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Review: New Girl “Story of the 50” (I’m Getting One of Those Jars)

Air Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2011, 9/8c on Fox

RATING: 

 

Too bad Schmidt's surprise ends with him being a douchebag, yet again.

There seems to be an epidemic spreading: shows coming off the winter hiatus are not returning to their former glory. “Story of the 50” is not my favorite episode, nor is it anywhere close to being a favorite. I’m letdown by the hijinks which aren’t really hijinks, the lack of Jess’ (Zooey Deschanel) quirkiness and overall impact when she’s on screen. What’s happened to the funny? Even Schmidt’s (Max Greenfield) douchebaggery doesn’t make me chuckle with glee like usual. I can tell you how many times I laughed (three) and when (on the bus) during the entire episode. *sigh*

Observations and thoughts:

Nick (Jake Johnson) tells Jess “You are not emotionally, mentally and spiritually prepared to throw these d-bags a party.” But I think he was talking to me because I wasn’t prepared in any of those ways to endure “Story of the 50.” Seriously, what’s this episode about? I get Schmidt puts a 50 in the douche bag jar, but why is that funny?

 

Why is Nick attracted to crazy?

Nick’s girlfriend Julia (guest star Lizzy Caplan) freaks me out. You know there’s something off about her but I don’t understand why we have to wait until the party on the bus to find out she has “anger management” issues. Speaking of the “party bus,” I happen to enjoy what Jess cooks up for Schmidt’s big 29. Watching Julia lose it on Schmidt’s “fremesis” Benjamin (David Neher) is definitely a highlight. I was hoping someone would have knocked his bitch ass out. LOL!

Winston (Lamorne Morris) takes the backseat this time around, but he’s usually the comedic fallback anyway. If he wasn’t there, do you think it would matter? I don’t see him bringing too much to the show. The only time he stood out was during the episode “Bells” where he dominated with his bell playing. I want more of that Winston—not this peanut gallery Winston.

The stripper, Mr. Fuller (Matt Besser), kills me when he starts unbuttoning his jacket while singing a gospel tune. No one wants to see him get naked but he’s really determined to show some skin. His conversation with Schmidt about the industry is cringe inducing. He asks, “What about your testicles? Are they more or less symmetrical?”  Schmidt replies, “Size, yes. Location *whispers* no.” But not even this makes me laugh, oh no.

I can't figure out why Schmidt hangs out with Benjamin.

Funny lines:

Benjamin: “Nicholas! What’s up n-word?”

Nick: “Don’t call me n-word.”

**

Mr. Fuller as he removes his pants: “Oh no, it’s getting a little nippy out. Not a good time to start turtling.”

**

Mr. Fuller: “Let me ask you some basics. When you thrust, what’s your range of motion side to side?”

**

Benjamin: “So why don’t you ditch that zero and get with the hero. The hero’s my penis.”

**

Drunken Nick antics, douchebauchery, and the Benjamin beat down don’t really redeem “Story of the 50.” If I can be honest, the Sundrop commercial during the break was funnier than the entire episode. And that’s not saying much. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the ending, which feels more like a blooper reel without actual bloopers.

Tune in to New Girl, Tuesdays at 9/8c on Fox. For more on the show, visit http://www.fox.com/new-girl/.

All photos © 2011 Fox Broadcasting, LLC. All rights reserved.

Writer, mother, realist, cloud lover, daydreamer, dessert enthusiast, sweet tea addict, perfectionist, and lover of life and Christ, but not in that order. http://www.fanfiction.net/~vikingloverelle