Titus 11/28... Great episode about sexual tolerance
11-29-01, 04:54 PM
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Titus 11/28... Great episode about sexual tolerance
Short ( okay, long ) Recap for those of you who didn't watch:
Tommy, Christopher Titus' effeminate pal, calls him frantically from a local bar. The gang arrives and to hear him declare that he now knows why he likes "girlie" things why he is that way. Christopher winces at the thought of his best friend "coming out," but his surprised and relieved when he says that it's his father who turns out to be gay. Tommy begins to question his own sexuality, but it's not until Dave in a moment of brilliance, ( if you can believe that! ), puckers up and gives Tommy some throat action,
Dave: "Did you like that?"
Tommy: "No."
Dave: "Then you're not gay."
Tommy is momentarily relieved until Ken Titus comes in carrying Tommy's dad, who he found beaten in the alley outside the bar. Apparently, the local fauna didn't appreciate seeing a "h0mo" on their turf. Tommy is both worried about and angry at his father and they both argue. Tommy's dad suddenly notices that the two guys playing at the pool table are the ones who beat him. Christopher and Dave get all macho,
Christopher: "I'm gonna kill those guys!"
Tommy's Dad: "Christopher! Violence does not solve violence."
Christopher: "Well I was just gonna beat them..."
Tommy's Dad: "Oh, I'm okay with that."
As Christpher and Dave approach, he suddenly notices that they are his drag racing buddies and backs off. Only after being chided by the group does he go and confront them. He tells them that the guy they beat is his best friend's father. They in turn ask Christopher why he's hanging around with "f@gs." This pretty much castrates him and does his best to deny and evade their childish mudslinging. He goes back to the group with his tail between his legs. He publically reasserts his manhood with Erin in a vain attempt to convince his homophobic pals that he is indeed "a man's man." Ken Titus becomes incensed tells him that that is not how he raised him,
Ken Titus [ pointing at Tommy's dad ]: "This fruit was the best woman in the neighborhood, and probably the only one I didn't hit on!... You are not my son!"
In one of the black and white moments, typical of the series, Christopher speaks seriously about Mathew Shepard, a young man who was beaten to death by two yokels in 1998. Christopher keeps repeating, "They killed him because he was gay. They killed him because he was gay?!"
Christopher now very much angered marches toward the two guys. As he is about to engage them, Tommy suddenly leaps unto the pool table, screams like a banshee, grabs a cue stick and breaks it over the head of one of the guys. He then grabs the other guy by the throat and threatens to impale him with the broken half of the stick, unless he blurts out that he is a "h0mo." Tommy then orders them to get the hell out of the bar, which they do. Tommy's dad runs toward him to thank him, but he refuses his gratitude and tells him that he still hates him. Not because he is gay, but because he ruined the life of his [Tommy's] mother. He then orders him to leave the bar...
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Not only was the show funny, but also powerful in my opinion. It showed how peer pressure can coerce someone to accept the unacceptable and how simple mudslinging can curl a good person's values and put them into a defensive position. I bet many a good boy has done something wrong only so the jocks don't call him a "p&ssy" or worse, a "f@gg0t."
I like the fact that even though Ken Titus is very much a bigoted individual, he can still respect Tommy's dad and despise violence by hatred. Despite his flaws, he has a code of ethics.
Atypical of a sitcom, but expected from this show, there isn't any reconciliation or happy ending. Usually when someone "comes out" late in life, they usually leave quite a wake of resentment anger in their families. I'm glad that this was addressed and that no easy answer was provided.
Overall, terrific show. I'm glad FOX brought it back.
Tommy, Christopher Titus' effeminate pal, calls him frantically from a local bar. The gang arrives and to hear him declare that he now knows why he likes "girlie" things why he is that way. Christopher winces at the thought of his best friend "coming out," but his surprised and relieved when he says that it's his father who turns out to be gay. Tommy begins to question his own sexuality, but it's not until Dave in a moment of brilliance, ( if you can believe that! ), puckers up and gives Tommy some throat action,
Dave: "Did you like that?"
Tommy: "No."
Dave: "Then you're not gay."
Tommy is momentarily relieved until Ken Titus comes in carrying Tommy's dad, who he found beaten in the alley outside the bar. Apparently, the local fauna didn't appreciate seeing a "h0mo" on their turf. Tommy is both worried about and angry at his father and they both argue. Tommy's dad suddenly notices that the two guys playing at the pool table are the ones who beat him. Christopher and Dave get all macho,
Christopher: "I'm gonna kill those guys!"
