Banana Scoop

I wasn’t able to comment on how the season [and series] opening of the television show’s I’ve been watching.  In all honesty, each opening could have it’s own article dedicated to them [those will be saved for a later date], but in essence of time, consider this a check up commenting on how strong each series is so far, and where they can improve.  This is a good time for a check up because one cannot judge how well the series will do this season based on the opener, but rather the follow up episodes that will likely be more closer to setting the mood of the entire season run.  Hit the jump to see if you agree.  Spoilers ahead, watch your step.

Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation left us a cliffhanger with several plot holes open allowing us to get excited for season 4.  With the introduction of Leslie’s campagin and Patricia Clarkson as Tammy One the cast has a new and fresh dynamic together.  Ann Perkins is no longer a random nurse that visits a lot, however she remains the blandest character on screen, which isn’t the worst part because I can feel the writers know this and they’re trying to make her move  involved.  As for Aziz Ansari, he seems to have taken the role as the random character that pops up every once in a while.  It will be interesting to see if his quips get stale.  Ron Swanson castrated was a pleasure to see.  He needs a fu***** Emmy.  But not as much as Amy Poehler who continues to shine as Leslie Knope.  Hopefully this season she keeps up the same award deserving attitude as season 3 Leslie Knope.  This comedy series shows the most promise and I have high expectations for it to deliver the laughs.

Community

A cliffhanger that was essentially ignored within the first five minutes, Community didn’t open as strong as I had hoped for.  The beginning song was amazing, but unfortunately the rest of the episode didn’t live up to the beginning.  That’s not saying this isn’t a great show, because it’s clever.  While I say it’s clever, it’s not necessarily funny as its Parks and Recreation and the Office peers.  It’s hard to have a good balance of clever and funny, the only show I know that has accomplished this is Arrested Development.  I feel creator Dan Harmon might be trying too hard to be clever and not trying hard enough to be funny.  And with a talented and diverse cast we have, I feel as though they’re relying too much on Britta and gay jokes, both of which are getting old.  That being said, this likely has the greatest potential, given the success of season 2, but so far, it still needs to impress me.

The Office

This is the most interesting season, given it’s the first season without the famed Michael Scott.  The actual season finale in my opinion was a disappointment with the hype NBC gave it with it praising all its celebrity cameos that only showed up for 30 seconds.  With Andy Bernard being given the title of manager, so far the series doesn’t seem to be completely doomed it’s old frontman.  One reason being the inclusion of James Spader as Robert California, CEO of Sabre and Dundler Mifflin.  His presence is surprisingly extremely funny in a weird and admittedly sexual way.   Another reasong being The Office has always had strong supporting characters, and it will be interesting if the we’ll be getting Kevin and Stanley fatigue in the same way we got Jim and Pam fatigue when the spotlight shifts away from its center stage manager.

Dexter

There’s only been one episode, but I might as well comment anyways.  A deliciously dark opening with awesome moments of awkwardness with Dexter playing football and dancing.  Last season, Dexter was getting over the death of his wife.  This season, he doesn’t really have to seem any restraints besides Harrison, and his new [and hot] babysitter seems to have that covered.  So I think this might be Dexter’s bloodiest season he’s had in a while.  I’m interested if Tom Hank’s son Colin antagonist can match up to the immortal season 4 antagonist John Lithgowe, but we’ll see.  And with Dexter’s sister almost catching him, who knows what could possibly happen this season. Dexter’s pretty well known for killing important characters, so anything can happen.

New Girl

Zooey Deschanel is simply adorkable.  That being said, so far the show itself is a one woman show.  A one woman show that can get old quick unless the supporting characters get more involved and become more developed.  The boys seem very one dimensional and while they serve as comedic relief, their shticks get old.  There can only be so many episodes where Deschanel’s character Jess has a emotional breakdown about her break up and about Schmidt being a douche.  I’m interested where they’ll take it this week, but the show needs to start pumping up more clever humor and not circle around Deschanel so much.  But with ratings as high as they are for this show, the creators have plenty of time to bloom this into what can potentially be the most adorable series on television.

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia

I can’t believe there have been seven seasons of this show.  And it shows, after seven seasons, these characters looks so absolutely horrible with age and weight, it’s hilarious.  According to creator Rob McElhenney, they were aiming for their characters to look worse because the general flow of tv shows is that, ‘characters start looking better as tv series go on’.  Elhenney himself put on 50 pounds ‘just to be funny’.  Charlie has wrinkles and rings in his eyes, Dennis has aged appreciably, Dee looks like a woman past her prime, and Frank Reynolds’s hair slowly gets closer to Bozo the Clown’s.  All that being said, the comedy is still there, and this gang of friends are still the group of selfish jerks they were 7 seasons [and years] ago.  If there was ever a comedy series that had seven consistently funny seasons, it has to be Always Sunny. [I haven’t watched Seinfeld, but I’ve heard good things].

Saturday Night Live

Melissa McCarthy.  End of story.  If you haven’t seen this episode, go now and watch it.  She sets the bar for how a[n?] SNL host should perform.

The Big Shows on my queue but haven’t watched yet: Breaking Bad and Terra Nova.  I should be slapped on the hands for not keeping up, and I will catch up one day.  Just give me time.  I’ll be back in a couple of weeks to do another check up.

Tell me what shows I’m forgetting.