Well, I know fans of the Charlie Hunnam series Shantorum are going to be sad that the show got cancelled yesterday by Apple Plus. Apple is usually pretty good about letting a show find its audience, so for a show to be cancelled so quickly after its last episode dropped, the viewership on this must have been really bad. I can understand why, as having been a few episodes in, I wasn’t really grabbed by the show either. Unlike The Imperfects, which i have decided to finish despite cancellation, I’m dropping Shantorum from my roundup effective immediately (as I already watched what would have been this weeks episode earlier this week), as it will help me catch up on other shows.

On the plus side, even though I haven’t started watching the second season yet, The Sex lives Of College Girls on HBo MAX got a third season renewal. However, this is HBo MAX, and renewals mean nothing, as this is the same service that recently reversed its decision on a second season of Minx, as well as deciding not to even do the Part 2 or Season 1 of The Nevers. Plus, the also reversed their decision on Westworld Season 5, a deal that is actually costing them, as they are contractually obligated to pay the cast. So, a renewal decision from HBO MAX means about as much as that email you got letting you know you won Publishers Clearing House.

5) A Friend Of The Family (Peacock)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Sometimes, I watch a true crime series, and I see the people represented in them, and I feel bad for them. I see where things went wrong, where they were screwed over, and I have some sort of empathy toward the victims of the series. That’s not to say that this port child at the center of all this madness wasn’t traumatized by this creeepy pedophile. But her parents, played here by Colin Hanks and Anna Paquin, are being portrayed as two of the dumbest motherfuckers to have ever walked this planet. Either that, or this shows director is terrible at his job. Look, I felt uncomfortable watching Mike, for all the right reasons. Here, I don’t know these peoples stories, and all I’ve got is this dramatization, which was introduced by the adult version of the little girl who is targeted in this show. So i have to believe there is truth here. And i just can’t do it anymore. I can’t watch Colin Hanks and Anna Paquin play these characters, who are based heavily on real life people, and who are this profoundly stupid. It’s just not a thing. Maybe they weren’t. Maybe it’s the shows producers and writers and directors. But, if I was a normal person, and a show made me look like this, I would be suing those creators for defamation. Watching scenes like Colin hanks trying to explain why he mailed back the original copy, the only copy, of the marriage certificate… or later on watching Anna Paquin making out with the guy she feels like probably did something to her daughter… I just can’t. Maybe you can. Maybe some other people did. And I feel terrible for the woman who was a child, who was raised by these people. if this is how she wants her parents portrayed, I can’t even begin to imagine how she survived. Jake Lacy might be portraying the villain here, but the people represented by Hanks and Paquin should not have children. I’m letting this series go.

Final Grade: I Quit.

4) Down To Earth With Zac Efron (Netflix)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Following that giant statement, now I have to talk about how Zac Efron is still wandering around Australia. I do love the little thing at the end of the episode that acknowledges the native cultures or whatnot. Like, they realize they have a show with a white savior, who isn’t even Australian, wandering around talking about the natural beauty, and someone feels the need to address that in a title card at the end of the episode.

Episode Grade: B

3) The White Lotus (HBo MAX)

English Audio Description?: Yes

I’m getting a bit more into this season than last. Jennifer Coolidge is really giving me life this season, and the bombshell at the end of the second episode was great. It must be hard to be stupid rich and wonder if someone actually loves you for who you are. I do need a bit more F Murrray Abraham than I’m getting though. I like seeing how the other characters are getting fleshed out, but that man is a legend, and I somehow feel like he’s at the bottom of the screentime list right now.

Episode Grade: A-

2) Big Shot (Disney Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

I’m hoping that disney Plus gives this show a chance to wrap up. It looks like they could do it in one more season. I think the show needs to end with Emma’s graduation. This season finale was a hella sappy, and felt like they weren’t even sure if they would be back. So, who knows. I’ll be honest, and say I’m not even sure it deserves this grade, or being above the White Lotus, because it was that sappy. But I also don’t want to put it lower, because it hasn’t been renewed. not that Disney reads my blog, but you never know. #SaveBigShot.

Episode Grade: A-

1) This Fool (Hulu)

English Audio Description?: Yes

I made it all the way through the first season, and this show grew on me every step of the way. With this being the season finale, i did want this on top. This Fool started out as a show I knew nothing about, and was unfamiliar with the talent. After getting used to the style of humor, I found myself charmed by the series, and it’s goofy outlook on life. I don’t think there’s anything like it on TV right now, and it had a great season finale that set its characters on a new path. If you never checked out This Fool, it was already picked up for a second season, so you’re not wasting your time, and hulu isn’t known for reversing a lot of renewal decisions.

Episode Grade: A