Back On The Block

This is a very special podcast! Karen and I watched a live reunion with the original “Melrose” cast last night in “Stars in the House” and caught up afterward. 

We dive into “The Tiger King” and “Schitt’s Creek” and talk about the future of theatre in our new normal.

We trudge through a particularly clunky episode here, including Bad Billy and Kimberly’s new alter, Betsy. Plus, Matt makes some uncharacteristic moves and Peter takes a fall.

We’re here to discuss “Onward,” “Unorthodox,” “Blood Father,” with quick Boulevard stops for “Frozen 2,” “Cats,” “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” and “The Crown.” Plus, we’re joined by special guest star Alyssa Maher!

Peter fires his big shot at Bobby, Kimberly has nightmares, Jane holds a tiki torch, Matt’s boyfriend plans his wedding to a woman, and Billy becomes ruthless. Plus, we’re joined by special guest star Alyssa Maher!

As we continue to shelter in place, we catch exactly where our beloved show went off the rails. Hear us gently mock another boring Amanda-Peter-Bobby storyline and talk about New Billy. Plus: a wedding, a sexual harassment lawsuit, stolen designs, and lots of sex at work!  

We catch up on some network and streaming shows: “The Other Two,” “The Stranger,” “The Sinner,” “Locke and Key,” “Bojack Horseman,” “Tuca and Bertie,” and “Uncorked.” Hoping everyone is sheltering in place, staying healthy and staying sane!

Did Brooke really die? Yes. Can Andrew Shue sell the storyline to come? No. Hear us talk more about this and other developments on the block – Jane gains and loses a client! What’s up with Matt’s boyfriend now? – as we continue to shelter in place.  

This jumbo mid-season episode features two deaths! Plus, Syd gets a haircut, Jane gets a new studio, Richard gets wet, Kimberly gets an unwelcome blast from the past, and Brooke gets drunk. Plus: a long tangent on Rick Springfield and Madonna.

Now that we’re quarantined, we have caught up on some TV: “The Goop Lab,” “GLOW,” “The Kominsky Method,” “Shrill,” and “You.” Plus, Doug recommends “Testament” and “Gremlins 2: The New Batch.” And Karen needs toilet paper.

Matt’s boyfriend is questionable, Syd makes a disgusting bagel sandwich, Billy files for divorce, Amanda finds herself in hot water, and not only does Jane walk again – she finds love with Jake!

Among coronavirus and Doug’s continuing bad Internet service, we review “Emojiland the Musical,” “The Hot Wing King,” “Endlings,” “Coal Country,” and revisit the soon-to-close epic “The Inheritance.” Plus, Karen has all the info you’ll ever need.

Karen and Doug talk about what exactly critics are entitled to, and when it’s not okay to whine when you don’t get free tickets to a show. Plus, Doug has nice things to say about the new “Emma” movie and Celine Dion in concert.

Amanda has made her choice and proves to also have great salon skills; Richard finds out about Jo’s doubts, Syd tires of her caretaker skills, Brooke is crazy again, and Jane goes for an unexpected night swim.

Talk about a great theatre week! Doug reviews “Hamlet” at St. Ann’s Warehouse, “Dana H” at the Vineyard Theatre, and “Mack and Mabel” at NY City Center Encores! Then they stumble onto the best tangent ever about the great miniseries and after-school specials of yore.

We find out if Brooke’s suicide attempt was successful, Kimberly finds a new way to make Matt’s life hell, Amanda must choose between Bobby and Peter, and Jane’s situation does not get any easier. But the MVP of this one is Sydney (again)!

Apparently a lot. Karen goes into what worked and what didn’t work in “Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey” and why she was rooting for it. And Doug liked “The Gentlemen.”

We go from one cliffhanger to another here. Did Jane survive? What will happen to Brooke’s trust? What’s the deal with Matt’s new guy? And why do we hate the current Amanda-Peter storyline so much?

Reunited and it feels so good! Doug and Karen met in a hotel room and recorded it. (It’s not what you think. It’s better!) Doug gives his Oscar predictions, discusses “Marriage Story,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Joker,” “1917,” and Renee Zellweger, plus chat about Ronan Farrow, “Catch and Kill” and the Weinstein case.            

Doug and Karen meet in person for a glitch-free podcast! Billy bails Allison out, Brooke gets some bad news, Sydney gets a prescription from Kimberly, and Matt gets more than one scene!