rings

Rings of Power

Amazon Prime Video
With its billions of minutes of supposed watch time, I did not think that Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power would leave the #1 spot in Amazon Prime Video’s top 10 list until it was over. And maybe not even then.

But now, it has gone down to #2 behind a surprising new series that is apparently drawing a number of eyes. It’s not a scripted show, but a three-part docuseries called Evolution of the Black Quarterback, an examination of black quarterbacks in the NFL, hosted by Michael Vick. Here’s the official synopsis:

“In celebration of how Black quarterbacks have changed the game of professional football, Michael Vick travels across America learning about the pioneers who fought for acceptance, the players who cemented their spot, and what the future of the game can hold. Connecting with stars like Patrick Mahomes, Cam Newton, Steve Young, Common, Andy Reid, and Jamie Foxx.”

It’s only a three-part series and all episodes are now live. It also appears to be NFL week on Amazon given that NFL Icons has made it to the #3 spot ahead of From, now at #4. That show is on its third season now, but only the first one is free on Amazon Prime Video to watch. The others you have to watch with MGM+, the Amazon-owned streaming service that remains separate from Prime Video for reasons I cannot explain.

As for Rings of Power, as ever, the second season has drawn a lot of controversy, but Amazon maintains that viewership is good as it pushes ahead with its five season plan. I’m not really a fan, though I did like last week’s big Siege of Eregion episode, but I know a lot of Tolkien fans hated it. I am surprised that it has fallen to #2 when it’s just reaching its climax, however, and I do wonder how much viewership may have dropped over the course of this season. Or maybe Evolution of the Black Quarterback is just putting up wild numbers, which is certainly possible.

Of all these shows on the list I recommend you watch…From, as ever, one of the best-ever horror series on TV, which is now airing its third season on (sigh) MGM+. But its first two are free on Prime Video right now. Watch it.