It doesn't sound like you really mean that...

Sorry, guys.

It's been outrageously long since I posted, but life has sort of taken over the last couple of weeks. My grandfather had a stroke, I worked ridiculous hours at this Christmas retail fair (it's questionable as to whether or not my feet still function) and I found a new apartment that has to be painted and cleaned before I can move in (because it was built in the '40s). Thing is, with all that going on, I've been behind on my shows and had to watch some online (which I know is a "no no" these days with the strike) and some days later than airing. Then, my TIVO tried to explode from holding the backlogs of material. Alas, I think I'm caught up. Finally. As for the blog, it was hard to keep it going as it's just me manning the ship.

That said, I bow in humble apology for my absence. I'm not really sure how many people actually come here regularly, but if you do, I will not look you in the eye for at least a week as a sign of deference. ;)

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And now, a mash:

The Office: I've missed two recaps, but I'm focusing on "Survivor Man." Interesting episode. Funny, in its own way, but interesting. Steve Carell tends to take a heavy undertone to the story when he writes. This evolution of Jim Halpert thing (check out GMMR) - stuck in his job, but content in his life - seems to be coming to the front lines this year. Jim being afraid of becoming Michael, promising not to be at DM in 10 years just like Michael did. And then there's the second life discovery of what Jim would really like to be doing.

It's interesting, veddy veddy... we're seeing Jim happier than he's ever been personally, but I'm starting to wonder if we won't see a bit more discontent with his choices professionally. Of course, this storyline should have been saved for the second to last or last season, so the final episode involves Jim getting a fancy new job and moving off with his fiance, Pam (did I just say that? oops!), but whatever the writers want to explore, I'm up for it. As long as they don't screw with my PB&J. Wouldn't it be interesting to see them actually stay together and figure things out. What a novel idea. You know, sort of like people do in real life. On a side note, Jan has plastic boobs!

House: House at the CIA = Awesome! Still only one Chase scene, a smattering of Cameron and LOTS of Foreman. I'm starting to wonder how Jesse Spencer feels about this.

Friday Night Lights: Okay. I'm sorry. You KNOW how obsessed I am with this show (I'm currently wearing a T-shirt I made a Spreadshirt.com with Panther Football written on front and Riggins and Saracen on back), but I have several WTF (not necessarily bad, just... WTF) things to toss out into the ether.

a) Last week in Mexico. Lyla making out with Street and Riggins. In front of each other. (The "I need to go pray" comment was a bit much for me.) My friend and I had to rewind after looking at each other and saying, "Did that just happen?" I'm supposing she was drunk? I... And... But then, the next day driving home (this week's ep), there's no mention of it, head on Rig's shoulder, reminiscing about the past. Weird. Not that I mind, I mean, I'd go for both too, maybe just not in front of each other. All I'm sayin'. Still, my funny friend in the elite Facebook group that shall not be named, had this to say: "I don't know why everyone's thinking it's strange. Didn't any of ya'll see Y Tu Mama Tambien? Apparently those sorts of shenanigans happen all the time during Mexican road trips." Apparently. I'll know what to expect when I hit the road for Mexico.

b) Tami's sister is gonna annoy me. c) Saracen! Get your lips off that randomite! d) Riggins. I love you. e) Coach and Tami were CLASSIC in last week's episode (re: post baby fun time for Coach). I laughed... god, I laughed.

f) Landry's dad is cop and an idiot. I mean, how is he going to explain Landry's missing car? Better yet, what's he gonna say when they find the car (they always find the car)? More importantly, how is Landry going to drive all the Collete women, plus Mrs. Saracen and Lyla to the State Championship this year? Geez.

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There were other moments of the week. But since I have two weeks to atone for, I think I'll just start over fresh with the one upcoming.

The Office: 4x05

The Office
4x05
Local Ad

And we're back to thirty minutes - which has its fair share of pluses and minuses. Plus: not filling in the gaps with Michael driving his car into a lake. Minus: thirty less minutes of funny and cuteness. Oh, well, whatever. As long as I can count on the constancy of my Thursday night, as long as I know it's going to be there for me, I'll take what I can get. (Sorry, was discussing with a friend, how TV is a source of comfort when everything else is haywire in life - moving, job searching, etc.)

Tonight was all about ensemble...

And I loved it. When they stay on site, all together, it reminds me of season 1 and 2. Less bells and whistles (not that I don' t love the occasional bell or whistle) and moments with Cousin Mose, but the idea of that group trapped in an enclosed space, for an unknown amount of time... pure comedy. And in honor of that, tonight's breakdown is by character...

Michael: Such dedication. He can be laughable, sure, but that ad was pretty dang good! I mean, come one, Chariots of Fire?! Awesome. Michael broke out of his creative lock box. He used the talents of his workers. He visualized the unicorn. It's inspiring, really. Look for Mike's Cereal Shack in a city near you.

Andy: KIT KAT BAR!! Come, on! (Though I do like "football cream.") And I'm sorry, what he and Angela were doing is called "facing." I have this on good authority from a friend. Apparently there are by-laws to facing, and I think "cheeking the earlobe," crosses the boundaries of decency. Also love that Nard Dawg has NO clue what is going on with Dwight.

