The Crazy Ones: Love Sucks

The Crazy Ones: Love Sucks
CBS
April 10, 2014
Sitcom
Download
C

Obviously the only reason my at that point two-decades-divorced ex-husband downloaded this for me was because I really wanted to see Williams & Dawber reunite.  The thing is, it's not that interesting a show, even their scenes.  It's just OK, and I doubt I'd ever want to watch another episode, but if I did, it wouldn't kill me.  The backstory to the episode is more interesting, including that Williams would die that August.

Note that Brad Garrett was Doug on Roseanne over twenty years before playing Gordon Lewis here, but is of course most famous for Everybody Loves Raymond.

Ace of Cakes: 30 Rock (And Roll)

Ace of Cakes: 30 Rock (And Roll)
Food Network
July 15, 2010
Reality TV
DVD
C

The far from fascinating saga of how Chef Duff and his crew made two cakes for 30 Rock: Grizz & Feyonce's wedding cake and a Meat Cat cake for the Season Four wrap party.  I'm tagging 30 Rock because we do get to see a bit of the season finale.

30 Rock: Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001

30 Rock: Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001
NBC
December 3, 2009
Sitcom
DVD
C

Devon Banks calls Jack and makes him insecure enough to make Liz insecure about her new talk show.  And meanwhile Tracy decides to go for EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony).  This Kay Cannon story would've been a C- if not for Frank becoming Liz in her absence.

Ali Reza's last 30 Rock appearance is as Yakov.  John Anderson makes his first of five appearances as Liz's fantasy husband Astronaut Mike Dexter.  Sherri Shepherd returns as Angie.  Sue Galloway plays Sue.  And Kristian Alfonso, here in her most famous role of Days of Our Lives' Hope Brady, had had a series-changing role on Who's the Boss?, playing Tony's girlfriend Frankie, who makes Angela realize her love for Tony.  And I'm unable to tag Whoopi Goldberg this time.

30 Rock: Sun Tea

30 Rock: Sun Tea
NBC
November 19, 2009
Sitcom
DVD
C

This episode, the first of seven written by Dylan Morgan and Josh Siegal, is best symbolized either by Al Gore returning and telling us why it's important to recycle jokes, or by the title, which is Frank's term for the urine he collects in jars.  Liz moves in with a cool gay cop, but only so she can drive him away and she can buy his apartment when the building goes condo, and she actually uses "sun tea" to achieve her goal.  Meanwhile both Jack and Tracy consider getting vasectomies but don't go through with it, mostly so the series can go on to make them have baby daughters that they'll neglect (Tracy's in particular).  I would've given a C- if not for the Cosby Show parody.

Marceline Hugot returns as Kathy Geiss, while Rip Torn's actual son Tony plays Bertram Geiss, presumably the father of Don Geiss's grandchildren.  Bobb'e J. Thompson returns as Tracy, Jr., and impacts the plot.  Exercise Woman Kristin McGee would next be seen as Kaitlin.  And Sue Galloway is Sue.

The Big Bang Theory: The Peanut Reaction

The Big Bang Theory: The Peanut Reaction
CBS
May 12, 2008
Sitcom
DVD
C

Not even the return of Vernee Watson as Althea can make me care about this story by Aronsohn & Prady, teleplay by Goetsch & Molaro, where Penny convinces Leonard's friends to throw him a surprise party, and Howard fakes and then actually has a reaction to eating peanuts in order to keep Leonard from going home.  For one thing, they could've thrown the party at Penny's, and the episode could've had a different focus.

30 Rock: The Source Awards

30 Rock: The Source Awards
NBC
March 1, 2007
Sitcom
DVD
C

This episode, written by Robert Carlock and a writer who didn't do any other of my shows, is the least funny so far, despite the presence of Wayne Brady as Steven Black, a man who refuses to believe that it's incompatibility rather than race that makes Liz not like him.  A lot of the jokes just don't land for me, although Jack's winery being bad had potential.

Elijah Isaiah Cook is Young Tracy for the first of two times that year.  French Dude Guy Bayo would later be Guy (or perhaps a Guy).  Ghostface Killah again appears as himself.  A member of the onscreen Production Staff is of course played by Frank Anello.  We get a quick glimpse of Floyd, whom Liz still refers to as "Flower Guy."  Pete and most of the writers are absent.

Mansfield Park

Modest and unassuming

Mansfield Park
ITV
27 January 2007
Historical Drama, Romance
DVD
C

Well, this is at least better than the 1999 Patricia Rozema big-screen travesty.  The truth is, no one wants to present Jane Austen's Fanny Price.  (The '83 TV-movie is better but does have the heroine hearing voices in her head.)  Much more than Emma Woodehouse, she's a heroine that (almost) no one but the author likes.  What's peculiar here though is how literal the title is.  Not only don't we see Portsmouth or London (even in flashbacks), but there's no Sotherton or even parsonage.  Every scene, whether it makes sense for it to happen this way or not, takes place in the mansion or grounds of Sir Thomas's estate.

