Today is MAX day! Except… it’s not here just yet. I checked my apps, and HBO MAX still works. Basically, at some point today, you will be prompted to get the new MAX app. There are a few pieces of tech that support HBo MAX right now and use a screen reader that won’t work with MAX, like PS4. PS5 however will. There’s a new tier, and according to the press release, this 20 dollar a month tier is where the 4K lives as well as 4 streams. I’m a bit confused by the warning I saw about Game Of Thrones/House Of The Dragon narration. If I have to pay 20 bucks just to get narration for those shows, just like Lucy did with Ricky, we’re gonna have a problem.

Otherwise, this looks to basically be the same but with some Discovery content now roped in, and some of that content will now have audio description. They are also doing a kids profile, so if you click on the app, when you go to choose your profile, you will apparently have the power to choose one for your kids, and even have different profiles for your kids, depending on how hardcore you let them go. If you have a kid that you just don’t want them watching R rated or TV-MA, you can filter out just that.

Also, it sounds like there’s a way now to hear something read off when we click on a title that will tell us if something has AD, instead of searching for the AD list on the service (which you can still do). So just another way of recognizing AD. And, there might be even more audio description, because HBo MAX only lists a show as having audio description if 90% of the show has audio description. It’s possible that a show might have audio description for its current season, but wouldn’t meet that 90% threshold, so you can go exploring for partial audio description.

Anyway, at some point today, MAX will come. You have been warned.

6) Beef (Netflix)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Limited Series

Beef is in Las Vegas this episode. Because what happens in Vegas…

Episode Grade: B-

5) The Great North (FOX/Hulu)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Renewed

This part 2 of the Season Finale got even weirder. If that was even actually possible. But, it did. It found a way. There was another layer of more meat beneath the one we found out about… and the Pizzlies are going nuts, and are a protected species! I’m glad FOX sticks with this show.

Episode Grade: B

4) American Idol (ABC/Hulu)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Renewed

Rather than spoil the winner for you, just in case, let’s talk about our beloved winner from just a few seasons ago that Idol has worked overtime to have you ignore. JustSam originally had a record deal, lost whatever money she had trying to get out of a record deal that apparently had no intention of releasing an album with her, and she now busks back down in the NYC subways… the same place she was before she won American Idol. It’s like when you find out that Soylent Green is made out of people. Idol claims to love their alumni, but they have a winner singing for change right now and they give zero fucks.

Episode Grade: B+

3) Fired On Mars (MAX)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Unknown

This got better in episode 2 as it also got weirder. Wilson’s character goes through so many odd scenarios, that even though the show isn’t laugh out loud funny, it’s it’s own brand of almost Wes Anderson style under the radar humor.

Episode Grade: B+

2) Daisy Jones and the Six (Amazon)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: not Yet Renewed

I’m probably the only fan of the show who doesn’t want billy to end up with Daisy. So after the shocking ending to the previous episode, now that Nicky is out of the picture, it feels like this Billy thing will make a comeback. No. Just no. They haven’t earned it.

Episode Grade: B+

1) Bel Air (Peacock)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Renewed

On the other end of the spectrum, Bel Air continues its excellence. Everyone had a great moment in the finale. But, Carlton really stole the show by choosing the worst possible time to admit to everyone that he is an addict. However, there were really strong performances across the board, and even though I know the Emmy’s would never nominate this, I kinda wish they would. In general, peacock has been very light on nominations, something I know they hope to change this year with Poker Face.

Episode Grade: A