137: Art and Commerce
Netflix brings back Sense8 (temporarily), PBS brings back Jane Tennison (temporarily), why the business of television is confusing to viewers, and the conundrum of writing about TV in the modern era.
Episodes
Tim Goodman's TV Talk Machine
Writer Tim Goodman (former SF Chronicle and Hollywood Reporter TV critic) talks irregularly with Jason Snell about television and other stuff. Released simultaneously worldwide to all international markets. Love to your mothers.
TV Talk Machine art by the late, great Don Asmussen.
Episodes
136: Fightin' Through Some Shows
Tim reviews FX’s new drama “Snowfall” and we discuss the potential Emmy nominees, including Tim’s secret wishes for surprise nominations. We keep it tight and bright, but make a point of reading your letters and tweets before Jason makes a break for the airport.
135: The Kevin Durant of TV
This week, the TV news is about Apple entering the TV game in a big way by hiring away the co-presidents of Sony Pictures Television. After shaking off a classic case of Banff Brain, Tim’s got a bunch of questions for Jason about how Apple might roll out a new premium video service. Peak TV? Not hardly. Another giant has entered the fray.
134: Damon Lindelof Didn't Lie
This week we’re all about endings—the season finale of “The Americans” and the series finale of “The Leftovers.” What’s the legacy of “The Leftovers” and where does it fit in Tim’s personal pantheon? Where has “The Americans” gone—and where is it going in its final season? Plus, we try to answer more of your questions!
133: An Expensive Mess
Are there cracks in Netflix’s facade, or was this just a bad week? We discuss the cancellation of “Sense8” and “The Get Down”, two expensive series from the service that famously doesn’t cancel shows. What does it all mean? We also pour one out for “Sense8” and answer a few of your letters, but once again, we’re tight and bright this week. Tim’s got places to be. Busy busy!
132: I Killed It With Wine
Tim’s back and so are “Master of None” and “Twin Peaks.” Tim loves the second season of Aziz Ansari’s Netflix series. Jason’s seen the first four hours of David Lynch’s weird revival and has an eyewitness report. We also talk quickly about Jon Stewart’s aborted HBO deal and where he might best fit and Tim’s visit with Ricky Gervais. Tight and bright this week!
131: Sad Balloon
With A&E and WGN America abandoning scripted programming, is this the beginning of the end of Peak TV? The bubble may have not burst, but the air may be finally leaking out. Tim and Jason analyze the possible futures of the television world. Plus we read a few of your letters.
130: I Sound Like a Madman
A strike is averted, “Sense8” and “Catastrophe” return, Jason watches “American Gods”, and we answer some letters.
129: Don't Make This!
Tim reviews the return of Amazon’s “Catastrophe”, Jason talks about “The Handmaid’s Tale”, we delve briefly into the controversy surrounding Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why”, and then express trepidation about a potential writer’s strike. Then it’s time for your letters, including a story about the wisdom of Jason Bateman.
128: They All Read the Book
While preparing for “Silicon Valley” and “Catastrophe” to return, Tim reviews “American Gods.” Is it perhaps a bit too faithful to the source material, or does it highlight failings in the original novel? We also revisit the definition of our TV “white whales”—and share listeners’ choices for great shows that aren’t available on streaming and/or disc.
127: The French Will Buy It
It’s the time of year when favorite old series return! We talk about “Better Call Saul”, “Fargo”, and “Veep” coming back, plus Jason self-Columbos, we talk subtitled dramas, and pine for some classic TV White Whales.
126: Checking the Fien Print
It’s the first week of baseball, and Jason & Tim are off. There’s no correlation there, but there could be. In any case, David’s back with special guest Dan Fienberg to talk about TV and machines, marsupials, roaming monkeys, terrifying mascot versions of nonexistent TV show characters, cookies, shows that just wrapped up seasons, even more streaming services, and the fine points of podcasting contracts. Things we like this week: 13 Reasons Why on Netflix 13 Reasons Why (book) on Amazon Britbox...
