I agree, I think C.K. miscalculated the degree that people would be turned off by the "forced kiss" scene. Within the context of that episode alone, it seemed his character was meant to be seen as a jerk, and fine: A protagonist can be a jerk. But the finale recasts that scene as merely an awkward initiation in a…

I chalked that conversation up as an uncharacteristic mistake. 'Louie' has always played (intentionally) fast and loose with continuity and reality, to its credit, even going so far as having the younger, flashback version of his first wife played by a lily-white actress who could not conceivably be the same person we…

I am with you all the way, I had the same experience of tiring on OoTnB about two-thirds of the way into season one – repetitive, low stakes, seemingly going nowhere. Which is why you can trust me here: Finish season one.

With novice actors I suspect the example set by the older actors and (especially) the director is a huge factor. Give them decent material and surround then with competent professionals and they can rise tod that level. If their learning curve is exchanging crap lines with indifferent hacks then that's how they're…

Lester is a recognizable human being who is at least somewhat relatable to the viewer. We can put ourselves in his shoes and contrast our decisions with his, and judge him on that basis. Malvo, as you said, is not relatable at all and functions more like a tornado or a wild animal – you can't reason with it, only hope…

Good note about his work on "King of the Hill," I recognized him as Artie but didn't know he voiced those characters. Interesting range.

The SMU dialogue was a really nice touch. A lazier writer would have just gone with the Dallas Cowboys, but the early eighties were SMU's moment in the sun and el jefe definitely fits the profile of a proud 'Stang.

Speaking of a show that had to crawl out of an initial hole. They fired the show runner for Rubicon in midstream and still pulled off a passable first season.

I'm going to stick with this show strictly for having Artie, the Strongest Man in the World deliver believable banter re: Pony Express-era SMU football.

The A.V. Club
Teenage fluff

I recall in the "behind the scenes" extras for The Office at one point a very exasperated Stephen Merchant says something to the effect, "You think it's a character but he actually is David Brent." I've always seen some of that in Gervais' "real" personality (or what we get to see of it, anyway) right from the…

I wasn't aware he was still making material as David Brent, which I find disturbing and will never acknowledge again.

Yeah, that is horrible advice.

Martin Freeman is doing some amazing work on this show.

Easily. I'd rank Mike ahead of Saul, maybe Badger, but Goodman's a three-seed at worst.

Nah, it was the screaming guy from the "Discount Double Check" commercials with Aaron Rodgers.

At six-plus minutes, it overstays its welcome and veers into country-life cliché

Yes, there was a ridiculous commercial that segued from Ginsburg freaking out over the new computer in the SC&P offices and screaming "get out while you can!" to a promo for Halt and Catch Fire, as if the two shows are deliberately, thematically linked. Because computers.

I reflexively do the inflation math on every dollar figure on this show and it is always astounding. For example, in today's terms Peggy's $100/week raise a few weeks back works out to an additional $33,500 per year on top of what she was already making (which adjusted for inflation was already well over $100k). When…

It may have been a throwaway in such a consequential episode but my favorite scene tonight was Sally with the nerdy kid looking through the telescope, because it felt like something out of one of a sepia-toned "Wonder Years" memoir with Sally in the role of Wendy Peffercorn. For longtime viewers who have watched Sally…