the home of the Toy Department Podcast
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We don’t just "stick to sports" because we don’t have the privilege of doing so. This podcast is about wrecking the toy department – the name derisively foisted on sports – where it’s supposedly all fun and games. It’s not and never has been. There’s no shut up and dribble here. We want to hear what athletes, and people from all walks of sports – have to say, because they’re public figures with a platform. What they say and do, or don’t say and do, matters whether we agree with them or not. ...
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In Episode 401, Madden and Kolsky discuss Derek’s work-cation and his exclusive property on Haven’t-Seen-Harry-Potter Island before locking in on: The latest from The Challenge: Battle of the Eras (7:00) including the rapid demise of Era 1 and whether or not strategy dictates finishing them off or shifting focus… Netflix’s enthralling WWE docu-seri…
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In Episode 400, Madden and Kolsky discuss Derek’s San Francisco escapades and marvel at the longevity of this silly podcast before getting into: The latest from The Challenge: Battle of the Eras (6:10) where Era I continues to burn to the ground, despite Rachel’s best efforts, and Era II continues to weather the storm that is Cara Maria and Laurel……
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In Episode 399, Madden and Kolsky prepare to overcome a late recording time and Derek’s long week before diving into: The latest from The Challenge: Battle of the Eras (1:50), CT falling, Laurel spiraling and whether the 40th season is living up to expectations so far… The Alex Garland film Civil War (25:50) — how it is ultimately just a movie abou…
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In Episode 398, Madden and Kolsky are doing it after dark again, with LOTS to catch up on, beginning with a recap of their IRL meetup for a Pearl Jam concert, but moving on to: Two episodes of The Challenge: Battle of the Eras (7:50) and dealing with the fact that heavy hitters (or at least major characters) will be headed home on a weekly basis… J…
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In Episode 397, Madden and Kolsky are staying up late again, so it’s right on into: An absolute banger of an episode in Season 40 of The Challenge (1:05) with wall-to-wall physical eliminations that delivered some classic battles and some intriguing upsets… Vince Vaughn’s new Bill Lawrence-created show Bad Monkey (43:20) and whether we finally have…
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In Episode 396, Madden and Kolsky don’t bother with small talk because somebody is UPSET as they get into: The opening episode of The Challenge’s 40th season (1:05) and how the opening salvo (or lack thereof) in the Battle of the Eras left one of our hosts quite upset… The Matt Damon/Casey Affleck film The Instigators (43:15) and whether it qualifi…
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In Episode 395, Madden and Kolsky talk a little Lollapalooza before homing in on: Apple TV+’s comedic entry Time Bandits (7:10) and Derek Madden’s distaste for the rather specific Monty Python vibe… The new Apple TV+ drama Lady in the Lake (14:15) and whether it qualifies as a “gourmet cheeseburger…” A few thoughts on the idea of the gourmet cheese…
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In Episode 394, Madden and Kolsky discuss Derek’s new fitness challenge and a radio contest involving Fred Durst before jumping into: Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (7:40) and how both our hosts would prefer that he did something more interesting… The equally unnecessary but significantly funnier Sausage Party: Foodtopia (17:20) and how …
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In Episode 393, Madden and Kolsky discuss their canned-champagne problems (including Kolsky’s urgent need of a plumber) before conversations about: The third season of Hulu’s flagship dramedy The Bear (4:35) and whether it stands up to the incredibly high standard set by its first two seasons… The Dakota Johnson film Am I Ok? (19:15) and the text m…
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In Episode 392, Madden and Kolsky nail down what day it is and what city Derek is in, talk a little about Soul Coughing and concerts, and then get into: The return of The Boys on Amazon Prime (4:40) and some how an even darker tone that finally gave some morons a wake-up call about the themes… Hacks star Hannah Einbinder’s stand-up special (14:45) …
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In Episode 391, Madden and Kolsky are back from an unplanned hiatus (thanks to Derek’s unnamed coworkers) to dive deep into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 390, Madden and Kolsky talk a TEENSY bit about the NBA Finals matchup before moving out of the sports world and into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 389, Madden and Kolsky talk about Derek’s travels in the name of ROCK before attempting to swiftly get through:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 388, Madden and Kolsky discuss Derek’s busy schedule before locking right into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 387, Madden and Kolsky are meeting up late night for some Toy Department After Dark to get into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 386, Madden and Kolsky discuss the content of and response to the Tom Brady Roast on Netflix before diving into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 385, Madden and Kolsky discuss the baking project happening in Kolsky’s house before locking in and moving through:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 384, Madden and Kolsky open with a long