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Need to Know
2010·Show
·166Episodes in4Seasons·
Need to Know fingerprint
No humor.
Energy
Calm and low-key
- Tension4
- Fast Pace4
- Adrenaline2
Heart
Emotionally reserved
- Wholesome6
- Hopefulness6
- Pathos5
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay4
- Satire & Parody1
- Situational Comedy0
World
Everyday modern life, politics, and society
- Dialogue Centrality9
- World Immersion7
- Rewatchability3
Craft
Standout dialogue
- Dialogue Quality8
- Narrative Structure7
- Complexity7
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography5
- Editing5
- Music Composition3
All energy traits
- Tension4Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Fast Pace4Quick tempo and momentum.
- Adrenaline2High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Violence2Physical conflict and intensity.
- Scare1Frightening moments and scares.
- Spectacle1Scale and set-piece grandeur.
Related traits
- Slow Burn5Gradual build with payoff.
All heart traits
- Wholesome6Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Hopefulness6Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Pathos5Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Melancholy4Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Catharsis3Emotional release and payoff.
- Family Dynamics2Relationships and generational ties.
- Wonder2Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Nostalgia1Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Romance0Love stories and emotional connections.
- Coming of Age0Personal growth and self-discovery.
Related traits
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay4Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Satire & Parody1Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Situational Comedy0Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy0Slapstick and visual gags.
- Cringe Humor0Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor0Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Dark Humor0Humor from taboo or grim topics.
Related traits
- Wholesome6Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
World
MediumEveryday modern life, politics, and society
Its world is built around everyday modern life, politics, and society.
All world traits
- Dialogue Centrality9Stories driven by conversation.
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Rewatchability3Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity3Open-endedness and uncertainty.
- Novelty3Fresh ideas and invention.
Related traits
- Contemporary Realism9Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Politics9Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
- Social Commentary9Perspectives on society and norms.
- Class & Capitalism7Wealth, power, and inequality.
- Tech & Humanity6Human stories in a tech world.
- Crime5Heists, investigation, and underworld.
Craft
MediumStandout dialogue
The dialogue stand out.
All craft traits
- Dialogue Quality8Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Complexity7Layered plots and ideas.
- Direction6Vision and command behind the camera.
- Intrigue6Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Character Depth4Rich, complex characterization.
- Acting0Performance craft and presence.
- Non-linear Narrative0Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Educational9Informative and instructive.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
- Slow Burn5Gradual build with payoff.
Style
LowFunctional look and sound
The look and sound stay functional.
All style traits
- Cinematography5Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing5Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition3Score and musical identity.
- Sound Centrality3Sound design as core element.
- Visual Stylization1Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Music Centrality1Songs central to storytelling.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality9Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking
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About
Need to Know is an American public television news program produced by WNET, and broadcast weekly on all Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) affiliate-stations in the United States. It aired from May 2010 until June 2013.
PBS stated that the show was intended to fill the public-affairs and "hard"/investigative news void left by both the one-hour Bill Moyers Journal, and the cancelled, half-hour NOW on PBS. Both departing shows had been long-running, highly rated, and critically acclaimed for their journalistic quality, and focus on issues that deeply impacted regular Americans' lives, yet went largely ignored by commercial TV news outlets. "NTK" branded itself the "TV and Web newsmagazine [that] gives you what you need to know." PBS had described the show as “a multi-platform current affairs news magazine, uniting broadcast and web in an innovative approach to news-gathering and reporting."
Investigative JournalismPublic AffairsSocial IssuesPolitical AnalysisContemporary IssuesInformative & DetailedEconomic CommentaryNon-Fiction Series
Actors
Crew
Related Movies and Shows
Overall: Similar vibe.
Shows
Movies
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about Need to Know
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
How many seasons does Need to Know have?
4 seasons
It has 4 seasons with 166 episodes.
When did Need to Know air?
S2010S1S2011S2012
It ran from 2010 to 2011 and has ended.
What language is Need to Know in?
English
It was made in English.