Tim Goodman's TV Talk Machine
256 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 months ago - ★★★★ - 116 ratingsWriter 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.
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Episodes
56: I Hope This Series Dies
October 23, 2015 15:00 - 36 minutes - 16.6 MBThis week we spend a lot of time on listener mail, plus talk high expectations for “Supergirl,” low expectations for “Wicked City,” and ponder TV comfort food.
55: The Tim Lincecum Episode
October 17, 2015 01:37 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MBThe shows just keep on coming! This week Tim talks about season two of “The Knick”, season 6 of “The Walking Dead”, and the inauspicious premiere of “Truth Be Told.” Plus some Dodgers schadenfreude, mysterious series pick-ups, and trying to figure out when to give up on old favorites.
54: Don't Be Late
October 09, 2015 22:26 - 1 hour - 32.4 MBTim’s back from Vancouver and we’ve got a whole lot of premieres to cover. “Fargo”, “The Knick”, “Casual”, “Red Oaks”, “The Last Kingdom”, “Manhattan”, “The Walking Dead”, “The Flash”, and more! Plus: why “Halt and Catch Fire” got renewed, Jason’s reports on “The Flash”, “Blindspot”, and The “Limitless”, and we answer your letters.
53: Cheated on Its Viewers
October 02, 2015 18:44 - 46 minutes - 21.2 MB“The Affair” plays fast and loose with memory, “Game of Thones” positions itself for Emmy domination, and we answer your questions.
52: Sneak Force
September 26, 2015 01:17 - 46 minutes - 21.2 MBThe wave of fall TV premieres continues, as we go back over “Minority Report,” “Blindspot/Doodle Booty,” and “The Muppets” before moving on to preview “The Grinder,” “Grandfathered,” “Blood and Oil,” “Quantico,” “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” “Code Black,” “Dr. Ken,” and more. Plus, it’s our first birthday! “I am an awful person and a TV critic.”—Tim Goodman, chief TV critic, The Hollywood Reporter
51: Welcome to THR, Dan
September 19, 2015 03:41 - 1 hour - 31.2 MBTim returns from Big Sur and Jason returns from Portland just in time to watch the Emmys and gape at the massive number of fall TV premieres coming in the next week. Tim reveals why his new Hollywood Reporter TV critic colleague, Dan Fienberg, is getting stuck with all the lousy shows! We talk “Casual,” “Blindspot,” “Bastard Executioner,” “You’re the Worst,” “Minority Report” (based on that old movie), “The Player” (not based on that old movie), “Limitless” (based on that recent movie), and a...
50: Jason Missed This?
September 12, 2015 04:19 - 59 minutes - 28.5 MBTim is joined by David Loehr on the sands of Waikiki—or somewhere—to talk about the first week of Colbert, the last week in Apple TV, the next week in upcoming shows, and the best new fall title that isn’t actually a show’s title.
49: Otters for the Win
September 04, 2015 21:23 - 59 minutes - 27.5 MB“Mr. Robot” takes a final bow as the show of the summer, Apple is rumored to be pondering its own Netflix-like TV service, PBS and the BBC take a chance on Monterey Bay, and Stephen Colbert prepares for his CBS premiere. Plus, Jason reads your letters and Tim answers them!
48: What Happens Next? (Plus Bonus Content)
August 28, 2015 23:08 - 1 hour - 34.8 MBIn this episode we get a little deep, as Tim and whatever-his-name-is discuss the future of scripted television. How will these Times of Confusion end? Are we at “Peak TV” yet? Will Millennials watch anything but YouTube? How can shows reach the audiences they need to stay on the air? Are we doomed to a future with scripted material that’s broader and less appealing than today’s series? Then we make up our missed week by tacking on special bonus content, featuring your letters and a special...
47: Binge It Like Cocaine
August 20, 2015 00:32 - 46 minutes - 21.4 MBTim’s back from press tour! After a brief chat about the personnel problems at “The Good Wife,” we talk Netflix’s “Narcos” and then answer a whole lot of listener feedback.
46: A Couple of Pops
August 12, 2015 23:46 - 55 minutesTwo weeks later, Tim checks in again from the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour! We’ve got information about ABC, Amazon, AMC, CBS, DirecTV, Fox, FX, Hulu, PBS, Showtime, Starz, Syfy, and even NBC! Plus, Tim and Jason talk about Jon Stewart’s “Daily Show” finale.
45: It's Fun to Make Shows
July 31, 2015 21:47 - 35 minutes - 16.5 MBTim reports in live from L.A. at the Television Critics Association summer press tour to recount his first week, including sessions from Netflix, Comedy Central, HBO, Nat Geo, and BBC America. Plus we cover the rapid growth of Netflix and the systemic changes that make it harder for Trevor Noah to succeed Jon Stewart, and Peter Capaldi explains what a lollipop man is.
