The Watch
Every week, The Ringer's Andy Greenwald and Chris Ryan -- longtime friends and pop culture addicts -- break down the latest in TV, movies, and music.
TV & Film
‘The Office’ Spinoff, ‘Sympathizer’ Episode 2, and ‘Top Chef’ Episode 6.
Chris and Andy discuss the success of ‘Shogun,’ then...
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Apr 25 2024 1h 11m
Chapter 1 23 mins
Chris and Andy discuss the success of ‘Shogun,’ then dig into the latest news, including Tina Fey and Steve Carell teaming up for a new Netflix comedy series, as well as the latest casting news for the new ‘Office’ spinoffChapter 2 22 mins
Then, they discuss Episode 2 of ‘The Sympathizer’ and whether the show's flair is both a benefit and detrimentChapter 3 21 mins
They end with a recap of ‘Top Chef’ Episode 6 and decide if the show is delivering an undercooked product
‘Shogun’ Finale With Creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks
Chris and Andy do a quick culture catch-up, featurin...
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Apr 24 2024 1h 16m
Chapter 1 16 mins
Chris and Andy do a quick culture catch-up, featuring Sunday’s surprise ‘Bluey’ episode, "Surprise!," and Taylor Swift’s new double album, before getting into their unfiltered thoughts on the ‘Shogun’ finaleChapter 2 51 mins
Then, they speak with ‘Shogun’ creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks about how they approached writing the show, casting Cosmo Jarvis, the finale, and more
Apple Gets Into the Franchise Business, the Penultimate Episode of ‘Shogun,’ and ‘Ripley’ Episodes 4 and 5
Chris and Andy talk about the news that Apple TV wil...
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Apr 18 2024 1h 20m
Chapter 1 12 mins
Chris and Andy talk about the news that Apple TV will be making a ‘For All Mankind’ spinoff called ‘Star City,’ and adapting another one of Mick Herron’s novels (author of ‘Slow Horses’) for a show starring Emma ThompsonChapter 2 15 mins
Then, they talk about an article in Harper’s that looks at the role private equity firms have played in the TV industry over the past decadeChapter 3 30 mins
before discussing the penultimate episode of ‘Shogun’Chapter 4 21 mins
and episodes 4 and 5 of ‘Ripley’
Weekend Watches, ‘The Sympathizer,’ and ‘Fallout’
Chris and Andy talk about some of the things they wa...
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Apr 16 2024 1h 2m
Chapter 1 14 mins
Chris and Andy talk about some of the things they watched over the weekend, including a supersized episode of ‘Bluey’Chapter 2 6 mins
and 'Saturday Night Live' hosted by Ryan GoslingChapter 3 19 mins
Then, they talk about the first episode of ‘The Sympathizer’ and whether shows are helped or hurt by having a famous director like Park Chan-wook direct the first few episodesChapter 4 20 mins
Finally, they discuss ‘Fallout’ and where it ranks among other video game adaptations, such as ‘The Last of Us’
‘Shogun’ Episode 8, ‘Ripley’ Episode 3, and ‘Top Chef’ Episode 4
Chris and Andy talk about some news from the week, i...
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Apr 11 2024 1h 12m
Chapter 1 15 mins
Chris and Andy talk about some news from the week, including the trailer for ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ and the announcement that the John le Carré adaptation ‘The Night Manager’ will be returning for two more seasonsChapter 2 24 mins
Then they talk about the latest episode of ‘Shogun’Chapter 3 11 mins
and Episode 3 of ‘Ripley’Chapter 4 19 mins
before discussing how they are liking this season of ‘Top Chef’ so far
The ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ Series Finale, ‘Ripley,’ and ‘Sugar’
Chris and Andy talk about the series finale of ‘Curb...
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Apr 8 2024 1h 8m
Chapter 1 14 mins
Chris and Andy talk about the series finale of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and how the show has evolved over its 12-season runChapter 2 26 mins
Then, they talk about the first two episodes of ‘Ripley’ and how it may be the best thing on Netflix since ‘Mindhunter’Chapter 3 26 mins
Finally, they get into the first two episodes of the Colin Farrell show ‘Sugar’ and how it’s hard to judge the show when they know an extreme twist is coming
‘Shogun’ Episode 7 and ‘3 Body Problem’ Episodes 6-8
Chris and Andy talk about the news that Julia Garner...
