Category Archives: Must See TV

2009/11/10 · 12:53 pm

Dairy Burn (How ’30 Rock’ Taught Us That Stone Mountain & Long Island Are Not That Different)

(Forgive me for this somewhat belated post regarding the Halloween episode of 30 Rock.  I’m still catching up after our fall break.)

Liz Lemon SandwichDespite some recent blacklash from critics, and the fact that it has featured an overreliance on meta-humor, a drawn out debate over the “real America,” and maybe too many inside NYC jokes, the new season of 30 Rock has been as brilliant and hilarious as ever.  While I agree that the lack of real emotional attachment to the characters prevents the show from surpassing The Office as the best overall comedy (nay, show?) on television, 30 Rock is still a showcase for impossible sharp acting and writing, and probably offers the highest laugh per minute (lpm) ratio of any prime-time comedy.  However, this is yet another post for another day.  Today we’re not going to talk about the relationship between Liz and Jack, the disappearance of Rachel Dratch, the curious case of Lonny Ross or the parade of guest stars that has more than once elicited unfair comparisons to Will & Grace.  No, today we’re going to talk about Dairy Barn.

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2009/11/06 · 2:28 am

If You Slap Michael Scott, Does He Not Bruise? (Brief Thoughts on ‘The Office’)

And does he not need a Schrute Farms frozen chicken to ease the pain?

Well, he might bruise, but he definitely needed the makeshift ice pack.

Michael Scott: Bruised Face, Bruised EgoAfter we argued for the usefulness of the lovelorn Michael Scott earlier today, tonight’s “Double Date” served up another helping of that quixotic Scott, while also mixing in his cringe-inducing, myopic unpleasant side.  Realizing that Pam’s mom (aka “Pickle”) is a (sorta) much older woman, Michael slowly, painfully, tries to extricate himself from the relationship.  He’s selfish and inconsiderate, but in this case it’s not so much his intentions that are wrong, just his actions.  His epiphany that being with a soon to be Grandma would hinder his life plans, which still include having children (and maybe snowboarding) is understandable.  Why he didn’t see this before is open for debate, but we must keep in mind that this is Michael Scott, master of obliviousness.  However, instead of waiting another day or two, or at least until after the birthday lunch, Michael decides to break it off right then and there, just as Pam begins to accept him as a suitable mate for her mother (and perhaps as a possible step-father to herself and step-grandfather to her unborn child), creating the awkward tension that Michael has elevated to an art form over the years.  But his heart was in the right place.  Just at the wrong time.

Read on: Michael and Holly = Desmond and Penny?

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2009/11/05 · 5:28 pm

Score One for Gritty Cop Dramas!

As rumored since its axe by NBC, the Gritty Cop Drama Southland has been rescued by TNT.  What’s more is that the cable net will air the Gritty Cop Drama Fridays at 10pm (starting Jan 12), setting up a smackdown against new nemesis Jay Leno (if Leno survives til the New Year).

No word yet if the addition of Southland to the TNT roster will require the show to add a Strong Female Lead, à la The Closer, Saving Grace and HawthroRNe.  Might I make a recommendation?   Or, if she’s not available, they can take SNL‘s suggestion and bring Penny Marshall aboard:

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Of course, the big question is what does this all mean for Dick Wolf?  Well, TNT already airs syndicated episodes of the flagship Law & Order franchise, so perhaps Mr. Wolf will bring original episodes of the series here when NBC replaces his show with Dateline: To Catch a Biggest Loser.

via Variety

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2009/11/05 · 4:09 pm

If You Prick Michael Scott, Does He Not Bleed?

“What is so wrong about me?  I’m caring, I’m generous, I’m sensual. Is it really so horrible that I could possibly go out and find happiness?” – Michael Scott

We’re back from vacation here at Jumped The Snark and before we march on to more relevant subjects (and tonight’s new The Office), we wanted to take a moment and comment on the last two weeks’ of Office entries, most notably in regards to our recent list of the Five Least Awesome Office Episodes.

Prick in a Box! After compiling the lists of the “worst” Office episodes we discovered that the quality of the show most often hinges on which Michael Scott we receive, the childish, clueless but ultimately well-meaning and redeemable Michael Scott or the obnoxious, selfish, boorish borderline psychotic Michael Scott.  In the worst episodes we find ourselves with the latter, a vile, unseemly and ultimately unbelievable character.  In the best episodes we might not always find the former, but he is frequently present in the show’s best, most emotional moments, when he demonstrates his humanity and vulnerability, such as the truly uncomfortably honest beat at the end of season 4’s “The Deposition,” (You expect to get screwed by your company.  But never expect to get screwed by your girlfriend.”) or at the close of this season’s “The Meeting” when Michael brings Jim his very own “World’s Best Boss” mug.

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2009/10/20 · 12:38 pm

NBC Expanding ‘Biggest Loser’ Franchise, Does Not Appreciate the Irony

JillianOh, so that’s what NBC is going to do, it’s going to replace all Gritty Cop Dramas with The Biggest Loser and its spin-offs.  According to Variety, NBC will soon bring us Losing it with Jillian, in which Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels will move in with (overweight/unhealthy) families to “help change their diet and exercise habits.”  Apparently they are looking for families with children ages 9 and up, but although the children are a little young and they’re not overweight  I can think of one family that might benefit from a life coach.

How long until Biggest Loser entities takes over all of NBC Primetime (pre-Leno, of course)?  What other spin-offs could there be?  I’d say a Biggest Loser–Dancing with the Stars mash-up, but I guess Dance Your Ass Off already beat them to it.  Or they could just go the CSI/NCIS route and introduce The Biggest Loser: Houston.

