Confession Time!
I’ve begun to find Cheaters as a fine show to put on when nothing else is on. (Why did I just type that?)
Well now that the secrets out, I can’t help but enjoyed the cheesy play on words when the “cheatee’s” file is put on the screen. I love how bad the surveillance video is. I enjoy how the narrator always assumes the worst when the cheater and their partner leave the frame. I can’t help it.
I know, I’m a bad person.
What I Watched Last Week
Entourage – Finally an Ari-centric episode. “Only Daddy talks like that,” what a classic line. I’m torn about Vince carrying a torch for Mandy Moore. On one hand he’s a complete punk about it. On the other hand it’s the most emotion he’s shown on screen in two seasons. I’ve got to say that I actually believed that Drama was high, where Turtle was just being Turtle. I hope E dies a horrible death.
The Comeback – Again, this show is more and more watchable. Val is become much more of a fully rounded character. He husband is slowly becoming a scene stealer. But Pauly G will always be the star of the show in my eyes. His passive/active aggression is played perfectly.
Six Feet Under – Dude, Nate’s spirit is a jerk. Seriously. My boss thinks that Brenda is going to lose both kids (in different ways obviously) and end up institutionalized. I pray that she’s wrong.
I wish the most disturbing thing about this episode was Claire’s breakdown, but it wasn’t. It was clearly Brenda’s incest dream. I literally sat there with my jaw agape on the verge of pressing “stop” on the remote. I guess that’s a compliment to everyone involved in that scene; both actors, the writers, the director. But it was still the creepiest moment of the week and frankly in recent memory.
I was happy to see that George and Ruth appear to be working things out. It was equally nice to see the perfect Maggie crack. Memo to David; I think your kids will be pretty safe from a kidnapper as they’ve not only played but committed grand theft auto.
Starved – Too much drama on this show. It’s mildly funny, at times. I am tired of the executive producer/writer/director/lead actor’s fixation on his libido. Not every “A” story has to deal with it.
Rescue Me – Tommy on goofballs was entertaining, but the foreshadowing of next week’s “molestation” episode was so blatant that it bordered on lazy. This entire episode just seemed a bit “light” to me. Again perhaps this is due to the heaviness of next week’s show.
Over There – I am actually enjoying this show more than I thought I would. They manage to make the episodes engaging without being too preachy. They also do a very good job of showing every side of given issue, be it sniping someone or interrogation. Bo’s rehab, to me seems superfluous, but again it’s showing another aspect of war. Oh, and let’s chalk up another miscarriage for the season.
Greatest Show Ever…this week – It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
This week’s episode was hilarious. Who would have thought that underage drinking would be so entertaining? And the natural progression into underage dating was handled perfectly. The final shot of prom was just perfect. This show has reaffirmed my faith in sitcoms, produced on cable.
Further Gushing About It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
I don’t think that his show is getting watched by enough people, and it’s one of the more deserving shows on TV.
First off it’s a perfect comedy. Characters in comedy are supposed to be “low” characters, characters who have a low moral fiber. That’s what makes a really great comedy. That’s why Cheers and Seinfeld were the huge hits that they were; they were funny to watch, but you wouldn’t want to hang out in Cheers or with the Seinfeld gang.
Well It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has equally compelling characters. Characters who can rationalize turning their bar into essentially a teenage speakeasy, because 1) the drinks are being watered down and 2) it’s a controlled environment. These same characters go on to date the kids who frequent their bar. In previous episodes characters have attended abortions rallies to pick up girls, dated Black women to prove that they aren’t racist and pretended to be gay to drum up business.
The show does tread the line between funny and “offensive.” Well actually, to anyone who has a sense of humor they don’t even approach “offensive”. But it’s that willingness to approach taboo topics of underage drinking, abortion and race, topics that go largely ignored on the sitcom landscape, that makes the show so genuinely funny. They manage to breathe life into the sitcom genre by tacking those subjects, which makes the show fresh.
Basically, if you aren’t watching It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, you’re missing the best show on television.
Masters of the Universe vs Thundercats, sort of
Last week I posed the following scenario;
Good News; you’re part of a popular group. Bad News; you’re animated. Good News; your teammates dig you. Bad News; fans hate you. Maybe you’re from another dimension. Maybe you’re a nursemaid whose charge has outgrown your needs. Regardless, you’re the most popular character, in terms of hate. Good News; you lead a pretty secure life. Bad News; there’s a hint of a monarchy where you dwell. Good News; you’re going to be part of a success. Bad News; you’ll always be thought of as corny.
So, who would you rather be; Orko (backstory and image) or Snarf (a href=http://members.tripod.com/~thundercats_hooo/Exodus2.GIF>image and backstory)?
(Funny, I didn’t notice that HTML error when I originally posted the column. Whatever.)
Aaron Cameron comes though in the clutch with this;
No contest here, Math. Just the fact that Orko hung out with humans is enough for me to wanna be him. No fleas, scratching posts or territorial urine sprays that comes with rolling with the Thundercats. Orko gets to kick it with Teela and Sorceress from Masters of the Universe and, if he feels like crossing over, Evil-Lyn right there on the other side. Thrown in casual cameo association with cats like Fisto, Roboto and He-Man’s sister, She-Ra and the choice is clear. Orko all day, baby.
Colin concurred;
So… a faceless, legless, (presumably) ball-less wizard, or a ball-less lizard/cat amalgamation? The obvious first choice would be Snarf, as Lion-O would totally go Tribe on He-Man: licks licks licks boy, ‘pon your backside. Who wants to be the sidekick of the beatee? On the other hand, Orko IS a wizard. What does Snarf do? But Orko usually messes up his spells. This is taking way too much time. I’ll take Orko. I don’t know why. This is a dilly of a pickle.
Now here is where I’d usually chime in for the other side of the issue. But this time I’ve got to side with the majority. Even though I’d be surrounded by nearly naked muscular men, I’m going to pick Orko. Why? Because I’m allergic to cats.
Good News/Bad News/Question of the Week
Good News; you’re going to have a show dedicated to you. Bad News; you’re life is going to be on the line. Maybe you’re a member of law enforcement. Maybe you’re a criminal. Either way you could get seriously injured doing your job. Good News; you may get an action figure out of it. Bad News; you may make a fool out of yourself on national television.
So would you rather be on Cops or on C.O.P.S.?
LINKS (I’m tired edition)
Brendan is a good writer.
Kevin is married.
Matt used to watch Sesame Street.
John is very diligent.
Brendan has apparently lapped me.
J.A.M.
Joe’s movie column is up. I’ll be honest, I’m way to sleepy to read it. How about you read it and email me a basic summary? Don’t know how to summarize? Follows Joe’s Summer of ’05 example.
Aaron is back with an amazing Bootleg, although I don’t quite get his intro. But that’s probably because I can’t drive. Nick also returns.
I’m out, later.
