Public TV and Documentary Influence

There was once a time when documentaries could be found only on public television or in art-house cinemas. But today, documentaries are more popular and accessible than ever, with streaming services serving up true crime, celebrity documentaries, music documentaries and so much more.

On today’s Sunday Special, Gilbert is joined by The New York Times’s chief television critic, James Poniewozik, and Alissa Wilkinson, a Times film critic, to talk about the documentaries that are worth your viewing time.

On Today’s Episode:

James Poniewozik is the chief TV critic for The Times.

Alissa Wilkinson is a movie critic at The Times, and writes the Documentary Lens column.

Background Reading:

What ‘The American Revolution’ Says About Our Cultural Battles

‘Come See Me in the Good Light’: The Sweetness After a Terminal Diagnosis

Discussed on this episode:

“The American Revolution,” 2025, directed by Ken Burns

“The Alabama Solution,” 2025, directed by Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman

“The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst,” 2015, directed by Andrew Jarecki

“Making a Murderer,” 2015, directed by Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos

“The Yogurt Shop Murders,” 2025, directed by Margaret Brown

“The Perfect Neighbor,” 2025, directed by Beet Gandbhir

“The Last Dance,” 2020, directed by Jason Hehir

“Copa 71,” 2023, directed by Rachel Ramsay and James Erkine

“Cheer,” 2020, created by Greg Whiteley

“Last Chance U,” 2016, directed by Greg Whiteley, Adam Ridley and Luke Lorentzen

“Pee-wee as Himself,” 2025, directed by Matt Wolf

“The Remarkable Life of Ibelin,” 2024, directed by Benjamin Ree

“Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music,” 2025, directed by Questlove

“Cameraperson,” 2016, directed by Kirsten Johnson

“An American Family,” 1973, created by Craig Gilbert

“Look Into My Eyes,” 2024, directed by Lana Wilson

“When We Were Kings,” 1996, directed by Leon Gast

Photo: Mike Doyle/American Revolution Film Project and Florentine Films

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