The Daily · 2026-09-27
The Best TV Shows of the 21st Century
This is Wakewire's analysis, based on the recording and the passages quoted here. Tone and candor labels are our read, not a finding about anyone's motive. Our standards
- Source
- The Daily · Episode page
- Released
- 2026-09-27
- We read it
- 2026-10-02
- Recording
- Partial recording
- Read confidence
- low
- Review
- Passed automatic checks
What the episode covered
Gilbert said Fleabag was number five on the 21st-century TV list, and the speakers praised its specificity, voice and vulnerable comedy. The excerpt appears partial and ad fragments interrupt the discussion, so the read is limited to a polished list segment with some candid TV dialogue. Watch for the remaining ranked shows and whether voters explain their criteria beyond admiration.
Our summary, written from the transcript. Not the speakers' words.
The episode, in order
01Countdown placement
The ranking gives the discussion its frame, but the excerpt does not show the full methodology.
02Voter praise
The segment uses a named voter to support the show’s high placement.
03Critical argument
That turns the entry from a preference into a broader argument about 21st-century TV.
Sponsors named in this episode
| Sponsor stated | Where, claim and disclosure |
|---|---|
| Disney Plus Hulu |
|
No sponsor named doesn't mean no ads. Each row was taken from the ad break as it was read on air. The verbatim passage behind every row is checked against the transcript character for character. Short excerpts appear below.
Roles and stated affiliations
Sponsor or conflict flagged. Named entertainment advertiser in TV-ranking segment — The recording contains Disney Plus Hulu ad copy around a segment about ranked TV shows. No editorial relationship or influence disclosure was stated on the recording.
Wakewire's read of interests
- Gilbert: Gilbert is presenting and interpreting the ranked list for listeners.
- Alexis Bledel: Bledel is identified as a voter in The New York Times Best TV Shows of the 21st Century and provides praise for Fleabag.
- Natalie Kitroeff: Kitroeff closes the episode as the host voice of The Sunday Daily.
- Disney Plus Hulu ad voice: The ad copy promotes a Disney Plus Hulu bundle subscription.
Recording limits
- Read based on a partial recording.
- The supplied transcript appears incomplete because it starts during the top-five countdown, ends as a Fleabag point begins, and repeats ad copy inside the discussion.
Claims that need more support
- A host said the ranking was according to industry insiders, but the excerpt does not give the number of insiders, ballot method, or scoring rule.
- A speaker said a point came up a lot in interviews about people connecting to Fleabag, but the excerpt includes only one named interview clip.
Claims made on air that the episode itself did not back up.
Are you from this show? You can ask for a correction, reply, or ask us to stop coverage on the rights page.
The read
Charitable read: the segment uses Fleabag to argue that 21st-century TV rewarded specific, personal creator voices. Boring read: it is a countdown entry with clips, a named voter and host commentary. Skeptical read: the excerpt asserts industry-backed ranking and broad admiration more than it demonstrates the selection method, and Disney Plus Hulu advertising sits next to editorial TV criticism without an on-record conflict explanation. Because the excerpt appears incomplete, this read should stay limited.
This read assumes: The supplied text is only the excerpt shown here, not the full episode. The repeated Disney Plus Hulu lines are commercial segments because they promote a bundle subscription and state terms apply.
Every opinion labeled as one. This is Wakewire's analysis of the recording, not a finding about anyone's motive.
What was said
Countdown placement
The segment introduced the top five and identified Fleabag as the fifth-ranked show.
Voter praise
Alexis Bledel praised the show as funny, unashamed, vulnerable, irreverent and self-possessed.
Critical argument
A speaker said Fleabag helped show that specific, personal creator-driven stories could work on television.
Our paraphrase, not the speakers' words.
The passages we relied on
"Fleabag, which I was delighted to see and delightedly surprised to see land this high on the list, kind of wraps up a lot of things that are great about television of this era."
"Disney Plus Hulu will make your day every day. Here's how. Some days you want to laugh. New girl. Some days a mystery. The all new Hulu original series, Furious. Some days you want both and nobody has to know.…"
"Disney Plus Hulu will make your day every day. Here's how."
"Disney Plus Hulu will make your day every day. Here's how."
"Disney Plus Hulu will make your day every day. Here's how. Make your day every day with Disney Plus Hulu. 18 and older with the Disney Plus Hulu bundle subscription. Access these titles via Disney Plus. Terms apply."
Short excerpts, credited to the show, at most 40 words each and 150 per episode. We do not publish transcripts. We link to the episode so you can hear it from the show itself.
What to watch for
- Whether the full episode or related materials give vote totals, ballot rules or ranking criteria. (Full episode or published list package.)
- Whether later entries include dissenting views or only affirmative praise. (Remainder of the countdown.)
- Whether sponsor placement is accompanied by any editorial independence language. (Full recording and ad slots.)
Written by Wakewire's system under our editorial standards. Reading is open to everyone. A free account personalizes your brief.