Episode 512 clip

SPOILER FOR EPISODE 512 - "MY NIGHT AT DARIA'S" . . . . . . . SPOILER FOR EPISODE 512 - "MY NIGHT AT DARIA'S" . . . . . . . SPOILER FOR EPISODE 512 - "MY NIGHT AT DARIA'S" . . . . . . . SPOILER FOR EPISODE 512 - "MY NIGHT AT DARIA'S" . . . . . . . SPOILER FOR EPISODE 512 - "MY NIGHT AT DARIA'S" . . . . . . .

I just saw the clip for episode 512, which seems to be called "My Night at Daria's" rather than "Boxing Daria". Tom and Daria are in the Morgendorffer living room reading a philosophy book and an economics text respectively and commenting about how boring they are, but then they're hit with something really boring - Quinn walks in, complaining about how her latest date only talks about himself, has a CD player that skips, wears white pants, etc. etc. Tom and Daria walk out and Quinn calls Stacy to continue her rambling.

"My Night at Daria's"? Maybe the whole episode takes place in the house? All sorts of mundane goings-on? Maybe we hear the rest of Quinn's call to Stacy for the rest of the episode?

I hope this isn't as boring as it looks, as was "Prize Triters" (sic). I'm starting to think maybe "Fizz Ed" wasn't so bad after all. At least it TRIED to be funny.

Maybe Eichler wasn't kidding about creative burnout? And season 5 had been going so well.

Has anyone heard a title for episode 513? Or an air date for IICY?

M Man

All

It looks as if the 'Boxing Daria' episode will be #513. That's how it is on TV Guide. (TV Grid still says 'Boxing Daria' is #512, but MTV apparently disagrees.)

"My Night at Daria's" supposedly deals with 'relationship' and 'physical touching' issues, so maybe there'll be more excitement in it than that short clip provides.

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I just checked both tvgrid and tvguide and neither has an episode title for June 25 - episode 513 presumably.

The Ep 512 clip is labelled "My Night at Daria's" rather than "My Night with Daria" which is still on tvguide, and tvgrid still has "Boxing Daria".

SECOND SPOILER - IF POSSIBLE ON-TARGET SPECULATION WOULD RUIN YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS EPISODE. . . . . . SECOND SPOILER - IF POSSIBLE ON-TARGET SPECULATION WOULD RUIN YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS EPISODE. . . . . . SECOND SPOILER - IF POSSIBLE ON-TARGET SPECULATION WOULD RUIN YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS EPISODE. . . . . . SECOND SPOILER - IF POSSIBLE ON-TARGET SPECULATION WOULD RUIN YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS EPISODE. . . . . . SECOND SPOILER - IF POSSIBLE ON-TARGET SPECULATION WOULD RUIN YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS EPISODE. . . . . . SECOND SPOILER - IF POSSIBLE ON-TARGET SPECULATION WOULD RUIN YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS EPISODE. . . . . .

I looked at the clip again. How about Daria's remark to Quinn "You wouldn't want to barge in on somebody's date."?

I think Quinn is going to barge in on something more than a date later in the episode.

Excitement indeed.

M Man

Possibly. Hopefully not the way I think you're speculating. Of course it was inevitable that they'd bring up the subject some time.

In my TV Guide the description goes like, "Daria struggles with relationship issues." I'll let far more speculative minds ruminate on that.

Jeff M.

ENJOYMENT

ENJOYMENT

ENJOYMENT

ENJOYMENT

ENJOYMENT

ENJOYMENT

relationship

Ah, yes, but after you answer the trivia quiz at daria.mtv.com, it says "in next week's episode "My Night at Daria's", Daria ponders over whether having a relationship must involve touching another human being."

So it's definitely something about physical contact.

Adam

I was thinking that that line ("You wouldn't want to barge in on somebody's date") might be telegraphing future developments in the episode, like Jane's "you had to learn about kissing sometime" (when Daria walked in on Jane and Tom) in DDMD.

M Man

Know all men by these presents, that the aforesaid [email] (MMan37x) did write in news:[email], on the date of 12 Jun 2001:

SPOILER FOR EPISODE 512 - "MY NIGHT AT DARIA'S" . . . . . . . SPOILER FOR EPISODE 512 - "MY NIGHT AT DARIA'S" . . . . . . . SPOILER FOR EPISODE 512 - "MY NIGHT AT DARIA'S" . . . . . . . SPOILER FOR EPISODE 512 - "MY NIGHT AT DARIA'S" . . . . . . . SPOILER FOR EPISODE 512 - "MY NIGHT AT DARIA'S" . . . . . . . .

