Two Ladies & Their TVs

We love our shows so much we created a blog for it.

 

The Office: First Season DVD

So, I poked around in a few stores yesterday morning, and found The Office on sale at Tower (which is a find in and of itself), so I splurged and bought it.  Usually t.v. series dvds are too much for me, like Deadwood at 100 bucks (I just have to settle for my tapes and renting the dvds for the commentaries), so finding one at $20 is a steal.  It'll probably be more next year-- this season only had six episodes.

There aren't many frills to it-- all six episodes, with commentary for four, and deleted scenes from all the shows.  What's amazing is just how many deleted scenes there are; put 'em back to back and they'd add up to their own show (and then some).  An interesting insight into that came from Greg Daniels, the US creator and exec. producer, during one of the commentaries.  British shows run 28, 29 minutes-- ours run twenty minutes and thirty seconds.  There was no way the pilot, which was almost word-for-word a copy of the UK version, could have run as long as it did in the UK. I think if it had, people would have been even more shocked by Michael's (the boss) behavior.  In one of the deleted scenes, he says that at one point or another, every guy in the office "has sprayed Pam" (the receptionist).  Stunned.  Silence.  And that's another great thing about The Office-- the way they draw out those awkward pauses, instead of filling it with canned laughter or music.  You're supposed to be uncomfortable as hell.

Other memorable moments from deleted scenes:
*Pam eating her lunch and reading Wired while sitting in a chair outside Michael's office.  Michael comes out of his office, asks her what she's reading, then tells her he had a scare that morning when he found a lump in his jewels.  The look on Pam's face was priceless.  I can't imagine what I would do if my boss ever came up to me and started talking to me about that... actually, the only boss I know is Mr. Calm, so I'd probably be concerned.  Uh, definitely, I mean.
*After meeting the temp (BJ Novak, can't remember his character's name) and finding out his last name is Howard, starts talking about The Three Stooges, and puts a stapler over his upper lip and begins goose-stepping, mimicking Curly doing... Hitler.
* Dwight discussing the origins of his name ("Schrute"), saying his ancestors were Amish, and stating they were from "AmLand".
* During Michael's version of diversity training, Jim (the cute salesman) writing something on a blank index card, and when Dwight exclaims, "Oh, man-- am I a woman?" he says, "Yes," and gives Dwight another card to put on his forehead.  After guessing and guessing, and asking Pam, "Am I at least human?", he takes off the card and sees that it says, "Dwight".

You also got to learn more about the other co-workers in the office.  I'd seen before that most of them share the same first names as their characters.  What I didn't know is that a few of the writers also play workers.

As far as the commentaries go, I've only watched two so far: "Basketball" (which airs this coming week), and "Diversity Day".  In these commentaries, at least five people are talking: Jim, BJ Novak, Dwight, Michael, and Greg Daniels.  I think that's way too much talking; sometimes I can't figure out who's saying what.  And the other commentaries have even MORE people!  That's going a little overboard.  A little? 

But what they've said has been very interesting, especially about "Basketball", which is my second-favorite ep.  And for us, merserene, there's a MA connection: John Krazinski (Jim) and BJ Novak are both from Newton, and Steve Carell (Michael) is from MA.  Anyway, enough of that fun.

John Krazinski really did play basketball well in high school; Stan (the black worker) really does dribble like that (you have to see it to appreciate it);  Steve Carell really can't play basketball; and in one scene, when Jim is accidentally elbowed in the face by Roy, Pam's fiancee, it was actually real.  John Krazinski's upper lip was split and swelled up, and they had to cancel a photo shoot the next day because of how he looked.  Hrm, no wonder that looked so real and painful.

Worth the 20 bucks?  You betcha.  I like having all the episodes in one handy-dandy disc, and although I'll probably be aggravated by the plethora of commentators, I'm sure I'll learn some fun background stuff.  I am pissed that there are no outtakes; I don't count deleted scenes as outtakes.  Outtakes are bloopers in my book, and I love bloopers.  Can't get enough of 'em.  I hope they have the good sense to put them on the second season dvd.

Posted by: athenawj at 06:12 | link | comments (9)
the world is a comedy

Tommy Lee Goes to College

Okay, I can't believe I did it, but Mr. Calm and I, looking through the cable guide and seeing that nothing else was on that interested us, sat down to watch Tommy Lee Goes to College.  And dammit, we liked it.

The show's admittedly staged quite a bit, but what they came up with was funny.  The glazed or confused looks in class (especially when he had to identify plants in Plant Horticulture-- a class I said, "Oo, I'd love that!"), and the way the Chemistry teacher's lectures were sped up (and why are they teaching wavelengths when my OD is learning that now... in Algebra II?).  Loved his interactions with one of his professors (I think it's Physics), who is also his academic advisor; the guy is the stereotypical epitome of the professor who really gets into his work.

The two most interesting facets to this show were:

One: the tryouts for marching band.  They accepted him conditionally (there wouldn't be much of a show if Tommy Lee couldn't make it in the band, would there?) into the marching band.  Now, I've never owned a Motley Crue album, never cared to, but growing up very much into the hard rock scene (don't lump them ALL into hair bands, because some of them weren't), I know damn well that Tommy Lee's a very good drummer (and I've heard some of his solo work, and it's not bad).  But also having kids in band/orchestra/marching band, I know that school music is very different.  Tommy Lee knew that, and commented that he hadn't used those particular drums since high school (and he's now 42), but he must have forgotten how orchestrated it all is.  He couldn't keep up the particular rhythms or fills, and got pretty frustrated.  It's interesting that he would put himself out there that way; it's certainly not a good look for a celebrated drummer (and one of the m.b. instructors said disgustedly, "This guy's a rock star"?  Shut up.  That disgusted me.  Rock drumming's different, dopey.).

