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« Roush Dispatch
Reviews and a Preview: Happy February!
Today is not only the start of February but of February sweeps. You know what that means: a repeat-free zone for at least the next four weeks. (Then comes Mar. 1, and you know what that means: Unless you're 24, Lost or Jericho, which will be all-new to the end of their respective seasons, it's a mixed bag of new and old episodes, plus the chaos of rejiggered schedules to make room for mid-season tryouts. But we'll cross that bridge later.)
For now, before we start the sweeps march, I want to reflect on Wednesday's highlights. (I'll catch up with Bones later, with a preview of next week's episode next Wednesday. That's a promise to that show's loyal and vocal fan base.)
Is there any show that lifts and breaks the heart more regularly and memorably than Friday Night Lights? The quiet poignancy of Tim Riggins reuniting with his estranged dad (Brett Cullen playing his second memorable Texan of the season, after his guest shot as a laid-back mogul wooing and loosening up Vanessa Williams on Ugly Betty). Their scene on the golf links, with the dad's ugly competitive side roaring up to crush the son's spirit, is later redeemed when Dad tentatively shows up at the football game anyway. Poor Matt Saracen's hopelessly, helplessly awkward embrace of local fame, which puts a wedge between him and Coach's daughter Julie, proves that Julie really is the coolest girlfriend anyone could imagine. (Matt and a surly Coach Taylor ineptly attempting to front a local-TV sports special was probably the show's single funniest scene all season.) Then Coach counseled Jason Street while waiting to face Jason's family in court, urging the boy to slow down in his pursuit of marriage, and sharing some truth and a laugh before it's time to get down to unpleasant business. And then came the centerpiece of the episode: Smash Williams' desperation to rejoin the team and regain Coach's favor, while Coach's wife coaches Coach to lighten up on the kid, in the process reminding Coach and Smash just why they love football, and why the world goes to hell when it's taken too seriously. As Coach and Smash watch a group of young kids playing football for fun (although with an eye for future grown-up glory), eventually joining in the play, we get to see the sort of authentic life that is almost entirely otherwise lacking in prime-time TV. Friday Night Lights is a treasure, and we should treasure it for as long as we can.
(Speaking of tear-jerkers, who knew that American Idol was capable of one? In the form of a 64-year-old widower, no less. Sherman brought with him a petition of 330 signatures to get on the show, gathered while his "lady love" was dying of cancer to cheer her spirits. He brought the panel to tears — the ladies, anyway — and got hugs and handshakes all around after crooning a heartfelt "You Belong to Me." Was that an actual authentic human moment on Idol? As Clarence walked away declaring, "I won. I am a winner," you couldn't help but answer yes.)
More "reality": the finale of Top Chef. While it seems clear to me that Sam should have been in the finals in place of either Ilan or Marcel, Sam saved Marcel's bacon, so to speak, by helping him finish the fish dish when the fish went missing. I'm glad Ilan ultimately won; he may not have been as cutting-edge, but I can imagine actually eating the food he prepares. And despite the infamous "Shavegate" incident that got Cliff booted and Internet conspiracy theorists frothing about the complicity of the other contestants (and the honesty of Bravo's editing, like that ever matters in reality shows), Ilan is more of an adult in the kitchen, where it matters most. (Mind you, I'm not defending the drunken, immature behavior of anyone involved in Shavegate, where Marcel was cruelly bullied. It reminded me of being hazed in band camp, the adolescent memories of which I've happily repressed.) Marcel was doomed the moment he foolishly picked Michael as one of his sous-chef assistants. Did Marcel not watch the show? Did he not know that, as much fun as Michael might be to hang with, you can't rely on the guy? If Marcel had swallowed his pride and put the older, wiser (but critical) Frank on his team, I might have respected him. Instead, things fell apart, and while Marcel's concoctions still managed to impress the judges, I side with anyone who considers a "mad scientist" obsessed with molecular gastronomy to be the last person I'd like to see crowned atop anything.
Back to real TV: tonight's Ugly Betty. You don't want to miss it. If you've been watching America Ferrera collect awards the last few weeks (at the Globes, then the SAGs), you won't be disappointed by tonight's pivotal episode, which revolves around the madness of Fashion Week, the importance of which is expressed by Betty's adorable nephew Justin when he says, with exasperation to his clueless gramps: "Am I going to have to explain couture again?"
