GMMR’s Thursday Night Redux
December 1, 2006 by Kath Skerry
Thursday night television is becoming an Olympic event. It takes a real expert to navigate that remote control to effectively get in the most TV possible. With so much going on, I can’s possibly watch EVERY show that I want on Thursday. There are a few shows that I have to TiNo until the weekend. TiNo you say? Yes TiNo – it’s the new term for when you TiVo a show knowing you aren’t going to watch it until later. (Example: I’ve TiNo’d the past four episodes of Heroes so I can have a Heroes marathon this weekend.)
So in what might get the award for GMMR’s longest post, let’s talk about the shows I manged to watch (and didn’t watch) last night:
My Name is Earl, 30 Rock, Scrubs, The OC, Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy & The Office
My Name is Earl (TiNo) – I’m going to admit that I am only a casual watcher of Earl. Since I am running a live Office chat that starts at 8pm, I always have Earl in the background, but I’m not actively watching it. I always try to pay attention when I see Joy come on the screen, because Jamie Pressley is so damn funny. She is so perfect in that role, I can’t imagine anyone else. Oh, and did anyone else notice the little hint at the end with Joy and Crabman. Looks like Joy isn’t on the old birth control….maybe they will be writing in Jamie’s real life pregnancy after all.
30 Rock (TiNo) – The tide has turned on this show. While most were panning it at the beginning, it seems that 30 Rock has steadily improved week after week. I wasn’t sold on it from the beginning so every week I TiNo it and plan to watch it on the weekends. But most of the time I delete them before watching. Should I be watching this one? Are you all liking it? Let me know what you think.
(My take on SCRUBS, UGLY BETTY, GREY’S ANATOMY, THE OC, and THE OFFICE after the jump!!!)
Scrubs (TiVo/TiNo) – It’s not that I TiNo’d Scrubs per say. I watched it. But I didn’t give it all the love and attention it truly deserved. I had the show on, but I was busy emailing, chatting, etc. The parts I saw were funny as all hell, but with a show as brilliant at Scrubs…well, it deserves more than my casual attention. I am really looking forward to checking out Scrubs tonight. It’s nice to have it back on the air, and in with so many strong shows. Finally NBC does something right with this one.
Ugly Betty (TiVo) – I actually watched Ugly Betty last night and absolutely loved it. I was thinking back to the review I wrote just before the season premiere. I adored the show from the get go, but I wasn’t that impressed with Marc and Amanda. I may have gone so far as to call them “cartoon-like”…ouch!. Yeah, I am officially redacting that! Marc and Amanda might be my favorite part of the show. They are so over the top that I look forward to their antics as much as I do the sweet moments with our little Betty Suarez.
And talk about sweet moment!! Betty and Daniel exchanging tearful hugs as Betty sets off on her new job? Loved it! Obviously Betty isn’t going anywhere, so I’m intrigued as to what happens to keep her at Mode. And can we please talk about the Walter/Betty/Henry triangle? Henry makes her palms sweat – end of story! I love how they try to dork up Christopher Gorham. It’s not working…he looks like Clark Kent just seconds before he goes all Superman on us. I’m clearly TEAM HENRY, but why isn’t Hilda?
The OC – How I went from loathing Taylor Townsend to squeeing every time she comes on screen is beyond me. She is so my new favorite character. She tries so hard to fit in but never quite does. I’m not 100% sold on Taylor and Ryan as a couple – she just seems a bit too Mary Poppins for our bad boy from Chino, but I’ll give them a shot. I am on the fence so I am easily swayed.
I’ve been wondering all season HOW they were going to get Summer back to Newport. I hate the idea of Summer getting booted from an Ivy League school, but if it means more Seth-time then so be it. And what’s up with Che throwing summer under the bus? Not cool Bright Abbott…so not cool.
Julie Cooper is still the best thing about The OC. And I must say that I am much for found of Kaitlin Cooper than I ever was of Marissa. The parallel story of the mother/daughter duo dating/trying to date a father/son pair was awesome. Marissa was too busy looking in the mirror and drinking from her flask to every truly realize how cool her mama was.
Grey’s Anatomy – Last night wasn’t my favorite episode of the season, but it’s still simply amazing television. I was surprised to find that I went through the entire episode without crying. Although, I will admit that I was talking myself out of tears when I thought that George’s dad was going to bite the bullet. George’s character has grown so much since last season. Yes, he’s still a little annoying and whiny as all hell, but it’s like he is finally becoming a man. Now he just needs to get back with Callie and I will be happy.
I pretty much loved Burke’s scenes last night. Now that his secret is out, he’s so vulnerable. Whether it was Bailey going off on him, or the Chief going off on him, he looked like a lost puppy. Talking George through his Dad’s surgery was just an amazing moment, as was when Christina walked quietly back into the elevator with Burke and Derek. Nice job Christina…way to step up.
