Episode Report Card Cate: C | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Monkey Business (1)
By Cate | Season 7 | Episode 1 | Aired on 09.15.2002
Simon leaves Robbie's room and walks down the hall, casually tossing around a set of keys in a manner which is probably supposed to emphasize the fact that he is now a super-cool teen heartthrob. Make that an irresistible super-cool teen heartthrob, because as he walks past the bathroom, he looks in and then jerks his head to order the occupant to follow him. Amazingly, she does -- "she" being an overly made-up blonde girl. When Simon asks her what she wants to do, she says, "I think we should practice making out until we get it right." I'm really so glad now that I prepared for writing this recap by not having breakfast. Simon coolly asks this girl, "What is your name again?" Ooh, so studly! The girl simpers and replies that it's "Cecilia." You know, I never thought it was possible to develop a consuming hatred for a television character in just thirty seconds or so, but I now I realize that theory was wrong.RevCam walks into the living room to see Ruthie on the couch, combing a chimpanzee's hair. No, for real. And that's not just my new way of describing Dopey, since Barry Watson really is off the show for now. This is a real chimp. His name is Eisenhower, and Ruthie is taking care of him for their neighbor, Curtis. She goes into a long, convoluted explanation of something involving Eisenhower throwing banana pudding at Curtis's girlfriend because he was jealous of her, but since it really didn't make much sense the first time around, I can't be bothered to listen to it again. Ruthie changes the topic anyway, asking Eric if she can have her "boyfriend" over. Wait -- now I'm confused. Isn't that her boyfriend already sitting next to her on the couch?
So, a new season means new credits. Nothing exciting here. These are probably just interim credits anyway, since Jessica Biel is in them, and we know she won't be around much longer. I'm hoping the same can be said of Ashlee Simpson, who plays the revolting Cecilia. Aw, how sweet -- the credits end with Annie and RevCam sharing one of their utterly passionless closed-mouthed kisses. Like I said, nothing exciting here.
I know I keep saying that the Opening Credits Timewaster can't get any more boring, but Brenda keeps proving me wrong. I'm not even sure what's supposed to be happening in this one, since Ruthie and her chimp keep coming into the kitchen and carrying out various items, like a plastic container of cheese and a basket of bagels. Hey, what are those bagels doing in the house? Doesn't Annie know bagels are weird ethnic food? Unfortunately, Eisenhower is wearing pants. I can't help but suspect that has something to do with sparing the typical viewer's delicate sensibilities. God forbid we should be subjected to naked animals. When she was very young, my sister once tried to fashion pants for our pet gerbils. Needless to say, that didn't go over too well with the gerbils. I wonder how the chimp feels about wearing pants. At least his outfit is better than Ruthie's. She's wearing huge bellbottoms and an icky shirt with seams in areas that really should not contain seams. The fact that I owned and wore a virtually identical outfit in the '70s does absolute nothing to recommend said outfit for use in the present day.