COMEDY
QUICK TAKE: GLEE’S BAD REPUTATION
May 5th
Fox Smash Hits Both Highs and Lows
Ah good old Glee – you just never know what you’re going to get. Four weeks into the second half of season 1 and the quality control is still somewhat erratic. After a mixed bag in week one, we had the superlative Madonna week and then the truly dreadful ‘Kurt the stalker’ episode. And as for last night’s show? Generally somewhere in the middle – though there was certainly plenty of good stuff in the mix.
So let’s get to the highs first.
First and foremost whoever decided Brittany should be a series regular deserves a big rise – she’s quickly become my favorite character in the show with all the best lines – and expert deadpan delivery! ‘I don’t know how to turn my computer on’ was her best moment but there were plenty of other laugh out loud one liners from the brainless and bisexual cheerleader.
It’s also interesting to note just how much additional screen time Sue is getting these days too – gone from being a minor player to pretty much the show’s lead. Last night she dealt with You Tube humiliation as her lip synced ‘Physical’ performance went viral. It was a fun More >
CHUCK IT OUT – PART TWO!
May 4th
The saga continues!
Wow – who knew one piece could generate quite so much interest! You Chuck fans sure are a committed bunch!
The argument I was making – and which I still stand by – is that Chuck simply isn’t a hit for NBC – so why stay with a show that isn’t doing well and quite simply will never blossom into a hit? Last night the show generated a puny 1.9 18-49 share and barely cleared 5 million viewers. Heck even Rules of Engagement is doing better. That’s gotta hurt!
I’ve read with interest many of the comments posted on the piece and though I don’t agree with all of them – I certainly admire the passion of the Chuck fans!
CHUCK IT OUT
May 3rd
Why Ratings Challenged Chuck Should Check Out…
It’s that time of year again where those shows that are neither smash hits (Glee) or outright bombs (Melrose Place) have to play the network waiting game. Will they be renewed for another season – or cut loose? In the industry it’s called being ‘on the bubble’ and for show runners and cast and crew it’s a hellish time. The thumbs up mean another year of solid work, but a network ‘no’ means almost instant unemployment. Brutal.
This season there’s been several shows on the bubble – some of which have already been given good news, for a variety of reasons. NBC recently renewed Parenthood after a few episodes on the air – and the mark of confidence has helped the ratings stabilize and even grow a little. Likewise, Community will get a second shot in the fall, despite regularly bringing in less than 5 million viewers. But it’s a key component in NBC’s Thursday night line up so the network judged it worthy of another chance.
But as I type several key shows remain ‘on the bubble’. Personally I think V will be cut by ABC (expensive to make and it’s colossal ratings collapse clearly shows viewers aren’t More >
CLASSIC CLIP: THE GOLDEN GIRLS
May 1st
Lesbian Lovers Of Miami!
In honor of next weekend’s Betty White hosted Saturday Night Live, here’s a reminder of why the aging actress remains just so universally adored.
The Golden Girls. Ah, I remember growing up with the show in the 80′s and even now, years down the line it’s still a comedy classic. Whereas every other show on TV – and in pop culture generally – made growing old seem frightening, miserable and depressing, The Golden Girls was a ray of light that made retirement look like the best years of your life. Plus the show was years ahead of its time on social issues without being heavy handed or preachy…
Here’s a perfect reminder of just what made The Golden Girls so great… try and watch this clip without laughing old loud… I dare you!
QUICK TAKE: GLEE-FALL
Apr 28th
Fox’s musical smash crashes and burns!
Wow – what happened?
After last week’s fantastic, all bells and whistles Madonna spectacular, Glee came crashing back to earth last night with easily the show’s weakest episode to date. I count myself a Glee fan – but I have to be honest, last night’s show was embarrassing on multiple levels and really tested my series loyalty. What a comedown.
Where to begin? Well first up there’s Kurt’s ongoing obsession with Finn, which saw him manipulating their single parents into a personal relationship – and then regretting the move when his dad and Kurt started bonding over sports. Man, this is an annoying storyline on so many levels. For starters it plays into the horrible cliché that all gay guys are constantly chasing straight dudes. Plus it brought out the very queeniest and most dislikeable aspects of Kurt’s personality (to be fair many teenage gay guys act out this way – but I wish Kurt could be a little less whiny and desperate – it’s not like we have many role models out there).
