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 was another terrific week of TV, with several compelling and satisfying episodes and finales giving us lots to discuss on the podcast. First up, we talk through our week in TV, including the finales of DuckTales, Trial & Error: Lady, Killer, and The Great British Baking Show, entertaining and intriguing episodes of The Venture Bros., Younger, and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, a powerful Castle Rock, and a baking-filled and -fueled Wynonna Earp. Then Noel and Kate slow down to spotlight the finale and entire third season of the fantastic and ridiculously under-watched and discussed Queen Sugar.
It’s been another challenging week, but this episode we’re focusing on getting to spotlight the much-anticipated, emotional series finale of Sense8. We dive in and talk through its strengths and weaknesses, from the rapturous to the ridiculous. There’s plenty more TV to discuss as well, and with Kate finally (almost) caught up, we talk through a whole slew of new and returning series. First up, we look at the week’s reality, comedy, and genre offerings, including the 72nd Annual Tony Awards, the finales of Archer: Danger Island and Legion, and the latest episodes Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger and Reverie. Then we move over to the week’s drama episodes, including the premieres of Claws and The Bold Type, catchups with Dietland, Pose, and Queen Sugar, and a surprising Elementary. Take a listen, then reach out with your thoughts on the week’s TV, Sense8, and more.
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!
It’s a week of highs and lows this episode, with interesting finales and memorably powerful episodes alongside truly ridiculous ones. First up, Noel and Kate talk through the week’s comedy: a revealing Jane the Virgin, the first of hopefully many wedding-themed Brooklyn Nine-Nines, a classic issue-oriented black-ish, and the intense culmination of Rebecca’s journey so far on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Then we look at the week’s genre and drama offerings: the finales of Star Trek: Discovery and Queen Sugar, another intense The Exorcist and emotional Supergirl, and some of the season’s least thrilling installments of Arrow, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow. Afterward, we head to the DVD Shelf to dive in with the second season of Lady Dynamite. How does Maria fare in her latest round of adventures? Are season two’s time jumps as engaging and effective as season one’s? And what will happen when Maria is presented the Most Sacred Lady Blazer? All of this and more as Noel and Kate break down the colorful, at times confusing, and always compelling Lady Dynamite.
With several weighty episodes to break down, we keep the show list manageable this week. First up are the comedies, with looks at a sobriety-focused Mom, Fresh Off the Boat’s charming, Melissa Etheridge-fueled coming out episode, another Adam-heavy Jane the Virgin, and a Swimfan-inspired Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Next up are the drama and genre entries, including the premiere of USA’s Damnation, the penultimate Queen Sugar, the post-baseball return of The Exorcist, and the dreaded Sanvers breakup episode of Supergirl. Afterward, we head over to Netflix and dive in with the latest Margaret Atwood adaptation, the miniseries Alias Grace. What’s the right amount of ‘90s for a ‘90s-set sitcom? Is there anything Jane can do to get us off the dock and aboard the Goode Shippe Jadam? When will Rose wise up and call in the priests, and is there any way for Supergirl to avoid SuperCorp as endgame without betraying the only-just-barely-sub-text? Tune in for Noel and Kate’s takes on the week’s TV, then chime in below with your own.
Halloween may be over, but we extend the spooky season a little longer to talk Stranger Things season two this week on the podcast. What were the tricks and treats of the new season? Are we #TeamJonathan or #TeamSteve? Which kids got a raw deal this time around, and who got long-overdue development? And does anyone care about the adults? Before we dive back into the Upside Down, however, we have a full week of TV to discuss. First up are the comedy and reality episodes, including the premiere of Mom, a personal Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, strong installments of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and black-ish, and the midseason finale of The Good Place. Then we follow that up with the drama and genre entries, including another powerful Queen Sugar, potent (and perhaps problematic) developments from Supergirl, The Flash, and Arrow, and Star Trek: Discovery’s big time loop episode. Where’s the line between writers trusting their casts and actors saving underwritten dialogue? Does it really matter, if the scenes still play? Is comedy required and inherent to time loop episodes? And when don’t you need a pantsuit? All of this and more as Noel and Kate break down the latest in TV.
It’s reunion time this week on the podcast, as Noel checks back in with Outlander for the first time in years just as Claire and Jamie reunite in the much-anticipated “A. Malcolm.” Has time made the heart grow fonder? Does the episode work as well for Noel as regular viewer Kate? How does this episode speak to the traditions of melodrama and romance, and just how prevalent are these genres on TV right now? Before we dive in with Outlander, though, we talk through another fun week in TV. As ever, we kick things off with the comedies, including a particularly strong Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, a somewhat mixed Jane the Virgin, Halloween-themed episodes of Fresh Off the Boat and Broad City, and another excellent The Good Place. Then we move over to the rest of the week’s TV, including a check-in with Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, a brief look at Queen Sugar and follow-up on Mindhunter season one, a loose discussion of The CW’s superhero shows (Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, and Arrow), and a more in-depth chat about the strong pre-World Series hiatus cliffhanger episode of The Exorcist. Which musical-inspired Crazy Ex-Girlfriend song was our favorite this week? Which Huang best embodied their Seinfeld counterpart? How are The Flash and Arrow handling their overly large casts, and was that a flirt session between (former) Father Marcus and (Fish and Wildlife) Agent Morrow? (Spoiler alert: Yes, and more please!) Tune in for our thoughts on all of this and more on the latest episode of The Televerse.
Another week, another set of premieres. This week, Noel and Kate dive deep with The CW’s superhero premieres, spotlighting the returns of Supergirl, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Arrow. Which are off to a good start, which have us hiding behind our hands and dreading the next few episodes, and which should we really, truly break up with (even if we know we won’t)? Before that, however, we talk through another full week in TV. We kick things off, as ever, with the comedies, including the much-anticipated premiere of The Rundown with Robin Thede, strong installments of Better Things, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and black-ish, and a creative and animated, if somewhat disappointing Broad City. Then we move over to the genre and drama entries, including DuckTales, Outlander, Star Trek: Discovery, Queen Sugar, and another moving Halt and Catch Fire. What’s appropriate cookie etiquette? What makes Trek Trek? Which shows have us cracking up, getting misty, and waiting with bated breath? And who buys a media empire for their best bud? (C’mon now.) Tune in to hear our thoughts on all this and more, then leave your thoughts below in the comments!
