Monday, March 16, 2009

Monday... The Big Bang Theory... Ep. 2-18 "The Work Song Nanocluster"

The Sheldon-Penny stories seem to be getting more and more common. Last week we had Penny ruin Sheldon's "spot" by accidentally firing a paintball at the couch. He still wasn't happy when Penny had it cleaned, but this week has no problem being around her when he takes over her business. The gang starts their morning with a rousing game of Secret Agent Laser Obstacle Chess, which Sheldon excuses himself from so that he can deliver a package to Penny. He waits until exactly 11:00 and performs his usual three knocks and a name call until Penny opens the door. Penny is grateful for the delivery, but refuses to sign for it. Sheldon notes that she must sign for it so that he is no longer liable. Ultimately, she signs to shut him up.

After explaining why she is ordering rhinestones, Sheldon offers some advice on what Penny can do to improve her home business of making her Penny Blossoms. Penny is surprised and asks Sheldon if he knows about this stuff. Sheldon responds by claiming he is a physicist and has working knowledge of the universe and everything in it. "Who's Radiohead?" Penny asks. Sheldon twitches and says he retains only the important information. They strike a business deal in which Penny can not make snide remarks or be sarcastic, showing in the past couple of episodes that Sheldon has perhaps finally learned what sarcasm it and how it is used, something he had previously struggled with.

The rest of the gang hear singing as they are about to leave for a movie, and walk in on Penny and Sheldon singing sea-shanty work songs to self-motivate. They all end up helping, and by helping they of course turn to science and try to find ways to expedite the process. Sheldon forces a move to his apartment, and to the question of why her apartment is not good enough, Sheldon answers "Because it's not my apartment."

Leonard creates a youthful-looking website for the product, and gets an immediate return - an order of 1,000 flowers. Reasoning that Amazon offers a one-day rush order, Leonard offers the same. With Penny only able to make about 20 per day, the gang starts to work selflessly into the night.

We find out that Raj lived in a home with 4 servants (two of them children), and he says that if he wanted to stay up all night working, he could have stayed in India. Sheldon tries to take preemptive managerial steps to stamp out the negativity before he falls asleep. Refusing coffee because he promised his mother he would not start using drugs, he heads off to bed before Leonard sarcastically notes that without his help, they will surely fail. Sheldon agrees to a sip of coffee and before long he is unable to work, focused on his own musings of the universe. The gang completes the project before Leonard realizes that another order of 1,000 flowers has been placed. Exhausted, the gang decides not to continue and heads off to bed. With the exception of Sheldon who, in the full costume of the Flash, goes out for more coffee.

Penny Blossom Website - http://pennyblossoms.com/

Sunday, March 15, 2009

OMG NEW POST

Wow. I neglect this like all my other writing endeavors. Let's see what I can come up with on a bunch of shows I like starting..... now!

MONDAY

8:00 - The Big Bang Theory - I love this show. It is constantly funny, the chemistry is great, Penny is adorable, and Sheldon is Rowan Atkinson Jr (just google Sheldon's Smile - "We're here to see Koothrappali, not kill Batman!") . He is obviously become the star of the show, but everyone is great. They do some story arcs here and there, but most episodes are pretty self-contained for all viewers. And as good friendships go, nobody is safe from the ridicule of others, as good-natured insults are thrown around many, many times.

8:00 - House - This is a show I watch for the character, not the show. I'm not a fan of medical shows of any kind, with Scrubs being a possible exception. In Scrubs, it's really just the location of the show that leads itsel fto be anything medical. In House, each and every show is "make the wrong calls until we get it right 5 minutes before the end." Patient comes in, House says it's no big deal, something makes him get interested, they do a differential diagnosis where they have 2 or 3 conversations at once, someone eventually finds the right answer. They made a cast change after three seasons to try and keep it fresh, but it's ratings are probably keeping it alive.

8:30 - How I Met Your Mother - Honestly, disappointing season. It's almost as if the writers are trying to keep characters exactly the same while still having them evolve at the same time, and I don't know, it just doesn't seem to be going anywhere. I almost think I like it less the more I like Big Bang Theory, as the comedic level seems to dip. Still, the show has a great cast (even though it seems as if Jason Segal's movie career is maybe taking over his time. Alyson Hannigan is pregnant, which means story changes, or "hiding it." Apparently, Cobie Smulders is pregnant, too. The show announced Hannigan's maternity leave and said they had a fun way of getting rid of her for a few episodes.

