It’s the last week of 2018, which means it’s time for our annual mega-countdown of the best and most memorable TV of the year. Noel and Kate talk through their picks for the year’s best TV performances, characters, music, writing, sequences, seasons, moments, and much more. Listen to what our picks are, then reach out with your favorites from this year, as we bid a fond farewell to the year that was, and head into 2019.
2018 is winding down, which means the List-ening is once again upon us. This week on the podcast, Noel and Kate talk through their top 20 TV series of 2018, looking at the very best TV of the year. From reality and anime to documentary comedy and chilling drama, there was plenty on offer, and the highlights of the year ran the gamut. Tune in for our thoughts on our favorites, then reach out with your picks.
It’s yet another week of finales this episode of the podcast, but more importantly, it’s time to bid a sad farewell to one of Kate’s favorite recent series, The Americans. Joining Kate to say goodbye and to spotlight the series finale are Alex McLevy of The A.V. Club and Allison Shoemaker of TV Party, Podlander Drunkcast, Debating Doctor Who, and so many other places. Before that, however, there’s plenty of TV to discuss, and Noel and Kate dive in with the premieres of The Break with Michelle Wolf, Queen Sugar, and Reverie, and the finales of iZombie, The Good Fight, and Killing Eve. Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on the week’s premieres and finales, and any other TV worth exploring!
Another late spring week, another set of finales and premieres. This episode, before checking in on our 2017 TV Resolutions, Noel and Kate take a look at the week’s comedy and reality, including the return of The Carmichael Show, another strong Angie Tribeca, the finale of The Amazing Race, and quite possibly the best makeover episode in RuPaul’s Drag Race herstory. Then we head over to the genre offerings, including a catch-up on Doctor Who, another mixed American Gods, an iZombie episode with at least a +4 in Charm Person, and the latest beautifully emotional Steven Universe mini-bomb. Last up are the dramas, including The Americans’ finale, the premiere of Still Star-Crossed, Canadian import Mary Kills People, and a much-anticipated The Handmaid’s Tale. Afterward, it’s time to update our progress with our 2017 TV Resolutions to watch more anime (Noel) and YouTube series (Kate), with looks at Attack on Titan, Sakura Quest, and Her Story. Take a listen, and let us know which anime and YouTube series we should be seeking out for our next check-in!
A year after our post-The 100 3x07 episode, Variety Chief TV Critic Maureen Ryan returns to the podcast to reflect on the past year in television, the lingering effects of the fan response to 3x07, and our experiences at ClexaCon 2017. Before this, however, Noel and Kate talk through some of the highlights in a full week in TV, including the premieres of Underground, Feud: Bette and Joan, and The Americans, the finales of Man Seeking Woman and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and fun and occasionally challenging episodes of Steven Universe, Legion, and The Good Fight. Afterward, we hear from a handful of ClexaCon attendees about their experiences at the convention, their highlights of the Con, and thoughts on how it can improve should it return in the future. A big thank you to Dr. Elizabeth Bridges (read her fuller response to ClexaCon here), Yuko, Kari, and Jessica for sharing your impressions of ClexaCon!
As 2016 winds down (and not a moment too soon), the List-ening begins! This episode, Noel and Kate count down their Top 20 TV Series (or TV Movies) of 2016. While plenty of other aspects of life have let many of us down recently, there’s been a plethora of terrific TV, so join us as we celebrate the 30+ shows we most enjoyed this calendar year.
Noel is once again on assignment, so this week Kate is joined by The A.V. Club’s Emily L. Stephens for an in-depth look at a full week in TV. After a little Tonys talk, we dive in with our week in TV, starting with reality and comedy, including ESPN’s latest 30 for 30 documentary, the fantastic O.J. Simpson: Made in America, the premieres of Another Period, Wrecked, and Uncle Buck, and the finale of Inside Amy Schumer. Next up are the genre and drama offerings, including the premieres of BrainDead and Animal Kingdom and the finale of Orphan Black. Then we round out the podcast by inviting on The A.V. Club’s Dennis Perkins for a lengthy look at The Americans Season 4, talking character deaths, marriage as espionage, and what has helped this series steeped in pain and betrayal continue to grow and flourish.
We’re now well into April, so with 2016 a quarter of the way over, Noel and Kate thought it was time we checked in on our 2016 TV Resolutions. First, however, we look at a full week in TV, starting with the return from hiatus of The Amazing Race. Then we dive in with the comedies, including a disappointing The Carmichael Show, before moving on to the genre entries. Disappointment is a bit of a theme, unfortunately, as we dive deep on The Walking Dead’s irritating season finale and an underwhelming Arrow, but fortunately we cleanse the palate with a much stronger week in drama, including the fantastic conclusion to American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson and another strong Limitless. Afterward, Noel and Kate evaluate their progress with their 2016 TV Resolutions: Is Noel watching more documentary television, and which shows has Kate added to her lineup to ensure her viewing passes the Bechdel Test every week?
The List-ening has begun! Kate is joined by her new cohost, Noel Kirkpatrick of TV.com, to count down, argue about, slather praise upon, and generally geek out about our top 20 shows of 2015. Adding to the fun are some of the year’s best musical moments and a few thoughts from previous guest cohosts Elena Rivera, Emily L. Stephens, and David Bax. Count down with Noel and Kate, then let us know your picks for the best TV of 2015!
The show list finally slows down a bit this week, giving us plenty of time on the podcast to dive in with some interesting television. First we look at the week’s comedies, including the finale of The Last Man on Earth and a gender-tastic Louie. Next are the genre and dramas, including the premiere of Penny Dreadful and the antepenultimate episode of Mad Men. Afterward, Matt Brennan of Indiewire’s Thompson on Hollywood! blog and Slant joins us at the DVD Shelf to discuss the fantastic season three of The Americans.
