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Still Watching

Vanity Fair·Hosted by Richard Lawson, Chris Murphy and Hillary Busis·336 episodes

ArtsTV recapsCritic-ledCast interviewsPrestige TVPop cultureCompleted show

Join Vanity Fair's Richard Lawson, Chris Murphy, and Hillary Busis as they recap and analyze the most exciting series on TV and streaming, and get the inside story on how they came together through interviews with television stars and creators.  Get in touch, email us at [email protected]

Why listen

Still Watching is for TV fans who want smart recap-room energy with access that most fan podcasts cannot get. Vanity Fair critics Richard Lawson, Chris Murphy, and Hillary Busis break down buzzy shows episode by episode, then often bring in actors, showrunners, and creators for behind-the-scenes context. It is especially good if you like prestige TV, streaming dramas, reality TV discourse, and finale debates that mix criticism with pop-culture fluency.

Series(10)

Episodes

39 min
Oct 29, 2025
Introducing Tough Cookie: The Wally “Famous” Amos Story

Meet Wally Amos. He founded the ubiquitous Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies in 1975, turning the brand into an overnight sensation and himself into a pop-culture fixture in the 1970s and 1980s. But there’s a darker side to Wally’s seemingly sweet story. One filled with five marriages to six women and a string of bad business decisions that led him to lose the empire he had created.When he passed away in 2024, host Sarah Amos set out to untangle her father’s complicated past and finally face the life and legacy she had been avoiding. New episodes every Wednesday: swap.fm/l/vf-toughcookie-feed Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

43 min
Nov 26, 2024
Still Watching: The Grand Finale

Richard, Chris, and Hillary bid farewell to the podcast by remembering some of their favorite series finales ever—and promise to never stop believin’. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

47 min
Nov 21, 2024
Still Watching's Greatest TV Shows of All Time

Richard, Chris, and Hillary are handing out awards this week and designating which programs deserve to be named the best drama, comedy, and reality series in television history. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

46 min
Nov 14, 2024
Girls, Part 2: Allison Williams Is Not Marnie Michaels

The Girls star Allison Williams joins Chris, Richard, and Hillary to talk about the beloved show's polarizing run, its surprising afterlife, and what Marnie might be up to in 2024: "I think she's still looking." Plus, our listeners reveal their favorite episodes of Girls. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

44 min
Nov 7, 2024
Girls, Part 1: A Voice of a Generation

Chris, Hillary, and Richard make the case for revisiting Lena Dunham's Girls and debate which of three standouts is the show's best episode ever. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

48 min
Oct 31, 2024
The Diplomat, Season 2: October Surprise

Richard, Chris, and Hillary dig into the second season of Netflix's twisty drama, starring Keri Russell as an ambassador caught in a political storm. Plus, showrunner Debora Cahn illuminates the season's explosive ending, and gives just a few hints about what to expect from the show's already-in-the-works third season. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

49 min
Oct 17, 2024
SNL and The Daily Show: Let's Get Political

Chris, Richard, and Hillary dig into the overlap between the election and entertainment as they dig into two long-running comedies with a political bent. Plus, Daily Show host Desi Lydic stops by to discuss finding humor in a nail-bitingly close race and the endless absurdity of a Donald Trump rally. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

41 min
Oct 7, 2024
The Franchise Series Premiere: Look, Up in the Sky!

Richard, Chris, and Hillary go up, up, and away with HBO’s newest comedy, which details the dysfunction behind the scenes of a Marvel-esque would-be blockbuster. Plus, showrunner John Brown and executive producer Armando Iannucci stop by to chat about satirizing comic-book movies from a place of affection. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

40 min
Sep 30, 2024
Industry, Season 3 Finale: Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend

Vanity Fair’s TV reporter Joy Press returns to chat with host Chris Murphy about season three of HBO’s breakout hit. Plus, Industry stars Harry Lawtey and Marisa Abela discuss their love triangle with Kit Harington.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

54 min
Sep 26, 2024
Survivor, Season 47 - Episodes 1 and 2: The Tribe Has Spoken

Survivor superfan Richard schools Chris and Hillary on the long-running reality competition's "new era" before the trio discusses its latest season. Plus, Emmy-winning emcee Jeff Probst stops by to talk 24 years of Survivor, how podcaster Jon Lovett wound up getting the boot so early, and his personal gameplay advice. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

55 min
Sep 18, 2024
American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez - Episodes 1 and 2: It's Kickoff Time

Chris, Richard, and Hillary discuss the premiere of FX's latest American Story series, which this time is focused on the tragic life of troubled New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez. Plus, star Josh Rivera drops by to chat about getting into NFL shape and how making the show changed his feelings about football. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

54 min
Sep 12, 2024
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Can MomTok Survive This?

