Rashida Jones Inks Deal on Graphic Mini Series

Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment have bought the rights to Frenemy of the State, a graphic mini-series created by Jones about a fancy pants lady who grew up with privilege, who likes to spy on her ex-boyfriends and gets into some unlady-like situations while doing so. (At least that is what I can gleen from the blurbs. If I'm wrong. Oops.) She'll be co-writing the script with Will McCormack.

I admired Rashida Jones' portrayal of Jim's love interest in The Office, and enjoy her current work on Parks and Rec. She was also extremely lovable in the incredibly funny flick I Love You Man, thus solidifying my Rashida fan-ship. So, it was good news to hear that Jones' passion project will be coming to fruition.

The Office: Niagara

Pam's wedding vlog...Krasinki fans, here's your girl boner shot

The Jim and Pam wedding episode, otherwise known as "Niagara" aired last night to the anticipation of Jam fans everywhere. (Jam. I hate that composite nickname more than I hate the word "squee".) It was a laugh riot for most viewers who did some online post mortums. Andy's pulled scrotum led to hilarity as Pam was forced eight hours before wedding ceremony tee off time to take his balls to the ER. The on going joke about Kevin's stinky feet spawned a bit where the hotel manager burned his shoes, left in the hallway for polishing, into oblivion because the health authorities were two minutes away from being dispatched. This led to ol' Kevin slumming the reception with feet in Kleenex boxes. (Oh, and a wig - to bring in da ladies). Then there was Dwight, who for some reason unknown to me, attracts hot women like flies, only to unceremoniously dump them and then accidentally kick them in the face. Wasn't he a virgin about three seasons ago? I guess Angela unleashed the hottie in him. Finally, we had the always petulant and childish Michael, who you knew was going to bag Pam's Mom about ten seconds after he met her.

This episode had all the romance and goofy humor fans of the show expect. Jim and Pam stealing away to get married on the Maid of the Mist was sweet, and scored amongst the famous viral YouTube inspired walk down the aisle. It was sort of any easy way to create something adorable for this episode. In fact, people were predicting the writers would put this stunt in there. Unforch for me, being the bummer I am, I thought the original video was cute for about two minutes before I found it annoying. The newly minted Halperts were down with it, only to humor everyone who was trying to humor them. But if anyone tries this at my wedding (if I ever have one), I will commit mass bridal murder.



To be honest, I didn't love this episode, but it catered well to the mainstream. It served its network sitcom purpose and fulfilled many an Office fan's love of romance and laughs. The Office has changed to fit with the need for ratings. It's not the smart comedy that hooked me back in the Ricky Gervais days and the US Office of seasons one through three. Back then, story lines reflected real life, jokes were spawned organically, humanity was seen in difficult to love characters, the everyday drudgery of the office drone was palpable, and the everyman found a way to survive. I can't blame the show for changing. The ratings last night prove it alone - this kind of show sells. (Nielsen overnights: 9.10 million viewers with a 4.5 share,coming in second to ABC's Grey's Anatomy.)

Nevertheless, it's nice to see Jim and Pam married. And it was hilarious to see Andy clunk down the aisle during the dance up with a bruised crotch and walker.

1999 Was A Good Year For Commercials

Commercial circa 1999. I spent that entire year dressed like this because I loved the ad so much.

And I loved this VW Jetta ad from the same year. (It ran through 2000 as well.)

The Office: The Promotion

I think I need to take back all my hopes and dreams for Jim Halpert. I thought he was a relatively smart man, a decent salesman (albeit a reluctant one), and someone who would be able to go beyond Michael's silly ways in handling an office of whiny weirdos. But I was wrong. Ever since season four, the powers that be at The Office have been trying to prove how clueless Halpert can be when handling managerial situations. Now that he's co-manager with Michael, whatever the hell that is, his brain has obviously drained out of his head. He's caught Michael Scott disease, where all common sense has gone out the window.

