Cannes Film Festival 2013

Tuesday night comedy open thread

What did everybody think of last night's Thanksgiving and non-Thanksgiving episodes?

<p>Jamie Lee Curtis stopped by "New Girl" last night.</p>

Jamie Lee Curtis stopped by "New Girl" last night.

Credit: FOX

For a variety of weird reasons, I didn't get to see any of last night's sitcoms in full, and due to the demands of a three-day work week, I'm not going to have time to get back to them today. So time to trot out something I used to do quite a bit in the early days of the old blog: an open thread. If you have specific thoughts on last night's comedies on FOX, ABC or NBC — whether it's something I regularly cover like "New Girl" or "Happy Endings," or something I've long since moved past like "The New Normal" — have at it. (I'm actually kind of curious about whether "New Normal" has gotten any better or fallen deeper into its own bad habits.) Did you like seeing Jamie Lee Curtis and Rob Reiner back in the sitcom world? Do you wish that "The Real World Sacramento" had actually happened? Did you find it amusing that, on the day it was announced that Anna Camp was stepping back from "The Mindy Project" regular to a recurring guest star, the show (from what I saw of it) finally remembered to give her something to do? 

Additional housekeeping on Thanksgiving getaway day: I'll have a review of "Parenthood" (which I did see in full) coming later this morning, another post tonight around 9 Eastern (and maybe something sooner if there's breaking news, like another cancellation on a classic Take Out the Trash kind of day), another post on Friday morning, and then back Sunday with posts on my usual four Sunday dramas. Because only two of the four (the HBO shows) were available to me through yesterday, they may not all be full-length reviews, but it'll at least be an opportunity to discuss them.

Back on something resembling a full schedule next week. If you're about to head to the airport, happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the turkey coma.

 

Alan-sepinwall-sm
Alan Sepinwall
Sr. Editor, What's Alan Watching
Alan Sepinwall has been reviewing television since the mid-'90s, first for Tony Soprano's hometown paper, The Star-Ledger, and now for HitFix. His new book, "The Revolution Was Televised," about the last 15 years of TV drama, is for sale at Amazon. He can be reached at sepinwall@hitfix.com

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    Bgklein

    One of my favorite "Raising Hopes" they've done. Maybe because it felt like the Chicken Fingers "Community" episode with all of its clear homages but the way they worked in the pony's head in the bed was great.

    And yes, I wish there was more of Real World Sacramento. Any time Jane is in her Gwen Stafani period I can't help but laugh at it.

    November 21, 2012 at 10:14AM EST Reply to Comment
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      j I feel guilty about this, but I love watching Chance Garcia playing young Jimmy on Raising Hope. Am I encouraging the exploitation of a child, or recognizing embryonic greatness? I get so confused.

      November 21, 2012 at 11:44PM EST
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    steve_weintraub

    Just once—once—I would like to see a sitcom Thanksgiving episode NOT end with a destroyed turkey. Is this so hard? Come on, people. Write something new.

    That said, a good, if not spectacular New Girl. Loved seeing old pros like Reiner and JLC, they seemed very game to it all.

    November 21, 2012 at 10:19AM EST Reply to Comment
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      LoopyChew Evidently you didn't watch Happy Endings.

      ...although the inferior one was secretly disposed of.

      November 23, 2012 at 10:24AM EST
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    Mike

    That was my favorite Go On to date...had its usual sweet moments, but for the first time was consistently funny as well...as soon as Parenthood ends they need to sign up Lauren Graham

    November 21, 2012 at 10:25AM EST Reply to Comment
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    hnic1971

    Elisha Cuthbert with her open eye napping killed me. I do wish there was more Sacramento Real World. Happy Endings was good as well-loved Rob Reiner & Jamie Lee Curtis guest spots.

    November 21, 2012 at 10:26AM EST Reply to Comment
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      the minister Sacramento Real World, LOL. It's a lot funnier if you've ever been to Sacramento, lemme tell ya.

      Seems like something cool for those little end outs... Troy & Abed in the Morning style.

      November 22, 2012 at 1:08AM EST
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    leemats

    Loved the Brady Bunch gag on Go On. I saw Lincoln over the weekend and wanted to laugh every time Julie White appeared onscreen.

