The Prestige TV Podcast-logo

The Prestige TV Podcast

The Ringer

The Prestige TV Podcast is your home for instant reactions, deep dives, creator interviews, and Hall of Fame retrospectives on the best television around. Join a rotating cast of Ringer personalities including Bill Simmons, Joanna Robinson, Rob Mahoney, Mallory Rubin, Van Lathan, and more as they break down the shows you're binging and the ones you're waiting to drop every week. Subscribe to The Prestige TV Podcast, check back weekly for our breakdowns, and most importantly, keep watching.

Location:

United States

Networks:

The Ringer

Description:

The Prestige TV Podcast is your home for instant reactions, deep dives, creator interviews, and Hall of Fame retrospectives on the best television around. Join a rotating cast of Ringer personalities including Bill Simmons, Joanna Robinson, Rob Mahoney, Mallory Rubin, Van Lathan, and more as they break down the shows you're binging and the ones you're waiting to drop every week. Subscribe to The Prestige TV Podcast, check back weekly for our breakdowns, and most importantly, keep watching.

Language:

English


Episodes
Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The ‘Sopranos’ Episode That Got Us Hooked

10/2/2025
On this episode of Hooked, Jo and Rob go to therapy with Van to talk through why "College" will make you obsessed with ‘The Sopranos’! (0:00) Intro (03:15) What is ‘The Sopranos’? (08:06) When did Van watch ‘The Sopranos’? (22:23) Season 1, Episode 5: "College" (37:04) How were women treated in the show? (55:10) What is the most ’90s thing about the show? (1:00:21) Final thoughts Email us! ⁠prestigetv@spotify.com⁠ Subscribe to the ⁠Ringer TV YouTube channel⁠ here for full episodes of The Prestige TV Podcast and so much more! Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney Guest: Van Lathan Producers: Olivia Crerie and Ashleigh Smith Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:23:54

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

'Slow Horses,' Season 5, Episode 2: In Communicado

10/1/2025
Jo and Rob are back to breakdown a great early-season 'Slow Horses' episode and the important questions about kitchen implements. Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Rob MahoneyProducer: Kevin PoolerAdditional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:44:20

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

‘Task’ Episode 4: All Roads

9/28/2025
Bill, Jo and Rob are still on the case in this recap of the fourth episode of HBO’s ‘Task’. (0:00) Intro (2:07) The daughter detour (07:12) Let’s talk about Perry (17:50) Has the mole been revealed? (24:59) Listener emails (28:17) Let’s talk about Cliff (41:23) Predictions (45:52) More listener emails Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Bill Simmons, Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:52:00

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Slow Horses,' Season 5 Episode 1: New Season, New Track Suit

9/24/2025
Our favorite failspies are back. So that means Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney are back too. Join them as they return to the Slough House and recap the continued misadventures of Jackson Lamb and Co. in Season 5 of the great Apple TV+ series. Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Rob MahoneyProducer: Kevin PoolerAdditional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:04:44

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

‘Task’ Episode 3: Who’s the Mole?

9/21/2025
Bill, Jo, and Rob head to Barnaby’s to recap the third episode of ‘Task.’ (0:00) Intro (3:19) What we learned (6:06) Why Eryn wants revenge (10:50) The Dark Hearts vs. Freddy Frias (20:05) The mole hunt (25:43) Lizzie’s baggage (45:12) The case for (and against) each of the task force members as the mole (54:46) Predictions Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Bill Simmons, Joanna Robinson, and Rob Mahoney Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:06:03

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The ‘Battlestar Galactica’ Two-Part Episode That Got Us Hooked

9/17/2025
Hooked goes to space! Jo and Rob are joined by Mallory Rubin to break down the two-part first-season finale of the reimagined 'Battlestar Galactica' TV series. (00:00) Intro (02:52) Battlestar Galactica backstories (11:28) **MINI-SPOILER WARNING** through season 1 finale (25:21) A show under threat of cancellation (43:59) Who won the episode? (49:31) Most 2005-thing about the episode (1:11:30) **BIG TIME SPOILER WARNING** (1:20:19) Rob’s ‘Lost’ season 1 check-in Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney Guest: Mallory Rubin Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:31:51

