TV Review: 2 Broke Girls 1.07-- ...And Hoarder Culture

First, let's just get this out of the way:  I love Han.  And everything he does.  "I have ended my bromance with your boyfriend Johnny."  If he had his own spinoff, I would totally watch that.

There are some good things going on in this episode.  Caroline trying to get a second job (sidenote:  I think people who write for TV want Craigslist to be a lot sketchier place to look for a job than it really is; some of us plebeians have to use it, okay?)  She stumbles upon what looks to be a hoarder's place.  Here's the thing, and I do not think I'm alone in this:  I will always be fascinated and mildly disgusted by hoarder culture.  I just don't understand it.  And as long as there are things about it on television, I will be there to watch them.  Also, kittens!

We also got a few steps forward on the Max and Johnny front, which usually pays off for this show. I particularly like how absolutely every other character is all up in their business, and there isn't even business to be up in yet.  But...oh no, plot twist!  Johnny has a girlfriend, as Max unfortunately finds out just after she's decided to go for it.  This revelation is followed by a rare dose of sincerity, which usually doesn't happen on this show between anyone other than Max and Caroline.  It was...interesting.  Yes, it felt a little cheesy, very much like the cliche Katharine Heigl movies they repeatedly referenced, but it was also a step forward for Max's character, one that I hope will stick.  She's definitely enjoyable in her current sassy state, but that can only be maintained for so long before she softens up just a little bit, and I think we saw the potential beginnings of that here.

I like that this episode cut down a little on Max and Caroline's time together and played up the supporting cast a little bit more, because they all have more potential than they've gotten credit for thus far.

November Sweeps: Picking Up the Pace

I've once again failed to review this week's episodes individually, and I think at least part of that has been due to the relative lull in excitement in their respective plots.  However, we are about to roll into November sweeps, one of the most wonderful times of the (television) year, and I have high hopes for all of our favorites.  After all, the pieces are in place for some major hilarity and development, they just seem to require a nudge in the right direction.  And I'm just about as lacking in concrete clues as the next person, but I am more than happy to speculate on what we might see over the next few weeks.

How I Met Your Mother:  The show has been just a little off its game the past few episodes, which I'm sure can be attributed to an unbalanced cocktail of somewhat awkward guest star appearances and trying just a little too hard for laughs in some cases (the storyline of "Noretta" stands out particularly in my mind).  However, if I were a betting man (this would require me, of course, to be both a man as well as someone who gambles), I'd say we're about to see no small amount of drama in Robin and Barney's respective relationships.  I don't think we'll get any hints of the two of them together any time soon, but I do think both of their liaisons are going just a bit too well at the moment.  I definitely think it would be interesting to see either Kevin or Norah (or both) have a reaction to the obvious continued closeness of Barney and Robin's relationship.  What I don't want is to see Barney cheat on Norah, though; I feel like last season made such a commitment to him moving past that part of his personality that it would be a huge waste to send him so many steps backward.  And as for Ted, I'd like to see something happen for him soon that feels like a concrete step toward actually finding the mother.  The Slutty Pumpkin episode definitely felt like an apt set up for something like this, so I'll be interested to see how they use it.

2 Broke Girls:  I have definitely seen an improvement in this show the past few episodes, and they have been gaining that forward momentum I was worried they might lack.  It has been nice to see the girls' business actually make tangible (albeit tiny) steps forward, rather than being a plot line that is forgotten and then picked up every once in while when it's convenient.  I'm still hoping that Max and Caroline will acquire another friend outside of their little duo (I'm hoping even more that it'll be Johnny and his newly introduced sidekick), because both of them play so well off of others and each other that it's fun to see them interact with new people.  I will also admit that I am pulling for that Max/Johnny romance to get off the ground (and what do you know? perfect bait for sweeps!), and for Caroline to meet someone of her own.  Also, I think I'd be happy with anything more involving their boss, Han, because he is just too adorable for words.

Up All Night:  This is a cute show that is cute.  That's what I've gotten from this season so far.  Maya Rudolph continues to pull the bulk of the comedic weight, but hey, I will continue to watch her do it because she's hilarious.  I'm a little bummed that they didn't do a Halloween episode; I would have thought that'd be a great potential scenario for the new parents, but maybe the week off means they're preparing for something big to come.  Actually, scratch that.  I don't need it to be big, I just need it to be charming and funny.  This show has lost it's way a little bit (I think having the flashback to the birth was kind of a jarring choice, honestly), but I do think that it can be steered back, and with no extraordinary strain. 

Community:  Okay, two hypothetical/fantasy based bottle episodes in a row stretched my patience a bit, I'll admit.  But I will be more than willing to forgive if this show delivers during sweeps.  From Community I don't necessarily want gimmicky plot twists for the sake of snagging attention, I just want to see some genuine development for the characters.  I feel like season three has seen almost all of them standing still, and it's got to stop soon or we're going to be facing a completely static season (and at some point, the situational comedy just won't be able to compensate).  We were promised a lot of development with Abed, particularly concerning his living situation with best friend Troy, and I'm hoping that this has been saved up for November so that we can get a sure to be humorous episode (you saw their apartment in the chaos theory episode, right?), with a dash of something just a little more serious.  Also, Britta's taken a bit of a beating lately, so I think it'd be more than okay to back off her for an episode or two.

