This episode was probably a culmination of various women/hecklers Louis has had the opportunity to interact with over the years, but since I am conveniently one of those women, who happens to be blonde, bold, and drunk at the time, I can now say that I have made it. So TV writers, if you would like me to come down and yell at you for a bit so you have a plot/arc for an upcoming episode, let me know. I work freelance.

“Louie” is part real-life, part nouveau sitcom – allowing Louis CK to ‘play’ a character, who happens to be a recently divorced comedian named Louie. The show doesn’t veer too far from CK’s real life, including his awkward return to dating and his bizarre attempts to make his daughters ‘like’ him and much of the plot comes from his stand-up routine. Think an HBO version of “Seinfeld” but circa 1995, with the stand-up material acting as a bridge to the plot not an introduction. And you can’t forget that this show is about an actual NYC comedian because within the first two episodes, which premiered back to back last night, there have already been cameos from half of the NYC comedian population. Its an evolved version of the stand-up to sitcom premise we are all so familiar with, both in its tone and its settings. The show carefully straddles the line of real-life for Louis CK and has moved beyond the studio settings so popular for sitcoms and uses New York City as its actual backdrop. This show breaks ground as it doesn’t stick to the standard parameters of a TV show, much like a handful of HBO & Showtime programming has, so much at times I actually forgot I was watching a sitcom.

This is not the first TV project for Louis CK – his overtly realistic sitcom “Lucky Louie” ran on HBO for a season back in 2006 before getting canceled due to low ratings. And “Louie” seems like an obvious evolution from “Lucky Louie”, where the jokes allow us to laugh at the uncomfortable aspects of every day life, especially as an adult. CK’s standard themes – aging, curiosity over sexuality, fatherhood and dieting – are still weaved throughout the show, but now we can actually laugh with the comedian as opposed to just feel plain old bad for him. Much like CK’s material, “Louie” sometimes loses its main focus and there were a few very “STELLA” moments, like when his date just left in a helicopter, where the show goes almost too ‘next level’. If you are familiar with CK’s brand of comedy or if you appreciate a comedy that is far from cookie cutter, then you will find this the show more than refreshing. FX continues to bring a new style of comedy to the small screen, like its hit “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, a program where the main characters are so dysfunctional that you have to laugh at them. Check out a promo for “Louie” below and if you enjoy awkward comedies, in the vein of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “IASIF”, make sure to tune in every Tuesday at 11PM on FX.

CHRISTIAN: Well there is no now, here.
JACK: Where are we, Dad?
CHRISTIAN: This is a place that you all made together, so that you all could find one another. The most important part of your life was the time you spent with these people. That’s why all of you are here. Nobody does it alone, Jack. You needed all of them, and they needed you.
JACK: For what?
CHRISTIAN: To remember, and let go.
JACK: Kate – she said we were leaving.
CHRISTIAN: Not leaving, no – moving on.
JACK: Where are we goin’?
CHRISTIAN: Let’s go find out.

When we watched Jack, most surely, breath his last breath, joined by the always trusty Vincent (who had a thing for “being there” for the newly dead) and view the plane overhead, we knew it was an end. It might not be the one I expected, it was well-crafted explanation that in the end – there is no definitive answers.

As an adult, LOST has been a vehicle for conversations with folks I never would have had a connection with. It allowed me to wonder about the effects of science and faith on our lives. And it made me empathize and hate characters all during one hour. Even after the last few moments of LOST, I was still attempting to fully grasp what was going on. And honestly, no ending would have been 100% perfect in my eyes – as I wasn’t really read for the adventure to end. But to spend the last few moments with a character, Mr. Jack Shepard, whom I watch evolve over the years, was a nice good bye. The writers of LOST are to be applauded for giving us folks with a bizarre craving for knowledge and mystery a reason to tune in each week. A show that was steeped in the popular culture was such a salute to the popular culture. Whether its clever tie ins to theories and plots from beloved books, tales and films or quip dialog while people are getting chased by mercenaries, polar bears and a motherfucking smoke monster, LOST never forgot its single function – to engage and entertain. If you walk away from tonight’s episode not completely enthralled in how enraptured we all are, than I feel bad for you. JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse and actually ABC – thank you for inviting us all along on the ride. Even though it just ended, I have no problem tuning into the pilot and started again from the very beginning. Because in true LOST fashion, who knows how it will turn out this time? So let’s all try and figure out where we are going next.

