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Extra Hot Great: This Week In TV

Extra Hot Great: This Week In TV

Extra Hot Great: This Week In TV

Tv & Film, Tv Reviews, After Shows

4.7640 Ratings

Overview

Join Tara Ariano, Sarah D. Bunting, David T. Cole and their valued guests each week for discussion of what's new on TV plus our hall of fame roundtable segment called The Canon, listen as we appoint Winners and Losers Of The Week and of course our ultra competitive TV trivia quiz: Game Time.

547 Episodes

617: In Soviet Russia Star City Space Shows You

While the counter-history of For All Mankind was going on, what counter-historical events were occurring in parallel in the U.S.S.R.? The spinoff Star City is here to dramatize it, and new guest Sophie Brookover is here to say whether it’s a “da” or a “net.” Around The Dial takes us to Make That Movie, The Tower, Deli Boys S02, and Instadocs. Wendy pitches the Designing Women episode “How Great Thou Art” for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week’s Winner and Loser, it’s on to a bookish Game Time about big- and small-screen adaptations. Find any of the many listening devices hidden in your home and join us!GUESTS 👤 Sophie BrookoverTOPICS Announcement: 🏳️‍🌈 Pride Month Gift Exchange Lead Topic: 🚀 Star City Around The Dial: 🎥 Make That Movie Around The Dial: 🏢 The Tower Around The Dial: 🥪 Deli Boys Around The Dial: 📹 Instadocs The Canon: ⛪️ Designing Women S02.E20: How Great Thou Art Winner & Loser: 👍 Anna Kendrick Winner & Loser: 🦆 Jorge R. Gutierrez Game Time: 📚 Screen SizesSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Sophie Brookover on Bluesky 👯‍♀️ The Two Bossy Dames newsletter 🏳️‍🌈 Pride Month gift exchange information and signup 👀 "Why You Should Be Watching Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed" at GQ 🛎️ Downton Abbey on the Telly Visions podcast 📺 "9 Shows For '80s And '90s PBS And Masterpiece Kids" at Two Bossy Dames 📹 Sarah's Instadocs review at Best Evidence 🕰️ Sarah's Woman Of The Hour review at Best Evidence 🚪 Anthony Bourdain in Narnia at An Archive Of Our Own 📷 Photo: AppleCLUB-ONLY NOTES 🔥 EHG Club Perk Links & How-To 💬 Get On Our Community Discord

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2026

616: Issuing A Silver Alert For The Boroughs

The Stranger Things team (among others) is back with a similar “a community of X bands together against a supernatural force” story in The Boroughs, which features an all-star cast (Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Lester from The Wire) going up against [redacted] AND their own aches and pains. Does the actors’ group chemistry carry the story, or did it need to take one thing off? And have we maybe seen these ideas in other properties like The Descent and Man On The Inside? If that pairing of references didn’t give you whiplash, come Around The Dial with us for Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, Animaniacs, The Bear‘s trip to Gary, IN, and a Drunk Dave recovery report before Dave takes us to a DIFFERENT old-folks home with his Aqua Teen Hunger Force Canon pitch. BAffleck won, Tom Hardy lost, and we all hoped Game Time would tie the whole episode together. Barge on in with a six-pack and some gossip: it’s an all-new Extra Hot Great.GUESTS 👤 Devindra HardawarTOPICS Announcement: 📢 Club Update Lead Topic: 👴🏻 The Boroughs Around The Dial: 😃 Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed Around The Dial: 🗼 Animaniacs Around The Dial: 🐻 The Bear The Canon: 👨‍🦽‍➡️ Aqua Teen Hunger Force S03.E06: Little Brittle Winner & Loser: ⚾️ Ben Affleck Winner & Loser: 😡 Tom Hardy Game Time: 🔌 Also Also Also ConnectSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 📺 Devindra Hardawar talks new TV tech on the Engadget podcast 🔥 The Extra Hot Great Club page 🌃 Tara on The Late Show finale at GQ 💥 Sarah's review of The Crash at Best Evidence 📷 Photo: Netflix

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2026

615: Having Fun Out Of The Sun For The Summer TV Preview

The last of the Emmy-begging shows are nearly behind us, which means it’s time to look ahead to what has historically been TV’s silliest season: summer! Alan Sepinwall and Kathryn VanArendonk, co-hosts of the new podcast TV Is Good, join us to share the shows they’re into; the shows they should be into but aren’t; the shows no one should be into; and the “Good For You!” shows that aren’t for them but have a right to exist. Wendy pitches “Take My Finals, Please” from The Facts Of Life for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week’s Winner and Loser, we close on a Non-Regulation Game Time worth singing about. Close all your blinds against the blazing sun and listen!GUESTS 👤 Alan Sepinwall 👤 Kathryn VanArendonkTOPICS Lead Topic: 🏖️ Summer TV Preview The Canon: 📙 The Facts Of Life S04.E22: Take My Finals, Please Winner & Loser: 🤠 The Lowdown Winner & Loser: 🎙️ AMC Game Time: 🎼 Tube Tunes XVIISUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Alan Sepinwall on Bluesky 🦋 Kathryn VanArendonk on Bluesky 🦋 The TV Is Good podcast on Bluesky 📺 The TV Is Good podcast 🔥 EEHG 407 ⛴️ “Why Widow’s Bay Is The Horror Comedy You Should Be Watching” at GQ ☘️ “Breakout Horror Comedy Star [Kate O’Flynn] Is Giving TV’s Best Performance” at The Daily Beast 🪞 Serling: A Journey Into The Twilight Zone With TV's First Visionary at Hachette 📰 The Best Evidence newsletter 🐽 Popular Mechanics at Fandom's Muppet wiki

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2026

614: Listener Game Time Returns

You hear us play Game Time, but only the bravest few dare attempt it themselves. Laura, Mike, and Rob face off in a trio of Game Times, one written by each co-host. Listen to find out how many winners there are among them!GUESTS 👤 Rob Hartmann 👤 Laura Hampton 👤 Mike SeifertTOPICS Game Time: 📚 Stacks-onomy Of Episodes Game Time: 🔠 One Letter Off Game Time: 🫥 Oh! I Didn't See You ThereSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2026

613: Lake Diving, Squid Battling, And Avocado Peeling

Two past and future EHG guests and one listener are showcased in this special episode. First, the good: Mlle. Caroline's pitch for the fourth episode of BBC's 1995 Pride & Prejudice, and Dan Cassino deep (sea) dive on Iron Chef's "Squid Battle." Bringing up the rear is Wendy's Nonac pitch for The Great British Bake Off's infamous "Mexican Week." Warning: might make you hungry for a giant ham, squid pizza, and "TACK-os."TOPICS The Canon: 🏰 Pride & Prejudice (1995) S01.E04 The Canon: 🦑 Iron Chef S03.E23: Squid Battle The Nonac: 🌮 The Great British Bake Off S13.E04: Mexican WeekSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2026

612: Sitting Center Court For Running Point

Krystal Farmer helps us keep turning EHG into a hoops pod by coming back to talk about Running Point's second season: why it works, what it (perhaps wisely?) hand-waves, whose idea it was to cast such short kings as NBA players, and whether a certain former WB heartthrob is getting a back-door NHL pilot. We went Around The Dial with Call The Midwife, a Jerry West documentary, and Killing Grounds: The Gilgo Beach Murders before Julie did a song-and-dance routine on behalf of a final-season Mad Men episode for the Canon. Good reporting won, a bad Housewife lost, and Game Time once again asked us to guess the horny hearts of the average IMDb user. Was there a buzzer-beater? You'll have to listen to find out.GUESTS 👤 Krystal FarmerTOPICS Lead Topic: 🏀 Running Point Around The Dial: 🍼 Call The Midwife Around The Dial: ⛹🏻‍♂️ Jerry West: The Logo Around The Dial: 🏖️ Killing Grounds: The Gilgo Beach Murders The Canon: 👨‍🚀 Mad Men S07.E07: Waterloo Winner & Loser: 😵‍💫 Tessa Stuart Winner & Loser: 🥒 Jill Zarin Game Time: 🤩 TV Popularity Contest IIISUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🪙 Krystal Farmer's Two Cents Plus Tax podcast 🦋 Krystal on Bluesky ⛹🏽‍♀️ The WNBA 🏀 Our discussion of Running Point in EHG 552 🌮 Tara's Rockford Files manifesto at Defector 🐶 How to help Forte Animal Rescue 🏖️ Sarah's Killing Grounds review at Best Evidence 📷 Photo: Katrina Marcinowski / Netflix

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2026

611: Is Beef Season 2 A Prime Cut?

Beef has returned with more than twice the beefs (or beeves, if you will); Phillip Maciak has also returned to talk about whether it still sizzles. Around The Dial takes us through S05 of The Boys, Saturday Night Live, and Untold: Jail Blazers. Phillip pitches the New Girl episode "Normal" for induction into The Canon. And we close things up with the Winner and Loser of the week, skipping Game Time out of respect for Dave's frail constitution. Slather up with some of that fancy Korean sunscreen and listen!GUESTS 👤 Phillip MaciakTOPICS Lead Topic: 🥩 Beef Around The Dial: 🦹 The Boys Around The Dial: 🌃 Saturday Night Live Around The Dial: 🏀 Untold: Jail Blazers The Canon: 🗽 New Girl S01.E20: Normal Winner & Loser: 🚔 Matt LeBlanc Winner & Loser: ⚖️ Law & Order: Organized CrimeSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Phillip Maciak on Bluesky 🪐 "Cousin Planet - SNL" on YouTube 🚙 "Car Song - SNL" on YouTube 📲 "DTF St. Louis Is An Utterly Original Drama Of Male Loneliness" at The New Republic 🏀 "You've Watched Untold: Jail Blazers. What's Next?" at Best Evidence 📷 Photo: Netflix

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2026

610: Does The Audacity Have Any Of Its Own?

