This reunion is crossposted from Downstream episode 43. Tim Goodman drops by to discuss his decision to be a TV writer at the very end of the Peak TV era, the challenges of TV criticism, and his return to writing about TV on his own terms via his Substack.

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

“Counterpart” revisited, CNN+ as seen through the lens of an escaping prisoner, Apple TV+’s surprise success, the mess that is the current streaming landscape, and Tim shares a book idea with substack readers. Plus, letters from listeners!

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

Show Notes & Links

Tim's Substack

Justin Marks on "Counterpart" season 3 (which never was)

“Station Eleven,” “The Afterparty,” Stephen Colbert, TV marriages, “The A Word,” and the moment when Tim’s partner said, “Yeah, I’m never gonna watch that.” Plus: your letters!

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

Tim finds “Utopia”—twice. Jason gets confused by “NCIS: Hawaii.” We ponder series hiding away on services like STARZ and EPIX. It’s Peacock’s time to shine (not just the Olympics, but “Vigil”!). PBS, please take my money. Tim bounces off of “Raised By Wolves.”

And at the end of the episode The Box Set takes on episode one of “Station Eleven” and episode one of “Collateral.”

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

Show Notes & Links

Bastard Machine Substack

It’s been 612 pandemic-fueled days. But we’ve taken the tarp off the TV Talk Machine, replaced a few parts, and are ready to kick it into gear.

Tim spent the last two years writing TV scripts! He’s going to keep doing that, and write a book, and also has launched a newsletter on Substack so he can write about television again. And… did we mention the TV Talk Machine is back, too? It’s true!

In this episode Tim explains where he’s been, where he’s going, and the origin of his new project, which launches today! Also Jason raves about “Station Eleven” and believe it or not, there’s a letter from a listener!

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

Show Notes & Links

The Bastard Machine - Substack

Tim: Welcome to the Bastard Machine

Craig Calcaterra's Cup of Coffee on Substack

Jandy Nelson

Downstream - Jason's new podcast about the Streaming Wars

Tim and Jason return to close the book on Volume 4 of the TV Talk Machine chronicles. (You can find the previous three volumes at theincomparable.com/tvtm/about.) We’ll be back in this feed, probably soon, with something that’s more of us talking about stuff, but a lot less about things that are TV related.

But before we go, Tim describes the experience of having an opinion about a TV show and not sharing it. Jason goads him into some mild opinions. Jason mildly regrets an error, and recounts a bunch of shows he’s been watching on streaming. Then it’s time to check in on the Streaming Wars, including the impending launch of HBO Max, the mysteries of Peacock, and the question about what service is the mostly like to fail. We also read a few of your letters and about a million of your pandemic viewing suggestions, none of which appear in these show notes. On brand till the end.

Finally, if you’d like to make suggestions for topics for us to talk about in the future, or just want to share your thoughts with a podcast, you can still tweet at us at @tvtm or email podcast at tvtalkmachine dot com. Bye everybody!

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

This week Tim has a new refrigerator and is watching comfort food like “Peaky Blinders.” Comcast stealth-launches Peacock. Bad things happen at Tim’s former employer. Jason watched “Home Before Dark” and “Devs.” And “What We Do In The Shadows” is back!

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

Show Notes & Links

Michael Taylor's "Hollywood Juicer" blog

Resounding Bastard

Tim on Instagram

Tim just got home after several weeks away for complicated reasons. We’re back to fill your ears with talk about TV, music, life, and more. We hope it helps.

We’ll read your letters and play your audio files if you send them in. Tweet at @tvtm or email podcast at tvtalkmachine dot com.

Tim Goodman and Jason Snell

Show Notes & Links

Mentioned: “Tiger King”, “All Creatures Great and Small”, “Devs”, “Too Funny to Fail.”

Comedy Power Rankings

Goodykoontz on Adam Schlesinger

Ben Gibbard

Colin Meloy

Neil Finn

Joe Pernice

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

Show Notes & Links

Disney's "Expensive NBC" moment

Adweek interview with John Landgraf

"Devs" review from Dan Feinberg

"Better Things" review from Dan Feinberg

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

Show Notes & Links

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

Tim Goodman's Resounding

Jason's modern women artists playlist (Apple Music)

"What We Do in the Shadows" (Hulu)

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

Show Notes & Links

Why Netflix is Ending "The Crown" at 5 seasons

Falling Iguanas

"Fake 'Drop Bear'" double prank