I didn't see it as being run by "dinosaurs". Rather, I kind of thought the Nixon and Reagan jokes were supposed to make the situation/scenario of late night seem out of any time. Not timeless so much as insular. Time didn't matter.

I didn't see it as being run by "dinosaurs". Rather, I kind of thought the Nixon and Reagan jokes were supposed to make the situation/scenario of late night seem out of any time. Not timeless so much as insular. Time didn't matter.

I think it was sort of like punctuation on how very Lynchian the whole situation was. Without him there, I'm not sure I would have compared the curtains in the empty set to the curtained walls of the Black Lodge. It really emphasized the surreal, absurd nature of the business of late night television.

I think it was sort of like punctuation on how very Lynchian the whole situation was. Without him there, I'm not sure I would have compared the curtains in the empty set to the curtained walls of the Black Lodge. It really emphasized the surreal, absurd nature of the business of late night television.

3 Ninjas Kick Back, 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up, 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain.

3 Ninjas Kick Back, 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up, 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain.

I think your point about "watch guy" gets to some of the heart of this matter: A lot of Friends' influence changed (or reflected the change in) culture so profoundly, it's hard to even see the marks of the change these days.

I think your point about "watch guy" gets to some of the heart of this matter: A lot of Friends' influence changed (or reflected the change in) culture so profoundly, it's hard to even see the marks of the change these days.

Remember a couple years ago when that guy got stabbed on the Parade route just days before the Parade? The violence is still there, perhaps just less visible in the blinding glare of the new "urban village" condos.

Remember a couple years ago when that guy got stabbed on the Parade route just days before the Parade? The violence is still there, perhaps just less visible in the blinding glare of the new "urban village" condos.

I totally second (or 43rd) all the Peep Show votes and also nominate
- Summer Heights High
- Green Wing
- Black Books
- Malcolm in the Middle
- Andy Richter Controls the Universe
- The Wire in its entirety!

I totally second (or 43rd) all the Peep Show votes and also nominate
- Summer Heights High
- Green Wing
- Black Books
- Malcolm in the Middle
- Andy Richter Controls the Universe
- The Wire in its entirety!

And I also nominate its more-successful contemporary, Malcolm in the Middle! 2013: AV Club's summer of Bryan Cranston!

And I also nominate its more-successful contemporary, Malcolm in the Middle! 2013: AV Club's summer of Bryan Cranston!

Andy Richter Controls the Universe was about 5 years ahead of its time. It'd be great to revisit now!

Andy Richter Controls the Universe was about 5 years ahead of its time. It'd be great to revisit now!

Powers Boothe gets my vote, which I'm pretty sure is how casting works.

Powers Boothe gets my vote, which I'm pretty sure is how casting works.

Honestly, the music was one of the best parts of this episode. Vanessa Carlton was a stroke of genius.

Honestly, the music was one of the best parts of this episode. Vanessa Carlton was a stroke of genius.