Decoding TV

David and Patrick discuss what’s happening in the world of TV, then dive into the third episode of Skeleton Crew and the first few episodes of The Agency on Paramount+.What did we make of the first Simpsons/NFL crossover? Is Squid Game season 2 going to be, like, really really amazing? Is it worth your while to pay a visit to The Agency? And does Skeleton Crew show more or less promise after its third episode? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:Skeleton Crew Ep 4 (Disney+)Possible Bonus Ep: Squid Game Eps 1-5 (Netflix)Shownotes:01:30 - TV NewsHenry Cavill Says ‘Warhammer 40,000’ TV Series Is in a ‘Fantastic’ Starting Place: ‘We’ve Been Breaking Down Approaches to the Enormity’ of That World‘The Simpsons’ and ESPN Are Turning NFL Monday Night Football’s Cowboys-Bengals Game Into A Wild, Untamed Animated Version: What to Expect and Where to WatchGolden Globes: How ‘Squid Game’ Got Nominated for a Season You Haven’t Seen Yet22:45 - Skeleton CrewEp 3 - Very Interesting, As An Astrogation Problem45:00 - The AgencyEp 1 - The BendsEp 2 - Wooden DuckEp 3 - Hawk from a HandsawLinks: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

In this Decoding TV bonus episode, David and @joyofnapping discuss the first 3 episodes of Charles Yu’s Interior Chinatown (Hulu):Ep 1 - Generic Asian ManEp 2 - Delivery GuyEp 3 - Tech GuyHow does Charles Yu’s amazing book make the transition to the small screen? What components were we particularly taken by? How do we find the show as a parody of police procedurals? And as a piece of media criticism? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Links:Follow Joy on BlueskyEmail us at Decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comSubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything

David and Patrick discuss what’s happening in the world of TV, then dive into the season premiere of Skeleton Crew.The creator of Arcane has responded to criticisms of the second season. What do we make of his reaction? Are we happy about the new culture of recording footage off of movie screens? Is Skeleton Crew the shot in the arm Star Wars needs at this moment? Will Patrick finally have to watch the first two seasons of Euphoria? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:Skeleton Crew Ep 3 (Disney+)The Agency Eps 1-2 (Showtime/Paramount+)Possible Bonus Ep: Interior Chinatown (Hulu)Shownotes:01:30 - What we watched over the Thanksgiving breakA Man on the InsideThe FranchiseWicked (and a digression about recording things off TV screens)22:36 - Agatha All Along finale hits ratings highs25:01 - Max password sharing may be coming to an end30:45 - Upcoming Max premiere dates36:19 - Arcane creator responds to criticism51:20 - Skeleton CrewEp 1 - This Could Be a Real AdventureEp 2 - Way Out Past The BarrierLinks: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

David and Patrick discuss the season premiere of Silo season 2 and finish their conversation about Arcane season 2.What did we make of Silo’s change in tone and structure? Do we think the mystery will have a satisfying ending? Did Arcane stick the landing? Are either/both of these shows worth watching despite their flaws? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:Skeleton Crew season premiere (Disney+)Possible Bonus Ep: Interior Chinatown (Hulu)Shownotes:01:30 - Silo Season 2Ep 1 - The EngineerEp 2 - Order32:45 - Arcane Season 2 Act IIIEp 7 - Pretend Like It’s The First TimeEp 8 - Killing Is a CycleEp 9 - The Dirt Under Your NailsLinks: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

