The Good. The Bad. The Basic.: Recent Episodes
Alex & Ém
Hello, world! This Alex and Em! Welcome to our corner of the Internet! The Good. The Bad. The Basic. is a podcast where two Black Millennials wax nostalgic on the TV shows and movies we grew up on as well as intellectualize and throw shade at what we're watching now! Join us for obscure pop culture references and organic, fair trade teas as we analyze what makes all of our faves good, bad, and mildly problematic! Enjoy, and check out our Patreon for more exclusive content!
This week, we’ll be concluding our First Impressions season with a discussion of the hit AMC+ original, Interview with a Vampire! Set in 1910s New Orleans, this hit series is based on the best-selling novel by Anne Rice, this fantasy drama follows the relationships of vampires Louis and Lestat and their protegee, Claudia. So does Interview with a Vampire live up to its namesake? Is it worth watching? Stay tuned!
This week, we’ll be continuing our First Impressions season with a discussion of the hit Apple TV+ original, Physical! Set in the 1980s, Physical is the story of a truly desperate housewife named Sheila, a lifelong bulimic with an expensive secret and a dissatisfying marriage. When Sheila’s husband decides to run for California statesman, Sheila feels as if her life is about to implode, but she finds strength in an unexpected source: aerobics. So is Physical as addictive as critics say? Is Physical worth watching? Stay tuned!
This week, we’ll be continuing our First Impressions season with a discussion of the futuristic drama from the creators of HBO’s Westworld, The Peripheral! The Peripheral is a sci-fi drama set roughly 10 years in the future, where a young woman is unknowingly recruited as a mercenary by a sinister corporation who’s using talented VR players to commit crimes 70 years in the future. The first season of The Peripheral has had amazing critical acclaim, and the series has been renewed for a second season, but is it worth it? Is The Peripheral worth watching?
This week, we’ll be continuing our First Impressions season with a discussion on the reboot, or rather continuation of That 70s SHow, That 90s Show! That 70s Show was a hit sitcom, and That 90s Show continues that saga of the Forman family with the daughter of Eric and Donna, Leia Forman, a 15 year old who’s spending the summer with her grandparents and making friends with other teens who are vastly different from herself. So is That 90s Show as good as its predecessor? Is That 90s Show worth watching? Stay tuned!
This week, we’ll be continuing out First Impressions season with a discussion on the reboot of the iconic 80s and 90s coming-of-age series, The Wonder Years! The Wonder Years was one of the most iconic shows for younger GenX and older Millenials, a series where, through the eyes of an initially 12 year old, middle-class suburban white boy, we get a glimpse at life growing up in the late 60s and early 70s. This risky reboot does the exact same thing… with a protagonist growing up in Montgomery, Alabama. The Wonder Years doesn’t just deal with the typical issues of a pre-teen boy, but the greater issues of a highly segregated America. So is the bold new, melanated series any good? Is The Wonder Years worth watching? Stay tuned!
This week, we’ll be continuing our First Impressions with a review of yet another critical and audience darling! Bel-Air is the dramatic retelling of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, bringing the beloved classic into the 21st century and speaking directly to GenZ. Bel-Air takes a whole new approach to the iconic 90s sitcom, giving us more backstory, more layers, more nuance, and more humanity. But is the risk paying off? Is Bel-Air worth watching? Stay tuned!
This week, we’re keeping the First Impressions season going by discussing the internet’s favourite new drama, The Bear! The Bear is a comedy-drama which follows a young, award-winning chef de cuisine who leaves a thriving career in New York City and returns home to Chicago to take over his late brother’s struggling sandwich shop. This ambitious character-driven series is a social media darling. But is The Bear worth watching? Stay tuned!
This week, we conclude our Limited Edition season and discuss the critically acclaimed miniseries, Queen’s Gambit! Set from the mid-1950s through the 1960s, this drama follows a young girl as she learns to play chess in the basement of an orphanage and becomes a powerful contender, all while struggling with the ghosts of her past and a growing substance addiction. So is Queen’s Gambit worth watching? Stay tuned!
This week, we continue with our Limited Edition season and discuss the Freevee original crime comedy, Sprung! Because of overcrowding and COVID-19, several nonviolent offenders are granted early release from prison. But for 3 of them, the excitement of unexpected freedom is soon eclipsed by a desperation to make money, and they soon find themselves tempted back into a life of crime in order to finance the straight and narrow. So is Sprung worth watching? Stay tuned!
This week, we continue with our Limited Edition season and dive into a discussion of the tense, uncomfortable, and shocking miniseries, Unbelievable! Based on true events, this series covers two detectives’ hunt across two states for a serial rapist with an unknown modus operandi, and one survivor’s years long struggle to be seen as victim instead of a liar. So is Unbelievable worth watching? Stay tuned!
This week, we continue with our Limited Edition season and dive into a discussion of the edgy, tense, and loaded biographical drama, The Dropout! This series chronicles the rise and eventual crash and burn of disgraced biotech girlboss, Elizabeth Holmes. After dropping out of Stanford, Elizabeth goes on to be the founder and CEO of Theranos, a company who claimed to be able to test for dozens of illnesses, diseases, and even cancer with only a single drop of blood. But as Theranos grew, so did suspicion of what Elizabeth and her COO were doing behind the scenes, and why Theranos seemed to be all talk and no action. So is The Dropout worth watching? Stay tuned!
Set in the 1970s, this rather recent period piece is a documentary of a fictional band loosely based off of Fleetwood Mac in their Rumours Era. As the band is being interviewed in anticipation of their reunion tour, all of the skeletons in their closet are removed and dusted off, for better or for worse. So is Daisy Jones & The Six worth watching? Stay tuned!
Set in the fictional town of Carp, Texas, Panic follows a group of recently graduated high school seniors who spend the summer after high school participating in increasingly dangerous games, with the ultimate town being enough money to escape their dead-end lives. But the game of mysterious origins has been corrupted, and what was once dangerous has now turned deadly. So is Panic worth watching? Stay tuned!
Normal People uses the relationship between two teenagers to make a critique on class and how classism can hinder relationships. As we watch the wealthy Marianne and the underprivileged Connell fight to make a relationship work despite their differences, the wealth disparity between them is always the elephant in the room. So is Normal People worth watching? Stay tuned!
Inspired by the true story of Anna Sorokin, Inventing Anna follows the party-girl turned con artist who invented Anna Delvey, a German heiress. Through this new identity, Anna was able to sweet talk her way into exclusive parties, clubs, and restaurants, negotiate her way into major business dealings, and fake it into the lives of some of the wealthiest of New York’s old money. So is Inventing Anna worth watching? Stay tuned!