Alas, our planned guest Devindra Hardawar couldn't join us after all -- but we forged ahead with our discussion of The Audacity, whose all-star cast didn't save the show from feeling superfluous. Should you give AMC's takedown of crappy rich Californians a try, or just watch Succession again? We went Around The Dial with Margo's Got Money Problems, Love, Ted Bundy, and the new season of Taskmaster before Dave was Not A Crackpot about live-task editing. Tara hoped a Season 16 episode of Bob's Burgers would make a perfect Canon fit. Joel Kinnaman won, Euphoria lost, and Sarah caught strays for her Chewbacca imitation in a copyright-compliant Non-Regulation Game Time. Someone light a match; it's an all-new Extra Hot Great.TOPICS Lead Topic: 💾 The Audacity Around The Dial: 💸 Margo's Got Money Problems Around The Dial: 💘 Love, Ted Bundy Around The Dial: 💌 Taskmaster Around The Dial: 🍔 Bob's Burgers S16.E07: Tube For Tina Winner & Loser: 🥵 Joel Kinnaman Winner & Loser: 🐶 Euphoria Game Time: 🤫 Secret Invitation CodeSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🧑‍🦱 Billy Magnussen got a perm to play Duncan 🦹 Devindra Hardawar discussed The Franchise with us in EHG 531 🏥 Tara on bad fans of The Pitt for GQ 🖤 Sarah's full review of Love, Ted Bundy at Best Evidence 👀 Game Time Answer Sheet 📷 Photo: AMC

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2026

609: Studying The Testaments

With its series adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale a major awards success for Hulu, the logical next step is an adaptation of its sequel novel, The Testaments, revolving around the privileged young women of Gilead being prepared for their lives as Commanders' Wives; Alison Herman returns to discuss the latest project on Chase Infiniti's extremely prestigious CV. Around The Dial takes us through Hacks S05, DTF St. Louis, and The Truth And Tragedy Of Moriah Wilson. Mary pitches the Heated Rivalry episode "I'll Believe In Anything" for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, it's on to a Game Time that has a lot of love to give. Make yourself some cinnamon toast and listen!GUESTS 👤 Alison HermanTOPICS Lead Topic: ✝️ The Testaments Around The Dial: 🤣 Hacks Around The Dial: 📱 DTF St. Louis Around The Dial: 📹 The Truth And Tragedy Of Moriah Wilson The Canon: 🏒 Heated Rivalry S01.E05: I'll Believe In Anything Winner & Loser: ❤️‍🔥 David E. Kelley Winner & Loser: 🏁 RuPaul's Drag Race Game Time: 💋 Lip MashersSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Alison Herman on Bluesky 🌴 The Again With This podcast 👊 The New Techniques In Modern Practical Combat podcast ✍️ Alison at Variety 🎶 The Dolly 64 Season on Mark And Sarah Talk About Songs 🎞️ TCM's The Plot Thickens podcast 👾 "Drag Race Interrupts Its Art With AI Slop" at Reality Blurred 📷 Photo: Disney / Steve WilkieCLUB-ONLY NOTES 🔥 EHG Club Perk Links & How-To 💬 Get On Our Community Discord

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2026

608: Is For All Mankind Getting Old?

For All Mankind, aka "Space Show," may be laboring under 15 tons of old-age makeup -- but the panel, and guest David J. Roth, are here for it. Maybe in space, the makeup is weightless? Or maybe it's a handful of good performances amid the non-credible writing, or the show's occasional foray into lunatic interstellar action (and Martian pizza franchising) -- but if you're not already watching, you're excused to go Around The Dial with us for SNL UK, Color Theories By Julio Torres, DTF St. Louis, The Lowdown's first-season finale, and Last One Laughing UK. Dave celebrated a Netflix-programming Tiny Triumph, and Tara made an arresting case for a fifth-season Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Laura Dern won, Star Trek's modern franchises lost, and clear eyes and full hearts couldn't lose in a sports-centric Game Time. Start your sol off right with an all-new Extra Hot Great!GUESTS 👤 David J. RothTOPICS Lead Topic: 🪐 For All Mankind Around The Dial: 💂🏻 Saturday Night Live UK Around The Dial: 🎨 Color Theories By Julio Torres Around The Dial: 📱 DTF St. Louis Around The Dial: 📚 The Lowdown Around The Dial: 🤣 Last One Laughing UK Tiny Triumph: 🏛️ Kennedy The Canon: 📦 Brooklyn Nine-Nine S05.E14: The Box Winner & Loser: 🔪 Laura Dern Winner & Loser: 🚀 Star Trek Game Time: 🏟️ 19 Questions: Sports EditionSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🏀 David J. Roth at Defector 👊 Roth on the suburban-guy-vs.-Reacher kerfuffle 👋 Alan Sepinwall bails For All Mankind 🎙️ Tara's Dan Bucatinsky interview at Decider 🍝 The Soprano Ten at Best Evidence 📷 Photo: Apple

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2026

606: Giving The Gift Of 1980 Commercials

This is an un-vaulting of EEHG 388. Haaaaappy holidays! Return with us now to December 3, 1980 -- and all the utterly of-their-time commercials (and by "their time," we kind of mean the '70s) from a rerun of an After School Special, including Barbie food, fights over fluoride, and the worst baby-doll ever. We're also answering your Ask EHG questions about real-life tropes and memorable magazines, and Tara is muttering "Rosebud" in the direction of the Tiny Canon; our Not Quite Top 11 Lists explore roadside attractions and board games. Then we're unwrapping the most important boxes of television. Hop on the Starburst-coaster and join us!TOPICS Lead Topic: 🪥 December 3, 1980 Commercials Ask EHG: ☕️ Standard coffee orders Tiny Canon: 🛷 The Kids In The Hall S01.E03 Not Quite Top 11: 📍 Best Roadside America Destinations Worth Visiting Between Each Leg Of A Road Trip Comprising TV Shows With American Cities In Their Titles Not Quite Top 11: 🎲 TV Shows That You Initially Think Should Absolutely NOT Have A Branded Board Game, But Then The More You Think About It, The More You’re Like, But How Would That Even Work, Wait Actually I Kind Of Want To Play That Now Not Quite Top 11: 💩 Least Enticing Holiday TV Episode Titles KRTMATIWOTVLM: 🏠 Little House On The Prairie S04.E15: Whisper Country Extra Credit: 📦 Important TV Boxes Mini: 🎄 Holiday Varieties (Dec 2016)SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🤑 The 12/3/80 ad reel on YouTube 🥃 Or watch "The Late Great Me! Story Of A Teenage Alcoholic" 📦 "The One With Chandler In A Box" 👋 Long Gone 🎂 Kendall’s “Too Much Birthdays” meltdown 📤 “The Farnsworth Parabox”

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2026

606: Staying Up For The Late Shift

This is an un-vaulting of EEHG 376. For this year's special This Week In TV History episode, we're journeying back to 1996 for February sweeps -- specifically, the week of February 21-27 -- and investigating all the starry stunts the networks AND premium cable channels were busting out to capture audiences. Leading (with its chin) is The Late Shift, HBO's TV movie take on Bill Carter's nonfiction book about Jay Leno and David Letterman's battle to replace Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show. Did these stupid human tricks enthrall us? Adam Sternbergh returns to talk about it. Around The Dial takes us to an all-CBS-Monday-sitcoms event featuring Elizabeth Taylor, a string of black pearls, and her new Black Pearls fragrance; the many non-Friends and Seinfeld sitcoms NBC tried to launch on Thursday nights in the 90s; ER's Season 2 episode "The Healers"; and the sci-fi drama Nowhere Man. Dave pitches "Homer The Smithers" from The Simpsons for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week of February 21-27's biggest Winner and Loser, it's on to a VERY questionable game time. Listen in -- you don't have to do it crouched next to a phone playing it in the next room, but you might be surprised by what you get out of it if you do!GUESTS 👤 Adam SternberghTOPICS Lead Topic: 🌙 The Late Shift Around The Dial: 💎 CBS's Elizabeth Taylor Night Around The Dial: 🪦 NBC's Must-See TV Graveyard Around The Dial: 🏥 ER S02.E16: The Healers Around The Dial: 🗺️ Nowhere Man The Canon: 🥣 The Simpsons S07.E17: Homer The Smithers Winner & Loser: 💯 Almost Perfect Winner & Loser: 🖖 Over-invested Star Trek Fans Game Time: 🤔 19 Questions: 1995-96 TV Season EditionSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 📚 Adam Sternbergh's website 📰 Dick Cavett's review of The Late Shift in the New York Times 🌴 Again With Again With This 161: Let's Watch Nicholle Tom In The Series Premiere Of The Nanny! [subscription required] 🫥 "10 Forgotten 90s Sitcoms That Still Work Today" at Cracked 👩🏻‍⚕️ Our ER draft episode 💯 Almost Perfect on Wikipedia 📷 Photo: HBO

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2026

605: Is Rooster A Cock-A-Doodle Doo Or A Cock-A-Doodle Don't?

