This Week in Television - Nov. 8-12, 2010

Glee
For once I don't mind the way some of the after school special issues were handled. I still think Coach Bieste looks like a man in drag (and no doubt the students on the show do too), but this was a reminder that she is a woman with feelings, and in the Kurt storyline I like how nothing really changed, because there probably is no way to change the mind of an adamantly homophobic jock. Also liked Mr. Schue's very accurate observation about how nothing screws us up more than high school, and Sue's hilarious comments about the disgusting things she was being forced to picture.

Running Wilde
It was a nice change to have some of Puddle's narration done instead by Fa'ad singing Medieval style couplets, but we've already seen episodes where Steve and Emmy are involved in a battle of stubbornness. I did enjoy the jokes about the manipulation book (the title of which is an acronym spelling "BUY ME") and how Steve had multiple copies of it.

Survivor: Nicaragua
Jeff Probst is such a dick. He's always asking loaded questions at tribal council to intentionally stir up trouble and then acts shocked when the Survivors blow up at each other. And this, along with his reputation for favouring the muscular challenge dominators, gets him Best Reality Host at the Emmys? Marty had a good double-function plan for the vote, but neither function worked. Possibly because he has been one of those people getting in arguments at the last few tribals. But it was hilarious when he exaggerated his walk just to piss off Naonka.

Community
I was just thinking the other day that some of my favourite scenes are when the whole group is together in the study room, and that there hasn't been enough of that this season. Imagine my delight when they aired an episode where they locked themselves in the study room for the whole half hour and did a very solid, satisfying, and funny episode that was simply about the characters and nothing else - not even Annie's pen. I think this one might go down as one of the best episodes in the entire series when it's over. My reaction to the possibility that Shirley may be pregnant with Chang's baby was about the same as Troy's, but I kind of hope it happens because it could lead to a lot of really funny storylines. Apparently you do actually see Annie's Boobs take the pen at the beginning of the episode. I really should pay attention to the background more.

30 Rock
Loved the stuff with Congressman Steve Austin being so shady that he encourages people to think he is either the wrestler or the Six Million Dollar Man just so he'll get more votes, and his campaign commercials with diapers and shotguns were gold. Also some really hilarious lines like "Your mother exploded," and "Lesbian Mario Brothers!" Liz's butt did look good in those jeans, but it was supposedly a butt double and not Tina Fey. FAIL.

The Office
I of course agree with Kelly that Glee is flawed, but not for the reasons she cited. It was funny when, in true middle-aged lady fashion, Phyllis thought Glee was the name of one of the characters, when Michael threw the pizza dough into the ceiling fan, when Creed read the Chinese without translating it, and when Darryl described Andy and Gabe using very simple, superficial facts about each because he doesn't really care about them, but I think they've been doing a few too many episodes away from the office this season. We haven't even returned to the Packer/Danny double-hiring conflict and that was like three episodes ago. Also I'm a little bored with the Jim/Pam/baby storylines.

Fringe
The numbers were an interesting way to connect the "monster of the week" story with the serialized main story. And it's always cool to see the typewriter-mirror communication room. I can see the mysterious device (vacuum?) playing a big part in the season finale, or perhaps even the series finale if they stretch it out that long. There are a lot of pieces to find first. Astrid is the best lab assistant ever, but on the other hand I feel that neither her or Olivia really have any character flaws, or at least none that have ever been explored on the show.

Hero of the Week: Steve Austin from 30 Rock for his campaign commercials and general craziness (casinos on the moon!)

Douchebag of the Week: Jeff Probst from Survivor. You're supposed to be a neutral mediator, not a biased third party trying to influence audience opinions!