TV's Top 5

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TV & Film #137TV Reviews #13

Welcome to TV's Top 5! Each episode features The Hollywood Reporter's West Coast TV Editor Lesley Goldberg and Chief TV Critic Daniel Fienberg breaking down the latest industry headlines. The podcast is broken into five segments, offering a deep-dive analysis of the latest TV news and a critical look at current and upcoming shows. Every episode of the weekly podcast includes an in-depth interview with one of the industry's most powerful showrunners or an up-and-coming new voice. Have an industry question you’d like to hear us address in a Mailbag segment? Email us at TVsTop5@THR.com. Stay tuned for future episodes and be sure to subscribe. Hosted by: Lesley Goldberg and Daniel Fienberg

Recent Episodes
  • A Fond Farewell
    Jun 21, 2024 – 21:26
  • Paramount Woes, USA Grows and … the Hot Dog Wars (Yes, Really)
    Jun 14, 2024 – 01:09:02
  • What Should the Emmys do With ‘The Bear’? We Have an Idea
    Jun 7, 2024 – 01:05:35
  • ‘We Are Lady Parts’ Creator on Scaling Up in Season 2
    May 31, 2024 – 01:09:20
  • The CW, Freevee and Brands That Could Have Been
    May 24, 2024 – 01:14:52
  • The Upfronts 2024 Wrap Up Edition
    May 17, 2024 – 01:39:18
  • A Big Week for Netflix’s Live Efforts
    May 10, 2024 – 01:04:28
  • CBS Takes a Victory Lap Amid Paramount Global Uncertainty
    May 3, 2024 – 59:01
  • State of Broadcast Special Episode
    Apr 19, 2024 – 47:20
  • Did the ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ Finale Stick the Landing?
    Apr 12, 2024 – 01:21:20
  • Caitlin Clark a Slam Dunk for March Madness Ratings
    Apr 5, 2024 – 55:47
  • What’s Up with ‘Euphoria’ and Ronna McDaniel?
    Mar 29, 2024 – 57:59
  • Danai Gurira on Writing a ‘Walking Dead’ Love Story
    Mar 22, 2024 – 01:25:12
  • Why Netflix Is Getting Into the Ring With Mike Tyson and Jake Paul
    Mar 8, 2024 – 43:47
  • The Kings on Launching 'Elsbeth,' Ending 'Evil'
    Mar 1, 2024 – 01:39:39
  • Amy Schumer on Making a Deeply Personal (and Timely) Second Season of 'Life & Beth'
    Feb 23, 2024 – 01:26:31
  • Why the TV Industry’s Contraction May Not Be a Bad Thing
    Feb 16, 2024 – 01:20:42
  • Making Sense of the New Sports Super-Streamer
    Feb 9, 2024 – 01:13:39
  • A Deep Dive Conversation About Streaming and Ads
    Feb 2, 2024 – 01:09:04
  • Is Jon Stewart’s Return Good for ‘The Daily Show’?
    Jan 26, 2024 – 01:01:26
  • Breaking Down the Emmys (and Finale Mania)
    Jan 19, 2024 – 01:37:38
  • The Emmys Preview Episode
    Jan 12, 2024 – 01:06:34
  • 2024 TV Preview
    Jan 5, 2024 – 55:27
  • The Best (and Worst) TV of 2023
    Dec 15, 2023 – 01:57:25
  • One Day at a Time Co-Creator Pays Tribute to Norman Lear
    Dec 8, 2023 – 01:29:05
  • Chuck Lorre on His Broadcast Future and Reuniting With Charlie Sheen (on Max’s ‘Bookie’)
    Dec 1, 2023 – 01:15:32
  • Merry Chrismukkah! The Inside Stories of ‘The O.C.’
    Nov 17, 2023 – 01:05:34
  • The Strikes Are Over. What Happens Next? With ‘Beacon 23’ Showrunner Glen Mazzara
    Nov 10, 2023 – 01:21:53
  • Inside the Sprawling (Adult) World of ‘Blue Eye Samurai’
    Nov 3, 2023 – 01:20:07
  • The Latest on the Actors Strike, Plus What’s Next for Jon Stewart?
