I try to be good hard-worker-man, but refrigemater so messy, so so messy
March 23, 2015 2:06 PM Subscribe
Todd VanDerWerff on why NewsRadio was the best sitcom of the 1990s.
One of my all time favorite sitcoms. As Phil hartman put it when asked to describe the show, it was "always a little hipper than everyone else in the room."
posted by KingEdRa at 2:18 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by KingEdRa at 2:18 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
News Radio was great as long as Phil Hartmann was in the cast. I liked the other cast members a lot, but the show ran out of steam.
Dave Foley was the Bob Newhart of the 90s.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 2:22 PM on March 23, 2015 [9 favorites]
Dave Foley was the Bob Newhart of the 90s.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 2:22 PM on March 23, 2015 [9 favorites]
I am only somewhat embarrassed to admit that I attended the NewsRadio panel at SketchFest a few months ago (no video available online apparently). It was great. Dave Foley, Stephen Root, Khandi Alexander, Andy Dick and Joe Furey (writer/producer) came and told some stories, many of which centered around Andy Dick being insane and the problems this caused.
One favorite bit: one of the show's guest stars decided to take Andy Dick under his wing and gave him a big "get your shit together" talk, followed by a trip to a Hollywood AA meeting. Dick comes to set the next day bragging about all the big stars he saw there. The rest of the cast is busy screaming "ANONYMOUS! It's supposed to be ANONYMOUS!"
posted by zachlipton at 2:25 PM on March 23, 2015 [50 favorites]
One favorite bit: one of the show's guest stars decided to take Andy Dick under his wing and gave him a big "get your shit together" talk, followed by a trip to a Hollywood AA meeting. Dick comes to set the next day bragging about all the big stars he saw there. The rest of the cast is busy screaming "ANONYMOUS! It's supposed to be ANONYMOUS!"
posted by zachlipton at 2:25 PM on March 23, 2015 [50 favorites]
p.s. Tubalcain
posted by zachlipton at 2:31 PM on March 23, 2015 [10 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 2:31 PM on March 23, 2015 [10 favorites]
Glorious sunset of my heart was fading. Soon the super karate monkey death car would park in my space. But Jimmy has fancy plans, and pants to match.
Best sitcom ever.
posted by entropicamericana at 2:32 PM on March 23, 2015 [17 favorites]
Best sitcom ever.
posted by entropicamericana at 2:32 PM on March 23, 2015 [17 favorites]
The AV Club also has an article about the show today: 10 Episodes of Perfect Imperfection from the Great NewsRadio.
The Rocket Fuel ad remains one of my favorite sitcom moments.
posted by bibliowench at 2:36 PM on March 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
The Rocket Fuel ad remains one of my favorite sitcom moments.
posted by bibliowench at 2:36 PM on March 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
Why Vox.com is the most hyperbolic website of all time forever.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:38 PM on March 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:38 PM on March 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
But anyway news radio does rule.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:39 PM on March 23, 2015
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:39 PM on March 23, 2015
I can't find it in a quick search, but the bit where Beth, Lisa, and Catherine react to Matthew's mustache is one of my favorite moments of physical comedy ever.
posted by entropicamericana at 2:40 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by entropicamericana at 2:40 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
...NewsRadio was the best sitcom of the 1990s.
Oh, man. That's a tough call, honestly. I loved News Radio. But, then there was Sports Night. Gah! Flip a coin.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:50 PM on March 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
Oh, man. That's a tough call, honestly. I loved News Radio. But, then there was Sports Night. Gah! Flip a coin.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:50 PM on March 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
Oh, man. That's a tough call, honestly. I loved News Radio. But, then there was Sports Night. Gah! Flip a coin.
If I judge sitcoms on how hard they made me laugh, it's NewsRadio, hands down.
posted by murphy slaw at 2:52 PM on March 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
If I judge sitcoms on how hard they made me laugh, it's NewsRadio, hands down.
posted by murphy slaw at 2:52 PM on March 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
why NewsRadio was the best sitcom of the 1990s.
Because Phil Hartman + Maura Tierney + Dave Foley. Those three together were electric.
I mentally erase out every time Andy Dick opens his mouth. Or, indeed, appears on screen.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 2:53 PM on March 23, 2015 [9 favorites]
Because Phil Hartman + Maura Tierney + Dave Foley. Those three together were electric.
I mentally erase out every time Andy Dick opens his mouth. Or, indeed, appears on screen.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 2:53 PM on March 23, 2015 [9 favorites]
Because Phil Hartman + Maura Tierney + Dave Foley. Those three together were electric.
You forgotPoland Stephen Root!
posted by murphy slaw at 2:56 PM on March 23, 2015 [14 favorites]
You forgot
posted by murphy slaw at 2:56 PM on March 23, 2015 [14 favorites]
[Mr. James loses big in a poker game]
Dave: "What did you lose?"
Jimmy: "Bill."
Bill: "Yes."
Jimmy: "Bill."
Bill: "Right here, chief."
Jimmy: "I don't think you understand me. I lost Bill!"
...
Dave: "Sir, regardless of the value of the console, you cannot bet another human being in a poker game."
