Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Extra Hot Great: This Week In TV
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 638: Did We Love, Honor, And Cherish Newlyweds? | 28 Oct 2026 | 00:56:33 | |
After falling in love playing spouses in Madam Secretary, Tim Daly and Téa Leoni are co-stars again in Newlyweds, a multi-cam sitcom on NBC co-created by Jamie Lee Curtis (who also plays Daly’s character’s obnoxious ex-wife); we tell you whether it made us want to run off to Vegas and marry it, or run off to Norway, where it presumably does not air. Around The Dial clicks through S03 of Nobody Wants This and Netflix’s Tyson. Tara pitches the Girls episode “Flo” for induction into The Canon. Then, after crowning the week’s Winner and Loser, we close up with a Non-Regulation Game Time that’s NOT TV: it’s HBO. Settle in to your ex-husband’s hot tub and listen! TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 637: Making Some Cutting Remarks About Crystal Lake | 21 Oct 2026 | 01:38:10 | |
Did we need a Friday The 13th prequel? Probably not — and Dan Rogge returns to analyze why we may not need this particular prequel. Is the ratio of squishy kills to meditations on grief incorrect? Did it need fewer episodes and more murderous bears? Is it for fans of the franchise, or very much not for them? We went Around The Dial with a “Squid Jaws” update, the 9-1-1s, Matchbox: The Movie: The Car, and The Good Wife before Dave programmed a Canon pitch for Look Around You‘s episode on computers. Scott Bakula (bluh) won, Mary CAROLE McDonnell lost, and we gave theme songs a spin in Game Time. Take a break from woodland-charcuterie prep and have a listen. GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 636: Should Cupertino Get Another Round Of Funding? | 14 Oct 2026 | 01:10:44 | |
The Kings are back on network TV with Cupertino, which basically transplants the signature qualities of the Good Wife-verse to Silicon Valley — and Margaret H. Willison is back to talk about whether that’s a good choice, the cameos we’re looking forward to, and how the show can loop other storylines into a tech-forward plot brief. We went Around The Dial with Below, Love Is Blind‘s Boston season, GBBO‘s audience episode, and Kill. Bury. Print., and Margaret hoped we’d crown an episode of the original King show, The Good Wife, for the Canon. Nicolas Cage won, Kelly Clarkson lost, and we tried to guess which hosts had the most (acting experience) in Game Time. Build yourself a hallway to the EHG conference room and join us! GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 635: Love Is A Battlefield In War | 07 Oct 2026 | 01:14:05 | |
The newest co-production from HBO and Sky finds a tech billionaire and a “Hollywood actress” battling over the end of their marriage, abetted by teams of high-priced lawyers; with Sarah out for the day, both Richard Lawson and Katey Rich return to discuss the fictional dissolution. Around The Dial takes us through The Great British Bake Off S17, Taskmaster S22, Kill Jackie, and Mile End Kicks. Katey pitches the S04 finale of The Traitors (US) for induction into The Canon. Then, after we name the week’s Winner and Loser, we close up with a Non-Regulation Game Time for which we really have to thank the Academy. No need for you to put down a retainer — just join us! GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES CLUB-ONLY NOTES | |||
| 634: Pressing Our Luck With American Horror Story | 30 Sep 2026 | 01:22:51 | |
We were counting on The Hollywood Reporter’s chief television critic Dan Fienberg to help us diagnose the issues with the thirteenth season of American Horror Story, and luckily he came through in a discussion that covered excessive fan service, when the “ew” and the “…huh” don’t balance each other, and the sin of wasting John Waters. We went Around The Dial with the new A Different World, My Brilliant Career, and American Hostage before Seth served up a Canon pitch for Hannibal‘s second-season finale. Mary Poppins won, Brandi Glanville lost, and we didn’t wait ’til the middle of the night to step on a Lego-based Game Time. Grab a handful of swabs and have a listen! GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES CLUB-ONLY NOTES | |||
| 633: Ducking And Covering With Line Of Fire | 23 Sep 2026 | 01:26:57 | |
We’re thrilled Santiago Melli-Huber could return to discuss the inter-agency copaganda — and, to be fair, the realistic sibling interactions — of Line Of Fire, a puzzle-box-ish network procedural full of cop tropes, unrealistic travel times, and actors we had trouble reconciling with relatively likable characters. We went Around The Dial with Best Of The Best, Dropout content, and Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story before Sarah bellied up to the Canon with a pitch for Drunk History. The Savant won, Taylor Frankie Paul lost, and Game Time was so on-brand with its acting-through-the-generations concept that it took nearly a generation to complete. Pocket an origami swan and join us for an all-new Extra Hot Great! GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 632: High Value Target Misses The Mark | 16 Sep 2026 | 01:05:22 | |
