Another day, 7 shows, only 5 had audio description. Find out how far a show can go on this list without audio description.

7) Miss Scarlett and the Duke (PBS)

English Audio Description?: I Did Not Have It

I’ve heard rumors that PBS has audio description for some lucky people who live where I don’t, but I’ve never watched a PBS show without AD, which is why you don’t see me ranking many of them. However, this mystery series centered around a woman doing a man’s job is subversive enough that I’m interested enough to watch this with my mom, who loves PBS content. As I watch more and more programs with audio description, those without audio description are found wanting.

Episode Grade: B

6) East New York (CBS/Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

We went from a strong episode to I don’t know what that was. Certainly it had a lot of thoughts, and ideas. THere was a very preachy and hard hitting mini monologue about how not doing anything in this case could lead to a school shooting. I’m as anti gun and March For Our Lives as they come, but even I found that to be forced and a bit of a leap. They also had someone smart enough to start their own business, but not smart enough to ask for a lawyer. Then they had an officer try to scare an ex-felon away from working in the kitchen of his girlfriend’s restaurant. The focus of this episode should ahve been how 3D printing can make it dangerous to make something like that in the first place, but they went everywhere but that, and in the baby steps beginning of this series, I’m now starting to wonder what it is they are actually trying to say or do.

Episode Grade: B

5) Quantum Leap (NBC/Peacock)

English Audio Description?: Yes

On an audio description note, I am starting to believe and notice that this audio description is inadequate. There is a distinct lack of definition in how Ben is able to talk to a hologram in some scenes where it just seems like there are people around. Frequently, it seems like someone walks up to him mid-conversation. I need more from the AD team that explains, do they step around a corner? Are they obscured from vision? Did they step outside? The transitions into these scenes aren’t working for me. Also, I don’t know who is leaping through time, but it can’t save the time consequence of Ben saving an entire city, and causing it to thrive. In present day, is there now just a town that exists that wasn’t there before? How does that work? That seems like a major ripple effect that has implications over the more than 100 years he leapt. Make it make sense.

Episode Grade: B+

4) Archer (FX/Hulu)

English Audio Description?: No

I’m always a sucker for an episode where Archer befriends a random animal he shouldn’t be befriending. In episode 2 of this season, the gang finds themselves stuck, there was a solid Hungry Hungry Hippos reference, and the gang seems to be functioning poorly under the new leadership.

Episode Grade: A-

3) Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBo/HBO MAX)

English Audio Description?: No

John Oliver takes on all the anti trans legislation, like two weeks after jon Stewart. I like the reeducation of society, and his many clips of kids (not all of them even trans) fighting legislators and school boards was great.

Episode Grade: A-

2) The Outlaws (Amazon)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Lady Gaby finally figures things out, and the gang thinks they are free and clear. But of course, it’s not that easy, and the cops are nipping at their heels.

Episode Grade: A

1) The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)

English Audio Description?: Yes

I see that the show is going for this potential redemption arc for Ester/Lydia/Serena, the women who helped propagate the laws that are now binding them. Lydia is starting to see things differently, and Serena is realizing that the world she helped create has no place for her. How that will play out moving forward could be quite compelling. Negan became one of the gang on The Walking Dead after MANY tribulations, could Serena or Lydia have the same fate?

Episode Grade: A