Welcome to the first post of many in my new blog about NBC Comedy Thursdays. In their new line-up of shows that air every Thursday night from 8:00PM to 10:00PM, I will be blogging about Community, Parks and Recreation, and The Office. NBC’s new show this year which will making it debut at 9:30PM (taking the place of an old favourite of mine, 30 Rock) is called Whitney. Since my TV schedule is already packed this year, I’m going to have to pass on watching Whitney. Unless I hear it’s absolutely terrific, in which case I’ll give it a watch.
Since all three shows are beginning their new seasons tonight, I’ve decided to start my blog off with things I’ve read and heard about that are up and coming to each show. Once upon a time I kept an active blog over at Livejournal, and I’d post my thoughts after watching episodes of various shows. This blog will be managed in a similar fashion, just without (too much) fangirling. That being said, I must provide you with a WARNING: I tend to get overly emotional about fictional characters and relationships.
COMMUNITY
The inventive sitcom is entering its third season tonight. It’s been said their second season didn’t perform quite as strongly as their first creativity-wise. I agree wholeheartedly. Although Community had some fantastic guest stars and a few episodes that had me in fits of laughter in season two, I’m going to be bold and say the show got too into itself. The writing staff is creative each week, hat-tipping to other shows or movies, and always develops great continuity from episode to episode.
What I think the writing staff struggles with is repetition. The first season’s, and possibly the series’, best episode was titled ‘Modern Warfare’ and had all the characters competing in a school-wide paintball war. It is the most inventive episode in the series, for sure. The second season repeated this idea in a two-parter which again, had a school-wide paintball war. I’m hoping to see brand new episode plots that we got in season one, and only a handful of in season two.
PARKS AND RECREATION
My personal favourite of the three shows I’ll be reviewing each week is beginning its fourth season tonight. Parks is known amongst fans and critics as a show that gets stronger with each season. I don’t doubt its abilities to keep the story lines amusing and exciting with the remarkable writing staff. Critics adore this show, and it was nominated for three Emmys this year, two of them being for Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope and another for Best Comedy Series.
The last we saw of Leslie had her in a tricky situation. Her dreams are about to come true, but she may have to sacrifice her relationship to achieve those dreams. Running for city council would mean ending her not-so-secret relationship with Ben, her boss. Quite the conundrum! Another startling revelation at the end of last season was the appearance of Tammy One, Ron Swanson’s first wife who his eccentric ex-wife, Tammy Two is terrified of. As is Ron. Which is super terrifying to me, because nothing terrifies Ron Swanson.
THE OFFICE
Arguably the strongest of all the Thursday night comedies is entering its eighth season tonight, and it’ll mark the first season without Steve Carell who played everyone’s favourite boss Michael Scott. When Steve announced he would not be renewing his contract with NBC for the upcoming season and therefore leaving The Office, the big question on everyone’s mind was who would be the new branch manager for Dunder Mifflin Scranton? The last few episodes at the end of the seventh season were spent trying to answer that question.
A flurry of guest stars entered the Scranton branch to interview for the part, including Will Ferrell, James Spader, Will Arnett, Catherine Tate, Jim Carrey, and Ray Romano. James Spader got the part. The three-time Emmy winner has his work cut out for him, playing arrogant businessman Robert California. Carell left some big shoes to fill, and I’m hoping Spader shows the talent he’s got.
Note: This is edit 1D.
Thursday Nights on NBC 
i had no idea james spader, from boston legal fame, was invading the office territory. good on him.. he BETTER not suck!
I really liked him on the first episode! He not only made me laugh a handful of times, but seemed to click with the other actors, too. Oh and btw, Robert California is now the CEO of Dunder Mifflin! Exciting!
I get really attached to characters too. Community is probably one of my favourite shows. I have heard a lot of good stuff about Parks and Recreation but for some reason I could never get into it. You do say P&R gets better so I might just give it a shot.
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