COMEDY
The 10 Best TV Shows Of 2011
Dec 29th
Yes, it’s that time of the year again where I pick my top shows of the last 12 months. Many shows – New Girl, The Borgias, Homeland, Nurse Jackie – almost made the list. But in the end there could be only 10… here they are!
REVENGE: There were shows this year with better writing, better directing and better acting. But NOTHING on our screens in 2011 was as ridiculously entertaining as Revenge, the season’s most surprising new hit.
Who would have thought that the primetime soap opera would make a comeback in 2011 and that its story of rich people receiving their comeuppance would seem quite so timely. Revenge has been perfectly played since episode one – hooking us into Emily Thorne’s grand plans to avenge herself on the Grayson family – led by the wonderfully icy matriarch Victoria (Madeline Stowe).
But Revenge has also done a wonderful job of surrounding Emily with a series of equally gripping storylines. There’s grasping social climber Tyler who’s gradually becoming more and more unhinged, bisexual billionaire Nolan who helps fund Emily’s schemes, reformed party boy Daniel who may be the key to Emily’s undoing and the Poison Ivy-like Amanda who’s out to cause a whole heap More >
Absolutely Fabulous: Do Show Revivals Ever Work?
Nov 29th
If you’re a fan of British comedy you doubtless know all about Absolutely Fabulous, the Jennifer Saunders penned fashion comedy that’s been a huge part of the UK TV landscape for years now.
Originally the show ran for three seasons from 1992 – 1995, followed by a 2 hour finale in 1996. But then Saunders decided to revive the show in 2001 for a further two seasons and an additional 3 specials. Now Ab Fab, as it’s known to its fans, is coming back for three more specials to celebrate its 20 year anniversary, including one this Christmas. But is that really such a good idea? When should great series bow out gracefully?
Here’s the deal. I was a huge fan of the original 3 season run of Ab Fab back in the 90′s, when it truly was groundbreaking and funny and very fresh. At the time the show was a real shot in the arm for the British comedy scene, a bridge between the ‘alternative comedy’ movement but also mainstream enough for my parents to watch. But even back then Ab Fab had some writing issues – often scenes would drag on for far too long or stretch a good idea More >
The Muppets: Don’t Believe The Hype!
Nov 25th
Okay – here we go!
I don’t know how you guys spent your Thanksgiving – but as part of my day my partner and I went to see the new Muppets movie (even though I was battling a work-induced cold!) Now I have to say going in, The Muppets was one of my most eagerly anticipated movies of the year. Like a lot of people my age (I’m 37) I grew up on The Muppets TV show in the late 70’s / early 80’s – and can’t help but smile when I see the likes of Miss Piggy, Animal and my favorite, The Swedish Chef. Plus there was the near unanimous praise for the new Muppets movie – 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. Sounds like a sure bet, right?
Well sadly I’m with the 3% who didn’t give the new Muppets movie a rave review! For me it’s a big old disappointment…
Arrested Development Is Back: Do You Really Care?
Nov 22nd
Okay time for a bit of controversy here on the site!
As you’ve no doubt read over the last couple of days, cult comedy Arrested Development is about to get a second chance at success, courtesy of Netflix who’ve just agreed to finance an unspecified number of episodes of the show, leading up to a proposed feature film. Commentators all over the web are cock a hoop at the news. But am I the only person who thinks Arrested Development should have stayed canceled? (more…)
New Girl: Are You Laughing Yet?
Nov 14th
We all know comedy is a mighty subjective beast – and perhaps the most divisive of all TV genres.
It’s amazing how passionate people get about their favorite – and least favorite – comedy shows, and why. And it’s a habit I’m as guilty of as anyone out else out there (one of the first pieces I posted here on Remote Patrolled dealt with this very topic).
Take Community for example. Critics and fans rave about the Joel McHale / Chevy Chase comedy – but I can’t bear it. Not only do I find Community unfunny – I also find it unbearably smug. Perhaps fuelled by its fanbase there’s an aura of arrogance to Community, a sense that we’re so clever that most of America just don’t understand or ‘get’ us (the ratings are in the toilet but of course that’s because the average American isn’t ‘smart’ enough to like the show) The snobbery extends to star McHale himself who parodies trash TV on The Soup and then goes and stars in a movie like Spy Kids 4. Sorry Joel you can’t have it both ways!