Oh, and when did Mere Winningham become old enough to be a grandmother? Wasn’t she just losing her virginity to Billy? How time flies. And if you don’t have a clue what I’m talking about, I don’t want to hear it. It will just depress me.
The Office – I decided to skip this one last night…I’m not a big fan. Ha – I almost typed that without smiling. Yes, The Office was fantastic. The online consensus was that it was one of the best, if not the best episode of the season. A few highlights:
Favorite Quotes:
Jim: Jonas Salk
Michael: Who?
Jim: Justin Timberlake
Michael: You are such a racist.
Kevin: Wait, why am I a racist?
Michael: Because you think he’s black.
Kevin: He is black … right?
Kevin: I had Martin explain to me three times what he got arrested for, because … it sounds an awful lot like what I do here … every day.
Michael: Gruel. Sandwiches. Gruel omelettes. Nothing but gruel. Plus, you can eat your own hair.
Michael: I didn’t hire an ex-convict. Unless they mean Toby. Convicted rapist.
Dwight: I am greatly concerned about having a convict in the office. And I do not care if that convict is white, black, Asian, German, or some kind of halfsy. I do not like criminals.
Prison Mike was just too much to handle. From Michael telling Ryan he would be “da belle of da ball” to gruel sandwiches, I was just dying. And the dementors line had me doing a spit take the first time I watched it.I loved Toby and Michael’s moment last night. I’d like to see them getting along a little more…but not always.
Andy and hit woo’ing of Pam was just perfect. As was Pam’s reaction: “Wow….just wow”. So fun that Jim was behind it all. Sigh.
This was a pretty great JAM episode, right? So will you be surprised when I tell you that Jim and Pam didn’t speak ONE word to each other throughout the entire show? Sometimes you just don’t need words. Words are overrated and tend to get in the way with these two. Non-verbal communication is the only way Jim & Pam should converse. Well that is until they share their “I Do”s. Ok, ok, I’m getting ahead of myself here.
Also perfect were the many faces of Jim Halpert last night. Love = that boy’s smile.
So Jim and Karen are dating. Not a shocker there. I’m a JAM shipped to the core, so I’m sure I’m being biased when I say that when he was talking to and about Karen, that famous smile didn’t quite reach his eye. And interesting that Jim didn’t let Karen in on the prank. Was it because he only has ONE partner in crime, or he just thought it would be cruel to have Karen prank Pam. Hmmm.
I would have liked to see a little more Dwight last night. Correction – I would have liked to see a little more Andy and Dwight last night. Check out the deleted scenes on NBC.com for a “Dwandy” gem.
Whew…my eyes hurt just thinking about the TV I watched last night. Ok, so here’s the part where you tell me what you watched, and what you found to be the best of the best last night.
All photos courtesy of NBC-Universal and Fox
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Filed under 30 Rock, Grey's Anatomy, Scrubs, The OC, The Office, TV News, Ugly Betty
i keep waiting for the day that my neighbors call the landlord over my “excessive noise” while watching The Office. Prison Mike had me spit-taking.
I’d give 30 Rock a shot, if I were you. I find it pretty hilarious, if not as consistently so as its more mature companions on Thursday night. And it’s only getting better!
I watch Office, Scrubs, and 30 Rock. While none of the episodes will be personal favorites of mine, I definately am enjoying NBC’s new comedy block.
I guess I thought the Scrubs episode could have been a tad stronger for a season premiere (and what was up with playing “Bye, Bye, Bye”, a genuinely horrible song?). There were plenty of funny moments though.
I personally thought the last episode of 30 Rock was much funnier than this one, but it was still ok. Tracey Morgan and Alec Baldwin are very funny individuals.
I loved The Office. That was by far and away my favorite episode so far this season. I laughed and laughed. And Creed with his paper clips. He has plenty so it’s cool if the baby swallows them. Kills me. And Jim and the eyes….
I also watched Earl. My 3 year old loves Earl. I also agree about Joy. She is probably the funniest character ever.
I also watched The OC. I watched last weeks episode online after reading how it’s back to being good, and I have to agree. So I watched it last night. I also really like Taylor. I don’t really get kaitlin but I’ve never seen any episodes since way back when Julie wanted to buy her a pony and Jimmy was freaking out over losing all their money.
I watched Grey’s on the computer today.
I have 30 rock in my DVR. I really like that show but can’t comment on last night yet.
The only problem with Scrubs and 30 Rock after The Office is that I can’t get online immediately to chat about The Office. This TiNo thing may be a good idea.
And yea, try 30 Rock. I think it’s worth it.
My favorite moment of the night was Jim’s little evil moment with the slow spin in the chair and the quick glance. I think I was laughing hysterically at that point. 🙂
Woah I had no idea that Pam and Jim didn’t even speak to eachother in this episode. It didn’t even hit me till you wrote that. WOW!! Now that’s something. Ricky G. must have either been really lazy to write a dialoge between the two or have noticed that Jim and Pam don’t need words to communicate. AWESOME!
