30 Rock scarfs down its "Last Lunch"

Article first published as 30 Rock scarfs down its "Last Lunch" on TheTVKing.

Last night was the one hour series finale of NBC's 30 Rock. In a double length episode entitled "Hogcock!" and "Last Lunch," the cast that works behind the scenes at a late night sketch comedy show, in which we rarely see what the sketches are about, take their final bow, bringing us a few emotional payoffs along the way.

Last week's episode, "A Goon's Deed in a Weary World," felt like a series finale. The Girlie Show is facing cancellation, and the cast and crew band together to make sure the show shuts down so that Liz (Tina Fey) could get to the airport to meet her kids. It was heartwarming, funny, and it would have been pretty darn good if 30 Rock chose to end there.

Instead, the final hour feels forced and off for much of the episode. The entire gambit to make one last episode of TGS cheapens the way the series ends, and comes across as contrived to pull all the characters back together, instead of letting them go their separate ways. Most of the staff, save the bosses, haven't even left the premises yet, taking their sweet time packing up! It doesn't make sense, and is wholly unsatisfying.

The entire premise hinges on Tracy's (Tracy Morgan) contract stipulating that he will be paid thirty million dollars if TGS doesn't film 150 episodes (30 Rock only made 139, by the way), one episode short of where they stopped. It's fine that Tracy is the one mucking things up for everyone; that makes sense, given his character. It's just a shame that this is the way the series decides to have him cause trouble.

Tracy resists doing the show because he doesn't want to say goodbye to everyone. This leads to one of the best moments in the finale, where Liz and Tracy have a heart to heart in a strip club, and Liz admits that she will miss him. This scene is fantastic, a real pay-off between the two characters, and a prime opportunity for Tracy to really open up, as he is at his best when he shows some vulnerability.

I just wish Liz's story played out a little better. Last week, she gets the escape she needs, finally getting away from the job that drives her crazy. This week, she realizes she misses the craziness and is drawn back in, even ending up directing a sitcom you just know she doesn't believe in in the "One Year Later" sequence. Where is Liz's happy ending? Why does her path to peace not stick? Are we supposed to believe she will always be so miserable? Fans don't want that for someone they've come to care about so much!

The dilemma surrounding Liz's plot is twice as bad for Jack (Alec Baldwin). We see Jack not satisfied with his achievement of his dreams, finally in charge of Kabletown. To compensate, he rounds out his life, which only makes him feel like he isn't devoting himself fully to work, keeping him from the goals he desires. His reaction is to go crazy and quit his job, heading off on a boat. This takes things a little too far, even for Jack, and makes one think that when he ends up back in the corporate world, he will still never feel good about where he is in his life and what he does.

Don't get me wrong; I love the scene at the water where Liz and Jack express their non-romantic love for one another. I also love the catalyst for that moment, when Liz and Jack bitingly rip into one another, declaring that they are nothing more than two people who worked together for a time, and don't mean anything. Dramatic, meaty stuff for a relationship that has been the driving force of the series. This story is what we need from the two leads in the final episode, and reinforces just how much they mean to one another. But why is the filler in between these two amazing bits so bad?

Other great stuff: Tracy tells Jenna (Jane Krakowski) he is going out for cigarettes, Tracy's dad finally comes home from buying cigarettes, Jenna realizes what she will miss most is her mirror, Jenna sings the "Rural Juror" song, Jenna is greeted in L.A. by beautiful young women including one that looks just like Cerie (Katrina Bowden), Jenna admitting she has never met Mickey Rourke, Jonathan (Maulik Pancholy) celebrating the dissolution of Liz and Jack's friendship, Tracy releasing Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) from his promise to always be there for Tracy, finding out that Pete's (Scott Adsit) attempt to fake his death didn't work.

Other things that didn't work: everything with Lutz (John Lutz), Jack cheapening his feelings for both Elisa (Salma Hayek) and Nancy (Julianne Moore), Kenneth running the network in such a strict way and still seemingly succeeding, Liz and Criss (James Marsden) in the chat room and park meetup, the lack of so many recurring characters who still mean something to the leads, like Paul and Angie.

