The first half is very funny, as Bilko panics about marriage and tries unsuccessfully to stand up to Joan, but the second half (pretty much as soon as the Sowicis appear) is pure comedy gold. Everyone is great, but Tomi Romer really stands out: being both funny and heartfelt. 10/10
Showing posts with label The Phil Silvers Show. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Phil Silvers Show. Show all posts
The Phil Silvers Show 1.22
The Phil Silvers Show 1.21
David White, Dina Merrill. Slim storyline which manages several very funny moments. Even if it’s all a bit unlikely that everyone would be so trusting of Bilko, given his reputation. The use of Colonel Hall at the end is clever. 7/10
The Phil Silvers Show 1.20
Bob Hastings. Very slim storyline, with only a few funny moments. Most of them coming from Paul Ford, as Colonel Hall adjusts to life without Bilko. Bilko, meanwhile, finds that life on another base is lacking the challenges Fort Baxter and he longs to come back. Since the story tracks in such predictable fashion, you need a witty script to make it worthwhile but this one is sadly nothing special. There is a nice moment of warmth in the final scene where the two men are obviously glad to be back together again. 6/10
The Phil Silvers Show 1.19
Frank Marth . Simple idea which is basically a group of sketches with Bilko meeting George Washington. Funny in places, but drastically different to a typical episode. 7/10
The Phil Silvers Show 1.18
Kids in the Trailer.
- There are some laughs to be had - mostly when Colonel Hall shows up at the end - but overall it’s a lackluster and disjointed half-hour.
- The story (such as it is) is driven by Bilko’s heart of gold, which is always great to see. But there’s no scheming or plotting to hold the interest beyond that.
- Doberman losing his pass (twice!) isn’t as funny as the show would want us to believe.
- A weak episode, with sporadic laughter along the way.
5/10
The Phil Silvers Show 1.17
Investigation. Weak ending where Bilko’s scheme is easily undone. I wonder if this was done for moral reasons? An ending tacked on so that Bilko’s plotting and lying would not go rewarded. Whatever the reason, it really doesn’t work. But up to that… great fun. Sparkling chemistry between regulars, particularly Phil Silvers and Paul Ford, and many hearty laughs.
The Phil Silvers Show 1.16
Hollywood. Wonderful. Quick-fire comedy at it’s very best. The guest cast are nothing short of superb. 10/10
The Phil Silvers Show 1.15
Mark Rydell . One of the best episodes. The story is simple, Phil Silvers is phenomenal (he dominates and steals every scene) and Bilko’s clever scheme is undone at the last minute by his heart of gold. Perfect. 10/10
The Phil Silvers Show 1. 14
Reunion. Some cute moments, but it’s basically an underdeveloped idea: Bilko goes to a reunion and - briefly - hides the fact that he is still in the army from his friends. There’s no scheme, and no major urgency driving the episode, just a few cute moments which provoke chuckles. It doesn’t have the trappings of all the great Bilko episodes. 5/10
Sgt. Bilko: The Phil Silvers Show 1.12
(Glee) Slow start. Breaks formula (Bilko works against his men). Some good gags, just not many. 5/10
Mon, May 4, 09 - Parks And Recreation, Phil Silvers, Raven
01.30 Parks And Recreation
02.30 The Phil Silvers Show
03.00 Raven
Parks And Recreation. Episode 4. "Boys Club" Leslie opens a wine basket gift, thus breaking the rules of local government.
A fun episode in which Leslie makes a tiny mistake and - because she feels so bad - goes on to make it into a big issue, that causes problems for everyone. It's a good idea, and they make it work. I like Leslie a little bit more, every week, and the supporting cast are well chosen.
The Phil Silvers Show. Episode 2. "Empty Store" Bilko rents an empty store in a nearby town and lets the rumour mill take care of the rest.
This episode is a direct continuation of Episode 1. Bilko is still down on his luck, three other sergeants have taken his money and frozen him out of the poker games, and he is still in charge of a bunch of new recruits. Even worse, the three sergeants hustle the kid who was holding the recruits money and takes it from him.