Bill: "You certainly cannot!"
Jimmy: "I’m afraid in this case I can. Check your contract."
[Bill pulls contract from jacket pocket]
Dave: "Wait a minute, you carry your contract around?"
Bill: "At a time like this it doesn’t seem so crazy, does it?!"
Jimmy: "Page 15, article 4, paragraph 1."
Bill: “'Contract transferable to third party in case of sale, merger, corporate restructuring, liquidation, bankrutpcy, and/or act of God,' IT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT-"
Jimmy: "Read your 'Act of God' clause, end of the page."
Bill: "Jimmy James will hereafter and for the purposes of this contract only be referred to as…God."
I loved that show.
posted by zarq at 3:00 PM on March 23, 2015 [19 favorites]
Dave: "What did you lose?"
Jimmy: "Bill."
Bill: "Yes."
Jimmy: "Bill."
Bill: "Right here, chief."
Jimmy: "I don't think you understand me. I lost Bill!"
...
Dave: "Sir, regardless of the value of the console, you cannot bet another human being in a poker game."
Bill: "You certainly cannot!"
Jimmy: "I’m afraid in this case I can. Check your contract."
[Bill pulls contract from jacket pocket]
Dave: "Wait a minute, you carry your contract around?"
Bill: "At a time like this it doesn’t seem so crazy, does it?!"
Jimmy: "Page 15, article 4, paragraph 1."
Bill: “'Contract transferable to third party in case of sale, merger, corporate restructuring, liquidation, bankrutpcy, and/or act of God,' IT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT-"
Jimmy: "Read your 'Act of God' clause, end of the page."
Bill: "Jimmy James will hereafter and for the purposes of this contract only be referred to as…God."
I loved that show.
posted by zarq at 3:00 PM on March 23, 2015 [19 favorites]
Chicken pot Chicken pot Chicken pot piiieeeee
posted by 4ster at 3:01 PM on March 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by 4ster at 3:01 PM on March 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
I am a cipher, a cipher wrapped in an enigma, smothered in secret sauce.
I've been thinking about that Vox article since I read it last night; the focus on the visual impact - on how it treated the set like a stage show and the comparison to the Marx Brothers staging of their early movies really resonated with me. They didn't even cite the security door!
I really really liked Sports Night, but I think the middle part of that last season was really flawed and labored. For me, the last season of NewsRadio was reeling and off-kilter, sometimes brilliant, sometimes treading water in the absence of Bill, unexpected and odd, but it never dipped as low. Besides
"Are you Doobie Keebler?" was from the 5th Season, and it is a question I ask often.
posted by julen at 3:03 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
I've been thinking about that Vox article since I read it last night; the focus on the visual impact - on how it treated the set like a stage show and the comparison to the Marx Brothers staging of their early movies really resonated with me. They didn't even cite the security door!
I really really liked Sports Night, but I think the middle part of that last season was really flawed and labored. For me, the last season of NewsRadio was reeling and off-kilter, sometimes brilliant, sometimes treading water in the absence of Bill, unexpected and odd, but it never dipped as low. Besides
"Are you Doobie Keebler?" was from the 5th Season, and it is a question I ask often.
posted by julen at 3:03 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
Beth: "Matthew, I think you mispronounced that guy's name a few times."
Matthew: "What, it's uh, Joey Butta-"
Dave : "No it isn't, Matthew! It's, uh, Buttafuoco. Butta-FOO-Ko."
Matthew: "What did I say?"
Dave: "Well, Matthew, of all the possible mispronunciations of that name, you seem to have stumbled upon absolutely the worst one."
....
Jimmy: "So who called first, the FCC or Mr. Buttafuoco's lawyers?"
posted by zarq at 3:03 PM on March 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
Matthew: "What, it's uh, Joey Butta-"
Dave : "No it isn't, Matthew! It's, uh, Buttafuoco. Butta-FOO-Ko."
Matthew: "What did I say?"
Dave: "Well, Matthew, of all the possible mispronunciations of that name, you seem to have stumbled upon absolutely the worst one."
....
Jimmy: "So who called first, the FCC or Mr. Buttafuoco's lawyers?"
posted by zarq at 3:03 PM on March 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
I guess I was so nuts for this show that it's embedded in my subconscious or something, because I was just thinking a couple of days ago, "It's been so long since I've seen Newsradio mentioned anywhere. Isn't it time for someone to talk about how amazing it was?" I didn't realize the 20 year anniversary was here.
I originally watched it because I was a big Kids in the Hall fan and loved Dave Foley. My husband and I still quote it(or misquote, usually) :
If what you're saying is true, I...still don't care!
And if a magical wizard flies over the building...
This music has lyrics?
And it was crazy how much you had to go hunting around for it.
posted by hiker U. at 3:05 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
I originally watched it because I was a big Kids in the Hall fan and loved Dave Foley. My husband and I still quote it(or misquote, usually) :
If what you're saying is true, I...still don't care!
And if a magical wizard flies over the building...
This music has lyrics?
