What Do You Watch? Part IV

Posted on May 24, 2012 by ilmozart

It’s taken me a little while, but I’m up to Wednesday.

(For those who need to catch up on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, it’s worth it to see how much garshdarned TV I actually watch)

Wednesday has undergone a bit of a transformation, mostly because I never thought that I would get to the point where my night focuses on ABC. And comedies on ABC! But there you go…

The Middle – Before Happy Endings came on, and after the first season of Modern Family, I actually felt that The Middle was the best comedy on Wednesday nights. Yes. I do realize what I said. I think it has more heart than Modern Family and has been more even than MF  (more on that below). Any show that employs the Janitor from Scrubs (Neil Flynn) allows me to overlook the fact that they are also employing Patricia Heaton. Most families I think  live more like the Hecks than we want to admit…

Living like this, even if not in the Middle

Flynn and Heaton have a sweet, trying, and ultimately successful relationship that reminds me more of Roseanne and Dan Connor than Claire and Cliff Huxtable. I think The Middle had me during its first episode when Axl, the oldest son, was basically wandering around the house, a sullen teenager in his boxers. I have brothers. This is 100% accurate. And the two other kids are gold – Eden Sher as Sue, the middle child who is perpetually positive and does her best no matter how life beats her down, and Atticus Shaffer as Brick, the brilliant and socially awkward youngest child with the odd habit of whispering under his breath the last thing he just said.

It’s definitely worth watching.

Suburgatory – This show just finished its first season and I think it grew into itself by the end. It started as a one note joke about how awful it is to move from the excitement of New York City to the plasticity of the suburbs. Though to be fair, NYC is pretty darned awesome. Jane Levy as Tessa Altman is the typical TV snarky teenager and Jeremy Sisto as Tessa’s father George is the mostly-cool-except-when-he-finds-condoms-in-his-daughter’s-dresser TV father of said teenager, but it’s the supporting cast the sells the show. I adore ADORE Alan Tudyk (Firefly’s Wash, RIP) and his Noah seems to be what the suburbs can do to a man. My favorite is Cheryl Hines (Larry David’s wife from Curb Your Enthusiasm) as Dallas Royce, a suburbs housewife who manages to rid herself of her philandering husband and recognize her dream of owning a crystal shop, while not losing her humanity and vulnerablity in the process. Plus her chemistry with George is great. And as Tessa’s friend Lisa, Allie Grant steals every single scene she’s in with her brilliant comic timing and highly unique line readings.

Modern Family – Ah, the Wednesday night juggernaut that revived ABC’s comedy line up and the sitcom in general. And it was the show that helped make gay families A-OK to many Americans.

Modern Family portrait from the season 1 finale

The first season was fantastic. The second season was still good, but a bit flawed and dare I say it, tired. The third season…I don’t know how objective I can be because I just saw the season 3 finale. And it made me tear up. The moment that Cam and Mitchell lay down in the field, emotionally exhausted from the roller coaster of almost getting a child, once again, reminded me of why I loved the show in the first place.

The core of the show isn’t necessarily the humor, which of course is humorous, but the way that this new family with all its parts and limbs can come together and be there for each other. Cam recognizing that Mitchell needed a break from holding everything together for their family helped erase a lot of the more outlandish Cam moments since the second season started. Cam though has been one of the comic highlights of the show – stereotype or not.

Then we have the other standouts – Gloria, Manny, Phil and Luke. Manny and Luke have become a great odd couple on the show and Phil’s “WTF, why the face” will live on. They’re all winners, but let’s be honest, people tune in because Sofia Vergara is ridiculously attractive. Even us straight girls know that. And add to that the fact that she is pretty damned funny, it’s just no fair.

Happy Endings – It might have taken a few episodes to find its grove, but Happy Endings is the funniest show on network TV that isn’t animated (that’s Bob’s Burgers, hands down). It’s a brilliant ensemble show that takes the Friends model and brings it up to speed for today’s crazy world, and makes it all a little less saccharine.

