The Class "The Class Blows the Whistle" OAD: 10/9/2006 *spoilers*

[terpfan1980]

This show is growing on me (and I'm hating it as I've been trying not to watch much on CBS... <grumble, grumble>)

The twist at the end with suicide boy going home was definitely out of the blue.

Goth Gal and Jason Ritter are gonna wind up together over time, but it's pretty fun seeing things along the way.

Lives at home with momma boy starting the man love relationship with Andrea Ander's former football star hubby (David Keith) was pretty funny to. Nice product placement for Madden football there.

[Royster]

I think CBS mistitled the episode. It should have been "The Class Blows".

That's too harsh.

I said during the pilot that there was no reason to ever get all of those poeple in the same room again. I was right. Where is this show going?

[marrone]

Not a bad episode.

But I agree with Royster...there's little interaction between the classmates. There are a few different threads going on, and they aren't really interacting with each other. Maybe that will change, but technically, they could each be their own show.

-Mike

[TonyD79]

And that matters why?

I hardly ever have my closest friends in the same room. This is more realistic. People who are connected but have different interests. The group (Friends, HIMYM, etc.) shows are the fake ones.

[Ruth]

These people are still more connected than in, say, Six Degrees. That doesn't bother me. What *does* bother me is the weather girl and her gay husband -- they are so horribly irritating and stupid that I want to throw something at my screen. I wish they would just write them out. I am liking the other characters for the most part.

I didn't see the marriage thing coming at all. I don't mind a plot twist, but this one seems a little out of synch with all the "I'm so lonely I am going to commit suicide" moments we've seen in past weeks. Not sure if I need to tag this as a mild spoiler but I will anyway: Looks like Sara Gilbert will be a semi-regular as the wife -- the closing credits gave her a name (Fern).

[Royster]

It matters because the number of relationships possible between a group of n people is about n^2. This show is restricting itself to a very small subset of the possible number of relationships between the 7 classmates and three other recurring characters.

[Chapper1]

These people are still more connected than in, say, Six Degrees. That doesn't bother me. What *does* bother me is the weather girl and her gay husband -- they are so horribly irritating and stupid that I want to throw something at my screen. I wish they would just write them out. I am liking the other characters for the most part.

That woman grates on my nerves more than anyone else currently on television. Everytime she calls and speaks with the Latino gay man, it just pisses me off. I know they are trying to be funny with her not understanding his "language", but it buggs the hell out of me...

Definitely didn't see the marriage coming though with the suicide guy...

[deezel629]

These people are still more connected than in, say, Six Degrees. That doesn't bother me. What *does* bother me is the weather girl and her gay husband -- they are so horribly irritating and stupid that I want to throw something at my screen. I wish they would just write them out. I am liking the other characters for the most part.


+1. I really like this show other than those 2. Holly not understanding anything that poor guy says is getting old quickly. They could write those four out as far as I care. Good show though.

[TonyD79]

Ah, but the stop sign last week was the funniest, randomest single second joke I've seen in a long time.

[Ruth]

Yeah, the stop sign was hilarious. If only they could have the character whacked in the head with more large heavy objects, maybe in a couple more episodes her character would be more tolerable. I don't know exactly how though -- she couldn't possibly be any dumber!

[AJRitz]

This shows growing on me too. Each of the last couple of weeks, I've noticed it ending and thinking that the time had just flown by. With a 30-minute comedy, that's usually a good sign. It doesn't have the cleverness or dialogue of HIMYM, but I'm enjoying The Class as "brain candy." And I'm really liking the developing relationship between goth gal and Jason Ritter's character (as I think I mentioned last week).

I agree that weathergirl is quite possibly the most annoying character on television currently (WAY worse than Lana Lang). Gay husband is almost as bad, but we seem to get him in smaller doses.

One thing that does seem a bit odd to me about this show, and may come to bother me more - it seems that they're going out of their way to prevent any character other than the John Ritter character from being a "good guy." Just when you think suicide guy is a "good guy," you find out that he's cheating on his wife. Just when you think that guy-who-lives-with-his-mom is a "good guy," he puts the woman whom he called "the best thing that ever happened to me" in the most awkward position possible. Just when trophy wife seems like a "good gal," she dumps guy-who-lives-with-mom to stay with her husband - almost entirely for material reasons. Just when goth gal seems like a "good gal," she admits that she hooked John Ritter up with her friend KNOWING that he'd never get past her huge ears. Just when gay-ex-boyfriend seems like a suffering but "good guy," he pulls the kid's school application, because he doesn't want to deal with annoying weathergirl. This aspect of the show could become too much to overcome.

