Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Pop Culture's Christmas Wish List
With the Holidays right around the corner, here are a couple of things I hope to see under “Pop Culture’s” tree on Christmas morning.
1. A Sedative for Oprah. With Obama victorious, the release of Australia, and the on set recreation of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, America’s favorite talk show host has been screeching so loud the past couple months you’d think someone was grabbing her by the short hairs. It wouldn’t take an expert marksman to place a tranquilizer on her flip side either.
2. Another break-up for Pink. The badass rocker’s public divorce sparked the best pop song of 2008. Another failed relationship = more catchy tunes. Corey Hart must be happy nothing really goes with the line “So what … your dick is small.”
3. CSI: Bosnia. True, hunger is the leading cause of death, but murder has to be at least two or three. Plus, when a 7-11 clerk is killed in the Middle East, they will need Gil Grissom’s forensic technology to figure out it was his mistress’s jealous stepson avenging his dead father’s honor.
4. Birth control for John & Kate. Eight really is enough. The basic cable ratings monster
won’t have the same catchy title if they call it John & Kate Plus Nine. Props to John though. With a set of twins and sextuplets, it takes a real man to slip one past the goalie twice.
5. The Sopranos On Ice. Hey, Disney can keep recycling their shows by putting them on ice, why can’t the world grieve for the loss of their favorite mob show by celebrating it on the rink. Tell me you wouldn’t pay to see James Gandolfini doing a double axel while he dodges the feds and Johnny Sack. Not to reinforce negative stereotypes, but the professional ice skaters would feel right at home with the Vito/Johnny Cakes storyline.
6. More Celeb-reality. That’s right, I don’t care who or what, I love to watch celebrities in their own crazy element. Whether its’ Judd Nelson baking brownies or Courtney Love fighting a homeless man for cab fair, I’ll be parked in front of the T.V.
7. Original Videogames. Not being a big gamer myself, I imagine that if I played, I wouldn’t want to reenact World War II in my living room. What happened to the games where a steroidal genetic freak and girl with huge boobs save the world from an evil space alien and his moderately tough henchmen that are strategically dispersed through every level?
8. The Full House Movie. Cut. It. Out. Every major T.V. show is getting a big screen adaptation, what’s wrong with the Tanners? Thanks to a revolving door women, Stamos is looking younger than ever, and I doubt Saget has anything to do. Also, I’m pretty sure the Kimmy Gibbler was headed to the stripping pole and I’d like to see how that panned out.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Next up: Grammy Ballot Mailing Concert
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A Salute to "The Shield"
Tonight, FX closes the books on the drama series that put the cable network on the map. Since it’s inception in 1994, FX struggled to produce original programming that received high ratings and critical acclaim. In 2001, the brass at the Fox subsidiary took a risk on The Shield, gritty, in your face, detective series where the main character is as crooked as the criminals he arrests. Every aspect of the series is cutting edge. From the camera work, art decoration, storylines and performances, the cast and crew of The Shield make the viewer feel like they are watching a documentary. The Shield falls in the category of one of those shows that never had a bad season, and never compromised the essence or integrity of the plot by resorting to cheap gimmicks. Even when big guest stars such as Glenn Close or Forrest Whitaker joined the cast, their characters always seemed right at home instead of being forced down our throats. Creator Shawn Ryan had a definite vision, and built on the characters he created for seven seasons. It is amazing to me that Shawn Ryan was not sure how many seasons the series was going to have because leading into the series finale, everything has appeared to come full circle with the perfect build and story arcs exploding in the last ninety minutes. The Shield is a rarity in television. Despite falling off the pop culture radar as of late, this cult favorite will go down in history as the series that redefined a classic genre.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Twenty-five years later: Hollywood is still coming to "terms"
When filming went a million dollars over budget before a one scene was even shot, Brooks had to continually push back the start date. A year later, NBC saw the screenplay and paid the rest of the budget in exchange for exclusive television rights. The cameras finally started to role in late 1982. It was at that point, Brooks masterful direction sometimes took a back seat to his role as professional babysitter. The two leads, Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger caused a great deal of tension on the set, mostly because Debra Winger refused to break character. At one point, producer Penny Finkelman had to jump on the hood of MacLaine’s car to stop her from leaving the set. James L. Brooks lost three days of filming begging Debra Winger to come out of her hotel room. When Burt Reynolds dropped out of the role of Garret Breedlove despite loving the script (he was contractually obligated to Stroker Ace), and Harrison Ford and Paul Newman turned it down, Jack Nicholson stepped in as a favor to friend Debra Winger on the condition they schedule his shooting days around the Laker home games. John Lithgow filmed his role during a three day break from Footloose because the actor originally set to play his role dropped out as well. James L. Brooks and co-star Danny DeVito found out Taxi was cancelled during filming. The producers also had to fight for Jeff Daniels, who was relatively unknown, and not wanted by Paramount. Daniels had to co through eleven callbacks before he was cast in the crucial role of Emma’s husband.
