Everybody Loves Saturday Night

A satisfying night of TV

My Thursday night TV lineup just got better: I can watch Ugly Betty at 8 (though I missed it last night), The Office at 9, 30 Rock at 9:30 and then Lost at 10. Provided I can stay up past 10. Which I managed to do last night (though I admit to nodding off a wee bit at the end, despite a strong and typically perplexing episode).

The Office felt different--still funny, but more menacing. I liked the dark bitterness of the dinner party episode a lot, and this felt similar, but clearly a different shade of dark. Ryan a cokehead, his life spiraling out of control because the Dunder Mifflin Infinity project is tanking? The idea that a paper company would support a MySpace-like social network is hilarious, and . . . well, let's just say that hit a little close to home, mmmkay? And because I can't help but analyze fictional characters, I'd say that it makes perfect sense that Ryan wouldn't be able to really cope with the enormity of going from Temp to Executive. And therein, really, lies the beauty of this show--so many aspects of it are ostensibly comic, but there's always some sort of reality-based logic to how they play out.

Also loved: Jim and Pam getting some hate: an unusual, awkward position for them to be in. Jim pretty much becoming Michael for the night, talking with the security guy and bringing Oscar over to talk with the cleaners. Toby declaring his upcoming move to Costa Rica and then jumping the fence (oh, Toby). Creed being the one who knew Hank's name. Dwight being the one to succeed with the ladies. "Amazons." Heh.

30 Rock was also a little bizarre. I think I read somewhere that they were going to have an Amadeus-laced episode, but I still was not prepared for it. And I have to love a show that bases almost an entire episode on a movie that no one has thought about for 20 years. Because I have seen that movie more times than I care to admit in public, and 30 Rock's riffs were pitch-perfect.

"Business juice." That is all.

On to Lost now, which I now realize I haven't written about at all since Season 4 began, which is just shameful. I still have all of them saved on DVR, so maybe when the season is over I could go back and do a retrospective, but . . . oh, you and I both know that's not going to happen. Bygones. Onward.

I said in a comment a while back that my standard response to everything that Lost has been throwing is "now that is some fucked-up shit." And last night's episode was no exception. That is not at all how I imagined Sayid's involvement with Ben starting, though it makes absolute perfect and logical sense given Ben's brilliance at manipulation. I cannot stress enough how much I adore Michael Emerson. That little self-satisfied smirk Ben gives as he walks away from Sayid? Chilling.

Also chilling was Ben's total shock at the execution of Alex. Someone called his bluff and he was not expecting that at all. I'm not sure what to make of this game he's playing with Widmore, but Ben's pledge of vengeance certainly raised the stakes quite a bit.

I also don't know what to make of Ben's flashfoward, either. He appears, out of nowhere, in the Sahara, wearing a winter parka with the name Halliwax on it (oh wait! Isn't Hallifax one of the Orientation video guys, along with Dr. Marvin Candle? Dun dun DUN!). And it's 2005. His need to ask for the year makes me think not that there's time travel involved in this show, but that the island/time/distance equation we have started to figure out thanks to Faraday is perhaps a bit unpredictable, and that this was an unscheduled trip to the mainland brought on by Widmore "changing the rules."

Oh, yeah, that's it. Ben recruits Sayid to do all this killing, and the last name on the list is going to be Penelope. How in the world is that going to be justified to Sayid?

There were some truly heartbreaking moments in this ep, too. Jack finally realizing he's been wrong about the freighter people? My stomach would be all up in knots, too. Sawyer carrying Claire from the exploding house (ok, how the hell did she survive that? Without a scratch on her? It makes me think of "course-correcting" for some reason except that no one saved before the house blew up) and later wanting to protect/save Hurley? If it were possible to love Sawyer more, that moment did it for me.

Oh, and the smoke monster. Clearly controlled by Ben, possibly from his secret underground lair accessible from his hidden passport room (how many strata of secret rooms does this dude have, anyway?) via a wall covered with hieroglyphics. So now we know what we already suspected, that Ben's claim that he had no idea what the smoke monster was was a lie. My question is: does he always control it? Meaning, was Ben behind every single appearance of Smokey, from the very beginning, when it ate Greg Grunberg? When it killed Eko? Or is Smokey allowed to roam free but will come when called, like a dog (makes sense because another name for the smoke monster is Cerberus).

That's all that can fit into my brain right now.

Oh, Dotcom, I love you.

Note: at the end of this post, which is mostly about sitcoms, I have some info on Battlestar Galactica--just to warn those of you who aren't caught up with Season 4 yet.

