Ugh. I’m irked. Y’see every Monday I watch 24 with my roommate and one of her coworkers. It’s routine. Every Monday like clockwork.
Well, it didn’t happen this week. So here we are on Friday, and I still haven’t watched 24. I want to, but I fell like it’d be “cheating” on our friend. But if he was really our friend, wouldn’t he have come over this week? Hmmmm?
But what I happened to catch was CSI. Is it just me or was the teaser loaded with special effects. Did they have a surplus in the effects budget and decide to blow it on that sequence?
What I Did Watch Last Week
Real Time With Bill Maher – Yeehaw! I’m finally replugged into current events! Thank you Bill Maher. Unfortunately I had to tolerate Robin Williams. Robin is hilarious. Unfortunately for every gem, you’ve got to suffer through 5-7 attempts at humor that not only fall flat, but go on way too long.
Saturday Night Live – I’ll be honest; I don’t remember anything. Oh wait, I still love Weekend Update. The host was”¦some chick. I forget. Damn.
The Simpsons – Jabs at FOX, and admitting to the lameness of the “coming out” episode were pitch perfect. It’s funny as always.
Desperate Housewives – Susan sucks. Bree sucks. Gabrielle sucks. Lynette was the only Housewife that I actually cared about. But now she sucks. She sabotaged her husband’s promotion. And for the record, on the couch, I called the gay character, and my roommate got it wrong. But I have to admit that I actually paid attention this week.
Hold on, Susan is a moron, and I don’t know that Mike was thinking. Why didn’t he bounce when his wound opened? This show just makes me question it, like every five minutes.
Carnivale – Um, why was this episode like 15 minutes short? What’s up that? This week I was on the edge of my seat, only to find the episode end way early. Not cool.
Jonesy is just asking for trouble. Brother Justin is no joke. Ben finally found his pop. And we get a look at Management. Nutty.
Unscripted – Next week is the “season finale?” Isn’t that being a tad optimistic? Unless Stevie and Georgie know something that we don’t (and honestly, why would they?)
Scrubs – Damn, I hate when relationships begin to crumble. Seeing JD looking for a place to crash was entertaining, but this episode was more poignant than sidesplitting funny. I’m praying that this show will give me some interracial issues. Please!
Lost – Again, I predicted that Walt torched the raft. But damn, how “Gilligan’s Island” is that? And Locke coming to his aid was cool, but kind of creepy.
I also have to give the show credit, not only for making like a solid third of the show in a different language, but also for keeping the continuity of the show in place. In the background we get subtitles, but on the island we don’t. Nice touch.
Tilt – Ok, so I guess I can see how the show goes on. As a guy who hates his dad, I enjoyed father/son fight. Clark needs to get out from the corner he’s always backed in. And could the brotha get a love interest?
Oz (edited for Someone) – Oh my god. I can’t believe that ________ died! I realize it until I realized dude still had his hand in his pocket. Damn. That’s how shocking that death was. ________ also got paroled, but I’m focusing on the death of _______. _______ gets a love interest. _______ became a prag and went “spooning?” Again I didn’t see that coming. You’ve got to give it up to the writers, for making a character like ________ sympathetic. Solitary is toxic, and ________ got attacked by the hacks. But seriously, I can’t believe they killed _______.
Greatest Show Ever”¦this week – Ego Trip’s “Race-O-Rama”.
Dude, I’ve been a fan of the Ego Trip crew, not from jump, but from the birth of Blaze and XXL. I picked up both books (Ego Trip’s Big Book of Racism being the one that inspired this special on VH1) and the CD. I’ve been waiting for this show to come on from the time that I read about it in The Source a few months back.
Suffice it to say; I’m not disappointed. It’s funny, enlightening, scathing and true. Honestly the Ego Trip folks are my role models. I’ve also gained a new respect for Jim Jones, the guy’s got a solid sense of humor. It’s rare that I’ll recommend that anyone view anything on VH1, but everyone needs to check out Race-O-Rama. It’s full of goodness from Black Jesus to Tragic Mulattos to Ghetto Passes, it’s a must see.
