Strangers with Candy: Who Wants Cake? Rewatch
September 8, 2016 6:09 AM - Season 1, Episode 4 - Subscribe
Jerri gets shiny new braces, gives her pet lobster a bath, and considers going narc for the school administration in exchange for permission to attend the class trip to Good Time Island.
When we were discussing the possibility of a Strangers with Candy rewatch, and I said that there were some episodes that could not be made today, I was thinking of this episode, specifically.
It's also my favorite episode of the series, but that's me.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 2:02 PM on September 8, 2016
It's also my favorite episode of the series, but that's me.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 2:02 PM on September 8, 2016
Yeah, one of the things about SWC generally that came back to me when I was starting the rewatch is that sometimes it seems like they came up with the premise of an individual episode when they were just spitballing ideas and ran with it without thinking it through all the way. Some of the individual bits were a lot better, such as, “The audacity! And by ‘audacity’ I mean ‘hubris,’ overweening pride”--which is, by the way, supposed to be a quote from the late Chicago mayor Harold Washington, although all the references in a Google search come back to this episode.
posted by Halloween Jack at 2:11 PM on September 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Halloween Jack at 2:11 PM on September 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
This is probably the best "Dad" episode. "That's an ugly word, Mr. Blank!"
"I hope you're happy, you've succeeded in hurting me."
The Jellineck conversation scene is such a classic SWC bit. Noblet nude modeling, catching the towel, then the walk with Jerri and a wordplay back and forth. I don't know if that's a standard improv game or something, but they used it many times.
I have used, "you're saying 'no no no' but all they hear is 'who wants cake'" so many times in so many contexts. The premise of the episode hasn't aged well, but this is the first real stride-hitting episode, full of classic moments. The polio speech Richard Kind's dentist gives is so well done. Every scene hits.
"I'm afraid I can't read this note, Jerri. The handwriting is so...uncooperative."
posted by rhizome at 2:22 AM on October 12, 2016
"I hope you're happy, you've succeeded in hurting me."
The Jellineck conversation scene is such a classic SWC bit. Noblet nude modeling, catching the towel, then the walk with Jerri and a wordplay back and forth. I don't know if that's a standard improv game or something, but they used it many times.
I have used, "you're saying 'no no no' but all they hear is 'who wants cake'" so many times in so many contexts. The premise of the episode hasn't aged well, but this is the first real stride-hitting episode, full of classic moments. The polio speech Richard Kind's dentist gives is so well done. Every scene hits.
"I'm afraid I can't read this note, Jerri. The handwriting is so...uncooperative."
posted by rhizome at 2:22 AM on October 12, 2016
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Too bad, too, because there are plenty of enjoyable little moments elsewhere in the episode. I always enjoy the thoroughly telegraphed "Jerri's unusual pet dies horribly" gags, and her dirty limerick to the tune of "That's Amore" was pure gold. Also, Noblet's "SHUT YOUR DIRTY LITTLE MOUTH" when asked by a smart-ass student if he has a permission slip for Good Time Island. And Principal Blackman's line delivery is perfect, always, forever.
And of course, the mysterious charms of Good Time Island make for fun speculation. "If it rains, they'll just put up the pleasure dome!" The whole idea is pretty much an improv comic's dream.
posted by duffell at 6:18 AM on September 8, 2016