The Grinder - General Discussion

[dcalley]

Rake Grinder. Fantastic!

[BW Manilowe]

Rob Lowe is being honored tomorrow (Tuesday, December 8th), by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, with star #2,567 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his many years of work in television. The star is located outside Musso & Frank Grill (a famous, & historic, Hollywood restaurant), 6667 Hollywood Boulevard.

The unveiling ceremony will take place at 11:30AM Pacific Time/2:30PM Eastern Time & will be live-streamed on the walkoffame.com website. It should be over by 12:15PM Pacific Time/3:15PM Eastern Time (in case anyone wants to try to "sneak watch" from work, or anyone wants to watch but is on a tight schedule tomorrow).

Speakers at the ceremony will be Rob's friends & present/past co-stars, Fred Savage, Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow, & Miramax Studios Chairman Tom Barrack (Rob is either an investor in, or full-fledged owner of, Miramax).

[lucindabelle]

Oh the aging swingers. So perfect. So hilarious!!!!

Reminds me of a commercial with hippies singing the age of Aquarius and then one says if you were at Woodstock, good news! Osteoporosis is reversible...

That dad and Yao are eager to talk about it I just adore.

[amaranta]

I was reviewing the list of Golden Globe nominees and Rob Lowe received a Best Actor / Comedy series nod.

 

https://www.goldenglobes.com/sites/default/files/2016_golden_globe_nominations_press_release.pdf

 

Note:  This link is to the full list of nominees for all categories, as released by the GGs this morning.

[laurakaye]

It takes me so long to watch an episode of The Grinder, because I am constantly rewinding to laugh at the jokes.

 

I can't imagine I will ever get tired of watching Dean and Stewart watching The Grinder...Dean, with his oh-so-serious eyes, silently applauding his acting performances in his mind, and Stewart, preoccupied with his paperwork, occasionally glancing up at the television in bemused disbelief.  Rob Lowe and Fred Savage are completely perfect and believable as brothers.  I'd love to see this show continue on for awhile - not sure what kind of ratings or publicity it's getting, but so far, it sure brings the laughs.

Edited December 10, 2015 by laurakaye

[ToxicUnicorn]

I was reviewing the list of Golden Globe nominees and Rob Lowe received a Best Actor / Comedy series nod.

 

He deserves it.  This role is a perfect match for him, or he for it.  I'm enjoying the heck out of this show - and am very happy to find tv finally funny again.  (Between this and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.)

[mtlchick]

So happy he got a nod!  That was one pleasant surprise to read.  

[BW Manilowe]

If anyone's interested, Rob's Hollywood Walk of Fame Star unveiling ceremony is on YouTube.

There's a "highlights" version, which lasts 6 minutes & a few seconds, here:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kolngL1itMQ

The full version, which lasts almost 28 minutes (but is worth watching, if you have/wanna take the time, for the speeches made in Rob's honor by the guest speakers--his friend/business partner Tom Barrack, his friend/former co-star Gwyneth Paltrow, & his friend/co-star in The Grinder, Fred Savage--as well as for Rob's own acceptance speech) is here:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pvVdqnu7ouQ

[AnnaRose]

I was happily surprised to see Fred Savage's nomination.  

 

 

2016 Critics Choice Awards nominations:

 

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Fred Savage – The Grinder

 

BEST GUEST ACTOR/ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Timothy Olyphant — The Grinder

[Eolivet]

My favorite episode of the series so far. The perfect mix of Lowe and Savage, and incorporating Mitch's celebrity in a way that felt different from the other times they've done that. Sometimes, I feel like his "star power" eats the plot, but this was really well balanced.

 

So thrilled to see this show not only picked up for more episodes, but getting award show nominations. Well deserved!

[BW Manilowe]

For those who see this in time, FX is airing all the eps from The Pilot through The Grinder Rests in Peace (which I think is the complete series, to date) from 7-11:30PM Eastern (6-10:30PM Central) TONIGHT, January 2, 2016. Check your local listings for the correct channel number for FX in your area, & the correct start time if you're west of Central Time.

