By Steve Rhodes
Recent observations from more TV viewing than should be allowed even in a democracy.
1. After an uneven season opener, Mad Men has only gotten better. I mean, it’s downright gripping. Deep and layered with loads of potential plot and character development ahead of us. Yay, Mad Men! Here’s the show’s official blog.
2. Audrina Patridge: Not a smart girl. But smart enough to know she had to patch things up with Lo or risk drifting off the show. Also, does everyone betray LC?
3. Watching old episodes of Soul Train is one of the joys of staying in on Saturdays.
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4. Bob Saget was roasted recently on Comedy Central, though it’s not clear exactly why. It was pretty nasty – Cloris Leachman doing blue – and nobody seemed to get Norm MacDonald’s take on Saget’s lame America’s Funniest Home Videos jokes.
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5. Let’s take a look at some commercials that have been on my mind.
* That guy Greg on that island for CDW. For some reason these commercials really bother me, even as I always watch them. Something about that Greg guy is too pat. He’s perfect for the part. But what kind of business is he in? Import/export? Drugs? Maybe that’s why he’s so concerned with “network security” on a deserted island. Or maybe he’s really just camped out at a resort and he runs the spring break promotions.
* I’m a huge fan of the GEICO cavemen. In this one, I love how clueless he is about the score, and then how he suddenly turns friendly with “What’s with all the GEICO stuff, Billie Jean?” Plus, his legs are caveman-descendant hairy.
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I had never seen this one before – golfing with Phil Simms – apparently it aired in advance of Super Bowl XLI.
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* And now the cavemen are doing spots for ESPN.
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* Okay, this disturbs me and intrigues me at the same time. Plus, I’m skeptical. But whatever, you usually don’t see this sort of thing on TV – even nowadays. At least in America.
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* This is a baseball-season old by now, but still. The Joe Torre in L.A. commercials are good, let’s face it. And now he’s likely in the playoffs and the Yankees likely are not.
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* Finally, gotta give J.C. Penney props. Really.
Posted on September 23, 2008