A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, our panel of resident CPU! Trekkers – including moderator Chief Couch Potato Kylie, Nick, Sarah, Kyle, and Michael – reconvened Around the Water Cooler to Look Back at both seasons of The Animated Series of Star Trek. Each panelist also shares a “Top 5 Best” and a “Bottom 5 Worst” episode list, sharing favorite and least favorite episodes of The Animated Series and offering some diverse choices from panelist to panelist that either overlap or contradict significantly in what proves to be a modestly spicy discussion. This is the fourth part of a multi-part CPU! podcast series – the biggest multi-part series we have ever undertaken – in which we venture into space, the final frontier, by covering each season of each series of the entire Star Trek franchise (the movies too)! This fourth “Star Trek 50+ Series” episode was recorded in November 2019, and, as always, if you haven’t seen any of Star Trek, TAS or otherwise – if that is even possible – be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think, and/or if there are other shows you’re interested in CPU! covering, below; email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com; or check out our Guestbook at the website, our Facebook page, our Twitter (@cpupodcast), or our Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite). Until next time, until next episode…buh bye!
Executive Producer/Chief Couch Potato: Kylie C. Piette Associate Producers: Krista Pennington and Selene Rezmer
Editor: Kylie C. Piette Logo: Rebecca Wallace Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Theme Song: Written by: Sarah Milbratz Singers: Sarah Milbratz, Amy McDaniel, Kelsey Sprague Keyboard: Kelsey Sprague Bass: Ian McDonough Guitar: Christian Somerville Engineer/Production: Kyle Aspinall/Christian Somerville
Who: “Star Trek: The Animated Series,” an American animated science fiction series created by Gene Roddenberry, which aired on NBC from 1973 to 1974 for two seasons.
What: “Star Trek: The Animated Series” follows the adventures of the star ship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) and its crew.
SYNOPSIS
The second series in the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek: The Animated Series is the first sequel to Star Trek: The Original Series. Set in the 23rd century, when Earth is part of a United Federation of Planets, it follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Enterprise as it explores the Milky Way galaxy.
When: The show aired on NBC from 1973-1974; Season 1 aired from September 8, 1973, to January 12, 1974, with a total of 16 episodes, and Season 2 aired from September 7, 1974, to October 12, 1974, with a total of 6 episodes.
Where: The show is set in “space the final frontier,” in what is allegedly the 2260s, though it should be noted that calculating star dates as quoted during “Captain’s Logs” on the show is an exercise that does not seem to be based upon rhyme or reason nor does it seem to correspond to our present-day time measurement system. Then again, there is probably an explanation in some fan encyclopedia somewhere. We’re not going to worry about that right now, though, gentle listener.
Why: Listen to this episode, linked below, for the panelists’ individual stories on how they found Star Trek: The Animated Series.
How – as in How Much Do We Appreciate this Show?!
In 2017, Couch Potatoes Unite! appeared live at Grand Rapids Comic-Con in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where we engaged in one of our spicy “Vs!” debates, specifically the debate entitled “Star Trek v. Star Wars: Battle of the Stars!” During that special, our second most involved panelist, the infamous Nick, gave an impassioned speech in favor of the Star Trek universe, of which he is undeniably a huge fan. In light of Nick’s passion, then, and of his subsequent repetitive bouts of subtle encouragement dedicated to starting this series, we here at CPU! triumphantly continue our biggest – no, really, this will be our biggest – Retrospective Looking Back series of podcast episodes to date. Listen to previous episodes in this series here:
The Original Series: Season 1
The Original Series: Season 2
The Original Series: Season 3
Our panel of CPU! super-regulars and resident Trekkers – specifically Nick, Sarah, Kyle, and Michael – continue our likely “five year mission” to boldly go where (probably) no one has gone before with this fourth episode of our “Star Trek 50+ Series.” In this feature, we are taking a critical Look Back at a franchise that, perhaps somewhat unexpectedly, perseveres, despite occasional periods of dormant but simmering popularity and attempts to regroup in an effort to generate new entries in its over five-decade saga. In each episode of this multi-part series, our panel will Look Back at each season of each series of the Star Trek franchise and will consider how this universe has not only withstood the test of time, while simultaneously becoming timeless, but also continues to rank among the panelists’ personal favorites, not only as a series of television programs but as a favored fandom among many, while remaining one of the most nationally and internationally acclaimed series of television shows of all time.
