest episode of Euphoria and the Prime Video series Spider-Noir.How much longer are we having to wait between seasons for TV shows these days? What the hell is going on at 60 Minutes? And will consumers ever be okay with Generative AI TV shows? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:Show of the Week (in two weeks): Cape Fear (Apple TV)Half Man season finale (HBO Max)Bonus Ep: Widow’s Bay ep 8 (Apple TV)Shownotes (All timestamps are approximate):06:30 - Show of the WeekSpider-Noir26:25 - TV NewsFans must wait longer for TV showsJorge Gutierrez drops plans for Amazon AI seriesCBS says Byron Allen will be profitableThe Guardian’s withering review: Ratings down 87% sinceBloodbath at 60 Minutes17-year old senior Santiago Campos’s speech57:00 - Euphoria Season 3Episode 8 - In God We TrustLinks:Thanks to Michael J Johnson for our Show of the Week and Patrick Finishes the Damn Show audio bumpersListen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok

Thanks for your suggestions to cover Widow’s Bay! While we didn’t cover this show from the beginning, we’ll try to release podcasts about the remaining episodes of the season.In this bonus Decoding TV episode, David and Patrick discuss their thoughts on the latest episodes of Widow’s Bay. What did we make of the sixth episode’s period piece? And how did it connect with the seventh film? Listen to hear us discuss these questions and more.Links:Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap RadioSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplaySubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on InstagramFollow this podcast on TiktokSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding EverythingFollow David on InstagramFollow David on Tiktok