Fall Recap

After 4 months I have decided to show my blog a little attention solely for my readers in Russia who accidentally stumbled upon it.

During the fall television schedule all 4 four major television networks tried to launch new sitcoms, not many were huge hits.  Fox's the New Girl seems to be the biggest hit of the bunch, but has suffered a ratings drop due to Fox's bone-head decision to shelf the series for a month after a ratings hot streak.  What were you thinking??  Most networks are seeing their sitcoms either just muddling through with little chance of renewal at the end of the year or getting cancelled after 2 episodes (sorry Free Agents).

I find it very strange that some many of these new sitcoms aren't at their best because I've heard that right now " is the golden age of television," but maybe that line only applies to shows on cable networks like AMC, HBO and Showtime.

As for the returning 30 minute comedies: Modern Family and Parks and Recreation are still amazing and currently don't show any signs of slowing down.  Happy Endings is seeing a much deserved ratings surge - it is surprisingly funny and every new episode is better than the last.  My only qualm with it is Elisha Cuthbert's character Alex because she seems forced and says/does the stupidest things.  The Office unfortunately has seen better days and should have been cancelled when Steve Carrell decided to leave the show.  Ed Helms is great and I loved him in the Hangover and Cedar Rapids, but Andy Bernard is too annoying to be at the center of the show.  

As I look at the upcoming Midseason line-up there seems only be one new sitcom that I am interested watching:  Don't Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23 with Krysten Ritter and James Van Der Beek (why can't Van Der Beek be one word?) seems have quick dialogue according to the teaser. Are You There, Chelsea? based on Handler's bestselling book and starring Laura Prepon (Donna Pinciotti from That 70s Show) looks okay, but from the looks of things it does not seem to have any sort of longevity - its like we get it, in your 20s you drank and slept with a lot of men.  How long can that be funny?  Work It has already gotten disastrous ratings and a large outcry for ABC to cancel the series.  A lot of these new sitcoms seem to be recycling concepts, characters, and jokes - please start presenting American audiences with a little originality.

30 Rock is finally returning to the NBC schedule, but for some reason at 8PM on Thursdays.  Over the past 3 years 30 Rock has aired at 3 different times - is NBC subtly trying to tell us something?  Hopefully this extremely well written and acted show can bring a ratings rise to NBC.  Lastly, the cult favorite Cougar Town (Courtney Cox and friends drink a lot wine) has yet to be scheduled with ABC executives stating it will most likely return in March.  This show is actually really funny at times and I hope it starts getting the recognition it deserves - the name I think is a big turn off.

Hopefully I won't wait 4 months to update this blog again.

Parks and Recreation

The last we were in Pawnee: Li’l Sebastian had just passed away, Leslie was asked to run for City Council meaning uncertainty for her relationship with Ben, and Tammy One is back in Pawnee.

In the premiere episode, Ron Swanson decides to go into hiding because Tammy One is back and leaves Leslie in charge, but Leslie has a bigger problem.  She has to break-up with Ben because of her campaign, but she cannot bring herself to do it.  In a freak out moment, Leslie runs away from her problems and finds Ron’s cabin in the woods.  The next morning, they both decide that they cannot stay in hiding forever.  Ron comes back to work and Leslie tells Ben the truth.  Ben knew the truth the whole time and gives Leslie an election button with “Knope 2012” on it.

Meanwhile, a man in the city government of Pawnee emailed a photo of his penis to all the women in the office.  Ben and Chris are determined to find the culprit.  Ann tells the Chris that the culprit mostly likely has mumps. Chris fires the culprit and tells him that  Ann Perkins diagnosed him with the mumps.  With that spreading, Ann’s inbox becomes flooded with penis photos so the city government brings in a male doctor to run penis examines.  

Parks and Recreation really find itself during season 2 and the show keeps climbing the comedy mountain.  The premiere episode is in line with that statement.  The writing is quick, the plot lines fully developed, and the addition of Adam Scott and Rob Lowe have really brought this show to the forefront of the television landscape.  Amy Poehler is hilarious as Leslie Knope and her chemistry with the cast couldn’t be better and her timing is awesome - she was robbed at the 2011 Emmy’s.  Nick Offerman or bacon loving Ron Swanson is probably one of the funniest people on television right now, but for some reason never gets any recognition.  His timing and tone are great, and like Poehler fits well with the cast.  I wish Retta aka Donna had a little more screen time because she knows how to deliver a sassy one-liner.  If the show keeps this up, it will hit the levels of 30 Rock and Modern Family.  

