I'm watching ER for the first time ever thanks to your frequent newsletter references and championing of the Pitt.
I have disliked medical dramas my entire TV-watching life.
But this first season? Absolute magic top-to-bottom. Show has got me choked up at least every other episode. Just astonishingly well-made well-shot well-acted TV. Glad I'm not a critic because I'd just say "AHHH THIS IS SO GOOD WATCH THE GOOD THING" again.
I'm also bummed that Star Trek: SNW is ending after an abbreviated 5th season, but honestly with all of the Paramount/Redstone/Skydance drama and turmoil, I'm kinda shocked we're even getting a 4th season let alone six additional episodes after that.
The 5th and final season order of 6 eps. feels similar to how P+ wrapped-up Evil last year. The final season is being filmed later this year I wouldn’t be surprised if it actually all airs before of end of 2026.
After as many as 4-5 shows at once in the streaming era, only the upcoming Academy show will be sole ST series left remaining at this time.
26 episodes was one frickin’ season of 20th-century Trek. Even the (original) animated series’ 22 episodes over two seasons were actually released within a span of 13 months. Plus, while I’m glad SNW hasn’t gone the hard-core serialized route, 10 episodes or fewer with a cast this big and scope this large means there’s pretty much *only* room for quirky, high-concept episodes and character spotlights — musical or silent episode, check; annual Spock farce, check; time loop or whatever, check. (I say this out of love for the show!)
Fun tangent - Mary Robinette Kowal's talking cat (@elsiewants on Instagram) inspired John Scalzi's talking cat in his book "Starter Villain". It's not as good as his space army series "Old Man's War" but a fun easy read.
Like many I developed zombie fatigue ages ago and had no interest in another zombie show, but given it's Wisconsin setting (I'm a native), I decided to watch Revival. And it's good! At least the first episode is.
Really liked the new Poker Face. More than last week's. Also love a tale of con artists and this is a good one. They got me. Very fun.
And speaking of fun, Duster continues to be a blast. Very much enjoyed watching how Nina becomes the Russian interpreter. Corbin Bernsen was great.
I resisted watching For All Mankind for several years because I was pissed off that it's existence meant we'd probably never get a Lady Astronaut series. I'm glad you've discovered the books and enjoyed them so much
Have you read Andy Weir? I found Lady Astronaut series because I was trying to scratch the itch from re-reading The Martian (yes the same one that was adapted (faithfully) into the movie with Matt Damon). He’s written two others, Artemis and Project Hail Mary. All are excellent. They scratch more of the Apollo 13 itch than the FAM itch though (extreme problem solving in space)
I watched the first season of Fubar last year and it was...fine. But I pretty much knew then that I wouldn't bother with a second season if they made one.
Monica was great in A Complete Unknown. Hoping her future has very little FUBAR.
Not a lot of interesting TV right now, so i am going to British shows. Looking at this year Bafta and then starting. Going first with Blue Lights, winner of Best Drama. Have you seen it?
Loved that pun-genius Megan Amram wrote this episode of Poker Face. It's so different from what we're used from her that I was really curious going in to see what we'll get!
Three episodes into Stick and really enjoying this light and fluffy sports comedy, it's an easy watch for Summer. Owen Wilson is fantastic and the cast overall is very good. I don't really mind that its predictable or includes a lot of well-worn tropes, even the most beloved and revered sports movies and TV shows are full of predictable outcomes and well-worn tropes, it's one of the most reliable and predictable genres outside of war/combat. I doubt it can sustain itself into multiple seasons but that's fine.
Only seen her in one episode. It was only a matter of time before they added a love interest, but I'm still giving that crown to the self-righteous fraud Abby on TLOU.
I got about halfway through the third episode and I think I'm done. I really don't like any of the characters and everyone just seems like an idiot. Plus, the story is pretty meh and it doesn't even make me laugh.
I really like Owen Wilson and Mark Maron, so maybe I'll give it more time, but probably not.
I get it. This isn't a show that would make my Top 10 for the year, it's a breezy comedy that I've enjoyed. That said, I feel like this year of TV has been mostly mediocre so far and even Alan's recent Top 10 has a couple shows I really didn't like. I just watched the 1st ep of a new series he recently gave a mostly positive review to and I was mad I wasted an hour on it! I think we're still feeling the creative hangover from the strike, this whole year may be a net loss for quality TV.
Not a bad list. But I’d swap out North of North, Dept. Q, The Residence, and Severance for The Rehearsal, The Righteous Gemstones, The Last of Us, and Adults. With an honorable mention for Hacks, which finished its season strong.
I couldn’t agree more on Dave. I almost pulled the plug a few episodes in but it came so strongly recommended by friends that I pushed through. So glad I did. Now I consider it one of the best comedies in the last decade.
Alan,
I'm watching ER for the first time ever thanks to your frequent newsletter references and championing of the Pitt.
I have disliked medical dramas my entire TV-watching life.
But this first season? Absolute magic top-to-bottom. Show has got me choked up at least every other episode. Just astonishingly well-made well-shot well-acted TV. Glad I'm not a critic because I'd just say "AHHH THIS IS SO GOOD WATCH THE GOOD THING" again.
