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About Greater Philadelphia / South Jersey:


 • Weekend Picks: Hello Labor Day
    TAKES in the Live Arts Festival

Friday: The Live Arts Festival & Philly Fringe Begin
Comedy! Dance! Theater! Music! Inexplicable shows that can only be described as "performance!" Kick off the first day of the festival with teenage Charlie Brown a multimedia show combining dance and film or a new adaptation of Dracula that promises to terrify.

Saturday: Winnipeg Babysitter
One of the most rewarding TV-watching experiences I've had is accidentally finding something amazing (amazingly good or amazingly bad) on public access. This film brings you the best (and most bizarre) from Winnepeg Canada's 70s and 80s public access shows.

Sunday: The Headhouse Farmers Market
Summer technically continues until September 23 and the Headhouse Farmers Market goes on beyond that. With that said enjoy the last "official" weekend of summer by visiting one of the city's "official" summer institutions.

Monday: Labor Day
Check out my guide to Labor Day events.

Looking for more things to do? Try the September events calendar.

Photo: Live Arts performers Nichole Canuso Dance Company from the show TAKES

Weekend Picks: Hello Labor Day originally appeared on About.com Philadelphia on Thursday September 2nd 2010 at 08:39:38.

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 • Philadelphia Marathon Nearing Capacity
    

Marathon Runners

I don't think of runners as procrastinators; they're the people who sacrifice Sunday sleep-ins to jog for two-and-a-half hours. However if there are any procrastinating runners out there you should know that according to a recent release from the City of Philadelphia the 2010 Philadelphia Marathon is nearly sold out. The half-marathon and 8K races typically fill up before the race weekend as well so if you're thinking about running on November 20 (for the 8K) or November 21 (for the marathon and half-marathon) you might want to sign up now.

Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC

Philadelphia Marathon Nearing Capacity originally appeared on About.com Philadelphia on Sunday August 29th 2010 at 18:01:25.

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 • Weekend Picks: A Brazilian Festival a Free Museum and Several Funny Philadelphians
    

Friday: Summer Samba Festival Kicks Off
Starting Friday night and running through the weekend this Brazilian cultural festival on South Street features music and dance performances kids' activities classes and more.

Saturday: American Swedish History Museum Flea Market and Open House
On Saturday the American Swedish History Museum is running a multi-vendor flea market on its grounds in FDR Park and offering free museum admission to visitors.

Sunday (and Monday): Philly's Phunniest Person Semi-Finals
Head to Helium to watch local comedians compete for the title of "Phunniest" Person in Philadelphia. There are two rounds of semi-finals Sunday and Monday nights and the final contest is on Tuesday August 31.

Looking for more things to do? Check out the August events calendar.

Weekend Picks: A Brazilian Festival a Free Museum and Several Funny Philadelphians originally appeared on About.com Philadelphia on Thursday August 26th 2010 at 08:40:24.

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 • So How About That 16-Inning Phillies Game?
    Phillies scoreboard during the 15th inning

Photo: Meg Favreau

So How About That 16-Inning Phillies Game? originally appeared on About.com Philadelphia on Wednesday August 25th 2010 at 09:06:34.

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 • Looking Towards Labor Day
    

Enjoy all of the white-pants-wearing and other summer activities you can folks: Labor Day is just two weeks away. If you don't have plans for the long weekend yet check out these Labor Day weekend events.

Looking Towards Labor Day originally appeared on About.com Philadelphia on Sunday August 22nd 2010 at 20:10:40.

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 • Weekend Picks: Folk Fireworks and Famous Philadelphians
    

All Weekend: Philadelphia Folk Festival
Enjoy three days of folk music and camping at this family friendly festival in Schwenksville PA.

Friday: Waterfront Fireworks
Throughout August the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation is setting off "FREE fireworks" at Penn's Landing every Friday evening at 9:15 p.m. I'm a little amused by the concept of "free" fireworks in the city as if there's anywhere you could set off fireworks over Philadelphia and reasonably charge people to watch them. Either way non-holiday fireworks are always a nice treat.

Saturday: Kayak the Schuylkill
From the Delaware on Friday night to the Schuylkill on Saturday: The Schuylkill River Development Corporation is offering kayak tours of our westerly river. Regular tours run at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. and a tour with dinner starts at 4 p.m.

