omarphillips.net TV Viewer's Guide: NBC
(Note that I am aware Law & Order and it's 15 spinoff shows are absent from this review.)
SUNDAY
West Wing - This is still on? This was a very good show that was not as good after Aaron Sorkin left. And then Rob Lowe left. At least Allison Janney is still on.
TUESDAY
The Office - This is the funniest show on (network) television right now. If you disagree, then you don't know funny! Unless you think this site is funny. Then you do know funny, but you don't have good taste in funny TV shows.
WEDNESDAY
The Apprentice: Martha Stewart - Let me just start by saying I love the Apprentice. And I like Martha. I was looking forward to this show, because I really thought they were going to play up Martha being tough. Instead, she gently fires people by telling them they don't fit in, then she writes the person she just fired a nice handwritten letter wishing them good luck. What? Then the promo voice guy says "Who will be the next to receive a letter from Martha?" Menacing. Also, what's up with the guy with the unlit cigar? Nonetheless, it's still The Apprentice.
THURSDAY
Joey - I enjoyed Friends. But Joey's character was tied for my least favorite with Phoebe. I like the lovable idiot character idea, but you just can't have that much dumb. Plus, he did that movie Ed, with the baseball-playing monkey. Several years later, I still can't forgive him.
Will & Grace - I never loved this show, but I didn't hate it either. And this is the last season, so I kind of feel bad for it. I think they lost me as a viewer when they made horrible attempts to hide Debra Messing's pregnancy. It drove me nuts. While I'll say that the finale will be a must see, I can't say that I'll be missing Survivor for this.
Important Note: Some who read the ABC review of "Alias" might wonder which side of the fence I'm on when it comes to actors getting pregnant. In Alias, they wrote it into the show, and I think that's stupid. In Will & Grace, they tried to hide it, and I think that's stupid. I'm going to keep you guessing though.
The Apprentice - I always feel like Donald Trump is just some guy doing a bad Donald Trump impression. But that's really how he is, apparently. Anyway, the former business student in me loves this show. This season does baffle me a bit, in that the contestants are all already tremendously successful. Many of them would be taking less money to take Donald's $250,000 per year job, particularly the gal who's worth some $12 million. What people will do to get on TV...
Next up, FOX
Comments
Nadia said:
For the most part, I agree with you on Joey, but I still watch it out of sheer nostalgia.
Btw, I'm not sure what this means to you, but I'm back. No linking though, please. :)
mep said:
Now see, you left off my favorite show and it's 15 million spin-offs. But I only like the originals and the new originals, not the spinoffs. I don't care for SVU or Criminal Intent - they are too focused on the detectives and not the cases. I don't care about their personal lives, I want to see the case, and I typically like the courtroom part better. Call me cold and heartless if you will, but that's what I like.
I also secretly like the apprentice, even though I disagree with a lot of the "management" and "teamwork" principles that Donald spouts. I think I would like The Office if I ever remembered to watch it.
Jym Ferrier
said:
Omar my man I have to disagree about the office. Every time I watch that show (I'll admit, I don't watch it often) I feel like it's just there to fill a slot. Hell Will and Grace is ALMOST funnier and that show is horrible.
I would think a man of your age (do you have grandkids yet?) would remember quality television shows and realize just how bad stuff like the office is, not to mention is a poor rip on a poor british show.
Glo said:
Love the office. Love it. Almost as much as My Life is Earl.
But I can summarize Omar's taste in 2 words: Think Reality. And I blame him for a lot of shows now.
Jon said:
I’m reserving my judgment of this TV review until all the networks have been represented. I will say this though… the phrase WTF?!?! Has passed my lips several times so far…
Glo, did you mean My Name is Earl? Or am I just watching another American knock off of a British show?
jasmine said:
seriously omar. your taste in t.v. is borderline horrendous!
the english version of the office is twenty times better than our american version.
and despite sorkin's departure, the end of last season of the west wing rocked!
I said:
I think I've managed to disappoint, confuse, or upset almost all of my regular commenters this week.
On a somewhat related note, this site has had more hits this week than any other to date. It looks like Howard Stern was right.
cadiz12 said:
i'm still pissed at NBC for killing rachel/joey after they had basically removed four vertebrae bending backwards far enough to get me to believe it was even a possibility they could get together. and of course, right as i FINALLY opened my mind a crack to the idea, they yanked it -- with such a lame excuse -- just b/c he signed on for that stupidasallhell excuse for a show. i've seen it once, and that was WAY more than enough to be sad.
i'm a friends fan, and a purist. if you hadn't already guessed.
omar, if you continue with the howard stern theory, yeah you'll have a growing readership but you'll also have dwindling respect.
and watch Lost, dammit. 1st season's out on dvd. you don't even have to admit it to us. but do it.
Berrygirl said:
I am kinda embarassed to admit this but I have not seen one show on that list.... No I am not amish. I don't get to see alot of tv before 9PM on the weeknights. I do wish I had watched the Martha Stewart Apprentice though- it does look interesting. Does she knit the loosers scarfs when they get voted off?
seventeen syllables said:
Omar, I'm with you on The Office. Loved the BBC show and thought there was NO WAY that it could be done American, but I was wrong. Also, I have to respectfully disagree with the many fans of Lost on your need to re-evaluate that show.
Just a word or 2 to let you know I'm not confused or upset by your tv rankings ;)
me said:
I love the Apprentice. Not Martha.
That's about the only listed show I've seen. I need to watch more TV.
Syar said:
I've given up Joey for House. First, they just took dumb joey out of NY and put him in LA where he doesn't have the rest of his witty glam crew to make him look less stupid. second, I like House. His smug irritability hooks me in.
I've given up on the apprentice as well. its not so much about the donald, as it is about the contestants. I liked that singing guy tho.
RaJ said:
Nothing of relevance to say here (right, "so what else is new"), but *Blogger* is down for maintenance - whatever that is - and I'm going through comment withdrawal. So, thanks. I'll be back later when the jones isn't so... you know. Bad.
Cate said:
I'm disappointed in you, Omar. How many times did I tell you - "You must watch My Name Is Earl"? And here is your NBC review with no mention of the funniest dang show on TV. It's like you're ignoring me. That hurts.
I said:
Note to self: stay out of the review business!
cadiz, you're right. If I don't have the respect of my readers, I've got nothing. Back to fun-loving posts that the whole family can enjoy.
(Except for you, jym. You're just a very angry guy, and there's no pleasing you.)