Comedy

While I realize that my birthday is months and months away, I would just like to broadly hint that “Archer” and Archer-related paraphernalia is what I would like to receive this year (or next year, whatever). Starting with “How to Archer: The Ultimate Guide to Espionage and Style and Women and Also Cocktails Ever Written” by Sterling Archer himself.

First H. Jon Benjamin seduced me into watching “Bob’s Burgers” with his sexy sexy voice, then he sucked me into the world of espionage by dangling “Archer” in front of my face. Who could resist that kind of allure? Not I, sir. Not I.

And don’t even get me started on that time they put both shows together. The only way that could have been better was if all of the actors’ schedules had matched up. Still, it was pretty sweet.

So, putting my Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon accounts to good use, I have consumed the five available seasons of “Archer” (with my eyes, not my mouth, because that would be incredibly weird and, you know, physically impossible). As I have yet to see Season 6, I am avoiding all spoilers as though they’re contaminated with super-AIDS. Please don’t ruin it for me, or I will call the fury of Cthulhu down on your head.

There’s a special place in Hell for people that spoil books, movies, television, and the Superbowl.

Though I  probably wouldn’t say “No” to a Bob’s Burgers/Archer story where it turns out that Bob’s been bonked on the head and goes into a dream sequence where he thinks he’s Archer. Kind of like that one thing where Charlie Kelly mentions having a dream where he was a super hotshot scientist rockstar genius that saves the world from giant monsters … Read the rest “RE: Archer, books, merch, and AWESOMEness. Possibly not in that order”

Post thumbnail

Switch GirlTitle: Switch Girl!!
Genre: Japanese high school comedy
Actors: Nishiuchi Mariya, Kiriyama Renn, Sakata Rikako, Jinnai Sho, Mizuki Nana.

Synopsis borrowed from DramaWiki: Based on a manga with the same name created by Aida Natsumi, ‘Switch Girl!!’ revolves around a high school student named Nika (Nishiuchi) who appears to be a stylish and fashionable girl at school, but that’s really a fake persona that she uses when she’s in public. At home, she “switches off” the facade and her returns to her true slovenly nature. Kiriyama Renn plays the good-looking transfer student Arata, who is Nika’s love interest in the story.

Season 1 is 8 episodes.
Season 2 is 8 episodes.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this drama. It’s unfortunate, but to me most live-action manga spinoffs have been pretty hit or miss to my taste. This though … my interest was caught and I watched both seasons in one night.

Nika is funny when she’s in Off-mode at home, with her hair in that tri-corn hairdo and her overreactions to everything, and she’s beautiful when she’s dressed up in On-mode. Nishiuchi Mariya really owned the part and didn’t shy away from even the most embarrassing of scenes. I wish there had been a bit more with her sister, because we mostly see Rika in Off-mode with her blue sweatsuit and “old man” manners and the few instances of her dressed up were startling by the difference.

I’m used to watching kdramas, so I was a bit surprised about all the on-screen mentions of sex and love motels, but it’s a cute show and there’s somewhat of an implication of waiting for someone that really likes you for you, rather than just for looks. Plus Nika is a likeable character and Arata in his glasses made … Read the rest “RE TV SHOW: Switch Girl!! [Japanese high school comedy]”

Hello darkness, my old friend,
here I am to gaze again
upon the beauty of thy cheek,
your loving Will dost make us weep.
To see you both so rudely parted,
our hearts were broken,
then restarted, with the fire of our yearning,
for "Season 4!" our hearts are burning.
--Hannibal