HBO Takes Us BEHIND THE CANDELABRA

Article first published as BEHIND THE CANDELABRA Review on Seat42F.

Grade: 95%

HBO generally does a great job with their original films, and the latest, BEHIND THE CANDELABRA, which premiered last night, is no different. The movie details the relationship between famous performer Liberace (Michael Douglas) and Scott Thorson (Matt Damon), from when they meet to Liberace’s death. Based on the book by Thorson, it may feel a little one-sided, but is well presented.

Douglas is excellent as Liberace. He lived before my time, so I don’t have personal memories of the performer, but from the little bit I know about him, Douglas seems to capture the spirit and the personality. He is a flamboyant showman, insecure and addicted to being loved. He seems to find peace for a time with Thorson, but is always hungry for more attention and affection.

Damon is equally captivating as Thorson. At first, Thorson seems stiff and wooden, but over time, as he adjusts to Liberace and his lifestyle, Damon makes the man come alive, embracing a home, something he desperately wants and lacks all his life, as well as a way of living and direction. Thorson may or may not be bisexual, as he claims at first, perhaps willing to be with whoever will accept him. He does seem to care about Liberace, but Thorson also cares about being taken care of.

BEHIND THE CANDELABRA is much more than a biopic. It is the very tragic tale of two souls who have never quite found what they are looking for, but discover a kindred spirit in one another. They are both broken and damaged, and while they try to be what the other wants, sensing the similarities, they aren’t able to live up to those lofty expectations. Both scramble for something to hold onto, but are nearly impossible to satisfy.

Their love story reflects this inability to just be happy in the moment. They both make efforts to do so, but without knowing how to love themselves, they aren’t capable of being fully supportive of one another. Liberace turns to cosmetic surgery and sexual trysts, while Thorson becomes addicted to drugs, but the pathways are more alike than diverging.

Did Thorson love Liberace, or did he just want what Liberace was offering? Did Liberace love Thorson, or was he just drawn to the youth and spirit Thorson represented? These questions aren’t explicitly answered in the two hours, but Damon and Douglas give complex performances that capture the chemistry, warring emotions, and desires within the two men.

The two leads are joined by an absolutely outstanding supporting cast which includes: Dan Aykroyd as Seymour Heller, Liberace’s protective manager; Scott Bakula as Bob Black, the mutual friend that introduces them; Debbie Reynolds as Frances, Liberace’s elderly mother; Cheyenne Jackson as Billy Leatherwood, Liberace’s dissatisfied protégé; and Paul Reiser, Boyd Holbrook, Mike O’Malley, and Tom Papa in small parts that still leave an impression. All of these others may be on the outskirts of the main tale, but deserve credit for making it seem like a whole, complete look at two lives.

Special mention goes to Rob Lowe as Dr. Jack Startz, Liberace’s plastic surgeon and the pusher of Thorson’s drugs. At this point, it should hardly be surprising that Lowe can bring to life yet another eccentric oddball that feels fresh, and yet, he pulls it off again. A lot can be attributed to the facial expressions he exudes, but Lowe definitely plays a memorable role in this film.

Costumes and production design are predictably flawless. At this point, if a studio can’t deliver a convincing period piece, they ought to be ashamed of themselves. What is extra impressive in BEHIND THE CANDELABRA, though, is not just what stands out, but the reality glimpsed behind the facade. Glitter in Liberace’s hair that seems shining on stage comes across as part of a silly costume in the real moments away from the audience. The elaborate home of Liberace tells as much about the character as Douglas’s acting does. Liberace’s hair piece becomes a very essential representation of the man himself. These touches make the piece.

Pacing wise, BEHIND THE CANDELABRA does drag a bit in the middle. I think it kind of needs to to demonstrate where the romance begins to wear thin and when the problems crop up. However, there is a point where I got a little tired and the plot seemed to become a little predictable before ramping up to the antagonizing end.

The characters and their story is as much about our society during a certain decade as it is the people that the movie is about. The gluttony of excess is a familiar tale, one featured on the big screen right now in The Great Gatsby, a quintessential American trait. And with the gay rights movement finally changing minds and laws all over, it’s interesting to look back at a time of ignorance and denial. Including Liberace’s Catholic faith and funeral also points to the discrepancies present in many institutions, then and now.