I think the main problem with the 30 Rock finale is that it should have stuck to a half hour format. Seeing how the characters end up, especially in the flash forward in the tag, is wonderful, and there are several terrific connections between characters, with goodbyes that mean something. But tossing in the extra episode of TGS and the subplots for minor characters, such as the writers' story, where they battle Lutz for lunch, slows down the episode, and ruins it.

Overall, I ended up being underwhelmed and disappointed. For a series I love so much, and coming at the end of a fantastic season, I expected more depth, or at least more good jokes, and less filler.

Ah, well. It's over now. Unless somehow Tracy Morgan has a similar contract clause, and NBC is forced to make 11 more episodes?

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter! 

The ashes of Weeds

Weeds is done. Last night, Showtime aired the final hour of the popular series, entitled "It's Time." Rather than an action-packed, dangerous climax, leaving the characters in disarray, as most of the show's season finale have done, instead what is presented is a calmer, more introspective examination of the characters. No earth-shattering events happen, but fans check in with the Botwins years later and see how they end up, as well as the legacy they are leaving behind.

"It's Time" takes place the week of Stevie's (Mateus Ward) Bar Mitzvah. Friends and family have gathered at Nancy's (Mary-Louise Parker) mansion to celebrate. While there are many familiar faces we haven't seen in awhile, such as Dean (Andy Milder), Guillermo (Guillermo Diaz), Sanjay (Maulik Pancholy), Clinique (Julanne Chidi Hill), and Marvin (Fatso-Fasano), it isn't a who's who gallery, but rather a random sampling of guest stars who mostly did not appear earlier in the final season, who just happen to be available for the party, making for a natural feel, rather than a forced look back.

A main theme is the legacy one leaves behind, especially as it pertains to sons. Guillermo talks to Stevie about his birth father, revealing some truths that Stevie did not know. This sparks a self-examination in the boy, who doesn't look very Mexican, nor speak Spanish, even though his father was mayor of Tijuana and a gangster.

Stevie blows off the Bar Mitzvah portion of the event as a reaction against this new information, not sure who he is now, given his different daddy influences. But then a strange thing happens. He talks about how proud he is of his mom, and how supportive she has been. It is a very different parent-child bond then we're used to seeing with Nancy, who screwed up with Shane (Alexander Gould) and Silas (Hunter Parrish) royally, repeatedly.

So Nancy has finally done it! She has settled down enough to act like a real mother. She has raised a son right, who loves and respects her, rather than resents or worships her in inappropriate ways. It's an unexpected, and very sweet ending. Viewers have seen Nancy try to grow in this final season, after being in prison and getting shot. It's very rewarding to see it pay off in the end, even if Nancy herself isn't sure it has.

Nancy hasn't completely changed. She runs a pot empire. But in this future, that's a legal career, and her company is about to be bought by Starbucks, setting up her and her loved ones for life. This is the peace and stability she has longed for. And she can't believe she has it, as insecure as ever, and worried about the men that once loved her who no longer hang around. When Stevie leaves for boarding school soon, she will be all alone.

Yet, Nancy is not alone. What she fails to see is, no matter how many mistakes she makes, those men still love her. Stevie proclaims it publicly, and the others do it more subtlety. Silas has a good life, and even though his wife, Megan (Shoshannah Stern), hates Nancy for everything she did to Silas, he doesn't hold a grudge. Shane is on the wrong track, but when his mother intervenes, he agrees to go to rehab. The final scene, where Shane, Silas, Doug (Kevin Nealon), and Andy (Justin Kirk) gather around Nancy on the porch makes it clear. She did good, and not just for Stevie.

Ah, Andy. He finally grew a pair and left Nancy. When he did, he found his joy, raising a daughter in Renmar. It's interesting that, in the end, Nancy is the one trying to win Andy, and he resists. Does Nancy really want him, or is she just trying to hang on to someone, feeling like her world is slipping away? It doesn't matter, because this is what Nancy has always done, so her emotions are real, whether she's stick with him romantically for life or not. It's too bad that Andy is the only one that realizes that love isn't enough, and that they are better off apart than together.

