It’s always my policy to watch every Emmy-nominated episode each year, which leads me to sample a handful of shows that I don’t tune in to on a regular basis. For the fourth year in a row, I’m making a special effort to spotlight each of those installments to offer my perspective on shows that I don’t review each week.
The Big Bang Theory: Season 12, Episode 24 “The Stockholm Syndrome” (B+)
I really used to enjoy watching the six submitted episodes for this series the four years that it was nominated for Best Comedy Series, and I’ve missed that each year since its final mention in 2014. This marks the second year that the show has been nominated only for directing, in addition to a technical nod or two. Tuning into the series finale, it was exactly what I expected, a funny, heartfelt goodbye that managed to work on a number of levels, even for a casual fan like me who has only seen something like fifty of the 279 produced half-hours. Technically, last year’s nomination was only due to a new rule that required at least one nominee to be a multi-camera sitcom, and this year, it’s the only one on the list too. While I wouldn’t necessarily have cited its direction, the writing was great and this was a wholly satisfactory episode. The extended recap at the beginning of the penultimate episode, which I also screened, was very helpful, and it felt like there were appropriate conclusions to many of the storylines while also leaving the future completely open (not that another spinoff is likely with “Young Sheldon” as the franchise’s only apparent continuation). Penny being pregnant was fun for many reasons, namely Sheldon barely caring and her not being able to drink when she does literally all the time. Sheldon being afraid of change was a logical framing narrative, and he managed to reason that the miraculous working elevator was actually a return to the norm. Amy’s makeover seemed to allow her to be happier, and the most sentimental part of the half-hour came when Sheldon went off-script and praised the value of his friends. Sarah Michelle Gellar being on the plane and coming with Raj as his reluctant non-date was a funny subplot too that was featured just the right amount. This is one show I wouldn’t mind tuning into at any point, and I’d be totally fine with it taking home one last Emmy (it has ten overall) for this fantastic finale.
Showing posts with label The Big Bang Theory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Big Bang Theory. Show all posts
Sunday, September 1, 2019
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Emmy Episodes: The Big Bang Theory
It’s always my policy to watch every Emmy-nominated episode each year, which leads me to sample a handful of shows that I don’t tune in to on a regular basis. For the third year in a row, I’m making a special effort to spotlight each of those installments to offer my perspective on shows that I don’t review each week.
The Big Bang Theory: Season 11, Episode 24 “The Bow Tie Asymmetry” (B+)
This episode marks a strange inclusion in the Emmy lineup since it wasn’t actually announced when the nominations were unveiled but was then added as a result of a new rule which ensures that one slot in the Best Directing for a Comedy Series category goes to a multi-camera show. While I’m not sure how I feel about that rule – or whether more should be in place to ensure a more distributed field of talent gets recognized. Either way, I’m very happy to be able to check back in with this show after a long time away from it. I used to enjoy watching the six plus installments that represented the show in Best Comedy Series and the acting categories, but, after being dropped from the top race in 2015, this show netted just three technical nominations last year. While this represents its only bid this year, what a great episode it is. I’m not sure I would highlight its directing over its writing, but this was a very sweet (and relatable for a casual viewer) way to finally get Sheldon and Amy hitched. I love that they discovered something scientific together only to decide that they had the rest of their lives to get back to this, and having a slew of mothers in town for the wedding, including Kathy Bates as Amy’s mom, who made Christine Baranski’s monster mother look nice, was fun. Mark Hamill guest-starring as himself was an endearing bonus, the latest instance of something this show does well, having sci-fi geek icons show up and embrace the cult status they’ve achieved within this community. It was recently announced that this show has just one more season to go, and I’d be more than happy to enjoy sampling any number of episodes when next year’s Emmy nominees come around.
The Big Bang Theory: Season 11, Episode 24 “The Bow Tie Asymmetry” (B+)
This episode marks a strange inclusion in the Emmy lineup since it wasn’t actually announced when the nominations were unveiled but was then added as a result of a new rule which ensures that one slot in the Best Directing for a Comedy Series category goes to a multi-camera show. While I’m not sure how I feel about that rule – or whether more should be in place to ensure a more distributed field of talent gets recognized. Either way, I’m very happy to be able to check back in with this show after a long time away from it. I used to enjoy watching the six plus installments that represented the show in Best Comedy Series and the acting categories, but, after being dropped from the top race in 2015, this show netted just three technical nominations last year. While this represents its only bid this year, what a great episode it is. I’m not sure I would highlight its directing over its writing, but this was a very sweet (and relatable for a casual viewer) way to finally get Sheldon and Amy hitched. I love that they discovered something scientific together only to decide that they had the rest of their lives to get back to this, and having a slew of mothers in town for the wedding, including Kathy Bates as Amy’s mom, who made Christine Baranski’s monster mother look nice, was fun. Mark Hamill guest-starring as himself was an endearing bonus, the latest instance of something this show does well, having sci-fi geek icons show up and embrace the cult status they’ve achieved within this community. It was recently announced that this show has just one more season to go, and I’d be more than happy to enjoy sampling any number of episodes when next year’s Emmy nominees come around.
