I'm not sure I like this news. The television reporter at the Washington Post is reporting that every episode of My Name is Earl will not be about checking something off his list. According to Lisa de Moraes, the writers/creators felt confined by the format and only stuck with it to see if they could get through the first season (and be renewed). Apparently, some episodes will have nothing to do with the list. The Post reporter doesn't say what the other episodes will be about. The writing on the show is definitely hilarious but I kind of liked the gimmick of Earl having to cross something off his list each week. Although, I can see how that would get old after a few seasons. Guess we'll have to see what they come up with. See how I talked myself off the edge?How do you feel about this change?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-12-2006 @ 12:43PM
gwangi said...
Well the show is called My Name Is Earl not Watch Me Cross Stuff Off My List. So I guess it will be okay.
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9-12-2006 @ 1:03PM
Akbar Fazil said...
I dont see this being a problem. The writers have managed to suprise me with every episode last season when I thought it would get old real quick.
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9-12-2006 @ 1:42PM
Lacey said...
I agree with the first commentor.
Though the list IS a big part of the show, It's really just a show about Earl.
And the cast is fantastic, and hysterically funny, I think it will be interesting to see the kind of things they'll do without being restrained by the list plotline.
And as long as they don't abolish the list alltogether (it IS a big part of the show) I think they can more than likely make it work. I'll still watch it.
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9-12-2006 @ 2:07PM
Trina said...
Gee, it sure does suck when the *premise* of a show makes the writing difficult! Poor babies! I'll keep watching, but really - if you can't figure out how to write around something, don't be a freaking writer!
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9-12-2006 @ 1:57PM
Jamie said...
I do not mind a shift in storyline, particularly since I have been bugged by how the (relatively) limited amount of lottery winnings Earl has would last throughout several seasons of righting his past wrongs. Perhaps I just have no concept of dollar amounts.
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9-12-2006 @ 2:12PM
elf said...
I agree that the list gimmick has the potential to get old, but the list is only a means to the end. Each time Earl checked off one of the items on his list, somebody learned something, and with any luck, grew from it as a result. Many of the episodes have that "Hey, he/she isn't so different from me" or "I completely misunderstood (fill in the blank)" moment that becomes the crux of each story. While the show could likely work well as a straight-forward comedy, I think it's the little morality plays behind each story that make the show unique and I hope they never lose that.
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9-12-2006 @ 2:17PM
Cee said...
Keep the list. I mean it doesnt have to be EVERY week, but most weeks that should be the framework. I really liked that list. I thought it added a lot of heart to the show. I would say 80 percent of the episodes should have the list. I just hope they don't plan on doing away with it mostly. That list keeps Earl in check!
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9-12-2006 @ 3:37PM
Michael G said...
Meh...
The list only puts him in situations, I think his life by itself will do that too.
Plus with all the characters on the show, (plus Guest) There is enough humor to not need a list.
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9-12-2006 @ 3:46PM
Dan said...
It is the same thing that happened to South Park when they killed Kenny (although they let it run for a few seasons longer before axing it) -- you can only do so many before the "thrill" wears off
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9-12-2006 @ 4:38PM
Vito said...
Agree with elf. The show isn't about "the list", it's about karma and trying to make a difference in your world. And as long as they keep that theme, I don't think they can get too far from where they need to be.
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9-12-2006 @ 9:32PM
Randy said...
Do I understand this right? They put their "best stuff" on the table just to get through to renewal of the second season? But now they want to change to something else?
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9-12-2006 @ 11:02PM
Jeff said...
I'm all for this change. To be honest, I was already getting a tad sick of the list last season. It really hit me in the episode where Earl was developing feelings for the lady teacher, but had to abandon the notion of a relationship because karma wouldn't allow it until he finished his list. It just seemed liek they were telling us that there was no room for growth in Earl's universe. With Earl's companion series The Office casting aside the self-contained episode format for larger character arcs and Arrested Developments' wacky continuing storyline, my patience for episodic comedy is beginning to wane.
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9-12-2006 @ 11:26PM
erroneous_nick said...
I also have to agree with elf. The lessons learned in the end always gave a little lift to what otherwise might come off as just another lowbrow comedy. If the list is avoided in some episodes, I hope Earl & Co. can still learn something about how to become better people. That is the whole point of the show.
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9-13-2006 @ 1:03AM
misterblue said...
Count me in the 'But...but... I LIKE the list..!' column, but it would be neat to see some multi-episode arcs. Not EVERY story HAS to be wrapped up in 22 minutes...
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9-14-2006 @ 1:53PM
erroneous_nick said...
You know, I was thinking about the list/no list discussion and I've changed my stance just a little. I say let them do whatever they want as long as they don't subject us to "a very special episode" torture. I hate when that happens.
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