First, I’m upset. Like, kudos and stuff to the fans, but it looks like SWAT is not ending this season after all.I conceptually don’t understand this move, since CBS has a solid lineup, and is really only losing Blue Bloods now, along with Young Sheldon and Bob Hearts Abishola. While not every show has been renewed, the FBI franchise has, and I’m sure the NCIS series has as well. Tracker got an early pickup. That really doesn’t leave much “on the bubble”, and Elzabeth has such a strong future, that their bizarre strategy of premiering the show, and then waiting over a month to do the second episode can’t possibly hold the series to some ratings standard. So Help Me Todd and The Equalizer are steady performers. Matlock was pushed to fall, and they already have a new NCIS lined up, and a new Fire Country spinoff. What exactly will be their shocking cancellation? Todd? The equalizer? Elzabeth? CSI?

But, over at Amazon, they just launched what should be a major new player for them. Fallout is now live, the series adaptation of the video game franchise, which has been adapted by Jonathan Nolan (Westworld), who also directs the pilot. This should be a huge hit for Amazon, and land in the ranks of their top tier shows like The Boys, Gen V, Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power, The Wheel Of Time, etc. I think the adaptation is strong. I played some Fallout, but not every Fallout, so I’m familiar with the franchise. It felt like a new look at the show but with all the trappings of Fallout, so not one specific game. That’s understandable, since in the games, you typically are just one character, and the pilot tries to balance a trio of protagonists. The audio description did a terrific job of following all the aspects that would pull in anyone who had played the game before, from the iconic image of the boy holding up his thumb, the the use of Pep Boys. I did notice that someone got a soda bottle, and I did note the lack of Nuka Cola, which is the brand used in the game. But, as a blind person, I also cannot be certain Nolan used that Nuka Cola label. He’d be silly not to, but still. Aside from the questions I have about Nuka Cola, I’ll go with Top Tier for now.

Heartbreak High (Netflix) is still part of my catch up. Season 2 just launched today, and I didn’t even know this show existed, so I’m playing catch up. This show is not Sex Education, in terms of the characters and story pulling me in, but it has potential to grow. The audio description does a nice job of balancing the characters, all of whom I wish had maybe a bit more description given to them in the pilot. Now we’re all just on a first name basis. I don’t really have that strong foundation for who these teens are moving forward though. Middle/Top tier.

The Connors (Hulu) had an episode that really hinged seemingly on this old photo, which got a very very brief mention. The audio description in the Connors has never been over the top, but it never feels like the worst sitcom narration. It has had its problems, but this episode did a minimum job of getting that audio description out. I’m more concerned with how dull this was for the 100th episode. I mean, there barely were any cast members in this episode. Half the cast is missing. If we’re counting Becky’s daughter as a series regular, I think there were six regulars in this episode, including Darlene, Harris, Dan, and Jackie. You could say it was just the original gang, but the inclusion of the kids throws that idea out the window. And without Darlene’s other kid, it’s not even about “The Connors”, minus spouses. What a strange way to celebrate 100. The Rookie just did it with a big wedding. What was this? Lazy.

Abbott Elementary (Hulu) fared better. In an episode that mostly dealt with generative AI, there were lots of big laughs. Janeane also has to choose between teaching and the district job. Technically, Ava has already replaced her, so I don’t know how that would work. The audio description this season has been lacking, but if I’m being honest, I’ve either been desensitized since the season premiere, or something, but other than the narrator’s voice sounding AI adjacent, I think this episode made far more of an effort to audio describe as much content as possible than previous episodes. Perhaps, the feedback has actually reached them? I know a lot of fans reached out to ABC. It’s a little better. Middle/Bottom for both ABC sitcoms.

The New Look (Apple Plus) doesn’t end on Episode 8. it keeps going, headed likely for that 10th episode. Anyway, the big reveal at the end was really by Dior, though the rivalry between Coco and Dior is shown more in this episode. Pretty solid narration, but anytime this series ventures into the fashion world, the audio description doesn’t really dive into it, despite this being about two iconic fashion designers. Middle/Top tier.

The Girls On The Bus (MAX) is a show I’m kinda glad I stuck with. It was a bumpy start for this show to find its footing, but it has gotten there, at least by Episode 5. It has a balance that works for the show, a mix of that Sex and the City vibe, but mixed a little with politics. The audio description is fine. I’m not sure what I’d complain about. I think initially I wasn’t sure about the tone, but now that the show is settled a bit more it all seems to fit. Top Tier.