Cru Jones Society

It’s that time of the year when the weather begins to cool, the leaves are on the brink of changing colors, and television is gearing up for new episodes and new series. I can’t say I’m looking forward to any new series, despite NBC’s best efforts to promote them. You watched the Olympics; you know what I’m talking about. Christian Slater is his own worst enemy! Molly Shannon plays plans to annoy the piss out of you… AGAIN!

Sure I’m looking forward to “The Office” and “30 Rock,” but who isn’t? What follows are the four other shows that I’m really looking forward to. Don’t touch that dial, or wait, um touch that mouse and read on?

“The Big Bang Theory” Mondays 8pm et/pt, CBS

Johnny Galecki, better known as Darlene’s boyfriend, David, on “Roseanne,” and Jim Parsons, better known for a reoccurring role on “Judging Amy.” Alright, maybe he’s not better known as that, but that’s what I found on imdb.com. He was in “Garden State” as that guy working as a knight at Medieval Times. Anyway, those two star in “The Big Bang Theory” as a couple of super geniuses who, as you might expect, are socially awkward. Along with their two other friends they spend most of their time trying to out nerd each other.

Fortunately for them a smoking hot babe moves into the apartment across the hall. She befriends them and attempts to teach them social norms - a task made difficult by the “Garden State” knight’s need to state everything scientifically or mathematically. Much like this: “Oh, well, this would be one of those circumstances that people unfamiliar with the law of large numbers would call a coincidence.”

The nerd comedy is what I really enjoy in this show. It should come as no shock that it’s what I identify with best on this show. Not so much the brilliance in physics, but the love of comics and nerd things. There are also the inane arguments that come from such nerdom, and lord knows I’ve been in plenty of those, usually with other CJS authors and readers.

“The Big Bang Theory” also has an underlying theme of trying to fit in while still being yourself - a difficult task when being yourself involves worship of H.G. Wells and dropping “the law of large numbers” in casual conversations.

Favorite Moment From The Series

Galecki purchases the time machine from the original film adaptation of H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine. Upon sitting in it and after an argument of what time he should travel to, he pulls the lever and on cue the other nerds move and undulate as if the machine were working. It is hard to convey this moment in words, especially if you aren’t familiar with The Time Machine, but if you can imagine a bunch of nerds undulating while pretending to time travel, it’s pretty damn funny.

This moment is on key with somebody reenacting their favorite play from a sporting event, or Lil’ E Dagger holding a sword above his head and announcing, “By the power of Grayskull, I have the POWER!”

Amazon.com Reviews

“My husband, a doctor, recently watched one of the discs with me and was enjoying it completely until…. until he realized that twice in one show HIS words were coming out of Sheldon’s mouth! At that point, he said, “A little too close to home for my taste” and walked out - to go play a video game Nuff said!”

“Jim Parsons’s character “Sheldon” is quickly climbing the ladder to be among my favorite TV sitcom characters of all time. He has a way to go to pass Frank Bonner’s “Herb Tarlek, Jr” from “WKRP in Cincinnati”, but he’s getting close.”

“I can’t believe it’s not British…”

My Thoughts Upon Reading These Reviews

Is Herb Tarlek Jr. number one on that list? Really, your all time favorite TV sitcom character is from “WKRP in Cincinnati?” Glad you’re thinking outside the box, or circle, and not choosing Kramer or Joey or Hawkeye.

I can’t believe it’s not British either. What with all their very popular comedy shows like “The Office,” “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” and, um, wait, what other really popular comedy shows came out of Britain? If you say “Mr. Bean” then I officially hate you.

“How I Met Your Mother” Monday’s 8:30pm et/pt CBS

This show has a man telling, what are presumablyhis kids, the story of how he met their mother. Where do they come up with the names of these sitcoms? Once established that there are two kids listening to an adult tell a story, we are shown five late twenty-somethings living their lives, and all the events that lead to this man meeting the kids’ mother. That would seem only natural.

What I enjoy about this show is that it is similar to “Friends” and how I love that show. I love it so much that I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant. Alyson Hannigan is in this show, and with jet black hair she is looking even hotter than before, which I didn’t think was possible.  Also this show co-stars a certain NPH, and we all know how awesome he is. Oh and did I mention that this show is narrated by Danny Tanner himself, Bob Sagat? Now you may recall him narrating “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” I guarantee you this is nothing like that.

Favorite Moment From The Series

The music video for “Sandcastles in the Sand.” Check it out. To clear a few things up, in the world of HIMYM, this video was made in the 80’s and the character singing is from Canada.

Amazon.com Reviews

“The biggest problem I have is that they changed much of the scoring and music selections within the shows. Instead of containing the songs and music from the broadcasts, they have been replaced by unknown and less evocative music. For example, in the episode “Drumroll Please” they replaced “You Don’t Knom Me” by Michael Buble for this heartwrenching romantic scene with some neutral generic waltz music…detracting from the scene considerably. In the same episode, the final scene was originally done to Pavement’s “Spit on a Stranger” which brought lovely color and climax to the finale of the episode, but on the DVD, it was another generic piece of music. I imagine these were cost saving measures to prevent paying royalties, but it lessens the greatness of the show…and the show really is great.
For this transgression, I have penalized the DVD one star for taking a great show and not keeping it intact during the transfer to DVD.”