25 Years Ago Today The NWA was Fair to Flair
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Hidden Nugget of the Week: Celebrity Rehab
Gary Busey – Minutes into the show, Busey mentions he has done cocaine off the back of his dog. So if you’re a dog, I guess the only thing worse than being owned by Gary Busey, is being owned by Michael Vick. Actually I’m not sure about that, because with Vick you have a fighting chance.With Busey, you’re what he uses when his coffee table is too cluttered with drafts of his acronym book. By the way, the person who green-lit that book has the greatest sense of humor. However, that’s only the tip of the insanity iceberg. Busey also takes advantage of the maid service at the rehab center by bringing his dirty laundry from home. The best part about Busey is that he thinks he is one of the doctors. He’s going around telling the other patients he is there strictly to help, and not go through the treatment. At that point, Amber Smith tries to figure out if he is really saying these things or if she’s having withdrawal. Like in baseball, VH1 went with their “ace” first. Nobody can touch Busey’s insanity, and introducing him early gives us a full 90 minutes of pure awkward pleasure. This was great casting.
Amber Smith – The former model and actress brings her box of pills and rack of silicone to the treatment center, as Dr. Drew can barely contain himself when doing the pre-interview. I counted at least three times Dr. Drew blatantly stares at her boobs. Amber is opening up and crying about her mother forcing her to do drugs with her, and pervert Dr. Drew can barley give her a sensible response because he’s too busy watching her breast heave as she cries. The producers say everyone gets a physical, but Amber and Nikki McKibbin are the only ones I saw that actually had to lay on the table. Good thing Amber wore a sundress. Dr. Drew, who I’m not even sure is a real doctor, wore his stethoscope the entire time, and did an abdomen examination the same way a five year old would do when they play hospital. What makes Dr. Drew qualified to do this? Teaching millions of teenage adolescents how to treat herpes on LoveLine doesn’t exactly give him a PHD.
Rodney King – Of all the awkward moments in the show, one of the most awkward would be when Drew kept asking King “Is there anything that happened in the past that might have lead you to drink?” King, who showed restraint by not standing up and screaming “Yeah I was beaten by three Los Angeles cops, then every news station in the world replayed the tape for a years, mother fucker!” and put all the blame on himself. Rodney did some hardcore drinking too. How drunk do you have to be to not be able to show up for work as a tow truck driver’s assistant? I mean, shit, your not even driving the thing. All you have to do is hook the car to the truck and away you go. The editors also left in the little gem of Rodney puking out the window of the tow truck. And honestly, Rodney King is not a celebrity. I’ll give you everyone else, but Rodney King. What, were Anita Hill and the Runaway Bride busy?
Tawny Kitaen – Looking like she drove the very convertible she posed on in the White Snake video straight through a wall, Tawny Kitaen might be the most genuine person in the entire show. Sure she was arrested for beating her baseball player husband Chuck Finley with a stiletto heel, but it was the drugs that made her do it. She even tells Dr. Drew she was surprised cocaine had such a bad effect on her. Despite her naivety, Tawny seems like she is the only person there truly committed to getting better. You couldn’t help but feel bad for her when she gets dissed by Rodney King. If anything, Tawny Kitaen is a survivor. She made it through being a white woman dating O.J., so she was probably closer to death then than she was on speed.
Sean Stweart – Rod’s son Sean takes the opportunity of being isolated in a house with strangers to prey on the women, mainly Amber Smith. Although I’m sure if Nikki McKibbin loses all that weight again she’ll be in the running too. At what point do you actually have to do something to be famous. Are Sean’s kids famous by birth too, or is it a one generation thing, then your on your own talent from there? Sean calls himself a singer, song writer, model which is odd since he approaches all three the same way. – stand around and let other people take pictures of you. It might be a technicality, but I thought you had to write songs to consider yourself a songwriter. Anyway, this guy is already getting on my nerves so I hope Busey gives him the Under Siege treatment and karate chops him in the throat.
