tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post529064541953080213..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Diamonds are for MondaysAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-32378099599517100022007-10-18T18:14:00.000-04:002007-10-18T18:14:00.000-04:00i thought morgan shaking his head along with the p...i thought morgan shaking his head along with the penguin was a pretty hilarioustouch in that last episodeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-71301497460524957192007-10-18T04:06:00.000-04:002007-10-18T04:06:00.000-04:00"Read a newspaper. From the '60s." Casey is the ma..."Read a newspaper. From the '60s." Casey is the man.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-8577317691803203432007-10-17T17:46:00.000-04:002007-10-17T17:46:00.000-04:00I didn't like HIMYM when it started, begrudgingly ...I didn't like HIMYM when it started, begrudgingly came around last season and now, after this week's episode, have taken it off the DVR. The scene where Ted and Barney repeatedly referred to a woman as nothing more than a compendium of her body parts was the final straw. Not to be a big feminist wet blanket or anything, but where's the comedy? Seriously.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00806449586505280425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-9234986578640666522007-10-17T15:25:00.000-04:002007-10-17T15:25:00.000-04:00I think Ted's basically a good guy who has some di...I think Ted's basically a good guy who has some dickish moments--sort of the bizarro version of Larry on CYE, heh. Plus, up against Barney's version of dicketry, Ted's a piker.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-79279154172343861012007-10-17T11:58:00.000-04:002007-10-17T11:58:00.000-04:00To paraphrase Dennis Green, HIMYM is what I always...To paraphrase Dennis Green, HIMYM is what I always thought it was--I'm not sure why Alan and others on this blog place it on such a high pedestal. It's a show that plays a bit with the typical sitcom form (interesting) and has about four or five very funny enjoyable episodes a season (which keeps me around.) The other 17 or 18 episodes range anywhere from OK to "funny premise, but seems like it should have been a lot funnier" to not good at all.<BR/><BR/>And the Ted character has always been kind of a dick--it's not new this season.Eric Fingerhuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01883491483953496028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-79608427008132116522007-10-16T21:06:00.000-04:002007-10-16T21:06:00.000-04:00HIMYM is in trouble. Mark my words. One more bla...HIMYM is in trouble. Mark my words. One more blah ep and I am outta here! I am beginning to agree with that guy who posted last week about now wishing they had cancelled it after last season, allowing all of us to place it up high. It won't get a 4th year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-83195431237203512962007-10-16T19:13:00.000-04:002007-10-16T19:13:00.000-04:00Also, seems only fair that people got a glimpse of...<I>Also, seems only fair that people got a glimpse of both Strahovski and Baldwin's undies this week, no?</I><BR/><BR/>Well, we have seen plenty of Sarah's undies already. More Casey! <BR/><BR/>Sorry I misread ya earlier. Been sick the past couple of days with a wicked headache (the barfy kind, whee!).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-7649816081006013212007-10-16T15:14:00.000-04:002007-10-16T15:14:00.000-04:00agree on ted being a dick - he's always been the s...agree on ted being a dick - he's always been the show's weakest link (what? hey, robin's at least attractive); now he's an unlikable weakest link.<BR/><BR/>and i've said before, will say again: he's gone from desperately seeking love (telling robin he loves her on their first date) to nearly finagling a tricycle and (temporarily) out-gaming barney? that’s a total disconnect foe me.The Pale Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03468377597257250687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-83760708939521063452007-10-16T14:39:00.000-04:002007-10-16T14:39:00.000-04:00Agree with greebs' comment: Ted has been a dick th...Agree with greebs' comment: Ted has been a dick this season. I'm a little worried that Josh Raynor's limitations as an actor are hurting the show. He's not playing hopeful/earnest/love-struck, so all he's got left it d-bag?