What character from a TV sitcom do you most relate to?
I am going to assume that Gilmore Girls counts as a sitcom because I wholeheartedly relate to Lane Kim. It’s not just the Asian thing, although that certainly played a big role. Whenever Lane trundled over to Rory’s house in her band uniform, or coming back from Seventh-Day Adventist camp, or complaining about how she was supposed to marry a “nice Asian boy,” I saw myself. She was constantly conflicted between being a dutiful daughter and a fun person, and with the meta combination of every Asian mother I have ever had the opportunity to meet embodied in Mrs. Kim, it wasn’t easy. I felt her pain.
If Gilmore Girls doesn’t count as a sitcom, then second place goes to Minkus from Boy Meets World. I was totally that kid.
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What is your all-time favorite TV show?
I do not exaggerate when I say that this question was one of the hardest ones for me. How does someone pick an all-time favorite TV show? Do I base it on lines memorized? Episodes seen? DVDs owned? Newer favorites? Conflicted, I asked OPH if it would be okay if I went outside the lines and identified two shows (gasp!). To my relief, she assented.
First, I choose to reveal the show whose mention makes my heart leap with an unmatched affection, whose absence on the airways causes me despair. I risk alienation and dissension, but this show is for the true and loyal, to whom I belong. Perfect Strangers, I miss you. My mom and I laughed our way through Balki misconstruing English idioms and Cousin Larry getting stressed out. We wrung our hands when they tried to move that piano for Miss Lydia. Whenever I see Sam Anderson, I always want to cry out, “It’s Mr. Gorpley!” But best of all, in times of celebration, Perfect Strangers taught me to shout triumphantly, “Now we are so happy, we do the Dance of Joy!” Good times, good times.
My current favorite is not really a shocker: How I Met Your Mother. JG and I have been hooked ever since we stumbled upon the episode with the sword fight in the first season. We sing out the theme song without fail, and we even named our dog after the main character. I laugh out loud during every episode, and I love hearing the voice of Bob Saget during the flash-forwards. The creators are really smart and current; the characters have MySpace pages, including Robin’s eighties pop-star alter-ego, Robin Sparkles. The dialog is quick and witty, and the writers reward long-time viewers with references to trivial facts like Marshall’s obsession with the Loch Ness Monster. Plus, how can you not love anything with Doogie Howser? It is impossible.
HIMYM is the show I most look forward to watching, and I am so excited that the first new episode in a very long time is airing tonight! Next week, Britney Spears will have a guest appearance, and we all want to see how that turns out. Basically, HIMYM is pure awesome. You have to see to believe. It is, without a doubt, legen — wait for it! — dary.
Previously: Lent, hypothetical actions, superpower
10 comments
Og
Ok, seriously with Internet Explorer? It just ate my comment and left that ridiculous “Og” you see there. Awesome.
Anyway, I totally loved Perfect Strangers but have not seen an episode in many, many years. Is it still as amazing as I remember it?
I’m so excited for new episodes of HIMYM! And the prospect of Brtiney on the show is very exciting. Did you hear that Alicia Silverstone was cast for a few eps, but then dropped out? Also, why hasn’t the show been renewed for another season? This is very troubling to me as a new fan.
Minkus?? I forgot about him!
I heart boy Meets World. It was so important to me in my youth!
Oh man, I love Gilmore Girls! I became even more excited about it when I randomly found out that it was based on some dialogue from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead– but don’t hold me to that, because I feel like it might be made up. At any rate, very well written.
And, oh man…Perfect Strangers! Dance of Joy! So! Great! With all your talk of HIMYM, I am really tempted to start watching…as if I need more television obsessions.
One of my favorite things about Lost is seeing Sam Anderson and reliving Perfect Strangers days. For some reason, this is not true when I see Mark Lin Baker on Law and Order. He’s usually playing someone who is frightening to me.
I’m so benevolent I almost can’t stand myself.
Awesome answer with Lane Kim. I love me some Lane Kim, almost as much as I love Emily Gilmore and Luke Danes.
I really need to Netflix some HIMYM past seasons.
As you know, I’m incredibly excited you and JG are big How I Met Your Mother fans. I discovered the show when TiVo told me I’d like it back in grad school. I’d read about it in the TV Guide Fall Preview before its first season, but didn’t have the time to watch it regularly until TiVo came along and saved my life.
CBS is toying with its renewal for a second straight season, which is frightening to viewers new and established, because this show is not over until we get to meet the mother! How could they do that to the creators without giving them time to get the story moved along to a reasonable end?
Having recently seen clips from Perfect Strangers online, I can say wholeheartedly that I don’t believe it holds up. I absolutely loved it as a kid, though.
And identifying Minkus was incredible. I simultaneously was excited to hear mention of Minkus and sad for little RA…. Awwww..
I have been reading good things about Britney on that show and how she wants to expand her role. I hope the episode turns out well.
I still have never seen an episode of How I Met Your Mother, but you’ve sold me on it! I’ll add it to the Netflix queue!
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