While I liked Big Fan when I watched it, I can barely remember anything about it now, while I can recall O&R vividly.  O&R veers wildly throughout, on the verge of going out of control, which I love.  It's exciting, something that Big Fan, as well done and interesting as it is, never quite was for me.

Completely agree.  I've come around on the idea that some nuance can be added to the discussion, but to claim that he was from another time and didn't know male rape existed is bullshit.  These are not new concepts and even if they were, the man lived into the 21st century.  I'm willing to accept that he did some…

@avclub-7eb4a72022cfae60dcf8a0226d0b0ca6:disqus I somehow made it all the way through their appearance on CBB (which I thought wasn't bad due to Aukerman and Notaro's fine work) and their Earwolf Presents.  They are completely atrocious on Earwolf Presents by themselves, but when Paul F Tompkins shows up, he does his…

I am with the crowd on this one.  I watched every ep of Season 1 Boardwalk week to week and liked each one, but didn't find it particularly compelling.  I tried to do the same for Season 2 and stalled out after a few weeks.  Hearing that it heated up near the end of the season, I took down the rest of the season in…

My eyes are just a little sweaty today.

I was amazed how closely the Coens stuck to the book as well.  The only difference I recall is the excising of an African American character that works for Mattie's family.  Though it might be interesting to think about the ways even a very close translation of a first person book changes it.  By converting the story…

And now I have the perfect excuse to rewatch Better Off Ted.

Not that my experience will be your experience @avclub-178874fad561e353c21ccdafe08915ca:disqus , but I too watched the first few episodes and then quit only to later give it another go and really enjoy it.  For me, it kicked in around episode 6 or 7.

Totally agree.  I'm giving Pete Holmes the Chris Hardwick award for loudness in supposed comedy for his appearance on Doug Loves Movies.  I've heard he's a funny guy from reputable sources so I'll assume he was just terrible in this context and try his stuff elsewhere.

Yeah, I guess I should have qualified this by saying that I enjoyed the Michael Ian Black one and planned to listen to Russell Brand.  Given that nobody's mentioned any others, I suppose that answers my question.

I think that WTFs twice a week format has overwhelmed me.  I used to eagerly look forward to each one, but I think I have four of the last five episodes sitting unlistened.  Looks like I need to listen to the two listed here - any WTFers want to tell me if I missed something good in the time Podmass took off?

My thoughts exactly @avclub-222c728d29e2771db2790866a9830032:disqus .  Buffy and Dollhouse each needed about six episodes, Angel took damn near a whole season, and, in my (controversial?) opinion, Firely took about six episodes to find its footing.  Which would mean that every season of this theoretical Joss show…

I definitely agree with this.  2011 (based on my limited viewing) also seemed to be the year of the not entirely spelled out ending.  Scott mentions a couple up above, but for a couple months there it seemed that every art house movie I saw ended that way.  In most cases I liked it (particularly Meek's and MMMM), but…

Mine too and it kind of points to the question of what makes a great movie year for someone.  1999 was a year with lots of great auteurs making great work within the studio system, while the movies Scott is talking about are largely indies.  Maybe even more than where they came from, the feel of those two types of…

It's an interesting question and one I was trying to get at above with my question to Vanderwerff (and Donna) about why their points didn't align with their rankings.  I can understand the impulse to get more unusual shows on the main list as a composite list will always tend to the more popular, but it does feel…

Wilfred was renewed back in August so you have nothing to worry about there!

Good to know that you are with me on that Myles!  Although looking at the point totals, Homeland needed 34 more points to overtake Game of Thrones, so everyone who voted for it would have had to allocate two more points to even move it one spot on the list.

Thanks Todd!  I know that it's a difficult thing to compile a list of the "best" of something as broad as television.  The lack of uniformity of distribution models causes issues with this kind of thing.  Any thought given to having separate (top 5?) late night and/or miniseries and/or reality lists?  Or would that be…

I'm curious when these ballots were due - did anyone get a chance to see the Homeland finale prior to voting?  It might not have made a difference for any of the writers, but it moved the series up my mental list a couple spots.

And yet in spite of Betty White's typical everymanity, I just thought she lacked Tom Hanksiness in her role in Hot In Cleveland.