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Apr 4 2024 1h 13m
Chapter 1 9 mins
Chris and Andy talk about the news that Julia Garner was cast as a version of Silver Surfer in the upcoming ‘Fantastic Four’ movieChapter 2 6 mins
and give some love to the second season of ‘Tokyo Vice’Chapter 3 18 mins
Then they break down the seventh episode of ‘Shogun’ and talk about how the show’s long production road helped deepen the charactersChapter 4 37 mins
Finally, they talk about Episodes 6-8 of ‘3 Body Problem’ and whether there will be a second season of the show
‘X-Men ’97’ and the State of Comic Book TV. Plus, How Much “Reality” Is in Jerrod Carmichael’s ‘Reality Show’?
Chris is joined by Ringer-Verse host Charles Holmes ...
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Apr 1 2024 1h 22m
Chapter 1 36 mins
Chris is joined by Ringer-Verse host Charles Holmes to talk about the new animated series ‘X-Men ’97’ and how it’s the latest installment in what has become the genre of “nostalgia” televisionChapter 2 17 mins
Then, they talk about the first few episodes of the ‘Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show,’ how much “reality” there is in this reality TV showChapter 3 27 mins
and where this show fits in with the evolving idea of what a standup comic does
'Shogun' Episode 6 and the British TV Landscape With Flo Lloyd-Hughes
Chris and Andy break down the sixth episode of 'Shog...
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Mar 28 2024 1h 6m
Chapter 1 26 mins
Chris and Andy break down the sixth episode of 'Shogun,' talking about their favorite moments from this episode and Anna Sawai's standout performanceChapter 2 17 mins
Then, Chris is joined by Flo Lloyd-Hughes, host of The Ringer's 'Counter Pressed,' to talk about British TV-watching habits, including the popularity of 'The Traitors' U.KChapter 3 21 mins
and what American shows have crossed over to become popular in England this year
‘3 Body Problem’ Episodes 1-5 and Benioff and Weiss’s Adaptation Prowess
Chris and Andy talk about news that ‘Euphoria’ Seaso...
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Mar 25 2024 57m
Chapter 1 14 mins
Chris and Andy talk about news that ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 has been delayed indefinitely, and get into whether or not the show will ever come backChapter 2 18 mins
Then, they discuss the first five episodes of ‘3 Body Problem,’ touching on how Benioff and Weiss are at their best when working from a source materialChapter 3 22 mins
and how the show manages to make dense sci-fi material feel light and fast-paced
The ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘Acolyte’ Trailers, ‘3 Body Problem,’ ‘Shogun’ Episode 5, and the Next Era of ‘Top Ch...
Chris and Andy talk about the trailers for years-in-...
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Mar 21 2024 1h 13m
Chapter 1 10 mins
Chris and Andy talk about the trailers for years-in-the-making ‘Star Wars’ show ‘The Acolyte’Chapter 2 5 mins
and the second season of ‘House of the Dragon’Chapter 3 12 mins
Then they talk about the first episode of ‘3 Body Problem’ and how Benioff and Weiss manage to speed through plot in a way that hurt the end of ‘Game of Thrones,’ but is beneficial hereChapter 4 20 mins
Finally, they discuss the fifth episode of ‘Shogun’Chapter 5 23 mins
and the premiere of ‘Top Chef’ Season 21, which marks a new era with Kristen Kish as the host
‘Manhunt’ and Apple TV+’s Historical Fiction Niche. Plus, ‘The Bear’ News.
Chris and Andy talk about the news that ‘The Bear’ i...
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Mar 18 2024 56m
Chapter 1 22 mins
Chris and Andy talk about the news that ‘The Bear’ is shooting its third and fourth seasons simultaneously and the breakneck production pace that the show hasChapter 2 9 mins
Then they talk about the new show ‘Manhunt’ that depicts the hunt for Abraham Lincoln’s killerChapter 3 23 mins
and Apple TV+’s play for straight historical fiction television
How Much Should TV Creators Ask of Their Viewers? Plus, 'Shogun' Episode 4 and 'The Gentlemen.'
