94 replies to this topic

[TWoP Nikita]

From Zap2it:

Real-life events, places and people, including celebrity Paris Hilton, filter into Earl's fevered mind as he lies unconscious.

[moose135]

Only saw the second half, but have to say, I loved Joy's "Forest Gump" movie!

[ReadIshmael]

I hope I'm not the only one that cried a little bit at Randy saying bye to Earl. Ethan Suplee rocked the hell out of that scene, especially the "I hope you crossed off enough that you can get into heaven" line, which he just pwned.

The sitcom stuff didn't really work for me, but most of the rest of it did. Great use of the whole ensemble, as the best episodes tend to have, and a lot of really hilarious lines (as usual, mostly from Joy..."You're a vegetable, not a fruit!"). Plus, their use of Paris Hilton was actually pretty damn funny.

[Matt K]

I hope I'm not the only one that cried a little bit at Randy saying bye to Earl. Ethan Suplee rocked the hell out of that scene, especially the "I hope you crossed off enough that you can get into heaven" line, which he just pwned.

The sitcom stuff didn't really work for me, but most of the rest of it did. Great use of the whole ensemble, as the best episodes tend to have, and a lot of really hilarious lines (as usual, mostly from Joy..."You're a vegetable, not a fruit!"). Plus, their use of Paris Hilton was actually pretty damn funny.

I agree for the most part. The real world stuff was top notch. The coma stuff was not to good (but thankfully short). However Paris Hilton seemed extremely forced and I did not enjoy that part. Also the opening with the NBC guy was absolutely awful.

Overall 8/10

[tarragon918]

I have so missed this show! My local NBC station did a promo for it on the news earlier tonight, and they said that the name Camden county came about because Camden is the name of one of Greg's kids. At least, that's what they said on WRC-TV in DC.

On to the show, where we saw even more evidence that Camden County is in some alternate reality: the cop on the bike, the Indian doctor who is the "new Jew" (sic), "God's Little Finger," and more. I agree that Ethan S. did a great job, as always, as Randy. Was he really talking to G-D?! It could be possible, with Randy. Somehow I knew that all he needed to do was to cross something off the list! What's going on with Alyssa Milano's character, though? Will she pull through as well? And lastly ... who were the Amigos de Garcia tonight, a lady and a child. :)

[JHeaton]

Good episode, but I think the introduction by Jeff Zuxker may well have been the funniest part of the show. "Writers call that a callback. I call it getting paid twice for writing the same thing." Priceless.

[texasannie]

I didn't think tonight's episode was all that great. A few little laughs, but not up to the usual standard. I hope they get back up to speed soon.

Jeff Zucker could not be a bigger douche. What a classless creep, mocking the writers one more time now that the shows are back.

[JodithGrace]

I loved the Indian doctor and his "we're the new Jews," and "aren't you sorry now that you only have ONE God?"

I didn't like the sitcom much, especially since they seemed to be on the set of the Dick van Dyke show, but when they showed the sitcom that Earl watched as a kid, it was a fake generic sitcom. I thought it would have been great if they could have used a clip from the actual Dick Van Dyke show. I realise that it was probably impossible, but I would have gladly traded those stupid Paris Hilton cameos, for a few seconds of Dick Van Dyke. And the theme song they came up with wasn't funny either.

I'm afraid it's hard to get any real comedy mileage out of two people in comas, and I was getting a definite "trying too hard" vibe. I did love Randy's prayer and his grief at the end.

I knew the faith healer was a fraud and that Earl had been paid off. I thought it would have been funny if Joy had also been paid off, seperately, and neither of them knew about the other.

NBC is worrying me with its determination to squeeze all of the meat out of its only golden egg layers, MYIE, The Office and 30 Rock. I hope that they aren't going to kill them with all these hour long episodes and unceasing hype.

Note to Jeff Zucker: please don't try to be funny.

[frenchtoast]

It was so nice to see the gang again. I loved Randy trying to help his brother; seems Joy's training while Earl was in jail paid off. The coma sitcom stuff was a bit off, but I figured it was supposed to feel off because, it's a coma dream.

I loved the Indian doctor, "Don't you wish you had more than one god now?" (ETA It seems we shared a brain wave JodithGrace!)

And that was Josh leading Earl to the light, wasn't it? Awesome.

May not be one of the top episodes, but it was great for bringing us back up to speed. I have to admit, though, I'm not exactly looking forward to the Orange County Chopper guys guest starring. At least the Paris Hilton cameo was supposed to be kind of stupid, and she wasn't asked to do much, thank god. But those guys? Really? Normally the guest casting is used so well, like Marlee Matlin, but I don't know how they're going to work that. But hey, they made me not want to kick Paris Hilton, so there's that.

