The Watch

Chris and Andy go deep on their love for ‘Top Chef’ (6:31) and talk about why you form unique relationships with the contestants on the show (20:35). And even though ‘Run,’ starring Merritt Wever and Domhnall Gleeson, has all the makings of a good show, there’s something slightly off about it (36:00). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Netflix added 15.8 million subscribers in the first quarter of 2020, showing in no small way that it is still the dominant streaming service (2:07). We wonder whether services like HBO Max and NBC's Peacock even stand a chance of catching up (20:09). Plus, we break down the ‘Devs’ season finale and reflect on the season as a whole (37:35). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Andy hone in on the season finale of their favorite show of the year: 'Better Call Saul.' They discuss the tonal differences between the world established here and in 'Breaking Bad,' the specific performances of Bob Odenkirk and Tony Dalton, and the way the cast and crew have perfected the craft of the 'Breaking Bad'/'Better Call Saul' extended universe (1:02). Then, Dalton joins the show to discuss his role as Lalo Salamanca, what he takes from the page and makes his own, and the most rewarding aspects of working in a high-level ensemble cast (44:32). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Tony Dalton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andy reflects on his time making ‘Briarpatch’ after the season finale aired this week (1:06). Production on most TV shows has ground to a halt due to COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean that Hollywood dealmaking is slowing down (15:42). We talk about that electric scene in the penultimate episode of ‘Better Call Saul’ (28:00) and give some immediate reactions to the first episode of ‘Mrs. America’ (38:33). Finally, Chris and Andy are joined by some of the cast from ‘Briarpatch’ (50:59). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guests: Rosario Dawson and Jay Ferguson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Saturday night DJ Premier and RZA faced off on Instagram Live for a two-hour beats battle. It might be the most fun we’ve had in a long time and shows how content has evolved during this time of social distancing (1:59). HBO’s newest show ‘Run’ is a Merritt Wever showcase (26:03), and we’ve finally figured out the key to enjoying ‘Devs’ (35:35). Plus, a conversation with Scott Teems, whose Western-thriller movie ‘The Quarry’ comes to VOD this Friday (52:12). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Scott Teems Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There was not one, but two shows with desert-wandering scenes this week. Chris and Andy talk about ‘Better Call Saul’ S5E8 (4:50) and the penultimate episode of ‘Briarpatch’ and what goes into creating a scene like that (11:49). Then, they get on the line with Josh Phelps, who works at José Andrés’s World Central Kitchen, to talk about the organization's relief work (39:02). Finally Chris is joined by Laura Linney to talk about her electrifying role as Wendy on ‘Ozark’ (57:19). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guests: Josh Phelps and Laura Linney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Quibi, the streaming service that features shows that are just seven to nine minutes long, launched today. The “quick bites” represent a new format besides traditional TV (1:26). The latest episode of ‘Devs’ did more telling than showing (27:50). ‘ZeroZeroZero’ is a feat in tv making (41:27) and Andrea Riseborough joins the show to give us some insight into how the show is made (1:08:56). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Andrea Riseborough Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many TV productions on pause due to COVID-19—what will happen a few months down the road if there is no new TV? And what will it look like if all paused TV shows come back at the same time (3:53)? Plus: We break down ‘Better Call Saul’ S5E7 (24:13) before Rhea Seehorn joins to talk about what it’s like to play Kim Wexler on the show (41:20). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Rhea Seehorn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer launched its Best TV Character of the Century bracket today, which led us to debate what makes an excellent TV character (1:09). You don’t need to fully understand what’s happening in ‘Devs’ to know that it’s a great TV show (31:31). And an interview with ‘Ozark’ executive producer Chris Mundy about Season 3 of the show (47:01). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Chris Mundy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We draw from the mailbag to talk about some pop culture moments we feel like we missed out on, including ‘The Sopranos’ and rave culture (3:04). Plus: We’re running out of ways to say that Rhea Seehorn deserves an Emmy for her performance as Kim Wexler in ‘Better Call Saul’ (23:27) and an interview with Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield (49:16). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Season 10 finale of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ aired last night and marked a remarkable comeback for the show that first premiered 20 years ago (7:53). We list some of our dream adaptations we’d like to see right now (19:24). Plus: ‘Devs’ and ‘ZeroZeroZero’ (35:36). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Social distancing is making us appreciate TV in a new light (1:06). In the fifth episode of ‘Better Call Saul,’ the show showcases Jimmy and Kim’s relationship in a way that stands in contrast to Walter and Skylar’s relationship in ‘Breaking Bad’ (15:23). And Reese Witherspoon’s character in ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ is very similar to her character in ‘Big Little Lies,’ but maybe that’s the point (30:32). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The spread of the coronavirus has halted many television productions, and we take stock of what the TV landscape may look like in the near future (1:39). ‘Westworld’ returned on Sunday for its third season and many of the show’s old problems returned along with it (21:11). And with ‘Devs,’ Alex Garland is creating a different kind of TV world that’s interested in the “why” (33:42). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘Ugly Delicious’ starts off Season 2 by showing a softer side of celebrity chef Dave Chang, and in the process makes revelatory food television (11:01). ‘Better Call Saul’ Episode 4 is an episode best appreciated by a binge watch (19:02). Plus: an interview with the set designer for ‘Briarpatch,’ Richard Bloom (30:34). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Richard Bloom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘The Outsider’ ended the way most Stephen King stories do—with a lot of buildup to nothing. But we still enjoyed ourselves along the way (1:00). FX on Hulu is here with the premier of ‘Devs,’ a science-fiction show that packs in mystery, emotion, and beautiful set design (29:38). Plus, a conversation about the current television landscape with the president of AMC, Sarah Barnett (46:36). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 3 of ‘Better Call Saul’ is the best Bob Odenkirk episode yet, as this season continues to get better (3:17). You should be watching ‘Devs,’ FX on Hulu’s flagship show from director Alex Garland (19:25). And a conversation with the ‘Briarpatch’ director of photography Zach Galler (26:11). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Zach Galler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Andy review the penultimate episode of ‘The Outsider’ (SPOILERS) (0:55), before trying to glean meaning from a new feature on Netflix—its top-10 most popular list (29:10). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Andy discuss the news that Bob Chapek will replace Bob Iger as CEO of Disney at the end of Iger’s contract in 2021 (1:57). Then they analyze what it’s like to try to keep up with the current deluge of TV content (13:36). Then, 'Briarpatch' co–executive producer Eva Anderson joins the show to discuss the making of Season 1, Episode 3 (34:23). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Eva Anderson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘Better Call Saul’ returned on Sunday night for its penultimate season and it’s time to start appreciating the show for what it is: a masterpiece (2:14). Episode 8 of ‘The Outsider’ was the most Stephen King–influenced episode yet (26:45). And an interview with the musician Greg Dulli about his first solo album, ‘Random Desire’ (51:56). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Greg Dulli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ‘Westworld’ Season 3 trailer dropped today and the show looks more sci-fi, and more expensive, than ever (5:41). ‘Better Call Saul’ is back on Sunday night with its penultimate season. It’s a show we loved, left, and have come to love again (18:56). Plus, Andy sits down with his longtime friend Chris Carraba, lead singer of Dashboard Confessional, to reflect on his career (24:43) and the legacy of emo music (1:03:08).  Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Chris Carraba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices