The Grinder - General Discussion

[lucindabelle]

I adore this show. Nobody seems to be dumbed down which I realize is so unusual! Any other soap would have drawn out the faux friendly obnoxious assistant situation. I loved that it didn't go on and on,

I had an assistant a bit like that too, which is howbiblearned never to hire someone you can't fire, she worked for me and for my boss and routinely played both ends against the middle. She was ultimately laid off... I was too young to just openly complain but it might not have worked anyway, she was a yiu g girl and I was in my early 30s and I shspect our male boss would have thought it was some girl thing and had she cried he'd have folded,

[CinAZ]

Rob Lowe is doing an outstanding job on this show. Just enough camp and seriousness.

[xander874]

My favorite scenes every week are the bedroom chats between Stewart and Deb. Fred Savage and Mary Elizabeth Ellis have such good chemistry and those talks come across as so natural. 

 

I just hope they start spreading the wealth and giving underdeveloped characters like Lizzie and William Devane storylines. I love the brother interaction but would love to see Dean branching out more (like he did with Ethan's play).

[Quickbeam]

I did not see that coming! I should have, I've been watching TV for half a century. Still, surprise. Any as always the funniest show on TV.

[Dots And Stripes]

I'm not sure I really wanted to know that about Stu and Dean's parents. 

 

Small point, but Stu's kids can't remember 5 years ago? Deb filled one of the kids in on the old Thanksgivings, which we later found out was just 5 years ago. 

 

Always love seeing Jason Alexander. I like the new wrinkle of a Grinder spin off. The terrible puns were fun too.

[BusyOctober]

William Devane finally brings the funny! "We lived the Rock 'n Roll lifestyle back then. It was a different time."

"Dad, it was 5 years ago."

" Rock 'n Roll never dies, son."

Rob Lowe AND Timothy Olyphant?? Shirtless??? Now I know what I'm truly thankful for this year.

[MakeMeLaugh]

Raylan!!!

[mtlchick]

 

Rob Lowe AND Timothy Olyphant?? Shirtless??? Now I know what I'm truly thankful for this year.

 

Gobble gobble INDEED.  

 

Stewart and Dean's freakout at the end learning the truth was hilarious.

[random chance]

I did not see that coming! I should have, I've been watching TV for half a century. Still, surprise. Any as always the funniest show on TV.

I know!  I sat there thinking "I have watched a billion hours of TV and yet I did not see that coming, how can this be?"  And I mean, I have watched so much TV that I get nervous whenever anyone in real life says something like "wow, things could not get worse!" 

 

For the life of me now I can not remember the specific last line of the Grinder spinoff promo ("__somethingsomething___ just. got. hard!") even though I laughed out loud at the time.

 

This show is just wonderful. 

[MaryMitch]

For the life of me now I can not remember the specific last line of the Grinder spinoff promo ("__somethingsomething___ just. got. hard!") even though I laughed out loud at the time.

It was something about New Orleans. Maybe "Grinding in the Big Easy... just got hard" ?

[neciamorris]

Delurking....

 

The line went:

VO: The Grinder...New Orleans

Olyphant: The Big Easy...just got hard

[Irlandesa]

It was something about New Orleans. Maybe "Grinding in the Big Easy... just got hard" ?

Oh that's terrific.

 

I actually did suspect that the father knew about the affair but I couldn't figure out if it was going to be because their marriage was already essentially over and he just didn't care or if they were swingers.  (I read a lot of Savage Love--Dan Savage that is, not Fred). And I'm so happy the show went with swingers. 

 

I also absolutely loved the fight when Dean was trying to get Stewart to tell him why he stopped doing Thanksgiving.  Rob Lowe and Fred Savage have always had good chemistry but it was exceptional there.  Also continuing to be exceptional?  Stewart and Debbie's relationship.  These two do the small things so well. 

 

I wonder if we're going to keep getting little blurbs from the spinoff.

[Grommet]

Debbie's "Never ask that again" response to the son asking what they were talking about was my favorite line of the episode. She's such a great character.

[AndreaK1041]

The scene in the bedroom was hilarious. "Think about it... Picture it..." Plus the Sacajawea on Lifetime line was even funnier in context than on the promos.

I'd like to think the guest stars give this show Hollywood cred. I like it more every weekend am now terrified it won't last.

[Dowel Jones]

Raylan!!!

 

That one line:  "unless it's...Justified"  made the whole scene.

[gpgurl50]

I liked seeing how Dean left the show.  Also, it was great that Dean really appreciated Stuart's accomplishment.  Together they fixed Thanksgiving.  

 

Obviously, the best thing was Timothy Olyphant's sudden but inevitable betrayal.  I was rooting for you, Tim!  And honestly, I still am.

[twoods]

Awesome episode. I love that their dad knew about the affair and was nonchalant about it, and Tim's betrayal. This show continues to make me laugh every week, and all of the characters are so likable (Deb is my favorite).

