TV Shows Watched: American Idol: S24E14 (Disney Plus) no audio description, Witch Hat Atelier: S1E2 (CrunchyRoll) with audio description, Beef: S2E7 (Netflix) with audio description, Rooster: S1E3 (HBO MAX) with audio description, Last Week Tonight: Current (HBO MAX) no audio description yet, The Madison: S1E2 (Paramount Plus) with audio description

American Idol- They couldn’t get KatPee back or Daughtry, and I was surprised PAris made it back since her career stalled. Kellie Pickler, Bucky Covington, and Elliot Yamin rounded out the non winner returnees, as Ryan Seacrest used the Taylor Hicks appearance to get him a spot on Dancing With The Stars next season (which Kellie has already been on). Paula sounded overly medicated as usual, offering non-sensical feedback, and randy didn’t do much either. Based on the final five, I predicted this would be the final three. Who will win? Well, as Jamal proved, they still have no idea what music to write for the winners, so perhaps Hannah should win, since she writes her own songs, which is why she’s made it this far. It’s amazing how far one solid, but not amazing contestant, can do when their song goes viral. My heart is with Keila though.

Witch Hat Atelier- Dreams do come true. CrunchyRoll is rolling out anime, on their stand alone platform, not just as a Prime channel add on. In the second episode, Coco is sent to a school to learn how to be a witch, and meets some new friends, who all have heard her origin story already. Her new roommate really wants an apprenticeship, and thinks Coco hasn’t earned her spot, but is more like a Hermoine Grainger than a Draco Malfoy. The AD is not human, but is written by one, by a company Iv’e never heard of. The voice isn’t terrible, and the writing is good, so as far as AI descriptions go, it’s solid. Also, this show evades any audio ducking, likely because of the dubbing on animation being even easier to mesh with. That would be my mildly educated guess.

Beef- The Chairwoman is taking over, and by the end of the episode, everyone is in danger. Most of the cast winds up in Korea, with Josh left to fend for himself. Lindsay does some stuff in the bathrooms that is truly disgusting. The AD here by DVW and Andrew Thatcher is still terrific.

Rooster- Steve Carell’s show is quietly growing on me, as he bumbles around being a new professor, continuously getting into trouble, but not actively trying to. The supporting cast is getting fleshed out more as the series grows. Can Steve Carell get an Emmy nod this year in a crowded Lead actor race? HBO has picked up the show for a second season.

Last Week Tonight- John Oliver goes after those weird fake enhancements people buy in gas station stores. Stop buying weird shit with ingredients you know nothing about.

The Madison- The family continues to pursue life on the frontier, as Michelle Pfieffer experiences her husband through flashbacks, and her high maintenance daughter gets attacked by hornets, can’t figure out a shower, and gets schooled on gluten. Taylor Sheridan has already gotten this series renewed through its third season. Media Access does the AD here, and it is very pensive.