BEHIND THE CANDELABRA is worth watching for all of the reasons I’ve mentioned and more. It’s not a perfect film, with historical events told from a certain point of view, but it is one that conveys something important and meaningful, balancing the personal story with the larger themes. Check it out, as HBO is currently re-running it frequently.

Onion News Empire

Article first published as Amazon Originals Onion News Empire Review on TheTVKing.

Onion News Empire is the best of Amazon's new "Pilot" offerings. From the minds of the infamous satirical Onion comes a show that is part The Newsroom parody, part a lambasting of modern CNN, part political roast, part journalism criticism, and part just plain fun. Plus, though I like The Onion's shorts and former Comedy Central series, Onion News Empire boasts a casts of mostly proven actors, which helps the credibility of the franchise's latest effort, and the boosts the talent level involved.

We are quickly introduced to quite a few characters in the "Pilot." Not just introduced, but told their backstories and motivations immediately and explicitly, a play on the jarring way some characters begin on a television show. Many of those shown are stereotypes or the personification of a cliche, and all the standard news types are present.

There's: Sam West (Christopher Masterson, Malcolm in the Middle), the young upstart who has just been promoted to the big leagues and will do anything to prove himself to his more experienced colleagues; Jillian (Aja Naomi King, Emily Owens M.D.), the helpful young assistant who wants to be more, but is taken advantage of by everyone else, including Sam, her stated love interest; Cameron Grey (Cheyenne Jackson, 30 Rock, Glee), the very popular, hot reporter who is trying to hide his illiteracy; David Bryan (Jeffrey Tambor, Arrested Development, Bent), the washed-up, self-involved veteran worried more about playing the game and maintaining his status than doing his job well; Helena Zweibel (Laila Robins, Bored to Death, In Treatment), the hard-nosed executive; and Ed Musgrove (William Sadler, The Pacific, Damages), the definition of a newsman, and the most direct mocking of The Newsroom.

Each of these personalities are so well cultivated, there is not a weak link among them. What's more, with only twenty plus minutes of screen time total for the episode, I feel like I know exactly who each and every character in the series is. This is no small feat, and it's a testament to the great work each of the performers are doing.

The writing is incredibly tight. There are at least a dozen one-liners I could pull from this "Pilot" and tweet, including bits about a very specific Ohio rape law and my favorite, a story that the nation's poor people pooled their money to buy an oil company so that the government might finally offer them assistance. There is something amusing and clever in every minute of the show, and from beginning to end, I was inspired and entertained.

The plots themselves are smart, too. Sam is assigned a crappy beat, which he turns into a big story, only to find out that it makes the network's biggest sponsor look back. So then, he peddles back and spins it, saving the day by getting into the muck. Jillian is looking after a little girl whom is kidnapped by the network to create news on a slow day, though they screwed up by nabbing a chubby girl, whom no one cares about. If these are the kinds of plots we have to look forward to, I very much anticipate some great snarky, current commentaries.

As if that isn't enough, Onion News Empire reveals a huge, sinister scheme at the end of the episode that could have deep and lasting implications for... well, who knows? But it's cool.

Plus, the sets are great, the detail is perfect, and there are visual gags sprinkled throughout, including two matching portraits in David's office. This is the total package, and the culmination of everything The Onion does best, finally delivered in one heck of a fantastic production.

In all, I can find nothing to complain about in the Onion News Empire "Pilot," and dozens of things to praise. Check out Onion News Empire, now available on Amazon.com.

Don't really want to move to Mockingbird Lane

Considering the cast and crew of NBC's Mockingbird Lane, created by Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies), I was super psyched for the series this fall. When it was held back, and decided that the "Pilot" would be aired as a stand alone Halloween special, without producing more episodes, disappointment set in. That is, until it actually aired. Then disappointment of a whole other kind appeared.

