Episodes

  • 255: The Two-Episode Test

    255: The Two-Episode Test
    May 2 2023
    This reunion is crossposted from Downstream episode 43. Tim Goodman drops by to discuss his decision to be a TV writer at the very end of the Peak TV era, the challenges of TV criticism, and his return to writing about TV on his own terms via his Substack.

    Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.
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    46 mins
  • 254: The Spoon and the Tunnel

    254: The Spoon and the Tunnel
    Apr 1 2022
    “Counterpart” revisited, CNN+ as seen through the lens of an escaping prisoner, Apple TV+’s surprise success, the mess that is the current streaming landscape, and Tim shares a book idea with substack readers. Plus, letters from listeners!

    Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • 253: If Tim Falls in the Forest...

    253: If Tim Falls in the Forest...
    Feb 18 2022
    “Station Eleven,” “The Afterparty,” Stephen Colbert, TV marriages, “The A Word,” and the moment when Tim’s partner said, “Yeah, I’m never gonna watch that.” Plus: your letters!

    Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.
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    50 mins
  • 252: The PBS Ping-Pong

    252: The PBS Ping-Pong
    Feb 3 2022
    Tim finds “Utopia”—twice. Jason gets confused by “NCIS: Hawaii.” We ponder series hiding away on services like STARZ and EPIX. It’s Peacock’s time to shine (not just the Olympics, but “Vigil”!). PBS, please take my money. Tim bounces off of “Raised By Wolves.” And at the end of the episode The Box Set takes on episode one of “Station Eleven” and episode one of “Collateral.”

    Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • 251: Tim's Back! On Substack!

    251: Tim's Back! On Substack!
    Jan 24 2022
    It’s been 612 pandemic-fueled days. But we’ve taken the tarp off the TV Talk Machine, replaced a few parts, and are ready to kick it into gear. Tim spent the last two years writing TV scripts! He’s going to keep doing that, and write a book, and also has launched a newsletter on Substack so he can write about television again. And… did we mention the TV Talk Machine is back, too? It’s true! In this episode Tim explains where he’s been, where he’s going, and the origin of his new project, which launches today! Also Jason raves about “Station Eleven” and believe it or not, there’s a letter from a listener!

    Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • 250: Nature is Healing

    250: Nature is Healing
    May 23 2020
    Tim and Jason return to close the book on Volume 4 of the TV Talk Machine chronicles. (You can find the previous three volumes at theincomparable.com/tvtm/about.) We’ll be back in this feed, probably soon, with something that’s more of us talking about stuff, but a lot less about things that are TV related. But before we go, Tim describes the experience of having an opinion about a TV show and not sharing it. Jason goads him into some mild opinions. Jason mildly regrets an error, and recounts a bunch of shows he’s been watching on streaming. Then it’s time to check in on the Streaming Wars, including the impending launch of HBO Max, the mysteries of Peacock, and the question about what service is the mostly like to fail. We also read a few of your letters and about a million of your pandemic viewing suggestions, none of which appear in these show notes. On brand till the end. Finally, if you’d like to make suggestions for topics for us to talk about in the future, or just want to share your thoughts with a podcast, you can still tweet at us at @tvtm or email podcast at tvtalkmachine dot com. Bye everybody!

    Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • 249: We Don't Rehearse This

    249: We Don't Rehearse This
    Apr 18 2020
    This week Tim has a new refrigerator and is watching comfort food like “Peaky Blinders.” Comcast stealth-launches Peacock. Bad things happen at Tim’s former employer. Jason watched “Home Before Dark” and “Devs.” And “What We Do In The Shadows” is back!

    Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.
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    46 mins
  • 248: Skunks Are Terrible Beings

    248: Skunks Are Terrible Beings
    Apr 4 2020
    Tim just got home after several weeks away for complicated reasons. We’re back to fill your ears with talk about TV, music, life, and more. We hope it helps. We’ll read your letters and play your audio files if you send them in. Tweet at @tvtm or email podcast at tvtalkmachine dot com.

    Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.
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    58 mins