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“Is She Gonna Powder Her Vagina?” and the Best Lines from NBC's Thursday Night Comedies

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under TV Reviews | Comments (33)

bert-mackling.png

Community. Grade: B+ The first two episodes of the season seemed to be trying to attract a larger audience with broader humor. I didn’t like that. I like the inside jokes. The more esoteric humor. The genre riffs. The stuff that new audiences wouldn’t understand, because f*ck them. If you haven’t climbed aboard the “Community” train by season three, then go back and watch it from the beginning. You’ll be rewarded richly for your efforts. Still, I don’t know how many times this goddamn study group can almost break up only to realize what they love about each other, but if they’re all as good as last night’s episode, I really don’t care.

  • “As someone who just finished spending the majority of his life in prison, what happened to LEGOs? They used to be simple.” — Professor Kane

  • “Paintball … Second paintball.” — Abed

  • “My own words rang inside my head. Like a bell inside a head.” — Chang

  • “She was all dame. Legs that went all the way to the bottom of her torso. The kind of arms that had elbows.” — Chang

  • “Why don’t they just makes tires out of pavement so they could drive on anything?” — Chang

  • “If loving worms is stupid, then I don’t want to be smart.” — Britta

    “It is, and you can’t be.” — Annie

    Parks and Recreation. Grade: B There was absolutely nothing wrong with this episode, but it wasn’t their funniest effort. The NPR spoof fell a little flat, and Rob Lowe’s hair continues to befuddle, but anything can be forgiven with a little Bert Macklin.

  • “Could one say that a book is nothing more than a painting of words which are the notes on a tapestry of the greatest film ever sculpted?” — Radio Guy

  • “”Usually I only read nautical novels and my own personal manifestos, but I’m proud to make this exception.” — Ron

  • “Ann was getting a little chummy. When people get chummy with me I like to call them by the wrong name to let them know that I don’t care about them.” — Ron

  • “Nipple hill … it gets very slippery there, especially when it’s wet.” — Leslie

    The Office Grade: B-. I thought last night’s episode was flat compared to the first two of the season, but it did demonstrate why Andy is such a great choice to run Dunder Mifflin. He got over his fear of confrontation and gave a nice, boss-like speech to Daryl. The B-plot involving loading up the paper almost didn’t work, but for Jim’s priceless delivery of “porque es muy rapido.” I feel bad for the actors who played those nameless lottery-winning warehouse characters who have had steady, non-speaking work for years. I guess they’re going to have to get real jobs now.

  • “Grunting is scientifically proven to add more power. Ask any female tennis player. Or her husband.” — Dwight









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    Comments

    Last night on Parks and Rec I really liked the Ann storyline finally. Maybe it's because Ron and April were involved but I was still enjoying Anns efforts at small talk. Hopefully this can start a new trend! I like Rashida Jones!
    They also did a better job of inetegrating Tom last night, luckily. Though that meant no jean-Ralphio sadly.

    Posted by: the chaplain at October 7, 2011 11:10 AM

    • I kind of liked the NPR spoof. Maybe it's because they're having the Fall fundraiser here on WBEZ this week, but I laughed.

    Posted by: PaddyDog at October 7, 2011 11:12 AM

    Yeah, I enjoyed the NPR jokes, like the names of the hosts that Dan Castellaneta rattled off.

    No offense, Dustin.

    Posted by: MelBivDevoe at October 7, 2011 11:26 AM

    I made the mistake of taking a drink right when Andy vaulted over the counter at the Records Office in Eagleton and smashed the monitor to the floor, jumped up and said "That's broken." That part and Troy's "Who ARE these people?" about killed me.

    Solid night, Community edged out the other 2 with one of the funniest episodes in a while. Chang's b-plot was sublime insanity but everybody had killer lines in this episode.

    During Whitney I watched Up All Night and I really wish they would put that on after The Office. Reagan's "Now I know what it's like to drive a haunted house." was hilarious. So glad that show got a full pick up.

    BTW, wasn't there an episode of The Simpsons where Marge or Homer were chastised to find out they were bord in Shelbyville and not Springfield. I know Parks was doing an Obama rif, but I swear there was a similar Simpsons plot. Also I love that Dan Castlenetta is part of Pawnee now. And Leslie shouted out to my hometown in her book, so props there. I would love to know what she wrote.

    Posted by: TylerDFC at October 7, 2011 11:27 AM

    I'm waiting to see how the next few weeks pan out for Community. Their holiday episodes seem to be their best, and with Halloween coming up, it'll be interesting to see if they can recapture some of the brilliance of the zombie/ABBA episode, of if they'll shit the bed.

