The TV Addict 

With THE OFFICE officially closed — today’s question of the day goes something like this. How long will NBC allow their only hit comedy since FRIENDS to remain shut down? Could Steve Carell’s support of his writers be responsible for getting the two sides back to the table sooner rather than later? Stay Tuned…

Michael Ausiello is reporting today that NBC is developing a spin-off of THE OFFICE. Yet if you were one of the tens thousands of fans hoping to see STANLEY THE SERIES, or CREED’S HEAD! [remember HERMAN’S HEAD?!] — this TV Addict, well really Michael Ausiello has some bad news for you. Unlike PRIVATE PRACTICE, the new show is not expected to spin-off one of your current favorite  paper pushers. In fact, Ausiello claims that the producers are already casting about for a “name” to headline the potential show. Got any ideas? Think an OFFICE spin-off is yet another sign of Hollywood’s complete lack of creativity and originality. Post away with your thoughts.

Amrie with BJ Novak

Hey gang. First things first, I want to apologize for no updates this morning! I was in my hotel room for a total of 5 hours between Saturday morning at 9AM and Sunday morning at 7:30AM. I was out and about in Scranton; various Q&As, walks around town, taking in the local sights, meeting up with cast members and writers, and chatting with fellow bloggers.

Some Friday things to take care of – Craig Robinson is and always will be my favorite. Darryl is awesome. At the end of Casino Night, he was still okay with getting one last picture in. Also – I chatted with Ed Helms for a little while about our interview from over the summer. He is not cousins with Wes Helms. He just didn’t want to correct me back then ha! He was a gem, and I cannot believe I had the luck of not only standing near him, but getting to stand with his arm around me for a darling picture on my phone.

Saturday morning was horrible, weather wise. It was pouring. Pictures in the pouring rain was not an easy task. The Office was playing all over town, so I got the chance to catch up on old episodes. Ended up at the Steamtown Mall for the Uncommon Stakeholder’s Meeting. Craig (Darryl, my absolutely favorite person ever), Oscar, and Andy Buckley (David Wallace, CFO) participated in a mock board meeting. Craig was hilarious, Oscar and Andy were, too. It was packed.

From there, we headed to see Creed play with the Scrantones in the middle of the University campus. You know those stories Creed comes up with on the show? He does it in real life. He let us know that when he was a child, he was orphaned, and then adopted by a Chinese family and long story short, that’s how he lost a toe (I’m pretty sure he made that up…though I did hear him tell that story twice). He may tell crazy stories, but his guitar playing is phenomenal!

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Welcome to THE TV ADDICT’S WEEK IN REWIND A look back at last week’s good/bad/ugly in the world of television.

BEST EPISODE OF THE WEEK: DIRTY SEXY MONEY
Let me preface this by saying that I have yet to watch DAMAGES incredible season finale [I’ll be watching it on Tuesday]. So with that in mind, this TV Addict’s best episode of the week goes to ABC’s DIRTY SEXY MONEY. And while the category is best episode of the week, it should also be noted that DIRTY SEXY MONEY is also the week’s most improved new show.

What started out as a shallow and forgettable mockery of the Hilton/Lohan/Trump’s of the world has quietly evolved into an unforgettable and hilarious mockery of the Hilton/Lohan/Trump’s of the world. Five episode in, we’re not only laughing at the ridiculousness of Brian trying to pass off Brian Jr. as ‘Gustav,’ but sympathizing with him as he begs his wife for forgiveness. Realizing that being born into billions may not be the greatest blessing in the world [although we’re willing to give it a try] and getting even more and more intrigued by the mysterious circumstances surrounding Nick’s father’s death. Add to that the recent cast addition of billionaire Simon Elder and the endless comic relief courtesy of television’s real wonder-twins Jeremy and Juliet Darling [with apologies to HEROES Maya and Alejandro], DIRTY SEXY MONEY is simply dirty sexy fun.

FUNNIEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK: HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah. No idea what I’m talking about? That will teach you to miss yet another fantastic installment of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. Don’t make the same mistake this week. Tune in to an all new episode Monday at 8PM on CBS.