Edited January 2, 2016 by BW Manilowe

[Irlandesa]

I didn't get to rewatch them all but I did get to rewatch most and very few shows have made me laugh recently like this one does. 

Edited January 3, 2016 by Irlandesa

[shdigu01]

Fav line don't take your shirt off unless it is "justified" I admit squealing like a fan girl seeing Tim..

[BW Manilowe]

Jimmy Kimmel is a/the guest star on this week's episode, per Entertainment Weekly. It airs tomorrow night at the new time of 9:30PM Eastern/8:30PM Central.

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/04/grinder-jimmy-kimmel-rob-lowe

[laurakaye]

When Fred Savage said the words "upside-down," I belly-laughed so hard I surprised even myself.  Did NOT see that particular detail coming at all!

 

I can't get over how perfect Rob and Fred are as brothers.  They play off of each other so well!

[BW Manilowe]

Dean spots Timothy Olyphant (as himself) romancing Claire, and feels justified in trying to "win her back" by taking the lead on a case involving her friend, but he resorts to questionable tactics. Meanwhile, Stewart is thrilled to be the subject of a reporter's feature story, but isn't so excited after Dean steps in and turns the focus on himself.

[mtlchick]

I would have enjoyed the meta prologue a lot more if Galavant didn't do the same thing 2 nights ago.  But Dean's rivalry with Tim is hilarious. 

[Julie23]

I loved that, for once, not everyone in the room was all about Dean, and the writer pointed out how awful he really is to his brother. But of course Dean didnt get it, "any press is good press" Not really Dean, not really. I do love the Tim Olyphant cameos, I guess he has nothing better to do since Justified is over?

[tennisgurl]

I am glad that someone out there can see that Dean is utterly ridiculous, even if it was not the nicest article. I like Dean as a character, but in the real world I would find him completely infuriating. 

 

Tim Olyphant can stay as long as he wants. 

[possibilities]

Dean is so horrible that I was really having a hard time getting impressed by the "brotherly loyalty" shown by Stewart. His total self-involvement, treating Claire like an object to be "won" through sabotage, and how he's disruptive not only of work but also everyone's personal life-- it's not even funny anymore.

 

The "Tim's a scrubby dumb lunk" and "Dean's a shiny but also dumb lunk" is the kind of joke that could be funny, but they are taking it into areas that aren't harmless mockery and are actually on the too obnoxious side of the line. It's making everyone else seem like morons to put up with or admire them, instead of like saintly sane ones the show wants us to take them for.

 

I like Stewart's wife and kids, but they're barely even sidekicks at this point.

[iMonrey]

The gag with Timothy Olyphant taking over Dean's show was funny but now it feels like they've taken it too far. What the heck is he doing in Boise? And since he's essentially just as self-involved and unaware as Dean I've kind of lost respect for Claire. 

[Traveller519]

I get Claire's motivations. She's indulging herself with the hot guy that she knows she can dispose of at any time without any real repercussions. When is Tim Olyphant going to return to Boise. Plus I'm not sure she isn't enjoying the needling of Dean.

[ProudMary]

Based on Live + Same Day ratings.

https://twitter.com/TVGrimReaper/status/684770508420718593

 

 

TV Grim Reaper ‏@TVGrimReaper  10h10 hours ago
Likely canceled #TheGrinder ratings (0.8) stay at their lows.

 

[twoods]

No show has made me laugh this hard in a long time. All if it is great- from Timothy's hamming to Deb's dead pan remarks. She is probably the best sitcom mom on a tv show. Dean groping that guy's bald head on the Grinder while he was hugging him was absolutely hilarious. Please don't cancel this show FOX! What a gem.

What I don't understand is why someone as smart as Claire is going for an idiot like Timothy, when Dean is pretty much as dumb as he is.

[Irlandesa]

What I don't understand is why someone as smart as Claire is going for an idiot like Timothy, when Dean is pretty much as dumb as he is.

Sometimes we're attracted to a handsome dumb guy X but not attracted to equally handsome dumb guy Y. Those little scentific and mental rules of attraction. 

 

I think there are some other factors playing into this.  Didn't Claire already kind of lust after Tim before she met him?  I agree with Traveller519 in that I think it's basically a fling for her. And I while Tim is dim and self-involved, he is nowhere close to being as obnoxious towards her as Dean.  She's pretty much calling the shots in her relationship with Tim. She was introduced to him while he was being an actor instead of an actor insisting he could be a lawyer.  She has made it abundantly clear that she's not into Dean and Dean, the father and the other employee basically ignore her on a continual basis.

 

If I were Claire, that last point would make Dean so much worse than Tim. 

[TheRabbi]

I absolutely roared at the opening meta-commentary on the show. No show makes me laugh like this one does.

[iMonrey]

 

When is Tim Olyphant going to return to Boise.

 

What is he doing there in the first place?!? If they explained that I totally missed it.

[Irlandesa]

He films in New Orleans. He comes to Boise to see Claire.

[meep.meep]

What I don't understand is why someone as smart as Claire is going for an idiot like Timothy, when Dean is pretty much as dumb as he is.

 

Maybe she's seen him lean.

[mansonlamps]

Because she's a small town lawyer and he's Timothy Olyphant, a really good looking, successful TV star?

[mansonlamps]

Ratings information is so disappointing, if this show doesn't make it I have no hope for the future of network sitcoms. It's got major star power in Rob Lowe, great supporting cast, strong writing and great guest stars. Plus it had a fair amount of hype.

[iMonrey]

 

He films in New Orleans. He comes to Boise to see Claire.

 

But how did he even meet Claire in the first place? 

[muessigkeit]

They met in "Grinder Rests In Peace" when everyone visited the set of "The Grinder: New Orleans" to watch Dean film his farewell episode, remember?

[Irlandesa]

Yep.  In an unlikely but hilarious twist, the Grinder: NOLA came to Boise to film so the whole family and Claire were allowed on set. 

[Big Mother]

I was a bit creeped out by Dean walking into his teenage niece's room without knocking while she was asleep. And walking into his brother and his WIFE's room while theyre asleep. You just don't do that.

 

Why is he still living with his brother? a successful, famous actor, and he can't find an apartment? a house? why is he not partying up with other celebrities? etc.? I'm a little confused, is this what happens to washed-up actors? Even famous ones?

[MaryPatShelby]

I wasn’t crazy about this one.  I kind of wish the show were about Stewart and his family; no Dean.  I’m not sure either about all the goodwill Stewart has toward Dean, even though he is doing nothing but messing up his life, and I’m getting really sick of William Devane treating Stew like crap in favor of Dean.  A little more balance in all areas could be just as funny, but more real.

[Duke2801]

Ok so I just discovered this show (I'm always behind the 8 ball on these things) and I've been bingeing it on Hulu and LOVING it.  The relationship between both Fred Savage and his wife and the relationship between he and his brother are written so well.  Humorous, but with some heart. 

 

But seriously?  Then they go and add in Timothy Flippin' Olphant as Rob Lowe's nemesis/TV brother?  I mean, come ON.

 

MakeMeLaugh, on 25 Nov 2015 - 09:27 AM, said:

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.

 

This--exactly!  I'm still mourning the end of Justified, and so to see Tim on my screen on a show I'm enjoying the hell out of was just wonderful.  Bravo, show!

 

I'm sad to hear that the ratings for this show are not great. :*(  I really hope this show gets another season. Or, as I've read others say, gets picked up by Netflix or something if it is cancelled.

[Duke2801]

I can do math, my point was Fred easily looks 20 plus years younger than Rob.

 

Wow I could not disagree more.  Fred does look young for his age, but Rob Lowe certainly doesn't look 20 years older than him. 

 

I like that Rob Lowe's face looks natural (I think he might have been using Botox when he was on Parks and Rec because his face did look less "lined"?) now. He looks amazing and I still find him as hot as I did when I first saw him in St. Elmo's Fire!

