In this week's episode, Earl (Jason Lee) learns that Randy (Ethan Suplee) has been harboring a secret ambition to become a cheerleader. Heading to cheerleader camp in order to live out that dream seems easy enough until they meet Kimmi Himler (Jenna Elfman), the head of the camp. However, the biggest obstacle in their way turns out to be Earl's pride.
At first, Earl intends to cross Kenny (Gregg Binkley) off of the list for making fun of his cheerleading interests, but he then learns it was actually Randy who wanted to take up the hobby – Kenny was just covering for him. Of course, Earl feels bad and wants to encourage Randy to realize his dream by attending cheerleader camp. But we all know Randy won't do anything without his brother by his side. Earl begrudgingly pretends that he also is a closet enthusiast of all things pom-pom and they attend together.
Of course, Camden consistently fields the worst team at camp every year. This time, the group of misfits is comprised of, as Randy lovingly refers to them, "Preggers, Head Gear, Chunk, and Black Girl." The rival team is Nathanville, led by the daughter of the Kimmi Himler, who was once attacked and disfigured by a badger during a cheer performance. As Randy's enthusiasm leads the way for Camden to actually start performing well, Himler announces that no men are allowed at camp. This leads to Earl seducing the lonely woman in return for allowing them to stay – and we all know that scenes of Earl bedding a lady are always awkward, but this one involved him getting dripped on with "eye goop."
I was thankful that the weird Joy subplot eventually led to something normal. In the opening scene, Dodge shows signs of having a puppy love-style crush on Catalina (Nadine Velazquez). This sends Joy (Jaime Pressly) into a rage and she tries all sorts of things to get her son to concentrate on her – even putting on sexy clothes and makeup for reading bedtime stories. It was slightly funny I guess, but more awkward than anything. I was thankful when we arrived at the true nature of Joy's feelings, which was the realization that her sons will eventually grow up and leave the homestead. I wouldn't break out any mother-of-the-year awards just yet, but it's always nice to catch a glimpse Joy's true feelings under her tough exterior.
Speaking of her tough exterior, the next time we see Joy she quips, "And Earl, I don't say this enough – you are a douche bag." This is while she brings the whole Camden crew to watch Earl cheer after Randy sends a postcard telling her what they are up to. Earl flips out at first and, as an excuse to bow out of the routine, convinces Randy that it's important that he start doing things on his own. But just like all the other times, Earl just can't bring himself to leave Randy hanging. And of course, the bow atop this well-wrapped episode is that the heckling Camden crew ends up enjoying the performance.
I may be beating a dead horse here, but let me reiterate one more time what we've all been saying – I'm glad that we're back to old-fashioned, solid episodes of Earl. Apart from a little awkwardness I couldn't help feeling because of the slightly Oedipal Joy storyline, this was another hilarious and strong episode. And there's still so much Season 4 left.
Let's tackle a few memorable moments:
• Joy on homework: "Don't do too good, Mommy needs that summer school for free day care."
• George Orwell, you sure were right about 1984."
• "Spec-tacular! Kenny taught me how to say it that way."
• Randy's montage of cheerleader behavior through the years, including the backflip out of the truck bed.
• Randy on government: "The president owns the country, but he don't make the rules. The pilgrims make the rules."
• "You've got mail, if you want it." •"I put the tartar sauce on the side because I thought you might regret that decision."
• "Even if Catalina was into 8-year-olds, I doubt she'd want you as a mother-in-law."
• Darnell saving the day by hitting Dodge in the head with the fan.
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In this week's episode, Earl (Jason Lee) learns that Randy (Ethan Suplee) has been harboring a secret ambition to become a cheerleader. Heading to cheerleader camp in order to live out that dream seems easy enough until they meet Kimmi Himler (Jenna Elfman), the head of the camp. However, the biggest obstacle in their way turns out to be Earl's pride.
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