Showtime Will Not Win!

This week it was announced that Showtime, which provides us with TV gems like the thrilling Dexter and the evolving emotional narrative The Big C, has made one of the biggest mistakes by cancelling the show United States of Tara (While keeping Nurse Jackie on for another season).

Now, we all know television networks pick up shows and cancel them based on ratings, because the higher the ratings, the more money they're getting for the show. Therefore no appeal could be made to showtime in regards to ratings. So, why would a network bring back a show if it thinks it can find a new show that will bring in an even larger audience? The short answer is that it just wouldn't. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and ultimately there are three paths this show could take.

Path #1 : The network could realize how much they have upset their fan base and renew it for a 4th season.

I'm sure this idea seems absolutely ridiculous because it never happens. However there is one major exception to that rule: Family Guy. After being off the air for 2(?) years and after they saw DVD sales spike after it was cancelled, Fox decided to give Seth MacFarlane another chance, and now it seems as though the show will never leave and Seth will keep taking over Sundays on Fox.

Path #2 : Another network could pick up where Showtime failed.

Again it may be hard to think of many shows that have done this, but two major ones come into mind for me instantly: Futurama and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Of course Fox ended up cancelling Futurama as they tend to cancel every great show they get (Arrested Development anyone?). Luckily Comedy Central has its act together and picked up the show and its had a solid couple seasons on the new network.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer had a bit of a different path though. Originally airing on the WB when the WB was just an infant the show had a solid 5 seasons and Joss Whedon ended the 5th season in such a way that it could be the end of the series after not knowing if it would be picked up for a 6th season by any station. Luckily for Whedonites everywhere UPN picked it up and it lasted another 2 seasons.

Path #3 : Big Screen Production

There are two big examples of when this has happened. Fox cancelled Joss Whedon's show Firefly after only 14 episodes leaving fans hanging. Luckily, someone saw that there was a large enough fan base that Joss was able to make a movie Serenity to give fans the closure they needed.
Arrested Development, thankfully, is the other example of this path. Although I haven't seen the movie they're making, which is finally in production after years upon years of rumors and false hope, I'm sure it'll be a great addition to the 2.5 seasons that already exist.

Ultimately, if this show is to come back in any form, it is going to take all the fans out there to let Showtime know they're pissed off by writing letters, e-mails, tweeting, facebooking, and cancelling subscriptions on the basis that if they brought USoT back on the airs we would resubscribe.

We could appeal to Showtime by expressing just how interesting, novel, and raw this show is, but unfortunately, I have a feeling "the man" won't consider these appeals legitimate enough to bring a show back. You would think that an Emmy for Toni Collette would garner the show some kind of safety net or grace period, but apparently not.

Businesses speak money, let's not give them any.

The Good, The Great, and the Disappointing

Community has again solidified why it is easily one of the best shows on television. Last year's paintball episode was a hit and it was the episode where I realized the show was incredible and completely underrated. (I hate to say that I didn't think it stood a chance right away, boy was I wrong.)

While last year's paintball may have been an epic episode for the emerging show, this year's puts. it. to. shame. With a Quentin Tarantino-esque feel, a jaded female protagonist, a manipulative villain eventually turned ally, and a riduculously sexy mystery man, Community has created the best episdoe of a television show ever complete with vague flash backs, action scenes, and twists. If you have never watched this show or have been thinking about getting into it, but you just haven't had the time, well, now is the mother effing time. Watch both seasons as fast as you can, and get. to. this. episode. Usually I'm honing my mad Protoss skillz in Starcraft 2, but I shut that shit down for this show. Luckily for you, you have a week to catch up because this episodes a two-parter ending next week, and the preview could quite easily be a trailer for a huge cinematic thriller.

Another huge moment for television last night was the first episode of The Office without Michael Scott, and while I'm pessimistic about how it will all pan out next year (I give it one year and then it'll be over), I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked this episode. I've always been a fan of the more minor characters in the show, but you can see they're trying to make it feel like a more communal environment rather than focusing largely on Michael Scott. A large part of the easier transition was definitely due to Will Ferrell. Although he may already be out of the show, hopefully all these huge stars they're bringing in will be able to add enough comedy to relieve our depression over Steve Carrell's exit.

