TV Reviews for the Viewing Week of Oct. 26, 2008 Pt. 2

My wife didn’t know that hobos have their own signs and symbols to tell other hobos what to look out for. I, of course, learned about them from the best source: comic books. It was an early issue of Adventures of Superman. Brainiac, as circus mentalist Milton Fine, was draining brain fluid from hobos. Jimmy Olsen was doing a piece for the Daily Planet about the rash of missing hobos, and hobo signs figured prominently into the story.

Is Wanda Sikes attractive? Am I missing something? That was my only problem with this episode. I didn’t like her before. I never thought she was funny. But this show is slowly allowing her to grow on me.

"You know what they say about rumors, Jack. They make a ru out of mor and s."

Oh, I’m so glad this show is back. Almost everything said is funny. And when is Will Arnette (another Bluth boy this week!) not funny?

"You think just cause you dead you ain’t gonna tell us what you was up to but you are soooo wrong."

What a clever little case. Whoever thought up that form of poker is a genius. And the subplot with Ned’s dad, very interesting. I’m glad to see Stephen Root. At first I was actually hoping he was Ned’s dad, but doesn’t look like that’s the case. I miss News Radio, and hearing him on King of the Hill isn’t the same. This is an actor that needs to be seen.

"This is why I beat hookers."

There’s a war a-brewin’, and the bodies are already starting to pile up.

Nick sure is becoming a Darling very quickly despite all protests to the contrary. And wow, this is becoming very soap opera-ey. This season we’ve had Patrick’s wife die under (to the public) mysterious circumstances, Patrick is in love with a transgender woman (is that the correct term?), the matriarch of the family has been arrested for the murder of her lover and the father of the family’s "adopted" son, Jeremy is dating the prosecutor of said matriarch, the only daughter (whoops, my mistake, the only daughter still on the show after the other one was written off) is in love with the family’s business arch-nemesis, Tripp had a heart attack, Patrick was elected New York’s newest senator, and the family is driving a wedge between Nick and his family. Now we need someone to come back from the dead (Dutch?) and for a monkey to be in love with someone.

"Oh my God, Earl. Those are voodoo dolls of you and a fat guy with stains on his shirt!"

Another cute episode, but nothing crazy good about it.

"It all makes perfect sense. It’s you, isn’t it?"

Seriously, what is Clark’s problem with the picture? Everybody is agreeing that you can’t tell who it is, so what’s the harm? Clark and Lois’ relationship is odd. There are so many facets to it that it doesn’t seem real. Sometimes they’re like brother and sister, sometimes they’re like little kids, and sometimes it’s like one has a huge crush on the other. So Oliver ends up on, what, a four-story roof? How does he get away without anyone trying to follow him? There are just too many plot holes in this show.

"Zombie/ghost orgy, huh? That’s it...I’m torchin’ everybody."

I like the new angel guy. He’s badass. Dean’s angel, though, he was too broody and whiny here. It’s too bad Sam didn’t get around to asking Dean about his time in hell. That’ll be good to hear/see.

"You wanna get some side abs? That’s a good idea. You know what I’m concerned about? I don’t want to get too bulky. I wanna stay nice and lean and tight. I wanna get that Jesus on the cross look."

How topical, what with the health insurance and the One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest parody.

When shows like this, shows with a similar premise, are really good, you end up caring about the entire package. Daybreak on ABC a couple of years ago was like that. It was Taye Diggs as a cop reliving the same day over and over again. It wasn’t just the schtick that was interesting, but the regular cop/everyday stuff, too. Some shows, though, are just passable, and you either end up liking the cop/everyday stuff (which is usually better than the alternative since that’s what’s going to make up the bulk of the episode), or you end up liking the schtick (time travel, repeating days, etc.). I’m enjoying the schtick more. I like Harvey Keitel’s character and the hippie neighbor, and I think No Nuts is nice to look at, but everybody else just bores me, even Michael Imperioli. But when Sam gets brief glimpses of the future, then the show is really interesting for a bit.

"Class? There is a guy building a log cabin beside us with the door open."

The research guys made a state-of-the-art vacuum that still has to be plugged in to work? I think I’m done with the show. I was hoping for something as funny as Sunny, but it’s not. It’s a good premise though.

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Listening to: Hawthorne Heights - Ohio Is For Lovers
via FoxyTunes

TV Reviews for the Viewing Week of Oct. 19, 2008 Pt. 2

Next to Arrested Development, this has got to be the most incestuous show I’ve ever seen.

"I’d kiss you if I hadn’t just thrown up in my mouth."

I hope I’m never in this situation. I hope my wife never meets my girlfriend. HAH!

First My Name is Earl, now Pushing Daisies. Is David Arquette trying for a mediocre comeback? I guess since Dirt was cancelled, somebody in that family has to make money.

"Remind me to have her drug tested."

