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On Demand Rocks!

I’ve had appreciation for the On Demand feature in principle for quite some time now. It’s allowed friends to watch shows that I’ve been raving out or allowed them to catch up to where I am in the series.

But now I’m pumped because HBO On Demand has the first season of Six Feet Under. I really only watched the last two seasons of the show, but I became instantly hooked. Now I can catch the series from the beginning and peep all the character growth. Plus I’m still basking in the afterglow of the series finale so the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

Oh yeah, they’ve also got episodes of Rome with commentary, so I see myself taking every chance I get to access On Demand.

What I Watched Last Week

Curb Your Enthusiasm – Dug “The Bowtie.” I wish Mekhi was famous enough to play himself, but what are you going to do? This show does a pretty good job of showing the absurdity of everyday situations. The idea of a racist dog is as funny as it is scary (I’m afraid of dogs.)

Desperate Housewives – Lynette is becoming less and less likeable. First she cost her husband the promotion, now she unleashes a rat in her own house? What is up with that? Susan still sucks. Bree is becoming more likeable, but does anyone remember that her son is gay? Isn’t that going to be touched upon again?

Grey’s Anatomy – Dude, that son sucked. I would have let pops flatline without a second thought, but that’s just me. I’m not really digging the “Grey/McDreamy/McDreamy’s Wife” triangle, but I don’t hate it, yet. I am digging the “Acting Chief/Chief” comments. George still doesn’t have enough confidence for my taste. On one hand I dig that about his character. On the other, it’s kind of unbelievable that he got this far. Whatever.

Rome – Mark Antony is a nut. Getting off on watching two women duel? I guess, when in Rome…(dude, I’ve waited so long to use that.) It’s nice to see Gaius show some vulnerability, it almost makes me forget how twisted he was last week. I feel pretty bad for Pullo, I mean the guy has so many people he’s got to show loyalty to. All in all, a solid episode.

Kitchen Confidential – I love this show. Anytime you’ve got John Larroquette the episode is sure to be watchable. I really dug the pecking order in the kitchen. It was funny and pretty realistic. Superb show.

Prison Break – I’ll admit it; I was surprised when the CO got shanked. I suppose he had to die, but I had T Bag pegged to die. I can’t see a reason for him to be alive much longer, other than to be an antagonist, which only works on the creative side of things.

I would say how offended I am that the most prominent Black face, on a show set in prison, is a guy who wants to rape a white woman, but why waste the effort? Long live Willie Horton!

My Name is Earl – Funny episode. I’m glad the “Del Taco” seems to have a regular gig on this show. I liked how the karma theme played out in the end of the episode. Man, Earl was shiesty dude before he fell under the sway of Carson.

The Office – I’ve never wanted an office gig more than when I watched this episode. The “Olympics” were hilarious. And ‘Pam Pong’ was perfect. Such a nice “touché”. I really do love this show.

Lost – Nice to see ‘Adebisi’, especially when he clocked Sawyer. I used to dig Sawyer, but now that he’s all “altruistic” he’s lost his luster. Thus I was pumped when he got punked for his gun. Sawyer’s façade is becoming more and more transparent.

Jack is so annoying. Why did he survive the crash? Why did Ethan kill him? Why didn’t he fall down the hatch and break his neck? How did he catch up to Desmond, who appeared to be running for his life? Jack effing sucks.

Nip/Tuck – Nice to see Matt get punched for the second time in two episodes. I’ve personally wanted to punch Matt since season one. I almost don’t care who the Carver is at this point. We’re supposed to think that it’s the Bi doc, but I think that’s a swerve. Kimber is annoying. Christian is less than interesting. Shawn is boring. Why do I watch this show again? Oh, that’s right, because I’m curious is Matt’s sister will ever return.

Everyone Hates Chris – This may be my favorite show. I’ve in many of the same situations that Chris finds himself in. This show is so perfect and the kid that actually plays ‘Chris’ is pitch perfect. He’s so believable. I am curious what Linc was doing upstairs though.

CSI – I watched this because I had time to kill. Way to bite the “ripped from the headlines” from Law & Order. If every CSIer was working on that once case (which wasn’t even a “redball”) then Las Vegas must be the perfect place to commit a crime.