Steven Adler – I get the feeling Slash has an entire answering machine full of Steven Adler begging him to let him drum for Guns N’ Roses again. Steven is so f’ed up they start the show two weeks early because they are afraid he will OD by the time cameras start rolling. Dr. Drew makes a house call, and Adler is on the brink of destruction because … wait for it … Slash put out a new album and he wasn’t asked to do drums. If I was doing a spoof of this segment, I would immediately show shots of a long haired top hat wearing Slash as a young boy, posing with a young Adler to show how long they have been friends and then miraculously shots of a long haired top hat wearing Slash as a young boy, posing with a young Adler. You cannot make this stuff up. Adler is brought to the rehab center by ambulance and really scares the shit out of all the other guests (except Busey who thinks he’s a homeless man). I’m not saying it’s hard to understand Adler, but his pronunciation makes The Elephant Man sound like Patrick Stewart.
Nikki McKibbin – Nikki actually has a really sad story involving her mom dying after they did drugs together, so I won’t elaborate much more than it’s a shame the price you pay when you become too famous too fast. The current American Idol is not anywhere near as popular as the first season, so imagine the whirlwind of drugs and booze she must have been caught up in as twenty two year old kid set loose in Hollywood.
Jeff Conway – Like the Emperor Nero making his grand entrance in Rome, Jeff Conway, the Savior of VH1, emerges from his limo. Looking like Tiny Tim grew up and became a crack addict, Conway quickly makes himself at home. Since he already went through rehab once, Jeff is familiar with his surroundings, and at one point I think the nurses bring out his personal coffee mug. Dr. Drew considers Jeff Conway his Mount Everest, which is eerie because if you get to close to Jeff you might actually lose some fingers and toes. With this rowdy bunch, it’s hard for VH1 not to have a hit on their hands. It’s also hard for me to stomach that people who once had talent are more making a comeback off their addictions. There addiction can be profitable for years to come. It’s like in the 70s when every show on CBS was a spinoff of All in the Family. What’s next? Rodney King as a contestant on I Love New York?
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Why James Bond is Pop Culture's Favorite Secret Agent
The 60s - If you watch the films from the 60s, Bond is a perfect poster boy for the sexual revolution. His numerous conquests, cocky swagger and seductive gaze gave promiscuity a respectable name. While saving the world was business, the sex was always fun. You can almost see Sean Connery smirking on the inside every time he has to address Pussy Galore by name. James Bond films fully embraced America’s figurative unbuttoning of it’s blouse, as Ursula Andres made her dripping wet entrance and Claudine Auger’s dark vulnerability made her role as Domino not only one of the hottest Bond girls of all time, but one of the hottest film characters of all time. The political climate in America was the perfect background for James Bond to travel the world as an agent in The Cold War. The spy genre was huge in this era because the paranoia of the Iron Curtain had patriotism high and everybody watching their back. 007 even capitalized on America’s obsession with space, as his numerous foes often had world domination by use of space weapons as their agenda, causing Bond to leave the galaxy for some of his missions.
The 70s – As disaster movies like The Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno raked in mega bucks for Hollywood, the Bond franchise decided bigger was in fact better. The 1970s saw the release of the most ambitious films of the entire series, as they pushed barriers with stunts even the Japanese weren’t crazy enough to try. The mid-air parachute fight in Moonraker took 13 days to shoot, and the ski cliff dive from The Spy Who Loved Me convinced the film’s crew that the director was insane. As racial tension across the world intensified, Live and Let Die provided blaxpotation scenes worthy of Super Fly and Foxy Brown as it depicted the gritty ring of drug smuggling in Harlem, and the bigotry on New Orleans.
The 80s – With Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton splitting Bond duty in the 80s with three and two respectively, it seemed Bond received a makeover every time he made an appearance. Hollywood was producing blockbusters in every genre, so there was no true formula to follow. The only thing they all had in common is the characters had to be larger than life. From Indiana Jones to Tootsie, captivating characters carried films throughout every genre. Where the Bond films of the 90s would be effects driven, the interaction between James Bond and the likes of Max Zorin (Christopher Walken), Franz Sanchez (Robert Davi), May Day (Grace Jones) and Octopussy (Maud Adams) dismantled any need for big explosions and high speed chases. Of course Bond would not be Bond without those things, and even held it’s own with Die Hard when it came to climatic action scenes.
The 90’s – Bond appeared for the first time since the end of the Cold War in 1995, and there was a question of whether he would be relevant. As the technology age flourished in America, it did so for James Bond as well. It seemed like Bond’s weapons were becoming outdated faster than Q could pump them out. James Bond should never be using technology made available to the general public. If the three movies in the 90s, Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies and The World is Not Enough, the producers tried to top each other in terms of special effects in each one. The good this was that it worked. With George Lucas and CGI becoming more of the norm, Britain’s favorite MI6 agent blew up everything from Tokyo to Peru out of desperation to keep up. Although the 90s will be known as the Peirce Brosnan ear, it can also be identified as the era where James Bond gets back his footing.
