What Won TV? – November 20-November 26, 2016

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In this feature, I look back at each day of the past week and determine what shows “won TV” for the night. That is, I consider every episode of television I watched that aired on a particular day and declare which was the best.

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Sunday – Bob’s Burgers
Monday – People of Earth
Tuesday – Billy on the Street has contributed so much comedy to this world, and if nothing else, it’s made people laugh, and that’s obviously a beautiful thing because if we didn’t have laughter, the world would suck a whole lot.
Wednesday – Search Party
Thursday – Search Party
Friday – Search Party … finds what it’s looking for?
Saturday – Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency comes into its own.

The Simpsons 28.8 Review: “Dad Behavior”

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THE SIMPSONS: Homer finds a new app that makes his life much easier and outsources his father-son bonding in the all-new “Dad Behavior” episode of THE SIMPSONS airing Sunday, Nov. 20 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT). THE SIMPSONS ™ and © 2016 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CR:FOX

This episode looks back to a time “before throwing your baby into the sun was considered child abuse.” http://www.bubbleblabber.com/review-the-simpsons-dad-behavior/

SNL Review November 19, 2016: Kristen Wiig/The xx

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SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- "Kristen Wiig" Episode 1711 -- Pictured: (l-r) Kate McKinnon as Napoleon, Pete Davidson, Kristen Wiig, Cecily Strong, Sasheer Zamata, and Leslie Jones during "Kristen Wiig's Thanksgiving Monologue" on November 19, 2016 -- (Photo by: Will Heath/NBC)

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — “Kristen Wiig” Episode 1711 — Pictured: (l-r) Kate McKinnon as Napoleon, Pete Davidson, Kristen Wiig, Cecily Strong, Sasheer Zamata, and Leslie Jones during “Kristen Wiig’s Thanksgiving Monologue” on November 19, 2016 — (Photo by: Will Heath/NBC)

This review was originally posted on News Cult in November 2016.

Love It

Kristen Wiig’s Monologue – The world is perpetually in need of good Thanksgiving songs, so “Thanksgiving freak” Kristen Wiig gives us a ditto supposedly about the origins of Turkey Day. But first, she fidgets with her instruments and the placement of props, in a deconstruction of form worthy of Will Ferrell. Dropping by are Steve Martin and Will Forte – big-name cameos that could distract, but since Santa Claus is already there, and Sacajawea is paying for dinner with her own coins, they just add to the wittily written, delightfully rhyming cacophony.

The Bubble is the deceptive utopia we’ve all been waiting for…Anderson Cooper 360° is a whole series of brick jokes mashed together, with a timely twist for the ages.

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What Won TV? – November 13-November 19, 2016

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In this feature, I look back at each day of the past week and determine what shows “won TV” for the night. That is, I consider every episode of television I watched that aired on a particular day and declare which was the best.

billy-on-the-street-name-a-skin-color

Sunday – Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Monday – People of Earth
Tuesday – Name a TV show you should be watching: Billy on the Street
Wednesday – You’re the Worst
Thursday – Jeopardy!
Friday – Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and its “feminist bikini area”
Saturday – SNL Thanksgiving by way of Westworld

Son of Zorn 1.7 Review: “The Battle of Thanksgiving”

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SON OF ZORN:  L-R:  Cheryl Hines, Tim Meadows, Zorn (voiced by Jason Sudeikis), Johnny Pemberton and guest star Jenny O'Hara in the "The Battle of Thanksgiving" episode of SON OF ZORN airing Sunday, Nov. 13 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.  ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co.  Cr:  FOX

“Oh, on all the scrotums. Okay, all right. Thanks, Doc.” http://www.bubbleblabber.com/review-son-of-zorn-the-battle-of-thanksgiving/

The Simpsons 28.7 Review: “Havana Wild Weekend”

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THE SIMPSONS: When the Retirement Castle and the V.A. Hospital cannot solve Grampa’s health issues, the Simpsons decide to take a family trip to Cuba to get Grampa cheap medical care, on the all-new “Havana Wild Weekend” episode airing Sunday, Nov. 13, (8:00-8:31 PM ET/PT). THE SIMPSONS ™ and © 2016 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CR: FOX

Cuba is “like Florida before all the Cubans came.” http://www.bubbleblabber.com/review-the-simpsons-havana-wild-weekend/

SNL Review November 12, 2016: Dave Chappelle/A Tribe Called Quest

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SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- "Dave Chappelle" Episode 1710 -- Pictured: Host Dave Chappelle during the monologue on November 12, 2016 -- (Photo by: Will Heath/NBC)

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — “Dave Chappelle” Episode 1710 — Pictured: Host Dave Chappelle during the monologue on November 12, 2016 — (Photo by: Will Heath/NBC)

This review was originally posted on News Cult in November 2016.

Before I get into my Love It/Keep it/Leave It picks, a word on the Hillary “Hallelujah” Cold Opening, which I have chosen not to categorize. Normally when SNL forgoes a proper sketch in favor of a song for the opening, it is in the wake of a national tragedy. So add one more way in which this election is unprecedented. The song selection memorializes the recently departed Leonard Cohen, rendering this moment less depressing and more bittersweet.

Love It

Dave Chappelle’s Monologue – I guess somebody knew that Trump was going to win. That somebody? SNL’s talent booker. How else to explain how we got Dave Chappelle on the exact week that we needed him? This is not the most laugh-out he has ever been (although Bradley Cooper being the only white person at a BET-sponsored White House party is hilarious enough for the whole set), but that is fine, because he is mainly aiming for truth and strength. A lot of disappointed citizens have been struggling to say something positive while also holding on to their legitimate disappointment. By finding hope while passionately defending enfranchisement, Dave Chappelle hits that multilayered note.

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What Won TV? – November 6-November 12, 2016

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In this feature, I look back at each day of the past week and determine what shows “won TV” for the night. That is, I consider every episode of television I watched that aired on a particular day and declare which was the best.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- "Dave Chappelle" Episode 1710 -- Pictured: (l-r) Kyle Mooney, Leslie Jones, and Dave Chappelle during the "Love and Leslie" sketch on November 12, 2016 -- (Photo by: Alex Schaefer/NBC)

Sunday – Westworld
Monday – Thanks for all the empathy, People of Earth.
Tuesday – Jeopardy!
Wednesday – black-ish
Thursday – Better Things
Friday – Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Saturday – SNL, thanks to Dave Chappelle talking and Leslie and Kyle loving

SNL Review November 5, 2016: Benedict Cumberbatch/Solange

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koohl-toilet

The Koohl Toilet

This review was originally posted on News Cult in November 2016.

Love It

Over 30 years later, how can we possibly make a relevant parody of perhaps the most iconic commercial of all time? We now have an answer, and it is koohl: The Koohl Toilet. The word “sheeple” gets thrown around a lot today, and it is usually uncalled for. But there is in fact one way in which we all conform, as we are just too busy taking care of business. No more, though! There is another way, and it is not just a ridiculous idea for a comedy sketch, but a real revolution.

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What Won TV? – October 30-November 5, 2016

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In this feature, I look back at each day of the past week and determine what shows “won TV” for the night. That is, I consider every episode of television I watched that aired on a particular day and declare which was the best.

koohl-toilet

Sunday – Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Monday – People of Earth
Tuesday – Atlanta checked its pockets.
Wednesday – You’re the Worst
Thursday – The Good Place
Friday – Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Saturday – Benedict Cumberbatch made the toilet Koohl again.

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