Fit

I've rediscovered the joys of racquetball, and with it, some weight loss. Since picking it up again before the holidays, I think I've lost 8 to 10 pounds.

Matt and me are pretty evenly matched. Even though I have a few inches and several pounds on him, we each bring something different to the game. I was coming out ahead most of the time at first, but Matt has recently been taking me to the cleaners. And I love it.

We're both competitive people, but don't let it get in the way of a good time. I've taken to using nicknames for various scoring combinations in our matches. We play to fifteen points. Let's see if you can guess what these stand for.

• Slurpee Time
• The Tufnel
• Hockey Sticks
• Ishii's Crew
• Good Buddy
  

Entertainments Of The Week: March 6

A busy week led to less TV-viewing. Which is fine. Again, I've been playing catch-up on the DVR.

THE HIGHS:

NBC Thursday Night
Most of the week's tv-viewing is relegated to the sitcoms here. We caught up with the last new episodes over the weekend, which all delivered.

• The Office was up to its old highs by falling back on its strength - weird office politics. No one character was particularly showcased this week, which meant more time all-around for the ensemble. It was nice to see David Koechner's Todd "Pacman" Packer in for more than the usual cameo. Jim's put another notch in the arrow for pranking Dwight. Kevin-as-punching bag was good for a few laughs. Finally, Michael and Holly's sweet relationship continues to blossom, which will likely lead to the two moving off the show in the spring.

• Parks and Recreation had another strong episode following "The Office"'s template of strong ensemble work. Just about every character had their moment in the spotlight, with two plots splitting time between Leslie and Ron's trip to Indy and most of the rest of the characters celebrating a night out at Tom's partly owned (1/16th percent?) nightclub. Andy and April's romance has a comforting effect on me, harkening back to the old Jim/Pam flirtations on "The Office".

• Community started off a bit weak with what seemed like a forced-plotline of a student body presidential race, but turned out to be just an odd, one-off episode that highlighted most of the main character's flaws and assets. At worst, it teased yet another flirtation between Jeff and Annie. At best it relied on Abed's sincerity in assessing others and bringing out the best in them. My favorite part was Pierce's emphasized bastard-role that saw him getting revenge on a character we'd never seen before. Second best was the Dean's Uncle Sam costume and commentary during the election debates. Bonus points for another appearance by Greendale's own, "One Man Party" - Magnitude. Pop! Pop!

• We started catching up on five episode's worth of 30 Rock, but only managed to watch two. Thankfully they were very solid outings up with the best from season two.

THE LOWS

The Oscars brought out the worst in me online. After promising not to comment during the awards on social media, I did anyway. I don't think most of my awards-based views were too snarky, but a couple of commercials did. Anything with Celine Dion is lost on me, including what appeared to be a commercial about a disease that featured the songstress singing at the beginning and the end. Plus, she showed up during the broadcast. I muted it. The one comment I made that drew any sort of attention was about a commercial for one of ABC's sitcoms. Which brings me to:

• Modern Family. I've watched the show three times and don't like it. Twice I've stated as much on Facebook. Each time, I've received almost as many responses as when I've posted something political. Almost all of the hype over the show that I've been audience to has been from television writers and critics. General consensus with this combined group led me to believe that Modern Family is the funniest and smartest sitcom airing today. After watching it, I couldn't agree less. It truly seems to derive its humor from other sitcom tropes (which a lot of shows do). The best comparison I can make is that it would appear to be a standard studio sitcom filmed like a newer, one-camera show. The characters cover a wide range of archetypes (Cute step-kid, older husband, hot and ethnic younger wife, the gay couple and the normal couple). The thing here is, they're all related through the older husband and marriage. From what I've seen, it is a serviceable show and comes from good stock (Ed O'Neill and the creative team of Levitan and Lloyd are worth a look). But it just isn't anything close to all of the platitudes heaped upon it. As my friends Todd and Jane put it, humor is subjective.
  

• And because of this, my use of Facebook, was a low this week. I try to limit my status updates to things I like: Videos, other statuses, etc. More often than not, I end up complaining about something in the entertainment world. It's an easy target. Unfortunately it can lead to adverse reactions from other Facebook friends. I think my reaction to Modern Family came off as a criticism of those who watch it. That wasn't my intention. The dialogue that followed reminded me that somewhat public comments will be responded to from time to time. And once in a while the conversation that follows isn't particularly productive.
  

Entertainments Of The Week (February 27)

No damn car accident was going to keep me from my media. Damn it. It was an entertaining week even WITHOUT watching Thursday's NBC sitcoms.

THE HIGHS

• Archer - The eponymous ISIS agent adjusted to his new role as baby-daddy to bastard son, Seamus. A variety of cocktails kept the infant sedated while Archer's butler, Woodhouse, got his own spotlight. Seems that Archer's man Friday made a pact with a few other servicemen during the Great War that is turning deadly. After the prior week's, mostly one location plot in the South, it was nice to see more wrap-around scenes back at HQ. I can always go for more Pam and Dr. Krieger.

• Fallon - Still the best thing going on late night TV, Jimmy Fallon is the true torch-holder of his predecessors. From comedy (the return of "Real Housewives Of Late Night") to music (Bell, Biv, Devoe and Destroyer in the same week!) and gadgets (giving some love to HP's Palm lineup including their tablet, Palm 3 and Veer), this show delivers. At least in my household.

• Odd Future - Though it actually aired two weeks ago, this hip-hop collective made its debut on Fallon in a memorable fashion. Ski-masks, costume changes, garden gnomes, Zombie girl in a hospital gown and Tuba Gooding Jr. made a lasting impression on me when I finally watched it on the old DVR this week. I haven't been this excited about a new artist since the kid plant at the NBA Slam Dunk competition last weekend.

THE LOWS

• Full House - My kids have discovered this show and watch it from time to time. While working from the home office I overheard audio from a talent-show themed episode. The attention-starved and soon-to-be drug addled Stephanie performed her own Karaoke version of what Uncle Jessie introduced as "Love Shack Baby". Another notch in the arrow for the Miller-Boyett Crap Factory's cribbing from popular culture without giving props to the original artists. (See Beavis and Butthead on "Step By Step"). Hey, it may be crap, but it's ABC's crap. After all, they practically own the patent on talent show episodes of their sitcoms. Anyone remember the Shotz Talent Show or "What's Happening"'s Little Earl ripping off Steve Martin's act? No. Well, I do. And it is a burden I'll have to carry for the rest of my life.