tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post2733201048749031225..comments2024-03-19T03:23:06.738-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Strike Survival TV Club: Cupid, "Heaven... He's in Heaven"Alan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-36169072082079741592008-01-14T21:08:00.000-05:002008-01-14T21:08:00.000-05:00Yay, thanks for confirming my guess that that was ...Yay, thanks for confirming my guess that that was the Chicago Cultural Center! I've only been to Chicago once, for a conference last year, but I was really surprised at how beautiful a city it is and I'm loving all of the great locations in the show. It's so nice to see a show that really uses its location, rather than just lots of backlot stuff.<BR/><BR/>Everyone's pretty much covered my comments, since I'm coming in so late to this one. But I enjoyed this episode overall, and it only took me a few minutes to accept that HG's dancing would *not* result in him turning into a giant Big Bad and eating the whole town. :-)<BR/><BR/>And thanks Rob, for everything. Looking forward to your comments!Stefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10024186205791001584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-90220007595825114652008-01-13T12:18:00.000-05:002008-01-13T12:18:00.000-05:00thanks for clarifying ra porter and olucy. I remem...thanks for clarifying ra porter and olucy. I remember Trevor saying those lines however I just really didn't think he was being serious. <BR/><BR/>To be honest I'm having a pretty hard time taking anything Trevor (really Piven) says seriously as I always just perceive him to be exaggerating to try and make a point. I guess we could calling in the Ari Effect.jcpbmghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18052159608994666038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-83345577159867934562008-01-12T19:17:00.000-05:002008-01-12T19:17:00.000-05:00olucy~ Glad I wasn't the only one who recognized t...olucy~ Glad I wasn't the only one who recognized the Cultural Center standing in the for museum. It's one of my favorite places in Chicago and as soon as they pulled back on the dancing, I recognized it. I also got a chuckle out of the Marina Towers always in the background. I'm loving recognizing Chicago landmarks in this show.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-87314014902545081962008-01-12T16:56:00.000-05:002008-01-12T16:56:00.000-05:00Agree with r.a. porter. Trevor has maintained his...Agree with r.a. porter. Trevor has maintained his immortality from the get-go.<BR/><BR/>And he'd not be returning to heaven (a spiritual place). He'd be returning to Mt. Olympus (a mythological place).<BR/><BR/>But I'd agree that it's my least favorite so far, too.olucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12047701257768309071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-76768344677391596922008-01-12T16:50:00.000-05:002008-01-12T16:50:00.000-05:00jcpbmg: Not to nitpick, but Trevor certainly had i...<B>jcpbmg:</B> Not to nitpick, but Trevor certainly had indicated his belief in his immortality before. From the pilot:<BR/><I>You ever watch ‘Fame’? You know what I have in common with Bruno, Leroy and Coco? I’m gonna live forever. Are you gonna live forever? See, it would saturate my pleasure glands to rip your skin off and make ponchos for the kids. So keep your paws off my shrink here, cause I’m a frustrated taxidermist and I’d love to go deep on ya. We on the same team, Butterbean?</I><BR/><BR/>(Thanks to Alan for doing the transcription with much work in his recap of the pilot.)R.A. Porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14851961356321735388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-5589561173363871362008-01-12T16:38:00.000-05:002008-01-12T16:38:00.000-05:00this was actually my least favorite episode so far...this was actually my least favorite episode so far. I just found the whole Trevor/mortality storyline to be so predictable, and besides it was never explicitly inferred (or stated) that he thought he was immortal, just that he was waiting to go back to heaven, and as a result I just found the entire storyline to e unnecessary.<BR/><BR/>Also, I never noticed this before but Snuffy does the music for the show, which is an automatic plus in my book.jcpbmghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18052159608994666038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-54781398403714486152008-01-12T11:54:00.000-05:002008-01-12T11:54:00.000-05:00Also, loved Rob's commentary - thanks so much for ...Also, loved Rob's commentary - thanks so much for including it. So Piven was frustrated with so much opening dialogue. That would explain why they keep walking across the bridge but the Marina Towers continue to be behind them for several shots. I wonder how many times they had to stop and reshoot.<BR/><BR/>The photography and locations in this ep were fantastic. The Chicago Board of Trade has a statue of the god Ceres on its roof--you can see it stand out against the skyline or sunset--so I enjoyed seeing another Chicago building with another god perched on its dome.<BR/><BR/>The Chicago Cultural Center stood in nicely for Mrs. Bennett's place of work. Are there other Chicagoans here? Does anyone know what building has the vantage point of Mr. Bennett's office (looking at that section of the Chicago River/bridges). Was that supposed to be the Wrigley Building or was it just trick photography?olucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12047701257768309071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-60695237871378293032008-01-12T11:47:00.000-05:002008-01-12T11:47:00.000-05:00I found Mr. Bennett's emotional crisis to be sympa...I found Mr. Bennett's emotional crisis to be sympathetic but, like r.a.porter, I didn't connect with the couple overall. Just as I'm sitting there thinking "why doesn't she just take dance lessons?" Trevor and Champ propose dance lessons. Not that dance lessons are going to save their marriage, but <I>making an effort</I> does go a long way toward showing someone you're willing to work at something.<BR/><BR/>In the end both Claire and Trevor are right, again, which is nice. The dance lessons DO pay off, and Mr. Bennett <I>gets</I> Claire's message, even if she's very transparently projecting her own baggage on him. I like that he grasps onto the idea of being left behind.<BR/><BR/>Great commentary, Alan. I think I actually enjoyed this ep in retrospect more after reading your post than I did while actually watching it. I enjoyed how the themes blended together. The look on Trevor's face when he sees the blood on his finger was nicely played.<BR/><BR/>Even though we're only into Ep 3, I'm wondering if Claire has any really close friends. She's confiding to her assistant, who does seem to be her assistant, and not a close girlfriend. Which is kind of sad. She seems to know a lot of people and has a wide social network, but no best friend.<BR/><BR/>The scene with Trevor dancing with Claire in the graveyard was so lovely. I'm not a big fan of musical eps, but this week two of my fave shows--this and 30 Rock--had musical numbers which were wonderful. I've been lucky to see Groener perform on Broadway, and he is a fantastic performer. He was a delight to watch here, and they managed to include just enough music and dance without overdoing it.<BR/><BR/>On the "is he or isn't he?" side of things, two eps have opened with Trevor running up behind Claire on the street. Unless he's stalking her, which is just creepy, he always seems to know where she is!olucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12047701257768309071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-89244431167797022492008-01-12T00:08:00.000-05:002008-01-12T00:08:00.000-05:00So, were Jeff Reno and Ron Osborne as impossible t...So, were Jeff Reno and Ron Osborne as impossible to deal with as "Ricky and Ron" on Studio 60, or is Sorkin just a thin-skinned crybaby? (I realize the two are not mutually exclusive.)<BR/><BR/>I don't have anything else to add, except: Hi, Rob! [blushes, pisses pants]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-52568721165174664642008-01-11T20:01:00.000-05:002008-01-11T20:01:00.000-05:00This was the first one I really loved. Possibly be...This was the first one I really loved. Possibly because I agree with Mr. Bennett that life would be much better as a musical. Also (Sorkin fan here) I have no problem with endless walk-and-talks so long as the repartee is witty, and I thought Piven did a lovely job as the god coming to terms with mortality.<BR/><BR/>I'm still having a problem with Marshall, though. She's so... mannered, is the only word I can think of. Missed Paula licking her lips? Wait five seconds, she'll do it again. Missed her gesticulating awkwardly? Wait 20 seconds. I don't remember her being this tic-y on Sports Night, but there are shades of it in her appearances on Veronica Mars. Maybe it's playing a counsellor role that brings it out in her?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75216900309686952102008-01-11T15:48:00.000-05:002008-01-11T15:48:00.000-05:00I liked the Royal Wedding coat rack nod, and the d...I liked the <I>Royal Wedding</I> coat rack nod, and the dancing on the grave (which made the Tim Curry/Dead Dog Record <I>Wiseguy</I> arc pop into my head).Mapeelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12149683683413237283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-41532690739920783962008-01-11T14:02:00.000-05:002008-01-11T14:02:00.000-05:00In response to "on the dole", I had the advantage...In response to "on the dole", I had the advantage of watching the entire series (such as it was) back when it first aired and so that nostalgia is probably elevating my view of some of these early ones. This episode is not one of my favourites, but it's just nice to see these characters again. I don't want to raise your expectations too much, but so far it's not as good as it gets.