[asha]

I was just casually checking out the show like I normally do- it's almost like an easy listening radio station- funny, doesn't require too much effort, and there's always this nice tinge of nostalgia from watching Fred Savage. Then Timothy Olyphant turned up and I started yelling at my television (in a good way- is that a thing?). I knew the betrayal was going to happen, but it didn't matter because it meant more Olyphant chewing up the scenery. I only hope this is a story arc.

[MakeMeLaugh]

I mean really, just when I thought there was no way to make this show funnier, cooler, more special and surprising and insanely well written--why not unexpectedly toss in the incredible Tim Olyphant. As himself! Genius, just genius.

[HelenBaby]

What cracked me up was when Stewart & Debbie were telling Dean about the incident between their Mom & Yao, and that the mom was standing up yadda yadda yadda, Debbie said "She was really into cross fit at the time". That throwaway line caught me off guard. Lol

[riverheightsnancy]

Great show. Just love it. Is it getting good ratings?

[possibilities]

I've been kind of on the fence about this show, but this week I loved it.

 

RE the ratings, they're kind of mediocre: http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/24/fox-renewcancel-standings-week-9-2015/

[mansonlamps]

I've been kind of on the fence about this show, but this week I loved it.

RE the ratings, they're kind of mediocre: http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/24/fox-renewcancel-standings-week-9-2015/

Actually "kind of mediocre" seems generous.

Edited November 26, 2015 by mansonlamps

[Irlandesa]

Yeah, people who predict whether or not a show will be renewed have this show going from a toss-up to "likely to be canceled."   It'll all come down to comparisons and it is helped because FOX owns it.

 

That said, it'll get a new time slot after Brooklyn 99 which will be a better lead-in than Grandfathered in January. 

[tomatoflyer]

I've never enjoyed holiday-themed episodes, so this wasn't my favorites episode, but the ending (both with dad being in on the Yao thing and the grinder new Orleans) were enough to make this an okay episode for me.

[mtlchick]

 

RE the ratings, they're kind of mediocre: http://tvbythenumber...gs-week-9-2015/

 

Fox announced that as of this week they are no longer using the data for the same day live and DVR and will focus on live + 3 Day stats.  So in short, we have to hope shows like this get a sizable boost by the Friday.  

 

http://deadline.com/2015/11/fox-live-same-day-ratings-stop-1201631918/

[Spicymustard]

I'm liking the show more and more each week. I thought this episode was great and laughed many times. Hope they can get the ratings they need.

Live plus 3 day stats? How do they get the ratings anyways? Do they know when we watch on our dvrs?

[mansonlamps]

I think they have no real way to measure the audience right now and are feeling their way through. Unfortunately it took them way too long to figure out that previous ways of measuring this data are useless and we may have lost a lot of good shows unnecessarily.

[TheRabbi]

Fox is steering away from same day ratings because their entire network, except Empire, is doing horribly, this show included. The Live plus 3 data can be a little more generous, but not much. At this point, it all depends how we perform after Brooklyn 99 in January.

Damn this episode was amazing. By far the funniest show on TV right now. I love every damn character, and Tim's guest star role was perfect.

[BW Manilowe]

Fox is steering away from same day ratings because their entire network, except Empire, is doing horribly, this show included. The Live plus 3 data can be a little more generous, but not much. At this point, it all depends how we perform after Brooklyn 99 in January.

Damn this episode was amazing. By far the funniest show on TV right now. I love every damn character, and Tim's guest star role was perfect.

Empire may not be doing all that well this season, either. Just saying. I read on Twitter today that this week's ep hit a series low in the ratings (at least the second time that's happened this season)--though I know Fox isn't emphasizing/using the overnight ratings any longer (maybe stuff like that is why).

[Shermie]

I don't normally watch this, although I enjoy it when I do. This episode was great.

A standing 69? Impressive, especially at their age.

Rob Lowe: I'm really starting to regret pulling at that thread.

[Mrs OldManBalls]

A standing 69? Impressive, especially at their age.

 

The CrossFit people should work this into their sales pitches.

[Irlandesa]

Empire may not be doing all that well this season, either. Just saying. I read on Twitter today that this week's ep hit a series low in the ratings (at least the second time that's happened this season)--though I know Fox isn't emphasizing/using the overnight ratings any longer (maybe stuff like that is why).

Empire is down this season compared to the astronomical figures it did last season but it's still a big hit. It's the top rated scripted show in the demo. Thanksgiving Eve is not good for ratings and isn't representative.

 

I think they have no real way to measure the audience right now and are feeling their way through. Unfortunately it took them way too long to figure out that previous ways of measuring this data are useless and we may have lost a lot of good shows unnecessarily.

Nielson's weren't/aren't useless.  They don't capture the whole viewership picture but they do capture the most straight forward way to monetize a program...i.e. through advertising.  They're far from perfect but a show that is a hit in live viewing is usually a hit in delayed viewing/online viewing. Low rated shows can gain viewers using other means but it doesn't shuffle the deck that much between the successes and failures.  Although, we don't know how online plays into this because everyone is pretty cagey about online viewing figures.

