A Guilty Admission of a Guilty Pleasure.

People often ask of someone what their favorite movie is as to possibly get an idea of what kind of person they are. Which makes total sense, and I would bet many of the close friends you have will like the same movies. I really enjoy seeing movie collections that someone owns because I think that digs a bit deeper into what they are really like. You can see what is below the surface of 'the Godfather is my favorite movie' and see what they wouldn' tell you.

I was thinking of this and I thought of a movie I do not currently own, but at the time it came out I went and saw 3 times at the theatre. And I must say as of today I would welcome watching it again. So this movie and my guilty admission of a guilty pleasure is... SPACE JAM.

A Shout Out for...Harold Ramis.

Not many times will someone have such a giant, gargantuan, immense influence on something and still not get the credit that he deserves. Such is the case of Harold Ramis who in the last 35 or so years has been consistently a huge factor in the best comedy made period. I could spout my admiration for him on and on, and how I would dream to have a marginal portion of his creative output, but I think just listing what he has done may offer the proof in the pudding. I can't believe I just used a pudding thing, oh well.

I guess I will start with his writing credits since that is where any project would start. First of his training in improv/acting/sketch with Chicago's Second City. Huge. Worked with Murray,Belushi, Ackroyd,etc etc. Went onto be head writer for SCTV which is often overlooked. After that he broke in to movies and wrote ANIMAL HOUSE,MEATBALLS,CADDYSHACK,STRIPES,BACK 2 SCHOOL,GHOSTBUSTERS,GROUNDHOG DAY,and ANALYZE THIS.

He also has directed CADDYSHACK,ANALYZE THIS,BEDAZZLED,ICE HARVEST,GROUNDHOG DAY,NATIONAL LAMPOONS VACATION,and the upcoming YEAR ONE.

As I mentioned with Second City and SCTV he also has acted quite a bit since then. The most obvious is GHOSTBUSTERS, but his influence on comedians/directors have led him to parts in WALK HARD,KNOCKED UP,ORANGE COUNTY,HIGH FIDELITY,AS GOOD AS IT GETS,and also a major role in STRIPES.

Much is made of the Apatow movies that have been coming out over the last few years and how much of a impact they have had on comedy. In many ways they follow the same paths, creatively leading the way, working with many of the same actors, and producing many works that branch out from those people he works with. Apatow movies I think will soon wain a bit because they are almost too much of the same. He makes a good story with comedy, but often the 'heart' that he puts into them also take away from the comedy. Ramis has bounced around in styles, genres creating a standard that will be hard for anyone to reach. Creating the 80's comedy genre Slobs vs. Snobs, making possibly the best romantic comedy in GROUNDHOG DAY, family comedy in VACATION(which was the only one he dir. and was by far the best of the bunch), and even darker fare like THE ICE HARVEST. Thus a shout out goes out for Mr. Harold Ramis.

A Bit of Life, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, and Parks and Recreation a Bit Off.

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Netflix'd the first season of LIFE wanting to catch up on the first season which I only watched the first two episodes of. Just to get more backstory of the conspiracy to set up Cruz. It's amazing how much better the second season is than the first. A bit of casting shake up and digging a bit deeper with the secondary characters makes all the difference.

Also got in the mail, A BIT OF FRY AND LAURIE a 1989 BBC sketch comedy show staring Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie. Yes the Hugh Laurie from House. I'm guessing most people who watch House don't realize he was a brilliant comedic actor in England before finding success as the ornary doctor. Not many sketch shows really can stand up after years, and not many two person sketch show are even tried on tv. I would venture to guess Mr.Show took quite a bit of notes from this show. Heavily character based, seamless edits, breaking the fourth wall often are all commonly placed pieces in this show. I just got done with season one and look forward to season 2 as well as Jeeves and Wooster, and Blackadder which they were featured in.

This weeks OFFICE, and 30 ROCK were solid as usual, but Parks and Recreation seems to take a step back. Hopefully this show can work through it's growth spurts and get a chance, but I still think its too similar to the Office.

Another heads up to watch ABC's BETTER OFF TED. That's two strong episodes in a row, and hopefully people will watch this smart and funny comedy before it's doomed by what I'm sure is not gargantuan ratings.

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NATURAL GAS this wednesday @ The Gift Theatre 8pm, 5$

PH-Phrenzy! Friday at 1230am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doubting How I Met Your Mother on Saturday Night.

