I’ll start off just with a cursory acknowledgement that I finished American Idol (Hulu). As SNl has started to use audio description, my greatest hope is that for its 23rd season, American Idol finally figures out what audio description is. Their biggest competition, The Voice, is audio described. I’d like to have some basic knowledge of what these singers look like, and maybe what they are wearing. Jack Blocker was wearing a shirt everyone was talking about, and I had no point of reference. I’d say American Idol hates blind people, but I know they don’t, as they have cast a few over the years. They just seem to only like us when it is convenient. Like this season, they had no problem using a girl’s backstory about how she had to help take care of her younger siblings who were all visually impaired, but they won’t provide the visually impaired community with accessibility. It’s a very transactional relationship this show has with the blind and visually impaired community. How can we help them, not how they can help us.
I finished Ripley (Netflix) which has an extra long final episode. It does leave the door open for more, as there are more books. Nowadays, with limited series meaning absolutely nothing, as Shogun just got a two-season renewal at FX, who knows what the future of this may be. I feel like it is tied to whether or not Andrew Scott wants to continue this or not.
I also finished the first season of Tracker (Paramount Plus), which had an eventful finale that hinted at this dark past for Colter to have to reveal about his father, and what really happened surrounding his death. I think Tracker works best as a 13 episode series, and I hope CBS sticks to that. It allows for linear storytelling, along with interesting episodes. Nice tight storytelling will serve this series better in the long run. The audio description has been great all season from Media Access Group. If procedural type shows are your thing, and you like a little bit of linear storytelling that drives the whole season, then binge Tracker over the summer.
I also finished the second season of Life and Beth (Hulu), which ends in such a way I feel like we need one more season, but also I could see that being the end.Like, there’s a story I want to see explored in the third potential season, but I can also see that Amy Schumer gave some closure just in case. The audio description on this show probably could use some tweaking before the third season. I just think it could be better than it is, overall. not specifically the finale, but I’ve met moments throughout the season where I’ve wanted more.
I did not finish The Sympathizer (MAX) which looked a little bit more at what pain and suffering is worth, and had less Robert Downey jr than I would have liked. he’s literally the reason I’m still watching this show, because I really don’t enjoy it, and I think it tonally is unbalanced between humor and horror, it just isn’t working for me. Then it tries to say something, and I get what it wants to say, but I’m not interested in it.
Franklin (Apple Plus) I think I’m near the end. 7th episode, and this guy betraying Franklin really made me think… why was it in schools that the only Revolutionary War traitor we really hone in on is Benedict Arnold? This other guy should be in our books as well. Like, Arnold was not an anomaly.