[Ruth]

One thing that does seem a bit odd to me about this show, and may come to bother me more - it seems that they're going out of their way to prevent any character other than the John Ritter character from being a "good guy." Just when you think suicide guy is a "good guy," you find out that he's cheating on his wife. Just when you think that guy-who-lives-with-his-mom is a "good guy," he puts the woman whom he called "the best thing that ever happened to me" in the most awkward position possible. Just when trophy wife seems like a "good gal," she dumps guy-who-lives-with-mom to stay with her husband - almost entirely for material reasons. Just when goth gal seems like a "good gal," she admits that she hooked John Ritter up with her friend KNOWING that he'd never get past her huge ears. Just when gay-ex-boyfriend seems like a suffering but "good guy," he pulls the kid's school application, because he doesn't want to deal with annoying weathergirl. This aspect of the show could become too much to overcome.

Really good points. And gay ex-boyfriend's antics were not only unfair to weathergirl and little Oprah, but they were a great way to get himself fired and get his employer in trouble. Jeez, at least make up an excuse that doesn't subject your employer to liability for racial discrimination! Just say the class is filled. (Or do I just need to leave my work at the office more? :o :D )

[TonyD79]

One thing that does seem a bit odd to me about this show, and may come to bother me more - it seems that they're going out of their way to prevent any character other than the John Ritter character from being a "good guy."

Just when you think Jason Ritter's character is a "good guy" he asks to get fixed up on a date solely for the purpose of getting laid.

[AJRitz]

Just when you think Jason Ritter's character is a "good guy" he asks to get fixed up on a date solely for the purpose of getting laid.
Probably true though, as long as that was the sole purpose that the friend was interested in the blind date as well (remember, goth-girl described her as "loose"), then I don't see that making him a bad guy.

[TonyD79]

Probably true though, as long as that was the sole purpose that the friend was interested in the blind date as well (remember, goth-girl described her as "loose"), then I don't see that making him a bad guy.

Well, then, neither do I think a guy who helps a woman cheat and then finds out he likes the husband and wants to be his friend is a "bad guy" either.

Hey, I'm using your yardstick, not mine.

I just think they are all human. I'm sure that Jason Ritter's character will do some human things, too.

[katbug]

Yeah, the stop sign was hilarious. If only they could have the character whacked in the head with more large heavy objects, maybe in a couple more episodes her character would be more tolerable. I don't know exactly how though -- she couldn't possibly be any dumber!

You know...this isn't a bad idea! She wouldn't really have to have effects of being hit by things, just the fact that we are incredibly annoyed with her, then getting to see her hit with something large each episode (okay, maybe every other episode to make it more realistic) would be entertaining enough. They don't even need to progress her storyline. :up:

[drew2k]

One thing that does seem a bit odd to me about this show, and may come to bother me more - it seems that they're going out of their way to prevent any character other than the John Ritter character from being a "good guy." Just when you think suicide guy is a "good guy," you find out that he's cheating on his wife. Just when you think that guy-who-lives-with-his-mom is a "good guy," he puts the woman whom he called "the best thing that ever happened to me" in the most awkward position possible. Just when trophy wife seems like a "good gal," she dumps guy-who-lives-with-mom to stay with her husband - almost entirely for material reasons. Just when goth gal seems like a "good gal," she admits that she hooked John Ritter up with her friend KNOWING that he'd never get past her huge ears. Just when gay-ex-boyfriend seems like a suffering but "good guy," he pulls the kid's school application, because he doesn't want to deal with annoying weathergirl. This aspect of the show could become too much to overcome.Needs-a-Haircut does seem to be a good guy, but what about Girl-in-Wheelchair as a good gal?

[AJRitz]

So far, we haven't seen Girl-in-Wheelchair's major character flaw. Then again, we've still got many more end-of-episode shocks to go for the season. Maybe we'll find out that she keeps her previous boyfriends in a steamer trunk in the closet.