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How can SNL go from one week being so bad (Seth Rogen ep) to being steadily funny the whole way through. Another weird thing is how a cast member can be in nothing one week and basically in the whole show the next. In this weeks case Jason Sudekeis who was tons specifically a funny scene that lead up to a toe sucking. Sure it's a stunt, but the rest of the scene had good timing and the writing was brisk and sharp. Other good scenes was the commercial 'im your mother', the underage bar,biden open as well as update. Zac Efron even from the opening monolouge was fine as a straight man, but when he tried to go into character land being Kathy Lee Giffords son he didnt do so hot. Maybe it has something to do with the writers having something new to write with, or a host that inspires ideas. Many of these sketches really fit the host age and status.

Also watched DOUBT with Streep,Adams,Hoffman,and the amazing Viola Davis. Many times supporting acting nominations get criticized because the role in the movie was too short (see Dench-Shakespeare in Love). Viola Davis really has one scene but it is overboard fantastic. Watch this movie. You may have to be in a dramatic movie type of mood, and sure it is slow, but it reflects the setting and characters of the story. And one its gets into it, it gets into it. It also handles the story matter in a way that doesn't make it about the Church as such, but sure makes you think about it.

I'm back on the HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER train. It's really only cuz of the Patrick Harris, Segal combo. I think the writers know this is their goodness on the show because they pair them up much of the time. Or because those two don't really handle many of the A storylines. They leave those up to the borish characters who can't expand much on a script comedically.

Also caught the second ep of SURVIVING SUBURBIA with Bob Saget. I also watched the pilot, and it's really not that bad. That being said I did erase it half way through this latest episode. I like Bob Saget, mostly in a way that I don't dislike him, but he has specific tools as a comedic actor. See The Aristocrats as an example. They try to make him a bit grumpy and somewhat unlikeable, but it still doesn't work all the time. It's a bit standard in terms of sitcom, but it's better than According to Jim. The actress who plays the daughter is very good. She's probably seven. Someone should take her and the son from Gary Unmarried and make a show cuz they are both better than most adult sitcom actors. And yes probably better than me. But I am a late bloomer.

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the house improv team NATURAL GAS at the GIFT Theatre this Wednesday @ 8pm. $5. The Gift Theatre is at 4802. N. Milwaukee Ave.!!!!!

Yes Man Rescue Me from Observe and Report.

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After not going out and supporting Jim Carrey at the theatres (for those of you who don't know I was quite fixated on him for years) I finally watched YES MAN on dvd. I'd heard the comparisons to Liar Liar, but I must say I don't agree all that much. They dealed well with they saying 'yes' to everything aspect, and this really was probably a bit more impactfull than Liar Liar cuz his decisions were a choice rather than some mystic 'spell' that was put on him. Rhys Darby as his boss at the bank was great, as was the chemistry between Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel suprisingly. Jim didn't overact too much(ie Bruce Almighty), and he had many really great laugh out loud moments. Really good comedy for all to see and one that I think would please most. And for those of you who don't know this was very very loosely based on a book of the same name by Danny Wallace.

Finally, finally, finally after the almost forgotten writers strike of last year RESCUE ME is back. And it was great to see Tommy Gavin and the gang back. So many good moments, but the highlight was calling his family 'assholes' and talking about the dog shitting in the pantry. The great thing about this season is that because they were away for so long this season is a huge 22 episodes.

OBSERVE AND REPORT. Yes it's another mall cop movie. Not the first time hollywood has put out two very specific familiar movies. Member The Truman Show/Ed, Deep Impact/Armageddon, or Capote/Infamous. The word I got from the reviews was this was a dark, inappropiate, and crass movie. Great, count me in. The movie was all those things, but just not all that funny. I would defo wait for this to come out on dvd. This was written and directed by Jody Hill who also did the Foot Fist Way which was a achievement for a bunch of guys from South Carolina with no money, but was also a unfunny movie (and I like Danny Mcbride). At least Observe and Report was a much better jump forward. I don't think he will go 0-3 though as I hear his latest project Eastbound and Down is really good. Yet to see it though. Damn you HBO and your grasp on preventing internet piracy.

Also just watched NBC's SOUTHLAND. This show is filling the time slot now abandoned by ER. I'm not into cop shows all that much, but I've been watching most everything at least once. Unless it's all those borish dramas from CBS. (Mentalist,Without a Trace,etc.) Southland had a strong resemblence to ER in terms of style, look, and story telling. Which made more sense as I saw in the credits it is produced by John Wells who also produced ER. Great script, handfull of really good actors, and I think this show has the makings for a hit. I guess if people watch that is. I highly reccomend checking it out as I have set to permanent record on my dvr.

The Unusual decision to make another Office in a Parks and Recreation office.

