Today, we’ll be discussing the final two seasons of the iconic sex comedy, Sex and the City! We’ll be diving into the last 2 seasons, as well as the first movie, on the series that made Cosmos and Manolo Blahniks trendy, and featured women who knew exactly how they liked their drinks, their shoes, and their men! It’s been 17 years since the series debuted, so how does Sex and the City hold up for Millennials living through a pandemic? Stay tuned!

Sex and the City, Part II

85: Sex and the City, Part II

Today, we’ll be discussing the ground-breaking English-language telenovela that radically changed the way the Millenials view abstinence, IVF, hotel moguls, and identical twins: Jane the Virgin! Jane the Virgin had a humble enough premise: A young virgin in a relationship with one man ends up artificially inseminated with the baby of another man, by that second man’s gynecologist sister. What could have easily delved into comic absurdity, with bad punchlines and a laugh track, one instead became the foundation of a romantic comedy-drama that was warm, moving, family-centered, and thoughtful. So what exactly made Jane the Virgin so beloved? Stay tuned!

Jane the Virgin, Part I

87: Jane The Virgin, Part I

Today, we’ll be discussing the back half of the charming English-language telenovela that gave us a refreshing, messy, and entertaining look at modern families: Jane the Virgin! This series only recently ended, yet it was clear from the very first season that this series would be an instant hit. From premise, to casting, to writing, Jane the Virgin was a delight to watch. So what exactly made this series so endearing? Stay tuned!

Jane The Virgin, Part II

88: Jane The Virgin, Part II

Today, we'll be discussing the first half of one of the most truly unique shows of the last decade: Drop Dead Diva. This series follows Deb, an aspiring model who dies, ascends to heaven, and hits the return button, coming back to Earth in the body of a hardworking, generous, plus-sized attorney named Jane, who is also recently deceased. With a guardian angel and best friend in on the secret, Deb learns to navigate both Jane's life and her body. So what exactly made this series so refreshing? Stay tuned!

Drop Dead Diva, Part I

89: Drop Dead Diva, Part I

Today, we’ll be discussing The CW’s action-spy thriller, Nikita! Based on the critically acclaimed spy-drama from director Luc Besson, this series about a young woman recruited into a secret government agency was the fourth adaptation of the source material and had some very big shoes to fill. Nikita takes a different approach, beginning where its predecessors ended, with Nikita managing to get away from her captors, and determined to bring the entire operation down. Filled with action, drama, and double agents, Nikita was different from anything else that The CW had to offer at the time. So what do we think made this series so brilliant? Stay tuned!

Nikita

98: Nikita

Today, we’re discussing the first 3 seasons of The WB/CW’s iconic superhero teen drama, Smallville! Based on DC comics most popular franchise of all time, Superman, Smallville follows the journey of a young Clark Kent from a small farm in Smallville, Kansas, to the bustling city of Metropolis. We get a front row seat as the boy who would become Superman navigates friendship, family, romance, and wanting to be normal when he’s anything but. Smallville solidified the network as a primetime contender, but how does the show hold up 10 years after its finale? Stay tuned!

Smallville, Part I

118: Smallville, Part I

Hello World! Today I am joined by entertainment and culture writer Sydney Urbanek. Hang with us as we talk about the global pop superstar Taylor Swift and the 2020 documentary Miss Americana. Miss Americana follows Swift as she closes the chapter on her 20s and looks to the future of her 30s reflecting on lessons she's learned along the way. But what has she learned really?

Taylor Swift & Ms Americana

Inspired by the true story of Anna Sorokin, Inventing Anna follows the party-girl turned con artist who invented Anna Delvey, a German heiress. Through this new identity, Anna was able to sweet talk her way into exclusive parties, clubs, and restaurants, negotiate her way into major business dealings, and fake it into the lives of some of the wealthiest of New York’s old money. So is Inventing Anna worth watching? Stay tuned!

