HoopleCast: An IntroCast For HBO's Deadwood

Three months after, and the citizens of Treme (2010) are still rebuilding their lives. Antoine Baptiste is a musician adverse to paying cab fares. LaDonna, Baptiste's ex-wife, throws shade on the neighborhood brass band section whilst searching for her lost brother. Toni Bernette is a lawyer/crusader who loves bread pudding. Her husband, Creighton (really?), bickers with a British reporter. Albert Lambreaux wears all the feathers as he's got fire can't put it out make lew-lew dewey-dewey bottie bomb-bow. Don't ask restaurateur Janette Desautel about her house, or her poor taste in men, which includes professional music snob Davis McAlary. Played to great irritation by Steve Zahn, Davis is a definite contender for worst HBO character. (For additional anti-Zahn conversation, listen to our commentary for A Perfect Getaway.) (9:50 - 57:27) ... January 16, 1920 was one of the darkest days in American history as the idiots who ran our country decided to address the symptoms, not the causes, of toxic masculinity by making illegal the one thing that gets us through each excruciating day: alcohol. Boardwalk Empire (2010) is about American Hero Nucky Thompson, his hero buddies, including Arnold Rothstein, Lucky Luciano, and Al Capone, and their noble quest to keep us well and truly sauced despite the centurions at the FBI. So, raise a glass of caramel-colored fermented potatoes to these brave men, who in defiance of a ridiculous law, aided our great nation in weathering the dry and dreadful storm known as Prohibition. Plus, babies in cupboards. (57:28 - 2:23:02) ... Also, the Deadwood film, His Dark Materials, and intimacy counselors. (0 - 9:49) | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded November 18, 2018. Released February 4, 2019. [Warning: Explicit Language.]

We’re down in the hot, sticky swamplands of Bon Temps, Louisiana with Nuchtchas of The Nutty Bites Podcast to discuss True Blood (2008), the sexy vampire soap that HBO apparently forgot about when they announced they were eliminating late night adult programming from its services. Although it’s generously considered a drama, True Blood is actually softcore porn, but with vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, fairies, demons, demigods, leprechauns (are there leprechauns? there’s probably leprechauns) plus a smattering of Cajuns who we learn are Mel’s cousins. (26:35 - 1:57:51) ... The Pacific (2010) is another prestigious WWII mini-series. On August 7, 1942 U.S. Marines land at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands to fight the Japanese--minus Tim from Jurassic Park who is stuck at home with a heart murmur, poor kid. It’s The Thin Red Line but without the pretentious voiceovers. (1:57:52 - 3:21:28) ... Also, My Dad Wrote a Porno, Lesser Gods, Euphoria, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and praise for the non-HBO series Please Like Me. (0 - 26:34) | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded September 16, 2018. Released October 14, 2018. [Warning: Explicit Language.]

Jackie Kennedy's oddball relatives, Edith Ewing Bouvier ("Big Edie") and her staunch daughter Edith Bouvier Beale ("Little Edie"), live a true hoarder lifestyle in Grey Gardens (2009), HBO's dramatized version of the famous documentary from 1975. Little Edie never launched after being spurned by a Baldwin, and now finds herself trapped in a codependent relationship with her mother, plus, like, a bazillion cats. At least, the woman knows how to rock a cape. Summer with us in East Hampton* won't you, chickens? (13:05 - 1:51:08) ... Also, The Nevers, Game of Thrones prequels (news that was debunked immediately after our recording), and the AT&T merger. (0 - 13:04) (* a mean, nasty Republican town) | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded July 22, 2018. Released August 12, 2018. [Warning: Explicit Language.]

We're taking a short break from series premieres to review a few HBO original films. Iron Jawed Angels (2004) stars Hilary Swank and Frances O'Connor as suffragettes Alice Paul and Lucy Burns. (Molly Parker, Anjelica Huston, Vera Farmiga, Julia Ormond, and the warden from Shawshank are also in the mix.) It's 1912 and women are rocking all the boats, upsetting all the apple carts, and wearing all the hats in their endeavor to enfranchise women with the right to vote--well, white women, at least. It's a movie that dramatizes watershed moments in American history, but still finds screen time for some light bathtub masturbation. (14:05 - 1:51:50) ... Also, Succession, Westworld, Watchmen, Lovecraft Country, and that hypothetical Deadwood movie. (0 - 14:04) | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded June 3, 2018. Released June 26, 2018. [Warning: Explicit Language.]

