We're All Alright, We're All Alright

Alright, I'm back with one more blog before the weekend hits. What's new with me, you ask. Well, same old, for the most part. I really wish I had more interesting stuff to report but things are pretty much just in a holding pattern right now - also known as the real world. This week I was having some problems with the car but luckily it seems it was just a dead battery, which was replaced fairly quickly and easily by the good folks at AAA, all things considered. I'm looking forward to a few potential visits from some of my college friends that may occur in the next few weeks. And since I know she is a loyal blog reader, I of course have to say a happy birthday to Abby W - aka the future VP of Entertainment at NBC - who I am pretty sure is my first LA friend who I can now say I will have celebrated two consecutive birthdays with, which is pretty cool though also pretty scary in a way.

I mean, wow - has it really been a year since those golden days of the NBC page program - the Summer of 2005? It's pretty amazing and unbelievable to realize how much time has passed in what seems like the blink of an eye. Then again, since last summer I've finished the page program, gotten a new job, visited home in CT twice, and met a decent amount of new people also. But I think that I will definitely look back on the period from May 2005 to around January or so as a great time when I met a ton of great people and really finally began to feel like I was making the most of my new situation in sunny California. It's funny, this coming Monday are the NBC Upfronts, and I still fondly remember last year's upfronts, which I know is odd as for most entertianment-industry people the upfronts are just a crazy time and one of the busiest and most stressful of the year. But for us NBC pages wh owere chosen to work the screenings at Universal Studios - we had a great day of TV sneak previews, catered lunches, and then an afternoon running around in our uniforms at the theme park. Yep, I think in my blog entry at the time I even called it the best day at work ever ...

http://dannybaram.blogspot.com/2005/05/they-killed-castle-plus-best-monday-at.html

Since then, I haven't had many workdays that would really qualify as the best work day ever. I mean, not that they've been bad, just, you know, in an office and not at a theme park. It's funny though, on weeks like this one where the weather has been great it feels very summer-y, and yet I'm cramped in a flourescently lighted office, I kind of just wish I was in CT working at Camp Shalom, spending my days running around, playing sports, swimming, and teaching a bunch of kids what's what. Ah, Camp Shalom, you may not have bene the greatest summer camp, but we had some good times together.

Speaking of which, my back is killing me. I have no idea what happened but it kept getting worse throughout the day yesterday and now my lower right side and for some reason that same side of my stomach is really sore. i must have pulled a muscle or something, but i don't know how - I guess I slept weird or something.

Anyways, I'm sure nobody really cared about any of that stuff, so let's move on to some TV Reviews, which are, let's face it, what pulls in the crowds. One other thing first though - another happy b-day goes out to Tina Lin, a fellow diehard 24 fan, a rising star at NBC, and also a frequent commentator on the blog.

TV REVIEWS:

LOST:

And yet more of the same ... This episode had some cool stuff, I mean what Lost fan wasn't salivating as the latest Hanso Foundation orientation video began to play? But it also had lots of the usual pointless banter between the characters that tries to sound mysterious but really makes no sense. I mean it's like:

LOCKE: I believe I've lost my faith.

EKO: You must still have faith to master the island.

LOCKE: But the video ... it said we're all part of some experiment.

EKO: The video changes nothing.

LOCKE: How so?

EKO: Because I believe.

LOCKE: I can't say the same.

EKO: Then you have lost your way.

LOCKE: Maybe you have.

EKO: No, you have.

LOCKE: What the hell are we arguing about again?

EKO: I don't know.

And so on ... I mean, why would Eko believe that everything he's seen is due to fate, when the video made it pretty clear that nothing was coincidental on the island and that the Hanso Foundation was all about manipulation? It just makes no sense, and I hate that they have made Eko into this lame, backwards character who apparently has no desire to apply logic to any situation. And I was practically lulled to sleep by his flashbacks this week, which aside from establishing a few interesting potential plotpoints (ie that Claire's psychic was more manipulator than legit seer), they once again served pretty much no purpose, and again constantly interrupted the flow of the main story on the island. I don't get why the format has to be the same for every episode ... as of late these flashbacks are completely detracting from many of the main storylines.