Under the Banner of Heaven is a miniseries tracks a young Mormon detective as he tries to solve a double murder of a mother and infant, a journey that takes him to the underbelly of his religion, and the core of his faith. So is Under the Banner of Heaven worth watching? Stayed tuned!
Maid is a Netflix limited series based on the best-selling memoirs of Stephanie Land. In only 10 episodes, this series follows a young, impoverished single mother’s struggle to break free from her abusive boyfriend and provide a better life for her daughter. So what did we think of this series? Is Maid worth watching? Stay tuned!Check out our Patreon at patreon.com/goodbadbasic for more!
Hello World! Today I am joined by entertainment and culture writer Sydney Urbanek. Hang with us as we talk about the global pop superstar Taylor Swift and the 2020 documentary Miss Americana. Miss Americana follows Swift as she closes the chapter on her 20s and looks to the future of her 30s reflecting on lessons she's learned along the way. But what has she learned really?
Today, we’re discussing the back half of Fox/Netflix’s hit fantasy police procedural, Lucifer! Based on the hit DC comics character, Lucifer Morningstar abandons Hell for the city of angels and becomes a successful nightclub owner in LA! During his tenure on Earth, Lucifer becomes a civilian consultant to the LAPD, helping to solve crimes. The Prince of Darkness became a crime fighter and falls in love, but was this portrayal enough to charm audiences? Stay tuned!
Today, we're discussing the first half of Fox/Netflix’s hit fantasy comedy-drama, Lucifer! Based on the hit DC comics character, Lucifer Morningstar abandons Hell for the city of angels and becomes a successful nightclub owner in LA! During his tenure on Earth, Lucifer becomes a civilian consultant to the LAPD, helping to solve crimes. The Lord of Hell is a universally reviled character, so what did we think of this charismatic, sensitive portrayal of Lucifer? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing the final 4 seasons of The WB/CW’s iconic superhero teen drama, Smallville! Based on DC comics most popular franchise of all time, Superman, Smallville takes us into the inner world of a young Clark Kent as he navigates friendship and family, all while hiding the secret of his origins. We also get to explore the young hero’s relationships with his would-be arch-nemesis, and his greatest love, Lois Lane. So how well has Smallville aged a decade after its finale? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing the midsection of The WB/CW’s iconic superhero teen drama, Smallville! Based on DC comics most popular franchise of all time, Superman, Smallville follows a young Kryptonian’s journey from small farm to big city. We get to witness all of the big and small events in Smallville, Kansas that helped shape the Superman that we all know, as well as his arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor. So what do we think made Smallville so captivating? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing the first 3 seasons of The WB/CW’s iconic superhero teen drama, Smallville! Based on DC comics most popular franchise of all time, Superman, Smallville follows the journey of a young Clark Kent from a small farm in Smallville, Kansas, to the bustling city of Metropolis. We get a front row seat as the boy who would become Superman navigates friendship, family, romance, and wanting to be normal when he’s anything but. Smallville solidified the network as a primetime contender, but how does the show hold up 10 years after its finale? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing the back half of the Fox original crime drama, Gotham! Based on the popular DC comics series, Gotham chronicles the early career of a young Jim Gordon as well as the amplified teen angst of a recently orphaned Bruce Wayne. Gotham had excellent original characters, as well as great portrayals of the beloved Batman villains that many of us grew up on, but did the effort pay off? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing the Fox original crime drama, Gotham! Based on the popular DC comics series, Gotham chronicles the early career of a young Jim Gordon as he battles the seedy underbelly of crime in his beloved, but very corrupt city. It also takes us into the formative years of a young Bruce Wayne prior to his reign as Batman. This series was ambitious, but did the risks pay off? Stay tuned!
Joining us for this episode are our very special guests, Sara and S.E. of the Bitches on Comics podcast! The last time Sara and S.E. were guests here on GBB, we were discussing Lost Girl, so of course, they were the first people to come to mind when discussing the contemporary Sapphic delight that is the topic of our current episode, the Syfy original, Wynonna Earp
Based on the comic book miniseries by Beau Smith, this supernatural Western horror follows the great-great-daughter of legendary lawman Wyatt Earp after she inherits the power to return reincarnated villains back to hell, using her ancestor’s magical gun. Wynonna must also do battle with other supernatural forces which reside near her hometown, as well as renew her relationship with her younger sister. This series was bold, and ambitious, and quickly became an audience favourite, but what did we think of Wynonna Earp? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing the FX original, Legion! Based on the Marvel comics series, Legion is about a young man who’s battled schizophrenia his entire life, only to learn that he is a mutant, and that his “mental illness” is really just his mind's way of coping with his vast power. Legion took a bold and daring move, at the height of the MCU, but did this gamble pay off, or did the series bite off a bit more than it could chew? Stay tuned!
We’re debuting this 13th season with one of the most popular, critically-acclaimed superhero dramas of recent memory: Heroes! Heroes tells the myriad stories of seemingly ordinary people who learn that they have supernatural abilities, and how those abilities impact their lives, for the better and for the worse. Some become villains, some become opportunists, and others become heroes. So what did we think of this television juggernaut? Stay tuned.