    Oct 27, 2023 – 01:07:05
  • Actors Strike at an Impasse, Marvel TV at a Crossroads
    Oct 13, 2023 – 01:11:57
  • How THR Critics Picked the Best Shows of the 21st Century
    Oct 6, 2023 – 01:27:32
  • Chris Keyser Explains the New WGA Deal (and Why He’s Done Negotiating)
    Sep 29, 2023 – 01:38:50
  • How the Entertainment Community Fund Is Supporting Workers Impacted by the Strikes
    Sep 22, 2023 – 01:00:11
  • Disney-Charter Winners and Losers; Plus the Latest Strike Updates
    Sep 15, 2023 – 01:11:36
  • Strike updates plus finale fever with Alan Sepinwall
    Sep 8, 2023 – 01:38:29
  • The latest on the ongoing Writers Strike
    Aug 25, 2023 – 01:06:34
  • Exploring the Connection Between AI and the Writers Room
    Aug 18, 2023 – 01:12:18
  • WGA Negotiator on 100 Days of the Writers Strike
    Aug 11, 2023 – 01:47:18
  • Latest Strike News; Inside The CW’s Transformation
    Aug 4, 2023 – 01:37:11
  • Hollywood Strike Ripples include Surprise Profits, Tough Scheduling Choices
    Jul 28, 2023 – 01:01:40
  • Justine Bateman: Pulling AI Into the Arts Is "Absolutely the Wrong Direction"
    Jul 21, 2023 – 01:30:21
  • Actors strike casts a shadow on Emmy nominations
    Jul 14, 2023 – 01:12:05
  • NBC shake-up; and a wave of cancellations
    Jul 7, 2023 – 56:56
  • The End of ‘The Other Two’ and ‘Reservation Dogs’
    Jun 30, 2023 – 52:25
  • The Best TV Shows of 2023 (So Far)
    Jun 23, 2023 – 01:52:32
  • How 'Happy Endings' Became the Case Study on the Value of a Traditional Writers Room
    Jun 16, 2023 – 01:44:38
  • The Latest on Hollywood’s Labor Unrest as Actors, Directors Join the Fray
    Jun 9, 2023 – 01:08:58
  • 'Ted Lasso,’ ‘Succession,’ ‘Barry,’ ‘Yellowjackets’ Finales; Plus Maureen Ryan on 'Burn It Down'
    Jun 2, 2023 – 01:56:17
  • How Warren Leight Is Leading the WGA East’s Push to Shutdown Filming
    May 26, 2023 – 01:53:40
Recent Reviews
  • THESCOTTPRUITT
    Sad
    I love this podcast. I first heard Dan on that idiots show on WGN nick digilio . This was so amazing to find. I don’t have to listen to drunk hateful nick digilio to listen to listen to the insightful podcast you two had.
  • TDTexasUser1234
    KEEP THIS POD GOING
    I’m so sad to hear this is the last one and Lesley is leaving THR. Love your insight. Please keep this going even if you two do it on your own.
  • Broncocacher
    Noooooo!
    Sad to see the Pod go away, wish Dan, even though he can be a bit much at times, and Lesley would produce one independently and keep it going… unfortunately the farewell episode I do not believe loaded correctly so it cut off at the 21 Minute mark. Let’s hope we get more as it’s the best source for industry info available.
  • altedward
    Last episode?!
    Saddened by the announcement of Lesley Goldberg being let go. Hopefully THR will recognize the popularity of the podcast and allow it to continue!
  • NeeB76
    Keep Top 5 going
    I hope this wasn’t the last episode. Every week, I look forward to the podcast. It’s helped me get through some tough health days. Please keep it going! I love this podcast. I faithfully listen every week.
  • LONGSTON
    Insightfully Entertaining
    THR: Please keep this podcast going! Favorite podcast on tv! Lesley and Dan are great hosts, giving plenty of insight into the TV landscape. They know what they’re talking about and allow us the opportunity to dig deeper. Great interviews and they allow their TV insiders the opportunity to talk! Love this one!
  • MademoiselleMads
    Amazing Podcast
    Please don’t end this podcast 😭 it’s so informative and necessary. Losing this podcast will leave a huge hole. Don’t cancel it. We need it. Love y’all!
  • Apple is awful
    Great show
    Fabulous show, best podcast out there to keep up with what’s new and good on streaming.
  • nurfurder
    Show is pretty good, but omg the volume of the ads
    Ad volume is way too high. Shocks me every time. Do what tv shows are now legally required to do and keep content and ads at same volume.
  • Sunny Wunder
    March 29 episode
    I was really disappointed to hear that Daniel Feinberg wasn’t knowledgeable enough to understand the Ronna McDaniel firing. She was head of the RNC and supported the big lie that Joe Biden had lost the election. She was part of the coup and one of the masterminds of the Michigan fake collectors schemes. In fact, in her interview on Meet the Press she volunteered that she had lied about the election but it was because of her job. Each of the MSN pundits were incensed because they felt it was a violation of their integrity that she would work for the company that they were employed by. Mr. Feinberg how do you not know that? Go back and watch what Rachel Maddow said about the hiring of Ronna McDaniels. I think you may have a better understanding of the situation.
