Watching Machine-logo

Watching Machine

Arts & Culture Podcasts

Hello and welcome to Watching Machine! I'm naturally analytical, so when I watch a TV series I often think about the overall theme and reflect on how it relates to the real world, and given that I've watched thousands of hours' worth of TV, my head is spinning with thoughts! I brought my friends along on this ride, so join us as we discuss the underlying themes of TV shows and our thoughts and experiences around them. Want to submit a TV show or a topic to be discussed on the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts with your idea and a 5-star review while you're there please and thank you!

Location:

United Arab Emirates

Description:

Hello and welcome to Watching Machine! I'm naturally analytical, so when I watch a TV series I often think about the overall theme and reflect on how it relates to the real world, and given that I've watched thousands of hours' worth of TV, my head is spinning with thoughts! I brought my friends along on this ride, so join us as we discuss the underlying themes of TV shows and our thoughts and experiences around them. Want to submit a TV show or a topic to be discussed on the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts with your idea and a 5-star review while you're there please and thank you!

Language:

English


Episodes
Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Year in Review

12/31/2022
Nano and I recap what we've been watching and what we look forward to in 2023. We talk about a lot of different shows, so listen in!

Duration:00:51:43

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Never Have I Ever

8/14/2022
Before watching Season 3 of Never Have I Ever, Nano and I reflect on the past two seasons and talk about our experiences as Third Culture Kids (TCKs), reconciling cultures, figuring out our identities and where 'home' is. We also share some advice with our teen selves and talk about what we want to see in Season 3. If you're a TCK, did you find Devi's experience in the series or our stories relatable in any way? Share your thoughts and stories on Instagram (@watchingmachine.pod) or Twitter (@watchingmachine)

Duration:00:37:14

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Grace and Frankie // B-side: how our friendship started

5/6/2022
Believe it or not, Nano and I weren't always besties. In fact, we almost weren't! Grace and Frankie's journey resonated with our journey a lot and got us to reflect on it in this B-side conversation.

Duration:00:03:58

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Grace and Frankie

4/28/2022
Nano and I get ready to bid one of our favourite tv shows- Grace and Frankie goodbye. We talk about aging in the 21st century and compare what we see in the show to what we see in Arab culture, the dynamics between kids and parents as they grow older, finding love beyond 60, and how we imagine the future of ageing for our generation. And P.S. Iris Apfel actually turned 100 this year! Time flies when you're having fun! The final episodes air on Netflix on 29 April 2022. I'd love to hear from you! Are you a Grace or a Frankie? Have you watched the show? Tweet @watchingmachine or tag @watchingmachine.pod on Instagram with your answer and your thoughts on the episode.

Duration:00:23:51

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Squid Game // B-side: The rich and their Race to Space

12/12/2021
Sometimes we go off on a tangent when we're talking about a TV show, which makes it all the more fun! In this B-side conversation, we wonder: do the rich and poor really have boredom in common? And what is the deal with these Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Richard Branson and the race to space; aren't there other problems to solve here on Earth? Share with me your thoughts on this topic on Twitter @watchingmachine or on Instagram @watchingmachine.pod At the end of the B-side, I also reveal the TV show for the next episode.

Duration:00:07:36

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Squid Game

12/4/2021
It's been a minute, but Watching Machine is back! It's season 2 and I'm kicking it off with the most popular series of the year- Squid Game! Months later, and I still can't get over this show. It's also taken me down the k-drama rabbit hole- there are so many good shows! I'm joined by Nano- who you met in Episode 8, the last one of the first season- who will be a regular on the upcoming episodes this season. We've been binge-watching shows together- across continents- during the pandemic, and we can't wait to share all of it with you. I'd love to hear from you! Tweet @watchingmachine or tag @watchingmachine.pod on Instagram with your thoughts on the episode, the series Squid Game, or other show suggestions you want us to discuss on the podcast.

Duration:00:32:41

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Outlander // B-side: Jamie

2/17/2020
We couldn't stop talking about Jamie from Outlander, which led us to discuss other favorite onscreen couples. This wraps up Season 1 of Watching Machine! Stay subscribed for bonus episodes, and share your topic and TV show suggestions for Season 2 on Twitter @watchingmachine or on Instagram @watchingmachine.pod

Duration:00:07:26

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Outlander

2/15/2020
While Valentine's Day has passed, love lives on. In this episode, we delve into all the different facets of Love through Outlander- the best love story on TV today. Men, if you're listening to this, take notes! I'd love to hear from you! Tweet @watchingmachine or tag @watchingmachine.pod on Instagram with your thoughts on the episode, the series Outlander, or other show suggestions.

