Courtesy of ABC
After Sunday’s hilarious episode we get a second helping of Happy Endings this week, and although this episode doesn’t soar as high as the previous one, it’s still got some great stuff. Like the eagerly anticipated (by me at least) return of Derek (Stephen Guarino)! Looks like January just might be a great month.
Let’s review…
My favorite guest star makes his first appearance in season 3. I’m not sure why it took them this long to bring him back, but let’s just all bask in the warm glow of his charm. Yes, folks, Derek is back!
Derek tags along with Jane (Eliza Coupe) as they try to help Max (Adam Pally) who is having an identity crisis after finding out that twinks are not gays that enjoy eating twinkies (If only they were). This journey of discovery begins as it should: with a hilarious montage of the three visiting a variety of different gay bars (Sidenote: who wouldn’t love to go to a bar called Ginger Snaps or one for TV sitcom gays?)
I do have to say that it is nice to see Max get a storyline that doesn’t grossing viewers out. I mean, I get that he’s kind of gross (character-wise), but I need to see more of the lovable Max that we had in season one. You know, the one that I want to root for to find someone, as opposed to the jerk who steals his friends’ beers at the bar. Mmmkay?
As Jane gays it up (love the do!), Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.) tries to man it up with Dave (Zachary Knighton), as his unemployment causes him to question his manhood. And of course the easiest way to prove you’re a man is to fix something and get paint on your pants. Or so I’m told (I should probably fact check this. ‘Scuse me while I google). Although this may not be the funniest storyline, it definitely has its moments. Of course I’m talking about Brad’s girlish scream as the light short-circuits. Clearing your man throat indeed! I do always love a good joke that subverts our expectations of gender. And this show is full of them!
One thing I hope to see in upcoming episodes would be Brad actually finding a job. Not that it hasn’t been amusing to see him be the stay-at-home husband, but I don’t think the show has done a great job with it considering the comedic possibilities. If you’re not gonna use a plot device to your advantage, why not just give it up and let Brad get a job?
Courtesy of ABC
Finally, Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) and Penny (Casey Wilson) try to get free press when a pop princess (Laura Catalina Ortiz) buys a dress from Alex’s shop. This, of course, backfires and hilarity ensues. With references to Britney and Winona, the storyline isn’t exactly timely, but it has its moments, including a great bit of physical comedy from Ms. Wilson (and that’s always a good thing). Plus it has a sweet, dare I say, happy ending (I’m here all week! Tip your waiter!). Who doesn’t love it when the show ends with the girl getting the guy? Or, in this case, a guest star that I didn’t particularly care for and a blink and you’ll miss him hottie. Awww sweet love.
Other observations:
- Val Kilmer as Dave’s spirit animal makes perfect sense, and explains so much. Fingers crossed for a cameo later this season!
- Jane knowing that Derek is shaking his head behind her back is both funny and scary as hell.
- Love Penny’s nicknames at work! Think they are good ones for me, too…which is sadly not so funny.
- Loved Brad’s “man bag”. In case you’re wondering, I just got one myself this week.
- Giving the gang gay identities is genius: Alex is a messy twink, Penny is a hag (obviously), Jane as a top, Dave as a power bottom (double obviously) and Brad as “doable”….Clearly I agree with that final assessment. Swoon
Funniest lines of the night:
Jane: “This manhood stuff is all in your head. I mean you could not be acting like more of a man right now. Stupid, stubborn and smelly. Seriously, did you power wash this place with farts?”
Penny: “It’s PR 101. We tell the paparazzi where Winnie is going on her date. Then, they photograph her in the dress and BOOM Xela dresses are the hottest fashion item since bicycle Joe steroids’ little yellow cheater bracelets. Think about it!”
Jane: “Let me guess the name of the bar. This is so fun! Manhole? Back Door? Club Tush? Dreamballs? Club Tush again…was it Club Tush?
Max: “It was Greg’s, Jane. The gay bar was called Greg’s.”
Jane: “Oh yeah..no..that’s a clas..that’s clever…”
Jane: “What’s a twink?”
Derek: “A thin, smooth, sweet, pretty boy. It’s one of our many gay categories. We have our bears, our queens, our daddies, our sugar caddies, our maple smoked sausage patties, our belgian waffles, and, of course, our six tops. Fun fact, those last four are just things in this room. But you believed me because you are stupid!”
Max: “Just please tell me what I am!”
Derek: “I don’t know alright. I thought you would figure it out and I would take credit for it, but you’re like Anne Hathaway’s accents: you’re all over the place.”
What did you folks think? Were you overjoyed by the return of Derek like I was? Do you agree with his assessments of the gangs gay identities? How sexy were Brad and Dave in their construction outfits? Did you care about the pop princess and her suitor (gag)? Sound off below.
Happy Endings airs Sundays at 10pm EST and Tuesdays at 9pm EST on ABC