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Channel 101: LA Roundup (July 2008).

Filed Under Channel 101 | 2 Comments

“Water and Power” #4 has its “new guy” episode, complete with an excellent use of music ganked from Ghostbusters, a glorious riot, and some pleasant nod-filled closing. I would have preferred that the baby-related anarchy involved feasting, and that the opening credits didn’t portend the exit of Mr. Harmon, and that Weezer cover from the debut “Water and Power: Miami” wasn’t so shamelessly recycled. But no real complaints. B+

The third episode of “Making Mistakes” confused me a little, with the prominent use of the 2003 Cuba Gooding, Jr. Oscar-bait-that-wasn’t Radio seeming to conflict with the timeframe in which the program is set. Also, I was a little disappointed that the football theme didn’t carry more dramatic weight, by way of war metaphor, homoerotic undertones, or otherwise. Still, “Making Mistakes” continues to entertain and elicit emotion effectively and consistently. B+

The mouth-foam should have been funny every time it appeared in the second “Water and Power: Miami.” But it was only really funny when J.D. Ryznar did it. And while “Miami” #2 had a number of good cheesy lines, I was less enamored with the whole drug addiction subplot. That said, anytime horrifying government misconduct is glossed over for comedic effect, I’m smiling. B-

The reading of “Main Street” by newcomer “Mar Mar” in the latest “Tales from Railroad Times” made me giggle. Bravo, Mr. Panos! Also, the introduction of a show within a show, while often a tired conceit, worked well here, if only to clarify that the excesses of Mr. Roiland are indeed excesses. Finally, the uncomfortable expressions on the store clerk and the show producer’s faces at the end was deliciously disturbing. B

“Planners” is pretty much what you’d expect a Jelinek-Acosta production to resemble, given the title. No heart, no soul, a corny premise that doesn’t really develop beyond the title, and yet another thoroughly exasperated character. Ho hum. At least the closing credits were cool. C-

What I enjoyed about the belated “Pass the Pigs” was the way it reminded me of “The Tick” (the original animated series, not the comic book or the live-action piece of shit). And the way it made me laugh, with its awkward silliness. Fuck you, live voters. B+

“Mindcop” is a decidedly “what the fuck?” failed pilot. Sort of a retarded brother version of a Jon Golbe-Jess Lane creation: quickly edited, chock full of non sequiturs, and generally creamy. Might have gone somewhere special. C+

Had “World War Clown” actually absorbed more from “Battlestar Galactica” and less from “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” it might have succeeded. But I doubt it. Wearing lack of professionalism on its sleeve, its only redeeming feature was the bang-up make-up work. D

“The Four Corners” seems like sort of a one-off. And so it was. C

Do I remember correctly that Cheese Frog, of the failed pilot “Cheese Frog and Joe,” debuted in an episode of “Groove Fighters?” In any event, “Cheese Frog and Joe” is surprisingly touching entry, almost too good for its goofy exterior. B


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2 Comments so far

  1. Loonie on August 2, 2008 11:35 am

    I concur with PTP. The audience totally passed the pigs wwwwway too early. Stupid audience. Thank goodness at least one crazy cartoon has survived.

  2. ulton on November 9, 2008 1:42 pm

    creamy?