One of the worst “recap” podcasts I’ve ever heard. Succession is widely regarded as one of the best television shows of all time and yet you’d never know it listening to these two amateur hosts act like they’re smarter than the Emmy award winning writers each week. Every episode is filled with long pauses

They are insightful, knowledgeable, round out the points with explanations, and listen to one another in normal voices. Not a ton of breaks so I respectfully listen to the few ads they have. Just a great high-level recap podcast. Keep it up.

These people are unlikable, they have no interesting takes on anything. They just cry about rich people and pretend that makes them intelligent.

I like the recap format of this podcast and enjoy what both David and Tara have to say. There are so many podcast where the host just wants to hear themselves talk but this is not one of them. They share interesting insights on the plot points and do a thorough and thoughtful review of the overall story arc. I don’t always agree with their opinions/predictions but usually appreciate them. Please keep reviewing this show and would love to listen to a review of season 1? Thanks Tara and David!

Love the hosts of this podcast! They both have very interesting insights. Thank you and I hope you keep going!

Definitely my favorite Succession podcast.

We get it you get screeners and you don’t like the show. “Im glad it was only 9 episodes because 10 would be too much”. Thanks for sacrificing yourself in reviewing this show. It was an ok show in the beginning now these two act like they are Hollywood insiders and their screeners did I mention they get screeners and the screeners are a day early than we get to see it. Blah blah blah I’m a critic snooze

These two, particularly David, come across as completely unenlightened and half the time have details wrong about the episode they’re discussing. Seems like they watch an episode one time and think that imbues them with the authority to speak on the shows writing faults and strengths. Total misunderstanding of many of the main characters also, and just generally feels like the hosts don’t enjoy the show or talking about it at all, like it’s a chore. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and I find myself agreeing with them sometimes, but they just feel incredible/like they do not take much care in compiling an episode

This pod is decent enough but they always have something to complain about. Seems like everytime something happens different than how they think it should’ve, they always complain about it. They also talk with the pretentiousness of media members who think journalists are the most oppressed group in America

Listened to you all year, but Tara especially seemed less and less enthused by the time they did their review of the season 3 season finale. It literally took 24 minutes into the 12.13.2021 episode to talk about the finale. Tara gave a lot of “yeahs” and “yeps” when discussing. After hearing the entertaining recap and passionate review on The Ringer I think I’m done listening to The Sweet Smell of Succession.

For season 3 finale . U say no clips cause you have to get it out fast . Then spend the first half hour talking about nonsense . Some dumb NYT article no one cares about .

I’ve only listened to their recap of Season 3, so maybe earlier episodes are different, but the hosts don’t seem to know their audience. We listen because we want to hear a recap of a show we love. The hosts spend a lot of time criticizing the writing and the plot lines. It’s very infuriating. I love Succession and would like to hear from two people who love it as well. They don’t.

Wow why bother talking about a show if it’s so incredibly flawed in your opinions. I listened to this after being blown away by the excellent finale only to be brought down by your nitpicks. Nothing said about the fantastic writing/dialog/storytelling. Grudging accolades for the acting - but with many many caveats of course. Geez, why don’t you try screenwriting if you’re so damned smart. Not one word of enthusiasm for what a really fantastic series this has been.

The review of the season 3 finale is just, really negative. Wierdly saying that the show is just making things happen cause that’s how tv works? That’s literally the opposite of everything succession stands for. It feels like the disappointment from personal predictions being incorrect, overflows into biased reviews of the plot overall. Sometimes it can be difficult to accept that we are not the show runners.

Hosts clearly know Succession, but I feel like most of the show is spent talking about either real-world parallels that are barely connected to the show’s universe, or how they love the show, but hate the show. You’re going to get this with any rewatch/recap, but it gets tiresome after awhile.

The guys kinda annoying

They know the episode and the clips are well chosen, but their reads on the show add little. They’re also far too often disappointed. Is anyone really listening to hear a string of complaints and bad takes?

No frills. Great insight and discussion but doesn’t take things too seriously. Good listen.

This podcast should be renamed “indeed” due to the number of times the hosts respond to one another by saying, “indeed.”…love this podcast and the insights shared by the hosts.

Best one I’ve heard so far, although I have a hunch that it may be partially funded by HBO

After abandoning the “official” podcast with Kara Swisher, I gave this one a try, and it delivered. It is GREAT, not only providing recaps, but also insights, opinions, and humor. It’s also excellent in terms of not putting up a firewall (ahem, Vulture) after trying to read/listen to so many articles/ episodes. Love the hosts, love the length, love it. This should be the official podcast.

Analysis is good but shows suffers when the liberal bias of podcasters comes out( particularly David). Disagree that What it takes was a bad episode. One of my favorites despite incisive satire of republicans.

After watching episode 6 of season 3 tonight, and seeing the ad for the podcast after the closing credits, I decided to check out the PC advertised as well as search for any other "Succession after show" which might be available. I found this, and was a little trepidatious considering there are only 229 reviews for a show that now has covered 2 seasons. I should have heeded my first instinct. I listened to the season one recap, and then tried one more episode - hoping the issues which made me want to "unfollow" & never look back would self correct after the hosts undoubtedly received less than favorable responses after their season one recap aired. Ugh. No glory. Just 2 condescending people assuring their own political opinions were voiced while reviewing a show which successfully avoids such self-indulgent crap. Ironically, all they accomplish is to reveal their near-sighted hypocrisy. No thank you.

Tara is great and very knowledgeable about the show, really enjoy her recaps. David seems to get off topic a lot, bringing a lot of irrelevant stories during the recaps.

This podcast is such a lovely addition to watching the series. Tara and Dave are such pros in the tv commentary/recap world and if you watch succession you should listen to this podcast.

Thank you for these excellent podcasts. You two add an intellectual, thorough discussion that helps me follow the story better, catch things I missed, and console the existential angst that is often provoked by this show.

David seems dense...

Just binged this podcast, like I binged Succession. Please let me know when you start the Kickstarter for season 3. I am in!

If you happen to lean conservative, as half the nation does, understand you will be swiped for no relevant reason in the first two episodes. Good content on the show, but I appreciate being warned when the host/hostess cannot hide their contempt for me as an American human. Maybe I can wear a red star and we can just enjoy the show.

I’m listening to the first season recap and was excited about your podcast, however in a matter of approximately 9 minutes, you have spoken negatively about the president, conservatives, and Republicans multiple times!! Are you that clueless or self-absorbed not to understand that 50% of your listeners are IN THAT CATEGORY??!!! Wow....talk about arrogantly out of touch....

The crooks of capitalism covered by two of the smartest post capitalist podcasters on the inter webs!

While being a mostly thorough recap of the episodes, I never get the sense that these people actually enjoy the show or the characters they’re talking about.

I look forward to listening to this podcast almost as much as watching the show. Love the deep dive into character and plot analysis . David and Tara both have great input and perspectives. I wish you guys would start reviewing all the great shows out there!

This is one of the best recap podcasts I’ve ever listened too. After watching each episode of Succession, I immediately listened to this podcast to hear Dave and Tara’s insights. The structure is wonderful, with Tara providing succinct plot breakdowns, followed by joint analysis, then winners/loser and favorite quotes. If you love the show, I think you’ll dig this podcast.

Great, quality podcast. Both of the hosts have very insightful and interesting commentary about the show. They know when to stop and take a moment to more deeply discuss a scene or plot point, and know when to keep it moving so the listener doesn’t get too bored. I am a bit partial to David Chen and just love him. But Tara is great too and I think she is a good complement to him. I love to hear their take on certain parts of the show that make you think more. I also like the real life parallels they bring up that I might not otherwise be as familiar with. I will try to check out David’s other podcast as well.

Too much intro banter. Introduce yourselves and get on with it. To quote Queen Elizabeth Season 2 Episode 1. I have ADD. Get to the point and review the show.

Outstanding podcast, great analysis, smart takes and sometimes divergent opinions. Keep doing shows together you two, you are a great team.

can we please just have a podcast for tv watchers where we don’t have people inserting their political views and alienating half the country? some people just want to get away from the daily political bs!

Truly a good pairing that’s equal to a great show. I now want David Chen to moderate the debates.

Listened to last episode on episode 10 of season 2. Neither of those podcasters are funny or fun and don’t add much to their pod. Skip it.

Really dig this podcast; always enjoy David’s work and Tara is great too. Love Succession! UPDATED post S2: I am really astonished by how often I vehemently disagree with Tara and truly feel she simply “doesn’t get it” throughout this season. She doesn’t think Roman’s character could sustain a season-long arc a la Kendall and Shiv?! What?! A traumatized ne’er-do-well with genuine smarts and savvy with fascinating sexual proclivities and a mind that is beyond ripe for a deep psychological dive?! What!! That’s just one of many things on which I strongly disagree with her and I often felt her takes were wildly incorrect. I am a flexible viewer and listener but I really can’t get over my strong visceral response to her takes and analyses. My husband stopped listening due to her, I’m sorry to say.

A great podcast about a great show! My only criticism is that David seems to regularly speak over Tara and it’s frustrating, especially since Tara dives a lot deeper into the language and motifs of the show

Good recap with clips from the show played throughout. But Jesus lay off the real life Republican bashing and the whole holier than thou liberal rhetoric. It's a fake show to take us away from the daily slog of people getting fake mad about fake things. Just talk about the show.

David Chen and Tara Ariano are hosting the best Succession podcast. I love this show and I have listened to every single podcast I can about the show. This show is the best by a country mile. The hosts are versed in different aspects of today's media and can speak with authority about the story lines. The hosts also provide great context for the dialogue between the family. I like listening to them speculate what might come next and really like it when they compare their different takes on tricky scenes -- like when Shiv tells Kendall "How dare you apologize to me". So many different ways to interpret that line and scene -- great stuff to hear the hosts here try to get into that space The thing that this show does the best is allowing both hosts to equally share in the conversation. Several other podcasts leave me feeling frustrated because one person gets talked over or cut off. David Chen and Tara Ariano have a clear respect for each other that shines. After watching the delicious viciousness that rules Succession -- this is a breath of fresh air. Great work

Tara and Dave are entertaining and informed hosts and take you through every episode in detail. Not rambly, either, which is one of my podcast pet peeves. I listen to each episode right when it comes out! Give it a try!

it’s a game!

Anything that Dave Chensky does, I’ll listen to. The combination of his intelligent analysis, his co-host’s angles on the show w Succession’s own wit and intelligence are perfect. This is the smartest and most in depth analysis of the show you’ll find out there and another great production by Dave C and company.

This sounds as if Greg(ory) and Geri did the podcast.

Dave and Tara do a really nice job recapping and discussing themes and overall ideas of everyone’s favorite show, “Succession.” Thanks for adding “best lines” from the episode, to highlight just how smart the writing is.

I enjoy the contrasting perspectives and opinions between the two of you. And love the inside info of the media industry that Tara provides.