You know what you have to be thankful for as we head into America's biggest day of thanks? That this week was a really great week of television! How good was it? Just look at all the people holding guns in the "Swell" section! As you begin your stomach-stretching exercises to prepare for that sixth helping of mashed potatoes you'll be cramming on Thursday, take a look at what we thought was akin to Grandma's homemade stuffing (yum!) and what was your crazy Aunt Caroline's lima bean and liverwurst casserole (ugh!) this week.
Swell:
... Marcy the Realtor on American Horror Story
This vaguely racist, homophobic, and definitely off-kilter real estate agent is the first character to pose a threat to Jessica Lange's reign of campiness, and we love campiness.
... Opie finding Piney on Sons of Anarchy
[Slight spoiler if you aren't caught up on Sons of Anarchy] Is it possible to hand out an Emmy for 60 seconds of work? Though he's been great all series long, Ryan Hurst's spectrum of grief, confusion, and blood-boiling anger upon finding his on-sceen father dead was perfect. Just another example of how this macho show can also be one of the most emotional dramas on television.
... The League's spot-on guest-casting for its Thanksgiving episode
Sarah Silverman dropped by as Andre's slutty sister and reminisced with Andre's friends about how she taught them everything they know about sex. Then they reminded Andre that they taught him everything THEY know about sex, meaning Andre learned everything he knows about sex from his sister. Gross. Jeff Goldblum also appeared, as Ruxin's dad, and we're pretty sure he and Nick Kroll are actually father and son. Or at least clone and mini-clone.
... Homeland's amazing, "gamechanger" episode
People throw that term around, but Episode 7 gave us a huge twist that would make a tornado dizzy and really did turn the series on its head. Brody and Carrie had amazing scenes throughout, but the final scene where she grilled him at the cabin was one of the best we've seen in a long time. This series has gotten better each week.
... Jeff Winger as Dean Pelton on Community
Joel McHale got a chance to show off his skills as an impersonator when he put on a bald cap, donned some some glasses, and pranced around like a weirdo in this week's episode. And he did good. Really good.
... Schmidt and CeCe on New Girl
Over the past two episodes, two of the show's least-developed characters have suddenly become two of the best. Their burgeoning mutual infatuation is as ridiculous as it is endearing. We're on board for Cemidht or SchmiCe. Okay, maybe they're not perfect for each other, but they're Swell nonetheless.
... Work of Art's Lola and Michelle twirling their villain mustaches
In Wednesday's episode, the aforementioned bee-yotches were actually encouraging people to "tag" (that's street-talk for graffiti) their competition's work! That's straight-up gangsta, yo!
Hell:
... Demi and Ashton, no mas!
We were so shocked it lasted this long that we thought it might actually be forever, and we'll miss one of Hollywood's weirdest couples ever. Plus, breakups suck, no matter who are. The question now is: Who rebounds first, and will it be contentious? Our money is on Demi in a very public hook-up spree that's brimming with spite. We hear Justin Bieber might be available soon, Demi!
... Community gets pulled from NBC's schedule, freak-outs ensue
It's hard to swallow Whitney staying on the schedule and Community going bye-bye for now, but the internet firestorm it created may have been a bit overboard. Tim admits he got pretty heated over NBC's decision to keep our favorite community college comedy off the air in early 2012, but he's since calmed down. It's okay to be mad that it's not going to be on in January, but all of Season 3 will be produced and will air. If it gets to the point where NBC backtracks and Annie never returns, then we'll burn down Peacock HQ and Tim will bring the gasoline. But until then, we have to accept the business decision even if we don't like it.
... TWO more seasons of Dexter?
Showtime didn't just renew the serial-killer drama for one season, it renewed it for TWO. Could they please be six episodes each? Skip the midseason filler, please, Dexter writers.
... The Annoying Orange is coming to TV
We love oranges. They prevent scurvy and are a key ingredient in mimosas. But there's one orange we can't stand: THE ANNOYING ORANGE! The incredibly annoying and somehow popular web series is going to become a cartoon on Cartoon Network. God save us all.
... Regis is officially gone
He got us going in the morning with his infectious energy. He talked to Snooki about smushing. He repeatedly asked us if we wanted to be millionaires. Should we be sad? Yeah, we should. Good luck, Reeeeeeeg!
What made your list of TV loves and hates this week?
