Hey kids, you know what really sucked? Last weeks episode of Lost. And for once I’m not the only person who’s calling the show out for it. Not only have we finally started to realize that all of our biggest questions are never going to be answered, but producers/head writers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof have decided that they have no obligation at all to really answer their own questions. Guys, it’s one thing for your show to be badly written, but it’s another when you start acting like you’re too awesome for your own audience. (I’m looking at you, ““Every question I answer will simply lead to another question.”)
With only one episode left in it’s inaugural season, Community has managed to remain at the top of it’s game for over 22 episodes now. It’s also reached a comfortable spot where the writers feel that they can experiment with different types of non-sitcom formats and styles. Such is the case with tonight episode, which producers have promised is basically going to be a 25 minute paintball fight:
So, if you’re still not watching this show: Now is the time.
Chevy Chase drops by to deliver the "Happy Town" ratings to his old friend Sam Neill.
Catch ABC’s Happy Town last Wednesday? That’s okay, because most of the country didn’t either. In fact, according to UGO, only 5.2 million people tuned into Happy Town, which officially makes it the lowest rated new ABC show this year. Ouch.
And what did those 5.2 million think? Well, a quick glance at the IMDB message board for the show reveals lots of post subjects like “No denying it…they ARE ripping off Twin Peaks”, “Trying a little too hard to be like Twin Peaks”, and my personal favorite, “what the hell is twin peaks??” Honestly, all of these people are likely right. We’ve only seen the first episode of Happy Town so far, but it seems rather obvious that it’s trying to bank on the fact that most people don’t remember (or couldn’t figure out) the basic twists of Twin Peaks.
Happy Town airs tomorrow night at 10 PM EST. Care to place any bets on how much longer it’s going to stick around?
Quick reminder: Happy Town premieres on ABC tonight at 10PM EST. While I know that several of you don’t have the time to invest in yet another Lost inspired serial show, this might be one to catch. Despite the mostly mediocre early reviews, I find it hard to not want to watch any show that proudly claims to be a direct Twin Peaks rip off and star the amazing duo of talent that is Sam Neill and Steven Weber. Genius? I think so.
…but it could also really suck. Check out the extended promo for yourself below and let us know what you think after the show tonight.
Last week, out of the blue, I received the following text from my sister:
Stone and Parker are going to get murdered by the Muslims. I’m calling it.
I laughed it off at the time, but unfortunately a few days later it looks like she might be right. In case you missed it, and I’m not sure how that’s possible as this is now national news, Matt and Trey once again tried to get an image of Muhammad on their show…and once again Comedy Central went and screwed them over. In fact, I feel like this whole thing exploding is really Comedy Central’s fault. Especially when you consider that Matt and Trey have done it before in the season 5 episode “Super Best Friends”. Obviously, that episode aired before 9/11 (only by a few months), but isn’t it funny that out of all the shit that Comedy Central let’s Matt and Trey get away with, the one thing they won’t let them do is something that they already let them do?
Anyway, don’t bother looking for either episode as Comedy Central has removed both of them from their site. I can only imagine how they plan to screw up the Season 14 DVD release as well.
It was on this day, 20 years ago, that I can safely say that TV was redefined. If you’ve never seen Twin Peaks, you completely owe it to yourself to sit down and watch the first season. Fan of The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or more recently, Lost? Then why oh freakin’ why have you not watched Twin Peaks yet?! Seriously, people…
Set in the mysterious dark woods of Washington State, Twin Peaks centered around the murder of Laura Palmer. At it’s core, the show was nothing more than a whodunit, but those who would write it off as being too simple, obviously had no clue what was in store for them. With a cast that featured some of the craziest characters to ever grace prime time network TV (an eye patch wearing crazy woman, a dancing dwarf, a lady who carries around a log known simply to the town as “Log Lady”, and a spooky killer called BOB were just a few), the show flew in all sorts of funny, scary, and mostly just plain weird directions, which made it nearly impossible to predict. Oh, and did Imention a young David Duchovny has a memorable bit as a cross dressing FBI agent?