The 2000s – A new Bond and a new beginning were emanate. As Die Another Day paid tribute to the past forty years, Bond took a new direction. Just like Batman and Superman, Bond returned to his roots. The beginning. The only difference is, Bond is not damaged and not doomed. He’s rather good in the beginning but not the best. He’s serious but had a witty edge. And in our recent political climate, who would have thought it would be a British agent saving the world from Middle Eastern terrorist and economical bankruptcy. James Cameron put the kibosh on True Lies 2 because he thought it was no time to dramatize Iraqi terrorist, but why not. James Bond has, and always will be the barometer for pop culture and current events, which is why he is still the longest running franchise is movie history.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Shoot: Lanny Poffo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e34FJLuT8KQ
SPOILERS:
- Vince McMahon brought him in to release him, but Lanny saved his job by asking Vince to let him work heel for one night. Vince thought he was too good looking to be a heel. Lanny begged Vince to let him be a heel for one night, and if the fans didn’t buy it, he would go. That night, Lanny went to the ring in the Boston Garden and caused fans to jump the guardrail when he insulted all four Boston teams in his poem. McMahon signed him to a new contract immediately.
- He states his best friend is Rick Martel. Rick’s family flew Lanny into Canada as a surprise to Rick on his 50th birthday. They had Lanny dress as a clown, and reveal himself to Martel during the party.
- Hulk Hogan loved working Lanny, and the two have a very good relationship.
- David Sammartino and Lanny were both victims of Pat Patterson’s rise to power. Lanny decided to stay and do jobs, but David quit immediately.
- After hearing one poem from Lanny on Tuesday Night Titans, Vince McMahon told him he is to do a poem before every match.
- He took the cap and gown idea from a gimmick his father did twenty years earlier.
- His children’s book was nominated for the Newbury Award.
- When riding in a car with Ronnie Garvin, Ronnie pulled over to ask a middle aged woman who was gardening for directions, and got her attention by yelling “Hey c*nt”
- Was involved in a backstage altercation with Bam Bam Bigelow after Lanny made a joke at his expense in front of the entire locker room. Bigelow asked him if he wanted to take it outside and Lanny replied that he would love to because it would be safer than working him.
Find more shoot interviews at Wrestling HotSeat's Website http://www.myvirtualbc.com
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Survivor
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
In honor of Election Day, here’s a list of pop culture mainstays that weren’t afraid to proudly display their red or blue.
Pop Culture’s Top 5 Republicans
1. Alex P. Keaton. Michael J. Fox’s portrayal of the eldest son of the Keaton family on Family Ties was such an avid right winger, he not only debated his free spirited parents for six seasons, but he had a picture of Richard Nixon sitting on his nightstand.
2. Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Her biased loyalty to anything red brings a needed counterpoint to the Bush-bashing women of The View. Also, her prim and proper demeanor proves you can be sexy without being slutty.
3. Rush Limbaugh. He’s the journo the left loves to hate, and the man who isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind. Like many other pop culture figures, rehab has only secured his place in pop culture history.
4. Jack Donaghy. Clinton friend Alec Baldwin plays against type on 30 Rock as the NBC executive who had a torrid love affair with Condi Rice, worked in the Bush administration, and dreams of the days when Regan was President.
5. Chuck Norris. The Walker Texas Ranger star might be smarter than he looks. I mean so few celebrities endorse Republicans, he almost always makes the list by default.
Pop Culture’s Top Five Democrats.
1. Mike Stivic. Archie Bunker’s meathead son-in-law broke television ground when his character brought sensitive subjects like abortion, interracial marriage and draft dodging to the blue-collar 1970s New York home on All in the Family.
2. President Jed Bartlett. Martin Sheen’s appearance was the only thing Regan-esque as he challenged the political process and preserved the integrity of his party for his eight year, two term service on NBC’s critically acclaimed drama The West Wing.
3. Bill Maher. His political commentary remains insightful, intriguing and infuriating despite the fact Real Time allows only one Republican in the building per week.
4. George Clooney. His influence amongst voters is almost as effective as it is with moviegoers, and even manages to make politics seem cool.
5. Bill McKay. Robert Redford’s role as the pretty boy Senator from California positioned as the possible sleeper for the Democratic Party in The Candidate was so popular in the 1970’s, the fake campaign button used in the film is displayed in the Smithsonian Museum of American History.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Hidden Nugget of the Week: Diablo Cody's MySpace page
http://www.myspace.com/diablocody
Friday, October 31, 2008
Behind the Screams
- To keep Drew Barrymore crying, Wes Craven would tell Drew Barrymore stories about animal cruelty, and would often hop up and down like a bunny to remind her of a story he told about a man who tortured rabbits.