Doug, the lone main character who isn't a Botwin who stays for the length of the series, has his own legacy to worry about in "It's Time." He is happily succeeding in his latest scam, a cult-like religion that he runs. It will fall apart eventually, as it always does, but at least this time Doug has a family. He makes up with his son, Josh (Justin Chatwin, not seen since the Weeds "Pilot"). Doug has his biological family and his adopted one, the Botwins, meaning that no matter what happens, he will be fine.

Weeds can be crazy, and a couple of those outrageous elements are present in "It's Time" in Stevie's speech and the cool new cell phones. But it chooses to focus on the heart in the end, and while that's not been the obvious tone of the show up til now, it's always been an underlying theme. At the end of the day, it's not drug kingpins and burning suburbs that will define Weeds, but rather the rich characters it follows. These people were a bunch of weeds, but they're finally blossoming into something better, especially Andy and Silas. Nancy helped them get to that point, and they're grateful. So Weeds goes out on a very touching moment, not with the world perfect, as no world is, but with it realistically working out.Awesome.

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

Whitney's wedding less than perfect

NBC's Whitney brings its season (and, likely, the series) to an end with "Something Black, Something Blue." Whitney (Whitney Cummings) and Alex (Chris D'Elia) decide to go to City Hall to get married. But from an expired ID, to a broken finger, to being handed the paperwork for a divorce, things just keep going wrong. In the end, they decide that being together is enough, and they don't need a legally recognized union.

Perhaps due to a mediocre start, Whitney never took off with viewers. That's a shame, because it has become a pretty decent sitcom, and lots of shows take a few episodes to find their footing. Right from the beginning, there has been a special chemistry evident between Cummings and D'Elia, and the more the series has allowed that to flourish, the better it has gotten. As someone who watched every single episode, sticking with it from beginning to end, it is pretty darn enjoyable, overall, and it will be sad to see it go. If it goes. Which is likely. But there's still a (very small) chance...

As mentioned above, the heart of this sitcom is the relationship between Whitney and Alex. What they have isn't traditional, but in the modern age, it isn't completely unusual, either. The two have pledged to be together long-term, and they don't need marriage to do it. They are characters people can relate to, and laugh with, rather than at.

Funnily enough, they are not opposed to marriage. Whitney is, at first, because of her upbringing and issues. But by showcasing how much she trusts Alex in "Something Black, Something Blue," the series is able to demonstrate her lasting commitment, even without a ring. She is willing to get married if that's what he wants, but when it proves to be too much trouble, he doesn't want it anymore. This is fitting for the characters, if slightly disappointing for those wanting to see them take that plunge. Though, admittedly, the proposal should have been saved for a couple of seasons, and probably only happened because of the sense that the end was near.

The weaknesses of Whitney lie in the other characters. Had the show stuck to just the central couple, it may have proved more popular. Instead, likely to keep with an accepted formula, four other people are shoved into the stories. It's not that the actors are bad, but they don't quite fit the way that they are inserted.
Early on, none of them are interesting. By the middle of the season, each becomes better defined, and starts landing consistent laughs. By "Something Black, Something, Blue," though, they land somewhere in between the high and the low points.

The issue is that once the writers figure out what to do with the other four, and capture them wonderfully, there isn't a lot of wiggle room for situation comedy, based on who these people are. They are developed in a kind of narrow way. So forcing Neal (Maulik Pancholy) to suddenly be gay, and then to have Lily (Zoe Lister Jones) enjoy a kiss with Mark (Dan O'Brien), who is interested in Roxanne (Rhea Seehorn), seems desperate and gimmicky. It gets them out of the box that they are written into, but not in a way that feels natural. Had Neal and Lily taken their walk down the aisle, perhaps they would have been boring, but at least they would have stayed true to the characters presented.

That being said, season two could still be good. Perhaps Lily and Mark might work as a couple, if they are given a chance. Neal could become a fun gay character, once the awkwardness of his out-of-nowhere coming out wears off. Roxanne is actually fine the way she is now. And, of course, more tales of Whitney and Alex will always be welcome.

