Summer Poolies Watch- Comedy

Before I get into chatting about the comedies that have been airing this summer, I'd like to give out a two-sided warning. If you are one of my readers that love the Disney Channel shows, continue on excitedly. If you are one of my readers that write off the Disney shows without ever giving them a chance, then stop here because Party Down is really the only other comedy that's been on the air so far this season.

Let's take a look at the big one. The Seinfeld Award for Best Comedy Series. The only series nominated last year that that has aired is Jonas and after a revamp of the show, I'm shifting it to the drama category. So who then who is vying for a spot thus far? Well Party Down is right there on the cusp, but it's schedule really hurts it for the Poolies. Six eps of the second season aired during last year's time frame, and then four more came out in June. With no third season in sight, it's hard to imagine a nomination for four eps.

So now we get to the Disney shows. Here is my current order of how good they've been since June 1st. 1) Sonny With a Chance. 2) Hannah Montana. 3) Wizards of Waverly Place. 4) Good Luck Charlie. Sonny has excelled thanks to the vast improvement of Demi Lovato and an awesome two-parter in 'Falling for the Falls.' Hannah is off to a good start in its final season, with the exit of Smokin' Okin coming as a pleasant surprise.

What else have I been checking out on the comedy circuit? TVLand's Hot In Cleveland and FX's Louie. Neither have done much for me. Even though Louie is getting rave reviews, it's all Mr. CK and his down on his luck character/personality is not funny to me. And then with Cleveland we have a 90s style sitcom, which I'm mainly watching for the appearance of Joe Jonas later this season.

I only have four dudes in the running for the Cory Matthews Award for Best Lead Character in a Comedy, but does anyone other than Larry David have a shot if Curb comes out before June 2011? Henry Pollard and his final four eps lead the way, while Justin Russo and Chad Dylan Cooper, from Wizards and Sonny, respectively, have had good starts to the season. Louie CK, who some feel is the funniest man in the world, rounds out the group.

The Arthur Spooner Award for Best Supporting Character in a Comedy has had more competition early on. You have a trio of Party Downers in Kyle, Ron and even Roman who wasn't as annoying to me this season. Robby Ray Stewart has kept up his obnoxious antics so far and should be able to secure a second straight nomination if things continue the way they have. Although Sonny's Grady Mitchell knocked it out of the park with his "coupon" lines, Max Russo of Wizards is the only other one with a chance.

Quietly becoming one of the toughest categories to crack, the Phoebe Buffay Award for Best Female Character in a Comedy is off to a good start. What can you say, but adult television doesn't know how to create funny female characters. They leave that to the kids shows. The triple Disney threat of Sonny Munroe, Alex Russo and Miley Stewart will most likely be my one, two and three next June no matter what else happens. Casey Klein of Party Down had a very good showing this season and should be in the running for a nomination. Then there is Lilly Truscott of Hannah and the Duncan girls of Good Luck Charlie.

Not much to hate so far in the world of comedy. One comes to mind though. Lydia Dunfree of Party Down. As a replacement for Jane Lynch's Constance, she annoyed the heck out of me every time she was on screen. Also a couple to hate from Sonny are Nico, who was nominated last year, and Zora who should have been.

And finally we have the 'The Dealership' Award for Best Comedy Episode. I've got two in mind so far. Party Down's 'Company Picnic' and the aforementioned 'Falling for the Falls' of Sonny With a Chance.

And next we will have a look at the early season drama doings here at the Pool.

Party Down- Reading Departure Signs

Spoiler alert...Below are some thoughts on last night's season two finale of Party Down, 'Constance Carmell Wedding'. So watch the ep, eat a tenth of an ounce of marijuana, and read what I had to say.

Patrick Duffy- "After making love in a glider plane over the rain forest...and then again in the waterfall where we crashed."

Constance Carmell- "That was you?"

For me Party Down is sometimes funny, rarely hilarious, mostly clever and occasionally cringe-worthy. It's a comedy that I enjoy, but can't remember a time I laughed out loud during it. Last night's episode was no different in that sense, but everything seemed to come together nicely for a season finale.

Because of Adam Scott's departure to Parks and Recreation and Ryan Hansen's pilot Friends With Benefits getting picked up, it is hard to imagine a third season would be a good idea. Scott's Henry Pollard isn't the funniest of characters here, but he is the glue that holds the whole thing together. It doesn't make much sense to replace him with a similar straight man that we have yet to meet. Party Down really isn't about a bunch of struggling artists who have to work in catering. It's about a struggling artist who has to work as a caterer and deal with this strange assortment of characters.

If this was the last Party Down we are blessed with, I'm happy with the way it went out. The fact that Henry is going to attempt to get back into the acting game is great. I'd really like to see this kid make it out there in this tough world.