Yes, DEFINITELY watch “30 Rock.” It’s great! It might be my favorite comedy on TV right now. GREAT chemistry with the whole cast.
Good point about Jim and Pam communicating with each other without ever saying a word! I was a little sad last night that Jim and Karen are getting along so well, and that we really have no reason to dislike her (other than that she’s not Pam!). So really good point about JAM’s still potent unspoken connection to each other!
And personally, I think Jim didn’t want Karen to prank Pam because coming from just him, Pam’s good friend, it’s funny and the joke is more on Andy. But Jim and his new girlfriend ganging up on Pam? That’s harsh, and Jim totally knew that.
Favorite moment? Jim slowly turning his chair around in that evil genius way. LOVE HIM!
St. Elmo’s Fire lives. 🙂
I swore after Buffy/Angel and Spuffy that my shipping days were over, but d-a-n-g. I am so JAM to the bone.
I was kinda mad at Jim last night. I don’t like him picking on Pam and then he swings around with that look. Damn him. He had me at pig latin.
The First Jim look you showed=PRICELESS!
And I too, thought it was weird that Karen wasn’t in on the prank, well, folks, last night definitely confirmed for me, that it’s not over yet!
And I didn’t notice the whole not talking thing until you mentioned, that says a lot!!
I wanted to see more Dwight and Andy too!! They are going to be so great!
just have to say. andy singing the rainbow connection made me laugh my ass off. i’m so serious. and i loved jim face (love that picture of jim from the end!!) but seriously that episode was one of the funniest. i didn’t get to catch the first 4 minutesthough, my mom was making me do other stuff but still loved the episode! (i loved the jam interactions. i mean they never spoke but their faces looking at each other was priceless. me and my sister kept saying “they’re flirting again!!” ugh i dislike karen but this one kid who’s in some of myhh classes is like “i don’t like the whole jim and pam thing i like the jim and karen thing” i told him, “you make me want to puke”
You NEED to be watching 30 Rock.
Didn’t pick up on the no talking between Jam at all last night. Good catch. Loved this ep of the office. The first Jim look brought the lamest grin to my face. Prison Mike needs to visit the office more often. Best line of the night…”You’d be da belle of da ball.”
Wow! I didn’t pick up on the fact that Jim and Pam didn’t talk throughout the episode! Thank you for pointing that out! And this was a great episode for the two of them. One day they’re going to actually have an honest conversation about their feelings for one another, and the world is going to EXPLODE.
does anyone know what Andy said to Pam in pig latin?
atwhay oday ouyay inkthay ampay?
(what to you think Pam?)
That was a hilarious scene. The whole show was awesome!
I read the latest US Weekly and it had a small piece on the actress who plays Karen. In real life she dated John Krasinski for a while and her dad is Quincey Jones! Plus she slightly comments on Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie whom she went to elementary school with. But I digress if Jim cant be with Pam, for dram sake, I like him with Karen. She’s much better than the purse girl whom Jim clearly only dated to get under Pam’s skin. I think he has some real feelings for Karen. But I was surpised they put them together so soon. I figured they were going to have a triangle of him pining after Pam and Karen pining after Jim. Good writing! Also am I the only one who’s thinking they are slowly going to have all the Stamford people quit? They lost 2 already. I liked the felon and the fat guy.
the OC was great. I think its better then Grey’s these days. Greys gets watched online and OC and SCRUBS/30 ROCK get my attention. With Greys and CSI in repeats, may more people discover that the OC is having its best season since Season 1!
I watched the first couple episodes of Ugly Betty and enjoyed them but because it’s on at the same time as the Office, I stopped watching (but still read the gmmr recaps ;-)). This week, I knew I was going to be busy on Thursday night so I taped the Office. Turned out I wasn’t as busy as I thought I was going to be and had a chance to watch some tv so I turned on Ugly Betty. Heavens to Mergatroyd, am I glad I did. I am TEAM HENRY all the way. I don’t normally like lanky guys but there’s something about him. It’s probably the glasses.
And to make this comment the longest one ever, I have a question for you, gmmr. There’s a Dunkin Donuts commercial where a bunch of people are singing some “frou frou” coffee words and they pan past this guy who I swear looks like Ryan Hansen. Part of me says it’s not him but I’m not sure because they don’t show him long enough to be able to tell. I thought if anyone would know or could find out, it would be you. Either that, or one of your loyal gmmr readers. 🙂
Thanks a million!
It’s not Ryan Hansen, but I too did a triple take the first time I saw the commercial.
Thanks! I really didn’t think it was but a part of me squeed a little at the thought. 😉
-swoon- I love Jim. And Andy! I love it when Andy sings in that high voice, he’s so cool! :]
I love the Pam and Jim moments, I think they’re really real and believeable. Like, the subtle things, are just great. Karen’s a fantastic actress, if you pay attention she does her emotions and stuff really well. Anyway, I love the office. I’m going to go watch it now! 😀