Pilot review: "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23"

I won't try to hide it: I love me some James van der Beek. Whether he's playing Dawson, playing Moxon, or playing himself, I just enjoy seeing him on the screen. I especially enjoy that he can make fun of himself, and that's what he does on "Apartment 23" - he plays a fictionalized, (hopefully) exaggerated version of James van der Beek. But he's not the only good thing about this comedy pilot. Let's dive in, shall we?

I also adore Krysten Ritter, and have ever since she played lovably annoying Gia Goodman on "Veronica Mars". She brings a fun-bitch quality to the character of Chloe, the titular bitch in apartment 23. Chloe lures innocent new-to-New-York girls like dreamy wide-eyed June (played by Dreama Walker) to be her roommate, takes their rent and deposit money, and then scares them out of the apartment. But June won't go so easily - she's tougher than Chloe expects, and for that reason Chloe starts to like and respect June a little bit. They have a rocky first week together, but it seems like they may end up friends; however, I don't think Chloe's purged all of her crazy just yet. At least I hope not!

Walker as June and Ritter as Chloe. Photo: ABC.

Ritter can bring a punchy fun to playing the unhinged roommate, especially if characters like obsessed former roommate Robin and creepy neighbor Eli stick around. Of course, Chloe is also friends with James van der Beek (they used to date but were "genitally incompatible" and now he's her straight gay best friend), who goes along with Chloe's schemes and uses his former life as Dawson to seduce fans. All in all, the pilot episode was fun, funny, and a little sweet. The trick may be how long they can keep up the premise -- how many crazy things can Chloe do? Will storylines repeat themselves? But for now it looks like it'll be a fun ride. I'm excited to see how the season unfolds!

Want to see for yourself? The pilot is on Hulu and you can watch it for free right now! You can also get more information at ABC's official site for "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23".

"New Girl" at PaleyFest!

I was lucky enough to be able to attend the PaleyFest panel for "New Girl" last night in Beverly Hills. The adorable cast was there, along with creator Liz Meriwether and several executive producers, including Jake Kasdan of "Freaks and Geeks".

PaleyFest is pretty much my favorite thing in the world, especially when a show has a cast as cute, sweet, and funny as "New Girl" and its "fab five". The entire night was a blast, with the cast members and creative teams joking and laughing all night. Jake Johnson even danced! You can read a short writeup of the panel here at my Examiner.com TV page.


Highlights:

• Zooey impersonating a turtle and a turtle eating. (She said she and Emily used to do it all the time because they spent a lot of time near turtles while they were growing up.)
• Max Greenfield putting his entire money clip of cash and credit cards in the Douchebag Jar after an audience member called him out.
• Finding out that 99% of the stories on the show actually happened to someone from the cast, creative team, or writers room.
• Zooey and Jake joking about how they have too much chemistry.
• Finding out that Jake Johnson makes that turtle face in real life.
• Of course, the screening of the new episode "Injured". It's incredibly funny and superbly sweet, all at the same time! You know, it's what "New Girl" does so well.
• Cast staying to sign as many autographs as possible before being carted backstage for more professional photos and an after party event. This is one group that I am happy to keep supporting.

Famous fans of "30 Rock"

Being someone obsessed with both television and television actors, I find it somewhat rewarding when I learn that television actors love the same television shows I do! So welcome to a feature I like to call "Famous fans", wherein we learn that celebrities love the same shows that we love! Up today: "30 Rock".

Photo source: buddytv.com.

 

"Tina Fey is the goddess of comedy." - Candice Accola ("The Vampire Diaries")

"It just never fails to crack me up! Sometimes I rewind it and watch parts of it again because they are so packed with jokes and I don't want to miss any of it." - Alison Brie ("Community", "Mad Men")

"At the top of their game in smart, sophisticated, adult humor. Maybe that's why it's always been a ratings-challenged show. Can a show be too smart? Not for me. I appreciate how it makes me listen carefully to catch each innuendo, pop culture reference, and the inside political skewering. What run-of-the-mill comedies would use as a centerpiece set-up and punch line joke, 30 Rock tosses off within normal conversation. Brilliant. This show has always made me laugh." - Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad")

"That show is flawless. Tina Fey is a genius. Again, she's a woman who has changed television." - Summer Glau ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles")

"30 Rock is just so smart and so stupid. I love it." - Josh Hopkins ("Cougar Town")

"I love all things 30 Rock. It never fails to stay fresh and is laugh-out-loud funny." - Sarah Lancaster ("Chuck")

"Nobody writes better jokes than Tina Fey and her army of zinger-smiths. Watching Jack McBrayer is like eating the most delicious pecan pie with cornpone ice cream. Alec Baldwin has long been my hero, both in steely delivery and body hair." - Nick Offerman ("Parks and Recreation")

"The sexual tension between Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey is written so well. There is no doubt they must at some point do it -- just a matter of when." - Jeff Probst ("Survivor")

"I like everything about this show. They're all really funny. Tina Fey is brilliant. She's one of those people that I'm just happy she's doing comedy. I think the world is a better place with her making jokes." - Danny Pudi ("Community")

"It makes me nostalgic for NYC. As Liz Lemon says, 'I want to go to there.'" - Melissa Rausch ("The Big Bang Theory")

"It's so well written and hilarious, so relevant, and so perfectly absurd." - Gail Simmons ("Top Chef")






Check out my other stories about "30 Rock"!

Quote of the Day

Source: poehleroids.tumblr.com.

Source: bossypants.tumblr.com.

Leslie Knope's waffle necklace

Happy Valentine's Day, "Parks and Rec" fans! If you're like me, you swooned a little over Ben and Leslie's adorable V-Day treats for one another in this week's episode. Leslie created a crazy and complicated but cute scavenger hunt for Ben (which Ron really enjoyed), and Ben got Leslie the playboy seal she'd dreamed about -- wearing an adorable little waffle necklace.

Photo source: verde04.tumblr.com.

We all know how much Leslie loves waffles, so this was an amazing idea. And of course as soon as I saw it, I wanted it. I managed to track down the necklace from Tiny Hands Jewelry. Guess what? This necklace is scented! No joke. (Don't wear it if you're trying to diet.) I obviously had to buy it. They even have a feature on their site confirming it was worn on the show:

So if you're a fan like me, this is a must-have. You can get it here! And while you're there, check out all the other adorable jewelry on the site. (Cupcakes! Cookies! Donuts!).

Kindred Spirit: Kenneth Ellen Parcell, "30 Rock"

If ever there was a TV-lovin' bloke on our level, it's Kenneth the page from NBC's "30 Rock". In the pilot episode, he earnestly tells Pete, "I just love TV so much". Is he reading my diary?

Dedicated to his love of television, Kenneth works tirelessly for the writers, producers, and cast of "TGS", putting up with a lot of crap but always managing to remain optimistic. Some of Kenneth's best TV-related quotes include:

"There are only two things I love in this world - everybody, and television." (Episode 302, "Believe in the Stars")

"I studied TV theory at Kentucky Mountain Bible College." (Episode 114, "The C Word")

"What most people don't know is that NBC is still a network." (Episode 516, "TGS Hates Women")

"Bonus means extra. I know that. From game shows." (Episode 401, "Season 4")

"Do you know why I put up with this 'pitiful job', Mr. Donaghy? Why I fetch these folks' lunches and clean up their barfs? Cause they make television. And more than jazz, or musical theater, or morbid obesity, television is the true American art form." (Episode 111, "The Head and the Hair")