WHO SAYS SIZE MATTERS: THE OFFICE
After four weeks of hour long OFFICE mediocrity, it should come as no surprise that this TV Addict thought Thursday’s thirty minute installment was the perfect amount of Scrantonicity. Thirty minutes was just enough time to introduce us to Dwight’s hilarious Second Life, a Michael Scott ‘Joint’ destined to become a classic and yet another priceless line courtesy of Meredith — “I’m excited about doing the ad but I’m not really used to doing videos with so many people around.” Thirty minutes ensured that Michael didn’t go over the edge and take a pizza boy hostage or drive his car into the lake. It was the perfectly paced episode and most importantly, managed to do what the previous four hour long episodes couldn’t. Left us wanting more.

All weekend long, theTVaddict.com’s very own Amrie Cunningham will be reporting live from THE OFFICE Convention in Scranton.

Yesterday was a big blur. Lots of busy stop and go type things to handle. I got all the credentials I need to get in everywhere important. Big cocktail reception last night. Creed Bratton joined the band up on stage and played a great blues number. Then we headed over to the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs casino. Got to see and meet lots of cast members. Ed Helms, who you know is my personal favorite, was incredibly awesome in person. It was nice to be able to say “Hey, I’m Amrie, we chatted over the summer” and have him mention parts of the article I posted to show that he remembers me and he read what we posted up on here! Brian Baumgartner (Kevin) ended up dealing cards at a table for hours – the people loved him! Craig Robinson (Darryl, my other favorite) was just a doll. He was in the absolute coolest velvet/velour/suede combination jacket. It was his birthday on Thursday so he was in a celebratory mood. He actually performed with the band for a long time at Casino Night. Got a picture taken with him… on someone else’s camera, but I promise folks, it’s an awesome picture, and it will be coming soon! Got to see Creed, Oscar, Phyllis, Kate Flannery (Meredith, who is a fox in person!), and Angela all running around, doing some casino night stuff.

Today’s plans are packed – street festival, press lunch with local Scranton foods, Uncommon Stock Holder’s Meeting at the Steamtown Mall, Press Conference, Cast Q&A, and another cocktail reception. I’m not sure where we’ll head after that – Farley’s? Molly Brannigan’s? Poor Richard’s Pub? The opportunities are endless!

Keep track of me on Twitter – I’ll be updating all day!

Amrie’s Scranton Diary:
Today’s the day, folks. In about 1 hour, I’m heading on the road to hang out for three days with our favorite people from Dunder Mifflin in good old Scranton, Pennsylvania. The following cast members will be there, and each person makes me want to jump for joy! Angela, Oscar, Kevin, Creed, Jan, Toby, Stanley, Meredith, Phyllis, Darryl, Kelly, Andy, David Wallace from Corporate, and Bob Vance – Vance Refrigeration. Not to mention Greg Daniels, executive producer, and his fellow writers. Elbow to elbow with some of my favorite people on TV and I couldn’t be more excited. I promise to send pictures and updates all weekend so you know what’s going on. If you’re planning on heading to Scranton, let me know – we’ll get all of the TV Addicts together for some celebrating!

Ain’t no party like a Scranton party ‘cause a Scranton party don’t stop!!

Follow me on Twitter throughout the weekend – I’ll keep you all posted on where I am and what I’m doing!

Thanks to the headache of moving servers [so long GoDaddy!], this TV Addict unfortunately missed virtually everything on television last night with the exception of the SCRUBS last ever season finale [funny, but not hilarious].

With that in mind, I leave it up to you, my far smarter and better looking readers to let me know what’s worth watching on the glorious two days known around these parts as ‘the weekend’

Was it a welcome return to thirty minute episodes of THE OFFICE? Did 30 ROCK manage to be its usual hilarious self? Is anyone still watching BIG SHOTS? Post away.

Earlier today, frequent contributer ‘CT’ took the TV Addict to task for our earlier post titled “The TV Addict to Michael Scott: REALLY?!?”

