Kath & Kim (1.1)

Thursday, October 9th @ 8:30 PM

NBC
Kath & Kim - Season 1, Episode #1 - Pilot

Recap: http://www.nbc.com/Kath_and_Kim/



















Manatee: So Kath and Kim, lamest comedy of the season!

Marmot: You think so? What about Gary Unmarried and Worst Week? And, um...uh...what happened to comedy?

Marmot: There used to be tons of them on.

Manatee: Let's put it this way, I got through2 episodes of Gary Unmarried before I canceled the DVR and 1 episode of Worst Week. I deleted Kath & Kim after 10 minutes. I didn't laugh once.

Marmot: You should have kept watching. The guy from the David Blaine Street Magic You Tube Edition is her husband.

Manatee: I saw him. He was probably the hightlight. But that's exactly the problem with this show. What actor gets a network comedy off a YouTube project? Granted the Blaine series is hilarious, it's much funnier than Kath & Kim. Molly Shannon and Selma Blair had NO chemistry as mother and daughter. Putting aside that they are actually 8 years apart, I felt they were pretty boring and lame on screen.

Marmot: That was a big problem I had as well, the age difference. I don't buy them as mother and daughter, it just looked like them trying to play younger and older. Honestly, I think I wanted to like this show more than I actually did. I'm going to give it another episode, but not much after that.

Manatee: I also did not like the comedic style. Was it going for an arrested development feel, an office feel, a sitcom feel? I'm not sure what it wanted to be.

Marmot: It was kind of a mess. There was a running joke - serious and combative dialogue between the two that is suddenly interrupted by observation of something completely unrelated - ie, "oh look at this shirt". It was funny once. By the third time, not charming anymore. I can only hope this was a pilot-only thing.

Marmot: But what I'm really wondering is where is this show going to go? Kath gets married, Kim gets back with her husband, then what? That's maybe a season's worth of storyline. How long did the original run?

Manatee: I often wonder about the story line of most comedies. One could ask where are you going when you spend all 1/2 hour in an office? But at least you're laughing! I can't see myself watching this show ever again, I hope it gets canceled tomorrow.

Life on Mars (1.1)

Thursday, October 9th, 2008 @ 10 PM

ABC

"Life on Mars" - Season 1, Episode #1 - Pilot

Recap: http://abc.go.com/primetime/lifeonmars/index?pn=recaps#t=120560&d=126808

"Can you find Michael Imperioli in this photo? We can't."

Marmot: As David Bowie once sang, "Is there life on Maaaaaaaaaaars?" That being said, I kind of like Life on Mars. And kind of don't.

Manatee: I enjoyed it as well to a certain extent. At the end of the day I have a few issues, one being that is is just 'another cop' show... and two if the series ends with him waking up out of a coma, then come on ABC. You need a better development team, because there has got to be something more creative than a coma!

Marmot: I'm resisting temptation to see how the original ended. All in all, this show is just The Singing Detective, but there were some really enjoyable parts, namely the conflict with Harvey Keitel and Michael Imperioli's mustache. Even if Harvey is phoning it in.

Manatee: I loved the mustache! I totally forgot it was / is a BBC series. If we watch that version, that would open up our Thursday night viewing...

Marmot: To watch the final season of ER? No thanks. I've never seen an episode and I'm not about to start now. How will I ever catch up to find out how Dr. Clooney's hair became Dr. Stamos' hair?"

Manatee: Good point. No need to start watching that show now. Did you have any thoughts on Life on Mars compared to CBS's Swingtown? Seeing that they were both set in the 70s.

Marmot: I would have liked Swingtown a lot better if Bruce had been hit by a car and magically transported to 2008. But both series use too much music.

Manatee: I do like the way that Life on Mars was shot. I think it almost has that 70s grainy look as opposed to the bright and cheery Swingtown look.

Marmot: Swingtown, in terms of photography, was terrible. This pilot looked fantastic.

Manatee: I liked the design more too. Though I was not alive in the 70s, I thought LoM looked more natural. Help Manatee out here Marmot.

