Continuing on with some renewal predictions, CBS has some shows to decide on for sure. They often end up axing shows that have more of an audience than other networks, but struggle either financially, or are lower in the 18-49 demo. It’s too early to tell on Marshals or CIA, but Watson looks prime for cancellation. It wasn’t a huge ratings success last season, and is not only down from last season, but is actually CBS’s lowest rated show. It manages a meager 0.1 average in the 18-49 bracket. If you’re a Watson fan, there’s zero chance this moves to a third season. Already renewed for next season, FBI, NCIS, Ghosts, Tracker, Georgie and Mandy, Matlock, Elzabeth, NCIS Origins, Survivor, Fire Country, Sheriff Country, Boston Blue, and NCIS Sydney. Other than Watson, their only big question mark is DMV which has yet to be renewed. With The Neighborhood headed for the exit as planned, it puts a little stresss off the freshman comedy, and has improved upon Papa’s House from the same time slot next year. And while CIA and Marshals are both new to CBS, a writers room is already being assembled for Season 2 of the Yellowstone spinoff, showing CBS has high hopes for it. With so few spots on their schedule, and most series locked in already, I’m telling Watson fans, something’s gonna give, and it will be Watson.

TV Shows Watched: American Idol: S24E6 (Disney Plus) no audio description, Finding Her Edge: S1E3 (Netflix) with audio description, Shrinking: S3E3 (Apple) with audio description, Dreaming Whilst Black: S2E1 (Paramount Plus) with audio description, Ponies: S1E4 (Peacock) with audio description, and the Daily Show: Monday (Paramount Plus) no audio description

American Idol- Man that was fast. Too fast. They denied me my Green Mile episode. How dare you. HOW. DARE. YOU! For seasons, I’ve enjoyed contestants having to take an unnecessarily long walk to meet the judges at the end of a nearly infinite space, just to find out if they did enough. I remember when it wa the elevator that went up, and they walked across this vast space to get to Simon Paula and Randy. I remember when they started playing around with the atmosphere, and the contestants walked over a bridge to hear their fate. I suppose since the Top 30 will become 20, we might still get that episode, but that also means I was denied my four holding rooms. This breaking of tradition, with no group rounds, no duets, is not pleasing to a lifelong fan (and as someone who has been through some of this process).

Finding Her Edge- This silt fluffy show has a hard time nailing the super serious moments. The part where Dad trips and falls over his own words while being mad at his daughters is silly. I think it’s Harmin Walsh? This guy can’t act his way out of a Hallmark Christmas movie in an ensemble role with one line. That is his limit.

Shrinking- On the other hand, the embarrassment of riches in this ensemble, which already had Michael J Fox come through, is then greeted with Jeff Daniel’s as Jimmy’s father. A lovely episode, and Michael Urie was giving all the right energy.

Dreaming Whilst Black- This show was such a smart surprise a few years ago, and I kept wondering if I’d ever actually see a second season. I’m glad it’s back, and its perspective is fresh. It also features a bunch of young black actors that deserve to be platformed and pushed into more high profile projects. I love how it poked fun at Bridgerton a bit. DVW is doing the AD here, and I can’t remember the AD from Season 1, but this was good work.

Ponies- The spy drama gets more real as bodies hit the floor, and a truth is maybe revealed that is hard for one of the widows to hear. A little gem on peacock if you haven’t started it.

The Daily Show- Of course Jon gets to comment on the war in Iran, but he somehow also managed to slide in It Was Just An Accident director Jafar Panahi, who sat for quite a while with Stewart, as they needed a translator for their conversation. Stewart used the first half to rail personally on the Iranian war, and America’s war of choice, but when he sat down with Pinahi, he never forced the director to comment on the current war at all. he spoke purely about his experience being a filmmaker who gets jailed for his work, and how that translated into film. He celebrated Stewart’s freedom of speech, seemingly aware that even here in this country, he had to watch what he commented on. I was expecting something from Pinahi, even just Stewart to simply ask if his friends and family were OK in the bombings, but they steered so clear of it, it couldn’t be anything but intentional.