Possible Reasons Why "Community" Doesn't Feel Right

So far, my TV criticism has consisted mostly of snarky comments my wife and I make while sitting on the sofa watching Hulu. But I do read other critics and most of them said the new season of Community feels flat. After watching the first new episode of Season 4 the other night, I think I can pinpoint two reasons:

1) I'm really, really tired of the Dean in women's clothing.  Yes, I know, that's what he's always done, but that doesn't make me less tired of it.

2)  Abed is too autistic.  Again, that's always been a part of his character, but towards the end of last season, and throughout the new episode ("History 101"), it seems Abed's main function has been to disappear into his fantasy world while being sheltered by the other characters.  Despite his tendency to see everything in terms of TV, Abed has always been a smart, working member of the group.  Now he's the damaged one that everyone else is watching over.  Not nearly as interesting.

All long-running shows have a tendency to get lazy as they go on, and it usually hurts.  One quick example comes to mind: Kirstie Alley was whip-smart when she joined Cheers, only to become a whimpering neurotic by the time the show ended. 

So maybe I shouldn't be surprised.  It's just sad, because Community was always good for a parody or twist that was fun and entertaining. The Dean wore a dress, but he was in the show for two seconds. And Abed used TV tropes to cope with life, but he never used to escape into them to avoid it.

The Pope Isn't Retiring!

He's just giving up his job for Lent.

TV With a Twist

The winter break is over!  Time for TV channels to resume their regularly scheduled programs, already in progress.

First, the return of an old BBC favorite, Dr. Zoo

Next, let's head to Capitol Hill, where Congress is debating gun control on CSPAN

And let's finish our broadcast day with a fresh take on an old sitcom involving wizard Harry Potter, who returns to Hogwarts 20 years later to teach.

TV is a lot more fun when you're not paying close attention, isn't it?

Christmas Memories 3

Christmas Day may be gone, but the memories linger on... especially for Musical Innertube Staff Meteorologist Dee Frost.

Say What?

So let me get this straight: Wayne LaPierre of the NRA blames violent movies, TV and video games for the killing sprees, and his solution to the problem is straight out of shoot 'em up westerns and TV cop shows -- "The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun."

If anyone needs to have his worldview questioned, it's Wayne LaPierre.

Which got us to thinking -- what if a beloved Christmas character thought just like Wayne LaPierre?

How To Cope With Holiday Stress

Christmas is just a few days away.  You have cards to mail. Presents to buy. Treats to bake. Dinner to plan.  You feel s-t-r-e-s-s-e-d.

Which, of course, is no way to feel during the hap-happiest time of the year! A time of cheer and joy and good will to men!

So here's a guaranteed, sure-fire way to relieve the stress of the holidays.  Listen, take the advice, relax in your favorite chair near a roaring fire (in the fireplace), pour yourself a glass of egg nog and take a deep breath.  You can wait 'til later to thank me.

Ho ho ho!

Christmas Memories 2

As I may have mentioned earlier, on my podcast, The Musical Innertube, I've got staff members up The Wazoo (The Wazoo, of course, being the name of our stylish office building in Rochester, New Hampshire).  

One of them is Sports Director Jim Shorts.  Jim's big claim to fame (besides being able to twist his left arm into the shape of a pretzel) is that he played center on the C.W. Post University football team (the Post Toasties!) that won the 1968 Cereal Bowl.

Here is his Christmas Memory (tm).