Friday, August 28th, 2009
07.00 Arrested Development
08.30 Andy Richter Controls The Universe
10.00 Harvey Birdman
10.15 Michael And Michael Have Issues
11.00 In Plain Sight
Arrested Development. Season 2, Episode 13. "Motherboy XXX" Rescuing George Michael.
Another classic. Either side of the Maggie Lizer two-parter are two of the finest, and funniest, episodes of AD. This one is a real gem. It contains some of the best physical comedy of the entire series, and a host of classic moments.
My personal favourite? All the 'burger king' gags, particularly when the narrator echos Tobias' sentiments about the place being "a wonderful restaurant". One of the best moments in the entire series, and a perfect example of what Arrested Development is.
But the episode is full of laughs. I really love the little kid who runs up the Bluths, on more than one occasion, begging to be taken away, but nothing tops the sight of Buster tumbling through the skylight.
Superb.
Andy Richter Controls The Universe. Episode 4. "Grief Counselor"
My bad. I thought they had stopped with the Andy-likes-Wendy stuff. Wrong. Here's an entire (sweet) episode built around it, when Wendy kisses Andy after a night out and he wonders what lies behind it.
All of this is mildly-funny. But very sweet.
Much, much, much better is the stuff with Byron and Jessica: coming to terms with the fact that they may have killed some people, by being mean. Hilarious, wonderful stuff. The scene where Byron arrives in Jessica's office, all upset, and leaves - minutes later - completely cheered up and blaming Jessica for the death of their coworker is a classic.
Harvey Birdman. Episode 12. "Trio's Company" Harvey meets Gigi. Harvey represents Inch High, Private Eye.
Hilarious. Gigi is one of the best recurring characters that the show ever had and the case-of-the-week is priceless. I particularly love the bit where Harvey negociates up to a much more serious crime. For his plaintiff??!!!
Michael And Michael Have Issues. Episode 3. "Matchmakers"
"Michael And Michael Are Dicks" would be an appropriate name for this. Watching them try to play matchmaker it becomes obvious that they aren't trying to be mean. No. They're just dicks. Pure and simple. And some of the one-liners are priceless.
But even the visual comedy is top notch. When Michael and Michael attack the guy who dumped the girl and challenge him to explain himself, the scenes of them trying to back away, and get out of the room, as he poors his heart out are truly, truly funny.
In Plain Sight. Season 2, Episode 15. "DON'T CRY FOR ME ALBUQUERQUE" Mary is shot.
Seldom have seen a mainstream, light, action show deliver a story where everything is so grey and vague. But still 100% satisfying.
Mary protects a witness who may, or may not, be very nice. And may have over-reacted and created the situation that led to her own shooting. Or maybe not. The show offers no easy answers.
But it sure delivers a great story. Best scene? Stan opens a can of Whup-Ass on the idiot who put Mary in jeopardy.
Highlight? Arrested Development (skylight)
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Arrested Development, Andy Richter Controls The Universe, Harvey Birdman, Michael And Michael Have Issues, In Plain Sight