conversation about Kolsky’s visit to The Sphere in Las Vegas to see Phish before snapping out of it to cover:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 383, Madden and Kolsky bicker about who bears more responsibility for their bizarre technical difficulties before jumping into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 382, Madden and Kolsky have a LOT to catch up on, from Matt’s new debilitating addiction to Derek’s busy concert schedule (with plenty of stops in between) but eventually get around to:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 381, Madden and Kolsky mention their upcoming international break before diving right into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 380, Madden and Kolsky discuss the big house-dad day at the Kolsky home and Matt’s various dad behaviors before locking in to cover:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 379, Madden and Kolsky discuss Derek’s busy schedule and Matt’s various maladies before jumping into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 378, Madden and Kolsky have a lot to cover, so there’s no time for pleasantries before discussions on:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 377, Madden and Kolsky have an in-depth Kylian Mbappe discussion before pressing record, then address Kolsky’s terrible Valentine’s Day before locking in for:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 376, Madden and Kolsky pause to celebrate Chelsea FC’s successful FA Cup match before focusing on today’s topics:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 375, Madden and Kolsky address Derek’s road location and failure to shower — with a weird detour to the film Wonka — before splashing into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 374, Madden and Kolsky sort through the topics and decide it’s important to get right into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 373, Madden and Kolsky are finally excited about something that happened on their favorite show so it’s RIGHT into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 372, Madden and Kolsky waste no time diving into some divisive pop culture as they cover:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 371, Madden and Kolsky totally forget to wish each other (or you) a Happy New Year and instead discuss the elastic nature of time before getting into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 370, Madden and Kolsky have an in-depth discussion of sinus procedures and overall nasal health before ending their year with:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 369, Madden and Kolsky spend a few minutes on Derek’s immediate future, including a rock concert and programming a Christmas music station, before launching into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 368, Madden and Kolsky lament the existence of Daylight Savings Time and the depressing 4:30pm sundown in the Midwest before turning to:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 367, Madden and Kolsky discuss the arrival of really cold weather in the Midwest and lament their life choices before diving in to:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 366, Madden and Kolsky discuss Derek’s propensity for failing to do his homework properly before getting into the things he DIDN’T screw up:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 365, Madden and Kolsky discuss Derek’s rock-and-roll travels before getting to today’s pod business:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 364, Madden and Kolsky exchange only brief pleasantries before diving into the week’s homework:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 363, Madden and Kolsky discuss Kolsky’s recent positive COVID test and its myriad of ripple effects before locking in to:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 362, Madden and Kolsky lament the sickness passing through the Kolsky household (and the overall joys of parenthood) before diving in on:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 361, Madden and Kolsky talk about the breakfast tacos that Derek is anxious to get to before locking in to this week’s only subject:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 360, Madden and Kolsky talk a little bit of Chicago Bears football and Wrexham soccer before getting down to business with last week’s homework:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 358, Madden and Kolsky celebrate a (relatively) problem-free recording environment before getting right into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 358, Madden and Kolsky lament Derek’s illness before he pushes through to discuss:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 357, Madden and Kolsky briefly address their literal physical proximity before diving right into the culture with:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 356, Madden and Kolsky are both exhausted and threatening each other with falling asleep mid-sentence as they prepare to discuss:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 355, Madden and Kolsky lament some technical issues before jumping right into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 354, Madden and Kolsky reflect once again on Kolsky’s family couch-surfing, plus the ultimate basement destination, before locking into:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 353, Madden and Kolsky discuss the Kolsky family’s bizarre living (and recording) arrangements before moving on to:By The Toy Department
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In Episode 352, Madden and Kolsky talk about life getting in the way and the challenges of moving a family across the country before getting to the business of the day:By The Toy Department
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