Tomorrow, I will have a wrap up of LOST coverage, including the hilarious goodbye show courtesy of Jimmy Kimmel, and we’ll get to discuss the island for just a little bit longer. 4 8 15 16 23 42 and Namaste.

See SNL – all you need is Betty White and a few of your former cast members to bring the funny and the ratings. While there wasn’t a bum skit in the bunch, I can’t possibly post every video from that night. So here are my top 5, in no particular order, as well as the funny skits that were actually cut in dress rehearsal.

Betty White’s monologue, which I believe generally sets the tone for the overall show, was spot on incorporating her ability to be witty and sexy, while poking fun.

Betty White brought her special batch of muffins to the always classic and subversive ‘Delicious Dish’ sketch with Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon. Attempt to not do a spit take when Betty exclaims, “My muffin has had a cherry since 1939″. Priceless.

This ‘Census’ sketch was the last of the night and even it was on point. Tina Fey penned the original back when Christopher Walken hosted the last time the census was on the radar, but this was priceless.

‘Scared Straight’ was amazing last night. “WIZZZZARRRD OF ASSSS!” is all I need to say.

The infamous ‘Debbie Downer’ sketches are some of the best in SNL history, but sadly (or not) last night’s ep was so jam packed this was killed in dress rehearsal. But thanks to NBC understanding our sheer need for more SNL, they released all the quality bits that were killed. Here we get to see Debbie ruining a ladies night all about lingerie, wine and oil spills.

And lastly, ‘Bronx Beat’ is always a favorite with Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler, so I was a bit bummed when it didn’t air. This will forever be one of my favorites and thanks to overwhelming demand the sketch has hit the internet and reminded me of what SNL used to be like. Let’s learn about what Yoga stands for. Enjoy.

If you missed anything from this weekend’s episode, its available for viewing online over at NBC. Also, check out Jay-Z’s two performances and the rest of the sketches that ended up on the cutting room floor. What did you think of Betty? Who would you like to see host?

O’Brien was in talks to join Fox as their late night host, but the deal fell through when the network couldn’t confirm that the program would air on each of its stations, and at the same time slot. So after much battling, O’Brien has found himself a home and hopefully, will find himself the ratings to support the “movement”. Until then you can find him and crew on Twitter, where he made the announcement today and at a theater near you for his national tour “Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television”, which kicks off tonight in Oregon.

For more on Coco’s return to the boob tube, check out:

