We’re back, and we have some new shows breaking onto the list. Joining an already tight block of shows are The last Of us (MAX), Your Friends And Neighbors (Apple Plus), Government Cheese (Apple plus), Ransom Canyon (Netflix), and Number One Happy Family USA (Amazon).
Winner: The Handmaids tale (Hulu)- The venerable drama produced a somewhat calmer fourth episode that really allowed characters like Luke and Moira to unleash their emotions, as well as a dance for Serena that definitely made us wonder if Serena was headed for a happy ending, or if she was getting drawn back in by another dangerous man destined to give Serena her due.
Runner Up: The Last Of Us (MAX) with audio description- I am definitely aware of the huge problem Season 2 has coming for it. I think, it would probably make the most sense to dodge it, but we shall see if they do, or if they give the perception of dodging it for a while. All I can say is, look at the episode that caused a precipitous drop in the ratings also featured a moment that everyone was supposed to know was coming. And people still vanished. Sure, The Red Wedding worked, but not every show is Game Of Thrones, and this show has been crafted to only have two leads.
#3- Hacks (MAX) with audio description- I did not watch a new episode since the last weekly rankings, so i dropped this from #1 to #3.
#4- the Studio (Apple Plus) with audio description- Another great episode from what might be the best new show of 2025. It feels like a lock now for an Emmy nomination, not just because of its quality, but because it uses Hollywood as the backdrop.
#5- Yellowjackets (Paramount Plus) with audio description- I finished the season. I think there were several moments this show really pushed the limits of what their audience wants. I know people who tried to get into this show, and couldn’t do it. But, it feels fresh and has some terrific performances. And, most importantly, I’m looking forward to next season.
#6- The Righteous Gemstones (MAX) with audio description- Looking at my top shows, I certainly feel like I’m living in peak TV. This excellent comedy in its final season. The flashback helped to bring more context into the current relationship Eli finds himself in, and a hint of the direction we may be in for the finale.
#7- Last week Tonight (MAX) no audio description- As usual, the highest rated show on this list without audio description.
#8- Your Friends And Neighbors (Apple plus) with audio description- this has prestige drama written all over it. Jon Hamm leads an ensemble as a formerly wealthy man who finds unusual ways of maintaining his wealth after being broadsided by a colleague. If you’re not watching, you are missing out. Hamm is terrific, and the supporting cast is full of potential.
#9- From (MGM Plus) with audio description- Just continues to slide a bit because of my pause before starting into Season 2, but I will soon.
#10- The Residence (Netflix) with audio description- I’m done with six of the eight episodes, so it is possible we could end up with this being in its final appearance next week. Shonda Rhimes has crafted a wonderful whodunit in the same quirky style as Knives Out and The Glass Onion, with a dash of Elzabeth.
#11- St Dennis Medical (Peacock) with audio description- I have been jockeying this comedy and Abbott Elementary back and forth, and they swapped once again, because I watched a new episode of St Denis Medical, but not yet the season finale of Abbott Elementary.
#12- Abbott Elementary (Hulu) with audio description- Again, it slipped a little because I did not watch a new episode.
#13- Jurassic World: Chaos Theory (Netflix) with audio description- I’m a fan of this, and have been since Season 1 of Camp Cretaceous. I’m only done with 2 of the 10 episodes of the new season.
#14- The Bondsman (Amazon) with audio description- I am digging the new Kevin Bacon supernatural horror series. I’m hoping it finds a second season. i do believe I’m halfway through the show.
#15- Pop Culture Jeopardy (Amazon) with audio description- I still need to finish, and actually did not watch a new episode, so it slid a spot in the rankings.
#16- Elzabeth (Paramount Plus) with audio description- I had a busy week, and this also did not get a new episode watched, so it also slid in the rankings.
#17- Midcentury Modern (Hulu) with audio description- I’m three episodes in and the show is moving up the charts. the cast is devilishly clever, and even if the writing is clunky, they somehow make it work. I wouldn’t give it a writing Emmy, but the actors are perfection.
