The Daily Sunday Special: A Sea of Streaming Docs
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Nov 16, 2025 
Join James Poniewozik, chief television critic for The New York Times, and Alissa Wilkinson, movie critic and documentary expert, as they dive into the booming world of streaming documentaries. They discuss Ken Burns's contribution to the genre, recount personal memories of PBS documentaries, and explore the rise of true crime. From the poignant storytelling in 'The Last Dance' to recommendations like 'Pee-wee as Himself' and the introspective 'Camera Person,' this conversation highlights the evolution and variety of documentary filmmaking today.
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True Crime Turns Self-Aware
- True crime exploded after hits like The Jinx and Making a Murderer, but the genre now often self-reflects on its own tropes.
- The best true-crime docs use the form to examine societal reactions, not just lurid details.
The Tech-Driven Nature Fix
- Nature documentaries benefit from advanced camera tech that captures rare animal moments and satisfies a voyeuristic impulse.
- Modern series classify by taxonomic principles to differentiate otherwise similar nature footage.
Sports Docs Are Human Stories
- Sports documentaries appeal beyond fans because they tell human stories of striving, culture, and identity.
- Series like Cheer and Last Chance U convert athletic raw material into emotionally compelling narratives.