It’s hard to make a TV show even in an era of peak TV, but what’s even harder is finding an audience willing (and aware enough) to return for a second season. As “Atlanta”, “Jessica Jones”, “Sneaky Pete” and “Legion” return, why is it so hard to break through and reach viewers for a second season? Also, Tim reviews HBO’s “Barry” and the return of “Sneaky Pete”, and we still have time to fit in two classic reader letters about the past and future of foreign-language dubbing.
Mar 09, 2018•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week Tim brings back the Power Rankings and reviews the new show from the creator of “Luther”, plus we have a whole lot of follow-up about Netflix season summaries, dubbing, and the Olympics. Finally, we may have reached Peak Cop/Not-a-Cop.
Mar 03, 2018•49 min•Ep 166•Transcript available on Metacast The show is not cancelled! After a week off, we’re back to discuss Tim’s latest reviews—of “Everything Sucks”, “Final Space”, “McMafia”, and season two of “Atlanta.” Also, who’s winning the streaming wars? And we answer your letters.
Feb 24, 2018•57 min•Ep 165•Transcript available on Metacast Are we living in a golden age for televised science fiction and fantasy? Tim thinks it might be possible. We discuss “Altered Carbon” and wonder if it’s just the latest in a string of prestige, high-profile series that have elevated the genre to new heights.
Feb 09, 2018•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast So many reviews, so little time! In this tight-and-bright edition of the TVTM, we’ve got Tim’s reviews of three new series: HBO’s supernatural family drama “Here and Now”, Netflix’s spectacular sci-fi noir “Altered Carbon”, and Amazon’s Bulgarian FBI drama “Absentia”. Plus, a quick run through some letters about bad titles, “Detectorists”, cold hard cash, and the merits of remaining indoors.
Feb 02, 2018•26 min•Ep 163•Transcript available on Metacast This week we talk about all the topics in Tim’s grab-bag column, including the roles of various premium cable channels in the TV landscape, the size of Apple’s TV budget, and the fate of Hulu. We also read your letters, including more praise of “Sad Spies” (“Patriot”), an Ohio geography update, and an Important Cricket Correction.
Jan 26, 2018•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week Tim takes you under the sea for “Blue Planet 2”, tries to understand the origins of Steven Soderbergh’s “Mosaic”, and praises (one last time?) “Detectorists.” Then it’s time to muse about the role of a TV critic in the era of peak TV and if it’s better to bypass shows that you know aren’t worth anyone’s time. We close with a surprising range of listener letters from all over the world, and Ohio too!
Jan 20, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week David Letterman returns to TV with a new Netflix interview show, Jason gets excited about Starz’s “Counterpart”, Tim dives in to Amazon’s new sci-fi anthology series “Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams”, and we ponder what is to become of the Fox network after it’s severed from its parent studio. Plus, Jason’s love letter to “Detectorists”, Tim jumps aboard the “End of the Fxxxing World” bandwagon, and a letter writer might have gaslighted us—or is it gaslit?
Jan 12, 2018•49 min•Ep 160•Transcript available on Metacast It’s 2018 and we’ve got a fresh start! This week Tim ignores all the Golden Globes predictions, pans a network comedy, and is forced to pick some of his least favorite things of 2017. Plus, Jason takes possession of “screeners” and watches some sad spies.
Jan 06, 2018•50 min•Ep 159•Transcript available on Metacast This week Tim reviews “Gunpowder”, a perfectly nice HBO historical miniseries he didn’t ask for, and then talks about his contributions to lists of the best TV episodes and performances of the year. Then we turn to dive into Disney’s purchase of Fox, which has huge ramifications for the future of TV. Finally, we turn to Tim’s carefully curated playlists of Christmas music!
Dec 22, 2017•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast This is the big one—in a year with 500-plus scripted TV series, Tim walks us through his 46 top TV shows of 2017. There are some surprise additions, some old standards who have fallen down a little bit on the list, and even a few broadcast network TV series!
Dec 16, 2017•59 min•Ep 157•Transcript available on Metacast Like Santa, Tim’s making his list (of the best TV shows) and checking it twice before posting. In the meantime, though, he’s seen all of the new “Black Mirror” season! We also reflect on scaling back on social media, the role of the critic, and answer your emails.
Dec 08, 2017•49 min•Ep 156•Transcript available on Metacast This week we check in on terrible people in Hollywood and marvel at the Hugh Laurie TV series that nobody seems to have heard of. Jason endorses “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, “Runaways”, and “Mosaic.” Tim gives the Golden Globes some advice. And if you’re worried about catching up with the zeitgeist before the holidays, have we got a list for you.
Dec 01, 2017•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’re back with Tim’s reviews of two new British comedy imports—“Back” and “Ill Behavior”—both of which come from noble families but only one of which passes Tim’s test to become one of the great comedies of the fall. There’s also Paul Reiser’s labor of love “There’s… Johnny,” which Hulu may have accidentally acquired in a mystery box, and a fascinating feminist western from Netflix called “Godless.” We also preview Amy Sherman-Palladino’s “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” coming to Amazon later this mon...