So, I meant to start writing up more TV shows because you know, they're on again and all, but life sorta intervened and things got all frakked* and anyway, now I'm back.

And then I was going to write about both 30 Rock and The Office, only neither show was very good, I thought--particularly The Office this week. Yeah, we had the development of Jim and Pam's relationship, but am I the only one in thinking that Jim's approach to proposing to Pam is incredibly insensitive and out of character? And of course she would play along because she's Pam. Maybe it's me, but I don't think you should tease someone who once called off her own engagement because of you. (is it me? am I alone on this?) The rest of the episode I thought was one of the blandest shows they've had ever. It was nowhere near last week's cringe-inducing, often painful, and yet painfully funny "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" episode, which I thought was near-brilliant (though that also might have been in part due to my sheer delight at having this show back on the air).

30 Rock this week I also thought was a bit unfocused and not as sharply funny as it has been. My favorite part, the only part that is still making me giggle, is Dotcom's response to Jack's calling the Republican Party the Party of Abraham Lincoln (in an attempt to get Tracy to appear as the token celebrity at this fundraiser for McCain). He says that because Lincoln fought a war to preserve the federal government, among other things, that the Republican party of today would be unrecognizable to Lincoln. Jack tells him that his "need to be the smartest guy in the room is offputting," to which Dotcom replies, "I guess that's why I'm still single." Oh, Dotcom.

* yes, in other news, I am completely caught up with Battlestar Galactica, but haven't been able to write about it or frame any real coherent thought about it except for "holy crap!" I absolutely loved the last episode, "Six of One," in which a Six (who looks like Gina?) brings the Centurions on to eliminate the "skin job" Cylons who voted to lobotomize the Raiders--I just had the slightest pang of empathy for those Centurions, you know? To be given free thought and then learn that your cousins or whatever are being punished for expressing theirs? Oof. I also loved, absolutely LOVED, Gaius seeing Chip Gaius (for lack of a better term). "Oh, my giddy aunt!" has become my new exclamation.

Hello, 2008. Goodbye to TV?

The strike is really too depressing to talk much about.  Let's just say: a) the writers are completely in the right, I mean COME ON, they make 7 cents off a DVD and NOTHING off Internet?  and b) all joy is gone until the big corps get off their butts and realize the # of people who will actually watch reality TV every stupid night is far smaller than the amount who appreciates well-written TV.  Right?  Fuck, I hope so.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles started last night / continues tonight.  I loved it.  A little backstory / some good fights.  Everyone is beaten down and miserable and barely keeping it together.  Good performances by the three leads.  I'm looking forward to more, although if you read the article in the latest EW, I do have concerns given the actors all seem a bit lost without the writers there during the majority of the filming (9 eps written out of 13 pre-strike, but the writers not around to discuss even what was already written).

And as for a mid-season (but potentially end-of-season) review of everything else I'm watching:

Brothers & Sisters. I still enjoy the repartee, and still enjoy watching Justin and Kevin... but I think it's pretty lame that EVERY marriage has to wind up with infidelity on this show. Same old, same old. Watch out, Calista & Rob, you're next!

Heroes.  First half of season sucked ass. Last four eps were fairly awesome, at least up to season 1 standards.  Not thrilled to be getting sucked back in...just in time for the strike.  But this is definitely one of the shows I enjoy more on DVD (as with LOST).

K-Ville.  Predictable and overly melodramatic. But enjoy the two leads and their buddy/partner chemistry.

Bones.  MY FAVORITE SHOW OF THIS SEASON (even over #2 FNL knocked out of the top spot and #s 3 Pushing Daisies/Office tie and #4 Life) Loving it. Loved every minute of this season. So sad not to be seeing new episodes right now.

Reaper.  Up and down but for the most part I do enjoy each episode even when afterward I think "What was the point of that / or they forgot about this / or they dropped the ball on that".  None of it has lived up to the Kevin Smith-directed premiere for me. Ep 3 was close but all else has been mediocre in comparison. Still laugh at it though, so find it worth watching.

Gossip Girl.  At first I was only watching this on iTunes but since it's one of the few with new eps left, I've moved to watching it in real time.  A guilty pleasure, indeed.  It's like The OC but without the annoying attempt at seeing real life next to the rich kids.  Even Dan and Jennie are not Ryan Atwood poor.  There are no well-meaning, morally upstanding (despite being rich) parents (Sandy Cohen, I'm talking to you). It's all boys, bitches and bling. What's not to like.

Pushing Daisies.  My #1 new show of the season.  The sweetness and charm, and the retro rich colors of the filming.  So much to love.  (So much to miss.)

