(S02E08) All I'm saying is that it's about time someone took down those smug bastards in the library system. What, with their providing citizens with books and resources for free and their stupid desire to turn abandoned lots into more branches where they can sling their literacy propaganda at an unsuspecting populace. Disgusting.
I loved seeing Megan Mullally on primetime again. After the disastrous In the Motherhood (of which she was by far the best part), it's great to see her in a show I actually enjoy. As Tammy, she gives further credence to the theory that Leslie Knope isn't actually crazy: City government in Pawnee, Indiana really is as dog-eat-dog and cut-throat as she seems to think it is.
(S02E07) Pikitis! I loved this episode. After hitting a real low for me two weeks ago, last week's episode was an improvement, but this week's really lived up to its potential. Even Andy, who I haven't been completely thrilled with as a character this season, was hilarious ("I'm not crying; I'm just allergic to jerks!"). It's also really nice to see people on Leslie's side. How awesome was Dave with her? I wasn't so sure about him when he first showed up, but he's becoming more and more fun every episode he's in.
So we find out that Leslie's mortal enemy is a high school kid who just happens to have a name that's a lot of fun to yell in anger. Which, of course Leslie's mortal enemy is some 16-year-old punk. I will say this though: he's good: Between hiring the fake mom off of Craigslist and his janitor disguise that he used to break into the Parks office, maybe Leslie wasn't being completely ridiculous when she classified him as a James Bond-type criminal mastermind.
(S02E06) No more pit! I figured that the giant hole would eventually be filled in, but I had a feeling that it would take much longer than this. But after only 12 episodes of the entire series, Ann now sees a dirt lot when she looks out of the window of her home. Oh, progress.
Speaking of progress, I haven't been the biggest fan of Andy, but I enjoyed him in this episode. Before, when he turned up, it was mostly just to show how pathetic he is, but this week, in addition to that, he actually helped move the plot along in a big way. He gave up $100,000 for Ann, which honestly, seems like a terrible idea to me. I understand that he's in love with her and all, but there's no guarantee that she's going to get back with him, and a hundred grand is a hundred grand, you know?
(S02E05) Wow. I cannot wait to see what you guys have to say about this episode. I've been of the opinion that Parks and Recreation started off shaky, but consistently got better until the season finale, which is when I truly became a fan. Then, the first four episodes of this season were not only hilarious, but allowed the characters to grow and develop.
And then this episode happened.
I really want to give the benefit of the doubt to shows I like, so I'm just going to say that, hey, maybe there's a really important, deep message about Venezuelan/US relations that I just did not get. That is why we had 30 minutes of Fred Armisen insulting both America and really, the people of Venezuela simultaneously. Yeah, that's the ticket.
(S02E04) Last week, I talked about how I was beginning to identify with Leslie Knope. This week, I have to say that I identify with her a lot less, but that's mainly because my dating life hasn't been anywhere near as awesome as hers. I have never downed Ambien instead of Tic-Tacs, I have never had a dude show up for a date with another woman, and sadly, my sleeve (or any other clothing item) has never caught on fire. All this says to me is that I haven't lived, man.
I also really like what they're doing with the Dave character. I was afraid that they were making him kind of stupid, but that wasn't evident in this episode. He was just kind of bumbling and charming again. Plus, it was super-sweet how he wasn't scared away when she showed up to his house drunk. Because really, if you can't show up at some dude's house and ask him if he's impressed that you remember it's a bathroom and not a whiz palace, then what's the point of life?
(S02E03) This is how I know Parks and Recreation is growing as a show: Leslie Knope has not only stopped being a one-dimensional season one Michael Scott impression, but she has grown into a character with whom I can identify. If I ever found myself judging a beauty contest with a chick in a hooker dress talking about how if it were up to her and her family, it would be called "Ourmerica," and not "Theirmerica," I would have a difficult time holding my brains inside of my head.
I don't think I would have an elaborate, laminated scorecard with a section for the "Naomi Wolf effect," but I could definitely see myself in a room arguing with my fellow judges about the brains of the other contestants. And Like Leslie Knope, I probably would have lost. Such is life.
(S02E02) This week's episode wasn't as great for me as the premiere was in terms of story, but there was still some really nice character development. I mentioned last week how it was nice that Leslie was becoming more than a one-dimensional bumbling fool, and that continued this week. People are actually treating her as a person instead of just someone to mock.
Some of the best comedy in Parks and Recreation has come from Leslie and Tom's interaction. Aziz Ansari and Amy Poehler are the funniest people on the show by far, so every time they get together is golden. What was so great about this episode though, is it wasn't just Tom making fun of her. The stakeout gave them the opportunity to get to know each other as people, instead of just annoying co-workers.