And it was crazy how much you had to go hunting around for it.
posted by hiker U. at 3:05 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
I'm insanely in the minority on this one, but while Lovitz, game as he was, could obviously never replace Hartman, I thought the writing and direction in Season 5 were amazing (remember that, for instance, the entirety of the Patrick Warburton stuff is 5th season.)
posted by Navelgazer at 3:10 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Navelgazer at 3:10 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
[Mr. James gets Matthew a set of "Fibber McGee and Molly" tapes for Christmas]
Matthew: [laughing] You gotta listen to this. Molly tells Fibber McGee to clean out the closet, so Fibber McGee goes to the closet and guess what happens?
Dave: He opens the closet and everything inside falls out on top of him.
Matthew: [stops laughing] Oh, that's what that sound is.
[starts laughing again]
Matthew: That's even funnier!
I always wondered what Matthew thought the sound was before Dave told him.
posted by nubs at 3:12 PM on March 23, 2015 [10 favorites]
The AV Club also has an article about the show today: 10 Episodes of Perfect Imperfection from the Great NewsRadio.
The first one they mention... the rat funeral.
The last line of the episode was the kicker.
"Okay, I'm only gonna tell you one more time. This is the mail chute. And this is the incinerator."
posted by zarq at 3:14 PM on March 23, 2015 [12 favorites]
The first one they mention... the rat funeral.
The last line of the episode was the kicker.
"Okay, I'm only gonna tell you one more time. This is the mail chute. And this is the incinerator."
posted by zarq at 3:14 PM on March 23, 2015 [12 favorites]
I generally don't like to call something "best" in a ranking as subjective as this, but have no problem calling it one of the best in a competitive field. I have to take issue with this statement: ...one of the most low-concept premises ever — here are some funny people who work in a New York City radio station.... What would a high-concept premise be for comparison? And I seem to remember another sitcom set at a radio station that was just as good, at least for those of us old enough to have seen it with the original soundtrack. Substitute TV station and you get another classic seventies sitcom, and I'm pretty sure Phil Hartman's character had a little bit of Ted Baxter in him.
posted by TedW at 3:20 PM on March 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
posted by TedW at 3:20 PM on March 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
The first one they mention... the rat funeral.
The best part is that the whole story came out of network meddling (there was a lot of network meddling when it came to this show). After the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral, NBC inexplicably decided to have a night of three funerals and one wedding on its sitcoms. Newsradio managed to avoid the wedding somehow, but they had to write a funeral. Since they were Newsradio writers, they refused to take NBC seriously with a real funeral and did "Rat Funeral" instead.
posted by zachlipton at 3:23 PM on March 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
The best part is that the whole story came out of network meddling (there was a lot of network meddling when it came to this show). After the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral, NBC inexplicably decided to have a night of three funerals and one wedding on its sitcoms. Newsradio managed to avoid the wedding somehow, but they had to write a funeral. Since they were Newsradio writers, they refused to take NBC seriously with a real funeral and did "Rat Funeral" instead.
posted by zachlipton at 3:23 PM on March 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
Rocket Fuel Malt Liquor DAAMN!!!
Billy Dee Williams...watch out.
posted by Drinky Die at 3:24 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Billy Dee Williams...watch out.
posted by Drinky Die at 3:24 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Oops, beaten of course.
posted by Drinky Die at 3:25 PM on March 23, 2015
posted by Drinky Die at 3:25 PM on March 23, 2015
The crack of the bat! The roar of the crowd!
posted by rewil at 3:25 PM on March 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by rewil at 3:25 PM on March 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
Dammit, I miss Phil Hartman.
posted by bibliowench at 3:45 PM on March 23, 2015 [12 favorites]
posted by bibliowench at 3:45 PM on March 23, 2015 [12 favorites]
Jimmy: "Dave, please. You don't drop a piranha in the kiddie pool then stick around to watch the bubbles!"
posted by zarq at 3:49 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by zarq at 3:49 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
The first one they mention... the rat funeral.
I once had to give a eulogy for a deceased beta fish and based it, in spirit, on Bill's eulogy for Mike the rat. Hartman was brilliant at employing over-the-top eloquence and gravity (occasionally spilling over into genuine sensitivity). I think it ended up being one of my finer public speaking moments.
posted by dephlogisticated at 3:56 PM on March 23, 2015
I once had to give a eulogy for a deceased beta fish and based it, in spirit, on Bill's eulogy for Mike the rat. Hartman was brilliant at employing over-the-top eloquence and gravity (occasionally spilling over into genuine sensitivity). I think it ended up being one of my finer public speaking moments.
posted by dephlogisticated at 3:56 PM on March 23, 2015
Jimmy JAAAAAAMES!
Stephen Root's place in my list of stars I adore in any role was cemented by his role as JJ. When I first saw O' Brother Where Art Thou, when he showed up at WEZY radio station I about fell out of my seat with joy.
posted by Atreides at 4:07 PM on March 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
Stephen Root's place in my list of stars I adore in any role was cemented by his role as JJ. When I first saw O' Brother Where Art Thou, when he showed up at WEZY radio station I about fell out of my seat with joy.
posted by Atreides at 4:07 PM on March 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
I liked Dave Foley until he started whining to Marc Maron and everybody about being ordered to pay child support he hadn't paid on income he'd hidden because he spent all the money he owed to his kids on himself. He seemed like such a nice guy on NewsRadio. But he was more like the smarmy asshole grief counselor he played on Scrubs. Kinda ruined NewsRadio for me.
