Thursday, November 12, 2009

The Office: Recession Comes to Scranton

Haven't you heard? Oh, I was under the impression that everyone had heard. About the recession. You know, the one where people losing their jobs. And houses. And retirement funds. The one that they watch TV to escape. Yeah, that one. Well, apparently the damn thing has been going on so long that TV can no longer stay immune. The recession has come to Dunder Mifflin, and no one is safe, least of all productive work.

So apparently, Dunder Mifflin may or may not be filing for bankruptcy. Michael's response? Play a murder mystery dinner party game. Yeah. Now, the thing is, having worked at a company that went through significant layoffs earlier this year, I think I would have enjoyed doing something so frivolous and inappropriate to take my mind off of what was going. So although Michael is the most bizarre man to ever run an office, I think he's on to something here.

The other upside to this murder mystery was everyone talking in ridiculous Southern accents. I love a good Southern accent, especially from Pam. And Erin.

Speaking of Erin, SHE LIKES ANDY BACK! Oh it was so sad when Andy said he wasn't serious about asking her out because he thought she wasn't serious, because she was indeed serious! I think these two might make the perfect couple. She sweet, nice, and just quirky enough for him. Also, I think I'm going to be a big fan of Ellie Kemper, the actress that plays Erin. Her one-on-one with the camera where she told them she was actually really excited about going out with Andy was very, very good.

I kind of torn when it comes to deciding what the best scene in the episode was: Dwight punching himself in the balls, or Jim and Pam having a very real conversation about what would happen if they both lost their jobs. Yeah, it's definitely Dwight punching himself in the balls.

All in all, I really enjoyed tonight's episode, although I can't fathom what would actually happen if Dunder Mifflin were to liquidate or shut down.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Gossip Girl: Getting Down with 3P

There is one thing, and one thing only, that I want to talk about tonight. I was so surprised, but also not so surprised. It makes total sense that it happened this way. If I wasn't so blinded my love for Serena, I would totally have seen this coming. Were you surprised? I totally didn't see Jenny not knowing how to ballroom dance, did you?

Naaah, I'm just playing with you. Let's talk about the fact that Dan, Olivia, and VANESSA ABRAMS had a THREESOME. AAAAAAHHHHH. One, AWESOME FOR DAN. I didn't think dude had it in him. Two, I think this does an away with any lingering dislike I may have ever had for Hilary Duff. Can we please, please, please make her a series regular? I think she's great. Three, (and this one comes from my dear friend Tali), I'm worried about Vanessa's annoying quotient for next week, because this threesome thing has dropped it all the way down, and like the Dow last fall, there's going to be a lot of volatility moving forward after this event. My real fear is that this little menage-a-trois is going to make Vanessa realize she is secretly in love with Dan again, which will make my insides scream "Go drink coffee and leave me alone!" I'm also afraid that will set off some kind of psychotic break in Olivia which cause her and Dan to break up and Olivia to leave the show. All in all though, the threesome was a bit of a snoozer. If only Serena were involved.....

Brief rundown of the rest of the episode:
  • Serena going after a Congressman even after she says she won't = stupid and ambitious
  • Jenny Humphrey trying to become Queen of the UES = ughh
  • Jenny Humphrey having her escort stolen from her by some new girl = Awesome
  • Jenny Humphrey using Nate (YET AGAIN) to get back in with the popular crowd = Really?
  • Serena and Blair reconciling because Chuck locked them in an elevator = Sugar and spice and everything nice
  • Serena's Dad writing to Lily = HIGHLY UNBELIEVABLE. (1) He would call (2) He would show the fuck up (3) Serena is going to go on a coke binge and sleep with Congressman Trip because of this.
I apologize if this post seems a little disjointed: I'm operating on very little sleep. I couldn't let the threesome go unacknowledged though. Have a good night.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

V Premiere: We Are Of Peace....And Universal Healthcare

Just finished the V premiere, and I will tell you immediately, I really liked it and I think it has a lot of potential. I didn't take notes, so this post will be mostly just my high level impressions. First one:

Are the Visitors supposed to be some symbol of Obama? Let me say up front that I am a Democrat through and through, so I'm an Obama fan. Ok, now I watched this episode with roommate, and right about the time that Anna, the head visitor, was giving her press conference, my roommate said, "Huh, they're like Obama," mostly because of their message of peace and love and all that. Skip to later in the episode when Anna is giving her first big interview to Chad (Scott Wolf). One of the first things she talks about? Opening Visitor's healing centers all over the planet, i.e., universal healthcare. I swear, I about fell out of my chair. This show is TOPICAL, to say the least. Seriously, universal healthcare in the premiere? I wouldn't be surprised if the Vs have some death panels up their sleeves later on. But seriously, are the creators secret Sarah Palin fans? Am I just imagining this or did anyone else think this too?

I still love Elizabeth Mitchell. I like that she's starting out as the hero this time around, I like that her character, Erica, is an FBI agent, but damn I wish she was going to have a big role on LOST this season.

