Shows
The Rec CenterHotdog or Not Hotdog?We’re back with some quick but incomplete Succession thoughts (4:48) before getting into recs for the week. We start with two true crime offerings from Netflix - Catching Killers (12:53) and Yara (17:08). Other movies, documentaries and podcasts discussed this week are Love Hard - Netflix (20:26), Finch - AppleTV+ (29:45), What Happened, Brittany Murphy? - HBO Max (31:03), and Haleywood (35:05).2021-11-1637 minThe Rec CenterWhat Happened to Happy HourThe Rec Center starts off in tangent town this week, covering anniversaries, dangerous trampoline parties, and Sunday Funday, among other things. The TV talk kicks off with some lukewarm to hot Succession takes (10:27). Other TV shows discussed this week include Love Life - HBO Max (26:15), Curb Your Enthusiasm - HBO (34:52), The Chestnut Man - Netflix (40:55), and Dopesick - Hulu (43:59), which Jack recommends again because he forgot he recommended it last week. Editor’s note: It was Joba Chamberlain who sprained his ankle on a trampoline in 2012, not CC Sabathia.2021-11-0453 minThe Rec CenterFamily Feuds and Avocado FailsSuccession is back and so are we, breaking down all the family drama from the season 3 premiere (3:37). Other shows we watched this week: Dopesick - Hulu (24:25), You - Netflix (29:55), The Last Duel - a theater near you (37:44), and One of Us is Lying - Peacock (45:28).2021-10-2053 minThe Rec CenterSquid Game of ThronesFrom one cultural phenomenon to another, we begin this episode with an update on the Game of Thrones prequel and a strong recommendation for Squid Game on Netflix (4:44). It’s two thumbs down for The Guilty - Netflix (12:44), and two thumbs up - sort of - for Britney vs. Spears on Netflix and Battle Over Britney on Hulu (22:34). Finally, season two of Ted Lasso takes a dark turn (31:24) and Maid - Netflix is dark and depressing from the start but worth a watch (36:52).2021-10-0645 minThe Rec CenterThree’s CompanyIt’s a light week, but we’ve still got plenty of TV, movies, and podcasts to talk about. We start negative with Cry Macho - HBO Max (3:02) and lukewarm with LulaRich - Amazon Prime (6:19). Jack then recommends you watch Y: The Last Man - FX on Hulu (14:33), before we circle back one more time to Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers (20:07). Finally, a podcast recommendation - Dr. Death Season 3: Miracle Man (25:23) - and some Billions season 5 thoughts.2021-09-2231 minThe Rec CenterPer My Last EpisodeWe’re circling back on The Rec Center this week, with plenty of old shows to revisit and new shows to discuss. We start with Hulu’s buzzy new hits - Nine Perfect Strangers (5:13) and Only Murders in the Building (13:21). Jack gives a strong recommendation for Mythic Quest - Apple TV+ (17:25), and Lindsay delves into Netflix’s incredibly average crime thriller, Clickbait (25:22). We finish with some Doc Talk, and discuss Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror - Netflix (32:55), 9/11: Inside the President’s War Room - Apple TV+ (33:33), Untold: Crime & Penalties - Netflix (34:45), and Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed...2021-09-1538 minThe Rec CenterFlapping in the WindThe Rec Center is back after a week off, trying to wade through a quantity over quality time for content. We begin with two thumbs up for The Chair - Netflix (2:09), two sideways thumbs for Untold: Malice at the Palace - Netflix (13:22), and a strong thumbs down on Clickbait - Netflix (24:29). We finish up by getting familiar with Nine Perfect Strangers - Hulu (29:10) and looking ahead to new upcoming content.2021-09-0240 minThe Rec CenterWaving Aloha to The White LotusThe ratings are in from The Rec Center now that the White Lotus has departed from our TV screens, and the reviews are mixed. After we break down the finale, we dive into other recs and non-recs for the week: Small Town News: KPVM Pahrump - HBO Max (19:40), The Suicide Squad - HBO Max (24:58), Together Together - Hulu (27:54) and Cocaine Cowboys: The Kings of Miami - Netflix (33:35).2021-08-1843 minThe Rec CenterDown the rabbit holeThe White Lotus took a quick left turn into “shows you don’t want to watch with your parents” territory this week (7:10). Plus, some up and down recommendations this week include: The Mosquito Coast - AppleTV+ (21:32), The Pursuit of Love - Amazon Prime (29:03), 100 Foot Wave - HBO Max (32:42), and FBoy Island - HBO Max (42:30).2021-08-0552 minThe Rec CenterParty Like it’s 1999We’re throwing it back to last millennium on this episode, but first we need a quick check in on Team USA. If you need content to consume that isn’t Olympics-related, recs this week include White Lotus (5:56), Woodstock 99 - HBO Max (15:11), Heist - Netflix (30:20), and Kevin Can