This week we’re coming at you with a double feature of deja vu starring a pair of reboots: Night Court (NBC/Peacock) and That 90s Show (Netflix).

Do these spiritual successors capture the essence of their original runs? And honestly, should they? The original Night Court was horny on main years before we even had a term for it, and That 70s Show thrived in the cynical heyday of early 2000s Fox.

Join us as we discuss the many challenges involved in successfully rebooting any show— but especially comedies!— and how we draw the line between Reboots, Revivals, and Spin-Offs.

And yes, we’re going to answer the BIG question we already know you’re asking: Is the upcoming Frasier series a reboot or a revival? Spoiler alert: Dianne makes a shocking case for deeming it a spin-off (!!!) and Chris proposes retconning a new title for the entire Frasier canon in order to make it work. So if you’re listening, Paramount execs, My Seattle Life! is just waiting to be green-lit…

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📺 Review: Night Court

🚨 Spoiler Alert: The First 2 Episodes of Night Court (2023), plus the original series (starting at 30:36) 🚨

• Where to Watch the Reboot: NBC and Peacock
• Where to Watch the Original: Freevee and Amazon

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📺 Review: That 90s Show

🚨 Spoiler Alert: First 2 Episodes of That 90s Show, plus the original series (starting at 41:23) 🚨

• Where to Watch the Reboot: Netflix
• Where to Watch the Original: Peacock

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🔗 Links:

• It's time to sling some 'derves in a new Party Down season 3 trailer – Hattie Lindert, A.V. Club
• The bar is low for television reboots. Night Court clears it. – Sara Morrison, Vox
• Mila Kunis calls out Jackie and Kelso timeline in That ‘90s Show – Ellis Cochrane, Cosmopolitan

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Finally, a show that answers the age-old question: “What if The Mandalorian let us see Pedro Pascal’s face and had a sidekick who can talk?”

Yes, this week we’re streaming a different -ageddon: It’s the kind of armageddon that puts the “fun” in fungal… but is it any good? We’re reviewing the pilot of HBO’s The Last of Us in order to find out!

On the way we’ll discuss the latest streaming news and TV’s rich history of post-apocalyptic fare (and not-so-rich history of live action video game adaptations).

But first it’s an emergency round of America’s favorite game: Renewed or Canceled?! Play along as Dianne guesses the fate of these streaming shows:

• Abbott Elementary (ABC/Hulu)
• FX’s The Bear (Hulu)
• Uncoupled (Netflix)
• Workaholics (Comedy Central/Paramount+)
• Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin (Peacock)
• Chucky (SyFy)
• Reginald the Vampire (SyFy)
• Snowpiercer (TNT)
• Minx (HBO Max)
• Mel Brooks’ History of the World Part I (Really!)

Can you go 10 for 10? Lock in your guesses now and find out in this week’s episode.

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📺 Review: The Last of Us (Series Premier)

🚨 Spoiler Alert: First Episode (starting at 38:42) 🚨

• Where to Watch: HBO/HBO Max
• Total Episodes: 9 Episodes, 1 Season (In Progress)
• Renewal Status: Not announced (but based on the ratings we’d be surprised if it doesn’t get the green light soon)

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🔗 Links:

Contains spoilers for Renewed or Canceled?!