Chris, Hillary, and returning special guest Savannah Walsh dig into Hulu's juicy reality show about bickering Mormon influencers. Plus, executive producer Jeff Jenkins stops by to explain why Taylor and Dakota are the Kourtney and Scott of Mormon Wives, and what a second season of the show might look like.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

37 min
Sep 5, 2024
The Simpsons: The Secret Sauce of "Steamed Hams"

Former Simpsons showrunner Bill Oakley joins to tell Chris, Richard, and Hillary all about working on the show during its golden age, how he came up with the endlessly memed "Steamed Hams" sketch, and why the show did a throwaway joke about Donald Trump being elected president. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

38 min
Aug 29, 2024
The Simpsons: Best. Episode. Ever, Part 2

Richard, Chris, and Hillary break down two more all-time classic episodes of The Simpsons—did somebody say "monorail?"—then put their heads together to determine which favorite deserves to be no. 1 on Comic Book Guy's best-ever list.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

45 min
Aug 22, 2024
The Simpsons: Best. Episode. Ever, Part 1

Grab a doughnut and a can of Duff: We're doing a special miniseries looking back at The Simpsons, the hugely influential comedy that premiered 35 years ago this fall. This week, we'll talk about three of our favorite episodes of all time; next week, we'll talk about two more, before crowning one half-hour the best of all. Woohoo! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

54 min
Aug 15, 2024
Emily in Paris, Season 4: Bonjour, Nos Amis!

Richard, Chris, and Hillary chat about Netflix's frothy hit series (and test out their high school French), while Lily Collins stops by to talk about Emily's evolution, and where she'd love to see her character travel next. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

31 min
Aug 5, 2024
House of the Dragon, Season Two Episode 8: The Queen’s Gambit

Richard, Chris, and Hillary unpack the finale and wonder where its cliffhanger ending may lead. Plus, we reveal which host won our season-long competition to predict who would die next on the series. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

46 min
Jul 29, 2024
House of the Dragon, Season Two Episode 7: An Army of Bastards

Does Rhaenyra finally have an edge? Richard, Chris, and Hillary break down season two's penultimate episode and chat with director Loni Peristere about staging that intense trip to the dragon pit and what's really going on with Alicent when she takes her trip to the woods. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

46 min
Jul 22, 2024
House of the Dragon, Season Two Episode 6: Dragon Academy Takes Off

Richard, Chris, and Hillary discuss Westeros's newest dragonrider, Rhaenyra's strategic win (and surprising new love interest), and wonder why a queen in King's Landing would ever leave her house. Plus, Ewan Mitchell drops by to chat about Aemond's outer villainy and inner turmoil. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

47 min
Jul 15, 2024
House of the Dragon, Season Two Episode 5: Aegon the Burnt

Richard, Chris, and Hillary break down a quieter hour that sets up the rest of the season (and includes some very icky ghost sex). Plus, Tom Glynn-Carney stops by to talk about why Aegon is more of a tragic figure than a villain, and why shooting his big dragon fight was like living a little boy's dream. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

45 min
Jul 8, 2024
House of the Dragon, Season Two Episode 4: A Long Way Down

Richard, Chris, and Hillary break down season two's most devastating loss yet, while Eve Best stops by to discuss Rhaenys's journey and how difficult it is to really ride a dragon. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

43 min
Jul 1, 2024
House of the Dragon, Season Two Episode 3: Welcome to Harrenhal

Richard, Chris, and Hillary break down Rhaenera and Alicent's surprise tete-a-tete, Aemond and Aegon's sibling rivalry, and Daemon's possibly doomed acquisition of a haunted castle. Plus, Sir Simon Russell Beale drops by to break down whose side Ser Simon Strong is really on, and the danger of playing an apparently good person in George R. R. Martin's world. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

47 min
Jun 24, 2024
House of the Dragon, Season Two Episode 2: Parent Trap, But Make It Murder

Richard, Chris, and Hillary break down the fallout from last week's horrific tragedy, and place their bets for who might die next. Plus, episode director Clare Kilner joins to discuss how Princess Diana's funeral inspired Alicent and Helaena's procession through King's Landing and what's really driving King Aegon. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