Chris and Andy talk about a New Yorker profile of 'S...
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Mar 14 2024 1h 6m
Chapter 1 25 mins
Chris and Andy talk about a New Yorker profile of 'Succession' writer Lucy Prebble in which she wonders whether it's better to create TV that "feels like having a bath" instead of shows with complicated plotlines that require the viewer to follow closelyChapter 2 18 mins
Then they talk about the fourth episode of 'Shogun'Chapter 3 21 mins
and the new Netflix show 'The Gentlemen,' which feels just like the "gourmet cheeseburger" that chief content officer Bela Bajaria once described
Have the Oscars Gotten Their Groove Back? Plus, ‘The Regime.’
Chris and Andy talk about Sunday night's Oscars cere...
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Mar 12 2024 1h 10m
Chapter 1 29 mins
Chris and Andy talk about Sunday night's Oscars ceremony and how it seemed to cement the next generation of starsChapter 2 24 mins
as well as other standout moments from the broadcast, like the "I'm Just Ken" performanceChapter 3 14 mins
Then, they talk about the first two episodes of ‘The Regime’ starring Kate Winslet, and the difference between when a show is “bad” and when it’s just not working
‘Shogun’ Episode 3, Influential Childhood TV Shows, and Trailers for ‘3 Body Problem’ and ‘Fallout’
Chris and Andy talk about the third episode of ‘Shog...
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Mar 8 2024 1h 3m
Chapter 1 27 mins
Chris and Andy talk about the third episode of ‘Shogun’ and how the show uses confrontation set pieces to drive the plotChapter 2 13 mins
Then, they answer a few more mailbag questions, talking about the lasting impact of ‘Dune: Part Two’Chapter 3 6 mins
the most influential TV shows of their childhoodsChapter 4 15 mins
and the trailers for ‘3 Body Problem’ and ‘Fallout’
‘Dune: Part Two’ and Denis Villeneuve’s World Building. Plus, Mailbag Questions
Chris and Andy give their reactions to ‘Dune: Part T...
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Mar 5 2024 1h 12m
Chapter 1 29 mins
Chris and Andy give their reactions to ‘Dune: Part Two’Chapter 2 10 mins
and talk about whether or not the movie cemented the next generation of stars in Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, and Florence PughChapter 3 7 mins
Then they talk about some other things they are watching like Richard Linklater’s new documentary ‘Hometown Prison’Chapter 4 23 mins
before opening up the mailbag to answer a few questions around the state of the tv industry
‘Shogun’ Episodes 1 and 2, the ‘Harry Potter’ TV Series, and Previewing ‘The Regime’
Chris and Andy talk about the news that Guy Ritchie ...
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Feb 29 2024 1h 6m
Chapter 1 14 mins
Chris and Andy talk about the news that Guy Ritchie will direct a ‘Ray Donovan’ spinoffChapter 2 20 mins
and that the long-talked-about ‘Harry Potter’ TV series could be coming to Max in 2026Chapter 3 22 mins
Then, they talk about the first two episodes of ‘Shogun’ and how the show is using the TV medium to tell a dense and rich storyChapter 4 7 mins
Finally, they preview ‘The Regime,’ HBO’s new Sunday night show starring Kate Winslet
‘Dune: Part Two’ and ‘Shogun’ Anticipation Meter, the Possible Paramount-Peacock Merger, ‘The Dynasty,’ and ‘The Gr...
Chris and Andy talk about rewatching ‘Dune’ in antic...
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Feb 26 2024 1h 9m
Chapter 1 17 mins
Chris and Andy talk about rewatching ‘Dune’ in anticipation of ‘Dune: Part Two’ and how seriously Denis Villeneuve takes this world that he is creatingChapter 2 14 mins
Then they talk about ‘Shogun’ and why the show reminds them of ‘Game of Thrones’Chapter 3 23 mins
before talking about the rumors that Paramount+ and Peacock might mergeChapter 4 12 mins
Finally, they discuss two documentaries they are enjoying: ‘The Dynasty’ and ‘The Greatest Night in Pop’
The ‘True Detective’ Discourse, the ‘Monsieur Spade’ Finale, and ‘Madame Web’
Chris and Andy talk about the news that ‘True Detect...