As far as the episode itself, the highlight was Jane Lynch returning as Constance to get married to some old dude who croaked immediately following the ceremony. She's no Sue Sylvester, but Constance seemed much more enjoyable than any of her first season episodes. The fire between her and Lydia was fantastic.

What didn't work for me this week? Ron and his ridiculous search for love and success. I really liked this dude in season one for complaining about his employees, but this year he has taken a fall because all he does is fawn after numerous ladies. Not nearly as funny.

I guess I'd say this season was better than the first, but neither one was that great. I want to say that comedies need to be more than ten episodes, but Curb Your Enthusiasm does 10-12 and knocks it out of the park. Party Down is just an average series, I don't care what the high brow critics say.

Bi-Monthly Power Rankings- Honorable Mentions

Well it's that time again. Along hearing myself talk, here at the Quiet Pool Perspective we like to let you know what tv you should be watching. Every two months I give you a few quick thoughts on the best television out there for viewing in what we call here at The Pool, the Bi-Monthly Power Rankings. As always I will rank the top 20 series on tv and then come up with 10 more as honorable mentions. Because of the sheer volume of great tv out there in 2010, the honorable mentions won't necessarily be 21-30, just the one's I want people to know about at the time being. For example, this time around Californication, House and Greek aren't on my list of Honorables, but that doesn't mean I don't like them more than those that are. They got a shout out last time so I'm making room for some newcomers.

Honorable Mentions

Show- (last time)...red=moving down, green=moving up

90210- (16) Tuesdays on The CW
The acting and writing continues to be terrible, but that's never stopped me before. 90210 is worth watching for nostalgia, atmosphere and Naomi Clark. She is still somewhat of a villain, but she's really the best on the show because she is just completely out there about every topic on earth.

Bored to Death- (-) Sundays on HBO
This dry, subtle comedy had only a short first season to wet my appetite, but I'm hungry for more. Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis are quite the trio. I'm still waiting for Zach's character Ray to throw some of his empty Schweppes cans down a tube into the basement.

Flash Forward- (20) Thursdays on ABC
They still haven't sold me with a lot of character development on this show, but the mystery keeps it a worthy watch. What's the deal with the blackout? Who's a bad guy? What will happen next? These are all questions that keep me involved in the plot of the show. Now if they could only get me to care about what happens to the characters, it might move up the rankings.

How to Make it in America- (-) Sundays on HBO
Another HBO series that got a short first season order. How to Make it, which was labeled as Entourage East early on, was much better than the LA dramedy this year. The way they use New York City as a character is fantastic, and it might be worth the watch just for the superb opening credits alone.

Life Unexpected- (-) Mondays on The CW
The first of two straight family dramas just finished up its first season run and still hasn't been re-upped for a second. Life Unexpected always give off a loving feeling, even if the given episode deals with some strange form of tragedy. I for one continue to want to see good things for this small family of three.

Parenthood- (-) Tuesdays on NBC
And then there is the big family drama. If you ever have enjoyed Brothers and Sisters, this is the show for you. Parenthood is basically a good version of it. Less stupid drama, more real life issues and comedy. Oh and there are actually characters on this show that are likable. One of them happens to be Dax Shepard's Crosby. I never thought I could like this dude, but he brings it here.

Party Down- (-) Fridays on Starz
Adam Scott is leaving the show for greener pastures at NBC next year so watch it while it's still around. Season two has opened with Adam's Henry Pollard as team leader of the catering company and he has a new outlook on life. It's much different than the down on life Henry we first met in season one, but Adam Scott can pull anything off in my book, even an acapella Sweet Child O' Mine.

Rules of Engagement- (-) Mondays on CBS
It always seems to get a half season order, but Rules is not only the only Monday CBS comedy that is good, but the only one that is tolerable. All five leads bring something good to the table. Adam, although he gets less air time than David Spade's Russell or Patrick Warburton's Jeff, is the highlight of every week for me. His combination of self-deprecation, loser attitude, and femininity bring about most of the laughs every episode.

Treme- (-) Sundays on HBO
As I mentioned in my first review of the series, Treme has gotten off to a good start. The quality of the writing and acting has been great so far. The only thing holding it back are story lines that don't give you much to hold on to. In the same way that Mad Men started out as a period piece about people working at an ad agency, Treme has started as the same in post Katrina New Orleans. If the new David Simon series can grow in plot the way Mad Men did over its second and third seasons, I'll be excited.

V- (-) Tuesdays on ABC
V has returned from its long hiatus, and done so in fine fashion. The battle between good and evil is on the verge of coming to the forefront. If there is a major downfall in V it is that they really haven't kept it a surprise that the Visitors are bad. Before the show started they made it seem like it was going to be a question of whether or not you should trust the Vs (not that different than The Others on Lost). Although many of the people in this universe may trust the Vs, there is no mistaking that they should not be trusted, and that just leaves a lot of mystery out of the equation.