It's even worse than that - Quinn was calling Tiffany, not Stacy. A phone call between Quinn and Tiffany really could last for an entire episode, and it would be bleaker than a Beckett play, to boot.

Well, given that the episode is called "My Night at Daria's" and given that Tom is at Daria's house, and it's nighttime, I'd say it just might be interesting; and to judge from the hint dropped on the MTV contest entry page, it just might be *extremely* interesting.

I thought some of the dialogue in the clip was pretty funny, but I might not have been amused by the line "So much for my silly childhood dream of becoming a supply-side economist" if I hadn't spent several years working for the economic studies program of a large research organization. (And Tom is right about Kant - he really does give dry, ponderous intellectuals a bad name.)

I think it's too early to write it off, but I agree that "Prize Fighters" makes "Fizz Ed" look that much stronger in retrospect. (I admit that the wasabi-flavored gummy fish made me laugh and shudder simultaneously.) The weirdest thing about "Prize Fighters" was that all of the characters were in character; it was as though someone videotaped a not-especially- interesting week in their lives and then broadcast it.

Mark Steese a/k/a Corvus Marinus

<Jake>

Lousy second-rate computer speakers!

</Jake>

But not bleaker than "Prize Triters". At least Quinn has bouncy hair. Ep 511 had bouncy nothing.

Make the first of two-part finale, � la season 4? If they can top *that* ...

What was the "hint"? I haven't been following the contest.

Interesting connection to another thread going on in this ng. Ayn Rand *hated* Immanuel Kant.

I must've used the word "trite" 20 times now to describe this episode, but that's all it was:

Jake: look what I cooked up - yawn Daria: they won't give me a scholarship - yawn Tom: I'll be the helpful boyfriend - yawn Daria: Am I selling out? - yawn Jodie: I'm practical *and* idealistic - yawn Evil faceless corporation - yawn Jane and Daria: gee, we're not 15 anymore - yawn Andrew: Rah Rah go get 'em - yawn Upchuck: you lovely ladies - yawn

These people all need social skills training from Tiffany. Or something.

M Man

I think they did.

Its---important---to. Ooops! Lost my place. Better start over. It's---important---to---make---friends.

Steve Cross

I didn't think "Fizz Ed" was all that good, but I didn't hate it as much as the rest of y'all.

Upchuck was every bit as annoying as ever. The scholarship interview gave the writers a chance to show him undergoing some personal growth, but instead he was Industrial-strength Upchuck-smarmy all the way through.

OK, let me see what I thought was funny: (a) Mr. Landon's "ring the bell speech," though I also appreciate what he's trying to do. And (b) Um, uh, aw, hell, there is no (b). Nothing else about this ep was even remotely funny.

"Fizz Ed" for all its problems was funnier than THIS drek!

Of course, a Daria ep can be insightful and original as well as funny. This one was neither. I found Jane's rant about Daria "joining the system" extremely annoying. What "system" does Jane mean anyway? Doesn't she realize that Daria's been looking forward to college every since she got to high school, because that's when her real life would begin? This was also my attitutde during high school.

It's sad, because I've always liked Jane.

For the record, I'm not offended that the ep dealt with racism. I just wish it was more interesting.

Steve Cross

Sort of. He seemed to be just going through the motions, though. When was calling Jodie and Daria "lovely ladies" I got the feeling he wouldn't even have noticed if they'd both been buck-naked. He'd have just continued his usual spiel.

What's sad is that it could have been a decent speech, but he sounded like he was bucking up a couple of kindergartners, not college-bound girls. Can't believe Jodie compared him to MLK who, love him or hate him, was an *orator*.

I don't think this drek was supposed to be funny. It was supposed to be "meaningful".

It didn't "deal" with racism or anything else. Just spewed a lot of platitutes about a lot of random stuff.

I still halfway wonder if this eipsode was some sort of self-parody of triteness.