53 min
Jun 17, 2024
House of the Dragon, Season Two Episode 1: They Killed the Boy

Richard, Chris, and Hillary fly back into Westeros for another season of HBO's big-budget Game of Thrones prequel. Plus, cast member Phia Saban, who plays Queen Helaena, drops by to talk about her witchy character and how she made a particularly heartbreaking choice this episode. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

5 min
Jun 15, 2024
Next on Still Watching: House of the Dragon Season 2

The first season of HBO's Game of Thrones prequel series was a mixed bag—compelling performances stymied by rushed storytelling. Will it find its groove this year? Richard, Chris, and Hillary will find out as they dig into season two on the next season of Still Watching. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

54 min
Jun 13, 2024
Bridgerton Season 3, Part 2: Three's Company

Chris, Hillary, and Savannah break down the season's juicy conclusion, while Luke Newton stops by to break down Colin and Penelope's steamy mirror scene and his Bridgerton future. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

46 min
May 30, 2024
The Couples of Our McDreams: Still Watching's Favorite Shondaland Romances

As we eagerly await the return of Bridgerton, Chris, Richard, and Hillary look back at their favorite duos from Shonda Rhimes series past and present—from Olivia and Fitz to Meredith and... Cristina? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

34 min
May 23, 2024
Bridgerton Season 3 Special: Nicola Coughlan Tells All

Chris and Savannah sit down with Nicola Coughlan to learn all of Lady Whistledown’s secrets and play a very special Bravo-themed game. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

58 min
May 16, 2024
Bridgerton Season 3, Part 1: Colin and Penelope, Sitting in a Carriage

Chris, Hillary, and guest host Savannah Walsh unpack the first four episodes of Bridgerton season three, from its rom-com feel to a certain very steamy ride. Plus, Claudia Jesse joins to chat about Eloise's journey, and what might be in store the rest of the season. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

9 min
May 13, 2024
Next on Still Watching: Bridgerton

Chris, Hillary, and guest host Savannah Walsh are diving into the third season of Netflix's steamy Regency romance. But first, we discuss how the show took TV by storm, and what we're hoping to see in its long-awaited return to streaming. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

53 min
May 6, 2024
Here for the Drama: Our Favorite Bravo Moments

Now that several classic Bravo series are newly streaming on Peacock, Richard, Chris, and Hillary look back at the network's transformation from fine-art showcase to reality TV mecca. Plus, the hosts break down the vintage Bravo scenes they're still thinking about (and discuss listeners' favorites, too). Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

56 min
Apr 29, 2024
The Sympathizer Tells a Different Kind of Vietnam War Story

On this week's episode, Chris, Hillary, and Richard discuss the first three episodes of the new HBO mini-series The Sympathizer, based on Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Later in the episode, series star Hoa Xuande stops by to talk about what makes the show so special and how it feels to be in his first lead role.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

55 min
Apr 22, 2024
Why We Love "Feud: Capote vs. the Swans"

Richard, Chris, and Hillary didn't get a chance to analyze the sumptuous latest edition of FX's Feud episode by episode—so we're covering the whole series now, complete with an in-depth interview with showrunner and writer Jon Robin Baitz. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

53 min
Apr 15, 2024
Ripley, Part 2: How to Get Away With Murder

Richard, Chris, and Hillary unwrap the final four episodes of Ripley, while Andrew Scott joins to explain how at his core, Tom Ripley is just "somebody who hasn't been given access to the beautiful things in life." Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

53 min
Apr 10, 2024
Ripley, Part 1: Cons, Italian Style

Andrew Scott makes for a captivating killer in the first four episodes of Netflix's Ripley, streaming now. Richard, Chris, and Hillary dig into the sumptuously shot series, while Dakota Fanning stops by to talk about her new spin on Marge Sherwood and the simply ghastly experience of filming for months in gorgeous Italy. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

45 min
Apr 8, 2024
The Regime Episode 6: Long Live the Queen?

Richard, Chris, and Hillary break down The Regime’s final episode, and reveal which of them correctly guessed who would be leading Genovia by the end of the series. Later, VF correspondent Miriam Elder drops by to reveal what The Regime got right about despots, and what it didn’t. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

41 min
Apr 1, 2024
The Regime, Episode 5: The Fall of Genovia

Terrible Christmas tidings hit Kate Winslet's autocracy in the penultimate episode of The Regime. Richard, Chris, and Hillary sift through the ashes, while Andrea Riseborough stops by to break down Agnes's tragic arc. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

45 min
Mar 25, 2024
The Regime, Episode 4: Hello, Hugh Grant!

