Blog Archives

Living in an Odd Van Down by the Comic Book Store in Malibu

Spoiler Alert: Information from last night’s CBS lineup (The Big Bang Theory, The Odd Couple & Two and a Half Men) and The Goldbergs are revealed below

From sunrise to sunset, yesterday was crazy.

First, battling a cold completely confused my mind, which resulted in a non-Goldbergs blog post. Have no fear though, that’s partly what today is for.

Erica wanted vehicular freedom from gas tank-obsessed Murray, so she manipulated Barry’s A-Team singing sweet spot that results in the best/worst van purchase of all-time. Meanwhile, Adam sought to rid himself of being known as “the nice guy.” This brought out Adam’s inner Don Rickles and Andrew Dice Clay, to the obvious anger from his family/comedic targets, to amplify his rep as the class clown. Adam’s journey to discovering his identity in middle school was an all too real portrayal. We try so hard to fit in and to be the person everybody else wants us to be. It’s a terribly awkward, embarrassing and frustrating moment in our lives.

In middle school, all we wanted and needed was for someone to be nice…

As for Erica and Barry becoming known as “van people” in their neighborhood (including their principal), all it took was delicious secret corn, the B-Team (for Barry) gas tank emptying and two genetically stubborn people conversing (Erica and Murray) to realize living in a van was not an ideal situation. Plus, the ’80s classic, “The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby & The Range helped significantly.

It’s a wonderful thing to have such a nice, funny family on television.

————————————————————————————–

Second, CBS owned last night’s sitcom battle. As in completely and entirely. The evening began with an emotional Big Bang Theory that finally dealt with the real life death of the wildly funny Carol Ann Susi/Mrs. Wolowitz. It coincided with the re-opening of Stuart’s comic book store with a sharper look, including some familiar furniture as pointed out by Howard. Plus, the phrase “let it go” got a genuinely welcomed resurgence back into our psyches thanks to Penny (inside joke for viewers of the episode).

Following the #1 sitcom on television was the premiere of CBS’s next great sitcom, The Odd Couple. Written as a modern revival to the ’70s comedy, it stars Matthew Perry (Oscar Madison) and Thomas Lennon (Felix Unger) as, well, an odd couple of roommates. For a pilot, it was fantastic! The writing and on-screen chemistry started slowly, as expected. But, by the end, the characters and writers revealed a promising (and hilarious) spark that will build into a roaring good fire of laughs. Like most great sitcoms, it will take a season or two to find its rhythm and pulse of its characters and story. Recall the necessary patience and development it took Seinfeld, Frasier, That ’70s Show and Friends to find its genius a few seasons in. The Odd Couple has an awesome cast and as they continue to fall into their respective roles more naturally as time goes on, this show will prove to be really special. Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon have finally found their successful follow-up roles to their iconic television characters of yesteryear.

And then there were these, “men, men, men, manly men, who hoo who would show up?”

Following an unlikely 12-year run on CBS, Chuck Lorre’s raunchy, addictive and tumultuous sitcom came to an end last night. Having been at the taping for a couple scenes in the series finale two weeks ago today, which included Rose revealing Charlie was alive in the Malibu living room with Alan, Evelyn and Walden and Jake’s surprise return, it was still a tightly-held secret if Charlie Sheen would actually return. As curious viewers discovered, Charlie made a cameo as a Warner Bros. cartoon and, courtesy of a convincing stand-in from behind, in the must-see final scene. The finale had plenty of laughs, especially with funny pans and one-liners to studio cameras about the show and a series recap with guest officer Arnold  Schwarzenegger interviewing Alan and Walden as part of their pursuit to find the raging and “Silence of the Lambs-escapee” Charlie from Rose’s Sherman Oaks dungeon.

It was sad to see the show give its final curtain call, but it was time. Given the circumstances with Charlie Sheen and Angus T. Jones, Two and a Half Men could only continue for so long. One of the cool things about seeing a show taping live is learning inside information. In honor of the show’s success, and the fact it managed to be the longest running sitcom in television history, we learned that night that Warner Bros. would be renaming Stage 26, “The Two and a Half Men Stage.”

That’s winning.

As is this:

(CBS)

(CBS)

Happy Monday!

As we prepare to ring in the new year later this week, it’s important to have the right attitude. Entering 2015 with the proper mindset is paramount to achieving all those resolutions we’re planning (well, at least 1 or 2 of them anyways). Among other characteristics, confidence and bravery are quintessential to success. Perhaps no other family demonstrates these traits quite like the Crane boys:

How will you spell “winning” in 2015?

Hopefully not, “Charlie Sheen.”

Enjoy the Final Monday of 2014!

How to Live in Malibu with No Money: By Alan Harper

As my parents and their friends prepare to enter the Malibu-beach house world of Two and a Half Men later tonight, I hope that they will witness a hilarious and cleverly written episode filled with classic one-liners from Berta and a Walden Schmidt/Ashton Kutcher who isn’t afraid to (once again) jump up the viewing rail and into the audience for some in-between scene singing and fun.

Most of all, I wish them the best of luck in spotting the one thing on the show’s set that has been virtually nonexistent for the past 10 1/2 years. For many, it’s an urban legend. A myth. For the rare few who have caught a glimpse of this mysterious and shocking object in the past, it’s undeniably mind-blowing. And yet, it can still leave one in absolute disbelief at what they’ve just seen.

Dare I write that a sighting of this item is downright life-altering.

If you do spot this treasured gem (well, it’s a knockoff), proceed with caution because it will take your breath away…

The wallet of Alan Harper: It’s filled with everything a father, brother, boyfriend and friend would ever need to carry with him at all times…except money.

(from an episode earlier this year)

Alan: “Can I get my free refill please?”

Movie Snack Guy:”Sorry sir, that offer only applies on the day of purchase.”

Alan: “I know…I purchased it today.”

Movie Snack Guy: “This is a Finding Nemo Cup.”

Alan: “…and you found him!”

After requesting a fresh bag of popcorn…

Alan: “Alright, alright, just tell your manager that Alan Harper would like to speak with him when he has a moment. He knows me.”

Movie Snack Guy: “We all know you.”

Bottom of the Eighth

“As a celebration of the magic of movies involving baseball, at least one scene from a different film will be posted each day for the next nine days…”
—From “Top of the First” March 28th

Cleveland, Ohio is one of the heartbreak cities of sports in America. For decades, their teams have not been able to catch the ultimate break and reward the “Sixth City” with a major professional championship. Is there anybody who can become the “savior” of this city? (no, not him). How about a man with an incomparable style, somebody who has a certain women-loving way about him and all with a tolerance for speed that nobody can match?

Not for the reasons you’re thinking of, but yes: Charlie Sheen.

Could he lead “The Tribe” again? Just in the rare circumstance he declines, below is a “how-to” guide for the next wildly successful Indians pitcher. 

Glue a skull to the front of your glasses, walk onto the pitcher’s mound, turn your back to the baddest hitter in the game as he struts to home plate, put the glasses on, spin around and pull off a stare-down worthy of a Wild West duel. If you do this, then you’re one pivotal step closer to becoming a certifiable “Major League Wild Thing.”

Below is the instructional video:

After that high-pressure strikeout, you know the Cleveland Indians fans were chanting, “Winning!” in some way or another.