HOUSE: Teamwork

WARNING! The first paragraph of this post contains spoilers for last night’s episode of HOUSE.

As millions of viewers watched Allison Cameron leave Princeton Plainsboro behind, EW.com’s TV guru Michael Ausiello obtained actress Jennifer Morrison’s first public comments about her departure from the show. With news of her exit having flooded gossip sites for weeks, I was eager to hear the full story. What insider scoop came out of Morrison’s mouth, you ask?

“I find the entire situation sort of confusing,”

If I did not know that Jennifer Morrison had drawn paychecks for her contributions to House, I would have sworn that she was leaving a comment here on GMMR. As I watched tonight’s episode unfold, I was astounded at the rapid-fire string of events that precipitated Cameron’s decision to leave both her husband and her career behind. While the credits rolled, and I looked back at my notes, I wondered aloud what many readers have been typing for weeks.

Why Cameron? Why now?

The immediate impact of a Cameron-free diagnostic team appears to be a retread of familiar Season Five territory. Thirteen and Foreman exchanging longing looks while going about their job, Taub attempting to balance his personal and professional lives, all under House’s micro-managing eye. If you enjoy watching reruns of House on USA, this does not present a problem. For the rest of us, it is time to hit the panic button. In the absence of progress, these characters are either treading water or regressing. Faced with those kinds of creative potholes, many viewers may find themselves changing the channel.

Read more

HOUSE: Known Unknowns

House returned to Fox’s primetime lineup this week after a baseball-induced hiatus, a delay that grew even more tiresome as the New York Yankees celebrated their 27th world championship. (Go Red Sox!) Despite my enthusiasm for new adventures in the world of Princeton Plainsboro, I spent the first half of the episode wondering if it was being shown out of order. No progress on Chase & Cameron? Wilson coaching House on how to get the “woman of his dreams?” I simply could not place this episode in the context of Season Six.

All was forgiven, however, when P.I. Lucas Douglas showed up as Cuddy’s secret admirer/babysitter. Veteran viewers will remember Lucas from his four episode arc early in Season Five, contracted by House to investigate friends and foes alike. Actor Michael Weston gave Lucas a lovable dash of honesty and forthrightness, filling the friendship void left by Wilson’s resignation following Amber’s death. Lucas Douglas was a hard working, yet quirky guy, fascinated by the machinations in House’s head. It was fair to say that Lucas was equally intrigued by House’s boss, a detail left stranded until this week’s payoff.

Read more

PARKS AND RECREATION: Greg Pikitis

In the midst of a breakthrough second season, I have had very few complaints for the cast and crew of Parks and Recreation.  My biggest wish for P&R’s sophomore year was that the Pit debacle be replaced by a long term storyline that focused on the personal lives of Pawnee’s public servants.  Though stars Amy Poehler and Rashida Jones have onscreen romances to navigate, I have become fascinated by the unrequited love story between a man and his green card wife.

Aziz Ansari has shown considerable acting chops in Season Two.  Armed with a barrage of memorable one-liners and opportunities to show vulnerability, the young comedian adds more dimensions to Tom Haverford each week.  Tonight’s episode was Ansari’s best yet, particularly the revealing look at Tom’s true feelings for Wendy.  Hints of Tom’s affection may have been sprinkled into earlier episodes, but Ansari’s face said more than any indulgent monologue could have.  Tom Haverford is the life of the party, but we now understand who he is truly trying to impress.  Kudos to P&R’s creative guru Michael Schur for writing this scene and to director Dean Holland for letting the lens do the talking.

We may be entering new territory in TV fandom, as I cannot recall rooting for an onscreen husband and wife to consummate their marriage.  I am already looking forward to seeing more Tom/Wendy drama in the weeks ahead.  If they ever got married for the right reasons, imagine the size of the dance floor!

Read more

PARKS AND RECREATION: Kaboom

I bought a car last week.  After my previous vehicle was stolen in the dead of night, I thought it wise to find something safe, sound, and affordable.  The best deal I found was on a used luxury sedan, priced far more reasonably than the tanks driven by my neighbors.  I am not a “car guy” by nature.  I could not tell you the difference between 4WD, AWD, and WD-40.  Though I began my search looking for a simple car to get from point A to point B, I am having great fun with the extra bells and whistles paid for by the original owner.

When Parks & Recreation premiered last year, Amy Poehler was enough “car” to get me to test drive the show.  Little did I know that the supporting cast would turn out to be the sitcom version of heated seats, keyless entry, and a Bose sound system!  This week’s episode featured the P&R crew in their full sports package.