Memorial Day marks the start of summer, and if the impending hot weather, hurricanes, and escalating gas prices have you depressed, perhaps stay indoors and cool off with Matt, Claire, and Brad as they record an unnecessary commentary track for the Timothy Olyphant and Jennifer Garner comedy Catch and Release (2006). After her fiance dies under mysterious fish-related circumstances, the unfortunately named Gray finds herself in the nest of three hapless bros, and awash in pro-Boulder, Colorado propaganda. It's barely a movie. | Tags: You're Not Elektra, Lost Wilson Brother, Sock It To Me! Sock It To Me! Sock It To Me!, Mr. Yummy, How Does Anyone Know Anyone In This Film?, I Don't Want To Fuck Jennifer Garner (Well, You're Wrong, Though), Eff You, Sugar Daddy, JonBenet Ramsey, That Time Kevin Smith Stole Doughnuts From Burt Reynolds, Once An Orphan Always An Orphan, Does The Soundtrack Only Get Worse?, This Is Your House You Should Know How To Work A Door, You Live A Little You Love A Little--Whatever, The Stakes Couldn't Be Lower, Shoes Are Optional In Brad's Peace Garden (RSVP Brad) | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded: May 5, 2018. Released: May 28, 2018. [Warning: Explicit Language.]

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (2008) is an adaptation of Alexander McCall Smith's beloved novels. Jill Scott plays Mma Ramotswe, our lead heroine who starts a detective agency for the purpose of solving mysteries and aiding the people of her beloved Botswana. Aside from its warmth and humor, the series is also notable for its promotions of female empowerment and positive body images. I joked before that this entire HBO Project was a long con to get others to watch this delightful series with me, and I'm pleased we finally have. (0 - 1:43:09) ... At the complete opposite end of the spectrum, the ugliest characteristics of American males are embodied by the U.S. marines of Generation Kill (2008). A Rolling Stone reporter arrives at camp Mathilda in Kuwait to chronicle the events during the first phase of the Iraq War (sponsored by Skittles and Pizza Hut). Prepare to get political, because, yeah, we have some things to say. (1:43:10 - 2:47:37) | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded April 8, 2018. Released April 29, 2018. [Warning: Explicit Language.]

Matt, Laurel, and Steven share their disappointments with the second season premiere of Westworld. | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded April 26, 2018. Released April 29, 2018. [Warning: Explicit Language.]

HBO's obsession with psychiatry and sex continues with In Treatment (2008). Dr. Paul Weston's first patient of the week, Laura, confesses her erotic fixations, which is not a good for a man in the throes of a crumbling marriage and mid-life crisis. Paul's other patients include Sophie (a suicidal gymnast) and Alex (a fighter pilot who oopsy-daisy murdered sixteen Iraqi children); he'll kvetch about them all when he climbs onto an emotional seesaw with his own therapist, Gina. (24:05 - 1:18:49) ... Then, we return to a familiar groove for this podcast: American history. John Adams (2008) is a fabulous mini-series about our second president, a principled, intellectual heavyweight who is the only man in his country of Massachusetts to defend a company of English soldiers in the aftermath of The Boston "Massacre." We learn that John's successes are due in part to the wise counsel of his brilliant wife Abigail, and, lo, but are they not the cutest bippin' couple? (1:18:50 - 2:44:15) ... Also, The Many Saints of Newark, Westworld, and Here and Now. (0 - 24:04) | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded March 18, 2018. Released April 1, 2018. [Warning: Explicit Language.]