Sunday: Philadelphia Explorers Inventors and Scientists
Learn about famous Philadelphia explorers inventors and scientists at this lecture and grave-to-grave tour at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Looking for more things to do? Check out the August events calendar.

Weekend Picks: Folk Fireworks and Famous Philadelphians originally appeared on About.com Philadelphia on Thursday August 19th 2010 at 08:46:22.

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 • More Free More Cheap
    

I've added some more ways to save money in Philadelphia and South Jersey:

More Free More Cheap originally appeared on About.com Philadelphia on Monday August 16th 2010 at 07:55:32.

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 • Weekend Picks: PA Dutch Eats PA Wine Sips and NJ Fine Arts
    

Pennsylvania Dutch donuts

Friday: The Pennsylvania Dutch Festival
Three words about this Reading Terminal Market event: Freshly made donuts. Plus more food handmade household goods bluegrass music and a petting zoo. Hopefully that last one will be outside the market.

Saturday: The Great Pennsylvania Wine Toast
At 4 p.m. on Saturday the Pennsylvania Winery Association is attempting to break the world record for the largest wine tasting ever. Wineries across the state will be participating offering free wine to any 21 folks who want to join in. If you're in Chester County you can check out events at wineries like Chaddsford Winery and Paradocx Vineyard or if you're in Philadelphia head to the event at the Devon Seafood Grill.

Sunday: Collingswood Crafts and Fine Arts Festival
This outdoor juried festival will feature 180 fine artists from across the country. Plus: music art activities for the whole family and food specials.

Looking for more things to do? Check out the August events calendar.

Photo: Donuts at Beiler's Bakery in the Reading Terminal Market. © Meg Favreau

Weekend Picks: PA Dutch Eats PA Wine Sips and NJ Fine Arts originally appeared on About.com Philadelphia on Thursday August 12th 2010 at 08:44:22.

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 • The Philadelphia Union: Are You Watching?
    

Sebastien Le Toux of the Philadelphia Union

During the World Cup it seemed impossible to walk by a bar in Philadelphia without seeing soccer on TV (and cheering fans playing hooky from work). Since the end of the tournament however Philadelphia's soccer fever has seemingly gone from an alarming temperature of 105 to a cool 98.6 degrees despite our brand-new soccer team. So I'm curious...

And if you are following the team do you have any recommendations for bars to watch games at? Leave your suggestions in the comments.

Image: Hunter Martin/Stringer / Getty Images

The Philadelphia Union: Are You Watching? originally appeared on About.com Philadelphia on Sunday August 8th 2010 at 22:22:42.

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 • Weekend Picks: First Friday and Festivals
    

Friday: The First
Go classic for First Friday in Old City or check out the art openings sales free refreshments and more in Haddonfield Mt. Airy or Doylestown.

Saturday: ACANA African Festival
This free festival celebrates African music dance and culture at Penn's Landing starting at 2 p.m.

Sunday: The DooWop Car Show and Street Festival
Rescheduled from last weekend the DooWop Car Show and Street Festival will feature over 100 cars live music children's activities a craft show food and more on East Passyunk Avenue.

Looking for more things to do? Check out the August Events Calendar.

Weekend Picks: First Friday and Festivals originally appeared on About.com Philadelphia on Thursday August 5th 2010 at 08:26:39.

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EDGEphiladelphia.com News:


 • Mass. Catholic H.S. Dean Athletic Director Loses Job Over Gay Marriage
    An instructor at a Massachusetts Catholic School has lost her job following her wedding to her female life partner. Fri 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST >> read more or comment


 • Cleveland Gay Games '14 Faces Problems Lawsuit
    A dispute between the Cleveland Synergy Foundation and the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) has energized rumors that unless a new organizer can be secured for the 2014 Gay Games Cleveland may lose the event to Washington D.C. Fri 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST >> read more or comment


 • Federal judge blocks Neb. ban on anti-gay church's flag mutilation
    A federal judge overturned Nebraska's ban on flag mutilation Thursday clearing the way for Kansas church protesters to continue trampling on the U.S. flag when they protest at military funerals. Fri 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST >> read more or comment


 • Court won't force Calif officials to defend Prop 8
    A California court has refused to order Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown to appeal a ruling that overturned the state's gay marriage ban. Fri 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST >> read more or comment


 • Obama administration official addresses LGBT elders in Chicago
    Doctor Howard Koh assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spoke to LGBT seniors at the Center on Halsted in Chicago on Tuesday Aug. 31. Fri 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST >> read more or comment