44: The Willie McCovey Episode
July 24, 2015 15:54 - 41 minutes - 19.2 MBTim and Jason are back with an all-feedback episode! The Emmy Awards, comedy in TV movies, “Penny Dreadful,” family TV shows, why Australians love the TVTM, and more recipes plus haiku from Amy in the 415!
43: Particularly Egregious
July 16, 2015 22:25 - 53 minutes - 24.5 MBThe 2015 Emmy Awards nominations are here, and in this special episode Tim breaks them all down—the obvious choices, the pleasantly surprising decisions… and, yeah, the outrageous omissions. Accept no substitutes for the TVTM’s instant Emmy analysis!
42: 18 Crazy Nights
July 10, 2015 21:41 - 1 hour - 29 MBTim and Jason aren’t at Comic-Con, though Jason’s just back from San Diego and Tim’s getting ready for the Death March With Cocktails later this month. In the meantime, both of them talk about Keith Olbermann, Hannibel Burress, “Rectify”, “Masters of Sex”, “Ray Donovan”, “Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll”, and Jason reports in on “Zoo”, “Mr. Robot”, and “Humans.” Plus, we answer your questions!
41: Only in Monroe
July 03, 2015 23:50 - 51 minutes - 23.6 MBDavid & Tim talk about Jason’s vacation, Olbermann’s vocation, James Patterson’s predation, Velcoro’s damnation, Pixar’s elation, and for the Colbert Nation, the Monroe, MI local cable access channel’s newest sensation.
40: Forget It, It's NBC
June 27, 2015 00:11 - 1 hour - 28.6 MBIt’s summer, and that means it’s time for an attack of nerdy shows! Tim’s watched AMC’s “Humans” and USA’s “Mr. Robot.” Jason’s seen “Dark Matter” and “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.” Tim’s talked to the creator of “Extant.” Plus we answer your questions!
39: Refurbished Hugs
June 20, 2015 00:10 - 58 minutes - 26.7 MBTim and Jason talk about the Game of Thrones finale and whether the show has failed our high expectations. Plus Jason reports back on two geeky shows, and we answer your questions. (Consult your doctor before binge listening.)
38: Awake at Good Times
June 13, 2015 00:22 - 57 minutes - 26.5 MBTim's back from his trips to Austin and Banff with reports on his favorite panels and a very special meetup. Plus we talk about the return of "True Detective" and "Orange is the New Black," detail some Emmy news, and Jason reports on his ongoing challenge of watching geeky shows Tim just won't review.
37: Could Be a Thing
June 05, 2015 16:40 - 30 minutes - 14 MBThis week Tim’s in Austin, but Tim’s poor time-shifted clone can’t partake of tacos and beer until he does a podcast. First Tim unloads a bunch of shows he’s not going to watch or review (“Sense8,” “Dark Matter,” “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell”) onto Jason, who strangely agrees to watch many of them. Then we read your theories about TV animals, praise a TVTM binge listener, and read the greatest letter ever received by the TVTM.
36: The Loser Channel
May 29, 2015 23:25 - 29 minutes - 13.5 MBThis week Tim touches the third rails of podcasting, as we talk about sports (the Warriors reaching the NBA Finals) and politics (the hypocrisy of the Duggar family and the cynicism of their network, TLC) before moving on to our final coverage of “Mad Men” with your feedback on the finale.
35: Updike It
May 22, 2015 23:15 - 1 hour - 36.8 MBThis week it’s a three-man booth as David Loehr joins Jason and Tim to talk about the “Man Men” finale, as well as David Letterman’s swan song.
34: Theories in My Mailbox
May 15, 2015 21:24 - 49 minutes - 22.9 MBThe end approaches for Don Draper, and so in this episode Tim discusses his expectations for the “Mad Men” finale. Plus we answer your “Mad Men” finale questions and address some brief TV news. Harry Shearer, please call James L. Brooks if you’re reading this.
33: A Pilot Does Nothing
May 08, 2015 17:51 - 52 minutes - 24.2 MBThe network upfronts are in full swing, so this week Tim and Jason talk about what’s been cancelled and what’s been renewed. But not about new show orders, because in accordance with TV Talk Machine policy, Tim officially doesn’t care until he sees the show. Also: a “Mad Men” check-in, the intriguing new drama “Wayward Pines,” and your letters!
32: Green Brains & Ham
May 02, 2015 02:38 - 1 hour - 19.1 MBTim is joined by David again to talk shows that made them happy (and not happyish), shows that stream & the services that love them, they wonder what some of these people were thinking, and hey, does anyone want a Barbarella series? We’ll do it!
