Shows What You Know

Summer TV Catch Up | SWYK 035

We’re back with a stacked lineup of TV talk from around the world (and a couple alternate dimensions). First up, Jason Momoa storms onto Apple TV+ with Chief of War, a sweeping historical epic that has us wondering if “Game of Thrones with boats” is actually a lot better than we gave it credit for. Then it’s over to Survivor Australia, where the gameplay is bigger, messier, and somehow more intense than the U.S. version. We make a detour to Traitors Ireland, the latest international spin on the reality deception format, and then check back in on The Paper, the Office sequel we were braced to hate but might… actually kind of like? James Gunn returns with Peacemaker season 2, bringing back John Cena’s violent manchild for another round of heartfelt chaos, and we finally take a look at Netflix’s Wednesday season 2 and see if everyone’s favourite goth icon holds up to scrutiny. All this plus tangents, rants, and a lot of chat about Muppets!The post Summer TV Catch Up | SWYK 035 first appeared on Shows What You Know.

Pee-Wee’s Big Anniversary | SWYK 034

It’s the dog days of summer TV, but we’ve got a packed episode of news, reviews, and questionable life choices. First up: Chimp Crazy’s Tonia Haddix has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison after a wild saga of lies, basements, and surprisingly casual on-camera confessions. We marvel at the access Eric Goode (of Tiger King fame) managed to get, and whether this is the most incriminating reality footage ever. Then, Paramount Plus and Skydance officially tie the knot, birthing the hilariously clunky new moniker “Paramount: A Skydance Corporation.” We unpack the corporate dynasty politics, AI buzzwords, and what this could mean for the future of TV (Spoiler: not great). Jim takes us on an emotional journey to the 40th anniversary screening of Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, visits Paul Reubens’ grave, and discusses the new documentary Pee-Wee as Himself – a heartfelt deep dive into the life, legacy, and humanity behind the bow tie. Jakob reviews season one of Murderbot, starring Alexander Skarsgård, a surprisingly cozy slice of sci-fi about an autistic-coded (pardon the pun) security unit navigating corporate space, alien relics and its own inner monologue. All while binge-watching its favourite TV show – so relatable! And finally, we watch the trailer for The Paper, an Office sequel we were prepared to hate but… didn’t? All this plus tangents, nostalgia, and the usual sprinkle of existential dread!The post Pee-Wee’s Big Anniversary | SWYK 034 first appeared on Shows What You Know.

Gangs of New York (2002) | The Five Points (1863)

‘Mulberry Street… and Worth… Cross and Orange… and Little Water. Each of the Five Points is a finger. When I close my hand it becomes a fist. And, if I wish, I can turn it against you.’ – Bill ‘The Butcher’ Cutting Jeeez…chill Bill, we were only asking for directions. We’re all friends here, so join us for the latest episode of Reel History! Clearly, the chillingly charismatic Bill Cutting could never be accused of mincing his words or shying away from confrontation. Portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis in Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York (2002), this is one of the actors most iconic on-screen achievements. He delivers up a scene-stealing (glass-eye-tapping) tour de force with rich dialogue and a large serving of gratuitous violence. So far so Scorsese, you might say! Written by Jay Cocks, Steven Zaillian & Kenneth Lonergan, the star-studded cast is complemented by Leonardo DiCaprio’s plucky Amsterdam Valance and Cameron Diaz’s crafty pickpocket Jenny. Filling out the ranks further are comically inept John C. Reilly as Happy Jack and Jim Broadbent’s corrupt kingpin of Tammany Hall Boss Tweed. However, we found that it was Brendan Gleeson’s mercenary/barber/sheriff for hire Walter ’Monk’ McGinn who eclipsed all but Day-Lewis. After all, it was he who reminded us using the old Irish proverb that “An té nach bhfuil láidir ní foláir dó a bheith glic”. (He who is not strong better be clever!) Wise words indeed for anyone wishing to survive and thrive in the feverish cesspit of vice, poverty and corruption that was New York’s 19th century Five Points. Loosely based on Herbert Asbury’s 1927 book of the same name, Scorsese conjures up a grimy, riotous Civil-War-era lower Manhattan. He vividly reveals its underbelly of crime-ridden slums, gambling dens and sectarian gang rivalry, all concentrated into a few stifling streets. These were bitterly fought over by supremacist nativist protestant gangs, such as the Bowery Boys, who were determined to crush the challenge laid down by the largely Irish catholic Dead Rabbits who had flooded into New York escaping destitution across the ocean. Sounds compelling, but did any of this actually happen? Accompany us as we lift the lid on the real history behind the film. Who was the real Bill ‘The Butcher’ William Poole and the gangs which dominated the period? What exactly was the corrupt political machine of Tammany Hall where ‘the appearance of law must be upheld, especially while it’s being broken’? Along the way we will dive into many of the other factors which forged this melting pot of modern America from the New York Draft Riots, religious/race tensions and even rival police forces and fire brigades! Feel free to support the show on patreon.com/reelhistorypodcast for more bonus content between main episodes.The post Gangs of New York (2002) | The Five Points (1863) first appeared on Shows What You Know.

The Bear Season 4 Spoiler Review | SWYK 033

This week we’re bringing you Buffy news, obscure meta comedies, an Andor retrospective and a deep dive into the last few episodes of The Bear season 4! 03:30 We’re bringing back “The Podcast About the Podcasts About Television” and reviewing “The Bitch is Back!”, Charisma Carpenter’s foray into the world of podcasting. 20:30 Cordelia gracefully transitions us into discussing more news of the Buffy Reboot/Revival, and Sarah Michelle Gellar’s choices in marketing this new show. 28:00 Jim describes the next level meta-storytelling that is “The Show About the Show” 38:29 Andor gets another look as Jakob’s gone back and re-watched the entire show, including the Christmas Special “Rogue One”. 48:55 THE BEAR SEASON 4 BABY, LET’S GOThe post The Bear Season 4 Spoiler Review | SWYK 033 first appeared on Shows What You Know.

Does The Bear Get Our Star? | SWYK 032

HANDS!! This week we hit you (pun intended) with the latest news from the world of television as Martin Cove shows No Mercy to his Cobra Kai co-star, and Jim shows no mercy to the new Karate Kid Legends movie! And between a Space Balls sequel and a “Very Young Frankenstein” show in the works at FX, it seems like it’s springtime for Mel Brooks – what will this 99-year-old do next?! Before getting into our main feature we give you recommendations of shows you might not have heard about, from the current J.J. Abrams / Sawyer from Lost project “Duster” to the Irish 2010 crime drama LOVE/HATE. All this before we dive into our main topic for today – THE BEAR SEASON 4! Carmy, Sydney and the rest of the gang are back, cooking up a storm. But does the plot move along this season or are they Groundhogs Daying it? Check out our SPOILER FREE review of The Bear this week and get back to us next week for an in-depth spoiler review – which we’ll be LIVE STREAMING BY THE WAY 01:27 – Martin Kove Apologizes For Biting ‘Cobra Kai’ Co-Star Alicia Hannah-Kim: ‘I Was Being Playful in the Moment but Went Too Far’ 09:27 – Karate Kid Legends Review 18:38 – “Very Young Frankenstein” Mel Brooks project in the works at FX. 24:30 – Duster Season 1 Review (2025) 34:03 – LOVE/HATE Season 1 Review (2010) 41:40 The Bear Season 4 Spoiler-free reviewThe post Does The Bear Get Our Star? | SWYK 032 first appeared on Shows What You Know.