Leslie Knope has become more endearing each week of Season Two, and I attribute the fuller character realization to Amy Poehler’s gift for dancing with different comedic partners.  Need to see Leslie struggle to figure out how to manage people effectively?  Plug in Aziz Ansari, whose playful demeanor with Poehler makes him the ideal example of a perplexing, yet impossibly likable, subordinate.  Want some girl talk from your female lead?  Call on Rashida Jones, who is never funnier than when Ann & Leslie are dealing with the ills of their personal lives.  Care for a little temper tantrum from your Deputy Director?  Schedule a meeting with Nick Offerman, because…..well, because he’s “Ron F’N Swanson,” that’s why!

Special recognition must be given to this week’s cold open.  The interplay between Leslie and her credit card company was vintage SNL Amy Poehler, aimlessly spinning her wheels to explain the array of “unique” purchases.  Is there anything cuter than a career woman who is obsessed with Gossip Girl?  Until Leslie confesses to watching Tool Academy on VH1, I think not!  Not to be outdone, Aziz Ansari has mastered a facial expression that mixes genuine surprise with childlike joy.  Any suggestions on a name for this trademarked look?  Tom welcomed the news of Leslie’s Harry Potter club membership as if he had just become a father for the first time.  Magical stuff!

Read more

HOUSE: Brave Heart

The entertainment world has been short on big news lately. While showbiz insiders and bloggers whispered stories about how Jay Leno’s 10pm show is crippling the American economy, the average person has had little to get excited over. In this vacuum, a low-budget horror movie, “Paranormal Activity,” has given audiences a reason to jump from their seats. Playing to sold out audiences all across the country, the little flick has defied Hollywood’s norms and achieved “Blair Witch”-like cult status.

This week’s episode of House made me jump from my couch on several occasions. Unfortunately, it was to scream “NO!” in a panic, concerned that the show would take a disappointing turn for the worse.

My biggest source of fear was the looming presence of Amber in Wilson’s guest room, and House’s possible relapse. Hugh Laurie is always enjoyable to watch, but I almost hid my eyes during those critical moments, afraid that Anne Hudek would reappear as Wilson’s lost love. I was not a huge fan of last season’s closing arc, particularly the bait and switch tactics stemming from House’s hallucinations. Though my greatest fears were calmed by episode’s end, I shudder to think how mind-numbing this season would be if the writers had hit the reset button on House’s cognitive ailments.

Next on my list of fright-inducing scenes: the completely unnecessary “resurrection” of our patient of the week. Much like last season’s promos, the preview for this episode gave away a “shocking” moment for House and Foreman, so I anticipated Donny’s new lease on life. Instead, I was turned off by director Greg Yaitanes’ insistence on shooting that scene in the style of Eli Roth. Medical shows frequently tread the line between realism and appropriateness. In this case, I thought we could have done without the gratuitous use of the surgical drill.

Read more

PARKS AND RECREATION: Sister City

My college years were spent in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to playing host to the 1996 Summer Olympics, the ATL is home to approximately six million Waffle House restaurants. If you have ever had the pleasure (and by pleasure, I mean the joy of punishing your internal organs with copious amounts of comfort food) of visiting the little diner with the big yellow sign, you may have learned a special phrase. Instead of ordering hash browns with specific toppings, longtime customers know to order them “Scattered, Covered, & Smothered.”

In breakfast terms, that expression indicates that your breakfast potatoes should be spread on the grill and topped with cheese and onions. In TV terms, it describes why my recap of this week’s Parks & Recreation took days to assemble. Despite a clever premise and a number of standout scenes, I cannot give this episode an enthusiastic thumbs up. Instead, I feel scattered, covered, and smothered by Fred Armisen’s overpowering presence as the leader of the Boraqua delegation.

As an admirer of the institution of Saturday Night Live, it pains me to direct any criticism at Fred Armisen, a genius at sketch comedy who has made me laugh out loud for years. His unique work during “Weekend Update” as Governor David Paterson, political comic Nicholas Fehn, and musician John Oates is the stuff of legend. Amy Poehler had the best seat in the house at the Update desk for those gems. The idea of reuniting the SNL veterans seemed like a no-brainer.

Read more

HOUSE: Instant Karma

On the eve of the 1992 Presidential election, political strategist James Carville shared a simple message with the Clinton campaign staff assembled in Little Rock:

“There’s a simple doctrine. Outside of a person’s love, the most sacred thing they can give is their labor…and anytime that you can combine labor with love, you have a merger.”

If we are lucky, the workplace can bring us a second family. People who accept us for our shortcomings and help celebrate our successes. Corporations spend millions of dollars trying to manufacture this type of camaraderie. Sadly, there is no magic formula. We have to be in the right place at the right time.