And Andy Dick and whatever influence he may have had in David Strickland's death...he always acts very innocent and put upon and misunderstood , but he---I just don't understand people like him.
It's hard for me to watch shows where the actors do terrible things or are awful people.
...NewsRadio was the best sitcom of the 1990s
No. Because Seinfeld exists. Oh yeah, like the writer says, Roseanne was incredible.
posted by discopolo at 4:26 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
And Andy Dick and whatever influence he may have had in David Strickland's death...he always acts very innocent and put upon and misunderstood , but he---I just don't understand people like him.
It's hard for me to watch shows where the actors do terrible things or are awful people.
...NewsRadio was the best sitcom of the 1990s
No. Because Seinfeld exists. Oh yeah, like the writer says, Roseanne was incredible.
posted by discopolo at 4:26 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
The buzzfeed article:
"10. The cast was banned from the SAG Awards after their first (and only) appearance. They took their shoes off, stole wine from other tables, got drunk, and Andy Dick asked Helen Hunt to sign, well, Andy's dick."
This is a set of gifs of Kathy Griffin, Maura Tierney and Khandi Alexander reacting to Andy Dick's mustache.
posted by zarq at 4:30 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
"10. The cast was banned from the SAG Awards after their first (and only) appearance. They took their shoes off, stole wine from other tables, got drunk, and Andy Dick asked Helen Hunt to sign, well, Andy's dick."
This is a set of gifs of Kathy Griffin, Maura Tierney and Khandi Alexander reacting to Andy Dick's mustache.
posted by zarq at 4:30 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
why NewsRadio was the best sitcom of the 1990s EVER.
If I had to pick a favorite (very hard), it would have to be The Cane. (Looks like YT has pulled down the full (free) episodes.) Or Arcade.
Jimmy: "Anything to add, Bill?"
Bill: "Yes. Dave stole my cane, and my ass still hurts."
Andy Dick is the greatest.
posted by mrgrimm at 4:32 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
If I had to pick a favorite (very hard), it would have to be The Cane. (Looks like YT has pulled down the full (free) episodes.) Or Arcade.
Jimmy: "Anything to add, Bill?"
Bill: "Yes. Dave stole my cane, and my ass still hurts."
Andy Dick is the greatest.
posted by mrgrimm at 4:32 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
My understanding of the Dave Foley story is that he and his wife divorced right at the end of Newsradio's run, and so his child support payment schedule was made based on his income while on the show, which was the kind of income he was never again going to be making. Granted, that version comes from Foley himself, so I don't know.
posted by Navelgazer at 4:35 PM on March 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by Navelgazer at 4:35 PM on March 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
> did MeFi start a Maple Leaf Monday I didn't hear about?
Mandatory Canadian Content, in order to ensure Metafilter continues to be accessible in Canada.
posted by ardgedee at 4:40 PM on March 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
Mandatory Canadian Content, in order to ensure Metafilter continues to be accessible in Canada.
posted by ardgedee at 4:40 PM on March 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
And I seem to remember another sitcom set at a radio station that was just as good, at least for those of us old enough to have seen it with the original soundtrack.
TedW, given that we were talking about 70s and not 90s, it took me three seconds to realize you were talking about WKRP in Cincinnati and not Remember W.E.N.N. Man I miss that show!
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 4:42 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
TedW, given that we were talking about 70s and not 90s, it took me three seconds to realize you were talking about WKRP in Cincinnati and not Remember W.E.N.N. Man I miss that show!
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 4:42 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
There was the way they took the cast and just made them do a screwball plot like the daydream episode, the space episode, or the titanic thing....man...good times...good times.
posted by brainimplant at 4:44 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by brainimplant at 4:44 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Omg I just googled it and Dave Foley is the poster child featured for a "men going their own way" site.
His ex wife is a working writer and journalist. Apparently Foley's stand up consists of calling her explicit and misogynistic names throughout the routine.
He's pretty pathetic.
posted by discopolo at 4:45 PM on March 23, 2015
His ex wife is a working writer and journalist. Apparently Foley's stand up consists of calling her explicit and misogynistic names throughout the routine.
He's pretty pathetic.
posted by discopolo at 4:45 PM on March 23, 2015
Just chiming in to say that 3rd Rock From the Sun was the best, but truly that's like having to decide between the peanut butter shake and the Oreo shake.
posted by Brocktoon at 4:58 PM on March 23, 2015
posted by Brocktoon at 4:58 PM on March 23, 2015
"I think multi-camera is the show that best simulates the theater experience or the caveman experience of watching you friends do a sketch in a cave somewhere," Lieb says.
This is interesting. Maybe true. In some ways isn't actual sketch comedy more like that.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 4:58 PM on March 23, 2015
This is interesting. Maybe true. In some ways isn't actual sketch comedy more like that.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 4:58 PM on March 23, 2015
Every single time the local NPR affiliate recognizes the generous contribution of Raymond James Financial Services, I have to say aloud "Jimmy James Financial Services" with great Stephen Root vigor and a huge smile.
posted by wenestvedt at 4:58 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by wenestvedt at 4:58 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Apparently Foley's stand up consists of calling her explicit and misogynistic names throughout the routine.
I've seen both Foley's standup as well as Joe Rogan's (well, listened through the latter. I wouldn't go see him live, I don't think.)
Foley was extraordinarily bitter, talked about the divorce, his exile from Canada over the child support stuff, etc, and that was most of the show (I think the last 20 minutes were mostly calling for LGBT rights) but I don't remember it being misogynistic per se. He was pathetic for sure, and very broken, but I just wouldn't describe it quite that way.
Rogan's material, on the other hand, is pretty exclusively raging misogyny. Like I'm not sure that he's aware of other sources of "humor."
Just my 2¢.
posted by Navelgazer at 5:04 PM on March 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
I've seen both Foley's standup as well as Joe Rogan's (well, listened through the latter. I wouldn't go see him live, I don't think.)
Foley was extraordinarily bitter, talked about the divorce, his exile from Canada over the child support stuff, etc, and that was most of the show (I think the last 20 minutes were mostly calling for LGBT rights) but I don't remember it being misogynistic per se. He was pathetic for sure, and very broken, but I just wouldn't describe it quite that way.
Rogan's material, on the other hand, is pretty exclusively raging misogyny. Like I'm not sure that he's aware of other sources of "humor."
Just my 2¢.
posted by Navelgazer at 5:04 PM on March 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
Apparently Foley's stand up consists of calling her explicit and misogynistic names throughout the routine. He's pretty pathetic.
I knew something wasn't right with Dave when he showed up in Monkeybone (don't judge me!) looking bloated and red-eyed and suddenly aged 20 years...
posted by murphy slaw at 5:07 PM on March 23, 2015
I knew something wasn't right with Dave when he showed up in Monkeybone (don't judge me!) looking bloated and red-eyed and suddenly aged 20 years...
posted by murphy slaw at 5:07 PM on March 23, 2015
I knew something wasn't right with Dave when he showed up in Monkeybone.
posted by EmGeeJay at 5:19 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by EmGeeJay at 5:19 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
At a Paley Festival session I remember they said the next season was going to be them moving to a rural station somehow.
posted by stuartmm at 5:26 PM on March 23, 2015
posted by stuartmm at 5:26 PM on March 23, 2015
Chicken pot Chicken pot Chicken pot piiieeeee
This was from David Cross's performance on "Just Shoot Me" (which was definitely NOT one of the best sitcoms of the 1990s), not "NewsRadio".
posted by briank at 5:41 PM on March 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
This was from David Cross's performance on "Just Shoot Me" (which was definitely NOT one of the best sitcoms of the 1990s), not "NewsRadio".
posted by briank at 5:41 PM on March 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
I loved News Radio. I don't know what Dave Foley is like as a person now, but his ex-wife, Tabitha Southey, is *hilarious* and it makes perfect sense to me that they were together at some point. And it makes me sad that the rest happened.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:43 PM on March 23, 2015
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:43 PM on March 23, 2015
Also, that is not Kathy Griffin, it's Vicky Lewis. She was Nick Nolte's partner for a long time. Can you imagine?
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:47 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:47 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
"10. The cast was banned from the SAG Awards after their first (and only) appearance. They took their shoes off, stole wine from other tables, got drunk, and Andy Dick asked Helen Hunt to sign, well, Andy's dick."
They discussed this at the Sketchfest event a bit. Apparently, they think they are still banned to this day.
posted by zachlipton at 5:56 PM on March 23, 2015
They discussed this at the Sketchfest event a bit. Apparently, they think they are still banned to this day.
posted by zachlipton at 5:56 PM on March 23, 2015
I love NewsRadio, but Phil Hartman's death kinda looms over it all.
I didn't know about the David Strickland or Chris Farley connection to Andy Dick. Even if Jon Lovitz failed miserably to fill Phil's shoes in season five, he'll still have a place in my heart for beating up Andy Dick.
posted by meowzilla at 6:01 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
I didn't know about the David Strickland or Chris Farley connection to Andy Dick. Even if Jon Lovitz failed miserably to fill Phil's shoes in season five, he'll still have a place in my heart for beating up Andy Dick.
posted by meowzilla at 6:01 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Depending on My mood, it's either Roseanne, NewsRadio or Frasier. With Martin as a close also-ran.
Frasier at it's funniest would sometimes get all the cast away at a Ski Lodge or Wedding somewhere and go full on bedroom farce. NewsRadio had that energy almost every week.
posted by billyfleetwood at 6:33 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Frasier at it's funniest would sometimes get all the cast away at a Ski Lodge or Wedding somewhere and go full on bedroom farce. NewsRadio had that energy almost every week.
posted by billyfleetwood at 6:33 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
occasionally spilling over into genuine sensitivityCatherine, astonished: "Compassion and sincerity from Bill McNeal!"
Bill, reluctantly: "Those dimensions are there; they're just unexplored."
posted by roystgnr at 7:14 PM on March 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
When NewsRadio came on in the mid-90s, I had limited my TV watching to only very few shows, so never gave it a chance until a roommate turned me onto it later. Then I discovered what a well-made show it was. It belongs in the pantheon of other workplace sitcoms that have a kind of unique and quirky edge to them, like Night Court and Taxi, to name a few.
posted by zardoz at 7:30 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by zardoz at 7:30 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
"You poor, misguided, Canadian bastard."
posted by Chrysostom at 7:36 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Chrysostom at 7:36 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'll be in the can.
posted by azpenguin at 7:47 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by azpenguin at 7:47 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
That's a very cunning plan, but now is not the time for cunning plans or crazy capers.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:59 PM on March 23, 2015
posted by Chrysostom at 7:59 PM on March 23, 2015
You threw up in the punchbowl we all share and now you expect us to believe it's alphabet soup?
...god I love NewsRadio. This article barely even covers it. For example it only hints at how much mileage they were able to get out of simply introducing new props. (The arcade game, the complaint box, the cane, the security door, the goofy ball, Jimmy's radio box, Matthew's post-it-based org chart...) Or all the great guest stars.
Also it doesn't mention Lauren Graham at all. Apparently people didn't like her, but I think her episodes are great--she really fit in well. It's too bad she was around so briefly.
posted by equalpants at 8:00 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
...god I love NewsRadio. This article barely even covers it. For example it only hints at how much mileage they were able to get out of simply introducing new props. (The arcade game, the complaint box, the cane, the security door, the goofy ball, Jimmy's radio box, Matthew's post-it-based org chart...) Or all the great guest stars.
Also it doesn't mention Lauren Graham at all. Apparently people didn't like her, but I think her episodes are great--she really fit in well. It's too bad she was around so briefly.
posted by equalpants at 8:00 PM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
"The Cane" is a spectacular episode. ("This one, I like!")
I particularly liked Khandi Alexander, but she was right to move on. The show really underused her. When they'd let her take center stage, she was fantastic. The Rocket Fuel has been rightfully mentioned above, but her fantasy about not being the only person of color in the office, her guarding of her position, her complete mastery of office politics, the war against Bill ... all gold.
"Bill thinks that when a bird craps on him it's a compliment from the gods. "
posted by julen at 8:02 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
I particularly liked Khandi Alexander, but she was right to move on. The show really underused her. When they'd let her take center stage, she was fantastic. The Rocket Fuel has been rightfully mentioned above, but her fantasy about not being the only person of color in the office, her guarding of her position, her complete mastery of office politics, the war against Bill ... all gold.
"Bill thinks that when a bird craps on him it's a compliment from the gods. "
posted by julen at 8:02 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
One of my favorite moments in all TV is when Matthew becomes really smart, and is sitting at a table reading four books at one time. Dave, who has become dumb to mirror Matthew's sudden intelligence, notes that one of the books is upside down. Matthew's response: "Have you ever read four books at one time?"
posted by LionIndex at 8:06 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by LionIndex at 8:06 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Do I look like a man who would enjoy a good game of Goofy Ball?
posted by Navelgazer at 8:09 PM on March 23, 2015
posted by Navelgazer at 8:09 PM on March 23, 2015
Bill: I have a two-part question, chief. One, what does Lisa look like naked? And two, what does Lisa feel like naked? This question is for both candidates.
Dave: I'll field this one. As a prospective news director, it would be improper for me to answer that question. But if the unthinkable was to happen and I was to lose this election, well, then I could answer that question in almost pornographic detail.
Bill: ...Good answer.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:21 PM on March 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
Dave: I'll field this one. As a prospective news director, it would be improper for me to answer that question. But if the unthinkable was to happen and I was to lose this election, well, then I could answer that question in almost pornographic detail.
Bill: ...Good answer.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:21 PM on March 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
Thanks zarq. "Maura Tierney was at peak babe." Yes, yes indeed.
Wait, what were we talking about again?
posted by meinvt at 8:52 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Wait, what were we talking about again?
posted by meinvt at 8:52 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
So, I loved Phil Hartman from SNL and The Simpsons and Kiki's Delivery Service. I never watched NewsRadio until, like, a month ago, where I caught an episode on Hulu or something. I can't believe that he's been dead for so long. I kind of tear up just thinking about it.
So, ah, where can I stream these episodes legally? All I can find on YouTube are clips, and it's not available on Netflix.
posted by suburbanbeatnik at 1:14 AM on March 24, 2015
So, ah, where can I stream these episodes legally? All I can find on YouTube are clips, and it's not available on Netflix.
posted by suburbanbeatnik at 1:14 AM on March 24, 2015
Also, that is not Kathy Griffin, it's Vicky Lewis. She was Nick Nolte's partner for a long time. Can you imagine?
!!! Oh man, I can't believe I got that wrong. Thanks for that correction!
Frasier at it's funniest would sometimes get all the cast away at a Ski Lodge or Wedding somewhere and go full on bedroom farce. NewsRadio had that energy almost every week.
Frasier was at its absolute best when they gave Niles free rein. This scene had a four minute buildup, and then...