- Rose McGowan (Tatum) was the only major character that was never the killer in any draft of the script.
- The janitor dressed as Freddy Kruger is director Wes Craven.
- Liev Schrieber, who plays Cotton Weary, was supposed to have a larger role in the film. In the original draft, he is released from jail and it is him who takes the gun from Stu and shoots Billy. In the final version, it is Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) who does this.
- Billy’s last name, Loomis was used both Psycho and Halloween.
- In another homage to Alfred Hitchcock, Drew Barrymore was promoted as one of the stars of the film. Just like in Psycho, Scream kills off the “lead character” in the first part of the movie.
- I did not answer my phone for three weeks after the seeing this movie for the first time.
- Skeet Ulrich was designed to look like Johnny Depp in Nightmare on Elm Street.
- Wes Craven hid the phone voice of the killer from Neve Campbell the entire time they filmed the movie, even though he had to be onset for all their scene.
- The cat who runs through the cat door (which Tatum tries to escape through) was selected because it had the same color hair as Rose McGowan.
All info obtained through Scream Collectors Edition DVDs, Internet Movie Data Base, Entertainment Weekly, ect.
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Drama (and Comedy) of Baseball
Hits: As hard as it is to capture the drama of a baseball game on the big screen, it is just as rewarding when it works. The most important part of making a good baseball movie is not telling a story that everyone knows the ending. Titanic worked because of the back-story even though we know the ship is sinks. Nobody would be in suspense if you knew who won the game and how. Sure The Pride of the Yankees is a sentimental favorite, but that was more of a problem drama about a baseball player than a baseball movie. The Sandlot is a good example of a coming of age film, heavy on baseball and comedy that really works. The feel of the 1960’s, equally rounded ensemble and a situation all people can relate to makes this The Christmas Story of sports movies. Penny Marshall’s A League of Their Own dominated the box office, and became one of the most talked about movies of 1992. Despite the mostly female cast, this film appealed to everyone, and has the most heart pounding final play of any baseball movie ever. Comedy seems to be the right direction with baseball movies, with Bull Durham being sharply written and seductively charming, while Major League is neither sharply written nor charming, it’s still hilarious and ranks as one of the best. Sometimes drama does work in baseball, like in Field of Dreams, which might be the most inspirational sports movie ever, and Bang the Drum Slowly. A baseball movie about the relationship between a catcher and a starting pitcher with terminal cancer sounds like a drag, but Robert DeNiro’s performance in Bang the Drum Slowly is the role that got him recognized by Francis Ford Coppola, who casted him in The Godfather Part II. Fever Pitch was a decent movie, but it was a commentary on the passion of the fan’s, and not the actual sport. Plus if you're not a member of the "Red Sox's Nation", it becomes obnoxious at points.
Misses: One thing is for sure, Hollywood is not afraid to swing at some bad pitches. Mr. Baseball with Tom Selleck is one joke film. Yeah, he’s an American playing in Japan. I guess the producers felt that was enough comedy for the entire film. Mr. 3000 with Bernie Mac suffered from the comedian not being convincing as a baseball player, and a mediocre script. In general, baseball movies about one man tend to lose the entire essence of the team oriented sport. Think Tommy Lee Jones in Cobb, or John Goodman in The Babe. Eight Men Out is a good film, but if you’re looking for a baseball movie, this does not deliver. I want the characters to be trying to win, not a conspiracy film where the one of the players is paid to lose the game. The Natural is highly stylized and verging on campy, like if The Young and the Restless was about a baseball team. Angels In the Outfield and Rookie of the Year are great for kids, but it doesn’t translate to anyone over 12 the way The Sandlot does. The Rookie with Dennis Quaid is an example of a good actor caught up in a bad film, and For Love of the Game is an example of a great concept that was assembled sloppily. I think when Kevin Costner read the book “For the Love of the Game”, he was so excited to do another baseball movie, he didn’t bother making sure it was adapted to film correctly.
