That 80's Show: Searching for an Exit.

Three episodes to go on this 2002 failed sitcom, and here are certain things I've learned about this. The transition of Sophia from a randomly predatory bisexual to someone working at RT's firm? Good. Katie going lighter on the Valley Girl timbre? Also good. RT in general? The best part of the show.

The show? Still just barely watchable. It's like most television. You could see it getting better. But is it worth it? Usually no. You could give it 4 seasons and it wouldn't be worth your time.

And this was really a paint by numbers show anyway. They took the That 70's show archetypes and switched them up for the main characters. I mean, how's this for an example.

Corey = Eric
Katie = Laura
Sophia = Jackie
Tuesday = Hyde
Roger = Fez
RT = Kelso

So you know what? This show got what was deserved. Dennis went off to do better things, and the rest aren't exactly starving for work. So yeah. Moving on.

That 80's Show Part Three

I don't know why I'm still doing this. We've established that this show is not brilliant but cancelled. In fact? We've established the fact the show is batting .250 in terms of watchability.

But since I promised that we were going down this road? We continue.

"A Friend Dies," here's the basic plot. An acquaintance of the gang who wears shiny pants dies. Another one of your basic TV plots. It is what it is. But knowing the magnificent bastardy of Dennis Reynolds? Having Chyler Leigh complain about Glenn Howerton being such a boyscout is retroactively hilarious.

In "Spring Break '84" it's another basic sitcom trope. Tinsley Grimes' credit card has been maxed out! Oh no! So there's an overwrought plot about how she hides out in Rogers apartment. And Tuesday and Corey finally decided to go on a date and there's the fact Roger can't stay on the couch. That was a chuckleworthy running joke for 80's Fez.

I didn't exactly hate "Katie's Birthday" but I did realize something. Dennis and Tuesday did not have great chemistry. The rule that if there must be a whoo in the laugh track the story must suck. And the sad thing? The teased relationship between RT and Margaret actually had chemistry.

So we're at 3 for 8 in watchability. 5 episodes to go and I can exorcise the demons from my iPod.

While you're at it? You want my take on the Grant Desme scenario? Of course you do.

That 80's Show: Episodes 2-4

I'll level with you. I wasn't really a fan of that 70's Show, so this would be a more harshly graded scenario. If I keep this up. But suffice it to say? This show would not fall under the designation of brilliant but cancelled.

Episode 2, a.k.a. Valentines Day? Simple sitcom trope. A box of chocolates find their way to the record store? And record store lady says that Tuesday sent it to Corey. But she also said Corey sent it to Tuesday! ZOMG Hilarity ensues. Or not. B Plot? Owen is on leave from the Navy, and Tinsley Grimes is his girl. But...circumstances won't allow them to have sex! OH NOOOOOOO! D.

Episode 3, a.k.a. Tuesday Comes Over? So Brittany Daniel is still doing that whole, sexual harrassement is funny if its girl on girl thing. Which really isn't. No matter what the laugh track tries to tell you. But that's more for the next episode. This episode, she sells the dad a hot tub. And Tuesday's living in her car! So Tinsley Grimes finds out and offers her a hot shower and laundry. But Corey lives at home! OH NO! Seems he lied about it. But hey. He finds Liberty Spikes hot.

Episode 4, a.k.a. Corey's Remix? Not as bad as the first three. As you can tell, I've been reviewing these based on the things that I think sucked? And in this one? Not so much with that whole suck thing. Still not great, but I've spent worse 21-22 minutes in my life. Oh wait. There is one thing. The whole it's not a payphone it's a portable phone guy? THAT JOKE GOT PAID THE FUCK OFF! WHOO!

Now, since we know that this whole show is something less than brilliant but cancelled, here's where we're going to go. Could this show have hit its stride with a little bit of tenderness. Or was the DENNIS system treatment the right idea?

Join me won't you?

In an effort to procure more content?

Okay, here's the deal. I love television. Right now? I love television more than sports. Not that I don't love sports anymore, but I'm going to try and play at being Alan Sepinwall. Will it work? Maybe?

But I'm going to take a look at a show whose hype machine was so insiduous, whose promotion was so ubiquitous, that even seven years later I can still remember every portion of the show's initial commercial. That's right. For the pain, it's That 80's Show.

A little background, eh? You see, in 2001, That 70's Show was at its peak. Season 3 had powerfully good ratings in the key demographics. Wilmer Valderamma was culturally relevant. And we were still trying to heal from the tragedy that was I Am Sam.

So Fox went to the television firm of Turner and Brazill and said? We need a hit! And the creators of that 70's Show said? Move it up a decade? And the Fox Execs said...brilliant!

But there is one good thing from this show lasting 13 Episodes? If it was a hit, we would not have had the Dennis System.



Are there more? Well, I'll tell you this, I'd have to throw out the pilot to tell you. Comedish pilots usually aren't great. And if you're a show that promoted itself for three months with one commecial, a.k.a. Tinsley Grimes dancing is fine, but dude what the fuck is it's not a pay phone it's a portable phone doing as one of the funniest parts of the show? It made the show arrive dead on arrival.

Because Chyler Leigh as a punk rock girl was a good decision.

More to come.