balldave's reviews

I've watched this more than any other MTM episode. So well balanced with a good cast, as always. Even to the selection of Gustavo the waiter. Ted is a pompous jerk as always. A few quirks..why is Lou so fired up to try to get a helicopter when he was turned down bluntly at the staff meeting.

Watch for a missed line when Mary wonders "How many disasters do we get in Minneapolis ?" as Ted walks in..You see Murray motion to apparently comment 'Oh nice timing Ted.' But the loud audience reaction to Mary's comment makes it pointless for Murray to say anything and he motions to Mary that he's abandoned the line.

As preteens we would invariably take advantage of 'all you can watch' theatres back in the 60's. So we sat through back to back showings of Magic Christian; Planet of the Apes and the like. But not this turkey! Even as a pre-teen I couldn't tolerate the frantic inane dialogues and sloppy slapstick. It too highlights one of the burning conundrums of historical theatre. How did Ethel Merman (And Carol Channing) garner such adoration for her screeching monotone delivery and academy award level of over acting ? If nails on a blackboard could ever be captured on celluloid it was done here !

Here Jools Fahey tops the growing list of truly obnoxious characters on this show. Gina the pathologist is still a strong contender by virtue of her conceit and rudeness. Trudy vaccilates in and out of the list but will always be a top 5. Lest we forget too, seniors Doug and Ron. There are few residents of Brokenwood with any nice qualities; it's a virtual hell hole of miscreants. But in this episode the writers don't know when to stop and layer on the Jools craziness to the point where it totally detracts from the main plot. But it does look good on daffy Dennis the lawyer in the end. Oh sorry...lawyer Miranda holds a top ten place as well. If only she could act eh ?

Sometimes enough is enough. This episode has more than enough. Too much in fact. Too much of Johnny Oades and Rhys stupidity that stretches Amy level of credibility. When characters are this dim, it takes away from the enjoyment of the program when no one slams them against a wall for perpetual insulting police intelligence. Listening to others praising the virtues of these losers is also galling. And if no bad enough, bringing the borderline idiot lawyer Dennis in near the end piles on the Alice in Wonderland insanity. The police should be in control of this investigation but it's the criminals who always rule in Brokenwood.

I never thought Trudy would ever actually look, well almost likeable ..but in comparison to Pathologist Gina, she's quite pleasant. I was hoping over the course of 7 seasons they would eliminate her character or soften it. But episode after episode she's rude, arrogant and disrespectful! And where's the wimpy Mike Shepherd when she verbally assaults his staff..he stands there with his thumb up his nose , looking as useless as ever. In this episode again she counters every helpful comment from detectives with gain saying and opposite position just to be contrary. Can't anyone tell her she's a frumpy old bat ? And enough with the sickly lust-love for the chief...it's old and silly. Any normal man would have closed that down from day one !

Another episode where Ward feigns openess and acceptance only to not so subtly try and manipulate the boys to his way of thinking. He swore that Wally and Beaver could chose their own stock then pounced on them for making a 'speculative' choice. June pines in as well. In past she could be downright cruel. See when Beaver joins a record club; something they all thought was fine the night before. But when the boy gets his first records June cuts him with "I thought you decided not to spend your money so foolishly!" Thanks mom.

It's the same treatment the boys get with Wally's suit...his decision? Yeah sure !!

It's a common practice in most sitcoms through the decades to place the protagonist into situations for awkward comic effect. I love Lucy probably the premier example. At times it works well if there's a certain naïveté associated with the character. But when it morphs into an almost leadership role, it's cringing. (Not a sitcom but the Columbo series often did this. At times it was mildly amusing; but in a later episode where the Lieutenant leads a child's music class on an impromptu parade while he plays the tuba is uber awkward and ridiculous).

In this Van Dyke episode Rob is particularly annoying as he purposely wedges himself into the role of 'aide de camp' to Harry Bond. Even to the point of physically standing side by side with the g-man and adding criticism to his wife for cleaning the windows. And it gets worse with his little whispers to Bond "Your cover is holding". Then pressuring the agent to let him conduct the surveillance while the agent rests with a toothache. The accidental camera shot of Harry is funny but only by Bond's lament "Mr Petrie why did you do that ?" Why indeed.

A near closing segment encapsulates so much of what's wrong with this series. The worse flaw is thinking that they have to touch on every culture in the city. You can't..so please don't cover a Hindu temple plus eatery and exclaim it serves 'real Indian food.' Most of the segments were fine though snooty Al Roker was a bit much.

But the meal at the nursery/farm near the end was so off putting. They drive one hour north of the city to get there. That's NY state not city. And Rosenthal proclaimed it was his favourite restaurant! I've heard that before. Here they serve up wild, odd concoctions offering them as the epitome of dining sophistication. Flower petals and raw mushrooms with a barely cooked egg on top. Yuck !

