12: Conan's in town, Duchovny's new series and TV for kids

Well, if ever there was any doubt that the TV Talk Machine was a flinty little operation with almost no managerial oversight, staffed by lazy, dumb and probably dishonest employees, well, this podcast will prove it definitively. It's the price of free, people. But you know what? There's a lot of love in it. There's even a shorty robe. And a man's chest. There are wayward metaphors, the inclusion of The World's Most Garbled Message, a plea for patience or at least understanding, a lot of laughs and--miraculously--a few snippets of useful information. As usual, I'm joined by Question Boy, the Chronicle's own media writer, Joe Garofoli. Make a mental note that the Garofoli and Goodman Media Investigation Unit will, in the very near future, take on a very daunting task: Can one man, maybe two, watch a week's worth of Jay Leno and find a laugh? Enjoy the podcast. The TV Talk Machine will be on vacation next week. No doubt planning a better show.