Well, I have to say that NBC certainly brought it as the kids say today with their four big comedy season premiers. The Saturday Night Live Weekend Update on Thursday thing was fun even though I don't pay much attention to the news so I was a little lost on some things. I did happen to listen to Madonna's weird MTV Video Awards eulogy for Michael Jackson and am glad someone called her on it.
Moving right along, Park & Recreation was the surprise of the night for me. I was ROLLING. And anyone who's a regular reader of the blog knows that I've definitely had my problems with that show. But this episode with Leslie becoming a minor gay icon in her small Indiana town. Maybe I'm just more used to the characters or maybe the writers finally are, but everything seemed a lot funnier and on point as opposed to the stumbles and fumbles that plagued this mid-season replacement last season. If you fell off the P&R wagon last year, I recommend hitting the bottle again.
The Office, one of my favorite shows, also didn't disappoint. I like how Michael handled things with crazier and crazier lies. Who wouldn't watch a spin-off about Kevin and the man driving him from the inside? I sure would. There's not much else to say, but it feels like this show is still going strong and I think Jim and Pam might be my favorite TV couple.
And finally, my most anticipated show of the season, Community starring The Soup's Joel McHale and Chevy Chase was pretty rad too. I really appreciated that they didn't start the show on day one, but actually half a week in. That would have felt boring, which would not have served the comedy or story very well. Sure, we're not given all the details right away, but we get the important stuff and everything else will just come along. It's weird seeing Joel act because he seems so normal and actual on The Soup and Chase killed it. The entire cast really seemed to gel and I can't wait to see where the show goes.
Like I said, it was a great night for comedy. I will miss My Name Is Earl and even Kath & Kim, but this line-up will do until 30 Rock comes back to rock my face off as per usual.
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Thursday, September 17, 2009
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Haven't watched P&R or Community yet (on my DVR), but have to disagree with you big-time on The Office. I thought that was just a terrible episode and I'm not really too psyched for the rest of the season. I fear that with Jim and Pam entrenched as both engaged and pregnant, the show is really going to stagnate because none of the other characters have any real depth and that kills pretty much any and all tension. I was not laughing much during this premiere.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said, yo. I am happy that Jim and Pam are together and that we're seeing a fairly realistic couple being portrayed on television, void of all the bullshit "will they" "won't they" "they're together, but now he has amnesia" stuff that TV in general seems to always pull. And the way that this show made us immediately care about Michael and Holly last season (right?) and even Dwight and Angela, I think they can easily provide instant depth and new romance if things get stagnant. And as preposterous as the Office in general is (why the HELL is this documentary crew still making this project?!), it's still darn funny.
ReplyDeleteParks & Recreation brought it last night (another phrase the kids are saying).
Looking forward to watching scripted television again.
Ben, I can't disagree with you more, but I guess that's par for the course, right? The secondary characters do feel like fleshed out characters, but that might be because I've watched all the DVD cut scenes, which is where a lot of that character stuff ends up for time. Plus, there's plenty of drama waiting to happen with Jim and Pam.
ReplyDeleteWhich brings be to Brett's comment, I completely agree with you agreeing with me :) I keep thinking about Frasier and the Niles/Daphney thing and it was excruciatingly annoying. And even Jim and Pam took 4 seasons or so, but it mostly feels solid.
The episode didn't have a ton of big laughs, but that opening parkour stuff did have me rolling. And yeah, I would like them to address the fact that they've been doing a documentary for 5 years and it's rarely addressed outside of the actual office.