In this fourth episode of CPU!’s “Star Trek 50+” series, our panel discusses both seasons of The Animated Series (TAS). We discuss our favorite and least favorite episodes in the entire series as well as our general impressions of the long-term success of the series as a whole. In addition, we present each individual panelist’s “Top 5 Best” and “Bottom 5 Worst” episodes of the series lists, a conversation that veers into moderate spiciness, as the opinions around what constitutes the best episodes and what constitutes the worst are truly diverse – and sometimes in stark disagreement!
This particular CPU! episode was recorded in November 2019, and there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as the panelists cover key plot points and episodic stories of both seasons of Star Trek: The Animated Series! Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our Apple/iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , find us on Google Play, or on Spotify (!) to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! For the next two weeks, however, our podcast will be on hiatus, as Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Wednesdays this year; we will still publish our annual Mid-Season Progress Report of TV shows premiering this summer/fall, but new episodes will not return until January. I imagine, however, that some of those new episodes will revolve around fun TV like Doctor Who, Supernatural, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and other possibilities (we have not yet programmed the January schedule, but we have some ideas)! Stay tuned!
RECOMMENDATION
Star Trek: The Animated Series is recommended by our panel to anyone who isn’t offended by yesterday’s context of sensibilities in today’s more “woke” world and to anyone who considers themselves hard core Star Trek fans, as, to wit, TAS continues the timeless, magical fusion of ensemble cast chemistry – particularly involving the three leads (William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley) – and out-of-the-box creativity that are trademarks of the franchise. Yet, this series is also hampered by unimpressive, cheap animation (the hallmark of animation production studio Filmation) and an obviously limited budget. Still, The Animated Series continues the Star Trek tradition of offering a bit of everything, and, if you love the genre and/or if you love trying something new, TAS offers fun and campy nostalgia if nothing else, featuring some good episodes, one or two great episodes, and a bunch of silly and uneven stories comprising its brief two seasons. Entering into your continuing mission with this information and an open mind will be helpful; TAS is considered a continuation of TOS, the fourth season that never was in a sense, but manages that continuation best in spirit, vocal talent, and creative storytelling, rather than in the visual quality of the presentation and/or in fastidious canonical continuity with the rest of the franchise.
Both seasons of TAS are currently available to stream on Amazon Prime and on CBS All Access. In the meantime, the CPU! Star Trek 50+ Series panel will return in the near future with Episode 5 of this series, in which we talk Season 1 of The Next Generation. Until then!
A new podcast episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in December 2019, our panel of CPU! small townies – specifically, moderator Kylie, Nick, Sarah, Amy, and new panelists Jordon and Josh – gathers Around the Water Cooler to discuss Season 5 of the quirky Canadian comedy depicting a riches to rags family with hearts of gold, i.e. Schitt’s/Schitt’$ Creek. As always, if you have not watched any of Schitt’s/Schitt’$ Creek, be aware that there are, most definitely, MAJOR SPOILERS! Tell us what you think, and/or if there are other shows you’re interested in CPU! covering, below; email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com; or check out our Guestbook at the website, our Facebook page, our Twitter (@cpupodcast), or our Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite). Until next time, until next episode…buh bye!
Executive Producer/Chief Couch Potato: Kylie C. Piette Associate Producers: Krista Pennington and Selene Rezmer
Editor: Kylie C. Piette Logo: Rebecca Wallace Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Theme Song: Written by: Sarah Milbratz Singers: Sarah Milbratz, Amy McDaniel, Kelsey Sprague Keyboard: Kelsey Sprague Bass: Ian McDonough Guitar: Christian Somerville Engineer/Production: Kyle Aspinall/Christian Somerville
Who: “Schitt’s (Schitt’$) Creek” is a Canadian sitcom, which airs on cable network Pop in the United States, though it is currently on hiatus.
What: “Schitt’s Creek,” created by Eugene Levy and Dan Levy, is based on a series of situations contrasting a once-rich family and their worldly big-city attitudes with sudden small-town living and the honest, down-to-earth, hard-working residents of fictional town Schitt’s Creek.
