The Best TV Shows of the 21st Century

Also available on YouTube.

Grace Leeder is joined by Ariel, Filly and Amanda to break down the New York Times’ Top 100 TV Shows of the 21st Century. This conversation digs into what makes standout reality TV, the place of competition shows like Survivor in critical rankings, and why shows like Mad Men and Game of Thrones capture so much attention. From hilarious rewatch habits to strong takes on forgotten gems and surprising snubs, nothing’s off the table as these TV experts bring their personal experiences and thoughtful critiques to the forefront.

The team unpacks:

• A passionate defense of late-night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and the surprising value of comfort rewatching, especially talk shows and Survivor marathons.
• Their take on comedy’s place on this list, spotlighting recent favorites like Succession and the challenges of mixing realities, documentaries, and scripted TV into one ranking.
• A guide to hidden gems, including emotional reactions to music documentaries and musings on which small, bold shows deserved more love from critics.
• A lively discussion on the snub of Mr. Robot and genre gaps, with pointed observations on the scarcity of animation and the absence of shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Legion, or Top Chef from the list.
• A breakdown of which reality shows belong, and why Survivor stands as both a genre-definer and a stand-in for an entire era of television, with RuPaul’s Drag Race earning similar praise.

Did the critics get it right by putting The Wire on top, or does Mad Men deserve the crown? Which shows have the biggest claims to a rewatch, and what truly makes a TV series last? Dive in as Grace, Ariel, Filly, and Amanda bring sharp opinions and honest debates to the rankings.

Recapping the Toronto International Film Festival with Matt Huff | The Tastemakers

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Taran Armstrong (@armstrongtaran) and Grace Leeder (@hifromgrace) are The Tastemakers! Every week, Grace and Taran tell you about what’s on TV, which shows are worth watching, and which shows are worth skipping.

Today, Grace Leeder talks about the Toronto International Film Festival with Matt Huff.

Send in feedback every week by emailing [email protected]

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s scripted coverage!
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Ted Lasso Season 4 Part 1 Recap | The Tastemakers

Watch the podcast on YouTube!

Taran Armstrong (@armstrongtaran) and Grace Leeder (@hifromgrace) are The Tastemakers! Every week, Grace and Taran tell you about what’s on TV, which shows are worth watching, and which shows are worth skipping.

Today, Grace Leeder talks about Ted Lasso Season 4 with Owen.

Send in feedback every week by emailing [email protected]

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s scripted coverage!
LISTEN: Subscribe to the RHAP: We Know Scripted TV podcast feed
WATCH:  Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube
SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

Grace Catches Up on End of Summer TV! | The Tastemakers

Watch the podcast on YouTube!

Taran Armstrong (@armstrongtaran) and Grace Leeder (@hifromgrace) are The Tastemakers! Every week, Grace and Taran tell you about what’s on TV, which shows are worth watching, and which shows are worth skipping.

Today, Grace Leeder talks about Adults, Ted Lasso, and Dark Matter!

Send in feedback every week by emailing [email protected]

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s scripted coverage!
LISTEN: Subscribe to the RHAP: We Know Scripted TV podcast feed
WATCH:  Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube
SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

House of the Dragon Season 3 Ep 8 Recap | The Tastemakers

Also available on YouTube.

Taran Armstrong (@armstrongtaran) and Grace Leeder (@hifromgrace) are The Tastemakers! Every week, Grace and Taran tell you about what’s on TV, which shows are worth watching, and which shows are worth skipping.

Today, Grace Leeder and DM Filly discuss House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 8.

Send in feedback every week by emailing [email protected]

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s scripted coverage!
LISTEN: Subscribe to the RHAP: We Know Scripted TV podcast feed
WATCH:  Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube
SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Ted Lasso and The Shards Thoughts! The Tastemakers

The Tastemakers returns with Grace Leeder and Ariel G as they share sharp takes on the latest in TV and movies, including fresh seasons, major finales, and hotly-debated new releases. This week, they dig into Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s box office-smashing debut, as well as their reactions to Ted Lasso’s big season 4 return, the emotional House of the Dragon finale, and breakout series Furious. Whether comparing the nostalgia of X-Men ‘97 or debating the sharp turns in Taylor Sheridan dramas, Grace and Ariel give fans a front-row seat to the biggest conversations in entertainment.

