Ricky and Lucy. Ross and Rachel. Sam and Diane. Every generation has had its seminal TV couple. But not today.
We gots all kinds of ’em!
Thanks to a really strong lineup of sitcoms — and dramas, too — the current television landscape boasts multiple couples with great chemistry, fun banter, and unconventional relationships.
Do I have favorites? You betcha! (Thanks for asking.)
Here are my 2011 Top Five TV Couples:
No. 5: Sheldon and Amy, The Big Bang Theory — Call them the ‘uncouple’. They don’t like to spend too much time together, preferring to Skype. The terms ‘girlfriend’ and ‘boyfriend’ offend their sensibilities. And the only kiss they have ever exchanged was more scientific experiment than sexual act. But their pairing has added a spark to the already smoking nerd fest that is TBBT. Long live Shamy!
No. 4: Jack and Liz, 30 Rock — We’ve all had that work colleague who is more than a friend. But in the fantastical world that is 30 Rock, Liz and Jack’s more-than-a-friendship mentor-ship blurs the lines in bizarre, often disturbing, always hilarious ways. Heck, they even got married by accident. If I had a nickel…
No. 3: Castle and Beckett, Castle — This may be a TV drama, but anyone who watches Castle knows this police procedural is sprinkled with a heavy helping of funny, thanks to Nathan Fillion’s take on its namesake. And his chemistry with Detective Beckett is as Sam and Diane as it gets on TV today. Will they? Won’t they? When? Hurry up already!
No.2: Ben and Leslie, Parks & Recreation — My favorite ‘newbie couple’ on TV today, Ben and Leslie are as positive and life affirming as those shiba inu puppies on the web cam. I love their characters separately; I love the idea of them together even more. Since the series is relatively young, I thought they’d keep us dangling like a worm on a hook in a lake in a park in Indiana. But did you see last night? “Uh oh.”
And, last but definitely not least, my choice for the absolute bestest TV couple of 2011:
No. 1: Claire and Phil, Modern Family — No couple on TV is funnier because no two actors are braver. The Dunphys’ sexual exploits alone are worth a spin-off. (Could they be more unsuccessful? How did they have three children?) This week’s episode “Bad Dog, Good Dog” — featuring a brilliant parenting role switcheroo — was yet another tour de force for Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen. They are, simply put, the very best on television today.
Emmy voters, mark your ballots.
So filling
I saw the new musical Waitress on Wednesday.
Sara Bareilles was the entertainment during the break.
It’s not the first time I have experienced stoppages like this on Broadway. When I saw Harvey starring Jim Parsons from “The Big Bang Theory,” they too had pesky set pieces that simply would not move.
That’s what you get when you go to early previews.
And with Waitress, you get a wonderful, heart-felt, truly hilarious take on one of my favorite films. Kudos to the casting director, because every role was spot-on — especially the male supporting characters, who stole the show every time they stepped out on stage.
Drew Gehling as Dr. Pomatter — a role originated by my man Nathan Fillion in the movie — has big shoes to fill and does it with unique comedic timing and fantastic chemistry with star Jessie Mueller. But the biggest ovation at curtain call — rightly so — went to Christopher Fitzgerald, who chews up the scenery (or should I say pie?) as the quirky Ogie the Elf.
The music is wonderful, and ya gotta love any set that features a cherry pie curtain, even if the darn thing doesn’t work all that well. Because the show?
Sweet!
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Posted in Broadway, Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Movies, New York City
Tagged Broadway, casting director, celebrities, Christopher Fitzgerald, comedic timing, commentary, curtain callpie, Drew Gehling, entertainment, film, Harvey play, Humor, Jessie Mueller, Jim Parsons, Movies, musical, Nathan Fillion, New York City, Sara Bareilles, scenery, set piece, The Big Bang Theory, theatre, Waitress the Musical