So, ah, where can I stream these episodes legally?
Youtube and Dailymotion have some of them, but Sony issues takedown notices, so many links are dead. Hulu Plus has a small selection that rotates. I've been dying to do a Newsradio FPP for years, but the content's just not available.
posted by zarq at 4:11 AM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
!!! Oh man, I can't believe I got that wrong. Thanks for that correction!
Frasier at it's funniest would sometimes get all the cast away at a Ski Lodge or Wedding somewhere and go full on bedroom farce. NewsRadio had that energy almost every week.
Frasier was at its absolute best when they gave Niles free rein. This scene had a four minute buildup, and then...
So, ah, where can I stream these episodes legally?
Youtube and Dailymotion have some of them, but Sony issues takedown notices, so many links are dead. Hulu Plus has a small selection that rotates. I've been dying to do a Newsradio FPP for years, but the content's just not available.
posted by zarq at 4:11 AM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
"...with a Space Prostitute."
posted by dorian at 5:05 AM on March 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by dorian at 5:05 AM on March 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
Man, that sucks. If there's anything I would love to binge-watch, it's this show. I mean, it sounds funny... and I think I would like it... but it's kind of hard to tell from one episode and random clips. (You'd think that Sony would want the eyeballs and the dollars from Netflix or at least Amazon Prime, but I think it's been established Sony is not very good at making decisions...)
posted by suburbanbeatnik at 5:10 AM on March 24, 2015
posted by suburbanbeatnik at 5:10 AM on March 24, 2015
Donna Bowman's AV Club recaps do a fantastic, detailed job of analyzing just what made NewsRadio so great.
posted by oakroom at 6:24 AM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by oakroom at 6:24 AM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
Rocket Fuel Malt Liquor DAAMN!!!
It's crizappy!
posted by jonp72 at 7:00 AM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
It's crizappy!
posted by jonp72 at 7:00 AM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Chicken pot Chicken pot Chicken pot piiieeeee
This was from David Cross's performance on "Just Shoot Me" (which was definitely NOT one of the best sitcoms of the 1990s), not "NewsRadio".
posted by briank at 5:41 PM on March 23
[4 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
Augh! Apologies. Both my wife and I remembered it wrong!
posted by 4ster at 7:13 AM on March 24, 2015
This was from David Cross's performance on "Just Shoot Me" (which was definitely NOT one of the best sitcoms of the 1990s), not "NewsRadio".
posted by briank at 5:41 PM on March 23
[4 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
Augh! Apologies. Both my wife and I remembered it wrong!
posted by 4ster at 7:13 AM on March 24, 2015
"Maura Tierney was at peak babe."
I had a huge crush on my grade 3 teacher (in Minnesota), named Maura Tierney, who retired from teaching after our year. She got married and moved to a farm to raise horses or something.
When NewsRadio came on the air, and the female lead was a lady named Maura Tierney with a husky voice and long dark hair -- which by then was most of what I remembered about my teacher -- I was….halted in my tracks.
And then on top of it all, she -- and the whole show -- was so funny, so perfectly pitched and timed and blocked, that NewsRadio instantly became my favorite TV show ever.
*sigh*
posted by wenestvedt at 7:14 AM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
I had a huge crush on my grade 3 teacher (in Minnesota), named Maura Tierney, who retired from teaching after our year. She got married and moved to a farm to raise horses or something.
When NewsRadio came on the air, and the female lead was a lady named Maura Tierney with a husky voice and long dark hair -- which by then was most of what I remembered about my teacher -- I was….halted in my tracks.
And then on top of it all, she -- and the whole show -- was so funny, so perfectly pitched and timed and blocked, that NewsRadio instantly became my favorite TV show ever.
*sigh*
posted by wenestvedt at 7:14 AM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
ThatCanadianGirl: Also, that is not Kathy Griffin, it's Vicky Lewis
What's the difference?
posted by wenestvedt at 7:15 AM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
What's the difference?
posted by wenestvedt at 7:15 AM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also, that is not Kathy Griffin, it's Vicky Lewis
What's the difference?
Joe: I don't know how to tell you this, but there's a spunky redhead in every office.
Beth: Tell me about it.
posted by oakroom at 7:18 AM on March 24, 2015 [4 favorites]
What's the difference?
Joe: I don't know how to tell you this, but there's a spunky redhead in every office.
Beth: Tell me about it.
posted by oakroom at 7:18 AM on March 24, 2015 [4 favorites]
Maura Tierney was at peak babe.
Maura Tierney is always at peak Maura Tierney. There's something about her that is just intensely watchable no matter what she's doing. I'd really like to see her do more movies, get more roles she can really sink her teeth into.
Frasier was at its absolute best when they gave Niles free rein. This scene had a four minute buildup, and then...
DYING
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:20 AM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
Maura Tierney is always at peak Maura Tierney. There's something about her that is just intensely watchable no matter what she's doing. I'd really like to see her do more movies, get more roles she can really sink her teeth into.
Frasier was at its absolute best when they gave Niles free rein. This scene had a four minute buildup, and then...
DYING
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:20 AM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
I complained about the complaint box. Delicious.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:21 AM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Chrysostom at 7:21 AM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
So, ah, where can I stream these episodes legally?
