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Artwork for TV Is Good

TV Is Good

Alan Sepinwall
Station Eleven
Arrested Development
Widow's Bay
Mad Men
The Gilded Age
The Americans
Cupertino
The Lowdown
House Of the Dragon
Gilligan's Island
Century City
The Diplomat
The Bear
Weeds
Love Island USA
The Vampire Lestat
Lost
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Little House On the Prairie
Deadwood

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes32Founded6 months ago
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TV & Film

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Latest Episodes

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 overv... more

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 patreon.com/tvisgoodpod

Support us on Patreon

Read Alan at Wha... more

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 b... more

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-exa... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Roxana Hadadi
TV critic at Vulture.
Vulture
Episode: How do we get everyone to watch The Lowdown?
Dan Fienberg
Chief television critic at The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter
Episode: How weird does the new CBS drama Cupertino get?
Lynette Rice
Author of ER, The Oral History; former Entertainment Weekly and Deadline journalist
Hachette/Author
Episode: What fall TV are we excited about?
Rebecca Shaw
Creator of Adults
FX / Adults
Episode: Why do we love Adults so much?
Ben Kronengold
Creator of Adults
FX / Adults
Episode: Why do we love Adults so much?
Tatiana Maslany
Guest; discussed TV preferences and segment
Apple/ATX media appearance (interview context)
Episode: Does The Bear earn a starred review?

Hosts

Alan Sepinwall
TV critic with extensive writing and on-screen discussion history; co-host with deep background in television criticism and industry commentary.
Kathryn VanArendonk
TV critic with a strong background in television analysis and industry commentary; frequent co-host and analytical counterpart.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 175 ratings
  • Fun listen

    Always been a big fan of Alan Sepinwall, listened to all the podcasts, own all the books etc. another fun outlet to be able to hear what he has to say and introduce us to new and old/recurring shows. Already tried out a couple based on his recommendation. Cohost is great too

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Jones 1234
    United States2 months ago
  • Stop spoiling!

    I want to like this show, but they drop it before current seasons of shows are done and make no attempt to only discuss episodes we’ve seen, when they have access to more. I’ve stopped listening, since they’ve spoiled plot points of at least 3 shows I’m watching, as I’m used to podcasters who respect the viewers and only discuss episodes we’ve seen.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Alibi313
    United States3 months ago
  • We needed this podcast

    I’m loving the dispatches on Bones overseas! This podcast not only offers great discussion of (sometimes) great TV, but also digs into the different ways TV can be enjoyed and how it shows up in our lives. I’ve followed Alan through several websites and a few podcasts. I’m new to Kathryn’s work and her thoughts are both insightful and delightful. A must-listen for TV nerds.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sophie Bangs
    United States3 months ago
  • EP 7, The Bear

    Kathryn is shallow too often. In EP 7 (The Bear) it led to too many comments on actors whose eyes she believes are too widely spaced. Overall, Kathryn’s type of podcast “chattiness” needs a revamp to show her being less catty and trivial, and show more of her film education and thoughtfulness.

    I have a subscription to What’s Alan Watching and have read him over decades. I will continue to listen to TV is Good because of the depth and meaning he brings to topics. I will fast-forward through what... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    sh330
    United States3 months ago
  • I love how they cut to the chase

    Very little flab/inconsequential "banter" on this show. I have so much respect for their laser-focus on the pod's core question, "Is the TV good?" They don't go off on tangents about topics they don't fully understand!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Robert in Hollywood
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and Patreon content add value for deeper dives.
Banter remains insightful and cohesive without losing depth.
Critics bring deep TV history and sharp, focused discourse.
The conversations blend production insight with thoughtful critique.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#221
Chile/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#221
Poland/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#230
Brazil/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How weird does the new CBS drama Cupertino get?
Q: Why did you pick this show?
Dan chose Century City because his television-filled memory connected it to Cupertino as a legal procedural about technology. He also wanted to revisit a series he and friends remember for a purported nanopants scene, although the scene was missing from the available pilot.
How weird does the new CBS drama Cupertino get?
Q: How do you feel about Cupertino? Tell me about your relationship with the Kings generally. How do you feel about their work, and how does Cupertino slot into their oeuvre for you?
Dan says he likes much of the Kings' work and sees them as making broadcast procedurals at a higher level than their peers. He finds Cupertino funny and easy to watch, especially as a comedy, though he questions whether its light tone suits its AI and technology concerns.
Does The Bear earn a starred review?
Q: What role do guest appearances play in shaping the season's reception?
Guest appearances like Tom Skilling and Elsie Fisher add local color and star power, but the hosts emphasize that the show's backbone remains the character work and the ensemble dynamics rather than spectacle.
Does The Bear earn a starred review?
Q: How does the final season balance the show's established cooking-kitchen chaos with its new architectural-leaning subplots?
The hosts argue the season pivots between sensory, lived-in kitchen drama and aspirational, abstract ideas, using the move into architecture as a metaphor for control and legacy while keeping the core characters grounded in personal vulnerability.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About TV Is Good

What is TV Is Good about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, TV-criticism–powered discussion that blends deep dives into current releases with reflections on classic and genre-bending entries. Hosts bring decades of critical experience to bear, weighing storytelling choices, tone, and cultural impact while keeping a steady focus on what makes a show “good.” Across episodes they cover everything from prestige dramas to streaming experiments, often peppering in travel anecdotes and industry insights. Noteworthy are their structured formats, candid debates, and guest segments that illuminate both production decisions and reception, making it valuable for listeners who want smart, opinionated takes on television and a clear framework for evaluating what works on screen.

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How many listeners does TV Is Good get?

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How many subscribers and views does TV Is Good have?

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Which podcasts are similar to TV Is Good?

These podcasts share a similar audience with TV Is Good:

1. Extra Hot Great: This Week In TV
2. The Watch
3. The Prestige TV Podcast
4. The Big Picture
5. House of R

How many episodes of TV Is Good are there?

TV Is Good launched 6 months ago and published 32 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact TV Is Good?

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What guests have appeared on TV Is Good?

Recent guests on TV Is Good include:

1. Roxana Hadadi
2. Dan Fienberg
3. Lynette Rice
4. Rebecca Shaw
5. Ben Kronengold
6. Tatiana Maslany

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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