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

‘Task’ Episode 2: The Rat Theory

9/14/2025
Bill, Jo, and Rob search for leads to recap the second episode of ‘Task.’ (0:00) Intro (2:07) What Brad Ingelsby excels at (6:08) Current plotlines (9:58) Favorite thing about the show (so far) (12:38) What happened to Robbie’s brother? (15:14) The rat theory (18:01) Will Sam make it out? (30:06) Nitpicks (38:30) Predictions Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Bill Simmons, Joanna Robinson, and Rob Mahoney Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:48:05

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The ‘Lost’ Episode That Got Us Hooked

9/10/2025
On this episode of Hooked, Jo and Rob land on a deserted island to make the case for why the two-part pilot is still the best place to start for those wanting to give ‘Lost’ another shot. (0:00) Intro (4:58) Personal relationships to ‘Lost’ (16:58) What makes the two-episode pilot such an effective entry point for the series (33:59) The flashbacks (37:15) Why “Walkabout” is a close runner-up (41:24) The mystery monster (52:47) Who won the episode? (57:07) Standout scenes (01:03:02) Single striking visuals (01:06:53) The most 2004 thing about this episode (01:12:17) Looking ahead to the rest of Season 1 Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:19:10

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

‘Task’ Series Premiere: HBO Sundays Are Back!

9/7/2025
Bill Simmons, Joanna Robinson, and Rob Mahoney break out the binoculars to recap the series premiere of ‘Task,’ the brand-new HBO miniseries starring Mark Ruffalo. (0:00) Intro (12:17) Mark Ruffalo’s career (20:16) The members of the task force (30:32) Beat-by-beat episode recap (45:11) Predictions for Episode 2 (47:28) Will ‘Task’ become a phenomenon? Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Bill Simmons, Joanna Robinson, and Rob Mahoney Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:54:02

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The ‘Veronica Mars’ Episode That Got Us Hooked

9/3/2025
Hooked continues! This time, Jo and Rob take us back to 2005 to make the case for Kristen Bell’s star-making series, ‘Veronica Mars’. 00:00 Intro 05:14 Rob’s elevator pitch 08:45 The Episode: ‘Mars v. Mars’ 17:57 Guest/recurring stars 24:42 Episode MVP 26:20 A scene that embodies the show 37:25 How this episode sets up the series 40:16 The pilot episode 50:43 **SPOILERS** Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Video supervision: Chris Thomas Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:03:24

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The ‘Mad Men’ Episode(s) That Got Us Hooked

8/27/2025
Welcome back to Hooked! On this one, Jo and Rob play office politics and make their respective cases for why “Marriage of Figaro” and “Indian Summer” are the best places to start for those wanting to give ‘Mad Men’ another shot. (0:00) Intro (2:03) Why ‘Mad Men’? (8:06) Jo’s pick: “Marriage of Figaro” (10:28) Rob’s pick: “Indian Summer” (20:01) Standout scenes (22:54) Essential character dynamics (28:55) Who won the episode? (32:44) How each episode sets up the rest of the series (41:43) The pilot (50:14) **SPOILERS** Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:00:15

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The ‘Breaking Bad’ Episode That Got Us Hooked

8/20/2025
Welcome to Hooked, a new Prestige TV Podcast series where we look at some of the most iconic TV shows ever and try to figure out which episode is going to hook you! On this episode, Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney hop in their RV and make the case for why “Cat’s in the Bag …” is the best place to start for those wanting to give ‘Breaking Bad’ another shot. (0:00) Intro (1:00) What is Hooked? (3:22) The cultural importance of ‘Breaking Bad’ (6:04) Their personal relationship to the AMC crime drama (14:27) The pilot (25:09) Walter White casting what-ifs (27:06) Why “Cat’s in the Bag …” is the perfect place to start the show (32:43) Who won the episode? (37:44) How it saved Jesse Pinkman (41:17) The best scene (57:48) **SPOILERS** Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:11:36

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Finale: The Best Season Yet!

8/11/2025
Mallory Rubin and Nora Princiotti accept their seat at the dining table to recap the Season 3 finale of ‘The Gilded Age.’ (0:00) Intro (1:33) Why Season 3 is the best season so far (6:28) Favorite plotlines, from most to least resolved (01:18:03) What’s next? Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Mallory Rubin and Nora Princiotti Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:34:27

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

‘Poker Face’ Season 2 Finale: The Best for Last

7/11/2025
Jo and Rob head to Wichita to recap the final four episodes of ‘Poker Face’ Season 2. (0:00) Intro (4:47) Thoughts on where the season ended up (7:03) Unpacking the big reveal (14:36) What does a potential S3 look like for Charlie’s story? (17:43) Best use of a guest star (19:53) Worst use of a guest star (21:02) Favorite joke (26:32) Best episode (30:35) Charlie Cale fits (31:45) Best murder (33:56) Most delightful visual (36:10) Most appealing Charlie odd job (37:57) Charlie’s smartest move (38:43) Charlie’s dumbest move (41:30) Most interesting fun fact learned Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:53:36

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

‘The Bear’ Season 4 Finale: Is This the End, or A New Beginning?