The only bright spot to a cancellation, and I do mean only, is if Pancholy returns to 30 Rock, where he has been missed.

Whitney airs (aired?) on NBC.
 
If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here to catch up with streaming episodes of Whitney. Article first published as TV Review: Whitney - "Something Black, Something Blue" on Blogcritics.

30 Rock rocks out the guest stars

     This week on NBC's 30 Rock, in "The Ballad of Kenneth Parcell," Jack (Alec Baldwin) decides to get rid of the Page Program and replace them with an automated system (voiced by Rachel Dratch), much to Kenneth's (Jack McBrayer) chagrin. But then Jack makes a mistake, and his businessversary present to Hank Hooper (Ken Howard) gets sent to TGS instead. Jack loses the respect of not only Hank, but the TGS staff as well, with Lutz (John Lutz) even thinking that they are on the same level! To save face, Jack rehires the pages and blames Kenneth for the snafu, scrapping the automated machine.

     Writing a review of nearly any 30 Rock episode ends up being a game of name dropping as many celebrities as possible, and a struggle to mention all of the best one-liners, of which there are almost always a plethora to choose from. "The Ballad of Kenneth Parcell" has its share of the latter, and more of the former than any installment in recent memory. That alone makes it an episode well worth watching, as well as guarantees that not every star appearing in the half hour will be mentioned in the following article. Nor will most of those names be linked, but feel free to google them.

     It's been too long an absence for Dratch, who appears regularly as a variety of characters in the early days of 30 Rock. Any excuse to bring her back is more than welcome, so it's a little disappointing that the machine is thrown away so fast. Where might she pop up next, and when?

     It's great to see Jack exposed as a normal man. Everything about his character screams elitist, and even though viewers soon start to root for Jack to fix his image problem this week, it's funny to see him taken down a peg by the likes of Lutz and Frank (Judah Friedlander). 30 Rock needs Jack to be the top dog in order to keep the fictional version of NBC running, but that doesn't mean that he can't suffer temporary setbacks. This story will work especially well for those who wish some ill will on Baldwin, who isn't universally liked outside of 30 Rock.

     In "The Ballad of Kenneth Parcell," Jack gets to deliver a great one-liner about the fame of Maulik Pancholy, who formerly plays Jack's assistant, Jonathan, and now co-stars in Whitney. Jonathan is definitely missed, and is a far better use of Pancholy's talents that his current role. However, Pancholy does get more screen time on Whitney, slightly, so it's probably better for him, career wise. And at least he's a main character on his new series instead of a recurring supporting player, as he is on 30 Rock.

     In a second plot, Liz (Tina Fey) and Jenna (the underrated, fantastic Jane Krakowski) have a falling out as friends when Jenna sets up Liz to have paint thrown on her by PETA, just so Jenna can save face. Both seek solace by gravitating towards others like themselves. It isn't long before Jenna finds her new besties, including an unknown Kardashian, exhausting. And Liz, after a misstep with a very obvious knock off of the Sex and the City friends, who are even listed in the credits with names like Charglotte and Kerrie (Teri Conn, As the World Turns, One Life to Live), ends up really annoyed by a near twin named Amy (Julie Dretzin, Six Feet Under). They return to each other, glad to have someone that complements them, rather than a pal exactly like them.

     30 Rock uses its trademark brand of broad, winky humor extensively in the Liz and Jenna plot this week. Not only is it packed with guest stars, but the jokes are really funny. It may be a typical story, done by many other series, but it is handled with a 30 Rock twist that makes it seem both fresh and hilarious. As such, more of this kind of stuff will keep the show running for a good long time.

     Following on that theme, the MLK Day trailer at the beginning of "The Ballad of Kenneth Purcell," featuring Jenna starring in a Valentine's Day-esque film with Emma Stone, Nick Cannon, and Andy Samberg (themselves), is a wonderful tongue-in-cheek joke. Not many shows have the gravitas to pull these kind of names for a one-shot laugh, but that 30 Rock can do so over and over again really lends to its credibility. Just looking for who will show up next is a great draw to watch each episode. Also, Jenna's growing fame on the show within a show is a neat way to take her character, and putting her in the company of these others actors makes it seem even more believable.