F*ck Himself - AMC (36:04).2021-07-2847 minThe Rec CenterSwipe Up!We kick off this week with a spirited debate about the Instagram swipe up feature (but it’s still the ‘link in bio’ life for us). We also talk about episode 2 of HBO’s The White Lotus (9:11), before giving high praise to Simone vs. Herself - Facebook Watch (20:55), and Rick and Morty - HBO Max (28:53). Other shows and movies discussed include Never Have I Ever - Netflix (34:50), Space Jam - HBO Max (38:16), and Sexy Beasts - Netflix (45:58).2021-07-2257 minThe Rec CenterWe'll Never Be RoyalsAfter a week off, we’re back to catch up on life, Instagram, and have a quick spelling bee before getting into this week’s recs. HBO’s The White Lotus (9:40) is our new Sunday night show that we’ll discuss each week. We break that down before Jack gives a thumbs down to The Tomorrow War - Amazon Prime (21:47) and Lindsay gives all the emphatic thumbs up to Young Royals on Netflix (28:21). Other shows and movies in this episode: No Sudden Move - HBO Max (33:27), and finally two Netflix crime docs - Sophie: A Murder in West Cork and Murd...2021-07-1349 minThe Rec CenterGuest Starring...Aloha! The Rec Center is back after a week off with some hot and cold recommendations. We start with Dave on Hulu (5:55), Good on Paper on Netflix (11:20), and Physical on Apple TV+ (23:47). Two final non-recommendations include Epstein’s Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell - Peacock (31:18), and Sex/Life - Netflix (37:46). Finally, we’re joined by a special guest star with a YouTube recommendation (39:54).2021-06-3045 minThe Rec CenterFive StarsWe’re debuting a new ratings system this week, but before that - Jack shares a bad beat from Tahoe over the weekend. Positive recommendations that all come from HBO Max include Hacks (7:36), Starstruck (12:14), and In the Heights (16:25). We end by breaking down We Are Lady Parts - Peacock (21:16), Solos - Amazon Prime (25:38), and Cruel Summer - Hulu/Freeform (31:29).2021-06-1542 minThe Rec CenterSpeak and Be HeardThe Rec Center is thrilled to announce our new partnership with Speak Studios! We talk about what that means for us to kick off this episode, before jumping into some streaming recommendations. Jack starts by giving 3.5 stars to The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It - HBO Max (11:53), and Lindsay gives 0 stars to 2 Hearts on Netflix (15:42). Other recs include OverSimplified - YouTube (20:15), The New York Times Presents: Who Gets To Be An Influencer? - Hulu (23:42), A Quiet Place 2 (Only in theaters - 33:25), and Clique on Hulu (36:43).2021-06-0941 minThe Rec CenterOur Hearts Will Go OnNear, far, wherever you are, we hope you enjoyed spending time with Mare in Easttown as much as we did. We break down the finale, discuss whodunnit, and say farewell to our sweet yet complicated HBO Max friends. We also discussed the other Friends reuniting on HBO Max, and have different takes on the new special (28:08). Then, Lindsay recommends you go on the journey that is Bo Burnham: Inside - Netflix (33:21), Jack gives an emphatic thumbs down to American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally (streaming for a price, but don’t bother) (38:19), and finally Lindsay recommends skipping Plan B...2021-06-0143 minThe Rec CenterWhat Happens in VegasAfter the penultimate episode of Mare, it's the penultimate Rec Center episode that begins with a lengthy discussion of everything Easttown. Next we visit Sin City for a lukewarm recommendation of Hacks on HBO Max (27:51) and a non-recommendation of Zack Synder's Army of the Dead - Netflix (33:20). Finally, we go deep into the world of The Handmaid's Tale - Hulu (37:18) and end with a negative take on The Me You Can’t See - Apple TV+ (46:33).2021-05-2549 minThe Rec CenterTrick or TreatAfter a wild week in Easttown, we start this episode with a breakdown of the latest installment of Mare (HBO Max). There’s a lot to unpack, but if you haven’t seen episode 5, skip ahead to the other recs, like Those Who Wish Me Dead HBO Max (20:45), Girls 5eva and Rutherford Falls - both on Peacock (28:42). We finish with a thumbs down from Jack on The Woman in the Window - Netflix (35:10), a discussion of the new HBO Max documentary, The Crime of the Century (43:54), and an incomplete report on The Underground Railroad - Amazon Prime (51:02).2021-05-1955 minThe Rec CenterFamily MattersThe Rec Center is back in Easttown this week, and we loved SNL’s Murdur Durdur spoof almost as much as we loved episode four of Mare (2:36). After going deep on all the family ties in Easttown, we get deeply negative on The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness on Netflix (22:09) and tell you why you should skip this new true crime offering. Other