The Custard TV Podcast

Epizódok

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  The TV Time Machine # 34: Mental, Bedtime, The Armando Iannucci Shows, Grosse Point 11.08.2026 1ó 22p

  Matt and Luke are still aboard their TV Time Machine, looking back at the TV landscape of August 2001. Like in 2026, the TV isn't at its best in the summer, but we have found 4 shows to discuss, and each one is worthy of discussion. On UKTV Play, which became Dave, Iain Lee hosts an innovative but rough-around-the-edges music quiz entitled Mental. Off the back of Drop the Dead Donkey, comedian and satirist Andy Hamilton writes and directs a new comedy drama Bedtime, which focuses on three couples in the same street as they settle down to bed.  Before The Thick of It, but after the huge successes of Knowing Me, Knowing You and I'm Alan Partridge, writer and producer Armando Iannucci puts himself front and centre in his Channel 4 sketch show The Armando Iannucci Shows. It's a strange sketch series with overarching themes, and it features future names like Stephen Mangan and Tony Gardener, but it doesn't quite hang together. Lastly, over on E4, we have the American comedy Grosee Point, which goes behind the scenes of a popular teen drama. Not all of it works, but it's a show incredibly ahead of its time, and because of that, it is entirely possible that the audience who are watching Sabrina The Teenage Witch weren't ready for it at all. The series came before The Comeback and 30 Rock. Lastly, as always, Matt tests Luke's bizarre music knowledge of the time.
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  The TV Time Machine # 33: The Office, The Fugitive, Revolver, Brass Eye 05.08.2026 1ó 26p

  Luke and Matt are back aboard their TV Time Machine to observe the TV landscape of August 2001. Luke is still struggling to remember what he was doing, but Matt was working at the company his dad worked for alone in an empty warehouse! On television, satirical Channel 4 series Brass Eye returns for a special on paedophiles, which is still viewed as highly controversial. Famous older people are given their own sketch show on BBC Choice called Revolver, whilst relatively new channel E4 is showing The Fugitive, another TV adaptation of the story that less than ten years prior was made into a film starring Harrison Ford. Lastly, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant change the comedy landscape with their mockumentary comedy The Office. Gervais stars as the fame-hungry boss from hell, David Brent, but the heart of the show is the brilliantly paced love story between Dawn and Tim, which remains one of the best depictions of a friendship turned romantic relationship on television.  
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  # 523: Heartstopper Forever, The Rapture, Ride or Die, Anne Droid 28.07.2026 1ó 21p

  Matt and Dawn are joined by site contributor Tyler to review four new shows available on different platforms this week. Firstly, Heartstopper, a show the trio have loved, concludes with a feature-length film, Heartstopper Forever. The condensed nature of Heartstopper Forever means a lot of what they loved about the series gets lost here, including a lot of the key characters. Next, BBC One has a new Sunday night drama that feels a little different. The Rapture, starring Ruth Madely. Prime Video has a new spy comedy thriller pairing the unlikely 'best friends' played by Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer. Ride or Die is a silly drama lacking in depth; despite that, Dawn finds the positive, and it leaves her sobbing. Finally, Dianne Morgan leaves Philomena Cunk behind for a new BBC comedy, Anne Droid, which sees her take on the role of an AI carer for a weary Sue Johnson. Despite the awful trailers for the show, it's a far deeper exploration of age and having to depend on others.  Lastly, for our quiz, how many shows that feature robots can Matt and Tyler name? Spoiler: It's far more than you imagine!
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  TV Time Machine #32: Waking the Dead, Nice Guy Eddie, World of Pub, Secret Life of Us 22.07.2026 1ó 47p

  Luke and Matt help Gary board the TV Time Machine to travel back to review the TV landscape of June 2001. Sue Johnson leaves the Royle sofa behind and plays a very different character in the BBC's cold case procedural Waking the Dead, which ushers in what will become nine years of shouty Trevor Eve. Ricky Tomlinson gets his first post-Royle role in Nice Guy Eddie. The nice guy of the title is Eddie, an unlucky Private Eye who has a hectic home life. It's a role that doesn't challenge Tomlinson as an actor, who is playing a softer version of Jim Royle here and tonally it's all over the place, but it works in places. Next, the BBC have new comedy has World of Pub, which transferred from radio to TV. And finally, an Australian import, The Secret Life of Us, which follows a group of twentysomethings as they navigate their lives.
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  # 522: The Bear, Lucky, Elle, Trying 14.07.2026 1ó 10p