• ‘The Last Of Us’ Premiere Draws 4.7M Viewers – Peter White, Deadline
• HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ Review – Jen Chaney, Vulture
• HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ Adaptation: A Review for Non-Gamers – Scott Meslow, Vulture
• The Last of Us’ co-creators say a TV show was always “lurking inside the game” – Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge
• Can 'The Last of Us' Cordyceps Fungus Really Infect Humans? – James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter
• CNN wants comedian to save it from being a joke in primetime ratings war: report – Ariel Zilber, New York Post
• The Education of CNN’s Chris Licht – James B. Stewart, The New York Times
• HBO Max Hikes Price for the First Time (But Not the Last) – Savannah Salazar, Vulture
• Abbott Elementary Renewed for Season 3 After Globes Wins – Zoe Guy, Vulture
• ‘The Bear’: FX Sets Summer Premiere; Season 2 Upped To 10 Episodes – Rosy Cordero, Deadline
• Adam DeVine ‘Butt Hurt’ Over Canceled ‘Workaholics’ Movie – Rebecca Alter, Vulture
• Pitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlin Scores Season 2 Renewal At Peacock – Katie Campione, Deadline
• ‘Uncoupled’ Canceled After One Season at Netflix – Joe Otterson, Variety
• Syfy to keep playing with Chucky for a third season – Sam Barsanti, A.V. Club
• ‘Snowpiercer’ Season 4 Won't Air On TNT In Content Write-Off, Shopped – Nellie Andreeva, Deadline
• Minx finds a new home following HBO cancellation – Gabrielle Sanchez, A.V. Club
• History Of The World, Part II teaser: Stars come out for Mel Brooks sequel series – William Hughes, The A.V. Club

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We love a good storytelling gimmick and this week we’re sharing our favorites (and least favorites) as we unpack the new Netflix heist series Kaleidoscope.

Plus we answer all your burning questions, like:

• What did HBO Max erase from existence while we were on vacation?
• Who is hosting The Daily Show now that Trevor Noah is gone?
• Why is Netflix teaming up with Nike?
• And is the streaming universe doomed in 2023?!

But first it’s a surprise round of America’s favorite game: Renewed or Canceled?! Play along as Dianne guesses the fate of these streaming shows:

• 1899 (Netflix)
• 61st Street (AMC)
• Wednesday (Netflix)
• Dangerous Liaisons (Starz)
• Step Up (Starz)

Can you go 5 for 5? Lock in your guesses now and find out in this week’s episode.

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📺 Review: Kaleidoscope

🚨 Spoiler Alert starting at 43:34 🚨

• Where to Watch: Netflix
• Total Episodes: 8 Episodes, 1 Season
• Renewal Status: No Renewal Announcement (Limited Series)
• Watched for Review: All 8 Episodes

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🔗 Links:

Contains spoilers for “Renewed or Canceled?!”

• What’s the Best Way to Watch Randomized Heist Series Kaleidoscope? – Keith Phipps, Vulture
• Netflix’s ‘Kaleidoscope’ Invites You to Scramble Its Storyline: TV Review – Daniel D'Addario, Variety
• Kaleidoscope is a generic heist story but a fascinating experiment – Andrew Webster, The Verge
• ‘The Daily Show’ to Enter Its Guest-Host Era With Leslie Jones – Hershal Pandya, Vulture
• Chelsea Handler on New Netflix Special, Returning to Late Night – Elizabeth Wagmeister, Variety
• Nike Training Club Launches On Netflix – Armando Tinoco & Dade Hayes, Deadline
• Warner Bros. Discovery CFO: Restructuring, Write-Off Frenzy Is Over – Jennifer Maas, Variety
• HBO Max Removes 256 ‘Looney Tunes’ Shorts, Three Seasons of ‘The Flintstones’ – Todd Spangler, Variety
• ‘Dangerous Liaisons,' ‘Becoming Elizabeth’ ‘Step Up’ Pulled From Starz – Peter White, Deadline
• ‘Wednesday’ Is Returning to Nevermore for Another Semester – Jennifer Zhan, Vulture
• No, Netflix isn't going to let Prime Video get its hands on Wednesday that easily – Emma Keates, A.V. Club

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We’re stuffing your stocking with a spoiler-packed bonus episode about this holiday’s streaming hit: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

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📺 Review: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

🚨 Spoiler Alert: Full Movie 🚨

• Where to Watch: Netflix
• Related Watching: Knives Out (Netflix)

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We saw the latest Knives Out mystery in theaters and we have spoiler-free thoughts to share to help you get excited to stream it on at home!

