iCarly: i’M Wild And Crazy

3.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Carly, played by Miranda Cosgrove, realises she is the boring one of the friend group and so asks Harper, played by Laci Mosley, to take her on a wild night out.

This was a nice episode for the most part. I enjoyed seeing more of Harper and Carly’s friendship on screen and have them both get some much needed character development. I thought it was nice to see the series reference back to Harper’s breakup and her processing period rather than just move immediately past it and act like it never happened. I thought both Cosgrove and Mosley were on top form here as well.

However, the b-plot about Freddie, played by Nathan Kress, and Spencer, played by Jerry Trainor, coming to blows over there business partnership was not only dull but it also brought out the worst in Spencer as a character. I have written before in other reviews about how I dislike that the show treats Spencer as a constant get out of jail free card, with his undetermined wealth allowing him to do practically anything, it feels like lazy writing and it is on perfect display in this episode. The conflict between Spencer and Freddie comes about as Spencer buys them an old smoothie bar as an office location for their business and then slowly loses interest in their start-up and instead wants to restore the old smoothie bar. Within this conflict not only do we get yet another lazy set up paid for by Spencer’s magical wealth, but also Spencer being his most childish and ridiculous. These last few episodes have really gone out of their way to show that as an adult Spencer is a failure, he can barely function in the adult world and just throws money at things to make them go away, and though I never thought he was the most efficient character ever, I did think he was more competent than this. It is sad to see the character reduced so much.

Overall, a better episode than the last but the show needs to decide what it want to do with Spencer as a character.

Pros.

Carly and Harper’s friendship explored in more depth

Cosgrove

Mosley

The references to Harper’s break-up and the character growth

Cons.

Spencer is being reduced to a poor cliché

The b-plot serves no purpose

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Broad City: The Best Show YOU Haven’t Seen

Broad City is a sitcom created by and starring Abbi Jacobsen and Ilana Glazer. The plot follows the two as they live and love in New York city. The series is supposed to be somewhat autobiographical, based on the two’s real-life friendship and their years trying to make it in the big city. It ran for 5 series from 2014-2019.

The reason why I like this series so much is because it is the closest thing to real life, I have seen on television possibly ever. The way the two go about life, is very close to how I go about my own life. The series deals with some really quite heavy themes, such as depression and self esteem issues, which I applaud it for; much like something like Atlanta, this show also manages to handle these darker themes in comedic way, whilst also treating them with respect.

I think another reason why this show is so important is because it features two strong self-motivated female leads, who are both in charge of their own destiny and live they way they want to live. I think this show is great as there are few other shows like it on TV and when you watch it you will see what I mean.

Both of the leads are hilarious, Glazer and Jacobsen both make me laugh at least a few times every episode, another reason this show is so good and so special is because there is very few bad episodes; most of the episodes are good and some of them are great.

The wider supporting cast which has changed over the series is also fantastic. Hannibal Buress as IIana’s on again off again boyfriend Lincoln is a very welcome presence on-screen, he has some of the best jokes on the show and his relationship with IIana is sweet and wholesome; it is one that you root for over the course of the show as you want the two of them to end up together.

Overall, this was one of the best shows on TV and one that will sorely be missed. You should definitely check it out if you haven’t already seen it.

Pros.

Both of the leads are hilarious.

It is empowering.

Hannibal Burgess is hilarious.

There are no bad episodes.

Cons.

Okay there are one or two bad episodes, but more slow than bad.

4/5

Reviewed by Luke

The Big Bang Theory: Life After The Singularity

The Big Bang Theory is a sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady. The plot follows a group of nerdy scientists as they have quirky adventures and misadventures and attempt to find love. The show ran for 12 series with the final series ending last year.

Carrying on from my post about Friends the other day I want to now look at some of that show’s successors one of which is The Big Bang Theory. Whether you love it or, you hate it this show has been around for a long time, longer even than Friends, and it has had an impact on pop culture, even inspiring a spin-off show in Young Sheldon.

I am of the mindset that this show never dipped in quality over it’s run, episodes from season 11 made me laugh just as much as episodes from season 1 or 2, but comedy is subjective. I think the ending of this show, Sheldon (Jim Parsons), winning the Nobel prize and thanking his friends and his wife is the perfect way to end it, the final scene of the show brought more than a few tears to my eyes.

Though some say that the comedy of the show shifted from laughing with the nerds to at them, I don’t agree. I think the characters were done justice to until the end, I think this show as well as some of it’s contemporaries helped in bringing nerd culture to the mainstream; it made being a nerd cool.

I liked how each character was developed over the course of the show and became more rounded, even background characters like Stuart (Kevin Sussman), had arcs and changed; we saw these characters grow as we ourselves did as well. The ending of the show gave all of these characters a sense of closure, except for Raj (Kunal Nayyar), who was left up in the air after his unsuccessful quest for love; I hope we don’t get a Joey esque spin-off for him, and this closure was just what we needed to move past this show.

Overall, I think The Big Bang Theory was less impactful than Friends, but that is not to say it wasn’t influential in its own way, it was. The Big Bang Theory reached out to all the geeks and nerds (myself included) out there who wanted to see a show they could relate to, where the characters aren’t going to parties every night and sleeping with different people near constantly and to them this show was a rallying cry, it made being a nerd cool; something that seemed like an impossibility.

Written by Luke  

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia: Danny DeVito Is A Cultural Icon

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia is a dark comedy sitcom series created by Rob McElhenney. The series revolves around a group of friends who run a bar and the hijinks they get up to. The series is famous for its pitch-black sense of humour, it is this that sets it apart from other sitcoms; especially ones like Cheers that are also about people running a bar.

*As of the time of writing I am just finishing the 14^th season so the things I say in this review/overview of the series will reflect all of these seasons.

When I first started watching this show I thought it was good and that it had potential, but I didn’t think it was anything special. The first season is by far the worst, it is still very good, but it pales when compared to later seasons. I think the show definitely came into its own in season 2 with the introduction of Frank Reynolds (Danny DeVito), to the group. From there It’s Always Sunny managed to do something few other series have done, it stayed good. Seasons 2-14 have all been very consistent in terms of quality, this isn’t like The Good Place that had some seasons stronger than others, no this show has always stayed consistently good.

The majority of the charm this show has, comes from its characters. Outside of Frank, who I previously mentioned there is Mac (Rob McElhenney), Dee (Kaitlin Olsen), Charlie (Charlie Day), and Dennis (Glenn Howerton). All of these characters are richly explored are a multi-layered, there are entire episodes dedicated to fleshing out details about individual characters, which help us the audience to feel like we know them. Even though they’re supposed to be the worst people imaginable they still somehow come across as likeable. Moreover, the world this show creates is fantastic as well with there being a rich cast of supporting characters who all have their own dynamic with the group and a large amount of backstory.

The humour of the show is not for those with a delicate disposition as it is often times incredibly dark with no taboo subject off the table for the gang to debate and lampoon; often in a very clever way. It never fails to make me smile if not laugh out loud or chuckle.

Overall, I can’t accurate put into words what this show is like it is something that needs to be seen to be understood. Other than a weak first season, which is still a solid 4/5, this show is a masterpiece in dark comedy and is something everyone should at least watch an episode of to see if it is for you, as it really is something special.

Ps. My other minor, minor gripe with the show was that they brought back Dennis after they have effectively written him off, I thought that was a cop out and if they had followed through with it could have sent the show as a whole down an interesting new path.

Pros.

It is hilarious.

The cast are great.

It is rewarding to long time viewers.

The surprisingly good world building.

The great social commentary.

Cons.

None really.

5/5

Reviewed by Luke