  Matt and Dawn are joined by Luke to review four shows available on streaming services this week. Firstly, a once firm podcast favourite, The Bear, bows out with its fifth and final season. This season has a different shape, with the first 7 of 8 episodes taking place over the course of one stressful night of serving customers at the restaurant. The format change feels fresh, but after 2 two lacklustre seasons, does the show go out on a high? Next, Apple TV's newest show, Lucky, stars Anya Taylor-Joy as a criminal on the run. It's a fast-paced, frenetic show that never really slows down and feels very different to the shows we've reviewed of late. Prime Video has Elle, a prequel to Legally Blonde, which explores the early life of Elle Woods that might not be required at all. Lastly, Dawn and Matt review the first episode of one of their favourite little comedy gems, Trying.  
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  # 521: Cape Fear, The Witness, Alice & Steve 23.06.2026 1ó 6p

  Matt and Dawn are back to review 3 new shows available to watch this week. Site contributor, Ruthie Nugent, joins them to review Apple TV's pulpy thriller Cape Fear, which is the third adaptation of the story. Netflix has a new drama based on a horrific British crime. The Witness looks at the murder of Rachel Nickel, who was murdered in 1992. The only person to see it happen was her two-year-old son, Alex. This three-part drama, based on Alex's memoir, looks at how father and son coped with the tragic loss, and the failings of the police investigation to bring Rachel's murderer to justice. Lastly, Disney+ has a brand new British comedy starring pod favourite Nicola Walker and Flight of the Conchords' star Jermaine Clement. On paper, Alice and Steve should be an instant favourite; instead, it's the show's tricky premise which has the trio a bit perplexed. Alice and Steve have been friends for 30 years, and when Alice suggests Steve try his luck with younger men, she doesn't expect him to sleep with her own twenty-something daughter. It's a really strange premise that makes our trio slightly uncomfortable. Lastly, for our quiz, Matt challenges Dawn and Ruthie to name as many Have I Got News For You hosts as they can.  
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  TV Time Machine #31: Big Brother 2 - How reality TV evolved. 17.06.2026 2ó 28p

  25 years ago, Channel 4 went all in with the second series of their social experiment reality series Big Brother. Following on from the Nasty Nick scandal and Vanessa Feltz having a slight breakdown during the first celebrity edition of the show, the channel devoted a lot of time to the second instalment. Their new digital channel, E4, is used to air a live stream of the house, and a new late-night spin-off, Big Brother's Little Brother, launches. Revisiting the series 25 years later with all the hindsight that comes with that much time is an interesting experience. In a lot of ways, it's quaint, whilst in others it's filled with misogyny, sprinkled with homophobia and other qualities that feel uncomfortable. To its credit, the series stays true to the show's social experiment ethos. This is early reality TV where the contestants were themselves, and they were left to have discussions, fights, and have fun. 
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  # 520: The Four Seasons Season 2, Tip Toe, Hacks, Make That Movie 02.06.2026 1ó 11p

  Luke returns to join Matt and Dawn to review four new shows available on various platforms this week.  Firstly, Russell T Davies is back with an original drama about modern society called Tip Toe. The series features career-best performances from Alan Cumming and David Morrissey as two men on a dangerous collision course. It's a show with a lot to say about the state of the world today and the dangers of living your life as someone viewed as 'other'. It's such a strong series and the sort of drama Channel 4 should be making, but it does some things that the team often dislikes. Next, a favourite from last year, The Four Seasons, returns for a second season on Netflix. The warm friendship comedy drama, starring Tina Fey, Will Forte and Colman Domingo, follows three sets of couples who holiday together four times a year. Everything we loved about the first season still works and it's just lovely to have a show like this which is warm, engaging, funny and low stakes as this in a television landscape which is still obsessed with thrillers. Next, Australian comic Sam Campbell, who rose to fame through panel show performances and an incredible appearence on Last One Laughing on Prime Video, now has his own comedy series, Make That Movie. The series, which follows Campbell's character, a respected film director and his team as they attempt to make the movie of regular people's ideas. If you are aware of Campbell's comedic style, the series is really surreal and silly, but funny and feels very different to the rest of Channel 4's comedy slate. Lastly, Hacks, a show we've loved since it began, comes to an end. We do a deep dive into the final episode and what made the show work so well.  For our Quiz, Luke tests Matt and Dawn to name as many actors as they can from the Russell T Davies shows. 
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  # 519: The Burroughs, Ponies, Widow's Bay, Two Weeks in August 27.05.2026 1ó 16p