It's not that Mockingbird Lane is bad; it's just that the first episode doesn't live up to its potential. The set and effects (save for the werewolf in the opening sequence) are spectacular, and glimpsing the Golden Gate bridge behind the infamous house is a stroke of brilliance, providing a stark contrast every time it's seen. This links the show to the real world, even as it feels like fantasy. Lily's (Portia de Rossi, Arrested Development, Better Off Ted) introduction is even more cool, spiders flowing gracefully around her to make her garb.

But the rest of the episode is just too tame. Whereas The Munsters, the goofy sitcom Mockingbird Lane seeks to update, relies on gags and schlock, Mockingbird Lane treats itself like a serious drama. This doesn't work. Sure, these actors are capable of deepening the characters, and making this new show mean a lot more than the old one. But they don't get the chance, skipping over much of what should be an introduction-based episode, and jumping right into a boring story. Combining the comedy with the drama is what it needed here, and the mix is almost absent in this premiere, which skews more towards the drama side.

The crux of the first episode is how Eddie's (Mason Cook) parents are going to tell him that he is a werewolf, a monster, or Munster, like them. One would think that this is exactly what Mockingbird Lane should be doing, since it is taking an element of the classic series, and putting it into context people can relate to, providing a moral dilemma. Instead, the implications of what this means are glossed over, replaced with an empty "be yourself" type of mantra.

Herman (Jerry O'Connell, The Defenders, Crossing Jordan) is the only one of the Munsters that comes across as fully realized. He knows he is dying, but refuses to let Grandpa (Eddie Izzard, The Riches, United States of Tara) kill Eddie's new scout leader, Steve (Cheyenne Jackson, 30 Rock, Glee), to obtain him a new heart, thus saving his life. He also wrestles with what to do about Eddie. As a man who is made into a Munster by Grandpa, Herman straddles the two worlds, and is a compelling lead.

It's too bad this plot is cut short, though, when Steve accidentally dies. His death is funny, but there is definitely more that could have been milked from the situation, considering Herman's internal struggle is the best part of the episode. Once Steve is dead, not murdered, Herman doesn't mind taking his organ. Which kind of ruins what is built up til that point. How much darker and deeper would it go if Grandpa killed Steve, and then forced Herman to take the heart against his will? How would that affect family dynamics, as well as how Herman feels about himself? And why not let Steve stick around for a few episodes first, so the family can get to know him, and his death would mean more? After all, Jackson is terrific in the part.

Grandpa can be excused for being how he is, because it seems logical that he would think the way that he does. I just wish he was played more over the top, or commit to the scary, rather than doing neither at one hundred percent, either of which Izzard would shine in. Lily doesn't get much to do in the first episode, so it's hard to see where she fits in, though she is clearly torn between Herman's want for the family to be good, and Grandpa's longing to return to the traditional ways of feeding on humans freely. De Rossi has the chops to make this work, given screen time to do so, which she is not in the "Pilot."

The real problem is with the kids in the cast. Eddie is too flat, not up to the task of the real emotion his situation calls for. Marilyn (Charity Wakefield) is no better, though her fault lies in the writing. We know that she wants to stay with the family, even though Grandpa despises her for being born normal. This needs to be explored, especially in the opening of the series, but is pushed off for another day, if ever.

Should Mockingbird Lane be allowed to continue, there is plenty of potential here for a fantastic show. I just fear that the luck luster plot of the "Pilot" combined with the lack of faith the network has put into it has killed a bold experiment before it even begins.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

30 Rock goes live again

This week, NBC's 30 Rock is "Live from Studio 6H." Jack (Alec Baldwin) decides that he will save the company a lot of money if they stop filming TGS live. Almost everyone agrees to the scheme except for Kenneth (Jack McBrayer), who locks twelve of the staff in a room and reminds them of the heyday of live television, shown to viewers in clips acted out by the cast. Meanwhile, Jenna (Jane Krakowski) disagrees with Paul (Will Forte) over the perfect proposal, and Hazel (Kristen Schaal) plans a stunt to get herself on air, a la Sinead O'Connor.

Quick question: Is the picture of Sinead that Hazel rips ups actually Tina Fey as Sinead?

This is the second time 30 Rock has gone live, and there's a big difference from the first time. "Live from Studio 6H" feels more like a series of skits than a cohesive story. This is bringing many of the performers back to their Saturday Night Live roots, of course, and they excel at funny shorts. But it does not really feel like an episode of 30 Rock, despite keeping much of the same spirit and tone.