 • Aussie Anti-Gay Pol 'Not Perving to Porn'
    A New South Wales politician's office seems to have done a little research into the realm of porn--or rather a lot of research: up to 200000 hits to "suspect" online sites. Thu 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST >> read more or comment


 • UK's Foreign Secretary Denies Gay Rumors
    Britain's foreign secretary spoke out to say that he and his wife had "had enough" with speculations that he and a male aide were involved in an improper relationship. Thu 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST >> read more or comment


 • GOP Notables Headline Log Cabin Event
    In a sign of the times leading GOP lawmakers from the House and Senate are scheduled to appear at a Log Cabin Republicans event later this month. Thu 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST >> read more or comment


 • 6 Ore. men settle Boy Scout sex abuse cases
    Six men who were sexually abused three decades ago by a leader of their Boy Scouts troop have settled lawsuits against the national organization dedicated to building character among youngsters. Thu 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST >> read more or comment


 • Neb. newspaper to accept gay wedding announcements
    A Nebraska newspaper is easing its ban on publishing gay marriage announcements to allow notices about legally recognized same-sex unions. Thu 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST >> read more or comment




It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (our official tv show?):


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Review: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - The Gang Reignites the Rivalry (season finale)


Filed under:

mac and charlie
(S05E12)
Well that's it for season five of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It would have been foolish to expect something mind-blowing this week because as usual the show didn't go out with a bang or any nail-biting cliffhanger. Instead there were people vomiting naked chicks in blacklight paint beer and lots of screaming. Just another day for the owners of Paddy's Pub.

So in this episode the gang wanted to reclaim their former glory in a flip cup competition ("Flip flip Flipadelphia!") after getting banned many years ago for poisoning an opponent. Also keeping poison in a decoy jar in the fridge? Classic Charlie (not-so-classic Charlie was hearing him use the word "clout"). It also gave us one of the best exchanges of the episode:

Charlie regarding the poison: No I don't have any on me but I do keep some in my fridge at home in the relish jar.
Frank: There's poison in that jar? I thought I was allergic to pickles! What's in the jar with the skull and crossbones?
Charlie: That's mayonnaise. That's a decoy.
Frank: And the mayo?
Charlie: That's shampoo.
Frank: You're telling me that I've been putting shampoo on my sandwiches?
Charlie: If you're using the mayonnaise then yeah probably.

Dennis and Frank's whole situation with the frat boys was also pretty interesting if only to see Dennis treated like some sort of evil genius again. They've gotten into playing epic classical music while Dennis hatches plots haven't they? Anyway their shenanigans were fun to watch but weren't nearly as sexy or silicone-filled as Mac and Charlie's attempt to infiltrate the frat house. Taking both this episode and "Paddy's Pub: Home of the Original Kitten Mittens" into consideration I think Always Sunny wins the prize for trashiest looking lady extras.

As for Danny Devito in hipster-tastic skinny jeans well that in itself is worthy of mentioning. "Humpty Dumpty" was definitely the perfect description.

The episode itself was pretty funny though not the best of the season. It was good to close with a story that equally involved everyone in the gang and once again reminded us what a hazard they are to everyone else around them. That scene in the restaurant alone was a great example of that (joking about poisoning the water harassing customers casually pissing in the corner) not to mention gleefully singing the Flipadelphia song while a bunch of college kids (and poor poor Sweet Dee) throw up from poisoned beer. By the way I totally cracked up when Mac started pulling aside a bikini babe while still singing.

Going more big picture I've got to say that this whole season has been strange. We got some real gems with the Kitten Mittons video and episodes like "The Gang Hits The Road" and "The Waitress Is Getting Married" both of which really celebrated the ridiculousness of the show and the chemistry between all the actors. However the rest of the season didn't quite meet the same level as previous ones.

I don't want to say that the show has lost its charm because I'm not sure what the characters have could even be called "charm" but the tone has definitely changed to be a little more abrasive (man they really fell in love with yelling over each other). Now obviously changes in any show are completely natural and to be expected but I'm not sure that this development has benefited Always Sunny. Sometimes it felt like they were almost parodying themselves.

That said I'm probably nitpicking and honestly I only nit-pick the things that I love. It's still an endlessly quotable show and fearless in terms of pushing aside clean comedy and I'll be tuning in again next season.

[Watch clips and episodes of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia at SlashControl.