Friday, October 24, 2008
And the Bride Wore Swimmies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xYiHcP6oxU
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Hidden Nugget of the Week: "The Words of Every Song" by Liz Moore
I'm one of those people who says they like to read, but when it comes to actually doing the footwork, I have been a bit lazy lately. One of the last full books I've read was singer/ songwriter Liz Moore's 2007 debut novel about handling success and failure in the music industry. The book contains 14 chapters, each summarizing the life of a different character, as they intertwine in various ways throughout the book. Every aspect of the music industry is represented, from the rock star who tries to be a good father to his young daughters, to the college pot head trying to get his demos exposed. Each story is carefully constructed with some characters more important, and frankly more interesting, than the others. For me the most touching of all the stories is the one featuring Tony, the middle aged sound man who walked out on his wife and realizes he wants her back, and Cynthia, the lesbian secretary whose ex-girlfriend is now America's hottest pop star. Moore's writing is a narrative poetry that avoids long elaborate paragraphs, and sticks to the essential plot points that are surprisingly poignant, given the author's abruptness. There are sometimes when Moore covers ten years of a character's life in two sentences, but you accept this because the payoff is always worth it. For those who know music well, the novel works on a whole different level, but everyone can appreciate this moving piece of literature. Moore's storytelling ability is truly a hidden gem in the world of fiction.
RECOMMENDED FOR: Everyone, especially those who like good short novels.
THEORY: Although all of the characters are fictional, the character of rising pop singer Lenore Lamont bears a striking resemblance to Leona Lewis, who was on the rise as this book was written.
OH. MY. GOD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPsNi1k8Df4
EXTRA BONUS!!!
This guy's reaction is almost as good as the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1FBqwjzbSA&feature=related
Saturday, October 18, 2008
The Top Ten of the Past Ten: Comedy Episodes
1. Friends, “The One with the Embryos”; January 15, 1998.
Best Line: Ross: As a child Joey had an imaginary friend. What was his name?
Monica: Maurice!
Ross: And what was his occupation?
Rachel: Space cowboy!!
The Whole Truth: Courtney Cox is the only member of the cast to not be nominated for an Emmy for her role on Friends.
2. Arrested Development, “Afternoon Delite”; December 19, 2004
Not So Shotty: The show as a whole is the smartest comedy series ever written hands down. Ironically, that was it’s downfall. Causal viewers often missed the 30-40 inside jokes that pop up in each episode. If you have never seen an episode of Arrested Development, you can still appreciate the razor sharp dialogue, subtle social criticism and all and out silliness they were never afraid or too elitist to do (a car slipping on a giant banana peel anyone?). They also have running jokes inside each episode like the price of Gob’s suit (Come on!), the horrible Christmas party roasts, and each character’s own idea of what they think “afternoon delite” means. If you don’t mind having to think to get the jokes, or if you think Michael Cera’s (Juno, Superbad) performance as George Michael is the stuff of comedy legend, check out this show. I could try to summarize the plot of this episode, but I wouldn’t be able to do it justice. The only thing I will say is you can expect a Christmas Party on Bethlehem time, a vulgar sexual harassment speech, giant cranes, the Blue Man Group, incest karaoke and a “420” mile walkabout taken by a middle aged stoner.
Best Lines: Michael (trying to convince Oscar to sleep with his mother): Why don’t you give her a little afternoon delite?
Oscar (thinking he is talking about getting her high): Oh right. The only question is how do I give it to her?
Michael: I don’t need any details.
Oscar: I know, I’ll put it in her brownie.
Michael: Okay that’s enough!
The Whole Turth: Jeffrey Tambor was originally only going to appear in the pilot episode, but loved the script so much, he decided he wanted to be a regular cast member.
3. The Office, “The Injury”; January 12, 2006
The Source of It’s Awesomeness: Michael Scott is like the friend in your group who only knows how uncool he is when his other friends tell him. The mockumentary style is a perfect format for Steve Carell to play an over the top character centered in realism. There are many cringe worthy moments in this episode, but the most uncomfortable is when Michael invites a wheelchair bound man to share his pain with the group. (How long does it take you to brush your teeth?) So everyone knows Michael’s jilted self-perception is a rare quality in lead characters, but the subtle romance between Jim and Pam is the great storytelling NBC was skeptical about at first. Before The Office, My Name is Earl and 30 Rock, NBC liked to bash a romance over your head and tell the audience where to laugh in typical three-camera formula. Even though The Office has not ended, the Jim and Pam dynamic is more appealing and better executed than anything Ross and Rachel ever did. This episode is a great chance to examine their relationship because Pam actually starts to like loopy Dwight despite him vomiting on his back windshield, and not being able to control his arms. We see how undeniably in love Jim is with Pam because he can handle her being engaged to Roy, but he can’t handle Dwight being friends with her. It’s always risky to turn a character upside down for an episode, but this time it was hugely satisfying and brought pleasure in a big way … and that’s what she said.
Best Lines:
Michael: (To Dwight on the way to the hospital) Stop it! Stop it or your fired!
Dwight: You can’t fire me, I don’t work in this van.
