Remote Destination

Archive

Stuff @ The Star

Still Behind – Yup, I’m still behind. I’m not going to blame it on Aaron Cameron (who was in Vegas this week). It’s completely my fault. I’ve probably got at least a months worth of The Simpsons, The Office and My Name is Earl on a variety of tapes. One of these days I’ll get a marathon session and run through them all.

Stealing My Heart – I love Thief. Like, I really love that show. I can’t wait for it to come out on DVD so that I can buy it, watch it and then send it to my mom. That show had so many riveting scenes; the face off at Nick’s dealership, the blow up between Nick and Tammy. If the show isn’t honored and doesn’t return, I’m going to be a bit more than irked. Plus it was something that Malik Yoba made that was watchable.

What I Watched Last Week

Huff (Showtime) – Byrd is kind of creeping me out. Sure, I’ve been asking for more of him, but cat carcasses? Gross. Speaking of gross, I really feel for Russell, as he seems pretty close to “rock bottom.” Huff getting a tad ambushed was nice to see, and Beth is always a delight. All in all, it was a good episode. The scenes with emotional impact had enough resonance to carry me through the stuff that was less than stimulating.

Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – I’m still really torn; I relate to Alex, but I’ve got a crush on Addison. If Alex was bumping heads with anyone else, I’d get him props, but it’s Addison so I’ve got to side with her.

It’s been awhile since I’ve had sex, but as far as I can recall it seems like it’d be difficult to sleep through, thus I wasn’t really diggin’ the Burke/Christina story. I did however, like George’s being torn between his roomies and his wiz. It’s a realistic enough situation, and one that rang way too true for me.

I’m diggin’ the evolution between Meredith and Derek. Obviously Derek is a very chaste individual who thinks that sex is sacred, and Meredith is a bit more free. He thought that he was “special” and her recent history is proving otherwise. I appreciate his hurt feelings.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed the actual medial story. It really caught my attention. I loved John Cho’s performance, felt so true. I hope that there’s a way he can join the cast next year.

Prison Break (FOX) – Well, they’re out. I felt that things ended up kind of sloppy, but considering how many times they changed plans, I guess that’s to be expected.

I was kind of surprised that Bellick didn’t get the “Aceveda Treatment,” but considering it’s network TV I’m shouldn’t be. I was sorry to see D.B. Cooper make an exit, but a wound to the chest on TV are never a good thing. Fun episode, fun show.

Scrubs (NBC) – Clever twist on the clip show. This is the series that gives me hope for the idea of inventive sitcoms. I usually hate sitcoms, but I love Scrubs week in and week out. I every show were as well put together as this one, we’d all be better off.

Monkey Dust (Sundance) – The repackaging of cancer was way funny. I love how this program skewers society. The parody of the foppish British dude and British society’s treatment of minorities was hilarious, if telling. But I really do live for my weekly dose of Mr. Hoppy!

The Unit (CBS) – Two episodes! Way cool. The first episode with Brown in Africa was kind of boring. I cared, just a bit. But the second episode that focused on the Day of the Dead was like a gazillion times better.

Brown’s initiation was played perfectly, and more than made up for the reveal of Arcana’s identity, which was telegraphed two acts earlier. The notion of someone willing to expose the Unit was a good one, but that reveal was sloppy. Molly getting her revenge was pretty sweet too.

Desperate Housewives (ABC) – Boo. This show is officially cut. We actually opted not to watch this week’s episode.

Greatest Show Ever…this week 24 (FOX)

First off, this show was really solid this week. I want to applaud FOX for allowing the creators to use silence to say so much. The quiet scenes with President Logan were incredibly powerful and expertly played. It was a bold decision not to fill those scenes with dialogue spelling everything out, but the right decision was made.

However the real reason this show is the greatest ever is because of the appearance of not one but two alums from Oz. Both Officer Brass and Miguel Alvarez appeared in this season’s penultimate episode. Sure Brass had little to do, but his contribution was appreciated. Alvarez got to get punked by Jack (like everyone on the show does) but hopefully he’ll be able to parlay the guest spot into a recurring role next year, if only so that I can get more Alvarez. Two Oz alums in one episode, clearly this is the greatest show ever.

Looking Ahead

Since this TV season is nearly over it’s only natural to look ahead at what’s going to get me thorough the summer months. Here’s what I’ve got to look forward to;

Rescue Me (FX) – Last season jumped between great and overly dramatic (having Tommy get his life in order just to tear it apart again? Boo.) Still, I’m looking forward to seeing the moments of genius.

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FX) – I’d be lying if I didn’t say that this show was hilarious. It’s like the missing link between Scrubs and Monkey Dust. It goes so far beyond “pushing the envelope,” I can’t wait to see what they napalm next.

Entourage (HBO) – I was critical of the first season and enjoyed parts of the second season (more Ari? Vinnie gets a personality?) Still I’m beginning to see why Joe Reid loathe’s Drama and I find Turtle’s endeavor as interesting as I find his Easy Macâ„¢ commercials. Oh and the less said about E the better.

Weeds (Showtime) – Sure it doesn’t return until August, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not counting the days. I decided to give the show a shot on a whim, and it’s since become one of the shows that I looked forward to watching every week. It’s one of those rare shows that is densely packed and still feels too short.