Greatest Show Ever…this week – Arrested Development

Bob Loblaw, the return of “I’ve made a huge mistake”, and Tobias’ business card were just the icing on the cake that was this great episode. I mean George Sr having a surrogate was priceless. Gob’s relentless teasing of Michael’s past girlfriends was equally funny. Clearly a show that manages to make giving a woman roofies funny deserves the honor of Greatest Show Ever

Not Getting Lost in the Hype

I’m determined not to invest too much into Lost. I refuse to get on the net and join in a cluster to dissect the clues hidden within the episode I just watched. I’m also not really going to speculate too much about what means what. For the most part I’m going to watch the show and enjoy it.

I don’t need to know what the numbers mean, or what Walt said. Or even who “the others” are. I just need to know that my faith in the writers is well placed, but even on that I’m not too sure.

On one hand, the grand scheme, I think the writers have this thing pretty loosely plotted, but do know where they are going and what they’re building up to. On the other hand, the flashbacks, they’re flying by the seat of their pants. Clearly the theme this season is “incidents that shaped the survivors personalities and belief systems” but it’s wearing thin.

I’m also worried that with at least three different locales (the bunker, the cage, and the main camp) things are getting stretched too thin. I worry that the show will become an unruly mess of jumbled storylines where the writers spitball “you know what would be cool…” without thinking about any long-term ramifications.

Right now the show is still entertaining, I just hope it stays so.

Colin’s Corner

(Since he’s the only one who regularly responds to my hypotheticals, I’m giving Colin his props. I’ve got no problem giving credit where credit is due.

But please, feel free to send me your answers to my hypotheticals.)

Anway, last week I posed the following scenario;

Good News; you’re moving. Bad News; it’s because you can’t afford to live in your place. Maybe you lost your job. Maybe your wife threw you out. Maybe your lease was up and the management is moving to condos. Who know? The point is you’ve got to find a place to live. Good News; you’ve got prospects. Bad News; there’s only two of them. Good News; they’re both in the “good” neighborhoods. Bad News; both your potential roommates are less than tidy. Ambivalent News; they’re both named “Oscar.”

So, would you rather live with Oscar the Grouch (Sesame Street) or Oscar Madison (The Odd Couple)?

Colin was the first and last to respond;

Since I never watched The Odd Couple, I’m going to pretend that Grumpy Old Men was just a logical extrapolation. I happened to love that movie, so I’ll live by Matthau’s Oscar (or did Lemmon play him?). I’d like to think that I’ve learned my ABCs, and how to count to 10, so I don’t need those Sesame Street chumps.
I don’t need overly friendly “adults” who aren’t related to me in any way try to raise me and teach me to play nice. It’s a lot more interesting when someone is a duck. Hence, Matthau and Lemmon. I’d fit right in.

See, I’m actually going with Oscar the Grouch on this one. I mean that garbage can is deceivingly large. It’s got enough room for Oscar, Slimey and Fluffy, Oscar’s pet elephant. I’m guessing that it’s got room for me as well. Plus I’m kind of on a recycling thing right now, so it makes sense to roll up the sleeves and get my hands dirty.

Naturally this brings us to…

Good News/Bad News/Question of the Week

Good News; you’ve got an interview for a prestigious gig. Bad News; it’s on the 30th floor. Maybe it’s a job at a record label. Or maybe it’s a job with a magazine. Perhance it’s a job in the porn industry. Who knows, the point is you’ve got to get there. Good News; you stand a pretty good shot at landing the gig. Bad News; you’re stuck in the elevator. Good News; you’re not alone. Bad News; there’s one other person with you and he’s kind of hefty and kind of bald.

So, who would you rather be stuck in an elevator with; Dr. Phil (Dr. Phil or Uncle Phil (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)?

Links

Kevin and I watch many of the same shows. But do we agree with each other about them? That’s for you to find out.

Farah’s latest was fantastic. I’m sorry, that was bad.

Matt B gives an impressive look at last week’s Lost. It’s very detailed and full of some solid insight.

Josh explains the joy of Tivo.

Tim Stevens spills the beans on Nip/Tuck

J.A.M.

“J” is for Joe Reid. This week in His Blog Joe shared my love for Arrested Development and Lost, kind of.

Meanwhile at his regular Friday Gig he teases us with Batman vs. Wolverine.

“A” is for Aaron Cameron. The Bootleg is so hot off the presses, I’ve yet to read it. But I’m guessing it involves Jalen reciting Lil’ Kim lyrics much to the chagrin of Ms. Bootleg. Of course that’s pure speculation.

I’m out. Laters.