Inventing Anna

125: Inventing Anna

This week, we continue with our Limited Edition season and dive into a discussion of the tense, uncomfortable, and shocking miniseries, Unbelievable! Based on true events, this series covers two detectives’ hunt across two states for a serial rapist with an unknown modus operandi, and one survivor’s years long struggle to be seen as victim instead of a liar. So is Unbelievable worth watching? Stay tuned!

Unbelievable

130: Unbelievable

This week, we continue with our Limited Edition season and discuss the Freevee original crime comedy, Sprung! Because of overcrowding and COVID-19, several nonviolent offenders are granted early release from prison. But for 3 of them, the excitement of unexpected freedom is soon eclipsed by a desperation to make money, and they soon find themselves tempted back into a life of crime in order to finance the straight and narrow. So is Sprung worth watching? Stay tuned!

Sprung

131: Sprung

This week, we conclude our Limited Edition season and discuss the critically acclaimed miniseries, Queen’s Gambit! Set from the mid-1950s through the 1960s, this drama follows a young girl as she learns to play chess in the basement of an orphanage and becomes a powerful contender, all while struggling with the ghosts of her past and a growing substance addiction. So is Queen’s Gambit worth watching? Stay tuned!

Queen's Gambit

132: Queen's Gambit

This week, we’re keeping the First Impressions season going by discussing the internet’s favourite new drama, The Bear! The  Bear is a comedy-drama which follows a young, award-winning chef de cuisine who leaves a thriving career in New York City and returns home to Chicago to take over his late brother’s struggling sandwich shop. This ambitious character-driven series is a social media darling. But is The Bear worth watching? Stay tuned!

The Bear

133: The Bear

This week, we’ll be continuing our First Impressions with a review of yet another critical and audience darling! Bel-Air is the dramatic retelling of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, bringing the beloved classic into the 21st century and speaking directly to GenZ. Bel-Air takes a whole new approach to the iconic 90s sitcom, giving us more backstory, more layers, more nuance, and more humanity. But is the risk paying off? Is Bel-Air worth watching? Stay tuned!

Bel-Air

134: Bel Air

This week, we’ll be continuing out First Impressions season with a discussion on the reboot of the iconic 80s and 90s coming-of-age series, The Wonder Years! The Wonder Years was one of the most iconic shows for younger GenX and older Millenials, a series where, through the eyes of an initially 12 year old, middle-class suburban white boy, we get a glimpse at life growing up in the late 60s and early 70s. This risky reboot does the exact same thing… with a protagonist growing up in Montgomery, Alabama. The Wonder Years doesn’t just deal with the typical issues of a pre-teen boy, but the greater issues of a highly segregated America. So is the bold new, melanated series any good? Is The Wonder Years worth watching? Stay tuned!

The Wonder Years

135: The Wonder Years

This week, we’ll be continuing our First Impressions season with a discussion on the reboot, or rather continuation of That 70s SHow, That 90s Show! That 70s Show was a hit sitcom, and That 90s Show continues that saga of the Forman family with the daughter of Eric and Donna, Leia Forman, a 15 year old who’s spending the summer with her grandparents and making friends with other teens who are vastly different from herself. So is That 90s Show as good as its predecessor? Is That 90s Show worth watching? Stay tuned!

That 90s Show

136: That 90s Show

This week, we’ll be continuing our First Impressions season with a discussion of the futuristic drama from the creators of HBO’s Westworld, The Peripheral! The Peripheral is a sci-fi drama set roughly 10 years in the future, where a young woman is unknowingly recruited as a mercenary by a sinister corporation who’s using talented VR players to commit crimes 70 years in the future. The first season of The Peripheral has had amazing critical acclaim, and the series has been renewed for a second season, but is it worth it? Is The Peripheral worth watching?

The Peripheral

137: The Peripheral

This week, we’ll be continuing our First Impressions season with a discussion of the hit Apple TV+ original, Physical! Set in the 1980s, Physical is the story of a truly desperate housewife named Sheila, a lifelong bulimic with an expensive secret and a dissatisfying marriage. When Sheila’s husband decides to run for California statesman, Sheila feels as if her life is about to implode, but she finds strength in an unexpected source: aerobics. So is Physical as addictive as critics say? Is Physical worth watching? Stay tuned!