So Bilko plots revenge...
And a masterful one it is. One in which he does nothing, and sits and waits for everyone to come to him.
As a longtime Bilko fan, who has grown up watching and re-watching these episodes over and over, I have a very clear idea of who Bilko is and what he is capable of. When Colonel Hall panics at the mere mention of Bilko's involvement in something, I understand why that would be, because I have seen Bilko the master con man in action.
But back in 1955, when this first aired as the second episode of the show, viewers had no idea yet what Ernie was capable. So, rather than spend a lot of time establishing the sorts of things that our hero can do, Nat Hiken chooses to establish the man's reputation instead.
And it works like a charm. Even if this was your first time to meet Phil Silvers in his signature role, you would quickly understand what sort of character he is. Such is the power of Silvers' performance, and the work of the supporting cast. Particularly Paul Ford, who - more than anyone else - sells the terror of what it must be like to deal with Bilko on a daily basis.
Paul Ford is responsible for the episode's biggest laughs: the fantasy sequence, with the flying newspapers, and the scene where Hall pays a surprise visit to Bilko's quarters. A scene that never loses it's comedic power no matter how many times I see it.
Raven. Episode 2. "The Unseen Enemy" Ski leads Raven to a woman who may know where his son is. It turns out that the woman has been targeted for assassination and while protecting her, Raven discovers that it is all part of a plan to bring him face to face with the assassin.
A superb episode. And one that has always puzzled me, in a very minor way. The story opens with Jonathon arriving on Oahu - as if for the first time - and meeting Ski - as if for the first time in a while - and getting himself a place to live. The episode does a fantastic job of filling in his complicated backstory. So, all in all, it feels more like a 'pilot' than the actual pilot. That's always puzzled me.
Anyway...
The key elements of a truly great Raven episode are in place here.
1. Random Action Sequence. The episode opens at the airport, where Raven arrives and collects his jeep. He notices two jerks treating a dog very badly and he rescues the dog. The jerk, naturally, pick a fight with him and... suffer the consequences.
It's corny, kinda rubbish, but it is very, very cool when Raven kicks ass.
2. Strong Story. Raven wants to speak to a reporter, in his quest to find his son. He fears that she may be a target (for the Black Dragons) so he wants to speak to her as soon as possible, even if that means a little breaking and entering in the dead of night. It turns out that she has been marked for death. Raven saves her. But, in a wonderful twist, he is contacted by the assassin and they sit down to a nice friendly lunch. They were once spies together. Spies, assassins, killers. And, when Raven does a little investigating, he finds out that the point of sending this guy after the woman is to bring him into contact with Raven, and get Raven to kill him.
Even now, many years after first seeing it, I still think that that is a truly fantastic story.
3. Funny Lee Majors Moments. There are many great ones in this episode. The best is surely the sequence on the boat, where Tracy Scoggins is feeling sick and Ski - oblivious - makes sandwiches and talk about the 'up and down' motions of the sea. Hilarious. As is the episode coda where Ski tries to impress a sexy girl while being carried off by several suited henchmen.
4. Big Name Guest Stars. Tracy Scoggins and Judson Scott are great in this. Scoggins is sadly underused, but Scott gives a superb performance. He has two major scenes: the 'friendly' lunch with Jonathon, and the climactic battle on the rooftop. The script gives him a terrific character to play - an emotionless killer, who questions no order - and Scott steps up to the plate. His plight renders him a sympathetic character, despite his actions. His plight, and the great performance from Judson Scott.
5. Cool Raven Moments. The best one, of course, is the 'friendly' lunch scene, where Jonathan counts the '13 ways to die' on the table and - as revealed in the scenes' final two seconds - doesn't actually drink anything for the entire meeting, he just holds it in his mouth and spits it out afterwards. How cool is that? It blew me away the first time I saw it. It still blows me away. He sat there, and talked and so forth, and held the drink in his mouth (in case it was poisoned) for the duration.