[Dots And Stripes]

Probably my favorite episode yet. It's interesting that they killed off the Grinder, although something tells me if Dean really wanted to go back show with in a show would find a way to bring him back, shirtless of course.

 

The show seems to have figured out that they want Dean to have an arc and not just have him meddling in a case of the week for Stewart. Whatever they're doing, I'm enjoying it. 

 

Also Fred Savage is very underrated. 

[Irlandesa]

Vulture did a profile of Fred and Rob on set together.  Fun read.  http://www.vulture.com/2015/12/rob-lowe-fred-savage-odd-couple/slideshow/9/

[Irlandesa]

I am really impressed with how this show can have such over-the-top characters and can run over-the-top when focused on him and yet it can also be so serious. 

 

I'm glad Claire hooked up with the new grinder. 

 

I adore this show.

[SomeTameGazelle]

I'm glad Claire hooked up with the new grinder. 

 

I laughed out loud and for a long time at Stew stepping into Dean's last scene as the Grinder, but I would have laughed even harder if Timothy had decided he would prefer Claire leave if she didn't want to spend all evening watching and discussing The Grinder.

Edited December 2, 2015 by SomeTameGazelle

[BW Manilowe]

It looks like this might be the last ep/last new ep until January. I follow Rob Lowe on Twitter (I was following him before The Grinder, not following him because of it) & I follow the account for the show which was set up by Fox.

At/towards the end of the ep tonight, all the Twitter accounts connected to the show (most of the other actors, except William Devane, are on Twitter) Tweeted that they'd be back in January, at their new time of 9:30PM Eastern (I got the Tweets from the cast members I haven't started following yet--Fred Savage, Mary Elizabeth Ellis [Debbie, Stewart's wife], Hana Hayes & Connor Kalopsis [Deb & Stewart's kids]--through Retweets from Rob's account or the show's account).

[Irlandesa]

There was an ad about the Jan move but that would be a bummer.  I want a Christmas ep.

[Dots And Stripes]

The traffic or weather on one of my local radio stations was sponsored by the Grinder. The radio person said it was the last new episode of 2015. The good news is, Fox was promoting the show. I also found it interesting that it was just advertisement for the Grinder, not for the Grandfathered/Grinder hour.

[redpencil]

I adored everything about this episode, to the point that I can't bring myself to delete it from my DVR yet. It demands a rewatch. Loved everything having to do with Dean's commitment to the character. "I tried, but he was the Grinder. The Grinder doesn't know who I am!" LOL. And of course the whole scene with Mitch and Barry Grinder (ha!). Rob & Fred play off each other so well. That small moment when Dean breaks character slightly when he asks "so you want me dead" and then is immediately the Grinder again was fantastic. Even in the middle of this totally ridiculous scene, there's character development.

 

Even the minor characters on this show are so great. Todd's line "Cliff Bemis, the creator of the Grinder" had me laughing for awhile.

 

/off to rewatch

[alexa]

I really thought this one was funny too.  I loved how Claire was playing along with the contract thing in the office once she "understood" that might make Dean leave their workplace to return to the Grinder.  

[Good Queen Jane]

The scene that really had me laughing was the one in the morgue at the end. Of course, Grinder NO would make love on the cold dead body of his brother. My second favorite scene was The Original Recipe Grinder's death in the courtroom. "The Grinder rests...in peace" indeed!

 

Fun episode!

[Traveller519]

"Who would want to watch a show about the Grinder's younger, less-handsome brother?"

 

"I...I think there would be a market for that."

 

AND

 

"Stew, what are you doing. Dean's been doing this his whole life, you can't just pick it up and do it. He went to school for this."

[asha]

Fred Savage has real comedy chops. I hope this show doesn't get cancelled, if only so that there might be a chance to see gratuitous shirtless Timothy Olyphant periodically.

[tennisgurl]

As soon as they showed them n the morgue, I knew they were going to do it right there, on the body. 

 

I love how, in the Grinder universe, there is no air conditioning in New Orleans court rooms. 

 

I am really glad I decided to catch up on this show over Thanksgiving weekend. Its a lot of fun, and Fred Savage and Rob Lowe are great together. 

 

Plus, additional Timothy Olyphant action! I hope we can check in on him and his spin off from time to time. 

[Tiggertoo]

I've never been a huge Rob Lowe fan but I have to say, I'm really enjoying this show. This episode was really funny.

[MakeMeLaugh]

So impressed that real Tim Olyphant is down with having character Tim Olyphant follow character Dean's lead in the schizo-level obsession about their Grinder characters. Such funny subtleties combining to elicit not-so-subtle belly laughs. Genius writing and acting.

Edited December 3, 2015 by MakeMeLaugh

[Thog]

This episode was even better than the last. I feel like this show is really finding its ground; I just hope it also finds its audience, because my life needs more Fred Savage in it.

[VartanFan]

My love for this show knows no bounds.  And so it will definitely be cancelled.  So many brilliant things about it and I just wish it could pick up some (lots of) steam!