Second: Tommy Lee was polite, and considerate, and respectful.  Say what you want about his squicky video with his ex-wife, or the tattoos (I don't care), piercings, partying reputation-- his demeanor came across as genuine.  It's nice not to see a prima donna on a reality show.  Yes, he's whoring himself, but he came across very well and very likable.  Lots of "Yes, sir"s and "Thank you," and "Please"s, and that aspect of the show didn't seem staged at all.  Pleasingly surprising.  He was agreeable to what was presented to him, the rules, and although one of the band directors told him cursing wouldn't be tolerated (heh), he was amenable to acting appropriately.

His drooling over his "hot" tutor (yuck, she wasn't that pretty) was squicky, but that aside, I'm going to watch the show again.  He's very likable and entertaining.

Posted by: athenawj at 06:11 | link | comments (8)
reality check

Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire

Ok, so this is not exactly TV-related, but just in case those interested haven't seen the preview for the upcoming HP movie, here's a link to it!

Clicky here for the preview from Extra.

Looks good.  Can't wait!

Posted by: merserene at 20:35 | link | comments (8)

Night Court & The Office pilot

TV Land is having a Night Court marathon all weekend long.  I watched this show all through its run, through my teens and late teens, and absolutely loved it.  It was one of the few shows in the 80s that could consistently crack me up.  And it's still funny-- I've enjoyed the hell out of this marathon.

Dan was my favorite, even if he was sleazy-- they always write the best material for the so-called "villains" or "bad boys".  And John Laroquette really deserved his four Emmys.  I didn't mind Harry Anderson except in the episodes where he was supposed to be really upset, or fatherly, or acting romantic, because I didn't think he pulled it off well, and frankly, he bored me then.  I really didn't like Markie Post then, but now she's not bugging me.  Age?  At least she was better than Ellen WhatsHerName-- the one who sang on "Paradise By the Dashboard Light".

Anyways, good times.  I'm waiting for the one where they all thought Dan was dead, and it turned out he was stuck in the frigid North living with Eskimos (or something like that; mind's fuzzy on the details).

***

And for anyone who's interested, they're having a mini-marathon of The Office on Wednesday night, starting at 7 CST.  It starts with the pilot, which I've heard is almost word-for-word like the British pilot, then "Diversity Day", "Health Care", and "Hot Girl".  I can't wait for "Health Care", because I only have half of that on tape and would like to see the rest.

Posted by: athenawj at 07:09 | link | comments (5)
the world is a comedy

Special Fall Preview

Well, now's the time to start planning my fall t.v. viewing, as the new season's starting between the end of this month and mid-September. Here's what my tired old brain can remember:
Sunday:
America's Funniest Home Videos (because nothing makes me laugh more than guys getting hit in the nuts)
Extreme Home Makeover: Um, I'm actually not planning on watching this this year. I get too depressed, wishing my parents had a house that I could make a video about and ask if they'd remodel it.
Arrested Development: Of course! How could I live without the dysfunctional Bluth family? Deadwood: This one I have to wait til March for. HBO cocksuckers.
Monday:
Fear Factor: I've read this is moving to Tuesdays, so I guess I now have nothing to watch on Mondays anymore. Whew. Another free night.
Tuesday:
This is my jam-packed t.v. viewing night, with Fear Factor now on at 7.
Scrubs: When it comes back mid-season, that is. I've read conflicting reports on why it's not premiering with everything else, but the prevailing one seems to be Zach Braff is filming a movie and they decided to wait for him. As well they should; the hospital's not as funny without J.D. and Turk.
My Name is Earl: I may give this one a glance, but only because I like Jason Lee. Otherwise, I'll go play on the computer or something til...
The Office: Comes on!! This one's back for 13 episodes, and oh, am I glad. Nothing makes me squirm uncomfortably or gape incomprehensibly like Steve Carell's delivery.
Law & Order: SVU: Another of course. The best of the franchise... but I swear, if they keep up the De-Stablerization or It-Always-Has-to-Do-With-Olivia, I'm going to scream.
Wednesday:
Now, when is that new Martha Stewart show going to be on exactly? I recall it was Wednesdays, but I seem to think it's on when I watch something else... maybe Lost, which pisses me off. I really would like to see it.
Lost: I'm going to watch again, but they're (looking at you, TPTB) going to have to step up the discoveries on the island. It's already irksome, wondering about that hatch and the ladder and who's doing the damn whispering.
American Idol...5?: Yeah, I'll watch again. Because I like torture. Because no one I've liked since Kelly Clarkson has won.
Law & Order: The Mothership: Please, someone give McCoy back his fire. And I'm such a bad fan, but I really liked Michael Imperioli... (small voice) I want him to come back (end small voice)!!!
Thursday:
Survivor: Read my comments on AI.
The Apprentice: Same as above.
ER: It sucks now majorly, what with it being the Abby show, and Luka is just a sourpuss trampled on by YET ANOTHER WOMAN WHO DOES NOT APPRECIATE HIM FOR THE GOD THAT HE IS (and btw, I said that in front of my kids, and earned one of the biggest laughs I've ever elicited), but now it's habit. I don't get upset if I miss an episode, though.
Friday and Saturday
Various specials and movies that catch my eye. I don't have any regular shows these two nights.
Other Stuff:
I'll continue to watch Good Morning America, Judge Judy (in Roman Dirge's words, a "mean corpse"), Fear Factor in reruns, Jeopardy!, ABC World News Tonight, Paula Deen's Home Cooking, various Food Network specials, Coupling, Whose Line is it Anyway?, and I'm hoping HBO runs Carnivale's first season on On Demand.
What're you gonna watch?

Posted by: athenawj at 18:48 | link | comments (4)
special occasions