When you spend the bulk of your life reading, writing, and building lesson plans, sometimes your brain needs a break. Join two of your favorite political theory professors - Danielle Hanley and John McMahon - as they switch gears from the world’s so-called great books to break down some of your favorite TV shows. The twist? Only one of your hosts has seen the show before.
First up? The Americans.
127. The Americans draft, with Michaela Rife, Jordan Cass, and Mike Rensink
We may be chilling with Arkadii, listening to U2, but we are not quite done podcasting yet. Danielle and John are joined once again by Jordan Cass and Michaela Rife, this time for the podcast industry stalwart DRAFT EPISODE! Team NQGB is competing against each other to draft the best slate of main character, season, episode, scene, American character, Soviet character, and wild card from the whole of The Americans.
But that's not all! Previous guest, friend of the show, and trusted Americans font of wisdom Mike Rensink, joins John after the draft (2:01:08) to adjudicate the winner of the draft based on the anonymized results he received.
Who makes the most baffling pick? Who gets a pick vetoed? Who loves grain the most? Who shocks their friends with their secret villain mode? Most importantly, who wins the draft? Tune in to find out.
8 Oct 2026
126. The Americans 6x10, "START," with Jon Keller
Jon Keller returns for the SERIES FINALE of The Americans, “START.” Through the lens of promises, these three consider the episode’s beats step-by-step, from the initial scene with Philip and Elizabeth in the safehouse, to Stan’s attempts to locate them before setting up at Paige’s, to the confrontation in the parking garage. They reevaluate Stan’s position after the parking garage scene, and analyze the Jennings’ decisions around and phone call to Henry before turning to the train scene, Paige’s decisive choice, Stan and Henry, and Moscow.
Danielle tries to claim Renee-related victory in the Dossier, but John disabuses her of this notion. In Glas, they revisit Aderholt, get excited that Arkadii’s back (!), and analyze the Gregory dreamscape. In Borrowed Nostalgia For the Unremembered Eighties, they turn to their Gen-X correspondent, Jon Keller, to understand how large U2 loomed in 1987 before John FINALLY reveals the origin of the segment’s name. In the Cave, Tragedy SZN comes to an official close with a quick discussion of Euripides’ Heracles.
Neither sinus infections nor sadness over the conclusion of this journey could stop faithful NQGB hosts. Enjoy!
And, stay tuned for MORE end-of-The Americans episodes in the coming weeks before we say goodbye for good.
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Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
24 Sept 2026
126. The Americans 6x9, "Jennings, Elizabeth," with Lilly Goren
Lilly Goren returns for the penultimate episode of The Americans, “Jennings, Elizabeth”! Together with Lilly, Danielle and John take up the theme of traitors to organize their discussion. Lilly prompts the trio to consider whether Elizabeth is a traitor, and if so, to whom/what entity? They unpack Elizabeth’s actions and choices, her conversations with Paige and Claudia, as well as her ongoing reminiscences. They analyze Stan’s suspicions and his conversation with Adherholt, and ask whether Stan or Oleg should be viewed as a traitor. The trio concludes the main discussion by touching on Philip’s call that causes Elizabeth to prepare the go-bag.
This week’s Dossier includes to Danielle wish-casting about Renee, and some questions from the others. Glas includes a lot of clergy-talk, as your hosts contemplate not only whether Fathers Andrei or Viktor are traitors, along with the (unfortunately for Danielle) return of Pastor Tim, who proves to be a real one. In Borrowed Nostalgia, Danielle rants about Paige’s anti-feminism, everyone laughs about Stan’s MS-DOS computer, and they offer the penultimate fit-check for the Jennings crew. Lilly delights us all in the Cave with a wildcard entry for TragedySZN with Shakespeare’s Richard III.
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Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Who has been a guest on Not Quite Great Books: a TV podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Lilly Goren
Amy Schiller
Jordan Cass
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 50 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
70
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
76
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Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Not Quite Great Books: a TV podcast
Who hosts Not Quite Great Books: a TV podcast?
John and Danielle host the show. Published by Danielle Hanley & John McMahon.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes bi-weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Not Quite Great Books: a TV podcast take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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