Decoding Westworld

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the season premiere of Vince Gilligan’s Pluribus. How do we feel about Apple TV’s vibrant new brand identity? How do we feel about the brewing war between YouTube TV and Disney? And why will people be remembering the Pluribus season premiere for a long time to come? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more. Homework for next week: Pluribus Episode 2 (Apple TV) Shownotes: 05:02 - TV News Apple TV temporarily melts down Finneas made the new music for Apple TV The new logo was done in-camera YouTube TV pulls Disney channels IT: Welcome to Derry ratings Late Night News Jon Stewart renewed for another year (through 2026) Colbert weights in on his cancellation 43% of Gen Z prefer YouTube and Tiktok to traditional TV 48:08 - Pluribus Episode 1 - We Is Us Episode 2 - Pirate Lady Links: Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave and @joyonapping are back for another season of Slow Horses! In season 5, the focus is on Roddy Ho as he becomes ensnared in a vast terrorist conspiracy. What were the biggest differences between the books and the show? Is the format of the show inherently in tension with its plotlines? Who were our MVPs this season? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more! Links: Follow Joy on Threads Email us at Decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)com Follow us on Tiktok at tiktok.com/@decodingreality Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Decoding TV bonus episode, David and Patrick discuss the season premiere of It: Welcome to Derry. What are the ways in which this show expands on the lore of the book? What did we make of the bold decisions at the end of the first episode? If this show starts at a 12, does it have anywhere to go? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more. Homework: Slow Horses season 5 (Apple TV+) Links: Alex Zalben’s article about this show’s cheap scares Jack Hamilton’s review of It Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Decoding TV bonus episode, David and Patrick are joined by Jessie Earl to discuss the second season of Gen V. Was this show able to overcome some of the clunkiness of the earlier episodes? What did we make of the show’s biggest twists this season? And can this show really survive and thrive in a future without The Boys? Listen to hear us discuss these questions and more. Links: Check out Jessie Earl’s YouTube channel Check out Patrick Klepek’s Crossplay newsletter Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Decoding TV bonus episode, David is joined by Kit Lazer to discuss the season finale of Task. What made us love this show? Is it really too bleak for general audiences? What did the show do best? And what were some of its most memorable moments and characters? Listen to hear us discuss these questions and more. Links: Follow Kit on Tiktok Follow Kit on Instagram Follow Kit on YouTube Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the season premiere of The Chair Company. Does Tim Robinson find hidden comedy gold in the cushions of The Chair Company? Will video podcasts be a big thing on Netflix? Will the Apple TV rebrand make sense by the time you download this week’s podcast? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more. Homework for next week: Bonus Episode: Task (HBO) Bonus Episode: Slow Horses (Apple TV) Bonus Episode: Long Story Short (Netflix) Shownotes: 03:02 - TV News Bari Weiss is the main segment on Last Week Tonight Apple TV+ is now Apple TV ’Stranger Things’ Season 5, Volume 1 Runtimes Revealed Netflix refuses to put the finale into theaters M. Night's 8-ball Tivo exits the hardware business Splinter Cell Deathwatch Renewed Netflix to Stream Selection of Spotify Video Podcasts Starting in 2026 52:00 - The Chair Company Episode 1 - “Life goes by too fucking fast, it really does.” 1:17:56 - Peacemaker Season 2 post-mortem (with spoilers) Links: Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the season finale of Peacemaker. Is CBS News doomed or extra-doomed? How on earth are we going to cover the final season of Stranger Things? And does the first trailer for Pluribus get us excited for Vince Gilligan’s newest show or not? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more. Homework for next week: The Chair Company (HBO) Bonus Episode: Long Story Short (Netflix) Shownotes: 02:32 - TV News Bari Weiss Joins CBS News The First ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Trailer Teases Our Next Return to Westeros First Real Pluribus trailer STRANGER THINGS Season 5 Will Feature 8 Feature-Length Episodes...And Boasts An Insanely High Budget HRW cannot accept donations 36:00 - Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 8 - Full Nelson Links: Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the premiere of The Lowdown and the latest episode of Peacemaker. Where was the balance of power in the Jimmy Kimmel situation? What do we think of how Fallon handled the whole thing? And why is there a conservative campaign to cancel Netflix? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more. Homework for next week: Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 8 (HBO) Bonus Episode: Long Story Short (Netflix) Shownotes: 03:05 - TV News UPDATE: Sinclair and Nextstar return Kimmel to air Jimmy Fallon Plans to ‘Keep My Head Down’ and Avoid Politics on ‘The Tonight Show’: ‘We Hit Both Sides Equally’ ‘Dead End: Paranormal Park’ Creator Receiving ‘Homophobic and Antisemitic Emails’ After Elon Musk Says ‘Cancel Netflix’ Due to Show’s Trans Character Dave Chappelle Jokes It’s Easier to Talk in Saudi Arabia Than It Is In America 43:30 - The Lowdown Episode 1 - Pilot Episode 2 - The Devil’s Mama Episode 3 - Dinosaur Memories 1:04:15 - Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 7 - Back to the Suture 1:31:58 - Alien: Earth spoiler feedback Links: Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode of Decoding TV, David chats with Christie Bosch (AKA @thatdocumentarygirl) about the new Netflix documentary aka Charlie Sheen. What were our biggest takeaways from this documentary? Why was the documentarian seemingly averse to experiencing human emotion? And is the documentary actually insightful or is it just a way for Charlie Sheen to rehab his personal image? Listen to hear us discuss these questions and more. Links: Follow Christie on Tiktok Follow Christie on Instagram Check out Christie’s official website Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the season finale of Alien: Earth. Later Dan Gvozden from the Amazing Spider-Talk podcast joins us to talk Peacemaker. Homework for next week: Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 7 (HBO) Bonus Episode: aka Charlie Sheen (Netflix) Bonus Episode: Long Story Short Season 1 (Netflix) Shownotes: 02:30 - TV News Duffer Brothers Explain Why They Left Netflix Nate Bargatze defends his Emmys hosting The Savant is postponed and Jessica Chastain responds Disney/Hulu is hiking prices next month Kimmel came back unless you live in one of 66 markets 47:30 - Alien: Earth Episode 8 - The Real Monsters 1:18:00 - Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 6 - Ignorance is Chris Links: Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the latest episodes of Alien: Earth and Peacemaker. What do we make of the (probable) cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel? Is Peacemaker just spinning its wheels these days? Will Alien: Earth end up being the show that was promised at the beginning? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more. Homework for next week: Alien: Earth Episode 8 (Hulu/FX) Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 6 (HBO) Bonus Episode: Gen V Season 2 premiere (Prime Video) Shownotes: 06:05 - TV News Casey Bloys Talks ‘The Pitt’s Emmy Breakthrough & Putting HBO Doubts To Rest, Confirms ‘White Lotus’ S4 Location, Gives ‘HoD’ & ‘Rehearsal’ Updates 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Pulled From ABC / FCC Chair Threatens Jimmy Kimmel Over Charlie Kirk Monologue Comments 41:30 - Alien: Earth Episode 7 - Emergence 1:02:15 - Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 5 - Back to the Suture Links: Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode, David and Myles McNutt from the Episodic Medium newsletter discuss the 2025 Emmy Awards (you can watch our live broadcast on YouTube here). Which shows came away with some of the biggest wins? What were some of the night’s biggest upsets? And did the winners deserve their awards? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more. Links: Subscribe to Episodic Medium Follow Myles on Bluesky Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the latest episodes of Alien: Earth and Peacemaker. In the future where all media is consolidated, will movies just be called disneys like they were in Cloud Atlas? Why do we think David Zaslav hasn’t begun his war against password-sharing yet? And are we looking forward to another season of Big Little Lies? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more. Homework for next week: Alien: Earth Episode 7 (Hulu/FX) Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 5 (HBO) Bonus Episode: The Paper Season 1 (Peacock) Shownotes: 04:05 - TV News Paramount Skydance Prepares Ellison-Backed Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav on Why HBO Max Isn’t ‘Pushing’ Password-Sharing Crackdown Yet Neil Druckmann on Leaving ‘The Last of Us,’ His New Game ‘Intergalactic’ and How Involved He’ll Be on Season 3: ‘My Job Is to Stay Very High Level’ (EXCLUSIVE) ‘Big Little Lies’ Season 3 Officially in the Works, Sets Francesca Sloane to Write ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ Season 2 Delayed at Amazon 35:30 - Alien: Earth Episode 4 - The Fly 1:02:15 - Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 4 - Need I Say Door 1:21:20 - Patrick’s reaction to Unknown Number: The High School Catfish (WITH SPOILERS) Links: Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Watch this conversation on YouTube. In this bonus episode of Decoding TV, David chats with Christie Bosch (AKA @thatdocumentarygirl) about the new Netflix documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish. What was our overall reaction to the movie? How did we feel the film handle its subjects? And what details did the documentary leave out? Listen to hear us discuss these questions and more. Links: Read The Cut’s article about these events Read Variety’s interview with the director Follow Christie on Tiktok Follow Christie on Instagram Check out Christie’s official website Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the latest episodes of Alien: Earth and Peacemaker. Homework for next week: Alien: Earth Episode 5 (Hulu/FX) Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 3 (HBO) Shownotes: 03:05 - TV News Duffer Brothers Deal at Paramount Streaming Access News: Amazon, NBCU Make Peacock Available Via Prime Video Sign-Up Apple TV+ Price Hike Harry Potter News New ‘Harry Potter’ Child Actors Should Stay Off Social Media Chris Columbus Potter remake Nic Pizzolatto-adjacent news segment Netflix Nic Pizzolatto Show in Bidding War (Exclusive) Cage in Talks to Star in HBO’s ‘True Detective’ Season 5 42:00 - Alien: Earth Episode 3 - Metamorphosis 1:13:20 - Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 2 - A Man Is Only As Good As His Bird Links: Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Decoding TV bonus episode, David and Patrick discuss the season 2 premiere of Peacemaker, “The Ties that Grind.” The first season of Peacemaker emerged in a totally different era of the DCU. This new season straddles the line between them. How well does it pull this off? How do the themes of the episode mirror what’s going on in the DCU? And do we think you should watch Peacemaker with your children? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more. Links: Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Patrick discuss what’s going on in the world of TV, then dive into the third episode of Alien: Earth. What do we think of MSNBC’s rebrand to MS Now? Is it a bad sign that Ben Stiller won’t be directing season 3 of Severance? Can YouTubers like Mark Rober successfully make the move to Netflix? And how is Alien: Earth shaping up as a series? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more. Homework for next week: Alien: Earth Episode 4 (Hulu/FX) Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 1 (HBO) Bonus Ep: Smoke Season 1 (Apple TV+) Shownotes: 09:22 - TV News MSNBC Rebrand to ‘MS NOW’ Draws Derision, Confusion Ben Stiller Won’t Direct ‘Severance’ Season 3, Plans World War II Survival Movie: ‘You Only Have So Much Time’ Mark Rober and Netflix team up for competition series ‘Dept. Q’ Renewed for Second Season at Netflix ‘Fallout’ Season 2 Sets December Premiere; First Look Photos Show the Ghoul in New Vegas 46:30 - Alien: Earth Episode 3 - Metamorphosis Links: Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Watch the video version of this podcast. This podcast contains SPOILERS for The Rehearsal Season 2 on HBO. The Rehearsal Season 2 chronicles Nathan Fielder’s attempts to understand why aviation accidents happen. According to Fielder, one major factor is that pilots are unwilling to communicate candidly with each other, especially when they disagree or have bad news to deliver. To test this theory, Fielder used his resources from The Rehearsal to create a fictional(?) aviation-themed singing competition called Wings of Voice. In this competition, pilots judged singers performances, advanced the ones they liked, and were forced to break the bad news to some contestants that they were eliminated. The idea was that by forcing them to break singers’ hearts, the process would reveal something about what it takes to be a good communicator. I used a “(?)” next to “fictional” above because even though contestants on Wings of Voice were occasionally made the butt of the joke on The Rehearsal and the competition never aired as its own TV show, the winner of the competition still received something of value: the privilege of performing a song for HBO’s audience on national television. Today I’m speaking with the winner of that competition, Isabella Henao. As a fellow musician, I thought Henao crushed her performance of Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life” in the culminating moments of season two. And as someone who is endlessly fascinated by how much of Fielder’s stunts are “real,” I was thrilled to get an insider’s perspective on what it’s like to go through Fielder’s shenanigans as they happen. Henao spoke with me about what it was like to go through the audition process, what contestants were actually told about what was happening, what other contestants’ thought about the whole thing, and how being on The Rehearsal changed her life. This interview has been edited and condensed for brevity and clarity. To listen to a fuller version of the conversation, check out the podcast/video above. If you want to learn more about Isabella, check out her website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David and Matt Goldberg discuss what we think of the Alien franchise is at this point in popular culture. Then, we review and recap the first two episodes of Alien: Earth on FX/Hulu. What did we think of the bold new premise for the show? Does it look like they spent $250 million to bring this to life? (Yes). What did we make of the fact that the show splits its attention between two major plotlines? And what about all the information that’s revealed about the main characters in the first two episodes? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more. Be sure to check out Matt’s written review for Decoding TV. Homework for next week: Alien: Earth Episode 3 (FX/Hulu) Shownotes: 01:30 - What we think of the state of the Alien franchise 15:00 - Alien: Earth Episode 1 - Neverland Episode 2 - Mr. October Links: Check out Matt’s newsletter, Commentary Track Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode of the Decoding TV podcast, David Chen and Sarah Marrs discuss Untamed’s first season on Netflix. What did we think of how this show handled its central mystery? Were we captivated by any of the characters’ side plots? How did the show take advantage of its unique setting? And where do we think the second season of Untamed should be set? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more! Homework for next episode: Alien: Earth season premiere (Hulu) Links: Follow Sarah Marrs on Bluesky Check out Sarah’s work on Lainey Gossip Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube Follow this podcast on Instagram Follow this podcast on Tiktok Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything Follow David on Instagram Follow David on Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.