The third Bill Lawrence show to début or return in 2026 Q1 is Rooster, loosely "What if Carl Hiaasen had a daughter he needed to help through her divorce from a fellow prof at a New England liberal arts college by taking a job there?" College English instructor Robert Krut returns to discuss whether it's worth auditing. Around The Dial lands on Vladimir, The Fall And Rise Of Reggie Dinkins, Chris Fleming: Live At The Palace, The Lowdown, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, and Young Sherlock. Bobby pitches the 9-1-1 episode "Karma's A Bitch" for induction into The Canon. Then, after identifying the week's Winner and Loser (promulgating a conspiracy theory along the way), we go to the head of the class for Non-Regulation Game Time. Get yourself some warm nuts and join us!GUESTS 👤 Robert KrutTOPICS Lead Topic: 🐓 Rooster Around The Dial: 📚 Vladimir Around The Dial: 🏈 The Fall And Rise Of Reggie Dinkins Around The Dial: 🕺 Chris Fleming: Live At The Palace Around The Dial: 🤠 The Lowdown Around The Dial: 💷 Peaky Blinders The Immortal Man Around The Dial: 🔎 Young Sherlock The Canon: 🌳 9-1-1 S01.E08: Karma's A Bitch Winner & Loser: 📜 The Lowdown Winner & Loser: 👎 Carrie Underwood Game Time: 👩‍🏫 Teacher Appreciation WeekSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Robert Krut on Bluesky ✍️ Tara at Decider 📖 Robert Krut's Website 🗣️ Dirty Talk (featuring Sarah) on Hulu 📷 Katrina Marcinowski/HBO

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2026

604: Investigating R.J. Decker

R.J. Decker is a photojournalist-turned-private investigator who originated in a novel by Carl Hiaasen. Is he more than just the network-TV version of Bad Monkey? Kim Reed returns to talk about it. Around The Dial takes us to Nate Bargatze's new ABC game show The Greatest Average American, and all over the current reality landscape: The Traitors S04, Survivor 50, House Of Villains S03, and Australian Survivor: Redemption. Julie offers an argument for The Good Wife episode "Closing Arguments" to be inducted into The Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, we close up with a flat and grassy Non-Regulation Game Time. Leave your trailer precariously balanced on the edge of a sinkhole and join us!GUESTS 👤 Kim ReedTOPICS Announcement: 📢 Discord Re-org Lead Topic: 🦩 R.J. Decker Around The Dial: 🤷‍♂️ The Greatest Average American Around The Dial: 🏝️ Reality Roundup The Canon: 🧤 The Good Wife S02.E23: Closing Arguments Winner & Loser: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Groundskeeper Willie Winner & Loser: 🍷 Possibly Sonja Morgan Game Time: 🌾 Little Houses On The PrairieNOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Kim Reed on Bluesky 🎤 Chris Fleming: Live At The Palace on HBO Max 🗡️ "The Traitors Needs To Ban Housewives" by Joe Reid at Vulture [subscription required] 📷 Photo: ABCCLUB-ONLY NOTES 🔥 EHG Club Perk Links & How-To 💬 Get On Our Community Discord

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2026

603: A Little More Conversation About Paradise

Paradise is back for a whole new season of [major spoiler redacted]. After we made guest Alyson Lewis cram 11 episodes in a week, is she mad at us, or delighted to welcome her favorite new show into her life? Listen to find out. Around The Dial takes us through Reality Check: America's Next Top Model, Tales Of The Unexpected, and The Rockford Files. Tara pitches Northern Exposure's S02 premiere, "Goodbye To All That," for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, we close up with a Non-Regulation Game Time about matching titles to shows. Saddle up your ride and join us!GUESTS 👤 Alyson LewisTOPICS Lead Topic: 🏝️ Paradise Around The Dial: 💃 Reality Check: America's Next Top Model Around The Dial: ⁉️ Tales Of The Unexpected Around The Dial: 🕵🏻‍♂️ The Rockford Files The Canon: 🫎 Northern Exposure S02.E01: Goodbye To All That Winner & Loser: 🥖 The Hunt Winner & Loser: 🌽 Caleb Flynn Game Time: 3️⃣ Three-Title ProblemSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🏒 The Overdue podcast episode on the Heated Rivalry book 😵‍💫 Alyson's newsletter, Yes I Was High 👋 "Goodbye To All That" by Joan Didion, from Slouching Towards Bethlehem 📷 Photo: Ser Baffo / Disney

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2026

602: Did We Love Love Story?

The latest true-life story from the Ryan Murphy factory is Love Story, all about John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. Was our 90s nostalgia powerful enough to get us past its taste issues? Jessica Morgan returns to talk about it. Around The Dial stops at Going Dutch Season 2 (NOT Tara's favorite show, but she does like it!) and Summer House. Dave wonders if a certain recent piece of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is Worse Than Jazz. Tara pitches "The Modernization Of Emily" from The Bob Newhart Show for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, we end on a Non-Regulation Game Time that might be a tough sell. Put down your vintage copy of People's Sexiest Man Alive (1988) and listen!GUESTS 👤 Jessica MorganTOPICS Lead Topic: 💙 Love Story Around The Dial: 🇳🇱 Going Dutch Around The Dial: 🩳 Summer House Is This Worse Than Jazz?: 💦 A specific line delivered by Paul Giamatti in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy The Canon: 🛋️ The Bob Newhart Show S02.E17: The Modernization Of Emily Winner & Loser: 🦍 Saturday Night Live Winner & Loser: 🍝 Jimmy Fallon Game Time: 💰 Promotional Considerations IISUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Jessica Morgan on Bluesky ✍️ Tara's Decider author page (where you can find her recaps of Love Story and James Van Der Beek tribute) 👗 Go Fug Yourself 🍸 The Drinks With Broads newsletter 🦷 Peter Bonerz wearing the Tommy Tooth shirt 📷 Photo: FX

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2026

601: Did The 'Burbs Make Us Stir-Crazy?

Peacock counter-programmed the Super Bowl with a series adaptation of the 1989 horror comedy The 'Burbs. Horror expert Matt Monagle makes his EHG début to discuss whether it made a convincing case for its existence in its new format. Around The Dial stops at Shrinking S03 and the first two seasons of AMC's Interview With The Vampire. Tara explains why front-facing vertical video commercials in the style of social media ads have no business airing on TV. Sean pitches the series finale of Star Trek: The Next Generation for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, we end on a non-regulation game time that's bathed in blood. Quit spying on your neighbors and listen!GUESTS 👤 Matt MonagleTOPICS Announcement: 👚 Sarah, Subs & Shirts Lead Topic: 🏘️ The 'Burbs Around The Dial: 😶‍🌫️ Shrinking Around The Dial: 🧛🏻 Interview With The Vampire I Am Not A Crackpot: 🤳 TikTok-Style Ads Have No Place On Television The Canon: 🚀 Star Trek: The Next Generation S07.E25: All Good Things... Winner & Loser: ⚔️ Baldur's Gate Winner & Loser: 🥔 Tate McRae Game Time: 🔪 19 Questions: TV Horror EditionSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Matt Monagle on Bluesky 📜 Resources for Haitian residents in Springfield, OH at Ohio Immigrant 🧟‍♂️ Certified Forgotten 📷 Photo: Elizabeth Morris / Peacock

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2026

600: Going Backstage With The Muppet Show

The Muppet Show returns with a one-off episode starring Sabrina Carpenter; Muppetry expert Adam Grosswirth returns to discuss it, including whether the new version nailed the original's vibe, what makes a good Muppet guest (and whether Sabrina's got the right stuff), and how we can't believe Dolly Parton never guested on the show (...so far). Later, we went Around The Dial with The Pete Davidson Show, Ugliest House In America, and Conspiracy Theories, and Adam hoped nobody would object to his first-season L.A. Law Canon brief. Impractical Jokers won, Grant Show lost, and we dropped Muppets into primetime shows for a mash-up Game Time. It's time to get things started on an all-new Extra Hot Great!GUESTS 👤 Adam GrosswirthTOPICS Lead Topic: 🐸 The Muppet Show (2026) Around The Dial: 🗑️ The Pete Davidson Show Around The Dial: 🏚️ The Ugliest House In America Around The Dial: 🕵 Conspiracy Theories The Canon: 🐂 L.A. Law S01.E17: Beef Jerky Winner & Loser: 🃏 Impractical Jokers Winner & Loser: ❤️‍🔥 Grant Show Game Time: 🐷 The Muppet ShowsSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🎙️ Hear more Muppet analysis from Adam Grosswirth on the Muppeturgy podcast 🦋 Adam on Bluesky 🐀 Listen to Muppet Show writer Albertina Rizzo talk about the special on the Bananas Podcast 💄 Listen To Sassy Club 🛖 EHG 417 on The Ugliest House In America 🤪 Sarah's review of Conspiracy Theories at Best Evidence 📷 Photo: Disney+

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2026

599: Sharing Our Recollections About Memory Of A Killer

Fox's new drama Memory Of A Killer, about a hitman in denial about his serious memory loss, stars Patrick Dempsey, so naturally we had to invite Dan Cassino, one of our most dedicated Grey's Anatomy fans, to discuss whether you should add a reminder to your calendar to watch it, or immediately forget it exists. Around The Dial takes us through The Beauty, a roundup of cozy British and international mysteries including Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie's Seven Dials (among others), and Wrestlers. Emilymae makes the case for inducting Crash Landing On You's 12th episode into The Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, it's on to a Non-Regulation Game Time from Dr. Cassino himself: send your mash notes to him directly, and don't forget to listen!TOPICS Lead Topic: 🫥 Memory Of A Killer Around The Dial: 🧴 The Beauty Around The Dial: 🔪 Midsomer Murders Around The Dial: 🐴 Shetland Around The Dial: 🎛️ Agatha Christie's Seven Dials Around The Dial: 🐀 La Peste Around The Dial: 🤼 Wrestlers The Canon: 🪂 Crash Landing On You S01.E12 Winner & Loser: 🐺 Jordan Belfort Winner & Loser: 🏰 Michael Rapaport Game Time: 🌭 Some Bangers, All MashSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Dan Cassino on Bluesky 🫂 Community Aid Network MN 🪙 Dan's new book, Bitcoin Bros: Masculinity, Cryptocurrency, And The Future Of Men 📚 "Discover Your Inner Bookworm At These Local Minneapolis Bookstores" at the official Minneapolis website 🚨 Exhibit B.'s winter compendia and crimoir sale 📷 Photo: Jan Thijs / FOXCLUB-ONLY NOTES 🔥 EHG Club Perk Links & How-To 💬 Get On Our Community Discord

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2026

598: Should You Enroll In Starfleet Academy?

