NEW GIRL "Cruise" Through Finale

Article first published as TV Review: 'New Girl' - Season Finale Review on Blogcritics.

FOX’s New Girl sends its cast out on a boat for the third season finale, aptly titled “Cruise.” This is supposed to be a romantic getaway for Nick (Jake Johnson) and Jess (Zooey Deschanel), but having broken up, they decide to bring all their friends with them, hoping that will lessen the weirdness. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of activities for lovers that the couple must engage in, reawaking feelings, made worse when no one is helping them through it.

The chemistry between Nick and Jess is electric throughout the first couple of seasons, which New Girl then decided to go for in year three with a full-fledged relationship, only to have it fall apart after a short time. This is not what fans want. Television shows have tried for years to unnaturally string along a leading duo, tossing every obstacle in the way they can (see: Friends, Bones, Castle, The Big Bang Theory, The Office, etc.). What most have figured out, though, is they have to give into it eventually or risk alienating those who watch mainly to see the pair end up together.

The sooner New Girl does this, the better. Watching Nick and Jess interact in “Cruise,” it’s very clear they belong together. She rejects him when he goes in for a kiss, but they share many lingering looks. This screams for resolution, and there’s no reason to wait five years to get it. If the writers are afraid they won’t be able to keep up interesting stories after this, then the writing is weak in the first place. It’s time for character development.

The other couple on the show is in almost the same boat, excuse the pun. Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Cece (Hannah Simone) have been dancing around one another ever since their break up at the end of season one. Schmidt loves her, of course, even if his idea of grand, romantic gestures isn’t what will get him this girl. And New Girl teases us in the finale by having Cece gaze longingly at Schmidt in a picture, proving the feelings are mutual. Why not go for it?

Of course, putting four of the six main characters (Damon Wayans Jr.’s Coach has now been deservedly upgraded to full-time cast) in long-term relationships would drastically change the show. That’s a good thing. Sitcoms often try to stay stagnant as long as possible, not wanting to mess with their dynamics. Yet, when they give in and allow life to take its course, it allows them to go deeper. Did Jim and Pam getting married ruin The Office? Is The Big Bang Theory less funny now that most of their guys have partners? No to both.

It’s time for New Girl to undergo a similar transformation. Doing so will keep the series fresh. That might mean Coach and Winston (Lamorne Morris) have to take a step forward, especially in the love department, but both performers are more than up to the challenge. All comedy can grow stale if it treads water. So far, the show is still good. Let’s hope it makes the right choices to continue to be that way, unlike, say, How I Met Your Mother, which got extremely disappointing in the middle years when it couldn’t allow itself to evolve.

It’s really interesting that Coach has returned and is sticking around. He appears in the pilot of the show, but then disappears because the actor was in Happy Endings instead, and is replaced by Winston. Now, Winston isn’t going anywhere and Coach is added to the dynamic, making for a physically crowded apartment, but not a too-big cast. It’s not often a character and their replacement can co-exist so easily, but New Girl has somehow done it, and it’s working well, which is only possible because they made the wise decision early on to play to Morris’ strengths, not making him a clone of what Coach is introduced as.

“Cruise” itself is a humorous episode. Two good guest stars, Oscar Nunez (The Office) and Kerri Kenney-Silver (Reno 911!), are underused, but only so that the focus stays on who it belongs, the principles. Winston, in particular, has some of his best awkward moments, petting Coach’s ear and shouting his name to Oscar at a weird time. However, each member of the ensemble is served, from Coach’s fear of the water to Schmidt being tickled by strangers for being a Grumpy Gus. Hilarious!

New Girl has been officially picked up for a fourth season, which will begin this coming fall on FOX.

NEW GIRL Awkwardly Meets "Prince"

Article first published as NEW GIRL Awkwardly Meets "Prince" on TheTVKing.

FOX's New Girl got the prime post-Super Bowl slot this week, meaning it had way higher ratings than usual, many viewers likely checking out the third-year sitcom for the first time. As someone on board from the beginning, it's gratifying to know others might find it on the schedule. But a typical episode it was not, and does that mean it missed the chance to show off its charm?

There's always pressure on the series that lands such a visible air time. It has one chance to both show who it is, and do something a little bit atypical and out there, maybe playing to the football game's target audience. Various programs have met with a wide range of success, from selling out completely while caught up in the moment or pretending it's just a typical week (which can be as bad), to effortlessly mixing what the show is known for with something flashy sure to have employees talking around the water cooler. Unfortunately, I think "Prince" falls towards the first end of the scale too much.

In "Prince," Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and CeCe (Hannah Simone) have a chance encounter that earns them an invitation to a party thrown by the legendary musician, not exactly a believable happenstance. As Jess leaves, though, Nick (Jake Johnson) says 'I love you' to her for the first time and, in a panic, she doesn't say it back. This leads Nick, Schmidt (Max Greenfield), Winston (Lamorne Morris), and Coach (Damon Wayans Jr.) to crash the shindig, though the other three guys quickly focus on their own goals once inside.

New Girl is strongest when the main players get together and interact. Like any good comedy series, it has excellent chemistry between its leads, and that's what viewers tune in for week after week. We want to see their friendship and their love.

There are some examples of this in "Prince." Coach and Winston have an awesome moment when they work their way past the bouncer. Nick and Jess, ultimately, make up in a very sweet way. And CeCe and Schmidt share a scene dripping with tension, giving hope to fans who wants to see them reunite as a couple.

But there's also a lot of weird bits that feel forced. Prince (himself) inserts himself into the Nick and Jess's relationship. This is funny, to be sure, as is the Prince / CeCe ping pong game in the tag, and the CGI butterfly that incessantly follows Prince around. However, by putting a third party into the conflict, it kind of takes away from Nick and Jess themselves. They don't get a chance to work out their issue naturally, as Prince takes the lead in that.

Even worse are the cameos by LA Dodger Clayton Kershaw and supermodels Alessandra Ambrosio and Ana Beatriz Barros. None of this feels right for the show, their appearances ringing false. The characters in New Girl are great for their every-man quality. Having them rub shoulders with celebrities is just wrong, and when said celebrities cannot act, it makes the whole thing exponentially bad.