Ever hear a joke that you're not sure you heard a punchline to yet? I'm not even sure tonight's Jay Leno Show had a setup.
Pee Wee Herman's triumphant return to Jay's show was an insufferable bore, beyond an opening joke about mistaking a wedding ring for an abstinence ring. It ended, and I literally said the words, "Why the hell did I just watch that?" Then I realized I'm being paid to watch TV for a living, and I quit bitching.
The comic character was there to promote his revival of The Pee Wee Herman Show stage play, but the whole interview had very few laughs and felt more like an introspective look at the man's childhood and aspirations to go into show business. The only problem is he's a fictional character and the stories didn't have much of a punchline, so it's hard to know if they were about Pee Wee Herman or the man playing Pee Wee Herman. Should I be laughing? Should I be interested? Should I care?
(S02E01) Parks and Recreation started out kind of slowly for me in its first season, but by the time we got to the finale, I was totally hooked. Going into the season two premiere, I had a good feeling they would keep up the momentum. This good feeling was confirmed in the cold open, when Leslie (Amy Poehler) started rapping the DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince classic, "Parents Just Don't Understand," nearly unprompted, accompanied by Tom (Aziz Ansari) on beatbox. All of a sudden, I loved this show.
What's beginning to make this show great (other than late 80s rap, of course) is that Leslie is finally becoming more than a one-dimensional figure. For whatever reason, she fell into the same trap that Michael Scott was in when The Office premiered. When a character is nothing more than a bumbling fool, he or she quickly becomes boring.
I'll have to check some past episodes, but I think this is one of the first times if not the first time I've laughed out loud at something from Parks and Recreation. It features Amy Poehler turning something her boss says into a reason to sing an entire rap song.
I love how it goes on a little longer than you expect and gets a bit surreal. Making the coffee in the middle of it is a nice touch.
The two newcomers will reportedly be Jenny Slate, who has appeared in the "7th Floor West" series of sketches on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and the Iranian-born Nasim Pedrad, who had a one-woman show called Me, Myself, and Iran at The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas a couple of years ago. Both have worked with the Upright Citizens Brigade troupe. (Note: although several sources have said the new additions are official, NBC's publicity department is not confirming it, as of about 11 AM today).
Arrested Development was a critical darling that managed three seasons of low ratings before FOX pulled the plug. Creator Mitch Hurwitz reunited with AD star Will Arnett for this past season's animated disaster Sit Down, Shut Up.
Now, they're reuniting with AD co-executive producer Jim Vallely for a third shot. This one's a live-action single camera comedy on FOX starring Arnett as a jackass. It's off to a good start; Arnett plays jackass very well.
The premise: Arnett is rich Beverly Hills stock and falls in love with a tree-hugger who hates him and every shallow thing he stands for. Just for being live-action, I think this one has potential. Arnett is waiting for the right vehicle to make him a star, and we already know what Hurwitz is capable of. Could this be their pot of ratings gold?
Amy Poehler is returning to Saturday Night Live ... sort of. She's not actually going to be on the show during its usual Saturday performance, but rather on the Weekend Update Thursday spin-off. She'll be sitting behind the anchor desk with her co-host Seth Meyers.
Frankly, it's a good way to launch the second season of her NBC show Parks & Recreation. Obviously, NBC is trying to copy the success of having Tina Fey do her Sarah Palin impression for a couple of Thursdays (and indirectly promote 30 Rock as a result).
I'm an Amy Poehler fan, so I think more of her on television is a good thing. I liked her back during her Upright Citizen Brigade days (and have seen her perform live several times with the troupe).
I only wonder how Weekend Update Thursday will fare without a big media event like the last election to use as fodder. I'm sure they'll think of something.
For those of you not quite familiar with Peter Serafinowicz, take a few minutes to get to know his work (or his Twitter, if that's what you're into, you social media nerd). He has worked on Spaced, Shaun of the Dead and his own programs, The Peter Serafinowicz Show and Look Around You (the first season is must-see). Fun fact: He also voiced Darth Maul. Double fun fact: He's married to Sarah Alexander, known for her various comedic roles in shows like Green Wing and Coupling.
So what happens when you take these two and throw them in with America's own comedy power couple, Will Arnett and Amy Poehler? Actually, I'm still not entirely sure after watching this video. See for yourself.
(S02E04) Last week, I talked about how 
Several sources have been following up on a report on Sean McCarthy's 
Arrested Development
Amy Poehler is returning to Saturday Night Live ... sort of. She's not actually going to be on the show during its usual Saturday performance, but rather on 
For those of you not quite familiar with Peter Serafinowicz, take a few minutes to get to know his work (or 
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