logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2024
1h 32m

Did ‘Girls’ Stick the Landing?

The Ringer
About this episode

Andy Greenwald is joined by Amanda Dobbins to discuss “Latching,” the series finale of ‘Girls.’ They start by providing context on the media environment at the time when the HBO comedy series premiered and how it was a bridge between the eras of network television and prestige cable TV (10:57). Along the way, they discuss what the show originally set out to do, the benefits (and drawbacks) of creator Lena Dunham’s unparalleled self-awareness, and how ‘Girls’ ended its six-season run with intent (27:03). Finally, they answer the titular question: “Did it stick the landing?” (77:14).


Host: Andy Greenwald

Guest: Amanda Dobbins

Producers: Kaya McMullen and Kai Grady

Theme Song and Other Music Credits: Giancarlo Vulcano

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Jul 1
‘The Bear’ Season 4 Finale: Is This the End, or A New Beginning?
Van and Charles update the agreement terms to recap the Season 4 finale of ‘The Bear.’ (0:00) Intro (3:53) Did the ending to this season work? (17:13) Why the final confrontation felt somewhat underwhelming (20:55) Who is Carmy without cooking? (51:00) Season 4 as a whole Email u ... Show More
1 h
Jun 27
‘The Bear’ Season 4, Episodes 7-9: Breaking Down the Wedding Episode
Van and Charles keep it in the family to recap the seventh, eight, and ninth episodes of ‘The Bear’ Season 4. (0:00) Intro (3:26) Why “Bears” was such a refreshing episode (16:46) Ayo is this season’s MVP (20:28) Is Carmy passing the torch? (30:18) Chef Adam’s true intentions (50 ... Show More
1h 3m
Jun 26
‘The Bear’ Episodes 4-6: The Show’s Back, but Is Enough Happening?
Van and Charles dig into the second course of episodes (the middle three) in Season 4 of FX’s 'The Bear.’ 00:00 Intro 03:00 Recapping episodes 4-6 06:23 Syd’s impending decision 20:20 Falling back in love with the characters 22:32 A Rob Reiner tangent 26:24 The ‘binge model’ 31:2 ... Show More
40m 59s
Recommended Episodes
May 2023
‘Succession’ and ‘Barry’: A Tale of Two HBO Finales
Andy and Kaya give some instant reactions to the ‘Succession’ series finale (1:00) and talk about whether anyone can really “win” on the show (30:40). Then, Andy is joined by Sean Fennessey to talk about ‘Barry,’ the other major HBO series that recently concluded. They talk about ... Show More
1h 52m
May 2021
Netflix Plüs, the Dominance of ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ‘Girls5Eva,’ and ‘Mare of Easttown’ Episode 4
Chris and Andy talk about the news that Netflix is reportedly testing a service called N-Plus that would include podcasts about shows and other expanded watching experiences (4:05). After getting renewed for an 18th season, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ might be the most dominant show on tele ... Show More
56m 32s
Dec 2021
‘Succession’ S3E9: “All the Bells Say”
Chris and Andy break down the season finale of ‘Succession.’ They talk about the reveal that Kendall lived and how that affected their feelings about the show (1:00), the Roy kids finally banding together only to not get what they want (20:35), and where the show goes from here ( ... Show More
1h 3m
Jun 2022
Seven Reasons Why We Love ‘The Bear,' Plus ‘The Boys’ Check-in and ‘The Old Man'
Chris and Andy talk about the third episode of ‘The Old Man’ and what marks some turning points for the show (6:25). Then, they do a midseason check-in with ‘The Boys’ (20:22) before talking about why they love ‘The Bear’ (29:56). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy GreenwaldProducer: Kay ... Show More
1h 4m
May 2023
The ‘Bear’ Season 2 Trailer, Where 'Class of '09' Falls Short, and 'Barry' Season 4, Episode 6
Chris and Andy talk about the trailer for Season 2 of ‘The Bear,’ released this week (1:00), and why ‘Class of ’09,’ the FBI thriller series starring Kate Mara and Bryan Tyree Henry, falls short by trying to pack too much into the plot (14:54). Finally they talk about the unnervi ... Show More
52m 25s
May 2022
‘Better Call Saul’ Paces Itself. Plus, Will ‘Conversations With Friends’ Take Off Like ‘Normal People’ Did?
Chris and Andy talk about the final episode of the first half of ‘Better Call Saul’ Season 6 (1:00) and whether the final season needed to be split into two parts (15:48). Then they talk about the first few episodes of the newest screen adaptation of a Sally Rooney book, ‘Convers ... Show More
55m 8s
Jun 2022
The ‘Barry’ Season Finale. Plus, ‘Hacks’ Season 2 With Creators Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello, and Paul W. Downs
Chris and Andy talk about the Season 3 finale of ‘Barry’ and what puts this show in the conversation for best things they’ve seen this year (1:00). Then they talk briefly about the new Ben Whishaw show ‘This Is Going to Hurt’ (27:50), before Andy is joined by ‘Hacks’ creators Jen ... Show More
1h 17m
Jun 2022
‘The Boys’ Is Back and More Gory Than Ever. Plus, ‘Barry’ Is Only Getting Better
Chris and Andy talk about some of the news coming out of Netflix's Geeked Week, including a new show from the creators of ‘Dark’ (1:00). Then, they talk about the return of ‘The Boys’ for its third season and how the show continues to nail its tone (17:21), before talking about t ... Show More
55m 45s
Sep 2023
Streaming Inches Closer to Cable, Why the Latest 'Walking Dead' Spinoff Works, and 'The Changeling'
Chris and Andy talk about a quote from Warner Bros. CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels that streaming content "has been given away well below fair market value" and how services like Max continue to inch closer to becoming like old-school cable packages (1:00). Then they talk about the latest ... Show More
1h 17m
Apr 2023
‘Succession’ S4E4, “The Honeymoon States,” and the Premiere of the Final Season of ‘Barry’
Chris and Andy talk about the latest episode of ‘Succession.’ They discuss how Jesse Armstrong is increasingly writing this show like a stage play (1:00) and whether or not they were missing Brian Cox in this episode (37:39). Then they talk about the first two episodes of the fin ... Show More
1h 7m