  • Gangster 547
    Zero Stars and I Am Out
    You both are way too concerned with the politics of Hollywood. No one cares!
  • dwjohnson2
    I have always been a fan of Dan’s
    I have been listening to/following Dan for over 10 years and for that reason won’t give a bad rating but I can’t stand how much politics Dan has been shoving down our throats lately. Stop mentioning Elon Musk. You are obsessed and it’s actually embarrassing. No one uses Big Sky or Threads or whatever else. Get over it please!!!!
  • Mkodf
    Long-Time Fan, One Flaw
    I’ve been listening every week for years, love the up-to-the-minute insider’s industry reporting from Leslie, and enjoy Dan’s decades of experience and referential knowledge. Just one complaint: Please do NOT feel the need to gut-punch the excellent flow of your dialogue by looking up previous podcast episode numbers and dates, I’m begging you! If we care we’ll find it and save it, and the info is far less useful than your co-host discussions are. Thanks for this wonderful, consistent podcast week after week!
  • Steven 456773
    Great Podcast
    People complaining about baseball are legit whining about maybe 2 minutes per hour plus of content exclusively on television during the season. Leslie and Dan have a great dynamic and back and forth and lead to a very enjoyable podcast.
  • LppCo
    Stop Talking About Baseball
    This is not a baseball podcast. Please have your baseball conversations privately. SO annoying!!!
  • Alaskacie
    Has gotten very self-indulgent
    The critic’s corner is now mainly Dan droning on and on about the shows he doesn’t like. No longer a great place anymore to find the good shows. And Leslie and the baseball.
  • Paris4rver16
    Terrific Show
    Great insight into the intersection between content, platforms and entertainment in general. Just an enjoyable listen with fun personal anecdotes from smart hosts who have great chemistry.
  • Ledizzler
    Is Lesley asleep during critics corner?
    I love the podcast but Dan talks so much!! I don’t understand why there is no discussion during the critics corner , Dan can become annoying to listen to.
  • jdjdjnxjd
    Great content each week but should be called “Leslie interrupts Dan”
    Both of these hosts have very interesting things to say, but Leslie can’t help herself and interrupts Dan all the time. It’s incredibly distracting. I hope she learns some respect and restraint.
  • DrZayas
    Don’t judge a book by an episode
    This show takes time to appreciate its greatest feature, which is its consistency. They may not reinvent the wheel but they inform and deliver weekly.
  • Lesstko
    Best tv podcast!
    Great variety every week. Podcast appointment listening!
  • audio fan 781
    Great for tv news
    I usually skip the show runner interviews (just not me me). I do enjoy Dan’s takes and have for years. Boo the dodgers though, booooooooo!
  • YupOkay
    Fantastic!
    This show is not about therapy but it is the best TV biz podcast ever!
  • BD1598
    Rage quit
    This podcast is just the worst in every aspect. They don’t understand the show at all and clearly have zero background or knowledge of therapy. This was such a great show that left me feeling good, but listening to one episode of this cast made me feel angry and is threatening to ruin the whole experience. No thanks and please do better.
  • MB€%
    What a bunch of complaining bores
    Most of this pod is these two complaining about how unfair it is to have shows they like but no one else watch get cancelled. No one watched that Amazon or HBO Max show. That’s why it was cancelled. Wake up.
  • lizc1960
    Love it
    One of the few podcasts I enjoy fully. I’m not sure but have you ever discussed CB Strike on HBO Max? Love that show.
  • Jonathan Scott Anderson
    TV and Baseball
    This is where I get all of my TV news, and the vast majority of my baseball news.
  • Leah5290
    a must listen
    always entertaining and enlightening. a must listen of my week. always a thoughtful and interesting perspective from both the editorial and business sides of television. congrats on 200 eps, can’t wait for 200 more!
  • kalooney
    Congratulations on 200 episodes
    I love this podcast and look forward to it every week. Dan and Lesley make a great team. Congratulations on your 200th episode and I hope there will be many more.
  • clingonwarbird
    Love this podcast!
    I am so glad I found this podcast! I have been looking for a place where I can get the scoop on all the streaming shows - it is overwhelming to try to keep up with everything that is available and so much is crap. This podcast is so enjoyable to listen to.
  • BuenosBlogger
    Love this podcast, but for the baseball
    This podcast is great if you are remotely interested in the TV industry. The hosts are great and a good balance I think. However, unless we’re talking about A League of Their Own, I do not want to hear a single word about baseball. I don’t know who the crossover audience is but it’s not me.