Then there is the phone call to his former boss. In which Raven reveals that he knows intimate details of the man's home. Wow. How powerful is Raven, really? Powerful and dangerous.
6. Unanswered Questions. The best Raven episodes (the early ones) have a major unanswered question of some sort. In this one, the episode's climax fades to black before we find out what happens between Raven and his foe. Does he actually kill the man? It appears that he has no choice. But they don't show us. They fade to black, and let us decide.
And then there are the things that are common to all episodes of Raven: superb action scenes, great music and strong chemistry between the leads.
Highlight? Raven (a superb episode)
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Sun, Apr 26, 09 - Big Bang Theory, Reaper, Pushing Daisies, Sarah Connor, Supernatural, Parks And Recreation, Phil Silvers
05.00 The Big Bang Theory
05.30 Reaper
06.30 Pushing Daisies
07.30 The Sarah Connor Chronicles
08.30 Supernatural
12.00 Parks And Recreation
12.30 The Phil Silvers Show
The Big Bang Theory. Season 2, Episode 12. "The Killer Robot Instability" Penny tries to apologise to Howard, after hurting his feelings, while the guys prepare to enter their fighting robot in a contest to the death!
Nice balance of a-plot and b-plot, and a good way to pair up two characters who don't normally share exclusive screentime.
Reaper. Season 2, Episode 7. "The Good Soil" The escaped soul, this week, isn't evil. Just a virgin who wants to have sex with a woman he coveted back in the 90s.
Another good case-of-the-week story and a lots of great scenes for the regulars. Even the Andi scenes were good, after last week's misjudged break-up.
I was surprised/disappointed to see Sock's step-sister being written out of the show. Surely there was lots more to do with that character/story?
Pushing Daisies. Season 2, Episode 12. "Water and Power" Cod's ex is a suspect in a murder.
David Arquette continues to be a worthwhile addition to the regular cast, as Gina Torres proves (as ever) to be a great guest star. And a perfect match for Christine Adams. Cod has great taste in women, it must be said.
The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Season 2, Episode 21. "Adam Raised a Cain" A regular dies a quick, cold death, while John Henry tries to save Savannah, even going so far as to tell lies to Catherine Weaver.
An amazing episode. There is no clear place to begin heaping praise.
The Death of Derek happens fast and without fanfare at the very start of the episode. He is shot down in battle, so fast that you barely have time to register it. And the battle continues around his his dead body. Back in Season One I was terrified that they would kill off this character, but - despite the fact that I am sorry to see Derek/Brian Austin Green go - this was a great resolution to the character's story arc. In fact, it felt like the natural ending to everything that the character has done since he arrived from the future, and another component in make-up of the man that John Connor will become.
The Pre-Titles Sequence was mesmerising, as we realised that the child Savannah was under attack and that AI John Henry was concerned and trying to help save her life. That sequence highlighted a stunning development in the evolution of this great character.
The final scene (after Sarah's brutal arrest) was haunting and wonderful and a perfect example of the style of storytelling that is unique to this show. You watch this scene, you cannot mistake it for a scene from any other show. TSCC has it's own voice and style and makes bold choices. "Donald, Where's Yer Troosers?" sung by a child and an Artificial Intelligence in the body of a killer robot is one of the most haunting things I have ever seen...
Supernatural. Season 4, Episode 4. "Metamorphosis" An ordinary married man is changing into something evil. The boys are not sure how to handle this one...
A superb case-of-the-week to take a break (kinda) from the bleak story arc the show is developing. Except that, of course, Sam sees parallels between himself and the poor guy at the heart of the story.
It's a good story, and the show wisely allows the tale to dominate the episode. Jack and his wife take up a lot of screentime and the writers manage to make us invest in them, particularly. Being Supernatural, of course, there is a bleak ending on the horizon and the nature of how Jack's final transformation comes about is tragic.