So the Scranton branch's funds for annual salary increases are paltry. How does one decide who is going to get a raise? Oh, here's how. Let's get photos of all the employees, lay them out on the conference room table, and place a number of beans on each one according to their merit. Ok. That's how we do it in fantasy land. Here's how it's done in the real world: Performance Reviews. Remember those? The Office even had an entire episode about this process back in season two. That's right - the season where everything was more realistic and all comedy grew organically from regular, everyday circumstance. In my experience, Performance Reviews are an annoying yet necessary evil created to gauge salary increases according to an individual's performance on the job. Hmmm...so what does Dunder Mifflin do? The CFO makes a random call, tells the mighty Scranton duo to only give raises to some. That's like giving dynamite to an idiot with a torch. Or two idiots with torches. Jim appears capable, until he announces only the sales staff (people who already work on commission) are getting the bump. Dumb. Real dumb, Halpert. You look like a tool, and it gives Dwight more fodder for his anger and jealousy, stimulating more fantastical super hero day dreams we viewers now have to endure.

Pam is now going around asking for money in lieu of Crate and Barrel goodies for their wedding. Oh boy. I understand the sentiment, but seriously - if the couple is so strapped for cash, why are they having a destination wedding? Niagara Falls isn't exactly Maui, but hell, it's still hotel fees and travel. Why not just have a wedding in your backyard?

Ok. I bitch and moan. It's not easy writing twenty plus episodes a season. Yet, it appears that writers of The Office might have lost track with the realities of the real working world. Yes, it's tough out there, and yes, all companies are struggling, but to conduct business in this type of environment spells certain doom for Dunder Mifflin. Perhaps this is intentional. After all, this show will have to end sometime. What better way to plant the seeds of destruction than now?

Birthday Time...Zach Galifianakis

WTF?

So Jenny Slate dropped the big "F" during her national television SNL debut. What is the big deal? In this day and age of cable and diverse television viewing, why is a slip of the word "fuck" after midnight such an issue?

Jenny Slate didn't even go to the cast party on Saturday. Sounds like she was shaken. Seth Meyers meanwhile is absolutely wonderful in giving her some support during the goodbyes. Don't worry Jenny. Viewers got your back. And you've probably just acquired some new fans as well.

The "I Can't Believe I'm A Sap For These Two" Dept.

After five seasons of heartbreak, horror, sadness, sobbing, nail biting and hating on Karen and Roy, Jim and Pam are finally on the brink of marriage and baby. My days of sweating over this fictional couple are over - which is a relief because I'm not much of a romance, "oh what a cute couple" kind of person. But Jim and Pam (and Tim and Dawn for that matter) were so realistic in their situation, and hit it so close to the bone, that it got to me.

Sadly, season five dimmed my love for The Office and for the future Halperts. Some thought it was the second coming of the now legendary season two. I thought it was a bit boring with only a few highlight episodes ("Customer Survey", "Circuit Lecture I and II", "Company Picnic"), as the story lines on the couple petered out after Pam's return from New York (a Pratt storyline that went nowhere) and Jim turned to wallpaper paste in the background. I could have sworn Ms. Beesly had his balls in a box on the top shelf of their garage. Wasn't loving the new Pam.

The Office premiered last Thursday with the episode entitled "Gossip". It was fine. Didn't make me want to run out and write about it. Fans online loved it, which probably says more about my picky nature than what is actually great TV. Yet, last night's episode "The Meeting" was more like it. Jim showed his professional side and business acumen beautifully. It's also nice to see a forceful, angry Jim, ready to fend for himself, ensuring security for his new family. Pam returned to her old self (careful of what she says to co-workers, going with the flow, supporting Jim) which makes me love her again. We also discovered a new duo dynamic on the show: Toby and Dwight - the Scranton version of Holmes and Watson as they sleuthed out Darryl's attempt at workers comp fraud.

With the wedding episode to air on October 8th ("Niagara), perhaps season six is going to be awesome after all.

I Still Love This

Review: Cougar Town

"I am begging you, please watch the show "Cougartown" with Courtney Cox - It's, hands down, bar none, undoubtedly, undeniably, unmistakenly, positively, the WORST FUCKING THING ON TELEVISION and Courtney Cox needs to be killed - I found myself with my jaw hanging open in disbelief at how fucking horrible it was..."

The above review is from my friend Marie - sent via email this morning. She writes better TV reviews than I do.

Emmy Awards

Nailed it... Neil Patrick Harris made what is usually a laborious night of viewing into a fast paced, funny pleasure. He was constantly applauded for doing a great job by presenters and winners alike. It was well earned.

There were some nice moments and some curious ones.

