Quick Take: The Marriage Ref, "Jerry Seinfeld, Kelly Ripa, Alec Baldwin" "Mariah Carey's a no good hussie." – Motorcycle dude's wife
Review: The Marriage Ref, "Jerry Seinfeld, Kelly Ripa, Alec Baldwin" (S0105) This show continues to work because of the sharp concept and format, host Tom Papa's peppy and deft pacing, legitimately funny banter and commentary from the A List panel, and particularly because of the spot on casting and editing of wacko couples who are to be "judged" by the ref. Case in point on the latter bit is Crispy, the suburban dad who weekends it as a wannabe hip hop superhero.
I was a little nervous over the last few episodes, in which show co-creator Seinfeld stepped out of the panel to allow others to fill in. They went great however, due in large part to heroic comic performances by Seinfeld show alumni Larry David and Jason Alexander in subsequent weeks. Having Seinfeld back this week though reminds me of what a natural he is in the role of riffing off observations. And Baldwin and Ripa have great chemistry as Jerry's sidekicks.
More thoughts on this week's reffin':
They removed the animated intro this week with Jerry Seinfeld voiceover, in favor of Marv Albert previewing the show. The Albert preview makes it feel more like a glitzy late nigh talk show, which I suppose is appropriate.
Another format change: the short monologue has been removed entirely, with host/"marriage ref" Tom Papa simply diving right into the first couple's intro and film clip. I like Papa a lot, but the monologue always felt awkward, so this is a smart move.
"You can't even admit when you were born?" – Crispy's wife, to Crispy
"Well, it's not like he's a limbless guy who wants to become an Olympic skier." – Alec Baldwin on Crispy
Baldwin likening the motorcycle couple's house to Princess and the Pea is great, and Papa's telestration of the house is even better.
"Mariah Carey is the world to me." – Motorcyle in the house dude. Uh… that's grounds for a huge loss from the ref right there in my book.
"Mariah Carey's a no good hussie." – Motorcycle dude's wife
Motorcycle dude repeatedly kissing his cat squarely on the mouth while being interviewed (with his "Mariah Carey's a hussie" wife sitting next to him)… disturbing.
Video: The Marriage Ref, "Jerry Seinfeld, Kelly Ripa, Alec Baldwin" Catch the hilarity whilst it lasts, on the Hulu:
Recap: The Marriage Ref, "Jerry Seinfeld, Kelly Ripa, Alec Baldwin" A man obsessed with his motorcycle and Mariah Carey, a hip-hop dad, a terrifying dog.
From Around the Web: The Marriage Ref, "Jerry Seinfeld, Kelly Ripa, Alec Baldwin"
Examiner: The best line of the show is when Susan asks Jimmy: “If you keep rubbing it, are you going to get three wishes”. The worst line of the show also goes to Susan when she tells Jimmy: “He has me, I don’t know why he wants Mariah Carey”?
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