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Feb 22 2024 1h 20m
Chapter 1 22 mins
Chris and Andy talk about the news that ‘True Detective’ has been renewed for Season 5 with Issa Lopez at the helm, and some of show creator Nic Pizzolatto’s comments about the latest seasonChapter 2 17 mins
Then, they talk about two Apple shows they have been watching, ‘Masters of the Air’ and ‘The New Look’Chapter 3 14 mins
and how they define the company’s take on historical fiction. They then discuss the finale of ‘Monsieur Spade’Chapter 4 24 mins
before talking about their experience seeing ‘Madame Web’
The Finale of 'True Detective: Night Country'
Chris and Andy break down the finale of 'True Detect...
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Feb 19 2024 55m
Chapter 1 13 mins
Chris and Andy break down the finale of 'True Detective: Night Country,' and this season as a whole. They talk about how the show ultimately spent too much time in the pastChapter 2 19 mins
whether or not the reveal of who killed Annie and the scientists landed for themChapter 3 21 mins
and where the 'True Detective' franchise goes from here
‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ Episodes 7 and 8 With Cocreator and Showrunner Francesca Sloane
Chris and Andy briefly talk about the announcement o...
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Feb 15 2024 1h 2m
Chapter 1 14 mins
Chris and Andy briefly talk about the announcement of the new ‘Fantastic Four’ castChapter 2 19 mins
Then they are joined by ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ cocreator and showrunner Francesca Sloane to talk about the finale of the showChapter 3 9 mins
working with Donald Glover to bring the story to lifeChapter 4 18 mins
and choosing Maya Erskine for the role of Jane
Super Bowl Trailers and Ads, and ‘True Detective: Night Country’ Episode 5
Chris and Andy talk about some of the trailers that ...
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Feb 12 2024 59m
Chapter 1 14 mins
Chris and Andy talk about some of the trailers that aired during the Super Bowl, including ‘Wicked’Chapter 2 5 mins
‘Deadpool 3’Chapter 3 10 mins
and the remake of ‘Twisters’Chapter 4 28 mins
Then, they talk about the penultimate episode of ‘True Detective: Night Country’ and how the emotional moments really shined in this episode while there seems to be a lack of interest in depicting that actual detective work
Sports Goes Back to Bundles, Apple TV's Upcoming Slate, and 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' Episodes 3-6
Chris and Andy talk about the news that Fox, Warner ...
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Feb 9 2024 1h 10m
Chapter 1 27 mins
Chris and Andy talk about the news that Fox, Warner Bros., and ESPN will launch a joint sports streaming platform this yearChapter 2 9 mins
and what ripple effects this could have in the scripted TV worldChapter 3 15 mins
Then they talk about Apple TV's upcoming slate of shows, including the Colin Farrell show 'Sugar'Chapter 4 16 mins
and Episodes 3 through 6 of 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith,' a show where the lack of backstory for the main characters works to its advantage
‘True Detective: Night Country’ Episode 4 and ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’
Chris and Andy break down the latest episode of ‘Tru...
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Feb 5 2024 1h 10m
Chapter 1 39 mins
Chris and Andy break down the latest episode of ‘True Detective: Night Country’ and talk about whether or not the show’s use of multiple mystery plotlines is muddying the storyChapter 2 19 mins
Then they talk about being pleasantly surprised with ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ after the show’s long road to productionChapter 3 11 mins
before briefly discussing the premiere of the final season of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’
The Health of the IP-Verse and ‘Expats’ With Joanna Robinson
Andy is joined by Joanna Robinson to talk about the ...
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Feb 2 2024 1h 9m
Chapter 1 18 mins
Andy is joined by Joanna Robinson to talk about the strength of various big IP franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, and Harry PotterChapter 2 18 mins
and what upcoming projects, if any, to look out for from these propertiesChapter 3 13 mins
Then, they talk about the first two episodes of ‘Expats,’ the new Amazon show starring Nicole KidmanChapter 4 17 mins
and preview this Sunday’s episode of ‘True Detective: Night Country’