The writers' strike forced some of my favorite shows into an
unexpected, summer-long hiatus and delayed the return of others. I'm
grateful that shows like Lost
still have new episodes, but the second half of this TV season hasn't
felt the same. I especially miss the promising new series that were cut
short.
It feels like other shows have been on hiatus forever. Flight of the Conchords
was supposed to return this year, but had its premiere pushed back
until 2009. I miss Bret, Jemaine, and their strange circle of friends.
I've been wondering about the fates of several absent characters
lately. So many storylines were left unresolved.
Here's a short list of some of the faces I can't wait to see again:
Murray Hewitt, Flight of the Conchords -
I love all of the characters from this show, but Murray's mix of
desperation and formality makes him completely lovable. No one wears a
pair of shorts like Murray, either. The image of his pasty white legs
kept me laughing for a long time. Murray had a rare stoke of luck at
the end of season one, but there's no way his success will last. It can't -- he's at his best
when he's dealing with failure. He belongs with Bret and Jemaine,
struggling to get them free soup as compensation for a gig. I'm dying
to find out if (and how) Murray reunites with the band.
Susie Greene, Curb Your Enthusiasm - I'm
not always a fan of profanity on TV, but Susie Essman makes it an art
form in her portrayal of Susie Greene. One of the best scenes from the
season six finale was the argument between Susie, Loretta, and Larry.
Susie's always good for a tirade, whether the target is Larry or her
husband, Jeff. I think about Susie anytime I want to get in touch with
my anger. If the rumors about an upcoming seventh season are true, I want to see a rematch between Susie and Loretta.
Charlie Kelly, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - Nobody yells like Charlie Kelly. He's one of the most unstable characters on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,
and that's saying something. Charlie's poor literacy skills, a running
joke on the show, cost the gang their bar last season. I can't wait to
see how they get it back, and what kind of schemes he and Frank get
involved in. Danny DeVito and Charlie Day make a great pair, mainly
because of their nearly identical deranged looks. Every season of It's Always Sunny feels way too short, but I'll take as much of Charlie as I can get. I just hope he keeps up his songwriting.
Olive Snook, Pushing Daisies - Ned is in love with Chuck, but Olive stole my heart in the first season of
Pushing Daisies.
She sings a song when the moment takes her, gets to the bottom of
things, and has an adorable haircut to boot. Her name is even fun to
say. Try saying "Olive Snook" without smiling a little; I dare you. I
was heartbroken when I learned that there wouldn't be any new episodes
of the show until fall.
Pushing Daisies
was the most charming new show of the year, and its season ended
abruptly. Viewers were introduced to a vivid, magical world and cruelly
dropped back into reality. I'd like to revisit that world soon.
Clark the Driver, Dirty Sexy Money
- Clark is one of those wonderful minor characters that always leave
you wanting more. He'll pop up every once in a while to deliver a
clever line and retreat into the background. As a loyal Darling family
employee, Clark is privy to the Darlings' drunken ramblings and is
occasionally an accomplice in their bad behavior. He's a lot like Nick
George, but without the law degree. It's almost as fun watching Clark
react to the Darlings' craziness as it is watching the craziness
itself. Shawn Michael Patrick had better be on the show when it returns
in the fall.
Which characters do
you miss the most?