In this bonus episode, we assume the identities of our favorite Deadwood characters for a unique role-playing experience. Steve is our GM (Game Master) for this mod of the RPG Apocalypse World, and he does a fantastic job establishing a post-season three narrative for us to act out: "Who killed Cy Tolliver?" Unfortunately, we do not resolve the mystery this go 'round, but we'll regroup at some point during the next few months to conclude this hilarious/nonsensical adventure. (Hopefully, I will have sobered up by then. What can I say, Steve, except: "I apologize....") | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded February 11, 2018. Released February 25, 2018. [Warning: Explicit Language.]

It's Valentine's Day, and whether you're single, married, coupled, or a member of Andrew Keegan's sex cult, HoopleCast wants you to know you are loved. That is why Matt, Claire, Will, Mel, and Matt H have recorded this unnecessary commentary track for the Timothy Olyphant-led ensemble flick The Broken Hearts Club colon A Romantic Comedy (2000). Although, calling this a "comedy," is a bit generous since everyone in this movie is a real candle-lighting, necklace-wearing, Carpenters-listening-to sad sack. Except Purple Guy. | Tags: Zack Braff's Hair, Talky Intellectual Gay, Gotta Go To Kentucky To Raise Men, Gays Grow On Trees Lesbians Grow On Bushes (ba-dum-dum), Secret Brit!, The Promiscuous Gay, Jennifer Aniston Traded Up, Olyphant's Arms Are Not On Point But He Has Very Perky Man Breasts, The Theatrical Gay, Dawson's Creek Shared Universe, Come Here And Let Me Fix Your Tits, Let's Join The Ladies And Make One Great Big Lady, Stop Harassing Your Brother For His Sperm, Dean Cain Conservative Question Mark, Zack Braff's Pants, We Have Not A Child Among Us, RSVP John Mahoney. | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded: January 27, 2018. Released: February 14, 2018. [Warning: Explicit Language.]

David Milch's follow-up to Deadwood, John From Cincinnati (2007), is the metaphysical surfer drama Chris Carter wishes he created. A weirdo calling himself "John" (is he autistic? an angel? Dougie Jones from Twin Peaks: The Return?) disrupts the lives of the deeply unlikable Yost family, led by matriarch Cissy (Rebecca De Mornay, yelling) and patriarch Mitch (Bruce Greenwood, floating). The series aspires to find grace through both the sport of surfing and encounters with the divine, but the pilot is messy, loud, and, frankly, a bit dull. But, worth it just to hear Carol say "donkey show." (12:01-1:14:47) ... Softcore porn meets indy film-making in Tell Me You Love Me (2007). If you've ever wanted to see Penny from Lost give Ben from Parks and Rec a handjob, you're in luck. (Also, who are you?) It may be the least sexy show about sex ever made, but it did give me the visual of grizzled crew members operating prosthetic penile contraptions, which is pretty hilarious. (1:14:48-2:23:16) ... Also, the Deadwood film, Here and Now, and Watchmen. (0-12:00) | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded January 21, 2018. Released February 5, 2018. [Warning: Explicit Language.]

This episode we're deep in the heart of Utah for Big Love (2006), a well-written/produced/acted drama about plural marriage that some of the hoopleheads find deeply troubling due to the current state of the world. After we discuss "Sopranos in Mormon-town" we dig into America's fucked up laws regarding marriage and consent, and-–gosh darn it all to heck--we have questions for you, New Hampshire. (6:25-1:14:33) ... In the premiere of Five Days (2007), a missing woman and her missing kids spark a stonking amount of questions, like: Is everyone in England a sexual predator? How do English people pronounce the letter "F?" Are they comfortable being filmed 24/7? Where even is this? (They claim London, but we're not convinced.) (1:14:34-2:12:06) ... Also, the "choose your perspective" app Mosaic, and forthcoming mini-series Chernobyl. (0-6:24) | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded November 19, 2017. Released November 26, 2017. [Warning: Explicit Language.]