9:00 - Heroes - This show has the ability (see what I did there?) to piss me off and still having me come back to see what happens next. It's like a soap opera, except all the different stories are linked together more. There's people coming back from the dead, lots of amnesia (at least with the Haitian in Season 1)... hopefully they have a plan and can make a good story. Ashley Crow's eyes freak me out, though! It is easier to follow, with one main storyline in this volume, and a side story with Sylar. However with Sylar off on his own mission, it does leave something to be desired with Big Brother being the main villain.

9:00 - Chuck - I like pretty much everyone on the show. Some more than others (More Anna, less Jeff would be nice). I wasn't thrilled with the Jill storyline, but I get it. They do a pretty good job of telling backstory through new "missions." The Sarah/Chuck romance possibility is wearing thin, especially with the god-awful "uh-oh" moments when Cole tries to woo Sarah with the most groan-inducing lines on TV this year.

9:00 - 24 - A new season is here with new problems and old solutions. I haven't heard many opinions on the season so far compared to the hate for last season. Suspending disbelief has always been a prerequisite for watching and even enjoying 24, and the new terrorists swimming up to and breaking into the White House (and killing the only 4 guards apparently on duty) was a stretch. Still, you can expect more of someone calling on Jack Bauer for every three someones who don't agree with his methods, and you can count on those methods usually working.

TUESDAY, aka American Idol Day

8:00 - American Idol - As I write this, they are down to the Top 11. Very little jumps out this season. There wasn't much made out of a contestant getting booted and replaced, and the replacement still didn't make the Top 13. The show announced a slight rule change, as judges will now have one opportunity to overturn the votes and save a contestant from being eliminated until the show's Top 5. Right now, I can't see them using this save to protect anyone but Adam Lambert, who still doesn't impress me that much.

WEDNESDAY

?:?? - [scrubs] - A new season a new network, and yet another move after yet another hiatus. It is still a question if this season will be the show's last, but after this move, it may seal it. The hiatus might be explained by five weeks of back to back episodes, but when you have 19 episodes and you begin mid-season, the only way to last until May sweeps is to not show a new episode for 38 days. However, the show is actually very good this season. The interns are keeping it funny while the main cast members take episodes off for budget reasons. Ted is busy trying to convince everyone he has a girlfriend, and Janitor is still with his Lady. Bill Lawrence has all but said that JD and Eliot will end up together, but that won't be the focus. Neither will Turk and Carla's second baby, apparently, as it was revealed in a not so shocking way.

9:00 - LOST - I would have lied to know if the writers had planned on using time travel from the beginning, because it does open up the show to different possibilities. Part of it seems like it was done just so they wouldn't have to spend more time on getting off the island. What could be further away from that then trying to get back on the island? The twists are still pretty major (albeit a little unbelieavable). It will be interesting to see how much time they spend in the 1970s.

THURSDAY

8:00 - Smallville - I'm pretty sure I once read an article that Smallville was going to last five seasons, and at the end of that, he would become Superman. Well, the show was just picked up for a ninth season, and pretty soon Clark will be middle aged and still in Smallville. The departure of Lex Luthor was explained away as him being still alive but incapacitated, yet still pulling strings and trying to keep an eye on everyone. What was supposed to be thr final season brought Doomsday, assumingly to give Clark one final battle that made him realize his power and take off, possibly in flight. With very little focus on the character so far, the upcoming final seven episodes should take a turn. Davis Bloom killed while trying to avoid becoming Doomsday, which of course usually marks the point of no return for a villain.

8:00 - My Name Is Earl - This show needs to stop fixing what isn't broken. The list was put on the backburner when Earl went to jail, and this season the arc in question was Joy and Darnell going into witness protection after Joy outed Darnell on TV. Though they obviously have to do something with the other cast members while Earl and Randy try to cross items off the list, this one gave Earl too much obligation to try and help them.

9:00 - The Office - I think the show has fallen off a little bit, probably due to the upcoming Parks & Recreation semi-spinoff. Still, it's pretty consistent. Jim and Dwight still remain the best of the show, with Jim always outwitting a Dwight who always thinks he can be the outwitter. The show has also done a good job in not overdoing the Jim and Pam relationship and focusing a little more on the day to day work related follies of the office.

9:30 - 30 Rock - Tina Fey created a winner. With the exception of Big Bang Theory, this is probably the most consistently funny show that I watch. It may sound bad, but the funniest Liz Lemon is when she is unhappy, and I hope that doesn't change. Her getting excited over little things like a microwaved donut and the slight hint of a possible romance gone horribly wrong works so well with her co-workers bombarding her with their issues. Little used characters like Cerie and Dr. Spaceman seem to only be used when the time is right, and it usually works out.