Once again, there few moments of coolness (also gotta love the fake Dharma ad placed during the show's commercials), but also lots of circular logic and frustrating characterizations. There was some decent drama over whether Libby would spill the beans on what Michael did, but mostly our time was wasted with yet another "let's go get the thing we need from Sawyer's stash" side-plot, and not enough time on the character most affected by things, Hurley. I don't know, this whole ep just felt meandering and had yet another two steps forward, three steps back kind of vibe. Plus, the lameness of Eko's character here just didn't sit well with me.

My Grade: C+

SMALLVILLE Season Finale:

Well it's been a roller coaster ride for Smallville this season. Things started out with a bang, and suddenly, this show was BACK, firing on all cylinders. Then, a series of lame episodes followed the somewhat needless death of Jonathan Kent, and it looked for a moment like things had really reached rock bottom. But in the last few weeks the show has picked up, refocused on the Lex-Milton Fine drama, and seemed poised to deliver a pretty epic season finale.

Overall I've gotta say it was a pretty darn good season-ender, though it did have its share of goofiness that kind of stepped on the toes of some of the high drama they were going for. First, the good: Well damn, this was a pretty epic story. An alien invasion by rogue Kryptonians, the coming of Zod, worldwide panic, and Clark Kent faced with his biggest threat yet. Lex vs. Clark was great - the battle we've been waiting for. Lionel as always was awesome, I though he was goon abit it at the hands of his son. Nice little moment between Clark and Chloe, and James Marsters as Milton Fine also pretty much ruled it. For the most part, the show looked great, with lots of epic scenes of chaos, sweet stuff in the fortress, Clark using his powers in cooler looking ways than anything out of Superman Returns we've seen so far, and man, that shot of Lex in all black standing on the rooftop looking down on Metropolis -- very cool. And hey, look, Tom Welling may not be the next Olivier or anything, but the guy has the look of Superman, and I appreciate that after seeing Brandon Routh looking like Super-Zoolander in those commercials.

The not so good? Well Martha and Lois Lane were just kind of there, and after 24 and Veronica Mars I was just kinda weary of dangerous plane-related situations. What the hell happened at the end there? Clark skewers Braniac with the crystal, unleashes Zod, and ends up in the phantom zone? Haha wow, that's some true comic book logic for ya. And so the world is ending, Chloe is practically getting RAPED on the street by angry rioters, and Lana decides its time to talk with super-powered and more-evil-than-ever Lex about their relationship?!?! Witness as Lana continues to become the most annoying character ever ... Also, that stock footage of riots in NYC and LA was pretty damn cheesy, and disappinting on a show that is usually so good visually.

But yeah, I'm inclined to give this show the benefit of the doubt, just because in the end it can be one of the most fun shows on TV, and this episode really was a lot of fun to watch. I mean what other show delivers this kind of superhero action? Yes, it's cheesy, and no, this wasn't Smallville at its best, but it was Smallville sticking to what it's best at - fun action, adventure, heroics, and random craziness. So nice cliffhanger with Clark trapped in the Phantom Zone, hurtling through space. I guess this was part one of two? Look, up in the sky - is it a bird? A plane? No, it's to be continued, next season, on the CW, hopefully as the lead in to an all new season of Veronica Mars!

My grade: B+

MY NAME IS EARL:

In this "super-sized" season finale, we get a look at what happens when Earl is pushed to the limits, is stripped of all his money, and by all accounts should be pushed back into a life of crime. This was definitely an enjoyable ep, as the show really hit its stride here. Great performances as usual from all the lead characters, and a nice plotline that had the feel of a good episode of King of the Hill or Malcolm in the Middle. Unfortuantely, Earl is still not quite as cleverly or subtlely written as those shows, and still lacks the poilsh to go from being good to being great. The performances though are waht make this show, and kudos to Jason Lee, Ethan Suplee, Jamie Pressley, and the rest for making this show pop. My Grade: B+

THE OFFICE:

Okay, I know, I know. Everybody loves Pam and Jim. The nation collectively held its breath as Jim professed his love for Pam, and *gasp* kissed her. People can't wait to tune in to the premiere next season to find out what is going to happen between Pam and Jim.

