Grid Effect

We’d like to take this moment to announce that we are aware that the eighty minute series finale of Extras aired last night, we haven’t yet watched it but plan to get to it by Wednesday. From what we’ve heard, the finale is, like, life-altering great. So we’re dying with anticipation. Really, we can’t think of anything so highly praised yet still so obscure. Especially when you consider how much influence Ricky Gervais has had on the pop culture landscape in this country.

As for the reunion, we’re not going to do a play by play of this, because it’s historically been more or less pointless. But there were tons of awkward moments, thanks largely in part to our board and increasingly transparent host and a surplus of mugging from our resident “survivors”. It seems like virtually everyone sans Todd was preoccupied with saving face, especially JR.

But Courtney apologized to Denise for the “suck at life” comment, James was self-deprecating about his reluctance to play one of his two idols, JR spent at least ten minutes convincing us he’s a great poker player, Denise self-pitied her way into a $50,000 handout from Mark Burnett and Todd spent a solid ten minutes slamming all the people he just won a million dollars at the expense of.

Someone should tell Denise that at least she isn’t subjected to such abject poverty that she has to wear the same clothes for the this photo and the reunion, unlike James and Chicken.

Needless to say, it was awkward. Things we didn’t need to hear included the state of Jaime and Erik’s sex life, James’ supposed newfound affability, Courtney proclaiming her New Yorkness, Denise’s hair and Dave’s homo-eroticism. If you took out all this, and replaced it with more PG challenge performances, Amanda’s searingly poor display during the jury vote and Aaron’s thoughts after being the victim of an intentional loss, then the reunion would have been worth the standard hour they spend on it. As it stands, we saw nothing of concern and forgot about most of it until we had to write this follow up.

Anyhow, on to greener pastures. And next season looks promising with a “fans vs. favorites” gimmick. Meaning, a team of Survivor fans competes against a team of Survivor fan’s favorite past contestants. At least its something new and presumably inoffensive. We’re looking forward to it.