The hoopleheads return to the camp for what is likely a final reconnoiter as they revisit the premiere of the series what done brought em to this here place to begin it: Deadwood (2004). It's a thrill being back in The Black Hills with our dear friends, many of whom are looking younger and less deceased than last we met: Tim Driscoll, Ned Mason, the family of the fivehead, that horse thief who gave us our signature sign-off... For a far more exhaustive discussion of this brilliant hour of television, go back and listen to our original podcast, recorded 987 days prior when Matt, Mel, and Carol didn't know a sluice from a rocker box. But first, in a surprise installment of Readers Theatre, Russell briefs us on camp business, including an alarm of fire and the suicide of Prospect Marquette by arsenic. (18:58-1:27:53) ... Then, we travel even further back in time to Rome (2005). Someone has purloined Julius Caesar's battle standard in Gaul, and reluctant bros Vorenus and Pullo of the 13th Legion are tasked with its recovery. Along their mission they encounter snot-nosed Kid Exposition, who helpfully explains Roman politics to Host Matt, whose attention wandered during the scene in which the white guys in robes were talking. (So, all the scenes.) This episode of the podcast is sponsored by 23andme. Send them your spit in a tube, and unlock the secrets of your DNA. You might be a secret Ubian! (1:27:54-2:35:22) ... Also, Aviation: And People Who Are Good At It, Game of Thrones, I Know This Much Is True, Who Fears Death, Room 104, The Deuce, and Utopia. (0-18:57) | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded October 22, 2017. Released Nov 5, 2017. [Warning: Explicit Language.]

What is more spine-chilling, blood-curdling, and alliterative than spooky skeletons, ghastly ghouls, and zoophagous (look it up) zombies? Answer: HoopleCast's third entry in its series of unnecessary commentary tracks for Timothy Olyphant movies. In celebration of All Hallows Eve, Claire and Tammy of Calavicci FashionCast are here to blabberwocky their way through The Crazies, a remake of the George A. Romero film and prequel to Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. (Or, Galaxy of the Guardians, if you're Matt and don't know movie titles.) As neighbor turns pitchfork against neighbor, our heroes Timothy Olyphant and perennial "oh, that guy" Joe Anderson, fight to survive against whatever is making the people of the very barn-heavy town of Ogden Marsh, Iowa go supes crazy. Hence, the title. | Tags: They Cling To Their Baseball Mitts And Their Guns (America In A Nutshell), InfoWars: The Musical, Sorry, Timothy Olyphant Is Doing Carpentry, Apocalyptic Hellscape Movie (AKA America 2017), Get These Motherfuckin' Crazies Outta My Motherfuckin' Town, That Fetus Is Out of Control, Enough With The Twin Peaks References, Truck Full Of Bowling Balls Or Truck Full Of Babies, Disney World Would Blow Their Barn Minds, The United States of America Hereby Extends An Open Invitation To Claire Laffar To Visit One Of Its Many Fine Car Washes, Sort Your Face Out, Jennifer Garner. | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded October 14, 2017. Released October 31, 2017. [Warning: Explicit Language.]

*LOOK UP!* HoopleCast makes its triumphant return, discussing an odd pair of HBO programs. First, the Soderbergh and Clooney produced K Street (2003), which trails real life political operatives James Carville and Mary Matalin as they interact with actual statesmen (Howard Dean) and fictional characters (Christoper Walken wannabe Francisco Dupré). We don't know why this is a thing, but we are completionists/masochists, so.... (7:58-44:38) *LOOK UP!* Then, the always angelic Claire of Calavicci FashionCast and The Defenders Podcast shepherds us through the richly textured Angels in America (2003), adapted from Tony Kushner's award-winning play. *PREPARE THE WAY!* Rabbis, prophets, sex-starved pill popping housewives, imaginary travel agents, closeted Mormons, butch nurses with bad accents, Al Pacino, the ghost of Ethel Rosenberg, and others, are farshtopt into this geschwollen, yet verklempt drama about New York City at the height of the AIDS crisis. *GLORY TO!* (44:39-2:58:10) ... Also, True Detective (yet again) and The Mighty Eighth. (0-7:57)| Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded Doomsday 2017. Released October 5, 2017. [Warning: Explicit Language.]