So, last night was the Super Bowl. Personally, I’m not a huge sports fan, so all I really cared about was making sure the score corresponded with my pool numbers (which they didn’t). I may have to turn in my man card for saying this, but I purely watch for the commercials, which I found to be a HUGE improvement over last year. Just like last year, the “don’t judge too quickly” commercials were absolutely hilarious, as were pretty much every beer commercial. I especially enjoyed the revolving wall, with the fridge full of beer. Oh, and the Stunt City one was pretty funny as well. The Diet Pepsi ones sucked, although the shot at Coke was mildly amusing.
A reader of mine, Postma, sent me an interesting Lost insight, one that I am disappointed I missed. He reminded me about the scene in which Hurley recognized Libby, and didn’t quite seem convinced that it was because he stepped on her foot on the plane. So where might he remember her from? Well, so remembers Postma, Hurley was in a mental institution, and Libby is, of course, a psychologist. So, could Libby be one of the doctors at the mental institution? I believe so, especially when you consider what episode they chose to re-air last week: the one in which we find out Hurley won the lottery and spent a period of time in an institution. I’m very surprised I missed this connection, especially since I took a mental note of that scene, and had mentioned in just last week’s column that Libby is a psychologist. Anyway, great observation, Postma.
Also in last week’s column, I ranted about Adult Swim airing the same episode of Ranger Smith every single Sunday night at 1. Over on the wrestling section, Eric Szulczewski revealed that the network apparently has a contract with Spumco, and this is their way of blowing off the minimal amount of episodes they’re obligated to show. I tried to do a little internet search on this, but was unable to find any further information. This seems like a very probable cause, though, and Mr. Szulczewski is right: their stuff is a piece of shit.
CONTINUITY POLICE, VOLUME 16:
I apologize for not giving specific episodes in this edition, but this week we take a look at Home Improvement and, specifically, the character Wilson (played by the late Earl Hindman). I believe it was the episode that Wilson gets set up with Jill’s professor that we find out that his full name is Wilson Wilson (actually, Wilson Wilson, Jr. to be exact). That is the first time that we find out Wilson’s unusual full name, and from all intents and purposes, it seems like this is the first time anybody on the show finds it out either. However, in the episode that Randy may have cancer, we go to a flashback of a baby Randy having intolerable colic, and Tim meeting Wilson for the first time. Here, in the flashback, Wilson introduces himself as “Wilson Wilson,” which means his full name had already been common knowledge over a decade and a half ago.
SURVIVOR:
So I caught Exile Island, and I must say I am quite intrigued by the show’s different layout. The four tribes, each made up of four similarly aged and same sex teams, is very interesting. Apparently these four tribes will be merged into two this upcoming week, which is somewhat disappointing. I would have preferred a few more weeks of the four tribes competing against each other, but oh well.
I will say, though, that I found it absolutely moronic that the older women voted off Tina. It’s the first vote in the entire game, and the girls are discussing individual immunity ALREADY (saying things like “I couldn’t beat her in a competition”). I mean, geez, you’re acknowledging that she’s helpful and athletic, and you want to vote her off because of that? The only justifiable reason I can understand this is that Cirie was threatened that she was the weakest link, targeted the next easiest person to vote off, and the others didn’t want to be targeted themselves, and just voted along with her. It was a very, very foolish decision in my opinion, though.
Overall, it looks like a fun season. The Exile Island bit is very intriguing and opens up a lot of potential possibilities. Along with that, the silver lining of the immunity idol, as well as how it works (that you can use it after you were voted off) makes the game extremely interesting. Essentially, if you find it, and you know the entire tribe will vote against you, you can basically choose which person will be voted out of the game (since the person with the next amount of votes will be eliminated). That can be a huge shift in the game.
24:
Another great episode. Much like ER, 24 is one of those shows that have a constantly revolving main cast, but a solidly consistent cast of supporting characters, and this past week’s episode really highlighted those characters. I really enjoyed the stuff with Mike Novick and Agent Pierce. Although he only really has a few lines a season, they’ve done a wonderful job of building up Pierce as this character with a great deal of integrity. And Mike has been a pretty tumultuous character as well, one of whom had tremendous chemistry with Palmer, especially at the end of last season. I like that, despite the double cross, the two remained cordial and civil, and you could tell that Mike still cared a great deal about Palmer.
Speaking of Palmer, I really believe that part of what Logan so much fun to watch is that you just know how much better Palmer would handle every situation he’s in. I thought it was great when Walk basically strutted into his office, downright confessed to unspeakable crimes, and was then completely manipulated by him, and ended up taking orders from him. Then Jack comes into the office, and he’s taking orders from HIM. And I absolutely loved his faux confidence and determination when he was talking with CTU, telling them to disregard his earlier orders. He’s such a weasel, but that’s definitely what makes him so much fun to watch. I definitely think he’s either a character you love or hate.
GREY’S ANATOMY:
Caught this after the Super Bowl. I haven’t quite made my decision on this show. Sometimes I really like it, other times I really don’t enjoy it much. Anyway, I thought that the acting this episode was top notch from everybody involved, but damn…what crap was that To Be Continued stuff? It’s like that old Seinfeld bit, when you’re looking at the clock and saying “there’s no way they can resolve this in the next 10 minutes.” Such a crappy feeling.
TV FUN FACT OF THE WEEK:
For those of you wondering why I haven’t posted my Smallville recap/review yet, it’s because Friday was a very hectic day, and over the weekend I rarely have access to the TiVo. Therefore, expect the review up sometime within the next couple of days. But, with that in mind, I thought I’d over a joint-show, Superman-themed Television Fun Fact:
Phyllis Coates, who played Lois’s mother on “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” was the original Lois Lane on the 1952 series “Adventures of Superman.” Additionally, Annette O’Toole, who plays Clark’s mother on “Smallville,” played the role of Lana Lang in Superman III. And, for extra credit, the voice of Jor-El on “Smallville” is provided by Terrence Stamp, who portrayed the villainous Zod in the original Superman movie.
That’s all for this week. Lost is new on Wednesday, and it’s a Sawyer episode, so it should be a lot of fun. Keep checking for the Smallville recap/review, and until next week, this Case is closed.