The Brotherhood (Showtime) – I’d written this show off as a “Skim-pranos”, but after falling in love with both Huff and Weeds, I decided to give the commercials a second chance. It appears more like a conflicted family drama, almost like the tension between Stringer and Avon on The Wire. I’ve opted to show a chance when it premieres.

Lucky Louie (HBO) – I’m almost intrigued by the show or at least the premise, a filthy sitcom? Oh wait, we’ve already got that with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I guess I’m going to give this show a shot just like I tried to watch The Comeback, Unscripted and K Street.

The Wire (HBO) – Ok, so I’m clearly cheating here, as the show isn’t scheduled to return until September, but dammit, I can’t wait. I used to live in “Bodymore, Murdaland” and any show set there will resonate with me on some level. I can’t wait to see the additions to the cast and who is returning.

Yeah, that’s about all that I can think of off the top of my head. Clearly I’m writing based on promos and from my heart (Weeds, The Wire) but that’s what I’m looking forward at this moment. Perhaps I’ll revisit this topic in the fall and give a report card.

Oddly Perfect?

Last week I posed the following scenario;

Good News; you’ve got your health. Bad News; you’ve been evicted. Maybe you should have turned your music down. Perhaps your apartment is going to turn into condos. Regardless, you’ve got to find a place to stay. Good News; you can afford some pretty decent digs. Bad News; you can’t afford to live alone. Good News; you’ve got some options for roommates. Bad News; the options are kind of limited.

So, would you rather move in with Oscar and Felix (The Odd Couple) or Larry and Balki (Perfect Strangers)?

A Faceless Name quickly posted;

I am torn. being Obsessive Compulsive myself I have a cleaning kick, but I am allergic to dust, so when I clean I get sick. SO Oscar and Felix would be kind of good. Though a 25 year old living with them would end up looking like he ahs 2 sugar daddies.

Balki would be a blast. He has a dance for everything, and just seems like a good guy.

The deciding factor here is this: I could punch Larry in his balls every time he was a dick to Balki. So I would get a lot of exercise, Larry was the biggest asshole on God’s green Earth, f*ck that guy. I wouldn’t feel bad beating him senseless everyday, it’d be theraputic. Sure, I would probably be kicked out really fast, but I would enjoy it while it last, when I would move in with Eddie, Urkle and Waldo Heraldo Faldo.

Mr. Pink concurred;

I’m going with AFN’s answer.

Honestly I was in a deadlock between the two choices and then the mention of the Winslows made me realize that with those arrangements I’d be able to see Laura on a fairly regular basis which is A-OK by me.

Thomasina emailed the following;

Oscar & Felix seem like both of them would annoy me. I would, however enjoy helping Balki annoy Larry. Or I could just watch the hi-jinx on the sidelines. All in all still good fun.

I’m not going to Chicago and I’m not living with Balki and Larry. It’s very much a personal thing.

Y’see back when I was a kid I’d spend lunchtime in the summers with three really cool dudes; Jim Rockford, Oscar Madison and Felix Unger. They were my lunch dates weekdays from 12-1:30. As I got older I grew to appreciate those shows much more.

So then one day I’m up in New York with my best friend Jason and his girl at the time. We’re in the city to do that whole “MTV Wanna Be a VJ” contest. Now it’s my first time in NYC as an adult so it’s damn cool, but still I’m not one of those tourist gawkers who blocks traffic on the sidewalk.

Anyway, we’re walking and I see that some dude has stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. Actually it’s two people, one who has their back to me and the other who is really excited to meet the guy with his back to me.

Now at this point, I’m in full “I’m too cool for NYC, nothing can phase me, I’m going to act like I do this every day” mode, complete with my grimace of disdain for the clown showing all the excitement.

As I pass the guy with his back to me I see that it’s none other than Tony Randall. Immediately my face melts into complete celebrity ogling, I extend my arm, point directly into his face and proclaim loudly (and excitedly) “You’re Tony Randall!”

To truly get the image in your head, you’ve got to picture a tall Black male, with cornrows, dressed in dark clothing being completely reduced to typical fan excitement. I mean this was a guy that I’d admired for years and who shaped my comic sensibilities at an early age. And here he was with my finger less than two inches from his face.

And you know what, dude took in completely in stride. He nodded his head, smiled and went about his business.

And that’s why I’m going with Felix and Oscar.

Of course this brings us to…

Good News/Bad News/Question of the Week

Good News; you’ve got a new best friend. Bad News; he’s a bit of a show off. Good News; he’s loyal to a fault. Bad News; people around him tend to get hurt. Maybe they lose a limb. Maybe get lied to every week. Who knows? The point is that like all friendships there are ups and downs. Good News; he’ll probably save you life. Bad News; your life will certainly be in danger.

So, would you rather hang out with Jack Bauer (24) or Clark Kent (Smallville).

Links

Over in Music they’re doing a while First Impressions feature.

Over at Comics Nexus Jeff Ritter discusses minority representation.

Closer to home, Matt shares his Lost theories and his disdain for the Lex/Lana coupling.

Josh gets ready for Sweeps, he’s also go one of the longer Seinfeld quotes singled out.

Crepuscule with Joe Reid

Over in his blog Joe Reid gives his thoughts on last week’s TV, as well as Stephen King’s Entertainment Weekly gig.

That’s going to do it for this week. Next week there probably won’t be a column, as I’m going out of town for a wedding. But rest assured that I’ll return with plenty of season finale goodness.