While these two shows were just stellar this week, South Parks second episode of the season really disappointed. I get the idea that the comedy awards are a waste of time and only there so these stars can pat themselves on the back (as are all Hollywood awards shows), but it isn't exactly something you can really make fun of. Also, sayign that Germans aren't funny? Where the hell did that come from? Left field? (sports) Regardless, I'm just waiting for their Bin Laden episode, which is inevitable. South Park doesn't tend to miss out on the major events that are ripe for ridicule.

Overall: Watch Community. Start watching Happy Endings (Yes, I realize I didnt' say anything about this week's two new fantastic episodes). And Hope that The Office can continue to pull off a good show.

It was a Depressingly Hilarious Night

Last night we said goodbye to the perpetually awkward Michael Scott.

*moment of silence*

No longer will we get to feel as awkward as we did when watching him push a morbidly obese man onto a table. Nor will we be given any more heartfelt moments like when he proposed to Holly. Never again will we wonder when he'll realize that Jan's baby isn't actually his. However, tonight will be a true night at the theatre. There will be laughs. There will be tears. But most importantly, there will be a tub full of awkwardness just gushing over the edges. In true Office fashion, this bitter-sweet event will go down in probably a little bit of infamy.

Won't lie, I cried like a baby for the last half hour of the show. Hell, it gets me all teary-eyed thinking about it now.

Thank God it wasn't just an hour-long sob fest though. By far one of the funniest moments was Michael Scott giving Oscar some weird doll he made and then the cut-scene to M. Scott just laughing his ass off because he knows he just pulled a huge prank on Oscar. Even in good-bye's humor isn't lost on this man.

Of course, the best goodbyes were Dwight, Jim, and Pam, even if you didn't get to hear exactly what they said to each other.

Now it is time to look to the future of the show though. How is it going to handle not having the crazy glue to hold everything together?

It won't be easy, and it most likely won't work, but I'm glad they're trying. The show, while it may focus around Michael Scott, was largely not about him. Obviously you have Jim and Pam who dominated seasons 3-6 with their relationship/engagement/wedding, and now we have another relationship in the works with Erin and Andy. They've used pretty much the same formula too with Erin dating someone and being unavailable while she clearly is in love with Andy.

Overall though, the show needs to make us REALLY care about the rest of the characters giving them more dimensions than what we've seen so far with the caricatures that they've created so perfectly. I actually think the one thing that is going to ruin the show is trying to bring another Michael Scott type character, unless they don't focus too much on that character's development for a while, or ever really. Let's be honest, the show only had about one more year in it anyway (it probably should have just said it would be done this season, but NBC's track record of trying to find new comedies has been atrocious from Outsourced to Perfect Couples and then the Paul Reiser show which was cancelled after only 2 episodes, thankfully).

I'd love to see at least one season with the rest of the cast in it, but I also don't want it continuing down the Scrubs path it appears to be on where Scrubs got rid of Zach Braff and tried to reinvent the show, but then it cancelled (for like, the 5th time during its run). Hopefully they don't technically 'cancel' The Office and instead just let it play out for one more year while they try probably another 10 sitcoms before they finally find one good enough to get some legitimate ratings.

While it was hard to see Steve Carrell leave the show, he definitely made the smart choice of abandoning ship before it sinks.

Lions and Gays and Bears! Oh My!

Okay. Before reading my ramblings, scan this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/27/glee-born-this-way-lady-gaga-gay-conservative_n_854193.html
I totally agree that we should in fact be teaching our kids (your kids, not my kids, I'm 23 and gay, definitely don't have kids) to hate themselves, and fix what's wrong with them. *vomit*

Could these haters be anymore ridiculous? Unfortunately, the answer is most likely a definite probably.

