I had a fun little day with some great shows. I feel like overall Thursday’s crop was stronger than Wednesday’s.
1) Reacher (Amazon)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
This show is addictive. in Episode 6, every episode has some heart pumping action, and intense sequences. Since I didn’t read the book, and it seems like no one is safe from being killed, other than Jack Reacher, I feel like anyone could die at any time. And that raises the stakes of every episode. This has been one of the most rewarding experiences from a new show I’ve had in quite some time. If I was into binge watching, this would be something I’d feel like I needed to know what happens next right away.
Episode Grade: A
2) New Amsterdam (NBC/Peacock/Hulu)
English Audio Description Available?: Depending On The Service
I’m an unabashed fan of New Amsterdam, insistently ranking this at or near the top, and I’ll be sad to see this show go. It seems to always have the right balance of drama in its episode, with a heavy lean on doctors who really do care, and work around the system to provide care often to those who would otherwise not receive any. Of the medical dramas I currently watch, mixed with ones from recent memory, this is my favorite, and I haven’t felt this way about a medical drama since George wrote 007 on Meredith’s palm. Always heartwarming and heartbreaking, I think a lot of people write this off as being typical Network television, while talking about how amazing This Is us is. I think New Amsterdam is just as good, if not at times better.
Episode Grade: A
3) Killing It (Peacock)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
I don’t think the AD for this show is amazing, by the way, but this show really let its goofy charm hang out in the second episode where our star finds himself with a dead python attached to his body, hilariously driving all over hells half acre to try and get it off. It was a journey. And Craig Robinson is just the funny guy to handle it.
Episode Grade: A
4) The Wonder Years (ABC)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
As the first season wrapped on The Wonder Years, we were treated to an impending summer vacation,and some strife within the household, as well as two characters complicating things by revealing their love. It was a nice way to close the door on the first season, and though we won’t be seeing these guys again until mid season, I’m happy ABC stuck with it.
Episode Grade: A, Season 1 Grade: A-
5) Slow Horses (Apple Plus)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
I think the most schocking thing about this season finale was that they were at least far enough along in the season 2 process to offer quite an extended look at the second season. I didn’t realize how quickly Apple had given this a second season order, but we will be getting more from the occupants at Slow house. Maybe in the second season, the character’s not played by Gary Oldman, will start to flesh out more so that he’s not just totally dominating every scene. My biggest problem with this show, overall, aside from the occasional need to be funny, is that no one can match Gary Oldman. Kristin Scott Thomas should be able to, but her character is actually pretty one dimensional. Oldman remains the sole interesting reason to watch the show, aside from the actual plot and storyline, which resolved itself. Maybe not perfectly, but it did resolve.
Episode Grade: A-, Season 1 Grade: B+
5) Name That Tune (FOX/Hulu)
English Audio Description Available?: No
The first episode was deeply disappointing, as both contestants sucked, and the song choices were awful. however, it was more than made up for in the second half, when someone actually wins the 100K, for the first time this season.
Episode Grade: B+
6) Jeopardy (Syndication)
Audio Description Available?: No
So he’s hit five wins, and officially is now in the tournament of champions. This next tournament is so stacked, with the current 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, longest streaks already all booked for the same tournament. It’s gonna be a doozie. As for me, after having a terrific Wednesday, I dropped back to only 20 correct. And I did not get Final jeopardy, though it is always somewhat reassuring when one of the contestants has the same guess (Leaning Tower) that you did.
Episode Grade: B
7) Life And Beth (Hulu)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
This Amy Schumer episode, which pushed us toward the funeral, and gave us a closer look at her childhood and some screen time for Michael Rappaport, just didn’t do much for me. I’m not giving up, I just thought this episode went in the other direction, when I thought it was headed another way. I guess I have to temper my expectations.
Episode Grade: B-
8) The Masked Singer (FOX/ Hulu)
English Audio Description Available?: I’ve heard others mention that this show has it, though I’ve never been able to launch it either on live TV or streaming.
I’ll avoid spoilers. Don’t worry. I’m grading this low, because nothing happened the way i thought it would. First off, The Ringmaster sang the best. Firefly doesn’t have a power in her voice, and for some reason The Prince was auto tuned even though singing was his profession, and I’ve heard him, and I know he doesn’t need auto tune. This season, overall, was stupid, and the contestants sucked. I’m usually pretty solid at guessing, but this season was a hellscape of misdirection. I’ll never forgive them for that Penn and Teller bullshit that they obviously wanted us to believe Martin and Short were under there. I remember the football player with all the clues poiting to an Aquaman, then it’s just a football player. On top of the fact that the person who won, I have no idea who they are. None. And they’re following in the recent footsteps of Jewel, Nick Lachey, and Leann Rimes. Those were some big shoes and interesting seasons. Season 8 is a bit moment for the Masked Singer. It either dies, or it finds a way to get away from all the shit that plagued it this season, and they actually attract a solid crop of talent. If we keep unmasking these people, and no one knows who they are, people will stop watching. While I loved her voice, no one would have guessed that name in a million years for The Ringmaster, and someone should have known that.
Episode Grade: C, Season Grade: C-