There are some cast stand outs… Damon Wayans, Jr. (son of Homey who don’t play that) is amahzing as Brad. His relationship with Jane (Eliza Coupe) is the most competitive, intense, messed up, loving, and adorable one on TV. The show even figured out how to deal with Elisha Cuthbert’s Alex and turn her from a generic blonde, to a sort of amazing savant.
Casey Wilson might not have made it on SNL, but dear god, Penny rocks.

Adam Pally’s Max all dressed up and lookin’ fancy

But I don’t know if I could love anyone on a sitcom more than I love Adam Pally. He’s my sitcom Jon Hamm… Here he is as the lead singer in the all male Madonna tribute band, Mandonna:

I cannot stress how much you need to be watching this show.

Don’t Trust The B in Apt 23 – Just finished it’s short run first season. Pretty good but not there yet. James Van Der Beek is fab though. Just fab. And Krysten Ritter has great comic timing. Too bad Walter White wasn’t a fan…

America’s Next Top Model – I don’t know how to say this other than to say it. Tyra, it’s time to pack your bags and go home. After all these years and all the crazy and all the hissy fits and photo shoots that have NOTHING to do with fashion…I give up. I had seven episodes of ANTM on my DVR and this weekend I made the decision to delete them without watching them. Every good thing must come to an end and I think that end for me, is now, with this.

Take that Supersmize.

South Park – It started with paper cutouts, Jesus, Santa and Brian Boitano. Sixteen seasons later I’m still watching. Some people are decrying the show as losing it’s edge, no longer being funny, etc. You know, the usual claptrap that follows any show after it’s been on for a while. Did this season crack me up as much as every other season…maybe not. But the episode where they had the live reenactment slayed me and I can almost watch that Cash for Gold montage for ten straight hours:

If every few years they give me a series of episodes like The Coon vs The Coon and Friends trilogy where Cartman teams up with Cthulu, I’m happy to sit through an episode here and there that isn’t an instant classic. Matt and Trey continue to be absolute geniuses.

Ugly Americans – The redheaded stepchild of Comedy Central, Ugly Americans deserves some recognition. Imagining a world with land whales, koala people, and oh yeah — zombies, vampires, and demons all living together in quasi-harmony in New York City, takes a lot of balls. It’s just a really weird screwy show that I wish more people watched. I heard somewhere that this is the monsters version of Futurama, which was really a space version of an office place comedy. Sounds apt.
Here is a sampling:


Funny, right?

Top Chef – One of the few reality shows I will admit to watching. It seems to require actual talent, which puts it head and shoulders above so much of the other crap out there. And it’s on Bravo, the gay network (see Happy Endings people) so it has the right amount of crazy that you need on your reality shows. This past season was kinda crap, but I want to believe the next Michael Voltaggio or Richard Blais is still out there. Not everyone is Hosea or Ilan…right? RIGHT? And yes, I do watch Top Chef Masters and Top Chef Desserts, but they are pale imitators of the original we can all agree, yes?

Please pack your knives and go

So that’s all I can think of for Wednesday at the moment. I feel I’m missing some shows that aren’t on right now, but they’ll come to me in the middle of the night.

Only 2 nights of primetime TV left.

Am I watching YOUR favorite shows? Only time will tell.

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The Walking Dead Season 3 Sneak Peek

Posted on May 24, 2012 by ilmozart

While the season 2 finale of The Walking Dead mostly saved the rest of the season, I still can’t get over the Sophia-debacle and the Carl-idiocy.

Suggestion? Don’t open the door

HOWEVER, being the loyal TV viewer that I am, and the quick vision of that kickass samurai wielding mystery figure with the 2 jawless, armless zombies on leashes, I am pretty excited for season 3.

If only they were eating Carl…

I have yet to read the graphic novels, so I’m unspoiled as to what comes next. But judging by everything I’m hearing and the fairly dark ending of last season, there are ominous clouds hanging above everyone.

The cast and crew seem to affirm this portentous new season.
http://youtu.be/_Zg0np7y5-o

Andrew Lincoln’s real accent is a shocker, even though I remember him from Love, Actually. Norman Reedus is still awesome, and I don’t recall if we saw a glimpse of Lori anywhere in this – perhaps to soothe angry and frustrated fans everywhere?

