The Eclectic Eccentric: Critique on the Critic

For the past week or so, whenever I was sitting at home feeling a little bored (not working), I threw in one of my favorite television shows of all time, "The Critic" and just kicked back & laughed. For anybody who has never seen or heard of this wonderful show, it was on for two years from 1994-95 (on ABC & Fox, respectively) and has been on Comedy Central sometimes since then. The show was about a New York film critic named Jay Prescott Sherman (voiced by Jon Lovitz) and his wacky adventures. One of the main features of the show was the inclusion of a few parodies of movies in each episode such as "Howard Stern's End", "Honey, I ate the Kids", or "Rabbi PI" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. "Eat lead, rabbi." "Sorry, that's not kosher. KABOOM!!! Havah Nagilah, baby!!!"

The show was created by some of the same people that brought us "The Simpsons" to rake in some of that Bart money for ABC & though widely accepted in New York & other East coast cities, most of America didn't care for it much...so Fox picked it up after a few episodes...and then the show ended after 23 wonderful episodes. For all you Simpsons fans out there, you may remember Jay Sherman making an appearance in "A Star is Burns" (you know, the one with Barney's film & "Football in the Groin") in a shameless, yet hysterical TV crossover. Besides Jon Lovitz, some of the other voice actors on the show included Nancy Cartwright (Bart Simpson, but also voiced Jay's sister Margo), Utah born Christine Cavanaugh (Jay's son Marty, also did Chuckie from Rugrats & Dexter's Laboratory), Charles Napier (Jay's boss Duke Phillips & acted in movies like Rambo II & Silence of the Lambs), & the great Maurice LaMarche (Jay's friend Jeremy Hawke & once voiced 29 characters in one episode...probably best known as the voice of Pinky but has been on just about every cartoon since Inspector Gadget back in the 80's) who also has some of my favorite lines portraying Orsen Welles doing a commercial for Rosebud Frozen Peas - "Full of country goodness and green peaness." & portraying our shortest president as a double-O agent. "Who are you?" "Monroe, James Monroe...and here's a taste of the Monroe Doctrine."

Anyway, I think it's a great show & if you ever get the chance to check it out, you should. There's something for everybody. If you like zany wackiness with random thoughts spit out at any moment, then Jay's father Franklin will gladly provide. "Good Afternoon, Mr. Sherman. I'm Geraldo Rivera. I was wondering if we could talk for a moment." "The time for talk has passed. Now is the time for action." "Ugh, so I hear you can say your name backwards." "Nilknarf." "Uh-huh, and what is your favorite food?" "Nilknarf." If you like film parodies, there's usually 2-3 per episode & if you want to watch most of them in one sitting, the final episode is 79% recycled parodies...with a little Die Hard parody during the episode. If you like relentless berating of celebrities such as Arnold, Sylvester Stallone, Woody Allen, Roseanne Barr, Regis & Kathie Lee, Ricki Lake, & other semi-dated celebrities (it aired over a decade ago), then you're sure to get your fill. Even if you like touching stories about love, family, overcoming obstacles, self-discovery, or being a self-made billionaire running for President, then they've got plenty of those as well...but enough punchlines to keep the husband interested too. I actually just found it on eBay for $5 or I'd be happy to loan it to you...and all it would cost...is YOUR SOUL.

Sorry, I watched "Ghost Rider" last week...and I had one of those random thoughts as I usually do. Is it just me or would it be fun to dress up with slicked-back Pat Riley hair, a long dark trenchcoat, and just an eery feeling of evil about you...and randomly walk up to people, for example, working on their car...and saying stuff like, "What if I were to tell you...that you'd never have to work on your Plymouth Acclaim again...and all it would cost you...is YOUR SOUL???" Then you pull out a parchment from your trenchcoat with red Olde English lettering but in Latin...and ask them to sign at the bottom. Wouldn't that just be a fun & creepy thing to do? The first few times, it may be a little difficult to keep a straight face...but with a little practice...and a saucy baritone...you could probably pull it off. Anyway, yeah. It really wouldn't cost your soul to borrow "The Critic" but the Acclaim is a different story.

Today is also the birthday of writer/director/producer Joss Whedon, turning 43. Many know his works with TV shows like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" & "Angel" and writer for one of my brother's favorite movies "Titan A.E." Personally, the only show that I really watched was "Firefly" and that was only after my buddy suggested that I watch it. If any of you haven't seen the fourteen episodes of "Firefly" (bad time slot on Fox for one year) then I would suggest asking to borrow the series from one of your cool friends or next time you're at Blockbuster, you can check out the movie adaptation "Serenity" featuring the same cast...and kind of shrinking the series down into a two-hour movie. Anyway, it's just yet another entertaining suggestion, so feel free to do with it what you will. Happy birthday, Mr. Whedon!!!