  Mo Walker joins Matt and Dawn to review four new shows available to watch this week. First, The Burroughs from Netflix, which functions almost as an elderly version of Stranger Things set inside a retirement community, led by performances from Alfred Molina and Geena Davies.  Next, on Sky, Ponies, a series set in the 70's which focuses on two men who go undercover with the CIA. The BBC's Two Weeks in August which could be seen as an attempt to make a British version of The White Lotus but plays more like a terrible sequel to a Channel 5 drama the team hated years ago. Lastly, Dawn's favourite new show, Apple TV's Widow's Bay, which follows a Mayor played by the always brilliant Matthew Rhys, in a cursed town. For our quiz, Dawn challenges the boys to name as many Game of Thrones cast members as they can.  
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  # 518: Falling, Rivals, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, Smoggie Queens S2 19.05.2026 1ó 27p

  Matt and Dawn reunite with Dawn's Maid for TV co-host Sarah to review four shows available to watch this week. Firstly, the brilliantly camp Jilly Cooper-inspired show Rivals is back for its second series. Next, Jack Thorne of Adolescence fame is back on Channel  4 with the warm and sweet-natured series Falling, which follows Keeley Hawes as a nun who finds herslelf questioning her faith when she falls for a priest.  Next, Apple TV may have another hit on their hands in the intriguing comedy-drama series Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed. Lastly, a surprise favourite sitcom returns to BBC Three as the trio chuckle their way through a review of Smoggie Queens. For the Quiz, Matt asks Dawn and Sarah to name Eurovision contestants. 
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  # 517: Believe Me, Legends, Unconditional, This Not a Murder Mystery. 13.05.2026 1ó 5p

  Matt and Dawn are joined by Doctor Who and Star Trek podcaster Suky to review four new shows available this week. Jeff Pope, king of adapting true stories into compelling drama series, is back with Believe Me. This four-parter, available now on ITVX, focuses on the horrific sex crimes of Black Cab driver John Warboys, who tricked female passengers into drinking champagne laced with pills so he could rape them. It's a deeply frustrating but important watch. Also, more loosely based on a true story, Netflix has Legends, a series about ordinary people who work for the security services during the 1980s. Next, Apple TV has a new Israeli drama, Unconditional, about a mother and daughter whose relationship is strained when one does something the other can't believe they'd do. It's a hard show to connect to. Finally, This is Not a Murder Mystery, a bonkers but vibrant murder mystery which features some scenery chewing performances, but is fun to watch.  Lastly, Dawn sets a quiz that proves difficult.  
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  TV Time Machine # 30 - Messiah, Murder in Mind, Survivor and Ant & Dec's Slap Bang! 06.05.2026 1ó 42p

  Matt and Luke fire up their TV Time Machine and set course for April 2001. Fresh off the huge success of SMTV Live, Ant & Dec get their first shot at a primetime Saturday night show on ITV. The result, isn't Takeaway, but Slap Bang, a mix of comedy sketches, game shows and Ant & Dec doing a lot of acting. Next, the BBC have Murder in Mind, an anthology drama series, which focues on stories of ordinary people pushed to their limits and commiting the ultimate crime. The episode we watch is called 'Neighbours' about how an idylic, quiet life is upenended when nightmare neighbours move in next door. Next, we revisit Ken Stott's grusome crime drama Messiah and also the first series of the Surivior. The reality series had a huge impact when it launched in the US and has been running for 50 seasons. We've now had two versions of the show, most recently in 2023. How does this version fare?  
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  516: Half Man, The Cage, Secret Service, Prisoner 28.04.2026 1ó 10p

  *The episode suffers from some audio issues*. Gary returns to the podcast alongside Matt and Dawn to review four brand new British dramas available this week. Fresh off the massive success of his Netflix series Baby Reindeer, Richard Gadd is back with his first original idea for a series. Half Man, available on BBC One and iPlayer, and co-produced by HBO, is the story of toxic masicnility between two men who were brought together when their two mothers fall in love. In a lot of ways, it shares some DNA with the show that catapulted Gadd to stardom, but is that a good thing? Next, we loved the BBC drama The Responder, which starred Martin Freeman as a stressed out police responser struggling to keep his head above water. Writer Tony Shumacker is very good at writing ordinary people in increasingly stressful situations. His new show, The Cage, stars Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha as two employees of a casino who abuse their position to get ahead in their difficult lives. It's another show that feels a lot like the show that proceeded it. Somehow, though, despite strong lead performances, something doesn't click. Next, ITV have a new political thriller in Secret Service. It's a tropey show that feels very much like a show Gary should and would like, but is that the case? Finally, there's Prisoner, a propulsive new thriller on Sky Atlantic. The series puts Big Boys Izuka Hoyle in the spotlight as a prisoner officer who gets caught in the action when trying to transport a prisoner from one place to another.  *The episode suffers from some audio issues*.
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  # 515: Euphoria, Beef, Hacks, Mint 21.04.2026 1ó 50p