Let's hope would-be viewers pay more attention to the very beginning of the half hour, when the four guys get into a dispute over who should move Jess's panties out of the washer. This is way more authentic New Girl, and will show you how the players actually behave on a normal basis. If you were a fan of that scene, then give the series another chance, even if the rest of the installment flopped.

New Girl returns to its regular time slot tonight at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.

"Coach" Is the NEW GIRL Now

Article first published as "Coach" Is the NEW GIRL Now on TheTVKing.

Way back in the fall of 2011, FOX's New Girl introduced us to Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and her three new, male roommates. Lest we forget, though, the initial trio are not the ones we've come to know and love so much over the past couple of years. One part was replaced in episode two, never to be heard from again... until now.

Coach (Damon Wayans Jr.) was not dropped from the cast because his character didn't work. On the contrary, while Winston (Lamorne Morris) is his own person, not the same role Coach would have had exactly, many lamented that Wayans was committed to Happy Endings, a bubble show that ended up lasting three seasons (and should have gone on longer). Thankfully, because New Girl went for the slight retool, rather than the usual recast, and looking towards the bright side of Happy Endings' unfortunate demise, the opportunity is now ripe for Coach to return.

Last night's episode, "Coach," finds Coach dumped by his girlfriend, the reason he hadn't been around for awhile, and he comes to seek solace in his friends. Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Nick (Jake Johnson) are still at odds, but they set that aside to comfort Coach, along with Winston. However, Coach's idea of coping is for the young folk, and Nick and Schmidt soon realize that isn't something they can handle any more.

Everyone has a friend who disappears while in a relationship, so this is a credible explanation of Coach's disappearance. It also resets the series, as Jess is the one lonely and abandoned at the start of the show, while Coach is now in that boat. I didn't love Coach's dynamic with Nick, Schmidt, and Winston, though. The other three already have a patter down, and Coach doesn't gel, playing the old friend who hasn't grown with them.

Normally, this would be a recipe for a one-off guest appearance, perhaps a very occasional recurring part. New Girl, however, is considering letting Coach stick around long enough to explore the full implications of such a reunification. "Coach," is the first of four installments Wayans is signed on to do, though if negotiations can be completed successfully, he may stick around full-time. As much as I think Wayans belongs on a series, I am torn as to whether this would be the right move. It depends on where the writers go with him next.

Coach brings out the worst in Nick. Desperately seeking Coach's approval, Nick not only disses Jess, but misspeaks about the status of their relationship, spurring her her to go out and flirt with a very forward man (a hilarious Taye Diggs, Private Practice). It's the first real test Nick and Jess have had since officially committing to coupledom, and it doesn't go well at the start.

However, true love wins the day and Nick and Jess make up before anything too bad can happen. While it might have been more interesting and lasting for Jess to sleep with Diggs' character ("we were on a break," anyone?), there's been enough depressing material lately, given Schmidt's plot. Because of this, I'm glad the series goes with the safer, but happier, route of having Nick and Jess confess their love for one another.

Will a Nick / Jess pairing grow stale in time? Some shows avoid putting together their leads too early, and while I've argued against this action time and again, I'm starting to see how this could be a problem. The comedy Nick provides is because he cannot grow up, and as gratifying as it is to see him rise to the occasion when a woman demands it, it makes me wonder where he will go from here.

Schmidt's isolation is his own choice, but it's very clear it's going to be temporary. He is constantly around his friends, finding excuses to come home often, and still hanging out with the others. He is going through something very painful, and he needs those he loves around, even Cece (Hannah Simone), if she can forgive him even a little. I love that things aren't instantly all right and the story is taking its time fixing the rifts, giving it a sense of realism.

There may not be room for Schmidt to return to the apartment if Coach stays, but allowing the cast to take over two units opens up multiple possibilities, including space for a permanent couple to get some private time. So overall, having Schmidt move across the hall is a very smart idea.

CeCe is deeply wounded by what Schmidt has done, which is why she encourages Jess to forget about Nick. But that's more about Cece's feelings than what is actually right for Jess, and CeCe thinks better of it soon enough, a sign that CeCe's condition is definitely improving. I look forward to when she can be a true part of the group again.

Winston's part of the half hour is, as usual, the weakest link. Accidentally buying a bunch of strip club dollars is a problem, but it's way too much money to seem at all believable, even for Winston, who tends to go big. And why won't his friends help him out at all? Not to mention, why waste a ton of the cash on unwanted clothing when you can just return to the place and use it little by little until it runs out? This is especially weird once we see the club offers a vast menu of takeout food, something that would definitely be a better purchase than a crappy hoodie. It's not like the cash expires.

"Coach" is a fairly typical entry of New Girl, in spite of the two big developments that occur. It isn't as funny as other installments, but it does serve the characters and the established arcs in an entertaining way. Hopefully, as Coach integrates with the others, we'll get some better episodes in the near future.

New Girl airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.

NEW GIRL Goes "All In"

Article first published as NEW GIRL Goes "All In" on TheTVKing.

FOX's New Girl begins its third season with "All In," picking up right where last spring's finale left off. Romantic entanglements are the subject at hand, and who can make it work with whom? It takes the full half hour before the dust even begins to settle, reveling in the chaos that began in May.

Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and Nick (Jake Johnson) are finally together! But they quickly decide that going back to the apartment will kill their relationship. That is the place of old habits and busybody friends. They have to get away from that to give themselves time to figure things out and allow their love to bloom. So they go to Mexico, even though they have very little money.

Of course, they are only fooling themselves. Lots of people would love to run away with a special somebody, but most don't because it's not a realistic scenario. For this pair, it doesn't take too long for the world to right itself and their glow to be beaten away. As such, Nick ends up in "jail" for trespassing at a hotel, and Jess runs home to get the guys to help her.