"Showtime didn't just renew the serial-killer drama for one season, it renewed it for TWO. Could they please be six episodes each? Skip the midseason filler, please, Dexter writers. "
A critique shows an understanding of the show, characters, and writing. This simply shows how little you care about doing your JOB!!!
Sarah Silverman on The League just makes me want to skip this episode. Nasty, and not funny in the least.
I say we should all keep complaining and freaking out about Community, maybe something'll happen, who knows?
Omg... The League was soo much better than I thought after reading above. The League surpassing Its Always Sunny on Thursday night on FX.
Yes, thank you!
Homeland and AHS were definitely Swell. I am not sure about the decision to put the Dexter renewal news in Hell. A lot of shows, especially the ones with the potential/calibre of Dexter can bounce back in subsequent seasons.
I would like to wish Ashton and Demi good luck in their new lives apart,Emmett North Jr.
Forgot to mention, that particular scene in SOA was really amazing. Opie (Ryan Hurst) acted the crap outta that shortish part. Like you said, dunno if an emmy can be given for that short piece but he sure deserves it. Everyone on that cast does.
And like i always said, this site has people or "critics" who hate TV, basically. Isn't it weird?
If you don't like Dexter you just don't qualify as a TV critic.
Yeah I didn't get why anything Dexter related was in the Hell section, but sometimes when people are on their periods they get moody or something.
Swell: It's always sunny in Philadelphia! This season is a great season! I really loved watching Charlie's dancing blow Dennis' mind, it blew my mind. And Dee doing the balloon dance, classic.
I'm confused. There's a pic of Sarah Silverman in the thumbnail but no news about her in the actual article. Am I missing something?
Guest spot on The League.
We get it, you hate Dexter. There are also a lot of shows I hate but there is a solution I finally found out. Don't......(wait for it).......watch it.
People really need to start watching "The League". Its one of the best comedies on television and the characters aren't stereo-typical cliches like most comedies on television currently are filled with. (See "The New Girl") This is what high school friends who stick together past school are really like - they are complete bastards to one another. Jeff Goldblum also had a great part on Paul Scheer's (Andre) "NTSF:SD:SUV" and fits in well with these guys. He was perfect as Ruxin's dad. The only thing missing was Sophia (Nadine Velazquez). This show is the perfect pair for "Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia" which also had a great episode relating why Mac got fat through Mac's eyes.
"Sons of Anarchy" has been setting a new bar for itself with each episode this season. It is officially having a better season than "Breaking Bad"'s stellar run this year. As Ryan Hurst is turning in one of the best performances this season so is Maggie Siff. I so wanted Tara to pound that bi!ch Wendy in the jaw in that hospital scene. I have a sneaky suspicion that Tara isn't making out of this season alive. Nice visit from Drea de Matteo that wasn't leaked.moreless
SOA is so good !!! And nothing is good about New Girl, just a very unfunny show! And the League-sets new boundaries-Just love Silverman!!!!
Agreed on all three points. No basic cable network makes better original shows than FX. And for the life of me, I simply can't understand what anyone finds endearing about "New Girl." To me, it's nothing short of dreadful.
Swell: FRINGE. Another great episode!
Hell: I have to wait until January for new episodes.
Its just not community. NBC is replacing decent shows with junk. I dont want to see a fashion competition. If I wanted see that I would watch Bravo. None of the mid season replacement seem all that great. If you going to do mid season replacement replace the lower rated show. This is why no one watches NBC
On the Annoying orange. Hasn't it been determine that making or even letting your kid watch it a form of torture, Please Please let this be a horrible mistake.
What a freaking idiot who writes this stuff. Dexter H8R's need to die.
How in the world is a guarantee of two more seasons of Dexter a bad thing. Please someone explain that one to me cause I'm sitting here scratching my head like a chimp trying to figure it out.
On the flip side: Thank you for giving me a reason to resume watching Homeland. I've had episodes 6 and 7 queued up and ready to go for a week now and if I added another one to the line I would have probably done what I did with Terra Nova - give and wait for the season to finish and then maybe download and watch all the episodes in quick succession so I don't lose interest while I'm waiting for each new one ... more to come along. Of course my reasons are completely different for each show. Terra Nova really just can't keep me interested from one week to the next. Homeland is just too, I don't know what's the best word but - complex, heavy to watch( don't ask me to explain this one, I can't put it any better). It just requires a different mindset going in than most of the shows I follow.moreless
Really, you want the people who became angry at NBC's decision for Community to calm down? This is the internet, we don't have to accept anything or act logically. I say we all get torches and pitchforks and start burning things without discrimination. I'll start with my own house!