The great Josh Gondelman returns to discuss the not-so-great High Value Target: The Hunt For Saddam, a tiresome limited series on TNT starring Joel Kinnaman as a CIA analyst/non-credible nerd and Tom Berenger as his crusty veteran dad. We’re talking about who it’s for (crusty veteran dads, lbr), why you wouldn’t just read John Nixon’s book, and whether other series have unpacked this era’s baggage more efficiently. We went Around The Dial with Coin From Accounts, Reggie Dinkins, and OJ Unseen before Dave wondered if the first-thought ring recharging on Lanterns is Worse Than Jazz?, and we contemplated a meta game-changer episode of Game Game Changer for the Canon. Point Break won, Entourage lost, and we sharpened our No. 2 pencils for an analogy-forward Game Time from Seth. We’re not in Kansas anymore either — it’s an all-new EHG! GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES CLUB-ONLY NOTES | |||
| 631: Ferrying You To Widow's Bay | 09 Sep 2026 | 01:01:02 | |
We are off this week for Labor Day but present an episode from inside the Club vault. AppleTV’s newest dramedy pairs The Heat screenwriter Katie Dippold with Matthew Rhys as the beleaguered mayor of a dying island town; we tell you whether you should book your stay at the creepy local inn. Ask EHG invites us to share, among other things, which current show desperately needs a zombie apocalypse and the words we find aesthetically pleasing. Sarah pitches Omar Little’s first rendition of “The Farmer In The Dell” from The Wire for the Tiny Whistling Canon. We name the week’s Not Quite Winners And Losers. Finally, we end on our picks for the Sky Mall gifts our favorite TV characters most need to receive. Settle in to your table at The Salty Whale and join us! TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 630: The Extra Hot Great Fall 2026 TV Preview | 02 Sep 2026 | 01:15:17 | |
Labor Day is nearly here, and with it the unofficial start of fall. With dozens of new shows premiering or returning, which are we actually planning to watch…and planning even harder to avoid? Eve Batey returns so that we can all share our picks and P.U.s. Eve presents the Widow’s Bay episode “Your Baggage” for induction into The Canon. Then, after we name the week’s Winner and Loser, we close with a Ted-y bear of a Non-Regulation Game Time. Take a break from burning your dead leaves to listen! GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 629: Putting Heads Together On Blood Sacrifice | 26 Aug 2026 | 01:12:42 | |
Five-part Swedish serial-killer cop show Blood Sacrifice just hit Netflix, and Sarah Baker is back to talk about scratching the Scandi-noir itch, mapping overseas procedurals onto B-B-B-B-Bosch, and what uniquely Swedish crimes a second season could incorporate. We went Around The Dial with My Brilliant Career, Big Brother, This Is A Gardening Show, and a Djokovic djokumentary on Prime Video before Tara very truthfully pitched Would I Lie To You? for another Canon spot. Line Of Fire won; Lost, um, you know; and we had to dive deep into our NCISknowledge for Game Time. Throw a couple cans of sparkling wine in the Volvo and join us! GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 628: Lanterns Has A Nice Ring To It | 19 Aug 2026 | 01:02:39 | |
HBO’s getting in the superhero game with Lanterns, a take on a DC Comics superhero with theories about aliens, and lore expert Kate Sánchez returns to walk us through why John Stewart is an interesting apprentice, what she’d do with glowing-ring powers, and whether we buy Coach Taylor in this role. We went Around The Dial with The Dink, Hard Knocks, and the return of The Challenge, and our esteemed colleague John Ramos hoped we’d represent an episode of Heartstoppers for the Canon. Only Murders casting won, Dylan Walsh lost, and we waded into the Simpsons–One Piece plot Venn in Game Time. While away that flight to Nebraska with an all-new Extra Hot Great! GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 627: Should Anna Pigeon Take A Hike? | 12 Aug 2026 | 01:16:47 | |
In Anna Pigeon, the USA Network’s new Canadian import, the titular character is a cop whose beat is Glacier National Park. Did it make us want to abandon our TVs for the great outdoors? Famed National Parks Omar Gallaga returns to talk about it. Around The Dial takes us through The Last House, S02 of X-Men ’97, and Game Day Murders. Omar presents the Primal episode “Plague Of Madness” for induction into the Canon. Then, after we name the week’s Winner and Loser, we get out our credit cards for a Game Time that dares us to shop (TV) ’til we drop. Put on your sunscreen and bug spray and listen! GUESTS TOPICS NOTES CLUB-ONLY NOTES | |||
| 626: Coming Of Age At Sterling Point | 05 Aug 2026 | 01:17:34 | |
Extra Extra Hot Great music-on-TV correspondent Kari Race is back to discuss Sterling Point, in which Manhattan rich kids head to a wifi-free island in Canada to uncover secrets, draw love triangles, and make out with their friends’ moms. The panel was divided on whether it was charming and sweet, or unrealistic and annoying; see if we think it’ll make you smile, or just feel old. We went Around The Dial with Unacceptable, Heartstopper: Forever, and the BBC’s Jared Leto investigation, and Dave asserted that a seventh-season X-Filesepisode was ass. Task won, Wonder Man lost, and Game Time turned X-Files guest-star deaths into blind items. Grab a handful of illegally stored acorns and join us. GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 625: Did We Go Mad For Furious? | 29 Jul 2026 | 01:30:54 | |
