The Remains of Must See TV

Stumped. Today I am stumped. I sit there on Thursday nights and I watch my Must See TV and I chuckle here and there, but the old grey mare ain't what she used to be, is she? Don’t get me wrong, I’m amused, I definitely am, at least twice an hour, but it’s no longer appointment television. I know, earlier in the season I told you how much I still enjoyed it, and maybe had there been a new episode of The Office last night I would still be saying as much, but without that show, the strongest in the Thursday comedy lineup, I'm not enthralled.

Earl is funny, but only as bits and pieces. I appreciate the fact that they’ve done a lot this season to make storylines carry over from one episode to the next, but so many of the references feel overly forced. Take last night’s Chubby references for example. They actually showed clips of Burt Reynolds from his last appearance to get you to remember who his character, Chubby, was. There was a concerted effort to ensure that the viewer realize that this new character they were going to introduce was related to Reynolds’ Chubby. And, once Little Chubby appeared, it really seemed like they had the two characters be related solely in order to have Norm McDonald (Little Chubby) dressed like a 1970s Burt Reynolds. It was unquestionably funny, for almost a complete ten seconds, and then every other scene with him the joke felt tired. The joke about the color of Little Chubby’s gonads was also funny, again, for almost ten seconds. 

30 Rock managed to be amusing, but only in a “it’s funny 'cause it’s true” kind of way. In particular I’m thinking about Liz’s unabashed love for New York City, despite the fact that she can’t get onto the subway without being questioned by police, can’t walk down the street without seeing an old lady get pushed into garbage, and can’t talk while on the sidewalk without having someone spit in her mouth. Okay, so only part of that is reality, but the rest is only slightly exaggerated. The undying love people that live in it have for NYC, and the people that talk, like Jack does, about not venturing above X-numbered street in the last umpteen years exist (and this is why TV and Film Guy is moving, but we’ll talk about that at some other point). 

Article Author: Josh Lasser

Josh Lasser, formerly known as "TV and Film Guy," and complete with a Masters Degree in Critical Studies in said areas, gives his opinions on TV, Film, and Entertainment in general. All of which he does in a shameless attempt to try to get paid to do the exact same thing. …

Visit Josh Lasser's author page — Josh Lasser's Blog