What Nick and Jess don't seem to realize is, if they're meant to be, it'll work out no matter where they are. If they can't stay together in the apartment, their home, the place where they're most comfortable, they certainly can't do so on vacation for long. They are driven by fear, not logic.

Nick and Jess have messy lives and are unstable people. Perhaps putting them together is just asking for a combustion. Yet, sometimes the scales will balance when the chemistry starts, and I do think these two crazy kids have a chance. They just have to put effort into it, not give into their doubts and not be so scared.

Jess and Nick's absence affects Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Winston (Lamorne Morris) more than expected, the latter having issues with a puzzle, and the former toying with two women. It turns out, although it always seems like Nick is the lost one in the apartment, he also is necessary to keep the others on track. Part of it is that Schmidt and Winston have a purpose in helping Nick, focusing them, and part of it is likely that Nick does give sound advice for others, even if he can't heed such wisdom himself.

Winston's situation is the funniest part of "All In." He loves puzzles, but is really terrible at them, perhaps owing to the color blindness he doesn't know he has. The result is him going naked and kooky in frustration, forcing pieces where they don't belong, and even adding nuts to the mix. I don't know why, but this strangeness is amusing, especially when surrounded by the turmoil of everyone else.

Schmidt, on the other hand, is at a real "man up" crisis point. Unable to choose between Cece (Hannah Simone) and Elizabeth (Merritt Wever), he picks both, telling each that they are the one for him. I understand that it will be really hard to hurt a woman he loves, but instead he's causing both pain with his schtick, as neither will be the least bit understanding when they find out about his charade.

Juggling two gals is an old tale, yet somehow New Girl doesn't feel like a retread. Perhaps it's the rawness of Schmidt's emotional state, the way Greenfield makes you root for the man-child even when he's doing wrong, still hoping he can find a way to score a happy ending. We don't want to see this blow up in his face because he's not malicious, just too tenderhearted. He's not doing this for himself, he's doing it for them, as twisted as that is.

"All In" isn't particularly funny, other than the Winston subplot, but I liked it anyway, and here's why. It's an installment that picks at the group dynamics and helps us learn more about the characters. There are no distracting guest stars or outside plots. We see some of their vulnerabilities laid bare, and they do move us, even when doing stupid things. As the series ages into a third year, it's important to work on these elements, and not just try to deliver jokes. I'm glad to see the writers are on top of it.

New Girl airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.

Enter THE WRITERS' ROOM

Article first published as Enter THE WRITERS' ROOM on TheTVKing.

Sundance, a channel not available in all areas, unspooled an intriguing new series this summer entitled The Writers' Room. Even if you don't get that network, though, all six episodes of its freshman run, recently completed, are available on amazon.com to download or stream.

The Writers' Room is hosted by Oscar-winning writer Jim Rash (The Descendants), who also co-stars as the crazy Dean on NBC's Community. In each half-hour installment, Rash sits down with the creator, writers, and sometimes actors of a popular, well-written show. He not only talks to them about their work, but also makes them prove their mettle in fun exercises.

The first episode I watched was the fourth. The guests are New Girl creator Liz Meriwether, series star Jake Johnson, who plays Nick, and writer / producers Dave Finkel and Brett Baer. These four expound upon their process, and Rash challenges them to each pick a different oddity, then combine them into a script idea. It's a very entertaining premise, especially to those fascinated with writing as a medium and television as an industry.

After that, I watched the first episode, which was even better. Featuring Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, series lead Bryan Cranston, and quite a few writers, they told stories from the set, contemplated mass suicide, and even went into how the show was pitched. Some of what they said is already familiar to fans of the show, but much is new material, just now revealed to the general public.

Rash is a very capable host. He knows a lot about the subject at hand himself, being a writer, but he also has that charm and natural humor that serve him well in Community. His job here is not to be as outrageous as the Dean, but to keep things moving and to toss in a few jokes. This, he does very well. This could easily be the writer's answer to Inside the Actor's Studio, with Rash an even more magnetic James Lipton.

Another cool feature of The Writers' Room is that pop-up facts appear on screen throughout each installment. These give more information than those on the show have time to get to in the brief installments. It's unknown whether they come from edited-out material or things that have just been researched, but they are relevant and interesting. At least until the series can be expanded to an hour-long project, they help with the value of the production.

Other episodes available include interviews with the staffs of Game of Thrones, Dexter, Parks and Recreation, and American Horror Story. So, in short, The Writers' Room only attracts the best of the best, with this half dozen being among the truly great shows currently airing.

As a writer myself, I love this show and hope for more episodes, perhaps covering shows such as Mad Men, Hannibal, The Newsroom, The Walking Dead, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (Yes, the last one is canceled, but one can hope, can't one?) It does not appear to be renewed yet, but it deserves to be. The writers of a show are so often forgotten or overlooked, but they are the ones who come up with the stories fans love. It's time they got to speak out in their own voices.

Check out The Writers' Room on amazon.com now.

NEW GIRL Elaine Has a Big Day

Article first published as NEW GIRL Elaine Has a Big Day on TheTVKing.

FOX's New Girl predictably ends their second season this week with the wedding of Cece (Hannah Simone) and Shivrang (Satya Bhabha) in "Elaine's Big Day." Going in, viewers will know that the marriage cannot actually happen, and that hijinks will ensure during the ceremony, even if the specifics are kept in the dark. What's enjoyable is the sincere and funny way the actors bring the scenes to life.

Schmidt (Max Greenfield) tries to tell himself that he can read Cece's unhappiness in her eyes, thus he is sabotaging her wedding "as a friend." It's preposterous, given Schmidt and Cece's history, for anyone not to believe Schmidt still loves her, and no one does. His insistence doesn't fool anyone, though the person he is really trying to fool is himself, which he likely also fails at.

The method of said sabotage gets a little crazy. Shivrang's horse panics and runs off. Cece's song to come down the aisle to is replaced with "Cotton Eyed Joe." A badger is taken up into the air vents and eventually gets loose. Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and Nick (Jake Johnson) fall onto the alter, crushing it mid-nuptials. This all seems outlandish, but actually works with the tone and personalities already established, except maybe the horse thing, as Shivrang could have been (but wasn't) seriously injured.