Today, we’re discussing the Netflix original series, Dear White People! Based on the satirical dark comedy film of the same name, Dear White People uses the fictional Ivy League of Winchester University to explore race relations among the student body and America at large. With each episode focusing on the personal life and inner world of a different character, Dear White People attempts to explore ideologies, loyalties, and motivations in a complex way. So did the series succeed? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing the BET college drama, The Quad! The Quad chronicles the growth and growing responsibilities of a newly-elected president at a financially struggling university. Dr. Eva Fletcher, the first female president of GAMU, must manage her students, her faculty, and her not-so-stable love life, all while trying to manage a healthy relationship with her rebellious daughter. This was only the second series to attempt an HBCU perspective, and one of the first to center the head of the university rather than its students, so how did The Quad fare? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing NBC’s college sitcom, A Different World! A spin-off of the critically-acclaimed Cosby Show, this series began by following the Cosby’s second-eldest daughter, the aimless Denise Huxtable, as she started her journey of higher education at Hillman College, a fictitious amalgam of Spelman and Morehouse Colleges. This sitcom chronicling the HBCU experience was much-needed and hadn’t been attempted before, or since. So what do we think made this series so enjoyable? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing Global and E!’s short-lived college drama, The Best Years! The Best Years is a Canadian series set in the U.S. which follows a young woman’s journey into womanhood when she is awarded a scholarship to an Ivy League university after having spent the past 10 years in foster care. Our protagonist, Samantha Best, doesn’t really have any family when she arrives at college, but soon makes close friendships and even begins to explore romance. So what do we think of this almost forgotten relic of the early 2000s? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing The WB’s hit college drama, Felicity! Felicity is a series in which the title character scraps all of her plans for college in order to chase her high school crush across the country. We follow the adventures of our heroine in love, academia, and adjusting to life in a new city with new, adult responsibilities. Felicity was one of the most iconic shows of its era, so how do we think the show has held up almost 20 years after it ended? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing the hit ABC Family college comedy-drama, Greek! Greek follows a group of young adults at university who are a part of fraternities or sororities, otherwise known as Greek life. This series observes the college experience from a lens that’s often seen on the periphery of the college experience rather than the forefront, and chronicles the characters’ various highs and lows during their first real foray into adulthood. So what do we think made this series so unique? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing the back half of Syfy’s fantasy series, The Magicians! Based on the popular new adult fantasy book trilogy, this series follows the struggles, danger, adventure, and growth of a group of friends at Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy, as well as their magical friends. The Magicians wasn’t perfect, but it left an indelible impression and quickly became a pop culture phenomenon. So what do we think made this series great? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing the first half of Syfy’s fantasy series, The Magicians! Based on the popular new adult fantasy book trilogy, this series follows the exploits of our protagonist after he is granted admission into Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy, an exclusive, and secret, university for magicians. Often referenced as an aged-up Harry Potter for adults, The Magicians gives us magic, mystery, and friendship. So what do we think made this series so captivating? Stay tuned!
We’re debuting this 12th season, Off to College!, with one of the most popular, critically-acclaimed sitcoms of this millennium: Community! Community follows an unlikely group of friends who meet upon attending Greendale Community College, and chronicles their personal antics, burgeoning camaraderie, and their wildly inappropriate relationship with their dean. What is it about this mildly over-the-top show set in a fictional town in Colorado that kept audiences hooked? Stay tuned.
Today, we’re concluding our Spies & Lies season with a discussion on the back half of ABC’s action- spy thriller, Alias! Alias tried to mix the political, the theological, and the mythological, but this risk was...questionable, to say the lead. Our protagonist, Sydney Bristow tries to juggle the relationships with her father, her handler, and her work, and doesn’t always succeed? So why do we think, despite all of this, Alias was such a critical darling? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing the first half of ABC’s action- spy thriller, Alias! One of ABC’s most critically-acclaimed dramas, Alias follows Sydney Bristow, a CIA agent working as a double agent for SD-6, a counter-government agency. Sydney must handle the stressors of her job while keeping her friends in the dark, navigating a romance with a co-worker, and handling the tense relationship between her and her father, who is in the same line of work. So what do we think made Alias so exciting? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing the back half of NBC’s comedy-action spy series, Chuck! Chuck goes from a Nerd Herd member at Buy More to the CIA and NSA’s most valuable asset after opening an email from his college roommate. The series follows an ordinary guy after he’s pulled into the dangerous world of espionage, with impeccable comedic timing. So what do we think made this series so enjoyable? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing the first half of NBC’s comedy-action spy series, Chuck! Chuck follows the escapades of the title character after some of the nation’s greatest spy secrets are embedded into his brain and he is subsequently used on top-secret missions by the CIA and the NSA. So what was it about this tech genius turned international man of mystery that made audiences love Chuck so much? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing NBC’s spy-drama, Undercovers! This series worked from the unique premise of a husband and wife catering duo who had a colourful past as CIA agents, and are called out of retirement to take on the big jobs that no one else is qualified for. Filled with intrigue, international jet-setting and crime-fighting, and ulterior motives, Undercovers was certainly very different from what one would expect from NBC. So what made this series so interesting? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing The CW’s action-spy thriller, Nikita! Based on the critically acclaimed spy-drama from director Luc Besson, this series about a young woman recruited into a secret government agency was the fourth adaptation of the source material and had some very big shoes to fill. Nikita takes a different approach, beginning where its predecessors ended, with Nikita managing to get away from her captors, and determined to bring the entire operation down. Filled with action, drama, and double agents, Nikita was different from anything else that The CW had to offer at the time. So what do we think made this series so brilliant? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re discussing the back half of FX’s magnetic spy thriller, The Americans! The Americans is about undercover KGB agents posing as travel agents, and how their dangerous lives become more complicated as their daughter gets older, an FBI agent moves in across the street, and they experience myriad crises of consciousness about the nature of their work. The Americans gave us a very balanced look into both sides of the Cold War without sacrificing key historical events. So what do we think made this series so brilliant? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re debuting our highly-anticipated 11th season: Spies & Lies! During the course of this season, Alex and I will be discussing all the riveting series which featured a hearty dose of intrigue, espionage, and international warfare! We’re premiering GBB’s 11th season with none other than one of the most critically-acclaimed spy thrillers of all time: The Americans! The Americans is not just a spy thriller, but a highly nuanced serial drama and period drama that made both critics and audiences alike sit up and pay attention. The Americans featured a married couple as undercover KGB agents living as a typical American family during the height of the Cold War, and chronicled how their already stressful and dangerous lives are made even more so when an FBI agent moves in across the street. So what do we think make The Americans so brilliant? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the back half of one of the most groundbreaking Black sitcoms: Girlfriends! Girlfriends took us through the highs and lows of a group of four very different Black women, and chronicled their searches for love, purpose, career, and family. So what do we think made this series so iconic? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing one of the most beloved modern Black sitcoms of all time: Girlfriends! This series follows four Black women as they navigate careers, romance, and most importantly, their relationships with themselves, and one another. Girlfriends was a refreshingly insightful, loving, and honest portrayal of what it means to be a Black woman in America, and approached the issue from four very different lenses. So what do we think made Girlfriends so relatable? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing America’s second-most popular teenage girl detective: Veronica Mars! This series follows a whip-smart highschooler from the elite, fictional town of Neptune, California, who solves the various mysteries in the lives of her classmates, even as she struggles with a few mysteries from her own past. So what do we think made Veronica Mars so intriguing? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the back half of one of the most truly groundbreaking and provocative series in television history, The L Word! This American-Canadian drama follows a group of lesbian friends living in Los Angeles, and chronicled all of their high and lows during their quests for love. How did The L Word manage to avoid so many heteronormative tropes, and what made this series an instant classic? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing one of the most truly groundbreaking and provocative series in television history, The L Word! This American-Canadian drama follows a group of lesbian friends living in Los Angeles, and all the lovers they keep and exes they lose along the way. The L Word was the first series to ever star an entire principle cast of queer women, and center lesbian and bisexual women's experiences within the queer community. Although the series sparked a lot of controversy, The L Word was television gold! So what do we think made this series so intriguing? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the back half of one of the most truly unique shows of the last decade: Drop Dead Diva! When the consciousness of a thin, vapid aspiring model returned to Earth in the body of a plus-sized attorney, hi-jinks ensued, but Drop Dead Diva kept its humanity to and allowed us to witness the amazing character arc of our protagonist as she learns to become a figuratively bigger person as well. So what exactly made this series so interesting? Stay tuned!