<BR/><BR/>I thought last night's was better than last week, but not by too much. Honestly, I don't care if Roberta (it's Robin!) *ever* dates on the show. In season one it made sense and was important to the show - after all, Ted was pining for her - now it makes none at all. Unless Robin turns out to be bi and starts dating women who might turn out to be the mother, it's just not important.<BR/><BR/>I'm now very disappointed to report that my HIMYM spec script kicks the crap out of the entire third season. That shouldn't be the case at all, but Carter and Bays are wasting time with Robin's dating life and Ted-as-dick. I want better pairings. I want a Ted/Robin/Marshall A-story with a Barney/Lily B-story, or TBM vs. RL or TL vs RMB. Something new and fun that breaks this trend.R.A. Porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14851961356321735388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6450547563558251932007-10-16T14:19:00.000-04:002007-10-16T14:19:00.000-04:00This was the first episode of Chuck I didn't like ...This was the first episode of Chuck I didn't like and it centered around Karina the DEA agent. She was a bad actress, pushed the T&A level to uncomfortably high levels, and the way they used her as an antagonist resulted in nonsensical scenes like the initial fight between her and Sarah. I am completely on board with the kind of show Chuck wants to be, but within its conceit it still has to respect basic logic and not do things just because it would be cool have to have another action sequence.<BR/><BR/>I did like a lot of the moments that Alan and other commenters have mentioned. I also love that Sarah gets all of the glamorous disguises and is at the center of every scene they infiltrate, while Casey is always a limo driver or waiter hanging out in the background. The ending with Sarah whispering her middle name was powerful and the whole scene was well done by both actors.<BR/><BR/>anonymous -- I believe Sarah said shift, not shit, as in she had to work another shift at Wienerlicious.<BR/><BR/>filmcricket -- Chuck's ratings plunged from week 1 to 2 and 2 to 3, but this week they actually went up, which is a good sign. I, too, am curious how NBC views Chuck's performance, but I imagine it's good enough to at least leave on the air for now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-54064401828541440122007-10-16T13:23:00.000-04:002007-10-16T13:23:00.000-04:00I was quite disappointed in HIMYM, which never see...I was quite disappointed in HIMYM, which never seemed to get off the ground to me, despite some amusing moments.<BR/><BR/>That said, next week's episode is Marshall-centric, as per CBS, so I have high hopes.Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10538651542043518746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-88711516640885020462007-10-16T13:13:00.000-04:002007-10-16T13:13:00.000-04:00Was I the only one hoping HIMYM ended with another...Was I the only one hoping HIMYM ended with another form letter from Barney, claiming he was a ghost? I thought that would've been great for the faithful viewers. Mini-Ted was funny, but that's what I was REALLY hoping for.Chris Littmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17983027547044515194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-30650614439309402222007-10-16T13:10:00.000-04:002007-10-16T13:10:00.000-04:00From the Hollywood Reporter: NBC's 'Chuck,' ABC's ...From the Hollywood Reporter: <BR/><BR/>NBC's 'Chuck,' ABC's 'Samantha' start strong<BR/>By Paul J. Gough <BR/>Oct 17, 2007<BR/><BR/>NEW YORK -- NBC's freshman "Chuck" bucked a download trend for new shows, jumping 19% week-to-week while ABC's "Samantha Who" debuted strongly out of "Dancing with the Stars."<BR/><BR/>The Christina Applegate sitcom averaged 14.9 million viewers and a 4.5 rating/12 share in the adults 18-49 demographic, according to preliminary estimates released Tuesday by Nielsen Media Research. It held a lot of the demo from a 90-minute "Dancing with the Stars" (19.2 million, 4.6/12), and settled into second place at 9:30 p.m. in the demo. and first place among viewers.<BR/><BR/>"Chuck" (8.2 million, 3.2/8) began to show some ratings promise with a 19% increase compared to last week (2.7/7). CBS's "Big Bang Theory" (8.1 million, 3.2/8) dropped slightly from last week, as did "How I Met Your Mother" (7.9 million, 3.1/9).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-78323063513914708622007-10-16T13:06:00.000-04:002007-10-16T13:06:00.000-04:00I actually really liked this episode, maybe more c...I actually really liked this episode, maybe more cause I am (and so is the show) settling into the rhythms of the show and the exposition is out of the way.