I really really loved Mr and Mrs Smith. I'm still really frustrated at my lack of self control in going through it so quickly but I can see myself revisiting it. It's my favourite show of the year so far. Night Country isn't too far behind but I'm just crossing every finger and toe that it ends with a satisfying conclusion. I stuck with A Murder At the End of the World to see how they'd wrap things up and I wouldn't say it was overly satisfying. Sometimes with crime dramas like this I find the road to the end far more fun than the actual resolution. I still can't understand the vitriol that is directed at it. Ennis feels so real to me and I'm happy to hang out there for as long as they'll let me.
I enjoyed Mr. and Mrs. Smith but I was a little bugged in the finale that it took so long for them to bring up what was driving their attempts to kill one another: Max’s death and the attempt on John’s mom. I would have thought John would brought it up immediately and accused her. It seems like they had to keep the misunderstanding as a device to keep the fight going so long.
I thoroughly enjoyed Mr & Mrs Smith. I agree with you about the fashion, but I wonder at John's short shorts. Is that fashionable? Or is it a nod to the '70s?
The guest stars are a murderer's row of character actors. Every episode, I said, "Yes!"
Curb on the other hand... Oof. Comfort breeds complacency, and I think LD's success has largely dulled his comedic sensibilities. There are still some funny moments, but I agree that he's been spinning his wheels for a while now. What surprises me is how so many people still seem totally satisfied with his usual schtick even as it grows stale and outdated with each season. And I say this as someone who's historically *loved* his schtick. I just wish the comedic application of it would evolve a bit.
While I understand that the "show debuting after the Super Bowl" is in your wheelhouse, this old guy actually remembers a time when what came on before the Super Bowl was also a feature of Super Bowl Sunday - in particular an ACC national college basketball matchup. Barry Jacobs, an ACC expert from way back, recalls the first featured game: "The ACC’s bond with the Super Bowl dates to January 1973. That year two great ACC teams met first: undefeated and second-ranked NC State led by David Thompson and Tom Burleson, which edged a No. 3 Maryland team spearheaded by Tom McMillen, John Lucas and Len Elmore, 87-85. Thompson, the ACC’s greatest player, tipped in a miss at the buzzer to seal the outcome in a rare national college telecast in that pre-dunk, pre-cable era. When contemporary college players artfully set up big men for lob-dunks, recall the still-electrifying move started with the 6-4 Thompson, the three-time ACC player of the year (1973-75), soaring for a feed by guard Monte Towe." Back in the day I headlined a story about that game in my college newspaper the next day: "Thompson Tip Tops Terps." https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2024/2/8/24062322/super-bowl-acc-basketball-duke-blue-devils-nc-state-maryland-david-thompson-john-lucas-monte-towe A different era for a couple reasons: (1) interest in college basketball's regular season may not have been equal to, but was not far from Super Bowl interest, and (2) the entire day on every channel was not devoted to Super Bowl (or related - Puppy Bowl?!?) coverage. Old man reminiscing logging out.
Am I the only one who didn’t find the ending ambiguous? They established Jane only had 1 bullet and there are 3 muzzle flashes. Her shot and I’m assuming 2 from other Jane. One for each of them.
I did really enjoy Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but I felt like the show was too weighted towards Donald Glover's John. I think this show would have benefited from more balance in how it viewed its two leads; too often I think the it favored John over Jane.
I thought last week's Curb was probably the show's worst episode—all the jokes seemed forced, all the situations even more manufactured than usual. My wife and I didn't laugh once, and at one point I wondered out loud if they'd had ChatGPT write an episode and just performed it straight-faced as a goof. And you're saying it gets WORSE from here?
Mr. & Mrs. Smith was the best thing I’ve watched in awhile. My one qualm is the same as a previous poster - in the final episode it took Jane too long to accuse John of killing Max, and John doing the same about the booby trap he found. The double date episode was edge of your seat greatness, even though the payoff didn’t come until the end. Love your takes, Alan!
In considering whether to ditch cable, see how much money you’re paying in fees for regional sports and broadcast network fees. If you’re on Comcast, it’s probably close to $50 for that alone. Unsure of other providers, but for me, it was an easy financial choice to go to YTTV. But there’s some quirks about the operation of it like most cable replacements.
I felt the last few seasons of Curb have had a different tone, less drawn out improvisation, more scripted and rushed nature. Still hilarious and enjoyable. I'm now curious based on your warnings how the rest of this season goes. The first episode was enjoyable, but nowhere near its peak.
Anyone else get a "Spy vs. Spy" vibe from the action and outfits in the final episode of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith"?
I really really loved Mr and Mrs Smith. I'm still really frustrated at my lack of self control in going through it so quickly but I can see myself revisiting it. It's my favourite show of the year so far. Night Country isn't too far behind but I'm just crossing every finger and toe that it ends with a satisfying conclusion. I stuck with A Murder At the End of the World to see how they'd wrap things up and I wouldn't say it was overly satisfying. Sometimes with crime dramas like this I find the road to the end far more fun than the actual resolution. I still can't understand the vitriol that is directed at it. Ennis feels so real to me and I'm happy to hang out there for as long as they'll let me.