Yea..we've seen this over and over ! Star goes to quaint favourite restaurants where no average person eats; raves about the paltry samples of cuisine but hypocriticaly repeats the same every place he goes. All the restaurants are near the best in Italy and all award winning chefs. What really irks is Tucci's mugging for the camera. At the experimental restaurant/farm near Milan he declared the food amazing! And marvelled at the environmental friendly preparation but never carries it over to other places asking if they prepare their food in this 'amazing' manner. And stop making us believe you're sampling food spontaneously! These visits are meticulously planned out in advance to serve what he likes.

Only two words needed really to sum up what's wrong with this show .. Frances Barber. Has there been a more dour, self righteous ol B than Dolly ? She spoils every episode with her sarcastic, one level acting style. And hey, if you don't like her here, you can double down by watching Chelsea Detective where she adds more snarkiness to spoil scenes there. This show tries desperately to roll every woke stereotype into its roster of characters. The good natured Pearl; the black, dreadlocked son and of course the naive barmaid Ruby who pursues him. The glum, moody detective with trenchant personal issues and on and on ..the only thing realistic is the bar owner, super sleuth...kidding !

Here's a mystery..how does this show stay on the air ? Not to spoil but a coin factors in an upcoming episode as well. Which takes us to the puzzle as to why a program of such sloppy, amateur plots is still on.

The story lines are muddled with little regard for logic or cohesion. The acting is little more than mugging for the camera. And please, enough with the elderly raging hormones. It's has little real life authenticity and is uber cringe worthy. Harry herself is no head turner and, by all accounts, an alcoholic! There's rarely a scene without her having a glass in hand...and often alone.

Don't get me started on the pathetic acting qualities of Fergus. Thank goodness for Glenn.

You would have hoped that powers that be looked at this show and at least tried to move away from the previous years of repeated tropes that leave many of us frustrated even ticked. Fraid not.

The chief Mike is as wimpy as ever; never confronting; never supportive of his staff; taking all the rude comments from the barkeep Trudy and even, the ridiculous pathologist Gina. More than a couple times in this episode the despicable suspects effectively told him to shove it and he just sighs (as well as Simms BTW) and ends the meeting.

In any other jurisdiction the police haul people in for withholding evidence or at least as viable suspects in a murder ! Not in Brokenwood.

Try as he will, Simon Callow will never be an actor in the classical sense. So many times you can imagine a director yelling 'cut' then telling Callow "You can't do it any better!" With the insidious double meaning intact. Fortunately he does not entirely distract from the overall flavour of the episode; rich in setting and intrigue. What amuses me is the familiar sequence of Poirot arriving at the mountain hotel by funiculare that has similar elements to Wes Anderson's Grand Budapest Hotel, complete with a Ralph Finnes knock off. Yes it is dark and at times, too frenetic. But no matter, it's an old fashioned cat and mouse and places Poirot where he belongs; among the very rich ...and dangerous.

IMO maybe the best Columbo clip ever is the final confrontation ! Flawless..two characters at their best. Watch for Patrick McGoohan's smarmy dialogue and over the top reactions. Priceless.

"Ah..the P31 Silva-star !" "You have a warrant for everything!" "I was younger and more beautiful then !" Columbo asks if he wants to hear the latest regarding China .."I would love to !" But the best is when he tries to convince Columbo he was in the office at night by virtue of the tape recording..he stretches out words in a pithy, sarcastic manner.."Did you hear the chimmmes ?" "Did you count themmmm ?" Iconic.

There are some lamentable poor episodes in the waning years of this show but the Gunslinger almost atones for those misfires. Everybody is in the pool in this High Noon dream spoof. The jokes are alternately sharp and eye rolling. But it never lags with humour so you accept the groaners because they are well placed and delivered. "Howdy Jesse..Howdy James...howdy Doody!" Some slick visual humour as well. Sheriff Rob takes out his six shooter and picks off one liquor bottle after another, lined up in front of a large painting. "Wow..nice shootin' sheriff !" "Not really...I was aiming at the picture." So it goes ..but the most memorable line is when Laura sees how her husband Rob has been shot and asks the loitering townsfolk.."Well I hope you're satisfied..are you satisfied?" Looking at each other, they nod and in a chorus "Yeah, I'm satisfied!"

Boy if there were ever two annoying characters in one sitcom episode this is it. The gang arrives in Albuquerque, Ethel's hometown and meet up with her 'Daddy'. Right out of the gate we see this immature local yokel acting sillier than a 4 year old. Then we discover that Ethel had been lying to folks back home; saying she was making a film in Hollywood.,not Ricky. What's so offensive about this entry is Ethel's bloated ego and lies. Actually quite out of character. The behind her back bits the others do while she sings are okay but not four star comedy. How she never guessed what was going on behind heros a stretch too !