It's especially funny how into the pranks Winston (Lamorne Morris) gets, since he doesn't really seem to have an emotional stake in the proceedings, and is pulling the gags just for the sake of being wild. At least it gives Winston something to do, as he is so often the wasted character on New Girl.

Both Cece and Shivrang are glad to call their relationship off. They both try to make it work, but their hearts also each belong to someone else, Shivrang's love being the "Elaine" mentioned in the episode title, amusingly played by country singer Taylor Swift. Yet, because they both try so hard to commit to their marriage prior to "Elaine's Big Day," it does feel a little false that they are so happily able to cancel it so quickly.

Cece's sudden freedom causes a dilemma for Schmidt. Yes, he loves her, but he has tried very hard to move on, and in doing so, has started dating his ex, Elizabeth (Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie). Schmidt isn't a bad guy and doesn't want to break Elizabeth's heart, but he also can't say no to Cece when she comes to him. So he does the only thing he can: rather than making a choice between the two women, he flees.

It's understandable that Schmidt doesn't want to hurt either one, and thus avoids doing so. But by running, he is essentially hurting them both. It will be very surprising if season three begins with him in a relationship with either, and he will have to slowly rebuild a bond with whatever girl he truly wants. (Non-spoiler: it's got to be Cece).

As much as all this is the meat of "Elaine's Big Day," the best thing to come out of the season finale is movement in the Jess / Nick pairing. Nick bends over backwards to try to be mature and responsible for Jess, replacing his suit when her dad, Bob (Rob Reiner, All in the Family), criticizes it, and staying away from the chaos Schmidt and Winston are causing. This proves how Jess makes him a better man, and that he can rise to the occasion.

Jess assumes the worst, though, blaming Nick when things go awry, even though he has nothing to do with it, because she thinks it's something totally in keeping his character. This doesn't bode well with Winston's advice to Nick to just be himself, as clearly Jess doesn't want Nick to maintain everything he is. She wants him to improve somewhat.

Despite this signs that their relationship will face a bumpy road, those issues are put off to be dealt with another day, and they affirm their feelings for one another. They do break up, briefly, in "Elaine's Big Day," and fans can be forgiven for getting upset, thinking the episode is ending on a depressing note. But then it recovers, as they both decide they don't want to lose one another. Finishing with a passionate kiss between the two is perfect!

Is it too soon for New Girl to put the romantic leads together? Most series used to avoid this, and kick it down the road as far as possible. But with shows like Chuck, Bones, Fringe, The Big Bang Theory, and others successfully maintaining their momentum, even without the "will they, won't they?" tension, it's possible that New Girl will take a chance and go for it. There will likely be at least one more major split between them, but there would be something satisfying about having that one element of the series worked out for good early in the run.

The only problem now with this great sitcom, which has really defined itself and found its momentum, is how can it still be calling Jess the "New Girl," since she's lived in the apartment for two years?

New Girl has been renewed, and will return next fall on FOX.

New Girl is better than "Table 34"

Article first published as New Girl is better than "Table 34" at TheTVKing

FOX's New Girl has changed direction for two of its leads right as February sweeps begins in their sophomore year. Last week, Nick (Jake Johnson) finally kisses Jess (Zooey Deschanel), releasing some of the long pent-up tension between the roomies. Jess, being in a relationship doesn't take it well, and neither does Nick, as what he does scares him.

Jess and Nick are not fully baked characters. They are in a state of flux, with Jess struggling to right herself during a career change, and Nick lacking, well, any direction. They aren't ready to be in a serious, committed relationship with each other. It's why they've been dancing around one another, instead of dating long ago. It's also the reason this can't work right now.

And yet, emotion is often messy. Love doesn't have to subscribe to a set of rules, nor fit in a predetermined box. Who's to say that these two crazy kids can't make things work, despite all of the odds stacked against them? Maybe deep affection is enough.

No, it's not. But it will sure be funny to watch them try to figure it out.

In this week's episode, "Table 34," much of the half hour is spent with Jess debating whether to tell her boyfriend, Sam (David Walton), about the kiss. The fact that she doesn't come right out and say it proves that she feels something in return for Nick. But Sam finds out anyway because Nick feels guilty, and in an attempt to make sure Jess is happy, blurts the confession, trying to reassure Sam that it meant nothing to Jess. Sam sees right through the lie, which Jess seems to be telling to herself as much as to Sam, and breaks things off.

It will be interesting to see exactly how this story develops in the next couple of weeks. Jess has some justifiable anger at Nick for ruining the good relationship she was in that won't just disappear. Nick may be totally in love with Jess, but he's not mature enough to lay things on the line. With Sam out of the picture, though, there isn't a huge barrier between them, and they may have to actually deal with their feelings in one way or another, either though that isn't a strong suit for either of them.

Or they may just hilariously avoid one another until it blows over. For now.

I love that Winston's (Lamorne Morris) reaction to hearing the news is to threaten Nick, telling Nick that he will be the one removed from the apartment, should the whole mess blow up. Winston and Schmidt (Max Greenfield), Jess's other two roommates, aren't crushing on her. They are simply protective big brothers, and they are willing to go to bat for her, even against their closest friend. It's a very sweet element of New Girl, and one played especially well this week.

Meanwhile, the other large arc unfolding is Cece's (Hannah Simone) quest to find an Indian husband, and Schmidt's attempts, despite his best intentions, to sabotage her mission. After all, he is still in love with her, and he cannot help himself trying to win her back.

The good news is, Cece appears to be softening. She loves Schmidt just as much as Schmidt loves her, but Schmidt hurt her. It wasn't on purpose, and Schmidt thought he was doing what was right for Cece, but the fact remains that he wronged her quite severely, and it's not something that she can just let go of. Given time, though, she probably eventually will.

The fact that Cece and Schmidt fall into bed at the end of "Table 34" is not a sign that their drama is over. Cece still wants an Indian husband, and hasn't fully forgiven Schmidt. But it is a move in the right direction, re-stoking the coals of their passion before they can burn out. I figure this will get stretched until the season finale, and then they'll be a united couple forever.