#18- The Daily Show (Paramount Plus) no audio description- I still watched the one episode with Jon Stewart this week.
#19- Dope Thief (Apple plus) with audio description- Since a new episode dropped on Friday, I’m technically one episode behind, but those final seconds of the last episode. Man. going out with a bang.
#20- have I Got News For You (MAX- no audio description- I hope CNN continues with this show.
#21- Happy Face (Paramount Plus) with audio description- This last episode was really twisty, emotional, and helped give us even more of a look into why this was meaty enough to warrant a limited series adaptation.
#22- Ghosts (Paramount Plus) with audio description- A reliable sitcom performer on my list. I love knowing it got a two-season pickup. The last episode I saw was about Thor holding a grudge for someone missing his 1,000th year birthday.
#23- Top chef (Peacock) with audio description- That double elimination. Brutal.
#24- deli Boys (Hulu) with audio description- Six episodes in and this dark comedy has risen every week. Even if you don’t start at the top, you want momentum. You want people to come back for another season. hopefully, Hulu will give us that chance.
#25- Matlock (Paramount Plus) with audio description- it just slid a little because I haven’t watched a new episode in a week.
#26- Dying For Sex (Hulu) with audio description- Another show that keeps rising. The performances are really fun, and the audio description is frank and not afraid.
#27- Good American family (Hulu) with audio description- This show has a little bit of an identity crisis trying to keep everything going from multiple perspectives, but Christina Hendricks was a strong addition to the cast.
#28- Long Bright River (Peacock) with audio description- I finished this, so it is the last appearance of this on the list. I think the episode,and really the series, did throw enough curveballs to keep audiences surprised by the ending. Plus, I swear this is Amanda Seyfried’s career high.
#29- Running Point (Netflix) with audio description- Slid a bit because I haven’t watched a new episode, so this is still at episode 6.
#30- side Quest (Apple Plus) with audio description- I finished the Mythic Quest spinoff, and the last episode was pretty good. uneven as a show, but I did like the 2nd and 4th episodes.
#31- Daredevil Born Again (Disney Plus) with audio description- Might feel low, but it jumped about 8 spots after the season finale. It certainly is far from perfect, but I am interested in a second season. The finale also had returning faces, extreme violence, and great acting from the ensemble.
#32- the Rookie (Hulu) with audio description- It slid a bit because I did not watch anew episode.
#33- Survival Of The Thickest (Netflix) with audio description- i think I really liked the last episode about the pop up. Some really fun moments. A steady performer.
#35- Ransom canyon (Netflix) with audio description- As I said in my Small Screen diaries, this Josh Duhamel show is as if Virgin River and Yellowstone had a baby. that’s actually resulting in a fine show, at least after one episode.
#36- The Wheel Of Time (Amazon) with audio description- I’m just going to be honest and say in find the show really hard to follow, even though I don’t find the audio description lacking. the fantasy names, the massive ensemble, and sprawling plot are a challenge when I haven’t ready the books.
#37- The Walking Dead: dead City (Netflix) with audio description- I’m still catching up, but I also am on a rewatch, and I didn’t watch a new episode this week, so I let it slide.
#38- Number One happy family (Amazon) with audio description- I wasn’t a huge fan of rami, but he still feels like a fresh voice, and this new adult animated sow is smart. The pilot has a tall order, and i think it mostly navigated around its subject matter rather well. it features a Muslim-American family in their transition to pre 9/11 era mentality, to post, when they strive to be typically American to fit in.
#39- the Connors (Hulu) with audio description- the series finale is next week. What a rushed and short final season.I wanted these final episodes to feature the whole cast, yet new characters keep popping up.
#40- Million Dollar Secret (Netflix) with audio description- It is a fun show. I’m enjoying it for what it is.
##41- SNL (Peacock) with audio description- I didn’t watch a new episode, so it slid a bit.
