Watching Mates

The Postrider Roundup is a new biweekly podcast from The Postrider, offering a dynamic, up-to-date look at American politics, from Congress to the campaign trail. On the Roundup, Lars Emerson and Michael Lovito dive into the latest developments in DC, analyzing elections, legislation, and the complexities of the ever-evolving political landscape with a unique blend of pragmatism, enthusiasm, and humor. Follow now to catch the episodes!

Who was the best president we never had? Lars Emerson and Michael Lovito from ThePostrider.com are dedicated to finding out as they work their way through the ultimate bracket of losing presidential candidates in American history. Follow along to the podcast with the live bracket at ThePostrider.com/FloorFight and reach out to us at contact@thepostrider.com or on Twitter to let us know who you'd pick!

In the Watching Mates season finale, Lars and Michael unpack the nascent Biden administration through the films "Free Guy" and "Minari."

The brief and tumultuous Trump administration proves to have one of the most direct impacts on American cinema, as Lars and Michael explore through the films Hell or High Water and BlacKkKlansman.

America's first Black president comes to office offering a vision for a united country and promising change, but is bogged down in the policies and crises of the prior administration, as Lars and Michael explore through the films "Gran Torino" and "Sicario."

Watching Mates co-host Lars Emerson introduces The Postrider team's newest general interest politics podcast, Politics Express. Subscribe now and check out the first episode, available wherever podcasts are found and on thepostrider.com.

The world changes dramatically over the course of George W. Bush's presidency. One place it changes most visibly is Hollywood, as Lars and Michael unpack through "Team America: World Police" in his first term and "The Dark Knight" in his second.

As American presidencies approach the modern day, Lars and Michael dive into the world of scandal, neoliberalism, and partisanship in the Clinton era through the films "Wag the Dog" and "The American President."

America gets a little grungier as President George H.W. Bush comes into office and Lars and Michael explore trends in cinema during his brief tenure, focusing on a zeitgeist of decline and the new American economic reality through the films "They Live" and "Roger & Me."

Knock knock, McFly! Lars and Michael discuss their film picks for the Reagan era -- how a decade of nostalgia viewed both the past and the future -- through the lens of the films "Back to the Future" and "Back to the Future Part II."

Lars and Michael discuss their film picks for the Carter era -- a blend of optimism, underdogs, and perhaps naivety over the coming backlash Jimmy Carter would face through the lens of "Rocky" and "Star Wars."

Lars and Michael discuss the films of the Ford administration, exploring government incompetence and corruption (or maybe it's just about a shark) through the lens of "Jaws" and "Chinatown." But in true Gerald Ford fashion, they spend most of the time talking about Watergate and Nixon anyway.

Lars and Michael discuss the films of the Nixon administration, reflecting on hippie culture, racism, a developing "us versus them" mentality within the United States -- and a whole bunch of dirty tricks -- through the lens of "Easy Rider" and "Blazing Saddles."

Lars and Michael discuss the films of the Johnson administration, reflecting on dramatic domestic progress and a distrust of America's foreign policy apparatus through the lens of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and "Dr. Strangelove."

Lars and Michael discuss the films of the Kennedy era, discussing themes of heroism and elitism in American society through the lens of "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and "Lolita."

Lars and Michael discuss the films of the Eisenhower era, comparing the infamous "The Blob" and the more-critically-acclaimed "Shane." The narratives on being driven from one's home, McCarthyism, and generational strife give context to Eisenhower's above-the-fray approach in his presidency.

In the first episode of Watching Mates, Lars and Michael team up to discuss the films of the Truman era, comparing film noirs "The Third Man" and "The Hitch-Hiker." The international intrigue and sense of being lost in a new world that are reflected in both films shapes their discussion on how President Truman had to adapt the United States and shape the world order as the first post-war president.

Running Mates stars Lars Emerson and Michael Lovito introduce their new show, Watching Mates.