    November 21, 2012 at 10:27AM EST Reply to Comment
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      Tom Yes, I had a smile every time I saw her as well. I thoroughly enjoyed the bit last night with her kids loving Ryan and her absolute horror in response.

      November 21, 2012 at 9:23PM EST
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    Bern

    New Girl was pretty good, both Jamie Lee Curtis and Rob Reiner did a nice job and the entire cast got some good plots (even Winston!).

    Happy Endings was pretty much on the same level, with Dave's plot the best he's had for a while.

    Goon was very good and I hope they bring Lauren Graham back asap, the introduction of her character is the first indication that Goon actually has some sort of long-term plan with Ryan.

    Ben and Kate was a little less focused than usual but the episode overall worked just fine.

    Apartment 23 had an OK episode, with some good moments but nothing to write home about here.

    I really liked the first few episodes of The Mindy Project, but man, this was just a mess from start to finish, really disappointing and my confidence in the show was very much shaken.

    November 21, 2012 at 10:27AM EST Reply to Comment
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      Ted Schmoesby there was a RAT in the breakroom of an OB/GYN office...and the DOCTOR just fed it and kept going like it was no problem. RAT...in a DOCTOR's office...no big deal. that's all that needs to be said about that episode of TMP

      November 21, 2012 at 12:38PM EST
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    amg

    So awesome to see Reiner and Nick on the couch together, bonding over their shared life perspectives; not to mention the awesomeness of seeing Reiner play slightly Archie Bunker-ish now that he's aged into the pessimistic wise guy! Curtis did a typical fantastic job too, and quite convincing as the kind of mom jess would have. Really fantastic folks to have as guest and hopefully returning guest characters!

    November 21, 2012 at 10:29AM EST Reply to Comment
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    ed w

    When the dust had settled, Go On surprised me with being the best, both of the night and of that new series to date. And I'm not especially a fan of Lauren Graham.

    Ben and Kate introduced a new dynamic and I was left unsure if this was a new permanent change in how two of the characters will relate to each other or a soon to be forgotten minor thing.

    Happy Endings did its constant-chatter among pretty people thing, as good or better than usual. Apt 23 had a good supporting turn by an actress playing B's mother.

    Mindy - any episode that doesn't feature like 50% or more Danny tends not to work well and this proved to be the case again.

    November 21, 2012 at 10:43AM EST Reply to Comment
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      Ted Schmoesby I think the Ben and Kate thing foes completely ignored until much, much later (if they make it that far)

      November 21, 2012 at 12:42PM EST
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    Kendra

    I liked Raising Hope. It wasn't the best Godfather parody I've seen but I did appreciate what I felt were homages to Breaking Bad with the cooking scene set to music.

    I felt Happy Endings was just sort of there and hasn't consistently worked for me like it did last season.

    I am in opposition with many here as I felt both Apt 23 and Mindy had their best episodes of the season. MH was great once again as Chloe's mom and I loved seeing a horrible proposition by Chloe (June faking paralysis) turn into a rather sweet gesture. The B plot at the homeless shelter also worked.

    I also found it kind of ironic that Mindy finally gave Anna Camp's Gwen something to do. The fight was hilarious. I also appreciated them showing a character who chooses to be alone on Thanksgiving. I can relate.

    November 21, 2012 at 10:54AM EST Reply to Comment
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    Chris L

    Just a word of warning to those wishing HE would give us more Real World Sacramento:

    There was a time not so long ago when we all wished HIMYM would give us more Robin Sparkles.

    November 21, 2012 at 10:58AM EST Reply to Comment
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      Ted Schmoesby unfortunately I think a lot of people would sign on to a Robin Sparkles spin-off right now over the main show continuing any longer

      November 21, 2012 at 12:43PM EST
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      the minister I gotta say: I like a good Happy Endings better than I ever liked HIMYM. Even "Slap Bet."

      Okay, it's gotta be a REALLY good Happy Endings to beat "Slap Bet", but still.

      November 22, 2012 at 1:01AM EST
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    ChampSkins

    Thought Happy Endings was pretty good. New Girl was also about on the same level, love Rob Riggle. Everything else was kinda Blah for me.

