TV Shows Watched: Etoile: S1E1 (Amazon) with audio description, Government Cheese: S1E3 (Apple plus) with audio description, Jurassic World: Chaos Theory: S3E4 (Netflix) with audio description, gotta Get out Of Here- S1E3 (Hulu) with audio description, 911: S8E14 (Hulu) with audio description, Battle Camp: S1E2 (Netflix) with audio description, Ghosts: S4E18 (PAramount Plus) with audio description, Deli Boys: S1E8 (Hulu) with audio description, Grimmsburg: S1E5 (Netflix) with audio description, Lazarus: S1E3 (MAX) with audio description, SNL: Mikey Madison (Peacock) with audio description, Mobland: S1E2 (Paramount Plus) with audio description
Best Episode: Etoile- the new series from Amy Sherman-Palladino tackles dance (which she already did with Bunheads), but brings along an excellent ensemble (including The Marvelous Mrs Maisel’s Luke Kirby) that is well fleshed out, and introduced in a way that you instantly are drawn in by the possibility of what this season could bring. it is a truly terrific pilot at a time when not everyone understands how to make one, or feels they have to in this new streaming model.
runner Up: Deli Boys- The brothers have to outsmart the FBI, which eventually leads them to that really important fact about Drakkar Noir.
Worth Mentioning: Ghosts, Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, Grimmsburg- Maybe not the most obvious choices to round out a top 5, but I do enjoy Ghosts pretty consistently, and the Jane Krakowski character brings some new flavor, Chaos Theory is always fun, and I actually liked the episode of Grimmsburg finally. It was about a killer who was targeting people who caught the bouquet at weddings.
best Audio Description: SNL- While a lot of the skits written for Mikey were rough, everything was really well described. There was an entire sketch where what we’re hearing from the two cast members talking is not the point, it is all this madness happening behind them. All the digital shorts now make me wonder what the point of showing up to see this live taping even is anymore. And, while I would have loved to have someone point out Morgan’s awkward exit, I’m not sure that watching it live people knew how trendy awkward it would become.
runner Up: Etoile- I’m interested in how future episodes will focus on dance. There isn’t a lot in the premiere, and it is mostly character introductions, which are done well, but I’m curious where it will go if we linger on a full out dance.
Worth Mentioning: Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, Deli Boys, Mobland- I think these may have the most consistently solid audio description tracks to round out the top 5. chaos Theory is always really strong at the action, emotion, and dino stuff, Deli Boys has Dave bringing a lot to the humor and set ups, and Mobland was a tough 5th spot choice because the show maybe doesn’t balance the huge cast as well, but thematically it lands the violence of the series.
Best Performance: Lou De Laage (Etoile)- As the explosive Chienne, this actress I’m deeply unfamiliar with introduces herself much the way a tornado does if you aren’t paying attention. She’s feisty, fiery, and takes center stage in every interaction she had with any other actor, no matter how recognizable they were, or how many more screen credits they have. She’s clearly a breakout of the show, and a breakout of 2025. Even if she’s big in France, she’s about to have a much bigger profile here.
Runner Up: Luke Kirby (Etoile)- I try to spread the love out, but this show is really good. Kirby plays Jack, the technical lead of the show, with the right amount of charisma needed and also boundless skepticism on how this trade will benefit him, and if he can actually trust crispin. It is nice to see Kirby step into a lead role after such a long career, and doing such strong work on Maisel that whole time.
Worth Mentioning: jane Krakowski (Ghosts), Helen Mirren (Mobland), and Alfie Fuller (Deli Boys)- Krakowski is great in anything, mirren is stealing 1923 and Mobland at the same time, and Fuller has turned Prairie into the breakout character. She’s delightfully unaware, and I hope the boys keep her around.
Best Moment Of Audio description: What is Going On? (SNL) really, trying to navigate describing what was going on behind two characters talking was mastery level shit, especially if you’re having to do it live. Like, it is a Jedi mind trick or something. I was impressed. You can’t trample the dialogue, but what they are saying isn’t important, it is the crazy stuff happening behind them. Amazing.
Runner Up: Brooklyn Better Watch Out (Chaos Theory)- There’s a scene where Brooklyn faces off against the creepy lady who whistles and controls the raptors. the description does a good job of capturing the fear in Brooklyn, the imminent danger, as well as the tables being turned when someone shows up to help. not just that, but the scene right before this where Brooklyn is reaching out to Ben and the gang was also well described, and emotionally balanced.
Worth Mentioning: The Opening Sketch (SNL), Dead Penis (Mobland), and Food Fight (Etoile)- Hopefully my brief way of describing those three things make sense to anyone who watched or worked on the audio description for those shows. it is always tough trying to navigate not giving too many spoilers, but also acknowledging what happens.
Worst of…-Everything had audio description, so i can’t use that as a barometer. Lazarus is well written and the narrator is a good choice, he just doesn’t sound like the mix is good. Like, it sounds like the mic quality isn’t up to par that he used. but, the worst episode? While there were sketches I didn’t enjoy in SNL, I’m having a hard time tracking everyone on Mobland who isn’t Brosnan, Mirren, or Hardy, and there are two reality shows, I have to say I disliked the PTSD exploration on 911, while also trying to keep Eddie around as he gets back in touch with Christopher. The episode was clunky, and should be handled by better writers. Or a different show. So, 911 would be the loser just for today.