We’ll discuss Netflix’s latest experiment with a hybrid theatrical/streaming strategy, plus the other mysteries plaguing the streaming universe, such as…

• Cecily Strong’s sudden departure from SNL!
• Peacock’s puzzling pivot!
• And all the suspicious disappearances plaguing HBO Max…

It’s a case only Benoit Blanc can solve, but unfortunately you’re stuck with us instead!

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📺 Review: Glass Onion

🚨 Extremely light spoilers starting at 44:29, but really we’re not spoiling this one for you!🚨

• Where to Watch: Netflix (December 23)
• Sequel To: Knives Out, baby!

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🔗 Links:

• Cecily Strong Says 'My Heart Is Bursting' After 'SNL' Exit: 'I Am Ready to Go' – Zack Sharf, Variety
• Peacock Adjusts Development Strategy, Orders James Wan Horror Drama – Nellie Andreeva, Deadline
• ‘Raised By Wolves’ & ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ Removed HBO Max For FAST – Peter White, Deadline
• ‘Los Espookys’ Canceled After Two Seasons at HBO – Joe Otterson, Variety
• HBO fast-tracks new Julio Torres show after canceling Los Espookys – Katie Chow, A.V. Club
• Season two of Minx is still filming after getting canceled by HBO Max – Katie Chow, A.V. Club
• ‘Westworld,’ ‘Minx’ Moves: Warner Bros. Discovery’s Licensing Pivot – Lesley Goldberg and Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter
• ‘MILF Manor’: TLC & Discovery+ Drop Trailer for New Dating Show Straight Out of ’30 Rock’ – Meredith Jacobs, TV Insider
• Netflix to Let Tens of Thousands of Subscribers Give Early Feedback on Content – Sarah Krouse and Jessica Toonkel, The Wall Street Journal
• Knives Out may get lots of sequels, but absolutely no prequels from Rian Johnson – Mary Kate Carr, A.V. Club
• ‘Glass Onion’ Is Box-Office Hit, But Leaving Theaters – Jason P. Frank, Vulture

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It’s kill or be killed (or just, like, have a so-so vacation) in the explosive finale of The White Lotus in Sicily! We’ll dish out the details, including the results of our White Lotus Murder Bracket in less time than it takes to drive to Taormina.

Plus: Will HBO Max drop the HBO and go all-Max all the time? Can you even trademark the word “Max” and does this mean people named Max will be signing up for “Max’s Max”??

But that’s not the only madness brewing in the streaming universe this week, because Warner Brothers Discovery CEO is picking a fight with the big dogs at Netflix. And we have real news about the next chapter of fake news now that The Daily Show is officially without Trevor Noah.

Pour another glass of white wine and join us as we bid arrivederci to one of the year’s best shows!

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📺 Review: White Lotus (Season 2 Rewind) - Part 1

🚨 Spoiler Alert: All Episodes through Season 2, Episode 7 (starting at 22:13) 🚨

• Number of Seasons Overall: 2 (All Episodes Available)
• Renewal Status: Renewed for Season 3
• Where to Watch: HBO, HBO Max

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🔗 Links:

• The Daily Show Will Feature Celebrity Guest Hosts Until Fall 2023 – Josef Adalian, Vulture
• Warner Bros Discovery close to picking ‘Max’ for name of HBO Max replacement – Alex Sherman and Lillian Rizzo, CNBC
• New Streaming War Brewing? Warner Bros. Discovery Boss David Zaslav Takes Aim At Netflix Over Payment Terms – Peter White, Deadline
• List of Warner Bros. Discovery television programs – Wikipedia
• Sure, that HBO Max - Discovery Plus hybrid service will cost more, but at least it'll also have more ads – William Hughes, A.V. Club
• The White Lotus wraps up season 2 with an electrifying episode – Manuel Betancourt, A.V. Club
• Aubrey Plaza psychologically tortured Adam DiMarco on The White Lotus set – Mary Kate Carr, A.V. Club
• Sabrina Impacciatore on Valentina’s ‘White Lotus’ Sex Scene – Valentina Valentini, Vulture

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2022 was a wild year for streaming and we’re here to crown the winners (and a couple of losers) in our First Annual Streaming Superlative Spectacular!

