Flickering like this usually occurs when the controller and lights are not using the same ground.

Science isn’t about WHY. It’s about WHY NOT.

I have all the TV inputs automated via voice commands. Eg. If you say “let’s watch plex”, tv turns on if off, input switches, HDMI switch changes, and Plex launches on the shield.

About 30 pins could be used for various inputs depending on the board. Here is a good reference. https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-pinout-reference-gpios/