TV Talk Machine (O.G. Edition)

The past is present: Tim's interview with Stephen Colbert from the City Arts and Lectures series, Herbst Theatre, San Francisco.

Winter Press tour

Homeland Security

Fall 2013

This is The End

Whores Aplenty

Illuminate the Rim

Big Driedel

Finish Strong

The Cop in the Hat

TVTM 2.0

Have no fear, the boys are back! After many painful weeks, Tim, Joe, Ali and even Benny have returned to the PodCave, and they have a lot to discuss. The guys play Monday Morning Quarterback on all the new shows that debuted over the last two weeks, including Boardwalk Empire, Outlaw, Chase, Hawaii Five-O, Outsourced, Lone Star, Bleep My Dad Says and No Ordinary Family, plus many more. And they debut a couple of new voices!

In this special edition of the TV Talk Machine podcast, Tim interviews Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, producers of the nine-part documentary series Baseball. Their new two-part chapter to the Baseball series, The Tenth Inning, premieres on PBS on September 28th and 29th. This new installment picks up after the 1994 Strike and discusses the resurgence of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, the steroids cloud that looms over baseball and the influx of foreign-born players into baseball.

After two weeks and many vacations, the boys are back for another scintillating edition of the TV Talk Machine podcast. In this episode, Tim, QB and Ali (what a surprise, Benny was absent again) discuss the fallout from the 2010 Emmys. A number of Tim's predictions panned out, although Archie Punjabi winning was not one of them. And QB debuts a new voice.

You can call off the search teams! Tim has made it home safely, albeit in a stumbling stupor, from the Death March with Cocktails. His parents are happy to have him home. In this edition of the TV Talk Machine, Tim gives a full recap of the happenings at the Television Critics Association aka The Death March with Cocktails. Tim talks about the upcoming lineups for all the networks including HBO, AMC and FX Oh, and polygamists are discussed.

After a 2 week hiatus, the guys are back, and they have a new toy. QB stole a sound effects gadget from his daughter, thus setting off a foli battle between QB and Benny. As Tim gets ready to head down to LA for The Death March, he talks about what to expect and the coverage he will be providing. Or lack thereof.

We have big breaking TV news...Tim and Joe are back from vacation! Tim has been out of the TV loop for the last couple of weeks, but nonetheless, the guys forge on. Tim is excited for the announcement of Emmy nominations on Thursday and talks about his expectations and what would anger him. The guys delve into futbol as the World Cup winds down.

With the rousing success of the Sports Edition podcast from several weeks ago, Tim, QB and Ali decided that since World Cup got underway over the weekend, they'd take another crack at talking sports. QB even brought his vuvuzela (if you've watched any of the matches, that buzzing noise are hundreds of horns called vuvzelas).

This edition of the TVTM has a touch of sadness as the guys mourn the passing of The Wizard of Westwood. Coach Wooden's prized pupil Bill Walton makes statement. And the guys get to the letters and calls that didn't get to last week.

After two weeks, the Tim, Joe and Benny are back...with Ali still manning the knobs. All the whining seems to have paid off as evidence from the stack of letters and the number of phone calls.

Tim, QB and Ali enter the podcave to record TVTM 158. This week, the guys talk about shows that are being re-made. What show would you most like to see re-made? Email us at [email protected]. Plus, the return of everybody's favorite drunk baseball announcer. And Ali drops a bombshell on Tim and QB.

After last week's critically acclaimed Sports Edition, the guys are back with another jam-packed sports edition....just kidding. Tim, Joe, Ali and a late-arriving Benny get back to TV talk and debut some new celebrity "voices", while also reading your letters and taking your calls.

If you tuned in for smart, witty commentary on TVTM favorite like "Breaking Bad," "The Pacific," or 'Treme," sorry to disappoint you, but you're not going to find it in this episdoe. Okay, you might get a minute or two of Power Rankings breakdown towards the end, but that's about it. No, in this episode, Tim and the guys talk about nothing really. Okay, that's not entirely true either. They talk about the NFL Draft's shift to primetime. Oh, and QB reads Juan Antonio Samaranch's eulogy.

Hell yes we did a TVTM podcast. Our producer, The Greatest (aka Ali Thanawalla) finally herded Question Boy (aka Joe Garofoli) into the Podcave and off his backside. Inspired, Benny (aka Benny Evangelista) also showed up. And so did I, just to add some actual talent to the non-pro line-up. We had lots of e-mails (some of them angry) and a decent amount of calls (including one from Thailand). There were voices. (Bill Walton, you ask? Of course. But Ali learned a little something about the pronunciation of Peter Krause and that really derailed things. We apologize in advance to Germany.)

This week, QB is recovering from attending a Tea Party event and The Greatest was knocked out by Ken Norton aka The Flu. Macworld's Jason Snell dons a raincoat/shorty rob and fills in for QB. Benny mans the knobs and puts his headphones in the right hole. In this episode, the guys breakdown this week's Power Rankings. They also hold a really short vigil for "24." They also discuss the idea of multitasking and tweeting while watching television, and when it works and when it doesn't.