Edited by frenchtoast, Apr 3, 2008 @ 9:36 PM.

[LadySadie]

That was terrible. I really hope this show gets back up to its usual high standards soon.

[A Little Edgy]

Overall, I thought the episode was meh, but ...

I loved the Indian doctor and his "we're the new Jews,"

Yes! That character, and especially that scene, made the whole show. It wasn't just the line - delightfully un-PC as it was - it was the way the actor delivered it, smiling broadly, sticking his chest out ... positively gleaming with pride. That was a very funny moment.

[Apple909]

Agreed, LadySadie. Terrible episode. I was disappointed in the first half of the season, so if this keeps up, I'm done.

[kieyra]

The boyfriend and I both definitely had a lot of 'when did this show stop being funny?' exchanges tonight, and he gave up before the episode even ended, which was a first.

I think the only time I laughed was when they lit the firecrackers on Earl's chest.

Sitcom stuff was awful; and any time you feel the need to put Paris Hilton in an episode of any show, you've got bigger problems than you think.

I'm willing to cut them some slack because of the strike...I'm guessing we're going to be seeing a lot more subpar episodes of stuff coming up until the writers hit their stride. Maybe not improving till next season, even.

It felt like the episode was written by...well, comedy writers on any network other than NBC, trying to fake an episode of MNIE and getting the tone and timing wrong on almost everything.

[jcin617]

What a classless creep, mocking the writers one more time now that the shows are back.

The irony being that his speech was undoubtedly written by a writer. But it got a chuckle out of me, especially the "watch it on our website, preferably within 17 days" bit. It was far too tongue-in-cheek for me to take it seriously.

Edited by jcin617, Apr 3, 2008 @ 9:58 PM.

[Navin]

I know it's only a tv show and it's not supposed to be realistic, but this one really brought out the former EMT geek in me. If two patients are unconscious on a road there would be at least two ambulances called, probably a Basic Life Support unit and a Paramedic unit, plus a fire engine and lots of cops. Once they got on scene, another medic unit (and maybe a helicopter) would probably be dispatched.

But I didn't volunteer in Camden County. :)

[poster child]

I loved the Indian doctor and his "we're the new Jews,"

"I thought it was the Koreans."

"They wish."


When Randy's scene at the end started I was determined: "My Name is Earl is not going to make me cry." Then he said the line about getting into heaven and I totally choked up. Good job, Supplee.

[bettylafea]

I loved the Indian doctor and his "we're the new Jews,"


"I thought it was the Koreans."

"They wish."

God I missed this show! Welcome back guys!

[Pain Train]

Alright first a nitpick: Hindism does only have one God.

And did Earl wake up or will he do that next week.

[kiddvideofan]

I am so disappointed. The Paris gag (gag as in "joke" AND "barf") was terrible. Umm, MNiE writers? 1983 called, and they want their cliches back.

Randy's heartfelt goodbye trumped all, but the Zucker bit was the most original part of the episode.

Sigh. This is the best they could bring?

ETA: Even though I was disappointed overall, I agree - readily and happily - that there were several very funny, albeit one-off, moments. This show can be so clever. I want more big-headed hillbilly Linus not, "That's hot."

Edited by kiddvideofan, Apr 5, 2008 @ 2:47 PM.

[eEagle]

I do have to agree that it wasn't a great episode, but I am giving them time to get back on their feet. But I was a goner with Randy's speech, I went out into the hall and my Community Advisor came out to ask what was wrong, Supree really sold it.

[Sibella]

That was painful to watch.

Still, I'm glad no one got bitten by that big shark they jumped over.

Hope it gets better next week.

[Nutjob]

And that was Josh leading Earl to the light, wasn't it? Awesome.

OMG... it so was! I didn't even catch that, possibly because I am lame. ;)

The organ draft was killing me. "You ALWAYS take the liver in the first round!" Ha!

[LiberryLady]

The organ draft was killing me. "You ALWAYS take the liver in the first round!" Ha!

Me, too! I hope we see that hilarious doctor again!

Not the best episode. I literally hid my eyes when Paris was simpering at the screen. I think the sitcom stuff would have worked if it was just shorter, but it dragged.

However, Ethan was awesome. And Jaime did a great job of talkin' crazy to Jane Lynch. Also? Hellooooo, whojackie! Good to see him there at the end.

[arc]

But it got a chuckle out of me, especially the "watch it on our website, preferably within 17 days" bit.

Yeah, a little. But all I could think of during that whole bit was Jack Donaghy's product integration video made for the NBC staff in 30 Rock's "Jack-Tor".

