As you may or may not know, I am not usually one for spoilers. While I don’t mind knowing who is going to guest star on How I Met Your Mother or The Big Bang Theory, I REALLY don’t want to know what’s happening next on Dexter or Friday Night Lights, or who’s getting kicked off Project Runway.
Similarly, I have enjoyed all the surprises of Glee so far this season. This includes both plot lines (Rachel and Puck? Brilliant!) and the songs they perform. While I knew that Kristen Chenoweth was going to be on the show at some point, I didn’t know when, and seeing her show up and sing a dueling pianos version of “Maybe This Time” with Rachel was a major thrill.
With that in mind – today the first volume of the Glee soundtrack was released, and so of COURSE I went to get it on my lunch break. I figured that it would just have the songs from the first half of the season – i.e. what we’ve already seen. It did – along with two extras that I assume we’ll hear sometime this month. While I’m disappointed about being a little spoiled, the tracks are so good, they pretty much make up for ruining the surprise.
Taking a break from Frasier to write about some current television.
So, last week, I discovered this little-known show called Party Down. It aired earlier this year on Starz. Yes, the movie channel. I don’t know.
Normally, I wouldn’t have even known about it. However, the show runners struck some sort of deal with Netflix. The episodes go live on Netflix instant viewing a day or two after they originally air, so that those of us without Starz (read: most of the viewing population) get to watch in real-time, too. And, luckily, for those of us who just discovered the show, the episodes are still available on Netflix instant viewing.
Party Down is fantastic. But it’s brought to you by the people behind Veronica Mars (Rob Thomas, John Enbom, Dan Etheridge), plus Paul Rudd, so would you really expect any less?
The show follows a group of waiters in LA, who work for the catering company Party Down. They are led by team leader Ron Donald (Ken Marino), who is a Michael Scott type: He’s a former burn out, whose greatest dream in life is to open up a Soup ‘er Crackers – the fastest growing non-coffee non-poultry restaurant chain in the US. Needless to say, things do not go Ron’s way. Ever. He is a terrible team leader, and what’s more, he knows it. Even so, he is determined to become a success.
The rest of his team includes wannabe writer Roman (Martin Starr, of Freaks and Geeks fame), pretty boy actor Kyle (Ryan Hanson – aka Dick Casablancas), struggling stand-up comic Casey (Lizzie Caplan), former B-movie actress Constance (the always delightful Jane Lynch), and failed actor Henry (Adam Scott.) In addition to the main cast, the first season also hosts a plethora of great guest stars, including Enrico Colantoni, J.K. Simmons, Steven Weber, Jason Dohring, and Ms. Mars herself, Kristen Bell.
Each episode chronicles an event - a block party for a rich neighborhood, a sweet 16 for the daughter of a Hollywood producer, a corporate retreat – in a “behind the scenes” manner. Even though Ron is the team leader, the show is really viewed through the eyes of Henry. The pilot episode has him joining Party Down after 13 unsuccesful years of trying to be an actor. Henry and Ron were friends back in Ron’s partying days, and Ron is more than happy to help out an old friend.
I don’t want to say much more than that, because the season has a lot of fun surprises. I know it’s smack dab in the middle of fall season, but if you get a chance, check out Party Down on Netflix. It’s a half hour show, and the first season is only 10 episodes, so it won’t take too long. If you like what you see, good news: the show’s been renewed for a second season, which should air in April, 2010.
My only regret in watching the show is that I now have to wait six months for a new episode.
Here’s the second installment of The Great Frasier Rewatch. If you’re totally lost, scroll down, or go here for part one. Let’s get right to it, shall we? Here are some more of my favorites.
Season 2
The Matchmaker: One of Frasier’s most famous episodes, this is the first farce they ever did, and the first episode written by the show’s farce master, Joe Keenan. The plot gets a wee complex, so I’ll do my best to whittle it down. Daphne is depressed about her lack of a love life, and she and Frasier have a heart-to-heart. The next day, Frasier tells Roz about Daphne’s woes, and she offers to set Daphne up with one of her former boyfriends. He declines, insulting (hah, I first wrote “insluting”) her in the process. Later on at work, the new station manager, Tom, comes by during Frasier’s show. Frasier decides to invite Tom over for dinner, after finding out he used to live in London and is recently single. When Tom talks to Roz, he tells her Frasier asked him out – and since she is still angry from their earlier conversation, she doesn’t bother to correct his assumption that Frasier is gay. Got it so far? Ok. We cut to the night of the dinner – and – well, here, I’ll let you watch what happens next. Fun fact: Tom is played by Eric Lutes, who turned this gig into a starring role on Caroline in the City. According to the audio commentary (yes I listen to audio commentary, shut it), the day after this episode aired, the producer’s phones were ablaze – everyone wanted to know who the new guy was.
Niles’ reaction to finding out Tom is gay is absolutely priceless, and cracks me up every time. Ditto Daphne’s reaction.
Flour Child: So, this show makes me laugh. A lot. Pretty much every episode has me laughing at something. But during the rewatch, this is the first episode that made me laugh till I cried. Ironic, too, because when the episode started, I thought it was going to turn into a huge cliche. Why? Because the three Crane men are in a cab when the driver goes into labor. It actually ends up being quite funny, and afterwards, Niles starts thinking about having a child of his own. Frasier jokingly says he should do the old high school experiment of carrying around a sack of flour, and Niles takes his suggestion to heart, since Maris is once again out of town. Much hilarity ensues, and in the end, Niles decides he’s not ready. Here’s just a sample of said hilarity, but you really just ought to watch the whole episode.