The "I'm Coming Out" episode could just as easily be titled "Sister Act," because the main action follows up on the last episode's rock-the-world revelation that Daniel's presumed-dead brother Alex is alive and transformed into the stunningly beautiful Alexis (Rebecca Romijn). The way she reveals herself to one and all is the gripping hook, but the subplot involving Betty and her sister Hilda (the terrific Ana Ortiz) is equally meaty. Sibling tensions kick in when Hilda, unhappily unemployed, jumps at the chance to help out at Fashion Week, and Betty once again fears being upstaged by her feisty, prettier sister. ("Hilda, 'Mode' is mine. You can't have this, too.") With cameos by reality stars Tim Gunn (Project Runway) and Katharine McPhee (American Idol), a funny return visit by Gina Gershon as the Donatella-like Fabia, and several other enjoyably over-the-top twists and escapades along the way, this is a jam-packed, sweet yet tart hour of pure entertainment.
Let the sweeps begin.
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Feb 1, 2007 8:16 AM
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Matt, as always, thanks for spreading the love for Friday Night Lights. Truly, one of the best shows on television.
Hopefully, we'll be treasuring it for a long time to come (and not just on DVD!).
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Feb 1, 2007 11:28 AM
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"Repeat-free zone"? CBS makes you a liar right out of the block, kicking off the first hour of sweeps with a "CSI" rerun at 8 tonight. And have you seen the Super Bowl counterprogramming? But your heart's in the right place (says another "FNL" fan).
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Feb 1, 2007 12:02 PM
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Oh Please. Top Chef was pretty much a disaster from start to finish this season. Ilan as Top Chef? Yeah, right. I liked Ilan at first, before he turned into a vindictive nine year old girl, but even beyond personality issues, as many people have now pointed out online, if you go look at the menu for the Spanish restaurant where Ilan (used to) work as a line chef, a good number of his dishes (including apparently that dessert in the finale) are just slight variations on their menu items. I mean, a lot of people like the Tiramisu at Olive Garden, but if I knew that just sprinkling some saffron on Olive Garden's Tiramisu and calling it my own would win me "Top Chef," then, hey, sign me up for next year's season of this botched competition.
I was no fan of Marcel at first, but after watching this year's terrible batch of whining idiot contestants rag on him every five seconds like obsessive-compulsives who couldn't ever think of anything else, I wanted to see Marcel win just to shoot these bozos down. Cliff should have been one of the two finalists and probably should have won, but he got roped into the Marcel-obsessed wolf-pack after avoiding it most of the season, and we all know how that turned out. And, yeah, let's evaluate Marcel's leadership skills in the kitchen by making him choose two assistants from a group of chefs who'd formed a childish clique against him all season, while that same clique's ringleader gets to do the same. That's a fair playing field. (I wonder how things would have turned out if the judges had been smart this year and made both teams work with new kitchen assistants.)
Two seasons in a row on the season finale we've seen the judges go on and on about how innovative one of the contestants is, and then award the prize to the other contestant because their food, while not all that interesting, was kind of tasty that one meal. Last season, that worked, because Harold's cuisine was also clearly good and clearly his own. But Ilan? It's getting old and is starting to feel like pandering. I mean, hey, I might get a good meal at McDonald's, but that doesn't mean their cook should be "Top Chef." Let's see it go to someone who might actually do something interesting with their career. I'm kind of done with Top Chef.
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Feb 1, 2007 3:12 PM
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I agree that Top Chef was a disaster and a lot of it had to do with the level of talent among the contestants. Compared to Project Runway, it still has a lot to learn about balancing drama with actual talent and culinary skills.
Thanks for more insight into tonight’s episode of Betty, after last week’s repeat and the week before’s big reveal, I’m chomping at the bit to see what happens next. I’ve always loved the dynamic between Betty and Hilda, both have a lot of admiration and envy for each other for different reasons and the tension has been slowly simmering over time as the show progresses. I’m sure seeing Hilda kissing Daniel is not going to go over well.
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Feb 1, 2007 4:56 PM
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Please everyone pass the word about Friday Night Lights - It truly is the best show on TV!!!
Thanks Matt for helping to spread the word!
