A look back at the best and worst of the past week on TV, and a look ahead to what’s coming up.
Highlights
1. “The Office.” It may have been Michael Scott’s finest hour. With his fledgling company on the verge of utter failure, he managed to negotiate a deal to get bought out by Dunder-Mifflin, plus get his old job back, plus get Pam and Ryan hired back too. And he got rid of his rival in the process. Whether it was business genius or just dumb luck, Michael pulled a huge coup. Bravo. It was a highly satisfying half hour that, personally at least, salvaged an otherwise dismal day of real-life work. I’m going to call it the best episode of the season so far.
2. “30 Rock.” It was the cameos, throwaway lines and subtle jokes that made this episode so great. A poisoned Kenneth gasping “My real name is Dick Whitman!” in a “Mad Men” shout-out; Elisa wearing a “What the Frak” “Battlestar Galactica” shirt (Woooo! Go “BSG”!); a cameo by “Scrubs” star Zach Braff singing the “Black Widow” song in a Spanish music video; NBC News anchor Brian Williams getting Tracy’s castoff groupies; Liz sitting at home in her Slanket singing about night cheese. Funny, funny stuff. And I really hope that isn’t the last we see of Salma Hayek.
3. “Party Down.” Another brilliant episode of this Starz series that seems to be improving exponentially week to week. This one was all about the cameos: J.K. Simmons (from “Law & Order,” “Spider-Man” and “Juno”) as a hilariously profane producer whose daughter’s Sweet 16 party is a bust, Joey Lauren Adams (“Chasing Amy”) as his trophy wife, and Breckin Meyer (“Clueless”) as an actor whose career is just about to take off. The scenes with Rob chillaxing and talking business with a couple of pothead rappers didn’t do much for me, but the misadventures of Kyle and his over-sensitive bleached teeth had me howling. I can’t recommend “Party Down” enough, it’s one of the best new series of the year. If you don’t get Starz, you can watch full episodes online. If you like R-rated comedy, check it out.
Lowlights
1. “Rock of Love Bus: Reunion Show.” This was the stupidest episode of perhaps the stupidest show on TV. Reunion shows are pointless anyway, and this was no exception. The one highlight: Natasha full-on knocking out Kelsey in a fit of rage. But we never saw a replay of it, they cut to commercial, and never even explained what happened. Weak. That fight was the precise reason why everyone tuned in in the first place! Don’t cover it up!
2. “Gossip Girl.” It was a decent episode, but it bugs me to no end when characters keep changing their motivations from minute to minute. First Blair is fully supportive of Nate, then she sells him out, then she’s back on his side. Serena is a wild party girl, then no, she’s a good girl again. Chuck is an amoral hedonist, no, he’s a hopeless romantic and lost soul. Come on, pick a personality and stick with it for longer than one wardrobe change.
3. “Amazing Race.” It’s too bad things degenerated into shoving, name-calling and a mat meltdown. I expect better from participants of this show. I see “TAR” as one of the classier reality shows around, and I don’t like seeing it take a page from “Rock of Love Bus.”
Looking forward to. . .
1. “Lost” (9 p.m. Wednesday, ABC). Any week without a new “Lost” is a looooong week. I need my fix. If I remember correctly, this is the week we find out where Daniel has been all this time. Can’t wait
2. “Amazing Race” (8 p.m. Sunday, CBS). It’s down to the final four teams, and there’s plenty of bad blood now. As far as I’m concerned, Victor & Tammy are the only ones left rooting for.
3. “The Office” (9 p.m. Thursday, NBC). A so-so season is finally taking off. This week: “Casual Friday” gets out of hand. And how will Pam adjust to being on the sales team?
