I could have watched the first three minutes of this episode and been hooked on Season 3. Between Chef Gordon’s “don’t die on me” outburst, the ambulance and those sorry-looking-scallops, I’m sold. And then they revealed the contestants. It’s hard to say who I’m going to love to hate the most. Will it be “Food Is Sex” Josh with the raw foie gras? Jen, who fainted on the spot under the pressure of her first challenge? Or Joanna, who thinks she can flirt her way into victory? And, for the record, that chicken-fried-chicken dish? Mmm...I can already feel the tension brewing on the girls team between Joanna and Bonnie: “Do you hard-boil the risotto?” I myself have no idea, but it seems that if Chef Ramsay were about to come after you, you’d figure it out, and fast! I also love Cowboy Aaron, but I can already tell that he can’t handle the heat.Tiffany got the first firm scolding from Gordon. Apparently she can’t cook a...
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As the season finale, this was Glen’s very last time to get lucky with the ladies. And lo and behold, he did! Well… sort of. And with none other than Married with Children’s Peggy Bundy (Katey Sagal, whose voice you may also recognize from Futurama. And who, for the record, is looking great these days). I was glad to see this date go better than Glen’s last date with the gay man from the video store, although I suppose when it comes to Glen, “better” is a relative term. Glen’s role-playing with his old teacher was hilarious, although it was a tad uncomfortable to watch Glen admit he was a virgin. I also love how Glen, upon meeting her, exclaimed, “You have a first name?!” Only a child like Glen would still be uncomfortable calling his old teacher by her first name at the age of 32. All of the sex lessons were hilarious as well. I loved everything from the chalkboard diagrams to the timer! I’m so glad the show has finally made some pr...
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I don’t know what was sadder, when Alison told Glen that Josh’s new friend was the “first time he has ever had a ‘cool’ friend,” or when Glen actually followed Josh and his new friend Murray to the movies! And let’s not forget that Josh actually took his new friend’s side when Murray called the usher to get rid of Glen. Poor Glen! Is this guy ever going to catch a break? I know we already know he ends up a millionaire, but I wish there was some indication of Glen losing some of his insecurities as well. My heart just breaks for Glen in moments like these.I am happy that the show is focusing more on Glen’s work life than his home life. His parents never really do it for me, and while they do serve to let us know how pathetic Glen is, I just am not feeling the laughs coming from them. His mom did have one great line tonight though when she told Glen that she bought him and his new friend tickets to the Ice Capades. While I’m not a huge...
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My initial thought on tonight’s bonus episode is that Rob Corddry looks like an entirely different person with hair! And that I love Glen’s alter ego “Lance Manly.” From the moment Glen put on his wig, he took on a confident, adult persona that’s actually appropriate for a 32-year-old. It was a refreshing change from insecure Glen Abbott who lives at home, works in a video store and makes $208 per paycheck (even if it is 1994). My favorite Lance Manly moments were his calling the other bald man at the spelling bee finals “Rapunzel,” ordering “three Michelobs” at dinner and telling Donna that his pilot job “pays the bills and gives the foxy mamas thrills.” Rob played Lance Manly as only Rob Corddry could, and I loved every minute of it.As for Rob’s real character Glen, I thought it was endearing how excited he was in what appeared to be Glen’s very first hotel experience. From gawking at the “art” to being so ...
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Tonight's episode of The Winner made me feel sad for Glen, and not in a haha-look-what-a-loser-he-is kind of way. There were few moments when I laughed out loud and even fewer when I felt sure that this 32-year old could truly transform into the “Winner” that the show’s introduction promises. It’s sad enough that the only real structure Glen has is at home with his parents. Throw their trial separation into the mix and it’s just plain pathetic that Glen remains at home, listening to his parents fight about a childhood he’s been living for 32 years. And just when you think this situation can’t possibly make you anymore uncomfortable, Glen heads over to Alison’s to intrude on her date with her new boyfriend, Gary, who treats Glen like he’s six years old. There were few parts of tonight’s episode that I found truly funny. I still love that it takes place in 1994 and I’m happy that those (albeit increasingly un-subtle) '90s referen...
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I didn’t find this episode of The Winner to be quite as strong as the pilot. I think too much of the episode was focused on Glen and Josh preparing for their dates, but I do think it’s adorable the way they are bonding. It’s funny how Josh seems to be more mature than 32-year-old Glen, and I love how Josh was the one giving Glen advice at the end of the episode and not the other way around. I also think it’s so funny that Glen is working at the video store. What a perfect job for him! I laughed out loud when they showed Glen with his name tag that said, “Be patient, I’m learning.” The tag seems so symbolic of Glen’s life in so many ways.As for Glen and Josh’s relationship, this episode really showed their friendship blossom. I think the two have a good rapport and both characters seem to complement each other well. However, I still find it so bizarre that Josh is helping Glen date his mom, especially when Josh suggested that Glen go to a ...
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Being a fan of both The Daily Show and Family Guy, I’ve been looking forward to The Winner and tonight’s pilot did not disappoint me. Family Guy creators Seth MacFarlane and Ricky Blitt successfully bring their oddball humor to the show’s main character, Glen Abbott, and I think there is no one better to portray the 32-year old loser than Daily Show expatriate Rob Corddry.First off, I love how the show is set in 1994. The subtle (and not so subtle) 90’s references cracked me up, among them Glen’s Party of Five mention and of course, the O.J. Simpson car chase. I think one of the funnier lines in tonight’s pilot was Glen’s mom, Irene (Linda Hart), declaring that O.J. “couldn’t hurt a fly,” rivaled only by Allison (Erinn Hayes) noting that Clinton “seems to be a good family man.” I love how the writers intentionally take us back to 1994 through these references and I’m excited to see more of them as the series continues....
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