Parks and Recreation:  I admittedly have a bit more intelligence on what's coming on this show than the others, solely because I have a habit of going hunting for tidbits when bored, but in this case it's a good thing, because the next three episode descriptions have me absolutely psyched for what's next.  We're going to see Pawnee riding out a potential end-of-days scenario, and Andy has a bucket list!  I cannot be the only person who sees so much potential hilarity in the possible items it contains.  Also ahead (I don't want to spoil everything):  we'll see more of Leslie and Ben interacting (finally), Tom's journey as Entertainment 720 meets its end, and a very small victory for one Leslie Knope.  As long as these stories are supplemented by a sharp increase in Ann screen time and a reduction of anything involving Chris, I think we may just have ourselves a couple of near-perfect episodes just in time for the holiday season.

Mid-Week Mediocre TV Roundup

This week has been a bit of a letdown on most of our favorite shows, and because I'm feeling miffed about that, I'm not granting each of them a separate review.  Yes, I know the producers of these shows must be in tears over their inability to read my extended commentary (sure to be witty and not at all meandering), but they shall overcome, I'm sure.  I recall a similar slump around this time last year-- now that all the dust from premiere season has settled, the shows can rest up in preparation for Halloween episodes (if applicable) and of course, November sweeps, which are only a few short weeks away.  How I Met Your Mother, 2 Broke Girls, and Up All Night were each funny but underwhelming, and I'm pretty sure NBC is running repeats of its Thursday night lineup, so that should indicate the kind of week it's been.  My hope is that seeing these usually strong shows phone it in this week means that we've got a lot to look forward to in the near future.


How I Met Your Mother 7.06-- Mystery vs. History:  This show is famous for having some episodes that are very sitcom-y in that they really are just filler, there to issue a few laughs and maybe, just maybe move a subplot along by baby steps.  And that's exactly what we got from HIMYM this week (no pun intended on the baby steps thing).  We found out that Marshall and Lily are having a BOY, and...well, that's pretty much everything of note that happened.  The rest of the episode had Kevin noting some of the gang's less than psychologically sound behaviors, which for me threw up a red flag that he and Robin may be headed for trouble soon (not that I was expecting them to last, since the writers are kind of already slowly ruining the character, as they do whenever we aren't supposed to get too attached).  Oh, and also, they painted the baby's room a truly hideous shade of yellow.  Oh yeah, and Ted went on a date with a girl he did not research on the Internet, and who is also...not the mother.

2 Broke Girls 1.05-- ...And the 90's Horse Party:  More clever banter, more hipster bashing, more crazy antics involving the girls' adorably awkward boss.  Overall, this episode was definitely chock full of things I enjoy...except for forward momentum.  This show needs to get a thread that can tie episodes together, something slightly more significant than the running total of funds for their cupcake shop. 

Up All Night 1.05-- The Birth:  I was skeptical going into this about having the birth as an entire flashback episode, but this actually turned out to be the best show of the week (though as discussed, the competition was far from stiff).  All three of the lead actors were charming and hilarious as usual, and it was admittedly fun to get to see what happened before the beginning, in a sense.  Maya Rudolph was especially funny as Ava in pre-baby meltdown mode (and she wasn't even the one having a kid), and bonus points to the writers for not dragging out the actual labor scenes, which are always, always tedious to watch.

Two additional thoughts:  pretty sure whatever reruns they dig up of Parks and Community will be better than the new episodes of most of these shows.  Additionally, New Girl has been on hiatus for two weeks, and isn't coming back till November 1st, and I...don't really miss it at all.  Oh well.

TV Review: 2 Broke Girls 1.04-- "...And the Rich People Problems"

This episode just might be my favorite yet.  We got more insight into Caroline's character, increased participation on the parts of the supporting players (Han is probably my favorite TV boss right now), and even a glimmer of compassion from Max.

Caroline needs to go to the dentist.  This is the simple premise that allows the rest of the episode to unfold.  As a person who also obsesses over dental hygiene, I was impressed that she could tell her teeth were shifting by studying her bite in an apple (I will learn to do this, mark my words).  But that's not the point.  The point is, as she is currently nursing a zero balance in her bank account, Caroline must face the horror (and it was pretty horrible) of a subway station dentist's office, which has bullet proof glass and definitely looks like the scene of a murder, be it past or future.  Fortunately, Max manages to talk her out of it, and they wind up breaking into Caroline's former home to get her Bite Guard.