Continuity is not that important this week. Last time a live show was done, Julia Louis Dreyfus (Seinfeld, Veep) played a semi-convincing Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) in a cut scene. This time, Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) plays Liz without even changing the color of her blond hair! Also, twelve major cast members are locked in a room, and yet somehow they keep slipping out to put on different costumes and perform various bits of "classic" NBC shows. What's up with that?

Yet, story cohesiveness is not the point of "Live from Studio 6H," so it's hard to get upset. The episode is meant to be nostalgic and humorous, and it does both rather well. The various bits play on a number of famous shows such as The Honeymooners and Laugh-In. These are comedy gold. Everything else in the episode is fluff, except for the proposal.

The cast of 30 Rock is fantastic. For "Live from Studio 6H," all the stops were pulled out in bringing even more talented people on board, most having appeared on the show before. Sadly, this means that some of the best supporting players are relegated to background status. However, all of the guest actors are terrific. Jimmy Fallon (Late Night with Jimmy Fallon) kills as a young Jack, and Donald Glover (Community) is the perfect earlier version of Tracy (Tracy Morgan), getting the mannerisms spot on. Jon Hamm (Mad Men) returns, but not as his recurring 30 Rock character. Instead, he participates in a very memorable sketch. Chris Parnell (Suburgatory) is the familiar Dr. Spaceman, and Fred Armisen (Portlandia) manages to stand out without any lines at all. Brian Williams (NBC Night News and a 30 Rock veteran) is great as an old-timey newscaster on the West Coast (Hamm takes the part for the East), and Cheyenne Jackson finally returns to the series!

And 30 Rock manages to single-handedly kill the "Zou Bisou Bisou" craze started by Mad Men only a few short weeks ago.

Because the show is live, two versions are done, one each for the East and West coasts. Thankfully, in the era of internet, both are freely available to everyone. Only a handful of jokes change, and Cheyenne and Jenna again split the theme song, which makes more sense in the East because Cheyenne's character doesn't return until mid-episode. But the East coast broadcast has a major leg up over the West, because in the East, Sir Paul McCartney gets a fantastic cameo. The West, though, is left to suffer through Kim Kardashian instead.

30 Rock is what it is. "Live from Studio 6H" is not typical, but it will not disappoint long-time viewers who delight in the zany slapstick the series thrives on. Credit must be given to the show for taking such a big chance and playing in such an unexpected sandbox.

30 Rock airs Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here to read every 30 Rock review I've ever written. To catch up on 30 Rock with DVDs and streaming episodes, please go to amazon.com.

Glee: The Complete Second Season arrives on Blu-ray

     Now available on Blu-ray is Glee: The Complete Second Season. Year two is quite eventful for McKinley High's glee club students, and a number of them go through some big changes. There are the obligatory romantic pairings and splits, and some real social issues get dealt with, too.

     Homosexuality plays a large part in season two. Kurt (Chris Colfer) is forced to transfer to a new school after being bullied by Karofsky (Max Adler), who is secretly gay. Fortunately, Kurt soon meets Blaine (Darren Criss), who not only helps him feel comfortable with himself, but proves to be a love interest. Also, Santana (Naya Rivera) struggles with her feelings for Brittany (Heather Morris), who seems to like guys and at least one girl.

     In other relationship developments, Emma dates Carl (John Stamos), and Will (Matthew Morrison) falls for Holly (Gwyneth Paltrow), which provides a distraction to keep them apart for awhile. Finn (Cory Monteith) goes back to Quinn (Dianna Agron) for a time, despite his feelings for Rachel (Lea Michele). Quinn takes an interest in Sam (Chord Oversteet). Puck (Mark Salling) does his best to woo new member Lauren Zizes (Ashley Fink). Artie (Kevin McHale) loses Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) to Mike Chang (Harry Shum Jr.), but soon dates Brittany.

     Among the other new characters is Beiste (Dot-Marie Jones), the new football coach who befriends Will. She is such a unique person, that she certainly adds another layer to a very diverse cast. Jones, a talented actress, is a nice addition.