  Luke is back with Matt and Dawn to review four new shows available on different platforms this week. First, HBO's teen drama Euphoria returns for its long-awaited third season. The series, which was once one of the most talked-about and provocative shows on television, now sees its characters outside of the high school setting. The third season still features a powerhouse performance from Zendaya as drug addict Rue, but it's the outer edges and the inclusion of other stars like Jacob Elordi and Sydney Sweeney and their disjointed stories that work less well. Was the long wait really worth it? Next, one of the most beloved shows of the last ten years, Hacks, returns to Sky One for its fifth and final season. Jean Smart and Hannah Einbeinder are still fantastic together, and this season gets off to a strong start because it sees the pair on the same page and not at odds as they have been at the start of each previous season. It's a show full of confidence that knows what it wants to do, full of characters we care about, and we're not quite ready for its final bow. Also returning is Netflix's now-anthology series, Beef. The twisted comedy drama, which began as a series starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, as two people caught in a petty argument that takes over their lives. With the second season, the argument or 'beef' at the centre of the story comes when a young couple stumbles across a vicious domestic fight between their bosses. Helemed by strong performances from Calliee Spaney and Carey Mulligan, it's a show about power, and one that puts you in the same stressed place as its characters. The first season was focused solely on the two caught up in the 'beef', but season 2 has a lot going on outside of the battling couples.  Lastly, the BBC has a brand new drama, Mint, which is a romantic gangster show aimed at a younger audience. On one hand, it's another example of the BBC trying something new in prime time, but on the other, we have a lot of thoughts about why it just doesn't work. For our quiz, Dawn challenges the boys to name as many Friends guest stars as they can.
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  # 514: Margo's Got Money Troubles, Malcom in the Middle, Big Mistakes, Your Song 14.04.2026 56p

  It's just Dawn and Matt this week who review four shows available this week. On Apple TV, there's Margo's Got Money Troubles, with another strong lead performance from the always brilliant Elle Fanning. The series tells the story of a college student who finds herself pregnant and forced to look for a new way to keep herself afloat. Add in great performances from Michelle Pfeiffer and Nick Offerman as her parents, and really likeable characters, this show is really surprising. Next is Big Mistakes, a new comedy thriller from Dan Levy of Schitt's Creek fame. It's a show with interesting characters and great comedic performance from the always dependable Laurie Metcalfe, but it gets bogged down in a silly crime plot.  Next, back from the early noughties, Frankie Muniz and the whole cast (minus one recast) returns for a four-part series, Malcolm in the Middle: Life's still unfair. It's strange for this show in particular to return, but its hard to pin down why it exists. Finally, Channel 4 returns to 'The Piano-verse' for a new singing show, Your Song. Hosted by Alison Hammond (because, of course), the show sees ordinary members of the public who take to the stage (this time in Liverpool) and perform a song that means something to them. Judged by Paloma Faith and Sam Ryder. The show is another example of Channel 4 trying desperately to find a hit. This one lacks the sincere nature of The Piano but forms an interesting discussion between Matt and Dawn.  
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  # 513: Race Across The World, Twenty Twenty Six, The Minatare Wife, The Burbs 08.04.2026 1ó 2p

  Matt and Dawn are joined by Mo Walker to review four new shows available to watch this week. Race Across The World returns and still manages to delight us. Hugh Bonneville returns as Ian Fletcher, who is in charge of running the World Cup after leaving the BBC. Twenty Twenty Six is the third in the 'Fletcher trilogy' after 2012 and W1A, but does this third instalment live up to the previous two series, or has John Morton's mockumentary run out of steam? Next, and both available on Sky, there's strange comedy drama, The Minature Wife, about a successful novelist (Elisabeth Banks) who is accidentally shrunk to miniature by her inept and power-hungry scientist (Mathew MacFayden). Lastly, there's another comic, murder mystery in The Burbs. The series is led by a striking performance from Keke Palmer and podcast favourites Paula Pell of Girls5eva and Dying For Sex, and Mark Proksch from What We Do in the Shadows. Less convincing is Jack Whitehall.    
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  # 512: The Pitt, Babies, Bait, Something Very Bad is Going to Happen 30.03.2026 1ó 19p

