the tvscholar toolkit
A frequently updated guide to being a tv scholar.
I often get asked similar questions: Which apps do you use to track your TV shows? What should I watch on Netflix that I haven’t already? Which TV-related podcasts do you listen to? Can I join your monthly TV Zoom club? I have all your answers and more in this toolkit, which will be continuously accessible on my Substack home page and updated frequently. If there’s something you’re looking for here and not seeing, let me know.
This is exclusive to paid subscribers, so if you’ve been on the fence about upgrading, now’s a good time I guess (you’ll also get access to my upcoming White Lotus recap/reaction newsletters, too).
FAQ
How do you take your screenshots? I’m an open book on a lot of things but this is one question I will not answer, sorry.
How did you become a TV critic/writer? I covered this in a Q&A I did in May 2024, here.
Is this your full-time gig? At present moment, I have a full-time day job. I write and watch as much as I can. Maybe some day, that will change, but freelancing is very precarious and life in Vancouver is expensive.
How many shows do you watch per year? For the last few years I’ve been averaging at 150-160 seasons per year.
Where can I find everything you’ve written? I recently updated my portfolio which contains pretty much everything I’ve published (outside of this newsletter).
Hey have you watched…Before you finish that sentence, try using the hashtag search I’ve set up on my Instagram. You can find posts by searching one-word shows in this format: #severancetvscholar, or multi-word titles by using its initials: #TWLtvscholar (for The White Lotus). If nothing pops up: (1) I did not like the show and decided not to post about it (sorry!), (2) I covered it via screeners for a freelance assignment and haven’t had time to go back and screenshot the episodes, which happens sometimes because it’s time consuming, or (3) It’s on my list and eventually I may get around to it. If you meant to message me about a niche international show or something, please do! I often learn about more fringe programming from my followers/readers.
3 solid shows to watch per streaming platform right now
A good place to look for quick recommendations in my newsletter is over at the tv scholar awards: from 2024, 2023, and 2022. But here are some tried and tested at-a-glance recommendations by platform:
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