I’m not sure there’s a ton of TV news, aside from the fact that the DGA signed a new contract, leaving the WGA and SAG as being the two still left. But, I did watch a ton of pilot episodes yesterday.

16) Clone high (MAX)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Revived

Still trying to get through the original Clone High. I think I finally am hearing Will forte’s voice. This episode dealt with getting a diagnoses of ADD. Maybe this would be funnier with audio description.

Episode Grade: B-

15) 8 Simple Rules (Disney Plus)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Ended

When Paul starts to exert onto his daughters his opinions of who they can’t date, they commiserate over… the lack of approval?

Episode Grade: B-

14) Trophy Wife (Hulu)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Ended

Trying to take more of a role in parenting, Malin’s titular character tries to be benevolent and help one of her step-daughters go to a movie, only to find out that she got played, and went to a party. So much for being the cool Mom.

Episode Grade: B-

13) Young Sheldon (MAX)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Renewed

Sheldon uses his skills to predict football. Is this really his thing?

Episode Grade: B

12) The Golden Girls (Hulu)

English Audio Description?: yes

Status: Ended

Dorothy tries to help a man leave his apartment. it’s not a bad episode, but that joke about having a pet fish and then realizing he needed to feed it… after telling Dorothy he hadn’t left his apartment in 23 years…. Was a shit joke. That guy has had a dead fish floating and decomposing for 23 years? Come on now.

Episode Grade: B

11) The Muppets Mayhem (Disney plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Not Yet Renewed

A couple of years ago, Disney Plus attempted a Muppets show that was awful. Worse than the ABC one-and-done. But, this has potential, as it focuses really only on Dr Teeth and the Electric Mayhem and them needing to record an album. Having just watched Daisy Jones and the Six, of course I want this to have that vibe… but i know it won’t.

Episode Grade: B+

10) High Desert (Apple Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Not Yet Renewed

Patricia Arquette, clearly waiting for the next season of severance, plays a reformed felon and former drug addict who is trying to clean up her act and be a PI. The pilot is honestly a bit of a mess, but by the end of the first episode, I could see that there is a road map here. And with a supporting cast featuring Brad Garrett and Matt Dillon, this should be fun.

Episode Grade: B+

9) Beavis and Butthead (Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Presumably Renewed

As hilarious as it is to see Beavis trying to get some action as a fake old man, the funniest part of the episode was the trick shot segment. not just their attempts at a trick shot, but the jokes they made about the video.

Episode Grade: B+

8) 911 (FOX/Hulu)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Moving To ABC For season 7

Well, I guess our two series leads are getting married, after this Christmas episode that also lets us know that Jennifer love Hewitt’s past has caught up with her, has a soldier surprise his daughter for Christmas, and a little boy gets his Christmas wish when Eddie decides to let Shannon back into their lives.

Episode Grade: B+

7) Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Hulu)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Ended

Starting to rewatch one of my favorite shows of all time, and I realize how incredibly difficult this is without audio description. Even with Joss Whedon’s very specific brand of dialogue, there’s still a lot of lurking and fighting. I’m probably able to get through this, as I’ve already seen the whole thing, but I couldn’t tell a blind viewer to start this without audio description. I also never really realized how much Xander feels like Chandler until now.

Episode Grade: A-

6) Justified (Hulu)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Revived

I actually never watched this when it first came out. I’m trying to get a general vibe of this show before it does its revival. Or at least get partially through the series. Not having audio description was a little tough, since people are getting killed, and audio description would have helped me get introduced to all these characters with strikingly similar accents. But, the pilot is still a strong one.

Episode Grade: A-

5) The Other Two (MAX)

English audio Description?: Yes

Status: not Yet renewed

One of those great shows you’re not watching, and Emmy voters are ignoring, the season premiere focused on the premiere of night nurse, but the funniest part was Brooke finding out that everyone started doing good things after the pandemic but her, then she finds someone who was deep into conspiracies, and showed them off to people to make herself feel like she was a good person. oh, and Chase is about to be 18, which this show does tackle how creepy it is for people to be so excited about that.

Episode Grade: A

4) Dog (Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: NoS

Status: Ended

God, this Pilot is a classic, and perfect. it actually does everything you need it to. it follows the “just moved here” plot, which allows Doug to not just introduce himself, and his family (including Porkchop), but all the eventual major players in the show, from Skeeter to patty. The Neematoads are also a big part of this franchise. I’m so surprised no one has tried reviving or remaking this.

Episode Grade: A

3) Silo (Apple Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: I think it is renewed…

Clearly sets up a strong mystery and unique world in its pilot. Always good and nice to see Will Patton. I think how this series plays out is entirely up to the writers at this point. They have a great starting off point. I’m very intrigued.

Episode Grade: A

2) Class Of 09 (hulu)

English Audio Description?: yes

Status: unknown

Brian Tyree Henry and Kate Mara star in an underrated show that’s a bit minority Report and a bit quantico. the acting is solid, and there’s clearly a much bigger plot to reveal. I’m here for it.

episode Grade: A

1) Mad Men (FreeVee)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Ended

FreeVee runs this with audio description. it is TTS, but not awful. Just not great. It was enough that I could follow the pilot (I’ve also never seen all of Mad Men), which is a perfect pilot. It shows off Don Draper in all his glory. jon Hamm could win an Emmy off just this episode. His pitch to lucky Strike was so well written.

Episode Grade: A+