October 23, 2006: The Champ

I don’t know what it is, but watching Andy Richter as a love interest kind of made me cringe. Maybe it’s because he’s known more to me as Conan O’Brien’s goofy sidekick or the evil guy in the failed Olsen-twin movie New York Minute. Maybe it’s because he’s just not droolworthy. I guess that’s the punch line, though.

Here’s this guy who’s not very attractive at all and whose nickname is "Sad Dad," and Christine can’t resist him. I honestly don’t get the attraction. Maybe Andy Richter’s humor is what’s most attractive about him, but his character of Stan is just weird. He’s not Japanese but is going through a Japanese phase. And the best part is that he seduced Christine by taking some mashed potato off her chest and licking it off his finger. Although he did have some good lines. My favorite: “You look hot in a hairnet.” Not something you hear every day.

I agree with Richard when he told Christine: “Christine, you have sunk to a new low. This isn’t just the bottom of the barrel. You’ve gone under the barrel. And dug a hole to Japan. And found the dirtiest futon. And traded underwear with the Iron Chef.” But she knew what she was doing. She was powerless to Andy Richter’s futon tricks.

Meanwhile, Matthew was having trouble with his new lover, Amy, who refused to leave. She was trying to make plans for Christmas and doing laundry and wearing Christine’s bathing suit, which New Christine admitted to having done but only after she and Richard were “dating for four or five months.” After only one night together, she was nesting and Matthew couldn’t get her out: “She’s planting tomatoes. She’s planning on staying for the harvest.”

My favorite moment was when Matthew and Christine were lying on the floor hiding from their companions. Stan was leaving a message and watching her from outside (“I love that picture above the fireplace”) and Amy was outside on the patio trying to get out of a couples’ game night. Christine said: “There’s something about lying on the floor hiding from our lovers that’s telling me we don’t have control over our lives.” They thought about running away, but Christine remembered she had a son. What adult decision did they come up with? Christine would break up with Amy for Matthew, and vice versa. Now that’s a great brother-sister relationship. And when Amy wasn’t getting it and was still trying to talk about plans for Christmas, Christine said she could keep her bathing suit.

I love that Matthew and Christine each broke up with each other’s lovers because they couldn’t do it themselves. And they each started out the same, saying how it was thoughtful for Christine to send Matthew and Matthew to send Christine to break up with their partners. But it was kind of disturbing when Stan took mashed potato from Matthew’s shirt and licked it and Matthew watched him with wide eyes and then said he had to go.

I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of Stan. But hopefully it’s the last we’ll see of Andy Richter in a Japanese robe.

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Posted by

Erin Daly

Oct 23, 2006 11:14 PM

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I think that Christine couldn't resist "sad dad" because he was spectacular at oral sex. And apparently Matthew was a little worried about his own ability to resist as well. Made me laugh out loud anyway.
Posted by anikitty Oct 24, 2006 8:32 AM Report Abuse

You're are totally right about the "attraction". They covered quite a few touchy subjects without actually saying much. I laughed a lot and think Julia is great in this show. Her brother is a hoot too. I enjoyed the whole Monday night funny line up.
Posted by marcilynnj Oct 24, 2006 12:43 PM Report Abuse

I don't know who drags this show down more, New Christine or Andy Richter. Sad Dad is just not even close to being funny, every time he comes on the screen, I'm looking for the remote. And the whole story line with him this episode, why she can't break up with him - Holy Seinfeld. Lose Andy and have more Wanda Sykes.
Posted by woodson21 Oct 24, 2006 3:16 PM Report Abuse

What?????? We're all too good or beautiful or what to be with someone who looks like Andy Richter???? Sure he's weird, but he is funny. I love that Christine can't resist him in spite of his shortcomings. In my opinion he resembles the majority of the men of America at his age. We don't get too many male super models where I live, and I wouldn't want one if I met one!
Posted by Pinkie Oct 24, 2006 6:14 PM Report Abuse

It's good to finally see more of Hamish Linklater the past couple of episodes. He is by far the funniest member of the cast. If a picture can say a thousand words, surely one of his looks can say as much! Please keep this highly humorous actor front stage!
Posted by Sherry54 Oct 25, 2006 7:53 PM Report Abuse

Try not to fall off your high horse, Pinky. Where did I mention his physical appearance? I said I didn't like him, don't find him funny on this show (Richter Controls the Universe on the other hand....), I think his character (or the way he plays it) brings the show down. Actually read a statement before you respond to it next time.
Posted by woodson21 Oct 27, 2006 1:24 PM Report Abuse

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