I really really enjoyed their tour of Caroline's digs.  Max's reactions were hilarious, and I really did like their little heart to heart about how Caroline was raised; it developed her without seeming too dropped in or insincere.  It definitely made her more sympathetic, and I think the fact that Max thought so too was a good step forward for their friendship.

Also, we're definitely going to need a full karaoke number from Han in the future.  Just sayin'.

TV Review: 2 Broke Girls, Pilot

I'm going to go ahead and say it:  this is my favorite of the three pilots I've watched for this season.  I was not expecting this to be the case, as it looked like the weakest contender based on the ads; then again, the other two shows (Up All Night and New Girl) basically put all the funny parts in their countless promos, thus dooming themselves to me being bored, because I watch promos for everything I'm interested in excessively.

But yes, 2 Broke Girls is pretty darn charming.  I think I like it because the pilot delivered pretty much exactly what I was promised:  a straightforward premise, two characters who are reasonably likeable and who both have room for further development and complications, and some sassy, real-life humor that was genuinely amusing and more raunchy than I'd expected for CBS.

Kat Dennings plays seasoned waitress Max, and is actually kind of perfect as the lead of this show, and I really liked the opening with her talking to the hipsters.  She definitely won't be able to get by on the street-wise schtick forever, but for an introduction to this character it really works.  Beth Behrs plays Caroline, the very recently impoverished daughter of a notorious Ponzi schemer.  I expected this character to be kind of whiny and annoying, but there is already something very genuine and endearing about Caroline, and the writers have clearly worked hard to make her a foil to Max without it being unreasonable that the two of them might become friends.

The plot is no roller coaster (the pilot did little more than establish that they will both be working and living together from now on), but it still moves with surprising speed and fluidity because of the back-and-forth between all the characters, primarily the two girls.  The only potential problem was Max's live-in boyfriend, who came off flat, but that issue was resolved by the episode's end, with her sending him packing.  And yes, having a laugh track when so many of the shows I watch now don't use one is a little jarring, but I think if the wit of this show is maintained I can even make peace with that. 

Fall TV 2011: The New Class

The new season of television is nearly upon us, and I for one am very excited (probably too much so, in fact).  I can't wait for my favorites to return, but more than usual I'm excited to see what new material the networks have up their proverbial sleeves.  Because I will no longer be watching or reviewing the weekly train wreck that is Glee, I have an open slot in my review-roster, and I think that I may just fill it with one of the somewhat promising new shows headed our way.  I've narrowed the field to three candidates I plan on watching, and in a few episodes' time I hope to decide which one, if any, will become a part of my weekly lineup.

Up All Night  (NBC, Wednesday September 14th)
This show has so many ingredients that should make it a smash hit.  Genius producer who also produces a little show called Saturday Night Live?  Check.  All-star, proven hilarious cast?  Check.  Potentially amusing premise?  Check.  Of all the pilots I plan on watching, this is definitely the one that seems most like a sure thing, provided the writing isn't overshadowed/overcompensated for by all of the aforementioned factors, and provided that they haven't already shoved every funny moment into the onslaught of promos I've already seen.  There are few people I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt to more than Will Arnett, though, so for now this remains my frontrunner.

New Girl (FOX, September 20th)
I am definitely intrigued by this one, even if I still don't know that I buy Zooey Deschanel as awkward in a non-hipster, non-ironic way.  I do think I might like her better on the small screen (and in smaller doses) than carrying an entire movie, and the premise definitely has potential.  I'll be interested to see what kind of role the supporting characters play, as right now it just seems like a vehicle for Deschanel's character.  I think I'll like it as long as her roommates stay platonic, because I really do think the idea of her becoming kind of their new bro would be much more fun than her developing a default romance with one of them.  Don't know that I'll be able to glean evidence of all of this from the pilot, so it may take a couple of weeks for me to make a judgment call on this one.

2 Broke Girls  (CBS, September 19th)
Two girls, different sides of the tracks, unlikely friendship... I'm a little bored already, I'll admit.  However, I will give this one a chance if only because I do enjoy Kat Dennings and if the Upfront for the pilot is any indication, the show will at least be full of her trademark sass until it either settles into a groove or gets canceled.  I honestly think this show could go either way, but I'll watch it primarily because I like the idea of having a pilot out there that seems very much a throwback to the classic sitcom and could be part of a revival I'd very much like to see.

*  Additionally, there are two other shows that will probably come across my radar and which I may or may not be inclined to comment upon here.  The first is the ABC series Once Upon a Time, which doesn't premiere until October and the premise of which I'm not entirely sold on, but turning down something from the writers of LOST is something I'm just not able to do.  The other is, unfortunately, NBC's new comedy Whitney, which I will inevitably wind up watching by accident when I don't change channels fast enough following The Office.  This show looks by far the worst of the over-hyped pilots, which is a shame because I actually do like most of Whitney Cummings' stand-up.  I'll probably see one of the few episodes before NBC comes to its senses and boots it, and I hope that it won't be the torture-fest promised by each and every ad I've encountered.