Traveller519

I hope the move to Sunday Night plays out rating-wise. For my money this is one of the top network comedies out there right now. This episode only further solidified that. Everyone seems to be growing based on development. Rosa gave a damn about her friend, and the situation wasn't awkward. Terry openly stated that he didn't believe Jake and he were more than work friends, but was willing to give it a shot, Jake embraced responsibility, Amy stood up to Holt, and Gina was a voice of reason without ulterior motives. The comedy comes because the foundation is so key.

Maybe it was just me getting numb to it, but I thought the show got better as it progressed. The first 10 minutes or so was bascially a "Tonight Show style" set-up for his stand up. I think the parallels drawn to Spun Out are apt. That show was pretty uncomfortable early on as nearly everyone was new to the game, but it did find it's feet. Overall the show just felt...forced. Yeah, I think that's a good word. It's a pilot, and I like the cast so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, but I really hope everyone settles in. John needs to relax. Nasim and Martin don't have to overact quite so much. I hope the drug dealer character gets canned. And then I think you've got the makings of a sitcom.

Wow, the cast was really phoning it in there. Not that the writing gave them much to work with. Getting everyone involved with the first pitch (Like with Sheldon and his fear of public speaking) would have made for a more interesting, tighter episode than bantering between that story and more Ross/Rachel, err... Leonard/Penny drama.

Way to come back strong, B99! I think it dealt with the exposition necessitated by the summer very well. Such a strong ensemble that can have any character interact with any other character without a loss in Chemistry as each has its own relationship.

I expect the first episode of the season to be a little shakey. The cast and writers don't spend their whole summer getting ready for week one, they head off and do their own things. The first couple episodes are going to have some time re-establishing chemistry and getting the kinks out. Aidy missing lines in the Cold Open is proof of that. I don't think this episode was one of the classics by any stretch, and was underwhelmed by what Chris got to do, but it was enjoyable to get it back. I'm glad they opted to go for a WU reboot with the opening and back drop, and Colin seemed to be doing more of his own thing and less of a Seth Meyers impression. The more they can play off one another, the better. WU is always better with two people in my opinion. I too, thought of immediately of the Key & Peele East-West Bowl game, when they went to the intros, but I enjoyed having Jost (I'm the Punter!) and Che in there. Leslie's great at what she does, but she's not what they needed in a cast member. They need someone who can do impressions, which I doubt would be her forte. Bad Boys was an incredible skit, hitting on all the right notes for me. Good Neighbor is the best when they get to go full Good Neighbor.

I can forgive the Air Force Base stupidity with respect to Creel and the SHIELD inventory. SHIELD was a multi-national intelligence organization that dealt with the fringe dangers out there. The US military doesn't know what any of the stuff is or what the powers of these people are (they had a 30 second run-in with Creel when he was apprehended) SHIELD's intelligence didn't automatically become part of their databases. I enjoyed the show, obviously a lot of exposition for the coming season, but Skye's grown up about 5 years, some new characters to play with, and some more serious talent. I like having Coulson running things from the office, that way we don't need to see the ridiculous visuals of him getting out of a landing craft in his suit with a bullet proof vest over it.

This may have been my favorite Rosa episode next to the Pontiac Bandit. Watching her take delight in things falling apart with the wry smile was excellent.

Whomever the wardrobe person is this season (James, I guess) does have an odd sense of what he wants to put on stage. Lachlan tweeted after his head to head with DC that he didn't pick the outfit. Alingon had quite the ensemble going too with the jacket and hoodie. And man has he enjoyed putting the black male comics in those leather/vinyl t-shirts. At any rate, I saw the "all three advance" coming from a ways out with the whole "something never before seen" tag, still I got a bit sick when Nikki was the first one announced. Her best stuff was in the roast and universal tour, which tells me she really needs to work on her material (like I said last week, putting in some pacing material would be good too). The longer set, and performing two sets so close to one another tonight exposed her weakness. Her personality can deliver a high energy first bit, but it's too much for an hour long set. I think she'll harness it, she's got as much drive as any comedian I've seen. Since Roesanne had the sparkly eye make-up/wardrobe she was sporting in her interviews during the Special they ran over July 4th weekend, I'm guessing the whole finale was shot in LA back in early June. The studio show probably had all the previous comedians, including the ones selected from the finals for the first comeback challenge, performing. Which is why Nick Guerra was there as well. I imagine they were all introduced to the studio audience as the "winner" of the comeback challenge. All told that was probably 13 or so 3 minute sets from the eliminated comedians, 2 5+ minute sets from each of the three finalists and Russell and Roseanne's bits, it would have been good if we got a bit more of the material from the other eliminated comedians instead of all the set up filler, but I guess you don't want your eliminated contests upstaging your finalists. I saw some people mention over the past two weeks that they didn't know much about Russell before tonight's show. He didn't do a great set, but his albums are good, though it is mostly cultural humor as he hinted at in the first episode. I know he hasn't made a huge dent in the states but in Canada and England the guy does a good turn. According to Forbes he was the 3rd highest earning stand-up comedian last year.

