Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
HERCULES THE STRONG seems to be hooked on this, the only David E. Kelly show not currently obssessed with lawyers, and I have to agree: it's fun. I was thrown by the world it's set in at first, but once I figured out that it wasn't set in anything resembling the real world, I started to enjoy it. Let's see what's up this week...
BOSTON PUBLIC 1.14 FAQ
WHAT’S IT CALLED?
“Chapter Fourteen.”WHO’S RESPONSIBLE?
Teleplay is credited to series creator David E. Kelley and the longtime TV writing team of John J. Sakmar & Kerry Lenhart (“Seaquest DSV,” “Early Edition,” “Judging Amy”).
WHAT’S TV GUIDE SAY?
“A teacher shortage yields surprises; memory lapses fluster Lipschultz; and the Boston Pops names a guest conductor---Guber, who's now romancing Marylin.”
WHAT’S THE TV GUIDE AD SAY?
“What will Lauren do when she finds out the new teacher is … a student?”
SUCKOMETRIC READINGS?
Almost zero. Even the lesser episodes of “Boston Public” are great; one gets excited every time one sees Harry Senate within shouting distance of an authority figure.
THE BIG NEWS?
Joey Slotnick and Thomas McCarthy really are out of work. The title credits have been re-edited to excise them, and the actors do not appear in this week’s episode. But my suspicion is Slotnick might be back.
WHY?
Because Lisa Grier is back.
WHY?
(MAJOR SPOILAGE HERE) Unbeknownst to school administrators, Lisa’s been teaching a 4th-period lit class since October.
ANY OTHER BIG NEWS?
We learn that Harry Senate’s need to compartmentalize his life may be related to what happened to his dad.
DO WE MEET HARRY’S DAD?
No.
WHO SHOULD PLAY HARRY’S DAD?
In a perfect world, a reanimated Dick York.
WHAT HAPPENED TO HARRY’S DAD?
That would be telling.
WHY IS THERE A TEACHER SHORTAGE?
Six quit in protest of Kevin Riley’s firing.
ANY OTHER BIG NEWS?
Steven Harper agrees to dinner with Marla Hendricks!
IS JENNA MILLER, THE HOT TEACHER HARRY USED TO DATE, BACK?
She is, and tells her blonde pal she lusts after one of her 17-year-old students. The blonde replies she’s hot for Brian Weld, a 15-year-old student. This conversation takes place within earshot of Harvey Lipschultz in the teachers’ lounge.
ISN’T THAT SICK?
How could any normal human being think of a 15-year-old in a sexual way?? And with Harvey in the room??
IS SCOTT GUBER REALLY ROMANCING MARYLIN?
Only to the degree he was romancing Lauren.
ANY TALKBACKERS TO THANK THIS WEEK?
Big thanks to Tad Ghostal, who pointed out that the actress playing Jenna was also Billy’s secretary on “Ally McBeal” last season, and Guerilla Films, who noted that superhot principal’s assistant Louisa is essayed by the spawn of Peggy Lipton and Quincy Jones!
AREN’T YOU PISSED THAT, ON LAST NIGHT’S “THE PRACTICE,” WE NEVER FOUND OUT WHETHER OR NOT REBECCA WASHINGTON REALLY WANTED A BLOOD TRANSFUSION?
Yes. And we’re not going to find out next week, either: the excellent “Practice” is pre-empted for a Judy Garland TV biopic.
TELL US HOW TO SQUANDER OUR MONDAYS, O HERCULES!
Fox’s “Boston Public” at 8:00, the WB’s “Roswell” at 9:00, and ABC’s “Gideon’s Crossing” at 10:00 (when it’s not pre-empted).
NEXT WEEK, ON “BOSTON PUBLIC” 1.15?
TV Guide: “Renewed violence rewrites the pact between Senate and a former gang-banger; a rush to judgment stresses out a cheerleading coach, accused of molesting a student.”
HERC’S RATING FOR “BOSTON PUBLIC” 1.14?
***1/2 (Sorry, Marianne!)
The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
**** better than most motion pictures
*** actually worth your valuable time
** as horrible as most stuff on TV
* makes you quietly pray for bulletins
I secretly covet your defiance!