Today, we'll be discussing the first half of one of the most truly unique shows of the last decade: Drop Dead Diva. This series follows Deb, an aspiring model who dies, ascends to heaven, and hits the return button, coming back to Earth in the body of a hardworking, generous, plus-sized attorney named Jane, who is also recently deceased. With a guardian angel and best friend in on the secret, Deb learns to navigate both Jane's life and her body. So what exactly made this series so refreshing? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the back half of the charming English-language telenovela that gave us a refreshing, messy, and entertaining look at modern families: Jane the Virgin! This series only recently ended, yet it was clear from the very first season that this series would be an instant hit. From premise, to casting, to writing, Jane the Virgin was a delight to watch. So what exactly made this series so endearing? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the ground-breaking English-language telenovela that radically changed the way the Millenials view abstinence, IVF, hotel moguls, and identical twins: Jane the Virgin! Jane the Virgin had a humble enough premise: A young virgin in a relationship with one man ends up artificially inseminated with the baby of another man, by that second man’s gynecologist sister. What could have easily delved into comic absurdity, with bad punchlines and a laugh track, one instead became the foundation of a romantic comedy-drama that was warm, moving, family-centered, and thoughtful. So what exactly made Jane the Virgin so beloved? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the short-lived ABC spy-fi series, Marvel’s Agent Carter! Featuring MCU character Peggy Carter, this series is about a young woman who must balance life as a secret agent in the 1940s. Agent Carter’s “superpower,” is how often other people underestimate her, which she uses to her advantage to save the world as we know it on numerous occasions. So what do we think of this campy action-spy series? Did Marvel’s Agent Carter deserve more seasons? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the final two seasons of the iconic sex comedy, Sex and the City! We’ll be diving into the last 2 seasons, as well as the first movie, on the series that made Cosmos and Manolo Blahniks trendy, and featured women who knew exactly how they liked their drinks, their shoes, and their men! It’s been 17 years since the series debuted, so how does Sex and the City hold up for Millennials living through a pandemic? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the landmark sex comedy about 4 friends exploring their careers, sex, and love in New York City, all while remaining immaculately fashionable. Sex and the City gave us an unflinching and unapologetic look at 4 very different women’s love and sex lives, and sparked numerous questions and conversations with its provocative material. Sex and the City directly challenged the notion that having a main cast over the age of 30 wouldn’t lead to success, and the writers directly challenged the way that we talk about sex? So how has Sex and the City aged almost 23 years after its debut? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the groundbreaking ABC dramady: Ugly Betty! Based on the internationally acclaimed Yo soy Betty, la fea, Ugly Betty chronicles the blossom of an ugly duckling who gets her feet wet in the world of fashion and learns how to assert herself, follow her dreams, and coordinate her outfits! Ugly Betty was US television’s very first foray into making an English-language telenovela. The series gave us laughs, loves, ridiculous scenarios, and epic cliffhangers. So how did the gamble pay off? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the Lifetime series that set the network on fire:The Client List! Based on Lifetime’s hugely successful TV movie of the same name, The Client List follows a recently abandoned single mother of two who crosses a personal moral boundary when she uses her massage therapy skills to earn a living, while also charging for “extras”. The Client List explores single motherhood, friendship, and sex work through a thoughtful and very provocative lens. So what do we think made The Client List so seductive? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the BET series that quickly became a household name: Being Mary Jane! Being Mary Jane allowed viewers to explore the inner world of a highly successful, but romantically unfulfilled TV news anchor. Mary Jane has the perfect job, her dream home, and a supportive family, but no man, and a ticking biological clock. This seemingly very basic premise launched a hit series, but what exactly made Being Mary Jane so intriguing? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re debuting GBB’s 10th season with none other than one of the most beloved Black sitcoms of all time: Living Single! Living Single gave us not one by four strong, female leads! Four Black women living their best lives, and learning about themselves and what they wanted from their partners and their careers. Living Single leaned on beautiful, intelligent leads who spoke from themselves, instead of being led by ceaseless trauma as a plot point. This highly successful series ended over 20 years ago, so why is it still so beloved and so impactful to this day? Stay tuned.
Today, we’ll be discussing the historical drama, Rome! This period drama, which begins in the year 1 BC, follows the lives of two Roman soldiers whose personal lives are deeply interwoven in key historical events during Rome’s transition from a republic to an empire. Although the series touches on and, in some cases, dives deeply into true historical events, the series’ mostly peripheral view of them allows the audience to see how the rise of this empire affected those outside of the ruling class. So how did the most ancient show in our Historical Dramas season manage to engage so many people? And how is Rome holding up over 13 years after its finale? So what made the series so hard to turn away from? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the historical romantic drama, Reign! This period drama follows the early life of Mary Stuart, better known as Mary, Queen of Scots, and how she went from the betrothed of Prince Francis of France to a highly influential queen and political strategist in her own right. Reign was the CW’s very bold and brave stab at a historical drama, and although the series didn’t last as long as most on the network, it’s safe to say that Reign was GenZ’s favourite period drama. So what made the series so hard to turn away from? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the British historical drama, The White Queen! This miniseries set against the backdrop of the infamous War of the Roses follows the power struggles of the women of the House of York and the House of Lancaster as they fight for the throne. This period drama takes us behind the seat of power as we watch how the machinations and manipulations of power affect the monarchy, and the nation as a whole. So what exactly made The White Queen so engaging, and what does the series teach us about modern-day politics? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the Renaissance-era historical drama, The Borgias! Set in the late 1400s, this period drama follows the Borgia family, led by Cardinal turned Pope, Rodrigo Borgia, as they fight to maintain their grip on the Papacy and by extension, the Roman Catholic Church. This series delves headfirst to all of the details, both fact and rumour, of this time, as well as exposing the hypocrisy, misdeeds, and bureaucracy of the Borgias and everyone around them. So what exactly made The Borgias so titillating? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the British Tudor-era historical drama, The Tudors! This period drama follows the lives and loves of King Henry VIII of England and how these women influenced his allegiances, his politics, his religion, and ultimately, the course of history. What is it about this period drama that made it so intriguing? How do the politics of this British monarchy continue to keep us fascinated over 500 years later? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the heart-pounding antebellum period drama, Underground! This short-lived series about the endeavors of desperate slaves to make a bid for their freedom kept audiences enraptured and turned many new audiences on to its home network, WGN America. While slave narratives aren’t uncommon, Underground took bold risks with its portrayal of slaves, slave owners, plantation life, slave catchers, and the abolitionist movement. So what do we think made this series so unique? What helped set Underground apart from its contemporaries? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the final seasons of the critically-acclaimed Mad Men! AMC’s period drama about the inner lives of Manhattan’s elite advertising executives successfully captured the personal and political nuances of the white upper-middle class who kept consumerism at an all time high during a time of war. What was it about this series that made these people and this time period seem so interesting? How did Mad Men manage to grab and hold the attention of so many people for so many seasons? Stay tuned!
