1) They did not ruin catfish. That's not really the ending.
2) The best community quote of the night was the sweatshirt Abed made for all the participants of paintball last year: "It's all downhill from here."
3) I awesome sauce Andy came before Andy told her that she is what makes the sauce so awesome. Just say'n.
Posted by: Mike D at March 18, 2011 11:40 AM
I'm a bit of a newbie to Community, but I thought that episode was fairly weak.
Posted by: Todd at March 18, 2011 11:45 AM
So we're doing a numbered theme:
1) Ron's reactions to Little Sebastian were the highlight of Parks.
2) I loved the scene in community where Troy and Abed walk into the library, Troy and Britta are wearing the same green scarf, she makes a comment about ruining things, and Troy silently takes off his scarf.
3) How did 30 Rock screw up the concept of that episode so badly? It had A+ potential and C-ish execution at best.
Posted by: Emcee Peepants at March 18, 2011 11:50 AM
I too enjoyed Ron Swanson's reactions to Little Sebastian.
Posted by: Mrs. Julien at March 18, 2011 11:59 AM
Yeah, that was a weak episode of Community; don't judge the show as a whole by it.
But hot damn: Parks & Rec. That was the best episode of the season so far, and a perfect performance to follow up the news of the show's renewal. I just want to see Leslie and Ben jump each other.
Posted by: Lucas at March 18, 2011 12:07 PM
I don't think Leslie and Whatshispickle make sense as a couple.They don't match.
Posted by: Mrs. Julien at March 18, 2011 12:09 PM
I agree, Leslie and Ben feel like a forced recreation (see what I did there?) of Jim and Pam and even Andy and April. Why do the writers think we need to be dragged through yet another "will they or won't they" scenario? TV shows just need to adopt Dennis Reynolds theory that what TV and movies need is more full penetration and ditch this endless pursuit crap.
Posted by: Emcee Peepants at March 18, 2011 12:18 PM
I agree that last night's episode of Community was weak. I'd even go so far as to say that Parks & Rec was better than both Community and 30 Rock combined last night. (And I've been a fan of both 30 Rock and Community since they started). Starting to really love Parks & Rec, though! This whole season has been pretty amazing.
Posted by: starkers at March 18, 2011 12:21 PM
What about Blurred Face Syndrome Guy in 30 Rock!? That got the biggest laugh from me last night because no one saw that coming.
I melted a little bit after Andy told April how awesome the sauce is and she pick up his arm and draped it around her shoulders. Great moment, Parks and Rec.
Anyone know if it's gotten picked up for a 4th season? I know Dan Harmon announced Community was picked up for a 3rd (Best news I've heard all day).
Posted by: Doric at March 18, 2011 12:37 PM
I'm glad it isn't just me who thought Community was weak. I may have laughed once. All in all, this season has been pretty hit or miss.
Posted by: jimbob at March 18, 2011 12:38 PM
I thought Community was poorly directed. Seemed very choppy. Plus, obligatory downgrade for scarcity of Alison Brie.
I prefer my Brie spread all over.
That may have been the best 30 Rock ep of the season. Worth a definite re-watch to catch all the jokes.
Jenna's-side was a nice touch.
The best line came from Jack about is rectal integrity.
Posted by: L.O.V.E. at March 18, 2011 12:48 PM
@Doric
The Office, Community, 30 Rock and Parks & Rec have all been renewed. I think it was announced yesterday.
Posted by: starkers at March 18, 2011 12:50 PM
What was so weak about last night's Community? It was funny, it moved story arcs along, it gave story beats to characters who have been underused this season, and the one big complaint of the season (Pearce) was all-but absent from the proceedings. Was it weak because they didn't fight zombies, get trapped in a KFC space shuttle simulator, or have a campus-wide paintball episode? To me, it did feel a bit like an early season 1 episode, except they understood how to use the character of Britta better than they originally did... but that's when I started to fall in love with the show, so how can I be upset they didn't a have giant, budget busting sequence and instead focused on the characters, which works because of what these performers specifically bring to the table. Now, if you just didn't like the storyline of the episode, that's fine, but there's no need to force every episode of a show to fit a certain rubric -- especially not this show.