 

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Review: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - Mac and Charlie Write a Movie


Filed under:

mac charlie always sunny
(S05E11)
I think we all need to take a hot second to review what fantastic life-improving ideas this season has presented us thus far. Earlier we learned the benefits of funneling box wine into soda cans (beyond the immediate high class appeal of it all). Then we were schooled in the ways of the DENNIS System allowing us to more efficiently get ladies to bang. And in this episode we learned that keeping sausage links in your shirt pocket is a smart way to keep your hands free and open to get greasy in other ways.

This is all shaping up to be a fine education folks. I think it goes without saying that It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is Sesame Street for adults.

In this episode: Schemes schemes and more schemes! Dee got as close as she has ever been to the big time by nailing a featured extra part in an M. Night Shyamalan film. Mainly the role just involved her being face-down in a puddle of blood for a few seconds onscreen but of course she managed to screw it up somehow. Thank goodness for Kaitlin Olson by the way and her willingness to be drenched in red for half an episode and delivering lines like "That slumdog bastard twisted all of us!" Fantastic.

That said as much as I enjoy watching Dee spectacularly fail at pursuing her Hollywood dreams I would have loved to see more exploration in the actual "Mac and Charlie Write a Movie" story. All of Mac and Charlie's brainstorming session was complete gold (the oddly specific choice of casting Dolph Lundgren particularly inspired) as was their teaser poster for Crime Stinks: The Smell of Penetration ("He nose the truth"). Watching Mac and Charlie run around town trying to cobble their script together would have been enough ridiculousness to fill an entire episode by itself I bet.

Dennis on the other hand spent most of the episode rubbing his phone and writing a film script with just his thumbs I guess. His own shining moment came during his brief contribution to the writing process. It was great enough to warrant me listening to it three times in a row just to transcribe this one little part:

"Then he smells crime again he's out busting heads. Then he's back to the lab for some more full penetration. Smells crime back to the lab full penetration. Crime penetration crime full penetration crime penetration -- And this goes on and on and back and forth for 90 or so minutes until the movie just sort of ends."

All in all a pretty fair episode a typical example of what one can expect from the series doubly so because the gang once again ended up as a group of deluded and delighted failures. Except for Dee. She's just a failure.

[Watch clips and episodes of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia at SlashControl.

 

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Review: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - The DENNIS System


Filed under:

always sunny dennis system
(S05E10)
A weird thing has been happening this season where I find myself really appreciating what the writers have been doing with the gang but I'm not laughing nearly as much as I should. This episode was a prime example of that. Dennis is notorious for his way with women so hearing a full breakdown of the DENNIS System should have been a complete riot (a riot with cringing sure). I smiled at certain parts and quietly enjoyed the scary-elaborate ways of Dennis and the rest of the gang though ultimately the laughs fell short. Perhaps things are feeling a little forced this season?

Trust in the douchiness of your characters and the chemistry of your actors writers! The lines will come.

The all-too straightforward initial DENNIS System lesson like a twisted mishmash of seduction community teachings and psychopathic phone-harassment was beautifully executed ("Pizza's good..." "You're the one that's good") and there is something startling and fantastic about Mac in glasses and a cardigan (Yes. More librarian attire on the Paddy's Pub boys please). I think the actual explanation and illustrative sequence was funnier than the way the events eventually played out.

The horrible feeding chain naturally developed by the rest of the gang to swoop in and take Dennis' leftovers was also an inspired concept with each level becoming less and less intricate. Ladies don't deny how you would react if Danny Devito "accidentally" dropped a Mangum condom by your feet. It clearly means he has a "monster dong."

When the Waitress made her return in "The Waitress Is Getting Married" (still holding strong as the best of the season so far) we missed out on some of that classic Waitress/Charlie interaction. Not that they'll ever get together without some ridiculous deus ex machina or if Charlie starts bathing properly (probably also by deus ex machina) but if they were to do so they should totally run a carnival together. It seems so right.

A surprise standout performance was delivered by Travis Schuldt as Ben Dee's SoldierofFortune putting on those stupid cut-offs again and making his second appearance on the show. He brings out the best horribleness in Dee. I'm wondering if he's the first completely good and well-intentioned character that has ever appeared on Always Sunny. Like ever. Even Rickety Cricket revealed himself to have ulterior motives when he was a priest the initially innocent lawyer guy exacted his revenge on the gang in the Kitten Mittons episode and the seemingly vulnerable and eager Artemis turned out to be kind of crazy and a little too eager. Maybe Fatty Magoo came close but Ben is simply niceness incarnate in one grinning sweaty guy in a car.