The Star Trek universe goes teen drama -- and, for once, does it in the/a future instead of the pre-TOS "past." Since it's a Trek property, Andrew returned to talk about Paul Giamatti feasting on his anachronistic lines, whether the show works better as sci-fi or Space High, and where it ranks in Paramount-era Trek shows. We went Around The Dial with Ponies, Andrew's middlebrow-TV catch-up, and Shining Vale before Tara used up her djinn wishes on a What We Do In The Shadows Canon entry. Profilers won, McConaughey lost, and we prayed for guidance in a religious-network Game Time. Escape from your hidden prison planet and join us!GUESTS 👤 Andrew CunninghamTOPICS Lead Topic: 🧑🏽‍🏫 Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Around The Dial: 🕵🏻‍♀️ Ponies Around The Dial: 🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 The Diplomat Around The Dial: 💪 Invincible Around The Dial: 🧠 High Potential Around The Dial: 👻 Shining Vale The Canon: ⚰️ What We Do In The Shadows S04.E06: The Wedding Winner & Loser: 🔎 Ann Burgess Winner & Loser: 🍺 Matthew McConaughey Game Time: 🙏 Thou Shalt Guess The TitleSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Andrew Cunningham on Bluesky 📚 Andrew's book-discussion podcast, Overdue 🖖 Alan Sepinwall's review of Starfleet Academy 👔 Tara's Justin Theroux piece for GQ ✊ Minneapolis-St. Paul mutual-aid resources 🦋 Norm Charlatan on Bluesky 💄 Listen To Sassy 📷 Photo: Brooke Palmer / Paramount+

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2026

597: Charting A New Season Of The Pitt

The Pitt returns to take viewers through another remarkably busy day in the ER at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. What is there to celebrate in the show's fictional Fourth of July? Heather Cocks, our S01 guest, returns to talk about it. Around The Dial takes us through a passel of recent comedy specials from George Civeris, Kumail Nanjiani, Frankie Quiñones, and Sarah Squirm (aka Sarah Sherman); Heated Rivalry creator Jacob Tierney's previous hockey show, Shoresy; and Bookish, old to Brits but new to PBS. Seth pitches a Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, it's on to a Non-Regulation Game Time that's beating down our door. Find a comfortable seat in chairs (ideally away from Mr. Digby and his compelling odors) and join us!GUESTS 👤 Heather CocksTOPICS Announcement: 🫥 Sarah Is Away Lead Topic: 🏥 The Pitt Around The Dial: 🤪 Frankie Quiñones: Damn That's Crazy Around The Dial: 💭 Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts Around The Dial: 💨 George Civeris: A Sense Of Urgency Around The Dial: 🤮 Sarah Squirm: Live + In The Flesh Around The Dial: 🥅 Shoresy Around The Dial: 📚 Bookish The Canon: 🐝 Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee S01.E06: The Patriarchy Hasn't Let Me Down Winner & Loser: 🤠 The Lowdown Winner & Loser: 🧙‍♀️ Executives at Charmed Game Time: 🚪 Knock Three TimesSUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store!NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🕳️ Tara's review of The Pitt's S02 premiere, at GQ 🏍️ “So You Noticed Dr. Robby Wasn’t Wearing A Motorcycle Helmet” at Vulture 🤢 "Sarah Sherman Is Grosser Than You Think" at The New Yorker ✍️ Tara's author page at GQ (new pieces coming this week!) 💃 Go Fug Yourself 📚 Links to buy Heather and Jessica's books 🍸 Drinks With Broads 👩‍💻 Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee Zoom Watch Party with Lolly Adefope, Aaron Chen, Rose Matafeo, and Paul F. Tompkins 🧑‍💻 Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee Zoom Episode 4 with Ayo Edebiri, Rose Matafeo, Blair Socci, and Paul F. Tompkins 📷 Photo: Warrick Page / HBO Max

Transcribed - Published: 14 January 2026

596: Would You Rather IV: Would You Dan Rather?

For our latest game of Would You Rather?, we asked past guests, friends, and listeners to challenge us with brand-new TV-related scenarios. They came through with some of the craziest conundrums we've ever contemplated. Listen to find out how sick they, and we, actually are! TOPICS Lead Topic: 🤔 Would You Rather? SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site

Transcribed - Published: 7 January 2026

595: The TV Superhero Bracket

For this special episode, we're returning to the bracket format, but slimmed down for just your three co-hosts: we made up an Elite Eight of TV superheroes -- no one from the DC or Marvel universes allowed -- and argued through which deserved to go all the way. Which hero stands atop the rest of our selected comers? Listen and learn! TOPICS Lead Topic: 🦸🏻 The TV Superhero Bracket SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦅 Jonathan Chase from Manimal 🐆 Manimal's opening credits ⏳ Dan Vasser from Journeyman 🕰️ Journeyman on Wikipedia 📏 Cootie from I'm A Virgo 👨‍🚀 Steve Austin from The Six Million Dollar Man 🃏 Charlie Cale from Poker Face 🚗 Brett Matthews from Turbo Teen 🤺 Samurai Jack 📠 Awesome-X from Frisky Dingo

Transcribed - Published: 31 December 2025

594: Gone Fishing With John

We are off this week for EHG Prime but present you with this EHG Club unlock of EEHG 330: Gone Fishing With John We aren't sure about J M Buffy's reasons for forcening us to watch early-nineties cult show Fishing With John, but we mostly liked the surrealist slow-TV vibes we got from musician/actor John Lurie's rando travelogue. Ask EHG went deep on Ken Marino's Emmy reel, snacking cereals, and a Sean Bean reboot of Mr. Bean before Dave pitched a CSI cold open for the Tiny Canon. We made Not Quite Top 11 Lists about TV fish, cartoons, and holiday title puns, and wrapped (geddit??) things up with an Extra Credit Game Time from Sarah Claus. Dry off your mittens and have a listen! TOPICS 15s Of Fame: 😮 Do Doo Do Doo Do Forcening Pool: 🎣 Fishing With John S01.E04: Willem Dafoe Ask EHG: 💉 TV Tattoos Tiny Canon: 🐀 C.S.I. S02.E23: The Hunger Artist Not Quite Top 11: 🌺 Inappropriate Movies You Most Want To See Made Into A Mortal Kombat/Toxic Avenger/Beetlejuice Style 90s Saturday Morning Cartoon Not Quite Top 11: 🎄 Shows We're Relieved Never One-Off Changed Their Titles For Christmas Episodes Not Quite Top 11: 🐟 TV Fish Game Time: 🎅🏻 Merry Quizmas Mini: ❄️ Making Our Hallmark (Dec 2016) SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🎣 Fishing With John S01.E04: Willem Dafoe 🔥 "To Build A Fire" by Jack London 🐀 CSI S02.E23: The Hunger Artist on Hulu 📷 Photo: HBO

Transcribed - Published: 24 December 2025

593: Soft Rye, Snorkel Parkas, And The Most Important Person Ever To Hail From Toledo

For this special episode, we ponder three Canon pitches from listeners like you. Did we give The West Wing's "Evidence Of Things Not Seen" a standing ovation like a trip of eggs on the vernal equinox? Were we forced to tell Would I Lie To You?'s S06.E06 some hard truths? Will we all soon be putting out our shoes to receive blueberry muffins thanks to A.P. Bio's "Katie Holmes Day"? Listen to find out. TOPICS The Canon: 🥚 The West Wing S04.E20: Evidence Of Things Not Seen The Canon: 🍎 Would I Lie To You S06.E06 The Canon: 🫐 A.P. Bio S04.E08: Katie Holmes Day SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 😎 Again With Again With This 179: Let's Watch The A.P. Bio Episode "Katie Holmes Day"! [membership required] 🪜 "'A.P. Bio's Glenn Howerton And Mike O'Brien Discuss The Brilliant Absurdity Of Season 3's 'Katie Holmes Day'" at Decider

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2025

592: Mullendash III

In what has become one of our most diabolical annual traditions, we're playing Mullendash again. This year, our guest contestants are: Stephen Falk, with whom the game was initially developed back in the 2000s, and Mullendash newcomers David J. Roth and Jeff Drake. Who can most craft the most convincing Mullenian punchlines? Who can divine the true Mullen from the counterfeits? All is revealed in our latest episode. GUESTS 👤 Stephen Falk 👤 Jeff Drake 👤 David J. Roth TOPICS Lead Topic: 🧠 Mullendash SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 😬 The first Mullendash episode from 2023 🫥 The second Mullendash episode from 2024 🏀 Defector 🤬 The 9 Chickweed Rage podcast 📸 Stephen Falk on Instagram 🫵 You're The Worst on Hulu

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2025

591: 2025 Guest Thought Experiments

Once again again, we made some of our Valued Guests stick around after their tapings and muse about TV in our version of a What If? Find out where their imaginations took them in this very special yearly EHG tradition! GUESTS 👤 Sarah Baker 👤 Omar Gallaga 👤 Daniel D’Addario 👤 Kari Race 👤 Krystal Farmer 👤 Stephanie Green 👤 Adam Grosswirth 👤 Brandi Brown 👤 Taylor Cole 👤 Robert Krut 👤 Jessica Morgan 👤 Adam Sternbergh 👤 Mark Blankenship 👤 Eve Batey 👤 David Bunting 👤 Nick Rheinwald-Jones TOPICS Lead Topic: 🧠 Guest Thought Experiments SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🤨 2024 Guest Thought Experiments 🧐 2023 Guest Thought Experiments 🤔 2022 Guest Thought Experiments

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2025

590: Did Our Latest Meal At The Bear Give Us Gas?