It does suck for Cece that she is placed at Table 34 because of her lack of education and full-time employment. It worries me that this is setting her up to settle for Schmidt because she doesn't think that she can do better. But hopefully that will pass, and she'll be with Schmidt for the right reasons again.

All of the antics at the Indiana marriage convention in "Table 34" are pretty darn funny. Yes, it doesn't quite gel that the Indians would allow their event to be invaded by a bunch of white (and one black) people, who clearly aren't there to engage in the spirit of the occasion. But it's a unique setting I can't remember ever seeing before on television, and it allows things to play out in a place ripe for comedy. Plus, how great is Jess and Nick's newspaper-tape table?

New Girl airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.

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.

New Girl The Complete First Season new to DVD

Arguably last year's best new sitcom, FOX's New Girl The Complete First Season has arrived on DVD in a three disc set. All twenty-four episodes of the show's freshman run are included, along with special features.

As the New Girl "Pilot" begins, Jess (Zooey Deschanel) leaves her boyfriend. Homeless, she finds a place with three bachelors who share a spacious apartment. Coach (Damon Wayans Jr., Happy Endings), the jock, Nick (Jake Johnson), the slacker bartender, and Schmidt (Max Greenfield), the douche whose rude exterior masks a good heart. Coach is gone by episode two, but in his place, the guys' old friend Winston (Lamorne Morris), whose overseas professional basketball career has fizzled, comes home.

These guys are not boyfriend material for Jess, but after a rocky adjustment period, they all come to care very much about each other. They may not be lucky in love individually, but they all lend support where needed. Eventually, Schmidt even finds a steady girlfriend in Jess's friend CeCe (Hannah Simone).

Over the course of the season, these five well written, well acted, layered characters become like friends to those of us watching at home. They really have some neat chemistries, and while some of the plots may seem a bit stale for a sitcom, somehow they come across as fresh when played out by these particular personalities. It's hard to pinpoint exactly why this show works, other than to say that the particular combination of elements here just melds together really well. The brilliance is that the show stays simple, but remains incredibly funny by playing to everyone's strengths.

Among the best installments in this first year are:

• "Wedding" Jess goes as Nick's date to a wedding and tries to prevent him from sleeping with his crazy ex, Caroline (Mary Elizabeth Ellis, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia). This is the true start for Jess / Nick shipper fans, many viewers of the show who root for this pair to get together (they still haven't).
• "Naked" Winston tries to catch up on all the pop culture he missed, while Jess walks in on a naked Nick, shaking his confidence.
• "Thanksgiving" Jess tries to prepare a holiday dinner for her crush, Paul (Justin Long, Ed), which of course, works out perfectly. Just kidding. It's a disaster.
• "Bells" Winston joins Jess's handbell choir, and quickly proves to be better than her.
• "The Story of 50" Jesse tries to salvage Schmidt's 29th birthday party. She is not exactly in tune with Schmidt's tastes, or how to execute them.
• "Valentine's Day" Schmidt tries to help Jess get laid, Nick's relationship with Julia (Lizzy Caplan, Party Down) begins to crumble, and Winston attempts to woo Shelby (Kali Hawk), an ex that he wronged.
• "Jess and Julia" Spending time together is painful for Jess and Julia, who have lots of trouble finding common ground.
• "Control" The delicate ecosystem of the apartment is threatened when Jess encourages Schmidt to only do his share of the housework and Winston calls in Nick's debts.
• "See Ya" The relationships between the characters grow tenuous when one of them tries to move out, but a trip to the desert helps make things clear.

There are quite a few special features included. Commentary is offered on three episodes, including the "Pilot." Deleted and extended scenes are present, as well as some alternate jokes that didn't make it on screen. There is also a gag reel, and Lamorne's audition. Finally, a featurette called "Dress Like Jess" examines the lead characters very quirky style.

If you missed New Girl last year, this is a great way to finally catch up on the comedy. After all, your friends are probably watching, so why shouldn't you?

New Girl The Complete First Season is available now.

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

New Girl no longer new but still funny

FOX's New Girl presented the first two episodes of its sophomore season last night. In the first, "Re-launch," Jess (Zooey Deschanel) loses her job. She spirals into depression, and even though she tries to bounce back by being a Shot Girl for Schmidt's (Max Greenfield) penis cast removal party, it just isn't enough. Which is why, in the second installment, "Katie," she is on the prowl for sex, which she finds easily enough.

New Girl could be tackling the political issue of school budget cuts, something plaguing the country right now, as there are tons of teachers like Jess right now who can't find teaching jobs (this reviewer included). Yet, as a comedy, the circumstances surrounding Jess losing her job are mentioned, and moved past quickly. The writers aren't out to make any political statements, and Schmidt's angry mutter of "Obama" is too much of a bit to be taken seriously. New Girl sticks to what it does well: laughs. It doesn't force anything more, a wise decision, as tackling this large issue would not work well with the show's tone.

This is also why the series can be forgiven for falling in to the TV trope of seeing unemployment as an opportunity to re-invent oneself. Most of us in the lead characters' economic class, battling student loans and high gas prices, would have to be out looking for a job the day after being fired. Jess is allowed to luxuriate in her grief, and yet, because of the execution of the actress and the story, it works.

Poor Jess. She is pretty, to be sure, but she is not a sexual creature. She'd like to be, but she doesn't really know how. Part of the charm of New Girl is that it will take a very special man to find the things that she does a turn on in the bedroom. It's why the premise of a girl living with three men who don't want to jump her bones comes across as realistic instead of phony. They can care about her without wanting to get into her pants all of the time. Jess is an acquired taste, quirky in the extreme. Which makes for a very funny, novel series, especially because there aren't a lot of lead female characters on TV who embrace a lack of wooing power.

Yet, in "Katie," boys are falling in line to get her number. The beautiful looks always trumps until Jess opens her mouth to make it awkward. One suitor, Bearclaw (Josh Gad, Book of Mormon) is weird in his own right, though not in a way that fits Jess. Instead, she ends up with Sam (David Walton, Bent, Perfect Couples), a man who thinks that she is Katie, a girl he has been chatting with online. Even after Jess confesses the truth, he still wants to be with her! That's a good man, right there, able to see Jess's inner character, even after she screws up. Or the sex is (somehow) just that mind blowing.

Of course, Sam won't be around forever. We see Nick's (Jake Johnson) tender side emerge once more as he seeks to cheer Jess up. They may not be ready to be together yet, but it's they'll get there eventually. They both might go through a few other partners on the way, but make no mistake about it; Jess and Nick will hook up.

Schmidt is also feeling a little down. He tries very hard to talk a big game in "Re-launch," throwing his danger-themed party. But, despite the large pool of eligible ladies, he doesn't find a girl to sleep with. In fact, he barely notices there are any gals at the party save one: Cece (Hannah Simone). Schmidt is done with his player days (if they ever really existed), and while he still tries to pretend machismo, his heart is spoken for. This is a character we can all really relate to, and his pain breaks our hearts.

That's not to say that he deserves Cece back, though. Yes, he will make up for dumping her someday. But for now, although Cece is starting to forgive him, he hurt her too deeply for a quick reconnection. So she'll date Robby (Nelson Franklin, Traffic Light) for awhile instead. We haven't seen why Cece would want to be with Robby, who, at first glance, appears ill-suited to her. But I'm sure New Girl will get to that. Or just make the character a one-time guest star.

In these two episodes, besides the excellent shipper stuff, New Girl also includes a lot of humorous side plots. Some really work, like Winston (Lamorne Morris) getting weird with fruity drinks and, strangely enough, but only because of the ending, Nick talking to a homeless man (Justified's Raymond J. Barry) he believes to be a future version of himself. Others, like Parker Posey (Louie, A Mighty Wind) as a sad, washed-up Shot Girl, don't. But overall, the show returns strong, mixing the humor and heart that it captures so expertly.

New Girl airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.

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

"See Ya" next fall New Girl!

The season finale of FOX's New Girl, entitled "See Ya," finds Nick (Jake M. Johnson) moving out of the apartment and in with rekindled love Caroline (Mary Elizabeth Ellis). But Nick gets cold feet, and drives himself, all of his stuff, Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Winston (Lamorne Morris) out into the desert, where he tosses his keys into the wilderness. Jess (Zooey Deschanel), with Cece (Hannah Simone) in tow, comes to their rescue, but she pretends to toss her own keys when Nick seems set on returning to Caroline. Thus, the five friends are forced to spend the night in the wilderness.

Or are they? The entire time the gang moans about dying out in the desert, there is a busy highway clearly within sight in the distance. It would be a trek to reach it, but they could do so, and surely someone would stop and rescue them! This may be nit picky, but seeing civilization so close by kind of takes the drama out of the whole stranded concept.

That aside, "See Ya" is a wonderful episode. Being stuck in the desert is New Girl's clever bend on the old elevator episode trope or "box" episode, where the major characters are stuck together until they work something out. In this case, Jess must understand that she's being selfish by trying to keep Nick from leaving, and Nick needs to see that moving in with Caroline is a bad choice, even if she seems to have changed somewhat. After all, Caroline has broken Nick's heart multiple times.

Nick and Jess will be a couple at some point. It's inevitable, watching the two of them together. They have crazy chemistry, and are very much alike. The fact that neither of their characters has realized this yet is fine. Unlike other series, which stretch such pairings out just for the sake of building tension, New Girl doesn't seem to be fighting itself to keep them apart. Neither Nick nor Jess are in a place to accept their feelings for each other, or make a go of a healthy relationship. Thus, their slow journey towards one another feels natural, rather than forced. This may not always be the case, but it is throughout the first season.

"See Ya" also sees Schmidt and Cece struggle. Schmidt's jealousy when actually witnessing what Cece does is a natural reaction, if overblown a bit, as his character often is. However, their break up need not be permanent. Cece has good reason to be upset at Schmidt. But, on the other hand, she also knows what she has gotten herself into, and likes Schmidt in spite of himself. Schmidt is a good man at heart, who requires a lot of patience from any girl that is going to be with him. Cece is the girl who has that patience, and can look past the douchey exterior.

Hopefully, New Girl won't go the typical sitcom route and make Schmidt and Cece be on again-off again forever. They are mature and ready for this. A proposal should come no later than the season two finale, with a wedding by season three. It might be a bit boring to remove two major characters from play in terms of romantic entanglements, but this has got to happen for these two people. They are too perfect for each other!

"See Ya" also finds time to be pretty darn funny. From Jess making roadrunner noises at a coyote, a gag spoiled in incessant commercials, to the much-too-old new roommate (Reno 911!'s Thomas Lennon), who is soon evicted to the living room, the humorous notes are still hit, despite the personal drama. This is why New Girl soars when other sitcoms flop. And would it be too much to ask for Lennon's character to return again next year, possibly on a recurring basis, or at least as a squatter that they must get rid of in the season premiere?

New Girl will return to FOX next fall.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Please click here to catch up with streaming episodes of New Girl.

New Girl deals with another new girl

FOX's New Girl this week deals with the conflict between "Jess & Julia." Jess (Zooey Deschanel) asks Julia (Lizzy Caplan, Party Down, Cloverfield) for help getting out of a traffic ticket. Julia agrees, but isn't all that nice about it. So Jess betrays Julia's insecurities to Nick (Jake M. Johnson), whom Julia is dating. Meanwhile, Winston (Lamorne Morris) realizes he doesn't have, and never had, game with the ladies when meeting up with an old flame (Kali Hawk, Bridesmaids), and Schmidt (Max Greenfield) obsesses over his perpetually damp towel.