Also I damn near lost it at Ben's line "I like turtles." I think that may have been the first time I've ever heard someone reference that video in a sitcom. I believe I only laughed out loud at this moment and Dee's needlessly panicked physical reaction to the picnic. Yup.

 

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It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Christmas Special rolls out red carpet


Filed under:

A Very Sunny Christmas brings up the yuletide cast of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.The cast of the FX sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia gathered a stone's throw from Beverly Hills this week to celebrate the release of the show's new Christmas special.

A Very Sunny Christmas arrives on Blu-ray and DVD November 17 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Fox teamed with Maxim Magazine to hold a festive bash last Thursday night at Guys and Dolls Lounge in the shadow of Cedar Sinai Hospital on Beverly Blvd. (Event gallery below.)

A modest red carpet set-up gathered a cramped collection of reporters and photographers together to greet the arrivals of show stars Danny DeVito Kaitlin Olson Rob McElhenney Glenn Howerton and Charlie Day.

As if looking to mimic the bleak Philadelphia winter rain sprinkled the LA streets in the hours leading up to the event -- and temperatures hovering in the low 50s made it a goose bumpy night for the several cocktail dress-clad ladies mingling in the crowd.

%Gallery-78219%

The upbeat affair was a study in contrasts. Video screens featuring Very Sunny Christmas scenes hung over the party-ers inside the lounge -- serving up the image of Philadelphia's earthy blue collar characters flickering over LA's sparkling hipster party crowd.

The traditionally dim red-tinged light inside the Guys and Dolls Lounge (since there isn't a club in LA that isn't darker than the last frames of Paranormal Activity) cast a surreal haze over the Christmas decorations displayed in every corner and on every table.

Copies of Maxim Magazine complete with the publication's standard stock of bikini-rich photos caught the grown up eye more than the giant nutcrackers and Christmas ornaments populating the corners.

But the holiday cheer was flowing from the black-clad mixologists and the guests lucky enough to get past the red robe were having a good time -- whether or not they were really in the Christmas spirit. The show stars and their entourages bellied up to the bar with the other guests and everyone got along better than the show's own mismatched characters.

As for the DVD at the center of the bash Fox Home Entertainment says it "...contains all the wildly inappropriate behavior as the Sunny crew rediscovers the joy of Christmas and embarks on a holiday adventure filled with stolen toys childhood videos naked elves and a run in with Santa Claus."

What more could you ask for during the holiday season?

 

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Review: It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia - Mac and Dennis Break Up


Filed under:

its always sunny
(S05E09) Well. This episode was certainly successful in further quelling the doubts of any audience members that are still for whatever reason unconvinced that all the guys from It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia are actually super-gay for each other. Yeah not just "gay" but "super-gay." Considering the adorable almost symbiotic nature of the guys' relationships I would probably just refer to them as "hetero lifemates" but Frank and Charlie play Nightcrawlers and we all know what happened onstage between Dayman and Nightman in "The Nightman Cometh." Don't fight it.

It was fascinating how protective -- almost a little motherly -- Mac acted toward Dennis. Peeling his apples making him "check-in" all the time... I half-expected him to wipe schmutz off Dennis's cheek at some point. If anything I would have expected this relationship to work the other way around. I suppose Mac's sleeveless tops and Dennis's Oxford shirts fooled me.

Frank and Charlie's relationship was equally fun albeit a little less adorable. More creepy. And a little dirty (in that gross-germy way not hot-filthy). Take a few moments to consider Frank's toe knife and their candy wrapper first-aid techniques and then try not to gag. I realize that you've also probably repressed the idea that Frank and Charlie are more than likely father and son but that's an important detail too.

Still all creepiness aside their living situation is what works for them and any interference as shown by Mac desperately trying to clean up after them and covering their bed-couch in plastic throws everything off-balance. I like to imagine them walking through Philly together with a herd of furious cats trailing behind them.

Then... Dee. Oh poor Sweet Dee. She on the other hand is the only un-matched member of the gang which is a shame because I love episodes where she and Charlie team up. In fact I enjoy that combo more than I do Dee and Artemis who has just been kind of getting on my nerves lately (her Coyote Ugly audition was her high point). It also seems like Dee's frustrations and misery are part of the glue holding together Mac/Dennis and Frank/Charlie.