I enjoyed Mr. and Mrs. Smith but I was a little bugged in the finale that it took so long for them to bring up what was driving their attempts to kill one another: Max’s death and the attempt on John’s mom. I would have thought John would brought it up immediately and accused her. It seems like they had to keep the misunderstanding as a device to keep the fight going so long.
Unrelatedly, I just finished Welcome to the OC, and I LOVED it! Especially all the stuff on the music.
I thoroughly enjoyed Mr & Mrs Smith. I agree with you about the fashion, but I wonder at John's short shorts. Is that fashionable? Or is it a nod to the '70s?
The guest stars are a murderer's row of character actors. Every episode, I said, "Yes!"
Absolutely loved Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
Curb on the other hand... Oof. Comfort breeds complacency, and I think LD's success has largely dulled his comedic sensibilities. There are still some funny moments, but I agree that he's been spinning his wheels for a while now. What surprises me is how so many people still seem totally satisfied with his usual schtick even as it grows stale and outdated with each season. And I say this as someone who's historically *loved* his schtick. I just wish the comedic application of it would evolve a bit.
While I understand that the "show debuting after the Super Bowl" is in your wheelhouse, this old guy actually remembers a time when what came on before the Super Bowl was also a feature of Super Bowl Sunday - in particular an ACC national college basketball matchup. Barry Jacobs, an ACC expert from way back, recalls the first featured game: "The ACC’s bond with the Super Bowl dates to January 1973. That year two great ACC teams met first: undefeated and second-ranked NC State led by David Thompson and Tom Burleson, which edged a No. 3 Maryland team spearheaded by Tom McMillen, John Lucas and Len Elmore, 87-85. Thompson, the ACC’s greatest player, tipped in a miss at the buzzer to seal the outcome in a rare national college telecast in that pre-dunk, pre-cable era. When contemporary college players artfully set up big men for lob-dunks, recall the still-electrifying move started with the 6-4 Thompson, the three-time ACC player of the year (1973-75), soaring for a feed by guard Monte Towe." Back in the day I headlined a story about that game in my college newspaper the next day: "Thompson Tip Tops Terps." https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/2024/2/8/24062322/super-bowl-acc-basketball-duke-blue-devils-nc-state-maryland-david-thompson-john-lucas-monte-towe A different era for a couple reasons: (1) interest in college basketball's regular season may not have been equal to, but was not far from Super Bowl interest, and (2) the entire day on every channel was not devoted to Super Bowl (or related - Puppy Bowl?!?) coverage. Old man reminiscing logging out.
Am I the only one who didn’t find the ending ambiguous? They established Jane only had 1 bullet and there are 3 muzzle flashes. Her shot and I’m assuming 2 from other Jane. One for each of them.
"Janine and Gregory’s will-they-or-won’t-they arc tends to be the most formulaic, and least satisfying, aspect of the show"
Thank you. This storyline is such a tired ripoff of Jim/Pam that it's hard to watch. I love the show except for this.
I did really enjoy Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but I felt like the show was too weighted towards Donald Glover's John. I think this show would have benefited from more balance in how it viewed its two leads; too often I think the it favored John over Jane.
I thought last week's Curb was probably the show's worst episode—all the jokes seemed forced, all the situations even more manufactured than usual. My wife and I didn't laugh once, and at one point I wondered out loud if they'd had ChatGPT write an episode and just performed it straight-faced as a goof. And you're saying it gets WORSE from here?
Mr. & Mrs. Smith was the best thing I’ve watched in awhile. My one qualm is the same as a previous poster - in the final episode it took Jane too long to accuse John of killing Max, and John doing the same about the booby trap he found. The double date episode was edge of your seat greatness, even though the payoff didn’t come until the end. Love your takes, Alan!
Other honorable mentions for Super Bowl lead-out programs not touched upon in the article:
- All in the Family (Archie's Place is robbed)
- 60 Minutes (only show to have had the timeslot 3 times, most notably the infamous ‘92 interview w/ the Clintons)
- Malcolm in the Middle (similar approach to the Friends episode w/ big stars)
- House (the one with Mira Sorvino treated remotely)
In considering whether to ditch cable, see how much money you’re paying in fees for regional sports and broadcast network fees. If you’re on Comcast, it’s probably close to $50 for that alone. Unsure of other providers, but for me, it was an easy financial choice to go to YTTV. But there’s some quirks about the operation of it like most cable replacements.
I felt the last few seasons of Curb have had a different tone, less drawn out improvisation, more scripted and rushed nature. Still hilarious and enjoyable. I'm now curious based on your warnings how the rest of this season goes. The first episode was enjoyable, but nowhere near its peak.
ABC also has "Not Dead Yet" which is actually funnier than "Abbott" (not necessarily better but there are more jokes).