We discuss Rebecca (2020) and On the Rocks (2020)—two films, both alike in content (marriage) and watchability (background noise).

00:41 Rebecca, out on Netflix, is the latest, cynical example of how big streaming fare can go wrong.

10:03 On the Rocks, available on Apple TV+, is basically Sofia Coppola for normies. Ouch!

16:37 Plus, culture notes about two famous men and their dumb defenders. In the words of Astead W. Herndon, "don’t take Ls on behalf of someone else currently in the process of L taking." Advice to live by!

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes and bonus links, subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected].

Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss Squid Game and Foundation, two shows about the follies of human nature.

NOTE: Sorry for the audio quality on Jenny's end, it was a freak accident, the cause of which is still unknown (but could very well be human error, I'm sorry).

03:20 Korean survival drama Squid Game, streaming on Netflix, is a word-of-mouth sensation, an international hit, and thrilling as fuck.

24:13 Sci-fi epic Foundation, new on Apple TV+, faces an uphill battle in adapting Isaac Asimov's sprawling galactic saga for the small screen.

38:13 Plus, culture notes about who could be the next James Bond after Daniel Craig giddily leaves this franchise in the dust?

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected].

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

In this special episode, we discuss Succession, a show that needs no introduction.

(Note: Spoilers up through S3E7; at the time of recording, we had NOT watched the last two episodes of season 3.)

We're joined by a special guest: Judy Berman, one of our favorite critics, who writes about TV for Time.

04:24 HBO series Succession is among the all-time greats — and here's why.

Follow Judy on Twitter (@judyberman) and check out her writing for Time:

• “Suddenly, Everyone We See on TV Is Very Rich or Very Poor. What Happened?”
• “The 10 Best TV Shows of 2021”
• “Welcome to TV’s Era of Peak Redundancy”

Also, read about us on _Time_'s list of the 10 best podcasts of 2021!!!!!

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected].

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Deep Water _and _Standing Up, two works that both involve finding the humor in less-than-ideal circumstances (whether intentionally or not).

04:21 Deep Water, streaming on Hulu, is not an especially good film, but it is a good time.

23:55 Standing Up, streaming on Netflix, is a highly capable ensemble dramedy that makes fully realized characters out of what could have been basic tropes.

39:57 Plus, grab bag! We briefly touch on other things we’re watching: Fresh, Good Girls, This Way Up, Billions, Benedetta, and Bridgerton s2.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected].

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Episode Notes

We discuss The Undoing (2020) and Shithouse (2020), two works about—in a sense—exploring who you are as a person, whether that's a wealthy therapist mentally unraveling or a college freshman missing home.

NOTE: This episode is a bit longer than usual, but very good imho!! Also, we only talk about The Undoing up through episode 3, so feel free to listen without major spoilers.

01:36 The Undoing, an HBO limited series that's currently airing, is the latest in the genre of television exploring the troubled inner and outer workings of rich white women whose seemingly perfect lives are disrupted by tragedy or violence.

15:57 Shithouse, a film made by and starring a majorly talented 23-year-old, is deft, emotionally honest, and painfully relatable in its depiction of college life and feeling like you don't quite fit in.

28:00 Plus, culture notes about a buzzy sneak preview of the Gossip Girl reboot, and the nostalgia-heavy era of remakes, reunions, and remixes.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes—including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit—subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected].

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co