Podcast

TV Is Good

TV & Film

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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes
32
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
1 hr 4 min
On air since
2026
Latest episode
1 day ago

Episodes

32 episodes, newest first

  1. Can we agree on the Gilded Age?

    Episode 25

    Show notes

    This week sees the return of Julian Fellowes' costume drama The Gilded Age, and Alan and Kathryn have very different feelings while basically agreeing on its overall quality. Then we move from one Mr. F to another, as the pair dive into a broad overview of the masterpiece Arrested Development.

    00:00 Introduction

    01:16 Housekeeping: Station Eleven on Patreon

    03:09 Holiday episodes - Thanksgiving vs. Christmas

    05:12 Ad-free feeds, coming soon

    05:55 The Gilded Age

    33:33 Arrested Development

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 2 min
  2. [Patreon Preview] Station Eleven: "Dr. Chaudhary" Bonus

    Show notes

    In this month's Patreon-exclusive bonus episode, Alan and Kathryn revisit the century's greatest show with the worst timing, Station Eleven.

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 min
  3. The Diplomat blows things up this season

    Episode 24

    Show notes

    Alan and Kathryn reunite to discuss the fourth season of Keri Russell's political thriller The Diplomat, with topics including the awfulness of Hal and the brilliance of Allison Janney. Then, in the least surprising pairing of all time. the pair go back in time to rewatch The West Wing's most famous cliffhanger. In a bonus third segment celebrating his Rod Serling book's publication, Alan takes us through one of his all-time favourite Twilight Zone episodes.

    00:00 Introduction

    01:07 Housekeeping: Welcome back Alan!

    04:16 The nanopants mystery solved

    06:18: You can rent The Good Lord Bird

    07:00 Revival corner: The X-Files, Glee, and... Coach

    13:35 The Diplomat

    34:40 The West Wing

    01:04:37 The Twilight Zone: Monsters are Due on Maple Street

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 25 min
  4. How do we get everyone to watch The Lowdown?

    Episode 23

    Show notes

    Kathryn is joined by her Vulture colleague Roxana Hadadi to discuss the return of The Lowdown, Ethan Hawke's neo-noir. Can the excellent first season possibly be improved upon? Spoilers: yes! Then, the pair trade Tulsa for Stars Hollow as they re-examine the ups and downs of the beloved Gilmore Girls.

    00:00 Introduction

    01:28 Housekeeping: Alan's absence

    02:02 Serling book event rescheduled

    02:46 What's Roxana's deal?

    07:35 The return of Girls

    17:51 The Lowdown

    44:21 Gilmore Girls

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 13 min
  5. How weird does the new CBS drama Cupertino get?

    Episode 22

    Show notes

    With Alan out of action, Kathryn brings in The Hollywood Reporter's Daniel Fienberg to discuss a pair of future-focused legal dramas. First, Robert and Michelle King's latest legal drama Cupertino, featuring the return of Mike Colter, the grand arrival of Busy Phillips into the Kings universe, some typically delightful weirdo TV judges. Then they consider the long-forgotten science fiction procedural series Century City, which includes an aging boy band, biotech panic, and one fateful pair of nanopants.

    00:00 Introduction

    01:44 Housekeeping: Alan's absence

    03:33 Postponed events

    04:50 Introducing Dan

    09:06 Cupertino

    39:34 Century City

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 8 min
  6. [Patreon Preview] The Simpsons: "Treehouse of Horror IV" Bonus

    Show notes

    Alan and Kathryn are discussing one of The Simpsons' classic Halloween anthologies this month on our special Patreon-exclusive episode. But first, some hot takes on the New York Times' latest list of superlatives.

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 min
  7. East of Eden gives us Cain, Abel, and Florence Pugh

    Episode 21

    Show notes

    Alan and Kathryn return to discuss the highly anticipated East of Eden adaptation by Zoe Kazan starring Florence Pugh - but would you believe an even greater performance bowls them both over? Then the pair take a tour through the original Lonesome Dove miniseries and its many, many sequels.

    00:00 Introduction

    00:51 See Alan & Kathryn live

    01:41 Treehouse of Horror on Patreon

    02:50 Ninety seconds of Love is Blind: Boston

    04:50 East of Eden

    32:04 Lonesome Dove

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 3 min
  8. What fall TV are we excited about?

    Episode 20

    Show notes

    With the advent of fall TV upon us, Alan & Kathryn break from their format to run down several of the biggest shows on the horizon. Then, the pair are joined by journalist and author Lynette Rice to discuss her new book: "ER: The Oral History".

    Purchase Lynette's book at https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250399588/er/

    00:00 Introduction

    01:20 Housekeeping: Alan wrote a book! Live appearances abound!

    03:20 October's Patreon episode

    04:40 Fall TV Preview

    40:00 Lynette Rice Interview

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 16 min
  9. Is Reacher big enough to win our hearts?

    Episode 19

    Show notes

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 12 min
  10. Slow Horses and Alias: What makes a great spy show?

    Episode 18

    Show notes

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 3 min
  11. [Patreon Preview] Party Down: "Sin Say Shun Awards Afterparty" Bonus

    Show notes

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 min
  12. Colin From Accounts or Wishbone: Who's the goodest boy?

    Episode 17

    Show notes

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min
  13. Why do we love Adults so much?

    Episode 16

    Show notes

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 17 min
  14. Is Sterling Point the best YA soap since The OC?

    Episode 15

    Show notes

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 10 min
  15. Does Lanterns want to be a comic book show?

    Episode 14

    Show notes

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 3 min
  16. Why is Ted Lasso back, exactly?

    Episode 13

    Show notes

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 4 min
  17. [Patreon Preview] The Leftovers: "Axis Mundi" Bonus

    Show notes

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    11 min
  18. Wait, the creator of New Girl made a cop show?

    Episode 12

    Show notes

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 3 min
  19. When spinoffs get too weird

    Episode 11

    Show notes

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 14 min
  20. Does Lucky give us Anya Taylor joy?

    Episode 10

    Show notes

    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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min

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