M Man

Know all men by these presents, that the aforesaid [email] (MMan37x) did write in news:[email], on the date of 13 Jun 2001:

SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 511 - "Prize Fighters" .. .. .. .. .. .. SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 511 - "Prize Fighters" .. .. .. .. .. .. SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 511 - "Prize Fighters" .. .. .. .. .. .. SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 511 - "Prize Fighters" .. .. .. .. .. .. SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 511 - "Prize Fighters" .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

Have they ever previously shown Charles being concerned with his post-high school career? I can't recall that he's ever shown any interest in going to college before this. (Maybe he was perusing one of those "Girls of the Ivy League" pictorials...)

Well, she didn't compare him *favorably* - saying "my dad thinks he's Martin Luther King Jr. - or Quasimodo, I'm not quite sure" indicates a certain degree of sarcasm.

I think you're right. It's especially sad given that "Daria" has had good episodes about serious subjects - e.g., death ("The Misery Chick"), and there have also been excellent episodes that were hardly laughfests, e.g., "Dye! Dye! My Darling." But the writers had something interesting to say in those episodes; in "Prize Fighters," they didn't.

That would actually make it a bit more interesting.

-Mark Steese a/k/a Corvus Marinus

Sounds like the way Chuck'd pick a college!

Actually, he just hasn't been important enough a character to see that sort of thing before. Unlike Daria, of course, who's kind of assumed she'd go to college without ever concerning herself with the details, apparently.

At least this pretty much confirms my (and others') suspicions that Chuck's a pretty brainy guy.

Still.

Methinks Ms. Beber's reach exceeded her grasp.

If they wanted to do a racism episode, following up on the Landons' application to join Ye Olde Money Country Club (from IIFY) could have made a good episode. They appear to have dropped that plot-thread, however.

M Man

MMan37x://

[snip]

Still? What "still" is there? Her father makes what he thought was a rousing speech. Jodie thinks it's anything but and says, "My dad thinks he's Martin Luther King, Jr. -- or Quasimodo. I'm not quite sure." Again, "My DAD thinks..." Not, "*I* think." Not even, "Isn't Dad like..." She's not comparing him by any means, she's gently mocking him and his speech.

As for his sounding like he was "bucking up a couple of kindergartners," I think that was the joke. He's never had a handle on what his child wants. (Remember the summer she wanted a break from extracurricular activities?) He only cares about what *he* wants for her. So, in many ways, he's still clinging to an attitude that sees Jodie as a very young child, not the young adult she's clearly becomming.

Hmmm. Just when I think I'm using too many :-)'s I see again I'm using too few. I should have said:

Still :-)

The content of his remarks (though not the style) was actually on target for once. And apparently not entirely lost on Jodie or Daria, since they didn't quit.

M Man

Know all men by these presents, that the aforesaid [email] (Steve Cross) did write in news:9g7g3v$136$[email], on the date of 13 Jun 2001:

SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 511 - "Prize Fighters" .. .. .. .. .. .. SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 511 - "Prize Fighters" .. .. .. .. .. .. SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 511 - "Prize Fighters" .. .. .. .. .. .. .. SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 511 - "Prize Fighters" .. .. .. .. .. .. .. SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 511 - "Prize Fighters" .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. [snippage]

I think it was fairly clear from the last scene between Daria and Jane that Jane's problem had nothing to do with Daria "selling out" by applying for scholarships and everything to do with the fact that Jane *can't* apply for scholarships because her grades aren't good enough. That was the only moderately interesting aspect of the episode, for me, and they didn't bother to develop it. An entire episode about Jane trying to deal with the fact that on one level she resents Daria for being smarter than she is would've been a bit more interesting, especially considering the fact that Daria's being smarter is one of the reasons Tom was attracted to her. A wasted opportunity, unfortunately.

I noticed an odd thing upon re-watching it to check some of the dialogue. Some of the lines are funny, but they went by unnoticed the first time because the scenes they're in *aren't* funny; when Dr. Danada tells Daria that she has to find out what the interviewers want and sell it to them and she says "I'm just praying that they want bulk-rate hot dogs," it should be funny, and the same goes for Upchuck starting his recitation of his strengths by saying "Aside from my far-flung reputation as a people person..." It reminds me just a bit of an episode of "The Simpsons" from a few years back that I was surprised to see people defending; they listed any number of funny lines from the show, but the lines were only funny out of context; the story they had been put in wasn't funny at all.

