TV Is Good

Alan Sepinwall

TV critics Alan Sepinwall and Kathryn VanArendonk get together once a week to talk about all the things they love (and some of the things they don’t) on television. They talk about new releases, old favorites, TV curiosities and whatever’s happening in the wide wide world of how people watch TV these days.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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24 episodes
weekly
Avg 54 min
English

Episodes 24

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Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

#19
Monday · 1 hr 12 min
Is Reacher big enough to win our hearts?
All characters great and small come under the microscope this week, as Alan & Kathryn reach first for Reacher (and the new Reacherverse spinoff Neagley) before hailing themselves a Taxi back to the 1970s. 00:00 Introduction 01:19 Housekeeping: See Alan & Kathryn live in New Jersey! 2:19 The Emmys: great winners, garbage production 11:01 October's Patreon episode revealed 12:36 Renewal news: P-Valley and Slow Horses! 15:35 Reacher 35:07 Neagley 44:55 Taxi Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#18
September 14 · 1 hr 2 min
Slow Horses and Alias: What makes a great spy show?
With the return of Apple TV's Slow Horses, Alan and Kathryn discuss the show's willingness to kill beloved characters off as well as the dichotomy of running-spies and strolling-spies. Then the pair navigate the many twists and turns of J.J. Abrams' own spy show, Alias. 00:00 Introduction 01:15 October's Patreon episode 02:33 The Emmys, weekend one 08:24 Fleabag's tenth anniversary 10:00 Slow Horses 37:17 Alias Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 7 · 10 min
[Patreon Preview] Party Down: "Sin Say Shun Awards Afterparty"
For our special Labor Day Patreon-exclusive episode, Alan & Kathryn revisit Party Down, one of the most underrated sitcoms of the twenty-first century, in a discussion that is both long and interesting. Hear the full episode on Patreon at https://patreon.com/tvisgoodpod Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#17
September 7 · 54 min
Colin From Accounts or Wishbone: Who's the goodest boy?
This week, Alan and Kathryn's attention is briefly distracted by the return of Australian rom-com Colin from Accounts, causing them to unexpectedly veer into an impassioned discussion of the wonderful 90s PBS show Wishbone. 00:00 Introduction 01:11 The newest Patreon episode: Party Down 01:48 The Simpsons - Kathryn's blind spot 03:24 Colin From Accounts 27:10 Wishbone Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#16
August 31 · 1 hr 16 min
Why do we love Adults so much?
With the celebrated return of FX's Adults this week, Alan & Kathryn dedicate the episode to the sitcom's triumphant second season. Then, the pair sit down with Adults' creators Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw for an in-depth discussion on the things they love about TV. 00:00 Introduction 01:26 Next month's Patreon episode 02:30 The fall TV slate 04:14 What's Alan plugging? 05:30 Kathryn wants off of the Great American Road Trip 07:58 Sons of Anarchy's meta-sequel 11:00 Adults 31:29 Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw interview For next week's episode, you can watch the two Wishbone episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V0XaODnKvA&list=WL&index=2 & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_ImiOm0ulI&list=WL&index=1 Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#15
August 24 · 1 hr 9 min
Is Sterling Point the best YA soap since The OC?
In this week's episode, Alan & Kathryn discuss the teen hit of the summer - Prime soap Sterling Point - including lauding the talents of Ella Rubin. Then, we look back at soap history to the early 2000s, through the lens of Josh Schwartz's opus The OC. 00:00 Introduction 1:07 Hayden Panettiere 04:40 Kathryn's throat, and various teams 05:30 Lanterns timeline watch 09:15 Every Summer After ain't no Sterling Point 10:23 Sterling Point 38:33 The OC Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#14
August 17 · 1 hr 2 min
Does Lanterns want to be a comic book show?
The latest instalment in the DC Universe arrives this week, and Alan & Kathryn are here to share their thoughts on HBO's Lanterns. Then, a throwback tribute to a legendary superhero one-hit wonder, The Middleman. 00:00 Intro 01:09 September Patreon Poll Results 03:04 A Patreon Correction 03:58 Kathryn's Voice: Why Does It Sound Like That? 05:54 Alan's Audiobook 11:35 Swiss Bones 14:36 Alan's Watching Watchmen 15:51 The Bluey Years 19:09 Lanterns 41:23 The Middleman Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#13
August 10 · 1 hr 3 min
Why is Ted Lasso back, exactly?
With the return of Apple TV's flagship comedy looming, Alan & Kathryn attempt to untangle the complicated road that brought Ted Lasso back for a fourth season. Then the pair compare sports comedies past and present with the Aaron Sorkin breakthrough Sports Night. 00:00 Intro/Foreign TV Is Good 11:00 Ted Lasso 36:55 Sports Night Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 3 · 11 min
