The Too Much TV Roundup: 03/13/23

First off, I wanted to start off todays list by stating that yesterday, when I mentioned the Oscar’s Red Carpet, the way I chose to phrase my snarky comments made it almost sound like I didn’t like the audio description team. My comments were directed specifically at the hosts responsible for asking inane questions, like how Hugh Grant enjoyed his cameo in Glass Onion.

Now with that out of the way, here we go.

8) Animal Control (FOX/Hulu)

English Audio Description?: No

This is one of those shows where the lead actor has bought it some grace period, but I think continuing to waste much more time on a show that is honestly marginally funny, below Joel McHale’s talents, and lacks audio description in a frustrating way, is not the best use of my time. I think I shall let this show go free.

Episode Grade: C+

7) Wolf Pack (Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

i did notice that we finally moved past hosting a corrupted file for the audio description, so that was good, but like the aforementioned Animal Control, this is a show that has been struggling to engage me, with a young cast of not great actors. Worse, unlike animal Control, where Joel mcHale is front and center, Sarah Michelle Gellar is an after thought, almost as if she could be written off of the show at any moment. Five episodes in, and I think I’m done.

Episode Grade: C+

6) 5) American Idol (ABC/Hulu)

English Audio Description?: No

Another show that is begging for audio description. They have me trapped, as I’ve watched every damn season of this show, and I have friends who were on the show, (and I may or may not have my own history), but not having audio description prevents me from knowing anything about how these singers look, dress, or even if they end up accompanying themselves. I heard talent that they cut that I would have kept, and I heard talent that they kept that I have a feeling isn’t going anywhere.

Episode Grade: B

The Equalizer (CBS/Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Narrated By: Inger Tutor

Two narratives really collided this week, as we saw the show focus on the rise of antisemitism and our team working to figure out where these hate crimes are coming from, all the while we have home life issues where the ex-husband is trying to exert control and get sole custody. I feel like his character is written as some out of nowhere problem because I don’t remember him coming around the first season. He’s messing with the dynamic of the show, and he has got to go. Whoever that is also is not a great actor, and seems to have no strong connection with the actress playing his daughter.

Episode Grade: B+

3) Last Week Tonight With john Oliver (HBo MAX)

English Audio Description?: No

I enjoyed the episode all the way through, and being informed about things I wasn’t totally aware of before is always a plus. Best segment is the 79 year old Lt. Governor of Tennessee commenting on really gay pictures in a very thirsty manner, while being hypocritically against LGBT and Drag Queens.

Episode Grade: A-

2) Kaleidoscope (Netflix)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Well, while the White episode answers what happened to the bonds, the Pink episode has the better ending. I don’t know how I could possibly still have another color. What more is there? What is left to this story? Ten years later? Fifty years in the future? 75 years ago? Who knows. But I stand with my statement from last week. Pink is how you end this series.

Episode Grade: A-

1) The Last Of us (HBo MAX)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Narrated By: Roy Samuelson

It was a great finale, until it wasn’t. My only audio description issue is at the top of the episode with the birthing scene. Here’s what I think happened, based on the audio description: Pregnant Mom fights zombie, doesn’t realize the baby is exiting her vagina, kills the zombie, and there’s a baby dangling from the umbilical cord between her legs while she’s standing. Alternatively, it either fell to the floor, or is hanging half-in/half-out. But the reason this show didn’t walk away with that perfect grade on the last episode has to do with the writers putting themselves in a corner, with one character claiming to know what is best for Ellie, while the other is likely also trying to do the best for Ellie, but neither person bothered to ask her. If you are that certain she would make that choice, then why not ask her, and give her the chance to prove your theory right? And, the writers, who spent the first half of the episode with Joel and Ellie talking about their futures, seemed to try and 180 at the end, like she would have maybe made that tough choice after all? None of it matters, since by the point we reach her potential revelation, the damage is done, and it’s irreversible. So, it’s kind of the worst cliffhanger. This was still a very strong first season, and some of the scenes here are perfection. The giraffes were such a great touch. Life found a way.

Episode Grade: A-, Season 1 Grade: A

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