24 1 / 2012
TBTL at 1000
But then, contradiction has always been part of the show’s DNA. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, the genius of TBTL is that it recognizes the profundity of the mundane. It’s silly and sublime, intellectual and inane, naive and yet knowing. It’ll take the time to explain how the Large Hadron Collider works as well as how to seduce an airline attendant into giving you free drinks. Too Beautiful to Live is all about finding that very delicate balance within the contradictions of our own lives. We’re Ira Glass and Hot Greg. Drew McFrizz and the Grammar Lady. The New Yorker and TMZ. In fact, we’re all Luke and Jen, and, okay, sometimes even Sean.
As I said in my obviously premature eulogy, TBTL has always reminded me of a slice of lemon meringue pie. At its best, it’s the perfect combination of sugar-spun fluff and tart flavor. When taking a bite out of TBTL, you have to make sure you taste both the meringue and the lemon, or you’ll miss the point. Some people, unfortunately, can’t get past the meringue. But if you stick with the show long enough, the lemon will always out.
Remarkably, TBTL still matters.
Rawr.
— Tom Tangney
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04 1 / 2012
In other quirky comedy news, today IFC posted an episode from Portlandia’s upcoming season 2 online. I like Portlandia. I don’t love it, but there are certain skits that are brilliant.
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