[Inquisitionist]

Timothy Olyphant has won a Critics Choice Award for his guest-starring role on The Grinder.

[Duke2801]

Big Mother, on 15 Jan 2016 - 3:33 PM, said:Big Mother, on 15 Jan 2016 - 3:33 PM, said:

I was a bit creeped out by Dean walking into his teenage niece's room without knocking while she was asleep. And walking into his brother and his WIFE's room while theyre asleep. You just don't do that.

 

Why is he still living with his brother? a successful, famous actor, and he can't find an apartment? a house? why is he not partying up with other celebrities? etc.? I'm a little confused, is this what happens to washed-up actors? Even famous ones?

 

I mean, it's a comedy.  You've gotta suspend disbelief a little (or a lot sometimes) to enjoy it.

 

As for why he's living with his family, I think they explained that pretty well in the pilot episode.  He's lived an abnormal life in Hollywood and he's been disconnected from his family for many years.  He is craving family intimacy and normalcy (and his brother is, what he considers, the "prototype" of a "normal guy") and feels like living under the same roof as them could the key to rebuilding those lost connections.   

Edited January 18, 2016 by Duke2801

[Duke2801]

meep.meep, on 07 Jan 2016 - 7:20 PM, said:

Maybe she's seen him lean.

 

I thought that was Jared Leto (aka: Jordan Catalano)? 

 

But, don't get wrong: Timothy (aka: Raylan) is a great lean-er too.  And sitter.  And stand-er. And walk-er.  You get the idea....  

 

I do love the Tim Olyphant cameos, I guess he has nothing better to do since Justified is over?

 

 

I wouldn't necessarily look at him as having nothing better to do.  He guest starred on The Mindy Project when Justified was at its height.  I think he enjoys comedic roles. 

[BW Manilowe]

Rob's brother, actor-director Chad Lowe, is directing Delusions of Grinder, the episode of the show that's currently in production for airing sometime next month (February), apparently.

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/19/grinder-chad-lowe-direct-rob-lowe

And here's a link to an on-set selfie of the brothers, posted to Rob's Twitter in the last few minutes as I write this.

https://twitter.com/roblowe/status/689605465701879808

[AndreaK1041]

I haven't found the episodes that aired in January nearly as funny as those that aired in the Fall. just me?

[Traveller519]

Deb is just fantastic. I haven't watched much "It's Always Sunny..." and my only other exposure to MEE was as Caroline, Nick's old girlfriend, on New Girl, a role that was mandatory yet I don't think anyone really could have brought a lot too.

 

Kudos here. Her interactions with Stu, Dean and the kids have always been great. And she really sets up the supporting characters well (her terrible assistant, and Andre this week).

[MaryMitch]

Everyone needs an Andre in their life! 

[ae2]

I was really expecting them to use Andre as a stand in for Rob Lowe every time we saw him from behind. Didn't seem to be the case though. 

 

I liked the children at first but the past few episodes they've been nothing more than set pieces. One of them replies to the parents with a snarky remark, and the other adds "yeah, exactly [whatever they said]." 

 

The show actually acknowledged that William Devane's character doesn't have much of a role other than being quirky when needed. That made me happy.

 

"Because he's gay."

[NorthstarATL]

I cracked up when Dean asked Claire what her offer was.

[Julie23]

I continue to love Fred Savage (Stewart) and his wife. I am with them on the whole over Dean thing. Let him take his shtick elsewhere. I know the show is supposed to be about him, and Rob Lowe nails it as the clueless narcissist, but I hope they have something that can sustain a show, cause this is getting old fast.

[tennisgurl]

I love Stewart and Deb. They are like an island of sanity in a world gone mad. A world full of people are listen to Dean WAY too much. 

 

The meta opening was great. I hope this continues to be a thing. 

[random chance]

I haven't found the episodes that aired in January nearly as funny as those that aired in the Fall. just me?

 

I haven't seen the other January episode yet but there was something off about this one.   It just wasn't as fresh and original as they usually are.  I hope some misguided exec isn't interfering with it.