    Also, I have been on here the past few weeks almost campaigning for Anna Camp to get a bigger role in Mindy Project... But after last night and the news that came out, she is WAY too good for that show.

    November 21, 2012 at 10:59AM EST Reply to Comment
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    DavidJ

    NBC Lineup:

    "Raising Hope"
    I skipped it because it feels like the writers have gotten into a rut. All of the recent episodes are feeling like "heist" episodes. They are always dressing up and coming up with some kind of scheme. It's getting old.

    "Ben & Kate"
    Pretty good episode. Ben & Kate is becoming the strongest show for the NBC Tuesday night line up only because of its consistency. It's always fresh and new. I wouldn't say that last night's episode was their best, but it had the same quirky tone as the others. Maddy is still underused to be so cute and mentioned so much by her mom and Ben.

    "New Girl"
    This was an okay episode. It seemed like the show was trying to go off of the hype of the special guest rather than actual comedy. The Smitt Off was entertaining. It would have been nice to see CC's boyfriend because he has such a presence about him. Winston was well placed. Jess was her typical self. All in all, it was just an okay episode. Funniest part was the Winston/Smitt Off.

    "The Mindy Project"
    I actually missed this episode, but I'm sure I didn't miss much. The Mindy Project has the potential to be a great show, but it's still trying to find out what it is. It doesn't really fit in the Tuesday night line up very well. It tries to be a Grey's Anatomy meets quirky comedy with the characters- which is essentially Mindy's personality. I think it belongs on another night.

    November 21, 2012 at 10:59AM EST Reply to Comment
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      Jim Good comment.......except these shows are on FOX.

      November 21, 2012 at 7:50PM EST
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    Garrett

    I've only gotten to "Happy Endings," which was funny as usual. This is probably the kind of pet peeve that reflects badly on me, but I really wish "The Real World: Sacramento" hadn't been in hi-def and widescreen.

    November 21, 2012 at 11:04AM EST Reply to Comment
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    Haynie

    Best part of "New Girl" was when Nick's flirting with Jess' mom went too far and then he and Jess were reacting to it. Jake Johnson is just killing it this season.

    November 21, 2012 at 11:34AM EST Reply to Comment
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    Col Bat Guano

    I found New Girl to a dull retread of a standard sitcom plot without any of the offbeat weirdness that makes the show stand out. It had its moments, but still kind of blah.

    November 21, 2012 at 11:39AM EST Reply to Comment
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    Dr. Dunkenstein


    Was I the only one who thought the Dave subplot on Happy Endings was kind of in amazingly bad taste? I mean, I get it, he's going the whole "1/16th Navajo" thing but then to have his day interspersed with "hilarious" riffs on the various misfortunes that happened to Native peoples over the course of their genocide? I mean, it's still a genocide. Lol infected blankets, because you know, because those actually killed a lot of people.

    Something tells me they would not be able to get away with an episode where a Jewish character went to germany accidentally got a Star of David tattoo, his possessions taken and forcibly put on a train to Auschwitz(to visit the memorial in a tour group, LOL!)

    November 21, 2012 at 11:48AM EST Reply to Comment
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      Crow3711 Stop being so sensitive.

      November 21, 2012 at 11:57AM EST
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      Aaron At the end they have all the characters tell Dave how his comment of "living the the Native American experience in a day" was offensive to land the joke of it all (implying that Dave was being a naive idiot for thinking his day paralleled any historical tragedies). Like everything else about Dave's Navajo "roots", he doesn't understand anything past the superficiality of it.

      I can totally see your hypothetical Jewish storyline happen to Max, though.

      November 21, 2012 at 12:14PM EST
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      Ted Schmoesby yes, you are likely the only one.

      November 21, 2012 at 12:47PM EST
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      Subversive I dunno... Seinfeld did it pretty well with Schindler's List.

      November 21, 2012 at 7:58PM EST
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      the minister I am SO onboard for that Max subplot.

      Needless to say, I was not offended by the Dave one... (and I am 1/64th Cherokee... although, I'm pretty sure when Grandma told me about my "Cherokee" ancestor she meant my black ancestor.)

      Best Dave subplot in a while /agreed.