Watch out Dick Wolf, you and your Law & Order franchise might have a new competitor breathing (heavily) down your neck.

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2009/10/16 · 12:39 pm

The ‘Office’ Has Not Jumped The Shark

Office LunchAfter feeling like I was in the minority with my mild disappointment with last week’s wedding episode, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I was not alone in my distaste for last night’s The Office, “Mafia.”  I watched it in a new place, with a large dinner still digesting, the mood already soured by another messy, frustrating episode of Glee (a story for another day), so I gave this latest Office entry the benefit of the doubt, even though I found it much too silly and the premise (Michael, Dwight and Andy believe that a local insurance salesman is “connected”) too far fetched, even for this show.  Something seemed off, and I sensed there were far too many stretches without laughs, and even the ones that occurred often felt forced.  So I was actually rather comforted when I flipped on the ol’ Internet and found near unanimous negative reaction for this episode.  However, my appreciation was short lived, as it seems that after one episode, the blogosphere is hitting the panic button, fearing The Office is past its prime, and maybe should be put down like an injured thoroughbred.  Indeed, Cinemablend titled their recap, “NBC’s The Office Isn’t The Show It Used To Be.”

Relax.

Seriously. Relax.

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Filed under Analysis, Dunder Mifflin, this is Pam, Growing Pains, Must See TV, Saved by the Bell

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2009/10/15 · 11:12 am

Let’s Over-Analyze The Poster For the Final Season of LOST!

No, let’s not.  The poster is simple, but awesome.  The same style they used for the previous five seasons, just a little more epic.  Not really giving too much away, but certainly raising enough questions.

Lost Final Poster

It’s a little dark, but methinks it features all of our major past and present Lostaways, including the deceased, like Boone, Charlie, and Libby.  Oh, and all the way on the right, looks like Bernard and Rose.  Yes, please.  But who is that between Jack and Locke, right in the middle.  Desmond?  Hmmm.  And is Locke’s back turned?  I wonder…okay, sorry, enough.  Just get excited.

via Collider

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2009/10/14 · 6:38 pm

Best Year Ever For Members of The State, State Collaborators, and Titles Containing the Word ‘State’

Two Jumped the Snark favorites,  The State member Tom Lennon and friend of The State Rashida Jones, are working on two new, exciting projects (independently, of course.  Although I wouldn’t mind seeing them collaborate).

Tom Lennon

When news broke that Comedy Central canceled the long-running (dare I say institution?) Reno 911, (comedy geeks’) hearts were broken across the country (while Reno might have been growing a bit long in the tooth, it seemed like an odd time to cancel the show, considering that with the arrival of Michael and Michael Have Issues, the recent release of the long-awaited State DVD,  and the addition of State-alum to Joe Lo Truglio to the Reno cast, it seemed that The State-related projects were experiencing a wave of enthusiasm).  However, the demise of Reno stings a little less with the announcement that Tom Lennon has signed a deal to create and star in a yet untitled comedy for NBC (in addition, the plot is apparently “under wraps”  Unless it’s the story of the next generation iPhone, not sure if the secrecy is necessary).  Also unknown at this point is when NBC will cancel the show (let’s just hope it’s not a gritty cop drama).  Unless the show slots in on Thursday nights, looks like NBC might have to make space elsewhere for comedy (they might want to start with the 10pm slot; at the moment, this hour is devoid of comedy).  Additional good news is that frequent Lennon collaborator, fellow State and Reno member, Ben Garant will co-create and also appear on the show (let’s also hope it’s not a serialized version of the Lennon-Garant penned Night at the Museum films).  To celebrate, a State sketch!

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(and my list of the Top Ten The State sketches)

Keep reading! Rashida Jones!

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2009/10/12 · 4:54 pm

SNL Sketches Basically Just Mad Libs

Another ho-hum effort from SNL this past weekend.  Beyond the fact that Drew Barrymore has now hosted the show more times (6) than any other female (breaking her tie with Candice Bergen.  However, unlike the recent trading back and forth of the all-time host crown between Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, I don’t think Ms. Bergen will attempt to regain a share of the female lead anytime soon, especially as she hasn’t hosted in 19 years), there wasn’t much of import from this outing.  Over at EW, Ken Tucker has a pretty spot on assessment of the show, noting the best moments were Bill Hader’s guest spot on Weekend Update as the ragin’ cajun James Carville, and an ESPN Classic broadcast of a billiards tournament.  This sketch found Barrymore and Kristen Wiig in the authentic attire of the early 90s billiard world, loud shirts and well-coiffed pompadours, with Barrymore looking more like a black jack dealer than a billiards star.  However, the sketch was focused on the overeager commentators, Jason Sudeikis and Will Forte, and Sudeikis’ frequent plugs for the event sponsor, Tampax.  Maybe not great on a paper, but Sudeikis has a way to elevate the thinnest of material (not a Tampax pun).

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2009/10/09 · 7:35 pm

NBC to Replace ‘Southland’ With ‘Chuck?’

Well, no, not exactly, but according to Michael Ausiello the third season premiere of Chuck might be pushed up earlier than its initially scheduled March return.  With a new vacancy in the schedule (read: Southland) this sounds good to me.

Sure, I know what you’re thinking, “But I’ve never seen Chuck.  This doesn’t excite me.”   Well, you’re in luck, Hulu is streaming pilot.  So, no excuses.

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