It’s like Woody’s Roundup, but full of disappointment instead.
1) Paper Girls (Amazon)
English Audio description?: Yes
The only show that earned an A grade today. And it’s the only show (so far) that’s been cancelled on this list. Go figure. Thanks Amazon, this is why we can’t have nice things.
Episode Grade: A
2) The Great North (FOX/Hulu)
English Audio Description?: No
I’m always hesitant to put a show that does not have audio description on top, but technically this was pretty typical Great North humor. nothing wrong, jsut not a standout episode like the premiere was.
Episode Grade: A-
3) Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO MAX/HBO)
English Audio Description?: No
Another show with no audio description. I like his first half when he can tackle more than one topic. Honestly, if we cut new stories for time so Kumail could walk around a fake museum… we lostt this episode. Though, I did learn stuff about antiquities, and that part about the shopping channels and the Queen’s death was priceless. Well, I’m sure it has a price on those networks.
Episode Grade: A-
4) Celebrity Jeopardy (ABC/Hulu)
English Audio Description?: Yes
I mean, it was fun, and I like this format because the questions are easier and my average of correct answers is far higher than regular Jeopardy, but someone needs to not let the celebs pregame before taping. They were collectively a bit too giggly, especially Iliza.
Episode Grade: B+
5) House Of The Dragon (HBo/HBo MAX)
English Audio Description?: Yes
Well, it’s sliding down my ranks. Visarus and his lack of doing anything about Allicent is getting old. None of these characters are likable anymore. I can’t root for Damon and Rayna. I’m starting to wonder how long I can stand this show. Every successful show has someone to root for, this has no one who is somewhat pure. GOT had Arya. Sure, it had others who walked both sides, and found redemption, but they kept Arya safe the whole time. We’re seven episodes in, and there is no Arya. That’s a problem. Even Succession, a show full of self absorbed assholes, has Greg to balance scenes out.
Episode Grade: B+
6) Surface (Apple Plus)
English Audio Description?: Yes
Well, this episode did a lot of flashing back, but it’s all this assumption that the husband was telling her the truth. So, is this true, or not? Is anyone in this show reliable?
Episode Grade: B+
7) Reservation Dogs (Hulu)
English Audio description?: No
So, hulu went and audio described the entire first season, except the finale? I know I’m beating a dead horse here, but i really really despise the person whose job it is to maintain this accessibility. Perhaps no one has this job, which is super telling. So, I had a harder time enjoying this because it lacks AD. Thanks hulu!
Episode Grade: B
8) The Undeclared War (Peacock)
English Audio Description?: Yes
The show for Alzheimer’s patients. It reminds you every few minutes what show you’re watching. it’s annoying, and it challenges my desire to finish this show. It’s not a great show, but it’s not terrible either. it is annoying the shit out of me though.
9) East New York (CBS/Paramount Plus)
English Audio Description?: Yes
I do plan on watching another episode, but if I tried explaining this to you, the fact is the pilot just didn’t do a great job of establishing itself. There’s a lot that could go right here, but it was all over the place and not focused. it’s basically a change the way we do things police drama. That’s the best I’ve got right now.
Episode Grade: C+
We share that affinity for Paper Girls – yes, thanks for nothing, Amazon. As for House of the Dragon, my fear is all of Season 1 has been set up to have the audience hate everyone. We may have to wait awhile to see someone to root for. Or, perhaps by the end of Season 1 we’ll at least have some dragons to root for.
It’s a dangerous move to make to have a cast like that from the outset, if you are trying to go for multiple seasons. Sure, there are long running dramas that by the end, everyone has gotten their hands dirty, but I can’t think of a single show where everyone started off in Season 1 as a version of a bad guy/antihero/playing both sides cast. Even the original series had Arya. Walking Dead had many over the years, from Herschel, to Glenn, Carl, and now Ezekiel as the moral compass. Better Call Saul kept Kim clean for a few seasons so she could make a clear choice. Succession gave us Greg. The other formula doesn’t work. I’m trying to think of a comp where they started out all like this, and the show succeeded, and I can’t think of one.