Community Season 2 Premiere: Too Smart for It's Own Good?

Community had it's second season premiere tonight, and has already proven that it will not fall into a sophomore slump in terms of quality. Showing that self-referential comedy can be done correctly (may want to pay attention Glee, you just came off as smug), it fell right back to it's trademarked ability to satire pop-culture while making it relevant and fresh.

It says something about both the writers and cast where Betty White and Chevy Chase had some of the least funny moments of the premiere. Danny Pudi's Abed is one of the greatest characters on television today.

Second season started out great, and easily gets an A, but I fear that it's a bit too quick and referential for its own good. It was definitely strong enough to make the cut following NBC's The Jay Leno Show disaster last season, but it may not be able to keep its audience for a third season pick up.

Raising Hope Review

Fox's Raising Hope premiered Tuesday, September 21st. Despite a slow and at times awkward exposition (was I supposed to laugh at a character being electrocuted?), it found its footing.

It's a bit "so offensive you laugh first and then blush second" mixed in with a bit of hick/southern/down-home/trailer-trash humor last seen on creator Greg Garcia's My Name is Earl and you have a show that can easily get a second season pick up as long as it doesn't alienate it's audience. It's going to be a fine line, and Garcia needs to be careful not to spend too long in proving how ignorant lead character Jimmy is about raising a baby. That will get old, quick.

From what I've seen so far, this seems to be one of the more promising comedy offerings this season. Not sure how promising that is! After the premiere I'd give it a B. Episode 2 and 3 will better tell whether this show will get a coveted spot on my stretched-thin DVR, or whether I won't even bother to Hulu the season if I'm home sick.