So, 'publicans are upset that the "liberal media" has attacked their Tea Party goddesses in the form of a conservative's worst nightmare, Kathy Griffin. Get over it? Just because you can't parody a liberal as easily or well as we can doesn't mean you should get angry with us for being better, try improving yourself, isn't that like, one of the core values of your party anyway? And if you think it attacked the Tea Party in general, I'd say you couldn't be more mistaken. She played a mix between Palin and O'Donnell. I mean, are you really that upset that they put in a zinger about not being a witch? Why don't y'all just jump on the bandwagon and laugh a little at the ridiculousness that is Palin and O'Donnell, it's not like you're voting in the polls shows Palin anywhere near the top of the contenders for el Presidente.

Rant. Over.

At least that rant...

<---- The face of hate, Dan Gainor.

So, Mr. Dan Gainor thinks that this past episode was pushing a gay agenda. (As we all know, the gay agenda is to convert as many people as we can to our side for the purpose of... umm... well... I'm not sure. I haven't ascended to that level of Homotology.) To his credit though, it was pushing a gay-ish agenda: Acceptance, of other people and of yourself. So, kudos to you Mr. Gainor for reading between the lyrics of this episode.

Mr. Gainor: "It's a high school most parents would not want to send their kids to."

Absolutely. I would never send my kid to that high school. Who wants their kid to grow up in Ohio, the Mecca of homosexuals?! But seriously. Who wouldn't want their kid to go to a school promoting positive thinking and kindness towards others regardless of their differences? Where does self-hatred get anyone besides into a chair underneath a knife or even worse. I mean, what the hell are these people so upset about? That the show is teaching young kids who may feel different that neither bullying nor suicide is the answer? My god, if for some magical reason Christians were killing themselves because they were teased about being Christians, some would ask those bullies be put to death.

It's hard enough for young gays to come out to their family and friends, and it seems to be proving even more difficult for us to come out as a group.

What? You don't want your kid watching the show because he might learn that its okay that he's gay? Well guess what. Whether he watches this show or not, he's still going to be a big 'ol gay, and maybe JUST maybe if he gets a healthy attitude about himself, he won't end up in an unhealthy and unsafe lifestyle.

Phew! Okay. I'm getting some serious wrist problems from this frantic typing.

I'm going to say it: Quinn has one of the prettiest, most ethereal voices on the show, and I cannot get enough of her. Obviously Rachel has the most incredible voice (bar Mercedes), and the two of them together, along with it being one of the best TLC songs ever made for one of the best scenes of this show. My latest obsession for you all is Glee's mash-up (sort of, it barely has I Feel Pretty in it) I Feel Pretty/Unpretty.

New Beginnings and Happy Endings

ABC has FINALLY found a Comedy to replace their horrible streak of wannabes (Better With You, Mr. Sunshine. Sorry, Matthew Perry, your Chandler character is only funny in friends.)

I was hesitant about the show. I really wanted it to work out because Elisa Cuthbert (She was in the later seasons of scrubs as a dude acting chick intern and was in an episode of Flight of the Conchords also as a chick who acted more like a dude when it came to sex.) is phenomenally funny, and hot. It took my 14 year old sister to point out that the brunette female was on one season of SNL (kicked off after cursing on air in the beginning of the season, although they did let her play the rest of the year out). But honestly, she's way better off doing this show than SNL. This woman is easily the most funny character on the show. She really was the only one that instantly grabbed my attention in the scene where the ladies are at the gym and she just yells at herself "COME ON YOU STUPID SLUT. YOU CAN DO THIS!" or something along those lines. Can't say I didn't see a little of myself in that.

Another refreshing character is Max, the chubby gay guy who is described as a straight dude who likes guys (which we're seeing more of in Hollywood with the new movie Friends with Benefits where Woody Allen appears to play a similar role). It works perfectly.

Elisa Cuthbert changes up her standard character by playing an organized, controlling, and sexy married woman reaching more into the feminine and branching away from her dude-esque roles she played in Scrubs and Flight of the Conchords, and it works perfectly. I suppose in every role she's played, she is the dominating force in her relationships. Not that I'm complaining, I'd be submissive towards her any day.

