
While I usually try to find a theme for each week’s Comedy Corner, this week I decided to go with three distinctly different yet equally enjoyable moments. So without further ado:
Comedy Corner Moment #1 – The Chances do taco night on Raising Hope (“Ship Happens”)
Having focused on The Mindy Project last week, I missed out on the opportunity to acknowledge the return of the very funny, often overlooked Raising Hope. Residing in its new spot on Friday nights definitely doesn’t help the show, but giving ua two back-to-back episodes in the first two weeks, reminded me that this quirky, off-beat comedy still makes me laugh. Sure, the humor, like the family, is simple, but it’s in the basic delivery and commitment that the comedy comes to life.
Jimmy: “I love international taco night.”
Virginia: “We have French fries, greek yogurt, Canadian bacon, Chinese noodles, Italian sausage, American cheese and from the country of Chile, chili.”
Sabrina: “It seems like we’re just eating all the food in the fridge that was about to go bad.”
Burt: “Yes, but in a taco shell.”
Maw Maw: “This is like the buffet at the United Nations without all the grab ass.”
It’s silly, but the snappy delivery and the actors’ ability to play off one another still makes it funny. Not to mention, while the show may come off as goofy or even at times offensive, it still has heart. But not in the cheesy, ‘aw shucks’, overly sappy kind of way. It stays true to itself and that’s what sets it apart from other comedies.
 Raising Hope airs Fridays at 9/8c on FOX.
Comedy Corner Moment #2 – Simon’s softball confession on The Crazy Ones (“Sixteen-Inch Softball”)

Whenever you let Robin Williams go on a rant (especially one that plays ironically true to life), you know you’re going to get something good. In this week’s episode, the creatives and suits face off in a company game of 16″ softball. What is 16″ softball, you ask?
Zach: “It’s basically softball’s fat sister, same pretty face, just bigger and easier.”
As the creatives attempt to build their roster, we learn that Simon is actually a bit of a legend when it comes to this particular game. Having hit five homeruns in one game, he set the record and became revered for his softball prowess; however, he hasn’t played since that fateful day and refuses to participate again this year. It is only when he and Zach are throwing around ideas for their latest ad campaign and Zach literally throws the softball at Simon (which he artfully dodges before falling in to both the easel and the table) that we discover the truth.
Simon: “I can’t lie to that face, you’re like a baby who shaves. Okay, I can’t play softball.”
Zach: “You hit five homeruns in one game.”
Simon: “Did you ever hear the story of Doc Ellis?”
Zach: “I feel like you’re about to tell me an old timey story.”
Simon: “He was a major league pitcher, threw a no hitter. He later admitted he did it while tripping on acid. Imagine walking out on to a field and the field is like whoooooosh, thirty thousand disembodied hands are like ‘I’m coming for you’ and then this nice penguin hands you a ball. All the pigeons overhead start to turn in to vulture CAW-CAWWWW…..I unknowingly took a play out of his book. I was high as a kite. I remember looking down at the field going, ‘Wow I look pretty good, huh?’ I haven’t played since.”
Obviously this loses something in the writing…Williams’ flapping arms, robust bird calls and the recreation of disembodied hands…but you get the idea, it’s classic Robin Williams. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes he can be a bit over the top, but in this particular scene, he was right on. And that only continued through the episode as Zach attempted to teach him to hit a softball, he hallucinated himself actually hitting a home run and even in the ridiculous tie-breaking round of pocket motorcycle jousting. It was Robin Williams doing what he does best.
The Crazy Ones airs Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.
Comedy Corner Moment #3 – Cam and Mitchell play it straight on Modern Family (“ClosetCon ’13”)

As a FBMFF (Former Big Modern Family Fan), I’ve been disappointed that this season has yet to give me something to write about. Don’t get me wrong, it still makes me laugh, but mostly in a single physical stunt or a clever one-liner and even then, not in the way that it use to. That’s why I was delighted when this week’s episode gave me a storyline of substance I could write about. The episode kicks off as Mitchell and Cam visit Cam’s family in Missouri. It’s full of clever “fish out of water” references and a Cam that is nothing like the Cam we’re use to. We’ve heard about this Cam over the years, but to see him is an entirely different experience. From Cam’s famous cattle calling to Mitchell’s Missouri/Misery joke to Lily picking up a southern drawl, the storyline was fun and light-hearted. And then grandma arrived. Apparently Cam’s “gram gram” is the only one in the family who hasn’t caught on to the fact that Cam isn’t in to the ladies.