recs this week include a positive review of The Handmaid’s Tale - Hulu (30:31), a negative review of Downhill - Hulu (35:04), a thumbs down on Greenland - HBO Max (38:04), and a strong thumbs up on T...2021-05-1044 minThe Rec CenterMare and the McConaissanceWe’ve taken the show on the road this week, with one half of the show in Hawaii and the other half now on the wrong side of 33. In a tangent heavy episode, early tangents include birthdays, Scottie Pippen, and Swedish beach reads. We loved Mare of Easttown episode 3 on HBO Max and can’t recommend the show enough (10:28). Other recommendations include Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix (27:40), the best show you’re still not watching. Non-recs this week include The Big Shot - HBO Max (37:20) and The Girlfriend Experience, Season 3 on STARZ (39:27), which leads to a recommendation of Logan...2021-05-0656 minThe Rec CenterThe Sun is UndefeatedWe’re heading back to the towns to start this episode, as we recommend (and spoil, a little) HBO’s The Mare of Easttown (2:21) and Beartown (12:27). Other recommendations this week include The Serpent on Netflix (27:11), The Year Earth Changed - Apple TV+ (31:48), and Hysterical - Hulu (34:27).2021-04-2841 minThe Rec CenterThe Town(s)This is your one-week warning to watch Beartown (HBO) before we go in depth next week. We visit another town this week, breaking down the Mare of Easttown pilot on HBO (3:13). We stay in the HBO Max family and give different reviews of Made for Love (13:24). Lindsay recommends a guilty pleasure Netflix show - The Circle (23:55), and Jack gives a thumbs down to The Day Sports Stood Still - HBO (29:48). Finally, we go under the sea to talk about the Oscar-nominated documentary My Octopus Teacher on Netflix (36:51).2021-04-2143 minThe Rec CenterAlways a BridesmaidThe Rec Center is bouncing back after a two week break that featured both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. It’s a documentary heavy week, but first we revisit the craziness of Behind Her Eyes - Netflix (4:32). The doc talk heats up with recommendations for WeWork - Hulu (8:43), This is a Robbery - Netflix (12:41), Q: Into the Storm - HBO Max (17:33), and The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story - YouTube Originals (23:18). Finally, Lindsay begs you to watch season 3, episode 9 of F1: Drive to Survive on Netflix (26:57).2021-04-1232 minThe Rec CenterIf San Antonio Sweeps SacramentoOur brains are fried and filled with thoughts of college basketball, but we’ve still got plenty of new shows and movies to break down this week. Pac-12 athletics are heating up on the court and on Netflix, with the premiere of Operation Varsity Blues (2:08). Jack found four hours to watch Zack Snyder’s Justice League - HBO Max (12:43), and Lindsay regrets spending two hours watching Deadly Illusions on Netflix (18:47) (but please, call me if you watch this and want to talk about the ending). Finally, Jack recommends a new documentary series, Q: Into the Storm on HBO Max (25:16), and...2021-03-2337 minThe Rec CenterThe Entire History of Last Chance UThe madness is upon us, but you’ll need some content to pass the time until the NCAA Tourney finally tips off. While you wait, you should check out The One on Netflix (7:17). Hulu’s new documentary Kid 90 gets two thumbs down from us (16:18), and Silk Road gets a thumbs up, but with a stipulation (26:32 - streaming for a price). We agree on liking Last Chance U: Basketball (31:52) but disagree on an editing choice, before finishing with another Scandinavian recommendation - Another Round on Hulu (41:18).2021-03-1644 minThe Rec CenterDraft DayInspired by a new crime documentary series on Netflix - Murder Among the Mormons (discussed at 1:52) - we decided to draft teams of our favorite all-time crime content from Netflix (15:55). After a few heated debates, this episode finishes with some positive but brief recommendations of Party Down (Hulu), The Royals (Amazon Prime), Panic: The Untold Story of the 2018 Financial Crisis (HBO), and Jim: The James Foley Story (HBO).2021-03-081h 08The Rec CenterHow Babies Are MadeIt’s a positive week with a lot of great content to recommend, but we start negative as we revisit I Care a Lot - Netflix (5:41), and Jack talks about why he didn’t like it. The rest of the shows and documentaries come with two enthusiastic thumbs up. They are: Beartown - HBO (11:09), It’s a Sin - HBO Max (16:03), Billie Eilish - The World’s a Little Blurry - Apple TV+ (23:21), Allen v. Farrow - HBO Max (32:32), and Ginny & Georgia - Netflix (39:01).2021-03-0147 minThe Rec CenterYin and YangIt’s movie week on The Rec Center! But before that, we fight about fighting with college basketball haters and then fight about