Tommy's Dad: "Christopher! Violence does not solve violence."
Christopher: "Well I was just gonna beat them..."
Tommy's Dad: "Oh, I'm okay with that."
As Christpher and Dave approach, he suddenly notices that they are his drag racing buddies and backs off. Only after being chided by the group does he go and confront them. He tells them that the guy they beat is his best friend's father. They in turn ask Christopher why he's hanging around with "f@gs." This pretty much castrates him and does his best to deny and evade their childish mudslinging. He goes back to the group with his tail between his legs. He publically reasserts his manhood with Erin in a vain attempt to convince his homophobic pals that he is indeed "a man's man." Ken Titus becomes incensed tells him that that is not how he raised him,
Ken Titus [ pointing at Tommy's dad ]: "This fruit was the best woman in the neighborhood, and probably the only one I didn't hit on!... You are not my son!"
In one of the black and white moments, typical of the series, Christopher speaks seriously about Mathew Shepard, a young man who was beaten to death by two yokels in 1998. Christopher keeps repeating, "They killed him because he was gay. They killed him because he was gay?!"
Christopher now very much angered marches toward the two guys. As he is about to engage them, Tommy suddenly leaps unto the pool table, screams like a banshee, grabs a cue stick and breaks it over the head of one of the guys. He then grabs the other guy by the throat and threatens to impale him with the broken half of the stick, unless he blurts out that he is a "h0mo." Tommy then orders them to get the hell out of the bar, which they do. Tommy's dad runs toward him to thank him, but he refuses his gratitude and tells him that he still hates him. Not because he is gay, but because he ruined the life of his [Tommy's] mother. He then orders him to leave the bar...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not only was the show funny, but also powerful in my opinion. It showed how peer pressure can coerce someone to accept the unacceptable and how simple mudslinging can curl a good person's values and put them into a defensive position. I bet many a good boy has done something wrong only so the jocks don't call him a "p&ssy" or worse, a "f@gg0t."
I like the fact that even though Ken Titus is very much a bigoted individual, he can still respect Tommy's dad and despise violence by hatred. Despite his flaws, he has a code of ethics.
Atypical of a sitcom, but expected from this show, there isn't any reconciliation or happy ending. Usually when someone "comes out" late in life, they usually leave quite a wake of resentment anger in their families. I'm glad that this was addressed and that no easy answer was provided.
Overall, terrific show. I'm glad FOX brought it back.
11-30-01, 08:38 AM
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I usually can't stand it when a comedy show tackles an issue like this and the funny suddenly turns to the sad, dramatic and sometimes awkward.
I did catch this episode though , and I have a new found respect for TITUS, though I did find it at times to be more of an "After School Special" than "Married with Children"
I did catch this episode though , and I have a new found respect for TITUS, though I did find it at times to be more of an "After School Special" than "Married with Children"
11-30-01, 12:50 PM
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This show is my favorite comedy on television. It is perhaps the most daring comedy to hit the airwaves since the first season of The John Larroquette Show. Though Bernie Mac is coming up strong. This was a good episode. Not nearly as good as last weeks, but that's JMO. Still glad to see a show on television depicting what life is like for the rest us. If FOX drops this show, I'm going to be very very angry.
11-30-01, 12:56 PM
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Holy cow! I had no idea that the show was like this. The previews make it look like its 30 minutes of Stacy Keach berating his sons week after week. I'll have to start checking this show out...thanks for the info!
11-30-01, 02:07 PM
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Originally posted by Groucho
Holy cow! I had no idea that the show was like this. The previews make it look like its 30 minutes of Stacy Keach berating his sons week after week. I'll have to start checking this show out...thanks for the info!
Holy cow! I had no idea that the show was like this. The previews make it look like its 30 minutes of Stacy Keach berating his sons week after week. I'll have to start checking this show out...thanks for the info!
