Category: TELEVISION

REVIEW: Community

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Most people know that when I find a new tv show, I move to the “obsession stage” pretty damn fast. In fact, every show I have ever watched loyally qualifies as an obsession, because I am not going to waste an hour of precious tv time on something I merely “like.” Well, I am proud to introduce the newest inductee into my Television Obsession Museum, NBC’s Community.

You know that moment when you’re perusing the New Releases section at Target, Best Buy, etc. and there’s something on sale for half its original price and an alarm starts blaring through your head, “MUST HAVE. MUST HAVE”? I had one of those this weekend. I have heard nothing but good things about Community and season 1 was on sale for $14.99. That’s a steal this tv lover just cannot pass up.

Community is centers on a group of seven students, who through various circumstances are attending Greendale Community College in the fictional Greendale, Colorado. The series’ protagonist (or antagonist, depending which way you look at it) is Jeff Winger (Joel McHale), a 30-something ex-lawyer who is forced to go back to college after his degree is revealed as fake. On his first day at Greendale, he accidentally forms a study group in his attempt to pursue Britta (Gillian Jacobs). Other fellow students, Annie (Alison Brie), Troy (Donald Glover), Abed (Danny Pudi), Shirly (Yvette Nicole Brown) and Pierce (Chevy Chase).

The show is very cleverly written and frequently uses pop-culture references. Most of the humor is from sarcasm and one-liners. It reminds me of a less raunchy Misfits.

And I may be only 13 episodes in, but I have already found my OTP: Jeff & Annie. After the couple made the finals of E!Online’s tv couple showdown poll, I had planned to look them up on YouTube, but never got around to it. Watching the first episode, I just couldn’t picture them working as a power couple. Their personalities majorly clash, they’ve got at least a 10 year age difference and he seemed 100 percent into Britta. But after episode 1×09, “Debate 109”, my mind has completely changed. I freaking love them.

As soon as I’m sure I cannot add another show to my weekly tv schedule, something will come along that forces me to make yet another adjustment. Sadly, Community will probably not bump The Vampire Diaries for my Thursday 7 p.m. slot, but it will definitely be my first iTunes download come Friday morning.

RECAP: Glee, A Night of Neglect

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And the television return week of mediocrity continues. Tonight’s Glee was the epitome of a filler episode. The plot was not moved forward in any way. It wasn’t particularly funny. And I’m guessing this episode could have been completely scrapped if need be. It was basically an excuse to have Gwyneth back and for her to cover Adele, but I will get to that later. The episode pretty much set up future episodes which I assume will include: Kurt’s return to McKinley, Santana & Karofsky coming-out parties and Wemma /Finchel reunions. Oh joy.

Tina, Mike, Artie & Brittany are McKinley High’s academic decathlon team and by some miracle they have advanced to the next round. But since the school won’t pay for the competition, they have been selling taffy. Will comes up with a better idea of the glee club doing a fundraiser / showcase featuring artists who are often forgotten about, thus the name, “A Night of Neglect.” Lauren helps Mercedes see that as ND’s resident diva she needs to start acting like one. Mercedes creates a colorful rider including a bowl of green M&Ms and a puppy for her to dry her hands on. Creepy? Meanwhile, Sunshine returns to McKinley offering to help support their benefit. This all ends up being a ruse, however, and leaves them high and dry on performance night, leaving ND to pick up the pieces and get the night back on track. Oh and we learn that Blaine needs anger management therapy. Seriously, the dude get riled up extremely easily.

Behind the scenes, Sue recruits Terri, Sandy and Dustin Goolsby to be a part of what she calls the Legion of Doom under the code names of General Zod, Honey Badger, Pink Dagger and Sergeant Handsome. Their mission? What else, bring down the glee club.

