Review: 'Bunheads' - 'You Wanna See Something?': Candid Cameron
Michelle gets a new job while the girls pass a package around in the dramedy's welcome return
Michelle (Sutton Foster) goes to work for a magician (Michael DeLuise) in "Bunheads."
A review of the "Bunheads" mid-season premiere coming up just as soon as I wire a cardboard box for electricity...
I wish, in an odd way, that ABC Family had reversed the scheduling of these two batches of episodes. The first group aired in the summer, when I had time to write about each one, but at a time when the show was still figuring itself out. Now it's back at mid-season, a much busier TV time of year, and I suspect I won't be writing about it weekly anymore, but I really liked "You Wanna See Something?" and next week's episode, as well.
"You Wanna See Something?" has to undo the "Oh captain, my captain" cliffhanger from that time Michelle hilariously maced a bunch of children, but it also gets to demonstrate just how thoroughly "Bunheads" has found itself.
When the show started, I didn't see what value the girls added other than (vaguely) fitting the series into the ABC Family brand; now, it's hard to imagine it without all four, who each have clearly delineated personalities and comic identities. I also had major issues with using Hubbell's death as the excuse for Michelle to stay in town, and while I still think they were probably better off going another route, the Michelle/Fanny relationship has found a nice equilibrium, and the scenes tonight showing Hubbell talking about Michelle to the wedding videographer demonstrated the emotional value that the backstory can provide.
Plus, we had Boo's auto-tune (and the dance Fanny choreographed to it), Michael DeLuise once again being awesome(*) as Michelle's cheesey magician boss, the long rant about Henderson, and so many more jokes that popped.
(*) Why do more people not hire DeLuise? He's great at both comedy and drama, and I'm not saying that just out of "NYPD Blue" loyalty.
Very glad to have "Bunheads" back. Will write about it when I can.
What did everybody else think?
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Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupSarah
January 7, 2013 at 11:21PM EST Reply to CommentSo glad this show is back. Was bummed to hear in the podcast that you and Dan predict it is not long for this world. Will just enjoy what we have, I guess.
Loved the episode. Laughed out loud several times (probably the hardest at Boo's mother's line about finally watching the Friends finale. Was just random enough to crack me up.) And while I am normally not a fan of auto tune parodies on TV shows, adding the dance at the end made it worthwhile.
Have we seen the Bjork dance in the beginning before, or was that new?
Liz I don't remember seeing the Bjork dance before, but it was terrific. One of the best numbers they've done so far.
January 8, 2013 at 11:10AM ESTQWE
January 7, 2013 at 11:21PM EST Reply to CommentMichael DeLuise's most recent credit on IMDB is for a little seen horror movie that was filmed in 2009, and his most recent TV credit was his last appearance on Gilmore Girls in 2007. I know that being a working actor can be difficult, but I'd like to hope that his lack of recent credits is by choice.
Steven Flores
January 8, 2013 at 1:01AM EST Reply to CommentIt was good to see Michael DeLuise... he's funny as hell. I kept thinking of his T.J. character that he played in Gilmore Girls.
sepinwall "I'm in esc-uh-row!"
January 8, 2013 at 1:02AM ESTSteven Flores
January 8, 2013 at 1:32AM EST Reply to CommentIf "Gilmore Girls" was still around, T.J. would be related to the Gilmore family, much to the chagrin of Luke, Richard, and Emily. I could see Luke apologizing to his in-laws about T.J. and admit, he's an idiot. Still, T.J. is a funny guy. That "escrow" part killed me.
sepinwall http://youtu.be/BYK36PCugJE?t=44s
January 8, 2013 at 2:05AM ESTBrandy
January 8, 2013 at 2:18AM EST Reply to CommentI thought the first part of the premier was disappointing mainly because of the lack of Michelle. The show really doesn't flow well without Michelle, because she's the glue. I will say I'm very happy they got straight to the point, and brought Michelle back in the first episode. I did not want to see that stretched out for multiple episodes. Now we can finally move forward again.
Meagan
January 8, 2013 at 5:00AM EST Reply to CommentThe husb and I weren't fans of it for it's jumpy plot. He's bad at remembering what happened on previous episodes (even just weeks after they occurred), but even I had trouble following along a bit. It was funny, though, and I'm just happy to have the show back.
Chris Reynolds
January 8, 2013 at 10:46AM EST Reply to CommentSeveral "laugh out loud" moments. Thoroughly enjoyed.
eakawie
January 8, 2013 at 11:16AM EST Reply to CommentIs it worth it to jump in with this episode, or am I better off waiting until I can catch up on the first half of the season?
Brandy Well, if you started watching now you might be a little confused and miss out on some great things. I would say to watch from the start.The first 10 episodes are on the abcfamily site or available fore free if you are a amazon prime member.
January 8, 2013 at 3:30PM ESTRayme
January 8, 2013 at 11:39AM EST Reply to CommentI thought it was the best episode yet. The relationships among Michelle, Fanny, and the girls just felt right. And don't forget the hour of Switched at Birth - it was a great beginning of a new season.
Ed G.
January 8, 2013 at 1:15PM EST Reply to CommentThe wife and I are glad the show is back. Some really funny scenes last night. We thought it was really touching when Sasha ran over to Michelle and hugged her. The stuff with Truly was kind of weird, it didn't seem to fit this episode. I guess whatever's going on with her will get explained soon enough.
ralphgoings
January 8, 2013 at 5:46PM EST Reply to CommentNot to much PR that this show was back. So next week I will view it, and found this one repeated. But so happy it's back. Not checking what everyone thought!
Jen in Oz
January 8, 2013 at 7:40PM EST Reply to CommentI laughed out loud right at the beginning because one of my dancing daughter's tap routines is to the Bjork song. Liked the rest of the ep too. Michelle's look of utter boredom when she was assisting the magician was well done. Why DIDN'T he fire her?
morningstar
January 9, 2013 at 2:53PM EST Reply to Commenti just LOVE this show. I'm not or ever have been a dancer, I'm not a teenager and i don't usually watch ABC Family, but I just love the show and Sutton Foster is like Lorelei Gilmore's less annoying sister. Winner!
plat0n
January 10, 2013 at 10:09PM EST Reply to CommentStarted watching Bunheads out of Gilmore Girls loyalty. Now I'm watching it just because it is really fun and makes me warm inside.