PODCAST · tv
Crossing Streams
by Craig Elsten
San Diego radio vet Craig Elsten is joined each week by a rotating cast of top voices to talk about streaming TV, current and past shows, and much more. Each week is a different show and co-host.
Episodes
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#272: Behind the Scenes with Muppets Show Production Coordinator Christi Sotomayor
There's so much that goes into every production of film or TV, but never is captured for the screen. One of the people whose job is the "business of creativity" is Christi Sotomayor, a successful production coordinator in California for the past 20+ years. Christi met Chris Reed working on Sons…
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#271: Industry Season Four Finale Review
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are back together to discuss a momentus finale to season four of Industry. Was this the guys' favorite episode of the season? No! But an ambitious show has taken another bold turn. They go character-by-character through the season's arcs, with a look ahead to what they...
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#270: Industry Season 4 Catch-up: Episodes 5-7
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are back with their second podcast in your feed this week, catching up on the remarkable fourth season of Industry. In this episode, the boys look at the big themes from the past three episodes (5-through-7), the possible end of Eric Tao on the show, Tender's scrutiny,...
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#269: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season One Review
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are back to discuss the entire first season of the new Game of Thrones spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. In the opening segment, the guys discuss the show generally, without spoilers, including the excellent casting decisions made. Then, they break down the…
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#268: Industry Season 4 Episodes 1-5
Industry has long been one of Craig's favorite shows, but over the past three weeks, Chris binged the program from the start of season one until now! The guys start off by discussing the show as a whole and the themes of the first three seasons, then they get into the fourth season in detail…
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#267: 2026 Streaming TV Platform Review (with Drew Steck)
The annual tradition is back! Drew Steck joins Craig Elsten and Chris Reed to go through the major streaming television platforms with a cost/value review. How have the prices changed since the first time we did this in 2021? Where is the value? How have streaming pro sports impacted the value of...
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#266: The Top-10 TV Shows of 2025
After an unexpected holiday break, Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are back for their 2025 year-end show...who cares if it came out in the first week of 2026! First, Craig offers two favorite shows of the year that don't quite fit in the list. Then. Chris and Craig alternate moving up their list to...
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#265: Pluribus Episodes 7-9 (Finale Review)
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are back with the penultimate podcast of 2025, as they take on the final three episodes of the first season of Pluribus, on AppleTV. This is one of the most thought-provoking series of the year, and Craig and Chris spend a large portion of the show analyzing the key...
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#264: Interview with Amelia Campbell from The Chair Company
Craig and Chris are joined from New York by Amelia Campbell, who plays Amanda on The Chair Company. Chris and Amelia are old friends from a Shakespeare production in San Diego, and the podcast gets into her casting process for The Chair Company, working with Tim Robinson and much more!
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#263: The Chair Company & Stranger Things 5 Part One
this is a rarity: Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are out of alignment on this episode of Crossing Streams! One host really likes one of the two shows covered and kind of tolerated the other, while the other host REALLY didn't like one of the two shows, and truly enjoyed the other. Who's who, and…
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#262: Pluribus Episodes 4-6 Review
Vince Gilligan's new show Pluribus is looking like it might just be a masterpiece. On this episode of Crossing Streams, Craig Elsten and Chris Reed take a look at the big themes and moments from episodes 4-6 of the first season. The show contains spoilers for all six episodes of the series to…
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#261: Is Death By Lightning Shockingly Good? (Full Review)
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed get together on the eve of Thanksgiving to go over Netflix's historical drama Death By Lightning. One of the hosts liked it a little bit more than the other, but there's a lot to unpack with an All-Star cast and a fascinating look at a less-known time in American...
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#260: Pluribus Episodes 1-3 Review
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed return for episode #260 of Crossing Streams, taking on perhaps the TV event of 2025 in Vince Gilligan's new series, Pluribus, for Apple TV. In the (short) non-spoiler zone the guys offer their general thoughts on the series and on Gilligan's talent. Then in the spoiler...
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#259: The Lowdown Season Finale Review + Interview with Actor Eric Edelstein
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed get back together to talk about the finish of The Lowdown, a show that was beloved by both. The guys get into the storylines from the final three episodes, before welcoming on actor Eric Edelstein, who played Blackie on the show. Longtime friends with Chris, Eric gets...