11-30-01, 03:44 PM
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Well bear in mind that much of the comedy of the show is based on Christopher Titus' real life. His father was an abusive alcoholic. His mother was indeed in a mental institution. The show can be very outrageous at times, but it very much has and underlying truth about families. One of the most touching episodes was when Christopher suffered a bad car accident last season. Ken Titus, despite his insistance on "pulling the plug" on his own son was introspectively pleading with God to spare him and let him take his place, right after one last drink. Another great thing I love about the show is the relationship between Christopher and Erin. They are both emotionally damaged people who need each other for support in dealing with their respective messed up families. Erin's parents are hateful, drunk Catholics who sired criminals and drug addicts. It's a wonder Erin is capable of functioning.
Thursday's really touched me, not so much the homosexuality, but the fact that no matter how much we may not like our parents, the moment any SOB touches a hair on them, they are in for a beating. Loyalty to family, no matter how screwed up they are is paramount.
Thursday's really touched me, not so much the homosexuality, but the fact that no matter how much we may not like our parents, the moment any SOB touches a hair on them, they are in for a beating. Loyalty to family, no matter how screwed up they are is paramount.
11-30-01, 03:47 PM
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Arimethia: Absolutely, season 1 of the John Laroquette show was probably the darkest, meanest sitcom I had ever seen on television. The episode with the Nazi picnic still stands out ( I'm not kidding! ).
Anyone know a place where I could download it?
12-05-01, 01:30 PM
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Originally posted by Tesiae
Arimethia: Absolutely, season 1 of the John Laroquette show was probably the darkest, meanest sitcom I had ever seen on television. The episode with the Nazi picnic still stands out ( I'm not kidding! ).
Arimethia: Absolutely, season 1 of the John Laroquette show was probably the darkest, meanest sitcom I had ever seen on television. The episode with the Nazi picnic still stands out ( I'm not kidding! ).
Anyway, back to topic. I'm glad to see Titus may have a few new fans.
12-05-01, 01:45 PM
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Jsph: Another reason I like the John Larroquette Show was because it had an Hispanic credited right after the lead in a non-druggie, non-criminal role. Liz Torres was terrific. Chi McBride ( the principal on Boston Public ) was the janitor. Darryl Mitchell was short order cook at the restaurant. Oh, and remember the two cops? Officers Hampton and Eggers. Man, were they corrupt. ;-) Oh, and I almost forgot about Gigi Rice as the hooker. Classic moment as she uses John's office phone to, uhm... service a client. ;-) There was also Oscar the bum ( get it? ).
One REALLY memorable episode was from I think Season 2. The gang while roaming about the Bus Station cellar, they find a really old canister of 16 film. The label though hard to read said "Candy's A$$.." John quips that it's probably some old time hooker called Candy who came out on a donkey. So the gang gathers at John's apartment to watch 50 year old porn. Once the movie starts playing Darryl Mitchel notes: "Hey look, a grassy knoll." Everyone's mouths drop and the next words are:
John: "OH MY GOD! This doesn't say Candy's A$$. It's Kennedy's Assassination!"
Of course, who should appear but a CIA agent in shorts and hula shirt. He ends up giving them free pens. ;-)
One REALLY memorable episode was from I think Season 2. The gang while roaming about the Bus Station cellar, they find a really old canister of 16 film. The label though hard to read said "Candy's A$$.." John quips that it's probably some old time hooker called Candy who came out on a donkey. So the gang gathers at John's apartment to watch 50 year old porn. Once the movie starts playing Darryl Mitchel notes: "Hey look, a grassy knoll." Everyone's mouths drop and the next words are:
John: "OH MY GOD! This doesn't say Candy's A$$. It's Kennedy's Assassination!"
Of course, who should appear but a CIA agent in shorts and hula shirt. He ends up giving them free pens. ;-)
12-05-01, 04:34 PM
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Hey, come on now. I said I forgot that one episode, not the whole show.
The cops, BTW, we're my favorite. The one episode were John wanted to learn how to drive. He convinces Louis (Chi McBride) to teach him, they get pulled over while John is driving, they figure, "Oh crap." Cops come up to the side of the car and it's Hampton and Eggers. Everyone laughs, John says, "what a relief, I thought we were in real trouble there." More laughing then Hampton says "So how much money you got on ya?"
The cops, BTW, we're my favorite. The one episode were John wanted to learn how to drive. He convinces Louis (Chi McBride) to teach him, they get pulled over while John is driving, they figure, "Oh crap." Cops come up to the side of the car and it's Hampton and Eggers. Everyone laughs, John says, "what a relief, I thought we were in real trouble there." More laughing then Hampton says "So how much money you got on ya?"