I'm also bummed that Star Trek: SNW is ending after an abbreviated 5th season, but honestly with all of the Paramount/Redstone/Skydance drama and turmoil, I'm kinda shocked we're even getting a 4th season let alone six additional episodes after that.
The 5th and final season order of 6 eps. feels similar to how P+ wrapped-up Evil last year. The final season is being filmed later this year I wouldn’t be surprised if it actually all airs before of end of 2026.
After as many as 4-5 shows at once in the streaming era, only the upcoming Academy show will be sole ST series left remaining at this time.
I’ll miss After Midnight, by the way, although I’m glad Taylor Tomlinson was able to leave to resume a heavier touring schedule on her own terms.
I first saw Harris Yulin in the late great “Rubicon”. Such a commanding presence.
He's on next week's "And Just Like That".
26 episodes was one frickin’ season of 20th-century Trek. Even the (original) animated series’ 22 episodes over two seasons were actually released within a span of 13 months. Plus, while I’m glad SNW hasn’t gone the hard-core serialized route, 10 episodes or fewer with a cast this big and scope this large means there’s pretty much *only* room for quirky, high-concept episodes and character spotlights — musical or silent episode, check; annual Spock farce, check; time loop or whatever, check. (I say this out of love for the show!)
Fun tangent - Mary Robinette Kowal's talking cat (@elsiewants on Instagram) inspired John Scalzi's talking cat in his book "Starter Villain". It's not as good as his space army series "Old Man's War" but a fun easy read.
Elsie is amazing!!!
Like many I developed zombie fatigue ages ago and had no interest in another zombie show, but given it's Wisconsin setting (I'm a native), I decided to watch Revival. And it's good! At least the first episode is.
Really liked the new Poker Face. More than last week's. Also love a tale of con artists and this is a good one. They got me. Very fun.
And speaking of fun, Duster continues to be a blast. Very much enjoyed watching how Nina becomes the Russian interpreter. Corbin Bernsen was great.
I resisted watching For All Mankind for several years because I was pissed off that it's existence meant we'd probably never get a Lady Astronaut series. I'm glad you've discovered the books and enjoyed them so much
Have you read Andy Weir? I found Lady Astronaut series because I was trying to scratch the itch from re-reading The Martian (yes the same one that was adapted (faithfully) into the movie with Matt Damon). He’s written two others, Artemis and Project Hail Mary. All are excellent. They scratch more of the Apollo 13 itch than the FAM itch though (extreme problem solving in space)
I watched the first season of Fubar last year and it was...fine. But I pretty much knew then that I wouldn't bother with a second season if they made one.
Monica was great in A Complete Unknown. Hoping her future has very little FUBAR.
Not a lot of interesting TV right now, so i am going to British shows. Looking at this year Bafta and then starting. Going first with Blue Lights, winner of Best Drama. Have you seen it?
Loved that pun-genius Megan Amram wrote this episode of Poker Face. It's so different from what we're used from her that I was really curious going in to see what we'll get!
Poker Face has lost me this Season … it’s just boring and that stinks being it was so enjoyable last Year.
And I'll check out The Calculating Stars!
I agree with your FAM thoughts... so disappointing as it went on, but I liked it enough to stick with it.
Three episodes into Stick and really enjoying this light and fluffy sports comedy, it's an easy watch for Summer. Owen Wilson is fantastic and the cast overall is very good. I don't really mind that its predictable or includes a lot of well-worn tropes, even the most beloved and revered sports movies and TV shows are full of predictable outcomes and well-worn tropes, it's one of the most reliable and predictable genres outside of war/combat. I doubt it can sustain itself into multiple seasons but that's fine.
Agreed... except Zero might be the most annoying character on TV today.
Only seen her in one episode. It was only a matter of time before they added a love interest, but I'm still giving that crown to the self-righteous fraud Abby on TLOU.
I really only like the mom and Maron, so I'm struggling with this one. We'll keep watching, though, bc my husband is a completist.
I got about halfway through the third episode and I think I'm done. I really don't like any of the characters and everyone just seems like an idiot. Plus, the story is pretty meh and it doesn't even make me laugh.
I really like Owen Wilson and Mark Maron, so maybe I'll give it more time, but probably not.
I get it. This isn't a show that would make my Top 10 for the year, it's a breezy comedy that I've enjoyed. That said, I feel like this year of TV has been mostly mediocre so far and even Alan's recent Top 10 has a couple shows I really didn't like. I just watched the 1st ep of a new series he recently gave a mostly positive review to and I was mad I wasted an hour on it! I think we're still feeling the creative hangover from the strike, this whole year may be a net loss for quality TV.
Which show is it that you sampled and didn’t like? Dept Q is that show for me. Though Stick is pretty bad too.
Not a bad list. But I’d swap out North of North, Dept. Q, The Residence, and Severance for The Rehearsal, The Righteous Gemstones, The Last of Us, and Adults. With an honorable mention for Hacks, which finished its season strong.
I couldn’t agree more on Dave. I almost pulled the plug a few episodes in but it came so strongly recommended by friends that I pushed through. So glad I did. Now I consider it one of the best comedies in the last decade.
Julia’s audiofeed does NOT fully overlap with Alan’s writing here…
Sometimes, the newsletter gets last minute edits after the recording is done. Can't always be helped.
Trve, the situation isn’t FUBAR 🙃