ShareThisBy TERRY MORROW
Scripps Howard News Service
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Oh, the Joy of "Earl."
She's a deliciously written, wildly over-the-top hellion who adds the right kind of spunk to a sleepy kind of sitcom like "My Name Is Earl." Even when Joy Hickey Turner (Jaime Pressly) isn't in a scene, she looms large, which is a sign of a great character.
As the second season ends (8 p.m. Thursday, May 10, NBC), it's apparent just how essential Joy is, and how the show would not be quite the same with her.
In fact, "Earl" is better when the focus is on Joy more than Earl.
So it's a delight to see the season finale wrapped up around Joy as her long-overdue trial on a third-strike charge begins. (She stole a truck earlier in the season, a plot device needed to limit a pregnant Pressly's appearances for most of this year).
Oddly in this finale, Joy isn't in as many scenes as you'd think, but her presence wafts through every scene.
Of course, Earl (Jason Lee) won't let his vixen of an ex-wife go the Big House easily. He wants to see her avert jail time and go back to her family in the trailer park.
Earl must be a saint to want to save Joy. As he combs through the community to find character witnesses on her behalf, he rediscovers just what a whirlwind Joy can be.
Her minister can't bring himself to say anything nice (recalling to Earl the time Joy came to church wearing a denim tube top).
Let's just say Joy's not exactly a people person.
Is "Earl" purely dependent on Joy for the bulk of its best comedy? No, but it's apparent, especially in this season finale, that the show would be sorely lacking with her.
Maybe, if you look at it that way, we can all understand why Earl still loves Joy despite her overwhelming flaws.
If "Earl" had more Joy _ or even more characters so vividly written as her _ it would truly live up to its potential.
Other highlights for the week of May 6-12, all times Eastern. (Listings subject to change; check local listings):
SUNDAY, May 6
_ "Cold Case" (9 p.m. CBS). The entire team is held hostage during a case. Well, it is a season finale. Those actors better be on their best behavior this summer.
_ "Reno 911!" (10:30 p.m., Comedy Central). Dangle visits his ex-wife and her new husband on their anniversary. Yes, Dangle was married. To a woman.
TUESDAY, May 8
_ "Gilmore Girls" (8 p.m. CW). One girl becomes a woman. Rory (Alexis Bledel) gets her college degree.
_ "The Unit" (8 p.m. CBS). The team comes back from a mission and learns they are under a secret investigation. Well, it's not so much a secret anymore.
WEDNESDAY, May 9
_ "Jericho" (8 p.m. CBS). Just when the town thought they were the only ones left, they meet others. Or, if this were "Lost," that would be Others.
_ "CSI: NY" (10 p.m. CBS). Oh no! There's two John McEnroes! Isn't one enough?
_ "Halfway Home" (10:30 p.m. Comedy Central). Minimum wage jobs vex the residents.
THURSDAY, May 10
_ "Supernatural" (9 p.m. CW). "Grey's Anatomy's" Jeffrey Dean Morgan does double duty in the season finale.
_ "Without A Trace" (10 p.m. CBS). Jack tries to keep Elena safe when a legal case of hers gets messy.
(Contact Terry Morrow of The Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee at www.knoxnews.com.)