Marmot: I was only alive for 7 months in the 70s, Manatee. I wasn't paying much attention to the decor.

Manatee: Anyhow, what do you think of the cast? Sort of unusual for a series huh?

Marmot: Yeah, it's pretty high end. I dig it, even though I think Gretchen Mol is a terrible actress.

Manatee: She sort of does suck.

Marmot: Never been a fan of hers. My biggest problem with the pilot is that it sort of glossed over the more interesting aspects, like trying to reconcile life in this era and focused more on the cop stuff, which was pretty standard.

Manatee: Well, what else are you going to do as a cop stuck in the 70s? Work stuff. I think Mol has the potential to be more that a coworker. Maybe they will go on a date to the disco, and then become swingers

Marmot: I just want to see him trying to order Chicken BBQ pizza and trying to watch Sportscenter.

Gary Unmarried (1.1)

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 @ 8:30 PM
CBS
Gary Unmarried - Season 1, Episode #1 - Pilot


Recap: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/project_gary/recaps/

Manatee: Gary Unmarried

Marmot: Is terrible.

Manatee: I was going to say harmless.

Marmot: That's true. It was halfway tolerable through most of it...but then Ed Begley, Jr. showed up.

Manatee: But it's Jay Mohr, how bad can it be?

Marmot: Did you see Jerry Maguire? It can be bad. Of course, Action! makes up for that.

Manatee: Did you not like the marriage therapist turned fiance story line, or you didn't like Ed Begley Jr. ie: you hate the environment?

Marmot: I just don't like Ed Begley, Jr. If not liking him makes me a hater of the environment, then so be it. I just thought the impromptu therapy session was so ridiculous. Especially after watching weeks and weeks of the brilliance that is In Treatment.

Manatee: Agreed on the therapy session. I'm not sure it's the best way to spend 30 minutes of my life, but I don't see it causing too much harm either. This is probably a show my mom watches.

Marmot: My mom likes Two and a Half Men, so I'm sure she'll like this. I actually kind of fell asleep during this. Why was the girl hiding under the boy's bed?

Manatee: I guess because they were probably kissing and the mom knocked on the locked door

Marmot: I don't like the mom. She's mean.

Manatee: True, but what about that daughter? Pretty realistic teenager huh?

Marmot: Don't all 12 year olds worship Al Gore?

Manatee: No.

Marmot: I did when I was that age.

Manatee: I liked NKotB.

Marmot: They're like Al Gore.

Knight Rider (1.1)

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 @ 8 PM
NBC
Knight Rider - Season 1, Episode #1 - "A Knight in Shining Armor"


Recap:http://www.nbc.com/Knight_Rider/recaps/#cat=1&mea=101&ima=51190

From the Live Feed: "KITT ran a sluggish first lap in the ratings race as NBC's series premiere of "Knight Rider" had starter problems Wednesday night. Despite having the highest level of viewer awareness of NBC's new fall shows, "Rider" (7.3 million viewers, 2.4 preliminary adults 18-49 rating and a 7 share) opened in third place in the 8 p.m. hour, slightly less than how game show "Deal or No Deal" performed in the slot last year. Its rating is also less than half what the "Rider" movie (5.0) pulled last February." http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/09/knight-rider-ra.html

Manatee here.

Did you see Knight Rider last night? I'm one of the guilty 7.3 million viewers. Let me tell you, watching this show was purely for M & M research, not entertainment. If entertainment was what I was looking for, I would have stared at a blank wall. The show lacks any and all production value, story development, and acting talent - three very integral parts of a television series. Fast car chases, poorly shot and edited, a series does not make. GivingKITT and Knight Industries lab a make over isn't fooling anyone. The cast is an ensemble of fairly unrecognizable names and faces, and with good reason. The story jumps all over the place, is lacks all intrigue and thrill.