Like many others have said, I think Nikki's strength is short bursts, but I'm growing tired of her week over week. She's not repeating core material like Dat Phan, but similar to him, she's funniest in those little moments of high energy, over a longer show I wear out on her. I think her Forte could actually be Roasts. That's where I found her the funniest and the time limit of those segments plays well to her strengths (a la Gilbert Gottfried ironically enough). Conversely, if she could learn to broaden her set from the high energy stuff with some slower paced material I think she could make it work like Brian Regan has for so many years. She's grown on me. Lachlan won't win. He may be the most well rounded but he doesn't excel anywhere. I think he would be good hosting a variety show type thing. Mix his stand-up with People on the Street interviews, sketches, etc. Maybe a toned down version of Jeselnik's show. It wasn't Rod's best set, but he's clearly the strongest comic. He should win, unless NBC executives think they're more likely to build a show around Nikki (or, try to deflect some of the SNL criticism....but I think taking 7 black females into the semi-finals was probably the more overt attempt to address that).

After watching the Sklar Brothers together, I think it would be hilarious to see Jerry deal with them prattering on together. Though I think they may have been critical of Seinfeld in the past...that is pure speculation and could easily have been someone else.

I'll be interested to see the post-show success of this group. Rod and Lachlan probably have the broadest appeal, Joe and Nikki have their quirky hooks, Monroe is a great writer, Aida has good stage presence but needs to work on material, DC I could see improving his stock. Looking back over the previous seasons in terms of success coming out of the show, Season 2 appears to be by far and away the strongest (though I still have scars from endurring the comedy of Ant and Tammy Pescatelli). Alonzo Bodden, John Heffron, Gary Gulman, Kathleen Madigan, and Todd Glass have all enjoyed strong careers coming out the back end. Season 5 also had lots of talent. Biggest individual successes are probably Gabriel Iglesias (S4) and Amy Schumer (S5).

I agree with a lot of what you're saying with respect to Joe. A lot of his material has been the one-liner delivery, but previously they all had a common theme (or mostly did) that he tied the set together with. He also doesn't have the Mitch Hedberg-esque timing to do the one-line bit followed by another right now. I felt uncomfortable with his ski, and figured he was a likely candidate to go this week, but do believe he's still cashing in some extra goodwill from the Monroe show-down. Also the "gang" "team" stuff wore on me, it sounds too much like the principal trying to be your friend and "rap" with you. Nikki is hit or miss for me. I haven't bought into a lot of what she's done, but last week at the roast and this weeks set were good comfortable routines for me to get on board with. Unless she lays down a killer set next week, or Joe really runs out I'd say she's probably the most likely candidate to head home If I'm handicapping from here: Rod Man (2 to 1) Lachlan (4 to 1) Joe (6 to 1) Nikki (10 to 1)

What got me was the "Reporters Covering Things They Wish They Didn't Have To" segment, I think it reinforces how most of these people get into journalism for the right reasons, but unfortunately the news that "sells" and drives ratings isn't what's necessary to inform. I think it's really the business element of the news corporations that's feeding the spiral in news quality we see.

One of my Movie Channels had a John Hughes Marathon this weekend. There really needs to be a John Hughes tribute month or something.

Joe definitely seemed to be running on fumes come the head-to-head. His jokes work with the overall premise with little tags thrown in throughout. Tonight his set seemed very disjointed compared to what I've seen in the past. I think he got a bit of benefit for burning so much material last week. That said, Karlous certainly didn't do anything to help himself. The guy started out so strong and just seemed to drop every week. The impression I get is that he genuinely enjoys stand up, and is probably a good performer if you get to see his whole set, he just got here and realized this wasn't what he wanted to do. The Roast was kind of meh for me, it was weird having them roast an actual celebrity, especially one who is a fixture at roasts. In the previous season when they did the roast and they just roasted one of their own, that worked a bit better in my opinion. That said, it was the most I've laughed at Nikki's material in a while. She earned that win, but you then got to see Gilbert sleepwalk through his take downs of the comics. I also enjoyed the shots everyone landed on JB. That was the best part of Rod Man's set. I'm sure Kromm is really happy to see Leno will be back on NBC next week!

