09.30 The Big Bang Theory
02.00 NewsRadio
The Big Bang Theory. Season 2, Episode 1. "The Bad Fish Paradigm" Sheldon tries to keep a secret that Penny has confided in him.
They may have ended the first season on an optimistic note (Leonard and Penny dating) but things can't go on that way. At least on TV. On TV the hero can't get the girl too soon, because - perceived wisdom dictates - the audience will lost interest. Moonlighting and Lois And Clark are often quoted as cases to prove this point but anyone who knows anything about those two shows will know that is just not true for either one. But I think it may be true for Big Bang Theory. I like the idea of Leonard and Penny being a couple but I'm not invested in them enough to want it to happen fast, or to believe that it will generate a lot of new story ideas for the show. For now, I'm happy to have them as friends. And the show finds a nice clever way to bring their 'relationship' to an ending. A way that is funny and won't harm them in the long run.
Besides, the show isn't about Leonard and Penny as a potential couple. There are many more important things to be enjoyed in this show.
Sheldon is probably the single best thing about the show and his interactions with Penny dominate this episode and provide a multitude of laughs. Having Penny confide in Sheldon and having him struggle with keeping a secret was/is inspired writing.
There isn't a show on TV that makes me laugh more.
NewsRadio. Season 3, Episode 6. "Awards Show" WNYX is up for some broadcasting awards.
Another ho-hum episode. The engine that drives the story is flawed. Dave is angry that a rival station manager apparently slighted him in a magazine interview and desperately wants the station to win lots of awards to give him validation. I don't like this for two reasons: Dave is normally the calm one at the centre of the chaos and things are funnier when he's central but normal. Making him all fired up over something leaves me cold. Secondly it turns out at the very end that the rival guy didn't mean what Dave thought he did and they part as friends. Predictable and pointless.
The b-plot is weak, too. Joe is being over-protective of Catherine and it gets in the way or her enjoying her evening. Khandi Alexander is the weakest member of the cast. She's normally overlooked and ignored in episodes and it suits me just fine because I don't warm to her at all. Here's an episode where she gets more screen time than usual and... it's bland and unfunny.
Highlight? The Big Bang Theory (Penny and Sheldon are funny together)
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Tue, Feb 3, 09 - Big Bang Theory, NewsRadio
