Premiere week for the fall television season is still a month away, but people are already talking trash on Twitter and Facebook about some of the shows going head-to-head for the first time on the schedule.
One match-up of particular interest to me is Thursday nights at 8:00pm — NBC’s “Community” vs CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory,” which is making the move from its previous home on Monday nights.
When I first heard this announcement, I got kinda stressed. It’s not like I’ll miss either show; I have a DVR, so I’m covered either way.
The real question is — which sitcom will I watch LIVE? Which show do I want to get the bigger slice of the ratings pie?
“Community” was one of my favorite new programs last year. It was strong right out of the gate, and the characters and story lines just got more laugh-out-loud funny as the year went on. I mean, seriously — did you see the paintball episode? And Abed’s impressions alone are worth a look-see.
“The Big Bang Theory,” on the other hand, has been around since 2007 and is grossly underrated. Jim Parsons, who so brilliantly portrays Dr. Sheldon Cooper, has received his second Emmy nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy this year, and I think he just might snatch it away from Alec Baldwin. The show deserves a nod as well. It’s one of the few comedies that is still filmed old-school (with three cameras) and is frickin’ hilarious. They love their geeks, and it shows.
So, who’s my choice to win? Old friends vs new? Cool dudes vs geeks? Live vs Memorex?
I’m glad I still have a month to decide.
Russian revolution
I love Ray Romano.
And apparently, so do the Russians.
When they decided to end the series in 2005, it was still in the Top 10, a spot it had occupied since its third season on the air.
And really, really funny.
This isn’t a documentary about Ray Romano. He’s not in it, except in copious clips from the sitcom. This is Phil’s baby, and he — who I had never seen on camera before — is hilarious in his own right.
He’s wide-eyed and nervous and tentative. I definitely saw flashes of Woody Allen in his manner (thankfully without the annoying stammer). But when it comes to Everybody Loves Raymond and helping it come alive for the Russian audience, he is strong and certain and somewhat single-minded.
Goodness knows he runs into obstacles. The studios there look like bombed out buildings. The writers and actors are doing two or three shows simultaneously and have extremely limited time and resources. And the people ‘in charge’ bring somewhat questionable expertise to the table.
It takes a translator, vodka, a kindly driver, a real Russian family, more vodka, and a bit of give-and-take before the pilot episode is complete. The entire process is really fascinating to watch.
So, how was the Russian version of Raymond received? I shouldn’t tell you the end. (Let’s just say it lives up to its name.)
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Tagged Best Comedy Series Emmy, CBS, celebrities, comedy, commentary, documentary, Emmy Awards, entertainment, Everybody Loves Raymond, Exporting Raymond movie, Humor, life, limited release movie, movie studio, Movies, Phil Rosenthal, Ray Romano, Russia, sitcom, television producer, television ratings, television top ten, translator, Travel, vodka, Woody Allen