The Good

  • Fuinn: They were practically nonexistent, minus the shoulder-rest shot during the last five minutes. But at least RIB didn’t rip them a new one to promote Finchel, so this Fuinn fan is satisfied.
  • Bubble Toes: Harry Shum Jr. is a fantastic dancer and his very Fred Astaire-esque performance tonight was just as expected.
  • Buh-bye Holly: Last episode for Gwyneth. Halle-freaking-lujah. I enjoyed The Substitute, but Sexy and this episode were overkill.
The Meh
  • The Legion of Doom & The Heckling Squad: The Legion of Doom wasn’t intimidating and Sue’s new club seemed like an excuse to get Jacob & Becky some screentime. I am glad Terri’s back, though. I missed that psycho-bitch. And Dustin Goolsby made for an interesting addition. He did make for most of the comedy tonight. I would, however, be in favor of a Legion of Doom spin-off. I think it could be freaking hilarious.
  • Sunshine: Her presence had no point. If her scenes had been cut it wouldn’t have made a difference. Her cover was only satisfactory and the girl definitely has some pipes.
The Bad
  • Tina’s “solo”: Can Tina please be allowed to finish an entire song without breaking down in tears, please?! Jenna Ushkowitz has an amazing voice and she’s already underused. And she did a kick-ass job at covering Lykke Li.
  • D-I-V-A: Personally, I thought Mercedes’ actions tonight were completely out-of-character. Sure, she’s the resident “diva”, but she’s never treated her fellow glee club members with that much disrespect. But at least RIB are moving away from storylines dominated by food…
  • Turning Tables: Adele is a singer that Glee just shouldn’t touch. She has such a unique voice (much like Florence + the Machine) that a successful cover has to be pretty much the bomb dot com. And this wasn’t. I would also hardly call her a neglected artist. Her album “21” is #1 on iTunes…
Next week’s episode, Born This Way, will be a 90-minute special (obviously in honor of my 21st birthday, holla!) and will feature, you guessed it, Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” This episode will supposedly be big for Klaine, Santana & Karofsky. Maybe a coming-out party or two will also be celebrated next week?
Quotables from the episode…
Dustin: I’m handsome, I’m good-looking and I’m easy on the eyes. Also, I’m gorgeous.
Dustin: This hairline is 85 percent my own and my sperm count is off the charts.
Puck: [to Will about the decathlon team] Do you say that because two of them are Asian and Artie wears glasses?

RECAP: 90210, The Enchanted Donkey

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Oh, 90210, how I have missed thee. I have anxiously awaited your return, but I’ve got to say, this episode was lackluster. Come on, Annie gets bitten by a monkey. Were you really that desperate for storylines Rebecca Rand Kirshner? The gang travels to Cabo for spring break to relax and forget their troubles. But in true teenage drama fashion, their problems follow them to the tropical paradise…

What I Floved…

  • Liam proves he is the best boyfriend ever: You don’t meet many guys who are willing to find a mariachi band to personally cheer you up and get up at 7:30 a.m. during spring break, you just don’t.
  • Teddy wants a relationship: After his little stint with his ex-roommate / Aquaman from Smallville, Teddy realizes he is tired of the endless string of one-night-stands and wants to be in a committed relationship. Tripp and Teddy also looked like brothers, that was kind of disturbing. I’d rather his real relationship be with Ian, but since the writers decided to write off one of their best characters, I’ll settle for Marco.
What I Was Indifferent About…
  • Ivy & Dixon: Ivy is addicted to pot. Dixon doesn’t have storyline. In my opinion, these two characters are just taking up valuable screentime at this point. Give them a good character arc before you waste my time.
  • Naomi & Max: Even though Max is by far my favorite love interest for Naomi to date, their relationship is a typical pairing that’s been overdone. It’s basically an episode of Beauty and the Geek. They need more drama before I will invest interest in them.
What I Could Have Done Without…
  • Adrianna / Navid / Silver: It’s about to be a what? Girl fight! The only tolerable moment of this wretched storyline tonight was Navid admitting that he wasn’t worth them losing a friendship. I completely agree with you here, Navid. You are not worth all of this. I wanted to throw up when Silver said she was falling in love with him (by the way, that swimsuit was ugly). And for a minute, I truly thought that all had been forgiven and this triangle from hell was finally over. But of course not. We’re just going to drag this out as long as possible. And now PsychoAdrianna is messing with Silver’s bipolar meds to get her revenge? This is really a new low, 90210, I can’t wait to see what the show will look like next season without the stench of RRK. Bring back the Navianna & Sixon!
Season three started out so great that I am a little disappointed in where these last episodes seem to be going. But this season is still miles better than season two. But at this point, I’m not sure that’s even an accomplishment. However, 90210 is still my ultimate guilty pleasure show and I will continue to be a loyal fan. Damn my dedication.

Quotables from the episode:

Annie: I don’t understand, I thought you hated all this stuff.
Liam: I may not be a guy who loves churros and swimming with dolphins, but I’m a guy who loves a girl who loves churros and swimming with dolphins.

Liam: Sushi in Mexico? That ends badly.

Naomi: Who needs water when we’ve got margaritas?