  Luke joins Matt and Dawn for another look at four shows available this week. HBO Max has finally launched in the UK, which means our long wait for the award-winning medical drama The Pitt has come to an end. The 15-episode series functions differently from any other show in the genre, with each episode capturing an hour of the same hectic shift for the medics. It's a show we've had to wait over a year for, but is it worth the wait? Next, the creator of Mum and Him & Her has a brand new BBC One series about a couple desperate for childern. Babies, features the same naturalistic dialogue we've come to expect from this writer, with two wonderful performances in the lead roles. It's the other side of the story that confuses us. Next, Netflix has a new horror show, Something Very Bad is Going to Happen, which, despite its title warning you of worse to come, feels overstuffed, desperate to be scary and strangely empty. Lastly, Prime Video has a new British comedy, Bait, written by and starring Riz Ahmed as an actor whose life is upended when he is spotted leaving an audition for James Bond. It's a clever idea, but is it disciplined enough to keep us watching? For the The Strikes Quiz, Luke challenges Matt and Dawn to list as many of the shows they reviewed in 2025 as they can. It's harder than you think.   
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  # 511: SNL UK, Last One Laughing UK, Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat, Imperfect Women 24.03.2026 1ó 10p

  Comedy expert Sophie Davies joins Matt and Dawn to review a very comedy heavy week. The American institution Saturday Night Live comes to the UK with the launch of SNL UK on Sky One. Two comedy hits return for their second seasons on Prime Video. Jimmy Carr hosts another impressive cast of British comics and comedy stars who try not to laugh in Last One Laughing. And the team behind Jury Duty return of a second season. This time, instead of a Jury, their focus is on a company retreat. The premise remains the same, all of but one of the cast are comedy actors and we see how the non-actor who isn't in on the joke responds. Lastly, Imperfect Women, a new airport novel type mystery drama elevated by performances from Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington. Lastly, how many SNL actors can Matt and Sophie name in our quiz?
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  TV Time Machine # 29: The Dave Gorman Collection, Teachers, Celebrity Big Brother for Comic Relief. 17.03.2026 53p

  Matt and Luke are back aboard their TV Time Machine to March of 2026. BBC Two launches the innovative and brilliantly funny The Dave Gorman Collection, which sees a then unknown new comic Dave Gorman, set out to meet as many people with his name as he can. Presented as a slide show presentation, Gorman's journey is a lot of fun and fresh.  Next, off the back of the first Big Brother, Channel 4 and the BBC join forces for a Celebrity edition of the reality show which only ran for 8 days and was structured strangely. Half-hour episodes and quick nominations and evictions. The main thing the show is remembered for is Vanessa Feltz, who had a bit of a breakdown when she was nominated for eviction. But, actually, the more surprising takeaway from the show is how being in the house affected comedian and eventual winner Jack Dee. Next, having finished The Fast Show, Paul Whitehouse brings us BBC comedy Happiness. The dark comedy, is an odd pitch: A man who voices a popular children's character is lost when his wife is run over by an ice cream truck. It's dark and absurd topic, but there's pathos in there and some really familiar faces giving their first performances. Lastly, Channel 4, launches raunchy and risque comedy drama Teachers with a star turn from Andrew Lincoln. It's a show where the teachers are just as badly behaved and desperately to be liked as the teenagers they are teaching. It's vibrant, fast-paced and immediately aware of it is.  Finally, Matt challenges Luke to name as many chart hits from March 2001 as he can. 
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  # 510: Gone, A Woman of Substance, Rooster, Vladimir 10.03.2026 1ó 5p

  Luke is back on the podcast joining Matt and Dawn to review four more shows available this week. Beginning with A Woman of Substance, Channel 4's new take on one of their first dramas which aired in the 80s. This new adpatation seems out of place on Channel 4 but also in 2026 where it feels like it has nothing new to say. Next, ITV have a new six-part thriller starring David Morrisery as the Headmaster of a private school who finds himself under the spotlight when his wife disappears. Gone, written by Hijack's George Kay, is an odd beast. Next, its another week for another comedy from Ted Lasso and Shrinking creator Bill Lawrence. Following on from last week's Scrubs reboot, Lawrence brings us Rooster, a Sky One comedy that sees Steve Carel's unfurfilled novelist end up on his daughters' college campus when she falls on hard times.  Lastly, the strange romance thriller Vladimir from Netflix.   Finally, Matt challenges Luke and Dawn to name as many of Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother contestants they can to win their quiz.