2/24 "Winners & Losers & Whiners & Boozers, Part One"

[Steve M.]

With the Oscars just around the corner, Alex's nerves are put even more on the edge when her domineering mother, Suzanne (Cybill Shepherd) shows up without warning and expects to accompany her daughter to the ceremony. This leaves Alex in the unenviable position of choosing between Patrick and Cheri as her second guest. Meanwhile, Stevie's decision to make a big impression on Alex at the awards gala doesn't go quite off as planned. Marlee Matlin ("Children of A Lesser God") makes a cameo appareance as herself.

[Steve M.]

Cybill Shepherd as Mrs. Baldzikowski, Alex and Cheri's boozin' mom? Ooooooooh, this one's gonna be really priceless! :lol: One word of warning - Part Two airs on March 2 - Super Tuesday - so expect an interruption or two from Peter Jennings next week. Well, maybe he'll wait for the very end of the episode, like he did last time.

[Steve M.]

THis one was much more raucous than previous episodes, and sometimes a little bawdy, but it still rocked! Cybill Shepherd was hilarious, and it's nice to see Patrick assert himself ("You, I can take down!") The sweetest moment, in case you missed it, was Alex wearing a necklace from Patrick instead of the expensive diamond one. :) Loved the bloopers at the end! :lol:

As for part two next week. . . Whether or not Alex gets the Oscar is revealed in the thread detailing ABC's February 2004 sweeps programming, so if you want to peek and see whether or not she won, do so at your own peril. It's probably a good idea to peek. I can see it now - next week, the presenter opens the envelope and says, "And the winner is. . . ."

Then, suddenly Peter Jennings interrupts and says, We can project a winner in the New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut primaries. based on our exit polls, we predict the winner is John Kerry."

Wonder if we'll even get to see part two next week? :confused:

[hurricaneez1]

I cant wait till part 2.

[SapphireSkies]

:lol: Right up there with last week's episode. Hilarious. Dinklage provided some of the best lines again.

As did Cybill Shepherd, who was terrific as Alex and Cheri's mother. She played the whole boozer bit perfectly. Had me in histerics often, especially when she climbed in bed with Alex and Patrick and checked Patrick out. "I'm just happy you finally got a good one--a very good one." :lol:

Alex wearing Patrick's gift necklace was definitely one of those moments of beauty. Another was when Cheri asks Patrick if he's in this relationship for the long haul, if it's the real deal, and he assures her that it is. That was an earnest question on her part, and it was a moment of truth between the two of them. Though this probably won't mean the end of their squabbles. Can't have the show without those. :)

Looking totally forward to part 2. But honestly, that's not saying much because I look totally forward to every episode. It's a treat every week. Nice touch of realism to use the actual names of the Best Actress nominees for this year.

Scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 9. Another wonderful job.

[hurricaneez1]

of this episode:

Good:

- First couple scenes: (before and after the opening credits) with them in bed were laugh out loud funny. You just have to love the look on Alex's face as her mother molest Patrick. :lol:

- Cybil Shepard: Very inspired casting. Maybe I missed references to it since I only started watching in January but I didnt relize Alex and Cherie were white trash. I really thought they were have Alex's mom be some arrogant NYC lady or something. I liked this much better.

- Cherie (good): Looked very hot this episode. I wish they would have her hair down all the time....it makes her look much better than that stupid bun she wears all the time. Plus....I really liked her interaction with Mom. Very, very funny.

Not so good

- Stevie: looking at the board it seems that I am in the minority...I just dont think he is that funny.

- Cherie (not so good): I disagree with Sapphire...didnt like her giving up her ticket like she did. Would have prefered a scenario where she lost the ticket but they found a way she could go but she had to go with Stevie. The whole "Is the thing with my sister real" seemed a little contrived.

Bottomline:

9 out of 10.....hell I give it a 8 just for the first couple scenes with Cybil and hot Cherie adding another point. Couple of very nitpicky things keep it from being a 10. Second best episode of the series so far just behind "The Heartbreak Kid"....just something about that episode...

[Steve M.]

Originally posted by hurricaneez1
Maybe I missed references to it since I only started watching in January but I didnt relize Alex and Cherie were white trash. I really thought they were have Alex's mom be some arrogant NYC lady or something. I liked this much better.

All I knew from watching earlier episodes was that Alex and Cheri were nice Polish girls named Baldzikowski, their dad owned a rundown boat, and their mom always got loaded. Cybill Shepherd playing Suzanne with a Southern accent and having a taste for NASCAR racing was a gas, but seriously, folks, how many Baldzikowskis live south of the Mason-Dixon line? I always assumed that Alex and Cheri would be from Illinois or Wisconsin.

Maybe they can explain that by introducing their dad, which I addressed in a separate thread. And yes, I still say William Devane should play Patrick's dad!

Don't get me started talking about who could play Stevie's parents. . . . :lol:

[Steve M.]

Originally posted by hurricaneez1
Second best episode of the series so far just behind "The Heartbreak Kid"....just something about that episode...

"The Heartbreak Kid?" Really? :eek:

[hurricaneez1]

"The Heartbreak Kid?" Really?

Like I said....dont ask me why. For some reason, maybe the fact that this big star gets all jealous, I just liked that episode. Plus i thought Cherie being a fish out of water was funny.

[SapphireSkies]

Originally posted by hurricaneez1

Maybe I missed references to it since I only started watching in January but I didnt relize Alex and Cherie were white trash. I really thought they were have Alex's mom be some arrogant NYC lady or something. I liked this much better.

The first real memory I have of Alex and Cheri's mother comes in the Thanksgiving episode--"Meet the Parent"--where the sisters share "fond" memories of how skillfully she was able to get a turkey dinner prepared and be hammered soon after (or words to that effect). Though I suspect she was also mentioned in "Alex Misses the Boat" when they delved into the Baldzikowski family history.

She was brought into the picture again with the Christmas episode, "The Greatest Christmas Story Ever Told." Cheri's talking to her over the phone, and before handing the phone to Alex, describes with dry wit their mother's state of intoxication. Wish I could remember her exact words. Guess the writers were driving that point home, though. ;)

Only impression I ever really had of Suzanne Baldzikowski was that she really, really loved her booze. Beyond that, Cybill Shephard's performance was wonderfully fresh. Good contrast with Susan Sullivan's characterization of Rosalyn Owen, which was somewhat derivative of Katherine Montgomery from Dharma & Greg. Not stuck-up like Montgomery, but her overall demeanor was reminiscent.

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I disagree with Sapphire...didnt like her giving up her ticket like she did. Would have prefered a scenario where she lost the ticket but they found a way she could go but she had to go with Stevie. The whole "Is the thing with my sister real" seemed a little contrived.

I don't know. Maybe it was a little out of place. I just know that I really liked it. Guess I'm a sucker for mushy stuff. :)

Loved the way Cheri and Stevie finally got there, though. Cheri as seat filler, refusing to let Marlee Matlin reclaim her place. :lol: And Stevie being a streaker? 'Nuff said. :D

[Dragonflies]

I looooved this episode! It's now one of my favs so far ;)

I loved it when Alex's mom jumped into bed with her and Patrick, I LMAO when she said "Making love on Oscar morning, instead of low self esteem sex" and Cheri says "Mom I'm right HERE!" :lol: Or something like that, don't quote me ;)

I liked it that Cheri gave up her ticket, IMO it shows how much she loves her sister and how much she values Alex's happiness above all else, I love how protective Cheri is of Alex.

And yes that was a nice touch using the real actresses names.