Rapidly Reviewing The Critic Episode 6: Eyes on the Prize

It's the 1000th episode of Coming Attractions, and, as you'd expect from almost everything Jay Sherman touches, it's a complete and utter disaster. Terrible clips like Cher cussing him out, a cancelled guest appearance from Meryl Streep and a somehow more awkward than expected interview with Adam West. If the show hasn't set it in stone to this point that Coming Attractions is a dumpster fire, then this definitely is the nail in the foot. It's made no better when nobody shows up for the after-show party either. Ultimately Jay needs to do something to change his image. Taking Jeremy's advice, he goes to Adolf Hitmaker, an image consultant that suggests that Jay just gets fatter.

Despite any attempts at changing his image, Jay still doesn't bring in any new sponsors, and ultimately winds up fired (while naked) by Duke. Jay's last chance to be on television is to host "English for Cab Drivers". It's pretty bleak for ol' Jay, but after visiting his old film school teacher, he realizes that his one goal in life is to be as critical a prick as possible. So Jay sets out to come up with something that will earn him back respect, as well as another Pulitzer Prize. But ultimately after watching some bad movies, he finally gives a speech about "if the movie stinks, just don't go". A lesson that sadly hasn't been learned by the viewing public since this episode saw air.

Jay succeeds in wining a Pulitzer, and returns to see Duke Phillips offering Jay his job back. Jay accepts on his own terms, and everyone lives happily ever after. Or as happily as this show goes at least.

If it feels like I didn't add too much to this review, it's because there really isn't much to talk about when it comes to the story. This episode feels a lot lighter in plot than it does in gags, and this one has some of the show's finest gags. Jay's student film, the Orson Welles "green peaness" bit, Duke breaking through the walls, Jay's speech. Chances are if you've merely glanced at The Critic through clips, something from this episode was part of it. But it does come at the expense of what is kind of a dull story that flows at too quick of a pace to really say it leaves any lasting impact. That does feel like the ultimate damning point of looking back at early Critic. It's something the show improves on (notably in the Fox era), but the show's story focus can sometimes be too dry for its own good. An okay story but more memorable for the jokes.