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New Trailer Alert: The Great Gatsby

Posted on May 23, 2012 by ilmozart

Not sure about the movie, but love the art deco

I love Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge as much as the next person, but not sure that the same aesthetic should be applied to The Great Gatsby.

Gatsby and Daisy

Leonardo DiCaprio is good casting, as is Carey Mulligan. But there’s something about this version that just seems too…well, too Baz Luhrmann for me. And inappropriately so.

Of course, I could be wrong.

I’m also terribly concerned about the movie being in 3D. When will this madness end??

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Lady Gaga, Lisa Simpson, and Self Esteem

Posted on May 21, 2012 by ilmozart

There is a breaking point and I worry that I hit mine last night, because after 23 seasons, I’m actually ready to stop watching the Simpsons.

Why, you might ask? What was it that threw me over the fence?  Lisa Simpson.

Lisa has never been my favorite character. Yes, they did try hard to mitigate her bossiness and do-gooder obnoxiousness by giving her endearing weaknesses – my favorite is her soft spot for Nelson and the Corey hotline. But overall, she’s been a character that I’ve had to learn to love instead of loving off the bat.

So the constant focus on Lisa and her self-esteem has been trying for me. It was one thing when Bart got insane-asylum Michael Jackson to write her a birthday song – he hadn’t really expressed his affection for her.  But then it seems every season or so, we need another episode where Lisa doubts herself, or is made to feel uber-unpopular, etc etc etc.

I understand that after 23 seasons, the show is bound to repeat itself and then repeat those repeats. But this week’s episode was too much. It relied too heavily on Lady Gaga and her thrust of positivity and loving oneself. I did appreciate Lisa’s takedown of her, accusing Gaga of telling people that they should dream of things that they can never hope to achieve. And more so, that everything Lady Gaga says and does is mostly about her – not about other people.

I’m sure she sees herself surrounded by hummingbirds at all times

That has been one of my chief issues with Lady Gaga. She talks a good game, but I feel that so much of it is self glorification. If I have to hear her tell another group of screaming fans to “put up [their] claws” or have her refer to herself as “mother monster”, I think I’ll start screaming myself. I appreciate that she is giving hope and voice to those that feel different, but she doesn’t seem to be able to do it without putting herself on high.

So when she thinks it is her job to improve Springfield’s self-esteem and tries to make Lisa feel better through a crappy song, it just rings hollow to me. It is more about her than about Springfield. And that Lisa would fall for any of this at all just strikes a false note. Lisa is supposed to be more savvy than this.

We all saw this joke coming the moment they announced Gaga as a guest voice

If we want to think about a time when Lisa needed to be pumped up by a guest artist, let’s look to “Lisa’s Substitute” from season 2. That was an episode that utilized a great actor – Dustin Hoffman credited as “Sam Etic” – as the substitute Mr. Bergstrom, without hammering home the actor himself.  He was a means to the end, not the end itself. We didn’t get months of ads proclaiming “Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman guest stars on the Simpsons” that way we have with Gaga.

It’s the lack of over the top pretension that sells this episode

The episode spoke to larger issues in the show – Lisa needing an adult role model who inspires her and her pursuit of learning, Homer’s buffoonery and his desire to be a parent to a child he doesn’t really get, the ineptitude of Springfield Elementary, and there was a great side plot with Bart vying for class president. A subplot that again was grounded in reality, not some wild flight of fancy.

If only he reminded his fellow classmates to actually VOTE

Mr. Bergstrom bolster’s Lisa’s belief in herself, putting her on the right path by giving her a note that simply says “You are Lisa Simpson” – a note that I think has more staying power than Gaga’s song and Lisa’s instant conversion to Gagaism. But true to the heyday of the show, it’s not the guest artist that has all the glory in restoring Lisa’s faith.  It’s Homer who truly comforts Lisa as she mourns the loss of her sub. This then allows Lisa to have another moment of revelation, as Lisa learns to embrace her father for all he is and all he isn’t.

Note: this doesn’t say “You are a little monster”

All in all, “Lisa’s Substitute” achieves the same goals that “Lisa Goes Gaga” does, making Lisa feel better about herself. But it does so in a larger context, with more complexity, and in a sweeter and far more realistic way, highlighting how far this show has fallen.