  • Tkingdom2386
    The best
    This is the best podcast about television, from the business and critic’s perspective, that is available.
  • ollietheb
    Please Stop Talking About Baseball
    I love this pod. I look forward to listening to new episodes every Friday morning. It’s the perfect podcast for television lovers — but please (please) stop talking about baseball. There is a time and a play for that, brothers and sisters. That time or place is not here (please).
  • Bad Buddy 75
    Love this!
    This is the best tv podcast out there. Love the format and the hosts. This is the first thing I listen to every Friday!
  • wesometimesagreewhatsgoodonTV
    Recommend !
    Dan likes Lot49 and Lesley likes baseball. There’s a lot of industry talk for those of us not in the industry. But overall my Friday bike commute wouldn’t be the same without these two fine folks discussing all things in tv land that I don’t even watch. Somehow it’s a calming routine and I’m happy it exists. How do they deal with the tension of having to talk to a show runner of a show that they previously or currently panned? Just fine. They’re pros. 5 stars
  • remguy77
    Best podcast on TV news
    Very informative and rigorous. Sometimes too much baseball talk
  • TimmyBoy57
    Love it
    Never miss an episode. Dan and Lesley are so well-informed, smart and fun to listen too.
  • SlackerInc
    The hosts are a mixed bag l, but I still look forward to every episode
    Dan is witty and insightful (if occasionally excessively woke) and just generally one of the best TV critics out there. Lesley is...not my cup of tea (although there's potential for a fun drinking game involving her go-to phrases like "It's a mess!"). So it's implicitly a huge compliment to Dan that I generally listen to every episode, even as other podcasts slide down my queue for lack of time to keep up with everything.
  • JLCC03
    Top-Notch Show
    This podcast is excellent, timely, informative and fun to listen to. If you love television, entertainment and inside baseball — this is your show. Lesley and Dan have well-known, working writers and show runners to discuss the creative and business process of TV. Keep it coming in 2022!
  • cb2step
    Spectacular TV podcast
    Don't miss it. Dan and Lesley are the best hosts. She's a reporter of entertainment news, he is a critic. They get the best guests to interview of anyone around. And the cover shows nobody else has seems to have time to cover in the superhero tv landscape like We are Lady Parts , Reservation Dogs, Starstruck , Better Things and baseball.
  • TruGDini
    Fantastic
    How they make this podcast so listen-able is a mystery! I always look forward to their episodes!
  • macontosh2000
    The best tv review podcast!
    Been listening since the beginning and somehow never left a little reviewy thing. Easily my favorite tv podcast, both host are amazing, and it’s always the 1st podcast I listen too on Friday.
  • Shannon Corbeil
    Mandatory Listening
    This is my mandatory podcast each week to keep up with entertainment industry news. It highlights major events, the guests are always super interesting, and Leslie & Dan know their stuff (and genuinely seem like nice and fun people). Love it!
  • Nath Dragon123
    Top Tv podcast
    This is by far the best TV podcast there is. I have been a fan of Dan’s since his pod with Sepinwall. That said I have really come to love Lesley and what she brings to the pod. First thing I do every Friday. Thanks guys
  • Makua7
    Ted Lasso
    Loved the interview with Brett Goldstein. Thanks!
  • paulypaulfan
    Bad olympics interview
    Was really disappointed in how condescending Leslie and Dan were to the olympics producer. They asked thoughtful questions but were really rude and pointed in some of their questions. Why would a producer be the one to make the call about whether the international olympics are happening? And if Leslie has so many questions about peacocks strategy why doesn’t she have a peacock exec on? The olympics have never aired on peacock premium so why would they pay gate it this year. Typically love this pod and the interviews are great was shocked at this interviewer
  • Amy True Crime Review
    Annoying hosts
    Hosts are terrible and annoying
  • mari hughes
    Love this podcast!
    I love getting a behind the scenes view on television! I love the two perspectives they give and I’m often introduced to new shows that I never would’ve found without the podcast!
  • frankievali
    Good TV podcast
    I like the back-and-forth with Leslie and Daniel, but sometimes the guests are not to my liking. Which is understandable. I do like their opinions, don’t always agree, but it is what it is. Good TV podcast to listen to, not my number one, but pretty good. To be fair Alan and Daniel were the best together but corporate politics, what you gonna do?
  • Desert Squirrel
    Great source of TV news and reviews
    Great chemistry between two professionals. Manages to stay informative and easy to follow no matter how niche the subject.
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