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I don’t usually do this but

For here’s something for Reunion fans; breakdowns of the episodes that FOX didn’t air.

And be sure to vote in the Best Show on TV Tourney.

What I Watched Last Week

Desperate Housewives – Ugh. This show was decent before it stooped to stereotypes. I’m really offended at this seasons whole “mystery.” It really crystallized with this episode in the scene when the slow Applewhite cornered Bree’s daughter. It was then when I realized that it was the very scariest thing possible; a Black male, prone to losing control, alone with a young white girl. What’s scarier than that? It’s a scary image that’s nearly as old as this country itself.

And then I thought back; he was imprisoned, for his own good, he’s not intelligent and he’s got a thing for white girls. Yup, that sound like a stereotypical idea that’s as old as Birth of a Nation. And that fact that the show tries to tap into long held racial fears is why it sucks. And the fact that more people aren’t outraged is distressing.

But I will give the show props for giving Tobias Beecher a gig.

Grey’s Anatomy – Ok so it was a repeat, but it was the one episode that I missed (and all because I was protesting the notion of a “must see episode”). It was cool to look back to a simpler time. When George had fashionably messy hair. When Alex is pouting his Boards score. When Meredith was still fostering hope of getting with McDreamy. Good times. Good times.

Big Love – I really like this show, apart from the idea that the family can’t have anyone living behind them. But this show’s strong cast really mesmerizes me enough so that I don’t really nitpick.

I know Nicki’s not supposed to be likeable, but they’re doing almost too good a job with that. As humorous as the birthday party that she planned was, the more I thought about it, the more my disdain for her grew. I’m beginning to loathe her.

Roman owns my attention when he’s on screen. He’s not a physical threat, but every time he’s on the screen I feel uneasy. On the other hand I’m digging Margene’s relationship with her stepson(?), as it feels very real.

Scrubs – I appreciated how novel the idea of having Turk know that Carla was pregnant before she did, was. It was cool and such a perfect set up for hilarity. JD slayed as always. And the Janitor’s flashback was comedy gold. This is one show that I’m guaranteed to laugh out loud while watching.
On the other hand…

Teachers – was perhaps the lamest thing on. It took me almost a day to remember that the Brit was from the original (and vastly superior) Coupling. Sadly she’s been saddled with a horrible show that’s worthy of canceling.

It’s hard to describe what I didn’t like about the show. Perhaps it was because I never laughed. Maybe it was because the laughtrack was obnoxious. It might have been because I didn’t connect with the male lead, who was annoying and I felt was playing the role wrong. God, this was a dreadful show.

Prison Break – First off, can a judge really stop an execution? Whatever. I liked the show. I didn’t like the repressed memory nonsense. I didn’t really care for our nosey doctor (but then again she’s been like that all season).

I did think that the episode was missing one thing; Mike Jones. Sure he only had a cameo in the “Fall Finale” but he’s been MIA since then. Hopefully we’ll see more of him in C-Note’s flashback this week, because when I see Mike Jones, I think “quality.”

But this show really does a great job with the cliffhangers. Michael’s tattoo is damaged! How are we going to break out of prison? I can’t wait to find out. Hopefully it’ll involve stern looks and cold hardened stares.

24 – If the Sentox is done what are we doing for the rest of the season? I do hope that if involves Wayne Palmer, who appears to have great things on the horizon. I mean Wayne has managed to live longer than both Tony and Edgar, and those two had CTU clearance.

I do feel badly for Bill, who appears to be on the verge of getting punked from his role for the third time today, but he really should have watched his step around a woman with “sexual harassment” issues. Still that particular storyline seems a tad forced.

The Unit – Man is this show good. Jonas’ “get out of hell card” speech was so great. At first I thought it was a threat, but as it went on it just got better. I liked how the B Story folded into the A Story. The C Story (Ryan in Washington) was decent, but the D Story (the wives) left me flat. It seemed too distinct from everything else that was going on. It also seemed like it would have worked much better as a B Story in another episode.

But really this show is great, you should be watching it.

Boston Legal – I liked how Denny and Alan took the backseat this week. It was refreshing. But the thing that I remember most about the episode was how out of shape James Spader was. He looked like he needed a bra, and his gut was distracting.

Oh and I did like Denise’s argument for bigamy.

Black. White. – Still the funniest show ever. Carmen and Rose really do appear to be “getting it” while Bruno is as aloof as ever. This program is single-handedly reinforcing every stereotype about white people ever. White males (Bruno) are oblivious and living, literally, in their own world. White females (Carmen and Rose) become engrossed in the culture and romanticize being Black. And white kids (the kids from the etiquette class) are obnoxious, pigheaded and won’t listen to reason.

I really do wish this show had an extended run.

Lost – Decent episode. It felt a bit too “reveal heavy” what with Henry Gale, supply drop offs and black light maps. I almost think that so much mythology stuff was injected to make up for the omnipresent reruns.

Some in the Staff Forums have complained about Locke’s devotion to his father, but I found it pretty realistic. The thing that Locke wants most, at that point, is a relationship or bond with this father. And that’s what drives his actions.

Jack was pretty tolerable this episode, until he made his crack about the guns. Sawyer was more annoying that usual. And the absence of Eko is make me sad. Still it was a pretty solid episode.

Smallville – I love it when Clark isn’t acting normal. I hate that he broke up with Lana, which pushed her to Lex. I really didn’t care about the Brainiac stuff. But damn it, Clark needs to get back with Lana.