CouchTater: You know, my friend, I think it’s official. You’ve lost touch with your funny. Sorry, but I thought Michael’s taking the kid hostage was hysterical. The roomie and I laughed our butts off through that entire segment. And as silly as it was that Michael didn’t figure out the whole “chatroom” thing, you have to remember that this is a comedy… and that means we’re supposed to suspend our disbelief. And if you didn’t find the sequences in which Phyllis attempted to try a new route with Angela some of the funniest stuff on television this week, then you…
you… I don’t know what.

TheTVAddict While every TV Addict or Couch Tator for that mater is entitled to his or her own opinion, this TV Addict wholeheartedly disagree with yours. The TV Addict knows funny, and if you’re looking for ‘comedy night done right’ one needn’t look any further than last night’s 30 ROCK.

Jenna’s dilemma as to whether she should remain fat [and popular] vs. thin and lonely was as hilarious as it was brilliant. Jack McBrayer has turned what could have easily been a generic and annoying sitcom sidekick [see GILMORE GIRLS Michel] into one of the funniest performances this side of Melora Hardin’s Jan. And Will Arnett, well why he doesn’t have his own show, or a more regular gig on 30 ROCK remains a mystery.

Simply put, 30 ROCK was laugh-out-loud funny. THE OFFICE — while humerous at times, touching and emotional — was not.

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I had high hopes for last night’s episode of THE OFFICE considering it started with one of the funniest cold opens ever. That said, much like Michael Scott’s common sense, funny was in short supply.

Sure there were cute moments between Jim and Pam, their prank on Dwight was classic and the growing love triangle between Angela, Dwight and Andy is somewhat fascinating. But Michael Scott taking a Pizza Boy hostage? To steal line from SNL’s Seth and Amy — REALLY?!?

One can’t deny the fact that these hour long episodes have seriously taken their toll on the THE OFFICE writers. Would a kidnapping plot really have entered into the equation if the writer’s had not been forced to fill an additional twenty minutes of story? This TV Addict is at a loss for words and is now officially starting the countdown to October 25. The commencement of SCRUBS’ final season [again!] and the return of 30 minute OFFICE episodes.

Two things most definitely worthy of an Angela thrown office party.

For absolutely no good reason, I found myself watching ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER? The contestant — a Mensa member — made it all the way to the million dollar question, but opted to take a half-million rather than risk it all on the final answer. Good thing, because he would have lost. I’d have been out a bit earlier, when they asked for the capital of Brazil. What I found truly amazing was that they stretch this crap out for an entire hour! Seriously? 10 questions in an hour? Even President Bush could answer — or at least attempt to — more than that in the allotted time! And note to producers of these type shows: If you’re going to show the audience sitting behind the contestant, make sure your sound effects track doesn’t have them cheering wildly or laughing as if host Jeff Foxworthy said something truly funny when we can see that everyone in the studio is sitting in rather stony silence.

Over the summer, I watched all three seasons of GREY’S ANATOMY on DVD, and now I’ve watched the first two episodes of the fourth season. All I can say is that the way they are treated Callie is criminal. Look, I’ll admit to liking Izzy and George together. They’re cute in a sickening kinda way. But Callie was actually good for him, and I loved the conflict the relationship created between her husband and his friends. Here’s hoping karma sends her flying into McSteamy’s arms. And how great was the scene where Bailey — having been repressing her rage since being passed over as Chief Resident — went off on Karev and then sat back, looking as if she needed a ciggie ’cause venting was just about orgasmic for her. Great, great stuff.

I’m liking SURVIVOR more than I have in years, and I can’t really put my finger on why. But for the love of Oreos, won’t someone shove some form of sustenance down Courtney’s throat? That girl is scary thin. Like, Callista-Flockhart-during-the-ALLY-MCBEAL-years thin. Meanwhile, is it just me, or is this the year of the Christian on CBS’ reality shows? First we spent the summer listening to BIG BROTHER’s Amber and Jameka talk as if God had nothing better to do than sit around and smite their fellow houseguests, and now Leslie keeps talking about how she just needs a little private time with the Big Guy. Babe, you’re in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do for hours at a time… how much more alone time with the notorious G.O.D. do you need?

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