I wonder what serial killers, at least the creative ones, would be able to accomplish if they focused their energies on something other than killing. I was disappointed in how this ended. It was poetic, sure, but I like it when our heroes actually get the bad guy.

Oh, once Jacks finds out what Dutchboy did to Tara, dude is dead. Oh, wait, nevermind. I’d probably have the same reaction if some asshole called my wife a heap, pathetic whore while I had a gun in my hand. Apparently his brains didn’t transfer when he moved from the Shield to here. And, can I just say, "Ew." Sex while there’s a dead stalker three feet away? That’s a no-no.

So, who do you think killed Nick’s father? I’m putting my money on the former priest. Dutch found out that he was his son, so why couldn’t he have known, too? Dicky priest boy then gets pissed off when he learns Dutch is going to leave. He’s been at odds with Nick for so many years, now he realizes his real dad, who has actually been around all these years but "chose" Nick over him, is leaving him. It’s all about revenge.

Have we seen any of these Kryptonite freaks before? And hey, there’s Martian Manhunter. Sometimes this crap-fest of a show gets something right. Det. John Jones, Green Arrow, and now Clark anonymously helping those in need. It looks like Doomsday is starting to pop up. I’m extremely interested as to where the show is taking this. He obviously isn’t anywhere close to the comic book version, so let’s see where this is going.

"Randolph’s a name I’ve actually heard before, like Randolph Hitler."

This comedy is a weird bird. While it’s seldom laugh-out-loud funny, it’s usually always good. Yet I wouldn’t actually call it a drama, or even a dramedy.

"You’re always safe with me. I’m a very good screamer."

I’m glad Jim ended up turning around. He’s not that guy, and Pam’s not that girl.

The funniest thing about this was Fred Armisen and the big map. And the Andy Samburg Jam the Vote segment was good. It’s always nice to see Tina Fey, but so far this season it’s like she never left the show. She’s been on, what, every episode? And I’ve just realized, Will Ferrell does not do a good George Bush. He’s hilarious, but I think he can be compared to Chevy Chase. It’s like he didn’t even try with Gerald Ford, but it was hilarious none-the-less.

"Oh, sorry. Spleen juice."

Word of warning to any Jensen Ackles fans who have been thinking of checking out past works. Don’t bother with Smallville. The guy’s a great actor if you give him a good script to work with. That was not the case with his season of Smallville. He is EXCELLENT in this show, but a big "thank you" can be given to the writers.

"Y’see? Reeves’ murder is looking more and more like a hate crime."
"What, as opposed to an I-really-really-like-you crime?"

Every cop show has to have their hate-crime episode, whether it deals with race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. The sad thing is, intolerance doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon.

"What are you thinkin’?"
"I’m thinkin’ that when I woke up this morning that I wasn’t thinking I’d have to kill somebody."
"Now you think you have to?"
"Nope, now I think I want to."

I have yet to see a show with Donal Logue in it that I did not like. But as much as I like him, I don’t believe that kiss at the end. She’s WAY out of his league. I’ve thought the woman playing Olivia is gorgeous since the first time I saw her. I know I’ve seen her in something other than Firefly, but I can’t remember what. There was no mention of the conspiracy this episode. I guess an earthquake and escaped convicts trumps all that.

"Yeah you in Hell all right. Y’know what? My name is Sinbad, and this is Sinbad’s house. When you in Sinbad’s house, you my bitch! Yeah, you know who that is? Huh? That’s Rob Thomas, Matchbox 20. Sing a song. Shut up."

Does this bar have any customers? I don’t know where to start with this show. The cheese, the dry heaves, Rob Thomas and Sinbad. This show is the epitome of LOL.

"So I guess we should just bump-hump and get our memories back."

I’m with Nugget on this one. That was too good of an opportunity to pass up. But all in all it was just a so-so episode.

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Listening to: Weezer - Mykel And Carli
via FoxyTunes

TV Reviews for the Viewing Week of Oct. 12, 2008 Pt. 2

Anakin seems too happy. I hated his whining in the movies, but I don’t really remember him being so happy. Cocky, yes. The giant flying space whales in the nebula were pretty awesome. I’m really enjoying this show. The voices are extremely close to the actors in the movies, and with the amount of CGI that was in the prequels, the cartoon looks very similar to the movies. What the stories lack in plot, they make up for with action. I’m going to enjoying seeing new characters, worlds and ships.

Watching Jeffrey Tambour on here makes me realize how much I miss Arrested Development. I think most women with low self esteem should watch this show so they can realize that, whatever is wrong, it could be so much worse. This lady's a mess, but thank God for it because her wreck of a life is so funny.

Nude photos of your hot ex-wife vs. a pool table. Hmm. That’s a tough one. I’ve enjoyed the few episodes that I’ve seen. Sitcoms, totally original or not, are always a welcome distraction from all the cop shows that I watch.