I cannot believe that NBC puts product such as this on the air. That's why I barely watch any of their shows. They have been a struggling network for many years now after having been top dog. With the departure of shows like Friends and Will & Grace, NBC went down the tubes. BenSilverman , current co-chairman, seems very committed to NBC and to reviving NBC glory day series, but I'm not sure that method is going to work. Fox's is hitting the ratings big with Fringe, a new (though slightly recycled theme) show from solid performing producers who are hot. ABC has hits from a solid production company,Berlanti TV, in Eli Stone, Brothers and Sisters, and Dirty Sexy Money. CW is trying to resuscitate the old zip code but with similar results: terrible production value, dull cast, and lame story lines. I'm not sure NBC is on the right track following last winter'sWGA strike.

What else do we have to look forward to from NBC? Crusoe, based on the novel, Robinson Crusoe. My Own Worst Enemy, Christian Slater? Hello! Kings, an inspiring exploration of the timeless David vs. Goliath struggle. Kath and Kim, maybe will be funny, but considering how many directors andreshoots they've gone through... Heroes, personally I don't watch this show, but I hear the third season is boring. Life, where insiders say the writers and stories are struggling. ER is on it's last season. But there is always the Law & Orderfranchise. NBC seems to be adhering to a "blow things up" kind of fall season. If they don't watch out, they might explode themselves.

Marmot did not watch this show, but predicts that NBC will cancel the show after episode #6 (which should be roughly end of October or beginning of November). What do you think? Post below!

90210 (1.5)

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 @ 8 PM

CW
90210 - Season 1, Episode #5 - "Wide Awake & Dreaming"



Recap: http://cwtv.com/shows/90210/episodes/105

Marmot: Dunnun nun nun nun nun nun nun CLAP CLAP

Manatee: Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll

Marmot: And nebisshy parents. WHERE IS BRANDON WALSH?!?! This show is unbearable...I don't know who anyone is except for Kelly and Brenda and they're not doing anything except running a play.

Manatee: They are boring. No one wants to see 2 old farts (aka people their teachers' age) dating. Kids these days want fresh faces.

Marmot: I want Steve Sanders, not Ethan...whatever his name is.

Manatee: I like Ty. I wish he was a cast regular.

Marmot: This is definitely not the 90210 of old. Remember towards the end of senior year when Dylan's dad was blown up in a car explosion by the mafia?

Manatee: Yeah, that rocked.

Marmot: I don't see anything like that happening on this show.

Manatee: No, this version is not as dark. But if the upcoming episodes are more like last nights, it might not be that bad. I think the back stabbing picked up last night. That's a good start

Marmot: I just don't know if I have the patience to wait for Ethan's dad to get blown up. That's a lot of show to get through. And when is Brenda going to talk about her family? Where are Jim and Cindy Walsh?

Manatee: China.

Marmot: Really? Why did they go there?

Manatee: Business.

Marmot: I forget what business they were in. The problem with this 90210 is the characters. I really couldn't care less about any of them, save for Annie and Dixon. Maybe Silver. But that's only IF they did something interesting.

Manatee: The show might get better if they move back to Kansas.

Marmot: What if that whole class moved to Kansas? The rich kids, too. That would be worth watching.

Manatee: It would be like 'Zip Code Swap.' - Fox's lately reality series!

Marmot: I know how to improve 90210. It came to me during last night's episode when Kelly said something to Brenda about remembering everything from high school. Get this - what if Kelly and Brenda were transported to an alternate dimension (ie, like they're in now), but in this dimension, they didn't exist as people, but characters on a TV show. And then you could have a scene with them watching the DVD's and remembering high school. How amazing would that be?

Manatee: I'm not sure I follow you.

Marmot: Like this show, 90210 takes place in an alternate reality, OUR reality. Where Kelly Taylor and Brenda Walsh were characters on a TV show, not real people. But Kelly and Brenda are magically transported to this reality from theirs, which exists are reality to them. Follow?

Manatee: Is this dimension scripted or reality? I have an idea. What if 90210 and Saved By the Bell merged?

Marmot: Are you kidding? I had this idea in 1991!

Manatee: I wish you had made it happen.

Marmot: I want there to be a Gossip Girl/90210 crossover event.

Manatee: They should consider that.

Marmot: It doesn't have to be the whole cast. Just send Chuck

Manatee: Stir up some trouble.

