The All-New TT: Television Time Mini Reviews

[JBear]

So, uh.... what next? Gonna need something new for the “quirky characters all end up loving and supporting each other” slot.

Wait, shit, I think I do have one other rec, but hear me out: Young Sheldon. I don't like Big Bang, and have only seen it in the context of "it's on in the background at my parents'", but freed of that baggage Young Sheldon is very much its own thing and is very much in the mould of “quirky characters end up loving and supporting each other”. I have been consistently surprised by how much I've enjoyed it/been genuinely touched by it. However, like a lot of these shows, it may take a bit to find its voice and get there (I say "may" because I actually missed a lot of the early eps because my SO was watching it without me because I wasn't interested).

 

[FelixSH]

Wait, shit, I think I do have one other rec, but hear me out: Young Sheldon. I don't like Big Bang, and have only seen it in the context of "it's on in the background at my parents'", but freed of that baggage Young Sheldon is very much its own thing and is very much in the mould of “quirky characters end up loving and supporting each other”. I have been consistently surprised by how much I've enjoyed it/been genuinely touched by it. However, like a lot of these shows, it may take a bit to find its voice and get there (I say "may" because I actually missed a lot of the early eps because my SO was watching it without me because I wasn't interested).

I only watched a few episodes, but it's very clearly completely different to Big Bang Theory. Just wanted to second that, not liking BBT doesn't mean you won't enjoy Young Sheldon.

 

[Kirin]

Have you already watched Schitt's Creek? (My memory says "I think so", but I don't see it on your list, so.)

Forgot to put that on the list, but yeah, all done with that one too.

Young Sheldon, huh. The BBT association sure makes that a tough sell, but since both of y'all are saying it's nothing like it maybe I'll at least look it up a bit...

 

[ozacrot]

Superstore is a pretty exceptional wacky workplace comedy, even if it takes a couple episodes to end up looking like one. As far as ones that are currently airing, I think Abbott Elementary might be the best show going. Bonus points to each show for building entire seasonal conflicts around (minor theme spoilers) "Fuck unionbusting" and "Fuck charter schools" respectively

 

[Sprite]

Abbot Elementary is incredible, yeah. I give it a ton of props for having a sitcom villain who slowly becomes likable not because the show just decides she’s likable, but because she starts trying to improve herself.

I liked Superstore up until the Target episode, where all the anticapitalist overtones are thrown out the window in favor of effusive praise for a corporation they should be satirizing. I’m sure they go back to their ideals afterwards but it left such a bad taste in my mouth that I just quit. So, uh, maybe skip that one?

 

[Sprite]

Skip that episode, I mean, not the whole show

 

[Johnny Unusual]

You know, this Columbo show might actually take off. I gotta say the first movie/episode is surprisingly good at making it clear what the formula is early and then having more twists on top of that. The second episode is fine but not quite as impressive and probably could have been a bit shorter, even if the character is a slightly more evolved version.

 

[FelixSH]

I tried watching Superstore, but gave up pretty soon. Don't remember why. Is the start rocky, or is this show just not for me, then?

Also, in good news: Pluto TV did what Netflix refuses to do - giving me non-stop Frasier. It's kinda even better, because it forces me to watch random episodes, instead of watching from start to finish (I can't do it otherwise, if I have a choice, impossible). Which feels fitting for a 90s sitcom.

 

[DANoWAR]

You know, this Columbo show might actually take off. I gotta say the first movie/episode is surprisingly good at making it clear what the formula is early and then having more twists on top of that. The second episode is fine but not quite as impressive and probably could have been a bit shorter, even if the character is a slightly more evolved version.

THE COLUMBOPHILE BLOG

Blog dedicated to keeping Lieutenant Columbo and Peter Falk close to the hearts of fans everywhere, chronicling the magic moments connected to the show.

columbophile.com

My constant companion. On season 10 now...

 

[FelixSH]

After watching a few episodes of Young Sheldon, after JBear recommended it, and I remembered it positively, I remembered correct: That is a sweet show. Granted, I haven't watched BBT in ages, but did so a lot when it was new. From that vague memory, I feel like Young Sheldon has more heart in one episode than BBT in a season.

Dunno, I tend to overlook problematic stuff (involuntarily, it sometimes just doesn't register), but I enjoyed what I saw.

 

[Voncaster]

When I get home from work I often boot up Netflix looking for a horror or sci-fi movie to watch. After 20-30 minutes of decision paralysis I usually end up watching an a few episodes of Community. It's a joy. Community reminds me a bit of the Simpsons in that each episode is packed with jokes (which mostly work for me) and there are characters that I care about.

Abed: What's your favorite episode of MASH?
Jeff: I don't know, the one with the army in it.
Abed: I thought so.