Life.  My #2 new show of the season.  Love the lead, love the partner chemistry with both his old & new partners, love the fight to lead a zen life vs. the fight to get revenge. Love the creepiness of the bad cops and the bad non-cop dudes. Love it all.

The Office.  Continued to be brilliant. Funny and crass and yet sweet and kind, all at the same time.  Nobody does that better.

30 Rock.  As funny as the Office with a little less sweetness (there really is no situation comparable to Pam/Jim on this show, in my opinion).  Comedic actors doing the type of brilliant work they would never get recognized for on the big screen.

Grey's.  Sucks.  Contrived. Ridiculous. Trying way too fucking hard.

Friday Night Lights.  (STILL HAS AT LEAST ONE OR TWO NEW EPS LEFT) Still love some of it.  Still has these just blindingly beautiful moments of true feelings / true situations / bitingly real scenarios.  At the same time, so much of it has been very contrived this year (and not just the murder mystery).  Some of the really good bits are starting to be overshadowed by the ridiculous bits.  Peter Berg, would you please step back in and get control of these writers (when the strike ends, I guess) as almost none of the episodes have held a candle to last year's.  It's like they actually didn't know which parts made them a success and have gone off in the wrong direction. (And p.s. let's have dinner, you and me.)

NUMB3RS.  Still not what it once was. But last few episodes have had some nice tension and some nice scary-without-a-zillion-shoot-em-ups bits.

I think that's all I've been watching in real time.  Isn't it?  Man, can't even remember, now that most shows have gone dark.  Still catching up with How I Met Your Mother on iTunes, I'm somewhere in the second season. 

And looking forward to the beginning of Lost and Jericho, although I don't think there's a full season written of either one, is there?  Didn't watch last season of The Wire because the schoolroom focus was just too painful to watch. Will probably try to watch it on DVD at some point so going to save the current season for then. I do love me some James McNulty though.

30 Rock quickie

I love this show.

Last night's episode contained the most glorious inside joke: the mysterious maple syrup smell that wafts in and out of the area, primarily in the fall. It started back in 2005. The smell has occurred periodically since then, and Gothamist has diligently recorded each occurrence.

Including last night's, though it was fictional.

This episode marked the return of the show for me. Perhaps because it had a Liz-centric story, some classic Kenneth hijinks and an Amazing Race shout-out. Of course Liz's neighbor wouldn't be a terrorist, but the fact that he was videotaping his audition for the Amazing Race was just perfect. Also loved the ramped up "If you see something, say something" posters. "If you see anything, do everything."

One of my favorite early moments: Jack getting a haircut. "Make me look like this" (holding up a picture of Ronald Reagan). Stylist: "Yeah, like that's a stretch."

Also: Tracy's "It's like Romeo and Juliet, the Capuless and the Romulans." Later, "I'm black, she's white; I'm black, she's light-skinned black; I'm black, she's 17..."

The fake news crawl on MSNBC: "Wolf Blitzer attacked in wolf blitz...Anne Heche leaves husband for pony..."

Kenneth's poster: "Lost: a fancy pair of tuxedo pants. Reward: Hugs!"

Rounding up last week.

Dear Michelle,

Last week was pretty rough on the Duff household's TV viewing and even after a somewhat relaxing weekend, I still have DS$ to go! 

Reaper was OK.  I don't feel as "why oh why isn't it as great as episode one? why is it disapointing us?" as most critics I'm reading.  On the other hand, I think "STOP WHINING."  Several times Sam has come to the "this is actually sort of a worthwhile thing to be doing" realization...and then comes the next episode and "WHY do I have to do this and WHY can't I get time off and WHY is some other dude liking Andy" to which I say "would you like some cheese with that WHIIIIIIINE?"  I am still entertained enough but I would like a little "YEAH LET'S GO KICK SOME ASS" and maybe not crying so much about having to do it.

Pushing Daisies was awesome. But of course.  The bees!  And how they always confront their latest issue.  They always have the talk and poor Emerson in the backseat listening.  And how Olive's jealousy just couldn't overcome the affection she's begun to feel for the Aunts. And when Emerson said something like "A MAN NEEDS MORE YARN".  And the old cars, and the wooden arm and the wooden leg with the secret container of diamonds...  So much love for this show.

The Office was good, but A-HA I KNEW in losing some of its time (length, per episode), it would also lose some of its tenderheartedness.  I yelled A-HA I TOLD YOU SO when I read this post by the AV Club.

Bones was awesome. So many good things going on with that show right now but you don't watch it so bygones.

