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June 20, 2004
IT'S BA-A-A-A-A-A-ACK!
I enjoy so few television shows anymore that when I find one, I tend to get a touch obsessive about it. Those of you who were with me last fall may remember how much I enjoyed the Joe Schmo Show (which comes out on DVD on Tuesday). Since it finished its run, I've been waiting for the DVD and hoping to find another show I enjoy as much. Well, the sequel is out: Joe Schmo 2 began its run this week, and I just caught the opening episode.
It's hard for me to believe that they can top the original - which was a brilliant satire of reality TV and a fascinating display of improvisational acting, and was totally fresh... it came before My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancee or whatever it was. And I was a huge fan of Angela Dodson, who played "Molly" on the first version.
But after the first episode of the second season, I think I have found a new favorite (no offense, Angela, in case you ever Google search yourself and show up here... you'll always be my first Schmo love!). Ingrid Wiese, the "Jane Schmo" victim of the second season's scam, has jumped instantly into my top ten list.
And it's not just because she's hot - although she's absolutely beautiful. She's also smart - works in international development and lists Madeline Albright as her heroine - and she even lives in Washington DC! Which means that, in theory, while I am hanging out down there next weekend with my brother and friends, I could possibly run into her in a bar or club. (In the nearly impossible chance that I do run into her, I'm so buying her a drink.) Okay, so it'll never happen. But I can dream, can't I?
The show itself this year is a spoof of "The Bachelor/ette" shows. If you're unfamiliar with the concept behind "Joe Schmo," a fake reality television show is prepared and produced... generally the parodies include several dead-on skewerings of the cliches found all over reality shows. But every memeber of the cast is an actor playing out a semi-scripted role -- except for the Schmo, or in this case Schmoes... who think they are competing on a real show. The actors have to improvise their lines on the way to making the intended outcome happen - while reacting to the real and unscripted reactions of the Schmoes to every set-up situation. It's a hysterical concept that is brilliant in execution.
"Joe Schmo 2" is on SpikeTV on Tuesday nights at 10 pm EDT, 9 CDT.