Seven Favorite TV Bromances

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When you think of television BFFs, it’s common that the strongest non-romantic relationship on a show will be between two females (i.e. Brooke & Peyton, Blair & Serena, all the girls from Sex and the City, etc.)  Then you’ll find the pesky male-female friendships that almost always turn romantic. And last but not least, there is the bromance. I for one love bromances. I find nothing more entertaining than two guys dishing out their feelings and crying on each other’s shoulders. It’s guy love, that’s all it is. In no particular order, here are my favorite television male-male platonic friendships. [Again, language warning for the Skins dialogue]

 

Tony Stonem & Sid Jenkins / James Cook & Freddie McLair, Skins (UK)

I just couldn’t separate these two because their friendships are very similar and I love them equally. Both Tony & Sid and Cook & Freddie are odd pairs, one typically gets used as a doormat (Sid & Freddie) for the other (Tony & Cook) and their friendship is rocked by the fact that they are both in love with the same girl, Michelle & Effy. They seem at odds the majority of the time and they don’t mind throwing/taking a punch every now and then. But their make-up scenes are always precious and they aren’t afraid to drop the L-bomb to each other. Aw. And besides, everything sounds better in English accents.

your bromance is showing…

Tony: Three things, Sid. One. Get rid of the hat. Two. I always loved you the best, Sid. Three…I can’t think of a three. [Tony hugs him]

Cook: [after Freddie head butts him] I really fucking love you, you bastard.


Cory Matthews & Shawn Hunter, Boy Meets World

Even though Shawn was essentially the third-wheel to the Cory & Topanga wagon for the majority of their lives, it never seemed that way. These perpetual class clowns have kept their friendship strong despite romantic complications, cultural differences and even psychotic nightmares. What’s left to say about this pair, really? Besties, cradle to grave.

your bromance is showing…

Cory: What do I do now?

Amy: Go find the person you love.

Cory: That would be Shawn.


Mark Sloan & Derek Shepherd, Grey’s Anatomy

You’d think that Mark sleeping with Derek’s wife and essentially ruining their marriage would have been the be-all end-all of this friendship. It definitely took a while to get there, but now the pair is back and bringing the man love in full force. The fact that they both have great hair and are charming as hell should be enough to warrant a friendship. And if Mark ends up marrying Lexie, they’ll actually have a legit “bro”mance.

your bromance is showing…

Mark: I thought it was just going to be you and me. I have been patient. I have waited when you partnered up with these chicks, but now they’re over. And it’s supposed to be just us. You and me; two guys on the prowl, on the hunt. Women are everywhere. I only have one person I can talk to.

Derek: That’s sweet.

Mark: Shut up.

Derek: No, it’s really warm and fuzzy.


Ryan Atwood & Seth Cohen, The O.C.

When Ryan became the Cohens surrogate son, not only did they both get a brother in the process, they got a best friend. Kid from the wrong side of the tracks + the geeky comic book nerd = true bromance. These two even each other out perfectly. Ryan’s the quiet, brooding one and Seth’s the guy you can’t shut up. Ryan has a tendency to punch people and Seth talks to his plastic horse, Captain Oats. Match made in heaven? I think so.

your bromance is showing…

Ryan: Well, you know, I’m not going. So if you want to hang out, rent a movie…

Seth: Ryan, I love you. But if I have to spend my senior prom playing video games with you, I’m going to kill myself.


Aidan McCollin & Josh Radcliff, Being Human (North America)

Unlike Edward and Jacob, this werewolf / vampire duo have managed to become best friends. Sure, their friendship has seriously been tested, they are rival mythical creatures for crying out loud. And they fight with each other like an old married couple, but when one of them is in need, the other is always there.

your bromance is showing…

Aidan: Does your mom cook with garlic?

Josh: Seriously? Is that a thing? For real?

Aidan: Yes or no Josh?!

Josh: I guess so. Does it kill you?

Aidan: No, no it doesn’t. It just makes us, us.

Josh: Okay, so stop being you! How do we do that?

Aidan: Feverfew.

Josh: Is that a band?

Aidan: It’s an herb, Josh!


J.D. & Turk, Scrubs

In many ways when these two are together they digress back to school boys. They congratulate each other for their sexual conquests. They have matching friendship bracelets. They call each other Vanilla Bear and Chocolate Bear. And they have their own song.

your bromance is showing…

Turk: It sounds like you’re asking me out on a man date.

J.D.: Turk, why are you so afraid of loving me?