<BR/><BR/>I like that the show isnt up for just goofy comedy (though the previews for next week showed quite a bit) but is willing to slow it down and make us care. The show is called CHUCK and yet the episode is about Sarah. Maybe things got re-ordered (since you always hear about reshuffling of episodes) but either way it was unexpected to start investing in her so soon and I liked it. I think in the long term, caring about these characters more makes you laugh more down the line. <BR/><BR/>It will also allow you to forgive silly spy plots, which by now seem de rigeur for this show. But I'm okay with that, cause its not why I watch the show. The first 5 minutes gave me a very FRIENDS vibe and the last 5 gave me a very OC vibe, but in the best sense of both shows. I thought the last scene was really nice.<BR/><BR/>I think this show will keep growing as people discover and get used to it, and as it allows its exposition to take a back seat to good comedy, and hot chicks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-74986671802806038382007-10-16T12:46:00.000-04:002007-10-16T12:46:00.000-04:00He hasn't done much on camera than being a neuroti...<I>He hasn't done much on camera than being a neurotic wreck. Good for comedy, but not very endearing to the ladies.</I><BR/><BR/>Hey, Woody Allen's been getting the hot chicks on screen for what, four decades now? He plays a neurotic wreck and he doesn't look anything like Zach Levi. If I can buy it from the Woodman, I can buy it from Chuck.<BR/><BR/>Alan, do you know anything about the ratings for "Chuck" and how NBC's feeling about it? On TWoP there were mumblings about it not doing so well, but I couldn't tell if that was based in anything real or just the solipsistic panic of "No one's posting here, therefore no one's watching out there!" that can sometimes take hold on those boards. I would think with baseball on the ratings for all the other networks would be somewhat skewed, but I honestly don't know. I wondered if the upswing in visible female skin was a ploy to get more viewers.<BR/><BR/>Also, can you use your critic-fu to get those of us outside the US access to episodes on network websites? (Probably not, but it's worth asking.) I'd promise to click on every Nissan Versa ad on the NBC site if I could watch these shows online.<BR/><BR/>As regards the ep itself, too much Morgan, too little Casey. I know they're building the Chuck/Sarah thing for the (in my unspoiled opinon) inevitable return of Bryce, but I don't want to see Casey relegated to just chauffering the two of them around and uttering the occasional "Hey mouse, say cheese!"-type one-liner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-48541249502417088532007-10-16T12:38:00.000-04:002007-10-16T12:38:00.000-04:00As for How I Met Your Mother, I find it interestin...As for <B>How I Met Your Mother</B>, I find it interesting that Ted is...sort of a dick this season. He's been more of the loveable buddy, but a few episodes ago, his snobbish "New Jersey is not New York" came off as mean instead of funny (which it could have been), and suggesting he has more game than Barney (and belittling Marshall in the process) was also on the mean side of the coin.<BR/><BR/>We're supposed to LIKE Ted, right?greebshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10945022888968961800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-8946352171210442822007-10-16T12:34:00.000-04:002007-10-16T12:34:00.000-04:00Alan: did you notice that Sarah used the word "Shi...Alan: did you notice that Sarah used the word "Shit" when changing in the back of the car after Chuck gave the diamond to Carina? I had to rewind on the Tivo just to make sure I heard it correctly. I've seen "shit" on The Shield, but that was cable - haven't seen it uttered on network TV before, never mind at the 8pm hour...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-40801175584638612992007-10-16T11:54:00.000-04:002007-10-16T11:54:00.000-04:00(yes fourth Alan, unless you're counting the first...<I>(yes fourth Alan, unless you're counting the first two weeks as an extra-long pilot)</I><BR/><BR/>Typo. Fixed. Thanks.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-29993116260126679142007-10-16T11:51:00.000-04:002007-10-16T11:51:00.000-04:00And how can you diss Casey? There can never be too...<I>And how can you diss Casey? There can never be too much Casey. More Casey, less Sarah! </I><BR/><BR/>Wasn't dissing Casey; I was noting that his minimal presence (along with that of Capt. Awesome and the Nerd Herd and the complete absence of Harry Tang) meant that the episode wasn't as funny as the last one. <BR/><BR/>Also, seems only fair that people got a glimpse of both Strahovski and Baldwin's undies this week, no?Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-48720726573908619032007-10-16T11:43:00.000-04:002007-10-16T11:43:00.000-04:00HIMYM also gets continuity points for remembering ...HIMYM also gets continuity points for remembering that Robin doesn't like "Field of Dreams."<BR/><BR/>All four episodes thus far have had a B-plot about Robin dating. That, to me, is not a good sign -- I'm worried that the writers don't have other ideas about what to do with Robin now that she and Ted have broken up. But I did enjoy this episode, probably because Barney played such a big role in the A plot. I think the show needs to pair Ted and Robin with the other regulars more instead of sending them out on dates every episode. The show is working way too hard to prove to us that Ted and Robin are over each other, when I think it might be funnier and more realistic if they weren't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-41648406437136376802007-10-16T11:30:00.000-04:002007-10-16T11:30:00.000-04:00I'm definitely getting more laughs from Aliens in ...I'm definitely getting more laughs from Aliens in America, but HIMYM was better than it's been in episodes past this season. <BR/><BR/>And though, I didn't enjoy Chuck half as much as last week's episode, I still remain entertained.Rianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04984723787236766932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-23220311720395551892007-10-16T11:29:00.000-04:002007-10-16T11:29:00.000-04:00Chuck's fourth episode (yes fourth Alan, unless yo...Chuck's fourth episode (yes fourth Alan, unless you're counting the first two weeks as an extra-long pilot) was very good. Nothing special, but they can easily maintain this level of consistency for a while, and not fall into a rut like "Reaper."<BR/><BR/>I'm still not buying Sarah's feelings towards Chuck. He hasn't done much on camera than being a neurotic wreck. Good for comedy, but not very endearing to the ladies.<BR/><BR/>Points off for not using Casey much. Also points off for not knowing the correct spelling of Wookiee. :-)<BR/><BR/>Definitely a weak "How I Met Your Mother." And they could have dropped the sentimental child drawing montage at the end. Hmmm... this and two weeks ago they redid plots Seinfeld did better. Next week, the group sees who can keep from masturbating the longest.afogliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02820361829972093800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-68795986834975819722007-10-16T11:14:00.000-04:002007-10-16T11:14:00.000-04:00I agree that there was not nearly enough Casey in ...I agree that there was not nearly enough Casey in this episode. "Eyes Front" was great though. I am glad to see that Sarah is not the only Weinerlicious employee.<BR/><BR/>Dear Show: do not try and give Morgan depth, <BR/><BR/>Thank You, MeTaleenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465468178554091355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-13161035695892542382007-10-16T11:00:00.000-04:002007-10-16T11:00:00.000-04:00Yvonne Strahovski could probably still use a good ...<I>Yvonne Strahovski could probably still use a good fight trainer -- though with the outfits they keep having her fight in, I'm not sure how much of the audience even notices</I><BR/><BR/>Dude, in one shot, it was almost like you could totally see her ass, man! Seriously, I do spend more time wondering how she fights in those outfits than whether she's exhibiting any real skill. And how can you diss Casey? There can never be too much Casey. More Casey, less Sarah! :-D<BR/><BR/>HIMYM was a little off, but still funny in places and worth staying up past my bedtime so I could watch it on my DVR after Heroes ended.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-91197290386907912842007-10-16T10:53:00.000-04:002007-10-16T10:53:00.000-04:00On Chuck--Yvonne Strahovski, I know Jennifer Garne...On Chuck--Yvonne Strahovski, I know Jennifer Garner. I enjoyed "Alias." You are no Jennifer Garner (either as an actress or as a fight performer). She's the weak link, in what's otherwise an enjoyable show.<BR/><BR/>On HIMYM--Kinda blah, I agree, but the "mini-Barney"/"mini-Ted" and the time bending nature of that plot were good. Also, continuity points--apparently (TWOP says) the kid was the same one who harassed Marshall about the Super Bowl.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00295270766215749309noreply@blogger.com