There's so much wrong with this episode it's hard to know where to start. Why would Rob be in the will of an uncle who he hasn't seen in decades ? And if so, how could Rob be his favourite? Later when Rob and Laura scour through the desk Rob inherited, both state, that despite what Rob's uncle believed, they both hate riddles ..it brings out the worst in them ! Seriously??? Then Laura can't recognize a glass doorknob, thinking it's a diamond. Then the absurd notion that acclaimed civil war photographer Matthew Brady went to Gettysburg to take a picture of Rob's uncle as a baby ?! Please!

But the most offensive moment is Rose Marie jumping off the couch to horribly sing a lyric from Me and My Shadow. You are warned!

So goes the Dwight Yokum hit. But no woman shows consistent desperation for a man than Sally Rogers. To the point of cringe inducing. Maybe the worse is the The Making of a Councilman when Rob's campaign manager arrives at Rob's house and Sally, who never met the man before, jumps up and runs to him, starts touching his tie and expresses "My aren't you a handsome campaign manager!" Never caring that the man may be married with a family ! And in this episode we have a character parachuted in for one show, which is always annoying and Sally all of a sudden has high standards that this blue collar low life can't aspire to. She deserves spinsterhood!

Totally agree with ronnybee review. Another example of Laura/Mary over acting and over reacting! As a grown woman what on earth did she think these in-laws could do to her ? And note this is a trope carried through the series..the MIL inexplicable hatred for their son's spouse! But it's the hand wringing and whining that are so annoying. Much like the episode when Rob left her at the alter due to a sprained ankle. There's more examples believe me. I also doubt a person would react so absurdly with one or two 'purple' pills; singing and saluting and calling her MIL 'moo-moo' ! Of course Rob is not exempt either...numerous episodes showcase his silly reactions..see the episode when Richie is born !

I always enjoy Vito Scotti and he's in pure top form as the Petrie's house painter after Rob marks up a living room wall with a marker pen. But there are a lot of illogical aspects to this episode.

Why do they try and paint over the damaged wall with the color of paint that's underneath and that they recently covered over ?

Why does Rob keep digging for paint from an empty can ? Is he blind ?

Why did they let Vito paint other rooms and not the damaged one ? Just tell him to get at it !

And good grief..why is the house painter sleeping under a drop cloth in their living room?!?!

Even more absurd...how did one man move furniture, paint the large living room and put everything back before the Petrie's got up AND do it so they never hear what's happening just outside their bedroom?!?

Come on people! Ridiculous!

Totally disagree with the previous reviews. My wife can't take this show because the tension is too ramped up. Well, life doesn't come all ribbons and bows. People are unpredictable. The plot twist by the brother lifted me out of my seat and kept me riveted for the next 15 minutes. It wasn't totally surprising when you factor in the risks and the arrival of the unknown agent. A terrific roller coaster.

But a couple of issues. I would think the Noor character would, by now, be under strict surveillance and would not risk being seen with Night Agent personnel. And after Peter disposed of two Iranian Embassy security guards, wouldn't all lights be flashing and a phalanx of embassy security out looking for him ?

Moot points actually..it's a superb entry !

You're never quite sure what you're watching with the Today Show these days. A bit of British farce; some early Lucy maybe. Watching old Al Roker in full suit trying to do callisthenics is painful. The I Love Lucy episode about the Schedule is replayed with the cooking segments as cooks are almost pushed down the tables to get finished in 3 minutes ! So many complain about Craig scarfing food at the end of the table while the chef is still cooking. Not me.,it's probably what I would do. The only good part of the first segments is the lovely Dylan.

The Hoda - Jenna show can be amusing when Jenna gets a bit acerbic, tongue in cheek. But Hoda doubling over and laughing hysterically every 2 minutes is as cringeworthy as it gets. So phony.

Hard to package just how awful this episode is. Another case of big mouth Barney and no one to tell him he's inept and to clam up. Things are fairly believable until Gomer and Barney get lost in the woods. The sequence of these two fending for themselves is insulting and ridiculous. We're to believe that even an idiot like Barney believes Gomer trapped a pheasant, plucked it and had it all cooked while Barney was away all of maybe fifteen minutes ! This is followed by Barney's nonsense on finding their way back by the phony sound Andy makes of a 'lake loon'. As always, Andy and others swallow the truth just to spare 'poor' Barney's feelings...ugh.

Something nags at you watching this film. Like you've seen it before or at least in part. Then Jack, the main character, comes to Christmas Town and we see scene after scene so like Whoville in the Grinch. But before this we are subject to drab, ponderous singing and set designs. Nothing about the first 20 minutes makes you warm up to the story or any characters. But I mentioned the songs. Oh lord how awful. Who was targeted for this film ? Surely not children. My five year old grandson repeatedly asked to watch it and totally tuned out after 20 minutes. It was too late to miss the thoroughly obnoxious tune 'What's This ?' ..that mantra repeated ad nauseam as Jack sees a myriad of Christmas particulars he's not familiar with. It's a question you may ask after viewing, only in past tense 'What was that ?' !