A shining example of what a great show Supernatural is.
Parks And Recreation. Episode 3. "The Reporter" The adorable Alison Becker (from Z Rock) guests a reporter who asks a lot of awkward questions. Well, not really. Leslie just finds them awkward to answer...
Hard to know to rate this episode. It made me laugh, and I'm liking Leslie more and more but I'm not sure it was wise to do such a serious episode so early on. Namely, the idea of Mark (who's more of an idiot than I first realised) sleeping with someone else, and Leslie being hurt by it.
I suppose the show has to dip it's toes in the waters of serious stories, and this is only the third episode so I should cut them some slack.
Bottom line: lots of funny lines. I'm really like the idea of a running gag based around the inappropriate paintings in the halls of the building where Leslie works.
The Phil Silvers Show. Episode 4. "The Horse" Bilko uses the platoon's money to buy a horse.
A wonderful get-rich-quick-scheme that proves more complicated than Bilko was ready for. There are two absolutely superb gags in this episode. Gags that never fail to make you laugh no matter how many times you see them.
First, there is the sequence where Colonel Hall keeps waking in the night to the sound of a horse running around Fort Baxter. It's very funny the first time it happens, but later (when one of Bilko's men has added headlights to the horse so the rider/trainer can see better) the gag gets truly wonderful. Hall wakes to the sound of horse hooves and - when he goes to check - he keeps getting blinding by the lights, which adds to his considerable confusion. Poor guy. I've been laughing that sequence for the past thirty years and it only gets funnier every time I see it.
This is also the episode where Bilko cons four of his men into taking part in an experiment where they have to eat oats. The fast-talking Sergeant is at his very here. This scene highlights the manipulative genius of Sgt. Bilko the character, and the performing genius of Phil Silvers the man. The scene is more than just funny, it is beautiful. Comedy perfection.
Highlight? The Sarah Connor Chronicles ("Donald, Where's Yer Troosers?")
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Mon, Apr 6, 09 - 30 Rock, Jury, Law And Order, House, Phil Silvers, Seven Days
05.30 30 Rock
06.00 The Jury
07.00 Law And Order
08.00 House
01.30 The Phil Silvers Show
02.30 Seven Days
30 Rock. Season 3, Episode 15. "The Bubble" Liz's boyfriend lives life in a bubble, shielded from all kinds of truth by his amazing good looks.
The sort of stories/jokes on this show won't appear on anything else. You've never seen them before. They come from the characters and some very, very inventive writing.
The Jury. Episode 7. "Too Jung to Die" Did a psychiatrist try to murder his patient, or is she delusional?
Zeljko Ivanek turns in a typically great performance. It's an unusual episode. For once there is no murder and - at the very end - the jury are unable to reach a verdict. It's also unusual because it's very much a case of one person's word against another. And one of those people has a very hard time telling fantasy from reality.
The final sting, of course, comes in the final seconds when we (the audience) are allowed to see what really happened. Was I surprised? Yes, once again, the show managed to surprise me with the revelation at the end.
Law And Order. Season 19, Episode 8. "Chattel" Children as slaves.
After a weak episode, the show rebounds with one that is absolutely superb. And it's an absolutely perfect example of a type of episode that the show does really well: it starts off as a simple case of murder, grows until it's a major incident or national/international importance and then it all comes back to the murder with a solid punch.
"Chattel" is an example of Law And Order at it's very best. A great story and lots of solid work from all of the regulars.
House. Season 5, Episode 17. "The Social Contract" A patient who speaks his mind, and cannot stop.
Despite being haunted by the feeling that I've seen all of this before, I must admit that this is quite a strong episode. Unlike many patients (who fade into the background) Jay Karnes pretty much carries the episode. I love this guy. He reminds me of Kyle Secor. I love him, too. If I had a network, I'd cast them as cops who are brothers.
Or something.
