When only four percent of scripted TV shows feature LGBT characters, what’s a gay girl to do? Why, strap on your gay goggles and watch TV along with us, of course! Our handy appraisal scale is better than any old letter grade. Other sites A+. We say, “What about our lezzy-lady feelings?”
It seems every year there’s a new show with bad reviews and great ratings. This season, 2 Broke Girls seems to be that show. The freshman hit has already been renewed and pulled in a strong 11.5 million viewers last night. But that same day, The Hollywood Reporter ran a scathing critique of it with the headline: “The Sorry State Of 2 Broke Girls: Racism and Lame Sex Jokes.” Granted, not all critics have been quite so cutting. (Entertainment Weekly said it’s just not living up to its potential and Television Without Pity says its fans aren’t crazy.) But still, it’s enough to give us fans a complex: Why do I like this show again?
I’ll tell you why: Kat Dennings’ Max and Beth Behrs’ Caroline, that’s why. Week after week the chemistry between these two charismatic stars grows. Do I wish they had better material sometimes? Sure, I mean a person can only take so many penis and vagina jokes before it starts to feel like high school health class. But as long as those two ladies are steering this horse (both metaphorically and literally), I’m in.
AFTERELLEN BAITThis week had one great storyline and one not-so-great storyline. The great storyline was about Caroline trying to broaden Max’s vision. She encourages her friend to dream big. She encourages her friend to promote her talents. She encourages her friend to start a vision board. The not-so-great storyline was about Max’s romantic awkwardness with Johnny, her hunky bartender dudebro. I realize that on most heterosexually inclined shows, a love interest will almost always eventually appear. But to make this show about two young women who support each other and share a dreams suddenly into the will-they-or-won’t-they stage of a rom-com seems soon. Let’s let Max and Caroline’s friendship develop a little more before we go giving one of them a steady, OK?
Though I do agree with Caroline that Max’s new “oddly sexual celery biting business” is kind of hot.
FEELINGS, FEELINGS, FEELINGSSo, for those counting at home, 2 Broke Girls has now had two rape jokes in its six episodes on air. And that is two rape jokes too many no matter the number of episodes. In the first one Max joked that her comments (“Don’t fight it, just give into it.”) sounded like she was quoting a rapist. In the second Max follows up a fairly funny line (“That sounds needy, like when someone asks you to come to their one-woman show.”) with an unnecessary jab at date rape survivors. Hey, remember all those critics? Don’t go handing them more ammunition on a silver platter.
BROKEBACK GIRLSWhile there was less bumping and grinding and horseback riding this episode, there were still some stolen moments. Like when Max leapt to her girl Caroline’s defense when a cheapskate tipped her in change. Then there was when Caroline tells Max, “You have to start imaging what our life could be.” And don’t forget the extended metaphor where Max was Caroline’s daddy. Who’s your daddy, indeed. Also, is it just me, or does Caroline have “Girlfriend” written on her vision board? Like, does she want a girlfriend? Because I am sure we can arrange that.
FUNNY BUSINESS
It was good joke, dick joke this week. Good joke? “Max: Homemade? That sounds like homeschooled, like we’re churning out cupcakes aren’t comfortable around other people.” Dick joke? (Caroline: “I never get a restful night sleep and I need a good nine hours.” Max: “What you need is a good nine inches.”) Good joke? (Max: “I have his napkins hanging up everywhere. He’ll think I am Dexter.”) Dick joke? (Oleg: “When I think of all the times I asked you to bite my celery.”) Good joke? (Caroline: “Forty-seven cents? Uh, I wasn’t even aware they were still making pennies.”) Dick joke? (Max: “Sorry, dude, looks like this little tip just lost you the chance to give her your little tip.”) Though, I give the show props for evening out all this week’s penispalooza with one good feminist one:
Caroline: Relax, the bed will be assembled and hidden in the wall by the end of the day. Because I decided to do what cute girls have been doing for centuries – I asked a guy for help.Max: You called a guy? Oh, is he going to climb up your long blonde hair and rescue you from your Murphy bed tower.
More jokes like that, 2 Broke Girls, many more.
Right, so, what do you think about all the bad reviews for the show? Think the critics can stuff it? Or have you reached your saturation point with jokes about the male anatomy? Discuss.
