Episode 113: Brendon’s Choice

Warning: Make sure you see this episode before you see Episode 207, 208, 212, 213 or 307.

Cast:
Brendon Small – Brendon Small
Jason Penopolis – H. Jon Benjamin
Melissa Robbins – Melissa Bardin Galsky
Coach Jon McGuirk – H. Jon Benjamin
Paula Small – Janine Ditullo
Josie Small – Loren Bouchard
Dixie Smithley – Amy Roeder
Principal Plum – Paula Plum
Erik – Jonathan Katz
Dr. Fizzel – Mitch Hedberg

Synopsis: After winning the “Young Filmmaker of the Year” award, Brendon is interviewed by Dixie Smithley from Channel One News. All is going well until Dixie Smithley asks about Brendon’s father. Meanwhile, McGuirk is forced to take anger management classes.

History:
· This is the season one finale.
· This is the last episode made in Squigglevision.
· This is the last time Mitch Hedberg appears on Home Movies.
· This is the first episode to bring the storyline of Brendon’s dad into the mix.

Lawn Gnomes:
· I didn’t catch any in this one.

Brendon’s Filmography:
· “Fat Her” – A journalist’s life is changed forever when he makes a story that could bring down the most powerful man in the free world. Also, he has an affair and his mistress tries to kill him.
· “Archaeologists” – Two archaeologists looking for dinosaur bones find romance instead.
· “Mistaken for a Princess” – The daughter of a self-serve gas station attendant ends up being mistaken for a princess by a bunch of inept, over-the-hill mobsters who are trying to get enough money together so they can buy a struggling minor league baseball team and retire.

The Movie-Episode Connection:
· Look at the name. “Fat Her”. Hopefully you can get something from that. Also, Jason tells Brendon to take the Zebra away because, “It reminds me of my father.”
· Jason’s only line in the “Mistaken for a Princess” movie: “I want my daddy!”

Random Observations & Facts:
· The award presenter apparently has speech problems.
· Another kid can be seen on set during “Titanic 2”.
· Dwayne and Paula’s mother are in the audience for the award presentation. Also seen are Mr. Lynch and Walter & Perry.
· McGuirk’s face gets gradually redder while talking to Principal Plum.
· If you look at the guy sitting next to McGuirk during therapy in this episode, there seems to be a weird type of subplot there.
· The channel one news logo is a hand with the index finger extended.
· Principal Plum is in the stands when McGuirk doesn’t flip out on the crazy old man.
· Crazy Old Man spells bum “Bem”.
· Ending Soccer Score: 0-6 Visitors.
· Dixie Smithley is obviously reading from cue cards.
· At the time this episode premiered, it was unknown whether or not Cartoon Network was going to pick up this show for a second season. Luckily they did, but the Father storyline isn’t resolved until 207 – Dad.

Movie & Other References
· McGuirk hides in the back of Crazy Old Man’s car, and pops up while he’s driving. I know I’ve seen that several times before.

End Credits: “Brendon’s Choice End Theme” (Great song, BTW)

Reviews: WARNING: Spoilers

StrangerAtaru: I don't know if it is just me or something, but considering how much comedy goes into this show, a dramatic episode can be somewhat strange to watch. Unfortunately, the basis of the drama (Brendon realizes that he doesn't really know about his father during interviews for a movie he gets an award for) gets somewhat lost with the interviews. The lady who interviewed Brendon, Jason and Melissa either asked too many questions or too few questions to them, leading pretty much nowhere and of course to the crappy 30-second segment they do get on the news. But while Brendon's situation did eventually get depressing, at least Jason's was just weird enough to be funny. (the part about "a woman who can't conceive who is pregnant" gets me every time) Luckily, there was the subplot about McGuirk’s psych-therapy to fall back on. The actual sessions were funny in themselves (especially about how this guy who calls himself a therapist can't help anyone in the class), but the bits involving McGuirk staying calm while being harassed by other people did get annoying after a while. (but the revenge scene at the end against the guy from the soccer game was classic, making the whole thing worth it) Overall, a half and half ending to the Squigglevision/Retro scripting era, but at least it has one of the best end-themes in the series.

DrWeird: Before I begin my review, I'd like to mention that I'll never be able to fully enjoy this episode (I'll put the next part in spoilers in case anyone is watching Home Movies for the first time) I saw Brendon's Dad in "Dad" before I saw this episode, so a lot of the drama was lost on me

Well, I'll start with the good things in this episode. Comedically, McGuirk's plotline was the better by far. Mitch Hedberg had a great performance as Dr. Fizzel (his voice fits the role perfectly), and both McGuirk angry and McGuirk trying not-to-be angry led to some good moments. "Fat Her" was great (hopefully you noticed the connection with the movie name), but the storyline involving "Fat Her" was not (more on that in a sec...)

The main "dramatic" plotline in this episode was great as well (even if it was ruined for me). The drama led to some good scenes, including Paula & Brendon (and Josie), Brendon rewinding his movie, and the well-done ending (I liked how they kept some comedy in by having Erik say, "I'll get it")

Now onto the bad in this episode. The main comedic storyline (Brendon's interview) just wasn't that good. We got some good scenes from "Fat Her" ("It reminds me of my father", "Found you!"), but most of the interviews themselves fell flat. We didn't get to see Melissa's, some of Brendon’s just sort of dragged on, and Jason, well his was good, but he only had one. Dixie Smithley was a weak character, and the opening Young Director of the Year award had some bad jokes (I never liked the other nominees{and I know they were supposed to be bad, I'm just saying}). However, it was great how they only got a 30 second bit at the end.

This episode had a strong dramatic plotline and some good McGuirk, but I'm going to have to go with a C/C+ (couldn't decide).

Positives: McGuirk, The Brendon's dad storyline
Negatives: The interviews, Dixie Smithley, weak main comedic storyline