Physical

138: Physical

This week, we’ll be concluding our First Impressions season with a discussion of the hit AMC+ original, Interview with a Vampire! Set in 1910s New Orleans, this hit series is based on the best-selling novel by Anne Rice, this fantasy drama follows the relationships of vampires Louis and Lestat and their protegee, Claudia. So does Interview with a Vampire live up to its namesake? Is it worth watching? Stay tuned!

Interview with the Vampire

139: Interview with the Vampire

Welcome to the very first episode of The Good. The Bad. The Basic! In this episode, we break down the first half of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (seasons 1-4), and everything that made the series both iconic and a little bit problematic. Together, Alex and I take a walk down memory lane and into the Hellmouth! Enjoy!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Part I

1: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Part I

In keeping with the vampire theme of our last two episodes, Alex and I dive into The Vampire Diaries, a fairly-recent hit teen series which, in many areas, tried and failed to be Gen Z's response to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. On this episode, we discuss what made seasons 1-4 of TVD basic, and how writers can avoid the lack of character complexity and development that TVD has in abundance. Enjoy!

The Vampire Diaries, Part I

3: The Vampire Diaries, Part I

Alex and I wrap up our recap on the hit series The Vampire Diaries. There was simply too much fuckery in all things Mystic Falls-related for one episode, so sit back while we dig deeper into TVD and how the strength of a break-neck pace and a loyal fandom kept this show alive for so long! Enjoy!

The Vampire Diaries, Part II

4: The Vampire Diaries, Part II

Welcome to the second season of #GBB! This season, vampires are out and #WhitePeopleProblems are up for dissection as we explore some of the most popular white teen and family dramas! First up is Fox's breakout hit, The O.C.! Alex and I review everything that made this show good, bad, basic, and iconic! Enjoy!

The Good. The Bad. The Basic.

7: The O.C., Part I

#GBB had so much to say about The O.C., and it couldn't be contained in a single episode. Check out the second half of our recap of The O.C., and relive the highs and lows of Newport Beach with us! Enjoy!

The O.C., Part II

8: The O.C., Part II

When The WB debuted Dawson's Creek in 1998, even the network's own executives couldn't have predicted how successful and groundbreaking the series would go on to be. This landmark teen drama changed the foundation of teen dramas irrevocably and its impact is still going strong. So what do Alex and I think made seasons 1-3 of Dawson's Creek so iconic? Stay tuned!

Dawson's Creek, Part I

11: Dawson's Creek, Part I

In this episode, Alex and I are back to gush, vent, and dive into the nostalgia of seasons 4-6 of the iconic Dawson's Creek! On this episode, we discuss the mercurial relationships of the cast, how the series handled the transition to college, and how well the Dawson's Creek has aged. Enjoy!

Dawson's Creek, Part II

12: Dawson's Creek, Part II

Instant Star is the whirlwind modern-fairy tale of a young girl who finds the happily-ever-after of overnight super-stardom after winning a nationally-televised singing competition, and quickly learns that her work as singer-songwriter(and her personal growth) is just getting started! Find out what #GBB had to say about this Canadian teen drama!

Instant Star

25: Instant Star

ABC's Scandal is a show which revolutionized how we discuss and consume television. Despite a short and very rocky first season, Scandal because a the cultural artifact and managed to survive 7 seasons on the network. What made Scandal so addictive, what did we love and hate about the series, and how well has it aged? Stay tuned as we discuss the first 4 seasons!

Scandal, Part I

28: Scandal, Part I

The Shield gave us the gritty underbelly of life as an L.A. cop, and exposed the corruption of Vic Mackey, his friends, and his superiors. What is it about this crime action drama that kept us hooked up in the back half? Stay tuned!

