The Office - "PDA" Review

“It’s like a time bomb. It’s ticking down and when it goes off no more kissing, no more hugging. Sexual time bomb.” -Michael Scott

When The Office is firing on all cylinders like it was tonight, there’s not a better comedy out there. I know that The Office has lost some viewers along the way, but I have remained a fan throughout the journey. Hopefully tonight’s episode brings some people back home. The Office works best when the story is woven around a theme that allows characters to intertwine with each other and have separate instances to shine.

Tonight’s theme of love, or Valentine’s Day, or sex, or PDA or whatever you want to call it centered largely around the new relationship of Michael and Holly. Through this main line we were able to see an Erin and Andy/Gabe branch, a Pam and Jim branch and a Gabe and Michael branch. We were able to see story lines about characters we’ve long since cared about develop and make us smile. Gabe’s three theories on Holly and Michael’s PDA were simultaneously hilarious (xtc), poignant(reminding them of how transient Holly’s stay is), and uncomfortable (the weakening of their sexual climaxes). It was a great way to snap Michael and Holly into focus and accelerate their relationship to the next level. I really enjoyed seeing Michael and Holly react to the thought of Holly leaving soon. I believe that they hadn’t thought about her leaving. It looks like the escape plan is Michael leaving with Holly. I do look for a nice moment when Toby returns and essentially causes Michael to skip town with the love of his life. Will he finally show compassion? Maybe it’s not that important.

The show is dying for Andy and Erin to be together, but I’m glad they aren’t. If you recall the beginning of the series when Pam and Jim weren’t together, we were treated to some of the best moments the show had to offer. It’s good to see the writer’s taking their time with this one allowing for the desire for them to be together build up in the viewers heart. Remember, there’s going to be a drastic change in screen time once the new boss shows up.

The conference room is where the show lives and dies. We are able to see the whole cast as one making decisions that set the tone for the rest of the episode. When a scene takes place in the conference room, it’s as if the writers are highlighting the scene for the viewer. Tonight’s meeting on PDA was brilliantly done. The closets being dubbed as hook up zones was great. “What’s the hook up zone’s policy on masturbation?” “Pro.” Classic The Office. It must be tricky for the director’s to catch every glance and every nod that the actors give them. I’m always amazed at the cast’s listening ability.

One can only hope that the rest of Michael’s episodes are this good.

Other thoughts:

-Dark way to start the episode. You think Pam would have told people what the card was for or at least read it. Dead grandma jokes are a tough sell.
-Although hilarious(like them sitting in the same chair at the meeting), I just don’t think Holly would be so oblivious to the thoughts on PDA. She’s good at her job.
-Kevin with some great one liners tonight. “Let me finish! I enjoy watching them because it makes me horny.” “She goes to another school.”
-If I haven’t mentioned it before, I think Creed, pound for pound, is the funniest character on the show.
-Welcome back Jim! Missed you the last 3 weeks.

Community - “Early 21st Century Romanticism” Review

“For the record, I never thought you were cool. I only thought you were a lesbian.” Paige

Community has always been one of the smartest and most creative comedies on television. However tonight’s episode felt a little forced. It got away from what makes it great, unique ways of showing different people forging unlikely relationships. We saw relationships forged and characters experience events that let us know more about them, but they given to us in a way that I am not on board with. They gave us all this through other people not in the study group.

Annie and Britta learn more about their relationship through a girl named Paige who Britta befriends because she thinks she’s a lesbian. Annie’s naivety is beginning to be less than cute. She can be sweet and hopeful without being dumb. Her asking a million questions to Britta about lesbianism illustrated where we are with Annie. I’m curious when we’ll get to see more of a real side of Annie. We caught a glimpse in the Anti-drug play, but it was dragged down by Pierce using her to get more lines in the play. I think we’ll like Annie even more (if that’s possible) when see her grow up a little bit. Same goes for Britta. We get that she’s trying to be different and has a bleeding heart, so I’m anxious to see when we get to see her with her guard down again.

It may sound hypocritical, but I love seeing Troy and Abed’s relationship be unchangingly awesome. In their wooing of the sexy librarian they learn that their friendship is strong and they’ll need a girl to accept them for who they are. I was scared that the librarian choosing Troy was going to create a rift in their relationship and I just don’t think the show would gain anything by pitting them against each other.

We’re beginning to see Jeff accept what we’ve been sensing for a long time now: he likes being a part of the study group. Jeff Winger is at his best when he tries to be above the group, but his heart ultimately comes out. However, I didn’t think the Chang and Duncan angle worked so well to illustrate this. We care when Jeff cares about those we care about and I just don’t care about Chang and Duncan. And it didn’t help we got a cheesy voiceover to end the episode.

