(S01E02) Last week, when I rewatched Sit Down, Shut Up for my review, I said that while I still wasn't enthralled by it, the show was much better upon the second viewing. Since I thought episode 2 was much better than the pilot, I expected to like it even more upon rewatching. Oddly enough, I didn't.

As stellar as this cast is, I'm trying to separate my feelings about this show from my feelings about them. I love Kristin Chenoweth on Pushing Daisies, so I don't really want to admit that her work on this show reminds me of a more grating Amy Sedaris with none of the humor, but it kind of does. I don't know if it's the way her character is written, or the fact that Chenoweth's particular brand of pixie cuteness doesn't translate unless you're looking at her, but she just sounds shrill to me.

As much as I'm willing to admit that my Arrested Development fandom colors my opinion of this show, I don't think that's the reason I find Larry (Jason Bateman) and Ennis' (Will Arnett) interactions the funniest part of this episode. The two of them and Baby Merch provide the most consistent comedy, and while other characters can be funny some of the time, you could probably get rid of half the cast and not be adversely affected. In fact, Sit Down, Shut Up would probably be better off.

Sue Sezno is growing on me, and as the boss, she plays an important part. Stuart is important just because he has some of the most ridiculous lines, but I honestly think that we could get rid of Happy, Andrew and Helen, and the show wouldn't suffer even a little bit.

As far as the plot of this episode is concerned, I was fine with it. It wasn't the most original thing I've ever seen in my life; instead, it was your pretty typical sit-com "wacky hijinks ensue when the main character is in pursuit of a woman who doesn't know he exists" storyline. Usually when you have a character like Larry who's so aggressively going after someone like Miracle, you have the quiet female friend who would be perfect for the guy, but who is never noticed because she is quiet and isn't flashy.

The main problem I have right now with Sit Down, Shut Up, is that even that simple plot-point is too deep for it. Maybe I'm expecting too much from an animated series, but is it wrong to want the characters to feel at least as real as their backgrounds?

Some of my favorite lines from this episode:

"Wow. The last time I got a flower as a gift -- no. I can't spend another seven years in Scientology." - Willard

Larry: "We're born! We die! We're worm food!"
Stuart: "I mean, how does that not turn her on?"

Larry: "I mean, what do I care if miracles aren't real?"
Ennis: "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Miracle's aren't real?
Larry: "Have you ever seen one?"
Ennis: "No. I'd like to see 'em both, but her damn baby's always in the way.
Larry: "You're talking about her breasts, aren't you?"
Ennis: "Why? You don't think she's had an ass job too, do you?"

"If I lose little Merch, Miracle will never raise her head again and I'll never know what's under there! Right now that doesn't bother me because I'm sated, but I also feel like I should find the baby because it's a baby!" - Ennis