The Merit of ‘Mountainhead’ and ‘Your Friends and Neighbors’ Season 1 Finale

Chris and Andy talk about the lack of a defining show of the summer due to the binge-drop releases of ‘Squid Game’ Season 3 and ‘The Bear’ Season 4 (6:00). Then they talk about Episodes 4-7 of ‘The Bear,’ particularly the standout, Episode 4, which was cowritten by Ayo Edebiri and Lionel Boyce (17:48). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Producer: Kaya McMullen Video Producer: Jon Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Andy talk about the news that Denis Villeneuve has been chosen to direct the next James Bond film and what a Bond movie from the acclaimed director might look like (1:00). Then they break down the first three episodes of ‘The Bear’ Season 4 and talk about how, even though the show’s motto is “every second counts,” these episodes spent a lot of time spinning their wheels (17:26). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Producer: Kaya McMullen Video Producer: Jon Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Andy preview the fourth (and final?) season of ‘The Bear,’ which is premiering this week, and talk about what the show’s legacy might be once this season has concluded (6:21). Then, in honor of the Emmy voting window closing today, they come up with some new categories that might give the awards ceremony a much-needed refresh, like Best New Artist (42:38) and Excellence in Extended Run (46:37). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Producer: Kaya McMullen Video Producer: Jon Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Andy talk about the trailer for the Bruce Springsteen biopic ‘Deliver Me From Nowhere,’ which was released this week (6:11), and the rumors that we could be getting a third season of ‘Mindhunter’ in the form of three two-hour movies (19:18). Then they talk about the third season of ‘100 Foot Wave’ (26:19) before Andy is joined by ‘Top Chef’ host Gail Simmons to talk about the finale of ‘Top Chef: Destination Canada’ and give some behind-the-scenes insights on this season (48:38). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Gail Simmons Producer: Kaya McMullen Video Producer: Jon Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Andy talk about the finale of ‘Top Chef: Destination Canada’ and their feelings on the season overall (8:19). Then they are joined by ‘Dept. Q’ cocreator Scott Frank to talk about what drew him to the project (36:42) and the dueling roles he held as Scott the director and Scott the writer while making this show (53:54). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Scott Frank Producer: Kaya McMullen Video Producer: Jon Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Andy talk about the news that ‘Presumed Innocent’ Season 2 will star Rachel Brosnahan and become an anthology series (02:23). Then they talk about the first episode of Apple TV+’s new golf show, ‘Stick,’ starring Owen Wilson, and why ultimately the pilot felt discombobulated (08:17). Finally, they are joined by ‘Succession’ creator Jesse Armstrong to talk about his new TV movie, ‘Mountainhead,’ and how he made it in under six months (22:25). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Jesse Armstrong Producer: Kaya McMullen Video Producer: Jon Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Andy talk about the news that Warner Bros. and Discovery will once again be splitting into two different entities (7:12). They also discuss the trailer for Noah Hawley’s ‘Alien: Earth’ series (11:43). Then, they talk about the rest of ‘Dept. Q’ and how this show could be Netflix’s ‘Slow Horses’ if they wanted it to be (21:19), before Chris is joined by Alan Siegel to talk about his new book ‘Stupid TV, Be More Funny: How the Golden Era of The Simpsons Changed’ (36:37). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Guest: Alan Siegel Producer: Kaya McMullen Video Production and Editing: Jon Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Andy chat about some TV they’ve been watching this week, including ‘Sex and the City’ (8:58). Then they talk about the first episode of ‘Department Q,’ the new detective show from Scott Frank, and how, similar to ‘The Pitt,’ this is good TV done well (18:30). Then, in honor of ‘Department Q,’ they draft some of their favorite TV detectives (39:53). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Producer: Kaya McMullen Video Production and Editing: Jon Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Andy discuss Jesse Armstrong’s recent HBO movie 'Mountainhead,' chatting about why they found it so enjoyable despite some mixed reviews and how exactly the film's message suited our current cultural moment (8:01). Then they discuss the Season 1 finale of Apple TV+’s 'Your Friends and Neighbors,' the show’s back-end turn to a crime show, and where it can improve in Season 2 (54:22). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Producers: Kaya McMullen and Devon Baroldi Video Production and Editing: Jon Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris and Andy talk about the finale of ‘Everybody’s Live’ (8:06) and a couple of recent releases, including ‘Sirens’ (14:29) and ‘Adults’ (23:59). Then, ahead of the premiere of Jesse Armstrong’s first post-‘Succession’ project, ‘Mountainhead,’ they talk about what the careers of other great showrunners like Matthew Weiner and Michael Schur have looked like after their most famous shows ended (34:14). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Producer: Kaya McMullen Video Production and Editing: Jon Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices