Tv Talk Machine

Tim’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. Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

We’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. Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

After 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. Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

Positivity 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! Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

Tim 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! Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

Tim and Jason discuss the Golden Globe TV nominees, the phenomenon of midseason finales, and answer listener questions. Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

Tim 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. Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

In 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. Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

In 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. Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

Where 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 and weaknesses of Aaron Sorkin. Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

In 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. Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

Has “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.)

Listener feedback, "Jane The Virgin," and digital extras - This week Tim and Jason answer some listener questions, rave a bit more about “Jane the Virgin,” discuss overlooked drama series, and ponder digital extras and extended episodes of series on streaming media. Host Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

Shows worth your time and the Power Ratings - This week Tim and Jason keep it positive! Tim goes through the week, day by day, and recommends the shows (both new and old) that are worth your time! Then we talk about Tim’s famous Power Ratings of the top shows on TV, where they came from, and where they might be going. Host Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

Superhero shows and more fall premieres - From the comic book pages to your TV screen, we counted at least five network TV series involving superheroes. But who can tell “The Flash” from “Constantine?” Jason’s read the comics, but most people—including Tim—haven’t. And isn’t that all for the best? Also, Jason gives Disney/ABC/Marvel a million-dollar idea for free, and Tim previews “Jane the Virgin,” “Star Wars Rebels,” and “Marry Me.” Host Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

Zombies and other TV horrors - Braaaaains! As we enter October, our thoughts turn to spooky things like vampires and zombies. “The Walking Dead” is coming back, and it’s started an avalanche of other zombie-themed TV… none of which quite matches up to the original. Also, Tim and Jason talk about the TV premieres happening in the next week, and Tim just keeps thinking outside the box. Host Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

New premieres, ratings winners and losers - Against all odds, we’re back for a second episode! In this episode, Tim and Jason run through some of the new premieres, including “Forever,” “Black-ish,” “Gotham,” “Scorpion,” and “Red Band Society.” Also, Tim looks at the ratings to see what shows are looking good and which ones have a good chance of being the first to be cancelled. Then we take a look at the next week’s new shows, briefly praise some returning shows, coin the term overspadered, and liken the current Fox schedule to a garbage fire. Host Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

Shows to watch out for this fall. - It’s a podcast about television! Every week Hollywood Reporter Chief TV Critic Tim Goodman joins Jason Snell to talk about what’s worth watching. In this first episode of the fourth incarnation of the TV Talk machine, Tim highlights four network shows he likes, a second tier of shows on his maybe list, and reveals that the fall’s best new series isn’t available on either cable or broadcast TV. Host Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

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Winter Press tour