How is two more seasons of "Dexter" on the hell side? Why does every show's first so-so season get everyone rushing for the lifeboats? As for NBC, they should just ditch all their sitcoms except for "30 Rock" and "Parks and Rec" and start rebuilding.
it isn't really dexter's first "so so" season...i can say that last season was kinda so so, and either the third or fourth (whichever john lithgow WASN'T in).
Season 5 was the Best in the whole series imo!
That might be true but you have to admit that a bad season of Dexter is a lot better than most seasons of the network's "best" shows.
Swell: Huge character development on Big Bang. Sheldon and Amy how adorable, plus the Relationship agreement was hilarious. Top Chef: so much drama already at the start of the real competition. I think this season will be good!
Having seen Priya rip through Leonard's agreement, why did Amy pass on having a lawyer look over hers?
Jeff wasn't just good as Dean Pelton. He was good enough!
Sons of Anarchy, Homeland, and Community -- very swell, indeed.
Alison Brie on The Soup was great, too, but like vicbjones said below, Molly Sims was kinda crap.
That guy who reviews Dexter doesn't even like the show!! Get another writer who actually loves Dexter as much as we, the fans do. And joking on Demi is low. You could have done it on the money grubber Kutcher!
I love Price, but he's got this wonderfully sarcastic humor that doesn't quite mesh with Dexter. I think he should switch Dexter with Tim for Terra Nova. Tim does the best "serious" reviews and Price does the best "funny" reviews. Personally, I would love to see Price apply his hilarious captions technique to Terra Nova. It's a win-win.
I totally agree with this. It just makes sense.
Yes, that would probably be good if Tim also likes watching Dexter. He is doing a great job with Person of Interest and Supernatural.
I like Price's photo recaps, but he is too full of himself.
Hell - Dexter hating. Here is a show that is still better than most things on TV and everyone is sad its continuing. Shame on You TV.com. Its seems as though you'll jump on any trend and its usually very cynical.
Hell - Astro's horrible attitude on the x factor
Swell: John Stewart's interviews with Gabby Gifford's husband and Martin Scorsese (The latter actually piqued my interest in Hugo.); Sheldon asking Fowler to be his girllfriend. Hell: Cougar Town being canceled; Chris Matthews' not understanding that the child abuse reporting laws were focused on teachers and health care providers; Chris Matthews, Joan Walsh and some other guy being aghast at Newt Gingrich's not having been run out of town (as if the media doesn't label people who don't change positions idealogues); the hackneyed Person of Interest episode; Molly Sims' reading on The Soup (Sketch comedy doesn't seem to be her forte.).
Not canceled, just... delayed.
I speak from the perspective of someone who saw next week previews for The Fifth Corner and Dark Science that either never came or wound up on the Sci-Fi Channel months later.
All it means is that when one of the other shows needs to be pulled after 2 episodes, Cougar Town will get its spot.
Swell: Kudos to Suburgatory--a surprisingly heartwarming and hilarious show.// Tis true, Homeland was REALLY good this week!-// Psych and South Park Wednesdays: respectively great seasons for each. and there are many more psych-outs to come...
Hell: the recent Community news.// Morena Baccarin's V-Anna haircut; she is much hotter with longer hair. and even shorter hair can be very sexy. However, call me crazy but I don't like this 8 year old boy look. Yeah I'm also talking to you Ginnifer Goodwin (I understand that everyone has their own tastes and preferences, but this is mine).// The heart she-holler or whatever. I used to really like Patton Oswalt--now, not so much. and what's with all these clearly demented shows CN keeps churning out? We've gone from weird (yet funny) stoner shows--to stuff like this. Generation Meth, anyone?moreless
totally agree to the V-Anna haircut - way better with longer hair. But still, Homeland is a great show.
I completely agree. I can't speak for the entire male sex, but for me, very short hair on a woman isn't attractive. Morena Baccarin, Ginnifer Goodwin, Emma Watson, and Carey Mulligan are all very beautiful, but would look better with longer hair. This is not meant to be taken as a dogmatically chauvinistic rant about female hairstyles, it's just my opinion.
I completely agree. I find all 4 of those ladies you mentioned very beautiful, but I think they all look hotter with long(er) hair. The same goes for every woman I can currently think of.
No worries my man. Preferences are preferences.....
Imo Emma Watson was the one & only girl who looked gorgeous in short hair.