Community.

Anthony Michael Hall and Fat Neil!  Great start to the episode, and that’s not even counting those AMAZING credits.  The big news about the episode, other than the fact that it served as the first half of the season finale, was the appearance of a mysterious paintballer that looked a lot like Sawyer from Lost.  I haven’t watched Lost since the third season and I thought I had successfully separated myself from my previous obsession, but the second I saw his face, I just wanted to hear him call someone ‘Freckles’.  Sa-woon.  God, he’s pretty. 

I loved that Annie got to take charge for once – I will confess that while I’ve girlcrushed on Alison Brie for a while, this was the first time I felt the same way about Annie – she like, OWNED that episode, and she looked hot doing it. 

The game is still going on so this sort of feels like writing a post mid-way through an episode, so I’ll leave it at this for now, and really get into it after the finale airs. Oh, and for anyone who was waiting for me to identify all of the westerns that the episode referenced, I’m so sorry – I am not a western fan and have seen like two in my life, so I’m at a loss.  Feel free to school me in the comments though! 

• He’s really good-looking; like network tv good looking.
• “My forehead’s not that big, right?”  “It’s not small.”
• Why does this keep happening?!  And what kind of ice cream company does this?!
• You’re just an average looking guy with a big chin.
• I wouldn’t go to this toilet with my big sister’s toe.
• I’m outta here; I got Coldplay tickets.

The Office.

Awww, fuck.  I already miss Michael.  But, I have read that a lot of people just like HATE Will Ferrell on the show with the venom of a thousand rabid ferrets (they have venom, right?), and I have to say that I don’t.  I mean, I don’t want him around permanently, but I think he’s a funny diversion until we get a more permanent fix. 

I did like the inner circle concept, because if you work in an office type environment, you know how true this can be.  People notice shit like who gets invited to meetings, who’s in who’s office with the door closed…you know, all that bullshit that seems totally asinine but can actually have an impact on your career.  I totally bought that everyone was dying to get invited to Deangelo’s office and that Jim was willing to fight for his place in a meeting that revolved around Nerf basketball. 

And I’m sorry but the entire juggling sequence was funny as fuck, especially Pam’s imitation of it.  Deangelo running around, juggling nothing, was just great physical humor, and very Ferrell.  It’s just one of the many unique talents he brings to the show, although I guess he’s probably done now.  You can’t bounce back from pulling a free-standing basketball net on top of yourself.  So, goodbye Deangelo – I won’t miss you too much, but I appreciated you while you were here. 

• The problem with having ‘it’ or the ‘X factor’ or whatever you want to call it is that it’s impossible to put into words what you’re bringing to the table.
• Congratulations on your one cousin.  I have seventy, each one better than the last.
• Look, I’m juggling eggs and bowling balls.  I’m juggling with one hand.  No hands.
• I wrote a companion piece to The Vagina Monologues called The Penis Apologies, so I think I know a thing or two.
• Deangelo, tell your whore to leave me alone.

Parks and Recreation.

Is it possible for a half hour sitcom to be the embodiment of joy?  God you guys, I feel like a broken record, but I just want to marry this show and have all of its babies.  And I don’t even want babies – it’s THAT serious.  Okay, that may be disguising the fact that I really just want to marry Adam Scott and spend the money we’d save by not having babies on marshmallow shooters and like, a miniature pony or something (Sebastian!).  But I digress.

First of all, I LOVE Parker Posey, so I was very happy to see her on the show as Leslie’s ex-best friend slash nemesis.  I love that she works for the snotty neighboring town of Eagleton, where the air smells like vanilla and the town hall meetings have a Panini station and gift bags.  This means that she can come back, people.  I want to see her throw down with Anne at some point – you know Anne will kick her ass over that stupid fence that Leslie turned into an awesome whiffle ball field.  

Second, it was Ron Swanson’s birthday, and everybody spent the entire episode fucking with his head.  Amazing.  He was so trying to keep his cool, and even though he looked cool on the outside, he was clearly freaking out.  And then when it came time for the big show, it was probably the best present he could ever have hoped for:  steak and scotch, in a quiet guarded room, while westerns played on the tv.  I love the Leslie and Ron relationship so much – there is room for hilarity and also for some of the most touching moments that this show does.  And that’s what I love about the show in general – it’s SO sweet, and SO earnest, and you care about the characters SO much…but it’s also one of the funniest shows of the last ten years.         

• I don’t like people celebrating because they know a piece of private information about me.
• Leslie has a lot of qualities that I find horrifying, but the worst is how thoughtful she can be.
• Yes, hi, I have a question about your inflatable saxophones?  I’m going to need about 40 dozen of those.
• Look how pretty the people are!
• There is no street parking at my house.  My house isn’t even on a street.
• Here’s to Leslie Knope.  Isn’t she trying her hardest?
• Don’t you dare feed that waffle to that dog to make it poop.

30 Rock.

I had no idea that this would be the season finale going into this episode, but I guess it makes sense what with all of the focus on The Office finale and Parks and Recreation.  Anyhow, TGS was off for summer hiatus and everyone was off doing their own thing.  Liz and Tracy both headed to the Hamptons, the writers played video games in the writers’ room for three months, Jenna was trying to emesh her and Paul with the stuffy wool crowd, and Jack held Kenneth hostage in an effort to find a suitable replacement for his wife Avery, who was busy being a hostage of the North Korean government.     

I was so jealous of Liz’s summer, obviously.  I would put up with Tracy as a neighbor if it meant hanging out with Ina Garten!  Ina Garten has my dream life for – living in a cottage style mansion in The Hamptons with a husband who’s away during the work week while I spend my time throwing dinner parties with my gay friends and writing books.  Please – I’d OWN that life. 

• “David Eggers and I are designing a new font.”  “Ugh, shut up.”
• Paul is a gender-dysmorphic bi-genitalian pansexuale. 
• Woolcome, Jenna.
• Deer god, thank you for this venison, onion god, thank you for these onions…
• I hate to be the stereotypical man, but this is my house and I want to wear this blouse.
• Can I borrow a cup of sugar?  I’m trying to get a hummingbird to drink out of my penis.
• The sad woman has been trapped by the idiot.
• I’m so impressed with how normal this dinner has been.  Very ‘wool’.  (Confession: I’ve been saying this in my head about once an hour since I watched this episode – the ‘very wool’ part.  It cracks me up so much and I can’t really explain it)
• “I’ll turn around later.”  “Perfect, I’ll keep talking.”

So hit the comments and tell me what you thought of the episodes.  And don’t forget the most important question: what is your Monopoly piece?  Are you a hat like Jack Donaghy (and me!), or are you more of a thimble?  A ‘guy on horse’?  Racecar?  These are the things friends know about each other you guys, so spill.