31: Bonus Criticism
April 24, 2015 23:49 - 51 minutes - 23.8 MBThis week Tim and Jason break down the return of “Orphan Black,” Tim rants about how the beloved “The Americans” failed to stick the landing in its season finale, and Showtime’s “Happyish” has some serious problems. Plus more discussion of how “Mad Men” is spending its final few hours, and Tim has a cure for Jason’s cold.
30: Bullets Hurt
April 17, 2015 21:54 - 47 minutes - 21.6 MBThis week we send “Justified” into retirement, get excited about the return of BBC America’s “Orphan Black,” re-open the debate about “Daredevil,” get diverted by debating good and bad series finales, and answer more of your questions.
29: He's Not Gonna Be Happy
April 10, 2015 22:57 - 59 minutes - 27.5 MBSo much returning TV! Jason re-joins Tim to talk about the returns of “Louie”, “Game of Thrones”, “Silicon Valley”, “Veep” and “Mad Men.” Plus, what the heck happened to “The Last Man on Earth”? And, as always, we answer some listener questions.
28: People Made This?
April 04, 2015 02:36 - 1 hour - 34.4 MBTim doesn’t miss a week as he’s joined by designated guest co-host David J. Loehr to talk about the Daily Show, the nightly shows, undead shows, zombie shows, limited run shows, long running shows, comfort food shows…they talk about a lot of shows…
27: Werewolf Don Draper
March 27, 2015 12:15 - 24 minutes - 11.5 MBTim’s seen the first episode of the final run of “Mad Men!” But he’s been given a long list of details he’s not allowed to talk about. So we speak obliquely about what to expect from “Mad Men” in this final run of seven episodes. Plus we ponder the CBS demographic and try to save a marriage by suggesting a solid collection of limited-run series.
26: Hang In There
March 20, 2015 22:45 - 25 minutes - 11.7 MBTim and Jason discuss the stunning finale of “The Jinx,” preview the arrival of James Corden’s “Late Late Show” and why Corden took the job, and answer some of your questions.
25: Cubism Remake
March 12, 2015 21:02 - 46 minutes - 21.3 MBTim’s about to flee televised civilization for the comforts of a vacation, but before he goes he’s got some time to rant about how not to remake a European TV series. In this case, the Gracepointed show in question is “The Returned.” We also cover some upcoming shows and read listener comments and questions, most of which seem to do with tormenting Jason with more bad television.
24: It's Not a Thing
March 06, 2015 22:34 - 1 hour - 31 MBJason reports back on his TV Torture Machine assignment, “CSI: Cyber,” much to Tim’s evil glee. Plus “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Last Man on Earth,” “Billy & Billie,” and “Battle Creek.”
23: Alphabet of Awfulness
February 27, 2015 23:09 - 57 minutes - 26.6 MBAfter some brief reflections about Leonard Nimoy, Jason and Tim turn to “The Last Man on Earth,” “American Crime,” and “Secrets and Lies.” Tim challenges Jason to watch “CSI: Cyber.” We anticipate “Broadchurch” and “Dig” and Tim puts off watching “Battle Creek.” Plus: More CW strategy and we answer your questions about hated shows and dark and bleak TV.
22: There's No Science in Television
February 20, 2015 23:39 - 51 minutes - 23.8 MBThe Emmys finally change their rules—but is it really an improvement? Plus, Tim’s reaction to the new “House of Cards” season and the “Odd Couple” premiere, “Two and a Half Men” and “Parks and Recreation” come to an end, the Oscars loom, and Tim and Jason answer some listener questions.
21: Hoisted on His Own Petard
February 12, 2015 22:17 - 1 hour - 29.4 MBAnchors, away! Tim and Jason discuss Jon Stewart’s departure from “The Daily Show” and Brian Williams’s apparent end on “NBC Nightly News.” Plus, more praise for HBO’s “The Jinx” (which is not suitable for Date Nights), a look at Amazon’s new drama “Bosch,” and we try to answer some more listener feedback.
20: That's a No
February 07, 2015 00:30 - 48 minutes - 22.2 MBA look at the new drama series “Allegiance,” “Better Call Saul,” and “The Slap,” plus the HBO documentary series “The Jinx.” Plus the return of “Walking Dead” and “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” and Tim reminds us why the ladies love LL Cool J. Then there’s the big question: Is the Television Critics Association press tour just a series of Junior High-type mixers? Don’t ask Tim—all he remembers is the shrimp and booze.
19: Dots and Stars and Little Men
January 31, 2015 01:39 - 54 minutes - 25.2 MBThe Power Rankings may be on hiatus, but Tim is here to praise the show that would be at number one if they existed: FX’s “The Americans.” Plus, advance praise for ABC’s new sitcom “Fresh off the Boat.” Plus: Avoiding the Super Bowl, our bad ideas for a new TV spy series, and we answer your emails.