#42- Tracker (Paramount Plus) with audio description- A reliable drama on my schedule. We finally got our returning IT guy. They aren’t developing a spinoff for next season, but there’s always a chance in the future.
#43- Celebrity Jeopardy (Hulu) with audio description- I haven’t caught up yet, so since I didn’t watch a new episode, it slid a little.
#44- American Idol (Hulu) no audio description- that cover of defying Gravity… I’ve been showing it to people all week. they are just baffled by it. but, even that girl isn’t a bad singer. Tonight, 4 kids will go home who can sing really well, but just didn’t connect with the audience. it might connect with a broader audience if it had audio description. Just a thought.
#45- government Cheese (Apple plus) with audio description- It is well acted, but it is being billed as a comedy, and that’s where I struggle. I can’t get my head around this being a comedy.
#46- The Masked Singer (Hulu) no audio description- I actually am an episode behind. That is how busy I was this week. So, it did slide slightly.
#47- 911 (Hulu) with audio description- on the rebound after watching a new episode. it had been a hot minute, so it has a lot of ground to cover, but I did slide it up.
#48- The Great North (Hulu) no audio description- another show I did not watch a new episode of, so it slid a bit.
#49- Survivor (Paramount Plus) with audio description- Holding steady. I have my favorites. i also seem to still have two or three people I don’t really remember from episode to episode, and a few I’d send home. basically, the recipe for a good reality show.
#50- Suits LA (Peacock) with audio description- I didn’t watch a new episode, so it dropped about 4 slots overall. I remain excited to see Harvey return, even just as a guest star.
#51- north Of north (Netflix) with audio description- Three episodes in, and this show hasn’t moved in the rankings.
#52- Mobland (Paramount Plus) with audio description- After debuting last week, i didn’t get around to another new episode, so it slid slightly.
#53- Got To Get Out (Hulu) with audio description- No change from last week. The format is simple. Someone pointed out in the second episode that the series was “dry” (meaning no one can drink), and maybe that’s why it feels like they don’t know what to do to fill the time.
#54- Will Trent (Hulu) with audio description- I’m hoping for a new main storyline for Season 4. I just don’t like Season 3, but I do like the show. if Season 4 is like this, I could see myself giving up, but I’m willing to give this one bad season long plot. One.
#55- Surface (Apple Plus) with audio description- I’m 7 episodes into the season, so i should finish this next week. Maybe. this is one show I really would not mind seeing not return for a third season.
#56- 1923 (Paramount Plus) with audio description- After hitting the danger zone, I jumped back in on the 4th episode, and I found some stuff worth it. A little spark. So, i threw this back on the list. Since I started doing the rankings, it is the first show to bounce back off the Danger Zone.
#57- Krapapolis (Hulu) no audio description- I didn’t watch a new episode, but I’d also be lying if I put this in the danger zone. it isn’t actually in danger. I just did not watch a new episode.
#58- devil may cry (Netflix) with audio description- danger zone suggest I might not finish the season, and while it is low on the list, I do intend also on finishing this, so dropping it lower would really be a lie.
#59- The Traitors UK (Peacock)) no audio description- Even though I didn’t watch a new episode, when rounding out the Top 60, i also found myself realizing how unlikely it would be for me to give up on this franchise. it just isn’t likely to happen.
#60- Pulse (Netflix) with audio description- At this point, of the remaining shows that were on the top 60, it seems most likely I’d finish the first season of this for review purposes. I almost kept the Kardashians on here, but I have several seasons to catch up on, so the likelihood that I could give up on it is much higher.
The Danger Zone: Wolf King (Netflix), Lazarus (MAX), Papa’s House (Paramount Plus), Grimmsburg (Netflix), Berlin ER (Apple Plus), and Grosse Point Garden Society (Peacock).
removed From watchlist: Cassandra (Netflix) and the leopard (Netflix)- both shows have been on the danger Zone for too long to rebound off of it. I made it about 4 episodes into each.