This show does not necessarily define a specific generation, but connects with people who have sarcastic and snarky sense of humor.  If thats the type of humor you have, then Parks & Rec is for you.

Thursdays at 8:30 on NBC

Modern Family - One Hour Premiere

The Pritchett and Dunphy families are back!

We see the whole family plus Haley’s boyfriend Dylan go to a Dude Ranch.  Once at the ranch, the guide constantly starts hitting on Gloria, Phil is trying his hardest to impress Jay, and Mitchell is trying get in touch with his manly side.  Gloria is completely oblivious to the guide’s intentions because her ears are still clogged from the airplane ride, thus she can’t really hear.  Jay is more concerned with the guide, so he isn’t even paying attention to Phil. Lastly, Mitchell only gets in touch with his manly when Luke and him blow up a bird house.  Then out of nowhere at an evening campfire, Dylan purposes to Haley but Claire says no for her.  Dylan then goes missing and everyone goes looking for him.  While on the search, the guide touches Gloria’s butt and she isn’t happy about that.  Phil and Jay find them and Jay tells the guide off.  Claire and Haley find Dylan in the woods and he has decided to become a ranch hand, thus ending Haley and Dylan’s relationship.

In the second episode, the Pritchett and Dunphy families are back in southern California.  Mitchell and Cam are trying to ease Lilly into the fact that soon there will be another baby in the house, but they are worried since Lilly keeps saying she will hurt the new baby.  Mitchell is convinced Lilly acts this way because Cam constantly coddles her, so Cam starts to ice out Lilly.  However, when Mitchell drops Lilly off at preschool it comes that it could because Lilly doesn't like to share - a trait Mitchell has.  

Phil and Claire go grocery shopping and Claire is knocked to the ground by a display of peaches.  Claire believes that Phil it was Phil’s fault and Phil believes that Claire was just clumsy.  Everyone in the Dunphy house gangs up on Claire stating that she always thinks she is right.  To prove them all wrong, Claire gets the surveillance footage from the store.

Manny is accused of stealing a necklace from a girl at school and Gloria defends him to the principal, stating Manny is only being accused because he is Columbian.  Jay interrogates Manny in the garage and it comes out that Manny did accidentally take the necklace.  Manny comes to clean to Gloria only after Jay forces him.  However, instead of making Manny face the principal, Gloria breaks into the girl’s locker and puts the necklace inside.

While Cam and Mitchell have everyone over to announce they are adopting another baby, Mitchell comes clean about his lack of sharing being the problem, Manny confesses and tells Jay he never went to the principal’s office, and Claire shows everyone the surveillance footage.  Then Mitchell lets it slip they are adopting a boy.

I don’t think this was the funniest hour of Modern Family, but there was some great lines and interesting plots put into place.  I thought the nicknames of Old Timer, Cactus Flower and Bossy were great, my friends and I adopted them over the weekend.  The other great aspect of the hour long premiere is that we got to see a different sides of Mitchell and Jay.  Mitchell was self-conscious and nervous that he couldn’t handle having a son and Jay was insecure about the guide hitting on Gloria.  Like the first two seasons, Modern Family really exemplifies a great ensemble comedy and they really use the “mocumentary” filming style to their advantage.

With that said, we did have some issues with it.  First, the older Lilly that now has lines brings a new dynamic to the show.  I wish they hadn’t made Lilly so mean, she kind of comes off as a dragon lady.  Hopefully as the season progresses, we will get to see a softer side of Lilly.  Then, the Italian New Yorker and Alex was so weird and out of place.  Their story-line wasn’t funny and I am surprised the writers kept it in.  I want to see Alex mature and date, but that was not the way to go about it.  

Modern Family is a show that audiences of all ages can appreciate.  Its one of those rare shows that is funny to everyone because everyone has a dysfunctional family.  The expectations are high for this show, but I know that Christopher Lloyd and Steve Levitan won’t let us down.

