Friday, May 11, 2007

Thursday's terrific TV

My Name is Earl: This show continues to abuse sitcom cliches, yet still make them work in their sweet, twisted way. The season finale's cliffhanger saw Earl taking the fall for Joy and going to jail for her. As sad as those final images were (Joy and family praying for "old daddy", Randy all alone, Earl turning in his list), I have a feeling that it will lead to some funny material to kick off next season. Especially given that we saw Earl is bunking with old partner-in-crime Ralph. As has been lately, Joy provided the funniest moments of the episode (loved her inadvertantly turning herself in to Dog the Bounty Hunter). But, Joy's deaf lawyer's interpreter, Doug, has been increasingly hilarious as the season went on. Here's hoping they find a way to bring him back next season as well.

The Office: What makes this show so great was all evident in this episode. You had that wonderful mix of delightfully funny and awkwardly uncomfortable moments. How adorable was it seeing seeing the entire staff sing "The Gambler" in the bus? Then, we got an encore at the end with their rendition of The Flintstones. I loved seeing a motivated Stanley, even if it was only fleeting. They need to find more ways to get him excited. Once again, I have to say "Poor Toby". He gets left behind on Beach Day and he's stuck at the office missing out on Pam in her two-piece. I loved Dwight and Jim's Harry Potter banter, although I'm sure those jokes were lost on non-readers. Kelly's comparison of Bob Hope to Amanda Bynes and Michael's going along with it also had me in stiches.

But of course, the main thing about this episode is our little Pam Beasley finally growing a backbone, and all it took was a walk through hot coals. Man, she really unloaded there and I was not expecting that at all. She said everything that the Jammers have been wanting her to say for so long. And now what will be the fallout. Does her comments make Jim want to stay or try that much harder to get that corporate job? (He certainly wasn't interested in Michael's job, that's for sure). Can't wait for the finale. Is it next Thursday yet?

Survivor: As predicted, things got downright messy now that we are down to only the flimsy alliance of six. For as strong as they were to get there in tact, they sure are willing to throw away alliances in a heartbeat and that was seen again this week. Things got complicated once Yau won the car challenge and then gave it to Dreamz in return for his promise to give him immunity if they make it to the final four. Dreamz, in his usual act first, think way later mentality, realized after the fact that this was Yau using Jedi mind tricks to prevent him from making the top three. This caused Dreamz to start finding a way for Yau not to make it to the final four. All the while, the plan was still to eliminate Boo. That is, until he won immunity. Doh. Dreamz then convinced everyone but Earl to vote for Yau. Too bad Stacy lacked subtlety and basically tipped off Yau that he was going. Yau then cashed in his immunity necklack and it was Stacy who went instead in a proper kharmic send-off. We're now down to five and the finale is Sunday. My money is still on Earl to win, but really anything can happen. I've been very pleased with the turnaround this season has made and I can't wait to see how it all plays out.

CSI: They don't do it often, but CSI was guilty of cheap stuntcasting this week. They played the Lady Heather card once again because they knew it would lure viewers, as well as stir the pot for all of Las Vegas favorites. The crimes were nothing special, but then again, they weren't meant to be. This one was about furthering Grissom's relationship with Heather and the impact it has on everyone else. Sara seemed to take it in stride, but you know she was doing a slow burn inside. And Catherine was right about Gil's hypocrisy when it comes to personal relationships and cases. Then again, Catherine's conflicts of interest usually come from her wanting some and making poor decisions, while Gil is always thinking three steps ahead and knows what he's doing. As is the theme this week, tonight's episode was merely a prelude to next week's finale. We finally learn who the minature killer is (could it be the women briefly mentioned by Greg at the beginning of the episode?) and we'll also learn if one of the CSIs actually bites the bullet. Dum Dum Dum

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Survivor

The looks on Stacy's face were priceless, as they say. She just watched her perfect plan...uh, did she have a plan...anyway, something went up in flames. You can't buy that kind of surprise.

Yau seemed smart until the Dreamz deal. Perhaps Yau was considering the low odds of winning the overall prize for those who've won the car challenges in the past. "If I give the car to Dreamz, then Dreamz will have the curse." Oh, and the true burn, Yau didn't even get to enjoy the food and the school. Come on! That shouldn't have been an issue, but then, Earl gets an idol out of the deal.

Speaking of looks, Yau was certainly letting his emotions play out like a drunken frat girl on a dance floor: sloppy and stupid. He was like Sloth with a BabyRuth bar. You know? That slow kind of happiness? Though a sick part of me wants him to win, I don't see it actually happening. Earl has managed to play the game "cleaner," as it were, than Yau. Have you noticed that Sandra keeps saying "Yauman" instead of "Yau Man." Is she the idiot or am I? It's like the cast of Heroes on the Larry King Live Show where Larry continually calls Micah, "Meekuh." Everyone was kind enough not to say anything, but everyone knew Larry had egg all over his face. Poor play, Larry. Poor play.