     There are some pretty special episodes in Glee's second season. "Britney/Brittany" boasts all Britney Spears music, and an appearance by the singer herself. "The Rocky Horror Glee Show" takes on the musical "The Rocky Horror Show." "A Very Glee Christmas" is the series's spin on a Christmas special, complete with holiday tunes. "The Sue Sylvester Shuffle" aired after the Super Bowl! "Original Song" marks the beginning of premiering all new music on Glee. Finally, "New York," the spectacular season finale, is set and filmed in New York City as the New Directions compete at Nationals.

     The nice thing about this release is that Glee is meant to be watched in HD, which Blu-ray allows. The picture is very detailed and crystal clear, while the songs sound pitch perfect. There is much detail in the setting, and high def picture allows one to see each and every one of those. It's great to get such a great quality for the music, since this show is so melody heavy. Glee: The Complete Second Season has 5.1 DTS-HD surround sound, and is presented in 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio.

     There are lots of bonus features on Glee: The Complete Second Season, mostly drawn from the previously released DVD sets. Glee puts out a release mid-season, so one can buy the year in two parts or one, but only the full season is available in Blu-ray, so that is recommended.

     Over ten minutes are spent examining how the cast shoot the season finale, "New York," in New York City. It's especially touching to see all of the fans that show up to see the actors. Eight minutes of "Guesting on Glee" features interviews with guest stars including Katie Couric, Carol Burnett, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cheyenne Jackson, Charice, Kristin Chenoweth, John Stamos, and Jonathan Groff.

    Cory Monteith takes viewers behind the scenes and spends five and a half minutes talking about building an auditorium set. A real auditorium is used in season one, but for the second year, a set is built on a sound stage. The featurette takes you through the entire process of creating the set, from sketching, to actually putting it together.

     "The Wit of Brittany," which is about two minutes of some of Brittany's (Heather Morris) best one-liners, is fun, as she does provide a good laugh. Even better, an almost six minute short takes fans into a "Day in the Life of Brittany." Morris is in character, but touring the set. Extremely amusing.

     I like "Getting Waxed with Jane Lynch," in which we get to see some of the process it takes Madame Tussauds's to make a Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) wax figure. Two minutes of Sue's one-liners have their own track. Santana gets almost three minutes of her slams put together. There are also fifteen minutes from the Glee panel at the San Diego Comic-Con from summer 2010. "Stevie Nicks Goes Glee" spends three and a half minutes on the Steve Nicks music-heavy episode.

     "The Making of The Rocky Horror Glee Show" is a seven minute look at the very special Halloween episode. Bits of trivia are doled out, such as that Carl was originally supposed to sing "Sweet Transvestite," though Mercedes (Amber Riley) eventually gets the number. Jayma Mays gives the low down on some of the "ab-ulous" going-ons. In general, the cast is very relaxed and talkative about the experience, which is what one wants in such a featurette.

     One feature that is truly disappointing is the exclusive bonus song from "The Rocky Horror Glee Show." Called "Planet, Schmanet, Janet," it is about a minute long. There isn't anything new filmed, just the old red-lips-mouthing-the-words trick used for the opening. The music itself is enjoyable, but longs for something more substantial. There is also inexplicable screaming throughout.

     As always, the Glee Music Jukebox is included, to allow fans to find their favorite musical numbers with a click of the remote. There is a shuffle option, but it only lets you shuffle between pieces from the five or six episodes on the disc currently in the player, so that's a little disappointing.

     It's not a bad lineup, of extras, but it's too bad there aren't some episode commentaries or further discussion with the cast and crew.


     Buy Glee: The Complete Second Season on Blu-ray today.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Glee reviews.

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: Glee: The Complete Second Season on Blogcritics.

Glee hosts "A Night of Neglect"

     FOX's Glee returned last night with an all new episode. In it, the members of the New Directions decide to stage a "Night of Neglect" to raise money to get themselves to Nationals, as well as to pay for several of their group to participate in an academic contest. Sue (Jane Lynch), newly determined to destroy the club, forms a Legion of Doom to combat them. Meanwhile, Will (Matthew Morrison) and Holly (Gwyneth Paltrow) have problems when Holly suspects that Will is still in love with Emma (Jayma Mays).