The show finally introduces Grant's Ed Keplinger, a liberal ex-chancellor whose democratic leanings may be less progressive than they seem. Richard, Chris, and Hillary break down his introduction to The Regime and chat with Grant about reuniting with Kate Winslet and what Keplinger really believes. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

52 min
Mar 18, 2024
The Regime, Episode 3: This Means War

Richard, Chris, and Hillary dissect Elena’s latest heal-turn, and what it means for Zuback's future. Plus, Guillaume Gallienne joins to discuss playing first husband Nicky: "He's a bit of a masochist. He likes to be her rug." Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

40 min
Mar 11, 2024
The Regime, Episode 2: "A Little Chokey-Tuggy"

Richard, Chris, and Hillary dig into how Zuback's quick ascent has affected Genovia. Plus, Matthias Schoenaerts stops by to chat about playing the Butcher of Site 5 and rubbing mustard on Kate Winslet. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

44 min
Mar 4, 2024
The Regime, Episode 1: Palace Intrigue

Richard, Chris, and Hillary dive into The Regime, a satirical dramedy from the mind of Succession alum Will Tracey. Plus, star Kate Winslet joins to break down the similarities between her and autocratic chancellor Elena. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

5 min
Feb 25, 2024
Next on Still Watching: The Regime

Kate Winslet returns to HBO but this time tries her hand at comedy with The Regime. Chris, Hillary and Richard discuss what they’re looking forward to in this six part limited series. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

45 min
Feb 22, 2024
True Detective: Night Country, Bonus Episode: Going Deep with Issa López

Night Country’s showrunner breaks down season four's most surprising Easter eggs, the backstories we didn't get to see, and what it's like to tangle online with passionate True Detective fans. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

1 hr 2 min
Feb 19, 2024
True Detective: Night Country, Episode 6: So, Who Killed the Tsalal Scientists?

Richard, Chris, and Hillary discuss how Night Country reveals both what happened to the scientists and who really killed Annie K. Plus, Jodie Foster joins to dig into how the ending reinforces all of the show's themes, filming her big underwater scene, and why time, truly, is a flat circle. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

48 min
Feb 10, 2024
True Detective: Night Country, Episode 5: Let's Get Oedipal

As episode five premieres early on Max to avoid the Super Bowl, Richard, Chris, and Hillary break down Night Country's biggest twist yet, while John Hawkes stops by to talk about writing Hank's unbelievably bleak song and staging a very tense standoff. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

49 min
Feb 5, 2024
True Detective: Night Country, Episode 4: The Worst Christmas Ever

Richard, Chris, and Hillary discuss Ennis's incredibly depressing holiday, complete with death, breakdowns, and a heart-wrenching romantic diss. Plus, Kali Reis joins to talk all things Evangeline Navarro, and how this episode's major tragedy will drive her going forward Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

44 min
Jan 29, 2024
True Detective: Night Country, Episode 3: What Really Happened in the Wheeler Case

Richard, Chris, and Hillary dig into the reason behind Danvers and Navarro's rift, Hank's hillibillies, and a theory that climate change could be responsible for the Tsalal deaths. Plus, Isabella LaBlanc joins to talk about bringing Leah Danvers to life. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

43 min
Jan 22, 2024
True Detective: Night Country, Episode 2: All Aboard the F--k Trailer

Richard, Chris, and Hillary talk cliffhangers, Raymond Clark and Annie K's mysterious relationship, and season four's surprising connection to True Detective season one. Plus, Christopher Eccleston joins to chat about letting everything hang out in his sex scene with Jodie Foster. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

46 min
Jan 15, 2024
True Detective: Night Country, Episode 1: What's Really Haunting Ennis, Alaska?

Richard, Chris, and Hillary head north to break down our introduction to Jodie Foster's Liz Danvers, the dual mysteries driving this season, and that mind-boggling final image. Plus, Finn Bennett joins to discuss playing naive young cop Peter Prior and how True Detective gave him Covid (twice!). Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

5 min
Jan 8, 2024
Next on Still Watching: True Detective: Night Country

Can a new showrunner and Jodie Foster reinvigorate one of prestige TV's most beloved franchises? Richard, Chris, and Hillary are about to find out with an all-new season of Still Watching dedicated to True Detective season four. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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Listening context

Casual listening
Best for: commutes, long drives, housework, evening listening
Tone: conversational, insightful, pop-culture savvy, critical

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