NEW SHOWS:
Key & Peele – Season 3, Episode 9 (B)
Features maybe the most bizarre (in a bad way) sketch they’ve ever done, but I appreciate them trying to find humor in the mundane. Still, what this duo can accomplish is far better than any other sketch show on the airwaves. Plus, the return of Meegan!
Modern Family – “A Fair to Remember” (B)
Nothing egregious in this episode, as none of the four (eesh) storylines seemed too superfluous. And Jordan Peele is always a welcome sight, but there just wasn’t anything spectacular in this episode at all.
Grey’s Anatomy – “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word” (D+)
Like the worst episode of Law & Order ever, and then worse than that.
DVR BINGE:
The Greatest Event in Television History (B)
There’s a little bit of diminishing returns, even if Catherine O’Hara knocks it out of the park. (Yes, I know she’s just riffing on her character from For Your Consideration.) But the secret weapon of these – next one set to air in January – is actually Jeff Probst. His line about finally having proof of ghosts absolutely slayed me.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – “Flowers for Charlie,” “The Gang Makes Lethal Weapon 6,” “The Gang Squashes Their Beefs” (average: B+)
The first episode, written by Game of Thrones honchos David Benioff and D.B. Weiss marks a season high point. The writing elevates the material but also keeps it within the confines of the Sunny universe. Lethal Weapon 6, like all sequels, tries a little too hard to out-do its predecessor, but still succeeds in being entertaining. The season finale is undoubtedly the weakest of the three, but I’m gleefully creeped out any time the McPoyle Brothers show up.
Modern Family – “The Help” (A-)
I’ve never been a fan of Workaholics, but Adam Devine’s myriad cameos this past year have at least made me a fan of him. As the new manny (yes, there’s a joke at Manny’s expense) he allows for plenty of interloper jokes, so I hope his appearances aren’t as rare as Kevin Hart’s, which remains the shows second biggest missed opportunity. The first would be not using Shelley Long enough.
Parks and Recreation – “The Pawnee-Eagleton Tip-Off Classic,” “Doppelgangers,” “Gin it Up!” (average: A-)
Even if the season premiere wasn’t up to its usual standards, all three of these were. As always, let’s give it up for Nick Offerman, continuing to play the greatest television character of the 21st Century as if he was doing Shakespeare. The man never coasts. Bravo.
OLD SHOWS:
The Simpsons (Season 6) – “The Springfield Connection” (A-)
I think this is probably the best of Marge’s odd jobs stories, mainly because it’s chock full of tiny gags that take it even higher than it should normally go. Some of the best: Mr. Burns swiping Marge’s bribe, Herman being foiled by his own shoddily designed jeans and of course Moe calling a garage a “car hole.”
Finally, this post will likely get shorter as the year progresses because I’m giving up my cable and precious DVR. Thank God for Hulu Plus.