    Posted by: Markus at October 7, 2011 11:28 AM

    Wow, I'm surprised last night's Community went over so well. I really expected to see a solid C. The Crazy Chang plotline has been used, reused, tweaked, fondled, and back-alley sodomized, and yet still manages to continue? It's not even monotonous any more.

    I'm sure Ken Jeong is a fantastic guy, but the show needs to jettison the Chang character and explore some new territory.

    Posted by: ahamos at October 7, 2011 11:38 AM

    How strange. I truly love Community, and I'm all for Crazy Chang *as background noise*, but I actually hated last night's episode. It might be my least favorite ever. I actually wanted to kick punch all of them in the chest.

    I'm gonna go watch the D&D ep again to wash my brain out.

    Posted by: Patty O'Green at October 7, 2011 11:45 AM

    I love it so hard whenever Andy does one of his magnificent prat falls. And his face after he said "That's broken!" just KILLED me.

    And I love Joan Callamezzo so much, and her Oprah delusions (which actually WORK in Pawnee!) and anything involving her is always fantastic.

    Best of all I loved the longing glances between Ben and Leslie. I was beginning to worry that they would just forget that they had JUST broken up, but I should've trusted the show more.

    Also, when can I buy Leslie's book? I need it.

    Posted by: Figgy at October 7, 2011 12:04 PM

    "Arizona spelled backwards is Arizona. It's a palomino."

    People don't like the show because they aren't as smart as the show. That's my theory.

    Posted by: superasente at October 7, 2011 12:10 PM

    I really enjoyed the ridiculous Chang detective noir mishmash. The rest was kind of irritating though.

    Parks and Rec? Sublime. I'm curious why Rob Lowe is wearing a wig though... wasn't he blond for some movie role? If they're trying to cover that up, you'd think they'd go for something a little more natural... unless there's something in the plot that reveals he's going bald. That would be entertaining.

    Posted by: snapnhiss at October 7, 2011 12:18 PM

    "Sweetums Cares, a non-profit service group that puts umbrella hats on homeless people when it rains."

    A bit over-the-top ridiculous, but I LOVED it.

    "You should go back where you came from!"
    "I AM back from where I came from!"
    "THAT SENTENCE WAS CONFUSING. You might as well be from China!"

    "I am like...a caged peacock yearning for the wind on her haunches."
    "That's...a powerful metaphor."

    Rob Lowe trying to seduce the Eagleton woman and then looking flabbergasted when it didn't work just killed me.

    Posted by: Figgy at October 7, 2011 12:28 PM

    Andy on the phone to a business school professor:

    I enjoyed your textbook on management...(looks at front cover)..."Management".

    Bwah.

    Posted by: sansho1 at October 7, 2011 12:33 PM

    Normally I'm not a huge Chang fan, but I really liked his subplot last night. I much prefer crazy voiceovers to him acting out in any way.

    During the Legos speech, when Annie raised her hand to most likely either correct or inform the professor, I loved that Jeff silently reached over and lowered her arm. Perfect.

    Posted by: MelBivDevoe at October 7, 2011 12:39 PM

    Yes- thankyou! Rob Lowe's hair is perplexing to say the least.

    Posted by: Amandahugandkiss at October 7, 2011 12:58 PM

    IDK. I thought The Office was leaning in the proper direction, and was one of the tightest episodes in a long while. Andy and Darryl play off each-other fantastically.

    Erin telling Kevin to drop his idea because Dwight and Jim hate it (and Dwight and Jim's casual conversations)... Fantastic.

    I think James Spader just might be a tad too distracting. If you let the cast be the cast, it's great.

    Posted by: Brian at October 7, 2011 1:03 PM

    Word has it that Rob Lowe's horrible hair is due to the Lifetime movie he shot where he plays Drew Peterson. Once the show gets to the episodes shot after the movie wrapped, then his hair should go back to normal.

    Posted by: MelBivDevoe at October 7, 2011 1:22 PM

    I love Community, and I hate to say it, but so far this season has been pretty bad. Hopefully things pick up soon.

    Posted by: Ian at October 7, 2011 1:28 PM

    "Did you know sugar is like baby meth? At least thats what my Homeopath says." -Britta

    "Well maybe your gay friend should mind his own business!" -Shirley

    dead

    Posted by: CaltroitD at October 7, 2011 2:47 PM

    I didn't care much for Community. The Chang plot was ok but it wasn't good enough to be as central to the episode as it was. And I think its weird not having it tied to the group. The group is being way too dysfunctional without being sweet and charming. Plus, where in the hell are Troy and Abed this season? Chang has had more lines than them so far. That is criminal.

