We’ve reached the end of Season Two, and like the end of Season One, there will be laughter and a whole lot of tears…
Theme:
In Season Two, Episode Ten, “Embarrassed,” Awesome Show reaches the apotheosis of its themes of competition and wicked fathers. From the nonsensical, joyous “Tumblers Better than Pumpers” song, to the rivalry that forms this episode’s main saga, competition forms the narrative core of this episode. Culminating in one of the series’ darkest endings, the theme of terrible fathers comes back. Whereas Episode One of Season One played with the idea of Tim’s dad preferring Eric, this episode takes that joke to its darkest possible extreme.
Hi-Lights:
Cinco--D’Ump
Everything is right here--from the awful dubbing, the questionable subtitles, and the inherent absurdity of the D’Ump itself. A cross between a plastic deer and an umpire, the D’Ump has the special feature of totally shutting down when it senses danger. The American voice of D’Ump is especially wonderful--gentle and just too creepy for words. You will believe D’Ump’s promise: I will protect boys.
Channel 5’s Only Married News Team: Wine
You really would think Channel 5 would learn not to trust Dr. Brule with anything--much less enough wine to take down a frat house. Things go predictably awful when Dr. Brule, drunk off his ass, starts screaming about his newfound love “sweet berry wine” before collapsing into a puddle of his own lust, tears, and vomit. Alas, poor Brule, but haven’t we all been there?
Tim Heidecker’s Memorial Service
A fitting denouement to an appropriately brutal season. Tim’s dad can’t be bothered to show up to his memorial and sends a video openly excusing Eric. Then, in the middle of Eric’s half-hearted eulogy, he tries to power down his Cinco mobile phone only to have it play its “Goodbye” song until all the mourners are driven into a grief-fueled frenzy.
Anatomy of an Episode:
Cinco--D’Ump
See Hi-Lights. Are you tired of taking your hulking Soviet-era electronic umpire with you on family trips? Boy, does Cinco have a product for you.
Host Segment (Part 1)
What begins as innocuous fake talking and robotic arm gestures quickly becomes a struggle for dominance as Eric shows off one of Tim’s baby pictures.
Pumpers
Set to relentlessly repetitive club beats and featuring listless child dancers, Tim and Eric exuberantly “pump” their arms underneath ill-fitting sweatshirts. Extra points for Eric’s amazing beard. Really, it must be seen to be believed.
Channel 5’s Only Married News Team: Wine (Part 1)
See Hi-Lights. Dr. Brule educates us slobs at home about the finer points of wine. We learn about such types as “peanut nor” and the fact that the Romans invented wine expressly for use in orgies.
Richard Dunn Interlude
Richard Dunn stands and nearly falls repeatedly as Tim says Eric’s name over and over. A nice call back to Season 1 which featured more “behind the scenes” gaffs like this.
Host Segment (Part 2)
Tim and Eric square off in a deserted parking lot. It seems like it could be anyone’s fight until Eric literally rips Tim’s heart out.
Tumblers Better Than Pumpers
Our listless child dancers are back, this time lending their skills to a song defending the primacy of tumblers over pumpers.
Channel 5’s Only Married News Team: Wine (Part 2)
See Hi-Lights. The station once again descends into chaos as a liquored up Dr. Brule makes his escape.
Tim Heidecker’s Memorial Service
See Hi-Lights. Tim’s dad sends his condolences and Eric’s Cinco mobile gives a better eulogy than anyone would have expected.
Winner:
Eric Wareheim takes this episode, and ultimately, this season of Awesome Show. He earns the title for his cold-blooded murder of Tim, for continuing to earn Mr. Heidecker’s fatherly support, and for that beard. That beard may not be the hero we need right now, but it’s the best one we’ve got.
Pennie Sublime