Tim Goodman's TV Talk Machine

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Winter Press tour