How Do I Spend My Thursday Nights?

Another night of classic television from the fellas over at NBC. 

Community

While I was watching community, I noticed in one scene that Abed was talking to some pregnant girl in the background and was really confused. My sister pointed out a YouTube video to me, courtesy of Huffington Post, that explains Abed’s secret storyline.

The rest of the episode was full of wet t-shirt mud-wrestling and talk of faith. But I thought that Abed part was very clever, NBC.

Episode Grade: B-

30 Rock

I had to watch this episode twice because the first time I watched it, I was surrounded by my chatty Kathy friends- Fasy included –and had difficulty hearing anything. Basically, Jack Donaghy is challenged by a Congress woman played by Queen Latifah who alleges that NBC has a lack of diversity. Because of this, Liz Lemon must share her head-writer duties with Toofer. She is more than happy with this sharing of responsibilities until Toofer gets all the credit. Meanwhile, Jenna takes it upon herself to make sure Kenneth earns his spot in the NBC Page Program. In the process, she finds herself turning into the ultimate stage-mom: her own mother. This episode was particularly politically incorrect, but I guess that was necessary in order to get the point of their lack of diversity across.

Episode Grade: B

The Office

Andy Bernard is performing in a local rendition of Sweeney Todd so of COURSE the whole office attends his performance. Funny thing is, Andy is actually amazing in the play. Well, I guess that’s not funny rather it’s predictable considering he is an esteemed member of Here Comes Treble, the a cappella group from Cornell. With the help of his colleagues (namely Meredith), Michael takes a bottle of wine to the face and laments over his not being chosen for the lead role. How could they not choose him after he performed an ENTIRE episode of Law & Order for them!? What’s really sad is that Andy still likes Erin even though she is committed to Gabe. I just want the two oddballs to reunite.

Episode Grade: A-

How Do I Spend My Thursday Nights?

Community

Just last night I saw Joel McHale live at the Oakdale Theater. He was funny. He did little bits that I could imagine being on his show, The Soup. What he didn’t do, however, was plug his own show, Community. Now, I already watch that show, but it made me respect him a little bit more (because I know him personally and all…).

Thursday’s episode is sure to be a classic. The study group finds themselves competing for Jeff’s time after an old lawyer colleague, Alan Connor (played by Rob Corddry from Hot Tub Time Machine) finds Jeff after coming to Greendale for a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. Shortly after meeting Alan, Annie realizes that she recognizes him from a past NA meeting where he bragged about turning Jeff into the National Bar Association for false lawyer credentials (whew). Of course, he has a difficult time believing his study buddies and chooses to go to a law office party instead of the Pop and Lockathon which the group committed to. The contest is also Senor Chang’s chance to finally join the study group which lands him as the sole contestant for their team, the Heather Pop & Locklears. At a party where Drew Carey stars as a partner of the company, Annie, Troy, & Abed finagle their way into an office to prove Alan turned Jeff in while also drugging a janitor. There is literally too much in this episode to comment on including Jeff’s line “Don’t sue her. She’s a stripper. Life sued her and she lost.” The team ends up getting disqualified while an evil-laughing Chang passes out with fury.
Episode Grade: A-

30 Rock

“When It Rains It Pours” was the name of the episode and a very fitting tagline for the theme of the episode. Liz Lemon finds herself getting attention from all walks of man for the sole fact that she is in a relationship. Paul Giamatti plays a TGS editor spreading rumors about a fake relationship he kindled with Liz Lemon. A masked page is running around The Girly Show set completing tasks that no one has been able to do since Kenneth left. Jack and Avery find out they are having a son so Jack takes it upon himself to make a video diary providing advice on every possible situation his son may find himself in…including how to camouflage yourself. Tracy is busy finding a way to make it to the hospital for the birth of his third child and lands himself in the Cash Cab with Ben Bailey.

