George Carlin’s Mark of Distinction
There once were seven words that you couldn’t say on TV. Luckily for George Carlin, you could say them on stage.
The 71-year-old comedian, whose half-century in stand-up has been spent pointing out the funnier foibles mankind has to offer, will receive the 2008 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
The honor will be presented to the bearded society-skewerer Nov. 10 at the JFK Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The ceremony will later be televised on PBS.
Richard Pryor was the first comic to receive the award in 1998. Past honorees include Steve Martin, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Lily Tomlin.
Eli Stone: Father Figure
(S01E03) Okay, it looks like we have the formula down pretty well now. Eli’s going to have some bizarre visions that will jeopardize his personal and professional life, but those visions will help him make decisions as to what to do. Could it be a brain aneurysm? Sure, if aneurysms can specifically name clients that he hasn’t met yet as tonight’s does. Instead of creating a compelling long-form narrative, Eli Stone is going to be a typical legal dramedy with a few spot visions thrown in to mess with Eli’s life. That’s it and it’s a shame.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Boston Legal. I’ve spent many years of my life working intimately with the legal profession so I understand the foibles of it, but I guess I wanted more for Eli. And maybe there’s still time to give it to us. I have to say, I didn’t care for tonight’s case at all. Not that the case itself wasn’t compelling, because I think Alan Shore would have had a field day with this one, but that Eli perpetuated the perjurous statements of a twelve-year old boy, knowingly sending an innocent man to jail (at least for awhile), all to bring home a woman who didn’t want to serve in the war any more.
Now, I’m not going to take a pro- or anti-war stance here, but I will say that the message of this episode was that if you want to get out of your commitment to serve, it’s okay to lie to the justice system. Just make up some crisis or another and you can get off scot-free. Or at least they’re saying that Eli approves of that. Hell, if his prophetic visions are leading him this way, I guess it’s not unheard of for prophets or agents of higher powers to reject the laws of man and answer only to that higher morality.
The “crisis” Brian Swain was facing that lead to this fraudulent lawsuit didn’t seem to be any more dramatic or serious than the crises that every twelve-year old child faces in this country every day, though the running away from home pushes it a little further. So why should his mother get special treatment because she wants to be there with him? Should everyone? Or is this what Eli is here to do; rewrite the rules for what is “just.” And I get that. I just don’t know if this is the true and “just” outcome.
But dismissing that from the equation, the progression of Eli’s and Taylor’s crumbling relationship headed for its inevitable dissolution, and first “love” Beth came back into the scene. Laura Benanti (Beth) is listed as a regular cast member, so you’ve got to figure her role will grow and I’d wager she’ll become the sympathetic lover Eli needs. Though it’s very possible they’ll hook her up with Eli’s brother Nathan first so there can be Moonlighting unrequited passion. I hope they do something because the chemistry between Johnny Lee Miller and Natasha Henstridge is so flat it’s awkward to watch.
Victor Garber remains a good actor, but his character continues to ride that fine line between stereotypical senior partner ass and somewhat compassionate future father-in-law. Oh and bonus for going ahead and having the completely cold-hearted senior partner there for Garber’s Jordan to look good next to. I’m still waiting for these characters to inflate a bit and become well-rounded.
Eli’s “friend” Dr. Chen keeps pushing the angle that Eli is a prophet, which Eli rejects wholeheartedly. So why does he keep going to him? Because the acupuncture triggers memories? Removes the visions temporarily? Or as a conveniently placed plot device to push the prophet angle forward each episode. And how did Chen become a friend anyway? Wasn’t Eli just recommended to go meet the guy in the first episode and then found out he was a quack. By the intro of the second episode he was referred to as Eli’s friend.
I agree with Richard wholeheartedly on the abruptly injected junior associate Maggie Dekker. I have no qualms with Julie Gonzalo as I think she’s doing a great job of playing the role that’s been written for her, but the role is quite terrible. No junior partner could be that terrible in court. Sure, nerves and jitters can cause some screw-ups but when she said “like Jeopardy” to remind herself to question the witnesses, I almost rolled my eyes. She went to law school to be a lawyer. They go over how to question witnesses. What to do, what not to do. Either she was really, really, really nervous, or she barely graduated.
Plus, she’s very sweet and kind. So a sweet and kind terrible lawyer who wants to save the world … what’s she doing at this law firm? The firm is the stereotype of a corporate law firm that focuses entirely on the bottom line and billable hours and screw everything else; and believe me there is a kernel of truth to that when it comes to many large law firms. It just doesn’t seem a good fit for her at all. That and I can’t figure out her role either. Is she there to be a driving force to help Eli in his new direction in life?
Outside of the cases, which haven’t impressed me too much and even kind of pissed me off like this one did, the side stories are at least somewhat compelling. I am curious how Eli’s continuing visions will affect his future at the firm. Can he keep from losing his job, especially in the fallout of that ending? Should he bother to? I know he worries about losing his health and malpractice insurance, which is valid, but maybe losing all of that will push him further down his prophetic road. He’ll have to find other ways to make a difference. Kyle Chandler did just fine with a newspaper and a cat.