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#258: The Diplomat Season 3 Full Review (Non-Spoiler and Spoiler)
Craig Elsten is joined by one of the patrons from the Padres Hot Tub discord, Oliver the Baseball Nihilist, to discuss a series near and dear to both of their hearts, The Diplomat on Netflix. In the non-spoiler zone of the show, the hosts discuss why they like The Diplomat and what makes it such…
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#257: "Task" Comes To A Redeeming Finish (Season Finale Review)
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are back to share their thoughts on the final two episodes of Task, where Brad Ingelsby has grown as a showrunner, the themes of redemption that ran through the series, and whether or not there should be a second season. What did YOU think about Task? Email the show…
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#256: The Lowdown In-Progress Review (Episodes 1-5), Platonic S2 Finale Review
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed get together to discuss a show that each believes will be in their respective Top-10 lists by the end of the year, The Lowdown on FX (and Hulu/Disney+). The guys go through the incredible cast and performances, the overall vibe of the show and where they think the…
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#255: Peacemaker Season Two Finale Review (with Danny Deskjob)
In a bonus edition on this week's Crossing Streams feed, Craig Elsten is joined by Danny Deskjob to review season two of Peacemaker, on HBO Max. The guys start with a 15-minute non-spoiler zone, to generally discuss the show. Then they get into all the spoilers from season two, including some...
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#254: "Task" In-Progress Review (Episodes 1-5)
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are most of the way down the tracks on the riveting HBO Sunday night drama, Task. In this episode, the guys begin with non-spoiler thoughts on the show for anyone who may not have watched yet or gotten up-to-date. Then, they go through the key storylines through the...
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#253: Did Alien Earth Blow It With The Finale? (with Ken Gartin)
Craig and Chris are again joined by Ken Gartin to go through the finale of Alien: Earth. Two of our three panelists were really let down by the finale, while one saw the promise for future seasons. What did you think? Email the show at [email protected]! SHOW NOTES :30 Intro 3:00...
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#252: Midseason Check-In on Alien:Earth (with Ken Gartin)
Ken Gartin returns to join Craig and Chris and review the middle portion (episodes 3-6) of FX's Alien:Earth. The guys thought it would be a shorter episode, but nope! Too much fun breaking down all the plot twists and possibilities for the endgame. SHOW NOTES/TIME CODES :30 Intro, show set-up…
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#251: In-Season Thoughts on Platonic and The Paper
Craig and Chris have two episodes to bring you on the Crossing Streams feed this week! First up, a look at two comedies in full swing, Platonic (season two now on AppleTV+) and The Paper (all episodes streaming on Peacock). Chris appears on episode 6 of Platonic season two and tells the story of...
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#250: Alien: Earth Episode 1-3 + "Smoke" Season Finale Spoilers (with Ken Gartin and Chris Reed)
Ken Gartin makes his triumphant return to the Crossing Streams feed to lead our discussion of the brand-new FX series, "Alien: Earth". Chris Reed had NEVER watched any Alien content, so he's in for a spooky surprise! Later in the show, Craig and Chris go through the explosive finale of Smoke (on...
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#249 (V2.E9): What Should You Watch, Untamed or Smoke?
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed review and compare a couple of summer mystery series: "Untamed" from Netflix, and "Smoke" on AppleTV+. The guys do non-spoiler reviews and recommendations before doing brief spoiler sections for both shows. They wrap up with "What We're Watching" with some more...
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#248 (V2.E8): The Eternaut Is A Summer Sci-Fi Escape (Non-Spoiler and Spoiler Review)
SHOW NOTES :30--intro 2:00--housekeeping/listener e-mail 5:00--the decades-long history of The Eternaut in Argentina 10:00--The Eternaut NON-SPOILER review begins 18:00--the excellent Ricardo Darín in the lead role 26:45--SPOILER review
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#247 (V2.E7): Poker Face Season 2 Finale + A Conversation with Poker Face Writer Raphie Cantor
SHOW NOTES/TIME CODES :30--Intro 3:00--listener e-mails ([email protected]) 9:20--Murderbot Season Finale talk (spoilers) 14:30--Poker Face Season 2 final overview 17:00--favorite episodes and guest stars 23:30--do we like putting Charlie back on the road? 27:30--welcome Raphie...
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#246 (V2.E6): Squid Game Season 3 Full Review + Duster Gets Dusted
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed are back with one of the longer episodes in show history, because they've got a LOT to say about Squid Game Season 3! SHOW NOTES Welcome/housekeeping/email/5-star reviews SQUID GAME 3 Why is Squid Game the most popular IP in Netflix history? (8:30) From original to...