Breaking the Ice: So, my favorite relationship on the show is, surprisingly, NOT Niles and Daphne, but rather the relationship between the three Crane men. Frasier and Niles have little in common with their father, but beneath the surface is a deep father/son bond. This is one of the few episodes in which their relationship is explored. In an attempt to bond with their father, Frasier and Niles agree to go ice fishing with Martin after his friend backs out. They both have their reasons: Niles just wants to get closer to Martin, while Frasier wants to Martin to finally say “I love you.” Once they get to the cabin, the bickering starts, and culminates with Niles dropping their car keys in the fishing hole. Forced to be with each other, and aided by Jim Beam, they begin to confide in each other (or, “break the ice”, if you will). Just before being rescued, Martin shyly tells his sons he loves them. It’s really Frasier (or any sitcom) at its best – perfectly combining the funny (such as Niles learning a bunch of inane facts about ice fishing to impress Martin) with the serious.
An Affair to Forget: Y’all remember this episode, right? It’s the one where Niles has an old fashioned duel. (Sort of.) It also won the 1995 Emmy for best writing in a comedy series. I have no idea what else it was up against, but for my money, the award was totally deserved. Niles tells Frasier how much more relaxed and pleasant Maris has been since she took up fencing on the same day Frasier gets a call from a German woman who suspects her fencing instructor husband (Gunnar) is cheating on her. Frasier puts two and two together, goes to confront Maris, but accidentally tells Niles instead. On Martin’s advice, Niles decides to confront Gunnar. The only problem is, Gunnar doesn’t speak a word of English. Luckily, Niles’ maid Marta speaks German. So, in an odd game of telephone, Niles tells Frasier in English, who tells Marta in Spanish, who tells Gunnar in German. Here’s how the scene plays out:
Next: More farce and a big heartbreak, with seasons three and four. Stay tuned!
Regular readers know that there’s nothing I love more than a Great Re-Watch. Past ones include Sex and the City, Mad About You, and Cheers. After finishing Cheers eariler this year I thought it only natural to move on to Frasier. This summer, I promised a recap of said re-watch, but never followed up with one.
This is not for lack of trying, people. First of all, I had to narrow it down, because this show is so brilliant, my first list of favorites included more than 40 episodes. Clearly, that’s too many, even for a series of posts. Then, I got writer’s block. The show really speaks for itself, so what else can I say about it? I’m still not sure about that, but I have it narrowed down to a lean (haha) 24 episodes, and will try to give it a go. (Don’t worry – I’m not posting all 24 at once.)
First, a word on Frasier vs. Cheers. I posted my progress on the Cheers watching earlier this year, but never wrote a wrap-up entry. I never finished. I don’t know why, but I couldn’t bear to say goodbye to this show for a second time. The first time was painful enough.
So, for whatever reason, Cheers is super emotional for me. I don’t know why, so don’t try and figure it out. Frasier, on the other hand, is completely different. It was an absolute delight from start to finish. Almost every episode cracked me up, and it just made (makes) me happy. Even the sad episodes are so well done, they still make me smile. (They’re like Sex and the City – it’s a GOOD sad.) So, without further adieu, and in no particular order, I give you part one of my favorites.
Season 1
A Midwinter Night’s Dream: This is the first in a years-long series of episodes chronicling the Niles/Daphne saga. Niles’ plan to spice up his marriage by dressing up as a pirate backfires when the maid finds him before Maris does. She storms out of the house in a fury, leaving Niles alone. Daphne offers to help Niles cook up a romantic evening in an attempt to win her back. But the evening takes a sharp turn when bad weather keeps Maris from returning – and Daphne from leaving Niles’ house. I love this episode for many reasons, but mostly because it features Niles in a pirate outfit, and because it contains the now-infamous line: “Dr. Crane! Your glockenspiel has sprung to life!”
Travels with Martin: This is one of the episodes I remembered, even though I hadn’t seen it since it first aired, and I was only 12 at the time. Travels With Martin is a master class in writing. It sets up a simple, yet hilarious premise (the family takes a trip together…in a Winnebago), and the climax makes sense in the context of the story (they cross the border, only Daphne doesn’t have her green card yet, so getting back into the country is a little sticky). While the whole episode is one laugh after another, my favorite line comes from Niles. He and Frasier are bemoaning the prospect of taking another car trip with their father, and Niles says, “I was 13 before I realized cows aren’t blurry.” Here’s the set up for this gem of an episode:
My Coffee With Niles:For its season 1 finale, Frasier did nothing flashy; instead, the episode is shot in real time, and center around Niles and Frasier having coffee at Cafe Nervosa. Frasier realizes it’s been one year since he moved to Seattle. The two brothers talk about their lives, culminating in Niles asking if Frasier is happy. And that’s it. There’s a running gag with the waitress never getting Frasier’s coffee right, and of course they are interrupted by Daphne, Roz and Martin, but the premise of the episode remains simple. Because it’s so simple, and doesn’t have the farcical elements the show got known for, this episode is easy to overlook.
Coming up: More favorites, including The Matchmaker, Flour Child and Moondance from seasons 2 and 3. Stay tuned!
I know I’ve been a bit lazy about posting lately. That might not matter to you, but it does to me, so I’m going to work on writing about All Things Awesome more regularly.
And speaking of awesome: One of the reasons I haven’t been writing is because I’ve been reading other people’s blogs and feeling inferior. Case and point: You Suck at Craigs List.
You guys. Did you know about this site? And if so, why did no one tell me about it? Oh, lord. It’s hilarious. To quote Elizabeth Lemon, “It’s funny because it’s true.” Serious, eyes watering, gasping for breath, laugh out loud funny. It’s also a comment on the sad state of the world, and what the Internet has done to us as a society. But, I try not to focus on that, and instead enjoy the biting sarcasm and wit of the contributors.