Anyway. He carries the episode as the patient who says everything that comes into his mind. There are many standout scenes. He breaks his daughter's heart by telling her she is of below average intelligence, and says a lot of cruel things to his poor wife. At the end, when she comes to the hospital to collect him and they head home, you know in your heart that that little family is destroyed. And it's quite powerful stuff.
House, of course, is fascinated by this unusual patient and the script cleverly has a look at all sorts of social contracts: the white lies we all tell on a day to day basis. It's good fun, and very interesting and stimulating.
Best scene? House arranges to have the patient hit on Cuddy by talking about her amazing body. Hilarious.
The Phil Silvers Show. Episode 3. "The WAC" Bilko competes with a lady sergeant for a jeep.
Interesting that after only three episodes the show is already toying with the formula. Not only does Bilko 'lose' in this episode, but he also gets a girlfriend. The final scene, where she turns his own tactics on him are hilarious. As is the whole episode, it must be said.
Seven Days. Season 2, Episode 3. "Parker.com" A computer program (a female one, at that) takes over the world.
This is a crazy, crazy episode. But it's a whole lot of fun. The pace is very fast, and the world at the end when Parker has sex with the computer. Yes, I'm serious. It's absolutely crazy stuff, but I loved every second of it. Keegan Connor Tracy is crazy hot as the computer program in question. Ever since her days on Jake 2.0 I've been a huge fan of this lady. But, she wasn't playing a sex vixen on Jake (unfortunately) and she's fantastic here.
This episode is also unusual because there's no time travel element. Parker isn't allowed to travel back in time until near the very end, so - in many ways - this plays out like an episode from a conventional action-adventure show. A somewhat crazy action-adventure show, but never mind...
Also worth mentioning: the landscapes at the very end, when Parker and the program are face-to-face are beautiful.
Highlight? Law And Order (powerful)
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Wed, Mar 18, 09 - Big Bang Theory, The Phil Silvers Show
08.45 The Big Bang Theory
11.45 The Phil Silvers Show
The Big Bang Theory. Season 2, Episode 8. "The Lizard-Spock Expansion" Leonard accidentally steals Howard's new (potential) girlfriend.
Once again, the show take two of the core five characters and pits them against one another in a 'battle'. While it is no longer remarkable that the show is incredibly funny, it is amazing that the show can create hilarity from any aspect of these characters and their lives. I don't mean the plots. I mean the tiny details of every episode. Think about it: the main story is always very funny, the one-liners are always very funny, the things that the characters are talking about are funny, the 'real' lives of the characters are also very funny. So it doesn't matter what direction the show takes from scene to scene. A scene that advances the plot will be funny, a scenes where the characters argue about Star Trek will be funny, a scene where Howard has to deal with his mother will be funny. Whatever they do... it's all funny.
The Phil Silvers Show. Season 1, Episode 10. "The Centennial" When a new officer gets in the way off all-night poker sessions, Bilko cons him into organising a celebration of Fort Baxter's 100 year anniversary.
A perfect example of a perfect Bilko story. For Bilko's scams to work best his marks need to have some fatal flaws. So, this week's mark is arrogant and pompous and determined to bring 'culture' to the men of Fort Baxter. Consequently we don't like him and we want Bilko to bring him down.
In a break from formula, even Col. Hall is happy to see Bilko set to work on the new guy (because his routine is going to be affected, too).
As well as Hall being on the same side, this is an unusual episode because large chunks of it are sketches where the regulars play other parts (because Bilko and his cronies are putting on a play featuring various men from Baxter's history). So, you get a Bilko story (one of the very best) but you also get the feeling of a variety show and a departure from formula. Or, at least, the illusion of departure from formula.
Highlight? The Phil Silvers Show (Bilko in action is pure genius)
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Sat, Mar 14, 09 - Cavemen, Scrubs, Friday Night Lights, Battlestar Galactica, Office, Bilko, Road Runner
06.30 Cavemen
07.00 Scrubs
09.00 Friday Night Lights
10.30 Battlestar Galactica
12.00 The Office
12.30 The Phil Silvers Show
01.00 Road Runner
Cavemen. Episode 12. "Hunters And Gatherers" Nick competes with Maurice for the attentions of Heather.
