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King of the Hill: Bill, Bulk and the Body Buddies

king of the hill(S11E11) As much as I like to poke fun at the "Simpsons already did it" crowd for not realizing that everything has pretty much been done already, I must admit that I sometimes fall into that same mindset a little too easily.

Yes, the Simpsons did do an episode where Homer starts working out and becomes, not unlike Bill does in this episode, about half flabby and half muscular. Coincidentally, that Simpsons episode is actually titled "King of the Hill." However, that particular Simpsons episode was about Homer trying to win Bart's respect, whereas this episode of King of the Hill was about Bill obtaining a body never thought he could have, and becoming so self-centered he pushes all his friends away.

Continue reading King of the Hill: Bill, Bulk and the Body Buddies

Wonder Showzen: Clarence Special Report (finale)

wonder showzenIt has become clear from the last couple episodes of Wonder Showzen that the creators like to mess with people, whether it be people on the street or the people at home. Last week's episode, which was devoted entirely to a show-within-a-show called "Horse Apples," coupled with this episode which consisted of nothing but Clarence telling people on the street they could make better TV and then leaving the camera on them while they either stare blankly, pontificate, or get angry, both seem to stem from the same dadaistic mindset that made Andy Kaufman both hysterical and frustrating. This, I guess, is both a praise and critique of the show. On one hand, it's embracing the kind of "anti-everything" attitude a show like Wonder Showzen should have, but the gag doesn't feel especially new.

Stepping back and looking at this season as a whole, and disregarding the last two episodes, I think it was pretty solid, and if the show gets renewed for a third season, I would expect to see more great episodes with gags packed in so tight you have no choice but to watch episodes more than once to catch everything. I also expect more episodes like this last one, where they take a few risks and try something different so some guy can write some boring blog post about the philosophy behind it all. And honestly, I think that's great. Exceeding expectations is always cool, but when you flat out refuse to even try to meet expectations ... well, it doesn't make for great television, but I admire that kind of moxie.

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