    Posted by: Dave at October 7, 2011 3:02 PM

    I thought both Parks and Rec and The Office had their strongest episodes so far this season. Parks in Rec in particular was back in form after a slow first few weeks, and hit all of my favorite things: Ron and April being jerks, awkward Anne, Leslie being insanely exuberant about Pawnee, Joan, Andy doing detective work, Ben/Leslie, and a healthy dose of mockery for both the right and the left.

    The Office will never be as good as it once was, but this episode at least felt like a step in the right direction. They finally addressed Darryl not getting the manager job, the warehouse scenes felt like something out of season 2 or 3, Andy stopped being completely useless, and Oscar's reaction to the strong men question was one of my favorite bits of the night.

    Posted by: Artemis at October 7, 2011 3:53 PM

    I thought Parks & Rec was by far the strongest of the three last night. It perfectly balanced every character, had a great nod to the Obama certificate controversy, and by far had the best one-liners of the night. "Nerd culture is popular now you know. When you use nerd derogatorily it means you're the one out of the zeitgeist." "Yes, exactly, just like that. Be incredibly boring" Oh man, had me dying.

    Community was solid, but not exceptional. However, I always felt this way about Community...it has spectacular episodes, when it does it is the best show on TV. When it doesn't, it's episodes are mediocre and I understand why people don't regularly keep up with the show.

    Unlike Community, The Office has very lovable characters and we can actually sit back and watch the story without being bored, even if we aren't laughing out loud, which I believe was the case with last night's episode. Not very laugh out loud funny, however, very endearing and heartwarming. I will continue to watch The Office until it officially dies.

    Posted by: Littlejon2001 at October 7, 2011 4:44 PM

    "My future's not going to be determined by seven little white lotto balls. It's going to be determined by two big black balls." (Darryl)

    "I don't know where Darryl is. I suspect, probably our Darryl is inside of Fat Darryl." (Andy)

    "I already won the lottery. I was born in the U.S. of a A, baby. And as a backup, I have a Swiss passport." (Creed)

    Posted by: Bettie at October 7, 2011 6:01 PM

    The Office is still writing "Michael Scott" jokes for Andy. I KNOW there is an extended joke about Mr. T Michael did on a previous episode.

    Posted by: aroorda at October 7, 2011 8:34 PM

    You're welcome...Lester.

    Posted by: Me at October 7, 2011 8:45 PM

    This episode of The Office was my least favorite of the three we have seen thus far. I found myself missing Robert California's presence. During the cold opening I was wondering if it was his car Oscar and Dwight were trashing...that would have added all kinds of awkward!

    Posted by: Sam at October 7, 2011 9:23 PM

    What about this for fantastic delivery:

    "Allright... who did a butt?" — Britta
    "They're boobs. And I don't know." — Troy

    Posted by: Scott at October 8, 2011 1:48 AM

    Having worked in public radio for a long damn time, that scene in parks and Rec was a perfect parody of what happens behind the scenes of a local station (not national NPR, which is all professional). Sorry dustin, but I respectfully disagree on this one.

    Posted by: The_wakeful at October 8, 2011 4:04 AM

    Community is dead on. Every group is happy when they have a common enemy. Poor Todd. I'm glad he finally took offense.

    Posted by: kirbyjay at October 8, 2011 9:38 AM

    That Mr. T joke would not have been written for Michael - he NEVER would have gotten the quote wrong. And Andy, while never going to the extreme of Dwight in the early seasons, thought the world of Michael, so I think it makes sense that he would emulate some of the things Michael did as boss.

    And no one has even mentioned the best penis of the night. I mean joke. Maybe I should take one these tests.

    Posted by: Three-nineteen at October 8, 2011 11:50 AM

    Did anyone else pick up on the Dean's subtle yet extremely dirty anal sex reference on Community?

    Posted by: Martin at October 8, 2011 1:12 PM

    I found watching Community to be a major chore this week; it seemed like something I had seen over and over again before (Chang is crazy, the study group isn't getting along - how fresh!) I know the creators can play on these themes well but this latest episode just didn't do anything for me.

    Posted by: csb at October 8, 2011 2:35 PM

    Community next week better not be about the group splitting up and getting back together again, that's all I'm saying.

    Parks and Recreation can go ahead and get rid of Anne. Her character seems to be trying to force her way into the show from the outside. It's odd, since the original concept for the show was to write a spin-off for her character from The Office.

    Posted by: John G. at October 8, 2011 8:27 PM

    Last night's community episode was one of the worst ones I've ever seen.

    Crazy Chang/Detective was kind of funny, but the "main" plotline made me want to snap the neck of each and every cast member. And how many times is the group going to argue, breakup, and re-form in a single episode? TIRED. OLD. SHIT

    Posted by: adam at October 8, 2011 8:48 PM