      November 22, 2012 at 1:05AM EST
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    Brian S

    Raising Hope and Go On were both fantastic. Might have been the funniest Go On to date. Agree with somebody above - hope it's not the last time they use Lauren Graham.

    November 21, 2012 at 11:54AM EST Reply to Comment
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    CB

    I largely liked both "New Girl" and "Mindy" last night. Loved basically everything Schmidt's cousin did, as well as the creepy look in Jess's eyes when she caught her parents making out in the bathroom.

    As for "Mindy," I agree that the A story wasn't great. The Mindy/Gwen fight was funny, but I was confused about why it was happening. I also felt like there was no need to bring Ed Helms into it at all. I did really enjoy all the Danny Castellano moments, as well as Jeremy interacting with Betsy's family (although, since when are they friends?). I think the show is still finding its legs, but there's enough potential that I plan to keep watching.

    November 21, 2012 at 1:32PM EST Reply to Comment
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    Kmarko

    All the signs for Mindy becoming really good are there. Last night's wasn't the funniest, but it's going in the right direction. Particularly liked Dr. Costellano calling the mouse a jerk.

    November 21, 2012 at 2:26PM EST Reply to Comment
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      Oaktown Girl Can anyone tell me what Dr. Castellano was doing in the very last scene with his smart phone? Was he saving the Thanksgiving photo that Mindy sent him?

      November 21, 2012 at 4:36PM EST
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    nath

    Alan, do you watch Ben and Kate at all? It's turned into my favorite new comedy of the season by a fair amount and I'd love to see you write a little on it.

    November 21, 2012 at 2:40PM EST Reply to Comment
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      maria Same here. It has been consistently good to great all season, and the characters and their chemistry together are fantastic. It's often the best of the night IMO. I wish more people were watching it.

      November 21, 2012 at 4:12PM EST
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    J

    Well, since no one else has weighed in on The New Normal, I guess I'll be the one to tackle that. I don't think the show is amazing, but I do think it's settled into being a perfectly amiable half hour. They've definitely dialed down the shriller elements (though they pop up occasionally) and have found an underlying sweetness to a lot of the characters. Even Ellen Barkin's character has gotten some interesting notes to play about her fears regarding growing older and watching her granddaughter repeat her mistakes. That being said, the show is still only occasionally laugh out loud funny. But if I view it as a half hour dramedy, I find myself enjoying it most weeks. If you're looking to check out a couple of episodes that show how its progressed I'd maybe suggest episode 5 ("Nanagasm") and episode 7 ("The God-parent Trap.")

    November 21, 2012 at 4:03PM EST Reply to Comment
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    Guest

    Watched HE, TMP & NG and thought they were all really funny! Loved Winston & The Scmidt-off; loved that Penny had the Rachel haircut (of course she did!); finding Mindy K phenomenal (normally I hate main characters in an ensemble show - Carrie Bradshaw, Meredith Grey, Ali McBeal to name a few supremely annoying examples - but I adore Mindy's character and find she's the perfect blend of relatable/quirky/outrageous).

    November 21, 2012 at 4:52PM EST Reply to Comment
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    B

    Well, the Friends-HE comparisons continue, with Brad and Jane's eventual relationship the result of Jane initially looking for Brad's roommate, a la Monica with Chandler and Joey.

    Laughed more this episode than I have the rest of the season, though, with Dave's plight at the clam shop and Alex sleeping with her eyes open.

    New Girl was good, though not as great as the last two episodes. Nick bonding with Jess's parents was funny, and JLC and RR were great additions.

    November 21, 2012 at 6:24PM EST Reply to Comment
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    chip_christian

    I was really looking forward to hearing Allman Skynyrd!

    November 21, 2012 at 9:34PM EST Reply to Comment
    • Replying to myself because who else would?
      Figure the band consists of Dickey Betts and Gary Rossington. Artimus Pyle and maybe Larry Junstrom as the rhythm section? Gregg, Butch and Jaimoe are still employed.

      November 21, 2012 at 9:43PM EST
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    marc

    Yeah, Go On was pretty good. Lauren Graham was amazing, some very funny physical comedy as well.

    November 21, 2012 at 10:31PM EST Reply to Comment

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