Dilbert: For Animation Consumption Only

Dilbert: The Animated series was one of the only shows I can ever remember from the time when UPN was still a network.  Back when it was airing in 1999 you had two choices, you could watch the show when it aired, or you could set your VCR to record it.  This would mean that you had to understand how to utilize a VCR, and at the time when Dilbert was still mocking people who were trying to understand a Desktop.  Laptops and Etch-a-Sketches were frequently confused by people like the Pointy Haired Boss.

After Dilbert went off the air, there wasn’t really a choice of how to watch it.  Have it on tape from before, or you’re not getting a chance.  After a while it showed up on DVD and Comedy Central very late at night.  Would it be worth buying though?

The answer is probably no, but as it happens, Dilbert has been on the net for a while now.  Thanks to Hulu and Netflix, the animated series for Dilbert is available with or without commercials.  Is it worth watching though?

Honestly, it depends.  If you work in an office, like the majority of advertising seems to imply, then yes.  The humor will seem slightly dated, but the jokes about office life hold true.  Voice acting is good, as is the music, intros were composed by Danny Elfman, and the guest stars are great including Jason Alexander and Jerry Seinfeld.  Many engineers will also be able to relate to management related issues.

The biggest problems though, are the over the top story lines and out of order episodes.   At points the story is just too absurd to be funny anymore.  Alien pregnancies and Stone Cold Steve Austin, this wasn’t really funny before Y2K either.  Several characters don’t even fit, such as Loud Howard, who only exists to be loud.  Hardcore Dilbert fans won’t appreciate this.

Also, apparently Dogbert is God.

Finally, if you do watch this series, be aware, Netflix has managed to some how put the episodes out of order. Refer to the wiki for assistance.  Hulu’s queue is fine.  You could also buy the DVDs.

Rating: 2.0/5
(3.0/5 for Engineers)

http://www.dilbert.com/

P.S.: It’s worth noting that Scott Adams also has a great blog at his site.

Oh God Oh, God!

Being somewhat lackadaisical from all the snow today, I decided to watch one of the movies expiring in the next week on Netflix.   Oh, God (1977) tells the story of Jerry Landers (John Denver), an assistant grocery store manager who gets an interview with God, played by George Burns.  Little does he know, that the job is an interview to try to save the planet, that he doesn’t have a choice in getting the position,  and that he’s about to have a ridiculous amount of trouble with his wife, his kids, people of faith, and just about everyone else.

The movie is supposed to be a comedy, but there isn’t anything that feels particularly note worthy.  While it draws slightly from It’s a Wonderful Life, it doesn’t have an emotional connect with the watch.  The music, cinematography, pacing, and story just all feel overwhelmingly average.  For a funny movie, George Burns just doesn’t get to make enough good jokes, and as a result, the movie just doesn’t feel very funny.  It’s partly the script’s fault, but it’s also that John Denver just isn’t very sympathetic or much of a foil.  He seems to spends all his time panicking or pontificating   The whole movie feels flat and monotone.  Even in it’s climax and attempt to draw off Miracle on 34th street, it’s just not very heart warming.  There are better movies about average men interfacing with God, with much more depth.

2.5 / 5