TV Shows Watched: Has Been Hotel: S2E1 (Amazon) with audio description, English Teacher: S2E6 (Disney plus) with audio description, Devil In Disguise: S1E2 (Peacock) with audio description, Shifting Gears: S2E5 (Disney plus) with audio description, and Murdock: S1E3 (Disney Plus) with audio description
Has Been Hotel- I know people are really big fans of this, but it wouldn’t be in my top five or ten adult animations right now. I did like it enough to come back, mostly for the musical numbers, and exceptional voice cast. I’ve forgotten most of season 1, and I think this used to be a different AD company. Media Access Group has stepped in, and for some reason I don’t think they did season 1. It didn’t make a huge impact on me the first time around, so I don’t really remember what any demon looks like, but it is a continuation, so Media Access is really only responsible for new characters, for which we got some description. Now, the news seems to be the villain.
English Teacher- A military recruiter comes to the school, The best parts of the episode were the simulation video about boarding a plane before anyone else, and also in Gwen’s class when she takes the phones away and expects them to write. “Can you text my mom and ask her if I’m right or left handed?” Sure, the joke is a bit much, but from the network that brought us Its Always Sunny and what We Do In The Shadows, I’d say surprisingly on brand.
Devil In disguise- I’m not regretting having ditched Monster but continued with Devil In Disguise. One show sought to bastardize the original story specifically for entertainment purposes, and the other is a little more respectful in its approach. instead of shock and awe, you get a lot from the reactions of everyone involved. I remember in the first episode when Gacy’s lawyer told the cops “if he tries to leave, shoot out his fucking tires.” And as he continues to be the genial monster, it is the reaction of those around them to the death left behind, the boys bodies found mostly off camera, and the smell of death they can’t shake that carry the series. Whoever is behind this is a far stronger creator than Ryan Murphy. Yes, I said it. And for an AD team I’ve lost faith in, this show is one of the few things they’ve done that I would say is good. Could it be better? probably. But, I’m happy with the description for now.
Shifting Gears- Season 2 is way better. I hope they make Jenna Elfman a regular. Also, a predictable, but solid reference to Toy Story. A fun Halloween episode that has some really good audio description.
Murdock- Alec is clearly a very different kind of Monster, in so much that you can tell he’s selfish, and his approach to all his misdeeds usually comes from the belief that because of his last name, the privilege of being who he is, it will all work out. He’s clearly digging in too deep, and doesn’t see it, but privilege can be extremely confusing for those who know nothing but. entitlement. I think this series explores a lot of themes beyond the murders rather well, as you could remove murder from the series, and still despise the lead. In one scene, he talks to a family he’s supposed to be representing and getting them their big payout, and talking about how he sympathizes with their plight, while he enjoys his typical dalliances and signing a receipt for 68K at the implied expense of people who have nothing. There are a few solid true crime choices out there that aren’t part of the overblown Monster franchise. And, Roy Samuelson’s narration here is just another solid track I enjoyed this day.