Four HBIC with Big Hearts

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Every television show has them: the bitchy popular girl a la Regina George who rules the school and makes the lives of others a living hell. They get what they want when they want and typically have a picture-perfect life from the outside. You’re meant to hate them right along with everyone else, but in the end, you can’t help but love them. Because on the inside, the part of them very few ever see, these girls are vulnerable, insecure and just want to be accepted like everyone else.

4. Blair Waldorf, Gossip Girl

at her bitchiest: Since we’re not friends anymore let me speak frankly, you’re not that smart. You lack focus and discipline. Charm is all well and good but in the real world knowledge is power. You wouldn’t make it past the first round of admissions at Yale no matter how hard you tried. Have fun in Providence.

at her best: I really need my friend right now. I’ve been acting like I’m okay, but I’m not. They say it’s a broken heart, but… I hurt in my whole body.

3. Mini McGuinness, Skins

at her bitchiest: I hope you die puking up your kidneys. Bitch.

at her best: I’ve been a complete bitch. To you all. Some more than others. And I’m really sorry. It’s just… well, you’re all so cool and alternative, and when I’m with you I feel like a bit like… Nicola Roberts. She’s the plain one in Girls Aloud.

2. Brooke Davis, One Tree Hill

at her bitchiest: Okay, guy in need of a clue. Here’s one. Women send signals. That was a brush off. Before you dip into your shallow pool of wit, let me paint us a picture and save us both the trouble. Here’s your evening. You are going to slink back off to your buddies, laugh this off, get wasted, go home, and make nice with yourself. But don’t be thinking of me, because even your fantasy of me, isn’t interested in you.

at her best: There’s a day when you realize that you’re not just a survivior, you’re a warrior. You’re tougher than anything life throws your way, and you are.

1. Quinn Fabray, Glee

at her bitchiest: Are you an idiot? How am I supposed to trust you to take care of our baby when you can’t even figure out how to sell a damn cupcake?

at her best: I can’t do this. This year is about me and don’t say that I am selfish because you have no idea how much I’ve been through. I’ve been down this path before, I know this feeling…like I need you. Duets don’t work for me and I don’t need you. What I need is to find a way to keep Santana off my heels, what I need is to find a way to torture Rachel and I need to start learning to ignore people.

RECAP: Grey’s Anatomy, Song Beneath the Song

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I hope I am not the only one who cringed through the entire musical episode of Grey’s Anatomy. I haven’t been a Callie fan since the George-Izzie debacle, so an entire episode devoted to her didn’t make me happy to begin with. And just a note to writers and tv creators alike: just because you have cast members who can sing, that doesn’t mean you should do a musical episode. I sincerely hope no other shows jump on this bandwagon, I don’t know how many hours of this I could stand.

Okay, so the things that didn’t work:

1. Owen’s voice. As soon as he started singing in “Chasing Cars” I wanted to stuff a sock in his mouth. And after his intro into “How to Save a Life,” seriously, GTFO my screen.

2. Everyone was trying too hard. If you’re going to do something like this, it needs to be in jest. Take Scrubs for example. “My Musical” is probably my favorite episode of Scrubs ever. I distinctly remember choking on a mouthful of Diet Pepsi after the first line of “Everything Comes Down to Poo.” The intense burning in my trachea and soda soaked computer screen was worth it. The episode was hilarious. No one was trying to be a good singer and quite frankly (with the exception of the patient) no one was. But the cast of Scrubs still managed to pull off an entertaining musical episode. In this situation, I’d say that only Chandra Wilson & Sara Ramirez had tolerable voices, Chyler Leigh was middle of the road and everyone else…well, it’s a good thing they’re actors not singers.

3. 10 Songs. Glee won’t even do that many in a single episode. And THAT’S saying something. There was hardly any downtime between songs and when they are that craptastic WE. NEED. SPACE.

4. Callie lives. I hate when shows put characters in life or death situations when we already know what the outcome is going to be. Shonda would never kill off Callie, she’s one-half of a power couple. It’s like when Derek got shot last year. Sure, it was tragic and certainly surprising, but we all knew he was going to live. Grey’s ratings would plummet without its token McDreamy.

Was it a total waste of an hour? Meh. I guess I was pretty happy that Addison was back, I love Scott Foley and Lexie and Mark had some interactions that were just adorbs. But when I feel the impulsive need to tweet my opinions that are boiling up in my head, that is generally a bad sign.

My consensus? Grey’s, that was interesting, but for the love of God, do not do it again.