Sunday Special: The Best TV of 2025

In this episode of the Sunday special, Gilbert Cruz hosts Jim Poniewozik, the chief television critic, and Alexis Soloski, a culture reporter, to discuss the best and most popular TV shows of 2025. They explore trends like conspiracy-themed shows such as "Severance" and "Common Side Effects," and romantic comedies like "Too Much" and "Nobody Wants This." They also highlight favorite shows, including "Long Story Short," "Heated Rivalry," "Andor," and "The Lowdown," and play a TV-themed game to wrap up the episode.

Outlines

Part 1: 2025 TV Landscape, Conspiracies

Part 2: Romance, Relationships, Representation

Part 3: Wealth, Satire, Prestige Drama

Part 4: Sci-Fi, Politics, Human Nature

Part 5: Final Reviews, Games

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The Daily

Part 1: 2025 TV Landscape, Conspiracies

Introduction to 2025 TV Trends

Conspiracy Themes in TV and Discussion of "Severance"

"Common Side Effects" and Societal Commentary

Part 2: Romance, Relationships, Representation

Revival of Romantic Comedies and "Too Much"

"Nobody Wants This" and Depiction of Jewish Women

Dying for Sex" and "The Hunting Wives

Part 3: Wealth, Satire, Prestige Drama

The White Lotus" and "Dr. Odyssey

Introduction to Favorite Shows and Discussion of "Long Story Short"

Further Discussion of "Long Story Short" and Introduction to "Heated Rivalry"

Part 4: Sci-Fi, Politics, Human Nature

"Andor" as a Grown-Up Star Wars Story

"The Lowdown" and its Unique Characters

Hangout Shows: "I Love L.A.," "Adults," and "Platonic"

"Pluribus" and its Exploration of Collectivism vs. Individualism

Part 5: Final Reviews, Games

Lightning Round: "The Pitt" and "Adolescence"

Game Time: Theme Songs, Fan Theories, and Andor Trivia

Sunday Special: The Best TV of 2025

The Daily

Part 1: 2025 TV Landscape, Conspiracies

00:00Introduction to 2025 TV Trends

Introduction to 2025 TV Trends

03:03Conspiracy Themes in TV and Discussion of "Severance"

Conspiracy Themes in TV and Discussion of "Severance"

07:52"Common Side Effects" and Societal Commentary

"Common Side Effects" and Societal Commentary

Part 2: Romance, Relationships, Representation

10:38Revival of Romantic Comedies and "Too Much"

Revival of Romantic Comedies and "Too Much"

15:12"Nobody Wants This" and Depiction of Jewish Women

"Nobody Wants This" and Depiction of Jewish Women

19:00Dying for Sex" and "The Hunting Wives

Dying for Sex" and "The Hunting Wives

Part 3: Wealth, Satire, Prestige Drama

24:35The White Lotus" and "Dr. Odyssey

The White Lotus" and "Dr. Odyssey

25:28Introduction to Favorite Shows and Discussion of "Long Story Short"

Introduction to Favorite Shows and Discussion of "Long Story Short"

30:41Further Discussion of "Long Story Short" and Introduction to "Heated Rivalry"

Further Discussion of "Long Story Short" and Introduction to "Heated Rivalry"

Part 4: Sci-Fi, Politics, Human Nature

33:51"Andor" as a Grown-Up Star Wars Story

"Andor" as a Grown-Up Star Wars Story

37:28"The Lowdown" and its Unique Characters

"The Lowdown" and its Unique Characters

41:03Hangout Shows: "I Love L.A.," "Adults," and "Platonic"

Hangout Shows: "I Love L.A.," "Adults," and "Platonic"

44:20"Pluribus" and its Exploration of Collectivism vs. Individualism

"Pluribus" and its Exploration of Collectivism vs. Individualism

Part 5: Final Reviews, Games

48:04Lightning Round: "The Pitt" and "Adolescence"

Lightning Round: "The Pitt" and "Adolescence"

52:27Game Time: Theme Songs, Fan Theories, and Andor Trivia

Game Time: Theme Songs, Fan Theories, and Andor Trivia