I enjoyed this episode a lot. Not a great episode, but affectionate, charming and not at all nasty (see The Egg Salad Equivalency for an example of all the things this show should never be), and with some really big laughs. Say what you will about this show, but TBBT really loves its characters.

Agree about TJ. He was a cringeworthy character and felt like he drifted in from another, much more terrible TV show.

Brilliant post. Thanks for writing it. I totally agree.

Keiko Agena was so fantastically likeable and authentic in GG, I wish she'd had more of a career. Ditto Liza Weil.

It's strange that Sims wasn't blown away by the pilot. I rewatched it a few months back, and now think it's one of the most perfect pilots I've ever seen. It's just so complete and self-contained. The writing is fantastic - that smooth, relaxed, but funny, flirty, affectionate opening scene establishing that they are…

'Tim Leider,' it's funny how you think David Sims is a woman!

A lot of people think Bledel is a bad actor. I strongly disagree. People forget she had absolutely no training - she auditioned as a model, and this was her first role. If you consider the intensive script, the sheer amount of words she had to memorize each episode, all that walking and talking, and how absolutely…

'Where was Julius?' I read a while back that Michael Boatman - of whom I'm a big fan - has been cast in another sitcom, so that may explain the absence of Julius in this episode. I hope he continues to appear on the show though!

I agree. I literally (which is to say, genuinely) laughed out loud at that scene, and I am not an out-loud laugher, certainly not at TV shows, so this is saying something. Loved that scene!

I couldn't agree more about Carrie Preston. I would totally watch a spin-off show starring her Tascioni character. Preston deserves some kind of award for Person Who Steals Every Scene She's In. (Cumming was also really good this episode - he's been a bit too broad this season, mostly because his character has nothing…

I just watched this episode today. What a cracking 44 minutes. Absolutely terrific, near perfect. The mock-trial plot was genius (the scene with the overwrought actor especially amusing), and everything that is good about this show (subtlety, sophistication, intelligence, nuance, grown-up cynicism, dark wit) was…

I had almost given up on this show, after a string of awful episodes. But the last three episodes have been a huge improvement. I think that the Spoiler Alert episode is one of the most entertaining the show has done - it reminded me of a really good episode of Friends, everyone - writers, cast, director - firing on…

I totally agree with Dowd. I also thought Rabin overdid it with that stupid line. I mean, SERIOUSLY!

Wasn't that EVERY episode? (That's how I remember it, anyway.)

Great comment, MRC. Made me laugh!

I have this distinct memory of being at soccer practice on a rainy weekday afternoon, and having no interest in the sport, and wishing I was at home because Duck Tales was on…

I loved this show so much when I was a kid. (Conversely, I loathed 'Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers,' I would turn it off every time it came on, in disgust.) I am embarrassed to say I had forgotten about it, until I read this article. By the way, great work, Todd, on another exceptionally well written and astute piece of…

I'm on Team Akumaninja here. The singing-in-car shtick is tired and really should be put to pasture. Not sure why it offends you that Akumaninjia is pointing it out; it is valid (even astute) criticism.

Are Hardwick and Jenny McCarthy still in touch? Were they ever friends? What's the deal with that, anyway? (I was wondering…)

She won't do it. I guarantee you. She's not going to step into a sinking ship. The show will be cancelled very soon. For all intents and purposes, it's over right now.