Wednesday 9PM on ABC

Up All Night - Episode 2

Reagan and Chris get new young australian neighbors, but are worried that they won’t come off as cool.  They try to compliment the androgynous looking wife, drop of a bottle of tequila, and say they have Radiohead tickets, but they fumble through everything because they are trying too hard.  However, when the neighbors have a loud house warming party, Chris and Reagan are forced to call the cops so their baby can get some sleep.  They don’t want to seem like the lame neighbors, so they pretend to have been at the party the whole time.  That does not work because when the cops arrive they call the complainer back and Chris’ cell phone rings.  Reagan and Chris come to realize they will no longer be the coolest neighbors, but hope to be the coolest parents.

Meanwhile, Ava is concerned that baby Amy does not like her.  Ava thought Amy would love a wallet and small purse, “baby’s first wallet, everyone knows that tradition,” but that does not work.  Seeing this, Reagan purposely brings Amy to work so Ava and Amy can have some bonding.  When they are left alone, Amy stops crying when Ava holds her.

The second episode was not as funny as the pilot.  I thought the idea of trying to impress the new young neighbors was pushed a little to hard and it did not seem that believable.  Is it really that stressful to meet your neighbors?  Also, I think that Christina Applegate and Will Arnett’s characters work best when they are throwing snappy dialogue back and forth.  This episode lacked some good one-liners.  I thought the shining star of the episode was Maya Rudolph.  She plays the eccentric Ava to a tee.  The writers need to find a way to have Ava interact more with Reagan and Chris.  Having her just swing by for a minute or only seeing her at the office isn’t enough.

All new shows take some to time to find their rhythm, look at Parks and Recreation.  I still think this show could be the next Thirtysomethings, we just need to give it some time.

Wednesday 8PM on NBC

How I Met Your Mother - The Best Man & The Naked Truth

I am back on my couch listening to Ted Mosby tell me a random side that in no way informs how he met the mother.  

Last night we were treated to two new episodes of How I Met Your Mother.  In the first episode, Ted starts the story at Barney’s wedding to an unknown bride - Lily and Marshall find out they are having baby but find it incredibly hard to keep it a secret when they are at Punchy’s wedding in Cleveland.  While at the wedding, Robin tries to hide her feelings for Barney, but Lily could see right through Robin’s high-pitched voice.  Right when Robin has worked up the nerve to tell Barney her true feelings, Norah calls me back leaving Robin devastated.  All the while, Ted was trying to prove to his high school friends that he isn’t an emotional mess, but that all went out the window when Marshall and Lily tell the gang they are pregnant.  So as Ted is giving his best man speech he couldn’t help but shed a few tears causing people to laugh.  Marshall steps in and tells everyone Ted is crying because Lily is pregnant and points to her, but the bride mistakes the point and exclaims she is pregnant.  Her father is extremely upset and the wedding is officially ruined.

The story continues into the second episode when Marshall declares he will no longer get drunk anymore, a statement that the gang finds laughable.  However, when Marshall realizes that he will undergo a background check for a potential job at Garrison Cootes, he freaks out due to a streaking video from college that has made its way onto Youtube.  All the while, Ted is using his New York magazine cover to get dates - he lands two but can’t decide who he likes more.  The dilemma becomes even bigger when Ted is invited to the Annual Architect Ball, supposedly a prestigious event.  Meanwhile, Barney tries to win Norah back by staying in the diner until she agrees to a second date, which she does.  This persistence shows Ted that he wants someone he is head over heels for, so Ted takes Robin to the architecture ball. While at the ball, Ted spots Victoria across the room....

Last night’s HIMYM incorporated so many gags that make the show great - use of youtube and auto-tune, the ability to see threw BS, and gimmicks to get women into bed.  All of these gags work because we all can relate on some level, but the writers on HIMYM do a great job of turning up the volume on the joke.  For example, Ted’s youtube videos of crying during best men speeches’ - that could easily happen with smart phone technology.  My only critique is why bring Victoria back?  Ted and Victoria were great together a couple of seasons ago, but it is unlikely she is the mother since Ted meets his wife at Barney’s wedding. Unless Victoria makes Barney’s wedding cake.  Also, how does Barney get married before Ted and to who? Norah? Robin?

This show is generation defining because people are willing put up with all the side stories because the characters are real and situations can be somewhat related to there group of friends.

Watch Mondays on CBS at 8PM

Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Frank's Pretty Woman"

The Gang is back!  After taking the summer off, Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia kicked off their 7th season last night on FX.