NJ.com: Why Conan O’Brien’s TBS Move Was the Right One

]]> http://www.spielster.com/2010/04/12/coco-is-no-longer-looking-for-work/feed/ 0 http://www.spielster.com/2010/04/08/happy-birthday-celebrating-20-years-of-twin-peaks/ http://www.spielster.com/2010/04/08/happy-birthday-celebrating-20-years-of-twin-peaks/#comments Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:48:28 +0000 admin http://www.spielster.com/?p=2903 Today marks the 20th birthday of the perplexing, multi-layered and all around perfectly dark TV program “Twin Peaks“. Unless you haven’t been paying close attention, you will know the effect both David Lynch and his projects have had on me, but “Twin Peaks” could be the most important to me, and television as a whole. When [...]]]> Today marks the 20th birthday of the perplexing, multi-layered and all around perfectly dark TV program “Twin Peaks“. Unless you haven’t been paying close attention, you will know the effect both David Lynch and his projects have had on me, but “Twin Peaks” could be the most important to me, and television as a whole. When the show premiered on this date in 1990, it was in a class all by itself. It couldn’t be considered a night-time soap, even though the plot was surrounding the sudden death of the town sweetheart Laura Palmer, as it was riddled with comedic moments and mythical intrigue. And while it delved within the sci-fi and horror realm, the Main Street USA feel of the show held it back from being an obvious horror program. It was, in essence, undefinable. And yet nowadays, its common place, especially on ABC, to delve into both multi-layered topics, without losing the sense of where the program is coming from. Without “Twin Peaks”, I wouldn’t, or couldn’t be obsessed with “Lost”, “The Sopranos” or “United States of Tara”, as it might not have existed. The effect David Lynch’s simple ode to the darkness that can be found in any small town in the US, that only ran for a mere two seasons, can be seen all over the landscape of Television. It showed us that life is not always what it seems, that answers can come from anywhere and that there is NOTHING SCARIER than a man called BOB. I have watched the show from beginning to end about eight times now, and I continuously find more interesting stories and simple effects. If Lynch is skilled at one thing (well he’s skilled at thousands, but this is for effect), it is playing homage to the American dream and the dirtiness that lives inside of it. From the moment I hear Jack Nance exclaiming, “wrapped in plastic”, I was hooked. Beyond the obvious murder mystery of who killed Laura Palmer, I was mesmerized by the characters, their development and honestly, my attachment to them. “Twin Peaks” opened up my eyes at a young age to darker plots, mystical ideas and created an earnest interest in discovering the country I live in. Lynch’s ability to create dark, troubled characters who were so fun to watch is inspiring and his strength to discuss subjects otherwise taboo, especially at the time, is commendable. It also proved that Television doesn’t have to be under produced, stale and in front of a studio audience. “Twin Peaks” was essentially a long film, broken up into 46 minute segments and played once a week at the same time. It was lush, both in story and location, and proved to both networks and producers that quality programming can be respected and watched by both the critics and viewers at home. So thank you David Lynch for allowing us to expect more from whats delivered to us through the boob tube. And while the show had its ups and downs, specifically when Lynch left for a period of time after Laura’s murderer identity was revealed, it will remain one of the most influential programs of all time. And while I can go on and on about my love for the show all day, I would prefer to show a few great moments from the show.

We can’t discuss great moments, without celebrating the eerily perfect, and very David Lynch, intro for the show.

The effect of just one action or event can take a major toll on an entire town. The moment that we discover Laura Palmer, a promising young girl beloved by the majority of the town, is dead is heart wrenching. But, when Leland (Ray Wise) and Sarah (Grace Zabriskie) Palmer find out their daughter is dead, at the same time, it is devastating.

Much like “LOST” and other programs, sometimes mistakes will bring in great rewards. As scripted dramas go, there is always room for change if it helps the story. So when I found out how they came about casting BOB, one of the scariest villains of all times, it blew my mind. Sometimes it pays to think outside the box, or in this case the script.

Agent Cooper, the FBI agent with the task to find Laura’s killer, was more submerged within the bizarre happenings in Twin Peaks than the majority of the locals. And thanks to his dreams, I wasnt able to sleep, but I did begin to figure out certain clues pertaining to the murder and darkness surrounding the town.

And while the show might have been based around an FBI investigation into the murder of a young local girl, there were tons of comedic moments allowing the light to come through. This “meeting of the minds” moment that Sheriff Truman, Agent Cooper and Andy have while investigating the case still makes me laugh out loud.

If you have watched even a moment of “Twin Peaks”, you will know how important coffee is, which is why I love this little montage of coffee moments.

I’ll spare the embedding of one of the scariest/saddest moments ever on TV, but if you want to catch the last few moments of the program, you can see them here. (Warning: SPOILER ALERT! SADNESS ALERT!)

What are your favorite moments from the show? What current TV shows do you think owe a bit of gratitude to “Twin Peaks”? And finally, How’s Annie? (Sorry, I had to)

For more of Twin Peaks celebrating, check out: