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Cheers: Larry's Kicked to the Curb

Oct 22, 2007 05:18 AM ET
by Bruce Fretts

Cheryl Hines and Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm by Claudette Barius/HBO

Cheers to Larry David for bringing a surprising dose of reality to Curb Your Enthusiasm. The cranky comic, whose real-life marriage to environmental activist Laurie David recently ended, saw TV wife Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) leave him — for the inventor of no-fly underwear. (Seinfeld aficionados will note the parallel to Frank Costanza's unmentionable cocreation, the "bro.") The twist promises to breathe new life into the HBO sitcom, which seemed ready to expire after last season's finale, when Larry briefly died and went to Heaven. The prospect of Larry on the prowl — he already had a painfully funny date with Lucy Lawless — only boosts my enthusiasm for Curb.More Cheers & Jeers: Read and react to Bruce's opinions on Mad Men, Bionic Woman, Damages and Friday Night Lights, then share your own raves and rants about other shows on the new Reader Cheers & Jeers discussion board. Your comments could wind up in TV Guide magazine! read more

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Jeers: Mad Men's "Big" Twist

Oct 19, 2007 08:01 AM ET
by Bruce Fretts

Elisabeth Moss in Mad Men courtesy AMC

Jeers to Mad Men for marring its brilliant finale with a boneheaded twist. Don't get me wrong, I've adored every other moment of AMC's swinging-'60s drama (OK, except when John Slattery's Roger Sterling puked after walking up too many stairs — that was a stretch). But when secretary-turned-copywriter Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) discovered (Spoiler alert, for the DVRing crowd) that the reason for her mystery weight gain was that she was unknowingly pregnant — and she promptly pushed out a healthy-looking baby — I groaned along with her. This smacks of the kind of soap-operatic plotting this achingly subtle series has so skillfully avoided during its first season. In short, it made me a mad man. Anybody else?More Cheers & Jeers: Read and react to Bruce's opinions on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Bionic Woman and Damages, then share your own raves and rants about other shows on the new Reader Cheers & Jeers discussion board. Your comments could wind up in TV Guide magazine! read more

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Jeers: Isaiah Washington's Bionic Energy Crisis

Oct 18, 2007 08:11 AM ET
by Bruce Fretts

Michelle Ryan and Isaiah Washington in Bionic Woman by Carol Segal/NBC Photo

Jeers to Isaiah Washington for his tragically lethargic performance on Bionic Woman. The former Grey's Anatomy lightning rod was clearly brought onto NBC's sci-fi remake to generate controversy — and ratings — but he sucks the life out of every scene. As Antonio Pope, the trainer/guru of Jaime Sommers (Michelle Ryan, who's no party herself), he's adopted a too-cool-for-school acting style, mumbling his lines and only coming to life when he's kicking somebody's ass. Washington needs to take a cue from his Bionic cast mate Katee Sackhoff and amp up his energy level several notches. He should be better, stronger... and less boring.More Cheers & Jeers: Read and react to Bruce's opinions on Damages, Heroes, Housewives and Friday Night Lights, then share your own raves and rants about other shows on the new Reader Cheers & Jeers discussion board. Your comments could wind up in TV Guide magazine! read more

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Cheers: A Rose by Any Other Name...

Oct 17, 2007 10:27 AM ET
by Bruce Fretts

Rose Byrne in Damages by Barbara Nitke/FX

Cheers to Rose Byrne for her sizzling performance on Damages. As her character, Ellen Parsons, has evolved from idealistic junior lawyer to cynical murder suspect, the Aussie stunner has pulled off a flawless American accent — and more than held her own in scenes opposite the formidable Glenn Close (as her implacable quasi-mentor Patty Hewes). Much ink has been spilled about how TV series like Damages provide superior roles for actresses of a certain age like Close, but FX's legal thriller has also dealt Byrne more mature dramatic challenges than she’s been given in murky movies like Sunshine and Troy. Any objections?More Cheers & Jeers: Read and react to Bruce's opinions on Housewives, The Office and Friday Night Lights, then share your own raves and rants about other shows on the new Reader Cheers & Jeers discussion board. Your comments could wind up in TV Guide magazine! read more

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Jeers: Heroes Gets Lost by Adding Many Others

Oct 16, 2007 01:20 PM ET
by Bruce Fretts

Dania Ramirez and Shalim Ortiz in Heroes by Trae Patton/NBC Photo

Jeers to Heroes for getting Lost with too many new characters. Like the castaway drama, NBC’s superpowered smash has hit a bit of a sophomore slump by bringing in a plethora of "Others" and not giving us enough of our old favorites like Niki, Ando and Hiro (where were they this week?). True, some of the new heroes are cool — I'm especially fond of Claire's high-flying new boyfriend, West. But will Alejandro and Maya ever reach the U.S. border? How long will Micah bunk with his Katrina-surviving relatives? And what's happened to the Irish gang Peter got mixed up with? All this, and Kristen Bell’s Elle hasn’t even appeared yet!More Cheers & Jeers: Read and react to Bruce's opinions on Housewives, The Office and Friday Night Lights, then share your own raves and rants about other shows on the new Reader Cheers & Jeers discussion board. Your comments could wind up in TV Guide magazine! read more

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Cheers: Dana Delany Gets Desperate

Oct 15, 2007 11:04 AM ET
by Bruce Fretts

Dana Delany and Marcia Cross in Desperate Housewives by Ron Tom/ABC

Cheers to Dana Delany for cooking up fresh trouble on Desperate Housewives. The China Beach Emmy winner's recent arrival on Wisteria Lane has taken the ABC serial back to its catfighting roots. Her mysterious character, Katherine Mayfair, has already clashed with Bree (Marcia Cross) about pie recipes and Gaby (Eva Longoria) about her flirtatious ways. Good thing Delany has signed up for more seasons — we're hungry for extra helpings.Share your own Cheers & Jeers about Housewives and any other TV program on the new Reader Cheers & Jeers discussion board. read more

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Jeers: The Office Gets in a Jam

Oct 12, 2007 03:59 PM ET
by Bruce Fretts

John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer by Justin Lubin/NBC Photo

Jeers to The Office for ruining the magic between Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer). There's nothing more boring — or less funny — than a happy couple, which is what NBC's sitcom has created by bringing the long-delayed lovebirds together this season. Who wants to see these two giggling and eating pizza together on the roof of Dunder-Mifflin? Did we learn nothing from the Moonlighting debacle, people?Share your own Cheers & Jeers about The Office and any other TV program on the new Reader Cheers & Jeers discussion board. read more

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Cheers: Friday Night Lights' Landry Scores a Touchdown

Oct 8, 2007 03:09 PM ET
by Bruce Fretts

Jesse Plemons and Adrianne Palicki in Friday Night Lights by Bill Records/NBC

Cheers to Friday Night Lights for putting Jesse Plemons in the spotlight. The native Texan — and Matt Damon doppelgänger — quietly stole scenes last season as Landry Clarke, wisecracking pal to QB Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford). This season Landry’s stepping up, helping Tyra (Adrianne Palicki) fend off her attacker. Lone Star State football legend Tom Landry would be proud of his namesake.More Cheers & Jeers: Read and react to Bruce's opinions on Housewives and The Office, then share your own raves and rants about other shows on the new Reader Cheers & Jeers discussion board. Your comments could wind up in TV Guide magazine! read more