New Girl creator and The Dropout adapter Elizabeth Meriwether is back on TV with Furious, VERY loosely adapted from the 1987 erotic thriller Black Widow. Were we mad about watching it? Tim Grierson returns to join the discussion. Around The Dial takes us through Married At First Sight S20, The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience, and The Westies. Tara pitches the Documentary Now! two-parter “Soldier Of Illusion” for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week’s Winner and Loser, it’s on to a nomenclatural Game Time. Pour some vodka into your water bottle (we don’t judge) and join us! GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 624: Teed Off At The Hawk | 22 Jul 2026 | 01:20:36 | |
Will Leitch is back for a very sportsy episode, as we contemplate Will Ferrell’s new golf sitcom, The Hawk — as well as when Ferrell got in a rut and how he could get out, why the universe thinks we need TWO golf shows right now, and what the show could have done to avoid wasting talented co-stars (“been a movie instead” is probably the answer). We went Around The Dial with The Five Star Weekend, Breaking Bad, and High Potentialbefore Sarah teed up a first-season Sports Night for Canon consideration. The New Yorker won, Big Bang Theorylost, and we waded into the ever-proliferating recap-podcast water hazard for Game Time. Crank the speakers on your golf cart and have a listen! GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 623: Are We Ready To Homestead At The New Little House On The Prairie? | 15 Jul 2026 | 01:20:43 | |
Little House On The Prairie has been one in a series of historical memoirs and a TV series that premiered in 1974, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more adaptations: Kim Reed, possibly the world’s biggest franchise fan (or at least the biggest in our acquaintance) returns to talk about Netflix’s new version, which has already been renewed for a second season. Around The Dial takes us through The Other Bennet Sister, Big Brother S28, House Of The Dragon, Squatters, and Human Vapor. Tara pitches the Mad About You episode “Bedfellows” for induction into the Canon. Then, after naming the week’s Winner and Loser, it’s on to a Game Time with an extensive bibliography. Grab a peppermint stick and listen! GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 622: Commercial Pitchman Draft II | 08 Jul 2026 | 01:17:21 | |
Though it’s never been easier to avoid commercials if that’s what you prefer, some do deserve applause. That’s why we’ve assembled to choose our favorite TV commercial characters in product categories from fast food to hard drinks to drugstores and beyond. We also stay on-theme with a pitch for the Tiny Catchy Commercial Jingle With Punchable Child Canon AND a Non-Regulation Game Time all about the stars who’ve used their celebrity to promote everything from worthy non-profits to hands-free toilet cleaners. We’ll be right back after these messages! TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 621: Is Deep Space Nine's Baseball Episode A Home Run? | 01 Jul 2026 | 01:29:26 | |
Larra submitted a late-season DS9 about baseball — in which bunting figures heavily! — for this month’s Forcening, so we stepped up to the plate for Worf homers, MLB nepo casting, and practicing strike-three calls. Ask EHG invited us to write our own Drunk History eps and set Emily Gilmore up on dates, and Tara hung a funny hat a Simpsons Tiny Canon pitch; then we named Not Quite 11 tennis episodes and show-title dog names, just in time to go back to school with TV’s most important academic administrators. Raise the roof; raise it — for an all-new episode of EEHG! TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 620: Cashing Out Of Million Dollar Nannies | 24 Jun 2026 | 01:17:13 | |
Who better than EEHG’s Green Screen correspondent Stephanie Early Green to discuss Freeform’s new reality show about the super-rich Snugli set — Million Dollar Nannies. Sarah actually didn’t hate the show in theory, but in practice, we found the premise non-credible, the nannies suspect skills-wise, and the richie clients were the Forbes 400 equivalent of Vrbo text art. We left the mysteries of Daddy Moke behind to go Around The Dial with Sugar‘s second season, Ludwig, and a From marathon update before Stephanie climbed into the Canon-pitch cockpit with an episode of Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal. Simon Says won, Project Runway lost, and Monty hoped we’d score Alfred E. Neuman points in Game Time. Shred those NDAs and hop in the designer pram for an all-new Extra Hot Great! GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES CLUB-ONLY NOTES | |||
| 619: Making The Grade With Never Change! | 17 Jun 2026 | 01:08:03 | |
A whole passel of alt-comedy superstars got together to make a comedy feature for Hulu about the class of 2008 having to redo the last two weeks of their senior year. Should they…maybe not have bothered? Brandi Brown returns to discuss it (and we hope will return again after we made her endure this). Around The Dial takes us through Miss You, Love You; Office Romance; a viral video of the cast of The Gilded Age pausing a shoot to celebrate the Knicks winning the NBA championship; Carl The Collector; and Mad Men. Sarah pitches the Law & Order episode “Everybody’s Favorite Bagman” for induction into The Canon. Then, after naming the week’s Winner and Loser, we close on a Sorkin-ass Game Time. Put your senior high school yearbook away and listen! GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 618: Interview With The Vampire Rocks Out | 10 Jun 2026 | 01:30:11 | |
