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Ken Jeong is Señor Chang, the Spanish language instructor in “Community.’’
(Chris Haston/Nbc ) |
The Globe’s Matthew Gilbert and Joanna Weiss chatted with readers about TV on Boston.com last week. Here is a partial transcript.
Q. I think “Parks and Recreation’’ has become the funniest show on NBC Thursday nights. The supporting cast is great. “Community’’ should take note, because while Joel McHale can be funny, his supporting cast is terrible!
Matthew: I agree on “Parks and Recreation.’’ Really enjoying watching Amy Poehler find her character this season.
Joanna: I disagree on the “Community’’ cast, though.
Matthew: Abed is funny.
Joanna: And Troy the football player. And I have a soft spot for Ken Jeong, the Spanish teacher, whom I used to know when he was a medical resident in New Orleans. My brush with fame!
Q. “The Office’’ [two weeks ago] was one of the top 10 of all time. “I’m going to date her even harder.’’
Joanna: Agreed that this was a good one - and I really do like the Jim-Pam relationship, and the way Jim is perhaps a little more Michael-ish than he’d like to admit.
Matthew: Yes, that has been a great development. Humanizing Jim. Or taking us out from behind his ironic eyes a bit.
Joanna: I think the show has done a beyond-admirable job getting [Jim and Pam] together without ruining everything. It’s hard to pull off!
Q. What are you thinking of all these new medical shows this year? “Three Rivers’’ is a big yawn!
Joanna: It’s also among the more offensive concepts for a show that I’ve ever seen. In that you’re basically rooting for someone to be brain-dead.
Matthew: “Mercy’’ is dull, too.
Joanna: And “Trauma’’ just got canceled. Or not picked up for the full order.
Matthew: Which is code for. . .
Q. I just read that “Scrubs’’ is returning in December. Maybe it’s because the current offerings are so unappealing, but I’m holding out hope. . . Matthew: I’m dreading it. “Scrubs’’ was my beloved. It cannot be Xeroxed.
Q. Any word on “Men of a Certain Age’’ on TNT? I love Andre Braugher.
Matthew: Did you see Braugher on “House’’? He was excellent. Great casting opposite [Hugh] Laurie.
Joanna: Agreed. He held his own - unsurprisingly. It’s interesting that he hasn’t found a winner show since “Homicide’’ left the air. And for the record, I thought the stroke plot on “Homicide’’ was a little much - too obviously “We have to give Andre an acting challenge.’’ But that was ages ago.
Matthew: Ah, I remember.
Joanna: It was better than the Jimmy-Smits-is-dying plot on “NYPD Blue.’’
Matthew: I kind of liked the Smits stuff, although he lingered too long. All that heavy breathing.
Joanna: The uncontrollable shaking! It made me go oogie in my chair.
Q. Re: “Dollhouse’’ - Will Joss Whedon end up with his head in the oven? Why can’t he find any sustained success?
Matthew: He’s done all right, that Joss. “Buffy,’’ “Dr. Horrible.’’ Most producer-writers don’t achieve half that much.
Joanna: And the enduring love of the Comic-Con set.
Matthew: He’s a darling. And his failures endear him more.
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