And of course it also gave me a chance to K.D. Aubert, who I plan on at least hooking up with at some point down the line. But I’m trying to wife that. Her laugh is almost bad, but it’s got a genuine quality that makes it endearing. You know how much I dig her? I actually sat through Hollywood Homicide hoping that she’d reappear. That’s real. That’s love.
And Jim Jones is hilarious.
VH1 “Respects” Black Folk, I Get It.
I’m tired of VH1’s “Appreciate The Impact; Black History Month” promos. I find them very condescending. They aren’t really saying anything new. They also aren’t explicit enough. Explain to the “Impact” you’re referring to. Do you mean we have Grandmaster Flash to thank for white folks trying to be cool via Hip Hop? Um, that’s not a good thing.
As much as I enjoyed Black in the 80’s and Race-O-Rama, I would have preferred a more serious minded look at Black icons whose contributions often go overlooked. Like show me how Pat Boone covered Chuck Berry songs for white audiences. Or show the systematic attempt of whites to coopt Black music, be it Jazz, Rock & Roll or Hip Hop.
I’m just asking for more next year. That’s all I’m saying.
Which is better; Heaven or A Deluxe Apartment in the Sky.
Last week I posed the following scenario;
Good News; you found a magical entity. Maybe it’s a leprechaun. Maybe it’s a genie. Maybe it’s a magic nose goblin. Who knows, the point is it’s got magical powers. Bad News; as usual there’s a catch; in order to receive you wildest wish you’ve got to spend a year in a Sherman Hemsley® sitcom.
Where are you going to go; The Jeffersons or Amen
I received two responses. Two! I hope you’re happy Coogan!
Brian kept it short and sweet;
Amen, I’m hanging out with Hammer.
Colin had a difference of opinion;
Gotta be The Jeffersons. Gots. Ta. Be. First off, that guy who worked for the UN was a joker. One of the better kooky neighbours in TV. Lionel didn’t shine as well as he did on All in the Family, but just for the memories of him putting Archie on…
And I love that episode when Jenny’s brother comes back from Europe and George keeps calling him “Your Whiteness”; dude mans up and battles George right in the apartment. Ill.
As for me it’s pretty easy; I’m about the least religious person I know, so I’m not so much picking The Jeffersons as I’m avoiding Amen. But The Jeffersons does have it’s advantages. It means I’ve got a maid, and a sassy one at that. I’m a successful businessman. I’ve got a doorman. And let’s face it, George had a rockin’ wardrobe. Who cares if their concept of mulattos was a bit off.
Good News/Bad News/Question Of The Week
Good News; you got a promotion. Bad News; you’ve got to move. Good News; your company is going to pay for your moving expenses. Bad News; your choice of accommodations is limited.
Thus; Are you going to move across the hall from Cosmo Kramer or next door to Homer Simpson?
Linktasms
Coogan continues to produce greatness. (Oh and Coogan, I got the column name from my best friend who also named my Music column.)
Laura looks at the Oscars, and actually has me excited”¦about the show.
J.A.M. Packed!
Aaron isn’t up yet, but enjoy his quality job from last week. He should be up shortly.
Joe has returned to us! And when he mentions Johnny Blaze he’s not talking about Meth. (Joe; Ixnay on the Constantine/Ghost Rider thing. Ghost Rider was a character first.) Oooh ooooh, I almost forgot about the AlternOscars®.
Greatest Video Ever”¦this week
Huey Lewis and the News – Doing It All For My Baby
This is like Huey Lewis’ Thriller. Long video. Plenty of acting, every band member plays multiple roles. But what makes this video so great is that it doesn’t seem to match the song at all. The band’s car breaks down. Huey gets crushed under the car while trying to fix it. The band enters a suspicious looking mansion; and that’s all before the song even starts. Ah the 80’s.
