Tim Goodman's TV Talk Machine

This week Tim reviews “The Mechanism”, from the director of “Narcos”, and Danny Boyle’s story of the Getty Family, “Trust”. Plus we muse about TV streaming fantasy drafts and readers have thoughts about what to do while folding laundry.

"The Mechanism" and "Trust" reviewed

Hosts Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

This week Tim has some advice for the Obamas about their potential deal with Netflix, plus reviews of “Krypton” and yes, the CBS drama “Instinct.” Plus listeners have feelings about the ways that Netflix has wronged them.

Obama to Netflix, Krypton, and Instinct

Hosts Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

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.

Season Two is tough

Hosts Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

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.

Americans are Terrible

Hosts Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

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.

Atlanta, Everything Sucks, Final Space, McMafia

Hosts Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

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.

Sci-fi renaissance

Hosts Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

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.

Here and Now, Altered Carbon, and Absentia

Hosts Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

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.

Where will Hulu end up?

Hosts Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

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!

Mosaic, Blue Planet 2, Detectorists

Hosts Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

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?

Letterman, Counterpart, Electric Dreams, Detectorists

Hosts Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.