My Thoughts Upon Reading These Reviews

Dude, you are the lamest critic ever. Also, kind of harsh. Docking one whole star for the inability of a show to secure song rights? I would give the DVD two more stars for this alleged transgression, one star for each crappy song that was omitted.

“Entourage” Sundays 9:30pm et/pt HBO

“Entourage” follows young up and coming actor Vincent Chase. Stardom hasn’t gone to his head as he brings his best friends with him to live the movie star dream. As to not feel like total mooches, each one of his friends takes a job working for Vincent. His best friend, E, becomes his manager; Turtle is his driver, not like a chauffer but anytime they go somewhere he’s behind the wheel; and Vincent’s older brother, who is also an actor, not as successful, is the cook. The show centers on how these four young men from Queens are living the phat life in Hollywood. The parties, the celebrities, that American dream that we all want.

I would be doing a grave disservice if I didn’t mention Jeremy Piven and his role as Vincent Chase’s agent, Ari Gold. Ari is what most people who don’t have agents would expect them to be. He’s fast talking, loud, and an all around ass. He believes in and likes Vincent, who’s also his cash cow, and because of this he frantically worries about him. He treats Vincent as if Vincent were Ari’s teenage son.

As CJS reader Keithage has recently pointed out, very few people still hang out with, let alone even talk to, their high school friends. My best friends are people I met in high school, which makes the camaraderie of the show feel real to me.

Favorite Moment From The Series

Since the show takes place in the world of the film industry, most cameos are celebrities appearing as themselves. Doing such allows certain scenarios to occur. For instance, Vincent’s brother gets cock-blocked by Bob Sagat. Turtle makes fun of him for getting cock-blocked by Bob Sagat. Anyone getting cock-blocked by Bob Sagat is funny. And an article with two references to Bob Saget is bizarre.

Amazon.com Reviews

“Entourage is for guys what sex and the city was for women.”

“I’ve only seen half an episode so far. The show seems interesting”

“If you’re a guy between the ages of 16-35, you’ll love this show.”

My Thoughts Upon Reading These Reviews

After seeing half an episode, approximately 15 minutes, you decided that your voice must be heard. And what are these words that the shoppers at Amazon.com must hear after such a diligent watching? “The show seems interesting.” Look out Roger Ebert, I think we have found your equal.

“Psych” Fridays sometime, I usually catch the replay later that weekend. USA Network

I should probably note that “Psych” is on a different season schedule. They just finished their season last week, and a new one doesn’t start until January. So technically it should not be on this list. But I love it. Besides, this will give you a chance to watch the early seasons and catch up for the new one.

Sean Spencer has a keen eye for detail, a fact that only his dad; and best friend Gus know. Sean uses his gift to convince the local police force that he is psychic and that a psychic could help them solve crimes.

Sean likes what he does and has fun doing it, but then he has fun doing damn near everything. Gus isn’t as thrilled with helping his best friend, but does so anyway. Sean and Gus are often paired with the straight arrow, by the book, senior detective and his young, but head-of-the-class female partner that gives the series the will-they-or-won’t-they Ross and Rachel tension.

This show is much like “Scooby Doo,” except with less less dope addicts and a talking dog. But there is a mystery to be solved and the culprit is usually one of the non-regular characters that we first meet and after 60 minutes everything is wrapped up in a neat little package. Since I love “Scooby Doo” it only seems natural that I would be drawn to this show. The quick wit, and numerous pop culture references kept me tuned in. I also enjoy trying to see if I can figure out the criminal and motive before Sean does.

Favorite Moment of the Series

While investigating a crime at a sorority house, Sean needs to divert the attention away from him. He does this by stating that Gus was the kid who played Bud on “The Cosby Show.” Gus does look a lot like that kid all grown up. It did what Sean had hoped and all the girls began to ask him questions about it. It also proved what white people constantly think, “all black people look a like.”

Amazon.com Reviews

“I think this series is excellent. The chemistry between the actors and the humor kept me coming back for more! I love how Shawn “sees” clues and then we later find out how it all comes together to help him and Gus solve cases. LOVE IT!”

“If you like Monk or something with a Houseish feel, I highly recommend this series for you :D”

“Seriously, I’m so glad I stumbled on a mini-marathon of Psych during my Christmas break. It was so amazing that I cancelled what I had planned for the day and watched them all. Then I hunted down Season One, ordered it and cackled my way through that. Friday nights at 9pm on USANetwork became de riguer for me. I arranged by dates, dinners, movies, you name it, around my sacred funny-bone hour of Psych.”

My Thoughts Upon Reading These Reviews

To the first review: You like how at the end we see how it all comes together? Really? You like the way writers follow the basic story structure set eons ago? You’re glad that they don’t lead you one way for 55 minutes then the last 5 take a turn that doesn’t make any sense? Amazing. I thought people only like beginnings and middles. They like the ends too? Wow, that review was helpful.

To the third review: I understand liking a TV show, but to rearrange your life around one is just patheta-sad. Especially in this day and age where several options exist to help you view shows at your convenience. You could be giving up a whole night of awesomeness for one hour of comedy. I’m sad for you.

There you go, alternatives this fall when it finally dawns on you that football is stupid.

See you in the next commercial break . . .

lee.s.hart@crujonessociety.com