Lots of twists and turns in the convent. I liked the episode. The misdirections seemed natural and not forced for the sake of misleading

FX sure knows how to push the sexual boundaries on their original basic-cable programming. Coldpacking? Oh, that guy is sick. Holy hell Jacks beat the snot out of Dutch Boy. I’ve said it before, but you just don’t fuck with an outlaw motorcycle gang. I like that Clay didn’t kill the new kid. It just would have continued a cycle that he perpetuated.

"We came in here and gave you a golden shower. Well where’s my golden shower?"

If I may be so bold, Michael hugging Holly was just as exciting as Jim kissing Pam. The phone messages at the end between Pam and Jim were very touching. And there were great character moments from just about everybody, although most were small (Creed’s expressions, Michael’s comment about how he’ll treat Ryan the same as Holly, Kevin waving at the baby, etc.). Episodes like this made me fall in love with the show.

"So I checked with the camp, and they said they’re all right with a grown man staying in a dorm with teen girls. You just have to sign a no statutory rape waiver. I told them you were gay, but they said they’re not falling for that again."

Even in White Trash Land, this is a ridiculous premise, but this episode definitely brought the funny. And raise your hand if you’ve ever wanted to see Jenna Elfman mauled by a badger. I’d have to say that this was probably the best episode of the season so far. And I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I think it’s great that the show tries to teach a lesson. It’s not something you see in adult sitcoms.

Aw, look at that, Lois is in love with Clark. I hope those two crazy kids end up making it. And I really like having Oliver back this season, I just don’t like him shoe-horned in as a love interest for Tess. I like him with his Justice League, and for me Ollie always has to be with Black Canary.

The great thing about this show is the humor they inject into it. What's NOT funny about a changeling who is riffing off of old black-and-white horror movies? As much of a Buffy and Angel fan I am, I think I'm enjoying this show more. The writing is better, more natural. The characters are just being characters and not trying to be clever or witty or hip, even though that ends up coming through.

I’m enjoying the show, which I’m told is almost a shot-for-shot reproduction of the original British series. Looks like I’ll have to come across the original series somehow (a wink’s as good as a nod to a blind bat). The thing with the Mars rover is weird. And I don’t like Lisa Bonet. I DO like the crazy naked chick down the hall.

I know this is a no-holds-barred show. I expect to be surprised and blown away by ridiculous and disgusting things. I did not, however, expect the quartet to break into "It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye" by Boys 2 Men. The lackluster kidnapping episode was worth it just for that.

"My dick is gone!"

The guys are turned into girls via radiation. I would assume that the writers of the show sacrifice any sort of scientific legitimacy in favor of funny, over-the-top situations. I’m okay with that.

Decent show, but I’m too swamped. I’m going to continue watching it, but on my own time.

C-tease, that’s what Cruz’s ex-wife is. I like what the show is doing with Cruz trying to figure out who framed him. Most of the episode stands on its own. It’s all about the odd case that only Cruz and his partner can figure out. But every episode we’ll get a little bit about what’s going on in the background. This time we learn that Jack Reese may not be the evil bastard Cruz thought he was.

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Listening to: Chris Cornell - Can't Change Me
via FoxyTunes

TV Reviews for the Viewing Week of Oct. 5, 2008 Pt. 2

Ah, the race card. Always good for making people feel uncomfortable, and that’s where the funny is in this show. And with a good cast, telegraphing where you’re going in a show can be funny. Take for example what Christine’s brother and ex-husband did. They spelled out a handful of male stereotypes, say how silly they are, then fall into all of them.

A bisected transgendered person. They could have played with that a bit more, I think. That would have made positive identification tricky, but I guess they had to move the plot along. I’m enjoying how they’re doing interrogations, with one person observing behind the glass and making suggestions via a hidden earpiece.

This is the first chance this season I’ve had to watch this show. I’m indifferent about Jay Mohr. He can be really funny at times, but he can also be really annoying. He was okay in this. I like his ex-wife. I know I’ve seen her before, and I know she was in Steven Weber’s short-lived sitcom, but I can’t remember what I’ve seen her in recently. I don’t like Ed Bagley, Jr. The only time I’ve found him tolerable is in Arrested Development.

Is Luke Perry making a comeback? First a guest starring role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, now on Criminal Minds. He must be getting all nostalgic since there’s a new 90210 on. And hey, it’s Brian Doyle Murray, Bill’s less-famous and less-talented brother. And the guy who played Tripp on Star Trek: Enterprise. With as many people that are in an episode like this (Waco-esque cult stand-off with Reid and Prentiss trapped on the wrong side), I guess it helps to have some recognizable faces in the mix, if only to separate out the important players from the extras. And I just realized that’s not Brian Doyle Murray, but the other brother who is even LESS famous and talented. But we’ve also got the helicopter pilot from the last season of Lost, whose name escapes me at the moment. It was a good episode overall, but Joe Montegna was overacting a bit.

