This is a decent enough episode.  I wish Johnny Cakes didn't call Vito so explicitly on his reasons for leaving town — it's a cutting moment that he doesn't buy the "I miss my kids" excuse, but at the same time the dialogue is a bit too on-the-nose.  After the far more interesting, and slightly more subtle, interior…

This is a decent enough episode.  I wish Johnny Cakes didn't call Vito so explicitly on his reasons for leaving town — it's a cutting moment that he doesn't buy the "I miss my kids" excuse, but at the same time the dialogue is a bit too on-the-nose.  After the far more interesting, and slightly more subtle, interior…

Nah, Tobias would have said "You've blown my mind.  But I know I can always turn to you when I want to be blown!"  or "I hope someday to return the favor, and blow you!"

Nah, Tobias would have said "You've blown my mind.  But I know I can always turn to you when I want to be blown!"  or "I hope someday to return the favor, and blow you!"

I'm surprised you didn't mention the counterpoint:  comedies so thick with craft they completely lose the humor.  Mystery Men is a favorite example, since its set design and general tone makes it feel too often like a failed blockbuster superhero film instead of a Tick-like comedic riff on that kind of movie.  Cable…

I'm surprised you didn't mention the counterpoint:  comedies so thick with craft they completely lose the humor.  Mystery Men is a favorite example, since its set design and general tone makes it feel too often like a failed blockbuster superhero film instead of a Tick-like comedic riff on that kind of movie.  Cable…

The Middle East!  Morphine!   I LOVE THIS MAN AND NOW I LOVE HIS SHOW EVEN MORE!

The Middle East!  Morphine!   I LOVE THIS MAN AND NOW I LOVE HIS SHOW EVEN MORE!

The show may have been mediocre, but it produced a classic comedy line that happens to be a great insight:  "Every man wonders at least once in his life if he's gay.  Then you see a boob, you walk into a door, and that's that."

The show may have been mediocre, but it produced a classic comedy line that happens to be a great insight:  "Every man wonders at least once in his life if he's gay.  Then you see a boob, you walk into a door, and that's that."

That, and his bit about hearing his kids saying "ewwww!" in the bathroom.  Even before I had kids that totally cracked me up.  His horror at what two three year-olds could be doing that would make them say "Ew!" and the reveal as to what they were actually doing.  Plus, the punchline ("It could have been worse, they…

That, and his bit about hearing his kids saying "ewwww!" in the bathroom.  Even before I had kids that totally cracked me up.  His horror at what two three year-olds could be doing that would make them say "Ew!" and the reveal as to what they were actually doing.  Plus, the punchline ("It could have been worse, they…

If he got a cocaine habit, Columbia would instantly become the world's largest superpower.

If he got a cocaine habit, Columbia would instantly become the world's largest superpower.

It's a wonder there's any skin left over for the rest of his face.

It's a wonder there's any skin left over for the rest of his face.

The man can eat a slice of pizza in the rain without it getting wet, that's all I'm saying.

The man can eat a slice of pizza in the rain without it getting wet, that's all I'm saying.

I guess I see what you're getting at, but the show had such a mean streak to it, I have trouble thinking of it as "bland."  If I'm channel surfing for a mindless sitcom so I can have a soothing half hour to unwind, I'm far more likely to pause on Friends or Frasier than Raymond, which usually involved people yelling…

I guess I see what you're getting at, but the show had such a mean streak to it, I have trouble thinking of it as "bland."  If I'm channel surfing for a mindless sitcom so I can have a soothing half hour to unwind, I'm far more likely to pause on Friends or Frasier than Raymond, which usually involved people yelling…