The episodes run pretty causally throwing in zingers every once in a while, but most of the comedy comes from the brunette, the gay, and Elisa Cuthbert. The others seem to be there to mostly set up the comedy for the other three. I'm guessing as the season progresses the others will find their niche in the show as well. It is fast paced, smart, and all the characters are likable and funny (excluding perhaps the blond chick who ran out on the wedding in the first episode. We have yet to get a feel for why she's funny or why we should even care about her.)

A lot of haters out there are calling it a Friends rip-off. Well congratulations for finding the similarity between the two shows: 3 guys and 3 girls that are all friends. You must have gone to Harvard to figure that one out. If we vilified every show that seemed to copy the formula for another show, nothing would be legit anymore. Cougar Town: 3 guys, 3 girls, and it even has Courtney Cox pretty much playing Monica again. Has anyone noticed the latest slew of 5 people going through life together where 4 of them are obviously going to end up as couples, and one is left being the sex fiend? It happens because it works. Ratings go up when diversity appears in a show because obviously more people can find something to relate to. Stop hating and start enjoying a happy ending when it is given to you.

Luckily, as with most shows, they become more enjoyable the more episodes you can watch in a row to get a better feel for it. You can watch the first 4 episodes on Hulu right now.

You gotta do it. Who doesn't love a happy ending?

The Sing Off: An Unfortunate Hit

I'll admit, I didn't start watching this show with the best attitude (i.e. I went into it knowing that I would hate it and wanting to hate it).

Well, the show definitely didn't change my mind. Now, dont' get me wrong, I didn't want to not like it because I thought the performances would be god awful, but because, and let's all be honest with ourselves, Nick Lachey was hosting and the commercials for it always had the hot girl saying, "You're like a real life Glee." They couldn't have tried harder to make it a real life glee even if they tried, and they clearly didn't try too hard with this show.
Also, Nick Lachey starts out by saying that this is the "toughest all vocal contest." Toughest... really?... have you seen American Idol? Maybe you missed that fad, but let's start checking what you're about to say before you make a complete ass out of yourself and the show. Do you really want to follow in the footsteps of Mario Lopez and be viewed as a gigantic tool? Oh, everyone already thought that about you? Well, I guess you found the perfect job then.

Unfortunately, Mr. Lachey isn't the worst thing about the show. The groups "all about us" video montages are the absolute worst part of the show.

Okay, yes, all reality shows have that cheesy portion of the program where they try to get the audience to relate to the contestants, and yes, usually it is over the top and a bit ridiculous, but this show crosses a line that isn't even visible to the other shows. I think it all stems from how unoriginal the show is. We have our singing show already in American Idol (which is just going to be sad this year with Steven Tyler, J.Lo, and Randy Jackson as the judges. [I still can't believe Randy Jackson is the only original judge left. How could you leave us with the most annoying judge in the history of shows, dawg?]). We already have our group singing show, Glee, which I realize isn't a reality competition, but, come on, they're obviously going to trump any of these vocal groups. Sure, a group from the show's previous season is now on Glee (for 2 songs, mind you) and they weren't even that featured since the new hottie gay steals the show. Anyway, I digress. Back to my main point that these montages are disgustingly disgusting.

I must say that my favorite/actually least favorite ones were the Berkeley group, the Yale group, and the group that was comprised of people from the season before that must now work through their own bull shit voices to create something new (OMG that's JUST like Glee! how exciting!).

First off, the Berkeley group (I don't care enough to remember the actual group name) and the Yale group seem to be in a competition of their own racing for the prize of "We're the douchiest a capella group." And honestly, Berkeley wins. Why? Because here is how they come off, "OMG we go to Berkeley, so we're like, REALLY well trained and more musically talented and uber trained and just way more skilled than anyone else!"  Congratulations, d-bags, on not having personalities, but I should commend you that you could make the entire female, and some of the male, population feel fresh.

