TV show #8: 30 Rock

I resisted. It's a comedy about a live sketch comedy show. Like a comedic Studio 60, and that made me uncomfortable. I loved Studio 60 the way teens loved My So-Called Life when it came out. It's what I wanted, and few people seemed to agree enough to merit a second season. Sad.

Anyway, I've watched a few episodes of the first season, and I actually am liking it. I particularly liked the episode that I can't recall the name of but it touches on interesting intraracial tension.

You have to dig for the message sometimes, but I like what one blogger had to say about the "Black Tie" episode: "It's so gloriously silly that the humor never reaches a level of being preachy, which is one of the best qualities of the show: its messages, when it has them, are usually accompanied by an ingenious pratfall or a nicely placed vomit tube." (Joseph Ammon, cracked.com. It's about a TV show, were the expecting the Huffington Post?)

I had to power through the pilot because, let's face it, most pilots suck. This one didn't suck a lot, but it wasn't great.

Note: What is up with Rachel Dratch being a different character in every episode? Sure, they're using her talent well (she's hilarious), but I think she deserves the chance to develop an actual constant character. Is she still doing SNL? I didn't think so. But maybe that's why she has so little screen time on 30R. Ohh, maybe that abbreviation of the abbreviation will catch on!

TV show #7: The Office

Okay, I started watching The Daily Show at SIUE, and I always thought Steve Carrell was funny. But maybe that was initially because his last name reminded me of Carol. With an E.

Anyway, even though this show is scripted, it doesn't read as such. Even though the characters seem unreal ... we all know someone like Dwight. Don't think so? Think on high school for a few minutes, and you'll remember.

The (sweet, romantic, admirable) friendship between Jim and Pam makes me melt and scream all at the same time. Every worked in an office? a bank? with people? Yeah, you'll get this stuff.

TV show #6: Curb Your Enthusiasm

I was really excited about this show. It's supposed to be super funny. It has its clever moments, but I was underwhelmed, to be honest.

I've watched the first two episodes, and I think I'm done.

Are they really friends?

I'm watching the MTV movie awards (praise be to DVR, as usual), and Tom Cruise is presenting the Generation award to Adam Sandler. Are these two really friends? I don't see Sandler jumping on Oprah's furniture or picking fights with Matt Lauer.

Yeah, we're never going to forget, Tom. You just keep being gorgeous and we'll keep remembering.