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317568565085893849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-57551654950958150052008-01-11T13:25:00.000-05:002008-01-11T13:25:00.000-05:00Man, I wish I was enjoying this show half as much ...Man, I wish I was enjoying this show half as much as everyone else so far. I'm trying, I really am. But this was one of the talkiest episodes of TV I've ever seen (I suppose "heard" is more accurate). As a huge fan of Rob's work on Veronica Mars, I'm actually glad to hear him say the other guys were the main forces on this episode. The network's concern about opening with so much dialogue was legit-- I started zoning out, and rarely was sucked back in. <BR/><BR/>There are some lovely moments scattered here and there, and some nice ideas underlying it all, but most of the good stuff gets buried under mounds of "see, here's your problem..." dialogue. I guess a show about a therapist is always going to risk being too talky, but I'm hoping they find more visually expressive ways to convey meaning in later episodes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50702494925914189832008-01-11T11:44:00.000-05:002008-01-11T11:44:00.000-05:00Special thanks to Rob for his thoughts, and here's...Special thanks to Rob for his thoughts, and here's hoping that we maybe get a few tidbits on where the proposed revitalization of the series might be heading, even if they're ever so sneakily inserted.<BR/><BR/>Since it's the beginning of the term, I've been watching ahead a little...or, okay, a lot. The episodes have been quite enjoyable, but this one didn't really click for me - I think I share Rob's concern about the singing and dancing, as the "whimsy" of the series was never that pronounced before this point. I am now intensely curious to know which episodes were broken by Rob, and which by the other producing team.Myleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05935433249935469070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1377288065262875492008-01-11T09:22:00.000-05:002008-01-11T09:22:00.000-05:00I bought the first scene of dancing the streets be...I bought the first scene of dancing the streets because HG's performance is good enough that anyone but the most cynical city dweller would have to appreciate it.<BR/><BR/>It's also great to read Rob Thomas's thoughts about this great series. I hope after the last one he can share his thoughts on where he intended this to go, at least for the first season.<BR/><BR/>I also have to admit that I whipped through all the episodes last weekend, so I will probably have to rewatch the later ones in a few weeks time.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317568565085893849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75619357586024098182008-01-11T02:47:00.000-05:002008-01-11T02:47:00.000-05:00First things first: Rob, if you're reading these c...First things first: Rob, if you're reading these comments, thanks for sharing your thoughts and remembrances.<BR/><BR/>The crackle of the banter, as usual, is great in the opening. I think the line that tickles me the most is one that Paula Marshall delivered in a nicely understated manner: "you've caught me at a bad time, Trevor. I'm here." I've always hated the show-killer label being applied to her because she's just so damn good. She can swing between prickly and feather-soft in the space between two words, making her the perfect foil for Jeremy Piven's rat-a-tat-tat delivery.<BR/><BR/>I always thought - and this episode with Piven Pater is the perfect time to say it - that this show deserved special guest appearances by some other Piven Theatre Workshop alums (*cough* Cusack *cough*) who might have provided a nice ratings boost. I know it's just TV, but I didn't think it right that John Cusack never appeared with John Cusack's Best Friend™. Nice to see Jeremy's dad smirking at his boy's shtick, though.<BR/><BR/>I know the Bennets aren't in a fight or supposed to be bitter, but that first scene with them together didn't work for me when it originally aired and still doesn't today. I can't help but see Mrs. Bennet as a little bitter when she says her husband embarrasses her. As the episode continues, I become much more sympathetic to her point of view, but too early she complains about Harry Groener singing and dancing. To me (and this is because I find him so damn graceful,) she just seems a bit shrill by being embarrassed. Of course, it makes her scene with Champ and her final dance with Mr. Bennet more moving, so maybe it's worth her being a little off putting up front.<BR/><BR/>Agreed that Jack is born, killed, mourned, and discarded too quickly to really register, but even with those limitations I hurt along with Claire. More of Paula's great softness at work.<BR/><BR/>And my last comment is on yet another great line, Trevor in group:<BR/><I>If everyone put themselves out there into the world a little bit more, I'm laying odds you'd be laying more than odds.</I><BR/><BR/>Great, great wordplay.R.A. Porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14851961356321735388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-8126825714734596672008-01-11T02:01:00.000-05:002008-01-11T02:01:00.000-05:00...given all I wrote and said about "Studio 60," I...<I>...given all I wrote and said about "Studio 60," I'm guessing Aaron Sorkin won't want any part of my eventual "Sports Night" posts</I><BR/><BR/>Especially after enjoying an episode written by the inspirations for "Ricky and Ron" on "Studio 60."<BR/><BR/>And thank you for highlighting "Cupid." I didn't get a chance to see any of the episodes originally except for this one, so it's been fun catching up so far.David J. Loehrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03730376433424754068noreply@blogger.com