I did squeez in a movie in and around all of these TV shows. On a side note, yesterday was a brutal red wedding for TV shows (and decisions still need to be made by ABC and fOX). CBS has said goodbye to Magnum PI, The United States Of Al, Be Positive, How We Roll, and Good Sam. (If I could save one of those five, it would be The United States of Al, though CBS is cutting back on comedies altogether, ordering no new sitcoms, and returning next year with just the four returnees). NBC cancelled The Endgame, Mr Mayor, and Kenan. Inexplicably, they renewed Grand Crew, which was I believe their least watched sitcom, along with Young Roc, and American Auto, as well as having previously made decisions about virtually everything else on their list. The CW made some sweeping cancellations, having previously axed Legends Of Tomorrow and Batwoman, they are also parting ways with Naomi, The 4400, Dynasty, Roswell, in The Dark, Charmed, and probably most surprisingly Legacies (which was the winner of one of those coveted SaveOur Show polls that almost always translates into a renewal). They are keeping the All American spinoff around.

So here’s my rankings of what I watched yesterday:

1) Russian Doll (Netflix)

English Audio Description: Yes

i walked into this second season not knowing where we would be headed, but this time traveling season is working for me. I have a feeling, like the recently cancelled Dollface that had a massive Covid gap between season 1 and 2, that we won’t be getting a third season of Russian Doll, but the world certainly deserves it, and Natasha Lyonne has never been better.

Episode Grade: A

2) New Amsterdam (NBC/Peacock/Hulu)

English Audio Description Available?: Depends on the platform

I have to be honest and say that the only reason I didn’t put this on top was because i felt like having this show on top two days in the same week was a lot. But this episode seems to have finally given me, and likely all New Amsterdam fans exactly what they wanted. Ding Dong, The Witch is ******. (See? Spoiler free!

Episode Grade: A

3) Frasier (Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description Available?: No

I gotta say, this episode is a classic game of “who heard what?” And it was delightful to see the master craft that went into this. This was the episode where Roz believes she is pregnant, and tells Frasier, and there’s this Halloween party where the main cast keep hearing different parts of conversations, and slowly Roz’s secret is revealed, but not before Niles puts all the wrong pieces together and assumes that Frasier knocked up Daphne, and he’s willing to propose to her. Hilarious.

Episode Grade: A

4) The Rookie (ABC)

English Audio Description Available?: Yes

First off, the audio description for The Rookie is fantastic. This narrator is really engaging and makes the action sequences feel more intense. This week’s episode (which dropped on Sunday, so I’m a bit late), featured a Bonnie and Clyde like spree on Mother’s Day, with some set up for big changes ahead for at least two of the main cast. I’m assuming next Sunday is the season finale.

Episode Grade: A-

5) Home Economics (ABC/Hulu)

Audio Description Available?: Most of the time, though this one did not.

Tom’s book was finally ready to be published. That’s the main storyline this week. It was a fun and fine episode, but I’ve laughed more before. I have a feeling that ABC is going to send this packing, though I would have preferred to trade this for The Goldbergs, which now being short two original main cast members is jumping the shark and extending its life past the point of death by heading into Season 10.

Episode Grade: B

6) Jeopardy (Syndication)

Audio Description Available?: No

I didn’t think Math Guy would win two in a row, but stranger things have happened. I did better on a personal level, getting 20 right, instead of my paltry 12 from the night before.

Episode Grade: B

7) Winning Time (HBO/HBO MAX)

English Audio description Available?: Yes

i really do want to like this show more than I do. i actually advanced a little through the series, in a way where I wasn’t paying attention, and went back a few episodes to rewatch them. This feels like it’s 100% on brand for me, as i love John C Reilly and Basketball, but somehow, I still think Swagger did it better.

Episode Grade: B-

8) Bullshit (Netflix)

English Audio Description Available?: Yes

This is an interesting show to watch just for the audio description, which has figured out what is important. Since the show is based on trying to pick up if someone is lying, it focuses heavily on body language and facial expressions so youn can play at home and try to guess who is bullshitting. It’s not the best game show in the world, but it fills some time.

Episode Grade: C+

Let’s see what I get into tomorrow.