Other thoughts:
-A Britta/lesbian story line and they put her in a cutoff denim and leather vest, yeah, that was totally on purpose.
-It makes perfect sense that Andy Dick is who Pierce hallucinates whilst hopped on pain meds.
-Winger’s apartment looks like he just moved in.
-Magnitude was a fabulous one note joke.

The Office - "The Search" Review

“Is that a palm tree or did Gabe get skinnier? Either way let’s pee on it.” - Gabe via Angela

The Office is in a great transition period. We know Michael Scott is leaving and we know there will be a new boss and thus two huge questions remain. Will Michael Scott end up with Holly and who will replace him as Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin? In this, not so funny yet enlightening episode, I think we inched closer to knowing the answer to both of these.

It appears as though Michael is going to end up with Holly. After years of Michael massively failing at love, it looks as though he finally find it. I think this is the right move. Enough people will be upset at the fact that he’s leaving the show period, no need to pour salt on the wounds by sending him out the door unceremoniously and dejected. They even went as far as to make Dwight realize that someone had the mind of Michael more figured out than he did. And even sweet little naive Erin is starting to come around. (It should be noted that I think the scorn Erin feels toward Holly is quite hilarious.)

As for who is becoming the new boss, it’s a little more muddy, but I think the front runners have started to emerge. I believe it’s a race between Darryl, Gabe, and Dwight. We saw a shift in power toward Darryl over Gabe during the meeting about the caption contest. Darryl subtly ran the show and Gabe showed desperation. If Ron Swanson isn’t moving from Pawnee to Scranton, than count me as one of the Darryl supporters. I think it would be a seamless transition and the writers have done a great job setting him up as an extremely capable business man.

It’s hard to judge this show until they resolve Michael leaving as all of the focus is clearly on that. Until then, the show appears to be stuck in neutral.

Other thoughts:

Jim has been noticeably absent the past few episodes. I wonder if he’s had another job that conflicted with the shooting, or an exit plan is starting to be formed, or the writers are moving him to a role much smaller? Very curious about this one.
Dwight threw a gem of a line at us tonight. “You drive. I got a car full of fox meat.”
Pam made me laugh after her terrible joke fell flat over the phone with Jim. “Did the phone cut out?” A classic thought I’ve had several times. 

Do you think Michael ends up with Holly? Who do you think takes over regional manager?

Are you ready for some TV? pt. 4 NBC

Ron Swanson American Hero

Seriously, what's the best we can hope for from the same people that put The Jay Leno Show on in prime time five days a week. These people have already proven their stupidity, now they can only build on it. That's exactly what they've done this season. It takes a special kind of idiot to take one of your best shows, Park and Recreation, out of your lineup and replace it with what sounds like one of the dumber premises this season, Outsourced. Parks and Recreation had really hit its stride last season and was only building steam with the additions of Adam Scott and Rob Lowe so of course it should be pulled from the fall lineup and not be brought back until the spring. That strategy has never backfired.

NBC is the only network that doesn't have a new show worth checking out. The Event? No thanks, I'll keep getting my conspiracy fix from Rubicon. The Chase? Jerry Bruckheimer and I'm out. Maybe I'll Netflix Chuck and give it a shot. Although, since I've heard good things about it NBC will soon give it the Friday Night Lights purgatory treatment.

Fall Roster

Alison Brie. That is all.

Community - Thurs 7c - Community ran neck and neck with Modern Family for best new show all last season. Unlike, Glee when Community broke out a theme show, they nailed it. The Modern Warfare episode was probably one of the five best episodes in all television last season. Each member of this outstanding cast (Britta not withstanding) has found their comedy sweet spot and the writers have continued to find creative story lines in what seems like a limited setting. I pray they can keep it up for a few more seasons.

30 Rock - Thurs 7:30c - 30 Rock still very solid. Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan make it a must watch every week.

Veterans trying to avoid being cut

More Nard Dog

The Office - Thurs 8c - The Office has enough equity built up that it really doesn't have to worry about being cut. However, the past two seasons have been very disappointing. Note to television producers everywhere, anytime you want to kill a show, kill the sexual tension by allowing lead characters to get together. Since, The Office has already made that mistake my suggestion is less Jim & Pam and much more Nard Dog. They also need to rekindle the Nard Dog v. Dwight rivalry. This season I'll still be watching but I just don't think I'll be enjoying it as much.

Rookies trying to make it

None. Congratulations NBC you suck. Keep running The Apprentice and finding new cities to throw a Law & Order in. No one really expects more from you.