Sitcoms

Kevin and I have just finished watching both the Judd Apatow television sitcoms "Undeclared" and "Freaks and Geeks" as well as the first two seasons of "The Big Bang Theory". We have had a really good time.

TBBT is a gift from Georgia. She introduced Kevin to the program when he stayed with them in Columbus this year. As people with significant geek quotas (though Kevin scoffs at mine) we particularly enjoy Sheldon - though we've discussed that Kevin really should try to refrain from embracing too much of Sheldon's approach to humanity. We are troubled by the character of Penny who lives next door. How is it that she, as a waitress at The Cheesecake Factory, can afford to live alone in this apartment building while Sheldon, an employed physicist, needs a roommate to make the rent? OK. Their apartment is bigger...but really. In addition, who really believes that Leonard could be happy with Penny? And, where are the smart and normal (though I'm happy to see Sara Gilbert, again) women??

"Undeclared" - had an aborted single season in 2001 when I was living in Fayetteville. I really enjoyed the show and wanted to share it with Kevin. After the first couple of episodes, however, he noted that perhaps I was more nostalgic having had a much better time in college (university for you Australians). And, I admitted that I also had great memories of teaching college freshmen. Still, Kevin loves me and he persevered and ended up attached to the show. The characters are honest and vulnerable and the last couple of episodes are very, very, very funny.

"Freaks and Geeks" - was one of my Christmas gifts to Kevin. I had read a review of the best DVDs from 2008 and picked out this plus "Frisky Dingo" (and I believe I've already told you what a HUGE hit that was this us.) Like "Undeclared", it took several episodes for us to warm up to it - but we ultimately found it to be, again like "Undeclared", touching and funny and the performances excellent.

Now, Kevin has never been a fan of Apatow films, but we think we've figured it out. Maybe he'll just need to watch them for about 8 hours straight to get into the groove - or Apatow will have to write 8 hour movies.

Anyway, we're going to miss Sam, Neil, Bill, Lindsay, Kim, Daniel, Nick and Ken...Steven, Lizzie, Rachael, Lloyd, Ron and Marshall...but, we know how it would ultimately end-

with a large spaceship descending and an imposing woman asking them "where are their clothes"?