Nice surprises:

The lovable and insanely talented Kristin Chenoweth won for her role as Olive in the now sadly canceled Pushing Daisies. Her portrayal of the lovelorn pie making assistant was funny, heartbreaking and memorable. So nice to see this win.


Both Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore nailed Big and Little Edie Beale in the HBO bio pic Grey Gardens. Since they both couldn't win - the trophy went to Lange, who truly became the eccentric matriarch in the role, crooning "Tea for Two" with the same crackled howl as the original dame.

Winners who were destined to win. AKA...no brainer:

Alec Baldwin is the funniest man on the planet right now. Hands down. No discussion. My friend Marie has intense dreams about him. His talent haunts the minds of married women. Her husband doesn't even care. That's the power of Baldwin.


30 Rock won the big prize for best comedy series. Of course!

Well, big duh on this one. Jon Hamm may have lost out in best actor in a drama category to the amazing Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), but Mad Men won in the best drama category. Rightly so. Also, Matt Weiner and Kate Gordon grabbed the best writing for a drama Emmy for the sublime episode "Meditations in an Emergency".

The Daily Show won for best writing in a variety, music or comedy series and best variety, music and comedy series. It was toss up between Stewart and Colbert's staff and crew who write and produce intensely funny, smart, hard hitting political commentary five days a week. The Daily Show pulls through by a hair because they have the brilliant knack of providing faux news with intelligent observations all the while nabbing bullshitters while they are bullshitting.

Whaa?

This is where the concept that comedy is subjective comes to play. I've enjoyed Jon Cryer in Two and a Half Men, but he's never knocked my socks off. He was up against two 30 Rock favorites - McBrayer and Morgan - who steal prime time laughs every week. How is Cryer funnier than Tracy or Jack? Really? Also, Toni Collette is a fabulous actress, but I find her to be an over acting headache in the unfunny and annoying United States of Tara. How is she funnier than Tina Fey or Sarah Silverman? I wandered the halls of my house last night wondering if 35 years of comedy worship was all a lie.

Needless to say, I didn't feel their wins. But still it was a good night for Emmy. Even if some of my favorites didn't get a trophy (I'm looking at you Aaron Paul and Elizabeth Moss...wait 'til next year), that's another awards show done. Afterwards, I flipped over to Mad Men and watched an executive's foot get mowed off with a John Deere tractor in the offices of Sterling Cooper. So, despite seeing some of my fave people lose the Emmy, the night wasn't entirely a loss.

Looking Forward to Some Prime Time Premieres Tonight

NBC isn't really winning any gold stars for good program decisions in my book, but Thursday night's comedy line up looks decent. Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update Thursday heats up tonight at 8pm ET. Amy Poehler is due to return with Seth Meyers. Should be fun.

Here's one of my favorite clips from SNL's Weekend Update:



Parks and Recreation returns. Judging from the last two episodes from season one, this show could take off this year. The Office is also back with Jim and Pam pregnancy and an impending wedding (9pm ET). Also the premiere of the brand spanking new Community is on hand (9:30pm ET). I'm looking forward to this. The pilot was terrific.

NBC's New Medical Drama: Mercy

I can't remember the last time a television promo made me so mad. Wait - yes I do. The day I clapped eyes on previews for Grey's Anatomy and its' sister show Private Practice which tumbled out of the belly of ABC network executives when they saw dollar signs around Kate Walsh's face. (No offense to Kate Walsh.)

The latest fare from the failing NBC network has me fit to be tied up and dragged into a padded basement. I will say that no, I have not seen the pilot for Mercy. I hate to judge by the trailer above, but one can't help it - it's supposed to entice us to watch. Yet, it's obvious: This is a Nurse Jackie rip off with hideous character archetype contrivances, a seemingly hateful lead character that no one is going to give a fuck about and a bevvy of sexy broads who look like they can't even load a dishwasher much less insert an IV needle. If this is just a night time soap opera a-la Desperate Housewives with tongue firmly sticking in cheek - then, ok - I'll buy it. But if this is supposed to be a straight forward drama? Oh God no.

Why am I so pissed? Because I grew up on medical dramas. Emergency, St. Elsewhere, even old crotchety re-runs of Dr. Welby MD kept me riveted. They were smart, interesting, uncomplicated, funny and had some likeable people. ER was a great show, but you can only have so many bombs going off in the lobby, hijackings and hellicopters crashing into the roof of the same hospital to keep the realism flowing. Now we have Greys, Practice - shows I can't even comment on because they look so boring to me - and Mercy.