The staff at Princeton Plainsboro has rarely been mistaken for a Norman Rockwell painting. Their world is driven by competition, petty jealousies, and oneupsmanship. Since House’s return from Mayfield Psychiatric Hospital, however, the first signs of togetherness have emerged. Against the backdrop of a father’s uphill battle to save his son, the diagnostic department took their first steps toward a true merger.

Hugh Laurie was able to add a new responsibility to House’s resume this week, that of protector. Though the caustic wit and subtle charm remains, I feel that we are seeing the “House 2.0″ version that was foreshadowed in the standout season premiere. By nurturing Foreman on how to become a better leader, stepping in when Thirteen was attempting to throw her life away, and saving Chase from the consequences of his actions, House was taking care of his family. I am thrilled to see this forward momentum. There’s even a chance I might not mind seeing House and Cuddy move toward an adult relationship, considering the new energy Laurie has brought to the character.

Read more

PARKS & RECREATION: The Practice Date

I feel obligated to reveal a few fun facts about myself before recapping this week’s PARKS & RECREATION. On my first attempt to drive, I totaled a car and almost killed an innocent horse. During college, I sold popular toys like Tickle Me Elmo and Power Rangers to pay for cheap pizza and Mountain Dew. While I enjoy a variety of live music, I have seen Dave Matthews Band in concert 35 times. Finally, there is an image floating online of me wearing a Tweety Bird hat, a fashion faux pas that I cannot explain or justify.

Now cleansed of a few embarrassing foibles, I can get back to business. In the midst of a gigantic night of comedy on NBC, the P&R team offered a fast-paced and hilarious lead-in to Jim & Pam’s nuptials.

Harris Wittels may not be a household name, but his script for “The Practice Date” provided moments for each cast member to shine. There were hosts of moments to celebrate, but I want to focus on the cold open. The 24 hour cable networks have been fed a steady diet of political confessionals recently. It would be easy to attach a left or right leaning tilt to the P&R creative team, were it not for an absurdly entertaining speech given by Councilman Bill Dexhart:

“And to my wife, I apologize. All I can say is, I wasn’t just having sex. I was making love to a beautiful woman…and her boyfriend…and a third person whose name I never learned! Furthermore, it was wrong of me to say I was building houses for the underprivileged when I was actually having four-way sex in a cave in Brazil.”

Read more

HOUSE: The Tyrant

James Earl Jones is an imposing figure, and his guest appearance on House was bound to be more impactful than a lesser known actor. The story of President DiBala altered the formulaic presentation of the show, foreshadowing personal & professional struggles ahead for Princeton Plainsboro’s staff.

Before I dive into the key story arcs, let me say two things. First, it took me almost half the episode to believe that Mr. Jones was portraying a cruel, calculating dictator. I was distracted by the thought that his entire story was a series of deleted scenes from “Coming to America,” hoping that any moment could bring a cameo by Arsenio Hall or the rose-carrying servants who would administer the royal sponge bath! Second, Cuddy’s decree that House avoid patient contact denied the audience a showdown between Hugh Laurie and the voice of Darth Vader. Was it too much to ask for House to “accidentally” sneak into DiBala’s room while grabbing a cup of coffee. After all, breaking and entering is one of House’s most cherished hobbies.

Based on last week’s teaser trailer, I assumed that this story would focus on House’s relationship with Foreman. With House’s medical license still pending in bureaucratic limbo, it was logical that his understudy would continue to assert his new authority, leading to a series of tense squabbles. Wisely, the creative team allowed that tension to boil temporarily, but tabled it for later episodes. Season Six is shaping up as a year of transition, and Foreman’s journey is paramount to that end result.

Read more

PARKS & RECREATION: Beauty Pageant

I apologize for omitting a recap for last week’s Parks & Recreation. Much like Leslie Knope would expect, I have a good excuse and a note to return to class. Last Tuesday night, my car was stolen from my driveway. Because my local PD’s approach to public service mirrors Ron Swanson’s, I received very little help from the men in blue. A few trips to the insurance company, rental car office, and my real job later, my ability to connect sentences was shot.

Fortunately, my DVR delivered a miracle in the form of “The Stakeout.” Any lingering car-related stress disappeared as Ron Swanson tried to eat a hamburger using my strategy for winning “Ring Toss” at the local fair. Nick Offerman and Aubrey Plaza destroyed their scenes together, and the prospect of more Ron/April scenes is reason enough to add P&R to your Season Passes. Veteran stand-up comic Louis C.K. took a nice bow as Officer Dave, giving Amy Poehler a romantic foil that fits Leslie’s values. All in all, last week’s P&R was the best remedy for a victim of Grand Theft Auto.

