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Reviews
Succession (2018)
Binge-worthy, I guess
Clearly, we're not watching satire, but be prepared to suspend reality to really enjoy this series. Very few likeable or memorable characters, more than a few who wouldn't get into any corporate HQ building, let alone a seat at the adult table and some storylines that are pretty vanilla. That said, Brian Cox plays the patriarch with depth and the weight you'd expect and hope for. Jeremy Strong is an enjoyable villain/victim yin/yang idiot savant and Kieran Culkin should buy series writers gold watches for the lines he's delivering each episode. Culkin is a joy and brilliant. Good for him. S4 is a go, so enjoy.
The Big Bang Theory: The Loobenfeld Decay (2008)
Now that's how to take over a scene!
DJ Qualls absolutely kills as Toby, a colleague of Sheldon's helping to conduct a fairly innocent ruse on Penny. The Toby/Penny scene is over-the-top perfection and Qualls' "young boy on the cusp of manhood" performance is Guest Actor Award-worthy.
The Goldbergs: The Wedding (2022)
Put a fork in it
If it wasn't obvious before, this episode is exhibit A of what NOT to do when removing a key character (Murray Goldberg) from your show. Series creator (Adam F. Goldberg) and the various production companies responsible for The Goldbergs had plenty of advanced notice that there were big behind-the-scene issues on the set. Their collective inability to adapt, overcome and improvise has resulted in very (very) weak subsequent episodes, suggesting current production is a cluster****. Disappointing, as The Goldbergs was a solid comedy. It's likely too late, but maybe Adam F. Goldberg should consult with that guy who played GySgt Thomas Highway. I hear he's done pretty well navigating the ups and downs in Hollywood.
The Goldbergs: A Peck of Familial Love (2022)
Missing Murray
This is the first episode post-Garland. Not feeling it thus far, although there had be high chaos on the set the week of filming. This was a Valentine's Day theme and while it had its moments (Emmy surfaced, Jeff's family "love" was cringe-funny), the show was lacking. Set aside Garland's action for a moment. The Goldberg's without Pops and now Murray has a steep hill to climb.
After Life (2019)
Good S3, but hardly a memorable effort
Pretty singular, over-riding focus and one that can get exhausting, especially as we're now through S3. Maybe that's Gervais's brilliance...short bursts, then leaving his audience begging for more. Not sure if that's a long-term winning strategy, but it clearly appears to be working for him. Watch and you'll smile and chuckle a bit. Yes, you'll cry and start doing some self-examination or reflection of loved ones who are no longer around. Nothing wrong with any of that.
The Big Bang Theory: The Application Deterioration (2016)
PC Alert
Another just-above average episode with some tired Raj-related script writing. Howard and Bernadette's hallway conversation seems forced, wanting to ensure all the PC boxes are checked. A little overt as the writers/creators' political leanings rarely seep into this very solid "something for everyone" sitcom. The episode-closing contract clause scene is warm-fuzzy, so there's that.
The Office: Diversity Day (2005)
Comedy Central SKIPS episode. This is so...
"Diversity Day" is a pretty self-explanatory title. Those viewers who are easily offended will be relieved that the Comedy Channel skipped this episode today (11/27/21). Others can watch it on NBC's peacock channel. All in all, another example of where we are in the USA. We'll all see if this is comedy du jour or has legs.
Personally, I am not a fan of suppressing creative expression. Is there really anyone out there who'll lose sleep after viewing this episode? Will anyone be scarred? My guess is some "expert" will argue just that. Comedy Central clearly has drawn a line in the sand. So, there's that.
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
Sorry, tough-talking leads fail miserably
Maybe this was simply a one-off, but Linda Hamilton's performance here was a train wreck. Unlikable, unrealistic and overdone. Mackenzie Davis is pretty decent. First time I can recall her playing an action figure. Natalia Reyes was not convincing as a teen as she sounded somewhat rational. Arnold was wasted, but eventually helped put some semblance of foundation and weight to this mess. If Cameron was indeed called in to save this production, he failed. Special effects were plentiful and solid, yet can't get past the writing.
Barney Miller (1975)
Solid Sitcom. Great Actors. Funny Episodes. Worth a Visit.
Barney Miller was and is a classic sitcom and pretty influential as an ensemble-type of format. As Capt. Miller, Hal Linden provided the perfect foundation of stability within the NYPD 12th Precinct. The series saw some detectives come and go, typical of any workplace. Anyone watching this evolving series will enjoy Wojo, Harris, Nick and "DD". I also found Inspector Luger to be one hell of a character and tip my hat to TV and movie veteran James Gregory. The guy was a real scene-stealer in all the right ways.
The writing was fresh, had substance and was damn funny. The award-winning creators, directors and writers...a group of professionals who clearly know their craft. These behind-the-scene peers also must have been the nicest group to work with - they allowed Abe Vigoda to showcase the definitive "obnoxious actor" persona. The Fish schtick was tiring from day one, got worse as the episodes piled up and only found cleansing once that character departed. Sorry, tell me I'm wrong.
Onto more pleasant observations. Watch each show for "guest appearances" by a myriad of fine actors, many quite familiar for their past/future artistic success. All-in-all, a great binge.
24: 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. (2002)
Fresh Eyes
So, like everyone, I'm binging on shows seen years ago - 24 being the latest. Through S1E17...all good. This latest though, exposes either a) the writers taking a lunch break when they should have been providing better lines for Jack's wife or b) that the actress playing Jack's wife...sucks. I can't buy for a second the way she carries on after the car wreck. It's distracting and weakens the episode. Whether or not it's required to continue the plot arch is a poor excuse from this otherwise well-written S1. Setting this blemish aside, 24 still seems to hold up well years later. Will keep watching - what else are we going to do, right?
Mile 22 (2018)
Early Exit
Not a fan of unnecessary, forced shtick and this one went the full monty. The incessant rubber band, the finger meditation thing, the hairpiece and tennis shoes, the president bobble-heads. Tired doesn't even begin to describe this stuff. Probably missed more as I couldn't get past the halfway mark. Too bad as I saw the plot as basic, entertaining action that could have done without so much baggage. Speaking of that, Rousey...nope.
Both Wahlberg and Berg are industry stars, but this will likely be set aside when identifying their best efforts. Swing and a miss.