[Patreon Preview] The Leftovers: "Axis Mundi"
August's special Patreon-exclusive episode sees Alan and Kathryn break down the historic course correction of The Leftover's second season, beginning with its premiere episode "Axis Mundi". But first, an important celebrity sighting. See the full episode on Patreon at https://patreon.com/tvisgoodpod Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#12
August 3 · 1 hr 3 min
Wait, the creator of New Girl made a cop show?
Alan & Kathryn take a tour through Furious, the new Hulu crime drama from Elizabeth Meriwether. Then, they discuss the history of her hangout sitcom New Girl through the lens of its exceptional second season episode "Cooler". 00:00 Intro/The Gilmore Girls Minute 04:16 Furious 35:01 New Girl Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#11
July 27 · 1 hr 13 min
When spinoffs get too weird
We've got spinoff fever this week, as Alan and Kathryn try to figure out the point of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, the latest of the Big Bang Theory offshoots. Then, Kathryn celebrates the underwater clowns of The Brady Variety Hour while Alan tries to explain the potted history of Mrs Columbo. Lastly, the pair check in with the complete third season of The Vampire Lestat. 00:00 Intro/Housekeeping 04:40 Stuart Fails to Save the Universe 26:15 Spinoffs 54:03 The Vampire Lestat Spoilers Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#10
July 20 · 57 min
Does Lucky give us Anya Taylor joy?
Alan & Kathryn discuss the thrills and limits of Lucky, Anya Taylor-Joy's newest star vehicle, before returning to her breakout role in Netflix's The Queen's Gambit. 00:00 Intro 01:00 Important Bluey Research 07:35 August's Patreon Episode Revealed 09:28 The Hawk 13:27 Emmys Reactions 16:51 Lucky 36:23 The Queen's Gambit Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#9
July 13 · 1 hr 3 min
Are Little House on the Prairie and Deadwood the same show?
This week's newest show is the Netflix remake of Little House of the Prairie, which Alan and Kathryn compare against the classic HBO drama Deadwood. 00:00 Intro/Posterwatch 05:41 Little House on the Prairie 39:45 Deadwood Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#8
July 6 · 1 hr 4 min
Elle, Hannibal, and the prequel problem
Starting with a discussion of the new Legally Blonde prequel series Elle, Alan and Kathryn examine the phenomenon of prequels in general before discussing one of their favourites - the NBC procedural Hannibal. Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 6 · 7 min
[Patreon Preview] The Americans: "START"
Things are topsy-turvy at the office in this month's special Patreon-exclusive episode of TV Is Good, as Alan and Kathryn discuss one of the greatest series finales of all time: The Americans' "START". To hear the full episode, subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/tvisgoodpod Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#7
June 29 · 1 hr 18 min
Does The Bear earn a starred review?
In a special extra-length discussion, Alan and Kathryn dissect the final season of The Bear. Then, a tribute to legendary sitcom director James Burrows precedes a chat with Tatiana Maslany about the TV she loves. 00:00 Intro/Smash That Like Button 06:25 The Bear 01:03:29 James Burrows/Tatiana Maslany Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#6
June 22 · 1 hr 4 min
Do we finally like House of the Dragon?
This week sees Alan and Kathryn grapple with the promising third season of House of the Dragon, followed by an examination of the astonishing series finale of Dinosaurs. 00:00 Intro 11:36 Widow's Bay 45:17 Dinosaurs Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#5
June 15 · 1 hr 12 min
Is Widow's Bay more cursed than Gilligan's Island?
Alan and Kathryn cast away to the sleeper hit of the TV season, Widow's Bay, before building a critique of Gilligan's Island out of nothing but bamboo and coconuts. 00:00 Intro/Go New York Go! 13:23 Widow's Bay 42:06 Gilligan's Island Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#4
June 8 · 1 hr 14 min
The Vampire Lestat & Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The stakes have never been higher! Alan and Kathryn reflect on the upcoming season of The Vampire Lestat (formerly Interview With the Vampire), before reckoning with the complicated legacy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 00:00 Intro/Kathryn's Kimmel Profile 14:17 The Vampire Lestat 38:27 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#3
June 1 · 1 hr 1 min
Love Island & Lost
With the new season of Love Island USA on the horizon, Kathryn tries to convince Alan to couple up with the show, before the two flash back to the classic Lost episode "The Constant". Support us on Patreon Read Alan at What's Alan Watching? and Kathryn at Vulture Preorder Alan's Rod Serling biography & get the bonus essay Pre-order Kathryn's Bluey book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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