     It is about time Will and Emma moved along! She is now free of husband Carl (John Stamos), who is seeking an annulment after months of living in an unconsummated marriage. Will is dating Holly, but Holly always says their relationship will be temporary. She is a "wandering, wild substitute," which, by the way, is not a real thing. There are no substitutes anywhere who live and travel like Holly Holliday. But the writing is on the wall, because Paltrow is a big name movie star, and while she has been kind enough to do three episodes this season, her intentions were never to stick around long-term.

     Will and Emma are the on-again, off-again couple that just can't seem to make it work. She likes him when he's married, then he likes her when she is with Carl. Both pine for the other while they are unavailable. Now, both are single, and with the season finale fast approaching, it's finally time to see how they work as a couple. Best guess is that will be the beginning of season three. Can't rush into it too quickly.

     The most likely obstacle for Will and Emma at this time is Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig), missing for most the season, despite her name remaining in the opening credits. As a member of Sue's band, and someone who is still very fond of Will, look for her to stir up trouble just when it appears Will and Emma are heading for a happy ending. Terri is not something that cannot be overcome, but she will toss up some drama for a bit first. This is great news, because as much as Terri might be unlikable, Gilsig is great fun, and it will be enjoyable to watch her in action again.

     As for Holly, she may be back in season three. The writers and producers would love for her to return, and why not? She doesn't even have to come in to start trouble, but rather, just as a returning friend in town for a warm visit. Her performance of "Turning Tables" is a perfect ending for now, but it is likely we have not seen the last of her.

     Anyone who was excited to learn that Charice would be joining Glee this year may have been disappointed by her long absence after only one episode. She returns as Sunshine Corazon, member of a rival club, in last night's episode. After convincing the New Directions that she is serious about helping out with their benefit by delivering a powerful version of "All By Myself" and promising to pack the house, she and her fans are a no-show.

     It's easy to see from a mile away that Charice is part of Sue's evil scheme, asked to participate by her vocal coach, Dustin Goolsby (Cheyenne Jackson), a.k.a. Mr. Handsome, in the Legion of Doom. Why only Rachel (Lea Michele) can see that is a bit mind boggling, especially after Rachel brought another spy from the same group in last year. Yet, somehow, all hopes for the event hang out Charice, and not even Glee Club parents show up.

     Songs at the benefit include Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) singing "I Follow Rivers" and Mike Chang (Harry Shrum Jr.) showing off his dancing skills to Jack Johnson's "Bubble Toes." Tina's song is a little boring, but Mike really has moves, as we've seen numerous times before.

     The only people in attendance are Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Blaine (Darren Criss), making their weekly, brief appearance, and Sandy's (Stephen Tobolowsky), a.k.a. The Pink Dagger, all-familiar heckling club consisting of recurring characters Becky Jackson (Lauren Potter), Jacob Ben Israel (Josh Sussman), and football bully Azimio (James Earl). While the hecklers could have had their own episode, the four actors being so fantastic, a bit of taffy and a talk from Holly handily defeats them, leaving only a couple of cheering fans by the end of the show.

     Sure, Sue's choices of fellow baddies are slim, as most adults in the series, unlike fellow students, adore the New Directions, but did she have to go with Sandy, of all people? Tobolowsky is worth adoration, but his character is never much of a threat. The former glee club director, turned pot dealer, is brought to his knees as soon as Mercedes (Amber Riley) belts out Aretha Franklin's "Ain't No Way," and he ends up donating all of the money for the academic trip himself.

     Mercedes rarely gets a chance to shine. This episode addresses head on how, though Mercedes talent matches Rachel's, the former is never in the spot light. It is extremely welcome for Mercedes to get her due with a killer musical number, while Rachel takes the entire week off of singing, a true rarity in the series. While both are fantastic characters, it would be nice if Mercedes got several episodes of focus, not just this one.