 

[jpfriction]

I did a full rewatch of community a couple months ago. Probably my favorite sitcom of all time just in terms of consistent quality. Definitely took a dip each time a regular left but I enjoyed it straight through the yahoo era. Even the gas leak season has some gems.

 

[FelixSH]

I watched it two or three years ago. Binged it, because it started so strong, but I found it lacking at the later seasons. I think I stopped at some point, maybe? But that might be due to me binging it.

That said, there is a ton of good stuff in that show, it's definitely worth watching.

 

[Phantoon]

I finally started Gravity Falls

Wow it's good, I probably shouldn't have waited this long. I'm genuinely laughing at certain things, and generally the best TV can get out of me is a smile

 

[lincolnic]

Gravity Falls ruled, and it you like it I recommend you watch The Owl House next.

 

[Johnny Unusual]

Also very much in the same vein is Amphibia. Good shows all.

 

[Phantoon]

Gravity Falls ruled, and it you like it I recommend you watch The Owl House next.

Hell yeah, I'll look forward to that then

Definitely look forward to Amphibia too!

 

[FelixSH]

Owl House and Amphibia are, indeed, excellent. Gravity Falls too, that one just didn't really work for me, for some reason.

 

[lincolnic]

Hell yeah, I'll look forward to that then

The shows definitely share some DNA. You'll be pleased to know that Alex Hirsch voices one of the bigger supporting characters in Owl House as well.

I tried the first episode of Amphibia a while back but it didn't really do anything for me. I hope you like it though!

 

[jpfriction]

Amphibia is more aimed at younger kids, at least to start, but picks up steam as it goes.

 

[JBear]

Amphibia and Owl House converge to be so similar to each other by the end that I sometimes have trouble keeping them straight in my head.

 

[Octopus Prime]

Only one has Hooty, which is the most important mark of distinction

 

[jpfriction]

One is also gayer than the other, which is always a nice bullet point.

 

[Octopus Prime]

It is important to note that it is, in fact, the same show in both bulletpoints; regardless of which one is more emotionally resonant with you, Owl House has you covered

 

[Sprite]

Only one has Hooty, which is the most important mark of distinction

More eldritch beings with poor social skills please

His bromance with Lilith is such an inspired choice. I couldn’t get enough of it.

 

[lincolnic]

Only one has Hooty, which is the most important mark of distinction

I still think about the line "I'm 60% mucus!" at least every couple of months.

 

[ArugulaZ]

Night Court 2023 sucks. I fully understand that a show like Night Court 1984 wouldn't fly in this day and age, but it could have at least had the zany humor and the manic energy of the original. It's just not there, though. It's too reserved, too polite, too bland, and the supporting cast is damn near useless. The producers expect John Larroquette to carry the whole thing on his shoulders, and while he is indeed a talented actor, asking him to single-handedly justify the existence of this series is like asking Heimlich to clear the airway of a decaying corpse. There's just no bringing this to life. No wonder Richard Moll and Marsha Warfield wanted no part of a Night Court spin-off.

 

[jpfriction]

I watched maybe two episodes and, yeah, definitely missing something.

Joel McHale’s Animal Control over on Fox is pretty good, though, hope that one keeps going.

 

[ThornGhost]

Speaking of Joel McHale, I started a pretty casual rewatch of Community and while there are many things about that show I still like, the character of Abed is really grating this time through. It is certainly not the fault of Danny Pudi, whose acting chops and comedic timing are impeccable, but rather this fascination with using his social awkwardness to turn him into a near magical cartoon character. I think there may have been some initial driving force to portray a character with autism in a positive light, which is certainly a good and worthwhile thing, but as the show skews more and more cartoonish in its later seasons, there is a certain ickiness in his characterization that creeps in with it. The show seems to blur the line if we're laughing at other characters' reactions to Abed or just at him.

That said, I'm not here to tell anyone different if they found the character refreshing or empowering or if he just made them feel seen. Community is beginning to be quite an old show at this point and certainly understanding and empathy were at a different place then and I think this may have been a step forward in representation at the time. I'm just not certain it is enjoyable without context (or possibly at all for me) in 2023.

 

[WisteriaHysteria]

but as the show skews more and more cartoonish in its later seasons, there is a certain ickiness in his characterization that creeps in with it.

This is how I feel about almost all aspects of the show in general, and not just Abed. After Season 2, Dan Harmon & Co seemed to gleefully begin to explore much darker sides to their characters to the point where I'm like, this show that won me over with how positive and uplifting it was, is just not the same anymore. And I specifically demarcate Season 2, because after two years of being in a two year institution, the writers had to begin exploring reasons for why their likable, successful, well adjusted characters had to have excuses for being stuck in limbo at their community college. And their answers were mostly, "well actually they secretly aren't likable, successful, or well adjusted". I've pretty much memory-holed everything from Season 3 and onward and am just gonna pretend none of it exists.