We are off this week for EHG Prime but present you with this EHG Club unlock of EEHG 360: Did Our Latest Meal At The Bear Give Us Gas? The Bear is back for its fourth season on (sigh) FX on Hulu. Was it a fully satisfying banquet, or did it repeat? We'll tell you everything. Ask EHG requires us to consider such matters as the post-Quibi shows that should have been Quibis, and the best food to eat in your car. Tara pitches Pace Picante's early 90s "New York City?!" spot for the Commercial division of the Tiny Canon. Then we crown the Not Quite Winners and Losers of the week before closing out on an Extra Credit power-ranking the hosts of Family Feud. Grab a napkin and tuck in! TOPICS Lead Topic: 🐻 The Bear Ask EHG: 👃 Smell You Later Tiny Canon: 💃 Winner & Loser: ⚽️ Twenty-Twelve Winner & Loser: 😤 Untitled McConaughey / Harrelson Comedy Winner & Loser: 🌬️ Dark Winds Winner & Loser: 🕵🏻‍♂️ Sherlock Winner & Loser: 💌 You're Cordially Invited Winner & Loser: 🤷‍♀️ Jameela Jamil KRTMATIWOTVLM: 🎡 Little House On The Prairie S04.E11: Meet Me At The Fair Extra Credit: 💁🏻‍♂️ Power Ranking The Hosts Of Family Feud Mini: 🇸🇪 Lost In Ikea (Apr 2018) SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🚀 "How Much Must O'Brien Suffer?" at Reddit 🥫 Pace Picante "New York City!" 📷 Photo: FX

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2025

589: Did We Find The Beauty In The Beast In Me?

A Manhattan real estate scion is believed to have killed his first wife in The Beast In Me, the new entirely fictional Netflix thriller series that is NOT about Robert Durst. Durst you watch it? Stephanie Early Green returns to talk about it. Around The Dial takes us through How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge), the latest from Steve Coogan; S19 of Married At First Sight; and JFK: What The Doctors Saw. Stephanie pitches the "Dinner Party" episode of The Office for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, we close on a Beastly Game Time. Quit plotting out the jogging path you want to build and listen! TOPICS Lead Topic: 🏃🏻‍♂️ The Beast In Me Around The Dial: 🧠 How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge) Around The Dial: 👰‍♀️ Married At First Sight Around The Dial: 🩻 JFK: What The Doctors Saw The Canon: 🍷 The Office (US) S04.E13: Dinner Party Winner & Loser: 🙋‍♂️ The Boys From Brazil Winner & Loser: 🤫 The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives Game Time: 🦊 The Beasts In Me, Me Being TV SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🟢 Stephanie's website ✍🏻 Daniel Fienberg's review of The Beast In Me at The Hollywood Reporter 🤝 Street Forum ATX on Open Collective 🎥 The Zapruder film episode of Good Night America on Wikipedia 📚 Kennedy materials (and all other #majorcase) 20% off at Exhibit B. Books 📷 Photo: Netflix

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2025

588: Are We Of One Mind About Pluribus?

Vince Gilligan returns to the prestige airwaves with Pluribus, an apocalyptic Rhea Seehorn vehicle that's getting uniformly great reviews -- and Jeff Drake returns to the podcast to talk about why WE aren't all on the same page with its world-building, self-consciously beautiful shot compositions, and more (though we all DO agree that Seehorn is the President of Acting). We went Around The Dial with Stumble, The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling, and Who Hired The Hitman? before Jeff went nuts with a Canon pitch from The Dick Van Dyke Show. All's Fair won, Kim Kardashian's bar-exam support team lost, and we reeled in the years with a historical-TV Game Time. Polish off that rosé and join us! GUESTS 👤 Jeff Drake TOPICS Lead Topic: 📡 Pluribus Around The Dial: 🩼 Stumble Around The Dial: 📔 The Zen Diaries Of Garry Shandling Around The Dial: 🔫 Who Hired The Hitman? The Canon: 🥜 The Dick Van Dyke Show S02.E20: It May Look Like a Walnut Winner & Loser: ⚖️ All's Fair Winner & Loser: 😩 Kim Kardashian Game Time: 📅 Which Came First? SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Jeff Drake on Bluesky 🚧 Jeff's podcast about "9 Chickweed Lane" 💌 Paul F. Tompkins on the Taskmaster podcast 🤔 Get those Would You Rather? prompts to Tara 💵 Sarah's Who Hired The Hitman? review 😿 Get (or give) some assistance with pet expenses at Pet Help Finder 📷 Photo: Apple

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2025

587: Did We Love I Love LA?

Bottoms star and co-writer Rachel Sennott has created a new sitcom star vehicle, I Love L.A., for HBO, all about the world of Zoomer influencers. How much could we take? L.A.'s own Nick Rheinwald-Jones joins us to talk about it. Around The Dial takes us through Nobody Wants This S02, Wayward, Aileen: Queen Of The Serial Killers, and Down Cemetery Road. Dave pitched "Those Old Scientists" from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, it's on to a new season of Game Time, kicking off with a Cassino special. Grab your limited-edition Chipotle bowl and listen! GUESTS 👤 Nick Rheinwald-Jones TOPICS Lead Topic: 🤳 I Love LA Around The Dial: 🕍 Nobody Wants This Around The Dial: 🗺️ Wayward Around The Dial: 😵 Aileen: Queen Of The Serial Killers The Canon: ⏳ Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S02.E07: Those Old Scientists Winner & Loser: 🛟 Dave Foley Winner & Loser: 💸 Ridiculousness Game Time: 👵🏻 Odd Age Out SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Nick Rheinwald-Jones on Bluesky 🙅🏽‍♀️ The bad Nobody Wants This thinkpiece 🌮 Donate to Street Forum ATX 🥨 The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank 👑 Sarah's review of Aileen: Queen Of The Serial Killers at Best Evidence 📍 Find a Little Free Pantry near you 😬 Yo, Is This Racist? on Apple Podcasts 📷 Photo: Kenny Laubbacher / HBO

Transcribed - Published: 5 November 2025

586: Clowning Around With It: Welcome To Derry

TV returns to the King-verse with HBO's It: Welcome To Derry, a prequel (or side...show?) of sorts for various characters from Stephen King's It -- and Josh Gondelman also returns to accept our apologies before talking about doing gory bits, using your best actors wisely, and the different kinds of tension. We're going Around The Dial with the nineteenth seasons of Married At First Sight and Taskmaster, plus Nightmares & Dreamscapes and The Lowdown, and Tara hopes we have Great News about her Canon pitch. The Pitt wins, various Nobody Wants This actors lose, and we're filling our pillowcases with points in a candy-based Non-Regulation Game Time. Grab a jar of pickles and join us! GUESTS 👤 Josh Gondelman TOPICS Lead Topic: 🤡 It: Welcome To Derry Around The Dial: 💍 Married At First Sight Around The Dial: 🤠 The Lowdown Around The Dial: 💌 Taskmaster Around The Dial: 😴 Nightmares & Dreamscapes The Canon: 📰 Great News S02.E05: Night Of The Living Screen Winner & Loser: 🕳️ The Pitt Winner & Loser: 😑 Nobody Wants This Game Time: 🍫 Trick Or Treat Williams SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 👍 Josh Gondelman's comedy special, Positive Reinforcement 🙌 Josh's newsletter, That's Marvelous! 🥱 Nightmares & Dreamscapes E05 🧭 The text of "The Road Virus Heads North" 🔥 The Extra Hot Great Club page 🌀 Hurricane Melissa resource and donation links 📷 Photo: Brooke Palmer / HBO

Transcribed - Published: 29 October 2025

585: Did Boston Blue Knock Our Sox Off?

Blue Bloods is dead, but its spirit lives on (along with however many actors don't have anything better to do) in Boston Blue, CBS's new Beantown-set spinoff. How authentic is it to the Boston a Bostonian would know? Boston's own Margaret H. Willison returns to talk about it. Around The Dial takes us through Downey Wrote That, The Good Wife, The Good Fight, Love Is Blind, and Task. Never Not Mike pitches the Mad Men episode "The Suitcase" for induction into The Canon -- because no, it wasn't in there already, and we were surprised about that too. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, it's on to a Game Time that only has a little bit to say. Park yourself at the Green Monster and join us! GUESTS 👤 Margaret H. Willison TOPICS Lead Topic: 🦞 Boston Blue Around The Dial: ✍🏻 Downey Wrote That Around The Dial: 😇 The Good Wife Around The Dial: 👨‍🦯 Love Is Blind Around The Dial: 🛩️ Task The Canon: 🧳 Mad Men S04.E07: The Suitcase Winner & Loser: 🏛️ Michael Fassbender Winner & Loser: 😷 Rockmond Dunbar Game Time: 😶 Get Margaret There SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 📸 Margaret H. Willison on Instagram 🦋 Margaret on Bluesky 🌴 Again With Again With This ✈️ EEHG 372 [in which we talked about Task] 🕵🏻‍♀️ Best Evidence 👀 Game Time answers: Streaming, Westeros, Neilsen, Pivot, Showrunner, Dharma, Crossover, Wednesday, Chyron, Maggie 📷 Photo: John Medland / CBS