On today's episode, we'll be discussing seasons 4 & 5 of Mad Men! AMC's critically-acclaimed drama about the inner lives of Manhattan's elite advertising executives was responsible for putting the spotlight on so many previously unrecognized but immensely talented actors and writers, as well as the AMC network itself, and the show's creator! But what was it about this series set in the 1960s that intrigued us in the 21st century? How did Mad Men manage to grab and hold our attention? Stay tuned!
We’re debuting our 9th season with none other than the most successful historical television drama of all time, and one of the most groundbreaking series to ever air on any network, AMC’s Mad Men! Mad Men, short for Madison Men, is a series about a group of advertisers working for the Sterling Cooper advertising agency on Madison Ave in Manhattan. At the series debut, we’re placed in the year 1960 and quickly immersed in the life of protagonist Don Draper, a savvy advertising executive and shameless womanizer. Over the course of a decade, we see how Don and his colleagues, associates, and lovers evolve to be better or worse people. How did Mad Men manage to take such an eventful time in history, and such a seemingly unglamourous line of work, reduce it into individual stories, and turn it into television gold? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the always funny and often warm father-daughter focused sitcom: One on One. Single fathers are certainly not scarce in the sitcom genre, but a father who isn’t widowed, and who’s only child is a girl certainly is. One on One took on this new terrain with Black leads and remained successful for 5 seasons! So what exactly made this show so unique, yet relatable? How did this series charm audiences and become a household name? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the immensely successful Moesha spin-off series: The Parkers! Focused on Moesha supporting character, Kim Parker, and her mother, Nikki, The Parkers’ unusual premise of a mother and daughter attending college together was a television hit! Starring former child actress, Countess Vaughn, and decorated comedian, Mo’Nique, The Parkers consistently delivered on laughs and managed to pull off 5 award-winning seasons! So what made this series such a success across so many different demographics? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the last seasons of the UPN’s runaway hit series, Moesha! The series takes us through the life of the Black girl-next-door as Moesha navigates relationships with friends, boyfriends, family, and herself. So what do we think made this series so exciting and groundbreaking? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the first 3 seasons of the iconic UPN hit series, Moesha! The series followed the title character, an upper-middle class Black girl, as she navigates friendships, relationships, and family while in the midst of near constant conflict with her strict, old-school father. Moesha was unique and groundbreaking in myriad ways, so what do we think made this series so special? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the last seasons of the landmark ABC and WB sitcom, Sister, Sister! This series follows our protagonists, twins who were separated and individually adopted at birth, when they reunite during a chance encounter, and both they and their adoptive parents work at being an integrated family. Sister, Sister took a lot of sitcom risks, portraying Black girls and Black families in a radically different, often much more autonomous way. So what made this series so captivating? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the first 3 seasons of the landmark ABC and WB sitcom, Sister, Sister! This series follows our protagonists, twins who were separated and individually adopted at birth, when they reunite during a chance encounter, and both they and their adoptive parents work at being an integrated family. Sister, Sister was and still remains one of the most unique sitcom premises of all time, dealing with often very heavy themes such as twin separation, adoption, found families, and personal identity with just enough levity. So what made this series such a hit? What was it about Sister, Sister that made the Mowry twins household names? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the last 3 seasons of the unforgettable NBC sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air! This series follows our protagonist’s life as he adjusts from lower-middle class life in West Philadelphia to a posh new existence with his aunt and uncle in Bel-Air, California. Fresh Prince is one of the most ubiquitous American sitcoms of all time! So what was the secret behind this landmark series’ success? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the first 3 seasons of the groundbreaking NBC sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air! This series follows our protagonist’s life after he is sent away by his mother from the mean streets of West Philadelphia to the posh new world of Bel-Air, California, to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle. Fresh Prince instantly became a television mainstay, and all of the characters on the series remain household names to this day. So what was the magic formula for this wildly successful Black sitcom? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the last 3 seasons of the iconic ABC sitcom, Boy Meets World! This slice-of-life series follows our protagonist from his pre-teen years through the ups and downs of his early 20s. Boy Meets World's gives us a taste of the life of the average white boy growing up in the 90s, and the family and friends who help shape him. So how well has this landmark series aged 20 years after its finale? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the first 4 seasons of the iconic ABC sitcom, Boy Meets World! This slice-of-life series follows our protagonist from his awkward pre-teen years through the growth of manhood. Though there is nothing special about any one episode, Boy Meets World's charm is in how it made the everyday and mundane into entertainment, cementing its status as one of the most memorable shows of the 90s. So how did Boy Meets World manage to turn the ordinary into an extraordinarily touching series? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be going back to one of Disney Channel’s first original series, their very first show to be shot in 16:9, So Weird. Shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, this American-Canadian urban paranormal drama centers a teenage girl who, along with her brother and their friends, encounters and solves paranormal mysteries while touring with her rockstar mom. Often dubbed by critics as “X-Files for kids,” this series was certainly different from anything that Disney had done before or since. So what made So Weird so intriguing? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be going back to the late 90s to discuss one of The WB’s few Black sitcoms, Smart Guy! Set in Washington, D.C, this series centers 10-year-old prodigy who is advanced several grades and placed in the 10th grade, attending the same high school as his older siblings. While the premise was a bit unusual, Smart Guy had all the trappings of the classic family sitcom, and enjoyed a brief but successful run on The WB, as well as syndication on seven other networks globally. So what exactly made Smart Guy so entertaining? Stay tuned!
