Not one but two freewheeling roundtable discussions of the tsunamis reordering the television world this week.

First, a gathering of internet all-stars convene to discuss the American Idol finale and the state of singing contests in general.  We are joined by Vulture's Dave Holmes, Grantland's Tess Lynch and the AV Club's Emily Yoshida to chew over the twists and turns of Idol, The Voice and The X Factor season ahead.

Then a report from the TV upfronts.  Two hard-nosed reporters who were on the scene tell us about the networks' presentations of their seasons ahead, what we can expect to be watching - or ignoring - this fall and about the state of network television in general.  Vulture's Denise Martin and Hitfix's Geoff Berkshire give us the inside story.

Plus - thoughts about the New Boring: Hollywood's gold standard for weightiness.  

And a new theme song by The Ventures. 

Tales of true crimes and other sordid misdeeds on this week's show.

First off, blogger and Master Detective Michelle McNamara, author of the True Crime Diary blog talks about her life in and around crime.  One of America's premiere internet slueths we discuss how the tools of the internet can let an amateur investigator leapfrog police investigations and in particular, her work on the red hot track of one horrific serial killer.

We are then joined by comedian, raconteur and author Dave Hill who tells us about his new memoir, Tasteful Nudes.  We discuss the writing process, the comedy process, the getting into silly situations process and what makes a truly idiosyncratic personality like Dave Hill.

Plus - thoughts about the end of Smash, the finale of Survivor and mood setting music!

An extra special podcast this week, on Idols and Heroes

First, the great Kris Allen, champion of American Idol Season 8, stops by to talk about his new album, Thank You Camellia, the road up from Idol, the music of America's megachurches and what it has been like accepting celebrity since his stunning victory three years ago.

Then summer movie season is upon us.  We convene our roundtable of entertainment intellectuals to talk about the super-duper-sizing of Superheroes and whether the caped invasion has finally run its course.  No holds barred discussion with Jim Gibson, author Kathy Charles, and Hitfix's Geoff Berkshire.  

Plus - more thoughts on the great Hype/Backlash continuum! 

Two veteran journalists who have made careers writing about the stories others don't dare go near join us for this episode.

Mark Ebner, author of Hollywood Interrupted, chats about his years on the Scientology beat, his recent work bringing in from the cold a member of the infamous Bling Ring, and how he has managed to make a life chasing down wild stories and turned that into a career.

Next, Susannah Breslin, one of the internet's great voices visits and tells about her years covering porn valley and how she has made a career of internet writing, contributing to over 100 websites in her day.

Plus - thoughts on the LA Riots at 20!  And interstitial music!