Yale. Now, obviously when they said they were from Yale everyone watching instantly prepared themselves for a douche-a-thon. First off, they, of course, have to claim they "invented" a capella groups.  Then they quickly switch to them playing golf and wearing their tuxedos and eating at a fancy restaurant. Now, this may seem douche-ier than the previous group, however, I'm going to give them a little bit of credit and say that the show wanted to see this as a spin, whereas the Berkeley group just talked about how amazing and talented they were. Also, I'll admit, the guy who sang Grace Kelly by Mika, well, I'd put a ring on it. But still, wearing the suits on stage too, douchey.

A few of the other groups tried, just oh so hard, to make them look like a "real life glee" including a high school group full of students who would have never talked to each other had it not been for their love of singing! They had a prom king and queen, a nerd, a jock, and any other clique you can think of in their group. Essentially it came down to a line sort of like, "OMG I would never talk to any of these freaks if we weren't in the same group, so I'm like, a really good person for doing that and being so open to people's differences."

Then there was the all male group who sings AND does sports. WHOAH! You mean... guys can be athletic and have a soft side??! What a twist!

The other groups were boring ranging from, "My group needed another lead singer, so I brought my daughter in. How precious are we? Singing together brings us closer!" And then the daughter wasn't even the lead vocalist in the song they sang leading me to believe it was all a publicity stunt. Shocker! (and not the fun kind), and leading to a group based on being a born again Christian... All in all, I would have rather watched Nick Lachey just stand there saying nothing over listening to these groups rattle on about how they're unique.

Also, I don't think its really saying much for the show when it airs all its episodes within a three week span.

All in all, horrible show.

Fennopian

It's a Tie!

Whatever, I don't even care that I'm writing about Glee A-gain.

If you aren't watching this show, you need to catch up now. If you are watching this show, congratulations on being awesome.

So, what's the big deal with this episode? Well, they went to sectionals, bitches. I'm sure everyone was expecting this to be a big Rachel and Finn vocal episode since last year at sectionals they rocked it. Thank God (was this an appropriate use of the word God. Apparently I don't use it appropriately. Thank you, religious zealots.) they didn't use Finn at all, and re-created the Rachel/Kurt or Kurchel if I'm to follow Finn's speech from the episode previous. The whole episode was about the unsung stars of this show who have been getting more and more camera time taking away from the mundane and annoying story line of the boring love story between the two "stars" of the show.

Obviously, the episode was amazing with number like Time of My Life sung by Dianna Agron (Quinn) and Chord Overstreet (Sam). I have to say, Dianna Agron has some of the best minor facial expressions in this show. She has perfected giving just the perfect nuance of expression during performances. Transitioning right into Santana's song just made me so excited. I bleeping LOVE her voice. It is so raw and fantastically amazing to listen to. Plus, who doesn't love watching her in general? (Maybe I'm biased. She has said in an interview that she doesn't get much attention from the public except from the gays...)

Now, the big question on every person's mind is, "Are Kurt and that hottie dating?" Who knows. They haven't shown them hooking up or anything, but its not like Glee would really shy away from that. I don't think they're officially dating, nor do I think they will actually date. I think the Warblers are just a way for the show to expore Kurt's personality and his options in life: Does he stay an individual where he will be confronted with prejudice, or lose his individuality in an environment where he'll be accepted, but subdued. (Also, could that bird have been any more of an obvious metaphor for Kurt...) Obviously he's going to choose the former, so let's just have him do it sooner than later and get that wierd ugly chick out of the Glee club.

Aaaand in the end of the episode of course lots of drama happens in 3 minutes. The red-head and the dentist are married (left field), but she seems to regret it, Finn and Rachel are together no more because Rachel's a dumb bimbo and Finn has emotional problems. Don't care though. Just want more of Mercedes in the next semester of the show. That girl's voice is so underutilized it's sickening.

Remember when they used to have that other awkward dancer in the show but then he "transferred"? Yeah... me either.

Worst moments of the episode: The old people. What the hell was up with that? Did they think that was going to be a funny gimmick? Well, it was more just really awkward to watch, and really we all just wanted to watch the legit groups sing.

Aaaand the tie? Really? Great cop-out, Glee. I just hope this doesn't mean Kurt's going to be a different school the entire semester. That'll be super annoying.

Fennopian