"The Promise of a New Season"
Finally. It's been a
long seven months, but the
Boys are back and we're picking things up with a double-header, starting with that kiss. I was already expecting something negative to come out of this, considering this could be a
My Boys version of
Friends' Ross and Rachel, and it would be too soon for them to really get together. But I didn't expect to have such a physical reaction to PJ answering her cell phone right after their smooch. (Picture me throwing my hands in the air and yelling, "No! Don't answer the phone! You're totally ruining it!") But then I calmed down because this season is all about new beginnings, despite any awkwardness, and I'm so glad the show is back that I'll set the Brando-PJ thing aside just for the sake of new possibilities and new faces. (For more on upcoming guest stars and storylines, check out my
interview with Jordana Spiro.)
Moving on Since when does Mike take yoga? I can't picture that, but I guess I should keep an open mind - after all, Andy's livin' in the suburbs and Kenny's dating pregnant women, so life is definitely different for our poker crew. The scene where they were trying to draw attention to Kimmy's baby bump just so Bobby and Brando would notice defines what
My Boys is all about.
Another moment of perfection was the Fantasy Baseball draft with Andy trying to bid on players over speakerphone. I was laughing out loud the entire time - until Brendan surrendered to his girlfriend's arrival and accidentally took PJ's reserved first baseman.
Then it really went downhill with four simple words: "I'll take Derek Jeter." And all this attitude stems from that one kiss - PJ's jealousy, Brando's little speech about the boys having other women in their lives (a little harsh, no?). But the bottom line is, he was obviously feeling rejected when she rushed off to give Steph her house keys the night of their kiss. A misunderstanding once we saw it played out, but that one phone call seemed to extend the possibility of this relationship.
So now, even though Brendan's moving back in with PJ, there's this awkwardness that lingers among all the one-liners that make me chuckle. It's the semi-serious moments combined with natural jabs and sarcasm that make this show brilliant and completely true to life. Its return has refreshed my summer of so-so TV - Kenny's bizarre social decisions (like failing to tell everyone Kimmy was a surrogate), Andy's under-the-breath comments, Steph's hatred for Kenny (which I still maintain to be jealousy). Can they all just be
my friends?
Episode Recap: "Off Day"
"He puts the lotion in the freakin' basket!" [
Cringe] Oh man. PJ's appearance on the Turk Vardell show was just painful and I was curled up on my couch in embarrassment for her. But who better to play Turk than
Felicity's
Ian Gomez - a very big departure from the beloved Javier, but a hilarious performance all the same. PJ really should have practiced some catchphrases.
I loved the guys' plan for her future: the Turk Vardell show,
SportsCenter, "The PJ Franklin Show" and then a downhill spiral that leads to a reality show and a crappy children's book called "Even Unicorns Say I'm Sorry." It's OK, though, I don't really see PJ as a TV personality anyway.
At least one good thing came out of her terrible guest spot - a trip to Italy! Still on her high from the show and no real feedback from clueless Steph, she was suddenly agreeing to a romantic getaway (boyfriend TBD), but I'm curious to see if they actually go. Steph's still on the hunt for love, and we know how powerful a force that is, so I wouldn't be surprised if we see the tomboy sportswriter trading in her beers for wine and finding herself in some ridiculous situation with a handsome Italian.
But for now I'll settle into the poker table antics of the American boys I've grown to love. Andy's at the top of my list. What's with him still rolling his eyes at family life? Talking about being "trapped" and getting permission from the "warden"? Didn't we see how great Meredith was last season and learn that he was just saying all those things so people wouldn't think he was a tired 30-year-old dad who actually liked hanging out at home? Maybe it's just the long commute that's getting to him. Or possibly too brief of a Meredith introduction - I expect to see more of her this time around.
Another occurrence I hope to see more of this season: Kenny dating (and by that, I mean more than just coffee dates). Pretending he was actually going to be a part of the baby's life and pissing off Kimmy in the process was typical for him and I loved every minute of it.
I hope the writers continue scraping the barrel of real life for all the hilarious bits thrown our way. Just the fact that they mentioned YouTube was great. Who doesn't love those embarrassing videos of random people doing wacky things or celebrities showing their "just like us" sides. Did anyone else catch that video of
Beyoncé falling down the stairs during a stage performance last week? Ouch. Now,
that puts the lotion in the basket - whatever that means.
Watch more of
My Boys in our
Online Video Guide.