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Watched the pilot of ABC's THE UNUSUALS hoping that it would be a different take on the police drama. It is. One of the cases being solved was about a cat murderer. Which is fun. It's a very large ensemble, and a interesting one with the likes of Adam Goldberg, Amber Tamblyn, and Jeremy Renner. The only thing I'm not sure of is that if they handle unusual cases, or are just unusual themselves. So far the characters are not that unusual, (scared of dying/getting sick,has 6 months to live,father is rich)but neither are they doing much real cop work. By the end though they let you know where the show was going and who amongst the large cast it was concentrating on. And sure the cast is a bit unusual. Keep an ear peeled for the odd and funny dispatch calls, and Jeremy Renner who is interesting to watch. Also kudos to Kai Lennox who plays detective Alvarez with a misplaced ego. Show is worthy of a look see, and for me a watch of ep. two.

The OFFICE has two new episodes last night with them mainly focusing on the Michael Scott Paper Company. The best parts of these episodes has been something new for Jim and Pam to do thank god. Jim is stuck trying to impress the new boss, and Pam is struggling with leaving Dunder Mifflin. For the most part the Jim storyline has been the most fun to watch, as was the Andy/Dwight wooing of the new receptionist. As for the rest it was mixed. Sometimes with the Office in the last year or so they have been getting too involved with the storylines and plot. Which is why i think the best part of the sitcom season is the middle where they can just mess about and not have to worry about cliffhangers and such. Which is the opposite for dramas where they tend to be a bit more boring in the middle and they have you waiting for the ramped up action of the end of season. For example ,LOST.

Also watched Parks and Recreation, the new show from american Office developers, and starring Amy Poehler. The show had a good pedigree coming in and a great cast. The odd part of casting in this is that they cast the actors before they had a show. The creators knew they wanted to do a new show,and were planning a office spin off which morped into really having nothing to do with the Office. So they had locked in the actors before they knew what the show would be about. Which im sure the actors enjoyed cuz they got paid to be on 'hold' for six months and not do any work. I think the puzzling part was that if they decided to not do a Office spin off and keep the mockumentary style why did they still keep it in a office work enviroment. I'm not saying the show was bad, it was funny, but I don't understand why it's soooo similar.

So i watch two average Offices and one alright pilot ep, and then 30 ROCK which showed why the cast and show keeps winning award after award.

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SHOW TONIGHT!!!!!!!

12:30, PH Productions (whatisph.com) at Stage Left Theatre 3408 N. Sheffield. Show is called PHrenzy, and there is also a show at 11pm called Wheel of Phortune. One show $12, both shows $15. I'm playing in the later. What a deal!!

Someone in Scrubs saved my Life so I'm not Better Off Ted.

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Crammed in some shows last night. Was contemplating taking BETTER OFF TED off the dvr, but it earned more viewings after a great episode called 'Racial Sensitivity.' It's a funny,smart show, but the direction of what's actually happening has sort of not been complete for me. Sometimes it just seems like a different setting for a workplace sitcom, and at times seem to traject more of the main characters journey. Either way the last ep was really funny and so are the company ads they sneak in before the first commercial break.

Also watched LIFE which I've mentioned on her before as a great, under appreciated show on NBC. It was the season two finale and seemed to wrap up a major story line for zen detective Charlie Crews. Which is scary cuz I've have not heard if it has been renewed for a season 3 yet. If you like cop shows check this one out. Season 1 is on dvd, and all of season two is on Hulu.com

You can always tell which episodes of Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence writes. This season they seem to be the best ones. You can tell it's winding down a bit, but it's still one of my favorite shows out there. So many fantastic characters, and such a fresh new show. A show that with time will show how good it is.

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Playing this Friday at 12:30, PH (whatisph.com) at Stage Left Theatre 3408 N. Sheffield. Show is called PHrenzy, and there is also a show at 11pm called Wheel of Phortune. One show $12, both shows $15. What a deal!!

Also if you havent already, check out the trailer for the now completed Sasquatch Shorts sitcom pilot called 'Ruby's Rules.'

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/0beeddf578/rubys-rules-trailer

Import and Export Salvation or How I Learned to Love the Tv/Movie Blog Again Part II Resurection aka Rory's First Kiss (working title)

Well my desire to talk about shows and movies I watch (Import) with everyone is rekindled. And hopefully your desire to read and comment back is too. Imagine some nice candles, sips of wine, and Boyz II Men playing in the background as you read. And yes, I'll be wearing something silk. So...I watch a lot of tv and movies, which is sort of a desired occupational hazard. As in I desire to have a job in that area. And in tv these days good shows need to be watched, and people need to hear about them. Also needing to be watched is shows that I'm in, or videos being done. So I will plug those as well in the Export section. Simple as that I guess. So here goes Import & Export revamp.