This week, the selection of Miss Pawnee was a solid premise for generating consistent laughs. Unlike the pit-focused Season One, the writers of P&R have been wise to present storylines that are ripe for comedy, rather than dig for chuckles in the junk yard of local civics lessons. Once Tom Haverford finagled his way onto the judging panel, the stage was set for Leslie Knope to fight the good fight for talented young women who may not have won the genetic jackpot.

Read more

HOUSE: Epic Fail

When hard times stare people down, many of us fall into the trap of “If only…” We attach earth shattering significance to our actions, often with the intention of changing the way we are perceived. If only I could lose these extra pounds, take that new job, start over in a new place. We want to escape the ordinary, and assume that change will lead to the extraordinary. More often than not, those bold moves put us right back where we started, facing a grim reminder about the goal we pursued. In the end, Happiness is a state of mind, not a consequence of our decision-making.

This week, the House team took on the concept of unfulfilled expectations in an hour filled with careful introspection, potent laughs in the kitchen, and a few surprises.

Gregory House left Mayfield Psychiatric Hospital with the intention of casting aside his career at Princeton Plainsboro Hospital. In order to salvage his vice for vices, House embraced his inner Julia and tagged along to Wilson’s cooking class. Ensuing episodes will offer myriad chances for us to analyze House & Wilson’s new odd couple routine, so allow me to focus on the kitchen this week, ok? In a lovely parallel to the season opener, Hugh Laurie openly flashed his wide smile as he and Robert Sean Leonard traded barbs about burning Wilson’s balls. Though it was low-rent humor by definition, any chance to see House in a naturally-induced high is worth the price of admission. Unfortunately, the story arc for Season Six will not be House becoming the Next Iron Chef on the Food Network, so his leg had to take a turn for the worse.

Read more

HOUSE Season Premiere: Broken

On Sunday night, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences presented Emmy Awards to a cavalcade of deserving actors, writers, directors, and producers. Though House fans may have been disappointed that the show was shut out this year, I have an early submission to make for the 2010 award season. I nominate Hugh Laurie’s efforts in “Broken” for a Tony Award, a fitting tribute to a command performance that would easily fill the largest theater on Broadway.

In the days leading up to House’s Season 6 kickoff, I was nervous about finding new approaches to writing about a show that, despite a world class cast and crew, often follows a paint-by-numbers formula. Thankfully, director Katie Jacobs, who also serves as one of House’s showrunners, saved me the trouble of having to watch a TV show this week. Instead, I felt every minute of House’s time at Mayfield, riding high on adrenaline during the light moments, and driven to tears by the emotional wrecking balls that made his journey more treacherous.

My comparison of this story to a Broadway play is meant as the highest of praise. Rather than blow the budget out to create an “event episode” for the launch of the season, the creative team made a gutsy call. Put Hugh Laurie inside of a simple set piece, surround him with experienced actors who can dissolve into their roles, and see what happens. The outcome was unique, living up to the high expectations of the show’s audience, despite leaving many of their favorite characters on the sidelines.

The two-hour masterpiece could have easily come apart, if it had followed House on a downward spiral that offered no hope, no light to lift our spirits. Thankfully, the rich script (crafted by David Shore, Russel Friend, Garrett Lerner, and David Foster) included a host of infectious laughs and tender moments.

Read more

PARKS & RECREATION: Pawnee Zoo

Though its sophomore campaign launched with considerably less fanfare than Jay Leno’s new 10pm experiment, the creative forces behind Parks & Recreation scored a huge win last night. In a time slot surrounded by comedic heavyweights, the Pawnee crew produced the funniest half hour of NBC’s Thursday premiere lineup.

During its abbreviated run last Spring, P&R produced a solid, if unspectacular, collection of episodes that focused on Leslie Knope’s daunting struggle to fill a gigantic pit. Many of the show’s early scripts were predicated on that plot point, and each cast member’s ability to flex their comedic muscles were limited. Most importantly, Amy Poehler’s gifts for killer one-liners and infectious silliness were given second billing, just behind a vast hole in the middle of Pawnee, Indiana.

The writers of P&R clearly spent their hiatus mapping out a tighter, funnier program that would consistently deliver the funny. “Pawnee Zoo” was loaded with pithy one-liners, ready to be Tweeted and Retweeted in the days to come.