It looked to me like Monroe conceded in the final round. He was shaking his head about going to a one joke format, and just brought more material from his second set. In the "middle heat" I was certain he'd won until Joe close out his bit on a high note between "I texted him the whole way home" and "He Died." That format fits well to Joe's style. Monroe needs a lot more set up in his material. I am still convinced Monroe will get a writing deal out of this, his material is good personal stuff that is different from a lot of comics. With an editor and some mentorship I think he could go a long way. Hey, Lorne, I think I know someone to help fill the void left by Michael Che. I don't know if it was the exact same group for all of the tours but there were definitely some folks that were on multiple tours. I couldn't imagine sitting through that thing 7 times. They must have been employees in training or Universal supervisors or some such. It is interesting that those who have won the previous weeks head to heads have won immunity the following week. I wonder how well this speaks for Joe in the Roast challenge, though I can't imagine that being his forte. Karlous' set in the round of 100 was great, and he seemed like a genuinely good guy in the behind the scenes episode chatting with the other comics and giving some insight into his time in Mississippi. That said, he really looks like he doesn't want to play the game. I don't know if his material will be able to carry him at this point if he's not giving the producers good material through the other elements of the show.

You know, I think Brooks, John and Noel could have a pretty good little sketch troupe of their own. Between Noel's hipster vibe; Brooks' Bro-ness; and John's dorky fun style, they have a lot that plays well off one another.

I see Seinfeld is going to be on the Daily Show this week promoting the series, for Stewart's episode...Synergy!

In the middle of the Summer burn-off on my DVR. Rewatched the Pilot last night, I enjoyed it more than the initial time I watched it just knowing about the characters. Interestingly, I noticed they didn't start off with "It was 1980-something" just said, "It was September 4th" As I continue to re watch the episodes I have to say, The Goldbergs may be the most FUN I have watching tv right now. Either that or Brooklyn 99. I have no illusions of the Goldbergs being great or clever or witty, but it is fun.

Whelp, I feel exactly how I thought I would. I knew the cast needed to be smaller, but didn't want to see anyone lose their job since for the young guys it's their pinnacle thus far. On the plus side, it seems there is life after SNL for the prematurely departed. Brooks best skit of the year for me was the 12 Years a Slave auditions, which I believe he wrote as well. I enjoyed listening to his riffs on Weekend Update, and he could fill that "Tall Handsome Guy" role if Taran was already holding down a starring role in a sketch. All the best, Brooks.

I concur, radishcake. And as excellent as Do it on My Twin Bed was, I wasn't overall thrilled with Fallon on SNL this go around. My feelings about Modern Family and TBBT and awards have been made, though I feel like those guest spots were worthwhile nominees. Can't comment on Buscemi in Portlandia.

For someone who made his career of highlighting little things that people do that annoy him to no end, and the exhaustion of being nice all the time, I have to say that Jerry really comes across as someone who gives a damn about his fans and is happy to oblige them, at least that's what the editing shows. But I think the fact that he chooses to do the show in this format is evidence enough of that. The Aziz epsiode did highlight that he has a slightly more difficult time with people who aren't his friends. Both seemed like they felt a little awkward, which I get, their styles don't really overlap.

It's also important to note that the estate tax, like income tax is marginal. So if you do qualify for the $5m threshold, it's only the amounts over that will become taxable. I just looked up the thresholds, it's amazing how quickly they've marched up. It's a little scary to look at how effective the Bush government was at providing tax relief for high income earners and wealthy individuals during those years.

Income inequality is one of the best examples of how a lot of people's politics can change with age and experience. A lot of young adults starting their lives do see the income inequality as an issue and would like to see their own situations better set up. However, as you move forward in your career, move up in tax brackets, start a family, own a house and what not suddenly costs start to pile up things like income and property taxes seem like much less of a good idea, not to mention you are marching towards that $5m estate threshold. (One part of this piece I didn't like was John dismissing the fact that you're not the one paying the estate taxes because you're dead. True, John, but your family is and inherently we want to leave our family well off). The problem is that we as a North American society have become addicted to getting things on the cheap, which is suppressing wages and salaries and has put those jobs that created a strong middle class a half-century back on other continents. John made a better point last summer on TDS when the minimum wage debate was ongoing that minimum wage hasn't kept pace with inflation. The fact that the income disparity is on pace with the roaring 20s is scary. Most of your 1%ers are Republican because the economic policy (and coexisting tax policies) serve their political agendas, whereas a lot of the social policy of the party they really have no interest in. The scary thing is that it's that social policy is what helps get them get the votes from a big portion of the population, a long with selling this story that everyone can become a 1%er. Hence the "class warfare" talking point. I really enjoyed most of what John had to say on the topic (one exception noted above). What I think he, and the president, need to do is highlight to his audience and those that can afford premium cable, how reestablishing a stronger middle class is beneficial to everyone, even if there is some pain along the way.

Do they do guest role awards for Comedy at the Emmy's? I don't think I saw that category on the nominee list that I saw. I think the poppy-seed epsiode would have got him a nod.