In last night’s episode, Frank decides he wants to marry the hooker he has been “seeing.”  While the group is skeptical of Roxy the hooker’s intentions, Dee takes it upon herself to give Roxy a “pretty woman-esque” makeover.  In the middle of this makeover, Roxy shows Dee there is a glamourous side to prostituting - large wads of cash, texts from Tiger Woods and the ability to smoke mass amounts of crack.  In the mean time, Dennis is trying to get Mac to realize how unhealthy his weight gain has been.  They proceed to get blood tests and it is shown that Mac has developed adult diabetes while Dennis is severely malnourished.  All the while, Charlie tries to set Frank with a nice girl through a dating site, but with a scheme involved - Charlie will pose as the millionaire date and Frank will be the limo driver, but Charlie will get “sick" and Frank will finish the date.  Things go awry when Charlie takes too many blood caplets and throws up all over the girl, Frank and the limo.  At the end of the day, Frank is convinced Roxy is the girl for him, Dee is now going to be a foot prostitute, and Dennis is now somewhat over his eating issues.  While Frank is proposing to Roxy, her heart stops due to her crack addiction and The Gang decides the best thing to do is dump her in the hall way so she will be someone else's problem.

Always Sunny has been described as Seinfeld on crack, which I think is an accurate description.  The creators of the series: Glenn Howerton, Charlie Day and McElhenney, really understand how to develop ridiculous story lines and make them work.  Not many series can have episodes about - getting addicted to crack, having abortions, and marrying prostitutes - and have them be hilariously funny.  While the season premiere was not the funniest episode, “Frank’s Pretty Woman” demonstrated quick writing, fully utilized the unique characters, and turned up the volume on an interesting story line. Also, they always seem to be able to deliver some great one liners like “help me pick the crack rocks out of my ass” or “we boil our denim.”  

Season 7 has started on a good note and I am glad to see The Gang is back to their sick and twisted ways.  While I have never had the urge to be with a hooker, marry a hooker, or be a hooker - I can definitely find the hilarity in this situation.  I may not have experienced everything The Gang has, shocking I know, but this is definitely a show that is defining my twenties.

Free Agents - Pilot

After the premiere of Up All Night, NBC launched another new sitcom Free Agents.

Hank Azaria and Kathryn Hahn star as two emotionally damaged and recently single co-workers at a PR firm.  Hank Azaria plays Alex, a recently divorced guy who is struggling emotionally and trying to figure out how to get back in the dating scene.  Kathryn Hahn plays Helen, a woman who’s fiancee passed away a year ago and she is still trying to navigate her sadness and need to move on. After numerous drinks, Alex and Helen jump into bed together but the end of the night proves to be awkward when Alex starts crying when he talking about his children.  At the office the next day, Alex is talked into going on a double date with a co-worker but ends up bailing at the last minute when Helen calls him.  They think they can just be friends, but the next thing they know they have slept with each other again.

This British adaptation does not measure up to The Office, NBC’s previous effort to convert a British hit TV show, which has become a huge hit and introduced the “mockumentary” style to sitcoms.  The concept of two emotionally damaged co-workers getting together works in the moment, but I do not think this is a show that can sustain for multiple seasons.  Alone Azaria and Hahn have a few good lines in the pilot, but together they lack chemistry.  I think Azaria works much better in a role that is snarky and sarcastic, not overly emotional.  This is a shame because Hank Azaria and Kathryn Hahn are great comedic actors trying to find that perfect sitcom that can really showcase their timing and tone.  

The supporting characters in Free Agents are funny, but their personalities are stereotypes that have been overused in sitcoms.  The sassy secretary, the oblivious boss, and the sex crazed co-worker.  I think the show would work better if they had taken some risk and used unique personalities that could have rounded out the show.

When watching the show, the question I thought of is what happens when they finally get together?  Does the show end or do new problems come up?  This relationship isn’t like the Ross and Rachel of Friends that we were all rooting for because as an audience we watched the build up and the missed opportunities.  There was no build up in Free Agents, thus why are we rooting for them?.  We will have to watch a constant back and forth? Audiences don’t really want to watch other people, they have enough fighting in real life. 

At this moment in time, Free Agents does not appear to be the next big sitcom to define any generation. The characters are too one note, which is not appealing to any age group, but the idea of starting over is something I definitely get. I don’t exactly know where Free Agents, but I am going to give it a few more episodes.