It's cool that New Girl finally dwells on female relationships. Much of the premise and early episodes involve Jess and the boys. Which is fine. But now viewers get to see Jess hanging out with Cece (Hannah Simone), their lesbian friend Sadie (June Diane Raphael, NTSF:SD:SUV), and even interacting with Julia! Yes, Cece is a main character, but she's been barely used, like Stephanie (Kellee Stewart) was at first in the excellent sitcom My Boys, certainly a forerunner to New Girl. Unlike The Big Bang Theory, New Girl decides to expand the other gender earlier than expected. Only time will tell if it's a wise move or not, but for now, it's welcome to see some other sides of Jess as she deals with her fellow women. It also takes a little of the shine off her alluring, adorkable ways, a good thing.

Girls can be catty, which seems to be a theme of "Jess & Julia." It's not without merit in the real world. However, watching girls acts like "Mean Girls" can also be very uncomfortable. The discussion Sadie, Cece, and Jess have about the games women play will hit a little close to home for many viewers. Some may laugh, and some may cringe. This reviewer tends to fall into the latter category. Why can't they just be straightforward and honest? It will certainly allow for more getting along, understanding, and an easier time of life, in general.

That being said, the resolution of "Jess & Julia" is very satisfying, as Julia is drawn into Jess's gal circle. That's not to say that every female must sit and gossip and crochet, or even that Julia enjoys such things. Hopefully no one will take it as a commentary against the career-driven, less emotionally open woman, who is a perfectly valid type that needs no excuses. The series likely isn't stating that. But it's also good to see Jess and Julia getting along given their mutual affection for Nick, who surely wants his roommate and girlfriend to be civil to each other. Jess and Julia both make effort, and thankfully, they seem to find a way to work things out.

Might Jess's clash with Julia point to some hidden feelings for Nick? Jess and Nick definitely have chemistry, but New Girl has yet to explore this in any meaningful way. It's early in the series, and no one really expects the two main characters to hook up yet. But a jealous streak would explain Jess's initial dislike of Julia, and if Julia picks up on it, her hostility back. Of course, the girls could just be having a personality conflict.

Lest one complain that New Girl is treating women unfairly in "Jess and Julia" and painting a better picture for men, one only needs to look as far as Winston's subplot to disprove that. It's refreshing that a series pokes fun at athletes getting girls just because they're athletes, and explores what happens when the playing stops. Too often egotistical jocks get away with more than they should, a serious societal imbalance, though admittedly, not one that applies to every sportsman. Being a lower level on this hierarchy, Winston gets a harsh dose of reality relatively early on in life. This is great, because it gives him time to change, which he tries to. Winston is a likeable character, and having him figure out how to treat women will only add to that positive image.

And Schmidt is just damn funny. The whole towel debacle is classic Schmidt. He is easily the most laugh-inducing character on New Girl, and there can never be enough humor at the expense of his neurosis. True, it is gross to learn he has been sharing an (unwashed) towel with Nick. But the hilarity of Schmidt's reaction throughout "Jess and Julia" is well worth that punch line. Wonderful!

     Watch New Girl Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.

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

     Please click here to catch up with streaming episodes of New Girl.

New Girl gets "Naked"

     In the first new episode of FOX's New Girl to air in weeks, Jess (Zooey Deschanel) walks in on Nick (Jake Johnson) dancing "Naked." Her laugh / scream takes away any confidence he has in himself, and ruins his date with co-worker Amanda (Lake Bell, Childrens' Hospital, How to Make It in America). Jess scrambles to fix things between them, but Nick doesn't make it easy, with his refusal to talk about his feelings. Schmidt (Max Greenfield) becomes resentful because he is the only one in the apartment who hasn't viewed Nick's genitals, and Nick refuses to correct that injustice. Winston (Lamorne Morris) ignores all the drama, realizing he has two years of pop culture to catch up on, and glues himself to the internet.

     Lake Bell is amazing. She is sexy, brave with the comedic moments, and a very talented actress. Because she plays someone that works with Nick, it opens the door for a recurring role. Except she's already starring in two cable series currently airing. Which means it is very unlikely that she will ever become someone seen regularly. This is too bad, because Amanda has some potential. Her sarcasm may be a bit that will get annoying quickly, but she could grow and develop. Plus, her awkwardness with Nick after the disastrous bedroom scenes, plural, is good to milk for at least one more installment.

     New Girl has already discovered who it is, just four episodes into the freshman run. That's quite a feat for a new series. It's not a perfect show, yet. With all of Jess's charm, including her ad-libbed singing, she can still get on the nerves when she can't bring herself to say "penis." It's the childishness that is a bit of a turn off. However, Deschanel commits fully to the character, and much of the questionable behavior will likely fade away as the character grows. Her relationship with the roommates, and the types of situations that this situation comedy tackles, though, are solid and enjoyable. Overall, New Girl falls firmly in the 'win' column.

     Is New Girl setting up Nick and Jess for romance? They are the most similar, in terms of dating experience and preference. They also are the most developed characters on the series, with Schmidt and Winston taking more a supporting, goofy role...for now. It would not be surprising if the show goes for a Nick / Jess pairing. But considering the roommate situation, and the series premise, it would inevitably end in a break up, with pining and depression. All this would not be a total mistake, but there's a definite feeling that New Girl will be better if they keep Jess platonic with all three of her co-habitants. Certainly, it would be more original to do so.

     "Naked" brings out the creepy in Schmidt, which is actually a good place to go with that character. Because Schmidt is such a d-bag, fans won't want to see him get lucky with a lot of girls. In fact, he deserves some humiliation first, so he can grow into a better man. Until this happens, making him pathetic, and obsessing over things like seeing his best friend's junk, is pure comedy gold, so there is no reason not to go for it.

     Winston is still somewhat of an enigma. Missing from the first episode, the former professional basketball player (in Latvia, though he's American), isn't a natural fit with Jess. Which works out quite well. He doesn't really gel with this week's plot, so he is given his own. There are a few references thrown in here that will date the episode in syndication, but overall, it works out OK, giving a slight bit of insight into the type of man Winston is, while avoiding forcing him into a situation where he doesn't belong. Good job.

     Watch New Girl Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.

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

     Please click here to catch up with streaming episodes of New Girl.