FRIDAY

9:00 - Dollhouse - Joss Whedon's new show is so far a little more action than comedy, with the humor coming mostly from Topher and a few lines from Victor, who is mysteriously the only Active who has outside contacts. He could be used by the Dollhouse to deceive the FBI, I guess. It was not going to be a surprise when Echo started retaining memories about her missions and her real life, but now we also see Victor showing some.. fondness for Sierra. Sierra herself doesn't seem to be showing that, although she was waved away by Echo once when it looked like she was going to greet her after a mission. The March 20 episode is billed as game-changing... so we'll see.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Monday... Gossip Girl... Season 2 Episode 1

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Last Comic Standing Finale

Finally watched a 2-minute replay of Last Comic Standing. Iliza deserved to win, and it's the first time on that show that the winner turned out to be the one I was rooting for. It's too bad Jeff Dye came in third and not second. I liked his "3 things to a deserted island" answer.

Bottled salt water
Coconuts
Sand

Friday, August 1, 2008

Thursday... Last Comic Standing... Final 5 Revealed

These guys confused me from the start.

Tonight was the "Final Performance show" where all 8 comedians would perform "for your vote," though only five of them would advance to the finals, where they would... compete for our vote?

I'm so lost. Ok, so last week, America voted and eliminated three out of the eight. I get that. Tonight, all eight performed and five were left. And, numbers were given. We were told we'd be voting for the Last Comic Standing.

After voting for Iliza, I get this message:

Thank you for voting! Remember that you can vote up to TEN times for your favorite! Make sure to tune into Last Comic Standing next Thursday to see if your favorite comics advance.

Advance? I thought tonight's performance was the last performance and that I'd be voting for the winner. From eight to five to one seems a little drastic. So, I don't know what the hell is going on. Anyway, on to the show.

The problem with elimination results shows is predictability. They announced that Marcus won the challenge last week and would be one of the top five. The first performer was Ron G, who was eliminated. The second performer is not going to be, obviously. That performer was Jim Tavare. I was a bit surprised, because I don't think he's funny. Especially tonight. I mean, he's better than Ron G, but that isn't saying much. Next up was Louis Ramey. This is basically the only spot that could have gone either way. I'm not even talking performances, just the order. Louis was "safe."

Now, what have we got? Three in the top five. Three to go, and two spots left. Now, there is zero percent chance that the next performer will be eliminated, because two comedians left with two open spots would not be dramatic at all. So, Jeff Dye performed, probably without any feelings of pressure whatsoever. Which left two: Iliza, who dominated both of her showdowns, and Sean, who I don't believe even got many votes to be sent to a showdown.

This stunk for me, because I wanted one of the two to win, and obviously there was only one spot left. I pretty much knew Iliza would get in, which is fine. I honestly liked Sean's aggresive insulting humor more as a personality trait than a written comedy set. Didn't work as well on stage.

So, next week, there will be five. Will they perform? I still don't know. Next week IS the season finale, but like American Idol, they have to fill at least a half hour with something. all the other shows have been two hours, at least. Clip show, perhaps?

I'm predicting Iliza, simply because we've seen more of her. I didn't love her set tonight, but I think familiarity is going to help her out. Jeff Dye is my runner up, with Louis being the long shot dark horse. Jim has no chance. Marcus is good, and I guess he could win, but I just think you need more than doing impressions to be considered a real comic.

Bill Bellamy needs to join the Shawn Wayans School of Not Being Funny Anymore.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Cheers! ... is not on this list.

First of all, I'd like to thank everybody involved in making this blog. This is my 58th post: and you know what that means! A list of 58 of my favorite television shows! In no particular order, I give you my totally random list!

24
30 Rock
Alias
Ally McBeal
American Idol
Angel
Big Bang Theory, The
Boomtown
Boston Legal
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Clerks.
Coupling (UK)
Cupid
Dead Like Me
Entourage
Everybody Hates Chris
Family Fued
Firefly
Friday Night Lights
Friends
Gilligan's Island
Gilmore Girls
Grounded For Life
Heroes
House
How I Met Your Mother
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Just Shoot Me
Lost
Lost
Monk
Mr. Bean (UK)
My Name Is Earl
Mystery Science Theatre 3000
News Radio
Office, The (UK)
Office, The (US)
Penn & Teller: Bullshit!
Perfect Strangers
Popular
Psych
Saved By The Bell
Scrubs
Simpsons, The
Smallville
Spin City
Standoff
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)
The Drew Carey Show
The Joe Schmo Show
Titus
Tru Calling
Two Guys and a Girl ... Pizza Place
Undeclared
Veronica Mars
What I Like About You
Wonderfalls

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Friday... Psych

Rachael Leigh Cook is guest starring on Psych.

This is a most pleasant surprise!