Back On The Block

We’re back! And boy, have Alison's, Amanda's, and Jo's storylines taken a turn. But at least Jane has a spine!  

Doug and Karen discuss “Boy Erased,” “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” and the newly opened Broadway musical “The Cher Show.” (Stop tweeting, Kanye!)

Just say yes to “Just Say No,” Doug’s favorite episode, in which some pretty major stuff goes down and some important characters depart. And it wasn’t even a sweeps episode!  

Karen weighs in on "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald," Doug reviews "The Favourite," "Ralph Breaks the Internet," and a trio of plays at the Public Theater: "Eve's Song," "Girl From the North Country," and "Mother of the Maid." Plus: tributes to Nicolas Roeg and Bernardo Bertolucci.

We don't have any Matt or Michael, but we do have cliffhangers for Amanda, Jane, Sydney and Jo! Do Doug and Karen agree about how effective they are?

Karen has a star connection. Find out who it is! Plus, reviews of “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” the Josh Groban/Idina Menzel concert, and the shows “The Prom,” “Bernie and Mikey’s Trip to the Moon,” and “Downstairs.”

Has Alison finally hit rock bottom? Does Jo realize what she has gotten herself into? How has Sydney become the most responsible resident? Plus, we talk about our Thanksgiving food plans!

The New York Times’ odious treatment of the new “King Kong” musical leads to a general discussion of what critics are and aren’t doing right these days. Also: we look at the “The Conners” and the “Murphy Brown” reboot and Doug talks about Mary Chapin Carpenter’s thirtieth-anniversary tour.

Alison continues to spiral out, and this does not help Jo’s custody case, which finally takes center stage. There’s also more bad news for Kimberly. But we get lots of Matt!  

We dig into the second season of “Making a Murderer” and discuss the plays “Lewiston and Clarkston,” “Usual Girls,” and “American Son.” Plus Doug's takedown of The New York Times’ lack of discernment with new plays.

Sydney acts like more and more of an adult while Alison spirals further and further downward. Plus, some surprises await Matt and Michael maneuvers his way back to medicine. Also, Jo has a scene.

Doug and Karen celebrate All Hallows’ Eve by discussing the sleeper hit series “The Haunting of Hill House.” Plus. Doug finally likes things! He discusses “The Waverly Gallery” and “The Ferryman,” plus he talks about the 20th-anniversary Garbage tour.

Jake is the hero we want and need – but do we deserve him? Find out here. Also, Alison hits the sauce even more and a quickie trip to Vegas leads to surprises for Jane, Kangaroo Boy, Kimberly, and Michael.

Alyssa and Doug tell Karen if she should see Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut. Plus, discussion of “Into the Dark” and the “American Horror Story” universe.

Someone from Alison’s past arrives, Amanda’s path collides with Peter’s, Chris further torments Syd, and Jake buys Shooters!

But he’s trying really hard to! Doug and Karen discuss Dennis Lehane’s “Since We Fell,” “Bel Canto,” and Doug reviews the productions of “Bernhardt/Hamlet,” “The Nap,” and “A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur” in New York as well as the Chicago tryout of the new “Tootsie” musical.

We see what Jake’s up to since “moving” away from the Block; Syd has the saddest birthday ever; Amanda and Jo come to semi-blows; and Jack Wagner finally joins the show!      

We review the Amazon series “Forever” and the plays “Agnes,” “I Was Most Alive With you” and “The True.” Plus, you tell us: Is “Jack Ryan” worth watching?

Did Jake survive Brittany’s big blast? (He did.) Does Michael resort to his old tricks? (He does.) Will Syd fall for them? (She will.) Will you hate Billy more now than you have before? (Obvi.)

We talk about many cultural things: “Searching,” “Ordeal By Innocence,” “Collective Rage: A Tale of 5 Betties,” and even pay tribute to Burt Reynolds. But most importantly, Karen makes brownies from Katharine Hepburn’s own brownie recipe. Hear all about it!