Today, we’re debuting our 8th season with none other than Disney’s most successful tween drama, Lizzie McGuire! This series’ title character is a 12 year old girl trying to navigate 7th grade, parents, boys, and mean girls as best as she can while staying true to herself. So how did Lizzie McGuire manage to become a household name and even secure a deal for what would be one of Disney’s most successful TV-to-film live-action adaptations in only two seasons? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the last 4 seasons of the hit HBO fantasy drama, True Blood! This groundbreaking series started off strong, but started to lose its footing somewhere in the fact half, as too many characters, too many supernatural entities, and an abundance of overall ridiculousness consistently threatened the show’s credibility and its initial premise. So how did True Blood manage to survive 7 seasons on one of the most reputable premium networks? Stay tuned!
On today's episode, we'll be discussing the first 3 seasons of the hit HBO fantasy drama, True Blood! This groundbreaking series was adapted from The Southern Vampire Mysteries, a best-selling series of novels from Charlaine Harris, which incorporated not only vampire and werewolves, but also shape-shifters, faeries, and demons. So how did this series manage to juggle such a complex universe and remain a staple in premium next work television for 6 years? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the back half of MTV’s hit sci-fi teen drama, Teen Wolf! This series, loosely based on the 1985 sci-fi comedy film of the same name, follows the momentous life change that occurs for Scott McCall after he is bitten by a werewolf and has to adapt to becoming both predator and prey. Teen Wolf premiered almost a decade ago, in an era of 24 hour social media news cycles, yet still remains a topic of pop culture conversation to this day! So what made this series so captivating? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the back half of MTV’s hit sci-fi, supernatural teen drama, Teen Wolf! This series, loosely based on the 1985 sci-fi comedy film of the same name, follows the momentous life change that occurs for Scott McCall after he is bitten by a werewolf and has to adapt to becoming both predator and prey. This series premiered in an era where MTV was churning out fresh content for teens, yet few had Teen Wolf's staying power. So what exactly helped this series outlast the rest? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing going back to the early 2000s to discuss Fox’s sci-fi drama, Dark Angel! This series, set in 2019, is a bit dated now but was far ahead of its time when it first debuted! Our protagonist, Max, is a bio-engineered supersoldier who escapes the secret U.S. government facility, Manticore, where she was born, raised, and trained. 10 years later, a 19 year old Max is trying to keep a low profile while attempting to find the rest of her Manticore siblings. So how did this series fare, and what made Dark Angel so intriguing? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the Hulu original, Marvel’s Runaways! As the name implies, this series is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it doesn’t feature Thor or Ironman. This time, Marvel is taking us for a wild ride as six teens who grew up together get the shock of their lives when they learn that their seemingly normal parents are villains who are responsible for murdering many other teenagers over the last 20 years in service to a sinister, extraterrestrial force. So how did this series and its unique premise fare without caped heroes or intergalactic warfare? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the last 3 seasons of the hit Canadian supernatural fantasy series, Lost Girl! This series follow the journey of self-discovery of a young, bisexual succubus is truly an under-discussed television landmark, so we thought it only appropriate to make a discussion on this series as big as possible by inviting back our very special guests, our friends Sara and S.E. of the Bitches on Comics podcast! Lost Girl had a great cast, excellent writing, and a fantastic premise, but not every series with this formula becomes a hit. So what was Lost Girl’s x-factor? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be celebrating our 50th regular episode by discussing the first 2 seasons of the hit Canadian supernatural fantasy series, Lost Girl! This series follow the journey of self-discovery of a young, bisexual succubus who is trying to find her place in the world while navigating her abilities. This award-winning series was a very ambitious, and highly successful, television venture which went on to be a cult classic.
Being that Lost Girl is supernatural, queer, and has a mildly steampunk aesthetic, Alex and I knew that we didn’t want to record these episodes without the input of our very special guests, our friends Sara and S.E. of the Bitches on Comics podcast! Lost Girl has all the ingredients to be a great show, but we have discussed many shows which we thought had the juice, only to become short-lived disappointments. So what made Lost Girl so different? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the last 2 seasons of E4’s hit sci-fi series: Misfits! This British series about a group of young offenders who receive supernatural abilities while performing community service started off strong but quickly started to go off the tracks as more and more of its lead actors left the series to pursue other projects, leaving the writers struggling to maintain a cohesive storyline and retain audience loyalty. In spite of this turbulent state of affairs, the series lasted 5 seasons and remains one of the most original and ambitious television ventures. So what exactly made Misfits so impactful? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the first 3 seasons of E4’s hit sci-fi series: Misfits! This British series about a group of young offenders who receive supernatural abilities during an electrical storm was equal parts exciting, hilarious, and thought-provoking. Misfits didn’t have a very long run, but it made a huge cultural impact and remains a pop culture relic of the last decade. So what is it that made this series so enjoyable? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the back half of the hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off series: Angel! This series ended 16 years ago, yet still remains a relevant cultural artifact and topic of conversation today. So what was it that made this spin-off so compelling? And how did Angel manage to step out of Buffy’s shadow and become its own household name? Stay tuned!
On this episode of #GBB, we'll be discussing the first two seasons of the hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off series, Angel! This series first aired almost 21 years ago to a wave of skepticism because of the failures of the many spin-offs which had preceded it, but due to the popularity of Buffy, the enormous fan base around the Angel character, and the same sort of stellar writing and acting that we had come to expect from its predecessor, Angel became an overnight success. So what was the magic formula that kept audiences hooked? Stay tuned!
On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the back half of the original Charmed! This series ended 14 years ago, but not a single year has passed since where it wasn’t being broadcast on syndicate or via streaming services, and it's also seen impressive sales in home release of the DVD box sets as well. So what is it about this series that keeps us under its spell? What can we take away from Charmed, and what do we think made this series so ubiquitous? Stay tuned!
Charmed was an unexpected breakout hit that changed the face of prime time network television and garnered a huge amount of respect for its home network, The WB. Deemed by critics to be a fusion of Practical Magic and The Craft, Charmed far surpassed expectations and became a pop culture icon, a cult classic, and a critical darling. So how do we feel about Charmed over 21 years after its debut? Stay tuned!
