This week your teacher has given you a break—we’re giving you another week to watch “What We Do In The Shadows.” Instead, we keep it tight and bright as Tim joins the rest of us in these Times of Confusion by not even realizing what TV shows are debuting. After some brief Death Cab For Cutie banter, we shift it into gear and discuss Actual TV News, including the return of “Better Things”, the premiere of “Devs” and an explanation of the whole “FX on Hulu” strategy, and the Hilary Duff problem at Disney+. Plus, your letters!

[Want to have a letter read on the show? Email podcast at tvtalkmachine.com, or tweet @tvtm.]

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

This podcast is like your friend who left a longtime job, got some new tattoos, and is showing a renewed interest in yoga. It’s a new life. Tim launched his new Resounding blog, which leads us to discuss why we love women singers. Speaking of learning and growing and pop music, Jason’s seen “High Fidelity” and does a real-estate check on “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.” Then we put Netflix’s “Sex Education” in the spotlight (did you do the homework?)—and why it works on so many levels.

Next episode’s assignment: “What We Do in the Shadows” on Hulu.

Send us your letters/comments! Tweet at us at @tvtm or email us at podcast at tvtalkmachine.com!

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

Jason mentioned: CHVRCHES, Maggie Rogers, Halsey, Chairlift/Caroline Polachek, Florence + the Machine, HAIM, IDER, K. Flay, Pale Waves

We’re back! Tim is retired, rested, and ready. And he’s got two new music-based projects to announce—neither of which is his secret job, sorry. Jason has some TV news and reports back on finishing a couple of series. We also read some of your letters and start a brand-new segment where Tim gives both Jason and the listeners a TV viewing assignment!

Your assignment: “Sex Education” season 1, episodes 1-4.

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

One last time before the end of the year, we’re back! Jason uses computer technology to construct a best-of-the-decade list for Tim. We’re probably forgetting something. We also discuss “Watchmen” a little bit, so if you want to not be spoiled at all about it, you can skip ahead to minute 20 and you’ll miss the whole thing.

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

Tim’s decade list (first draft, computer assisted)

The rest of the list, in alphabetical order:

Tim’s done with being a TV critic and is trying to be all positive, but he put in nearly 11 months of work and Jason’s demanding a list! So Tim and Jason both present their lists of their favorite shows of 2019. Plus we answer your letters.

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

Honorable mention: Barry, Black Earth Rising, Black Mirror, Bob’s Burgers, Brexit, Euphoria, Gentleman Jack, Good Omens, Killing Eve, Legion, PEN15, Pennyworth, Ramy, Russian Doll, The End of the Fxxxing World, The Tick, Valley of the Boom.

Honorable mention: Good Omens, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, The Mandalorian, Star Trek: Discovery, The Tick, Brooklyn Nine Nine, Veronica Mars, Russian Doll, Letterkenny, A.P. Bio, Perpetual Grace LTD

Happy Thanksgiving! The Machine’s gas tank is now full of gravy. This week we’re reading your letters, Jason mentions a couple of shows he’s watching, and Tim encourages you not to overspend on streaming services if you’re cord cutting. Listeners have theories about Tim’s undisclosed employer! And Jason tries several techniques to convince Tim to make a final best-of-the-year list.

We still want your letters. Tweet us at @tvtm or email us at podcast at tvtalkmachine dot com.

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

Having been safely “offboarded” from The Hollywood Reporter, Tim discusses his final review, which is a negative review of “Dublin Murders.” Jason watches a bunch of TV shows, while Tim has spent a couple of weeks going to sleep early and not watching television. It’s a new era for the TV Talk Machine, as we roll into parts unknown.

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

Did anything happen this week? Oh, yes, Tim announced that he’s leaving The Hollywood Reporter and “retiring” as a TV critic! We discuss Tim’s feelings about moving on from the TV critic racket and try to figure out what form the TV Talk Machine will take in the future. (Hint: There are a bunch of year- and decade-end lists coming up, and Tim doesn’t have anywhere to post them unless he breaks his Blogspot site out of mothballs.)

Although we aren’t sure of our destination quite yet, the Machine drives on…

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

Tim reviews Amazon’s “Jack Ryan”, Apple’s “For All Mankind”, Showtime’s “Back to Life”, and is in the midst of watching Netflix’s surprising second season of “The End of the Fxxxing World.” Plus Apple TV+ launches, HBO Max clarifies, we talk Bay Area blackouts, and we read your letters and tweets! It’s a podcast about television, remember?

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell