Downstream 107: A Thanksgiving Visit from Alan Sepinwall
Nov 20, 2025
Alan Sepinwall, veteran TV critic and founder of What's Alan Watching, talks TV criticism, why recaps differ from reviews, and the trouble streamers have making sitcoms. He weighs weekly versus binge releases, how critics pick shows, and the future of scripted TV. Short takes on standout series round out the conversation.
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Recaps Are Reviews When They Analyze
- Alan Sepinwall distinguishes recaps from reviews by explaining he often recounts plot only to analyze theme, character choices, and what worked or failed.
- He calls many modern sitcom recaps harder because comedy often reduces to "this was funny/wasn't," so he focuses on serialized or formally experimental comedies like How I Met Your Mother.
Choose Coverage By Audience And Passion
- Pick what to cover based on your audience and platform; at Rolling Stone he prioritized shows that would reach many readers, but on his own site he follows his personal enthusiasm.
- Balance passion with business sense: champion shows you love but be mindful a subscription model needs audience-appealing choices.
Weekly Recaps Can Make Obscure Shows Break
- Sepinwall recounts how weekly recaps drove viewers to obscure shows like Brockmire and Reservation Dogs because his consistent coverage signaled enthusiasm.
- He says social readers would check shows they otherwise missed simply because he wrote every episode.