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Emmy Episodes: The Big Bang Theory
It’s always my policy to watch every Emmy-nominated episode each year, which leads me to sample a handful of shows that I don’t tune in to on a regular basis. This year, I’m making a special effort to spotlight each of those installments to offer my perspective on shows that I don’t review each week.
The Big Bang Theory: Season 9, Episode 24 “The Convergence Convergence” (B+)
Nominated for Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (Christine Baranski and Laurie Metcalf)
The second of the nominated “Big Bang Theory” episodes from this year is notable for a number of reasons. First, it’s the season finale, leading into a tenth season that apparently might end up being the last one, but I don’t think its fate is sealed just yet. It’s also a submission for two different nominated actresses, something that actually happens more than you might think. Two years ago, Uzo Aduba defeated Laverne Cox when they both submitted the same episode of “Orange is the New Black.” The two actresses nominated for this episode, both of whom play mothers to the main characters, are Emmy legends. This is Baranski’s fifteenth career Emmy nomination and her fourth for this role. She won once on her first try way back in 1995. Metcalf, who has appeared in a handful of “Big Bang Theory” episodes, marks her first nomination for this part but earns her tenth overall nomination. She won three times in a row for “Roseanne” and has been nominated for four other comedy guest spots in the past twenty years. More impressively, she collected three individual acting nominations this year, the other two of which will be profiled again in this series when I watch them. This is hardly the meatiest showcase for Baranski and especially for Metcalf, both of whom are a handful of snappy one-liners mostly directed at each other. I think Baranski has had better appearances, and Metcalf wouldn’t quite rank in my list, though she’s obviously beloved by Emmy voters. I don’t see either of them winning for a generally fun episode that represents the consistent humor that this show is all about. I imagine it will be nominated again next year, especially if it’s the swan song, and I look forward to returning to it then.
The Big Bang Theory: Season 9, Episode 24 “The Convergence Convergence” (B+)
Nominated for Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (Christine Baranski and Laurie Metcalf)
The second of the nominated “Big Bang Theory” episodes from this year is notable for a number of reasons. First, it’s the season finale, leading into a tenth season that apparently might end up being the last one, but I don’t think its fate is sealed just yet. It’s also a submission for two different nominated actresses, something that actually happens more than you might think. Two years ago, Uzo Aduba defeated Laverne Cox when they both submitted the same episode of “Orange is the New Black.” The two actresses nominated for this episode, both of whom play mothers to the main characters, are Emmy legends. This is Baranski’s fifteenth career Emmy nomination and her fourth for this role. She won once on her first try way back in 1995. Metcalf, who has appeared in a handful of “Big Bang Theory” episodes, marks her first nomination for this part but earns her tenth overall nomination. She won three times in a row for “Roseanne” and has been nominated for four other comedy guest spots in the past twenty years. More impressively, she collected three individual acting nominations this year, the other two of which will be profiled again in this series when I watch them. This is hardly the meatiest showcase for Baranski and especially for Metcalf, both of whom are a handful of snappy one-liners mostly directed at each other. I think Baranski has had better appearances, and Metcalf wouldn’t quite rank in my list, though she’s obviously beloved by Emmy voters. I don’t see either of them winning for a generally fun episode that represents the consistent humor that this show is all about. I imagine it will be nominated again next year, especially if it’s the swan song, and I look forward to returning to it then.
Friday, August 19, 2016
Emmy Episodes: The Big Bang Theory
It’s always my policy to watch every Emmy-nominated episode each year, which leads me to sample a handful of shows that I don’t tune in to on a regular basis. This year, I’m making a special effort to spotlight each of those installments to offer my perspective on shows that I don’t review each week.
