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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

Conan O’Brien’s Historical Debut: This isn’t Your Grandma’s Tonight Show

Navigating the waters of late night television is a monumental task. The iconic performers who have sustained us through countless evenings hover in rarified air. Johnny Carson, David Letterman, and Jay Leno are not simply recognizable names. They are elite brands with millions of loyal customers. Considering how difficult it is for parents to settle […]

PARKS & RECREATION Season Finale: Rock Show

After a pilot episode that earned justifiably mixed reviews, I have been riding a wave of enthusiasm for Parks & Recreation. Limited to only six chapters in its mini-season, I was impressed with the creative team’s focus on shaping meaningful storylines for each of its main characters and establishing a consistent comedic tone within the […]

HOUSE: Under My Skin

The game of expectations has a long history of leaving its contestants defeated and deflated. Who among us has escaped the trap that opens when we put our emotional eggs in a tenuous basket? Examples of this phenomenon are as plentiful as the broken dreams that suffer the consequences. A father brings his son to […]

PARKS & RECREATION: Boys’ Club

Though we say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, there are a substantial number of viewers who feel that Parks & Recreation has borrowed too liberally from the successful template of The Office. Each week, our discussions here at GMMR delve into the noteworthy moments of each episode, along with any possible links […]

HOUSE: House Divided

Like many long running dramas, House has an audience that eagerly awaits interesting plot developments and payoffs to long term storylines. Aside from taking a few baby steps toward Dr. House’s inevitable breakdown, this week provided little fodder for viewers who like to put those complicated puzzle pieces together. Instead, the House team continued on […]

PARKS AND RECREATION: The Reporter

Years ago, an innovative advertising campaign told all of us that, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” In the pop culture of 2009, with on-demand access to our favorite movies, music, and television, that phrase rings especially true. The motion picture industry has all but abandoned the development of small […]