Which news story captured the essence of streaming in 2022? Which characters were the best couple? Who was best dressed? Which show was the life of the party? Who gave us the best finale? And who delivered the biggest disappointments of the year?

We’ll answer those questions (and more!) but don’t worry: No spoilers, just superlatives!

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🏆 Winners:

• Abbott Elementary (ABC, Hulu)
• The Rehearsal (HBO, HBO Max)
• Barry (HBO, HBO Max)
• Derry Girls (BBC, Netflix)
• Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon (HBO, HBO Max)
• The Bear (FX on Hulu)
• Our Flag Means Death (HBO Max)
• A League of Their Own (Amazon)
• Stranger Things (Netflix)
• The White Lotus (HBO, HBO Max)
• Minx (HBO Max)
• Andor (Disney+)
• The Lord of the Rings Franchise (Amazon)
• The Knives Out Franchise (Netflix)
• The Boys (Amazon)
• Never Have I Ever (Netflix)
• Ghosts (US) (CBS, Paramount+)
• Ghosts (UK) (BBC, HBO Max)
• The Patient (FX on Hulu)
• Hacks (HBO Max)

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🏅 Honorable Mentions:

• I Love That For You (Showtime)
• What We Do in the Shadows (FX on Hulu)
• Star Trek: Lower Decks (Paramount+)
• Reboot (Hulu)

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🔗 Links:

• The CW: Nexstar’s Next Battle to Make Numbers Work – Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter

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Has franchise fatigue doomed the excellent Andor to streaming obscurity? Or is the hype cycle about to go to hyperspace as viewers binge the full season? We’ll dissect the data then unpack our favorite moments from season 1 (don’t worry, we’ll warn you before we get to the spoilers!).

But first! Is a Fraiser reboot still a reboot if only Frasier returns? Where do we draw the line between reboot, spin-off, and spiritual successor? And if reboots are all the rage can someone do us a favor and reboot Whose Line Is It Anyway? before the series ends this winter?

Plus: The Disney Empire Strikes Back, but will the Return of the Jed-Iger bring A New Hope to the rebel alliance that ousted Emperor Bob Chapek? Will the returning Bob prove to be more of a Phantom Menace or is he the only Rogue One capable of navigating the Disney+ through the Attack of the Clones (by which we mean the ever-expanding universe of indistinguishable streaming services)?*

All that and more on this week’s Streamageddon!

*We aren’t even going to try to squeeze the sequel trilogy in there. Make of that what you will.

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📺 Review: Andor (Season 1 Rewind)

🚨 Spoiler Alert: Season 1, All 12 Episodes (starting at 25:46) 🚨

• Renewal Status: Renewed for Season 2
• Where to Watch: Disney+
• Spinoffs: Uh… spoiler alert for 2016’s Rogue One

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🔗 Links:

• Frasier Is Going to Be Awfully Lonely in the Reboot – Vulture
• Whose Line Is It Anyway Ending on The CW – Brandy Clark, Collider
• Walt Disney CFO, Others Brought Concerns to Board Over Bob Chapek – Robbie Whelan, Emily Glazer, Joe Flint, and Jessica Toonkel, The Wall Street Journal
• Disney pulled some funky tricks to make Disney Plus look like it's losing less money – William Hughes, A.V. Club
• ‘Andor’ Finally Topples ‘House of the Dragon’ on Most In-Demand New Shows List | Chart – Parrot Analytics, The Wrap
• Andor’s season finale solidifies it as one of Star Wars’ greatest stories – Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge
• What we expect to see in Andor's second season for Cassian, Mon Mothma, Kino Loy and more – Scott Huver, A.V. Club
• Andor’s Tony Gilroy is worried about more important things than discourse – Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge
• Andor’s designers approached it like a Star Wars period drama – Andrew Webster, The Verge
• Nicholas Britell Explains the Score of ‘Andor’ – Roxana Hadadi, Vulture

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Disney’s board is bringing Bob Iger out of the Disney Vault and we’re stockpiling the hot corporate goss like limited edition Beauty & The Beast DVDs in 2002. It’s like if Succession had a PG rating… and we’re loving every minute of it!