Marmot: Chuck should have his own show. Or better yet, just visit different shows. Like what if Chuck was behind everything on Fringe?

Manatee: That would be great. I also think he might be the son of "The Mentalist."

Worst Week (1.1)

Monday, September 22nd, 2008 @ 9:30 PM
CBS
Worst Week - Season 1, Episode #1 - Pilot


Recap: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/worst_week/recaps/

Manatee here...

This show was some of the worst television I've seen in awhile. It was such a stupid 1/2 hour of TV, yet I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants. I'm not a fan of comedy series: Old Christine makes me want to poke out my eyes; 'Til Death makes me want to puke; How I Met Your Mother puts me to sleep; Big Bang causes gas pains; and Worst Week falls into all of these categories. Yet I still found myself laughing. Is it that I have a predisposition to hate anything that comes in a 1/2 hour format? Do I hate to laugh?

Watching this show does not challenge my brain, nor does it garner an emotional response. It doesn't aim to ponder deep life questions or world issues. I suppose there are a lot of people out there who just want to laugh at mindless television antics, but I'm not one of them. Worst Week is just a TV rehash of the film Meet the Parents. Tough dad hates daughter's boyfriend. Boyfriend keeps messing up; he can't do anything right. You could predict everything that was going to happen in the scenes. I'm not sure where the rest of the season will go, but I don't feel invested enough to find out. I think the pilot was good for an initial viewing (and good for a few laughs), but I don't think I'm going to bother with offering precious DVR space to Worst Week. It's just not a show worth watching each week.

Gossip Girl (2.4)

Monday, September 22nd @ 8 PM
CW
Gossip Girl - Season 2, Episode #4 - "The Ex-Files"

Recap: http://cwtv.com/shows/gossip-girl/episodes/204

"Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Clothes?"

Manatee: You know what I liked about last night's GG? It was a pretty stinky ep overall, but I like that S is back on top. We never saw her as Queen first season but you got the impression that S's departure opened the doors for B's reign. I like this potential role reversal, and I want to see S squash Dan.

Marmot: ...These people go to high school?!?!

Manatee: I'm not sure about that actually.

Marmot: I think that's what was implied last night. So is Serena the Mayor now? Is that what happened?

Manatee: Yes. She somehow took over ruling the school again. You see early in ep 1.01 S returns to school after having been away for some time and Blair is not happy that she is back. But overall S seems like a nice girl. Now the bitch is back. All season S struggled with being a good girl... but now we question what was S really is? Is she the nice girl Dan fell in love with? Or the bitch everyone knows she may be deep down inside? The bigger question is, why does Chuck care? I think he just wants to take B down so she is so depressed she can't say no to his advances anymore.

Marmot: Do you think the other people in that school besides the 7 or so main characters even care about what goes on in their world?

Manatee: Did you see the stack of files B had? I'd say so. How many high schoolers care about academics? Be honest, they are there because they have to be so why not focus on the social aspect? Get an A or be top dog? What matters more when you are 16?

Marmot: I couldn't even distinguish what being top dog means to them. Its not the ability to get into a club and buy alcohol, because the whole school was at that bar. It's not money, because they all have more than god.

Manatee: It's about being feared, bowed down to, and having an entourage. Having POWER!

Marmot: Like the power to convince 2 British royals to go back to there country? I think Blair might be the most powerful person in the world.

Manatee: You haven't seen Serena in action yet.

Marmot: Best line of the night was Serena's mom: "I'm just trying to be a good mother" when she was questioned about the big breakfast on the table. Since when is being a good mother telling the help to make breakfast?

Manatee: She's trying. Cut her some slack. She just got back from a long and tiresome honeymoon to a millionaire who spent most of his time out of town on business.

Marmot: And now she has no friends except for 29 Year Old Dad and his new girlfriend.

Manatee: I'm surprise, Marmot, you have not commented yet on Chuck's wardrobe yet.

Marmot: I'm saving the best for last. All I have to say is, does The Joker know that Chuck is wearing his suit?