Under One Roof

Wednesday, April 24th, 2008 at 8 PM

MyNetworkTV

Under One Roof, Season 1 - Episode # 2 - Cell Out

"Kiss My Pork Dumplings!" (Mynetworktv.com)

Marmot: Speaking of rich people… Watching Under One Roof is painful. Really painful. I imagine the bends to be more pleasurable than watching this show.

Manatee: I did not realize all episodes were going to be about ex-cons visiting this Beverly Hills mansion. I want us to keep a running tab of all the "Gay" Prison jokes! I think this episode was 4.

Marmot: Which would be halfway okay, if it was like on Scrubs, when Dr. Cox calls JD a girl's name. The writers actually kept a list of the ones they'd used.

Manatee: But Flavor Flav is just creepy. Way creepier than Dr. Cox. Even with a name like "Cox."

Marmot: no kidding

Manatee: What do you think of the cast? I think that wife sucks, and the daughter looks about 30 when she's supposed to be 16!

Marmot: The wife is terrible, the son is terrible, the dad is in the wrong show and the maid is just embarrassing.

Manatee: and your thoughts on my fav and yours: Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison)?

Marmot: Where were his flip up sunglasses? I would like to think this is what happened to his character after A Different World ended. He went to prison and then pulled some semi-elaborate rouse to escape and rob from a bunch of rich people. Which really made no sense. He had the opportunity to make a lot more money embezzling, which wouldn't have been hard, seeing as how those rich gay guys were willing to give him a 6 figure salary after meeting him once. But instead, he holds them up at gunpoint in their underwear? Why did he make them take their clothes off, anyway?

Manatee: I was wondering that myself... but let's be realistic, underwear are sexier! But he did reference wanting to see some chick's booty. The real question is: Why did Kadeem feel it was necessary to gain 75 pounds for this role?

Marmot: I have no idea. Maybe that's what you do in prison to make yourself undesirable. You know, because all that happens in prison is gay rape. Just endless gay rape. Here's another question: Why does the maid always refer to herself in the third person?

Manatee: Hmm.. tough one - because maybe they'd confuse her with another Asian Maid in the house? Why did the writers make her say such terribly racist comments too? Do you think the actress (Emily Kuroda) was like “Wow, thanks for setting back Asian American culture 200 Years”, or like “Wow, that's revolutionary comedy!”

Marmot: I think she was like, "Wow, I'm employed." The writing is just...there isn't even a word harsh enough to describe it. It's unforgivable. Lazy, clichéd, just terrible. It feels like it was written by 13-year-olds illiterates. Listening to the dialogue is like having a dull spoon burrow through your brain. The jokes are terrible, cliched and just dumb. It's beyond insulting or patronizing. I think even the laugh track is embarrassed.

Manatee: It does have a sort of embarrassed laughter feel to it. I ask that any My Network TV Exec out there reading this blog, writes in and tells us WHY they put this series on the air! I can think of a million better ideas than this show. Even if you want it done cheap and to star Flavor Flav. Hire us, this blog is funnier than your show.

Marmot: So are we going to watch it again?

Manatee: I have to admit, I think I'll give it a 3rd round. If for no other reason that to keep the "Gay Prison Joke" Tally going! Total as of now: 9 (+/- 1).