SYNOPSIS
The series stars Eugene Levy as Johnny Rose, a wealthy video store magnate, and Catherine O’Hara as his wife Moira, a formerly successful soap star. The family loses their fortune when their business manager fails to pay their taxes. They are forced to rebuild their lives with their sole remaining asset: a small town named Schitt’s Creek, which they had bought their son as a joke birthday gift years before. The story revolves around the family’s life living in two adjacent rooms of a rundown motel with their pampered twenty-something adult children, David and Alexis, played by Dan Levy and Annie Murphy, respectively. The cast also features Chris Elliott, Jennifer Robertson, and Emily Hampshire as series regulars.
When: The fifth season aired from January 8, 2019, to April 9, 2019, on cable network Pop in the United States (after first airing on the CBC in Canada) with a total of 14 episodes.
Where: The action is set primarily in the fictional town of Schitt’s Creek, which we can only guess is somewhere in Ontario, Canada, since that is where the show is filmed.
Why: To find out why individual podcast panelists started watching this show, listen to our series of podcast episodes via the links below!
How – as in How Was It? – THOUGHTS
We previously caught up on Schitt’s Creek with our “Catching Up on Schitt’$ Creek” miniseries, in which we discussed the first four seasons of the show in two parts. You can listen to both parts here and at our audio feeds (Apple/iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify):
Seasons 1-2
Seasons 3-4
As you might recall, by popular request, though notably by established CPU! panelists and viewers, Schitt’$ Creek became a new show panel at the CPU! Water Cooler last year. Yet, our Schitt’$ Creek resident townies saw some people move on and other new residents move in – Nick, Sarah, and Amy return, as does your Chief CP, while two new panelists join us “Around the Water Cooler” to talk about Season 5 of this quirky comedy, including the ongoing Rose family dynamics and contributing personalities, the folks the Roses have met and befriended in the town, and the all around fun of this show.
The panel generally continues to regard the series as both smart and subtly funny and unlike anything on typical American TV nowadays, despite the show’s clear influences (as the panel sees it) of Arrested Development, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Riches, and Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara’s prior projects, with a particular flavor of Waiting for Guffman contributing to the proceedings. Of course, in Schitt’$ Creek, these influences mix together to form a special sauce – or, perhaps, day old meatloaf – entirely of the show’s, and its creators’, own making.
This episode was recorded in December 2019, and there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as the panelists cover key plot points of Season 5. Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our Apple/iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , find us on Google Play, or on Spotify (!) to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! Next Wednesday, our Star Trek 50+ Series panel returns to the Water Cooler to digest the stilted animation and the enduring spirit of The Animated Series. Stay tuned!
Questions, Impressions, and Future Considerations
Old Questions
1) How will the town of Schitt’s Creek celebrate the holidays?
ANSWER: We don’t know about the town generally, but Johnny tries hard to get his family to celebrate the holidays in the vein of how they used to lavishly do so when they were rich. Unfortunately, his family proves lukewarm to the idea.
2) Will Alexis and Ted (Dustin Milligan) get reengaged?
ANSWER: So far, Alexis and Ted remain a devoted couple with no current plans for nuptials.
3) What does the future hold for David and Patrick (Noah Reid)?
ANSWER: Patrick proposes to David this season! Listen to the podcast episode for details.
4) Will Stevie (Hampshire) stay with Jake?
ANSWER: No, Stevie does not pursue Jake further.
5) Will Johnny and Moira’s parental pride in their children carry forward momentum?
ANSWER: We think the pride is implied – if not explicitly expressed…
6) Will Mutt stay in town?
ANSWER: No. Mutt is gone. I don’t think anyone misses him, though he has a baby brother now. Shouldn’t he be more interested in his family?
7) Will Twyla (Sarah Levy) find a nice guy, who is maybe at least a bit less scary than Ivan?
ANSWER: So far, Twyla remains positive but steadfastly single.
New Questions
1) Will we ever see the full (or at least prolonged scenes of) Moira’s infamous “Crowpocalypse” movie? Can we get a full rendition of the Schitt’s Creek Community Theater production of “Cabaret?” Someone make these things happen!
2) Will we see David and Patrick’s wedding? Or, will they elope, and will Johnny and Moira renew their vows with the leftover, no doubt lavish, potential wedding setup, as panelist Sarah predicts? Will Ted propose to Alexis? Will we have a double wedding, as panelist Amy wishes?
3) Will Alexis actually make it to the Galapagos Islands to meet Ted?
4) Will any of the Roses opt to leave Schitt’s Creek? Will Johnny and Moira opt to stay?