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#245 (V2.E5): The Bear Season 4 Full Recap (Non-Spoiler and Spoiler)
Craig and Chris turn the stove all the way up for a complete Season 4 review of The Bear on FX! First, the guys do a non-spoiler look at the season and the series as a whole, including the news of a fifth season on order. Then (32:30), a spoiler-filled look at the fourth season, standout episodes...
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#244 (V2.E4): Dept Q Full Review + Early Expectations for The Bear S4
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed get together for a full review of Netflix's breakout detective hit, Dept Q. The guys begin with a fulsome no-spoilers review and recommendation segment, then get into the meat of the story with full spoilers (31:45). Later (56:15). they look back at Season Three of The...
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#243 (V2.E3): Checking in on Apple TV+ (Murderbot and Stick reviews)
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed start the show with listener email, then get into a review of the AppleTV+ platform and the kinds of shows found on the app. Then, they offer reviews of two of the current AppleTV shows, Murderbot and Stick. Lastly, the boys offer a sincere recommendation of a sports...
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#242 (V2.E2): The Return of Comfort Food TV (Poker Face and Duster)
Craig Elsten and Chris Reed talk about the changing state of streaming television, and how "thing of the week" shows are regaining their niche in the contentverse. Two current examples are both in play, "Poker Face" on Peacock, and "Duster" on Max. Hear reviews of both series without spoilers!…
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#241 (V2.E1): Crossing Streams Is Back! The Best of 2025 TV So Far (Co-Host: Chris Reed)
We're back, baby! Crossing Streams has returned as your weekly home for streaming TV talk! Join co-hosts Craig Elsten and Chris Reed, they begin the show by explaining why the podcast has been gone for almost 18 months, why it's returned, and what we aim to accomplish. Then in this "episode zero"...
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#240: The Fall of the House of Usher (with Danny Deskjob)
Craig is joined by one of his Padres Hot Tub patrons, "Danny Deskjob" for a full review of the final Mike Flanagan Halloween-timed mini-series on Netflix, The Fall of the House of Usher. We pick our favorite death scene in the show, narrate the good, bad and middling, and at the end rank each of...
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#239: AppleTV+ Has a Secret Vintage in "Drops of God" (with Andrew Dyer)
Craig Elsten is joined by KPBS reporter, soccer supporter and wine enthusiast Andrew Dyer to discuss AppleTV+'s hidden gem, "Drops of God". The eight-episode miniseries came out during the Emmys glut, and was easily missed. However, it's a series with lush locations, multiple languages and a...
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#238: TALK NERDY TO ME: Ahsoka Season Finale, Loki Season 2 Premiere and Survivor 45 (with Ken Gartin)
Craig Elsten and TALK NERDY TO ME correspondent Ken Gartin discuss the good, bad and middling of the full season of Ahsoka, including the muddled place the series ends...for now. Then, a look at a disappointing premiere of Loki Season Two, and a much better start for Survivor 45.
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#237: Unpacking the Contradictions of Special Ops: Lioness (with Ryan Phillips)
Craig Elsten is joined by Ryan Phillips to discuss Taylor Sheridan's latest series on Paramount+, Special Ops: Lioness. There are some aspects of this series that are definitively good, and others that verge on regrettable. "And yet", it's a compelling series in many ways. Craig and Ryan go…
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#236: Ahsoka is "Full Filoni" and We Like It! (Episodes 1-4 Review with Ken Gartin)
Craig Elsten is joined by his "Talk Nerdy to Me" correspondent Ken Gartin for a complete look at the first four episodes of "Ahsoka" on Disney+. This is creator Dave Filoni's pride and joy, and he's operating with the shackles off...how does it translate into live-action? Is this Rebels season...
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#235: Justified: City Primeval's Finale Hits the Spot (with Ryan Phillips)
Craig Elsten and Ryan Phillips get back together to discuss the finale of Justified: City Primeval. Did the series deliver on what it intended? What did they think of the choices made in the finale? And yes, of COURSE we are going to talk about the HUGE twist at the end!