Can Glee Be Saved?
Nov 7th
As regular Remote Patrolled readers will know, I gave up on Glee a few weeks ago, after realizing that the current third series of the show simply wasn’t going to get any better.
Though I’d been a fan of Glee for it’s first two years I eventually felt so exhausted by the character inconsistencies, tiresome romances (yes that would be you Finn and Rachel) and Sue Sylvester, the most cartoonish character on TV, that I just had to bail.
But last week I gave Glee a brief second chance. Having followed The Glee Project over the summer I was interested to see how one of the winners, Damian, would fit into the show. But after just a few minutes the same old problems surfaced once again and I was out.
And it seems I’m not the only one. Since the third series began Glee’s ratings have fallen every single week. The season 3 premiere pulled in 9.21 million (down substantially from the 11.80 million who watched the season 2 finale), then hit 8.60 million, then 8.42 million and last week 7.47 million. By comparison the first five episodes of season 2 were all above the 11 million mark. Not exactly a hard trend to follow More >
Richard Recommends: Suburgatory
Oct 28th
Time for a little comedy here at Remote Patrolled – and one of the most unexpected surprises of the Fall TV Season.
Let’s be honest – did anyone have high expectations for the new ABC sitcom Suburgatory? Aside from a dubious title and a complete lack of buzz there was also the fact that Suburgatory hailed from the producer of Emily’s Reasons Why Not – one of the biggest sitcom misfires of the last few years (remember how the Heather Graham starrer only aired ONE episode!)
But that’s the thing with the TV industry – you just never know where the next big hit might hail. Suburgatory isn’t a smash hit quite yet, but it’s doing a very good job as part of ABC’s terrific Wednesday night line-up and is gradually winning over an army of fans. For me the show is delivering at least 5 proper laughs an episode – which is 5 more than Two And A Half Men has ever given us – total!
In case you haven’t caught Suburgatory yet here’s the basic story. The show follows George and Tessa, a father and daughter who relocate from Manhattan to the suburbs. Tessa is the snarky teen who hates her new More >
Funny Or Die: Child Star Psychologist
Oct 21st
It’s been a while since we’ve posted a Funny Or Die clip here at Remote Patrolled – but this video today caught my eye.
Check out Mad Men star Kiernan Shipka aka Sally Draper, as she plays psychologist to a range of child stars (of varying ages)
As usual with Funny Or Die videos, there’s a couple of good gags hidden within a far too long sketch – but it’s a kick to see Toddlers And Tiara’s star Eden Wood spoofing herself.
I also liked the dig at Danielle Fishel’s old show The Dish – though I have a feeling quite a lot of people aren’t going to recognize Danielle herself (Boy Meets World is hardly a recent show)
Anyway – here’s Kiernan in action – check it out… (more…)
2011 Fall TV Preview: Man Up!
Oct 12th
When Does It Start: Tuesday 18th October at 8.30pm EST on ABC
In A Nutshell: 3 guys complain about their lives. A lot.
What’s It About: Meet Will, Craig and Kenny. They’re middle aged and miserable – emasculated by their partners and struggling to assert their masculinity in a world of metrosexuality.
Will is bored by his job and going through the motions, Craig still pines for his college ex and Kenny is jealous of his ex-wife’s hunky new boyfriend. By the way – Man Up is meant to be a comedy!
2011 Fall TV Preview: Suburgatory
Sep 26th
When Does It Start: Wednesday 28th September at 8.30pm EST on ABC
In A Nutshell: Snarky city girl moves to the suburbs – and hates her new life!
What’s It About: Single dad George (Jeremy Sisto) is trying hard to raise his 16-year-old daughter Tessa in Manhattan. But after discovering a box of condoms in Tessa’s bedroom, George decides a life change is in order, and moves the twosome to the suburbs.
There the pair must deal with amorous neighbors (hello Cheryl Hines), annoying jocks, stuck up beauty queens, spray tans and nose jobs. Welcome to Suburgatory…