From high-budget superhero storylines to dark crime dramas, the hosts move through a packed watchlist. Grace shares her reactions to the House of the Dragon finale, reflecting on what makes the latest season’s setup so compelling, and teases deeper spoiler coverage ahead. The pair weighs in on Ted Lasso’s season 4 premiere, debating the merits of its “soft reboot” and whether the emotional grounding of its main characters still holds up. Ariel dives into Furious, highlighting its gritty atmosphere, exploration of anger, and memorable performances, while both hosts wrestle with the shifting stakes and creative directions of popular franchises like Spider-Man and X-Men.

Highlights from Grace and Ariel’s chat:

• The House of the Dragon finale’s shifting pace and emotional beats as the series builds toward its endgame
• Ted Lasso’s season 4 “reverse fish out of water” setup, new conflicts, and debate over whether the show’s premise stretches too far
• Furious as a gripping crime drama led by Emmy Rossum, bringing fresh energy to the genre through female perspectives and unresolved anger
• Spider-Man: Brand New Day analysis; effective character moments, the surprise introduction of Jean Grey, and questions around MCU villain development
• Reflections on X-Men ‘97’s sophomore season, the nostalgia factor, and concerns over creative shakeups affecting storytelling consistency

With superhero narratives on the verge of major shifts and beloved dramas finding new directions, what will define the next phase of these franchises? Why do certain TV formulas endure while others lose steam? Catch the discussion for a blend of thoughtful analysis and pop culture deep dives you won’t want to miss. Listen now for sharp takes on TV’s most buzzed-about moments and don’t miss your next favorite show.

0:00 Welcome Back, Regular Tastemakers Returns
6:35 House of the Dragon Finale Reactions
17:35 Ted Lasso Season 4 Premiere
28:09 Furious: Discussing Female Rage
36:01 The Shards: Ryan Murphy’s Mystery
38:32 Special Ops: Lioness New Season
44:00 X-Men ’97: Mixed Second Season
50:00 Spoiler Warning: Spider-Man Discussion
52:41 Spider-Man: Jean Grey’s Reveal
57:01 MJ, Ned, and Emotional Endings
1:05:04 Aunt May’s Memory Heals Jean
1:13:29 Spider-Man’s Consequences and Doomsday
1:17:19 MCU Future: Doomsday and X-Men
1:21:05 Downey and Evans MCU Returns
1:22:00 Closing and Upcoming Episodes

House of the Dragon Season 3 Ep 7 Recap | The Tastemakers

Taran Armstrong (@armstrongtaran) and Grace Leeder (@hifromgrace) are The Tastemakers! Every week, Grace and Taran tell you about what’s on TV, which shows are worth watching, and which shows are worth skipping.

Today, Grace Leeder and DM Filly discuss House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 7.

Send in feedback every week by emailing [email protected]

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s scripted coverage!
LISTEN: Subscribe to the RHAP: We Know Scripted TV podcast feed
WATCH:  Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube
SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

House of the Dragon Season 3 Ep 6 Recap | The Tastemakers

Taran Armstrong (@armstrongtaran) and Grace Leeder (@hifromgrace) are The Tastemakers! Every week, Grace and Taran tell you about what’s on TV, which shows are worth watching, and which shows are worth skipping.

Today, Grace Leeder and DM Filly discuss House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 6.

Send in feedback every week by emailing [email protected]

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s scripted coverage!
LISTEN: Subscribe to the RHAP: We Know Scripted TV podcast feed
WATCH:  Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube
SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

Covering Comic-Con, House of the Dragon and Hadestown | The Tastemakers

Taran Armstrong (@armstrongtaran) and Grace Leeder (@hifromgrace) are The Tastemakers! Every week, Grace and Taran tell you about what’s on TV, which shows are worth watching, and which shows are worth skipping.

This week, Grace is joined by Brendan Fitzpatrick (Fitzy) to talk through all the new TV shows, movies and news in the world of entertainment. They discuss Comic-Con, whether Fitzy has been enjoying House of the Dragon, the Will Ferrell golf comedy The Hawk and the pro-shot version of the West End play, Hadestown.

Send in feedback every week by emailing [email protected]

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s scripted coverage!
LISTEN: Subscribe to the RHAP: We Know Scripted TV podcast feed
WATCH:  Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube
SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

House of the Dragon Season 3 Ep 5 Recap | The Tastemakers

Taran Armstrong (@armstrongtaran) and Grace Leeder (@hifromgrace) are The Tastemakers! Every week, Grace and Taran tell you about what’s on TV, which shows are worth watching, and which shows are worth skipping.

Today, Grace Leeder and DM Filly discuss House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 5.

Send in feedback every week by emailing [email protected]

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s scripted coverage!
LISTEN: Subscribe to the RHAP: We Know Scripted TV podcast feed
WATCH:  Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube
SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!