The Office Episode 6.10: "Murder"

The co-manager relationship between Michael Scott and Jim Halpert continues to be a roller coaster ride, as both continue to exert their own styles on an office that is unsure of its future.

When everyone finds out that Dunder-Mifflin may be declaring bankruptcy, Jim and Michael attack the problem with differing techniques. While Jim attempts to get everyone in the office to focus on work, Michael eventually wins out in convincing the office to participate in a murder mystery game.

Most of the characters spend the remainder of the episode talking in southern accents, as this also opens the door for some growth in the Andy and Erin relationship. Unfortunately, the 'Nard Dog crashes and burns. Andy asks out Erin in the context of the game, but loses his cool when he has the opportunity to confirm the date in real life. Erin later admits that she had hoped the date was real.

The Andy and Erin relationship is the case of two lovable characters who you can't help to root for. Andy, with all of his ridiculous mannerisms and preppy nature, just wants to find someone to cure his lonely woes. Is that really so much to ask?

Kevin had to have the line of the night. Andy was going through different accents, when Kevin asks him to do the Swedish chef. When Andy responds that he doesn't know what province he is from, Kevin angrily answers with, "He lives on Sesame Street, you dumbass."

Jim's character continues to evolve into his new role as co-manager, a position that has forced him to get away from his fun-loving, prankster nature a little bit more. It should be interesting to see how the company's future unfolds in the episodes to follow. Let me hear what you all think. Any chance Andy and Erin find a way to work things out by the end of the season?

Enjoy the weekend,

Zach

30 Rock Episode 4.5: "The Problem Solvers"

And the real 30 Rock is finally back and funny again!

After the first four episodes of season four, I was a little worried about where the show was headed. But after last night's episode, all 30 Rock worries can be laid to rest. The show was funny again, and actually developed a real plot without unnecessarily dragging it through multiple episodes.

Liz Lemon was offered a talk show in response to the popularity of her new book, Dealbreakers. Instead of agreeing to sign with Jack immediately, Liz listens to the advice of Jenna and Tracy, the self-proclaimed "Problem Solvers," and tries to search for the best possible option.

The new cast member, thankfully no longer dressed as a silver robot, encourages Jenna and Tracy to be nice to Kenneth, just in case he becomes their boss some day. Danny Baker, a new name given to him by Jack, struggles adjusting to his new life in show biz until Kenneth, who just wants to help someone again, fixes his problem.

After Lemon fails in trying to find someone to produce her show and Jack is unable to fill the void, the two realize the solution and agree to work together at the end.

The line of the episode has to go to Kenneth, who was voicing his anger over no one allowing him to do things for them. "I feel about as useful as a Mom's college degree," he said. Another sexist remark that everyone can't help to laugh at, similar to his allergy comments from season three, "After I ate that strawberry, I shut up quicker than a girl in math class."

Hopefully, 30 Rock keeps the momentum from this episode going into the rest of the season. Let me know what you all thought of the episode, and specifically if anyone thinks Danny is going to stick around for more than just a few episodes.

Take care,

Zach

The Pilot Post

This all got started in one of my journalism classes. Our professor was explaining the importance of blogs for what seemed like an eternity, and after awhile, Lemberg had us create our own blogs (whether we wanted to or not). But after coming to grips with the fact that journalists actually have to write stuff, I decided to get involved with this and take it somewhat seriously.

So, if I'm going to write one of these things, I figured why not talk about something I'm passionate about, as well as a possible career path in the next few years (who knows). Anyway, the entertainment industry is something that peaks everyone's interest, and no show does so for me more than The Office.

The Office, currently in its sixth season on NBC, caught my eye a few years ago after I watched the two early Christmas episodes. I immediately fell in love with the Pam & Jim friendship/relatioship(PB & J as I will often call it). All of the characters are realistic people that we've all met, besides Michael Scott, who is beyond ridiculous. But Steve Carell is hilarious, making his character a little more bearable.

While The Office has grown into a phenomenon rather quickly, its biggest competitor seems to be the show that follows it on NBC. 30 Rock, whose cast is comprised of multiple former SNL stars, has now won pretty much every Emmy possible the past three years. Tina Fey, the brains behind the whole thing, is truly a comedic icon at this point. But for some reason, its popularity isn't nearly at the level of The Office. I picked up watching 30 Rock last year, not really thinking much of it, but I found out pretty soon that it deserved every award it got.

So now, let the great debate begin. Which show is better? Which is funnier? Which hits home more? Steve Carell or Tina Fey? I want to hear everyone's thoughts on the topic. I'll be posting updates, episode summaries, photos, and hopefully some other cool stuff as the shows roll on.

Alright, enough rambling. Let me know what you think (positive or negative), and hopefully you keep coming back here for your Office and 30 Rock craving.

Take it easy everyone,

Zach