His odd experiences somehow give him the knowledge to answer all his questions correctly for instance, when did the U.S. receive the Statue of Liberty? Jack Donaghy reveals the masked page to be Kenneth and then is stunned again when he finds out he will be father to a daughter, not a son. The jokes never stopped coming during this half hour comedy.
Episode Grade: A

The Office

Michael Scott must suffer the repercussions of the alleged spanking incident and undergo counseling. His assigned counselor? His arch nemesis, Toby. After three hours and many failed attempts to get through to Michael, Toby tricks Michael into playing games with hopes of him opening up. It works! Until Michael finds out and is infuriated. Pam is tired of being an awful salesperson. The only other option is creating a faux position: Office Administrator. Meanwhile, Dwight has been denied service at a store in the mall because of what he assumes to be his appearance. The office collaborates to help Dwight pull a “Pretty Woman” on the store, letting them know what a big mistake they made. Later, we find out that Dwight was refused service because of the safety hazard he posed by having blood smeared over his hands. It was another classic episode, including this typical Kelly Kapoor line, “I talk a lot, so I’ve learned to just tune myself out.” I can relate.
Episode Grade: A-

I chose to not watch Outsourced this week because it failed to wow me the week before. Sorry if I let any of you down, though I'm sure I didn't.

How Do I Spend My Thursday Nights?

Watching NBC. Plain and simple, that’s what I do. The line-up is unmatched: Community, 30 Rock, The Office, and the newbie, Outsourced. So here is how my Thirsty Thursday panned out:

Community

Last season’s finale left off with Britta confessing her love for Jeff (Joel McHale). His response? Sneaking away to make out with Annie. After their summer vacation, we re-visit the Greendale Community College study buddies and witness the drama that unfolds. After being empowered by other women, Britta must go along with a fake relationship initiated by Jeff in order to continue her reign as the female idol. Betty White guest stars as a crazed and perhaps senile anthropology teacher whose lesson to teach the class about the power of respect turns into attempted murder. Senor Chang (Ken Jeong) finds himself as a student at the very establishment where he was formerly a professor and desperately tries to appear cool so as to receive an invite to the popular study group. The drama arrives when Britta discovers the secret kiss shared between Jeff and Annie. The episode wraps with a brilliant scene in which Senor Chang channels his inner-Gollum in a psychotic yet hilarious monologue.
Episode Grade: A-

30 Rock

Matt Damon guest starred yet again, providing a treat in the very first episode of the season. He plays Carol, a pilot who is dating Liz Lemon. As Jack Donaghy tries to teach Liz about dating tactics, it seems that he’s having some trouble of his own figuring out the motives of his new girlfriend, Avery (played by Elizabeth Banks). Kenneth the Page has left 30 Rockefeller Plaza to work for CBS and Tracy Jordan is having a tough time dealing with the adjustment. In an episode dominated by the all too often inappropriate game of “Would You Rather?” we find out that Liz is terrified of falling into a relationship resembling The Barefoot Contessa and her spouse, Jeffrey. It seemed that this episode was a bit more daring in the FCC regulations department and yet a great episode was produced.
Episode Grade: B+

The Office

The 7th and final season for Michael Scott started off with a bang…and a new opening credits scene! The episode opens with “Lip Dub”, a viral video made for Youtube by the employees of Sabre, the former Dunder Mifflin.



It’s been said that this final season will be a culmination of all things Michael Scott- every storyline they have wanted to do for him and more. The office has a new face: Michael’s unkempt and unruly nephew. Though at first the office doesn’t know that he is related to Michael, they find out and scold Michael for nepotism, a word which he doesn’t quite understand the meaning of. After ruining a brilliant prank that Jim has hatched for Dwight, Pam takes it upon herself to prank Dwight. The prank backfires and she ends up stuck in an elevator with Dwight whose survival instinct kicks in when he decides the need the designate the urine corner. After the incessant complaints to Michael about his useless nephew, Michael scolds him by spanking him in front of the entire office. Definitely not appropriate or legal, but everyone in the office finds it hilarious and reenacts the moment for Pam and Dwight who missed while stuck in the elevator. Great quotes, great cast, great show.
Episode Grade: A

Outsourced

So I decided to give this show a try because I thought the idea had potential. I’m not writing this in past tense because I now disagree, but I also don’t whole heartedly agree…at least not yet. So here’s the run-down: Todd was just trained for a managerial position at an American Novelties telemarketing company. When he returns to his office he finds that they have outsourced their telemarketing to talent in India. He decides to keep his job and his story begins at his new office building. The cast of characters playing the employees is unique to say the least. There’s Manmeet the actor, Gupta the incessant talker, and Madhuri the low-talker. The idea for the show stemmed from a short film made in 2006 but perhaps some more kinks need to be worked out. There were some laughs to be had but I’m not sure how long this politically incorrect show can stay afloat.
Episode Grade: C+