Roswell is a sci-fi drama about teenage aliens struggling to fit in, navigate relationships, and stay alive was one of the hottest shows on TV back when it aired. Roswell jump-started the careers of some of the biggest names in television, both in front of and behind the camera. And left an indelible impression so great that it was rebooted 17 years after its finale. So how do we think the original Roswell has aged in the last 18 years? And what can we take away from the series? Stay tuned!
When the series opens, The Sopranos' protagonist, Tony Soprano, is the head of the DiMeo crime family, but his chosen line of work is a constant source of heartache and tension with his immediate family. Tony always says he wants to do the right thing, but is constantly in the role of the villain for so many people around him. So how do we think of this complicated protagonist? What can we take away from The Sopranos? Stay tuned!
Today, we'll be discussing the first half of the family crime drama, The Sopranos! When the series opens, The Sopranos' protagonist, Tony Soprano, is the head of the DiMeo crime family, but this "Family man" is a constant source of grief and heartache to his immediate family. So how do we think this series has held up 21 years after its debut? Stay tuned!
The Shield gave us the gritty underbelly of life as an L.A. cop, and exposed the corruption of Vic Mackey, his friends, and his superiors. What is it about this crime action drama that kept us hooked up in the back half? Stay tuned!
Sorry About That follows Jay Savage an actor moves from Zanesville, OH to Atlanta, GA in order to pursue his dreams of becoming an actor in the Hollywood of the South. What could possibly go wrong? On this bonus, minisode #GBB takes a look at this brand new comedy from Atlanta writer/director Nina Lee.
Check out the series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2UtF64BtShRgsjvKY-E1wg/videos
The Shield is a crime drama that follows a group of cops who start off on the softer side of corrupt and devolve into full-blown criminal activity. What did #GBB have to say about this series following some truly unsavory boys in blue? Stay tuned!
On this episode of #GBB, we will be discussing the last 2 seasons of the critically-acclaimed crime drama, Breaking Bad! Walter White, the chem teacher turned cancer patient turned drug kingpin, was a hero to many of the series’ fans, but what does this actually say about those fans? And what did we learn from the series? Stay tuned!
Breaking Bad is the story of unassuming high-school chemistry teacher and part-time car wash employee, Walter White, who soon turns into a drug kingpin, following a cancer diagnosis. Though this series is considered one of the best series of all time, it wouldn't be #GBB if we didn't break down the story and get into what made the first 3 seasons of Breaking Bad good, bad, and basic! Enjoy!
Today, #GBB will be discussing the last 4 seasons of the ground-breaking FX original, Sons of Anarchy! Sons of Anarchy used gang life as a backdrop to create an ongoing narrative about toxic friendships, narcissistic parents, misguided loyalty, the necessity of personal accountability, and how misogyny hurts everyone. So what exactly do we think made Sons of Anarchy such a huge network achievement? Stay tuned!
Today, #GBB will be kicking off our 6th season, Outlaws, and kicking things off by discussing the first 3 seasons of the ground-breaking FX original, Sons of Anarchy! Sons of Anarchy used a more modern setting and some inspiration from Shakespeare's Hamlet to weave an intricate cautionary tale. The series constantly explored themes such as friendship, betrayal, brotherhood, loyalty, and redemption to explore the inner workings of gang life. So what exactly do we think made Sons of Anarchy so compelling? Stay tuned!
Today, we’ll be discussing the highs and lows of the grandfather of all political dramas, NBC’s The West Wing! This series is still lauded as one of the greatest and most inspirational TV shows of all time by various publications, including Time magazine and TV Guide. The West Wing was also ranked number 10 on The Writers Guild of America’s “101 Best -Written TV Series” list. So what did 2 Black Millennials think of this series? How did it measure up to all the hype? Stay tuned!
The Good Wife is a series that delivered quality for seven spectacular seasons! On this episode, #GBB dives into seasons 5-7 on this immaculate drama. Our protagonist, Alicia Florrick made a series of questionable decisions for the series duration, decisions that did very little to bring her closer to happiness, but did keep viewers on the edge of their seats. So what did we think of The Good Wife, its cast of characters, and Alicia’s lace front wig so intriguing? Stay tuned!
The Good Wife, CBS' award-winning legal/political drama, is praised by many critics as the last great network television drama. This series, about a wealthy stay-at-home mom who must re-enter the workplace and finally use her law degree after her husband is arrested, is captivating, but why? Find out as we discuss the first 4 seasons of this memorable series!
House of Cards is a show which quickly curated a loyal fan base, but who was the series really for; what was the magic formula? What was it that made House of Cards so riveting for so many viewers? In discussing the back half of the series, Alex and I will dive a bit deeper on what House of Cards got right, what it got wrong, and how behind-the-scenes shenanigans ruined the final season of the show. Stayed tuned!
House of Cards is the series that put Netflix on the map as a serious contender in creating original content, and is arguably responsible for the success that the streaming giant enjoys today. So what was it that made this political drama so bingeworthy? Check out what we had to say on the first three seasons of this unexpected online hit!
Scandal was truly a force of nature, despite a lot of convoluted writing and plots that we hanging on by a thread. In this episode, we dive into seasons 4-6 of this groundbreaking political drama and try to get to the heart of what made this series so addictive! Enjoy!
ABC's Scandal is a show which revolutionized how we discuss and consume television. Despite a short and very rocky first season, Scandal because a the cultural artifact and managed to survive 7 seasons on the network. What made Scandal so addictive, what did we love and hate about the series, and how well has it aged? Stay tuned as we discuss the first 4 seasons!
A drama about the ugly reality behind reality TV? The premise alone is ambitious, but UnREAL took a huge bite of this apple and crafted a compelling cast of characters both on and "off" camera. So how does this series hold up, what made it great, and what could have been done better? Stay tuned!
30 Rock was a groundbreaking, behind-the-scenes farce created by Saturday Night Live alum Tina Fey, and based loosely on her experiences as a writer for SNL. 30 Rock very quickly became and remains a large part of the topography of modern television and is considered by many to be something of a blueprint for satire. But how did the show, created by a wealthy white GenXer, actually measure up with two Black women Millennials? Stayed tuned!
Instant Star is the whirlwind modern-fairy tale of a young girl who finds the happily-ever-after of overnight super-stardom after winning a nationally-televised singing competition, and quickly learns that her work as singer-songwriter(and her personal growth) is just getting started! Find out what #GBB had to say about this Canadian teen drama!