-Mark Steese a/k/a Corvus Marinus

This idea was part of what was going on in "Fire!" and DDMD. Daria was wowing Tom with Fellini and Machiavelli, so Jane struck back with her "The Lady or the Tiger?" painting. And we heard Jane complain to Jodie about "all that book stuff" Daria and Tom were discussing.

I noticed them - at least I noticed those two lines. Humor won't rescue an episode so self-conciously and overly earnest.

Let's just hope next week's episode erases the memory.

M Man

I agree with those who've said Jane is envious of Daria's grades, but this is just a part of her insecurity. Her talent in the visual arts is pretty impressive to me, and her quips and sarcastic remarks are as witty as Daria's, and sometimes more so.

Steve Cross

Know all men by these presents, that the aforesaid [email] (MMan37x) did write in news:[email], on the date of 13 Jun 2001:

[snippage]

It's been part of the Daria-Jane dynamic at least since "Arts 'N Crass"; Jane isn't an analytical thinker like Daria. Her straight-C average in math came up in "Gifted" and was a major plot point in "See Jane Run." It's a fairly interesting aspect of her character, because she's intelligent, but in a different way from Daria, and she hasn't had the kind of parental encouragement to do well in school that Daria's had. As Tom said in "Is It Fall Yet?", Jane could get a Ph.D or spend the rest of her life painting tiles and her parents wouldn't care one way or the other.

Jane may also be afraid that her friendship with Daria will end once Daria goes away to college, which would be another reason why the scholarship application made her so angry, and which is another reason I wish "Prize Fighters" had focused on that aspect of the story. I don't think it would have killed them to drop the damn wiener jokes.

[snip]

If they'd developed the humor into full scenes instead of isolated lines, the episode wouldn't have been so annoyingly earnest; "Arts 'N Crass" took what could have been an equally trite story and made it humorous without detracting from the point.

Amen!

Mark Steese a/k/a Corvus Marinus

I'm not so sure parental encouragement had that much to do with it in Daria's case. Note than Quinn, although recently improved, has been getting at best mediocre grades without unduly alarming Helen or Jake.

With Jane - it's just not that important to her. She gets by and that's enough for her.

Probably they're going to do a lot with that in IICY.

I'll eat them if you don't want them. :-)

M Man

Know all men by these presents, that the aforesaid [email] (MMan37x) did write in news:[email], on the date of 14 Jun 2001:

[snippage]

Helen may not be alarmed, but she's clearly disappointed by Quinn's lack of ambition, and she can't figure out what went wrong, as she noted in "Psycho Therapy." Both Jake and Helen were thrilled when Quinn got an A in "Quinn the Brain." They encourage her to do better - it's just that she generally doesn't respond to the encouragement.

With some exceptions, as noted.

I hope so.

Be my guest, but remember, you're going to have to fight Mr. DeMartino for them...^_^

Mark Steese a/k/a Corvus Marinus

They haven't been pushy with either Quinn or Daria.

This strategy seems to be working out well, especially this season.

I'm not afraid of DeMartino, just don't make me battle that Johansen woman for food ....

M Man

In article , [email] says...

Very wise, I think. Comedy comes from more than one place in our heads. Sometimes we see a funny reaction to something serious. Sometimes its a serious reaction to something funny, or an oblivious, shallow reaction to something important. Sometimes we just see a quirky character or a visual sight gag. Most TV comedy is based on inherently funny plots -- 'situation-based,' comedy, where almost anything a character does or says is inappropriate to something that just happened in the story. Comedy isn't always a simple two-line joke.

I think much of Daria's comedy comes from more serious, more 'real world' situations, where a character acts inappropriately, and then Daria has a one-liner comment. It's harder for Daria's audience to recognize the funny stuff when "Daria" moves from this formula.

This episode must have been harder to write than most episodes. Daria wasn't on the outside making comments -- she was on the inside, coping with the problem. The scholarship problem itself is very realistic for many bright high school students who don't have the money to go to College, and not all of whom will receive the scholarships they need and deserve. In this episode, all three finalists deserved to go to College.

I think the episode was weakened only because the writers didn't have an easy, glib answer to the situation they presented. Without an easy resolution, Daria didn't have as many chances to make the funny, "truth-telling" one-liner comments that she usually would have.

L&R