how to properly recommend shows and movies. We revisit Behind Her Eyes on Netflix, because… wow, that twist (3:07). Movies we either recommend or disagree on include Judas and the Black Messiah - HBO Max (10:52), Nomadland - Hulu (14:11), War Dogs - Netflix (28:04), and I Care a Lot on Netflix (which Lindsay incorrectly calls I Care Too Much, shortly after bragging about not having to issue corrections in the past - 25:37). Finally, we talk about The Head on HBO...2021-02-2238 minThe Rec CenterTo All the Shows We've Loved BeforeThe Rec Center starts this week with a tangent off the top, which ends with Jack attempting to sell his Clubhouse invites. Shows and movies discussed this week include Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel - Netflix (@ 5:40), The Lady and the Dale - HBO (@ 16:00), Behind Her Eyes - Netflix (@ 20:11), The Head - HBO (@ 22:49), and To All the Boys: Always and Forever - Netflix (@ 26:43).2021-02-1729 minThe Rec CenterOops, We Did it AgainThe Rec Center is back baby, one more time, and there's plenty of doc talk this week. The New York Times has a new documentary on Hulu called Framing Britney Spears, and we recommend you watch it (@ 1:00). Other shows, movies, and documentaries in this episode include Generation War - Amazon (@ 14:03), Firefly Lane - Netflix (@ 17:42), Bliss - Amazon Prime (@ 28:12), and Fake Famous - HBO Max (@ 33:17).2021-02-0839 minThe Rec CenterIt's the Little ThingsWe dive right in with investment advice about what to do with your Rami Malek stock, followed by a disagreement about whether you should invest 127 minutes of your time into The Little Things on HBO Max (@ :56). Jack then breaks the rules once again to recommend you pay for a movie — Promising Young Woman — but promises it’s worth it (@ 11:50). Other shows and movies discussed: Lupin - Netflix (@ 16:08), The Dig - Netflix (@ 22:41), and Lovesick aka Scrotal Recall - Netflix (@ 26:34).2021-02-0134 minThe Rec CenterAcross the PondWhen it comes to TV - the Brits often do it better, and we're not afraid to admit that. This week's jolly good shows and movies include Flack - Amazon Prime (@ 2:20), The Murders at White House Farm - HBO Max (@ 6:52), The Sister - Hulu (@ 10:31), The White Tiger - Netflix (@ 13:55), and The New York Times Presents - Hulu (@ 21:21). Finally, Jack gets weird and ends with a podcast recommendation, Dead Eyes (@ 26:34).2021-01-2533 minThe Rec CenterEveryone is Doing GreatWe're back a day late and a dollar short to talk about the second and final episode of Tiger on HBO Max (@ 0:48). Some non-recommendations this week include Outside the Wire - Netflix (@ 11:35) and Night Stalker - Netflix (@ 15:43). Other hot and cold recs discussed include: One Night in Miami - Amazon Prime (@ 24:50), Locked Down - HBO Max (@ 29:00), Miracle Workers - HBO Max (@ 33:37), and Everyone is Doing Great - Hulu (@ 37:20).2021-01-1943 minThe Rec CenterTiger TalesThis week's authorized episode of The Rec Center opens with some Tiger talk, now that HBO has dropped part one of its anticipated Tiger Woods documentary (@1:30). Additional TV and movie recs include Pieces of a Woman - Netflix (@12:54), Search Party - HBO Max (@19:18), The Circus - SHO (@23:02), and I Hate Suzie - HBO Max (@26:47). 2021-01-1129 minThe Rec CenterHolidazeThe Rec Center returns from a brief holiday break with plenty of new content to discuss (and some new breakout stars to drool over). Hot and cold recommendations this week include: Wonder Woman 1984 (HBO Max), Bridgerton (Netflix), Death to 2020 (Netflix), and I May Destroy You (HBO). Finally, we revisit A Teacher (FX on Hulu) and The Flight Attendant (HBO Max).2021-01-0441 min
Lil Big Bro PodcastEp 7: A Terrible & No Good 2020Leo and Collin have a 2020 vision with a month-by-month recap of the year. From the passing of Kobe to Guiliani's "hair" and everything in between, the two remember the year to be forgotten. Collin may slightly move to a glass half full person. Also, head over to the #RecCenter for some Soul food courtesy of Leo. All this and more on today's First Recess. Take a break with us! (follow us on Insta @firstrecesspod)
Show notes:
Year in review: The stories in 2020 that shook and shaped America
Prince Harry...2020-12-301h 50
Lil Big Bro PodcastEp 6: Disney's ExtravaganzaLeo and guest host, Sammie, analyze and dive into Disney U-Hual Van of TV shows and movies that are coming out in the upcoming years. Talking about what the DC universe is doing with HBO MAX and their future. We reminisce on our first childhood superheroes. Sammie stopped liking wolverine when he was young and we get the answer of if he still does or doesn't. Leo tells the true meaning of his name. All this and more on today's First Recess. Take a break with us!