Just so you know, this isn't a Celebrity Podcast, where I interview people I like in the industry, like the last one I did with "Breaking Bad" creator Vince Gilligan. Those can be informative and sometimes insightful. They are professionally done. This is not one of those. Nope, this is our "regular" old TVTM podcast, where stupid is as stupid does. Or something stupid like that. We talk TV. We answer mail. And phone messages. There are, ahem, "voices" of people like Tom Brokaw and Howard Cosell and of course! Bill Walton, our Patron Saint of Voices on the podcast. Even Existential French Woman and the cast of "Bars" drop by. We are without Benny, who was "working." So there's absolutely no foley work here. If you're longing for the sound of, say, a door closing, forget it. But Question Boy decided to show up. The podcast is produced by Ali, aka "The Greatest," and someone has the audacity to call in and say he's good at the job. That needs to end right now. In other highlights, I'm asked to choose between red wine and Diet Coke. Plus, someone had a pointless dream about the podcast. "Enjoy!"

Tim Goodman talks with Vince Gilligan, the creator of "Breaking Bad," AMC's hit drama about Walt White, a chemistry teacher diagnosed with cancer. With nothing left to lose, White decides to go into the drug business and quickly becomes a major player in the drug world. "Breaking Bad" returns for it's third season on March 21st.

Well, after a brief hiatus, the TV Talk Machine is back for the second episode of 2010. This time, Oh Great One Tim Goodman, Joe "Question Bay" Garofoli and Benny "Manny" Evangelista are joined by new TVTM producer Ali "The Greatest" Thanawalla. In this episode, Tim and the guys give their post-Olympics analysis (if you're a fan of NBC, cover your ears), and Tim previews the Spring schedule. And as always, they take your phone calls, and things get a little steamy (and awkward).

Who doesn't love ponies? Anyway, after being off "the air" since December, the world's most dangerous, stupid and pointless podcast about television is back! We have a new podcave (actually, someone else's office). We've gone through three producers, one intern, any number of Question Girls, a dozen or so 12-step programs, a grand jury investigation, two foreign tribunals and successfully (and almost legally) avoided international sanctions. So, happy third birthday to us! We can't be killed. We even took a phone call from Qatar, so put that in your Doha pipe and smoke it! Our world domination continues. See, now you want to listen. It's free. Easy. And also quite popular on iTunes. Although we turned down an invite to go on "Fighting Talk," our good friends at the BBC and my recent appearance on Bill Simmons' "B.S. Report" podcast have finally nudged the decision-makers at TVTM to consider expanding the cult. Even though tens of thousands of people listen to us monthly (when we're not too lazy to actually do the podcast) we are very much an acquired taste, as any number of our measly 573 or so TVTM Facebook fans will attest. In theory, this podcast is about television. In practice, it's a collection of rants, asides, dribs and drabs of actual answers to listeners who have questions, inside jokes, terrible impersonations (Walter Cronkite, Juan Antoniio Samaranch, The Count from "Sesame Street," Vladamir Putin, Dora the Explorer, the Existential French Woman and "hundreds" more, including our patron saint, Bill Walton. Plus porno versions of all of those people, except Walton.) These podcasts are not to be confused with the TV Talk Machine's spin-off "Celebrity Podcasts" (see link on right side of this blog) where I talk professionally with a number of important people I like in the industry and do it with actual TV knowledge. Those have value. And a point. If, however, you'd like to listen to our more regular TVTM podcasts and you're a newbie wondering why we have listeners around the globe (that part is actually true), iTunes availability, a Facebook fan page and a toll-free hotline for those living in the U.S. of A, then here's a quick primer: Our cast is made up of Yours Truly, plus Question Boy (Chronicle political writer Joe Garofoli) and Manny (Chronicle business writer Benny Evangelista) who "mans the knobs" and produces this thing. Or as we like to say, "produces" this thing. (We go through producers like Spinal Tap goes through drummers, just FYI.) Whenever we're not too lazy, we put on our shorty robes, head to the podcave and answer your questions while channeling Walton and any number of other bad voices we can conjure. We encourage people to take the TVTM logo with them when they travel and take "Flat Bastard" photos that are posted on our Facebook page (seriously, you should go look). We ask only that you set your bar low for information and entertainment. No animals are hurt in the creation of this podcast.

The whole special menagerie (Goodman, Question Boy, Benny Durwood, Sheri from the Vale, PPage and Justin Beck) return for another fun-filled holiday 'cast. It's chock full of dreidel spinning, bah-humbugery, inappropriate sexual innuedo, wassailing and a very special Christmas fable narrated by PPage.