5) Will Stevie make it out of town, as Chief CP Kylie predicts?
6) Will the community performing arts center be named after Moira, as panelist Josh predicts?
7) Will Moira direct another fabulous musical production to preserve her Schitt’s Creek legacy? If so, what should she direct? What would she direct?
PARTING SHOTS
Schitt$ Creek remains universally recommended by our CPU! panel to fans of the actors in the cast, particularly of Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara, and to fans of comparable and/or influential fare like Arrested Development, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Riches, and director/actor Christopher Guest’s feature films, in which Levy and O’Hara made many joint appearances. The panelists agree that anyone who watches this comedy “can get something out of it,” particularly whatever the viewer wants to get out of it, because the show is an easy, low-risk binge and, therefore, low commitment overall. The humor is distinctly the show’s own and may not appeal to everyone; however, it is subtle and satirical all at the same time. The characters have some caricature-like qualities, which was more emphasized by some of our panelists this go-round, but they embody those qualities so completely, they become fully fleshed out personae for the viewer and accessible to anyone, regardless of background. Additionally, the panel praises the comedic performances of the four main actors and the writing and generally characterizes the show as “better and better” the more one watches. In any event, the panelists find the show “fun,” delightfully “weird,” and believe that those who connect to it will have as much fun as we have had watching and discussing it so far!
LOOKING AHEAD
The CBC and, therefore, Pop renewed Schitt’$ Creek for a sixth andfinal season, which is expected to premiere on January 7, 2020, on Pop. Our panel will reconvene sometime following the series finale for a slightly longer “Goodbye” episode. Like, follow, and/or subscribe to the website, Apple Podcasts/iTunes, YouTube, Stitcher Radio, Google Play, Spotify, or our social media accounts to stay abreast of new episodes regarding Schitt’$ Creek as well as new episodes for all of our podcast panels! And, if you feel so inclined, please leave us a review. Thank you!
A new episode of Couch Potatoes Unite!, which is based on a blog of the same name hosted at couchpotatoesunite.wordpress.com. In this episode, recorded in October 2019, our cadre of sneaky sleeper agents – moderator Kylie, Samantha, and new panelist Aubry – gathered together Around the Water Cooler to simultaneously take a First Look while Looking Back at the highly lauded six season FX spy thriller, The Americans. If you have not watched any of The Americans, be aware that there are MAJOR SPOILERS. Tell us what you think, and/or if there are other shows you’re interested in CPU! covering, below; email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com; or check out our Guestbook at the website, our Facebook page, our Twitter (@cpupodcast), or our Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite). Until next time, until next episode…buh bye!
Executive Producer/Chief Couch Potato: Kylie C. Piette Associate Producers: Krista Pennington and Selene Rezmer
Editor: Kylie C. Piette Logo: Rebecca Wallace Marketing Graphic Artist: Krista Pennington
Theme Song: Written by: Sarah Milbratz Singers: Sarah Milbratz, Amy McDaniel, Kelsey Sprague Keyboard: Kelsey Sprague Bass: Ian McDonough Guitar: Christian Somerville Engineer/Production: Kyle Aspinall/Christian Somerville
Who: “The Americans” is an American period spy thriller series, which aired on FX for six seasons from 2013-2018.
What: Created by Joe Weisberg and set during the Cold War, “The Americans” follows the story of Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys), two Soviet KGB officers posing as an American married couple living in Falls Church, a Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C., with their children, Paige (Holly Taylor) and Henry (Keidrich Sellati).
When: The series aired for six seasons from 2013-2018. The first five seasons consisted of thirteen episodes each, while the final, sixth season consisted of ten episodes.
Where: The action is set in Washington, DC, and surrounding suburbs as well as in the Cold War Soviet Union, primarily Moscow, with occasional trips to other parts of the United States. The time span of the show’s events transpires from 1981 to 1987.
Why: To find out why individual podcast panelists started watching this show, listen to the podcast episode via the link below!
How – as in How Was It?
The pilot/premiere rating scale:
***** – I HAVE TO WATCH EVERYTHING. HOLY SMOKES!
**** – Well, it certainly seems intriguing. I’m going to keep watching, but I see possible pitfalls in the premise.
*** – I will give it six episodes and see what happens. There are things I like, and things I don’t. We’ll see which “things” are allowed to flourish.