So, I have a summer to decide if I really want to keep watching The Simpsons. I’m not a quitter, but there is only so much I can take before I start forgetting that the show had episodes like “Lisa’s Substitute”, and begin thinking that this is the show that brought us 22 minutes devoted to glorifying Gaga.

Plus, was there any moment in “Lisa Goes Gaga” as funny as this:

Sadly, no.

#thesimpsons @thesimpsons

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New Trailer Alert: Skyfall

Posted on May 21, 2012 by ilmozart

Craig. Daniel Craig.

James Bond films are something that I don’t think about until they’re shoved in my face by studio marketing, and then I’m usually interested.

I have been enjoying Daniel Craig as Bond. He’s not as smooth as Pierce Brosnan, as cheesy sauve as Sean Connery, or as awful as Roger Moore. He’s rough around the edges and deadly sexy.  And cleans up nicely.

The plot for this new one, Skyfall? Eh, who knows and honestly, who cares? It’ll be like the other Bond films, possibly better, possibly worse. As long as it’s not with Denise Richards, I’m happy.

My one complaint about this teaser trailer is that everything is just too dark. I understand he’s a spy, but does nothing happen during the day?

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“What Makes You Beautiful” as done by cast of Anything Goes

Posted on May 20, 2012 by ilmozart

Not a huge fan of boy bands (apart from BSB…cuz I love me some “I Want It That Way”), I have not been paying attention to One Direction.

I know they were on SNL this season and they all look to be about 15 years old. Swell. But when the cast and crew of Broadway’s revival of Anything Goes – including Joel Freaking Grey – does an amazing lipsynch to “What Makes You Beautiful”, I gotta watch.

And share.

This should happen more often. Can we get the cast and crew of Book of Mormon to do “Sexy and I Know It??

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Supernatural Season 7 Finale – Purgatory Ho!

Posted on May 20, 2012 by ilmozart

Never let it be said that Supernatural doesn’t know how to do a season finale.

Both brothers being slammed by a truck and left for dead. An army of demons unleashed upon the world. Dean getting dragged to Hell. Sam being responsible for the Lucifer’s escape from Hell. Sam throwing himself into Hell to stop Lucifer. Castiel becoming god. Some good times.

So where are we at the end of season 7?

To sum up: Bobby is on his way to becoming a vengeful spirit, going so far as possessing an innocent motel maid to get at Dick Roman. Dick Roman and all his little Leviathan buddies are doing their best to turn humanity into a stupider version of the humans in Wall-E, with the slaughterhouses ready to then turn them into food (sushi made of orphans, anyone?). Castiel is essentially broken, off his rocker, and so unsure of himself he is all but useless. Sam and Dean, once again, have the fate of the world on their oh-so-handsome shoulders.

Dean freaking out that they can only eat “rabbit food” because all good food has the tainted corn syrup

The Winchesters manage to get all the ingredients for the weapon to kill the Leviathans that the prophet Kevin (the sweet Asian kid who can read the word of god) told them about. Getting Crowley’s blood and the blood of an Alpha were both a bit tougher than getting the blood of an angel. As Cas said, he’s always glad to bleed for the Winchesters. Last week they had to buddy up to the Vampire Alpha for his blood. This week they had to once again trust Crowley to get his blood, something that never really ends up well, this time for Meg.

There was an amusing scene of the brothers searching through the ossuary at a nunnery and choosing the right dead nun to use for the weapon. One of Supernatural’s strengths is finding humor – both dark and light – in the most absurd and direst of situations. It is that sick and twisted humor that has keep me coming back every year. (That and the very attractive cast)

So they have the weapon, but some sad business before they use it. There was only so long that Bobby was going to be able to hang around and be Bobby the Friendly Ghost. In a scene that we knew had to come, Sam and Dean burned flask that tied Bobby’s soul to this plane. It was hard enough saying goodbye to him when he died the first time, the second time was no easier, even though it was all too necessary. No one wanted to remember Bobby as one of those ghosts that the boys would have hunted in the first couple of seasons, being warded off with salt and iron. Better he go now before that ever had to happen.

But what of Dick Roman and his army of merry human-eating Leviathans?