Interview With The Vampire returns with a tonally shifted, maximalist third season — and Caroline Framke also returns to talk about the show’s new POV character, in-universe songcraft, when scenery-chewing works, and how vampires’ greatest trick was convincing the world they don’t exist. We went Around The Dial with Not Suitable For Work, Love Island UK, Gardener’s World, and Michael Jackson: The Verdict, and we wondered Will Dave Hate This? about an upcoming The Littlest Hobo remake; Tara may have had an anxiety dream about her Canon pitch for a fifth-season Hacks episode; and La Brea won (for once), while short-sighted executives lost (as usual). And heaven COULDN’T wait for another iteration of Dan Cassino’s faith-based-TV Game Time. Stage-dive into an all-new Extra Hot Great! GUESTS TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 617: In Soviet Russia Star City Space Shows You | 03 Jun 2026 | 01:19:40 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES CLUB-ONLY NOTES | |||
| 616: Issuing A Silver Alert For The Boroughs | 27 May 2026 | 01:08:23 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 615: Having Fun Out Of The Sun For The Summer TV Preview | 20 May 2026 | 01:38:37 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 614: Listener Game Time Returns | 13 May 2026 | 00:51:29 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 613: Lake Diving, Squid Battling, And Avocado Peeling | 06 May 2026 | 01:05:53 | |
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 SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 612: Sitting Center Court For Running Point | 29 Apr 2026 | 01:16:57 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 611: Is Beef Season 2 A Prime Cut? | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:49:58 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 610: Does The Audacity Have Any Of Its Own? | 15 Apr 2026 | 01:01:49 | |
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 SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 609: Studying The Testaments | 08 Apr 2026 | 01:13:40 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES CLUB-ONLY NOTES | |||
| 608: Is For All Mankind Getting Old? | 01 Apr 2026 | 01:37:46 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 606: Giving The Gift Of 1980 Commercials | 25 Mar 2026 | 02:01:25 | |
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 SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 606: Staying Up For The Late Shift | 18 Mar 2026 | 01:29:29 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 605: Is Rooster A Cock-A-Doodle Doo Or A Cock-A-Doodle Don't? | 11 Mar 2026 | 01:12:19 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 604: Investigating R.J. Decker | 04 Mar 2026 | 00:55:08 | |
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 TOPICS NOTES CLUB-ONLY NOTES | |||
| 603: A Little More Conversation About Paradise | 25 Feb 2026 | 01:29:02 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 602: Did We Love Love Story? | 17 Feb 2026 | 01:13:11 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 601: Did The 'Burbs Make Us Stir-Crazy? | 11 Feb 2026 | 01:19:28 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 600: Going Backstage With The Muppet Show | 04 Feb 2026 | 01:22:50 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 599: Sharing Our Recollections About Memory Of A Killer | 28 Jan 2026 | 01:10:37 | |
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 SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES CLUB-ONLY NOTES | |||
| 598: Should You Enroll In Starfleet Academy? | 21 Jan 2026 | 01:21:44 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 597: Charting A New Season Of The Pitt | 14 Jan 2026 | 01:21:23 | |
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 TOPICS SUPPORT THE SHOW NOTES | |||
| 596: Would You Rather IV: Would You Dan Rather? | 07 Jan 2026 | 01:08:45 | |
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 | |||
| 595: The TV Superhero Bracket | 31 Dec 2025 | 00:57:57 | |
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 | |||
| 594: Gone Fishing With John | 24 Dec 2025 | 01:21:08 | |
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 | |||
| 593: Soft Rye, Snorkel Parkas, And The Most Important Person Ever To Hail From Toledo | 17 Dec 2025 | 00:55:55 | |
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 | |||
| 592: Mullendash III | 10 Dec 2025 | 01:28:08 | |
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 | |||
| 591: 2025 Guest Thought Experiments | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:55:52 | |
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 | |||
| 590: Did Our Latest Meal At The Bear Give Us Gas? | 26 Nov 2025 | 01:01:54 | |
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 | |||
| 589: Did We Find The Beauty In The Beast In Me? | 19 Nov 2025 | 01:07:32 | |
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 | |||