Dwight: Heh. "Oooooh, D." And, I'm sorry, but his second lifer can fly? Saving the masses from overpriced paper. Plus, his life was so good, his second life had a second life. Who can top that?

Jim: I, like Pam, want a Philly Jim. Too cute. Plus, bringing in breakfast, proud boyfriend smile at Pam's animation, followed immediately by protective/jealous boyfriend arm around the shoulders... always a win. Even if he did have to catch a ride home with Meredith. Guess he pissed... (P.S. Let's not give Jim and Pam any issues yet, everyone - this is normal. People work late.)

Pam: I loved focused, artistic Pam, falling asleep in the office, but having to decide if sleeping in the same place as Dwight and Michael was better or worse than falling asleep at the wheel and dying in a fiery car crash. P.S. I need Pam to clear my phone lines.

Darryl: The song was fantastic. And the backup singers - even better! Hysterical. Why did I feel like I was watching Cheers?

Phyllis: I want to see the outtakes on that crying scene.

Angela: Who doesn't hate being titillated? Yeah, I need outtakes on that, too.

Dunder-Mifflin.
The people-person's, paper people.

The Office: 4x04

The Office

4x04
Money

I loved this episode. I know there's some debate going on about it being too dramatic, but honestly, Booze Cruise had its moments - and so does life. And I think they did a good job of interspersing the heartfelt with the funny. So much goodness.

I wouldn't wish that on my worst ememy...

Jim and Dwight are fantastic together. Yes, it's funnier when they're annoying each other and playing pranks, but I like getting a glimpse into the inner workings of their "friendship." The beet farm was funny - Dwight reading the bed time story, while Mose rocked on the bed. But more than that, I loved seeing Jim and Pam take care of Dwight while he dealt with his break up. And I adored Jim's confession (and personal revelation) that brought Dwight around. I was also a fan of the moaning and the crying in the stairwell - reaching out for Jim, but finding him gone was a great touch. I think my favorite thing is that "normal" for those two, is Dwight being hard to get along with and pushing Jim's stuff off his desk. Victory.

And speaking of Italian food...

Seriously, anyone who says that getting the couple together on a TV show doesn't work, needs to watch The Office. I swear, every week I think I'm going to die from the cuteness that is Jim and Pam. Really. I can't handle it. I mean, let's roll call the moments of the week: the look on Jim's face when he realizes Pam is booking them a room at Schrute Farms, Jim's "manure speech" about how he imagined his first night away with Pam, Harry Potter story time cuddling, the glimpse into their room where we can see the beds pushed together, the Trip Advisor review, and of course, the kiss and subsequent Italian food talking heads. *sigh* John Krasinski is really blowing it for the male population out there, making women think that Jims actually exist in the wild.

Notables and Quotables...

1. The Devil Wears Prada/Million Dollar Baby cold open with Michael and Pam.

2. Schrute Farms. From Jim's discovery of its existence, to Cousin Mose running alongside the car, using the outhouse and just... running. Everywhere. I love Mose. I feel like I learned so much about agrotourism tonight. And really hate I can't stay at the asparagus farm.

3. Darryl. Just... so funny.

4. Michael having actual friends who like him at his other job.

5. Power Point! Power Point!

6. The conference room scene! Whomever/whoever. You know that discussion had to have gone down in the writer's room. So good.

7. Andy's moonwalking moves - even though we didn't actually see them, I like to imagine that's why he was standing spread eagle at Pam's desk - his legs were tired.

8. Michael's runaway train (never goin' back).

Chuck: 1x01

Chuck
1x01
PILOT

I professed my love for Chuck back in July, so I won't wax on AGAIN now. I am, however, anxious to see what you thought of tonight's premiere. Me? I liked it even more the second time around... the perfect mixture of snappy humor, Alias spy-gear, and Jim Halpert charm. What more could a girl ask for? (You know, besides the actual Jim Halpert and Chuck and Saracen and... ok, I'll stop.)

I think I'm part of the Nerd Herd.

So, I think I love Chuck.

I hadn't really heard much about the show... something from Kristin or Korbi at E! about how funny he was at the TCA's, but before that... not much. Maybe I wasn't paying attention.

Today I saw the Pilot.

And it's funny. Like, actually funny. You have to suspend your disbelief for a little bit (The $11/hour computer geek opens an email and downloads all the US/World Security secrets into his brain via a parade of images - think the creepy room from LOST on speed, with less use of the word Jacob.) but it's worth it. Zachary Levi carries the show well for a newcomer. He's got that effortless, Jim Halpert-esque charm... slightly-dorky-but-irrestible-for-some-reason, quality. (That's a high compliment from me, ok? You're talking to the girl who loved Seth Cohen.) There's Sarah Lancaster (Everwood, What About Brian) as Chuck's sister, and newbies Yvonne Strzechowski and Joshua Gomez as the mysterious CIA agent and quirky best friend.

Chuck is full of... promise. Just like Ryan Howard. I have no idea how the rest of the TV audience will react - who can predict these things? - but I give it a hefty, "Go for it!"

Premieres at 8 p.m., September 24 on NBC

Wanna get together later?

QUESTION: People sometimes ask...

What's so great about Jim Halpert?

FACT:
A picture is worth a thousand words.

"Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica."

Jim Face.

Even my dog does it.