4. Curb Your Enthusiasm, “The Ski Lift”; November 20, 2005
Pretty Pretty Pretty Good: Larry David allows viewers to channel their inner asshole. This mostly improvised series is great at showing what a despicable human being Larry is, but presents his reasoning so logically you can’t help but think you would do the same thing. Larry’s offensive impersonation of an orthodox Jewish man will having you laughing and shaking your head at the same time. The wife switch that forces Larry’s arch enemy Susie to pretend to be his wife is a payoff worth waiting four seasons for. The subplot is just as funny. In typical Larry David fashion, he mentions to his buddy Jeff, an old girlfriend accused Jeff of having a small penis. Larry seems to reach an epiphany when Jeff informs him his penis isn’t small, but her vagina is huge. Larry’s obsessions with the doctor, the donor list, the ski vacation and the woman with the huge lady part makes The Ski Lift a perfectly balanced episode with laughs all around.
Best Line: Larry: Women love to do this (makes the small penis gesture with his hand.) Well you know what? From now on, this is me. (makes the big vagina gesture with his hands)
The Whole Truth: Larry David often uses the show to voice frustration in his real life, like when he centered an episode around a film critic who gets his thumbs broken after Roger Ebert gave his film Sour Grapes big thumbs down.
5. Sex and the City, "My Motherboard Myself"; July 15, 2001
The Gist: Miranda loses her mother, Carrie loses her hard drive and Samantha loses her orgasm.
The “Big” Deal: The fourth season of Sex and the City was when this HBO romantic comedy reached a creative stride. Miranda, who is as worried about being single at her mother’s funeral, shows a vulnerable side that elicits sympathy. Charlotte’s obsession over the wedding bouquet plays to her character perfectly, and becomes even funnier when they deliver the wrong item. Carrie, who loses all her past articles, is surprisingly poignant in her commentary and even manages to seem compassionate without being whiny. Samantha has most of the comedic spots in the episode, as she ignores the death of Miranda’s mother in the search for her orgasm. It’s after the wrestling coach, shower head and even electric toothbrush have failed, she finds the release she is looking for. The cold façade she has been putting on cracks as she breaks down and cries at the funeral mouthing the words “I’m sorry” to Miranda. For a show that made being single and in your thirties, wild fashion, cosmos and sex talk in vogue, the characters were always well written, true to form and enjoyable for both sexes.
Best Line: Samantha: When I RSVP for a party I make it a point to come.
The Whole Truth: Sarah Jessica Parker had a strict “no nudity” clause in all six seasons of the series.
6. Extras, "Daniel Radcliff"; September 28, 2006
We’re Having A Laugh: Nothing is sacred when Extras manages to offend little people, the entire Harry Potter fan base, and a youngster with Downs Syndrome in 30 minutes. The best part about the entire series is that when it uses these taboo subjects as punch lines, it doesn’t seem cheap or mean spirited because it’s always Andy who comes out looking like a lesser person. Daniel Radcliff, as the horny Harry Potter star who hits on everything in a skirt, gets to show you his comedic skills, and I assure you his timing is spot on. From pretending to be a chain smoker, to accidentally flinging a condom on Dame Diana Riggs’ head, it is hard to say the kid doesn’t have a sense of humor about his superstardom. On Extras, you feel bad for Andy because he has to deal with the people around him who try to help, but always make things worse. The scenes where Andy tries to apologize for an very offensive “out of context” comment will have you begging Andy to be put out of his misery. The harsh commentary on our tabloid driven world is brutally honest and very funny. Best line: Agent: I got you a movie with Halle Berry?
Andy: Halle Berry?
Agent: Yes, Halle Berry. The short little magical wizard boy with glasses?
Andy: Do you mean Harry Potter?
Agent: Yes. That’s it! … who is Halle Berry again?
The Whole Truth: Each episode is named after the celebrity guest star who appears in it. According to Ricky Gervais (Andy), every guest star of all twelve episodes (Orlando Bloom, Kate Winslet, Ben Stiller, Smauel L. Jackson, Robert DeNiro etc.) agreed to appear in the series based on their love for the other Ricky Gervais created show, The Office.
7. South Park, "With Apologies to Jesse Jackson"; March 7, 2007
Bigger, Longer, Uncut: South Park has been able to walk the dangerous tightrope of shocking humor gracefully for ten years. Shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Nip/Tuck and The Mind of a Married Man pulled shocking stunts just for the sake of shocking the audience. South Park has always managed to validate their outrageousness with satire. The episode is not just about feeling uncomfortable with race, but a demonstration of reverse psychology proving how uptight America really is. Trey Parker and Matt Stone get some flack for not branching out, but stick to what you know. This show is never ages the main character yet still seems relevant and on the pulse of America. I can't comment on that "other cartoon show" with those same characteristics, but I heard you cannot say the same.