The Shield, Part II

40: The Shield, Part II

Charmed was an unexpected breakout hit that changed the face of prime time network television and garnered a huge amount of respect for its home network, The WB. Deemed by critics to be a fusion of Practical Magic and The Craft, Charmed far surpassed expectations and became a pop culture icon, a cult classic, and a critical darling. So how do we feel about Charmed over 21 years after its debut? Stay tuned!

Charmed, Part I

44: Charmed, Part I

On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the back half of the original Charmed! This series ended 14 years ago, but not a single year has passed since where it wasn’t being broadcast on syndicate or via streaming services, and it's also seen impressive sales in home release of the DVD box sets as well. So what is it about this series that keeps us under its spell? What can we take away from Charmed, and what do we think made this series so ubiquitous? Stay tuned!

Charmed, Part II

45: Charmed, Part II

On today's episode, we'll be discussing seasons 4 & 5 of Mad Men! AMC's critically-acclaimed drama about the inner lives of Manhattan's elite advertising executives was responsible for putting the spotlight on so many previously unrecognized but immensely talented actors and writers, as well as the AMC network itself, and the show's creator! But what was it about this series set in the 1960s that intrigued us in the 21st century? How did Mad Men manage to grab and hold our attention? Stay tuned!

Mad Men, Part II

72: Mad Men, Part II

Today, we’ll be discussing the British historical drama, The White Queen! This miniseries set against the backdrop of the infamous War of the Roses follows the power struggles of the women of the House of York and the House of Lancaster as they fight for the throne. This period drama takes us behind the seat of power as we watch how the machinations and manipulations of power affect the monarchy, and the nation as a whole. So what exactly made The White Queen so engaging, and what does the series teach us about modern-day politics? Stay tuned!

The White Queen

77: The White Queen

Today, we’ll be discussing the historical romantic drama, Reign! This period drama follows the early life of Mary Stuart, better known as Mary, Queen of Scots, and how she went from the betrothed of Prince Francis of France to a highly influential queen and political strategist in her own right. Reign was the CW’s very bold and brave stab at a historical drama, and although the series didn’t last as long as most on the network, it’s safe to say that Reign was GenZ’s favourite period drama. So what made the series so hard to turn away from? Stay tuned!

Reign

78: Reign

Today, we’re debuting GBB’s 10th season with none other than one of the most beloved Black sitcoms of all time: Living Single! Living Single gave us not one by four strong, female leads! Four Black women living their best lives, and learning about themselves and what they wanted from their partners and their careers. Living Single leaned on beautiful, intelligent leads who spoke from themselves, instead of being led by ceaseless trauma as a plot point. This highly successful series ended over 20 years ago, so why is it still so beloved and so impactful to this day? Stay tuned.

Living Single

80: Living Single

Today, we’ll be discussing the BET series that quickly became a household name: Being Mary Jane! Being Mary Jane allowed viewers to explore the inner world of a highly successful, but romantically unfulfilled TV news anchor. Mary Jane has the perfect job, her dream home, and a supportive family, but no man, and a ticking biological clock. This seemingly very basic premise launched a hit series, but what exactly made Being Mary Jane so intriguing? Stay tuned!

Being Mary Jane

81: Being Mary Jane

Today, we’ll be discussing the groundbreaking ABC dramady: Ugly Betty! Based on the internationally acclaimed Yo soy Betty, la fea, Ugly Betty chronicles the blossom of an ugly duckling who gets her feet wet in the world of fashion and learns how to assert herself, follow her dreams, and coordinate her outfits! Ugly Betty was US television’s very first foray into making an English-language telenovela. The series gave us laughs, loves, ridiculous scenarios, and epic cliffhangers. So how did the gamble pay off? Stay tuned!

Ugly Betty

83: Ugly Betty

Hello, world! This Alex and Em! Welcome to our corner of the Internet! The Good. The Bad. The Basic. is a podcast where two Black Millennials wax nostalgic on the TV shows and movies we grew up on as well as intellectualize and throw shade at what we're watching now! Join us for obscure pop culture references and organic, fair trade teas as we analyze what makes all of our faves good, bad, and mildly problematic! Enjoy, and check out our Patreon for more exclusive content!

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