All in all this was an all right episode. It wasn't nearly as quotable as some other installments from this season but it was fun to see how far they could push the chemistry between the guys. Also: More cat humor.

In other news can we just get the Christmas special over and done with already? I don't think I can handle seeing ads with a sweaty Danny Devito writhe out of a sofa like a giant furniture baby anymore.

[Watch episodes and clips of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and other shows over at SlashControl.

 

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Review: It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia - Paddy's Pub: Home of the Original Kitten Mittens


Filed under:

kitten mittens
(S05E08)
Yes! Finally. The moment we've all been waiting for. Ever since the season five promos first aired I have been eagerly anticipating some sort of context for Charlie's uncontrollable eyebrows and the ridiculous Kitten Mittens (or Kitten Mittons as it were). Seeing the ad in full certainly didn't disappoint though I wish we could have seen more Kitten Mittons throughout the episode. Admittedly thirty-some minutes of cats struggling in booties probably doesn't sound like a hot idea but hey animal humor has sustained many a clip show.

Plus I heart over-enthusiastic Charlie.

There were a lot of good moments in this episode not to mention a whole lot of crap I found myself compelled to buy. Kitten Mittons have no purpose in my life and the Dick Towel isn't really my thing but I immediately searched for Mac's super-straightforward RIOT shirt as soon as I saw it. I had no idea but apparently FX has an As Seen On shop where you can buy some of the shirts that the characters wear including the RIOT one I liked. I don't think I'll be dropping $30 for a shirt that will make me look the opposite of bad-ass but it's nice to know it's an option. I also hunted down Charlie's leprechaun vs. jackolope shirt for those of you who are interested.

Also yes... DickTowel.com is a real site and all the Sunny fans broke that corner of the Internet when the episode premiered last night. A web exclusive infomercial is also included and it looks like you can really buy a dick towel (funny functional sexual) for twenty-something dollars. Warning: If you're offended by crudely drawn genitalia maybe you shouldn't click.

Apart from creepy merchandise and a lot -- A LOT -- of fake boobs (no seriously what was up with all those fake boobs?) this episode also marked the return of the gang's go-to lawyer guy played by Brian Unger. Part of me expected his life to get screwed over Rickety Cricket style but he managed to pull a few sneaky lawyer moves and give the gang a taste of their own douche medicine.

I dare you to even try to get the thought of "douche medicine" out of your mind.

And the ridiculous combo ad at the end... Oh dear. That is worthy of mentioning on its own. I'm not sure if you noticed but there were a lot of fake boobs in this episode. Did I say that already? The inclusion of Montell Jordan's "This Is How We Do It" as the background song also made it funnier somehow. The footage of the gang's brief (and dangerous) reporting stint was also beautifully included as was another excuse for Danny DeVito to gag uncomfortably and look gross. Inherently hilarious is what that is.

All in all this was a fine episode. Plenty of good lines were there including this little exchange:

Frank: You bring a woman with cans like that into the convention you sell the idea in a second!
Mac: So this your plan? You're gonna go into the convention waving a gun in people's faces throwing tequila in everybody's eyes with a big-titted woman!?
Frank: ... Duh-yeah.

[Watch episodes and clips of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and other shows over at SlashControl.

 

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Review: It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia - The Gang Wrestles for the Troops


Filed under:

birds of war
(S05E07) This episode brought back many things that fans of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia have already come to know and love: nearly aggressive patriotism needless shirtnessness songs sung in falsetto and of course Rickety Cricket. I would like to also submit that the Birds of War get-up (pictured above) would be perfect for this Halloween especially if you're desperate for few high-fives or silent nods of approval. It covers a wide range as it appeals to both Always Sunny fans and people who like America and/or chickens. I mean eagles.

Overall this was a pretty solid episode though not the funniest of the season. The guest appearance by Rowdy Roddy Piper (sans kilt) as Da' Maniac was especially great possibly the funniest part being his interrupted tender moment from the back of a cop car. Also Da' Maniac supposedly calling Mac the n-word for no reason and Charlie's extremely literal "Look at this dude! That's just a bucket of chestnuts" made me laugh way harder than they should have.