I’m still willing to forgive Eli Stone a lot because it’s trying to find its voice and way in the television landscape. There’s still potential in the premise but I worry that it is settling quickly into what will become its routine. I hope I’m wrong. I’m actually still intrigued enough to keep with it for awhile more. I just wish, like Richard, that the visions were more than just background fodder for humorous moments when he came out of them. I know they guide him in choices but for the most part they set up humor, so far. They can be so much more than that. How about visions of a larger destiny or future or something he’s working towards. Give the show some kind of arc destiny.
Unhitched — An early look
When it comes to new comedies, the FOX network’s record hasn’t been very glowing as of late. Yes, the Sunday night animated comedies still bring in the audience, and Arrested Development brought critical acclaim, and Back to You and Til’ Death are decent, if not outstanding, sitcoms. But, what else has the network brought to the table recently? Anyone remember The Loop, Happy Hour, Freeride, Kitchen Confidential or Stacked? Of course not; hence, the sad track record FOX has had bringing funny to its network.
So, when I received a review copy of the new romantic comedy Unhitched, my stomach did a bit of a flip-flop: another show that would probably disappear during the reign of American Idol and only be remembered as a notation in Wikipedia. Then, I watched the two episodes that came on the DVD. Surprisingly, I didn’t roll my eyes at the opening credits (yes, actual opening credits) and was able to finish both installments without emitting a single groan. Turns out, I actually enjoyed the show.
Unhitched, which premieres on Sunday, March 2nd at 9:30 pm, has a few things going for it that make it watchable, including Executive Producers Peter and Bobby Farrelly — collectively known and The Farrelly Brothers. Yes, the same guys that gave us Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something About Mary, and Stuck on You. No, there aren’t any Siamese twins in the show (yet), but the comedy definitely has their stamp on it, as you will see if you watch the pilot episode. I won’t go into to many details but the first five minutes deals with Silverbacks, some shagging, and an apparently homosexual monkey with an overactive sex drive.
After the show gets that out of its system it really focuses on the romantic foibles of four friends in their 30’s who are out of long-term relationships and looking for love. And, that’s another thing that the show has going for it–a more mature look at love and romance. Maybe that’s why it appealed to me more than a show that features 20-somethings who are looking for love in all the wrong places. The characters in Unhitched have been there-done that already and are basically starting over from scratch.
The third thing going for the show is its star Craig Bierko, who plays Jack “Gator” Gately. Now, when Craig was on Boston Legal last season I wasn’t his biggest fan. Frankly, I thought he had too much swagger, too much piss and vinegar, for his own good. On Unhitched, Bierko is more down-to-earth and at home with his character. You can see that his heart was broken by his former wife and all he wants to do is find the same magic that he had with her so long ago. And, if it means hitting some bumps along the way, so be it.
The supporting cast that surrounds Bierko’s Gator is a bit stereotypical, but they have enough extra dimension to them to make you care for who they are. Johnny Sneed plays Tommy, who is the womanizer of the group. He has all of the traits that you would find in womanizers on any other comedy program. Still, after three marriages you can tell that it all hides the feeling that he hasn’t found the right person to spend his life with. Shaun Majumder is Dr. Freddy Sahgal. Freddy has some of the standard traits you would find in a foreign character who comes to America to capture the dream but, like Tommy, he has a certain quality to him that makes him quite likable and makes you root for him to find someone.
Then there’s Rashida Jones as Elaine. Actually, she plays Kate, the only female in the quartet, but her performance reminded me very much of Elaine Benes of Seinfeld fame. Out of the four I liked Jones’ character the least. It’s not that she wasn’t good…it’s more like she wasn’t utilized very well in the first two episodes. In the pilot, she dates someone shorter than her who turns out to be a mascot for the Boston Celtics, and the whole plot totally dies. I think I need to see more of her to get a better feeling for the character.
Unhitched has been done before, but what show hasn’t? While the premise may be dusty, it’s the characters that can bring it to life again and make it interesting. And, while it isn’t the next Seinfeld, it is entertaining enough to watch on a late Sunday evening when nothing else is on.
Katie Couric: this tart’s ready to go! - VIDEO
Simpsons star Harry Shearer has been exposing the behind the scenes faux pas and foibles of the national media for years. His video and audio of such things as Tom Brokaw’s off-camera remarks are classic. Earlier this year he posted a video on his My Damn Channel channel of Dan Rather going on and on about whether or not to wear a trenchcoat. Now it’s Katie’s turn.
In the video after the jump, we see Katie prepping to go live during The CBS Evening News’ recent trip to Nashville. We see her talking about her hair and whether or not to button the top button of her coat. Personally, I don’t see what’s so shocking or even “embarassing” about this video. All network reporters do this before the cameras roll - all of them, male and female. In fact, it makes me like Couric more, because she’s self-deprecating (combing her hair: “This tart’s ready to go!”) and seems to be getting along with everyone on the crew.