New Girl "Pilot" has new girl smell

     In FOX's New Girl, Jess Day (Zooey Deschanel, (500) Days of Summer, Tin Man), a quirky, nerdy, adorable girl, catches her boyfriend cheating on her. Sobbing uncontrollably and marathoning Dirty Dancing, Jess decides to find a new place. Responding to a posting on Craigslist, she ends up living with three guys, who reluctantly take her in when one of them, Schmidt (Max Greenfield, Ugly Betty, Veronica Mars), finds out her friends are models. Her best friend, CeCe (Hannah Simone, WCG Ultimate Gamer), take an instant disliking to the new roomies. But it's not long before Jess begins to grow on them, and they not only appreciate her, but sacrifice to come to her rescue when she is hurt.

     Based on early promos, a girl living with three guys, who, let's face it, will probably try to sleep with her, looked dumb. Despite positive reviews, and the fact that Ms. Deschanel is my biggest celebrity crush, I went into this series with low expectations. Imagine the surprise, then, when New Girl turns out to be a charming, witty, clever series. Not only is Deschanel "adorkable," as the network rightly boasts, but her chemistry with the guys is complicated and interesting. They aren't lecherous creeps, but instead, caring friends. Add to that Jess's tendency to make up little ditties for herself, and New Girl is quite a great show.

    Coach (Damon Wayans Jr., My Wife and Kids) is the anger-prone tough guy, who definitely feels like a brother to Jess. Sadly, Wayans is already committed to another funny sitcom, Happy Endings, so he will be replaced next week by a new character named Winston (Lamorne Morris). Hopefully the next guy that comes in to fill his shoes keeps the same dynamic with Jess, as theirs seems the least likely relationship to head towards romance, and that will prove invaluable when she, inevitably, ends up getting with one of the roommates.

     Not that the guys are overbearingly flirting with Jess. Sure, Schmidt can be a bit of a douche, hence the douche bag jar that he must pay when he makes jerky comments, such as saying he would "do" Jess. And eventually, they might, though likely in a drunken mistake fashion. But Nick (Jake Johnson, No Strings Attached) is a caring, sweet individual, whose own recent break up might find him a reason to connect with Jess. Should he do so, he needs to learn from past mistakes. His previous girl, Caroline (Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Perfect Couples, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) tells Nick that she never knew he cared until after they break up.

     While the men are fun, Jess is the true heart of the series. Her cute glasses, tendency to reference Lord of the Rings, and naivety about sexual matters make her even more attractive than she already is. She isn't the typical girl on television type, though her natural beauty does preclude her ever looking too bad. The thing is, though, she has charm and a natural ability to be funny that will help New Girl run long after the original premise falls by the wayside. It's the "it" factor that Zooey possesses that will make New Girl the hit that it deserves to be.

     That, and hilarious writing.

     Watch New Girl Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.

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

     Please click here to catch up with streaming episodes of New Girl.

FOX announces next season's schedule

     Right in the middle of season finale madnesses, the networks are releasing their fall schedules, handing down decisions on what goes and stays. FOX is the second network to do so, and next season will be a mix of returning favorites and risky new ventures.

     Monday nights will see Dr. House move to 9pm following new series Terra Nova at 8pm. In Terra Nova, producers Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park), Jon Cassar (24) and Brannon Braga (Star Trek: Enterprise) take us back in time to meet dinosaurs! Jason O'Mara (Life On Mars) plays a dad from the year 2149 whose family is lost in the past. Stephen Lang (Avatar) leads a settlement that has already been built there, and Christine Adams (The Whole Truth) leads a group of people jumping in time. Sounds action packed! But Terra Nova only runs through mid-season, when House reclaims the 8 o'clocl hour, and Alcatraz, a new mysterious drama from J.J. Abrams (Lost) starring Jorge Garcia (Lost), Parminder Nagra (ER), Robert Forster (Heroes), Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) and Sarah Jones (Sons of Anarchy) premieres. Apparently some prisoners and guards who have been lost for thirty years suddenly turn back up.

     Tuesday returns Glee at 8pm, while Raising Hope gets pushed to 9:30 so New Girl can slide in the middle of the successful sandwich. In New Girl, a poor elementary teacher played by Zooey Deschanel (500 Days of Summer) moves into an apartment inhabited by three men. Damon Wayans Jr. (Happy Endings) and Max Greenfield (Greek) are attached to star, though Wayans is signed to Happy Endings, which has been renewed, so he will likely be replaced.

      Wednesday night is all new with Simon Cowell's much anticipated reality competition series The X-Factor, followed up by I Hate My Teenage Daughter. Starring Jaime Pressly (My Name Is Earl), Katie Finneran (Wonderfalls), Chad Coleman (The Wire), and Kevin Rahm (Desperate Housewives), Pressly and Finneran will play mothers raising mean girl daughters, despite the fact that the pair hated mean girls growing up. Oops! X-Factor will only be on in the fall, to be replaced by American Idol, of course, in the spring.

     Thursday finds The X Factor results show at 8pm, followed by fan favorite Bones at 9pm. Come 2012, X Factor is replaced by Idol, and Bones will take a hiatus, to be replaced by its spinoff, The Finder, based  on the characters introduced in a Bones episode last month. Bones will return later in the year and finish out the spring.

     Friday has no shakeups, as Kitchen Nightmares and Fringe have both been renewed, and will retain their current timeslots.

     Sunday continues to begin at 7:30, with The Cleveland Show, The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad and Allen Gregory, which is an animated show starring Jonah Hill as a young boy leaving home to begin elementary school. Bob's Burgers is slated for mid-season, while American Dad! and Allen Gregory get benched, and an animated version of Napoleon Dynamite, featuring the movie cast, premieres. Knowing how FOX Sundays currently go, any one of their seven animated sitcoms could air on any given week, depending on whim, so keep an eye on listings.

     Given the lineup above, this does mean that Human Target, Lie To Me, Traffic Light, The Chicago Code, The Good Guys, Breaking In and Running Wilde are all officially canceled. The axe came down hard on FOX this year.

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