Dee's Desert Rose storyline culminated in her getting smacked across the face with a folding chair right in the middle of singing "Kiss from a Rose." Comedy gold right there. Also am I the only one that liked Artemis the best when she did her Coyote Ugly audition and not quite as much any other time? I'm not against her character at all but I don't know maybe licking Dennis' face during her first appearance just set the bar too high.

Oh and Rickety Cricket. Poor poor Rickety Cricket. I was foolish to think even for an instant that Rickety Cricket would emerge triumphant against the gang. He rode the high of victory for a brief moment (as the Tali-bum) only to get slit in the neck with Frank "The Trash Man" Reynolds' rusty trash can. Isn't that how things always end?

Now for your imagined-singing pleasure here are the lyrics to the Birds of War intro song. Make sure you warm up before you attempt those "Ahh-aa-aa-ahh"s (the actual epicness of which have been approximated in my write-up).

Stomp clap. Stomp-stomp clap.
Stomp clap. Stomp-stomp clap.
Stomp clap. Stomp-stomp clap.
Ahh-aa-aa-ahh
The eagle's born out of thunder
Ahh-aa-aa-ahh
He flies through the night
Ahh-aa-aa-ahh
Don't you mess with his eggs now
Ahh-aa-aa-ahh
Or you'll see him fight
Ahh-aa-aa-ahh
Yes we have feathers
Ahh-aa-aa-ahh
But the muscles of men
Ahh-aa-aa-ahh
'Cause we're Birds of War now
But we're also men!
Birds of War!

Don't forget the over-enthusiastic cawing.

[Watch episodes and clips of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and other shows over at SlashControl.

 

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The League -- An early look


Filed under:

The cast of FX's 'The League.'
Fantasy football is a tricky thing. You either love it or you hate it and that largely depends on whether you're good or bad at it. For the most part the same can be said about FX's newest comedy The League. When it's good it is good but when it's bad... well you get the picture.

The show which premieres tomorrow night Thursday 10/29 at 10:30 p.m. after It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is FX's first solid attempt to produce a lasting companion piece to Sunny and given some of its predecessors (like Starved or Testees) it'd be easy to write The League off. But like a two-minute drill that gradually picks up steam The League might actually go... all... the... way.

OK -- no more football metaphors.

After screening the first two installments there are certainly some striking differences between the two eps. The pilot focuses largely on the tight-knit group of friends who comprise the league and how their everyday lives create complications when trying to figure out who to start at quarterback this week.

Mark Duplass stars as the league's reigning champion Pete whose wife Meegan (Leslie Bibb) doesn't think fantasy football is worth all the time that he puts into it. On the flip side Stephen Rannazzisi plays Kevin and his wife Jenny (Katie Aselton) essentially runs his team for him. Kevin's brother Taco played by Jon Lajoie (yes -- the pedophile beards guy) is the one who has no sense whatsoever about football yet still seems to make great picks. Nick Kroll plays Ruxin the one who's never won before and will do anything to take home the championship this season despite sexual frustrations at home with his wife Sofia (Nadine Velazquez). And rounding out the group is Paul Scheer's Andre the rich successful doctor with no real smarts who makes boneheaded moves like drafting players who retired three seasons ago.

The pilot explains all this and for the most part suffers as a result of the expository necessity because these are known characters -- sex starved men with nagging wives little kids job problems and borderline alcoholism. It all gets in the way and at times the pilot can be tedious because of that. It also suffers because believe it or not there's too much emphasis on fantasy football. But again it's all set up and it needs to be explained.

By the second episode once the fantasy draft is over and these characters are able to settle into their routines that's where the fun starts. Is it a lot of dick jokes? Yeah for sure but in many cases it is very smart humor. Wait until you hear the explanations behind things like "vaginal hubris" or "Eskimo brothers." The humor factor is also greatly benefited by Lajoie who brings his viral video sensibilities to a few scenes where he picks up a guitar or microphone. Additionally it's not just the guys having fun. The wives steal plenty of scenes on their own whether it's feeling each others breasts or putting a finger where it shouldn't be.

Co-created by Jeff Schaffer one of the twisted minds behind Curb Your Enthusiasm it's somewhat comforting to know that there is a certain level of comedy pedigree pulling the strings but it's still hard to see how a show with this premise can develop into a lasting hit. The potential exists and in some ways it's a shame that it's not possible for a single camera comedy to react to current events in the same way that South Park does because every week in the NFL provides something to laugh at. From what I've seen so far the same thing unfortunately can't be said about The League.

 

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