Really NBC? Really? There are no ideas out there?

This is why terrific comedies like TheWB.com's Children's Hospital are made. When medical dramas become stupid and self important, it's time to take them down a notch with comedy.

Bored To Death

So, how did that first hour of the new Jay Leno Show sit with you? Yeah. Boring.

Here's a good "boring". I'm looking forward to HBO's new original series Bored to Death. It premieres this Sunday, September 20th at 9:30pm. It stars Jason Schwartzman, Ted Dansen and Zach Galifianakis. Based on the written work of Jonathan Ames, specifically a semi autobiographic short story featured in McSweeney's back in 2007, it's about a man named... Jonathan Ames... who offers his detective services on Craigs List. Galifiankis is his cartoon drawing friend and Danson plays his editor. Hi-jinks, laughs, Brooklyn...how can you go wrong?

Jay Leno: Let's Do This Again

I like Jay Leno, I really do. It's just that I liked him when he did stand up and comedy bits with David Letterman on the old Late Night. NBC's assumption that Jay would be ready for retirement in 2009 was far off the mark. His new show feels like a consolation prize for Leno, the mea culpa from Zucker and his minions to placate Jay and the viewers for trying to phase him out. It also erased five hours of original scripted episodic prime time programming. Sad. But I wish Jay luck.

The Jay Leno Show premieres tonight on NBC at 10:00pm ET.

100 Days of Stephen Fry

Illustrator Morgan Ritchie has been illustrating the world of comedian Stephen Fry based on his plummy Twittering Tweets for the past 100 days. Yesterday was the final drawing. See the multi faces of Fry above.

And below...in honor of Beatles 09-09-09 day and all the goodies that have been released (Rock Band, Remasters), here is day 69 of Ritchie's Fry journal.

Mrs. Stephen Fry is pleased.

100 Days

This Will Be In Your Head All Day And You Will Hate Me For It...

Jeannie Tate: Score for the Lady in Mommy Jeans!

This makes my heart happy. Liz Cackowski, star and co-creator of The Jeannie Tate Show has been given a development deal to bring the insane soccer mom to HBO. The web series, originally produced for WB.com was co- created with Maggie Carey. Jeannie Tate features Cackowski as the nervy mom who does a talk show out of her mini-van. Celebrity guests have been Bill Hader, Rashida Jones and Rob Riggle. Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Rec) co-starred as her crabby teenage step daughter.

Check her out at http://jeannietate.com/, but watch this now...my personal fave video with Riggle.

SNL: Sadness...

Oh well. With the addition of Jenny Slate and Nasim Parad, the other shoe was bound to drop. Michaela Watkins and Casey Wilson have been axed from SNL. Two talented, funny ladies who were never given the best material, left to wither on the vine, now gone.

Good luck Casey and Michaela (other UCB people, by the way). Hell, SNL ain't the only party in town. There is more to life than what happens on the 17th Floor. They're gonna knock everyone's socks off, and I'm looking forward to it!

Source: Ausiello (Entertainment Weekly)

Bobblehead Nation. Why?

It started innocently enough. Season two of The Office - Valentine's Day episode. Angela bought Dwight a bobblehead created in his likeness. It was really funny and special. Soon, NBC licensed it, and the doll went gangbusters. Having Dwight's shaking head on your desk at work was fun. Michael Scott was soon to follow. Now, the entire cast is getting their own heads on the end of a coil. It's sort of sweet, since some of the cast members are getting some props. Phyllis Smith cried when she received hers. Yet, I can't help but feel it's kind of lame. Maybe it's because Schrute is a character all to himself. The others don't stand out the same, except maybe for one...

Andy Bernard. I mean...he has a BANJO.

And a hilarious goofy face!


Other bobbleheads I might want to own...

Office Space!

And 30 Rock's Kenneth Parcel.

Other that, I'm grumpy about bobbleheads. They get broken when you move office or house (like my Mike Piazza and Pedro Martinez bobbles did), or they become dust collectors, soon to be sold at a yard sale near you. Still...I'd keep my Ken the NBC Page doll. He's perky and earnest.