Transcribed - Published: 22 October 2025

584: Breaking Down The Chair Company

Tim Robinson is back with The Chair Company, a cringe-com with a mystery (or is it??) at its center, and Variety's Alison Herman is also back to talk about it: the little self-flagellating moments the show gets right, whether it's the Tim Robinson property for people who usually don't enjoy Tim Robinson, and why Robinson is like David Lynch. We went Around The Dial with 9-1-1s old and new, Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, and The Alabama Solution, and Tara busted out her see! cret! skill! at Canon pitching for a first-season episode of Platonic. Julio Torres won, Yellowjackets lost, and the panel tried to hit IMDb episode-count bulls-eyes in the second half of the 30 Under 30 Game Time. Leave that deviled-egg remnant right where it is and come join us! GUESTS 👤 Alison Herman TOPICS Lead Topic: 🪑 The Chair Company Around The Dial: 🧑‍🚒 9-1-1: Nashville Around The Dial: 🚒 9-1-1 Around The Dial: 🤡 Devil In Disguise Around The Dial: 😮‍💨 The Alabama Solution The Canon: 🏟️ Platonic S01.E05: My Wife's Boyfriend Winner & Loser: 🔷 Julio Torres Winner & Loser: 🐝 Yellowjackets Game Time: ⬇️ 30 Under 30 Part 2 SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site ✍️ Alison Herman at Variety 💺 Alison's review of The Chair Company for Variety 📜 Sarah's review of The Alabama Solution at Best Evidence 📚 Exhibit B. Books 🍆 Tara's interview with Platonic's Luke Macfarlane 🤝 Alison's review of Platonic S01 📷 Photo: Sarah Shatz / HBO

Transcribed - Published: 15 October 2025

583: Having A Grave Discussion About Monster: The Ed Gein Story

The fourth season of Monster, Netflix's true crime anthology, concerns itself with Wisconsin serial killer (or was he? (he probably was)) Ed Gein, played by former Queer As Folk cutie Charlie Hunnam. Did it get under our skin? Richard Lawson returns to talk about it. Around The Dial takes us through Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, Only Connect, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Richard presents the Season 2 finale of The Traitors Australia for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, it's on to a Game Time about the shows select actors did for up to but NOT more than 30 episodes. Take a break from wood chopping and join us! GUESTS 👤 Richard Lawson TOPICS Lead Topic: 🔪 Monster: The Ed Gein Story Around The Dial: ⛄️ Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent Around The Dial: 🔌 Only Connect Around The Dial: 🖖 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds The Canon: 🪃 The Traitors (AU) S02.E09 Winner & Loser: 🅱️ Ballard Winner & Loser: 🌴 Beverly Hills, 90210 Game Time: ⬇️ 30 Under 30: Part 1 SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Richard Lawson on Bluesky ✍🏻 Sarah's review of Monster: The Ed Gein Story at Best Evidence 💂🏻 Richard's profile page (including his Monster: The Ed Gein Story review) at The Guardian 💄 The Listen To Sassy Club 🎹 The Mark And Sarah Talk About Songs ranking of the tracks on Billy Joel's The Stranger, with Dan Rogge 📷 Photo: Netflix

Transcribed - Published: 8 October 2025

582: Is Chad Powers A Winner?

Pretend we made a witty "third and taking-too-long" pun, because that's what we -- and guest Kim "Best Thing" Reed -- thought about Glen Powell vehicle Chad Powers. It isn't bad, but between the first-drafty jokes and getting stuck between two tones, we're not sure you should watch all the way to the end zone. Okay, let's ditch the football puns to go Around The Dial with On Brand With Jimmy Fallon, Kim's recent-reality overview, and Sarah's High Maintenance rewatch; and let's see if the panel respected "Authority," Sarah's L&O: SVU Canon pitch. Nicole Beharie won, Mid-Century Modern lost, and we juggled a hot potato of HBO series "lifers" in Game Time. Pair your podcast app with your Cybertruck's sound system and join us! GUESTS 👤 Kim Reed TOPICS Announcement: 📢 Club Drive Update Lead Topic: 🏈 Chad Powers Around The Dial: 📦 On Brand With Jimmy Fallon Around The Dial: 🏃🏻‍♂️ Competitive Reality Roundup Around The Dial: 🚬 High Maintenance The Canon: 🐑 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit S09.E17: Authority Winner & Loser: 🩸 All The Sinners Bleed Winner & Loser: 🛋️ Mid-Century Modern Game Time: ↔️ Cap'n Connors's Oops! All HBO Survivors SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🍏 Kim Reed's "Most Awesome Thing" segment in EEHG 374 🏟️ Tara's Chad Powers review at Cracked 💀 Tara's interview with Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson 🌴 Again With This 🪦 Sarah's essay on the passing of Robin Williams 🏀 EHG 212 with the monkey/basketball 🛋️ EHG 556 on Mid-Century Modern 📷 Photo: Disney / Daniel Delgado Jr.

Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2025

581: Giving You The Lowdown On The Lowdown

Reservation Dogs creator Sterlin Harjo has reunited with his S03 guest star Ethan Hawke for The Lowdown, a shaggy Tulsa neo-noir. Should you put it high on your list of priorities? We discuss. (Spoiler: yes.) Around The Dial takes us to Caleb Hearon: Model Comedian, The Great Pottery Throw Down, and Lynley. Tara pitches the Regular Show episode "Sleep Cycle" for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, we finish up with a Game Time on various TV actors' personal and professional histories. Give yourself some rudimentary first aid and join us! GUESTS 👤 Patrick Monahan TOPICS Lead Topic: 📚 The Lowdown Around The Dial: 🤣 Caleb Hearon: Model Comedian Around The Dial: 🏺 The Great Pottery Throw Down Around The Dial: 👮🏻‍♀️ Lynley The Canon: 🦝 Regular Show S07.E11: Sleep Cycle Winner & Loser: 🫆 Pete Earley and Gerald Shur Winner & Loser: 🧑‍🦯 Love Is Blind Game Time: 🙅🏽‍♀️ Never Have I Ever SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Patrick Monahan on Bluesky 🥃 Tara's review of The Lowdown at Cracked 📰 “Why ‘Rez Dogs’ creator Sterlin Harjo made a love letter to Tulsa and its contradictions” at the Los Angeles Times 🤣 Tara's review of Caleb Hearon: Model Comedian at Cracked 👀 Alan Sepinwall's newsletter, What's Alan Watching? ⏳ The What A Time To Be Alive podcast 🏦 The Extra Hot Great Mutual Aid Vault 🛂 PBS Passport 📷 Photo: Shane Brown / FX

Transcribed - Published: 24 September 2025

580: Is It Time To Hit Snooze On The Morning Show?

The Morning Show is back to bring us its version of 2024. Can any of us possibly be ready to go back there? Maybe not, but we don't have the strength to resist gorging on The Morning Show's baloney, either. Morning Show-ologist Christina Tucker returns to talk about it. Around The Dial clicks through Futurama S13, Rivals, and Celebrity Weakest Link, then takes a trip to the cinema for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Margaret pitches The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air episode "The Big Four-Oh" -- yes, the one where Aunt Viv slays a dance audition in a clip you've probably watched at least once if not 20 times -- for induction into the Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, we close on a Game Time everyone should swipe right on. Get yourself the strongest coffee commercially available and join us! GUESTS 👤 Christina Tucker TOPICS Lead Topic: ☀️ The Morning Show Around The Dial: 🚀 Futurama Around The Dial: 💷 Rivals Around The Dial: 🔗 The Weakest Link Around The Dial: 🏰 Downton Abbey The Canon: 💃 The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air S02.E07: The Big Four-Oh Winner & Loser: 👨🏻‍⚖️ Presumed Innocent Winner & Loser: 👊 The guy who sucker-punched James McAvoy in Toronto Game Time: 👩🏻‍🦳 Silver Vixens SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Christina Tucker on Bluesky 🚀 Tara's review of Futurama S13 🤦🏻‍♂️ Tara's essay on aka Charlie Sheen 📰 Christina's newsletter, Chaos! It's The New Cocaine! 💿 The hip-hop episode of Celebrity Weakest Link on YouTube 👑 1999: The Podcast on The Thomas Crown Affair, guest-starring Sarah 📷 Photo: Apple

Transcribed - Published: 17 September 2025

579: Putting Out The Paper

Will Leitch, sportswriter and newspaper journalist, is back to talk about The Office-verse sitcom The Paper -- and whether you should bother with the season that just dropped in its entirety on Peacock. Has the world moved on from the TV mockumentary? Does this show understand what it is to love reporting? And does any of that matter if the show's not quite funny enough? Later, we went Around The Dial with Only Murders In The Building's fifth season, 30 Rock's YouTube channel, and Love Con Revenge before Will tried to find room in the Canon budget for Dept. Q's premiere episode. Going Dutch won, Selena Gomez lost, and we found out who skips the closing credits in Game Time. Take a break from lining that birdcage and have a listen! GUESTS 👤 Will Leitch TOPICS Announcement: 🥴 Drunk Dave Cometh Lead Topic: 📰 The Paper Around The Dial: 🏢 Only Murders In The Building Around The Dial: 🪨 30 Rock Around The Dial: 🖤 Love Con Revenge The Canon: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Dept. Q S01.E01: Episode 1 Winner & Loser: 🪖 Going Dutch Winner & Loser: 🍪 Selena Gomez Game Time: 🎶 Outré Outros SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 📚 Keep up with all things Will Leitch 🧻 Tara's review of The Paper at Cracked 🏢 Tara's Only Murders S05 review 🪨 30 Rock's YouTube channel 👠 Step On Me Giganta 🖤 Sarah's review of Love Con Revenge at Best Evidence 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Our discussion of Dept. Q in EHG 565 🏝 The Lonely Island And Seth Meyers Podcast "Listener Q&A Episode 5" 📷 Photo: Aaron Epstein / Peacock