Life was pretty good although they toned down both the zen quirky AND the fruit obsession sooooo much.  Can they just tone down one or the other?  Reese's slowly oncoming zen-ness, which is making her crazy, is a pretty funny touch though.  I'm worried that the White Roosky as I called him (did he not wear white in every scene he was in?) will become a recurring character.  There are already a shitload of characters on this show.

30 Rock I didn't find that funny.  Enjoyable, yes.  Outright laughing, not much.  Alex Baldwin is really a master of mimicry, no?

And as for Friday Night Lights, I felt that, as has been the case this season, there were a LOT of things to love but still a few things to NOT.  Smash and Saracen are, presumably, going to be a big focus this week as they got short shrift.  Tim is slow on the draw but once he gets there, he's THERE.  All in, asking for help. 

What did you think of last week's shows?  Are you ready for Heroes tonight?  Can it step up its game? 

HEROES, I ask you [you, the show, Heroes, not you, Michelle, or you, the other Reader(s)], DID YOU COME TO PLAY?  Then hey, why don't you?  Stop with the lollygagging and the moseying around and fucking play.

OK back to workyworky.  Smooches to you.

p.s. I still don't know your weekly viewing schedule. Is this not a NEED TO KNOW item? Yes, it is!  GO!

Thursday Night Laugh-In

Dear Michelle,

Did you have time for TV last night?  I don't watch Ugly Betty, but I watched its next door neighbors. 

30 Rock wasn't funny throughout, a couple dead spots, but some of the individual moments were just priceless.  Kenneth going over to Angie's...and then puking!  Then realizing his grilled cheese has mayo in it! (I wasn't sure if he thought that was good or bad!)  Tina Fey downing a ginormous steak in a minute flat!  Jenna: "I'm keeping it!" 

Oh! Oh! and Hello Will Arnett.  Loved all his moments.  Him lusting after Kenneth!  Awesome. 

The Office was more outright hilarious, in a way, but also more horrifying.  Andy deciding to ask out Angela = oh this is hilarious.  This is soooo going to cause some crazy crazy Dwight behavior.  How sweet is Pam, totally feeling bad for Dwight and sending him the "you beat me" message from the "computer."  The kidnapping was simultaneously funny and horrifying but I think the best part was it being the same kid who steals Hemp from Dwight's farm (and thinks it's bad weed!).   And OMG!  Meredith's cast!  That was a visual I was not expecting.

It still feels a little oddly "light" to me how they are handling the Pam/Jim situation.  But in some ways, I'm just an idiot and the odd part is probably the realistic part:  i.e., remember on Friends, when Rachel was considering dating Ross and Phoebe says something about it being both a good and a bad thing that going on a first date w/ someone you know that well is almost like going on a 15th date with them?  Like, yeah we're past all the awkward, the icky weird awkward. But that's also a boo, we're past all the awkward, the sparkly exciting awkward.  The moments up on the roof were really sweet.

I love Thursday nights...now that I've (pretended to) cut Grey's out of my life (OK I did watch it. But I didn't like it...). 

Smooches to you... and HELLO to the ginormous headed one.  hee hee....

Michelle's Quickies

Ok, there's a lot of TV stuff I want to talk about. Haven't written about Gossip Girl and want to very much, but there's too much. I will sum up: if you're missing your O.C., and I mean O.C. classic, this is the show for you. It is deliciously trashy. And Kristen Bell does the voiceovers. Check it out.

Journeyman's second episode was better than the first. The first episode was weighed down with backstory, but it slowed down a bit to fill in some gaps. I like the way he jumps through time, that it's completely jarring and disorienting for him. I do get a Time Traveler's Wife vibe from the show though, even though the premise is completely different.

I haven't had a chance to watch Pushing Daisies yet, and I didn't watch Dirty Sexy Money last night because the finale of Top Chef was on. (Meh. Don't get me started. I'm OK that Hung won, but I would rather eat at Dale's restaurant. I love you, Dale.)

Really what this post is for is to tell you that I'm forgoing recording Survivor on the DVR so that I can watch 30 Rock instead. (I'll catch Survivor online.) I watched the entire first season of 30 Rock over the weekend and I have to say, it is one of the smartest, funniest sitcoms I've ever seen. I love everything about it, from Tina Fey's Star Wars-obsessed geekitude to the sweetly bizarre relationship Alec Baldwin's character has with Kenneth the Page ("Good morning, Mr. Donaghy!" "Go to hell!" "No, thank you!"), to the absurd-yet-almost-believable show pitches, to the absolutely believable den of writers...and that's just for starters. I highly recommend getting the first season of this show and spending a weekend with it. Maybe you'll want to take it behind the middle school, too.