Hurry back, 'House,' 'Office,' and 'Earl'
Posted: Monday, September 08, 2008 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
Filed Under:
TV
I'm just not very excited about the new fall shows this year. I might give "90210" another shot and I might have to watch "Fringe" at least once because J.J. Abrams is involved, but the rest? A "Knight Rider" remake? Hideously unfunny comedies? Uh-uh, no thanks, you can keep 'em. Take my TV, please.
Thankfully, I have a pile of old favorites coming back on the air. Here are the top three shows that I'm setting my TiVo for this month. Note that these are basic network shows -- my TiVo is already working overtime grabbing cable classics such as "Mad Men" and "The Shield."
(Possible spoilers if you didn't watch these shows last season.)
1) "The Office"
Oh, Jim and Pam. Perfect for each other, yet eternally thwarted -- and this time by a capella specialist Andy and his horribly premature proposal to Angela. The romantic in me is impatient with Jim for not going ahead and popping the question anyway, but I know we're supposed to understand that he didn't want to share his fireworks. (Plus, it could ruin the romance if they're too happy, too soon.)
I'll miss sad-faced Toby, but I'm also loving Amy Ryan as new HR rep Holly. Love her treating Kevin as if he were Forrest Gump. (Which...not that far off, really.) The only plot I couldn't care less about? Jan's sperm-donor baby. Yawn. More Dwight, less Jan, is my motto. MUCH more Dwight. (Returns Sept. 25)
'House' has heart.
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2) "House"
I came to this show late, but once I found it, I gorged on entire seasons (bless you, DVD box sets). Because of this, I saw House change from a snippy, snotty, who-could-like-this-guy doctor to one who was still snippy and snotty, but held within him a certain irresistable heart. (See photo for evidence.)
I love any classroom scenes with him, too, because he reminds me of the college professor you're absolutely terrified of, but would give anything to impress. I'm hoping Kal Penn gets even more screen time this year. He could read the DSM-IV aloud and I'd listen. But -- am I alone here? I was kind of bored by the Wilson-Amber plotline. Guess I don't have to worry about that any more. (Returns Sept. 16)
3) "My Name Is Earl"
One of the smartest comedies out there, "Earl," like "House," is fun to view in giant DVD chunks. Earl's progress on his list, his relationship with dim brother Randy, and ongoing feuds with ex-wife Joy (brilliantly played by Jaime Pressly) are fun to watch unfold episode after episode. I don't think there have been many funnier half-hours lately than the first-season episode "Y2K," in which Earl and crew think the world has ended and try to start things over by claiming sections of a closed Bargain Bag store for their own. ("Randy, I told you! No robot dogs!")
Last season was my first disappointment: Loved Earl in jail, hated the draggy days when he was in a coma and dreaming about a 1950s sitcom life with Billie. The producers have promised to get back to Earl's list this year, and if they do, Thursday nights are going to be the funniest night of the week. (Returns Sept. 25)
What returning shows have you waiting impatiently? Let's discuss in the comments -- and don't be afraid to share what you hope to see happen (or not happen) on your favorites.