[terpfan1980]

So far, we haven't seen Girl-in-Wheelchair's major character flaw. Then again, we've still got many more end-of-episode shocks to go for the season. Maybe we'll find out that she keeps her previous boyfriends in a steamer trunk in the closet.

I'd say we have seen her character flaw - she's ditzy and doesn't seem to attract the greatest men. That was readily apparent in the pilot episode.

[Agatha Mystery]

I didn't see the suicidal guy's girlfriend/wife thing coming. Rather surprised at that one. Poor ditzy girl.

I didn't see goth girl being that bad by setting needs a haircut guy with girl with girl with big ears. He wanted to get laid and the girl was loose. Pretty much the same requirement.

[drew2k]

After reading this thread, I'm amused that none of us seem to know the characters' names, or prefer to use descriptive names. So far we have:

The Trophy Wife/Andrea Anders and her childhood sweetheart "Lives at home with momma boy"/guy-who-lives-with-his-mom.

The "Weather Girl"/Holly, her gay husband, and their daughter Oprah.

Holly's Gay-ex-boyfriend and his partner Latino gay guy.

Suicide guy who has a girlfriend or wife named ****, but wants to date Girl-in-Wheelchair/"ditzy girl", who is the sister of "Goth gal"/Goth-girl, a potential love-interest for "Jason Ritter's character"/Needs-a-haircut, who just rejected Girl-with-big-ears (unseen).
The girlfriend/wife is Fern
Gotta love it! :)

[busyba]

Just when you think Jason Ritter's character is a "good guy" he asks to get fixed up on a date solely for the purpose of getting laid.
What's wrong with that?

[kenr]

Ah, but the stop sign last week was the funniest, randomest single second joke I've seen in a long time.
That was my 2nd favorite in the hurricane episode. My favorite was the Mary Poppins take off with the umbrella and wheelchair.

[Ruth]

After reading this thread, I'm amused that none of us seem to know the characters' names, or prefer to use descriptive names. So far we have:

The Trophy Wife/Andrea Anders and her childhood sweetheart "Lives at home with momma boy"/guy-who-lives-with-his-mom.

The "Weather Girl"/Holly, her gay husband, and their daughter Oprah.

Holly's Gay-ex-boyfriend and his partner Latino gay guy.

Suicide guy who has a girlfriend or wife named ****, but wants to date Girl-in-Wheelchair/"ditzy girl", who is the sister of "Goth gal"/Goth-girl, a potential love-interest for "Jason Ritter's character"/Needs-a-haircut, who just rejected Girl-with-big-ears (unseen).
The girlfriend/wife is Fern
Gotta love it! :)

:D Too true. In fact, when I was posting earlier, I was thinking, why I don't know any of these characters' names? :D

[Agatha Mystery]

:D Too true. In fact, when I was posting earlier, I was thinking, why I don't know any of these characters' names? :D
same here.

[Vendikarr]

I only remember Jason Ritter is Ethan, and goth girl is Kat.

Those two are the only characters I find remotely interesting.

[Graymalkin]

Holly's flaming gay husband is Perry.

And who could possibly NOT remember Yonk Allen as the football great's name? They say it often enough!

[Graymalkin]

As a public service:

Jason Ritter = Ethan Hass (Needs-a-Haircut-Guy)
Lizzy Caplan = Kat Warbler (Goth Girl)
Heather Goldenhersh = Lina Warbler (Upbeat Girl)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson = Richie Velch (Suicide Boy)
John Bernthal = Duncan Carmello (Lives-with-Momma Boy)
Andrea Anders = Nicole Allen (Trophy Wife)
David Keith = Yonk Allen (Football Great)
Sean Maguire = Kyle Lendo (Gay Guy)
Christian de la Fuente = Aaron (Gay Guy's Boyfriend)
Lucy Punch = Holly Ellenbogen (Newsgirl)
Sam Harris = Perry Pearl (Newsgirl's Husband)

[drew2k]

:D Too true. In fact, when I was posting earlier, I was thinking, why I don't know any of these characters' names? :DThe sad thing is, the yearbook photos and character names are shown for all of the third-grade class members at almost every commercial break in the first half of the show, and there's even a recap naming names at the top of the show!

I guess our way is just more fun! ;)

[marrone]

And that matters why?

I hardly ever have my closest friends in the same room. This is more realistic. People who are connected but have different interests. The group (Friends, HIMYM, etc.) shows are the fake ones.
It doesn't matter at all, but if they aren't going to interact, there's no point in having them on the same show. Might as well make a couple different series and devote more time to each thread.

-Mike

[TonyD79]

It doesn't matter at all, but if they aren't going to interact, there's no point in having them on the same show. Might as well make a couple different series and devote more time to each thread.

-Mike

Yes, because Phyllis on Mary Tyler Moore interacted sooo much with Lou Grant.

And what difference does it make anyway? Why do they have to interact? Is that a law? Must every show be exactly the same?

If the show is funny or interesting who cares if they interact?

I am not following this theory of TV that is being spouted here.

[mmilton80]

I find the most obnoxious the annoying-wheel-chaired gal...her voice is possibly the worst...ever. The annoying-weather girl is quite annoying, as is her "straight"-husband. The gay-teacher seems ok, and I am glad he pulled Oprah's application. On the whole show, I feel the worst for Oprah...her parents are uber-obnoxious and her name is hideous...also she seems to be the only redeemable character on the show. This is absolutley, imho, the worst show since windfall but for some reason I continue to watch it, like a train wreck.

*I just noticed a thread about thread crapping and I apologize for the negeative reaction that my post could get; however, as a watcher, I feel that I am entitled to post both positive and negative comments about shows.

[busyba]

I find the most obnoxious the annoying-wheel-chaired gal...her voice is possibly the worst...ever.
You've obviously never watched "Rita Cosby: Live and Direct". :D

The annoying-weather girl is quite annoying
I keep wishing that someone hits her in the side of the head to uncross that one eye.

[madscientist]

I keep wishing that someone hits her in the side of the head to uncross that one eye.Yeah. Like maybe with a stopsign or something!

[terpfan1980]

I find the most obnoxious the annoying-wheel-chaired gal...her voice is possibly the worst...ever.

You've obviously never watched "Rita Cosby: Live and Direct".

Uh, Fran Drescher (The Nanny) comes to mind pretty easily too.

And Jennifer Tilly too (though I have other plans for her that involve getting her to not be able to speak while she's taking care of some, uh, business, yeah, that's it, business! :D :up: )

[terpfan1980]

I find the most obnoxious the annoying-wheel-chaired gal...her voice is possibly the worst...ever. The annoying-weather girl is quite annoying, as is her "straight"-husband. The gay-teacher seems ok, and I am glad he pulled Oprah's application. On the whole show, I feel the worst for Oprah...her parents are uber-obnoxious and her name is hideous...also she seems to be the only redeemable character on the show. This is absolutley, imho, the worst show since windfall but for some reason I continue to watch it, like a train wreck.

*I just noticed a thread about thread crapping and I apologize for the negeative reaction that my post could get; however, as a watcher, I feel that I am entitled to post both positive and negative comments about shows.

MMilton - don't worry about crapping. As the forum rules mention there's a big difference between crapping and offering constructive criticism and observations. I'd say you're well into observations and constructive criticism territory, so fear not.

The point of the weather girl is to be annoyingly vane and completely oblivious about her relationship with an effiminate husband, and her previous relationship with the now out of the closet gay teacher. She's an obvious stereotype (dumb blonde, clueless about her husband's apparent sexual leaning, etc.) and is there to give us something to laugh at, but at the same time perhaps give us something to cheer for later (after she's been the butt of the joke a few times too many, or after the jokes have gone too far and become painful for her and make us feel sorry for her).

Actually I think the character probably came from someone watching the short-lived ABC series "Hot Properties" where one of the characters there was a woman that kept finding herself attracted to gay men. That particular character never seemed to be able to tell when someone was gay, though the answer in the end was if she was attracted to them, they were gay.

The whole Oprah thing reminds me a bit of Peg Bundy (Married with Children) and her fascination with all things Oprah. The name was given to the daughter because the woman is trying to follow Oprah's career, and idol worships her. It's also a bit stereotypical given that the name was given to the daughter of a bunch of (apparently) upper class milque toast parents.

I suppose that they could have gone for a "Hillary Rodham" name for the child, but that would start to get too political and would be lost on plenty of people. Oprah is so well known that everyone gets it, they get the joke (even if it's bad) that the name was used on a white child, and probably find themselves laughing at it even though they shouldn't.