6/30/2025
Van and Charles update the agreement terms to recap the Season 4 finale of ‘The Bear.’ (0:00) Intro (3:53) Did the ending to this season work? (17:13) Why the final confrontation felt somewhat underwhelming (20:55) Who is Carmy without cooking? (51:00) Season 4 as a whole Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Van Lathan and Charles Holmes Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Video supervision: Chris Thomas Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:00:24

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

‘The Bear’ Season 4, Episodes 7-9: Breaking Down the Wedding Episode

6/27/2025
Van and Charles keep it in the family to recap the seventh, eight, and ninth episodes of ‘The Bear’ Season 4. (0:00) Intro (3:26) Why “Bears” was such a refreshing episode (16:46) Ayo is this season’s MVP (20:28) Is Carmy passing the torch? (30:18) Chef Adam’s true intentions (50:32) Season (or series?) finale predictions Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Van Lathan and Charles Holmes Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Video supervision: Chris Thomas Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:03:20

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

‘The Bear’ Episodes 4-6: The Show’s Back, but Is Enough Happening?

6/26/2025
Van and Charles dig into the second course of episodes (the middle three) in Season 4 of FX’s 'The Bear.’ 00:00 Intro 03:00 Recapping episodes 4-6 06:23 Syd’s impending decision 20:20 Falling back in love with the characters 22:32 A Rob Reiner tangent 26:24 The ‘binge model’ 31:24 Tina getting through to Carmy 34:58 What’s next? Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Charles Holmes and Van Lathan Jr. Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Video supervision: Chris Thomas Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:40:59

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

‘The Bear’ Season 4, Episodes 1-3: Back in Business (For Now)

6/26/2025
Van Lathan and Charles Holmes chase after a Michelin star to recap the first three episodes of ‘The Bear’ Season 4. (0:00) Intro (4:56) Instant reactions (17:52) Did the audience response to Season 3 change the trajectory of the show? (32:58) Is Syd becoming Carmy? (47:49) How long can ‘The Bear’ run? Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Van Lathan and Charles Holmes Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Video supervision: Chris Thomas Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:57:08

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Netflix’s Hit Show ‘Dept. Q’: Peak Sad Boy Detective TV

6/18/2025
Jo and Rob dig through the case files of ‘Dept. Q’, Netflix’s grimy crime drama about a Scottish cold case unit. 00:00 START 01:50 Initial impressions 07:07 Jo’s grades for the show 09:37 Entrance points 13:29 Production design 15:33 **SPOILERS** 23:52 Mathew Goode’s performance 31:37 Akram stealing the show 35:17 Grading TV therapists 42:45 Casting shout-outs 52:26 Merritt Lingard’s performance 1:02:08 Final thoughts Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Rob Mahoney Producers: Kai Grady and Donnie Beacham Jr. Additional Production Support: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:08:49

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

'The Simpsons' Draft: Best Episodes, Characters, and More

6/17/2025
Sean Fennessey, Alan Siegel, Charles Holmes, and Mina Kims hold a ‘Simpsons’ draft as they celebrate the release of Alan’s new book, Stupid TV, Be More Funny: How the Golden Era of The Simpsons Changed Television-and America-Forever. (01:22) First Times Being Introduced to ‘The Simpsons’ (8:18) “Which Character Are You?” (09:31) ‘The Simpsons’ Draft (11:58) The Difference Between Parody and Reference (1:12:57) Does The Simpsons Endure (1:16.23) Draft Recap (1:18.04) Honorable Mentions (1:25:04) Thanks For Watching! Alan’s Book: https://t.co/rLsf4XMl03 Email us! prestigetv@spotify.com Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of ‘The Prestige TV Podcast’ and so much more! Hosts: Sean Fennessey, Alan Siegel, Mina Kimes, and Charles Holmes Producers: Justin Sayles, Ashleigh Smith, Donnie Beacham Jr. Video Supervision: Nick Kosut Additional Production Support: John Richter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:30:43