A Leviathan about to snack

Dick Roman, making the world safe for Leviathans.

They are still barreling forward with their nefarious, human harvesting plans – now corn syrup is even more evil than ever. Knowing what the boys knew from the word of god, Dick replicated Dick Romans everywhere. So which was the right Dick to stab with the blood covered bone of a dead nun? (See, I write these things and then have to shake my head that this show makes it all seem so normal) Enter poor Fruit Loops himself, Castiel. As the former host to all the Leviathans, Cas can see through the image they portray to the world, and point out the real Dick Roman.

Castiel, breaking apart at the seams

Misha Collins has really been amazing as Castiel. From rebellious angel who tore Dean from Hell, to misguided fallen angel who absorbed all of purgatory into himself in an effort to take control, to blissed out cult leader organizing orgies in an alternate future. Now, Castiel only wants to keep bees, he gathers the honey himself. He’s also up for a game of Twister if anyone is interested. After breaking the world, he wants to remain out of the way. Cas knows he has much to make up to Sam and Dean, especially Dean, but lacks the language and capability to do so. By agreeing to join the boys on their attempt to kill Dick Roman and end the Leviathans, it’s his attempt to fix the past.

And while it all works out and Dick is killed…this is Supernatural and there is at least one more season. Dean and Cas disappear along with Dick, and end up with him in Purgatory. You remember Purgatory, right? The place where all the super scary monsters are from. And if the red eyes that stare out at Dean from the blackness are any indication, they still abound there. Cas lets Dean know where they are, but then vanishes.

As for Sam, Crowley is all that is left in the lab. After having Meg taken back to Hell for torture, Crowley turns to Sam and hammers home the fact that Sam is completely and truly alone. Bobby is gone for good. Castiel and Dean are cast off to purgatory. There is no one for him. While Dean had to deal for Sam being gone at the beginning of season 6, he had Bobby to help him with the grief.

Both Winchester boys are utterly alone for the first time. And we have several months before we know how they finally reconnect.

The best part of the season finales is “The Road So Far…” opening sequence, set to Kansas’s Carry On My Wayward Son. I couldn’t find the version for this season yet, but here is last year’s finale opening
http://youtu.be/86naLJoc42U

And for those of you who are jonesing for even more…seasons 1-6.

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Another plug for Bob’s Burgers

Posted on May 19, 2012 by ilmozart

Tomorrow night will be the last Bob’s Burgers of this already too-short season.

And apparently, it involves Beefsquatch…

That’s right. Beefsquatch.

This has been a great follow-up season for Bob’s Burgers. “Burgerboss” in particular was a piece of genius. Not up to date? I recommend the following blog that lists every single burger of the day. My those writers do love their puns.

Louise would have the best burger of the day suggestion.

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One Guy. Every White Guy in a Rom Com.

Posted on May 18, 2012 by ilmozart

This guy is awesome. (Thanks to Vulture for the heads up)

Also, why is Jennifer Aniston in EVERY SINGLE ROMANTIC COMEDY OUT THERE?

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The Mindy Project – Fox’s Answer to Girls?

Posted on May 18, 2012 by ilmozart

Looks better than this photo would have you believe

As Kelly Kapoor on The Office, Mindy Kaling was always surprising. She took a character that could have been truly awful and managed to make her sympathetic and funny rather than annoying and trying.

Turns out, she’s a pretty funny person in real life too. So much so that she got her own show on Fox next season.

http://youtu.be/BbxYId7KsL4

Given a drunken speech at your ex’s wedding, never a good idea

The vibe on the show reminds me of HBO’s Girls, but networkified a bit. It’s got a bit more of the joke setup-punchline feel, though that could be the trailer.  It also clearly has a slew of great comedic and dramatic actors: Ed Helms, Bill Hader, Anna Camp, Richard Schiff, and Chris Messina. Not bad there, Ms. Kaling.

The comedy in the show seems really sharp without being like every sitcom on TV right now. The entire sequence on the bike was great; Barbie can really be a total bitch. Also, I totally agree: wealth of Bloomberg, personality of Jon Stewart, face and penis of Michael Fassbender. Amen.

Of course I don’t really buy her as an OB/GYN but hey, it’s TV.

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