Cam: “We never told gram about the gay. After a certain age, you worry it could be the thing that sends them over the edge. And she’s been on the edge a long time. We’re actually on death bed number two.”
As expected, this leads to an elaborate ruse where Mitchell is forced to play Bud, the farm-hand who is a bit “simple on account of being mule-kicked.” While this could be viewed as offensive or stereotypical, Mitchell doesn’t play Bud so much as he plays Mitchell PLAYING Bud, which allows us to join in on the joke. It’s never so much about Bud as it is about Mitchell being his normally awkward, uncomfortable and over-the-top self. He obviously isn’t on board in the beginning so he gives it all he can muster (which is often too much) but once gram gram takes aim at Lily, Mitchell steps up to sell the lie.
Mitchell: “I went to Viet-nam and I did some adoptin’. Now I’m raisin’ her all by my lonesome.”
Of course, Cam can’t let the charade continues and he comes clean, but watching the subtle glances and veiled references as these two try to out-perform one another was downright entertaining, y’all.
Modern Family airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on ABC.
Related posts
Classics
George R. Olson, Tim Rozon, and Sarah Levy Talk the SurrealEstate S2 Finale
[Spoilers for the SurrealEstate Season 2 finale.] How’s everyone doing after the finale? As we close out the second season of SurrealEstate, some of our merry band of misfits are scattering to the winds–Zooey to law school, Phil to the Vatican, and Augie back to his think tank with Rochelle,…
Previewing SurrealEstate Season 2 Finale + Revisiting the Season with George R. Olson
[Warning; General spoilers ahead.] Strap in, SurrealEstate fam, because we’ve arrived at the Season 2 finale, and it’s a doozy. As we saw in the closing moments of last week’s episode, Susan is back. But because we have one more episode left, it’s not as simple as all that, as…
Tyler Hynes Talks Through His Eight-Film Hallmark Holiday Library
Things you realize when you have to re-record your shows on a new DVR – just how many Hallmark movies your people have done. Fan favorite – and one of ours – Tyler Hynes has done eight Christmas movies for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries since 2018. Alongside…
Spencer Creaghan Talks About Creating SurrealEstate’s Signature Sound
SurrealEstate is winding down its second season, with two episodes left, and just as in Season 1, Spencer Creaghan’s music continues to be a character unto itself. And every week, he shares tidbits with the fans via his s social media channels, something he started to help give them an…
Andrew Walker Talks Christmas Island and the Magical Hallmark Community
[Warning: Spoilers for Christmas Island.] Now that the Screen Actors Guild strike has been resolved, we’re able to resume regularly scheduled programming and interview our favorites and yours. Up first, earlier today, I spoke with Andrew Walker about Christmas Island, which premiered last weekend and encores tonight and through the…
George Olson and Danishka Esterhazy Talk SurrealEstate “I Put a Spell on You”
[Warning: Spoilers for the episode.] Tonight’s fun new SurrealEstate found Luke caught up in an especially bewitching woman, Kay, played by Tara Yelland, Susan trapped in her house, and Zooey learning the ropes. In the next part of my conversation with showrunner George R. Olson and producing director Danishka Esterhazy,…
Danishka Esterhazy Talks SurrealEstate: “The Butler Didn’t”
[Warning: General spoilers for the episode]. Tonight’s new SurrealEstate, “The Butler Didn’t,” follows the team as they investigate the years-earlier mysterious death of a woman whose ghost now reenacts her hanging by dropping over the banister from the second floor to terrify anyone on the landing or at the bottom…
Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders Talk the From Season 2 finale
[Warning: Spoilers for the season finale.] How’s everyone doing after that finale? While we wait and wonder and hope for a third season announcement, soon, here’s what Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders had to say about their parts of the finale, and where they hope they get to go next….
Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders Talk From Season 2 + A Season Finale Preview
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] It all comes down this, #FROMily. As Sunday’s episode wraps up Season 2, we begin with the aftermath of the terrifying onset of seemingly simultaneous attacks on Julie, Marielle, and Randall, which accelerate the “We gotta get out of this place” of it all. Sara comes…
Alison Sweeney Talks About What’s Next for Hannah and Mike After Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery
[Warning: Spoilers for Carrot Cake Murder.] Everybody OK after that Hannah Swensen Mystery twist? Thankfully, our favorite crime-solving couple is still on speaking term, even if they’re on a break (hopefully not that kind of break). Most importantly, we already know this isn’t the last film in the series. No…
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…