     Finally, Tracy (Tracy Morgan) decides that he'd like to kill himself after Dot Com (Kevin Brown) and Grizz (Grizz Chapman) send out his birthday invitations with the phrase "no gifts." Tracy isn't really looking for death, but rather, wants to illustrate a point to his entourage, mostly because he doesn't have anything else to do. As to what exactly that point is, well, anyone's guess is good, as Tracy's brain doesn't exactly work correctly. But it's amusing, and it gives Morgan some amusing scenes in the jam-packed episode.

     "The Ballad of Kenneth Parcell" aired at 9 p.m. ET, the second of two new episodes this week. Normally, 30 Rock airs in the earlier time slot of 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Be sure to watch it.

     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.

"Christmas is Cummings" for Whitney

     NBC's Whitney ends its fall run with "Christmas is Cummings." Whitney (Whitney Cummings) and Alex (Chris D'Elia) plan to start new Christmas traditions with their friends, and lie to their families to do so. However, Whitney's mom, Patti (Jane Kaczmarek, Raising the Bar, Malcolm in the Middle), and dad, Vince (Peter Gallagher, Covert Affairs, The O.C.) show up anyway, and Whitney must lie to get rid of them. Feeling bad, she goes to apologize, only to find them sleeping together. This is unexpected, since they hate each other, and aren't a couple.

     Kaczmarek is a delight in her second appearance as Patti, and Gallagher really shows viewers something far different from his current USA role. The two are totally believable as Whitney's parents, and their craziness goes a long way towards explaining why Whitney is a little messed up in the head. One can only hope the two will return over and over again to give more insight on the title character of Whitney.

     In the truth-must-be-told tradition Whitney tries to begin, a very startling secret comes out. Alex admits, in front of Whitney's parents and all of their friends, that he almost dumped Whitney after meeting her parents. It's a shocking bombshell, and one not dealt with enough in the episode. Alex assures Whitney that she is a great person, and he is glad he didn't break up with her. Still, despite Whitney's wonderful expression after the confession, she doesn't talk about it with him later. Perhaps they don't need to talk, as Whitney and Alex already have a perfect chemistry. This is demonstrated in "Christmas is Cummings" when they join hands at the end. But Whitney doesn't seem the type to let something like this go, and there are so many juicy possibilities that could spring from the loaded statement, that it's a shame they aren't delved into.

     As Whitney and Alex try to lie to the folks, Roxanne (Rhea Seehorn) points out that they all dislike their families, or else they wouldn't be gathering with their friends instead. This is a television conceit that has been around for a very long time, but one wonders where it comes from. Sure, it is convenient to not have main character all return to their homes at Christmas, thus negating the need to have lots of different sets and guest stars. But is it realistic? Certainly not where I'm from. People want to be with their families, and often enjoy them. This is a bad stereotype being given, and it's lazy writing.

     At least the supporting characters on Whitney are becoming more developed, though sadly this is barely touched on this week. Roxanne is interesting when she stays sober and pines for her marriage in "Christmas is Cummings." Neal's (Maulik Pancholy) lack of Christmas traditions should become fodder for next year's seasonal special. Mark (Daniel G. O'Brien) has little to do this week, but is seemingly a good friend who has a fine relationship with Alex. Lily (Zoe Lister-Jones) is probably the least layered, but given more time, perhaps she can grow into a person.

    In January, Whitney will move to Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

    If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

    Click here to catch up with streaming episodes of Whitney.

Whitney has some whit

     NBC's newest addition to the Thursday night sitcom line up is Whitney. In the "Pilot," Whitney Cummings (Whitney Cummings, Chelsea Lately) attends yet another wedding with her boyfriend of three years, Alex (Chris D'Elia, Glory Daze). There, the conversation convinces Whitney that they are not having enough sex. Determined to correct that so she doesn't lose Alex, though she doesn't like the idea of marriage, Whitney buys a sexy nurse costume. But sex night is ruined when Alex falls and hits his head, requiring real medical attention.

