Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
05.00 Arrested Development
05.30 Melrose Place
06.30 Cupid
01.00 Barney Miller
Arrested Development. Season 3, Episode 1. "The Cabin Show" Everyone heads to Reno.
Very strong opening to the third season. Particularly in the George Michael and Maeby storyline, where they are now on the verge of Pop-Pop (or so George Michael thinks).
Melrose Place. Season 8, Episode 1. "Pilot" A dead body is found the pool, and anybody could have done it.
Not completely awful. Not as much fun as Original MP, but I did end up liking some of the new characters and if I have a free hour next week I'll watch episode two.
Cupid. Episode 1. "Pilot"
Bobby Cannavale is no Jeremy Piven, and Sarah Paulson is no Paula Marshall but - to my surprise and delight - the new Cupid show is good. I liked the characters and I liked the story-of-the-week. Count me in!
Barney Miller. Season 2, Episode 1. "Doomsday" William Windom guests as a man who straps a bomb to himself and takes everyone hostage.
Abe Vigoda steals the show out from everyone (even a typically strong Windom) and Fish is simply one of the funniest/greatest TV characters I have ever seen. Vigoda's slow dead pan delivery is a total joy to behold and his every utterance is laugh-out-loud funny.
The early part of the episode establishes that Fish is constantly going to the bathroom, then later (just after the mad bomber has unveiled his device) Fish calmly raises his hand and asks if he may leave the room!!
I laughed and laughed and laughed.
Wonderful stuff.
The story, meanwhile, is grim with a guest shot from Steve Landesberg (as a fake priest) proving the only laughs as the Windom character paints a very bleak view of the world.
This is also a great episode for Barney the character, and Hal Linden the actor, we get to see Barney acting like a true selfless hero and later thinking very deeply about the stuff that the mad bomber said to him.
It really doesn't get any better than this.
Highlight? Barney Miller (Fish)
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A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago
Arrested Development, Melrose Place, Cupid, Barney Miller