A similar skimpiness means that supporting characters are erased, not just most of Fanny's family but the Grants, Mr. Yates, and anyone not absolutely necessary to the main action.  Even characters we see onscreen we don't necessarily get to know at all, and that includes Maria and Julia.  And then there are the characters who are simply misunderstood: a shrewd Lady Bertram and a slightly annoying but oddly attractive Mrs. Norris being the most obvious.

Which brings us back to Fanny.  Now, I'm not saying there might not be roles where a romping, laughing, bleached-blonde, pouty-lipped, cleavage-baring Billie Piper would be welcome (and not just Dr. Who or, going by her looks, porn), but this isn't one of them.  As always, when the shy, judgmental, but loving Fanny of the book is replaced by an impostor, I have to ask, to what purpose?  If she's perfectly capable of mouthing off to Mrs. Norris, or seeming to welcome Henry Crawford's attentions, then don't have dialogue that contradicts this.

What works here?  The costumes, sets, and music are serviceable.  Much of the dialogue remains intact.  Blake Ritson is quite good, until we get up to the Edmund-gets-twitterpated-with-love-for-Fanny sequence.  Still, I wasn't laughing bitterly like I was at the Jane Eyre adaptation of '97.  Verdict: for completists.

James D'Arcy is almost unrecognizable here as the dissolute but redeemable Tom Bertram, the polar opposite of his villainously priggish Blifil in '97's Tom Jones.  This adaptation is by Maggie Wadey, and the direction is by Iain B. McDonald, neither of whom worked on any other of my shows.

30 Rock: Jack the Writer

"Who's that lady?"

30 Rock: Jack the Writer
NBC
November 1, 2006
Sitcom
DVD
C

Robert Carlock's first of 26 30 Rock stories just doesn't work for me.  Not that it doesn't have its moments-- including references to not only Donald Trump but Jeb Bush-- but it kept irritating or boring me.  Tracy bossing around Kenneth was forgettable, although later this thread would be taken to sometimes entertainingly ridiculous limits.  The subplot of Liz policing Cerie's wardrobe so the mostly male writers wouldn't be distracted was as uncomfortable to watch as it looks like it was uncomfortable for Fey to perform, and the writers later laughing at Liz in an outfit Cerie picked out for her was just cruel.  As for Jack trying to sit in and contribute to the writing sessions, this had potential, but it just made me end up liking Jack less, especially when he simultaneously insults and quietly apologizes to Liz in front of two mucky-mucks.

Sharon Wilkins, who doesn't get any lines, just one moment, as Tracy's wife Angie, would be replaced by the much more vivid Sherri Shepherd.  Tom Broecker again plays Lee the costumer.  Jenna is absent again, although she's mentioned.  Mancuso had directed over 50 Roseanne episodes and seven for the last season of Ellen; this is her first of eight for 30 Rock.

The Daily Show: Trail and Tribulations

The Daily Show: Trail and Tribulations
Comedy Central
October 9, 2003
News Comedy Show
DVD
C

This time it's Steve Carell acting like an idiot, rather than covering the Howard Dean campaign.

The Daily Show: Democratic Debate in NY

The Daily Show: Democratic Debate in NY
Comedy Central
September 29, 2003
News Comedy Show
DVD
C

This is less about the debate than about Corddry acting like an idiot.

Fruits Basket: Prince Yuki Fan Club

The closest this episode approaches to
humor, with Motoko's mother nagging her.

Fruits Basket: Prince Yuki Fan Club
TV Tokyo
May 27, 2003
Anime, Fantasy
DVD
C

This episode focuses on Motoko, the president of the title club.  We see some of Yuki and a bit of Tohru, but it's basically about this girl's obsession.  At the end, it almost looks like she's developed some self-awareness, and then it turns out that she's just as blind as ever.

Fruits Basket: Here Comes Kagura!

Fruits Basket: Here Comes Kagura!
TV Tokyo
October 29, 2002
Anime, Fantasy
DVD
C

Meredith McCoy does the voice of Kagura Sohma, a girl who transforms into a boar when she hugs a male, except for her male cousins.  Her voice-acting is fine but I do have issues with this character and how she's presented, here and in the manga.  Since childhood, she's been obsessively "in love" with Kyo, which she demonstrates by speaking of how they'll be married someday, and by bullying him, sometimes simultaneously.  Everyone, except the furious and scared Kyo, acts as if this is at worst annoying and at best, as in Tohru's case, sweet and touching.  It's played for laughs but it is abuse.  Still, I won't go lower on the grade because there are some nice character moments, between Tohru and Kyo, and even Tohru and Kagura.

Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter

Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter

"American Public Television"

December 10, 2001

Documentary

DVD
C

So-so tie-in for the release of the first HP movie, this has the myths and history that inspired (or might've inspired) J.K. Rowling.  Narrated by Hugh Laurie, whose chum Stephen Fry was narrating the audiobooks.

Whose Line Is It Anyway?: U.S. Episode 2.17

Duet, one of the better games.

Whose Line Is It Anyway?: U.S. Episode 2.17
ABC
December 16, 1999
Improv Game Show
VHS
C

Too many "The points don't matter" lines, too much cross-promotion of The Drew Carey Show, and too many jokes about prison rape.  And so end the 1990s in my television collection.

Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Episode 7.7

Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Episode 7.7
Channel Four
8 September 1995
Improv Game Show
VHS
C

The other formerly missing episode features Eddie Izzard and never seems to get going.  This doesn't really affect the C+ the average for Series Seven though.

Mad About You: Yoko Said

David Steinberg directs a bed-in.

Mad About You: Yoko Said
NBC
November 12, 1995
Sitcom
VHS
C

Well, before we leave the '90s behind, it's time to go through my unlabeled videocassettes.  This story co-written by Reiser isn't average because of Yoko but because of what's done with her appearance.  Paul stresses out and fasts and Yoko is more casual.  And some of the jokes fall flat.  I almost went with a C+ because it's interesting that this episode exists (and I had the feeling I had it on tape somewhere), but it's kind of meh in actuality.

His and Her Circumstances: 14 Days, Part 6

His and Her Circumstances: 14 Days, Part 6
TV Tokyo
March 26, 1999
Anime, Romance
DVD
C

Yes, there's a Part 6 and, no, we don't get any real closure for the series:

• Arima's dark side darkens so Tonami decides to really befriend him;
• Tonami realizes that his plans for revenge have changed and he's attracted to Tsubaki;
• Arima and Yukino still haven't really processed that their relationship is now sexual, or for that matter the fallout of "being their real selves and pursuing their true happiness";
• We don't even see the damn play that Aya wrote!

His and Her Circumstances ranges from a B+ premiere to 2 C-s, averaging out to a B-.  It reminds me a little of Wait Till Your Father Gets Home, in that it's an animated show that starts strong but loses its way, although the decline is more dramatic here of course.  As I recall, the manga went beyond this point and gave a real sense of closure, in fact SPOILER showing Arima and Yukino as married with a teenage daughter.  It's disappointing that the focus couldn't stay on the main couple here, not that side characters are a bad thing, but they should remain on the side.  I'll compare and contrast this with the other anime I have the complete collection of, Fruits Basket, when we get there.

His and Her Circumstances: 14 Days, Part 5

His and Her Circumstances: 14 Days, Part 5
TV Tokyo
March 5, 1999
Anime, Romance
DVD
C

Plans for the Culture Fest continue, as do Tonami's plans for revenge.  Oh, and Yukino thinks kendo is sexy until she smells Arima after practice.  I think I was planning to give this a C+ but the fact that I completely forgot about watching it last night means a C makes more sense.

His and Her Circumstances: 14 Days, Part 3

Aya

His and Her Circumstances: 14 Days, Part 3
TV Tokyo
February 19, 1999
Anime, Romance
DVD
C

Aya bribes Tsubasa and pressures Yukino and Maho to perform in her play, which is futuristic sci-fi about androids and their inventor.  Meanwhile, Tonami doesn't want Sakura to know who he is so that he can enact his revenge against her.  And Yukino goes along with it because she can relate to Tonami's remaking of himself.  So much for the girl-bonding.

Ellen: When Ellen Talks, People Listen

Ed Begley, Jr. as himself

Ellen: When Ellen Talks, People Listen
ABC
July 15, 1998
Sitcom
DVD
C

Mike Larsen wrote this pointless episode in which he plays the Paper Suit Guy.  It's set at the radio station (KPOV), so Kevin McDonald and Susan Norfleet return as Chuck and Julie.  Ellen speaks out on her radio show about how people aren't willing to help each other, so she strikes a chord, transforming L.A. and helping Paige meet a nice guy played by Judge Reinhold.  But the experience sours and we're left with a message of what?  We should reach out to each other even though it'll probably go badly?  Someone else might've made this darkly funny, or at least sharpened the Begley self-parody, but it's understandable why this first aired during the summer.  (It's the penultimate episode.)

Old Woman Amzie Strickland was already playing old on two episodes of The Bob Newhart Show and one episode of Three's Company (as Gladys Moore, "Jack's Other Mother"), and she was on That Girl twice.  Diana Theodore, who had an unknown role on Roseanne in 1995, plays a Young Woman here.  And, yes, that's Jane Brucker being marginally funnier than she was on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, here playing the news reporter Mimi Samuel.