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#234: Justified City Primeval Midseason Check-in (Episodes 3-6) with Ryan Phillips
Craig Elsten and Ryan Phillips are back to look at the middle four episodes of Justified: City Primeval, covering episodes 3-6. The guys break down the things they absolutely love about the limited series, and where it feels a bit undercooked. Then, both offer possible predictions as to the...
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#233: Hijack is a Summer Romp on AppleTV+ (Full Season Review with Liddy Loree)
Craig Elsten is joined by Liddy Loree to talk about Apple TV+'s summer adventure series "Hijack", starring Idris Elba. What made this show such a popular summer hit, and why is it that the faster it moves, the better it goes? Craig and Liddy explore the strengths and weaknesses of the season, and...
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#232: Black Mirror Season 6 Review (with Ryan Phillips)
Craig Elsten is joined once again by Ryan Phillips from The Big Lead to go through the newest season of Black Mirror on Netflix. Which of the five episodes did the guys rank as the best and the worst? They go episode-by-episode through the series.
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#231: Justified: City Primeval Episodes 1-2 Review (with Ryan Phillips)
Craig Elsten is joined by Ryan Phillips to talk about the return of Justified! The guys start by discussing what they loved so much about the original show before digging into the limited series, Justified: City Primeval on FX/Hulu. Spoilers for the first two episodes of the series!
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#230: The Bear Season Two Full Review (with Jay Zawaski)
The second season of The Bear turns out to be one of the very best shows of 2023, and one of the top shows of the decade so far! Craig Elsten is joined once again by Jay Zawaski from CHGO and the "I'm Fat" podcast to talk about the second season as a whole, spotlight the very best episodes,...
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#229: The Top-5 TV Shows of the First Half of 2023 (with Liddy Loree)
Craig Elsten and Liddy Loree are back together with a ranking of each of their Top-5 streaming television shows for the first half of 2023. Both begin with a set of 3-4 honorable mentions before diving into their Top-5. What show would you have ranked #1?
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#228: "Silo" on Apple TV+ Season One Review (with Liddy Loree)
Craig Elsten is rejoined by longtime co-host Liddy Loree to discuss the entire first season of Apple TV+'s sci-fi noir mystery series, "Silo". Find out how both hosts enjoyed a show that nonetheless had to work hard to keep the viewer's eye off the ball until the end.
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#227: A very late Barry Season 4 and Series Recap (with Rick Romero)
Craig Elsten and Rick Romero finally get their schedules straight to review the final season of Bill Hader's remarkable HBO series "Barry", which is darker than ever in season 4. Both of the guys have thoughts about how the season went, but feel better about the season after talking it through!
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#226: Ted Lasso Series Finale Review (with Drew Steck)
Ted Lasso was a beloved phenomenon of a show in its first season, then grew into something bigger and different. In the end, did it try to be too much of a good thing? A bloated and overweight third season ended with a gigantic finale that might be the end of the show, or the start of a…
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FULL F%^&ING BEAST--Succession Season 4, Episode 10: With Open Eyes (Series Finale)
One last time, we go FULL FUCKING BEAST with deep dive coverage of the Succession series finale! Join Craig Elsten, Justice Parman and Corey Stewart for a scene-by-scene recap of the supersized season and series finale, "With Open Eyes". Find out who won the series (and our preseason draft) and...
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FULL F%^&ING BEAST--Succession Season 4 Episode 9: Church and State
Craig Elsten, Justice Parman and Corey Stewart are back for their deep dive into the penultimate episode of Succession. Was this Jesse Armstrong's thesis statement on Logan Roy? We go scene-by-scene through the episode, present audio from three featured scenes, and award this week's #1 Boy, Best...
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#225: Life as a Reality Competition Show Rookie with Horacio from "The Challenge" and "Exatlón"
Craig has always been a reality competition show junkie, and in a funny coincedence, his work world in pro soccer and the world of Horacio Gutierrez Jr, rookie star of MTV's "The Challenge", crossed paths in the past few months. Craig and Horacio sat down over Zoom to talk about the crazy life of…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Crossing Streams have?
Crossing Streams currently has 293 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Crossing Streams about?
San Diego radio vet Craig Elsten is joined each week by a rotating cast of top voices to talk about streaming TV, current and past shows, and much more. Each week is a different show and co-host.
How often does Crossing Streams release new episodes?
Crossing Streams publishes regularly with 293 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Crossing Streams?
You can listen to Crossing Streams on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Crossing Streams?
Crossing Streams is created and hosted by Craig Elsten.
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