Must-see TV recap.
Two-plus enjoyable hours ( I totally forgot MTV’s incomparable Duel in my earlier post.). And how often do we get that, you know, in adult life?
1. Earl. A somewhat inspired effort from the stalling comedy — redeemed wholly by one line: Randy shouting “Ri-co-la...” while inside minor character Kenny’s empty apartment.
2. Office. OK, so it was a minor character who was an ex-con — a convenient way for the writers to export more dead weight from the cast. The Office is sagging just a shade - though this episode was wholly solid.
3. Scrubs. I was so glad to welcome Scrubs back. It’s like a bunch of old friends — although I don’t know which was more preposterous:
The show is clearly on its last legs — even last season, the first six or seven episodes were clearly throwaway. This season’s premiere was good for a few laughs, but the reaching for jokes and quirkiness is growing more strained.
4. 30 Rock. Could this have been the best show of the night? And what part does Alec Baldwin play in the show’s appeal? 90 percent or 95 percent?
“I’m waiting for a call from 1983.”
Good stuff, actually.
5. Duel. Featuring an epic battle between dumb (Derrick, who’s actually sort of likable) and unconscionably, ridiculously, brain-dead stupid. (Wes. Yep, he’s from Kansas.)