Season Two’s maiden voyage began with a stroke of genius. Capitalizing on the lead-in audience watching Amy Poehler co-anchor “Weekend Update: Thursday Edition,” the cold open featured Leslie’s impromptu rendition of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” a not-so-subtle reminder of Poehler’s frenzied Sarah Palin rap during the 2008 Presidential Campaign. If fans of P&R needed a sign that this season would be focused on laughs, we were immediately hit with a dose of giggles and guffaws.

The Deputy Director’s team bolstered their boss’ efforts this week, as both Tom & April chose to support Leslie, rather than adopt Season One’s theme of condescension and insubordination.

Read more

Before They Were TiVo’d: Zachary Levi of CHUCK

I am not a pickle person. Unlike many Americans, who use various cuts of dills and gherkins to accessorize their Labor Day paper plates, my limited taste buds make little room for fermented cucumbers. With the long summer months behind us, and after passing on a host of potentially pickled entrees, I feel comfortable revealing a secret. There is one stop on my takeout rotation that allows me to break my taboo…

Subway.

My sandwich artist must add pickles to my foot long turkey sub before their latest masterpiece is ready for public viewing. Unlike traditional backyard favorites, like burgers or hot dogs, my turkey sandwich relies on pickles for distinctive flavor and a hint of spiciness. The lesson I have learned is that a pickle buried behind a wall of dominant flavors cannot be fully appreciated.

Long before his name became irrevocably linked with Subway, Zachary Levi was an underrated pickle on ABC’s sitcom, “Less Than Perfect.” The program, a thinly written workplace comedy, was launched as a breakthrough vehicle for likable star Sara Rue, known better to most GMMR readers as Stephanie, Leonard’s cohabiting girlfriend from Season 2 of “The Big Bang Theory” and before that Carmen from “Popular”.

The cast and crew of “Less Than Perfect” produced 81 episodes, placing it alongside “According To Jim” and “JAG” as the longest running series that neither myself nor any of my friends have ever watched. The TV gods provided mixed blessings to the Less Than Perfect cast, which also counted Sherri Shepherd and Andy Dick among its ranks. Who would have guessed that this little sitcom would have given life to “Chuck”, “The View”, and “Celebrity Rehab”?

Read more

Before They Were Tivo’d: THE OFFICE’s Jenna Fischer

Welcome to the first installment of ‘Before They Were Tivo’d’ – a new feature on GiveMeMyRemote.com in which we look back at the roles of some of our favorite TV stars…before they were our favorite TV stars. Today, we’re going to check out what Jenna Fischer was doing before she was wooing Jim Halpert (and us) as Pam Beesly on “The Office”.

————— ————— ————— ————— ————— ————— ————— ————— ————— —————
When I discovered GMMR in 2006, it was because of The Office. Like so many who discovered the Dunder Mifflin team while filling their video iPods to capacity, I was insatiable in my thirst for information about the cast and crew of this addictive new show. By searching out other fans online, I felt like we were all in on a giant secret, one that we could not wait to share with our friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

Much like the infatuation that we feel toward a new crush, viewers can become very territorial about their favorite characters, and the people who bring them to life. Outside of Steve Carell, it was easy to pretend that the talented men and women who inhabited this unique workplace were “overnight successes.” In truth, most of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces have passed through our HDTVs in far less prominent roles.

In the weeks ahead, I will be traveling down memory lane to the parts that helped pave the way to stardom for some of GMMR’s favorites. In addition to providing a nostalgic jolt to their fans, I am curious to see how each actor’s onscreen presence has evolved. Are there similarities between their early work and the higher paying gigs they landed in subsequent years? Did our favorite comedic actors fare well in dramatic roles, and vice versa? I have a few candidates in mind, but I would love to hear your feedback about who to tackle in the coming weeks.

Jenna Fischer is a gifted comedic actress, who made me fall in love with Pam Beesly the moment she fell from a Chili’s bar stool in “The Dundies.” As one half of America’s favorite TV love story, and with a host of film roles to choose from, Fischer’s star in Hollywood is ascending rapidly. With a whirlwind of buzz around her, this St. Louis native is keenly aware of the hard work that led to her newfound fame.

In 2001, just as Ricky Gervais was opening “The Office” for business, Jenna appeared in two episodes of Judd Apatow’s “Undeclared”. Like its predecessor, the ratings-challenged cult favorite “Freaks & Geeks”, “Undeclared” was filled with members of Apatow’s troupe of talented young actors, such as Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, and Jay Baruchel. In this all too brief scene from the series’ pilot, Baruchel’s character asks Fischer (officially billed as “Sorority Girl” in the credits) to attend a dorm party:

While there was no inkling of Pam Beesly in that exchange, I think Jenna would have been a great addition to the cast of Mean Girls or Clueless!

Read more

« Previous Page — Next Page »