As for Top Chef - if Marcel would have had one ounce of people skills he would have won hands down - now get over it!!! Please remember his ending quote "I never knew that saffron and paprika could win you a $100,000" or something like that!!
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Feb 1, 2007 6:00 PM
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Well it's Thursday... and since YOU failed to mention a most underrated quality show known as SUPERNATURAL, allow me to take this time to do so. I suggest viewers either skip or tape the typical which-doctor-is-sleeping-with-who and standard cop show, and really open your horizons to an episode sure to stir some controversies as it deals with matters and issues of faith, beliefs, angels and God. Tonight's episode of Supernatural "Houses of the Holy" (Thurs. 9pm on the CW) is sure to get you thinking... that is, IF you want your TV shows to actually make you think while they also entertain you. Give it an hour and we guarantee you'll be in for life!  (and NO I'm not being paid by CW to say this!)
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Feb 1, 2007 6:08 PM
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Well, we'll be here waiting for your Bones review... don't doubt it for a second
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Feb 1, 2007 11:05 PM
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Matt, I'm disappointed to see you on the "Ugly" bandwagon, this show makes "Grey's Anatomy" look like Oscar caliber material! Unless taken as a farce, the storyline, caricatures instead of characters, and so-called morals displayed on this show are nothing but a joke! As a third-gen Californian of Latino heritage, I am offended that anyone thinks this is a "step up" for people who are different or homely.
As for "Top Chef", we got what we deserved, zilch in the way of entertainment, and lost hours of our lives that we'll never get back! LOL!
Marcel may have been immature, but I'd go to Burger King any night of the week rather then eat any one of the contestant's dishes, except for Mia. She was the only one who knew how to cook for real life.
You did get the SAG's right though, except the "In Memoriam" segment deserves a shout out for its heartfelt
editing and the way it captured two moments in each actor's career. The final fade out with the wonderful Jack Palance was classic.
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Feb 2, 2007 10:53 AM
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While I am not part of Bones' "loyal and vocal" fans, thanks for the promise.
A loyal and usually nonvocal fan 
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Feb 2, 2007 4:36 PM
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jtbwriter - I disagree so strongly with you. Grey's is a night time soap opera and doesn't deserve half the accolades given to Ugly Betty, which tells a story of someone at least likable and admirable. Ugly Betty plays at so many more layers than the obvious surface one. Betty does more to normalize an entire segment of the population than anyone else. This country needs to see all people in normal settings, living like they live, trying to make it in a shark invested world without losing their morality or sense of community. This is what Ugly Betty does and does with an enjoyable story line. I know there are good performances in Grey's, but I can't relate to spoiled doctors committing adultery - no matter what I do. I don't want to either.
However, when people in members areas discuss GA, I never comment. It's ridiculous to talk about a show I'm not watching and obviously someone is watching it and loving it. I can't see criticizing any one for what they like when I have free choice in my viewing.
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Feb 4, 2007 1:51 PM
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Re Cinder: I respectfully disagree with you about "Ugly"-but I was being sarcastic about "GA"-and after hearing how most nurses think it's a derogatory piece of stuff, I guess I'm in good company!
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Feb 5, 2007 4:06 PM
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Three of finalist chefs, and one judge in particular, were a disappointment. To me, Ilan appeared as a scheming, no-class, self-aggrandizing, fry order cook. To me, he is such a dishonorable sneak, that if I was starving, I'd sooner eat from a dumpster that eat something he cooked. He played Sam, Elia (the strange female chef), & Cliff, against Marcel. I don't know what really happened the night Cliff foolishly physical assaulted Marcel, but the judges couldn't or wouldn't boot the conspirators, because the show would of had a premature finale. From what footage I saw of the incident, Marcel, and possibly Sam, should have gone to Hawaii. I feel the contestants, except Marcel, and the judges, were irresponsible, and were not held accountable for their actions, or inactions, in regard to the assault of Marcel. If they had booted Elia, Ilan, & Cliff, as well as possibbly Sam, for their action or inaction in the incident, they could have found a way to finish the season.
For me, Ilan being selected as the Top Chef made a mockery of the contest and the title. I could see dusting Ilan with saffron and paprike and roasting his carcass over an open fire pit! That's the only valid reason I would have selected him to go to Hawaii. To me, Sears, and the judges, have some explaining to do.
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Feb 7, 2007 3:36 PM
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