Tim, Question Boy, Benny and Durwood are joined by very special guests: Sherry from the Vale, PPage and the ghost of producers past--Justin Beck. Things get warm and fuzzy--and steamy--as the all-star cast talks TV and learns the true meaning of Christmas. Plus: a somewhat audible live phone call with George D.!

We're still here, holding down the dilapidated bunker that is the second floor podcave with lots to say about The Venture Brothers, how to talk like a Gilmore Girl and why Al Gore has such bad teeth. Plus special visits from Angry Regis, Porno Count and Tim Gunn!

After a turkey/H1N1-enduced hiatus, Goodman and the gang return to discuss Tiger Woods and why you shouldn't sleep around with reality TV stars (and if you must, which ones are better than others), the latest dirt on the state of the Chronicle's second floor, the remarkeable similarities between Bill Walton and Santa Claus, and much more!

Nothing but shenanigans. We actually have listener submitted theme songs by the likes of Jason Snell and Rob from Palo Alto. Plus!!: Elvis Costello croons to Tim (by way of PPage, by way of a Question Boy impersonation). And much more...

When Question Boy and Benny are MIA for twenty minutes, Tim "Oh Great One" Goodman is left to chat with Durwood the intern about indie pop, the young demo's penchant for beards and all of QB's various shortcomings. Plus: Mrs. Question Boy calls to complain, Matt from Bethesda has a word or two and a discussion of Peggie Olson's real life romance.

Tim Goodman talks with Kurt Sutter the creator of "Sons of Anarchy," FX's groundbreaking drama about Northern California biker gangs. Though it includes lots of biker brawls and knife fights, a family drama runs right through the show's heart.

PPage and Jengo join Goodman et. al. for another lady-filled cast. Question Boy comes up with some new voices--Porno Arriana, Existential Dora, and more! There is much Mad Men pre-finale puffery.

Joined by very special guest question girls PPage and Jengo, Goodman and the gang pit V against Flashforward, bemoan the demise of SF's own Trauma, star in a scintillating listener's nighttime fantasy and eulogize the tragic retiremnt of the one and only Walton.

Goodman, Question Boy, Benny and Durwood discuss all sorts of high brow stuff, really share their favorite TV shows cancelled too soon, talk Aaron Sorkin's drug habits and receive a scintillating challenge from loyal listener Taldar.

Tim Goodman, joined by Question Boy, Benny and the rest, talks about old men playing soccer, French Existentialism and FX's The League. Plus, Daniel the Intern earns a new nickname from an annoyed caller and belittles Canadians!

Tim Goodman and the gang fill the podcave with talk of Jane Lynch as the vengeful cheerleading coach on Glee, the ongoing greatness of Mad Men, new shows like Flash Forward, as well as updates from frequent callers and commentators like Hanna from Sweden and Porno Nixon.

After two weeks of suspense, Goodman and the gang return triumphantly to the podcave for more antics from Walton, the Count, Porno Nixon and a new intern! Lots of good listener calls and talk about Jay Leno (Lame-no, as one listener suggests), the return of sitcoms and lots more.

What will be the fate of the TVTM? Who's going to man the knobs? Will we ever hear from Sir Tim, Question Boy, Benny/Manny/Knobby/Chocoknobs, Adjustin', Walton, Existential French Woman, Porno Nixon/Putin/Cronkite, Angry Regis or Southern Gentleman ever again? We talk about Adjustin (Justin Beck) leaving, but keep our spirits up instead of crying all over our shorty robes. And we refuse to acknowledge this is the end. If you don't hear from us soon via the regular channels, we'll pop up like Pirate Radio, taking names and stealing booty.

Sir Tim talks about the Emmys, calls them a vast improvement; highlights of the opening week of TV's fall season include "Flash Forward" and "Modern Family," the latter of which Tim says is "amazingly funny" and in the same league as "Arrested Development."

Tim tells a five-minute-long story about something he saw at the Rockridge BART station (previously he'd tweeted about the same thing in fewer than 140 charaters); Benny Master of Sounds impersonates a juke box; Question Boy (aka Best Boy) pouts; a tree becomes the podcast's newest listener.

It's true: There's TV-related material in this podcast. Other highlights: Benny is late to the 'cast; Joe is sore about being demoted in Jason's new theme music; Justin takes pictures and video (see 'em here); Benny redeems himself as the Master of Sounds. Nothing to see here folks. Keep moving.

More clips from Sunday's Hootenanny. George D plays Question Boy again. Benny as Special Guest again.

Let's drink to TV! And bad podcasting and late birthday parties, and people surviving heart attacks, etc. etc. George D plays Question Boy. Benny as Special Guest.

Doot doot doot doot doot! A question from Jasmine in the 510 prompts Tim to divulge actual TV-related information -- five fall shows to watch out for. Plus, tons of calls from listeners. Oh, and Tim reveals his desire to stab QB in the armpit. And Benny as Special Guest.

Today's special guest: Manny. Again.