     Whitney is better than the commercials make it out to be. For one thing, Whitney has some pretty funny laugh lines. For another, Cummings and D'Elia have great chemistry as a loving, modern couple. The series does better than most at capturing a realistic dating life in this day and age. True to Whitney's nature, Whitney doesn't glamorize and exaggerate sex. Also like Whitney's comedy, this can be mined for laughs.

     If one wonders how Whitney got the way she is, her character's mother (Jane Kaczmarek, Raising the Bar, Malcolm in the Middle) shows up at the hospital, complaining about what a terrible father Whitney has. With someone as self-absorbed as her mom, one wonders how Whitney turned out half as good as she did, and it is surprising the girl even still believes in love. It also adequately explains the anti-marriage attitude. In an era with so many divorces, the next generation isn't so willing to commit.

     The cast is rounded out by four other performers, who play Whitney and Alex's friends. Maulik Pancholy should be recognizable enough for his roles on 30 Rock, Weeds, and Web Therapy. Rhea Seehorn has had parts on Franklin & Bash and Head Cases, and Zoe Lister Jones is in Delocated. Dan O'Brien merely has a few small credits to his name. They'll all fine, though, at least in the "Pilot," generic and interchangeable, especially the guys. This show is about Whitney and Alex, and anyone else is just extraneous.

     Whitney would benefit from dropping the laughing. No, it's not a track. Whitney is filmed before a live audience. But the noise is distracting, and often comes after jokes that just aren't all that funny. The series isn't bad, but would soar a little better without the chuckling dragging it down.

     Only time will tell whether Whitney deserves to be in a great comedy line up, but the first episode shows promise, if not a lot of originality. Watch Whitney Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

Web Therapy is "Exposed!"

     Things on Showtime's Web Therapy may be progressing a little slower than expected. In last week's episode, Fiona (Lisa Kudrow) discovers that her husband Kip (Victor Garber) is gay. But in the latest installment, "Exposed!," she does not actually expose him, as one might assume she might. Instead, she tries to get her mother Putsy (Lily Tomlin) to see that the son she thinks she's found after many years is an imposter. So the "exposed" of the episode title refers to the "son" and not to Kip. It's still Fiona doing the exposing, just not who viewers might expect.

     Too bad Putsy isn't willing to listen to reason (or even DNA test results). What's more conclusive than DNA testing? Perhaps whatever Putsy is smoking has something to do with her delusion, considering that she seems higher and higher in each subsequent scene.

     Thank goodness Tomlin is a comedy queen, or this silly plot might fall flat. Instead, not only does it work, but it's very easy to see where Fiona gets many of her less endearing characteristics. Hopefully Putsy will begin to see reason before Tic removes everything of value out of her house. On the other hand, if she doesn't, maybe she might move in with Fiona! That would be hilarious!

     But back to the original point: why isn't Fiona pressing Kip's secret more? True, discovering something as startling as discovering a partner's hidden homosexuality after many years of marriage is a trauma. Fiona may still be in shock.

     So why doesn't she confront Kip? The strange nature of Web Therapy, showing only scenes that take place at computers, may mean that Fiona already has already spoken with Kip before or during "Exposed!" If so, though, doesn't Kudrow owe it to the audience to discuss the effects of that conversation?

     Or maybe Fiona hasn't even brought the subject up to Kip because she's afraid that it will drive him away and ruin the one caring relationship she has in her life.

     Of course, Fiona isn't holding back because of scruples. She has few of those. Convincing Jerome (Dan Bucatinsky) to do illegal things as part of his "therapy," just so she can investigate her husband, proves that Fiona has little regard for most of those around her. While it is Jerome that takes things too far and gets not only fired, but escorted out by security, Fiona should know how fragile his psyche is, and what she is doing by manipulating him. Her behavior is unethical, at best.

     Now Jerome is actually worse off, working for Fiona. With Kamal (Maulik Pancholy) refusing to do any more of Fiona's dirty work without compensation, Fiona turns to the desperate Jerome and gives him a job. While not expressly stated, it is hinted that Fiona sabotages other interview opportunities to drive a frustrated Jerome close enough to the edge to accept such an arrangement. That she even charges him a supply fee for toiletries shows how little regard she has for him.