Oh and how cool must it be to be Nichole Hiltz, who appeared on both Smallville and Desperate Housewives this week?

Greatest Show Ever…this week – Thief

I’m a huge fan of FX programming. I’m an even huger fan of Andre Braugher. So this show was right up my alley. I liked the heist at the beginning. I liked the dynamic of Braugher balancing his family and his career.

What I like most was how Braugher played Nick as a guy full of confidence. I’m sure other actors would have played him as conflicted or tormented, but Braugher’s Nick is assertive, which is a breath of fresh air.

I’m curious how the new family dynamic will work, as both Nick and Tammi have announced their dislike for each other.

But yeah this show had some great moments and even better acting. Thus it’s the greatest show ever.

Five Poor Actors

No, I’m not saying that they can’t act or that they act poorly. What I’m saying that these five souls have been linked in my mind to specific roles so tightly that I will always call them by a certain name.


Uncle Phil

He will always be known as Uncle Phil. In fact, any guy who resembles him will be called Uncle Phil. Maybe it’s be a skinny “Uncle Phil” or a short “Uncle Phil”, but no matter where I see this cat, he’s Uncle Phil.


Tobias Beecher

As I pointed out earlier in the column, he’s currently appearing in Desperate Housewives but he’ll always be Oz inmate #97B412. Regardless what he does, I’m always going to remember those tender moments between Toby and Chris, and that one time he asked Vern for a conjugal. Good times.


That Dude Who Got Arnold and Dudley Drunk and Tried to Molest Them

Maybe you’ll remember this deceased actor as the Maytag Repair Man, or possibly as the boss at WKRP In Cincinatti but to me he’s always going to be the dude who got Arnold and Dudley drunk and tried to molest them. I hate to speak of the dead that way, but that’s just how it is.


Keith

Keith will always be Keith. I’ve been watching Six Feet Under On Demand, and I’m all caught up. Sadly Keith has been cemented in my mind so much so that I couldn’t believe he was married to a woman on Reunion. Unfortunately Keith will always be David’s other half. But I suppose it could be worse; I could associate him with Reunion.


The Other Guy

I really do kind of feel bad for this guy, but that’s what I call him. Y’see I saw him shortly after I moved to Vegas and I tried desperately to explain who he was. Essentially it went down like this; You remember that show The Greatest American Hero? Remember the guy in the red suit with the power? Well, I saw the other guy.

And if you’re even older it works for I-Spy too.


The Other Guy (even back in the day)

Last week, I posed the following scenario;

Good News; you’re going to be a part of a small community. Bad News; the community is composed of creatures. Good News; it’s a tight knit community. Bad News; they don’t have much contact with people. Maybe they’re only inches tall. Maybe they live underground. Maybe their imaginary. Who knows, the point is you’ve to spend a year with them. Good News; they speak English. Bad News; sort of.

So, would you rather live with The Smurfs or The Fraggles?

Colin kept it short but sweet;

The Smurfs vs. The Fraggles?!?!?!?!

Smurfs. No contest. When given the choice of living out in the woods or in some dank cave, the woods always win.

Aaron went into great detail;

Easy call this week, Math. It’s The Fraggles in a landslide. Why? Diversity, m’friend. In world of Smurfs everyone’s blue. And, we’re not talking different shades of blue that might differentiate the dark-skinned Smurfs like “Dikembe Smurf-tumbo” from the lighter ones like internet column sensation “That Bootleg Smurf”. Nope, everyone’s all the same hue and a society without differences is a society that can’t make a difference. While you’re wrapping your head around that chestnut, I’ll defend the Fraggles by pointing out that they come in all shapes and sizes and colors. More importantly, their women don’t wear no pants and the bravest of their men folk is/was “Gobo”. Twenty years ago, that name might’ve been synonymous with fame, fortune (and a contender for most popular “street” nickname of 1985, with “Gizmo” the gold medal winner that year). Today, he poses no threat, with his position as leader ripe for usurping. Make mine Fraggles.

Aaron makes a strong case for the Fraggles, but I’m going with the Smurfs. For one thing, I’ve always wanted to smurf. They keep talking about “smurfing this” and “smurfing that”, well that sounds like something I want to experience. I’ve never smurfed a smurf.

Furthermore, I’m also a fan of going topless and wearing hats. Plus, I know that if I’m a Smurf, I can still get tats.

Logically this brings us to…

Good News/Bad News/Question of the Week

(if this sounds familiar, it should; it’s from a November column and I never got any responses. Let’s try it again, shall we?)

Good News; you’ve got a date! Bad News; it’s actually a blind date. Good News; she’s not overweight. Bad News; there’s a chance she could severely beat you down. Perhaps she’s a member of a covert secret organization. Maybe she’s a clone. There’s even a chance that she’s Bea Arthur. Good News; you don’t have to worry about cost. Bad News; it’s actually a Blind Date

So would you rather be on Blind Date with Max (from Dark Angel) or Sydney (from Alias)?

Links

Josh is actually the mastermind behind the Television Tourney. He also writes a mean column.

Matt shares his thoughts on last weeks Lost and 24.

Farah breaks down being ahead of the curve.

(Don’t Fear) Joe Reid

On his Blog Joe responds to my email query about my current favorite ad campaign.

Joe also continues to get his Politik on and should return to The Film Experience any day week month now.

That does it for me. Catch you next week.