Morena Baccarin is the sexiest alien since Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine. And here is where I'm showing just how geeky I am, since that was a Star Trek: Voyager reference. But seriously, Anna could have easily become a wooden, ice queen character in the hands of a lesser actress, but Baccarin gives her some subtlety and intensity which makes her just fascinating to watch.

Who else thinks Erica and the priest will eventually get it on? I do.

I'm kind of hoping the show stays good/gets better, although I will say I'm not a fan of this 4 episodes now, the rest of the episodes later airing pattern. Hopefully the ratings will be huge and ABC will reconsider.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Gossip Girl: The More Things Change....

....the less I'm sure that I still like this show. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this episode, but there are some things going on that make me feel like I'm watching a completely different show. I guess that's just a feature of these characters growing up, but it leaves me a little conflicted. Let's look at what worked:

The characters continuing to embrace jobs/careers/etc. Now seeing Nate and Vanessa take on more adult roles (Nate as the shady political advisor and Vanessa as the investigate reporter/general busybody), I stand by what I said last week: I'd watch a show where these characters are young adults with jobs and careers. Now I realize that pursuing that format might mean abandoning the Gossip Girl narrator conceit (at 23, who's really going to want to write a blog about these people?), but I think it might be well worth it. Careers will gives these kids something more to care about. I really do think they should consider pressing fast forward at the end of the season.

Blair and Serena's fighting. I'm going to be honest, I hated this argument for 3/4 of the episode. I hate it when Blair and Serena fight because its always over something stupid and they always make up in the end. Then Blair called Serena a whore and Serena pushed Blair into the cake. Ok, I'm a sucker for girlfights. And then Chuck had to go and get all wise and tell Serena that she and Blair needed to stop acting like children because one day they were going to drift apart for good. As if that wasn't enough, Blair went and told Serena the real issue was that Blair was growing up and Serena was just stuck, drifting from her family and dating a string of unfortunate men. Ouch. But also very, very true. It seems like this fight is going to last for a while, but I hope they make up in the end. And then they stop having stupid fights like this.

Dan didn't freak out about his girlfriend being prettier than him and making a joke about him on TV. Old Dan totally would have dumped her because she wasn't as real as him and he couldn't handle her "status." After seeing the interview, New Dan simply realized he forgot their anniversary. I think tonight's episode was the first time I didn't want to punch him, even though he and Olivia are nauseating together.

Blair befriending an escort in her search for a new BFF. That was just hilarious. Also, she's obviously an intellectual hooker with a name like Brandeis, instead of the more traditional Lexus or Mercedes.

Serena looking at a picture of herself in the paper and smiling. This was the opening shot and it was amazing. It was nice to see the show continue to point out that Serena is a vain, self-centered girl.

Now for the things I didn't like or just seemed plain stupid:

The whole Nate-is-losing-his-moral-compass plot. It made no sense and just seemed really out of character for him. This is a kid who turned his own dad in to the FBI. The only way this would have worked is if (1) it was very clear that he was out to get the Buckleys because of Bre's betrayal and (2) we had actual seen enough of their relationship to believe that he would care about said break-up. I'm glad to be done with it, but it just seemed dumb.

Vanessa making a documentary about Trip's campaign. Bitch, please. Vanessa HATES rich people and more specifically she HATES the Vanderbilts, because they stole Nate from her. Why would she agree to make a documentary about them? Maybe because she's trying to get closer to Nate again and insert herself into his life, because she's crazy and all up in people's business. I have to her credit for three things though: (1) making sure NY1 got the tape regardless of Nate's interference (2) not drinking any coffee throughout the entire episode and (3) not dressing up like a Disney character. I'll take my victories where I can get them.

The implication that Tripp will sleep with Serena. DUDE. You've just been elected to Congress after an election day scandal that almost cost you the race. Your wife is pretty cute. There is no need to be with Serena and the Boobs. I mean, don't get me wrong, if circumstances were different I might condone this. BUT YOU JUST GOT ELECTED. It's way too soon for the sex scandal. And Serena, SHAME ON YOU. You're totally playing into what Blair said. Don't be an idiot. There are plenty of other guys who want the Boobs. Let this one go.

Spelling Vanderbilt Van Der Bilt. Please, are we supposed to believe that anyone would actually spell Vanderbilt that way? Or that they might be part of some other Vanderbilt clan that spells it that way? Nuh-uh. I get that maybe the real life Vanderbilts didn't want their name used, but then the show should figure out how to avoid showing it. Spelling it this way is just stupid.

Jenny being sick. Unnecessary, didn't make any sense continuity wise, and just plain annoying. What's the matter, J, did throwing that sewing machine on the floor in your bedroom last week take it out of you? Or did all that face makeup you've been wearing clog your pores so the toxins can't get out? You suck at life.

So that's it for me. I will leave you with some quotes, but before I go, let me just tell you: THREESOME EPISODE IS NEXT WEEK. I repeat: THREESOME. NEXT WEEK.

"Make it happen. Clean up your mess or clean out your desk."--Casey.