     Lauren Zizes (Ashley Fink) continues her streak of awesomeness by appointing herself Mercedes's manager, and making diva-level demands on Rachel, who is assigned to handle the talent for the event. While Mercedes is generally a kind diva, it is easy to see why she would embrace Lauren's big plans when having her ego stroked a bit, a long overdue occurrence. Lauren and Mercedes are great fun together, and perhaps the two can be chums, since Quinn (Dianna Agron) seems to have abandoned her former gal pal.

     Another highlight in this episode is Santana's (Naya Rivera) verbal take down of Dave (Max Adler) in the hallway as the bully threatens Blaine and Kurt. Santana seems to be embracing her homosexuality, as the whole confrontation has a "stick together" vibe to it. Dave, who earlier in the season admitted he is gay to Kurt, has backtracked into the homophobic crowd, understandable in the setting where he dwells, even though it is also regrettable. While Kurt and Blaine don't seem to be of much help to Dave embracing himself, perhaps Santana's method of kicking butt can turn the tide?

     Lastly, the brief cut scenes of the academic team, consisting of Mike Chang, Tina, Artie (Kevin McHale), and Brittany (Heather Morris) is hilarious! Who'd have thought that Feline Diseases would be a category, making Brittany invaluable in a thinking challenge? The pay off at the end, with Holly's teaching coming in handy, is a nice trough gag. While outside of the normal plot of the show, the connections made, as well as the superb humor, makes this bit memorable.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     Glee airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET, and next week will present a special 90-minute episode! Quinn and Lauren will battle it out for prom queen.

Article first published as TV Review: Glee - "A Night of Neglect" on Blogcritics.

30 Rock goes live!

     NBC's 30 Rock did a live show for each coast last night.  Having just completed viewing the West Coast episode online (I like in the Eastern time zone), I could identify only 5 intentional differences between the two, and most involved the guest stars:  In the East version, Jenna (Jane Krakowski) sang words to 30 Rock's normal theme music about the show being live, and in the West Danny (Cheyenne Jackson, Glee) did it with completly different lyrics.  Flashback Liz Lemon (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Seinfeld) made fun of Jonathan by referencing Slum Dog Millionaire in one version, and Aladdin in the other.  In the East, the entire cast yelled together at Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) to spit out his idea, while the West only saw Jack (Alec Baldwin) yell at him.  Dr. Spaceman (Chris Parnell, Saturday Night Live) sang different songs in his commerical.  And Drew (Jon Hamm, Mad Men) had a black hand from an executed felon in one version, and a woman's hand from a Frankenstein company in the other, though both versions ended with the new hand on his crotch.

     What that means is, joke by joke, facial expression by facial expression, the cast had this piece rehearsed down.  Everything landed almost the exact same way.  The only unintentional difference I saw was that Danny as Dr. Drew actually did break on the East coast feed during a sketch about Tracy (Tracy Jordan) fake breaking.  The show didn't feel fresh and raw, as live shows sometimes do.  It felt like they were performing something they'd done over and over again.  They filmed with the help of Saturday Night Live, and as 30 Rock is usually funnier than SNL, I wonder if it is the various takes that help that along.  This was not 30 Rock's finest episode by a long shot.  The novelty was what sold the episode, and I admit I enjoyed it.  But not because of the quality.  If the show was like this every week, it wouldn't be half as good.

     Along with the uniqueness of the live feature, a lot of guest stars also showed up to help.  Much more than normal.  I already mentioned Louis-Dreyfus (the most unexpected of the bunch, and probably the funniest), Parnell, Jackson, and Hamm.  Carol (Matt Damon) also did two scenes, and Bill Hader (SNL) played the co-pilot in love with him.  Last, but not least, after a far-too-long absence, Rachel Dratch, who was originally cast as Jenna, and did a number of characters in twelve episodes of season one, returned.

     The plot was simple, as with everything else going on, there wasn't too much time to squeeze it in.  Everyone forgot Liz's (Tina Fey) birthday, Jack gave up alcohol, and Tracy decided he wanted to break during TGS.  No one will probably remember that part of the show.

     It was an interesting experiment, and I'm glad that 30 Rock did it.  I laughed a lot.  Now please don't do it again.

     30 Rock airs Thursday nights at 8:30 on NBC.


For frequent mini-reviews and occasional tv news, follow Jerome on Twitter.