A couple of shows, way less than Saturday, but also squeezed a movie in there. So, let’s see who landed on top. Even I don’t know as I’m writing this sentence who will arrive at the top. I’m as immersed in the anticipation as you are. We are equally anxious.

8) Inside Man (Netflix)

English Audio Description?: Yes

I’ll say that i was probably left coldest by this limited series where Stanley Tucci is trying to be put to death for his wife’s murder, despite the very likelihood he didn’t do it. I know I’m supposed to care, but if I’m being honest… I was trying to figure out the tone of the show. Stanley Tucci is one of my favorite actors, and the reason I didn’t just skip this thing altogether. But, the way he attacks his performance…. With all the immense lackluster possible… was so weird. I was left really cold by the pilot episode, and not in a good way. Will Tucci get me back for Episode 2? Honestly, I don’t know. But what I do know, is that I recently saw him play a grieving husband in another Netflix original, Worth, and he was fantastic in that. So I know what Tucci can bring to the table, and I know what he brings to the table when he’d rather be searching for Italy.

Episode Grade: C

7) The Witcher: Blood Origins (Netflix)

English Audio Description?: Yes

We wandered through three shitty episodes to get to the battle, but by the time we got here, I didn’t care anymore. Some characters died, but there were no stakes, since this is just an offshoot with no real world consequences for the main series, except that I’m deeply concerned that the writing for the new Witcher replacing Henry Cavill is going to pull a Batwoman. In many ways, Blood Origins is the equivalent of The Walking Dead: world Beyond. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but really terribly executed. However, this episode was really action packed, and most of those brutal scenes worked for me. They should have just made this a movie.

Episode Grade: C+, Series Grade: C+

6) Three Pines (Amazon)

English Audio description?: Yes

In theory, i should be liking this Alfred Molina mystery a bit more. It seemed to take itself a bit more serious in the second episode, which helped a lot. But, I was still left a little in the good not great part. I did love how that lady managed to sneak out and had the tape all set up, but that isn’t the end of the mystery.

Episode Grade: B

5) Name That Tune (FOX)

English Audio Description?: No

I enjoy shows like this that make me feel smart, but every once in a while they pull a song I swear I’ve never heard in my life. Ever. Also, props to Todrick for working his way onto yet another TV series. He is hustling. Wasn’t he also on The Wheel? And The Masked Singer?

Episode Grade: B

4) So Help Me Todd (CBS/Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

After last weeks episode where I really felt like the series elevated itself somewhat, this week the big catch was Allison not being perfect. Sadly, Allison feels so underdeveloped all the time, because she’s not really needed for any of the cases, that I just still don’t care. And the other brother? The one who never shows up at the family dinners, but whose husband is there? I can’t wait for this show to ask me to care about him.

Episode Grade: B+

3) Gossip Girl (HBo mAX)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Man, Zoya really hates her dad right now doesn’t she? And the balance of power story line is taking new forms. We dipped into the gay baiting arena. Kids did drugs. But, I did realize as we had an entire section about Kate and her father, that the biggest difference between this show and the original is that we know who Gossip Girl is, we know her life, and for some reason I know far too much about the rather expansive adult cast. It’s almost like the showrunners assumed the younger generation wouldn’t be up for it, so people my age would want to see adult characters our age in the cast. I think that’s a miscalculation that is bogging down the show. Less adults, more teens. That’s why the first worked so well.

Episode Grade: B+

2) 1923 (Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

They unleashed Helen Mirren this episode, and she was fantastic. She yelled at everyone, cried a lot, slapped someone who was trifling, and spoke to a room full of men in 1923 like it ain’t no thing. Mirren was fantastic this episode, butt… can we get Harrison Ford out of that damn bed, and give him some screentime? What, did he catch Covid or something during the show so they needed to cut back his scenes? More Jacob Dutton please.

Episode Grade: A-

1) The Connors (ABC/Hulu)

English Audio Description?: Yes

A class reunion brought in William H Macy, who hadn’t been back in 50 years, but was a millionaire that wanted everyone to know it. Of course, this came at the same time Dan found out he was financially strapped, and these two have history because of Roseanne and who ended up with her. It was a nice way to casually nod at the woman who started this damn thing, before she lost her mind, while also giving John Goodman (who is consistently great in a role he’s been doing for 30 years) an opportunity to tackle more serious subject matter. I didn’t mind the B-plots, and how they tried to work in all the cast members (Mark was MIA), as well as allowing Harris to spend some time with Macy’s Smitty for that Shameless reunion. Oddly enough, because this gave me what I wanted out of it, and i have no complaints, this won the day.

Episode Grade: A