125: Gentle Columbo
Tim and Jason discuss the new Hulu series “Harlots”, break down (with very few spoilers) this season of “Legion” and why it appeals, and answer your letters.
124: Like a Mime in a Box
This week Tim and Jason spend some time discussing the future of cord-cutting and TV bundles and what consumers should pay for in the platinum age of television. Then we listen to your comments about “Legion” and “Twin Peaks”.
123: Guys in Hats
For St. Patrick’s Day, Tim reviews an Irish series that has arrived in America. Also, we break down Tim’s lengthy article comparing the modern king of the weird “Legion” to the 1990s weirdness of “Twin Peaks,” and what it means for the revival of “Twin Peaks” on Showtime later this year. (Hint: Showtime is not very happy with Tim right now.)
122: Pinprick of Nostalgia
We dip into the past to talk about the 20th anniversary of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the 15th anniversary of “The Shield.” Plus we answer a whole lot of your letters, including conversations about TV romantic comedies and TV comfort food.
121: Ups and Lows
“Making History”, “The Americans”, “National Treasure”, Tim reveals his long hug con, and we answer your questions.
120: ...Unless You Try to Overachieve
Tim reviews the surprisingly good (and questionably titled) “Patriot”, and finds it to be one of the best new shows on TV. Also we revisit “Legion,” so Jason can concur with Tim’s rave review. And from the UK comes “National Treasure,” a show that does not involve Nicolas Cage even a little bit.
119: Best in Show
With Jason traveling across time and space, David joins Tim to talk about humans (or not), robot animals (or not), the shows they’re each thinking about watching (or not), some live events (or not), and what TV shows Apple should produce (or not).
118: Crack for Every Executive
This week Tim tells his THR origin story, reviews HBO’s “Big Little Lies”, gripes about Fox’s “APB”, ponders the rebuilding of TV’s Death Star, and answers your questions.
117: A Couple of Episodes In
Tim prepares for a “Not a Thing” laden Fox crime series, Jason returns to outer space, spy animals are revealed, and The Riches finally comes back.
116: Like a Book... So I'm Told
Tim makes a vow to finish more series! We say a fond farewell to Mary Tyler Moore. The visuals in FX’s “Legion” are trippy, but it’s more a drama about mental illness than a shiny X-Men vehicle. All this and your letters, this week on the TV Talk Machine…
115: Go Beneath the Memes
This week Tim covers his reviews of “Teachers” season 2 and “Victoria”, takes time to point out how people quick to jump on HBO’s “The Young Pope” may be missing the mark, and praises the Acorn streaming service. Plus, Jason reviews “Sherlock” and we answer a bunch of your letters.
114: Vacuum of Incompetence
Jason’s back to talk with Tim about the Golden Globes, returning series (“Colony”, “Teachers”, “Homeland”), the stability of the CW, a time-travel show Jason likes (“Travelers”), and a bunch of new series, including “Victoria,” “Sneaky Pete,” “The Young Pope,” and “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”
113: One Topic at a Time
This is it. With Jason in the five-oh, we’ve rebooted for the New Year as David and Tim talk about the reimagined “Emerald City,” the reconceived “One Day at a Time,” the reconstituted Golden Globes, the reputable “Taboo,” and more.
112: I'm Gonna Watch Those Snakes
This week we wrap 2016 with Tim’s lists of best performances and episodes of the year, as well as a dip into the dark side for the worst shows of the past 12 months. Happy new year, everybody!
111: A Host At Your Own Party
This week we recap the startlingly successful TVTM meet-up in San Francisco, and Tim goes over his top network TV shows of the year.
110: Let's Casey Kasem This
This week Tim walks us through his 38 best TV shows of the year, one by one. Plus: We announce the details of our meet-up! Come see us Monday, December 19 at 6 p.m. at 21st Amendment on 2nd Street in San Francisco.
109: Making Lists is Hard
Tim readies his end-of-year best lists, Jason presents his own top 10 shows list, and we discuss how “Westworld” is the hit HBO needed.
108: You Guys Were So Civil Before
Network execs flee from press tour, Jason brings in lots of news headlines, and Tim reviews “Incorporated.”