QUICK TAKE: THE POWER OF MADONNA
Apr 20th
Wow! After a slightly shaky start back last week Glee was on fine form tonight with the much-hyped Power of Madonna episode! Overall, I have to say it was probably the best episode of the show to date, fusing the Material Girl’s pop classics with the ongoing Glee Club drama. Definitely a cause for Celebration.
Okay, not absolutely everything worked. The guys’ flat rendition of What It Feels Like For A Girl won’t be making it onto my Itunes list! And there were a few weak one-liners – the continually wearying Emma making gags about Britney’s shaved head was outdated and unfunny. But for every slightly off note there were 10 moments of greatness. This was Glee at the top of its game.
FUNNY UNCLES
Apr 17th
Is Modern Family Really Good For Gays?
Last week I watched the latest episode of Modern Family (the episode where Phil and Jay coach Manny’s basketball team) and a sudden thought struck me. Am I laughing with gay couple, Cameron and Mitchell, or laughing at them? In a nutshell, is the freshest comedy show on TV starting to play into a few age-old gay stereotypes? Maybe…
Now before I kick off I’ll say that overall I really like Modern Family. While most TV comedies barely make me smile, Family has at least 3 big laughs per episode. From a production point of view it’s very well written, skillfully juggles its multiple storylines – it amazes me how each character is so well defined and gets equal screen time, and the cast are pure pros (it’s hard to pick a favorite but if pushed I’d have to opt for Sofia Vergara’s Gloria who’s pretty much non-stop hilarious. Manny’s a close second though!)
But over the last couple of episodes I’ve found myself growing a little uncomfortable while watching Cameron and Mitchell in action. This week uptight Mitchell found himself up for an amazing job after recently quitting his position at a local law firm. Emotional Cameron accompanied More >
QUICK TAKE: THE RETURN OF GLEE
Apr 13th
Well you all already know my thoughts on Glee – see my Going Gaga For Glee posting a few days ago – but despite my critiques I’m still a big fan of the show, and let’s face it tonight’s return episode had must see TV written all over it.
So after 3 months away has Glee come back bigger and better?
WHAT’S SO FUNNY?
Apr 7th
Who Calls The Comedy Shots?
Earlier today I added Curb My Enthusiasm to my Netflix queue. Now over the years I’ve watched numerous clips and scenes from the show but I realized I’ve never actually watched a full episode – so decided it was time I gave it a proper shot.
But then I got to thinking why I haven’t watched the show before – I mean it’s always received fantastic reviews, the clips I saw made me laugh, it’s HBO… but I think deep down the real reason is that I have a bit of a knee jerk reaction to anything that receives too much praise. Especially when it comes to comedy I’m even more wary because I think more than any other genre there’s a real prejudice and agenda about what is – and more crucially isn’t – funny. And it kind of irks me!
GOING GAGA FOR GLEE
Apr 5th
Why Fox’s musical smash is good, but not THAT good…
Over the last couple of days the blogosphere has been buzzing with the latest Glee scoop. When the show returns in mid April after a lengthy hiatus, the kids of McKinley High will be tackling two Lady Gaga hits, putting their own spin on Bad Romance and Poker Face.
Now I’m a fan of Lady Gaga and Glee, so on one level this is good news. But after weeks of non-stop trailers, casting announcements and rumors (Neil Patrick Harris, Olivia Newton John) and generally accelerating buzz I think it’s time to put the brakes on a little.
Glee is a frequently very good show. It’s smart, subversive and often gloriously non-PC. Jane Lynch may as well make space for that Emmy now. There’s always at least half a dozen brilliant and quotable lines per episode. And Lea Michelle has an absolutely stunning voice – her take on Take A Bow for example far outranked the original, replacing Rihanna’s nasal vocals with a beautiful and heartfelt tone that actually gave the song meaning (I could actually understand the lyrics at last!)
But as much as I love Glee, and as excited as I am for the new episodes, the More >
