"Are We Having Fun Yet?"
I have been such a naughty, naughty Internet friend. After finally recovering from a horribly painful earache *shudders* most of my Internet time has actually been spent watching TV shows on the Interweb, to an OCD degree.
This is what happens when I find out courtesy of Monkey See that 1.the show I've been wanting to watch but lack Starz Party Down is up at Netflix for streaming 2.one of the shows I haven't gotten to rewatch in the longest times, NewsRadio has most of its episodes up at Hulu. Yeah, I flew through this pretty much nonstop. They've also been a good companion to insomnia, which has been kicking my ass as of late. Of course, this means that when I'm online, I may go with the intention of catching up on my f-list and Twitter and e-mails, etc., but once I get distracted by one of these shows, well, good luck getting back on task. I should say, "got" of course, instead, as I finished all the eps available on the interwebs.
I watched all the PD eps at Netflix and all the NewsRadio ones on Hulu, though it only goes up to season 4, and some seasons miss the odd ep or two. Still, some channel I can't remember starting rerunning NewsRadio so I got to rewatch it then, but then I got busy and the next time I turned around it's like it stopped playing. Gah.
Obviously I'd recommend both if you get the chance. (I also have some quasi-old British shows to recommend, but that'll be for another post.) I actually spazzed out, in a good way, when I went from watching a Party Down ep to a NewsRadio one. And guess who made a quick appearance as Jimmy James' secretary in the latter? JANE LYNCH!
In lieu of ramble-flooding your f-list, NewsRadio ramblings will be placed behind an LJ-cut,
So, I won't lie, I had been wanting to sit down and re-watch all of NewsRadio for some time, but was worried too much Phil Hartman would break my heart. I remember hearing about the news that he passed, but then, I wasn't overly familiar with him nor was as hardcore of an SNL fan as I became not long after. I only just realized how soon after his passing that his former castmates had to get together in the 25th Anniversary Special for SNL and talk about him. I guess with John Belushi and Gilda, it had been a while. And with Chris Farley, it had been a few years. (Not saying that it gets any easier.) But for Phil, it had been a year and only a couple months when the gang had to remember him. That's so said. I remember Jon Lovitz doing his best not to cry, but he was choking up the whole time. Man, I just want to hug them all now.
I have no idea why some celebrity deaths upset me more than others, some kill me, some just devastate me, some make me sad, others I'm more like "Aww, what a shame." But I know that if I had been as familiar with Phil's work as am with other people of his ilk, i.e. all my SNLers and comedians, it probably would have killed me. The way he was taken probably would've had a huge factor in it, as well. I guess I'm kind of relieved in a way I was a little too young at the time. But then I feel a little selfish for that.
But, I guess what I'm saying, is that for anyone else who might be worried about being too sad to rewatch (or try out NewsRadio, for first timers), I'd say don't worry. I mean, I did occassionally find myself thinking while watching some episodes about how it felt so ironic watching all those people working and not knowing what was going to happen over the summer. They actually did a couple episodes with "AU/What if" qualities, the first was set in Space and the second was set on the Titanic, except it was named after the station. The latter was the season finale of Phil's last season, and he would introduce the concept and then conclude it. So, not only was his last episode playing Bill, he also played himself. And at the end, all but two castmembers come and talk to the camera as themselves. It was pretty bittersweet. But again, intellectually I saw the irony and bittersweetness, but didn't necessarily feel it. Again, a relief in a way, I guess.
But, on to the actual show, in bullet point form for shorter writing, hopefully. Maybe.
I promise nothing.
This is one of those shows that lets you see familiar faces popping up before they were famous. Even better, some of these faces appear twice as different characters, i.e. David Cross and Jon Lovitz. (Well, Lovitz actually took over for Hartman with what was probably a third character, so, he out did everyone. ) Also, a notable appearance by a young Jon Stewart, spending most of his on screen time being too freaking adorable for his own good. Classic Stewart. (He played Matthew's (Andy Dick) twin brother. If that is confusing for you, trust me, just watch the episode "Twins."
I absolutely loved all the cast members. They just gelled so well and all the characters were great. Truly a brilliant ensemble. I was sad when Khandi Alexander left. I did love, though, that for her final episode, they changed the opening credits so that each cast member's title was changed to feature a scene with them and Khandi/Catherine. Awww. Apparently she landed a regular gig on CSI: Miami. She's really talented and hopefully it's a role that utilizes her talent.
I've seen a lot of comedy fans seem to argue over whether or not Scrubs or Arrested Development perfected the extreme continuity and callback jokes as well as the use of quick cut-tos in live action comedy. I think it's silly in the first place, but even moreso because NewsRadio did it brilliantly before either show.
I love that some things on the show are just understated. Like, yes, there's the obvious thing about having Matthew trip over at least one thing in each episode -- making a very lethal drinking game. But a more mild drinking game would be the subtle way that we often see Joe making his entrance via dropping down from the ceiling for one reason or another.