Starz's sports "sitcom", Survivor's Remorse was a long overdue narrative of a Black family coming to terms with sudden wealth when an athlete goes pro, and his closest relationships come along on the ride of his new life. Alex and I were deeply impressed with this short-lived series! Check out what we had to say!
Nashville was saved after its season 4 cancellation at ABC and found a home for its final two seasons at CMT, but did this shift actually improve the writing on the series? How did Nashville navigate its back half, and is it worth re-watching? Stay tuned!
ABC/CMT's Nashville was a show with an excellent premise: The public and private lives of country music stars. With a star-studded cast, and an amazing soundtrack and collection of original music, Nashville was poised to capture a large audience. So did it succeed? Check out what we had to say on seasons 1-3 of this musical drama!
Lasting 2 years and 4 seasons on ABC Family, Lincoln Heights is one of few Black family dramas in a sea of sitcoms. This show about the family of a cop and their adjustment after moving to the community where he grew up is poignant, real, and worth remembering! Check out what Alex and I had to say about Lincoln Heights!
Big Love gave us a cast of layered, complex characters, all living firmly in shades of grey, and (in large part) allowed us to make up our minds about who were the heroes, and who were the villains. The show's strongly polarizing premise could have meant certain failure, but whose writing, acting, and plot pacing were so strong that they continue to resonate with audiences! Check out what Alex and I thought of seasons 3-5!
Big Love was a show with an unlikely premise which became an even more unlikely network hit and one of HBO's juggernauts. This show about a mainstream family practicing polygamy while trying to keep a peaceful home life doesn't sound like it would be as relatable as it ended up being, but the tales of the Henrickson family resonated so deeply with people from all walks of life. Check out our thoughts on season 1 and 2 of this powerhouse drama!
Malcolm In The Middle was Fox's the breakout hit of 2000, a hilarious, relatable, and unexpectedly moving family sitcom that lasted seven seasons on the network. The perfect storm of casting, writing, acting, and comedic timing are just some of the things that made this series so stellar! Check out what we think made Malcolm In The Middle television gold!
Parenthood was a series about the many small steps in the journeys of a big family, and one episode simply wasn't enough to cover all of the things that made this series so beautiful and memorable. Check out what we thought made seasons 4-6 of this powerhouse so brilliant!
Parenthood is a series that absolutely puts the "family" back in "family drama". NBC's unexpected hit was a family drama that beautifully balanced a large ensemble cast and made us fall in love with one of the most relatable fictional families to ever grace our televisions. Check out what we had to say on seasons 1-3 of Parenthood!
Gilmore Girls was a breakout hit for The WB/The CW, but a revival 9 years after the season finale would have been an ambitious undertaking even under the best of circumstances. So how does Netflix's Gilmore Girls revival hold up? Is it Gilmore worthy? Have the lives of Lorelai and Rory gone in the directions that we would have expected? Stay tuned!
Gilmore Girls' back half wasn't terribly popular with fans of the series, but for Alex and I, this is where the magic happens, the show gets real, and the characters truly shine! Check out what we thought of seasons 5-7 of this pop culture icon!
The Gilmore Girls are easily modern TV's most iconic mother-daughter duo, but what did Alex and I think of this whimsical fantasy of a family drama then, and how well does it hold up now? Stay tuned to hear our thoughts on seasons 1-4 of this iconic series!
In this episode, Alex and I are back to gush, vent, and dive into the nostalgia of seasons 4-6 of the iconic Dawson's Creek! On this episode, we discuss the mercurial relationships of the cast, how the series handled the transition to college, and how well the Dawson's Creek has aged. Enjoy!
When The WB debuted Dawson's Creek in 1998, even the network's own executives couldn't have predicted how successful and groundbreaking the series would go on to be. This landmark teen drama changed the foundation of teen dramas irrevocably and its impact is still going strong. So what do Alex and I think made seasons 1-3 of Dawson's Creek so iconic? Stay tuned!
One episode wasn't enough to contain Gossip Girl and the antics of the characters on this show, so Alex and I came back for more! Check out what we had to say about the back half of Gossip Girl and why the show became a cultural landmark!
Gossip Girl is the teen drama that proved that The CW, a rebrand of The WB, was still a powerhouse when it came to teen dramas. With much more style and a lot less substance than its predecessors, Gossip Girl triumphed where others would have perished. Check out what Alex and I had to say on this hit series! xoxo!
GBB had so much to say about The O.C., and it couldn't be contained in a single episode. Check out the second half of our recap of The O.C., and relive the highs and lows of Newport Beach with us! Enjoy!
Welcome to the second season of #GBB! This season, vampires are out and #WhitePeopleProblems are up for dissection as we explore some of the most popular white teen and family dramas! First up is Fox's breakout hit, The O.C.! Alex and I review everything that made this show good, bad, basic, and iconic! Enjoy!
One episode simply wasn't enough for Alex and I to explore everything was that was wrong with The CW's The Originals. From inception to execution, this show was high-key toxic, so we're back with part 2, the conclusion of GBB's vampire-centric first season! Enjoy! And if you're a writer, take notes; this serious was a masterclass in what not to do!
The CW's The Originals might be one of the most problematic series of all time. An ongoing exercise in how NOT to write characters and structure narratives, the show was a success nonetheless. On this episode, Alex and I discuss what made this show so basic, why it was a disservice to TV-watchers everywhere, and how it could have been done better. Enjoy!
Alex and I wrap up our recap on the hit series The Vampire Diaries. There was simply too much fuckery in all things Mystic Falls-related for one episode, so sit back while we dig deeper into TVD and how the strength of a break-neck pace and a loyal fandom kept this show alive for so long! Enjoy!
In keeping with the vampire theme of our last two episodes, Alex and I dive into The Vampire Diaries, a fairly-recent hit teen series which, in many areas, tried and failed to be Gen Z's response to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. On this episode, we discuss what made seasons 1-4 of TVD basic, and how writers can avoid the lack of character complexity and development that TVD has in abundance. Enjoy!
Alex and I are back to finish chewing on everything that made Buffy the Vampire Slayer iconic! In this episode, of The Good. The Bad. The Basic, we break down the second half of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (seasons 5-8), and everything that made the series both brilliant, and a little bit problematic. Together, we take one last trip to the Hellmouth! Enjoy!
Welcome to the very first episode of The Good. The Bad. The Basic! In this episode, we break down the first half of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (seasons 1-4), and everything that made the series both iconic and a little bit problematic. Together, Alex and I take a walk down memory lane and into the Hellmouth! Enjoy!