** – I will give it three episodes. Chances are, I’m mainly bored, but there is some intrigue or fascination that could hold it together. No matter how unlikely.
* – Pass on this one, guys. It’s a snoozer/not funny/not interesting/not my cup of tea… there are too many options to waste time on this one.
The Americans = 3.7, by average of the podcast panel.
SYNOPSIS
The Americans explores the conflict between Washington’s FBI office and the KGB Rezidentura by following the perspectives of agents on both sides, including the Jennings’ neighbor Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich), an FBI agent working in counterintelligence. The series begins in the aftermath of the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan in January 1981 and concludes in December 1987, shortly before the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
THOUGHTS
The Americans was requested for podcast coverage in addition to being on several lists that CPU! follows, including a “Binge-Worthy and Behind” list published by the AV Club in 2013 (that’s how behind we always are…too much good TV!). The panel consists of one frequent CPU! panelist, Samantha, who appears on several active panels, including the Grace and Frankie panel, the Westworld panel, the“Full/er House Series” panel, The Crown panel, and who Looked Back at Friends,Gilmore Girls, and Marvel’s Agent Carter; one brand new voice; and me, your Chief CP. In this episode, we gathered “Around the Water Cooler” to take a “First Look” while “Looking Back” (hey, we’re complicated around here) at the six seasons of the critically acclaimed spy thriller, and in so doing, we ruminate in-depth upon the production values, performances, and writing choices of this original but unflinching homage to the Cold War as well as the reverberations and timeliness of the series, given today’s sociopolitical sphere.
This episode was recorded in October 2019, and there are, without question, MAJOR SPOILERS, as the panelists cover key plot points of the whole series. Listen at your own risk, and let us know what you think by commenting below!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cpupodcast), Instagram (@couchpotatoesunite), Pinterest (@cpupodcast), or email us at couchpotatoesunitepodcast@gmail.com – or subscribe to this blog, the YouTube channel, our Apple/iTunes channel, our Stitcher Radio channel , find us on Google Play, or on Spotify (!) to keep track of brand new episodes. In the meantime, let us know what you think! Comment or review us in any of the above forums – we’d love your feedback!
Remember, new episodes and blog posts are published weekly! Next Wednesday, schedule permitting, our Schitt’$ Creek panel returns to the Water Cooler to digest, to quote, and to generally laugh at the penultimate season, Season 5, of the Canadian cult comedy. Stay tuned!
RECOMMENDATION
The Americans is recommended by our CPU! panel to anyone who enjoys spy dramas or thrillers with multi-faceted levels of commentary and/or period pieces; The Americans does not shy away from subtext and subtle commentary about politics, history, and the role of gender in each of these areas. The panelists unanimously agree that the show overflows with remarkable performances, particularly by leads Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys, and showcases good attention to detail related to period art direction and the curated music selection comprising the soundtrack. Yet, our panelists simultaneously struggled with some of the writing, which at times presented character choices that did not seem to align with some of the characters’ trajectories of the moment, as well as with the pacing, which could be uneven, particularly in the second half of the series. Yet, the panelists also feel that any perceived flaw or set of flaws offered by The Americans is outweighed by the good elements of the show, especially as the premise is so unusual and so fresh, humanizing a time in history, the Cold War, during which two world powers, the USA and the USSR, remained distinctly polarized, drenched as they were in bracing tension cultivated by philosophical and political differences. In the end, however, the panel expressed most enthusiasm regarding the performances and felt that Russell not winning an Emmy, and Rhys only winning one after the final season aired, was criminal on the part of television critics and pundits, at best.
Nevertheless, the panel regards The Americans as solid television that inspires thought and dialogue; viewers who enjoy such reactions accompanying their television watching experiences will enjoy this series the most. The panel universally encourages at least one sincere attempt at viewing, in which you, gentle listener, can decide for yourself; of course, the panelists also universally agree that the first three seasons of the series represent the series’ best, while the last three seasons made each one of us question the purported excellence of the series. That is why it is best for any intrepid viewer to give it a watch and to gauge their own reaction(s); to quote LeVar Burton, you don’t have to take our word for it.
THE AMERICANS: THE SOUNDTRACK
Spotify user “colorsoflife” took the time to compile a playlist consisting of the songs used in this series. For an atypical collection of 80s music, feel free to give it a listen.
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