     Which is why Fiona doesn't really deserve a happy ending. Unlikeable main characters, who are still interesting enough to watch, are a relatively new thing on television. Kudrow seems to take things a little further than most other attempts, as Fiona is completely self-involved and has an annoying tenor to her voice, making her almost impossible to sympathize with. Yet, the actors in Web Therapy, pros, all of them, are plenty talented enough to hold a viewer's attention. It's what makes the web series version of Web Therapy so popular, and it's what will keep this television series running.

     Watch Web Therapy Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET on Showtime.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here to purchase Web Therapy.

Article first published as TV Review: Web Therapy - "Exposed!" on Blogcritics.

Login to Web Therapy

     Now on Showtime is Web Therapy. Web Therapy began life as a series of short webisodes available online. Now Showtime has ordered it to series, so what is airing on television is a compilation of the shorter bits, edited together with connecting scenes. In the first two episodes, we meet Fiona Wallace (Lisa Kudrow, Friends), who is starting a new "modality" for therapy - offering three minute sessions via web cam. This works for her, as she is lazy, and would rather avoid the human contact that comes with fifty minute meetings in person. To begin, Fiona calls upon some people she already knows in the "real world," hoping to establish a brand, then franchise it and become rich. Ideally, this will happen within a couple of months. The series is made up completely of web cam shots.

     Two episodes in, Kudrow has banished Phoebe from the minds of viewers. A different voice and mannerisms assure virtually no connection between the character Kudrow is most famous for, and the one she now inhabits. Fiona herself is odd, with an annoyingly lilting tone, and her own, distinct pattern of dialogue. One episode in, she is easy to despise. Two half hours, and suddenly she is incredibly enjoyable, even though it is still apparent she is a horrible human being. For instance, she tries to exploit a patient named Jerome (executive producer Dan Bucatinsky), who thinks he was unknowingly sleeping with his half sister (Rashida Jones, Parks and Recreation). Fiona takes the role of victim when it turns out the woman is not related to him. After all, she intends to use his story to get investors! How dare he be boring!

     Part of the reason Fiona may be the way she is could be the lack of affection she gets from her husband, Kip (the great Victor Garber, Eli Stone, Alias). Kips is, to keep with the show's format, only seen via web cam, too, whether he is on Fiona's computer, sitting next to her, or being called while in the bedroom on his own laptop. It makes for an odd communication style between the two, and most moments of their lives are missed by the viewers. However, there is enough insinuation to figure out that Kip wants to stay in the marriage, cares about Fiona, but avoids her sexual advances. Could he be gay?

     To compensate, Fiona acts inappropriately towards other men, but can't bring herself to go through with anything. One in particular, Richard (Tim Bagley, Monk, Will & Grace), she now counsels, and tries to interfere in his new relationship. You see, her departure from her previous job came after she made many advances, but she rejected Richard when he tried to act on them. Now she doesn't want him to be with anyone else, and he is confused. Wholly unethical, it's still a pretty funny situation, and actually exposes a vulnerable side of Fiona. Which is when she begins to be a character fans can get behind, if only slightly. What is shown most of the time is a persona, and this situation peels down into a deeper layer.

     High quality guest stars abound in the first season, including Jane Lynch (Glee), Lily Tomlin (Damages, The West Wing), Alan Cumming (The Good Wife), Courteney Cox (Cougar Town), Jennifer Elise Cox (The Brady Bunch Movie), Maulik Pancholy (30 Rock, Weeds), Julie Claire (24, Dirt), and more. It should be an exciting bunch of whackos, perfectly complimenting Fiona's insanity.

     Web Therapy is nowhere close to realistic, but it is pretty funny. Check it out Tuesdays at 11 p.m. EST on Showtime.


     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here to purchase Web Therapy.

Article first published as TV Review: Web Therapy on Blogcritics.