Very funny. Nick and Joel both get storylines and both are funny. Race issues are not used to fuel the comedy (for once) and - instead - it's a tale about gender roles and different types of men.
Scrubs. Season 7, Episode 6. "My #1 Doctor" Some nice stuff in this one. Elliot's patient wants to end her own life, on her own terms and - in the final seconds - we see that Elliot is going to keep her mouth shut and respect her wishes. Interesting. Among the other storylines, the best was probably the one about the janitor slowly letting his new girlfriend know about his very, very odd hobbies and interests.
Friday Night Lights. Season 3, Episode 4. "Hello, Goodbye" Smash gets his big chance, Tami loses her battle and Tyra tells Landry how she feels about him and it's not good...
Another strong episode. The best scenes are the Smash ones. His storyline is heartwarming and wonderful and the final goodbye between him and Coach Taylor almost had me in tears.
The climax of the Tami vs. the JumboTron storyline comes not in a heated debate, but in a small intimate scene between Tami and Eric in their home. She knows she is going to lose and he - finally - tells her that she is right and they are wrong and she was right to fight this battle.
It's a wonderful scene and a wise storytelling choice. At the end of the day, we - the audience - are more interested in Tami and Eric than in anything else. So, the information about the JumboTron is given to us in a scene between them. A scene that shows how they function as a couple. (There's another similar scene later on, when he tells her about his dilemma over Matt and JD.)
The only weak link in the episode is the Tyra storyline. I like Tyra. In fact, I love some of the stuff they have done with the character. Her story, in terms of her place in small town life, is almost as interesting as Smash's. However, they are back to writing about her love life again. I wish they would just leave her with Landry and find something else for both characters to do. Leave them together, I say, and let her stories be about her struggle to make something of her life. That's ultimately more interesting that the while will-she-and-Landry-get-back-together thing?
Matt has a good storyline at the moment (with his mom - Kim Dickens - coming back) and I like the way they are having Julie in all his scenes without making their relationship (or lack of relationship) the focus of the storyline.
Battlestar Galactica. Season 4, Episode 19. "Daybreak, Part One" Adama gets the crew ready for one final mission: the rescue of Hera.
It's the first third of the last ever BSG episode and they decide to fill it with flashbacks?!! What the frak? Now, all the scenes were interesting and all, and they certainly did wonders for all the characters that were featured but I strongly feel that this is a waste of an episode. The final chapter of an epic such as this should be plot-driven, I feel. Now is not the time to be telling us stuff about the start of the journey. The journey is almost over, so let us savour every possible moment with the characters as they are now.
For instance: we get a glimpse of Tyrol behind bars, while we get several scenes about Baltar's relationship with his father.
What a crock!
The flashbacks were good, but this is not the time to show this stuff.
The Office. Season 5, Episode 17. "Golden Ticket" Michael's idea backfires, will Dwight take the fall for him?
This was wonderful because every joke in it was derived from the established characters of Michael and Dwight. It wasn't just comedy, it was poetry. I laughed and laughed and laughed. It deserves to be considered the best episode ever because (basically) it's just Michael and Dwight in a room fighting. No external element is needed. Just the characters.
Best line? Dwight explained that he has a diary to keep secrets from his computer.
The Phil Silvers Show. Episode 1. "New Recruits" Bilko is low on funds and he's put in charge of a squad of innocent young recruits.
Right from the very start, everything wonderful about the Bilko show was in place. He's very smart, able to con anyone and he's got a heart of gold. Everything you would ever need to know about this TV icon is on display in this first episode.
Road Runner. Film 1. "Fast and Furry-ous" Perfect template for the series that would follow. Best gag? RR holds up the "Road Runners can't read" sign.
Highlight? The Office (absolute comedy perfection)
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