But don’t worry, because we’re still thankful for Peacock’s latest shenanigans (somebody pardon this bird, STAT!) and our beloved Hulu. Yes, little Hulu. The stepchild of the Great Big Bob Breakup. What will happen to poor Hulu??

… We might not have the answer to that question, but we do have a glowing review of Hulu’s latest FX joint: Fleishman Is in Trouble.

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📺 Review: Fleishman Is in Trouble

🚨 Spoiler Alert: First 2 Episodes (starting at 28:14) 🚨

• Where to Watch: Hulu
• Releases: Thursdays through Dec 29
• Based on: The novel Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

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🔗 Links:

• Bob Iger Returns as Hero in Waiting to Save a Battered Disney – Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter
• Disney's big succession fail: The return of Bob Iger – Sara Fischer, Axios
• Bob Iger announces restructuring at Disney, top media exec to depart – Sara Fischer, Axios
• 40 percent of US Disney Plus subscribers picked the bundle with ESPN Plus and Hulu – Emma Roth, The Verge
• ‘Andor’: First Two Episodes Head To ABC, FX, Freeform & Hulu – Denise Petski, Deadline
• Peacock makes big play for cord cutters with live TV from all local NBC stations – Chris Welch, The Verge
• ‘Monster’ Renewed for Season 2 & 3, ‘The Watcher’ Renewed for Season 2 – Joe Otterson, Variety
• HBO Cancels 'Westworld' in Shock Decision – James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter

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Ciao! And welcome back to another season of sexy potential murder victims (and Jennifer Coolidge victims) on HBO’s breakout hit The White Lotus (now with extra Sicily!). We’re sharing our thoughts on the season premier, discussing why expectations for the show might be unrealistically high, and making our predictions for this new installment of Mike White’s excellent anthology series.

But first we’re unpacking three strange news stories you might’ve missed:

1. The holidays are almost here which means we’ve got a roundup of all the exclusive merch Disney is dying to sell you… if you subscribe to Disney+ (Bob Chapek would hate to see this limited edition Lightsaber fall into the wrong hands…).
2. Is Disney merch not your style? Well then Netflix would like to invite you to your local Wal-Mart for some good old fashioned corporate synergy (and popcorn!).
3. And just in case you forgot that the holiday are almost here (terrifying, we know) Peacock is continuing its grand pivot from NBC-style comedies to… Hallmark original movies? Sure, why not?!

Plus a startling Simpsons confession from Dianne, our favorite anthologies of all time, and we accidentally introduce a brand new segment: TV TAROT!

So join us, won’t you? It’s in the cards…

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📺 Review: The White Lotus (Season 2)

🚨 Spoiler Alert: Season 2, Episode 1 (starting at 37:19) 🚨

• Number of Seasons Overall: 2 (Season In Progress)
• Where to Watch: HBO and HBO Max

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🔗 Links:

• Disney Plus subscribers are getting first dibs at new Marvel and Star Wars merchandise – Chris Welch, The Verge
• Hallmark Channel on Peacock in New Streaming Deal, Includes Live Channels – Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter
• Walmart opening in-store Netflix hubs — complete with streaming gift cards – Marianne Wilson, Chain Store Age
• Who’s Who in The White Lotus season two – Cindy White, A.V. Club
• Yes, that was Laura Dern cussing out Michael Imperioli in the season two premiere of The White Lotus – Gabrielle Sanchez, A.V. Club
• Let the speculation begin—who’s going to die on The White Lotus this season? – Cindy White, A.V. Club

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