30 Rock tries to "Respawn" with mixed results

     NBC's 30 Rock completed its fifth (already!?) season with "Respawn," in which a number of characters try to make it through the summer. Liz's (Tina Fey) dream is to stay in the Hamptons, learning Spanish and spending time doing brainless tasks outside. Her peace is interrupted when Tracy (Tracy Morgan) moves in next door to her. Jack (Alec Baldwin) doesn't even try to think of any way he might rescue Avery (Elizabeth Banks). Instead, he tries to carry on without her or other people's pity, and when that doesn't want, he forces Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) to take her place. Jenna (Jane Krakowski) tries to make her boyfriend, Paul (Will Forte), behave normally so that the head of the Wool Council (guest star Victor Garber) will be satisfied with Jenna's morality. And the writers play video games.

     Generally, summer episodes, if they are done at all, appear in the fall, so it is a new and novel idea to do it as a season finale. The drawback, though, is that instead of a big finish, it's a meandering episode spanning a large chunk of time, and not a lot gets done. While 30 Rock may make frequent use of episodes not getting anything done, after its big 'Weddings' finale last year, this one is a let down.
     The title of the episode refers to the writers' plot, where Frank (Judah Friedlander), Lutz (John Lutz), Toofer (Keith Powell), and some other guy keep killing themselves and respawning in a video game so that none of them actually get a kill point, and no one wins. They are only checked in on a couple of times, so it seems an odd thing to pinpoint in the title. However, their scenes may actually have been the funniest in this mediocre episode.

     The best thing "Respawn" has going for it is the great Victor Garber in an apparently one-time guest role. Garber is an extremely talented actor, and is only the latest in a long line of 'big gets' for 30 Rock. His presence elevates the series in a noticeable way, and he steals every scene he is in as the highly moral, wool loving CEO.

     Besides Garber, Forte continues to be a great asset for 30 Rock, and they should consider making Paul a regular, now that Forte is no longer with Saturday Night Live. He was originally introduced as a Jenna impersonator, funny enough, but their continued relationship and hilariously kinky sex has been a constant joy. Also, Paul trying to be normal for his girl is something he would not have done when they were less committed, so it shows a level of growth that is unexpected. Kudos is warranted for this subplot.

     Jack has been completely tamed by Avery and their baby. There is no way  a couple of years ago Jack would have sat by and did nothing while the love of his life is tortured by North Koreans. While this is sort of dealt with last week, it is intolerable that he should grow complacent in the season finale. Is Banks no longer available for 30 Rock episodes, and so she is being written out? It is hard to fathom what the thinking is behind this plot, but it is far from satisfying.

     Kenneth is a joke in "Respawn." While he has always been a bit dim and eager to please, he goes too far in going along with Jack's transference. Not only that, but the character clearly understands what is going on, and that it is wrong, and he doesn't want to do it, but continues anyway. Kenneth has come further than this, and it is very disappointing to see him backslide into such a stooge. And what is up with the little bit at the end where he tells Jacob he needs more time before "To be continued..." appears. To be honest, it feels like a one-note gag, possibly a Lost reference, that will likely not be followed up on.

     Jonathan (Maulik Pancholy), on the other hand, is moved to feelings of revenge when Jack fully chooses Kenneth over him. This has been touched on before, but it's time for an ongoing, full-blown feud between the two. It is certain to be tons of fun, if the writers pursue it. It would be good to see Kenneth get mad enough to fight back, the only possible outcome for his character to survive a full onslaught from Jonathan.

     Tracy is funny in his need to bug Liz, as he has formed quite an attachment to her after hiding out in her upstairs and sneaking in to repaint her apartment three times. He is likely looking for a peer-level friend, rather than his entourage he usually interacts with. This could be something really great to explore further.

     Liz, on the other hand, is sliding backwards. Throughout 30 Rock she has struggled to improve her life. She did so for awhile, even maintaining a steady relationship with Carol (Matt Damon). But since their break up, she has become a joke. She barely cares about the show anymore, other than how its cancellation would cut off her paycheck. What happened to the Lemon that was passionate about TGS? Bring her back!


     30 Rock has been renewed for a sixth season, and will return in the fall to NBC.

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

     To catch up on 30 Rock with DVDs and streaming episodes, please go to amazon.com