Transcribed - Published: 10 September 2025

578: This Week In Historical TV: September 4-10, 1991

We are off this week but present you with this EHG Club unlock of EEHG 324: This Week In Historical TV: September 4-10, 1991. Earlier this year, our Patreon supporters unlocked a new milestone, and with it a new annual BONUS bonus episode: This Week In Historical TV! Since we've gone with September 4-10, 1991 and chosen as our lead topic Cast A Deadly Spell, an HBO TV movie that combines classic hard-boiled detective fiction with the works of H.P. Lovecraft, we had to invite Dan Cassino, a fan of both, to talk about it. Around The Dial takes us through some highlights of our week in programming: the series premiere of Herman's Head; an all-timer Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode on Gamera vs. Guiron; Parker Lewis Can't Lose; and the Merlin Olsen-hosted Fantastic Facts. Tara pitches the S09 Cheers episode "Days Of Wine And Neuroses" for induction into The Canon. Then, after plucking a winner and loser out of the September 6, 1991 issue of Entertainment Weekly, it's on to a Game Time that has us asking many MORE than 19 Questions about the characters, places, and things of the 1991-92 TV season. Send your zombie henchman outside and join us! GUESTS Dan CassinoTOPICS Lead Topic → Cast A Deadly Spell Will Dave Hate This? → The Gambler Returns: The Luck Of The Draw Around The Dial → Herman's Head Around The Dial → Mystery Science Theatre 3000 Around The Dial → Parker Lewis Can't Lose Around The Dial → Fantastic Facts The Canon → Cheers S09.E16: Days Of Wine And Neuroses Winner & Loser → Jack Wagner Winner & Loser → Ramy Zada Game Time → 19 Questions: 1991-92 TV Season Edition SUPPORT THE SHOW Join the EHG Club Shop our store EPISODE NOTES Full episode notes Dan Cassino on Bluesky The Herman's Head pilot on YouTube Mystery Science Theater 3000's episode on Gamera vs. Guiron on YouTube Parker Lewis Can't Lose S02.E04 on YouTube Dark Justice on Wikipedia Dark Justice on the Internet Archive Photo: HBO

Transcribed - Published: 3 September 2025

577: Going Long On Long Story Short

We haven't heard much from creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg since BoJack Horseman ended in early 2020, but he's back with a new animated family dramedy, Long Story Short, which has already been picked up for a second season. Are we excited to lengthen our time with it? New guest Eli Yudin joins us to talk about it. Around The Dial clicks through Peacemaker S02, Zach Galifianakis: Live At The Purple Onion, and Smoke. Mlle. Caroline pitches the Andor episode "Who Are You?" for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, we close up with a particularly fraternal Game Time. Grab some kugel and join us! GUESTS 👤 Eli Yudin TOPICS Announcement: 🤏 Patreon Update Lead Topic: 🕍 Long Story Short Around The Dial: 🕊️ Peacemaker Around The Dial: 🧅 Zach Galifianakis: Live At The Purple Onion Around The Dial: 🚒 Smoke The Canon: ⁉️ Andor S02.E08: Who Are You? Winner & Loser: 🌃 Saturday Night Live Winner & Loser: 📜 Lifetime's non-scripted team Game Time: 👯‍♂️ All In The Family SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 👨🏻‍💻 Eli Yudin's website 🗣️ Tara's Paul Reiser interview at Cracked ✌️ Tara's Peacemaker S02 review at Cracked 🎤 Eli's standup special Humble Offering on YouTube 📚 "The Dog-Eared Days Of Summer" sale at Exhibit B. Books 📷 Photo: Netflix

Transcribed - Published: 27 August 2025

576: Making Heads Or Tails Of The Twisted Tale Of Amanda Knox

Amanda Knox's arrest for murder in Italy became a sensational true crime story...so of course it is now the subject of a scripted true crime series. Did we find it sensational? Eve Batey joins us to discuss it. Around The Dial lands on North Of North, The Yogurt Shop Murders, Back To The Frontier, and The Fixer. Tara pitches the Friends episode "The One With Russ" for induction into The Nonac. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, it's on to a Game Time that knows: triples is best. Put down your old cell phone and your platter of pasta and join us! GUESTS 👤 Eve Batey TOPICS Lead Topic: 🍝 The Twisted Tale Of Amanda Knox Around The Dial: 🧭 North Of North Around The Dial: 🍦 The Yogurt Shop Murders Around The Dial: 🪵 Back To The Frontier Around The Dial: 🛠️ The Fixer The Nonac: 🍷 Friends S02.E10: The One With Russ Winner & Loser: 📞 Wendell Pierce Winner & Loser: 🚨 MS Now Game Time: 3️⃣ Three For All SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Eve Batey on Bluesky ❄️ North Of North Outfits at Victoria Jacket 💩 "And Just Like That Goes Out With A 'Bah'" at Cracked 🍦 "The Yogurt Shop Murders Unpacks 'The Craziest Crime In Texas'" at Vanity Fair 📰 The Pleat ⚒️ "The Fixer: Marcus Lemonis's New Show Is Very Similar To The Profit" at Reality Blurred 🔎 Best Evidence 👯‍♂️ "Friends: Why Russ Is Played By 'Snaro' (When It's Really David Schwimmer)" at ScreenRant 😉 "'Diner Wink' Full Sketch - I Think You Should Leave Season 2" [origin of "triples is best"] on YouTube 📷 Photo: Hulu

Transcribed - Published: 20 August 2025

575: Should You Plot A Course For Alien: Earth?

The Alien-verse has landed on TV with Noah Hawley's re-imagining (or pre-imagining) of the xenomorphic worlds of the film series -- and Andrew Cunningham has landed back in the guest chair to talk about telepathic blackmail, when hearing is scarier than seeing, and acting choices that don't make sense. Is this essential viewing, or should you jump in a shuttle and bail? Later, we went Around The Dial with War Of The Worlds 2025, The Gilded Age, It's Always Sunny, and American Prince: JFK Jr. before the panel stared into the abyss of Sarah's Sopranos Canon pitch. The Yellowstone-verse won, the Sussexes lost, and we kicked off a new Game Time season with a real facehugger. Skip that cryo-nap and listen to an all-new Extra Hot Great instead! GUESTS 👤 Andrew Cunningham TOPICS Lead Topic: 👽 Alien: Earth Around The Dial: 🌎 War Of The Worlds Around The Dial: 🚂 The Gilded Age Around The Dial: 😎 It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Around The Dial: 🤴 American Prince: JFK Jr. The Canon: 👠 The Sopranos S02.E07: D-Girl Winner & Loser: 🐮 Y: Marshals Winner & Loser: 👑 Harry and Meghan Game Time: 🫦 They Mostly Come At Night SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Andrew Cunningham on Bluesky 📚 Andrew's book pod with Craig Getting, Overdue 👨🏻‍💻 Andrew at Ars Technica 🌍 Tara's War Of The Worlds review at Cracked 👵🏻 "Oldies but goodies" on sale at Exhibit B. Books 📷 Photo: Patrick Brown / FX

Transcribed - Published: 13 August 2025

574: Gassing On About The King Of The Hill Revival

Fifteen years after its series finale on Fox, King Of The Hill is back with its fourteenth season, now at on Hulu. Is it worth yelling from the mountains about? We discuss. Around The Dial stops at The Yogurt Shop Murders and S21 of Project Runway. Tara pitches the Close Enough episode "Secret Horse" for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, we close with a Non-Regulation Game Time that's on the level. Grab a can of Alamo and join us! TOPICS Lead Topic: 🤠 King Of The Hill Around The Dial: 🍦 The Yogurt Shop Murders Around The Dial: 👗 Project Runway The Canon: 🐴 Close Enough S02.E16: Secret Horse Winner & Loser: 🕵 The Tennessee high school forensic club that solves cold cases Winner & Loser: 📝 Temuera Morrison Game Time: ⚖️ Oops! All Equalizer Challenge Zones SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🗣️ Brian VanHooker's interview with King Of The Hill writer Norm Hiscock at Cracked 🍺 Tara's review of King Of The Hill S14 at Cracked 📅 Tara's ranking of the King Of The Hill's season premiere's most self-consciously 2025 jokes, at Cracked 🦤 Nicholas Quah's review of King Of The Hill S14 at Vulture 🍦 "The Yogurt Shop Murders Unpacks 'The Craziest Crime In Texas'" by Eve Batey at Vanity Fair 🔍 "HBO's Smart New Docuseries Takes On The Yogurt Shop Murders -- And True Crime Itself" by Sam Adams at Slate 📽️ "9 Clips To Remind You Why Kristen Johnston Is One Of The Greatest Living Comedic Actors" at Cracked 🧑‍🏫 Classroom Essentials Lists at Donors Choose 🎠 Secret Horse

Transcribed - Published: 6 August 2025

573: Is Hitmakers Out Of Tune?