I liked the continuity bits, but the fake sitcom was done better on Scrubs, and I didn't even like "My Life in Four Cameras". Oh well. The rest was hit-and-miss.

[mtkau]

I know it's only a tv show and it's not supposed to be realistic, but this one really brought out the former EMT geek in me. If two patients are unconscious on a road there would be at least two ambulances called, probably a Basic Life Support unit and a Paramedic unit, plus a fire engine and lots of cops. Once they got on scene, another medic unit (and maybe a helicopter) would probably be dispatched.

They can't afford to have more than a single cop on a bike, I doubt they can afford more than a single ambulance.

I liked the continuity bits, but the fake sitcom was done better on Scrubs, and I didn't even like "My Life in Four Cameras". Oh well. The rest was hit-and-miss.

Nurse Reed on Scrubs way hotter than either Wife/Milano or Maid/Catalina.

Edited by mtkau, Apr 4, 2008 @ 4:54 AM.

[Cgr]

"watch it on our website, preferably within 17 days" bit.

I didn't get that. Why 17 days? And I thought that whole introduction was lame. At first I thought the whole hour was going to be that guy doing talk over old scenes. At least we were spared that.

I loved the "new jews" and the first round you take the liver lines. I will have to give that one to my friend the transplant doc from India!

All in all glad they are back but it was a so-so episode.

[PMS Babe]

Zucker making the 17 days comment was a reference to the Writers Guild's final contract with the studios. It said that the writers don't get any residuals for episodes that are watched online in the first 17 days. If it is watched after that, they do. Hence, NBC wouldn't have to pay the writers if you watch it in the first 17 days.

Translation: You as the viewer should support Greg and his staff by watching shows online or downloading them on day 18 or later.

[Shalamar]

The Paris gag (gag as in "joke" AND "barf") was terrible. Umm, MNiE writers? 1983 called, and they want their cliches back.

But the whole point of the sitcom dream was that it was based on clichés of the shows Earl watched as a kid, no? Shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Brady Bunch, and later ones like Roseanne and Married With Children. Complete with the audience going "Awww" when a character does something nice, "WHOO!" when there's a kiss, and "YAYY! *clap clap clap*" when the guest celeb du jour makes his/her appearance.

Not that I'm a Paris Hilton fan, you understand. *shudder*

Edited by Shalamar, Apr 4, 2008 @ 7:56 AM.

[LT]

Zucker making the 17 days comment was a reference to the Writers Guild's final contract with the studios. It said that the writers don't get any residuals for episodes that are watched online in the first 17 days. If it is watched after that, they do. Hence, NBC wouldn't have to pay the writers if you watch it in the first 17 days.

So, between that and the "paying twice" line Zucker was just being a total ass? Nice.

But the whole point of the sitcom dream was that it was based on clichés of the shows Earl watched as a kid, no?

The cliche was going there in the first place--every 80s sitcom did the dream sequence from the 50's sitcom thing. Meanwhile, since when did Earl and Randy's folks fight so viciously? I liked that they were decent parents who raised some questionable boys--now Earl and Randy have a reason for being social miscreants? I don't think so. And I did not like new young Earl. I miss old young Earl.

The only, and I mean only, part of the sitcom dream that I liked was the audience yelling out "Darnell!" when Joy and Darnell walked in.

Edited by LT, Apr 4, 2008 @ 8:11 AM.

[peeayebee]

I liked it.

Loved the Indian doctor and the "organ draft." It was great how all the doctors seemed to represent different ethnicities. I also loved when Randy was saying goodbye, and when Joy, Darnell, and Catalina left, Joy shooed all the doctors away who had come with their organ-carrying coolers. The vultures.

I didn't catch that that was Whojackie. My TV screen was too bright to really see him. But that was great.

Loved when Randy is talking to God. "Uh huh.... Uh huh...." And calling him "Your majesty." Also at the beginning when he first found Earl in the road, he was holding his arms over Earl like he could shield him from God. As usual, Randy was my favorite character.

Joy had great lines, too. "The father, the son, and the friendly ghost!" (Did she say that before?)

I didn't care for Catalina in the ambulance. I'm really really tired of her weird, village stories and superstitions.

Where have I seen that boy actor before who played God's Little Finger? I need to look up his name. I thought he was good.

I thought the sitcom-coma worked. I liked how real-life stuff was being incorporated into it, like the beeping that only Earl could hear. Paris Hilton? I'm not a fan at all, but I thought that was a good use of stunt-casting.

As usual, there were lots of great lines, but my bad memory won't let me recall them.