January 25, 2004
the surreal life - season 2
yesterday i checked in with jeremy paquette regarding his thoughts on the second season of the wb's "the surreal life." unlike last year, he's not recapping his thoughts on each episode, but here's what he had to say when i asked "any thoughts?":
it's all i think about.
i truly think they're off to an amazing start and it could possibly best the premier season blasphemy? hardly.last season there were some likable guests and some detestable guests but so far this season has a mix of 6 crazy people, all with faults and positives but no one so loathsome as corey feldman nor as nice and safe as hammer. each could explode at any minute, with the exception of ron jeremy who is so sleazy and hammy that he need not be close to rage/insanity at all times like everyone else.
for some reason i find this lot more likable overall.
the first episode led me to thinking how this season could be full of greatness and episode two fulfilled that promise. it was like 6 episodes packed into one. there was madness, absurdity, lasciviousness, crying, rage, issues, and gary coleman. the scene of ice yelling "whatchoo talkin bout willis" while holding gary coleman off the ground and standing next to todd bridges was one of the greatest tv moments i have ever seen. then follow that with todd wearing the chefs outfit later on commenting on gary's meltdown...tears were streaming down my face. then erik's talking ice down off his emotional ledge was so transfixing. just amazing television.
i really wish i had the chance to write articles on this season but this job doesn't quite give me the time to do it. not that i'm that busy but the constraints of the desk make it much harder to do.
but it's nice to just watch them for pure pleasure without taking notes. i can't believe it's not a show that everybody talks about because i truly find it to be one of the most unique and mind bogglingly strange shows on tv. why watch fiction when you can watch meta-fiction. do these people really exist? how weird was their meeting on the trolley car? did erik estrada really think that baywatch lady was a "plant put here to bust (their) nut"?
i literally sit there in ecstatic glee for the entire hour the show is on.
i'm having a tv renaissance this year and the surreal life is the feather in the cap.so yeah, i guess i have a few thoughts on this season on the surreal life.
anxiously awaiting episode 3,
jeremy
ooh, how i wish i could watch these episodes with jeremy! my quick two cents: the first episode was bad. the 45 second teaser for the upcoming season was brilliant. and, like jeremy, i think episode two begins fulfilling those promises. i can't wait to see what tonight holds.
Posted by marc@balgavy.com at January 25, 2004 04:00 PMwhen are they re-running it since i missed last nights?
also, we were talking last night about people we would like to see on future seasons of the surreal life. i can't remember anyone right now except for suzanne somers/joyce dewitt. also, i nominated huey lewis simply for dan's pleasure. anyone else have a nominee?
Posted by: jamie at January 26, 2004 12:12 PMi'd like to see schneider from one day at a time, marc summers because you know his OCD would generate a few awkward moments and a lot of laughs, adam curry former mtv vj, rob zombie, brian bonsall, and/or wink martindale. i will come up with my female selections later.
episode 3 was fun but not crazy fun, though it did prove that ron jeremy can lose his shit over trivial matters too. i find it hard to believe it's appropriate to have a play for children where the main character is named prince fugly and the ending song contains the line "it doesn't matter if you're loose or you're tight," but i guess that's what passes for family fun in the surreal world.
Posted by: crispin at January 26, 2004 03:31 PMcrispin glover, harvey dangerfield, mr. t, john lithgow, molly ringwald, robert downey jr., charro (although i don't know if we could tear her away from hollywood squares long enough) and charla from paradise hotel.
Posted by: shawn at January 26, 2004 03:31 PMi'm sure it re-runs later this week. maybe thursday? i'll check when i get home.
as for casting, i'd like to see fred savage. i watched him on last night's episode of "world poker tour: celebrity home game." he's realtively well adjusted, but hyper. whenever he won a hand he seemed to jump up and do a little dance. and, if you caught his performance in 'rules of attraction,' you know he's got a dark side just waiting to come out.
Posted by: marc at January 26, 2004 03:45 PMi meant rodney dangerfield. is he dead yet? if so, we'll bring in the next generation in the form of carrot top.
Posted by: shawn at January 26, 2004 07:17 PMcharles nelson reilly, charro for sure, rickey henderson, richard simmons and maybe punky brewster.
Posted by: center square at January 27, 2004 02:50 PMI only saw the first episode and five minutes of episode 3 but it is too funny, I'm glad you all watch it--Tammy Faye is SO fucking funny. If you want to see more of TRASH-elle, there's a new competition show on MTV starting next Monday (MTV 10pm) that looks hysterical--lots of drama from Trish.
I like all of your ideas for future housemates. Except John Lithgow, he's currently on Broadway and I'd guess he'd think he's above the WB. I love the idea of both Brian Bonsal and Charla. Hmm, who else? Do you think Danny Pintuaro or Ralph Macchio would be up for it?
Posted by: Claire at January 27, 2004 05:26 PMBTW: What the F is up w/ the OC taking a three week vacation? You don't write enough about the OC...
;)
Posted by: Claire at January 27, 2004 05:29 PMHe writes plenty about the O.C. Please do not encourage him.
Posted by: Dan at January 28, 2004 09:28 AMyes. dan would much prefer that marc writes about fellini or george washington or that other movie i never heard of. personally, i think there can never be too much discussion of the O.C. what's up with that oliver jerk anyway?
Posted by: shmoo at January 28, 2004 03:23 PMhey, this blog entry is about the surreal life, not the o.c. take your california asses over to another entry please and let's get this back on track. for the girls i pick the lead singer of the jets, the girl who played natty gann in the disney movie, dizz from nickelodeon's out of control, jackee, betty white and samantha fox.
Posted by: crispin at January 29, 2004 03:13 PMhow about mark mothersbaugh, howard hessemen (or any cast member from 'head of the class' - tannis vallely anyone?), joe namath, kenneth lay, mary hart, paul reubens, either member of Roxette, al gore, tommy lee, belinda carlisle, jessie ventura, hulk hogan, etc.
Posted by: jamie at January 29, 2004 05:06 PMwhy me in particular?
Posted by: Tannis Vallely at February 13, 2004 08:58 PM
my fotolog