Critic and podcaster Mark Blankenship returns to The Blankenship Chair to discuss Hitmakers, a reality show about songwriters that needs less contrived drama and more process -- but did appeal to a couple of our panelists as eye candy. Should you give it a try, or wait until one of its pop creations comes on in an elevator? We went Around The Dial with Happy Gilmore 2, Million Dollar Secret, The Challenge 41, and The Gilded Age spoilers before tapping our toes to a Canon pitch for Buffy's musical episode. A nepo Beatty won, Resident Alien lost, and Non-Regulation Game Time struck a chord with another round of Tube Tunes. We don't want to call it "fire," but it IS an all-new episode of Extra Hot Great! GUESTS 👤 Mark Blankenship TOPICS Announcement: ❤️‍🔥 EHG Club Update Lead Topic: 🤩 Hitmakers Around The Dial: 🏒 Happy Gilmore 2 Around The Dial: 🤑 Million Dollar Secret Around The Dial: 🏂 The Challenge Around The Dial: 🐎 The Gilded Age The Canon: 👩🏻‍🎤 Buffy The Vampire Slayer S06.E07: Once More With Feeling Winner & Loser: 🪓 Ella Beatty Winner & Loser: 👽 Resident Alien Game Time: 🎶 Tube Tunes XVI SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 💿 Mark Blankenship's Lost Songs Project ⛳️ The one Happy Gilmore 2 joke that made Tara laugh 👍 Tara's appreciation of Christopher McDonald 😳 A ranking of all the HG2 non-sports cameos 🔪 The latest true-crime reviews at Best Evidence 📷 Photo: Netflix

Transcribed - Published: 30 July 2025

572: Bringing Honesty To Billy Joel: And So It Goes

Well, we all have a face that we hide away forever, and we take them out and show ourselves when everyone has gone -- even Billy Joel, who has decided to take his out for Billy Joel: And So It Goes, a two-part HBO docu-series about his life and work. Should he have kept it to himself (it's his life)? Daniel Blau Rogge returns to talk about it. Around The Dial takes us through S02 of Digman!, The Comeback, and Billionaire Boys' Club. Dan presents the Hacks episode "The Roast Of Deborah Vance" for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week's Winner and Loser, it's on to Game Time, in which we're listening…to celebrity Frasier callers. Say Goodbye To Hollywood and hello to a new episode! GUESTS 👤 Dan Blau Rogge TOPICS Announcement: 🍎 EHG Apple Podcast Subscription Lead Topic: 🎹 Billy Joel: And So It Goes Around The Dial: 🪏 Digman! Around The Dial: 🥊 The Comeback Around The Dial: 💰 Billionaire Boys' Club The Canon: 🎤 Hacks S03.E03: The Roast Of Deborah Vance Winner & Loser: 👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏻 High-Concept Dating Shows Winner & Loser: 🙂 Happy Face Game Time: 📻 Notable Residents of Seattle SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Daniel Blau Rogge on Bluesky 🪏 Tara's Digman! S02 review at Cracked 🛍️ EHG 336, including our discussion of Shangri-La Plaza 🪨 Dan on the Glass Houses ranking episode of Mark And Sarah Talk About Songs 💁🏻‍♂️ Listen To Sassy 141, featuring Dan 🤦🏻‍♂️ Listen To Sassy 142, also featuring Dan 👨🏻‍💻 Dan's website 🍪 Adopt A (PBS) Station 📷 Photo: Courtesy of Art Maillett / Sony Music Archives / HBO

Transcribed - Published: 24 July 2025

571: Is Too Much Not Enough, Or Just Right?

Lena Dunham is back with Netflix romcom Too Much -- and so is Maris Kreizman, to discuss Dunham's return to the discourse, whether we can separate the creator from the show, and what the panelists who didn't care for it still think it did really well. We went Around The Dial with American Horror Stories's third season, Veronica Mars's FIRST season, and Ballard, and Tara hoped we'd come to praise AND bury "the Giamatti episode" of Black Mirror for the Canon. Richard Gadd won, Today's Craig Melvin lost (while letting Rick Springfield also win), and getting "home free" proved a challenge in a tagline-based Game Time. Throw a nightie on your favorite pet and join us! GUESTS 👤 Maris Kreizman TOPICS Lead Topic: 💂🏻 Too Much Around The Dial: 😱 American Horror Stories Around The Dial: 🕵🏻‍♀️ Veronica Mars Around The Dial: 🅱️ Ballard The Canon: 🪞 Black Mirror S07.E05: Eulogy Winner & Loser: 🦌 Richard Gadd Winner & Loser: 🥱 Craig Melvin Game Time: 👉 Tag, You're It SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🎧 Subscribe to EHG on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and no ads! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 📇 Maris Kreizman's website 🧨 An excerpt from Maris's new book, I Want To Burn This Place Down, at Rolling Stone 🦋 Maris on Bluesky 🪞 Extra Hot Great 558 on Black Mirror S07 🇬🇧 Tara's review of Too Much 👐 Kerr County Flood Relief Fund ✍🏻 ProPublica's local reporting network 📷 Photo: Ana Blumenkron / Netflix

Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2025

570: Bradying Down To The ER Draft

In the grand tradition of our drafts for Law & Order and the Star Trek franchise, we're using this special episode to draft teams of staff, patients, loved ones, and inanimate shows from ER -- and who better to join us than Laura Hampton, a PA known to us from our Discord as an ER superfan who recently completed a full rewatch of the entire series? No one, which is why she's here picking a team AND organized the draft with the correct number of each category of character for us to choose from. Now we're going to need YOU to vote for which team reigns supreme! Laura also presents Doug saving Ben from a flooding storm drain in "Hell And High Water" for induction into the Hero category of the Tiny Canon. Finally, we close with an on-theme game about body parts in the names of TV shows and actors. Get listening, STAT! GUESTS 👤 Laura Hampton TOPICS Lead Topic: 🏥 ER Draft Tiny Canon: 🌊 ER S02.E07: Hell and High Water Game Time: 🫁 The Body Keeps The Score SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🩻 Final ER draft picks from Laura, Tara and Sarah 📊 Poll: Best ER Lineup 📊 Poll: Hospital You'd Most Want To Be A Patient At 💵 Donate to the National Network of Abortion Funds 💉 Your Local Epidemiologist on Substack 📚 LibraryFinder

Transcribed - Published: 9 July 2025

569: Should You Sign On To With Love, Meghan?

We are off this week but present you with this EHG Club unlock of EEHG 343: Should You Sign On To With Love, Meghan? It's clear the former Meghan Markle wants to do something significant with her British-royal influence; it's also clear her new Netflix homekeeping show, With Love, Meghan, isn't that. Stephanie Early Green is back to talk about why it's so dull, what might have helped, and how Martha Stewart succeeded where Meghan Sussex fails. Ask EHG wondered who would replace Noel Fielding on GBBO and which characters we'd want on our bar-trivia teams, and then Tara pitched a lyrical SNL sketch for the Tiny Canon. And after we listed our Not Quite Winners and Losers of the week, Sarah's Extra Credit polled the panel on important princesses of television. Throw on a $300 linen apron and join us! GUESTS 👤 Stephanie Green TOPICS 15s Of Fame: 🤬 The Good Swear Lead Topic: 🕯️ With Love, Meghan Ask EHG: 🎂 Replacing Noel Fielding Tiny Canon: 🏀 Saturday Night Live S38.E18: Vince Vaughn Winner & Loser: 🃏 Poker Face Winner & Loser: 🏈 Tracy Morgan Winner & Loser: 🍄 The Last Of Us Winner & Loser: 🏢 Keegan-Michael Key Winner & Loser: 💜 Prince's estate Winner & Loser: ⛹️‍♂️ Running Point Winner & Loser: 📉 The Recruit Winner & Loser: 🎥 Arrested Development Winner & Loser: 🥀 Bachelor co-EPs Michael Margolis and Keely Booth Extra Credit: 🫅 Important TV Princesses Mini: 👑 The Royal Them SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 💚 More from Stephanie Early Green at her website 📖 Vanity Fair's Harry 'n' Meghan cover story 🤨 “Meghan Markle Pioneers New Frontiers in Unrelatability” by Kathryn VanArendonk at Vulture 🗣️ “The Meghan Interview” at People 📷 Photo: Netflix

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2025

568: We Cover The Waterfront

Like a lot of family-owned businesses, Havenport, North Carolina's Buckley Fishery is having a rough go of it lately. If they can't make their nut and pay all their employees on fish alone, maybe...smuggling cocaine will make up the shortfall? What could go wrong?! Jessica Morgan returns to talk about the ways Kevin Williamson's new show crosses over with the one we know him for best (Dawson's Creek), and the ways it doesn't but that we WISH it would. Around The Dial takes us through Season 3 of The Gilded Age, The Valley, and Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy. Sarah pitches the Law & Order episode "Empire" -- aka "The Julia Roberts One" -- for induction into The Canon. Then, after identifying the week's Winner and Loser, it's on to a game that's naming names -- lots of them. Grab a serving of fresh oysters and join us! GUESTS 👤 Jessica Morgan TOPICS Announcement: 🏦 EHG Mutual Aid Vault Lead Topic: 🌊 The Waterfront Around The Dial: 👒 The Gilded Age Around The Dial: 😎 The Valley Around The Dial: 🏟️ Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy The Canon: ⚖️ Law & Order S09.E20: Empire Winner & Loser: ⭐️ Five-Star Weekend Winner & Loser: 😱 Ryan Murphy Game Time: 🪞 Same Name Game SUPPORT THE SHOW 🔥 Join the EHG Club for bonus episodes, no ads, community Discord and more! 🛍️ Shop our merch store! NOTES 🗒 Full episode notes can be found on this episode's page on our site 🦋 Jessica Morgan on Bluesky 🔥 Extra Hot Great Club 🏦 Contact Sarah about making a deposit to or withdrawal from the Extra Hot Great Mutual Aid Vault at bunting@tomatonation.com 🔫 "Kevin Williamson Reveals How His Dad's Sordid Past Inspired New Crime Drama 'The Waterfront': 'He Paid The Price'" at the New York Post 🤰🏻 "'Adults' Takes A Strong Stance On Abortion: Everyone Deserves Access, Including Jerks" at Cracked 🌴 Again With This's Membership Campaign 👗 Go Fug Yourself 🍹 The Drinks With Broads Newsletter 📚 Save On True-Crime Paperbacks at Exhibit B. Books 📷 Photo: Dana Hawley / Netflix

Transcribed - Published: 25 June 2025

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