But wait, when the hell did this show become a soap opera? Last I checked it was a comedy. And I laughed maybe twice during the entire 40 minutes of last night's episode. I don't mean to sound like a comedy snob, but it's just a shame to see a show that was once a dark, realistic mockumentary-satire degnerate into a typically cheesy American sitcom. During the first two-thirsd of this season, The Office was just getting really good. Each episode was filled with hilarious bits of dialogue, memorable comedic moments, and the dynamic between the characters was really starting to gel. Now, the moments that have people talking are all soap-opera centered, with each new development seemingly processed through audience surveys for maximum mainstream appeal. And that's just too bad, when you look at what this show COULD be and HAS been on occasion - the best comedy on TV.

I mean let's look at Steve Carell as Michael Scott. In the early part of this season, Michael Scott, like David Brent from the UK version, was the boss from hell. His obnoxious, self-centered demeanor covered the fact that he was a giant loser. Couldn't get women, had no friends, etc. But wait - audiences don't want to see a show featuring a giant loser! That's too depressing! Let's make Michael Scott more sympathetic. He had a rough childhood. Women DO actually like him. He's just one of the guys. I call LAME. In the UK version, David Brent's evolution from being hated to loved by audiences was totally organic. Here, it's like every time Michael becomes too much of an asshole they pull back and show that he's not all that bad so as not to scare people away. I mean, Jan should NEVER have wanted to sleep with Michael. Doing so for her should mean hitting the absolute rock bottom. And yet in this finale Michael has two women who wouldn't mind his attentions. Just seems totally antithetical to the character in my opinion.

I don't know, as I was telling some friends earlier, the British Office was so great at pulling off emotional moments because it was usually so dark and bleak for the characters that you never really expected any happy endings. So when Tim and Dawn finally did have their moment, it was just huge - you wanted to stand up and applaud. When David Brent finally did find a woman who like him, you couldn't help but smile because you really believed that it could never happen. Here, everythign just has an air of inevitabilty. Duh, of course Jim and Pam are going to get together in the season finale, it's an American sitcom, what did you expect to happen? I just think that the show has tossed aside much of its uncoventionaliy in favor of the all-too-familiar beats of just another plain old sitcom, and that is too bad.

I will say though, that Dwight's astonishment at Jim's purported telekinesis had me rolling in laughter. So it's not like I'm trying to say it's all bad.

My Grade: B -

THAT 70'S SHOW - Series Finale

Yes, I watched the last ever 70's last night. Because I used to be a big fan of the show and I have a lot of respect for it, as it is one of the few traditional sitcoms in the last few years that always made me laugh for much of its long run. You have to give credit to the writers of the show for establishing an amazing rythm between the characters that really worked for years. Sure, they milked this show for all it was worth, and bringing it back this year sans Topher Grace or Ashton Kutcher was kind of pointless. But this is one of those shows that will live on forever in syndication, because you can always tune in to a random episode and get a chuckle or two from the antics of Eric, Kelso, Hyde, Fez, and the rest. The show really did have a great cast, and had great additions like Tommy Chong who of course fit right in to the show's 70's-stoner vibe. So sure, after eight years, Fez's foreign-guy schtick, Red's threats to kick someone's ass, and all the other jokes that had gone on forever had gotten pretty old. But as far as formulas go, That 70's Show really did stumble upon a sitcom formula that worked, which is certainly a rare commodity. As far as this particular ep goes, well, it was pretty underwhelming as a series finale. I mean, when the main stories going into your final episodes ever are whether Kitty and Red will retire to Florida, and if Jackie and Fez will hook up or not ... haha oh man well those aren't exactly killer plot threads. This ep only gets a C+ from me, but as a series I gotta recognize that this was a great sitcom in its time.

- And hey, I have to remind people that this Sunday is the last ever ep of one of the best sitcoms EVER - Malcolm in the Middle. If you haven't watched in a while, I don't blame you as FOX has consistently screwed with the show's timeslot, but the fact is that Malcolm has, remarkably, been consistently fresh, funny, smart, innovative, and entertaining throughout its entire run. I mean, this is the ORIGINAL single-camera, no laugh-track sitcom. Its creator Linwood Boomer gave this show one of the most unique voices ever in a sitcom, and every member of the cast is great. Some of the episodes of this show are some of my favorite ever of any comedy, and I have faith that the finale will be one more great one. So watch - this Sunday!

Alright, on that note it's almost time for the weekend. Have a good one.