18: Slow Burn Everybody
January 24, 2015 02:37 - 1 hour - 32.6 MBTim’s back from winter press tour with news of Fox and FX and reviews of “Backstrom” and “Better Call Saul.” Plus Tim and Jason discuss the massive number of scripted shows out there—with an actual number, thanks to the FX research department. Also we ponder why anyone would tune out PBS when it offers cancer, mortality, and math; Jason gets confused and thinks “Wolf Hall” is a “Game of Thrones” spin-off; and we read a bunch of listener questions.
17: Times of Confusion!
January 16, 2015 23:26 - 53 minutes - 24.8 MBWe’re bringers, bringing our brand halo to a hungry audience that’s overwhelmed by choice. Okay, it’s week two of the Death March With Cocktails and Tim may have gone a little loopy. But we’ve still got loads of information from winter press tour, including baiting Donald Trump, ABC’s alien whispers and questionable series promotional techniques, new stuff from AMC, Comedy Central, Amazon, Netflix, NBC, and the CW.
16: Death March With Flask
January 09, 2015 21:03 - 28 minutes - 13.4 MBAfter five days “in residence,” Tim reports in live from the TV Critics Association press tour in Pasadena. Among the topics: Why critics don’t clap, chance encounters with Scottish showrunners, and why Netflix’s numbers don’t matter. Tim gets name-checked in a tchotchke and an HBO ad. Plus, we look ahead to the next week and a half (!) of the press tour.
15: The Best TV of 2014
December 31, 2014 04:27 - 54 minutes - 25.2 MBPositivity abounds! In this episode, Tim and Jason go over Tim’s lists of the best TV shows of 2014. Nothing but sunshine and great television here! Let it never be said that Tim is not someone who loves (good) TV!
14: No Love Lost
December 20, 2014 00:32 - 44 minutes - 20.4 MBTim and Jason talk about the turnover in late-night, with Stephen Colbert and Craig Ferguson departing and James Corden and Larry Willmore on the horizon. Plus, Jason annoys his wife with “Ascension” jokes and Tim answers letters from old-school fans of the podcast. Happy holidays, everyone!
13: Midseason Math
December 13, 2014 00:49 - 1 hour - 29.1 MBTim and Jason discuss the Golden Globe TV nominees, the phenomenon of midseason finales, and answer listener questions.
12: Asscension
December 06, 2014 00:21 - 1 hour - 28.8 MBTim and Jason talk “Peter Pan Live,” and then dive into reader questions, including a brutal review Tim didn’t remember writing, the appeal of “Jane the Virgin,” mid-season replacement shows, and holiday TV episodes.
11: Turkeys
November 27, 2014 21:14 - 37 minutes - 17.4 MBIn the spirit of Thanksgiving, we list some TV we’re thankful for. Also, inevitably, things get a bit dark when we talk about some of the fall season’s true turkeys. Also, we answer more listener questions, including other TV critics, top fantasy shows, TV reboots, and a guide to when to stop watching a show.
10: Gracepointed
November 21, 2014 22:49 - 47 minutes - 21.7 MBIn this episode Tim and Jason talk about something that can delight even the most toughened critic: a pleasant surprise. Tim revisits “Homeland” and discovers that the show may be turning it around, and finds an unexpectedly solid scripted drama on Bravo. Also, we answer listener questions about antiheroes, remakes, and co-productions.
9: Bong-Fueled Genius
November 14, 2014 22:19 - 56 minutes - 26 MBWhere have all the miniseries gone? They’re actually all around us, but they’re called anthologies or limited series or TV events. Tim and Jason talk about the merits of shows opting for finite lifetimes. Plus some thoughts about the minds behind Adult Swim, TV guilty pleasures, the perils of series featuring anti-heroes, this season of “Doctor Who,” Katherine Heigl’s star turn as Charleston in “State of Affairs”, “The Missing” and the difficulty of watching kids in peril, and the strengths a...
8: Ride Out the Garbage Fire
November 08, 2014 02:38 - 55 minutes - 25.4 MBIn this episode, Tim hears from the producers of “Sleepy Hollow” about his criticisms last week, a tossed-off sidebar becomes a viral web hit and makes fans of classic spy TV series angry worldwide, a whole bunch of shows get cancelled, and we answer listener questions.
7: Surfer Boy
October 31, 2014 14:35 - 59 minutes - 27.2 MBHas “Sleepy Hollow,” one of our favorites from last season, gone off the rails? Tim and Jason discuss the sophomore series’s self-inflicted creative crisis. Plus, more answers to your questions, including shows worth catching up on via streaming, and we talk a little about sports on TV in the wake of the Giants winning another even-year World Series. (Note to THR readers: Our “Sleepy Hollow” discussion starts 42 minutes in.)