Whether they ruined the ending to Catfish or not, that was a great joke. And any movie that succeeds or fails solely on the twist ending deserves to be ruined. We'd all have been saved years and years of M. Night Shyamalan if more people had spoiled Sixth Sense.
That, in my opinion, was the worst 30 rock episode of the season. However, I hate Sherri Shepherd and her whole "Hey girl" personality.
Posted by: maka at March 18, 2011 1:07 PM
L.O.V.E., I disagree. I think 30 Rock has gotten too over the top and it feels like they're trying to hard. There are still some funny moments, but it seems like the tone of the show has shifted a little too much toward the ridiculous, particularly Jenna. She used to be one of my favorite parts of the show, but now she's just cartoonish and groan-inducing.
On a related note, I think Liz's character has gone through a change for the worse as well, from career driven semi-doofus in charge to whiny and kinda pathetic.
It feels like a show running low on ideas so they're messing with the formula, unsuccessfully. It's a sad day since it used to be the best comedy on TV a couple seasons ago, in my opinion.
Posted by: Emcee Peepants at March 18, 2011 1:11 PM
But Community had Enver Gokaj! Mmmmm Enver. I'd like to lick him all over.
Also, I love Ben and Leslie as a couple on P&R. I think they're a match made in heaven. He loved his city and his job like Leslie does, until the cynicism got to him. And it's not even his fault... who the hell elects an 18-year-old to mayor?!
Posted by: Anna von Beav at March 18, 2011 1:18 PM
I also will have to chime in with the Leslie/Ben love. I don't think at this point it is a "will they or won't they" scenario I see it more as they are both starting to realize they are attracted to each other, although Ben appears to have stronger romanticish feelings for Leslie at this point. It is a slow burn. If there are a bunch of random obstacles in their way, then I think it can fall under that trope.
Posted by: Petrie at March 18, 2011 1:25 PM
Yeah, the only obstacle there is that Leslie doesn't recognize when people are or aren't into her.... like at the beginning with What's-his-face.
Posted by: Anna von Beav at March 18, 2011 1:30 PM
For me Parks & Rec was the best episode of the night, and possibly because I'm a horrible person, the best line, delivered by Leslie standing in front of the Pawnee Atrocity map:
"The atrocities are in blue."
Posted by: Groundloop at March 18, 2011 1:31 PM
Is it just me, or is saying that Community was disappointing becoming a trend? You fuckers can't ruin my "yay, Season 3" day.
The Gjokaj's character was amazing. I already wish he would come back for Paintball Part Deux, but know it's not to be. Speaking of, "It's all downhill from here" was my laugh of the night.
A subdued episode to be sure, but the writers clearly have an air-tight grasp on the roles of their characters.
That being said, Parks blew it away. Adam Scott almost stole the show from the super sweet April/Andy moment. Scott makes for an awesome straight man/deadpan humour addition. April is adorably apathetic, but Ben just wants to fit in and be successful, and just doesn't get it. It's a great dynamic.
Posted by: Steve at March 18, 2011 1:44 PM
"I just want to see Leslie and Ben jump each other."
Good god YES. I am itching for that kiss to happen, and they keep teasing me and almost getting there and I am loving the hell out of it, because it's completely natural and doesn't feel forced at all. That ridiculously elaborate handshake they did? LOVED IT. They're just so perfect for each other that it can't be expressed in words. I don't understand how people can't see this. What is WRONG with you?
Also, I love Joan Callamazzo and her evil ways so very much ("Ferris Wheel...beautiful. But deadly?" "And I would like to say that unlike some reporter said *Joan smirks* there are NOT hundreds of lose convicts running around the festival"). Ooh, and that Ken was voiced by John Redcorn.
"This is a map of all the atrocities committed against the Wamapoke Indians....the atrocities are in blue."
Figgy: yes! I can't almost fell off the couch at "Wow... that is a shockingly huge mini-horse erection..."