I never find myself placing romance as a priority for watching a show, but I do like that NewsRadio got the main couple together at the very beginning instead of making it a "Will They?/Won't They?" for the longest time. Most of their storylines involved their relationship, and their subsequent break-up.
Again, more subtleties, I love that in both the "What if?" episodes, the plots end with only Matthew and Bill as the lone survivors.
Dave's coffee addiction is a great running gag, as is Mr. James' thinking Dave's mom is really hot.
The characters show obvious affection for each other, but it never gets too sappy, which is always a hard thing to do.
There were some great meta jokes, or at least what I saw as meta jokes. In one episode, Bill does hypothetical interviews with President Bill Clinton and Hartman gets to do his famous Clinton impression from SNL. Also, in a later episode, Bill is frustrated because no one thinks he's funny and can do funny voices.
Just a lot of other great stuff and super quotable lines. My favorite kind of TV. I was kind of sad to see, though, that the creator/writer Paul Simms hasn't done too much after. Though, he did write some episodes of Flight of the Conchords. Never a bad thing.
Yeah, that was longer than I expected. And I still have to write up my Terminator review. Again, that'll be a different post.
Before I go, though, I just happened to be looking at random pics of SNLers and came across this picture after watching Party Down season 1; not only are all these wonderful people in one picture (apparently promoting Spring Breakdown, which I guess I'm going to have to watch now), but look which two are standing right next to each other: Amy Poehler and Jane Lynch!!
This is what happens when I find out courtesy of Monkey See that 1.the show I've been wanting to watch but lack Starz Party Down is up at Netflix for streaming 2.one of the shows I haven't gotten to rewatch in the longest times, NewsRadio has most of its episodes up at Hulu. Yeah, I flew through this pretty much nonstop. They've also been a good companion to insomnia, which has been kicking my ass as of late. Of course, this means that when I'm online, I may go with the intention of catching up on my f-list and Twitter and e-mails, etc., but once I get distracted by one of these shows, well, good luck getting back on task. I should say, "got" of course, instead, as I finished all the eps available on the interwebs.
I watched all the PD eps at Netflix and all the NewsRadio ones on Hulu, though it only goes up to season 4, and some seasons miss the odd ep or two. Still, some channel I can't remember starting rerunning NewsRadio so I got to rewatch it then, but then I got busy and the next time I turned around it's like it stopped playing. Gah.
Obviously I'd recommend both if you get the chance. (I also have some quasi-old British shows to recommend, but that'll be for another post.) I actually spazzed out, in a good way, when I went from watching a Party Down ep to a NewsRadio one. And guess who made a quick appearance as Jimmy James' secretary in the latter? JANE LYNCH!
In lieu of ramble-flooding your f-list, NewsRadio ramblings will be placed behind an LJ-cut,
So, I won't lie, I had been wanting to sit down and re-watch all of NewsRadio for some time, but was worried too much Phil Hartman would break my heart. I remember hearing about the news that he passed, but then, I wasn't overly familiar with him nor was as hardcore of an SNL fan as I became not long after. I only just realized how soon after his passing that his former castmates had to get together in the 25th Anniversary Special for SNL and talk about him. I guess with John Belushi and Gilda, it had been a while. And with Chris Farley, it had been a few years. (Not saying that it gets any easier.) But for Phil, it had been a year and only a couple months when the gang had to remember him. That's so said. I remember Jon Lovitz doing his best not to cry, but he was choking up the whole time. Man, I just want to hug them all now.
I have no idea why some celebrity deaths upset me more than others, some kill me, some just devastate me, some make me sad, others I'm more like "Aww, what a shame." But I know that if I had been as familiar with Phil's work as am with other people of his ilk, i.e. all my SNLers and comedians, it probably would have killed me. The way he was taken probably would've had a huge factor in it, as well. I guess I'm kind of relieved in a way I was a little too young at the time. But then I feel a little selfish for that.
But, I guess what I'm saying, is that for anyone else who might be worried about being too sad to rewatch (or try out NewsRadio, for first timers), I'd say don't worry. I mean, I did occassionally find myself thinking while watching some episodes about how it felt so ironic watching all those people working and not knowing what was going to happen over the summer. They actually did a couple episodes with "AU/What if" qualities, the first was set in Space and the second was set on the Titanic, except it was named after the station. The latter was the season finale of Phil's last season, and he would introduce the concept and then conclude it. So, not only was his last episode playing Bill, he also played himself. And at the end, all but two castmembers come and talk to the camera as themselves. It was pretty bittersweet. But again, intellectually I saw the irony and bittersweetness, but didn't necessarily feel it. Again, a relief in a way, I guess.
But, on to the actual show, in bullet point form for shorter writing, hopefully. Maybe.
I promise nothing.
Yeah, that was longer than I expected. And I still have to write up my Terminator review. Again, that'll be a different post.
Before I go, though, I just happened to be looking at random pics of SNLers and came across this picture after watching Party Down season 1; not only are all these wonderful people in one picture (apparently promoting Spring Breakdown, which I guess I'm going to have to watch now), but look which two are standing right next to each other: Amy Poehler and Jane Lynch!!