People love cutting Padma down. It’s bizarre. In addition to an equally thoughtful host, it would be great to bring back the asshole-ery of early seasons (Jeffrey Steingarten for the OGs). 

The term “mandatory collaborator” is going to haunt me for a while...

Serious question: if there was a DGA strike, would network/cable televised news cease in a meaningful way? I hadn’t heard that part of the story. 

Netflix certainly did; and, because Andre is a good huma, I’m sure the crew (rightfully) did too. Netflix got it for a song when theatrical was scrapped mid pandemic (they shot it for no money with the goal being to make everything up in the theatrical run). It was meant to do SXSW and then go theatrical — but Netflix…

Bad Trip was great in its own right but also the kind of dumb fun people wanted in a pandemic. It’s telling that everyone made money but its creative lead. This is why residual pay structures need to change.

At the very least this creates a precedent for defining and banning AI from performing WGA member tasks in any eventual deal. But also, directors won’t have much to do if writers aren’t creating or if writing producers are unable to do any rewrites/tweaks to make in-progress shoots work. 

I don’t know where the reflexive impression of Turning Red’s failure comes from but it drives me nuts. Also, it’s such a strong entry in the Pixar cannon amid so many yawns.

I wish Netflix and other streamers embraced more short-form, big-swing, niche shows that cost little but really just go for it. I Think You Should Leave’s success hasn’t seemed to generate any like-minded series, unfortunately. Would love more of this. Especially for things that are designed to not outstay their…

Comedians playing versions of themselves are going to have to work really hard to make something necessary. Mulaney’s confessional performances are gripping. Dramatizing them would feel so much less vital. Pete Davidson’s show is fine at best; we already know most/all of what that show confesses and doesn’t really…

Comedy taste is too personal to argue over (I believe people who love Family Guy genuinely love it — good for them!). But I do think it’s inarguable that ITYSL is in its own belligerent way maybe the nicest comedy on streaming (sorry Ted Lasso). There’s something just silly-hearted and uncruel about his absurdity.…

Gen X here. Love this show. But comedy taste is personal and difficult to explain. This show is pure in its conceit and execution, which is either heaven or excruciating, depending who you ask.

I can honestly say that if you pick any single segment and don’t like it you will hate this show. It is what it is. I could not love it more. 

And it was cut because it just didn’t fit, which even the actor admits. I’m not saying Ken isn’t feeling “extinction” vibes, I’m just saying the show creators wisely sidestep such a grand gesture that would have eclipsed all the other emotional beats of the finale.

I really don’t think so. This has never been part of his character. If anything, the idea of one day not existing would terrify him. A fear even stronger than the sense that he’s actually as pointless as his siblings say.

Not since Don Draper have I seen a character (Kendall) so often predicted to die by suicide. People were actively on suicide watch throughout this episode, especially during the signing ceremony. Like Mad Men, I’m glad they opted for something less dramatic and more fitting (and in an odd way more devastating).

Did Sally murder anyone? I mean, she killed a man but clearly in self defense. Her PTSD notwithstanding, I never thought she qualified for the “murderer” label. 

Dumber and more delusional. He just seemed less and less likely to grasp anything he’s done or inflicted on people.

Truly don’t even care if he acts ever again. He just needs to make more stuff. 

Was John so young he doesn’t recall what his father was really like by the time he’s a teenager? It seemed a bit off to me.

Lindelof in particular has since led shows that have taken a lot of these issues on. I’d be curious to hear if his subsequent workplaces have righted the wrongs of the past.