Total awesome sauce for P&R last night.
Posted by: Cody at March 18, 2011 2:40 PM
As usual, the best part of "30 Rock" was Alec Baldwin. Susan Sarandon was pretty good too, though they didn't give her much to do.
Posted by: Slash at March 18, 2011 2:59 PM
30 Rock was just okay. Some of the jokes only landed for me because I watch the Housewives shows that were being parodied.
Yes I watch the Housewives shows. Some of them. Well, just New York, Atlanta, some New Jersey and some Orange County. And Bethanny's spin-off.
Posted by: kayla at March 18, 2011 3:44 PM
Oh, and I really loved Community this week. Maybe it's 'cause I'm a big Britta fan.
Posted by: kayla at March 18, 2011 3:46 PM
I know no one's watching it, but Mr. Snuggiepants and I laughed out loud at Outsourced, it's not BRILLIANT, but it's cute and has some solid laughs.
And as usual, Parks and Rec was awesome. I sort of feel like Anne doesn't have much to do anymore, though. April and Andy make PERFECT sense together, I just hope one or both of them are sterile.
I think when it hits Leslie that Ben is cute and into her, it's going to HIT her like a tin of bricks. For now, I'm just enjoying the buildup.
30 Rock was meh. It's been feeling one note-ish for a while now.
Posted by: Snuggiepants at March 18, 2011 3:48 PM
I think the problem with 30 Rock last night is that you can't parody a Desperate Housewives Of... show. Those shows are parodies of themselves, so there's just nowhere to go with the humor after you tear a bit of weave and show an egotistical woman.
Sometimes when the target is that easy, leave it alone.
Posted by: PaddyDog at March 18, 2011 4:45 PM
Jumping back in to ask if anyone can tell me something. Is that Amy Poehler's real hair or a wig that supposed to look bad because she's from small town Indiana? Because that is one ugly over-processed, plastered to her scalp, badly stiff-curled head of hair
Posted by: PaddyDog at March 18, 2011 4:48 PM
I like Ben and Leslie on P&R plenty, I'm just ready for some passion. Leslie is so controlled so often, and when she loses control she's on fire. I'd like to see how that translates into pent-up attraction.
Posted by: Lucas at March 18, 2011 5:26 PM
I go the opposite way, I thought Community was a solid B+ episode, but that may just because of the it's all downhill from the paintball episode t-shirt joke and the absolutely hilarious Fallout 3 joke (what can I say, I'm a nerd). On the other hand, I thought the Parks episode was uncharacteristically weak. It felt like they were trying too hard to build character instead of be funny, a trap the Office started to fall into before it lost its mojo. Hopefully it's a one week thing.
Posted by: jmag at March 18, 2011 6:38 PM
Alright, this seals it. Unless a miracle happens before it's over, I'm done with 30 Rock at the end of the season. It used to be the best show on TV. Such a shame.
Posted by: Lucas at March 18, 2011 7:26 PM
I hate these segments. Nothing funny here. Move along.
Posted by: Pork Bowl at March 18, 2011 9:51 PM
I liked this episode of Community too, kayla, and I think liking Britta probably had a lot to do with it.
PaddyDog, I thought the same thing about Poehler's hair and I'm pretty sure it's her real hair. I'm surprised it hasn't fallen out yet.
Posted by: Uda at March 19, 2011 12:43 AM
Oh come on! 30 Rock deserves at least an A for Jenna's new website "Jennas-side.com"!
Posted by: rachizle at March 19, 2011 2:32 AM
PaddyDog, I also noticed that her hair looked pretty terrible. I don't remember it ever being that terrible platinum shade.
rachilze: Jennas-side.com was the funniest thing in the whole episode-- "I still don't hear it!"
1) They did not ruin catfish. That's not really the ending.
2) The best community quote of the night was the sweatshirt Abed made for all the participants of paintball last year: "It's all downhill from here."
3) I awesome sauce Andy came before Andy told her that she is what makes the sauce so awesome. Just say'n.