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss everything that’s happening in the world of TV, including Netflix’s wildly popular fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. Then, they dig into the season premiere of Dune: Prophecy and Act II of Arcane Season 2.What did we think of Netflix’s big Paul vs. Tyson fight? Are we excited for Conan O’Brien to host the Oscars? Is Dune: Prophecy the type of prequel that fills in the details we care about? And is there any way Arcane season 2 can stick the landing? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:Silo Eps 1-2 (Apple TV+)Arcane Season 2 Act III (Netflix)Possible Bonus Ep: Interior Chinatown (Hulu)Shownotes:01:30 - Netflix Claims 108M Viewers Worldwide for Jake Paul-Mike Tyson Boxing Match20:30 - Conan O’Brien Will Host the Next Academy Awards23:40 - Comcast Plans Massive Cable Spin-Off, Separating USA, MSNBC and More From NBC, Theme Parks28:00 - ​​HBO Says ‘Harry Potter’ Series Will ‘Benefit’ From J.K. Rowling’s Involvement: She ‘Has the Right to Express Her Personal Views’41:13 - Dune: ProphecyEp 1 - The Hidden Hand1:09:48 - Arcane Season 2 Act IILinks: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

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss everything that’s happening in the world of TV. Then, they dig into episode 8 of The Penguin and Act I of Arcane Season 2.Is the making of Game of Thrones really like a marriage? Did The Penguin stick the landing with its brutal finale? How wildly successful is Euphoria season 3 going to be? Is Jason Sudeikis delusional about Ted Lasso season 3? Is Arcane still one of the best shows on TV? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.Homework for next week:Dune: Prophecy season premiere (Max)Arcane Season 2 Act II (Netflix)Bonus Ep: Disclaimer (Prime Video)Shownotes:19:00 - 70 million people on Netflix’s ad tier23:35 - HBO/Max News‘The Penguin’ Finale Scores Series High 2.1 Million ViewersHBO Boss on ‘House of the Dragon’ Criticism‘Euphoria’ Season 3 Moving Forward With Production This January With 8-Episode Season34:00 - Jason Sudeikis Rails Against ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 3 Haters: ‘They Don’t Have Imaginations’41:30 - The Penguin Ep 8 - A Great or Little Thing01:13:15 - Arcane Season 2 Act ILinks: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

Patrick and David are traveling this week so today we have an abridged bonus episode about The Penguin, delivered to you earlier than usual.Tonight’s episode of The Penguin had some pretty explosive material! We get a flashback to Oz’s childhood, but what did it do to illustrate who he ends up becoming? What do we think of where Sofia’s arc is taking her? And what is Tim Burton doing in this version of the Batman universe? Listen to hear us discuss all this and more!Homework for (the week after) next week:The Penguin Episode 8 (Max)Arcane season 2 premiere (Netflix)Interior Chinatown season premiere (Hulu)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

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek chat about the latest TV news. Then they dive into episode 6 of The Penguin and the season finale of Agatha All Along. Does a new Seinfeld blu-ray release have us reaching for our wallets? Will Jon Stewart’s extended hosting deal at The Daily Show keep us tuned in? Is the new Marvel TV trailer enough to keep us on board for 2025? Does this week’s episode of The Penguin have us emotionally invested in Oz? Can Agatha All Along stick the landing with its season finale? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Homework for next week:The Penguin Episode 7 (Max)Shownotes:02:40 - Seinfeld to debut on blu-ray and 4K12:02 - Comcast may spin off Cable networks14:08 - Jon Stewart Extends Deal to Host ‘Daily Show’ Through December 202519:44 - Netflix Adds ‘Moments’ Feature23:58 - Marvel’s look ahead38:56 - The PenguinEp 6 - Gold Summit01:01:42 - Agatha All AlongEpisode 8 - Follow Me My Friend / To Glory at the EndEpisode 9 - Maiden Mother CroneLinks: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

In this Decoding TV bonus episode, Jessie Earl joins Patrick and David to discuss and spoil the second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.Did we think the second season was better or worse than the first? How would we rank the disparate plotlines? Did we buy the relationship between Celebrimbor and Sauron? What did we think of the appearance of characters like Tom Bombadil? What are we looking forward to in season 3? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!Links:Subscribe to Jessie Earl’s YouTube showCheck out Jessie’s movie, IdentiteazeSubscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, CrossplayEmail us at Decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)comFollow us on Tiktok at tiktok.com/@decodingrealitySubscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything