While I watch these older shows, I can’t help but think how much better they would be with audio description, and I want a world where we also prioritize the back catalog of TV shows as well as films. I also get sad when i think of a show I’d watch again that isn’t on a streaming service. Today’s highlight: American Dreams. Ran for 3 seasons on NBC, and launched the career of Brittany Snow. I miss that show.

14) Hey Dude (Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Ended

Hey Dude was one of the live action shows thrown at me as a kid that I loved every time it was on. of course, I can’t see it now, so I have no idea how the production holds up, but it’s funny to come back at this as an adult. The kids sounded so much older when I was a kid, but Ted sounds so young. I did kinda feel like the pilot went on forever. I would love audio description, as even though there are aspects of the show I remember, I didn’t commit the Bar None ranch to memory. Even though this has a low grade, it’s here for nostalgic purposes, and will at least survive a few more episodes.

Episode Grade: C

13) Desperate Housewives (Hulu)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Ended

After every episode of the show I’ve watched so far, I have thought to myself “this show needs audio description”. There’s always at least 1/4th to 1/3rd of the show I’m completely lost in. Still, I’m going to watch a little bit more so I have a better understanding of how the ladies of Wisteria Lane managed to stay so popular. I’d love to stay with this long enough to see Alfre Woodard join the cast, but the lack of audio description will make that a challenge.

Episode Grade: C+

12) Cheers (Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Still, a show that ran long enough to warrant audio description. While I’m not watching it currently, I’d also make that case for MASH. This was a Norm centric episode, with some solid jokes about Frasier trying a tanning salon, and Woody’s general lack of understanding anything he says. What is killing the show for me is how they’ve been writing Diane. if i were Shelly Long, i would have left too.

Episode Grade: B-

11) Friends (MAX)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Ended

Not really a bad episode, just a rather forgettable one in the run of the series. The most plot heavy thing that happened was Rachel getting a job, and choosing to hug someone else with excitement instead of Ross. Oh those crazy kids.

Episode Grade: B-

10) Mad men (AMC Plus)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Ended

Ever since Amazon started reading this from my AMC Plus subscription instead of FreeVee, the benefit was no commercials, but the downside is no audio description. Mad Men has too big of an ensemble to follow, with new characters coming in and out, and trying to follow who is who. There was a guy in this episode that sounded like Pete, and turned out not to be. There were flashbacks, rather important ones, to Don’s past. And, this episode actually gave Sal something to do!

Episode Grade: B

9) Futurama (Hulu)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Revival Running now

Still stuck back in Season 2. Leela finds what she’s longed for her whole life, someone else like her, who at first seems like a match, and she’s totally up for trying to repopulate her species, but then the guy turns out to be more of a barefoot and pregnant type guy. Lela doesn’t do that. There were aspects of this where i really wanted audio description, like with the interactions with other aliens on this guys planet. There are still sight gags we miss.

Episode Grade: B

8) The Good Wife (Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Elzibeth comes at Midseason.

The introduction of Carrie Preston’s iconic character, who is getting her own spinoff. One of the reasons I would have preferred audio description here was that I didn’t realize it was her. She sounds much more southern and different as the series progresses, even with her on The Good Fight. Plus, I think I just realized Julius from The Good Fight started on this show. It is so much easier to track characters when I have audio description. Looking at the cast list on IMDB, this is one of the most impressive series long ensembles ever, and I’d hate to miss their appearances.

Episode Grade: B+

7) Swagger (Apple Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Not Yet Renewed

Look. i do love Swagger. The more this series wants to dangle the carrot that the boys might be in trouble for beating up on a pedophiliac sexual predator, I will continue to drop it down the grades, until I stop watching. If the story goes sympathetic with that horrible man, I’ll cut this off. Remember when Larry Nasr was stabbed in jail? Pretty sure no one was like “Oh no. poor guy.” So why is Swagger going with that narrative? Get off of it soon.

Episode Grade: B+

6) Smash (Roku)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Ended

I’d love for Roku to take audio description seriously as well. i remember when they dropped Weird, and it did not have audio description. I love Smash, and this was the history is Made At Night, where Derek come across more like a prick, Ivy stands up for herself, and a certain married woman makes a decision that could tear apart her family.

Episode Grade: B+

5) XO Kitty (Netflix)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Renewed

While I was supposed to be laser focused on the Kitty and Dae moment, I felt really bad for Florian as he explained that his situation is about to change, and he’s terrified of going home and having to live in the closet again. Poor kid. I never expected this show to be good by the way.

Episode Grade: A-

4) Veep (MAX)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Ended

Selina really wants to get a dog for her daughter, but those plans seem to go out the window, and Selina spends a lot of the episode ignoring her daughter, and dealing with the need to push through her committee pick who isn’t really oil, but not really clean, and makes no one happy.

Episode Grade: A-

3) 10 Year Old Tom (MAX)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: not Yet Renewed

So glad this still exists. Tom writes a new song in the second half, that gets so much attention, Pepperidge Farm wants to use it in a commercial. but, like most things Tom does, it predictably doesn’t go well.Episode

ode Grade: A

2) Beavis and Butthead (Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Please Renew This For Many SeasonsOn

e of the few shows that makes me literally laugh out loud, watching the duo try and breed a raccoon they think is a dog with another dog is just too funny.

Episode Grade: A

1) The Great (Hulu)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Renewed? Hopefully for at least 1 more season.

Gotta love Maxim. but this episode was hilarious, and puts Katherine in an interesting position after hearing Fake Peter speak. This season is really letting the ensemble shine, and I’m really appreciating all of their work.

Episode Grade: A