I’ve got a buddy who didn’t think Clay was long for this world. I don’t know. I can see a couple of different scenarios playing out if he or Jacks is killed, both of them involving Peggy Bundy.

Nick George’s wife is hot. Her hair is way too short, but she’s still hot. Is the common man supposed to be sympathetic to anything that happens to the Darlings? With their wealth, their power, their status, it is impossible to relate to them. We could at first with Nick, but he’s quickly falling into the Darlings’ web.

With so much time being spent looking for Lex, I hope he’s found. This show isn’t the same without him. I wonder if this whole season is going to be a geek fest for the comic book fans. We had the Justice League earlier, there are rumors of Doomsday, and here we’ve got Maxima. Thinking back, I can understand why the producers/creators/writers waited so long into the show’s life to make the show more comic booky. It seems pretty damn ridiculous when you think about it. It’s easier to accept the kryptonite monster of the week than a quickly explained alien hottie who is looking to mate with a Kryptonian. I guess some things are really are meant for one medium and not another.

Ah, the things we can learn about ourselves by watching white trash make up for past sins. Thanks to a guest spot by David Arquette, we learn that sometimes a lie is a good thing. He was great as an "amateur" stunt man who ends up losing his long-term memory due to too many blows to the head. Ten years back Earl kept convincing him to do more and more dangerous stunts just so he could sleep with his wife. The play on Groundhog Day was creative, as was Earl’s decision with his list.

Okay, 2 ½ Men was an unintentional casualty. I thought Boston Legal would be the first I would axe, but I was wrong. This was awful. Molly Shannon was okay, and her character’s fiancé was good, but Selma Blair’s character and her husband were painful to watch. I don’t think I laughed once. I might have cracked a smile, but there was no laughing.

"Long pig?"
"He means human flesh."
"And that is my word of the day."
What great dialogue on this show. And I think we ARE looking at an eventual battle between Sam and Dean. And if there has to be a twist, it’s that Dean isn’t actually taking advice from an angel, just another demon who wants Sam to stop sending demons back to hell. So Sam makes a massive life choice at the end

"It’s not the poop. It’s the mystery behind the poop."
"Name’s Artemis. I have a bleached asshole."
This show is like a live action South Park if all the kids were grown up. This episode was about poop. Even the Sex and the City subplot ended up being about poop. How awesome is that?

The name alone grabbed me on this one. This episode was okay. A guy ends up getting "pregnant" after undergoing a test for a new pill. The labor ends up being pretty funny, as is the "birth."

Wow, yet another cop drama. This one’s got a decent twist, though. It looks like our lead was hit by a car in the present and is in a coma. But for some reason his mind or whatever is stuck in 1973. It feels a lot like the show NBC had last season where the reporter in San Francisco kept jumping into the past, but so far with this show our boy doesn’t hop back and forth. It looks like he’s probably in the past until he comes out of the coma. Michael Imperioli does nothing for me, but Harvey Keitel is awesome. He’s a no nonsense cop who can’t be troubled to play by the book. Oh what shenanigans we’ll have when he does something that rules-and-regulations cop from the present doesn’t agree with. Fun times!

I wonder why NBC is doing two episodes a week. Are they planning on pulling it earlier than at the end of the regular season to make way for something else? I hope the show gets a full season. It’s pretty much a by-the-book cop show, but it’s got good acting and a good conspiracy in the background. And each episode our hero detective gets a little closer to finding out who set him up. In this episode he learns what cops were working with his partner’s father, who seems to be deeply involved in the conspiracy.

It’s a decent show, but I’m just not feeling it. I’m going to give it another episode or two, then I’ll probably drop it. I like the new guy, the forensic guy who looks like James Marsters, and the caveman guy. The blond is extremely hot, but I don’t much care for her acting or the woman who plays her mother, the woman from Stargate: SG1. The stories are mildly intriguing, but only mildly. Of course, the first season of Buffy wasn’t all that great either.

I’ve officially stopped watching Miami and New York regularly. They’ll be available to me on OnDemand, but I just don’t have the time or inclination to watch them on a regular basis. But I can’t give up the original. Especially with Lawrence Fishburne joining the cast. I’ll miss William Peterson when he’s gone, because he made the show what it is, but I’m interested in seeing what Morpheus will bring to the table. Anyways, about the season premiere. Warrick was never one of my favorite characters, but I always thought Dourdan played him well. He died well in this episode, and the speech he gave about Grissom being like a father to him was perfect. I’m a little surprised that the writers didn’t try to drag out the premiere to at least two episodes, but I thought it was wrapped up nicely in just one. Goodbye Warrick Brown, you’ll be missed.