Tv Talk Machine

Sir Tim talks about the Emmys, calls them a vast improvement; highlights of the opening week of TV's fall season include "Flash Forward" and "Modern Family," the latter of which Tim says is "amazingly funny" and in the same league as "Arrested Development."

Tim tells a five-minute-long story about something he saw at the Rockridge BART station (previously he'd tweeted about the same thing in fewer than 140 charaters); Benny Master of Sounds impersonates a juke box; Question Boy (aka Best Boy) pouts; a tree becomes the podcast's newest listener.

It's true: There's TV-related material in this podcast. Other highlights: Benny is late to the 'cast; Joe is sore about being demoted in Jason's new theme music; Justin takes pictures and video (see 'em here); Benny redeems himself as the Master of Sounds. Nothing to see here folks. Keep moving.

More clips from Sunday's Hootenanny. George D plays Question Boy again. Benny as Special Guest again.

Let's drink to TV! And bad podcasting and late birthday parties, and people surviving heart attacks, etc. etc. George D plays Question Boy. Benny as Special Guest.

Doot doot doot doot doot! A question from Jasmine in the 510 prompts Tim to divulge actual TV-related information -- five fall shows to watch out for. Plus, tons of calls from listeners. Oh, and Tim reveals his desire to stab QB in the armpit. And Benny as Special Guest.

Today's special guest: Manny. Again.

Today's special guest: Manny.

After, what, 16 weeks away or so, the TVTM returns from vacation duties, two weeks in Los Angele for the Death March With Cocktails, a week of Question Boy (Chronicle political writer Joe Garofoli) taking yet another vacation and, we think, something about Adjustin (Podcast Producer Justin Beck) being not that interested in helping. Listening to the cries of the masses (or those of you who STILL haven't pushed the TVTM Facebook page over 500 in our "Drive For Five"), we decided (last minute go figure) that we couldn't go yet another week without one. So, without QB around and a mysterious dearth of Question Girl participants, we reached out to an old friend: Manny (Benny Evangelista). Yep, Manny plays QB. It gives us a chance to make fun of Joe endlessly, which was another consideration. In this super-bloated podcast, we tackle both TV related news (um, I think) and non-TV related news, then rally with a bunch of calls at the end, an MP3 from Jason while sipping at Bella Vineyards, a song from PPage, an a

The TVTM loves you, baby. Yes, as a matter of fact, it does. We show that love by giving you a better product, a glossier, more brilliantly sheen-filled and lucid piece of aural entertainment. We increase our game because someone told us that they took our last podcast for a long car drive and made the drive even longer. Hurt, tearful, weepy-hearted but determined, we put our best effort into this one. Well, "best effort." Question Boy (Chronicle political writer Joe Garofoli) channeled Walter Cronkite (and Putin and wonderfully, Existential French Woman) while Adjustin (Justin Beck, producer to the stars) even looked up not one but two area codes (though he also shook off the idea that I should podcast from Los Angeles next week and the week after while I'm down covering the Death March With Cocktails). This 'cast starts with a song (PPage strikes again) and ends with a slam at a boring state (one of 50 you'll just have to guess), then an apology and then some laughs. We find two "lost" e-mails. There'

Dying to know the colors of the DVD packaging from the various television networks? Tim "Oh Great One" Goodman has the inside scoop. Can't wait to find out all about Tim's work schedule over the next several weeks? Tim reveals all! And what about Joe "Question Boy" Garofoli's tongue-twister skills? He will demonstrate! Yep, it's another content-free TVTM podcast. But it has a new theme.

It's the "Thursday" 'cast, which means no TV-related news. We do, however, have Benny/Manny/Knobby/Chocoknobs again as a Very Special Guest, as well as several phone calls from our Very Special Listeners, and Dave/707 sends in a hilarious public service announcement that was so good it deserves to be heard twice. More, please!

Tim Goodman's staycation is over, and the TVTM returns with a Very Special Podcast and Benny/Manny/Knobby/Chocoknobs as a Very Special Guest. In TV-related news, Tim has a few words to say about "Hung" and "Nurse Jackie." We also talk about all the recent celebrity deaths, Walter Cronkite and Wilco. Porno Putin makes an appearance.

The one that goes sideways, corrects itself, then bursts into flames. We've got nothing.

No TV-related news on the Thursday 'cast, due to the lack of air in the podcave.

Tim "Oh Great One" Goodman, Joe "Question Boy" Garofoli and Justin "Don't Call Me Jason" Beck return after a brief hiatus, bringing with them a near-total lack of news and information about television. What you do get in today's installment: an anecdote about an uptight fan at a recent Decemberists show, plenty of Jay Leno mockery, and a brand-new character: Therapist Walton.

Lots of letters. A smattering of calls. A bit of news. A TON of stupidity. You get Porno Harry Caray and a podcast that's constantly being interrupted by Question Boy's buzzing balls. We got the balance right again.

Hey, we made it. Sunny day real estate! Less fires to put out on the 2nd floor. Whee. OK, so like it or not, Question Boy (Joe Garofoli, Chronicle politics writer), Adjustin' (Justin Beck), Manny (Benny Evangelista) and Your Cultural Commissar, all survived and we'll continue to put out as much aural rambling and pointlessness as anyone could stand. In the TV-related news segment of today's podcast, Tim vaguely mentions something about the networks' plan for the fall season. In the non-TV-related news segment of today's podcast, Tim specifically points out that his balls hurt. Yea for us. Beware to you. "Brutal."

First he dumps us via e-mail and now he guest hosts two podcasts in a row? Oh, Benny (aka Manny aka Knobby aka Chocoknobs), why must you tease us like this? Other noteworthy moments in an otherwise noteworthyless podcast: Andrew from Ireland calls in and performs Irish Walton and Irish Taldar; French Walton also makes an appearance. And if you're looking for TV-related news, you've tuned in to the wrong podcast.

Yes, this podcast includes more chances to throw Manny (Benny Evangelista) "under the bus." It also contains faux outrage about international incidents. Question Boy (Chronicle media and politics writer Joe Garofoli) does what he's supposed to do, we guess (isn't it about time for another Question Girl?). Adjustin (Justin Beck) mans the knobs with aplomb for someone who just couldn't care less. And we fortify the podcave against the sounds of reconnaissance units, incoming explosives and rescue dogs.