The Whole Truth: CNN’s Paula Zahn devoted a special report to this episode, in which AbolishtheNword.com praises the show for promoting how hurtful racial slurs can be.
8. Everybody Loves Raymond, “Bad Mood Rising”; May 8, 2000
Holy Crap: When Everybody Loves Raymond debuted, popular sitcoms weren’t centered around traditional families. The Barones, who we discovered were anything but traditional, enabled everyone to see a little bit of their family in them. The way the relationships unfold feels comfortable to husbands and wives, because they feel they are in the same boat as Ray and Debra. In this episode, Ray’s accusation that Debra likes when she’s PMSing because she has an excuse to yell at Ray relates to husbands who think their wives are as evil as them. I always enjoyed how you got the feeling Ray thought of his relationship as a chess game and Debra was his opponent who could beat him blindfolded, yet he still played anyway. This episode does a great job of presenting both sides, as Ray seems sympathetic and thoughtful, while you feel Debra’s frustration for her idiot husband. And for the record, there is not one man in America who could have figured out tape recording Debra’s mood swing was not going to help Ray’s case until she blows up at him.
Best Line: Ray: Hug you?! This is not you! Why would I want to hug the person that shows up once a month to rip into me like a monkey into a cupcake?
The Whole Truth: This episode was based on an argument creator Phil Rosenthal had with his wife Monica Horan (Amy).
9. Weeds, “The Good Shit Lollipop”; August 22, 2005
High Comedy: There are so many times in this show where creator Jenji Kohan could have taken a wrong turn and completely ruined the series, but her fresh take on television comedy has made this show one of the best and most riveting to watch. To say this show broke barriers would be an understatement. This Showtime cornerstone not only doesn’t answer to any standards and practices, but it doesn’t abuse its freedom. The explicit language, violence and nudity do not seem forced, but have a purpose in driving the story. In this episode, it is important to see the drug world as seen by a wide-eyed widowed mother of two. Once you get past the shock of what she does for a living, the characters are well written, and the human struggle is what makes this show succeed. Mary Louise Parker manages to play whimsical even though you know she is worried about her family’s survival. Weeds never keeps characters just because they are already on the payroll. Every character has a purpose in relation to Nancy, and contributes to the show. Whether its Doug’s love of a pot taffy, Haylia’s zingers, Conrad’s guidance or Celia’s constipation, this episode will have you giggling like it’s you who has been smoking.
Best Line: Doug: Me no needy no more weedy.
The Whole Truth: HBO passed on this show because they thought it was too edgy for the main character to have young children.
10. Just Shoot Me, "Slow Donnie"; January 5, 1999
Chicken Pot Chicken Pot Chicken Pot Pie: Before he was Dr. Tobias Funke on Arrested Development, David Cross did friend Steve Levitan a solid by portraying the brother who pretends to be “slow” to get out of work. The whole premise of Just Shoot Me is Maya is a liberal writer who sold out to the man by taking a cushy job at her dad’s fashion magazine. Each episode shows Maya trying to get something positive out of her job, so it’s even funnier when she does the right thing but it blows up in her face. The story is that Donnie fell out of a tree, and has been severely damaged ever since. It turns out Donnie has been faking his handicap, and his love for Maya causes him to confess his secret. It is even funnier the second time you watch it because the first 15 minutes, the audience is not in on the joke. This somewhat offense, always clever and highly controversial episode will make you laugh even when you know it’s wrong.
Best Lines: There are a lot of good lines from Donnie but …
Donnie: (after Maya moves closer to him) Ah! My pants are getting tight!
The Whole Truth: Steve Levitan wanted to do this episode in the first season, but felt the show wasn’t established enough to get away with something like this.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
It’s Not TV … it’s a show about a guy with a huge dong.
Also on slate is “Broadwalk Empire” the period drama (yawn) executive produced by Martin Scorsese (now we’re talking). Fans of HBO’s “The Wire” can find some solace in the series closure knowing the mind behind the Baltimore crime drama, David Simon, will be developing a new drama called “Treme.” Details are sparse, but word is the series will take place in New Orleans with a heavy emphasis on life after Katrina. The fourth of its’ new breed will star Jason Schwartzman as a depressed alcoholic who finds inspiration from Raymond Chandler in “Bored to Death.” Unfortunately, America might just be that because it seems highly stylized shows like “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City,” and “Entourage” thrive at HBO, while deep thinking, depressing, head scratchers like “In Treatment” and “Tell Me You Love Me” dwindle out without much fanfare.