"As much as I enjoy listening to my girlfriend talk to my ex-girlfriend about her fake boyfriend who is coincidentally my current girlfriend's ex...."--Dan. When you put it that way, Dan, you make it seem like this show is unrealistic.

"Ughh....please, I'm not friends with staff."--Blair to the Alpha New Headband, making sure that Alpha New Headband is a minion and nothing more.

'What about that Vanessa girl, didn't you know her in high school?" "I've never heard that name before. Now you can see yourself out."--Beta New Headband and Blair just before Blair dishonorably discharges her. (Random thought: Blair gets an Apprentice/Top Chef-esque reality show to find minions. Her dismissal catch phrase. "Please relinquish your headband. Dorota will see you out.")

"Miley Cyrus is already signed on to play the Elizabeth Shue role. They must have seen her on that pole at the TCAs."--Patrick to Serena about the Leaving Las Vegas remake. Now that sounds like a party in the USA if I've ever heard one.

"Well you didn't think they actually wanted to play 5 hours worth of board games with us, did you?"--Lily to Rufus about Dan and Olivia. Yes he did, Lil, and that's why you love him.

"He's bombed. He's worse than Paula Abdul during Hollywood Week."--Blair to Serena about Patrick. FUNNIEST LINE OF THE NIGHT.

'The polls are closed and Gossip Girl is calling this election...dirty."--GG

"Let me guess you want to go upstairs and see if two blondes make a right."--Serena to the Senator. Can I just say, I DO! I DO! I DO!

"Ladies, this is supposed to be a classy event not a sample sale at an outlet mall."--Chuck to Blair and Serena.

"The only prostitute here is you."-Blair to Serena just before Serena shoves her face into a cake. FUCKING. AMAZING.

"It is time for her to grow up." 'This from a girl who pushed her best friend into a cake."--Serena and Chuck

"Bartender, I'll have what she's having."--Tripp about Serena's drink. And she didn't even have to make sex noises to get him to do it.

How I Met Your Mother: Best Episode Yet

I'm practically jimping, that's how good that episode was. Seriously, it was like head and shoulders above any episode thus far this season. There are several factors that contributed to this. I will take each in turn:

1. The believable yet slightly absurd but always hilarious plot. Lily and Marshall get into an argument over washing the dishes that spirals into an argument about a whole bunch of other stuff. Realistic? Yes. Hilarious? Yes. Robin and Barney do very weird things to stop themselves from arguing. (Barney abruptly walks out of the room, and Robin takes off her clothes.) Realistic? A little bit, although their methods are extreme. Hilarious? Yes. Also, I loved the juxtaposition of these two couples: one so good at being in a relationship that it's sickening versus one just starting out that has a lot of roadblocks to normalcy in its way. It was nice to see everyone make up in the end.

2. The newly-invented term. From this evening's episode, it was "playing the bagpipes," a euphemism for having sex very loudly, and "new relationship smugness," thinking your new relationship is better than all others. Based on the quality of the episode, I think they will quickly join the ranks of "reading a magazine," Old King Clancy, Lemon Law, and last but not least The Hot-Crazy Scale.

3. The inside jokes. At one point in the episode, Ted and Marshall make a slap bet. Now, you may remember that there was a running slap bet between Marshall and Barney that started back in season two--you know, right around the time that this happened. It was nice to see that concept brought up again.

4. The fast paced dialogue. Seriously, tonight felt like a joke-a-minute episode, but not in a way that felt rushed, but in a way that makes me want to go back and watch the episode over and over and over again.

So for me those are the four criteria for a fantastic HIMYM episode and tonight we saw all of them in play. And in case you were wondering, I totally side with Lily. Dirty dishes go right in the dishwasher, leaving them in the sink attracts flies.

I will leave you with some quotes:

"Hell I've forgotten more about microwaving fat-free popcorn and watching Sandra Bullock movies than you'll ever know."--Marshall to Barney.

'You can't fight if you're not there, that's what Gandhi taught us." "Well that's not true."--Barney and Ted

"Call me crazy." "Crazy."--Marshall and Ted. HAHAHAHAHA.

"There are so many great things to do with the human mouth, why waste it on talking."--Barney. UP TOP.

"You're right, I'll do the dishes....right after I do this."--Lily to Barney is his fantasy (which kind of sounds like my fantasy, except maybe we both wash the dishes. Ok, fine I wash the dishes because I know she won't do it right. There, happy now?)

"Barney...with his crazy well thought out theories that probably might work."--Marshall about Barney

'We spent the whole weekend cuddling by the fire. No black diamonds, but a lot of red hearts."--Robin. This is when I threw up. Just FYI.

"It's like Gandhi said, smile don't cost nothing sugar." "I'm not sure you know who Gandhi is."--Barney and Ted

"I knew you were lying. You've got to wake up pretty early to slip one by the T-Mos." "Stop it."--Ted and Robin. Don't worry T-Mos, V-Dog approves of the nickname.

"You're dirty, maybe I should leave you in the sink."--Lily to Marshall. You can leave me in the sink anytime, Lil. Oh yeah, UP TOP.