Crackle has a few episodes.
posted by riruro at 8:42 AM on March 24, 2015
Crackle has a few episodes.
posted by riruro at 8:42 AM on March 24, 2015
The vox article is nice and all, but nothing can be as in-depth as newsradioart.com, a 15-part thesis on how Newsradio had "the greatest ensemble cast in history and forged the first morally expressive screwball comedy with a physical-verbal comedy style to appear on television." Plus an episode guide with commentary for all five seasons. If you love newsradio its worth a read.
posted by ianhattwick at 9:04 AM on March 24, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by ianhattwick at 9:04 AM on March 24, 2015 [7 favorites]
Because of a recent injury, I've had to use a cane for a while (it beats the hell out of the walker I had to use for three months, let me tell you).
Bill's cane bit has been very near the surface of my brain for the duration. Just so we're clear, you use a cane for about ten minutes before gesturing with it becomes automatic. I resisted for a while, but eventually just embraced it.
posted by uberchet at 9:43 AM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
Bill's cane bit has been very near the surface of my brain for the duration. Just so we're clear, you use a cane for about ten minutes before gesturing with it becomes automatic. I resisted for a while, but eventually just embraced it.
posted by uberchet at 9:43 AM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
Foley went on to be the "funny" host on a celebrity poker show, and noted wryly when a post-ER Tierney was a player something along the lines of "it's hard to believe now, but there was a time when I was more famous then she is."
posted by uberchet at 9:59 AM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by uberchet at 9:59 AM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
newsradioart.com
Oh my god, that page is the best Magnificent Obsession I've seen in a long time. And the design is making me so damn nostalgic.
posted by entropicamericana at 11:22 AM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Oh my god, that page is the best Magnificent Obsession I've seen in a long time. And the design is making me so damn nostalgic.
posted by entropicamericana at 11:22 AM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
(I just went on a quest, and it appears the easiest way to get a NewsRadio fix is to buy episodes or seasons for immediate viewing at Amazon. For $1.99, I scratched my itch re: The Cane. Money well spent.
The DVD sets are also very inexpensive, but less well suited for immediate gratification.)
posted by uberchet at 11:26 AM on March 24, 2015
The DVD sets are also very inexpensive, but less well suited for immediate gratification.)
posted by uberchet at 11:26 AM on March 24, 2015
For many years I owned superkaratemonkeydeathcar.com but never put it to productive use :(
posted by iamabot at 11:57 AM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by iamabot at 11:57 AM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
I watched the first episode of Season 5, "Bill Moves On," here. I didn't watch most of this season, but this episode, in which the cast mourns Bill/Phil, is stunningly moving, especially when you see some of the actors actually trying - and sometimes failing - to hold back tears. It was a wonderful memorial episode that still managed to be in the spirit of the show.
posted by bibliowench at 2:01 PM on March 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by bibliowench at 2:01 PM on March 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
Thanks so much for this post. Ordered seasons 1-4 on DVD yesterday. First three should be delivered tomorrow, and so weekend plans are now in place.
posted by old_growler at 2:35 PM on March 24, 2015
posted by old_growler at 2:35 PM on March 24, 2015
DYING
I showed it to my kids a couple of weeks ago. They laughed really hard at the scissor walking scene. But man, oh man they completely lost it at the fire extinguisher. Totally collapsed into giggles. And then they wanted to watch the whole thing all over again.
There were a few moments like that in the series. There's a sword fight in season two's "An Affair to Forget." The garbage disposal scene. Also this, which began with a title card that read:
NO EELS WERE HARMED DURING
THE MAKING OF THIS EPISODE
posted by zarq at 7:34 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
I showed it to my kids a couple of weeks ago. They laughed really hard at the scissor walking scene. But man, oh man they completely lost it at the fire extinguisher. Totally collapsed into giggles. And then they wanted to watch the whole thing all over again.
There were a few moments like that in the series. There's a sword fight in season two's "An Affair to Forget." The garbage disposal scene. Also this, which began with a title card that read:
THE MAKING OF THIS EPISODE
posted by zarq at 7:34 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
It's been a long time, Stargate Defender.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:13 AM on March 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 8:13 AM on March 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
Also, that is not Kathy Griffin, it's Vicky Lewis
About to post an old "2 Stars 1 Slot" and this is how I find out that Fametracker's archive is goooooooooooooooone.
posted by psoas at 4:32 PM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
About to post an old "2 Stars 1 Slot" and this is how I find out that Fametracker's archive is goooooooooooooooone.
posted by psoas at 4:32 PM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best sitcom of the 90s? You might even say it was bursting with adequatulence
posted by cnelson at 5:27 PM on March 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by cnelson at 5:27 PM on March 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
I miss Fametracker. Here ya go, from the Archive: Battle of the Redheaded Flibbertigibbets
posted by ApathyGirl at 10:43 PM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ApathyGirl at 10:43 PM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
In...deed it has, Dave.
posted by equalpants at 8:20 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by equalpants at 8:20 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by fairmettle at 2:15 PM on March 23, 2015 [5 favorites]