Nov 17, 2017•1 hr 1 min•Ep 154•Transcript available on Metacast Apple buys another high-profile series, “The A Word” makes its triumphant return, and then we have to talk about all the terrible news about terrible men in the entertainment industry doing terrible things. What happens next? Can we engage with art created by people who we know are terrible? Ugh.
Nov 11, 2017•1 hr 11 min•Ep 153•Transcript available on Metacast Tim and Jason are back to discuss Tim’s latest Power Rankings, the new comedy “SMILF”, and Fall TV’s surprises and mega-fails. Plus, a new nerdy TV tangent and your questions.
Nov 04, 2017•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week Tim’s notebook is full, as we discuss the fate of Amazon Studios after the ignominious departure of its leader, and the threat to the TV industry (or not) posed by Facebook Watch and YouTube Red. Tim also has reviews of “S.W.A.T.” and “Loudermilk”, and we answer your questions!
Oct 20, 2017•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week Tim and Jason are back from Canada! Jason quizzes Tim on his panels in Vancouver, we discuss the new season of “Mr. Robot” (Tim’s a fan!), and then dive into a discussion of the challenges Netflix and Apple face as they prepare to face off in the world of streaming video. Plus, we introduce the new Double-Columbo format for TVTM, which is sure to confuse all listeners.
Oct 13, 2017•51 min•Ep 150•Transcript available on Metacast Tim and Jason got together in Canada and did a podcast in front of a live studio audience, all thanks to the awesome people at VIFF, the Vancouver International Film Festival. We drank some wine and talked Canadian TV, Apple’s challenge in starting a video service, the return of Larry David to TV, the artistic challenges for filmmakers in a world of peak TV, and more—including some (quiet) questions from the audience.
Oct 04, 2017•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s a reviews lightning round, as Tim covers five network TV series in rapid succession. Then we talk about Tim’s Power Rankings! for top nonfiction programming. We also answer an awful lot of your emails and tweets.
Sep 22, 2017•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast The box is checked early this week as Tim discusses why the entire TV industry has completely lost its mind. Directives from billionaires! Threats from CFOs! Face scanning technology from Apple! We keep it tight and bright this week but still spend a lot of time talking about a disaster of a show, “Riviera,” and almost no time on one of the best returning shows on the air, “Better Things.” Isn’t it just like us to accentuate the negative?
Sep 16, 2017•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week Tim breaks some news about “Veep”, breaks down some popular Power Rankings! ensembles, and answers your letters.
Sep 08, 2017•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we’ve got the hottest podcast in the world! No, seriously—Tim and Jason are trapped inside on the hottest day of the year. But this episode is packed with conversation, from Tim’s new Power Rankings! list of escapist TV to Tim and Jason’s reactions to Amazon’s “The Tick.” We also announce a forthcoming live TVTM episode in Vancouver, British Columbia! And finally, Tim breaks his promise to watch all of “Twin Peaks: The Return” and swears off the series entirely, because life is too sh...
Sep 02, 2017•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’re back! Tim weaponizes his ignorance to write about shows he hasn’t seen! We discuss “The Defenders”, which Tim and Jason have both watched. There’s anticipation for “The Tick” and the season finale of “Game of Thrones”, and of course, we answer some of your letters.
Aug 23, 2017•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tim’s back from the Death March With Cocktails! But before we close the books on his 18 days “in residence,” it’s time to recap the highlights of the last week of the summer press tour, including plenty of Netflix news and an address from the “mayor of television,” FX’s John Landgraf. Plus Tim reviews “Get Shorty” and “Atypical” and unveils a new edition of The Power Rankings!
Aug 11, 2017•41 min•Ep 143•Transcript available on Metacast Tim’s still in residence at the Death March With Cocktails. This week it’s all about the health of the broadcast TV networks. Tim’s pity for the difficult lot of the network executive is turned on its head when he has drinks with the president of The CW and it turns out… things are looking up! NBC’s president seconds the notion. So what does this mean for the failure analysis of network television, and the future of its programming? Also, in an absolute shocker: The Power Rankings! return.
Aug 05, 2017•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tim’s in residence at the Television Critics Association summer press tour, where he’s moved rooms, struggled with Netflix streaming screeners, and fought his mini bar. Still, he managed to find time to talk with Jason about the latest word from HBO, Starz, Hulu, and more, plus reviews of “The Last Tycoon” and the return of “People of Earth.” Check the box and see how much Wi-Fi is in the tank, we’re doing this!
Jul 29, 2017•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tim reviews HBO’s “Insecure”, which is back for an excellent second season. Then we discuss HBO’s peculiar way of announcing a new series from the “Game of Thrones” producers that led to a whole lot of controversy—and ponder whether that series will ever get off the ground.
Jul 22, 2017•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tim reacts to the Emmy nominations, reviews “I’m Sorry”, and lets out a cry for help about why he had to review “Salvation.” Plus, some follow-up about “Twin Peaks: The Return.”
Jul 14, 2017•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Tim reviews HBO’s Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre documentary, we talk some more about the weird world of modern TV writing, and then something bizarre and inexplicable happens: Tim has finally seen the first four episodes of “Twin Peaks: The Return.” So we talk about it. Sometimes podcasting can be therapy, too.
Jul 07, 2017•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
