TVSquad

(S02E16) This was probably the most sitcomesque episode of Moral Orel so far; I think it could have played on network television without any issues, which is saying something for a series that has been challenged by the censors on more than one occasion.

But let's not confuse "sitcomesque" with "formulaic," because even if a plot centering on a school pageant has been done before, it hasn't been done in the super-pious town of Moralton, where everyone loves Jesus, and Christian folk bands tell folks to think with their heart and "put a motorboard on your aorta."

(S11E05) When this episode began, I figured eventually there would be some explanation as to why it is we color Easter eggs and why a rabbit hides them, some kind of explanation of these traditions and their pagan roots. However, by the end I was glad the story went where it did, because this was both the "worst" episode of South Park this season, and incredibly funny. I say "worst" because of all the horrible gags, like "The Hare Club for Men," and William Donahue's "double cross" that had me simultaneously cracking up and saying, "my god, that was a terrible joke."

This is the first in a 376-part series* in which I try to better myself, and in turn better the rest of you, by turning to the font of information known as television, courtesy of this other font of information known as the internet.

It is my belief that everything we need to know can be learned from television. We have relied too heavily on books for too long, and it's time we stopped reading and started accepting everything TV tells us.

Today, let us all learn about Christianity, one of the three Abrahamic religions along with Judaism and Islam:

Here's a few shows coming down the pike from PBS and National Geographic:

Tonight at 9 p.m. (but check listings) on PBS, "Hijacked" will be shown on American Experience. The film tells the story of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine whose members hijacked four commercial aircraft and commandeered a fifth in 1970 to attract attention to their cause. Six hundred people were taken hostage, four planes were blown up, but no one was killed. The documentary will explore both the parallels and differences between terrorism then and now.

It's rare that I see biblical history covered on television in a way I like. Not having a vested interest in the Bible, I prefer an objective approach, but too often such documentaries put heavy focus on the supernatural aspect and are rife with interviews with experts who are only interested in proselytizing.

Of course, faith and a belief in a higher power are important to any religious belief system, so such an approach can't be discarded entirely, but I'm one who just wants the information so I can sort it all out on my own. I'll watch a documentary to get information; I'll go to church to be preached to.

Out of all the late night hosts, Conan O'Brien is far and away my favorite. I'm not quite old enough to have enjoyed Letterman and his hipper days at NBC, and Leno's populism doesn't quite do it for me, but Conan came along during my high school and college days, and the humor of Late Night is perfect for a weird guy like me riding in the caboose of the Generation X train.

I'll admit Conan isn't always perfect, and I wish sometimes he'd get rid of that whole "If They Mated" segment, which I never found all that funny, but he still comes up with some great material, such as the clip I've placed below. Actually, I only wanted to show you the first part of the clip, a preview of a series called Meet the Press for Idiots, but the following segment featuring God trying to bond with Jesus is pretty funny, too.

It is said one cannot toss a dead squirrel in the air without it landing on a Christian, what with there being so many of them. Do we really know all about the origins of this religion, though? With the Christmas season upon us, CNN will be airing a two-hour documentary, CNN Presents: After Jesus – The First Christians, which will examine the early days of Christianity, including the persecution of early Christians and debates over the direction the religion should take even among its own followers.

I consider myself a non-religious person who's still interested in learning about religion. While I don't subscribe to the Christian faith, I'm always interested in learning about the history behind things, and to fill in what I forgot from my college religion courses. Based on the press release, this sounds like it could actually be rather informative, so I'm looking forward to it. It will air December 20 at 7 and 10 pm, and re-air December 23 and 24 at 7 and 10 pm also.

(S02E03) First of all, the animation keeps getting better and better. The opening scene at the park had so much happening, and the show pops off the screen in a vibrant way it didn't during the first season. Not that the first season had bad animation, far from it, but the look is improving as it does in most animated shows. I also loved the bubbles foaming in the sink in the final scene when Bloberta is scrubbing a turkey and a lobster.

I really don't know how to feel about this short film from Jeff Greenspan. It's not especially funny, but it's not entirely unfunny, either. It's like vanilla ice cream. It's enjoyable, it's better than no ice cream at all, but without the chocolate and sprinkles it's just kind of "bleah." What's weird is that the short features people from Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show, Late Show with David Letterman, Best Week Ever, and SNL's "Weekend Update." I think maybe it works better as an audio-only clip; I'm not sure what the night lights add to the piece. I mean, I understand the symbolism of corporate icons talking to Jesus about how to make his life story seem more appealing to audiences, but somehow the whole thing just doesn't seem to come together.

[via Ad Rants]

(S01E09)

Dad: You need to start behaving like more of an adult around here.

Orel: But dad, I'm only twelve.

Dad: That's no excuse. Why your own personal hero, Jesus, was very mature at your age.

Orel: He was?

Dad: Of course. At twelve he was already busy proving the Jews wrong.

(S10E11) Just because a place is big doesn't mean it's bad. The Pentagon's good. --Hank Hill

I wouldn't have though I could ever become nostalgic for those days when I was forced to wake up early, don uncomfortable garments and too-tight shoes, get shuttled off to church, and then try to stay awake through some boring sermon. I don't recall ever actually enjoying church, but it was part of our routine, and last night's episode managed to touch on all the ups and downs of attending church in a small town.