(follow us on Insta @firstrecesspod)
Show notes:2020-12-231h 25The Rec CenterYoung AdultsThis week's episode delves into the YA world with new offerings from Netflix and Amazon Prime. We revisit The Wilds (Amazon Prime), along with breaking down Tiny Pretty Things (Netflix), Let Them All Talk (HBO Max), The Trial of Christine Keeler (HBO Max), and The Family Man (Hulu).2020-12-2126 min
Lil Big Bro PodcastEp 5: Table for WHOLeo and Collin dive back into the pandemic and discuss whether small restaurants are being scapegoated. #WhoKnews answers the question "new 'liths, who dis?", people think Matthew McConaughey is alt-right, alt-right, alt-right, water hits the market, and Drake's stank. Collin searches for his pod persona, and Leo searches for the flickering light. All this and more on today's First Recess. Take a break with us!
(follow us on Insta @firstrecesspod)
Show notes:
COMPLEX - "Matthew McConaughey Criticized After Calling for 'Illiberal Left' to Meet in the Middle"
The Verge - "...2020-12-1657 minThe Rec CenterTwo Thumbs UpJack begins the episode with a confession before we get into a wide range of recommendations. Shows and movies this week include: Freaky (available to rent on streaming apps), The Wilds (Amazon Prime), Citizen Kane (HBO Max), I'm Your Woman (Amazon Prime), The Movies That Made Us (Netflix), 12 Dates of Christmas (HBO Max).2020-12-1435 minThe Rec CenterCultsIt's a week filled with lukewarm recommendations and questionable content. Shows and documentaries discussed include Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults (HBO Max), Baby God (HBO Max), Murder on Middle Beach (HBO), Selena: The Series (Netflix), and Your Honor (SHO).2020-12-0738 minThe Rec CenterDishwasherWe finally know who did it in The Undoing, but we still have some burning questions that will forever be unanswered. Shows and movies discussed this episode: Murder on Middle Beach (HBO), Ted Lasso (Apple TV+), 69: The Saga of Danny Hernandez (Hulu), Happiest Season (Hulu), Feel Good (Netflix), and The Flight Attendant (HBO Max).2020-12-0146 minThe Rec CenterFrictionIs The Undoing coming undone in its final episodes? Plus - recs this week are a combo of new releases and old favorites: Industry (HBO), The Killing (Netflix), Big Sky (ABC), Class Action Park (HBO Max), Virgin River (Netflix), and The Devil Next Door (Netflix).2020-11-2434 minThe Rec CenterWhodunnit?We revisit the great Holidate debate before catching up on The Undoing. Recs this week include: The Crown (Netflix), A Teacher (FX on Hulu), Watchmen (HBO), 60 Days In (Netflix), Frontline (PBS - streaming on YouTube), and Mrs. Fletcher (HBO).2020-11-1758 minThe Rec CenterCheckmateThis episode features discussions of Vivarium (Amazon Prime), The Queen's Gambit (Netflix), The Comey Rule (SHO), Outcry (SHO), 537 Votes (HBO), and Netflix's recent holiday releases (Holidate, Operation Christmas Drop). 2020-11-0929 min
The Rec CenterWelcome to the Rec CenterThe Rec Center is a weekly podcast hosted by two longtime friends who watch way too much TV. Each episode, Lindsay Joy and Jack Ferris will break down the latest and greatest shows and movies that streaming platforms have to offer. Featured this week: The Undoing (HBO), The Good Lord Bird (SHO), ZeroZeroZero (Amazon Prime), The Jinx (HBO), Cocaine Cowboys (not streaming).2020-11-0320 min