CliqueClack’s recent poll about our Wednesday night television preferences got me to thinking about the variety we’re offered on other nights of the week. Inevitably, my mind wandered to NBC’s Thursday night lineup. As much as that night has declined in quality, I still find myself recording almost the entire three hour block (Kath & Kim is just too much of a dip.) And I found myself considering all of the great shows that we’ve lost in the past few years.

So, I went back to the beginning of my life: 1981, taking a look at what Thursday night on NBC has offered us over these past twenty-eight years (or twenty-four years and four twenty-fourth year anniversaries, as I celebrate the day of my birth now.) And the first thing that came to mind? Wow. NBC has given us some amazing fare, from the dramatic to the comedic, with stops all along the scale. A lot of classics have been offered, and I wondered what the perfect lineup might look like. If I had my pick, what gem could I assign to each 30-minute slot to create the perfect evening of television? Read the rest of this entry »

(Season 4, Episode 16 – “Darnell Outed, Part 2″)

It’s just a plain fact that one of the funniest shows on television right now is My Name is Earl. Everything about it is practically perfect: from the writing, to the direction, to the casting. The whole cast is absolutely wonderful, but for me (sorry Randy fans), the highlight of the show is Eddie Steeples as “The Crab Man,” Darnell, the husband of Earl’s ex-wife, Joy. His go-with-the-flow mellow character is a wonderful contrast to the other over the top characters on the show (not that there’s anything wrong with any of them!). His devotion to his pet, “Mr. Turtle,” is also touching.

Last night’s episode was a special treat for us Darnell fans. The conclusion of a two-parter, it concerned the Crab Man having his witness-protection identity blown, when his wife auditioned for a reality show. The show was, “Estrada or Nada,” a show where contestants competed against CHIPS star Eric Estrada in a series of competitions. On the show, “Eric Estrada” was actually played by the real Eric Estrada, proving he has a sense of humor and doesn’t mind making fun of himself. Or maybe he just needs cash. Another good sport was Brian Dunkleman, the former American Idol co-host spoofing his former job. Although, I’m pretty sure he needs the cash.

If you didn’t see the show, I won’t spoil it for you (check out iTunes later!). The scenes of Joy & Darnell and their two kids getting their new identities from the witness protection unit were priceless. They became “The Rosenstiens,” Marty and Phylis, and their boys Ira and Lenny, and began living the Jewish faith. Politically incorrect? For sure, but still funny.

The episode ended with the Crab Man’s fate up in the air, so we fans will just have to wring our hands in anxiety until next week’s episode.

Not to beat a dead horse, but this is a great show, and with Earl as the lead-in, NBC — with Earl, The Office and 30 Rock — almost has another night of “Must-See TV” on their hands.

As soon as they cancel that dreadful Molly Shannon show.

This may seem like piling-on after yesterday’s brilliant Grinch/Zucker ditty by CliqueClack’s own Richard Keller, but what the hell happened to NBC? The once imposing network — home to such television icons as the Cartwrights and Johnny Carson — has plummeted into a chasm of mediocrity. A perennial ratings powerhouse during the ’80s and ’90s, the 21^st century has seen NBC flounder like week-old sea bass at the bottom of the Nielsen Media Research barrel.

Allow me a moment’s diversion: Has anyone ever met a man, woman or child who belonged to the elusive “Nielsen Family?” I’m aware these chosen few are sworn to secrecy — under threat of execution by firing squad — never to divulge their Nielsen status, but I smell an American Idol-sized rat. I am convinced this so-called Nielsen is actually an introverted genius with Coke-bottle-thick glasses and severe hyperhidrosis, who works out of a windowless room feeding advanced algorithms into a holographic supercomputer. But that’s just my warped opinion. I could be wrong.

Anyway, among the big four networks, NBC consistently places third or fourth in the weekly ratings race. Is this a prolonged slump or has the peacock lost its broadcasting mojo?

Read the rest of this entry »