The Big Bang Theory: Season 9, Episode 11 “The Opening Night Excitation” (B+)
Nominated for Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (Bob Newhart)
I always enjoyed watching this show most of all come Emmy time, and it’s a sad fact that only two episodes are contending this year. Sure, I know that I could go back and just start watching the whole show again or just watch selected episodes, but all hope of that died when I got put off by negative references to blogs and “Battlestar Galactica” back when the pilot first aired in 2007. I’m not sure how much the quality of the show has really changed, but none of the series regulars are nominated for the first time since the show’s first season. This episode is the submission of Emmy veteran Bob Newhart, marking his eighth nomination and his third for this role. He won in 2013 for his first appearance, and now he’s back as a hallucination who bears a striking resemblance to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Tying this episode in with the premiere of the new “Star Wars” movie, an event that coincides with Amy’s birthday, is very fun, and there’s no denying that Newhart is an entertaining part of it, grumbling about how Sheldon has brought him back to life to give him counsel and listen to his shocking lack of self-awareness when it comes to what his priorities in his relationship should be. It’s probably on par with his previous appearances, but it doesn’t strike me as an Emmy-worthy performance. The episode as a whole is a blast, and Wil Wheaton defiantly walking in to boos in full “Star Trek” garb was one particular highlight.
The Big Bang Theory: Season 9, Episode 11 “The Opening Night Excitation” (B+)
Nominated for Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (Bob Newhart)
I always enjoyed watching this show most of all come Emmy time, and it’s a sad fact that only two episodes are contending this year. Sure, I know that I could go back and just start watching the whole show again or just watch selected episodes, but all hope of that died when I got put off by negative references to blogs and “Battlestar Galactica” back when the pilot first aired in 2007. I’m not sure how much the quality of the show has really changed, but none of the series regulars are nominated for the first time since the show’s first season. This episode is the submission of Emmy veteran Bob Newhart, marking his eighth nomination and his third for this role. He won in 2013 for his first appearance, and now he’s back as a hallucination who bears a striking resemblance to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Tying this episode in with the premiere of the new “Star Wars” movie, an event that coincides with Amy’s birthday, is very fun, and there’s no denying that Newhart is an entertaining part of it, grumbling about how Sheldon has brought him back to life to give him counsel and listen to his shocking lack of self-awareness when it comes to what his priorities in his relationship should be. It’s probably on par with his previous appearances, but it doesn’t strike me as an Emmy-worthy performance. The episode as a whole is a blast, and Wil Wheaton defiantly walking in to boos in full “Star Trek” garb was one particular highlight.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Pilot Review: The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
Premiered September 24, 2007
Any show that manages to knock both blogs and “Battlestar Galactica” in its first ten minutes has already earned my contempt. Fortunately for my objectiveness, that is not all that is bad about this show. Every one of the characters is so blissfully unaware of just how unintelligent they really are. Sure, the geeks have high IQs, but their actions are just too dumb. They insert non-germane scientific words and facts into their everyday sentences just to remind us that these guys are in fact nerds. The pretty blonde next-door neighbor is just too truthfully dumb to be sympathetic. USA Today raved that Jim Parsons, portraying Sheldon, is a breakout star stuck in a poor show. I do not think his character is too difficult to portray, but I suppose he does a fine job. Honestly, though, there just is not anything funny here, just an obnoxiously heavy amount of awkwardness.
How will it work as a series? Think of it as a mystery: how nerdy can these guys be? Another mystery: will anyone tune back in after watching one episode?
How long will it last? CBS gave “Out of Practice” a full season, “Rules of Engagement” a second season, and “The New Adventures of Old Christine” an Emmy. A Monday night launch on CBS is a good thing, but I do not that can save this pitiful show, which should fall off the schedule within a few weeks.
Pilot grade: F
Premiered September 24, 2007
Any show that manages to knock both blogs and “Battlestar Galactica” in its first ten minutes has already earned my contempt. Fortunately for my objectiveness, that is not all that is bad about this show. Every one of the characters is so blissfully unaware of just how unintelligent they really are. Sure, the geeks have high IQs, but their actions are just too dumb. They insert non-germane scientific words and facts into their everyday sentences just to remind us that these guys are in fact nerds. The pretty blonde next-door neighbor is just too truthfully dumb to be sympathetic. USA Today raved that Jim Parsons, portraying Sheldon, is a breakout star stuck in a poor show. I do not think his character is too difficult to portray, but I suppose he does a fine job. Honestly, though, there just is not anything funny here, just an obnoxiously heavy amount of awkwardness.
How will it work as a series? Think of it as a mystery: how nerdy can these guys be? Another mystery: will anyone tune back in after watching one episode?
How long will it last? CBS gave “Out of Practice” a full season, “Rules of Engagement” a second season, and “The New Adventures of Old Christine” an Emmy. A Monday night launch on CBS is a good thing, but I do not that can save this pitiful show, which should fall off the schedule within a few weeks.
Pilot grade: F
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