Duration:00:58:16

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The Walking Dead // B-side: Zombie Warriors, assemble!

2/9/2020
What would it really take to fight off zombies in a city like Dubai? And who would you have on your team to survive? I also reveal the TV show chosen for the last episode of the season! Share with me who you'd have on your Zombie Warrior team on Twitter @watchingmachine or on Instagram @watchingmachine.pod

Duration:00:15:33

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The Walking Dead

9/21/2019
There's more to The Walking Dead than zombies. In this episode, I explore lessons in leadership, group dynamics, and the Human condition. I'd love to hear from you! Tweet @watchingmachine or tag @watchingmachine.pod on Instagram with your thoughts on the episode, the series The Walking Dead, or other show suggestions.

Duration:00:43:19

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The Good Place // B-side: Ethical dilemmas at work

9/17/2019
The ethics discussion continues with Rawan, where we talk about resolving ethical dilemmas at work (we've all had them at some point, right?). I also reveal the TV show chosen for the next episode! Have you faced any ethical dilemmas at work? Share your stories with me on Twitter @watchingmachine or on Instagram @watchingmachine.pod

Duration:00:09:34

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The Good Place

8/30/2019
As the final season of The Good Place is set to premiere in less than a month, this episode explores the concepts of being good and bad, and ethical dilemmas. I'd love to hear from you! Tweet @watchingmachine or tag @watchingmachine.pod on Instagram with your thoughts on the episode, the series The Good Place, or other show suggestions.

Duration:00:40:56

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The Umbrella Academy // B-side: The superheroes we need

8/6/2019
Kevin and I go beyond The Umbrella Academy to discuss superheroes our world could possibly have, plus some recommended reading literature from Kevin. I'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts with me on the kind of superheroes our world needs on Twitter @watchingmachine or on Instagram @watchingmachine.pod

Duration:00:06:05

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The Umbrella Academy

7/30/2019
In this episode, I discuss superheroes with tech journalist and fellow geek Kevin Sebastian, and how The Umbrella Academy stacks up with the rest of the shows and movies in the genre. We geek out over X-Men, Watchmen, The Avengers too and pose the question: if you have great powers, can you go against the advice of Uncle Ben and walk away from responsibility? I'd love to hear from you! Tweet @watchingmachine or tag @watchingmachine.pod on Instagram with your thoughts on superheroes, the series The Umbrella Academy, or other show suggestions.

Duration:00:32:18

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend // B-side: 90s romcoms

7/9/2019
Our love for romcoms spilled into a side conversation while recording. Noha and I discuss our favorites, and the overall impact TV and Film has on people's lives and perceptions.

Duration:00:11:32

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

7/2/2019
In this episode, I explore the show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend by looking at its role in raising awareness around mental health, as well as discussing the state of mental health of my [millennial] generation. I'd love to hear from you! Tweet @watchingmachine or tag @watchingmachine.pod on Instagram with your thoughts on the episode, the series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, or other show suggestions.

Duration:00:43:34

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Bonus: Ramadan TV roundup

5/21/2019
It's halfway through Ramadan, so here's a round-up of which TV series I've been keeping up with during Arab television's biggest viewership season of the year. Regular episodes will resume after Ramadan. Tweet @watchingmachine or tag @watchingmachine.pod on Instagram with the Ramadan shows you're keeping up with. Ramadan Kareem!

Duration:00:05:06

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Atypical // B-side: Crying kids on airplanes

5/5/2019
It's the debate that keeps on going among friend circles- crying kids on planes. Everyone has a view on this one. I'll be taking a break for Ramadan, but I'd still love to hear from you! Tweet @watchingmachine or tag @watchingmachine.pod on Instagram with the Ramadan shows you'll be keeping up with, and watch out for bonus episodes. Ramadan Kareem and I'll see you back here in June with more episodes.

Duration:00:07:46

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Atypical

4/27/2019
In this episode, I explore the show Atypical from the points of view of a parent and a sibling with my friends Big Hass and Devina, while also learning more about the autism spectrum. I'd love to hear from you! Tweet @watchingmachine or tag @watchingmachine.pod on Instagram with your thoughts on the episode, Atypical, or other show suggestions.

Duration:00:34:16

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Russian Doll // B-side: Rami's DJ past life

4/20/2019
We left off the last episode with our picks of which songs we'd start our mornings with, and Rami went with a hip hop track. Here's a bonus conversation we had about his past life as a DJ, which ended up influencing his choice. I also reveal the TV show of episode 3! You can listen to Rami's 90s playlists here: https://play.anghami.com/profile/87405?bid=/Zc8DME5zUV

Duration:00:04:38