Yes, the show did kind of fizzle out after they solved the murder midway through the second season. And, yes, the movie that was supposed to tie up the loose ends was only more frustrating (and lacked most of the great TV cast), but 20 years later Twin Peaks is still must see TV at it’s absolute finest. I’d tell you to Netflix it, but why bother when you can buy it? Do it.
Now.
Twin Peaks
Season 1 Rating:
10 out of 10
Season 2 Rating:
9 out of 10
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Rating:
7 out of 10
I, like all right-thinking people, love Futurama. It’s up there with Mystery Science Theater 3000 as one of the best shows to ever grace the air waves. So when they recently got the band back together for four direct to DVD movies, I was pretty psyched.
But here’s a secret for you. It’s not one I like to spread around, so lean in close now…
…
The movies weren’t very good.
I know! I shouldn’t look a “gift space cow” in the mouth, but the movies were far inferior to any episode of the show. I think it was partly due to the difficulties inherent in adapting a TV show into a movie, and partly due to the fact that each movie only had one or two writers, as opposed to the entire writer’s room worth of ideas the series had.
Either way, the DVDs were a success and the show is returning with new episodes on Comedy Central this June! I’m a little wary, but very excited to see it return to the more familiar format. And while this teaser isn’t particularly funny (same joke they did in the first comeback movie), you should still watch it and get your expectations unreasonably high with me!
Sorry for the late post, kids. I’m still reeling from the soul-crushingly bad Oscar telecast last night. Logan and I have discussed it and we’re going to live blog the Westminster Dog Show instead next year.
Anywho, just wanted to do a quick check-in on how we’re feeling about the death reel this year. Like many, I’m wondering why Farrah Fawcett was snubbed, but my real question is whether Michael Jackson deserve to be included. Sure he’s one of the most famous people on Earth and it’s sad that he died. But it was sad when my cat died too, and Lady Scratchmeister didn’t get an Oscar mention. Because she didn’t work in movies.
Say what you want about Farrah, but she had a legit film career that included a Golden Globe nomination. Other than The Wiz, Jackson didn’t really do anything that wasn’t a cameo, music video, or vanity project. Sure, if we’re honoring publicists anyway, throw in MJ while you’re at it. But at the expense of Farrah and Bea Arthur? I don’t get it.
Just a friendly reminder to mark your calendars tomorrow for the Oscars and the Critical End! Oscar Live Blog. Use the handy sign-up form to your right if you want an email alert when it’s about to start.
Until then, make your last-minute Oscar pool picks and enjoy the ludicrous eyewear of Steve Martin.
I can list all sorts of reason why this clip isn’t worth watching (Just a few: New SNL needs a laugh track to make it even appear funny, I’m still waiting for them to stop promoting Obama and start making fun of him, and there’s a blatant political agenda behind this entire video), but I can list one very solid reason why it’s completely worth watching. It begins around 3:50 if you just want to skip ahead…I’d reccomend it.
For comedy that is actually funny, please don’t forget NBC’s Community returns tonight at 8!
That’s right, kids, we’re at it again. This Sunday (5PT/8ET on ABC) the Oscars will once again invade your TV and we’ll be there to yammer on about it for the second time in a row.
The way it works is simple. When you sit down to watch the awards, make sure you’ve got your laptop (or mobile device!) tuned to this site where you’ll find running commentary by me and Logan for the entirety of the broadcast. Check out the snazzy replay of last year’s event to get the idea.
Don’t have someone to enjoy the show with? Join us and post your comments! (Comment posting should work a lot smoother this year.) Do have someone to enjoy the show with? Ignore them and hang out with us instead.
Want to be reminded when the live blog gets close? Use the handy form below. Love rhetorical questions? So do we!
It's like "Shutter Island", but without the Northern accents.
Tomorrow on the podcast you’ll get to hear our thoughts on this week’s box-office hit Shutter Island. Best start warming up those mp3 players! Until then, plan on spending some time on the only island that’s even more mysterious on tonight’s all new Lost! Get caught up by checking out IGN’s excellent article on what the numbers might mean.
The best part about this video is that you start off thinking Patrick Stewart is going to rail against technology, but he ends up composing his own very personal love letter to it. Take the two minutes, it’s supremely satisfying.
